The Cardiff Times

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WELSH GLEANINGS. Cochfarf writes :—I quote the following from e Confectioners' Union for this month :—" Jor Cadu ar bol awr Frenhines Prydaiu Fawr Mewn Lawddaf hynt." I know this looks like bad language, but it isn't. It is the beginning of 'God Save the Queen' in Welsh." The writer of this fanny (?) paragraph need not have any doubt fcbont the first part of his note. It is very bad language indeed, and it will take a Welshman a long time to recognise the quotation as being any kind of Welsh. As the result of the meeting of a sub-committee if the Bala-Bangor Independent College, it is 4ow understood that the principalship will be Offered to Mr J. E. Lloyd, M.A., registrar of the University College of North Wales. As, however, Professor Lloyd is engaged inj making a special study of Wesh history with the view of enriching the vernacular with historical text books, there Is every reason to believe that he cannot be in- duced to accept the offer. Among others who are ■, likely to be approached are the Revs. T. Stenliens JWellingborough) and J. D. Jones (Lincoln). A curious feature of the sale of securities at Afoerdare on Thursday is that the Rhymney !ron New Shares realised 11s each (calls unpaid). j This brings the cost to the purchaser up to a | rice of between 26s and 27s and as there were dealings on Cardiff Stock Exchange the same day %t 21s, the Aberdare sale was remarkable. At ] ihe same time the prospects of the company, given a change of directorate, are such that the purchaser will probably find ere long that he has )nly anticipated the market price by a few Weeks. In Cardiff, on Friday, an advance was fttade. Referring to the ceremony of cutting the first IOd of the Llanelly new dock on Tuesday, Coun- Sillor W. David, who presided at a meeting; of the Temperance Federation in the town the same evening, made a curious calculation. How many docks worth of intoxicants, he asked, had tlipped down the throats of the Llanelly people liace the construction of the new dock was first Mooted ? He found on inquiry that the Llanellyites had spent in eight or nine months on alcoholic drink the full contract price of the Sock which had that day been commenced! The new Carmarthenshire County Council did Hot think it at all expedient to emulate the Pembrokeshire County Council in their election of aldermen. The latter body through accidental sircumstances secured a majority, and took ad- vantage of it to increase their Tory representa- tion by appointing eight Unionists." The Carmarthenshire Liberals were more generous in their strength," and as was suggested in our South Wales Notes on Tuesday, they choose Maong others Mr J. S. Tregoning and General Sir James Hills-Johnes, G.C.B., V.C., not because they happened to be Tories, but because they had shown themselves capable members of the Council. Following in the train of Mr Beerbohm Tree, Mr Alexander has already put in hand a Much Ado About Nothing souvenir. It will be very similar in design to that distributed at Her Majesty's theatre on Wednesday night—referred to in this cOlumn-and Mr Ernest Rhys, the author of "Welsh Ballads," has been retained in this instance also to contribute a literary history of he play, whilst Mr Addison Bright will write an appreciation." It will be profusely illustrated, *<>Ubly in black and white pictures of the "^nery, by Mr Herbert Railton, and charac- tic sketches by Mr Jule Goodman. A feature Qt, production will be the red leather, gold f^^teed binding a careful study of the seven- eentbcentury style. A thê poet m describing the Qualities of a chairman at Welsh meetinga penned the following protrait of the chairmen often found presiding in Welsh meetings in some parts of Wales. He says that a Welsh chairman should be :— Un at swydd heb y just so," A dwsin o'r introducio." -But more often the chairman conducts him- something in this manner :— O o'wn I just am suggestio-a chaiff Un o chwi proposo, Ac undyn fyn secundo, Yna y trefn—un ar tro. Wel, eisha resolution "—y sy'nawr, O please now heb loitran," O indeed, dyna, well done So much sydd dros y motion." Lord Aberdare in his admirable address at the meeting in connection with the efforts which e being made to revive Welsh industries, held &.t the Cardiff Park Hotel this week, made refer- to many things that are, it is to be feared, little more than names to the younger generation Welsh people in Cardiff. It would be interest- ing to know how many sons of Welsh parents in that town have anything but the slightest know- edge of such things as Gwlan ddu'r ddafad," hara circb," tishan froi," tishan dena," "nd tishan lap." The efforts of the promoters Of the meeting are worthy of every encourage- ment, and perhaps it may not be vain to hope that once again the calling of the gwehydd be revived, and the sound of the shuttle IIond the loom once more be heard in the cottages of Wales. Watcyn Wyn intends at the next meeting of the Gorsedd in connection with the National Eis- teddfod at Festiniog to bring forward a proposal he has been contemplating for some time Mat, viz., to have the bardic chair open for the Awdl and the Pryddest alternatively, so when the chair is given for the Pryddest the crown will be given for the Awdl." This 18 intended to place the bards of the alliterative ^•tres and the blank-verse poets on the same and to make the Awdl and the t*ryddest of equal merit. There is a strong feeling among the bards of the new school gainst chairing a second time bards who have the National Eisteddfod chair. This matter ^*8 brought forward by the Rev. Elvet Lewis the Rhyl National Eisteddfod, and a promi- member of the Gorsedd intends giving notice this year's meeting to move that bards who won the National Eisteddfod chair be not \!lowed to compete for it a. second time. The fifth number of the Tadau Annibynol was on Monday by the Welsh National Press Company, Carnarvon, under the editorship of L. D. Jones. The work, though slow, is pro- dding satisfactorily, and this number dealing th the life of the versatile S. R. is in all re- jects admirable, and will be cordially welcomed a. distinct acquisition to the history of the ijjpnconformist fathers. The Rev. Keinion nomas, of Llanfairfechan, skilfully pourtrays f e characteristics of this famous pioneer of re- and incidentally supplies a graphic picture Welsh life in the middle of the present cen- Jy- We are reminded how S. R." ably advc- ted the establishment of the penny post ten before the matter was taken np by Sir /land Hill. Keinion makes a stirring ap- t. al for a national memorial to the old hero, d declares that if every one who has reaped 6 fruits of his labours were to contribute a &ny postage stamp to such a fund S. R.' have the best memorial ever erected in ^Iea j» "t he Gorsedd has latterly suffered a good deal tit tho hands of critics, but Welshmen at least that the Eisteddfod itself was an indi- **oos5 institution of unquestioned antiquity and t estige. A writer in the New Ireland Review this month, however, propounds a theory 't leh will make the bards and their followers 8.te and gasp. It is none other than that the elsh National Eisteddfod is of Irish origin this after the Eisteddfod has been gra- 1f patronising the resuscitated Feis Ceoil -^y l'eland It is hard to believe (thinks the Q 6lsh correspondent of the Manch'ttcr br rdi..tn) that any patriotic Welshman can I \1t?Ok with patience such an aspersion as Jj Let the bards get their thunder ready. <»^hat has Scotland, that other thread in 0 Celtic fringe," to say to all this ? They IQ, e in the Highlands a kind of Gaelic Eistedd- M a.nd it would only accord with the tiaditions |w^0rth Britain to have the claim advanced that K, festival is the real parent of both the *nd the Welsh,

NITTING needles when not actually in use are awkward articles to have about, and we are often at a loss how best to take them with us on a little visit. They are too long to go in any of the pretty little hand-bags that women past their premiere jeunsse de- light to carry, and even if a bag is found that will hold the sharp little steel wea- pons, after a. great deal of persuasion, one has to be exceedingly carefnl to see tnat they do not pierce their way through the leather, thus making an unmendable rent. Then in the case of the elderly lady who likes to take her knitting, when she is going to have a chat with her dearest friend, the probability is that something of a thick woolly nature is in progress, and of course wooden needles have to be used. These are abso- lutely uncompromising about their dwelling-place you may break but not bend them, and with their solid round knobs and their dignified length they refuse to be crushed into any receptacle that is not either specially designed for them or of the size of a Gladstone bag. The only way to overcome the difficulty is to make a case for them, and I am supplying the picture of an exceedingly pretty and u&eful knitting case: Its foundation is of four pieces of cardboard cut in the shape depicted. These are each covered with some nicely embroidered bits of satin, having an interlining of cotton-wool. The two top pieces are sewn together at the pointed edges, and the two under bits likewise, these being then joined at one side by means of ribbon hinges. Cord is sewn all round the edges, and bows and tassel ornaments at either end, while a handle of two cords is placed at the top. The opening may be secured I A USEFUL KNITTING-CASE. either by the tiny catches that are to be obtained or by four ribbons, which can be tied into smart bows. The inside of this case must be neatly lined with white silk, otherwise any work that consists of light-coloured wool will be very apt to get dirty. Some times I have seen a tiny hoi e made in one side of such a case. Through this the wool is passed at the commencement of new work, and thus the ball of wool can revolve easily inside, and yet there is no fear of its "running away," as such things have an unhappy knack of doing. Of course the disadvantage of this practice is that a piece of wool is always showing whether the case is open or closed, but Eersonally I think this is fully compensated for y the fact that the wool is kept in its proper place.. The turning of household utensils into artistic possessions is almost played out; but I am venturing to put before my readers a really charming little hanging pincushion for the bed- room, whose humble origin is the kitchen table drawer. It is a large wooden spoon, but so revolutionised that it is scarcely recognisable, in the first place the spoon mast be enamelled With a pretty colour, or it may be stained and then painted with delicate sprays of flowers. Poker- work would also look very well. But whatever the decoration chosen, the back of the bowl and tne front of the handle must be operated upon only. Now two pincushions have to be made and covered with pretty tinted plain silk. One is of a size exactly to fit the bowl of the spoon, while the other is long and narrow, but thick. This is to be glued in place down the back of the handle,and its mission in life is an exceedingly useful one, that of holding the long hat pins that are such a difficult species to keep in any pincushion of ordinary form and make. When both cushions are firmly glued into their respective positions, a tiny box-pleating of ribbon is attached to the edge of the spoon, and a bit of the same ribbon is tied in a butterfly bow in front of the handle. A loop is sewn on at the extreme end, by which to hang up this little accessory. A NOVEL HANGING PINCUSHION. Writing of these toilet luxuries remi that there is one which should figure in ^ny list that boasts of being complete. This is ° the little triple mirrors which are so exceedingly useful when dressing the hair. But they are terribly expensive to buy if the glass be good and the framing artistic. With a little trouble and a certain amount of ingenuity one of these charm- ing bedroom additions can easily he man tured at home. Three pieces of good loo o" glass must first be obtained of the size aesir then the framing must be considered. J-_ heard of old school-slate frames serving this pur- pose, but would recommend picture moulding or plain wood, to which bamboo can be attacnea. The glass is fitted in and backed with a thin bit of wood, which is secured by means of tiny, bea5*' less tacks. Two pretty hinges can be bought from any ironmonger, and with these the tnree glasses arc joined, but care must be taken tqhave one hinge with a wider spread at the back so that it will allow of the opposite glass boiidk folded in first, when the mirror is closed. A little ring should be placed at the top of the centre glass, as it will oe far more useful when hanging upon the wall than standing on a table, for by this means you have, as I heard a wag remark the other day, the exquisite pleasure of seeing your- self from thee points of view at once." Of course the backs of these glasses,or at any rate of the two side ones, must be lined with a delicate brocade or silk, for they will be seen when the case is shut A TRIPLE MIBSOB. I 1 J I up. The centre one need Only De maut:l .t:I.u YUUU sideraDly to the prettiness, it can ^ha J to increase their usefulness. White on the sub- ject of these mirrors we will procee siderauon of the hair. However strong and beautiful this may be generally, there a p when it is less so, and when it requir attontion if we do not desire to become P utrely bald on to. have thin hair. Baldness on the top of the head seldom attacks wome very late in life. It is apt to make its appear. ance more particularly above the ears, and at the lower part of the head. It is much easier to strengthen dark hair than light, f°r rifija one possessing sunny tresses would sacr their hue for a greater quantity in a, darker shade. Nearly all stimulating applications to ine hair tend to darken it, and the dull lifeless looK that is taken by light-coloured hair when i s owner is out of health is very difficult to improve. The following recipe makes a very good lotion for occasional application :ioz. of powdered borax, same quantity of bicarbonate of soda, loz. of Eau de Cologne, 2oz. of rectified spirits, i drachm of cochineal, and 16oz. of distilled water. As this preparation is apt to be a little drying a day after it is used, it is as well to put a little pure castor oil on the tip of the finger and rub into the roots. This will be found to darken the hair much less than most oily mixtures. ETHEL.

A good story of cards is told in a contemporary. A clergyman who had just been given a bishopric determined to drive round and give P.P.C. cards on his old parishioners. He had just engaged a groom fresh from the racing stable, and before starting he ordered the new servant to go into the house and fetch the cards. Every time that the carriage stopped the groom was ordered to get down and leave one or two cards. At the last house the bishop said, Leave two cards here, James." "I can't,my lord" was the reply; "there B only the ace of spades left." Mr Kuhe tells us in his Musical Recollec- tions," that being asked on one occasion to play at a large London squash" at which the talking entirely drowned the music, he amused himself by practising three times over a work he was to play at a concert the following day. Perhaps it is needless to say that no one was any the wiser, aud the hostess made the most complimentary and "discriminating" remarks to the artiste in arnum m drawing distinctions between MfrvMione pieces. I

Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, in a letter to tlis Marquis of Montrose, wrote :—" I know a very wise man that believed that if a man were permitted to make all the ballads he need not caM who should make ths laws of the nation."

THE LAND OF MAKE BELIEVE." It lies in the distance dim and sweet, On the borders of Long Ago, And the road is worn by the little feet That have journeyed there to and fro And thuogh you may seek it by night or day The task you will never achieve, For only the little ones know the way To the land of Make Believe." Clad in their armour of Faith they ride On the wings of their fancy fleet, And we hear as we listen and wait outside The echo of laughter sweet. It lightens the burdens of toil we bear, It brightens the hearts that grieve Till we wish we could follow and enter there In the land of Make Believe." And oh, the wonderful tales that are told Of the marvellous sights they see 1 For the weak grow strong and the young grow old And are each what they wish to be. Oh, the deeds of valour, the mighty things- Too bold for mind to conceive But these are everyday happenings In the land of Make Believe." Would you follow the print of tiny feet ? You must walk as they, undefiled. Would you join in their fancies pure and sweet ? You must be as a little child. But in vain should we seek it by night or day, The task we should never achieve For only the little ones know the way To the land of Make Believe."

THE KINGS. A man said to his angel: My spirits are falling through, And I cannot carry this battle. Oh, brother, what shall I do ? The terrible kings are on me, With spears that are deadly bright, Against me so from the cradle, Do fate and thy fathers fight. Then said to the man his angel: Thou wavering foolish soul, Back to the ranks. What matter To win or lose the whole ? As judged by the little judges Who hearken not well nor see, Not thus by the outer issue The wise shall interpret thee. Thy will is the very, the only The solemn event of things The weakest of hearts defying, Is stronger than all these kings. Though out of the past they gather, Mind's doubt and bodily pain, And pallid thirst of the spirit That is kin to the other twain. And grief, in a cloud of banners, And ringletted vain desires, And vice, with the spoils upon him Of thee and thy beaten sires. While kings of eternal evil Yet darken the hills about, Thy part is with broken sabre To rise on the last redoubt. To fear not apparent failure, Nor covet the game at all; But fighting, fighting, fighting, Die, driven against the wall," LOUISE IMOGEN GUINEY..

NELSON'S FOUDROYANT: A DEFENCE." The British citizen of some 50 years hence into whose hands the pamphlet bearing this title may happen to fall may well feel it difficult to under. stand why any defence should be required in the face of the circumstances recorded in its pages. It is devoutly to be hoped that by that time the narrow spirit which invariably refers any effort to render a public service to some personal and selfish motive will be shamed out of exist- ence, and that it will then be possible for public writers to realise that some people, few though they may be, can be found willing to undertake jJ, patriotic duty neglected by the partiafl pro- perty responsible without &ny idea of specula- on or any hope of ''commercial" advantage. The writer of the Defence modestly passes lightly over his own share in the undertaking, • whioh, besides pecuniary responsibilities of a very extensive character, involved laborious and harassing personal exaction. His first efforts in connection with the matter were directed to pre- vent if possible the national disgrace involved in the sale to German shipbreakers of one of the very few relics of a time when the British nation succeeded in preserving its dominion of the sea in the face of a combination of all the" Powers of Europe. Failing to surmount the barriers set up by red tape admillistration and the characteristic ¡ obstinacy of Government officials, the writer ap- pealed, and not in vain, to the patriotic generosity of his father, the late Mr J. R. Cobb, who had on previous occasions come to the rescue from des- truction of interesting historic monuments- Pembroke Castle being a notable instance. The grand old ship, though by that time in a woeful condition, was repurchased from the Germans and brought back to the Thames at an expenditure of X6,000, which was subsequently defrayed wholly by Mr Cobb, who also undertook the expense of her being repaired, refitted, and restored to her original condition as Nelson's flagship, the total cost amounting to £ 25,000—a pretty considerable contribution by a private individual towards what should have been a national object. On this point the writer remarks" The charge against my father is that because, having spent Z25,000 on a public object, he was not Prepared to endow it to the extent of £ 2,000 or £ 3,000 a year, he was therefore a speculator and the ship a commercial enterprisi. The actual cost of maintenance of the Foudroyant for the year during which she was exhibited was £ 4,300. Towards this the public contributed less than one sixth. Is it possible for the imagination of even a Daily Tele- graph leader-writer to conceive that such a mere speculation should have lasted so long on such results ? For all the time the ship, instead of suffering from neglect, was steadily growing in completeness and interest." That the fine old warship—the last of her ell"ls-i,hotild have come to her end, by the un. usual occurrence of a violent tempest in the month of June, must be a matter of lasting regret to all who attach any value to the memory ^rea't ^ee<^R and of the heroic men by whom they were achieved. All such will inevitably cherish grateful feelings towards those true patriots who endeavoured in the face of many obstacles—and at such great personal cost to preserve for their country a monument—which recalled in the most vivid manner the recollec- tions of a time when the very existence of Great Britain as an independent nation hung in the balance, and was only saved by the indomitable valour of such men as those who trod the decks of the old Foudroyant.

HAVING HIS MONEY'S WORTH, Mrs JACOBS: Isaac! Isaac! Vy don'd you come in oud of der rain ? Mr JACOBS: Not for twelf-und-a-haf minutes yet, Rachel. I hired der umbrella for two hours.

Two Opinions. » f novelist delivered a lecture ecently in a New Jersey town. After the lecture, when the people met, it was the proper thing for one to ask the other,— Were you at the lecture ?" and the answer in was> "Oh, yes, I was there, but I a "word. Did you hear the lecture ?" "f, no I was there, but I couldn't hear, either." A friend who met the novelist asked him what kind of audience he had, and how he liked the town. It's a fine place," was the reply, and I had the most attentive audience that I have ever spoken to. Wo one made a sound, and I didn't the most attentive audience that I have ever spoken to. No one made a sound, and I didn't nave to raise my voice above a whisper."

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.] GARDEN AND FIELD. With Hints on Poultry and Stock. BY "COUNTRY COUSIN." Melons in Frames and Pits. Many amateurs are deterred from growing melons on account of the idea that a hot water apparatus of some kind is absolutely necessary but this is not so, unless fruit is desired early, for excellent crops can be produced in frames or pits by means of a little bottom heat to give them a start, after which sun heat will he enough to keep them going. To ensure success the main thing is not to start too early in the season, for although we get very warm weather sometimes in April, as a general rule we get a cold spell again in the early part of May, and those who have not got pipes at command should not plant out melons until they are certain that they can keep them going without any check. As the frames and pits up to the end of April or early in May are usually fully occupied with bedding plants, early forced vegetables or salads it will be advisable to sow the seed about the first week in April in the warmest place at command and grow them on in pots until the frames are ready to receive them. As soon as the latter can be set at liberty, have them emptied and give a thorough cleaning, washing the lights, and applying a dressing of fiesh limewash to the sides then put in a good body of fresh stable manure, trod in as hard as possible, as the tighter it is the slower and more lasting will be the heat. As soon as the heat has spread through the mass, put in some turves grass side downwards in the centre of each light, and on them a barrel of good turfy loam the loam should be chopped, but not sifted, and as soon as it is warmed through set out the plants. Give some tepid water to settle the soil, and after hot days a good syringing will greatly assist growth, but during dull weather too much mois- ture should be avoided, especially close up to the main stem of the plants, or they may rot off—in fact, about the best plan, when the fruit is nearly full grown, is to keep the soil around the stems rather dry, and water where the extremity of the roots can find it. The best time for earthing up roots can find it. The best time for earthing up is when the shoots begin to run ont half way across the frame. Earth up with turfy loam, chopped up and trod in firm. Top the leading shoots, when a number of side branches will push out, and on these melons will appear plentifully and as abundance of fresh air can be kept on dur- ing the hottest period of the yen*, no need for artificial fertilisation will arise. Carefully guard against one or two fruits getting too much in ad. THE GOLDEN PERFECTION MELON. vance of the others, for the nearer a. regular crop can be set together the better, as they swell off more evenly. As the fruit gets near on ripening &llow thr. soil to become rather dry end admit plenty of air, and elevate the fruit on flower-pots at tiles to keep it free from damp. There are many good varieties of melons that may be grown in frames, Read's scarlet flesh, a good grower and free setter golden perfection-see illustration- a good, productive, and comparatively hardy variety Mnnro's little heath, hardy and prolific; and emerald gem are all suitable for the amatenr. For the above illustration of the golden perfection melon we are indebted to he courtesy of Messrs Vilmorin, Andrieux et Cie., of Paris. Pruning' Roses. We may take the following as examples of strong-growing roses, not climbers, and these should be treated midway between those for peg- ging down and for pillars :—Mrs John Laing, General Jacqueminot, Countess of Oxford, John Hopper, Souvenir de Wootton, Prince Camille de Hohan, Charles Lefebvre, Camille Bernardin, and Alfred Colomb. These roses will often pro- duce a shoot late in the summer from four to six feet long, with well-matured and sound buds. To cut such a shoot back even halfway would be folly. Simply shorten a little, and secure it in as horizontal a position as possible. With this class the other strong growing shoots may be cut back to within 18 inches of the main stems from which they broke, medium growths to 12 inches, and the weaker to 3 or 4 inches. Under this head- ing must be included teas and noisettes, which grow into large bushes, Madame Lambard and Marie Van Houtte, mentioned as suitable for low walls and fences, being good examples. These do not make very long shoots, but a great number of stout growths that should be cut back nearly halfway, following the same lines as those last mentioned. Coming to the medium growing dwarfs we find a very numerous class, and many of our very best roses are included here. La France, Captain Christy, Baroness Rothschild, Fisher Holmes, A. K. Williams, Edith Gifford, Marie Bauman, Catherine Mermet, Souvenir de la Malmaison, most of the mosses, Dr. Grill, Gustave Regis, Mrs Bosanquet, and Madame Falcot, are examples from several classes. These should be well thinned out where crowded, the re- maining wood cut back a little harder all through than in the case of the previous group. Weak- growing dwarfs, such as Countess de Madaillac, Monsieur Nonan, and others, also the old cab- bage rose, require very close pruning. Amateurs may feel chary of cutting sueh.wealr growers hard, but in pruning roses the golden rule is to use the knife hard upon weak growers and less upon those with a more vigorous habit. If a rose is naturally weak, the best plan is to confine its strength to the best-matured buds, but if a vigorous grower is pruned in this manner the plant would put for- ward a number of long growths and seldom bloom. Always prune to leave the top bud facing outwards, and endeavour to keep the centre of the plant free from crowding. Use a klllfe In.pre- ference to secateurs, as no matter how good a pair you use, they bruise the wood more or less. Now for a word upon roses that should never be pruned, unless it is to reduce their growth because of encroachment. Among these are the beautiful hybrid sweet briers, the Japanese roses (rosa rugosa), and the pretty little fairy Lawrencia, or miniature polyanthus. It is by no means so important when pruning is done as many appar- ently think At the same time there is an ad- vantage if the best buds are not encouraged to break too early, and thereby avoiding the risk of them being touched by late spring frosts and cold winds. If hybrid perpetuals, Bourbons, Chinas, and mosses are pruned about the third week in March -and the banksians, moisettes, sears, and other classes at the beginning of April, the rose grower cannot be far wrong. Rabbits-A Week's Bill of Fare. One advantage the rabbit fancier has in regard to hi3 pets is the fact tha.t they will eat almos t anything in the way of meal, grain, or green- stuff if properly taught and fed with moderation and judgment. Frequent changes of diet are strongly appreciated by rabbits, and they benefit so inu.ch by it th&t & nunib6r of bleeders v^iry the food from day to day. Fanciers who have had but little experience in the management of rabbits may find the following bill of fare for a week of some interest. On Monday morning the first msal may be dry oats at midday carrots, and in the evening hay and more roots. For Tuesday morn- ing give bread crusts that have been soaked over- night, squeezed fairly dry, and mxed with barley meal or pollard at midday green food, at night oats. On Wednesday the first meal consists of bay and roots, at noon green food, and soaked peas or oats at night. Thursday's diet may be crushed or bruised oats in the morning, hay and green stuff at midday, and for the evening meal a warm mixture of pollard and boiled potatoes. For the first feed on Fridav give bread crusts soaked and mixed with barley meal, hay and §reen food at noon, and roots at night. On aturday pollard and potatoes in the morning, green vstuff and hay at midday, and roots in the evening. On Sunday give the sa,me diet as on Wednesday. Oat meal, pea meal, barley meal, maize meal and pollard may all be given. These meals are generally given mixed to a crumbly paste, though they are sometimes used in a dry state* Barley meal, although very useful, is heating, and should not be given very often, or it cause eruptions of the skin and various other irregularities. Occasionally wheat may be sub- stituted for the oats. Breeders vary a great deal in their opinions regarding green food. Dandelion, lettuce, chicory, hedge-parsley, sow-thistle, clover, and vetches, given dry and'in small quan- tities can rarely fail to do good. Dandelion and sow-thistle are especially good milk-producing vegetables, and will be found of considerable value when a doe is rearing youlig. Lettuces again are good for does, but owinglto their watery nature they must not be given too liberally, es- pecially during a rainy season. Cabbages are to be had vvhen other green food is scarce, and are useful if for this alone. Many breeders, however, will not use them, as they not only increase the smell, but they are more liable than other vege- tables to be damp, and also to harbour eggs of in. sects to a great extent. Rabbits will eat endive freely, while boiled artichokes are not to be des- pised. Other green foods are often given, such as radish tops, groundsel, vine leaves, nut leaves, scarlet runner leaves, mallow, young hawthorn shoots, and wild tares. Should there not be a sufficient variety in the above, bread and milk is a valuable change, while more than one success- ful breeder give tea leaves mixed with bran. Give water three or four times a week at least during the warm weather, and once a week in the colder months. Lavender as a Profitable Crop. In some districts lavender is somewhat exten- sively grown as a profitable crop, and it is made to give good returns. The soil Dest suited to the growth of this plant ia OJle that is not too heavy and that overlays a bed Sf chalk, similar to that at Hitchinj m Herts, and Mitcham, in Surrey. At times lavender is subject to a disease resem- bling mildew, caused in many instances hy grow- ing the P*an e same piece of ground too long. Some little time will elapse before the young plants become established when young they suffer from the effects of frost. After a plan- tation is once started theJ is no trouble in keep- ing up a stock of plants ajfterwards indeed, the best method to pursue. to raise young plants tiA.VHjjjjjjjj" I every year to take the place of those partly ex- hausted, a, time which in different parts varie* considerably. As a general rule, however, nine years is regc-raed a3 the maximum period of f., P s lve to give a crop. Supposing hat it tabes two years to establish a plantation, r rr y?r tlJe fl°vvers are cut they would realise per acre, and increasing yearly until the sixth year, which is considered the best year, when they are worth 40 per acre. In London the olossoms can be sold immediate!v they are cut to the purveyors of the flowers they are princi- pally used for putting into muslin bags to lay amongst clothes. Where lavender is grown in large quantities it will perhaps pay the best to send the flowers to the distillery, especially if there should be one locally. In this manner a certain sale is obtained, the oil selling readily to the wholesale druggists at 40s per pound. In a good season an acre of lavender has produced 301b. f oil, realising £ 60 for one acre. The reader must take the above figures as representing an extra good crop in all respects. The yield of oil again will vary considerably—the drier the sum- mer the better the yield of 0ji. The cost of dis- tilling is about 22s per still and one acre will produce about three stills of blossoms. Notwith- standing these^good returns are obtained in some cases. Lavenaer growing is similar to hop grow- ing, a, somewhat speculetiveaffair, and sometimes the crop will not yield sufficient oil to pay for the expenses incurred. Lavender seed may be I sown in the open during April and May, but if there is a frame or greenhouse it will be all the stronger for the early start. Pluck out the young plants into a carefully-preparec} seed-bed ana allow them to remain until the autumn or early spring, when they may be moved into their flowering positions. If cuttings are grown they should be put m in September or early in Octo- .se ee ue I ber, strong bnsny shoots being .selected, and by spring they should be ^Sbted, but they may as well be allowecr iy **v-uiain until autumn. Whether seedlings or cuttings the second and third years will give the strongest flowers. A hedge of old lavender with gnarled twisted stems is delightful, and it will continue blooming de- licioiisly for years before the spikes grow small and scanty and the old plants get weak and crooked and have to be cleared away. For the above illustration of this favourite old-fashioned flower we are indebted to the courtesy of Messrs Vilmorin, Andrieux et Cie., of Paris. Seasonable Town Garden Notes. The month now approaching is about the best of all for planting trees and shrubs in towns, and the earlier in the month the better. If possible, choose a mild, showery day for the work but never expose the roots even for an bonr to a harsh and dry east wind. All through the following summer the roots must be kept moist, and the frequent use of the syringe overhead in dry weather will be of considerable benefit to them during the early stages. The most suitable trees for smoky gardens,etc., are the lime, plane, horse chestnut, Laburnum, sycamore, arbutus, mul- berry, acacia, tulip tree (linodendron), catalpa, and double-flowering plums and cherries, the bird cherry (cerasus padius fl, pl.), forming a most beautiful object in the spring. Poplars, especially the Lombardv, balsam and black Italian varieties, grow very strongly, and will thrive wherever there is something for them to root into but they will extract every a^°Tn of nourishment from the soil in their vicinity, and render it impossible for any- thing less ravenous to grow near them. In Lon- don and other Southern cities and towns the vigorous and elegant foliaged Chinese Trees of Heaven-ailantu glandulosa-and the Japanese ranlowiaa, both do well, but in the North the fviT ^°° much for them and they never thrive. Other trees worth planting where the smoke is not too dense is wych elm, nuts (the purple-leaved filbert is extremely pretty), maples, including the variegated kinds, the maiden hair tree (salisburia adiantifolia) and thorns (Crataegus) in variety. egarding shrubs, the aucuba and the euonymus must always stand first, followed by the berberis, box, rhododendron, holly, skimmia, escallania, among the evergreen kinds, and the weigela, gum cistus, ribes, hibiscus, Persian lilac, syringapyrus, (cydonia), japonica, spirass, especially S. pruni- iolia, arisafolia, etc. The tree ivies must not be forgotten. They always look well, and will succeed anywhere. They are grand subjects, and are not half enough known. Most of" the varieties of privet will be found useful, and in suburban gardens laurels do well, especially the colchic, Caucasian, and the round-leaved species. All must be planted firmly, with the collars high, and the roots well spread out, and if possible, surrounding them with a little nice fresh loam so as.to give them a start. Hardy annuals if sown this month (April) will generally succeed much better than if put in earlier, so that a goodly quantity of the most useful may be sown as early as possible. As soon as they are iairly up and growing care must be taken to thin them out well. Diary of Garden Work. WEEK ENDING APRIL 2nd. Flower Garden .-TransPl&nt hardy ferns now move with as much root as possible. The com- mon ferns are to be had very cheaply, and if these are carefully planted, inulched with cocoa-nut hbre, and well watered when necessary, they will pretty well all grow. Ferns do best in the shade, and in town gardens there are shady corners where the only plants that are really at home are the ferns. Strong growing species such as the loiiiarias, lastrus, scolopendriums, athyriums, polypodiums, osmundas, and polvstichums will in good loam, lightened with leaf mould. .Lhe osmundas do best 111 a damp situation, and the scolopendriums (hart s tonguej thrive best near water or where the atmosphere is humid. Smaller species, such as tile asplenitims, cystop- teris fragillis, etc., should have pieces of stone mixed with the soil to keep it from getting too close. Besides ferns there are other shade- loving which may be used to fill up an untidy corner, viz., St. John's Wort, the Woodruff, Periwinkles, and ivy of various kinds. In prun- ing roses in all cases cut back to healthy wood, where the frost has touched the shoots. Ever- greens will move safely now, if well cared for later on should cold drying winds arise. Sow candytufts, scarlet linitms, clarkias mignonette, godetias, corngrowers, nasturtiums, chrysanthe- mums, etc., and also grass seeds to improve worn places or to make new lawns. Fruit Garden.—Grape vines under glass will need surplus shoots rubbing off. Laterals one foot apart will be quite close enough if the foliage is to have room to develop. Tie the shoots down to the wires as they grow, but not too close at first or they will split off. Stop each shoot two leaves above the bunch of groyes. Figs on walls may be uncovered, and all necessary prun- ing done, leaving as much young wood as there is room for without crowding. Amateurs in posses- sion of a greenhouse in ay like to have a few early strawberries. To ensure this a few strong plants should have been potted up last autumn, so that the pots were well filled with roots pre- vious to winter. While such plants wilt not be n.dapted for very early forcing, they will come on well now on shelves in a cool house. Look over plantations of strawberries, cut off dead leaves, and stir the surface between the plants, and if they require more nourishment top dress them with good manure. Vegetable Garden.—Bring up all arrears of seed sowing. Poas, beans, spinach, etc., will not be long in the ground now. Sow Brussels sprouts and various kinds of broccoli. Sow cauliflowers in the open air, to be planted out as vacant land can be had. Sow celery, including the turnip- rooted kind. Plant out cabbage plants and let- tiices remaining in the seed beds, including a few zed cabbages for pickling. Sow carrots and tor- I nip-rooted beet. Next month will be early enough to sow the long-rooted beet. Plant out onions for seed and sow leeks. Sow parsley, and put in cuttings of herbs, such as thyme, sage, etc. Greenhouse.—Sow cockscombs and balsams. The former require a hotbed to do well. Asters, stocks, marigolds, zinnias, and other tender annuals may be sown under glass. Sow mignon- ette in pots to bloom in the greenhouse. Make the soil firm, and sow thinly. When the seedlings appear thin to five in each pot, leaving them equal distances apart, and of course leaving the strongest plants. Continue putting in cuttings of anything of which young stock is required. Sow a pinch of primula seed for early blooming, also a little seed of Primula obconca. Cyclamen as they go out of bloom should be placed in a cold frame to ripen growth. Pelargoniums and other plants coming into bloom should have liquid manure. Use the syringe freely every fine morning. Cold Frames,—Give plenty of air to auriculae, also to choice hardy primulas. All violets in frames after they have finished flowering may be divided and planted out on good land twelve inches apart. Window Garden.—Hyacinths after they have done blooming in glasses will be of no use for next season, but if planted out in the borders they may blossom agajn. Repot maidenhair and other ferns, and renew the soil in fern cases. The latter will now be requiring more water.

PAST EVENTS IN OUR ISLAND RECALLED. MARCH 28th. 1842-Afghan War. Brigadier England, march- ing to thetelief of Nott at Candahar, was repulsed in the Pisheen Valley. 1852—Burmese war. General Goodwin, with a contingent from the Bengal Army, sailed from India for the mouth of the Irawaddy. 1854—England formally declared war against Russia. 1857-The Sultan made a State visit to Admiral Lord Lyons on board the Royal Albert, lying in the Bosphorus. 1866-The Queen wrote an autograph letter to Mr Peabody on his having added to his splendid gift of the preceding year for the improvement of the dwellings of the poor of London. 1867—A resolution was passed guaranteeing a loan of £ 3,000,000 to Canada for the construc- tion of a railway between Halifax and Quebec. 1887—Mr A. J. Balfour, Chief Secretary for Ire- land, moved for leave to introduce the Crimes Bill, Ireland. MARCH29ih. 1838—Sir George Strickland proposed in the Commons the abolition of negro appren- ticeship. 1849—The Governor. General of India issued a proclamation announcing the annexation of the Punjaub to the British Empire, thus closing the history of the Sikhs as an inde- pendent nation. 1855—An event unprecedented in Irish Church history occurred in the completion by the Primate (Dr. Beresford) of his 50th year of office. 1864-Mr Ashley Eden, English Envoy at Bhootan was seized and made to sign a treaty giving up Assam. 1871-The Queen opened the Royal Albert Hall, Kensington, in the presence of a brilliant and fashionable crowd of upwards of 10,000 persons. 1892—The United States Senate ratified the Treaty of Arbitration on the Behring Sea. question. MARCH 30th. 1840-The wife of the Duke of Sussex was created Duchess of Inverness. 1851—The census of the United Kingdom was taken, pad the population returned at 27,637,761 persons. 1856—The Treaty of Paris between Russia and Turkey, Great Bfttain, France, and Sar- dinia was signed (Sunday). 1864-First appearance of the Queen in public since the death of the Prince Consort, on a visit to the gardens of the Horticultural Society, Kensington. 1867-A despatch was addressed by Lord Stanley to the Spanish Government demanding compensation and an apology for the seizure of the Queen Victoria. ] £ 74—The Queen reviewed in Windsor Great Ptuck the troops who had been engage;? in the Ashantee War, 2,000 in number. MARCH 31st. 1841—The Jews' Deciaration (Oath) Bill was read a third time in the House of Commons by 108 to 31 votes. 1848-Two trading vessels in the British Channel having hoisted the Irish national flag were chased by a Government tender till it was lowered. 1859-DBfeat of the Derby Ministry at the close of the debate on the second reading of the Government Reform Bill. 1869-The third reading of the Bill for the Dises- tablishment and Disendowment of the Irish Church was carried by a majority of 114. 1873-An extradition treatv was concluded be- tween the British and Danish Governments. 1&79—A squadron of the 10th Hussars was drowned in the Cabul river. 1391-Earl Granville, Liberal statesman, died, aged 75. APRIL 1st. 1839-A Chartist riot occurred at Devizes. 1853—Manchester was made a city by Royal Charter. 1861-In Sheffield the constituents of Mr Roebuck refused to hear any defence of the charges made against him in connection with the Galway Steamboat Company and certain Austrian Government contracts, l86g—Sunday riot at Northmoor Green, Bridg- water, "caused by the incumbent attempting to celebrate Easter service with great Kitu- alistic pomp. 1868—The Chancellor of the Exchequer obtained leave to introduce a Bill enabling the Post- master-General to acquire and maintain the electric telegraphs within the kingdom. 1878—Lord Salisbury issued a Circular to the Powers condemning the Treaty of San Stefano. 1386-P,eply postcards for foreign countries in the Postal Union came into use. 1895-14,000 men, under Major-General Sir Robert Low, advanced against Umra Khan,usurper of Chitral. APRIL 2nd. 1840-The House of Assembly at Nova Scotia voted resolutions affirming the necessity of remodelling the Executive Council. 1846-The thanks of both Houses were voted to the Army of India for the victories of Aliwal and Sobraon. 1851—Mr Locke King's Bill for assimilating the county and borough franchises was defeated on the motion for a second reading by 299 to 83 votes. 1866—Thomas Carlyle was installed as Lord Rector of Edinburgh University. 1867-The Duke of Buckingham, in the Lords, stated that negotiations had been entered into for the sale of Russian America to the United States. 1870-The railway between Calcutta and Bombay was opened for through traffic. 1892-The standards of weights and measures immured in the new Palace, Westminster, were examined by the Houses of Parlia- ment. APRIL 3rd. 1838-A supplement to the Gazette ontaineà a proclamation declaring her Majesty's pleasure touching her Royal Coronation and the solemnity thereof." 1845-Sir Robert Peel introduced his Bill for im- proving the condition of the Roman Catho- lic College of Maynoot-h. 1862—Mr Gladstone, Chancellor of the Exchequer, introduced his Budget, revenue 969,670!000, actual expenditure £ 70,878,000. 1879—Mr Isaac Fletcher, M.P. for Cockermouth, committed suicide at Morley's Hotel by shooting himself through the head. 1891—The Australian Convention rejected one man one vote principle, 1894 —Mr Dalziel's motion to establish a Legisla- ture in Scotland, for dealing with Scottish affairs, was carried by 180 to 170 votes.

WILL POWER. MOTHER (coaxingly): Now, Willie, I don't like to take medicine anv more than yon do, but I just make np my mind to do it, and do it. WILLIE (emphatically): And, mother. I just make up my mind that I won't, and don't.

What is that which is taken from you befor 70a possess it ?—Xonr photograph.

Illustrated Fashions. This week I propose to dwell upon the new forms of headgear and the way they are placed upon the head. Last year the rage was for the floral cachepeigne this year the peigne is of veritable tortoiseshell, some three or four inches high in the centre, and graduating down to about one inch on either side for choice. It is placed firmly in the hair, so that a kind of pouffe is seen below, giving an upward tilt to the brim of the hat placed immediately above it. That the hair should go prettily round the neck and ears is essential to the good effect of this mode but when nature fails in this respect art steps in with such a clever manipulation of tongs, of waving irons, and additional tresses, that we hardly perceive which is the greater triumph of the two. The toque and the hat slightly elevated on one side are still en evidence, but the wearer should have a piquant face literally peeping out beenath the hat brim must be well tilted I forward on to the nose, raised at the back, with trimmings stretched out on the other side from the immediate front to the crown. The comb that is worn with a toque frequently has I I HAIR, HEAD, AND HAT. I a bow attached to it, so that the front and cent-re of the toque alone are pinned to the head, the trimming at the back being supplied when the comb is put in. This gives a sense of firmness, especially if two loops are left at the back of the toque through which the prongs of the comb can be passed. The way this is man- aged is shown in detail in the accompanying sketch. The pretty broad-brimmed hat, tilted up in the fashion I have just described, is made of a soft shade of red-almost inclining to pink-felt, with a high ruche of accordeon-pleated taffeta. in various shades of red. The Paradise plume float- ing across the crown repeats these tints. Talking of plumes, they are now occasionally arranged in a very quaint fashion at the extreme back of a folded velvet toque and consist of a single upstanding ostrich feather bound tightly to a plume of cock's feathers which turn in different directions, bearing considerable resemblance to a daffodil, 7hich has just come up surrounded by its leaves. We are gradually getting used to the fact that our bodices xe to be made of cloth or cashmere, according to the skirts with which they are worn nevertheless, we require to be broken in to their somewhat ftiff outlines a little gently, having been spoiled so long by the varied possibilities of silks, chiffons, and taffetas. Here is a little sketch of a design which I think jaMta theilifficulty in, a very pretty and simple naanffK. Tne dieSBis 0? purple amethyst face cloth, and the 'little kind of Zouave bodies is of the same material, very lightly and daintily embroidered with dull silver thread, studded here and thare with turquoises, looking for all the world like some bit of old Normandy jewellery. This is I A NEW BODICE. I I arranged in fan-like pleats on the shoulder, showing off the embroidery to the utmost advan- tage. and giving peeps of pale amber silk lining within, which also appears in the same sort of drapery forming the epaulets. The bodice beneath is of pale taffeta silk, much drawn and puffed in the long, tight-fitting sleeves and in the yoke part around the neck. The folded waistband of cloth is fastened at the back with a large buckle of oxydised silver studded with turquoise. This would make a charming afternoon frock for any young woman who wants something a little smart without being expensive. In the illustration I have endeavoured to indicate the lines upon which evening gowns ore now cut. We have almost entirely got rid I THE LATEST EVEXING GOWN. of the bell-shaped skirt, and the demi-train has come to stay. All these changes are very delight- fnl for people who have only to go ont and order new frocks, but it behoves the economically minded to consider how best they can adapt what they already possess to the changeable mode of fashion. Under-skirts can very well be used down as far as the knees, and then supple- mented by a wide flounce, giving the necessary length and lorm \to the new skirt. Take, for instance, this skelph. An old black glace foundation has had an added flounce to match, which has then been covered with one of spangled tulle. A velvet skirt has been so manipulated by being cut into a long point in front, having a gore added to the back, and lengthened by means gore added to the back, and lengthened by means of kilting of tulle, that it hangs out in the most approved fashion. This, I am sure, will be a useful hint to those whose cloth is barely sufficient for the coat they wish to cut. The ornamentation is particularly pretty and not very difficult. It consists of discs of grey pearl trimming sevrn on here and there in the centre of the brocade pat- tern. This is repeated on the bodice. The thick part of it is cut into a point in front, hanging over a pouch of the spangled net. The sleeves, like all others for fall-dress occasions in the evening, are very short, and simply consist of -small tulle frills falling one over the other, I COQUETTE. t

Welsh Tit-Bits. Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion. By CADRAWD. The Principal Eisteddfodau. [CONTINUED.] 1840. Liverpool. "Job." Eben Fardd. This Eisteddfod is known as Eisteddfod Gadeiriol y Gordofigion. At the request of the com- mittee, the Ilev. T. Price, Carnhuanawc, fur- nished designs for the medals: and there was, besides money, a medal given to each successful competitor at the Eisteddfod, differing of course in value. The prize for the best awdl was a medal, value JE5, and £21. This medal Eben Fardd was very proud of wearing, and it appears on his breast in every portrait I have seen of him. Carnhuanawe took the prize, con- sisting of a medal, value £5, and JE30, for the best History, in Welsh, cf the Welsh Princes. The historical researches excited by this compe- tition enhanced the worth of Hanes Cymrn," which at the time was issuing from the Crick- howel1 Press in parts, and his History of the Welsh Princes was subsequently embodied in Hanes Cymrn," which is, as far as it goes, the best history of Wales yet written. Never did the Eisteddfod appear with a better complement of Welsh scholars and patriots than at Liverpool this year, with Lord Mostyn as their president. They included Gwallter Mechain. Tegid, Daniel Ddu, Carn Ingli, Carnhuanawe, Hiraethog, Caied- fryn, Caerfallwch, Cawrdaf, Bardd Alaw, Ab Iolo, Glan Geirionydd, Eben Fardd, &c. Take these distinguished Welshmen and their works out of our literature, and there will be very little left 1840. Abergavenny. « Der.-yddiaeth (Druidism). I have not been able to find the names of the successful competitors at this the seventh anniversary of Cymreigyddion y Fenni. The prizes were substantial, and one of the best offered was a Hirl&s Horn (value 5 guineas) and 3 guineas, for the best collection of the names of parishes, rivers, and mansions in Radnorshire, arranged alphabetically. A prize of 3 guineas for the best Het bob Cam," or a lady's beaver hat, "Benwisg Ddu Afangaidd," made in Mon- mouthshire. Presenting the Corn Hirlas at Aber- gavenny. At the public dinner which took place on the second day of the anniversary of the Cymreig yddion y Fenni, 1838, Sir Charles Morgan, Bart., of Tredegar, in the chair, the Chairman, on behalf of the Cymreigyddion, presented a Hirlas Horn to the Comts De La Villemarque, who with other distinguished Bretons had attended the Eisteddfod at the express wish of the King of France. This Hirlas was a fine mottled horn, with silver bands around the top, and lined throughout with the same metal. Upon the upper band was engraved, in the Welsh lan- guage, "From the Cymreigyddion y Fenni to the Breton Deputy of the King of the French, on the occasion of his visit to their Anniversary Festival. October, 1838." Upon the second band was the following line, from Golyddan, a Cambrian bard of the sixth century :— Dybi o Lydaw pryaai y gweithydd. (There comes from Brittany seasonable assist. ance.) The lower band was left blank, to receive the name, title and arms of the Count. Inside at' the bottom of the horn was set a fine Snowdon crystal, encircled with silver bearing the words, Cymrn Carneddau." The design of this Hirlas was drawn by the Rev. T. Price (Carnhuanwe), and the mattoes were chosen by him. By Cymru Carneddau" he undoubtedly meant that Wales was full of sepulchral monuments in the shape of earns, or heaps of stones, which in olden times were erected over the remains and in honour of their great warriors. To such earns it the custom for each -by to tttPow hit. additional stone, in reverence to the memory of the warrior or. chieftain who had been buried th.. Mor Druan a Cheffyl Cenninwr." (As lean as a leek-hawker's horse.) This, says the Rev. D. Silvan Evans, was a common saying and a local expression in Cardiganshire, and was applied to a thin person or a lean animal It would appear that formerly it was customary for persons to hawk leeks and onions about the country, carrying them in hampers on horseback; and the horses thus employed, like their representatives at the present day, were usually lean and ill-condi- tioned; hence another old Welsh TJro\-erb, "Mae sawyr y cennin ar y cewyll" (the hampers smell of the leeks). This kind of peddling vege- tables had not died out in the early part of the present century. The leek, though the emblem of Wales, was not nearly so common as it now is and is not such a favourite pot herb in North Wales as in the South. The custom of preparing broth for the colliers of South Wqjes for their supper, after their day's toil in the mines, has made the leek a most necessary vegetable, for the delight of the collier has for many years been described in the following triplet:— Tri pheth sy'n dda gan golier, Cael mandrel siarp bob amser, Cwart o gwrw wrth ei fin, A chawl a chig i swper. Christmas Evans. I am sure most of our readers have seen the portrait of this once popular Baptist preacher, and that they have noticed that he had lost one of his eyes, but very few could say how he came to have the misfortune' He never had any educa- tional advantages, but was entirely self-taught and only manged to learn to read by robbing himself of his sleep when he was employed as an agricultural labourer. Having gone to a fair at Capel Cynon, we are told that the only specula- tion he made was purchasing a Welsh copy of Bun yan's 'Pilgrim's Progress;" and on his I way home from the fair he was set upon by scoundrels, and being a brave young man he stood on his defence and defeated his cowardly assailants, by a great struggle, and at the cost of one of his eyes he made them run. These were not the only ones he made to run from him. When he commenced to preach in the neighbourhood of his home, at Llandyssul, Cardiganshire, he was looked upon with contempt, and those who knew him declared that it was quite useless for him to think of being a preacher, and some went so far as to pronounce him to be deficient in common sense. Being thus treated, by his relatives and acquaintances, he determined to leave home, and went to North Wales and remained there for some time, and it was at this period that he developed and bccame popular. Visiting his native country, which had by his long absence forgotten that such a person was in the catalogue of the children of Adam, he attended a Cymanfa at Felinfoel, near Llanelly, and it seems that nobody knew him but the Rev Timothy Thomas,of Aberduar. Two great "guns" had been announced to preach at the ten olcock meeting, which is still the great meeting of a Welsh Cymanfu; but they wanted a third, for it is the custom, or at least it used to be, to have three sermons preached at the chief meetings. The minister of Felinfoel could not decide who should have the third honour, and after consult- ing Mr Thomas, o fAberduar, it was decided to appoint the one-eyed stranger from North Wales. When he made his first appearance on the stags, the great mass of people which had assembled were murmuring their disapproval of such a selection, and went walking about the field, some to lie down, and others to crack nuts and buy cakes and plums to pass the time until the favourites would make their appearance. But the stranger was not long before he gained the attention of every ear <15 the field, and long before he had finished there was loud shouting and wailing such as never was heard at a Cymanfl1 before, and the people »«erp ild with astonishment. The tale goes that enry Davies (Llangolfan) and John Reynolds, the preachers selected at this meeting, before Christmas Evans had finished had run away.

A clergyman who had been some time at the house of a friend, on going away called to him little Tommy, the four-year-old son of the host, and asked him what he should give him as a present. Tommy, who had great respect for the" cloth," thought it was his duty to suggest 6ometh of a religious nature, so he answered hesitatingly. 1-1-1 think I should like a Testament, and I know I should like a popgun Mr Toole, the actor, once sent a package of chocolates to a little boy who sat in a stage-box and was disturbing him with his astonishingly loud laugter. The. attendant delivered the packet, "With Mr Toole's compliments; and would the young gentleman who laughed so heartily kindly eat these during the performance 2"

GOSSIPS' CORNER. Mr T. Mansel Franklen, the Glamorgan clock of the peace, is recuperating at Cairo. Lord Charles Kerr has bought Panteidal IIAU. a charming residence, situate about two mfopi from Aberdovey. It is a singular fact that there will not be a single Parish Council contest in the Carmarthen Union this year. An anonymous 4donation of £ 1^250 has been re- ceived in aid of the building fund of the Duke of Clarence Memorial Church at Llandndno. Mydrim is a little Carmarthenshire paxish, with a population of 737 all told. Last year only one baby was born in the whole parish. The Cymmrodorion of Boston, Mass., have just issued a Welsh directory, showing that in that city and suburbs there reside 350 natives o £ | Wales. It has been definitely fixed that the Univerfcitj Court shall meet at Carnarvon on April 28. The next day the Central Welsh Board holds its statutory meeting atrbyl. The members of the Welsh Guild of Graduates are arranging to give the warden, Mr Tijamm Ellis, M.P., a joint present on the oocasion of hit marriage, which is to take place in May. This week Dr. T. Charles Edwards laid the foundation stone of the new tower of Bala Col- lege. The foundation stone of the first tower-oi the College was laid by the great Henry Rees. The Welsh are not a very numerous people," declares the Brooklyn Times, New York, in its St. David's Day article, "but they have made* deeper mark than many more populous nations on the history of civilisation." A marriage is arranged and will shortly take place between Miss Lewella Davies, the eminent pianist, and Mr Frederic Griffith, the weU- known flautist. Miss Davies is the eldest daughter of Mr Rhys Davies, borough surveyor, of Brecon. The Rev. Towyn Jones has been telling the West Wales people that the quantity of alco- holic drinks consumed in Great Britain in 12 months would suffice to fill a canal three yards wide and two yards deep, all the way from John o' Groat's house to Land's End. Lady guardians are appreciated at their retl value at Aberdare. Three years ago Mrs D. M. Richards was returned at the head of the poU for the Gadlys Ward. Now the electors haw gone one better, for they have returned her un- opposed, and given her a companion in Mrs B. J. Jones, Broniestyn. Mr J. M. Smith, J.P., of Aberavon, should hold the record as far as expenses go over the recent County Council election. His election expenses were returned at nil. The next best is the feat of an East Glamorgan candidate, whose election expenses cost him a shilling—spent in the pur- chase of a register. Lord Battersea, who, as Mr Cyril Flower, long represented the Brecon Boroughs in Parliament, is about to revisit his old constituency. On the and of April his Lordship will accompany Mr Charles Morley, the present member, to Grick- howell, and on the 4th to Brynmawr, and at both places public meetings will be held. A parishioner in a parish bordering upon Bacey, where there is a superabundance of candidates, asked at the parish meeting whether it was true that a free laundry was to be opened in the village, because he noticed there were aeveJ:81 washer-women wishful for's job. It is needless to describe what followed this remark. It is stated that as there will be no Summer School of Theology this year at Mansfield Col- lege, Oxford, it has been decided to hold a similar "school" at Llandrindod, and that arrangements are being made for a series ot lectures by a number of specialists representing the foar denominations of the Established Church. Mr A. W. Travis, who has for so long a period been laid aside by illness at his residence ia Penarth, is now nearly convalescent. Origi- nally attacked by typhoid, he has had more than one relapse, which occasioned his friends grave concern but we learn that he is now progressing rapidly towards complete restoration of health. The late Dr. T. Job, the Conwil C.M. divine, remained to the last a staunch believer in the virtue of water. Last Monday, not many hours before his death, his condition was such a character as to render it necessary to administer a judicious supply of iced drink. When he had tasted the cup, the old temperance warrior cheerily re. marked, "Ah, this is nice. It Is own beverage." Wales's claim to be represented with the other countries on the National Flag finds a sympa- thetic supporter in Mr Punch," whose sparkling pages are illustrated with a capital sketch of Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., arm-in-arm with the famous Welsh dragon. The picture is from the pencil of Mr E. T. Reed, son of Sir Edward Reed, the old member for Cardiff. Mr Lewis Davies, Liberal agent, Pontypool, writes Will you permit me through the me. dium of your valuable columns to return my sincerest thanks to the many friends, irrespective of party, who have given me so much kindly sympathy in this my hour of deepest sorrow? They are too numerous to thank individually, so I hope that they will accept this as an intima- tion of my heartfelt gratitude to them one and all." Cardiganshire is the proud possessor of no fewer than three steam rollers, and Carmarthen- shire, thinks a correspondent, ought not certainly to be behind the sister county, and when tlw couple of implements which the Carmarthenshire County Council have shown themselves ready tc secure have been usefully applied, then they will earn the warm thanks of a whole army of resi- dent cyclists and the good opinion of English tourists. The Executive of the Welsh Central Board, at their last meeting appointed Mr J. A. Green, Bangor; Mr Trevor Owen, Carnarvon Principal Reichel, Bangor; and Mr D. P.Williams, Llanberis* to act as an Executive Committee to arrange ioc conferences of headmasters and headmistresses, members of governing bodies, and teachers.of modern languages in county schools, to discUfltl the best methods of teaching modern languages., The first of these conferences will be held at Car* marthen. Mr E. Norman Jones, the son of DrCynddylwi J ones, of Cardiff, comes in for honourable men- tion in the recently-published report of the Aberystwyth College for 1897. In the Honouv Course, Hebrew, it is stated that the University of Wales, and the University College of Wales iii particular, may be congratulated for having pro- duced in Mr E. Norman Jones an honours candi- date who secured in all the five subjects of a very searching and difficult character a first class, and whose work was, in the opinion of the external examiner. Dr. Wright (lecturer in the Septua- gint in the University of Oxford and examiner fo* the London University), fully equal to the Arms class honours work in the Semitic School of OÉ- ford. The course which naturally taxed the energy both of the professor and the student te the utmost, as a good two years' work had to be done in one." Mr Jones, who last year took hit B.A., degree with first class honours, is now at Oxford, taking the Semitic course, and following a course of theology at Mansfield.

A SATURDAY SERMON. Whilst the foolish or frivolous, wicked mag shall wholly perish, in the sense that he shall leave nothing behind in the general result of the labour of his species,the man devoted to the good and the beautiful shall participate in the immuta- bility of tha.t which he loved. Who is he thai sees to-day as much as the obscure Galilean who, cighteen hundred years ago, threw into the world the glaive which divides us and the words which unite us. The works of the man of genius and the man of probity thus escape alone the uni- versal decay, for they alone are computed in the sum of things acquired, and their fruits go on in. creasing even when ungrateful humanity has for- gotten them. There is nothing lost; that which makes for the good of the most unknown of vir- tuous men counts more in the eternal balanos than the most insolent triumphs of error and of evil. ERNEST BESAX, I