The Cardiff Times

OETZMANN & COof COMPLETE HOUSE FURNISHERS, 62, 64 67 69, 71, 73, 75, 7'1 A, 79, HAMPSTEAD-ROAD, LONDON, W.4 1, GRAFTON-STREET, DUBLIN ? 7,% UNION STREET, RYDE. g\ 1 S.—St. Iron Bedstead and Bedding complete ^JL with Woven Wire Mattress, Wool Mattress Bolster and Feather Pillow; Under Blanket, 2s 6d pair of real Witney Blankets, 7s lid; pair of CottoK Sheets, & lid; Coloured Quilt, 26 lid; Down Quilt, 6s 3d. A fifS.—4ft. Bin. Black and Brass Bedstead and TC Bedding complete, with Woven Wire Hattrest Wool Mattress, Bolster, and two Feather Pillows; Under Blanket, 4s; pair of real Witney Blankets; 14a 9d; pair of Cotton Sheets, 7s 7d; White Quilt or Art Cretonne B2"wesd, gs Ild; Down-Quilt,-loe 94

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. I By MABON, M.P. MINING STATISTICS. J. U.. NEVE FOSTER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1896. Increased Output. Juaging by the inspector's report, the principle Vnd possibly the sole reason of the larger output jer man in 1896 was the fact that on an average die men were at work more days than in the pre- rious year. Doubtless there is a difficulty in inding out the sole reasons for an increase or a lecrease in this direction taking place on account if our statistics not being gathered in sufficient letail. Mr Foster is of the opinion that if some were given as detailed of those published annually by the Belgian Government, the question could Se discussed more effectually, for in Belgium the number of days worked in each year is given, Mid the workers at the face are distinguished from those engaged in other parts of the col- lieries and these make it possible to compare year by year the output per hewer per shift. Mr Martin (South Western District) is of the opinion lhat the additional output per person employed ttust be accounted for by the more regular em- ployment given the men during the year. Mr ftobson gives no opinion on the matter. Accidents. From the Summaries of Statistics relating to Vines and Quarries," it appears that in the year 1896 there were 1,003 separate fatal accidents in Mid about all the mines and quarries in the United Kingdom, and that they caused the loss of 1,189 lives. It is, however, worth mentioning that these fatal accidents include not only those by which persons are killed on the spot, or die within a few hours, but also those that cause death within a year and a day after their occur- rence. Again, of the 1,003 separate fatal accidents, 886, causing the loss ol 1,065 lives, happened at tnines, and 117, causing the loss of 124 lives, hap- pened at quarries. Compared with previous years there was a decrease of 26 in the number of fatal accidents, Mid a decrease of 31 in the number of deaths in mines and about four-fifths of all the deaths Were caused by fatalities with one victim each. Causes of Accidents. Dealing with these causes of accidents we find that deaths from explosions of fire-damp and coal dust swell the list considerably for there were 25 fatal explosions of firedamp or coal dust, which caused 173 deaths, or 118 more than in 1895, and most of these explosions, as usual, were caused by naked lights. Falls of Ground. Little that is new, we are told, can k said about this class of accident. It ta, hinted that it is the oft told tale, beftmg nnnoticed by the nation at large, ^h amount at the end of the year to about &ae-Wf of all the underground fatalities and ^fessJTaater says tha.t judging from the in- spector's reports this blot upon British mining Deeed not be too bl*ek, acid thatsyatematic timber- ing, rigidly enforced, would reduce the death roll. Remedies Suggested. Mr Ronaldson, the Western District of Scot- land inspector, adheres to his oft-expressed opinion that this class of accident can more easily be remedied than any other, and considers that the Betting of props should not be left to the discre- tion of the workmen, or even of the officials, but that the roof should be secured systematically. His words are I am certain that the death- tate from falls would be perceptibly reduced if it Were made compulsory to set props altogether irrespective of the supposed condition of the roof, Which is apt to deceive even the most ex. perienced." Mr Bains, Durham District, says much the lIanle thing, and bases his opinion upon his ex- perience, which leads him to the conclusion that places which look comparatively safe are precisely those in which accidents most often occur. Our Chief Inspector (Mr Robson) considers that, in spite of the increased attention which is being Paid by the officials in some collieries to the important question of supporting the roof of the Working plaes, there is still room for a much Btricter enforcement of the rules and regulations. lIe has to report that comparatively few managers have put into operation the new special rule, Which stipulates that the distance between shall Hot exceed a fixed maximum. In some cases the rule has been enforced, but the managers have laid down the interval far too great to be of any practical benefit. I don't know how far this part of Mr Robson's report might be correct, and where are the Managers who do not put this rule in force. It is a grave indictment, if true. I would, however, be loath to accept it without a thorough investi- gation into the matter. The German Government, I am informed, has recently appointed a Commission to study very carefully the whole question of accidents from falls of ground. The report of this Commission will be awaited with great interest by all classes connected with mines and mining, because the official statistics of all countries prove that k falls are the most prolific source of fatalities, Mid any remedy which will diminish their number Should be welcomed. Drawing Out Props Is also found to be a fruitful source of danger, and several of the inspectors direct attention to casualties from want of care in taking out props. her Wardell, Yorkshire and Lincolnshire Dis- trict, mentions a case of this kind. Instead of Using what they call there the dog and ch ain," to withdraw a prop, a collier knocked it out while standing under the top coal, which it supports, and was killed by the fall. Mr Hall, Liverpoool District, who has, it appears, been receiving fre- queut complaints that a constant supply of tim. ber was not kept at or in a close proximity to the Working places, addressed a special circular to the OtMittgers in his district, calling attention to the general and special rules dealing with the matter. lie further pointed out, in consequence of numer. Otts accidents in drawing out props, that the per- sons engaged on this work should always have a. gablock and chain with them. And for pre- senting the large number of casualties from falls from roof and sides, Mr Hall also proceeded to suggest three remedies: (1) Compulsory eye- tematic ^timbering by the miners themselves; (2) Adoption of the North of England system of entrusting the timbering to an official (deputy); (3) Making the mine-owner keep a constant 811pply of timber in the working places. Non-Fatal Accidents. The total number of non-fatal accidents re- Ported was 5,828, causing injuries to 6,073 persons. Inspector Foster complains of the vagueness of the words in the Acts governing the notification Of accidents. It is only in the case of accidents from explosion of gas, or of any explosive, or of any steam boiler, that every casualty, causing personal injury, no matter kow slight, has to be reported. Upon these and these only reating to non-fatal accidents that lIlay be considered fairly reliable, Mr Garrard, Manchester and Ireland, has made some useful Comments upon the statistics of non-fatal acci- dents, the gist of his remarks being that no Stance can be placed upon the official figures delating to non-fatal accidents, owing to the absence of a rule defining precisely what is •fceant by serious personal injury." The prac- tice of a large colliery in his district is illustrated a very instructive table, which shows that out O,f 74 accidents, which happened in the course of fix months, only one was reported to the inspector, In spite of the fact that all of them caused an absence from work of a week or more. Even 15 of the accident which resulted in more than a. disablement were not notified. If these vj accidents had happened at a factory or work- top the oeenpier wonld have been obliged to notify them. And it is only fair that all industries should be treated alike, and since this is admitted the system in force with regard to mines i becomes invidious. For injuries involving five hours' absence from work at factories have to be reported, whilst for worse injuries at the mine, keeping the man at home for several weeks, need not be notified. This is not the first time that the inconsistency has been pointed out, and it is evident that either the official standard for factories is wrong in including very trivial casualties, or that the wording of the Mines Act is faulty by letting too many accidents escape notification. And of course it stands to rea- son that whatever should be uniform for all indus- tries, doubtless when the Workmen's Compen- sation Act comes into operation next July more relible statistics will have to be given.

PAST EVENTS IN OUR ISLAND RECALLED. APRIL 4th. 1838—The Sirius screw ship left Cork for New York, being the first vessel of this class which ever navigated the Atlantic. 1854-The Treasury ordered the seizure of two steam frigates building at Northfleet for the Emperor of Russia as the property of an enemy." They were added to her Majesty's Navy under the names of the Cossack and 1858—Indian* Mutiny. Sir Hugh Rose stormed the citadel of Jhansi. 1867—Mr Disraeli. Chancellor of the Exchequer, introduced his Budget-estimated income, £ 69,340,000; expenditure, £ 68,134,0CK) 1881-Mr Gladstone introduced his Budget. The income tax was reduced to 5d, but the,most important part of his statement was that during the past year the National Debt had been reduced by £ 7,000,000. 1883—New Guinea was formally taken posses- sion of in the name of the Queen and the Government of Queensland. APRIL 5th. 1838-Mr M'Neill, the British Minister at the Persian Court, arrived at the camp of Mah- omed Shah, to remonstrate against the continuance of the seige of Herat, as a violation of the treaty with Great Britain. 1842—The troops under General Pollock com- menced their march to force the Khyber Pass. t .1 1847-A British force, under General dAgmlar, destroyed the Bogue forts, threatened Can- ton, and compelled Commissioner Keying to accede to the demand made by the Governor for a redress of grievances. 1852—Burmese war. General Goodwin stormed and captured Martaban, where the enemy, 5,000 strong, fought behind a river line of defences extending over 800 yards. 1884—The Duke of Albany was buried in bt. George's Chapel, Windsor. 1894-The Behring Sea Award Bill was read a second time. APRIL 6th. 1840-Mr Temple Frere was drowned at Cam- bridge while attempting to save the life of a fellow student in the river. 1842-Afghan war. General Pollock forced the Khyber Pass, and joined General Sale at Jellalabad.. 1847 -The Anti-Corn Law League having given up the occupation of CoventGarden Theatre, it was reopened by M. Albano for Italian Opera. Madame Grisi apperacd as the Queen in Semiramide." 1866—At Liverpool Mr Gladstone, Chancellor of the Exchequer, pledged the Government to stand or fall on their Bill on the subject of Parliamentary Reform. 1872—All the forts and settlements on the Gold Coast were transferred by the Netherlands Government to Great Britain. 1891—Lieuenant Grant repulsed 3,000 Manipuris near Thobal. APRIL 7th. 1842-Sir Robert Sale and bis gallant defending force drove the besieging Afghans from before Jellalabad. 1848—Sir George Grey introduced a Bill for the better security of the Crown and Govern- ment of the United Kingdom. 1864-r-Mr Gladsone, Chancellor of the Exchequer, introduced his Bndget,revenne, £ 70,003,561; acual expenditurfs, J-k r v 't* 1881 Mr Gladstone introduced nis Irish liana Bill- The Army Discipline Bill, abolish- inc-flogging. passed through the House of Commons without much opposition, and was read a third time in the Lords on this date. 1892-Tambi, in Sierra Leone, was taken and destroyed. APRIL 8th. 1842-—Lord Melbourne's resolution aiming the principle of a fixed mstead_ or a Actuat- ing duty on corn was rejected by a large 1850—Pnnce^Albert wrote to the ^uke Wellington declining to agree 1to a;P^P^ed new arrangement by wluch he^was,jo assume the command of the 1853-Mr Gladstone, as Chancellor of the Ex. chequer, unfolded his scheme for the reduc- tion of the National Debt. 1867—A special Commission f?r Fenian prisoners opened at Dubli 1869—Dr. Jackson was enthroned Bishop London in St. Paul's. rr.m. 1886—Mr Gladstone introduced his first Home Rule Bill to the Commons. 1895-Mr Speaker Peel announced hia resigna- tion. APRIL 9th. 1855—The Allied Armies in the Crimea. re- opened the siege of Sebastopol.. 1856-The new Abjuration Bill, framed to admit Jews into Parliament, was read a second time by 230 to 195 votes. 1862-Conference of Orizaba, resulting in the withdrawal of England and Spain from the Mexican Expedition.. 1868—Sir Harry Tarkea, British Minister at Yeddo, was attacked by Japanese on his return to the Residency after a visit to the Mikado. 1869—Earl Russell's Bill empowering the Crown to confer life peerages for distinguished public services was introduced and read a first time.. „ 1883 sir William Harcourt's Explosives J>ui was carried through both Houses in one nigbt. 1887-The Victoria warship was launched at Elswick-on-Tyne. 1894-The Behring Sea Bill was read a third time.. APRIL 10th. 1848-The monster Chartist demonstration, or- ganised by Feargus O'Connor, took place on Kenmngton Common. O'Connor pre- sented to the Commons a petition signed by 5,706,000 persons in favour of the Six ^-ATrlatyofiuS^was signed between ISRi^Th^rrtnimonsresolved itself into a com- 1855-The Commons ies k coasider rhf^Ltut°tof)>Public education in 1869-A complimentary banquet was given to 1894—SiratieraId<Pori»Va report on Uganda was 1894 Sir Uerald Portai parliament c„ presentedto elected Speaker, 1895—Mr Gully, Q-» Matthew White receiving 285 votes w Ridley's 274.

TEMPIS FUGIT. I MM B.: Two o'clock in the morning again, John I It's disgrMeM Why don't yon keep better hours ? MB B.: M'dear, no man can keepsh hoursh of any short; honrsh won't shtay; go li* greashed lightnin*.

He: She said I was the light of her heart.—She: Then what ?—He: Well, the old man came down and put the light out. Tommy: A lighthouse is a signof rocks, isn't it, paw ?-Mr Pig-g: It depends onwhetheryou are referring to the seashore or th» drama.

WELSH GLEANINGS. It The Rev. Owen Prys, M.A., the principal of Trefecca College, is unable, owing to the poor state of his health, to accept preaching engage- ments far from home; but he does congenial work by supplying the pulpits of the smaller churches in the district round Trefecca. The Queen's Scholarship List just issued shows that the majority of the Welsh pupil teachers wish to enter the residential Colleges rather than the day training departments. of the University Colleges. Of the men in the first division 20 are going to the Bangor Normal, 12 to Aberyst- wyth, three to Cardiff, and three to Bangor University College. The highest Welshman on the list is Mr J. L. Davies, Neath, Alderman Davies's School, who is 27th, and the highest Welshwoman is Miss H. Williams, Llanarth Board, who is ninth on the list. Nonconformist ministers who are magistrates are so few and far between that an addition to their number becomes at once a matter of public interest. For many years the late Dr Herber Evans was alone in the enjoyment of this honour, but since the passing of the Local Government Act many Nonconformist ministers have for brief periods occupied seats among the great unpaid in an ex-officio capacity. Among the latest to attain this position is the well-known Congregational minister, the Rev. D. Rees, of Capel Mawr, who has been elected chairman of the Anglesey County Council. Two of the oldest living Baptists are natives of Montgomeryshire. Mrs Mary Edwards, an old lady of 93 summers, who is a member of the Baptist Church at Langford, Pennsylvania, was baptised 83 years ago in the river Severn near Llanidloes, by the Rev. Abel James, who in his day was one of the giants of the Welsh pulpit. The other is Mr Richard Humphreys, Newtown's "grand old man," who stands at the threshold of his centenary. He was baptised in the Severn at Newtown on the first Sunday in June, 1822, by the late Rev. John Jones. Richard is still hale and hearty, and is to be seen in his walks abroad almost daily. Cardiff's particularly jocose solicitor, Mr T. H. Belcher, will have his little joke or perish in the attempt. He and Mr George David were in a case at the police court on Monday, and the genial T. H. wanted to get the case taken out of its turn to suit his convenience. He thereupon made application to this effect, but not on his own behalf, but on that of my friend, Mr George David." Roath's councillor looked up amazed. The Stipendiary, entering into the spirit of the joke, said that, seeing Mr Belcher was not making the application on his own be- haJf, but on that of someone else, he was willing to take the case out of its order. In Captain Jones-Parry, author of An Old Soldier's Memories," the Cardigan Literary and Scientific Association has a practical patron who can at will afford the free expenditure of a fund of sound and useful knowledge which he has fortunately for his ready listeners, the gift of im- parting in an exceedingly interesting manner. Only the other evening he gave the members of this institution a rare literary treat, his anecdotes and curiosities of literature embracing the authors of the times, Price's ancient and modern style modes, and methods of writing, and peculiar per- sonal narratives of interviewers with several modern professional scribes of acknowledged fame. No matter where he appears—whether it be before a mixed or sectional assembly—the gallant agricultural soldier invariably gets a fine reception and he richly deserves it for the remarkable entertainments of which he is the moat inspiriting mainspring. Mr !fii. H. Davies, the clerk to the justices of the Bedwellty division, is passionately fond of walking exercise, and his somewhat spare form may often be seen speeding across country to the several petty sessions in the district when the hour of sitting does not fit in with the railway arrangements. One of those stages which Mr Davies prefers to the generally accepted cir- cumlocutory mode of locomotion is between Tredegar and Ebbw Vale. On arriving at the court on Thursday morning, however, he re- marked that he had had enough of it for one day, a blizzard having struck the mountain just as the veteran ped. gained the summit of the steep ascent. Mr Davies seems to be impervious to the weather, and although he confessed that the storm was the worst he had experienced, so much so that he thought he would be beaten back. He seemed none the worse, and was soon adjusting the scales of justice with that dexterity which ia bred of long and extensive experience. Mr J. E. Southall, of Newport, Mon., the author of Wales and her Language," announces that he is about to publish several books which ought to be of considerable interest to Welsh readers. One of them is a volume of the unpub- lished poems of Ossian Gwent. Ossian Gwent whose everyday name was John Davies, was born in Cardigan in 1834, and died as lately as 1892. He was one of the best lyric poets of the last half century. The only volume of his poetry which has as yet appeared is published by Messrs Hughes and Son, Wrex- ham, and entitled Caniadau Ossian Gwent." His best known lyrics are Y Gwlithyn and "Yr Echedydd," the beauty of which ensures them an honoured place in every anthology of Welsh lyrics. He apostrophises the lark in a manner which Shelley need not be ashamed of, although the Welsh ode, of course, is not of so transcendental a character as the well-known address to the blithe spirit which poured out its full heart, in profuse strains of unpreme- ditated art." Many poems, some of which are said to approach this lyric in charm, have only ap- peared hitherto in the columns of the Welsh Press. Mr Southall intends to issue a selection of them in a paper-covered volume. Welshmen who set about acquiring a thorough scientific knowledge of their native tongue have often a great deal to unlearn. This fact is brought into special prominence in the 1897 annual re- port of the training colleges, now published. Mr Darlington, the inspector—himself an English- man, who has mastered the peculiarities of the Welsh tongue—points out that in the case of the second year students the Welsh paper was well answered by more than half of the candi- dates, but he adds "The character of the mis- takes committed, not only by those who did badly, but also by some who did well on the whole, seemed to indicate that this subject is too often taken up without sufficient preparation, and with too great a disposition to rely on a mere col- loquial knowledge of the language. Many of the candidates, particularly those from the south- easterly parts of the Principality, had paid little attention to the principles of Welsh grammar or to the art of composing in literary Welsh the weakest of them were not even able to spell the language correctly. On the other hand, there were many papers which showed thorough mas- tery of the language from the grammatical as well as from the literary side. In the case of the first year students, greater nnevenness was shown in the translation from English into Welsh, a fact which seems to indicate that more practice in writing literary Welsh is desirable in the case of many of the students. In the ques- tion on parsing, for example, it was quite usual for the names of inanimate things to be described as of the neuter gender,' in spite of the fact that there is no neuter in Welsh."

— Used the Telephone. A San Franciscan, who has recently returned nomiionolulu. relates that while there he had occasion to inquire about two ladies, who, he understood, were stopping at the Chapin House, and accordingly used tne telephone. •Liet me have the Chapin House," he said to central, and when the connection was made he inqllired if the two ladies were there. «« D°I the answer. they?" y were there last night, weren't Yes," Was the hesitating reply; "but we had to let them go this morning." Had to let them go," echoed the San Fran- ciscan why, what sort of an hotel are you running ?" This isn't an hotel," replied the voice at the other end. Isn't tha.t the Chapin Honse ?" demanded the mystified San Franciscan. No," was the reply, it's the station house.

He: But you might in time learn to love me.— She; It is wV impossiWe> iiyou fceep out of '.my Bigot.

THE HOUSEHOLD. HO, among the femi nine portion of house- holders, does not know what it is to struggle with the difficulties of a double window such as depicted in my sketch ? It is hardly wide enough to allow of curtains falling in the centre and it has a. bare ap- pearance if there is nothing to fill it up. People may hang up a picture or two, or place a chair against the wall (that is the maximum amount of attention it re- ceives), but it is always an eyesore to anyone of keen perception. And yet all that is wanted is a mere skeleton of a narrow upright bookcase, two shelves of which are devoted to the holding of favourite volumes, the top being a resting place for ornamental jars repeating in their shades the predominating colours of the window decoration. Below the bookcase comes a little cupboard made to hold curios, small bits of china or nick-nacks, and underneath, below the artistic curtains of Liberty silk, with touches of Oriental embroidery, is that useful place known as a "catch all," without which few rooms attain that degree of neatness S? All this must be painted the colour u woodwork and agree with the general °f the room. Note, too, how prettily the little ornamental short blinds are arranged—not i™" straightly on to the brass band, but caught in little dainty festoons with lace edges that turn over, involving perhaps a little more trouble when rJn?4 UP' kut thoroughly repaying it in the end. The curtains are lined with a fine sateen of a paler shade of the outer covering, and this is Just sufficiently revealed in the fan-like rovers, which are seen in the lower part of the curtain DECORATION FOR A DOUBLE WINDOW. I on one side and the upper part of its opposite neighbour. Altogether this kind of arrangement lifts an ordinary window from the commonplace to the ideal, and it is by no means difficult to carry out. I am glad to be able to give my readers the details of how to do ten fancy stitches that are useful for all kinds of underclothing work, and very often for more fanciful undertakings. To commence with No. 1, you begin the stitch at the far end of the line and work towards you, holding the thread down when making the stitch. Begin Stitch No. 2 at the left hand side, and take stitch on lower line, then to upper line, crossing the thread over the work to stitch on lower line. Stitch No. 3 is the same as No. 2, worked over twice. When making Stitch No. 4, make the vertical stitch of the upper row first, then the TEN FANCY STITCHES. stitch at an angle each side of it, holding the thread down firmly when making the last stitch. Make next group on upper row, then lower one iepeat. To make Stitch No. 5 make a vertical stitch and carry thread down to lower row, and make angular stitches as in the > previous example, passing thread to the short stitch on the upper row, and repeat. Make the top row of Stitch No. 6 as in No. 4. On the next row make buttonhole stitch, directly be- low group on upper row. The lower row is made of button- hole stitch directly below previous one, and also halfway between them. This stitch will make a | very desirable edge I for an infant's blanket. Mark two straight lines as far apart as desired for Stitch No. 7, and from the upper to lower line take long stitch to lower row at desired angle Carry thread on the under side as far as space is desired between stitches. When the line is finished take stitches from upper to lower row, connecting the previous stitches. After this row is done make a vertical stitch at intersection of threads. Stitch No. 8 is a series of buttonhole stitches. The first row is a cross stitch from first and last stitches. The next row is a buttonhole stitch, in the centre of cross stitch. The top row is the same as the upper row in Stitch No. 4. Stitch No. 9 is a group of button- hole stitches at first, and a row of buttonhole stitches and last of group. Stitch No. 10 is a hori- zontal stitch crossed by a vertical one, which is crossed diagonally between the stitches. We all delight to watch the ways of childhood. But if childhood is to be a period of freedom and pleasure to the child without offending the adult idea of cleanliness and daintiness, and yet not reserving these excellent qualities merely for party festivities and similar occasions, the first essential of the child's everyday attire must be an overall. Now there are overalls and overalls. Most of us can remember in our early years the enjoyable, not to say jammy," occasions when dirt and the pleasures of life seemed to go hand in hand, and our better clothes were protected from our smudgy fingers by the ugliest possible the way down the front on either side of sin accordeon-pleated plastron. This embroidery is outlined in a fine dark blue and white cord in a pattern of which I give a detail. As the overall is cut perfectly straight, and has large, loose sleeves edged with lace, it is not necessary to go into further particulars. Quite a clever way of having the men choose their partners on any social occasion, either for the entire evening or for supper, is as follows Ask each woman invited to bring the first picture or photograph of herself, which she may have in her possession, to her hostess, who will number it on the back, and also write the name of the original, with the number of her photograph I opposite, on a large card which she will carry for the purpose. Just before the game or refresh- ments for which it is desired a partner shall be chosen, a basket containing photosrraphs turned I with the blank side uppermost should be passed, and each gentleman in the company asked to choose one, find the original of it, and claim her for his partner. ETHEL. I

On one occasion when Sydney Smith was listening to the band on the pier at Brighton some medical students who happened to be there thought they would have a joke with him, and accordingly one of the number went up with out- stretched hand and said, Ah! good morning Mr Smith! How do you do ?" I an* quite well, thank you," he replied but I really have not the honour of your acquaintance." "What," said the student, you don't know me ? Why. I met you at the Zoo!" Young man," said Sydney, accept my apologies; but really I saw I so many monkeys there that it is impossible for me to recognise them all again!" Does that baby of yours talk yet ?" His mother says he does; but if it is talk, then the kid has invented a. new code of slang that will make him famous." Tommy Paw, what sort of a. fighter is a 'cyclone fig&ter ? '—Mr Figg I don't know much about fighters, but I suppose it is:one who goes blowing around.

[ALL BIGHTS BE SERVED, j GARDEN AND FIELD. With Hints on Paltry and Stock BY "COUNTRY COUSIN." Home-made Propagator. To many of our amateur gardeners propagators a. few years ago were azyinheard of luxury, but thanks to modern enterprise and invention a. handy little appliance, Cheated by means of a petroleum lamp, may now be obtained for a few shillings. We do not mean to say that the pro- pagator described below will compete with one of this description, but it will answer its purpose, which is the main thing, while it should not cost more than a few pence to produce, providing that a bowl and lamp are at hand. The former may be galvanised iron, such, for instance, as is used for kitchen purposes, the required material in addition to this being a i<6-ge packing case, a few pieces of waste wood, a piece of sheet iron, and a glazed frame to cover the top. Now for the construction. First measure the height of the lamp and make a rough wooden frame, about a couple of inches higher than the top of the lamp, and sufficiently wide to avoid the possi- bility of catching on fire. One side of the frame should be left open so as t^admit of the lamp being easily removed for lighting. This frame forms a stand n^^e^Mgyl; this acts as a boiler, and should large and rather shallow. For this piirposolklarge sized frying- pan without the handle wils&nswer very well. On the top of the boiler, or bowl, is placed a piece of sheet iron, and this is cut to fit into the outer case, and ledges are nailed to this so as to give additional support. The sheet iron forms a bottom for the upper portion of the propagator, and must be covered with a few inches of damp cocoanut fibre or sawdust, as a plunging material for the propagating pans or flower pots. The size of the outer case or frame may be varied to suit the maker's requirements. Perhaps a packing case of a convenient size may be at hand, or possibly the maker may have a snAall glazed frame of a suitable size which may govern the outside dimen- sions, but the worker rnayfcllow his own inclina- tions or circumstances in this respect. The depth of the upper parts may be about twelve inches at the back of the slope and eight inches in front. A small doorway; must be cut in the front for the purpose of attending'.to the lamp. The wood for the frame be bought ready prepared, and should 4A oost much over a shilling. A few holes in thfe lower part of the case may perhaps be requii^g to supply air to the lamp, Dut most likely theaB will not be required. In using an appliance ol tMa kind, in fa-ct with all heaters where the fuel wed is petroleum, the greatest care must be tak«p that the lamp is kept thoroughly cleaned and properly trimmed. The burner and chimney shotald receive the same attention as if the la.mp yere used indoors for SKETCH OF SECTION OF PROPAGATOR. I lighting a room. Want of cleanliness is generally the cause of failures to obtain satisfactory results with heaters of this kind. Another rule should be borne in mind, viz., never turn the lamp to its full height after trimming and then leave it. The ilame will be apt to increase in size, and will per- haps cause the lamp to commence smoking, and this, if not attended to in time, will cause an explosion. The above sketch shows a section of the propagator. A is the frame on which is placed the boiler B, with the lamp underneath. The piece of sheet iron D is supported partly by the boiler and partly by the leage U at back and front. E is the plunging materiel of cocoanut fibre refuse, sawdust or moss, kept damp. Farm Notes for the Month. Although a genial April is always welcomed by the stock farmer, and helps forward his young stock of all kinds, it should be borne in mind that in reality It is the most trying month of the whole year from the food point of view. In mid- winter, during frost and snow, stock will readily accept any dry food which may be offered, and are content so long as their stomachs are filled. But when April arrives, especially if accompanied by showers and warm weather, vegetation quickly starts, and the dainty morsels found in sheltered spots and along the hedge rows make the animals' appetites more exacting and their wants more difficult to satisfy. In many cases the results are disastrous. Dry food is contemptuously ignored, and the animals do their best to rely upon their own exertions in procuring food. If there be plenty of old grass on the pastures they may do fairly well, but if the grass land is bare, and the only support is young watery grass, the proba- bility is the weaker animals will succumb should a period of wet weather and rapid growth set in. There are many animals which are scarcely in fit condition to be turned into a rich pasture without running a great risk of blackleg while oider beasts not usually affected with this malady may also find the rank herbage too strong for them. Stock owners ought therefore to be more careful than usual during the coming month, and be ready to supply artificial food if circumstances permit. To feed well now ensures the stock entering the pastures in good condition, and this is a guarantee that they will do themselves justice when placed on summer keep. Dairy cattle are too much neglected at this season Everything likely to assist in forcing the milk supply should be tried, for a cow with a good sum to her credit at May Day is almost certain to pay her way for the year, no matter how the summer keep may turn out. For this reason all cows intended for'the dairy another year should be served as soon as possible. They will then pay their way for the first threa months of the year, no matter how severe the weather, and this will be a. great deal more satisfactory than being compelled to feed a lot of dry animals, from which there is no imiEediate return. Young stock, barren animals, and late calvers not in milk should be encouraged to forage on their own acconnt, with a daily supply of cake if required. A run during the day will greatly benefit last year's calves, but do not allow them to remain out at night if there is reason to expect frost. Cultivators generally should keep hoeing well forward, as the condition of the land will favour rapid growth if sunshine and warm rains prevail in the course of the month. If spring corn is not yet in finish sowing at once, while grass and clover seeds are the better for being sown in the early part of the month at the latest, as there is less risk from a loss by drought when plants are well established. The sowing of other forage crops, such as cabbage, lucerne, and sain- foin, if not already done, should be completed, while the sowing of carrots and mangolds will also provide some important work to get through. Profitable Crops for Allotments. Given an allotment large enough to leave & surplus after supplying the wants of the family with fruit and vegetables, work the cropping on different lines, as some crops pay better than others, and thse latter will always command a ready sale Where land is good, plant aspara- gus in April as soon a3 the young heads come through the ground. Should no young plants be available sow the seeds now in drilis one inch j in depth and 12 inches apart. Sow the seed about two inches apart in the drills, and in the follow- ing season there will be some splendid plants for making permanent beds. The best and simplest method of growing asparagus is to trench the land two feet deep, and manure it heavily during the winter, leaving the surface rough, and plant in shallow trenches 21 feet apart in April. Another good paying crop is seakale. Root-cuttings may be planted now in rows 18 inches apart, and 12 inches apart in the rows. If there are any simple conveniences for forcing in the dark, such as a, dark cellar, at a temperature of about 55 degrees, aeakale may be forced in boxes. Where there is a good supply of roots seakale may be made to pay better than mushrooms. Nowadays one has to get out of the beaten track in order to make things pay. Given a dark cellar it should be easy to raise the temperature by means of a lamp. Near a town early potatoes will generally pay well, and it will be an advantage to have the sets started a little in advance previous to plant- ing. White kidneys are about the most saleable. In the early spring good lettuces are always in request. Generally there is a rush after early lettuces, but later they may be given to the pigs. Again, a deal may be done by raising various kinds of plants for sale, especially Brussels sprouts, celery, cabbages, and broccoli. By fol- lowing this kind of cropping an allotment holder will find that it pays. Should there be a warm comer anywhere, plant a good bed of early straw- berries. Noble is a good kind. Plant them now in rows two feet apart, and between the rows of strawberries sow onions. Pick off all bloom from the strawberries this year, and take a full crop next season if well attended to the onions will pay for rent and labour. Should peas be grown for profit grow the large-podded varieties, unless the ground is warm enough for them to come in before the field crops are due. Any well grown, large-podded peas—Telephone, for in- stance—will sell even when there is a glut in the market. Sow a good strain of Brussels sprouts early, and have good plants ready to put out in May. How to Drain a Flower Pot. March, April, and May are busy months for all classes of gardeners, the window garden included. Not only do owners of greenhouses grow plants in pots in large or small quantities, but nearly all householders have one or more plants in their windows,even though they do not boast of possess- ing a frame or greenhouse. Cleanliness, sweet- ness, drainage, food, air, light, and water are one and all necessary requirements and conditions of plant life growth. A great many understand the necessity of the last five, but very few fully SKETCH OF FLOWER POT WELL DRAINED. I realise the great importance of the first two. To cemmence with, cleanliness means having a pot thoroughly free from dirt inside as well as out. When old dirt is allowed to remain on the inside of the pot, and a plant is afterwards placed in that pot and allowed to remain till the roots reach the sides of the pot, they will lay hold of the old soil—which is firmly attached to the pot -and will not be separated again without injury; then, when the plant has to be twined out again for any purpose, there is a difficulty in doing so, which can only be overcome by breaking the pot or badly tearing the roots. Many people experi- ence this, but few know that the cause is dirty pots, and that the cure consists in using clean pots. In the second place, plants will not do so well in dirty pots because the pores of the clay being stopped the roots of the plant do not obtain the air they require. Every pot should be thoroughly scrubbed inside and out with a brush and warm water cold water is not so expeditious or so effectual, besides the pots dry quicker when warm or hot water is nsed. If satisfactory re- sults are to be obtained good drainage must be given, but a good deal depends upon the nature of the plant,and the length of time it is to remain in the same pot. A young geranium for instance potted now,and intended for planting oat in June, will not require the same perfect drainage as a camellia, heath, or azalea, which is not to be dis- turbed again for several years, and which would be greatly injured by the slightest stagnation of water. Draining a flower pot does not consist in placing a quantity of crocks in a pot, nearly or quite half filling it, but using clean crocks and the right size, placing them carefully and in the right way, taking up as little space as possible. Economy of space in draining is economy of space all round we get more soil into any given pot a smaller pot if well drained will hold as much as a pot a size larger carefully drained with more potsherds. The above illustration shows a pot well and carefully drained. It shows a crock placed—hollow side down-over the hole at the bottom—next a layer of smaller pieces of crock, also placed hollow side down, and finishing with a layer of still smaller pieces about the size of blue peas. Over these place a thin layer of moss, cocoanut fibre, fibre from loam or rough portions of leaves, to intercept and Erevent small particles of soil being carried down y the water to choke up the drainage below. A pot crocked in this manner will be fit to receive any of the usual plsnts grown in bothoasea, greenhouses, palmhouses, ferneries, or windows. Poultry Notes for April. Breeders who are fortunate enough to have a good number of chickens hatched should experi- ence no difficulty in rearing a large percentage of their birds. Many poultry keepers are not in favour of March chickens, as they fail to rear many of them in an average season, but the pre- sent year should prove that it is now and then pos- sible to do better at this season than later in the year, when the sun has more power. The greater part of the breeding season is before us, and there is still plenty of time to do good work. The hatching season must not, however, be delayed, and when once chickens put in an appearance, no pains should be spared to make them grow as fast as they can. If eggs are the main object breed specially for that object, using a cock be- longing to anon sitting breed,such as the Minorca, Leghorn, or Andalusian, is likely to produce good layers from even the ordinary type of fowls, as seen in all farmyards. Heavy breeds require more time, these will not lay much before De- cember unless already out. Regarding chickens hatched in February or March, consider care- fully whether to sell the pullets in the ordinary market, or to send them to the kitchen. It really becomes a question whether it w 11 be better to sell these pullets now, or to keep them for laying purposes, and to sell them off in December after laying their first batch of eggs. Large-framed pallets eight or nine months old would command a good price in the fall of the year, and will bring more than will be possible six weeks hence; while the cost of their maintenance in the interval will be far more than covered by the eggs laid in the late summer and early autumn. The bulk of the birds which leave the shell during April are ducklings. People who go in for poultry like to have one brood of ducks in the year, and gener- ally contrive to secure a broody hen duringMarch. To raise ducklings at a profit theii lives must be short and merry. Place them in a comfortable corner by themselves, where they have nothing to do but eat and grow, and where they are not knocked about by other fowls. For this purpose a grass plot is by far the best ground for them. If ducklings are allowed the run of the premises they are in danger of being trampled upon by stock,of wandering into watercourse and ditches, from whence they do not return, and of falling a ready prey to hawks, rats, and other enemies. Goslings are daily becoming more numerous, and require treating in much the same manner as ducklings. Turkey breeders should not be in- duced to take things too easily. Turkey breeding as a rule is a business requiring great and regular attention, and one cannot be too particular in making an effort to start well. To the few who keep guinea-fowls it will be as well to say that the best birds are the earliest. Therefore some of the earliest eggs should be placed under an ordin- j ary hen, as being likely to contain the strongest germs, and thus producing the strongest chicks. Diary of Garden Work. WEEK ENDING APRIL 9th. Flower Garden. Where wallflowers and other things have been killed by frost sow a few hardy annuals in their places. Finish pruning roses Laurels and other shrubs that have suffered from the frost may be cut back to where buds are showing. Early-flowering chrysanthemums may be divided and replanted. Such kinds as Source d'Or, Gloire, and Madame Desgrange, which have been grown in pots, will make excellent plants to turn out into the borders. Plant out pansies. Sow auri- culas, polyanthuses, and primulas in shady borders. Sweet Williams and Canterbury bells may be sown now. Bulbs that have been forced ana have rested a little since can be planted out in the border. They will be useful outside, but (' are of no further use for forcing. Manure and dig beds and borders in readiness for bedding plants, and replant hardy edging plants. Plant evergreens if the soil is light and the weather dry puddle the roots in. Plant hollyhocks out of pots. All lilies out of the ground should be got in at once, working a little leaf mould round to en- courage the roots. Stir the soil among hyacinths, and late tulips. This is the best season to move hardy ferns. Fruit Garden.-Directly peaches are set in the orchard-house, should there be any signs of green-fly fumigate with tobacco slips or use a vapourising implement. Either of these methods will be found a deal more pleasant than using tobacco paper. Thin young shoots of peaches on walls by rubbing off those not required for filling up or extending the tree. Protect apricots and peaches on walls in some manner. A double thickness of fishing net will answer every purpose. Make the soil firm around recently planted strawberries, and if a little short manure can be spread between the rows afterwards it will assist a great deal. Unprotected figs on walls will not bear fruit this year. As soon as the sap is moving cut back to sound wood. Make up hotbeds for melons in an average sized light one plant will be enough. The soil mnst not be too light, or the pants make too much growth and the fruit fails to set. Vegetable Garden.-The best way to plant pota- toes is in drills, and the worst is to use a peg. If planted in trenches or drills and any artificial or manure or compost is used, scatter it along the drills over the sets. Cover at least four inches deep. The distance between the rows and the sets in the rows must be regulated according to the amount of tops made by each variety. Toma- toes for outside planting may still be sown if they can be helped along in heat until the end of the month, ana then hardened off m a cold frame but the majority of tomato plants are sown and i pricked off. Those plants which are sown in the early part of April and grown on in a light, worm house near the glass, will be far in advance of set out plants which have been standing about half- starving in small pots. Sow ridge cucumbers and vegetable marrows. These will come much earlier if sown in a little warmth under glass, and when hardened off, started outside under handlights or wired frames covered with oiled calico. The latter are most useful and also very cheap. Greenhouse.—Move bedding plants to frames and pits, they will be safe if covered at night. Fuchsias, pelargoniums, and other plants are growing freely now and require more room, and the more forward plants should have liquid manure. Seedling cinerarias after flowering may be thrown away unless it is intended to increase them. The same course is generally followed with primulas. Pot up a few daffodils and bring them on gently in the greenhouse. Sow tender annuals now in quantity. Window Garden.-In many window boxes the shrubs have a wretched appearance. It is some time yet to the bedding-out season, but a great improvement might be made by taking np clumps of tulips or snowdrops from the garden or pan- sies will soon be in bloom, and anything looks j better than dead shrubs. Encourage the growth of window plants as much as possible. Use the sponge freely, and anything growing fast may be helped with a little weak stimulant. Answers to Correspondents. Bird Seeds (Tom Tit).—The great objection to the use of bird seeds sold in packets ready mized is that they are apt to contain an undue propor- tion of the more injurious kinds, such as niga, hemp, etc. It would be much the better plan to purchase all your seeds separately and mix them as required. By so doing you would possibly pay a trifle more, but it would be found cheapest in the end. Flowers for Market (Alexander).—We do not know of any book dealing with the culture of flowers for market. I Scarlet Runners (Banners).—The last week in ¡ April will be quite soon enough to sow your scar- let runners. Dig the ground well, and sow nine inches apart in the row. Plants for Window (Novice).—For your window facing north fuchsias, calceolarias, and musk, also nasturtiums, both tall and dwarf,are the best plants available for your purpose. Grape-vine (M Bell).—No doubt it will bear fruit if the wood is properly ripened, and due attention paid to ventifaion. The fruit will ripen in September.

INARTISTIC BUT EFFECTIVE. OLD GENT (dictating indignant letter): Sir, my stenographer, being a lady, cannot take down what I think of you I, being a gentlem&n, can- not think it; but you, being neither, can easily guess my thoughts.

i Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, in a letter to the Marquis of Montrose, wrote :—" I know a very wile man that believed that if a man were permitted ot make all the ballads he need not care who sho ud make the laws of the na.tion."

THE FLOWtR AND THE CLOUDS. (A LESSON.) J The flower, parched and faint, Beheld the sullen sky And cried, Oh help me, sable clouds, Or I must die." The frowning clouds replied, We'll brew a mighty storm, And then we'll stoop to fill thy cup And bathe thy form." But ere the dying Flower Could hear the storm's loud roar, It sank, exhausted to the ground, To rise no more. When the repentant Clouds Looked on the withered corse, In vain, they deluged it with tears, Of wild remorse. One sympathetic drop That gives a heart relief, Is worth much more than tardy floodB Of selfish grief. The consecrated mite That some poor widow spares, Outweighs the vaunted gift, and shames The millionaires. The cup of water cold, The poorest can afford And he who gives it will not lose His great reward. TROIUS RATMENT.

REST. To spend the long, warm days, Silent beside the silent stealing streams, To see, not gaze, To hear, not listen, thoughts unchanged for dreams. See clouds that slowly pass, Trailing their shadows o'er the far, faint down, And ripening grass, While yet the meadows wear their starry crown. To hear the breezes sigh, Cool in the silver leaves, like falling rain, Pause, and go by, Tired wanderers o'er the solitary plain. See far from all affright, Sky; river, creatures play hour after hour And night by night Low in the west the white moon's folding flower Thus lost to human things, To blend at last with Nature, and to hear What song she sings, Low to herself, when there is no one near. MARGARET L. WOODS.

THE BEGINNING AND THE END. TOURIST (to country boy): What time is it, my lad ? Boy About twelve o'clock, sir. TOURIST I thought it was more. Boy: It's never any more here, sir. It just I begins again at one.

Even With Her Cross-examiner. Now," said the lawyer who was conducting the sross-examination, "willyou pleaM state how and where you first met this man ?" I think," said the lady with the sharp nose, that it was- Never mind what you think," interrupted the lawyer. We want facts here. We don't care what you think, and we haven't any time to waste in listening to what yon think. Now, please tell us where and when it was that you first met this man." The witness made no reply. Come, come," urged the lawyer, "I demand an answer to my question." Still no response from the witness. Your Honour," said the lawyer, turning to the Court, I think I am entitled to an answer to the question I have put." The witness will please answer the question," said the Court, in impressive tones. Can't," said the lady. Why not ?" The Court doesnt't care to-hear what I think, does it ?" No." Then there is no use questioning me any further. I am not & lawyer. I can't Wk without thinking." < So they called the next witness.

Welsh Tit-Bits. Neu Wrelchion Oddiar yr Eingion. By CADRAWD. The Principal Eisteddfodau. [CONTINUED.] 1842. Llifon. "Burning of the White Tower." Gwalchmai. From this year till 1849 I cannot find that an Eisteddfod of any importance was held. The year 1843 was full of excitement owing to the Rebecca. Riots. This period was one of great depression in the country; the succes- sion of wet and unproductive harvests had very much reduced the capital of the farmers. They had been forced during successive years to buy the bread consumed in their families, and what money they made was scarcely sufficient to meet the various payments to which they were liable. This pressure no doubt suggested the first attempt to get rid of some of the most obnoxious burthens which were felt in South Wales in the shape of toll-gates, which the people of Carmar- thenshire made their best to demolish. 1845, Abergavenny. The chief prize offered at this Eisteddfod in poetry was £10 for the best ten englynion (stanzas) to the illustrious and honoured Dawarik&n&uth Tagore, Calcutta. The prize was taken by Ieuan Gwynedd. Prizes were taken for the best odes on the "Leek," "The Bridge across the Taff," to the "Bees;" and Mr T. Stephens, of Merthyr, took a prize of.£5 for the best essay on "Heraldic Welsh Poetry." This essay was published in the Ymofynydd" for the year 1850. At this Eisteddfod Carnhuanawc was awarded a prize of JE87 3s for the best essay on "The Comparative Merits of the Remains of Ancient Literature in the Welsh, Irish, and Gaelic Languages; and their value in Elucidat- ing the Ancient History and the Mental Culture of the Inhabitants of Britain, Ireland, and Gaul." Dr. Pritchard, an eminent physiologist of Cam- bridge, said of this essay that the writer fully merited the prize. The essay is published in the first volume of the "Literary Remains," and covers about 200 pages in that volume. The author declares, after due consideration, that in historical value Welsh poetry greatly excels that of' the other two languages. Da yw'r Maen gyda'r Efengyl." One of the most curious facts in connection with proverbs is that no man as a certainty can be cited as having made any one of them, or even been present at their making. Outside Holy Writ they have no known creators. In regard to the above, however, which is a common expres- sion in Wales, there is a tradition as to its author. It is said that it was first spoken by King Arthur, I who had established a new order of discipline among the Welsh bards, which afterwards became known as the Chair of Baptism. When this order was established, with Taliesin Pen Beirdd as its president, Dubricius, the Bishop of Llondaff, enquired of Arthur his reason for restoring this privilege to the bards, which was considered to be in opposition to the Christian faith, and Arthur replied, Da yw'r Maen gyda'r Efengyl." And this sentence came to be the motto of the Chair at Caerlleon-ar-Wysg, up till the time of Robert Earl of Gloucester, who established in its stead the Choir of Tir Iarll, and restored to the Welsh bards their privileges and changed the motto for Nid da lie gellir gwell." Some Welsh Names and their Meaning. Anarawd (n&r), a dwarf. Anghaxiad (cariad), an attractive one, loving. Afan (av), a hero, a warrior. Afaon (ao), a warrior, a bold person. Arthur (arth), a ruffian, the ruff one. Bleiddyn (blaidd), a plunderer, a ravager. Brochwel (broch-gwel), a wrathful look. Brychan (brwch), a rioter, warrior. Baddug (badd), a conqueror, Victoria. ■ Cadogan (cad-gogawn), mighty in battle. Caradog (carad), an amiable person. Ednyfed (nwyf), a pure one, a saint. Gruffydd (cryt-ffydd), strong in faith. Gwladus (gwlad), sovereign of a kingdom, a queen. Hywel (by-wel), conspicuous. l' Llewelyn (Uew.gelyn), the lion's foe. Llywarch (llyw-arch), chief ruler, sovereign. Madog (m&d), a benefactor. Meredydd (mered), a dull person. Rheinallt (rhfen), one consecrated to sacred duties, a priest. Rhydderch (rhy-derch), too highly exalted, arrogant. An Eminent Welshman. Lewis Weston Dillwyn is called the father of British botanists and naturalists. Though born in England, he was the son of William Dillwyn, who was descended from an old Breconshire family of the name of Deulwyn. Mr L. W. Dillwyn was eleceted Fellow of the Royal Society at the youthful age of 25, having published the first part of his classic and elegant volume on the British Confervoe some time before, and his Botanist Guide" he published in 1805, in conjunc- tion with Dawson Turner. Next he published in two thick octavo volumes his descriptive Catalogue of Recent Shells," arranged according to the Linnaean method. This work is dated "The Willows, Swansea, 1817," and contains 5,000 names and synonyms of shells, and 15,000 references to the labours of English and Continental authors. In 1823 Mr Dillwyn communicated a paper to the Royal Society on "Fossil Shells," which was published in the "Philosophical Transactions" In 1823 Mr. Dillwyn published his "Index" to Lister's "Historia Conchyliorum," at the special request of the University of Oxford (large folio), which was printed at the Clarendon Press. Besides papers he contributed to scientific journals. He published again in 1829 his Memoranda relat- ing to the Coleopterous Insects found in the Neighbourhood of Swansea." The most remark- able of all his works, may be, is his Review of the References to the Hortus Malabaricus," In I this review he criticises thousands of specific names, connects, disjoins, compares, and dis- tinguishes a vast array of specimens, &c The two last works were designed for private circula- tion. In 1840 he published his Contributions towards the History of Swansea," and in a short preface he states that 300 copies of this work, which had been rather hastily compiled for the purpose, are presented to the Managers of a Bazaar for the benefit of the Swansea Infirmary, at which bazaar no less than JE150 was realised by the sale of the book alone. Mr Dillwyn was one of the few who were instrumental in estab- lishing the Cambrian newspaper, the first pub- lished in Wales. He took great interest also in the founding of the Infirmary. In 1832 he was returned to the Reformed Parliament as the second member for the county of Glamorgan. In 1834 he was presented with the freedom of the borough of Swansea; and in 1848, when the British Association held its meetings at Abertawe, Mr Dillwyn on the occasion was elected one of its vice.presidents, and president of the Section on Zoology and Natural History; and welcomed the Association to the town by dedicating a work on The Flora and Fauna of Swansea to the Council of the Association. In moving a vote of thanks to Mr Dillwyn for presiding, Mr Babington, the botanist, of Cambridge, charac- terised him as t'he father of English botany, and as one of the early heroes of British zoology. His best monument is the noble edifice, the Royal Institution of South Wales, which has done such good work at Swansea. Cawrdaf," On the Princess Alexandrina Victoria attaining her majority, May 24th, 1837. The hopes and good wishes of the bard which he expressed in the following lines over sixty years ago seem to have been more than realised in the glorious and prosperous reign of her Majesty the Queen. Had the poet lived till laet year he could compliment himself on being a real prophet:— May she be decked in all Imperial might On Mercy's seat, with Justice on her right; In healthful bloom another age to live; No foe to crush, no felon to forgive; Her glorious sceptre to extend o'er all; Beloved and great from North to Southern Pole; Commerce and trade so fully we display, A fraction be to her's in future day. The Wooden Walls of England henceforth bo To thunder forth her glorious Jubilee. Her mighty Arms, preserved to be seen, To show that yet we are what we have been.

A PRACTICAL MIKD.—" Those opposition fellows at Columbus received a decided check." What was the amount"" Baggy ? Aw-lfiss Gaace, yooah always in my mind, aontcher know.—Miss Graoe: Goodness { that is worse than ttvftjg in a flat.

GOSSIPS' CORNER. J. How aull these ba.rristers are A witness had to tell one of them at the Assizes on Monday that —" until a sewer stops working, it continues tc work Mr Humphreys-Owen, M.P., now enjoys the proud distinction of being the only man in Wales who has retained his seat as chairman of County Council since the office was first created. The increase of population in Ebbw Vale pariah is so great that it is intended to form a portion of it into a separate ecclesiastical district, the en- largement of its church being first a necessity. The Rev. Maurice Griffith, M.A., of Llanid- foes, has accepted an invitation to visit the United States of America on a preaching toftr. He will be accompanied by the Rev. T. C. Joaafc of Welshpool. The law of the Lord is perfect, but the law of man is full of holes. In those holes the lawyers live." This is what the Abercarn miners were told by Mr Roberts-Jones this week in an addres. on the Compensation Act. Mr R. H. Rhys, J.P., did not seek re-election upon the Aberdare School Board. He was a member of that body 24 years, and chairman 21 years. The subscriptions to Mr Rhys testimonial have become considerable. The Press box on the Mountain Ash football ground was graced on Saturday with the presence of Lord Aberdare, who: notwithstanding the rigour of the weather, witnessed the League con- test from beginning to end. Several names are suggested for the appoint, ment of secretary to the new Welsh National Liberal Council, including, among others, Mr Lewis Davies, Pontypool, Mr Beriah G. Evans, and Mr W. Llewelyn Williams, M.A. The good people of Llangennech have, pre- sumably, been perplexed over their first public meeting, for notices have been stuck up in the village bearing this unqualified notification The public meeting has been postponed." It is announced that the Marquis of Bute hyf compiled an edition of The Service for Palm Sunday," which will be issued by the Art and Book Company. He also proposes to issue a second edition of his Roman Breviary," a work first published in 1879, and long out of print. Driving without lights is one of the most prevalent offences in the police jurisdiction of Llandaff just now. The imposition of a 5s fine utterly fails to act as a deterrent, and Colonel Woods on Monday gravely remarked that the Bench will have to seek a more drastic remedy. Merionethshire men in London are organising among themselves a special collection in aid of the Festiniog Naitional Eisteddfod. This is the first occasion fat the ancient national festival to visit that county, and the natives at home and abroad are bent upon making the visit an historic one. Welsh admirers of Mr Gladstone will be inter- ested to learn that the Rev. Griffith Ellis, M.A. Bootle, is engaged on a life of the great English commoner. The work, which will be written in Welshis to be completed in six monthly parta Each number is toconsist of about 64 well-printeci pages, and will be issued at a popular price. It is estimated that more London Welshmen wffl flock to Blaefcheath on Saturday than on any past occasion. After the recent arbi- trary eondoet of the predominant partner in the Gould dispute, it is highly probable that a few thousand throats from the Metropolis will cheer up the Principality in her conflict with England! this year. The approaching marriage of Mr E. D. Evans, son ef Mr Christmas Evans, Peurheol, Merthyr, with Miss Dora James, daughter of Mr Gwilym James, J.P., is looked forward to with much in- terest in social circles, both families being well known and highly respected throughout South Wales. The event, it is whispered, will take place towards the end of April at Merthyr. Sir Henry Mather Jackson, Bart., has lent to the Cardiff Library a. very valuable volume of letters and other papers relating to the Civil Waa in Monmouthshire, and throwing considerable light upon the part which Raglan Castle played in the war. Sir Henry has been good enough te authorise the committee to take a copy of the papers to be kept in the Library permanently fas reference. The sub-committee appointed to consider tht question of appointing a principal of the Bala Bangor Congregational College have resolved t< recommend the appointment of Mr J. E. Lloyd registrar of the University College of Nortif Wales, Bangor, though it is not at all certain that Professor Lloyd would be disposed to accept thif post. The recommendation will be considered at a special meeting of the Executive Committer next month. The Gas City Journal (Indiana) reproduces it full the report published by the South Wales Daily News dealing with the temporary financial difficulties of the firm of Messrs E. Morewooc and Co., prefacing the quotation with the remart that the report was the first official notificatioi which had reached Gas City. Many Welshmen and especially tinplaters, reside in that district many of them working in the Morewood works oi the city named. William Rees, a native of Llandovery, wh( reoently celebrated his 104th birthday, has diee at Garnant, and was buried there on Saturday. Within ten days of death he wsas able toiol low his occupation of pig-killer for the Ammm Valley, where almost every family keeps a pig He boasted that he had killed over 20.000 pigs. Deceased was taken by the press-gang at the time of Waterloo, but was liberated on account of his diminutive stature. A Cardiff school attendance officer was sub- mitted to a searching cross-examination at thi Police Court yesterday on definitians. Reproducing the causes for the irregularity of attendance, ht instanced negleet "in some cases, and gross neglect in others. The presiding magistrate asked for the data which justified the distinction and the difference. There was then an awkward paoae, which was only concluded by the call foi the next case." The fact that the Rev. H. Elvet Lewis, of Llanelly, has not yet made his reply to the unani- mous invitation given him to the pastorate of Hare-court Congregational Chapel, London, lends colour to the belief that the chaired bare is entertaining the enthusiastic call that has been given him. Hare-court Chapel possesses a his- tory dating back to the year 1660, and among itf pastors have been Dr. Raleigh, Rev. Hy. Simon, and Dr. Fobter. The church has been without § pastor since January of last year.

A SATURDAY SERMON. Wheresoever the search after truth begin, there life begins wheresoever the search ceases, there life ceases. As long as & school of art holch. any chain of natural facts, trying to discover more of them and to express them better daily it may play hither and thither as it likes on thif side of the chain or that; it may design gro tesqnee and conventialisms, build the simpleflf buildings, serve the most practical utilties ye( all it does will be gloriously designed and glori ously done but let it one quit hold of the chait of natural fact, cease to pursue that as a clue U its work let it propose to itself any other enc than preaching this living word, and think first of showing its own skill or its own infancy,and froir that hour its fall is precipitate—its destraetioi sure nothing that it does or designs will eve) have life or loveliness in it more its hour hat come, and there is no work, nor device, nor know ledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither it goeth. Thus, then, you will tind-and the more pro found and accurate your knowledge and historj of art—the more assnrdly you will find-that tht. living power in all the real schools, be they grea( or small, is love of nature. But do not miata-fa me by supposing that I mean this law to be af [that is necessary to form a school. There was ic be much superadded to it, though there new* must be anything superseding it. The main thing which needs to be superadded is the gift of it sign. Rosax.