The Cardiff Times

( OETZM ANN & CO., HAM^STEAD ROAD LONDON. W. & 61. GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN, En'¡SE SAVING IN THE "VS]! fNISHING °ONKTT^ effeCTED by ''|tT <fc co. s USTKATED GUIUE TO HOUSE ORA I"URNISHING," AL? PREE- 4 ^^CAHPKTg MA PR UP FRKE OF CHARGE.

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. SCOTTISH COAL CRISIS, BY MABON, M.P. J Ho the end of Ja!r )a"t the COR! owners ¡ Ste ,r-Grr''t,ers Conciliation Board 8 notice that the existing agreement be- them and the Scotch Miners' Federation, eel1 them and the Scotch Miners' Federation, Me ^presents their workman, would Sermin- *tie°n t'le September, but after a conier- With ths miners' representatives the date 1'h extended tl) the -7th of the same montfe. I Ike On!V' péClriC reasori-i sriven to the men at t, tIme were that the ample) eT3 would, wheu tIme came, seek to modify toe point at I Ithe DiIOlmum Wrl.gi< w:ts fixed, and also Ð .we telationshfp betwsen amounts to he I and taken off,arid the selling price ofeoal. i fact there is but little diiioreuce indeed 'Real) the Scotch wage regulator and a Sliding 10, with a minimum and maximum wage. vv 146 expiring agreement fixed the minimum at 37i per cent above the i8S8 basis— «hicb c°nsidered to be giving all workmen an 8 £ e wage of 4s a day, so that the present j wag=m that coalfield would be 5s t>d per the maximum point was fix^d at 100 per • above the basis and the Scotch miners' reached that nomt for a, certain short b ,0c* during the late boo?E in the Scotch coal By that agreement the Scotch miners' lhe ^ave oeen regulated for some years. At ^^me when notice to terminate the agreement v., ,en the state of trade in Scotland was slack but since then it has improved jl a'-orati!y, The notice given to terminate °<U S^teemBllt caused no little trouble throngh- le t'le ^n''ed Kingdom, A conference of tbe oepteentative6 of the miners engaged through- )tilt tha federated arga, consisting of Seotlaud. ^'and and Wales," was held a: Westminster Lone!ofl, to hear the case from tba ''ish delegates and which was adjourned to where it was held at a later date. In ^"ntime the -.aricus representatires cou- eu their own constituencies. A confer- for that purpose was held a.t Cardiff, at tin'0*1 the delegates selected were given discre- powers to net, as they thought best, after er f r ,from the Scotch delegates and J 'Hussion of the matter at Sonthport. And *SdQiit t^at tlle (J'scret'onary powers sought by, ^Siven to, the Welsh delegates helped con- S^bly to initiate and form.Ja'e the policy to6f f°^owc^ ^pon the deliberations of thaV trence. It was there that the presidents ^ieccetaries of the three great branches of tbe — Messrs Edwards and Ashton, He '6 aac' ^roWD> anrt Abraham and Richards, fttJpotnted to seel; an interview with tbe lyj^ilatives of'tlie Scotch coal owners with of avoiding, if possible, a conflict between k&rties concerned in regard to the pro- 'eduction of the minimum wage. Tbe ij^erence between that deputation and tbe V,iab Coal Trade Conciliation Board on the CSfcta' side was held at Glasgow on Friday 1^' It was of the most cordial character. It V*en asserted in w quarters that the owners were not keeu upon the matter of hjlhg the point at whicb the minimum wage tiicSn fixed,and that tb?v would not risk i con- 14e *\i the Federation n;:on tbe raattc-r. That ^ere oot keen upon redncing tba mini- no fonndation iti fact,for tbev dieenssed seriously witb tbe dopntation for f'on hoT,rs' "d U ia my honest convic- W.,ion'Si^S. "LI" '"V" lh„, „ which were backed np by Mull power of the Federation beh.nd them r0 »0 emphatic in opposing that project the Ployers would have ended the Conciliation 55 5h«"e;; f0raredDCtion the mini- h I T VeiT Str°nC indeed "I™ r P°,nt Which the a>i"imum ^been faxed-tfl per cent npon the baSia of to .3 too h!gb to enable the Scotch coal ttads aRd ,,thrive through depressed bll.d tjut whiie tUey so argued they 'be af'ru't that at present and for ''a0d*St 9'X VV6e^s their collierief, notwith- '"tf the minimum, were working fall tione, ^te Hlrelv to do so throughout the winter S- did not propose for an instant that tlje 6 3honld not be a minimum wage. No but 'hej Wera stronK «pon the matter of having le^ccec'" Ultimately, however, it was that the Conciliation Board should con 'o exist and that its members should meet- 'a the next fortnight to endeavour to come fej Cew iKreement that will enable both em- t8 empbyed to catty on upon some new specific fcaais for some time to come. But the i^tiot, 0j reducmg the present minimum wage tt b"t, to be raised. For the time being, however at tIlEttter is settled, and the cloud that over- (J the British coalfieid generally has been btat aivay- There are in my opinion also two P., 1 reasons why there should be no Scotch 'RD. ton of I, 8a,tion of hlbou r o\er the niakirig of a now ti^ent. Tbe Scotch coal trade is excep- ja"v Kood. Foil time is worked at tbe OJ¡Jerle, But full time to the wise Scotch '6r only means five- days a week. They never c^, tt'ore than that, whatever demand there is for lhe when theemployers recently alleged that WQ! no means of regulating tde trade, tbe i>. Ktlien nffftrArl tr» rprrnlafft it for fchAm hv cirnrlr- rOtlr davs a week, or even n reduce them to 4t cee days if such shortness of time was Fi ain older that the supply of coal shonld to the dernancl. Other factors, how- j ,'(( f it) j. '8»ie to bear and the demand, at present, 'Hp, y equal to the supply produced. A utronger f still, in ruy opinion, to prevent a Scotch h5vj ''on of labonr ia the fact that the employers agreed to withdiaw their demand for a minimum wage, will not risk losing all which would evidently follow if t(j ^ore engaged in a Scottish struggle,fighting 'itj 0svn meu only. Taking these points into con- 5^tat'on one argues that those astute repre* **bl*t^Ves one 8aw on eacl1 8'^e °* e the Windsor Hotel, Glasgow, will arr,ve at some pacific basis of settlement V \Vi!1 enable them to go on again for tioine fie period. °t60vor now that the prospects of a strike, °r otberwise, with us, the children of '*ct S' l^e m09t appreciable of all will be the the Scotch employers have agreed to the deputation from the Federation of ^tain and especially all the members of bl0y ^c°tch Conciliation Board on the em- ra side having done ao is an important link *H,j c',ain that tvill nltimately, we believe,briDg ^oat?e,J 'ogether a real Coal Trade Conciliation f°r the United Kingdom,that wheD formed h 80 atroDf?'^ united and knitted together a'c"es W,J'1 an ftble audi cou- *^jjl'0t,s independent chairman, it should be 4< ea to amicably settle 90 per cent. V its disputes without invoking of its chairman, leaving to bin: ,v«dly aij onBcttled points in the od Baeh a board ought to for a long Hblo to avoid most, if not ail,the ruinous 4tlcl disastrous lock-outs that are still to IQ Qd bete and thus devastating our coal- causing endless pain and trouble. It w* QrKed that Bnch a condition of things is wSfltsjj' Still, it is an idea worthy of being und one that tvill give an immense to »U that ate prepared to work for it. L t" I 4botit American Contentment. L la8t consjgnoient of news thai I ^fom across the ocean I am »fra>d 1,^6^* "s *ra not very promising in some parts S* continent. In the south employers are at ^ers drawn. Discontent Employers are reducing wages '*i Ul0ta^ 'rsKie8, 'u the mines, In trades, in the meat packing trade, of everywhere. In the neighbour- ^6 c0rit 'Gingham. Alabama, tbe miners' V>q 'Hif) ltlDfcs to be the stern ceutre of interest, ^ftnvi,1g. and unfortunately violence ate rl^e' aD^ t'le ,Hnks of the *re sweiliDg— thia is veiy contrary :t''t' abont American conte. meat told Iff Reform League.

lllustrated Fashions. Fashions are at present in a cow-atose stage and lie dormant between the two seasons of late snmmer and early autumn, a period of general slackness in the sartorial world. People do not so early in the autumn bestir themselves mnch as to thesslection of new toilettes unless they belong to that class of soiietv which journeys north to assist in the slaughter of game, and in that case. tri m, well-fitting, tailor-made coats and skirts of quiet-hued tweeds form the only possible garb. There are, of course, many new materials to be seen, and ag the English climate plays many tricks, and changes abruptly from tropical heat to wintry cold without any warning.it is not wise to delslv too loug in considering a clotb or tweed costume of some sort. Checks of all sorts promise to be much worn far into the season, and their continued popularity ia assured as the A Useful Gown. I enrlv autumn models prove how smart are tOI- lettes or this kind, as well as rendered emphatically becoming by a touch of black veivet introduced generally in the torm of a rolling collar. A smart littl,- waistcoat self- coloured is often to be seen in checked costumes, and at present those most favoured are of white pique fastened down the fron: with a set of pretty enamelled buttons, these sets, by the wav. forming welcome and useful birthday gifts. They c¡>,n be nsed on all sorts of articles of dress from a blouse to a coal or waistcoat. The smart little bolero sketched is secured by I a set of these buttons n red aud gold ana-me). which greatly enhance the whole tOIlette as it :s in these trifles much depends, and if they are neglected the general eil'cct of even'the smartest cut dress will be marred. The costume in this instance is made of fins myrtle green serge. slightly piped with red, this warm note of colour being repeated in the large red roses trimming the hat. The dainty blouse is of white silk patterned witlJ red. The skirt, however is lined with green silk, and a petticoat of the exact same shade of colour is worn, as light coloured underskirts or those of a contrasting colour are not considered correct wear this sea- son. Instead, the underskirt or petticoat must match the colour of the costume which covers it as nearly as possible. and I fancy we will see the 1 A Cnarming Blouse. biack gilk skirt rtinch worti throughout the win- ter. It iR. however, very unwise and extremely shortsighted policy to purchase a cheap Silic underskirt of a diuk tone of colour, as somehow these are affected by the dyes used, and wear only a few times before they begiii to cut, and are therefore useless. There are some other and more duiable materials which strongly resemble silk, bet of coarse they lack the soft frou-frou which in so dear to the ears of most women. My second illustration depicts a charming blouse, of soft white crepe de chine, made with a long yoke of lace finished by a couple of dainty little ruches. The sleeves, which are very intl, are completed by deep frills, (rimmed also with rucbed edging. For afternoon or evening wear nothing could be prettier thau a blouse of this description, as the material employed is so essentially lovely, and falls in the most artistic folds requiring little .trimming to enhance its natural beauty. Some of the early autumn riteeues are diplaying a sleeveless bolero, which, of course, parmits of elaborate and fussy blouse sleeves being worn, as of course even the widest coat sleeve that is worn works havoc to the dainty material it covers. Sometimes these sleeveless coats are worn of quite a different colour to the rest of the costume, but I do not think this is a mode which will become very noDular on this side of tbe Channel. This is, of A Pretty Hat. course, only the revival of a very old fashion, as indeed are all the latest novelties. The coat which boasts of basque will, it is almost certain. be quite a feature of dress, especially in connec- tion with tailor-made costumes, and with this style of dress it is certainly a success, especially when the upper part of the coat opens over a pretty waistcoat. Deep cavalier cuffs are also a novelty. The pretty hat depicted in my last sketch is of fine olack chip, trimmed with deep red roses and foliage, aud the veil is tied in the fashion first introduced by motorists, namely, over the top of the hat. covering the coiffnre. It is of white chiffon spotted with large flat spots of black velvet; on a windy day the comfort of a veil worn in this fashion is inestimable, espe- cially if the hat has a wide curving brim, as in this instance. There is nothing very new in millinerv to record beyond the fact that the red straw toque has made its annual appearance, and when of a neat shape always looks well with a plain linen or cloth costume. The raarqnidl shape is by no means defunct, and I fancy we shall again see it in our midst as the season ad vances. The high crowned hat has been seized upon so eagerly by everyone that one is some- what wearied of this style, especially when it is to be seen everywhere, worn by all sorts and descriptions of women, trimmed in too often a ridiculous fashion. COQUETTE.

Women have no originality, no inventive genius." "Nonsense I have seen my steno- grapher make a memorandum with a hairpin on a cake of soap when she had no mper handy." She bad sent off a telegram and was waiting for an ansvvei'. Suddenly the peculiar halting click of the receiving machine sounded in the olfice, acd she said to her companion, That's fxoni aud she said to her companion," That's from eotge, I know. I can tell biis atuttor."

MUSIC IN WALES. By D. Emlyn Evans. HHYL NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. The meetings of this year's National Eisteddfod at Itbyl were amongst the pleaaanteet and most successful that we remember. So far as we know no regtetttbie incident, no disagreement or bitch of any importance rccurred from baginnine to end. Probably this was more or less dua to the good management of the Eisteddfod conductors, Llew Tegid and Mr Tom John supported by Mr Llew Wynne, who, though he may talk but little. is blessed with the capacity of clear think- ing and the knack of looking ahead, and was thefefore as platform superintendent quite the right man in the right place. The choirs in the various competitions were successively placed iu position with commendable despatch and absence of all fuss and confusion. The warning bell had onlv to be rung once or twice, and that in the earlier part of the week's proceedings in the Sessionportant choral contests. Those busy cboir officials and conductors who !I thought they can'id impress poopie by wasting valuable time, but who really only produced irritation and disorder, were no in evidence at I Rhyl. Thus we are moving on Occasionally one has to experience meetings where things seem to conspire to start wrongly and so con- tinue throughout. Here the audience appeared bent upon fceing good-humoured, as true eisfcodd- fodwyr always should, and determined to derive all the pleasure and satisfaction possible out of the good things provided. Something, too, shoold be placed to the credit of the building, which was commodious and well-arranged, excel- lent for sound, and where all present could see and hear wherever located. One writer seems to regiet the apparent dis- appearance of The Old Englynon Spouting and Hwyl," and the absence of that latter-day innovation, sacted bymn singing, For ourselves we are not sorry to part with all these things any more than with cat-calls, whistlings, and everything that tends to make the National Eisteddfod anything but what it should bs—the nation's high feaafr of intellectual enjoyment. As conducted this year there was no rushing of the work the Eisteddfod meetings weie brongbt to a close in good time, and a fair interval was secured before commenc- ing the evening conceits, the which also ill their turn ended betimes. Some of the vocal solo compstifions were of very high older-we speak only of thoa in con- nection with which we were directly engaged. III the soprano class it was veritably an embarrass iiient of riches for tbe judges in the preliminary examination, the quality of the contestants being such that not only one but two or three capable licts of three singers each could have been selected for appearance on the platform. The tenor competition was not so satisfactory, a though the winner, Mr David Ellis, Cefnmawr, proved himself to be one of the most capable tenor soloists that has recently appeared on the competitive platform. Thie and the male voice duet weie The Only Successes that fell 'o the share of North Wities it, the non-choral classes, although we understand that Miss Jennie Ellis, Cardiff, who won the soprano and mezzo-soprano prizes, is a native of Din-is Mawddwy, Merionethshitc. In connection with certain poIo competitions one new regulation must be "nadf: sooner or later -anct the sooner the letter-viz., that competi- tors in one class ot voice shall not be permitted to compete id. another Jaaa tta well. It is neither good jor art nor for the competitors, successful or otherwise, that tbe same individual should compete both ps baritone and bass, or as soprano and mezzo-soprano. In any case the winner in one class should be debarred from competing in another class at the came Eistedd- fod. There ia an eminent vocalist on the concett platform to-day whose range is so extensive that he could if he eo wished sing even any bass, bari tone, or tenor song of ordinary compass and his artistry such that he would probabl.v excel all but the foremost singers in either class but no singer careful of his or her voice, or mindful of his artistic obligations,would dream of following such a course, and he or she that would reach the higher rungs of the ladder must observe the rules of art at its foot. The Ilby) Eisteddfod is to be congratulated upon the good playing in the Orchestral band and stringed quartet subjects, Knowing the dificultv of our position in Wales in this direc tion, we are at all times glad to hai) any sub- ject that may be offered aud any competition that may ensue in the orchestral department, and nothrne during this Eisteddfod gave the writer more pleasure tha.n to listen to these interesting and gratifying contests, and to join in awarding first honours to the players who had shown, in addition to their ability, their pluck and devotion by journeying thither from the far banks of the Rhondda. It is to be earnestly hoped that future National Eisteddfod cnm- uii'tec-s will pay morn and more attention to this too long neglectrd but most important branch. The Eiateudfod is not the only nor perhaps the chief means by which we can ensure progres3 in instrumental music generally and orchestral music more particularly still, it mry render valuable assistance, aud what the oici institution has dooe for the nation in vocal ait it may also do in instriiiiierital. in the brass band competitions, on the Saturday. Wales did very well, and North Wales especially so, the Roval 6akley Hand winning the quick-step prize, the second prize in the Walsh band class and the first prize of £ 55 in the open class- PerndEtle being firSt in the former. Some remailrs that we intended offering on the choral competitions and concerts mast be beld over until next week.

THE REAL BISHOP OF SOUTHWELL- In connection with ths appointment of the new Bishop of Southwell a strange thing has occurred, and we, in common with the rest of the Press, and ourselves in error. It was an- nounced, with all semblance of troth, that his Majesty bad appointed Dr. Cosmo Lang, Suffra- gan Bishop ot Stepney, to the vacancy. Dr. Lang, beiniz out of England, was noable to con- tradict the mistake, and noiv a week later comes the news that the Koyal choice has fallen upon Dr. Hoskyns, who is also out of the country. Dr. Hoskins, who is vicar of Bolton and Suffra- gan Bishop of Burnley, is young fora bishop. I The Rt. Rev. E. Hoskyns, D.D. I being only 48, and a fine specimen of wnsoular Christianity. lie is one of the most popular clergymen in the North Country and a brilliant preacher, who combines the essential power of organisation with his other gifts. The son of the Rev, Sir John Hoskyns, he was educated at Cambridge in 1873, where he obtained his row- ing blus, Hii first curacy was at Welwyn, which he left for Marjlebooe in 1879. In 1886 he be- came rector of St. Dunstan's, Stepney In 1895 he moved to Bolton, becoming suffragan iu 1901. Strwigely enough, his was the second name sub mitted for the Bishopric of Stepney with that of Dr. Lang, with whom the present confusion arose but now Dr. Hoskyns passes him in seniority, leaving the ranks of the suffiagans.

"'•So Silas was charged with bavin' oeven wives. Was th' judge severe on him ?" Awful t He discharged him with all of his wives waitin' fer him in th' corridor. Her Mother Mr Sloman has been coming to see yoo for quite a long wbile, Maude. What are his intentions ? Do you know ?—She Well. I think he intends to keep on coming." But," remarked the member of the voting billionaire's B:b!e clash-, the good book says it will bf: easier for the camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich mau to enter ihc kingdom of heaven." "Ne;er iiiiiid tiittt, my friend. Stick right to business. Noue of as will hav# & cent when we get to the gate.

TH E- HOUSEHOLD. Now that- tie, whether of silk or of cambric, has become as indispensable a p&rt of woman's dress as it has long been of man's, we have de- vised various styles of cases for keeping them neat These cases form an acceptable gift, and as they are somewhst novel they may be fonnd suitable for sales of work, where one ofteii looks in vaiu for anything at all out of the ordinary rnn of fancy work. The one skatched is 17iin. long by 5iin. wide, and the materials required are two pieces of cardboard this size, a strip of some pretty silk for the top (rather larger), some thin lining itlk or even sateen, to match, and one yard and a quartet ofhin wide ribbon. Cover one of the cardboards very neatly with what you intend to use as lining, oversewing it all round the edges end straining it tightly everywhere, Then cut etiougl, lining to covcr oue side of the second panel, aiiowiug for turn- ings all round. Take some cotton wool, say, a double layer.cut it to the size of thecsrd panel, A Case for Ties. and then cut another pi decidedly smaller I place the latter on the carti, leaving a margin uncovered all round the edge, lav the larger piece over this, and tba padding will then be rather thicker in the centre, givTng a rounded appcatauce. A thread ot" cotton tied lightly over here and there will, present the padding slipping. Then lay the outside silk covering over, and turning the edgen over the card, secure them evenly, either by using ;v ii«!e glue or cirawing them together by means of long stitches. Do opposite sides first so that the silk is kept stvaiciit aud do not strain it too tight. When this is satisfactorily accompiinhed, lice the panel with the piece you cut. ready and make it neat. If desired you rmvy edge each panel with a silk cord, but it IH Hot necessary when they are neat-lv sewn. Place two strips of quarter inch silk elastic across the bottom nanel about four inches from each end ttlest, should not be drawn tight as they are to hold the ties in place, and, if too tight, would crush them. The two panels are next to be ewtl togetb r along one side; tbis will form a hinged back, and VOl) can also form the hinge bv using a narrow strip of silk if the case is intended foi a large number of ties CUt lobe ribbon into four equal lengths, and sew tlvo tQ tjie back of the case/and two to the front of the lower. panel these strings, when tied across the top. form the fastenings of tba case. For the door of an ouchonse.Btiefa as a tool shed or coal house, which does no*. iiepd lockiog up, a good latch can be contrived entirely of wood. The sketch given shows how a blookjs bevelled off at each end so that it icay be i&ited on the door. It should be about a foot lrt&g*nd three inches wide. On the iUtler sidewbich will go next the door, cut out a, Die(:eztil a-C]ross to let ihe latch pass through. This must be suffi- ciently long to 5.1 low of the latch moving up and dovfn, ao if the latch i:< to fce about 2 £ m wide cut fj;ktcb for p I Wooden Futch for a Door. tbe slit at least five inches long, and then nail or screw the shaped piece of on the door. The block for the opposite jitmb wifTbesfcen in the sketch to be thin at tbe toiyend and very thick near the middle, to alloiv of a deep notch being cot in it to receive the latch. The thick- 1 cess is bevelled off both towards this notch and towards the bottom of the block, and is srewed to the door jamb at each end. The notch should, of course, be opposite to the opening cut in the other block, when the door is closed. The latch itself is a piece of wood about 18ins Jong, wide at one end, and tapering off at the other almost to a point. The broad end can be cnt oft at the le' top as indicated in the sketch, as this looks better than leaving it square. When it tis ready pass the latch through theq opening in the block on the dcor, and allow it to project over far enough to rest in tbe notch cut in the block oil the jamb. Then put a strong nail or screw through the end of the latch but not too tight as it should form a pivot for the latch to work on. A hole drilled in the door under tbe latch enables anyone to open it from t.he other side. One of the prettiest and moat uncommon ways or making a sweet sacbet to lav amcng handkerchiefs is to take about two dozen stalks of lavender with the heads per- fect, and (vhile tbey are still green (that u undried) to tie them together a little below the heads. Then carefully bend all tbe stalks oyer the ilower heads so a» to enclosa theui- -lake a length of chinit ribbon or a very narrow satin one in a dainty colour, and fasten one end in among the flowers to secure it. Thread the ribbon in and out of the stalks, first over, then under each one in taru, like weaving. The ribbon steeps the stems together and can be tightened as yon go along by putting a knitting I A Lavender Sacbet. needle lmder it and tlrhwing it up. This is specially necessary as you Ret near the ends of the stalks where tne ribbon can be made into a natty little bow as a finih. This, of course, must be stitched in loops and ends, as the rib- bon is siugle, and cannot theiefore be tied. A sachet made in this way threaded with p'mk, blue, or mauve ribbon looks very dainty as these pale colours contrast prettily with the soft green of the lavender stems. Auotber successful effect is gained by using tose-ted ribbon for threading. The sacbet lasts for years and perfumes hand- kerchiefs just enough for most people's taste. A delicious summer soup without meat can be made from one pound of potatoes, cut in slices, a head of celery, and a small onion. Let these boil slowly in a saucepan with a quart of white stock till tender. Pass through a sieve, return to the eiklacepan, and flavour to tastu with salt and pepper. Add half a pint of ntilfe and three ounces of butter before serving, allowing the soup to come to,tbe boil agai n Pouricto a tnreen In which yon have sprinkled a little finely chopped parsley, dud band toast cut into dice with the soup. The same receipt is excellent if artichokes are ased in the place of potatoes, and in both cases it is an improvement to beat up the yoke of au egg and add to the soap before pouring into the tureen, but on no account most it boil. A delicious mayonnaise may be made from two yokes of eggs beaten together with one tea- spoonfnl of made mnstard, a pinch of OR-It, and a seasoning of pepper. While stirring continually add by degrees one tablespoonful of vinegar and two of best salad oil. This must be done very gradually lest the mayonnaise should cnrdle, and when finished it ought to be of the consis- tency of thick cream. Served with cold fish, meftt or chicken it is always appreciated in hot weather, and a Falad of lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumber should accompany it. DORA.

Why He Was Doing Time. A group of convicts were working together in an English dockyard, when it wai suggested that each man should say what they were in for." Thereupon each in torn told :JiB experience. One had killed a man in self-defence another bad put another man's uignatnre to a cheque while a third one had married another woman think- iug" his first wife defunct. The only convict who did not make any disclosures was a scaoctimocious-looking man, nicknamed 11 The Parsou by reason of his looks. Well, parson, what are you 1 in for ?" I don't areto say. Besides, it was only a trifte, and you would not believe it." Out with it," said the others. • Did you 6hoot any one ?" No. I did not. Since, however, you must know I will tell you. I got my time for not bnilding a cburb," Deep silence fell upon the group. Such an excuse for getting a lagging (penal servi- tude) had never beep heard before and The Parson was urged to explain. Well, you see, a congregation raised geveml thousand dollars, and turned it over to me to build a church—and I didn't build a. ehnrch- that's all," A Kansas paper headed an indignant criticism by a lempernnco organisation of Bishop Potter's New York saloon thus :—" A Bump for the Bishop's BoozoTiurc." Did you ever get into an argument with him ?" Yes, indeed." He's quite dogmatic, isa t he 1". Ob, positively bulliggwatio."

Welsh Tit-Bits. Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion. BY CADRAWD. South Pembrokeshire Folk-lore. To a great extent the words of an unknown writer of the eighteenth century are true to-day —" Little England "beyond Wales is tbe land of charms and charmiog." The same is applicable to Gower, only in a modified degree. The gene- ration now passing away would never think of procuring medical aid in cases of "brangam" (erysipelas), burns or scalds, jaundice, dropsy, toothache, hemorrhage. and many other ordi- naty complaints. The charmer was the only medicus in evidence, and chalmin the core, l1e plus ultra. Even to-day one may readily come across people of sound judgment and discrimina- tion who idmit their belief in the efficacy of charms. They wiU tell one, in nine cases out of ten; that they have been reluctantly driven to tbis be-lief by the failure of Doctor So-and-so iu I certain cases and the success of charmers after he had failed They will rehearse facts, or what appear to both tbam and the auditor to be facts, by the dozen, and it is a vary difficult thing, nav, im- possible, to reject their evidence. The evidence is so strong thf-t the mind is driven right away to theorise. I The man whose htad is full of half-digested scientific truths concludes, with Dr. Heinrich Hensoldt, that "ct:arms are t.be application of hypnotic phenomena another whose heart is larger aud better than his head concludes, with a South Pembrokeshire Wesleyan local preacher, that charms be tbe works of the deviL" It matters not what the theory may be, charming has been and is practised with undoubted (if unaccountable) success. We have already given iuthi, colmiin a description of several acts of charming. We have not attempted to clafrsifv them or divide them into groups such as physical charms, rural charms, characts. amulets, As. This is left to the reader or the theorist to do for himself. Cow Charming. A very remarkable physical charm is of the smoked out sheaf. This is a charm per formed upon a cow immediately after calvirg A little damp straw, ern, or grass is set on fire to produce smokB, over which the sheaf is held for a, miuute or two until it is well smoked, whereupon it is quickly taken to the cow to be consumed by it As many as five different reasons have been given by different farmers for the custom, but all are agreed in this particular, viz., that the smoked sheaf a.cts as a charm. Iu tbe" Antiquary," vo).iii., an account is given of a hann in Ireland which i-i some respects resembles this, but the sheaf in this esse is merely dried or parched! In tba charm of the smoked abeaf we have a remnant probably of a bloodless sacrifice, dating probably a long time I before the existence of Lutetia, Home, or even Mycenae. Mountain Ash. The mountain ash, or, us it is called in the dialcct of Sontb Pembrokeshire, "rontree' ¡(obso. lesceut), was held in high esteem at one time. Even the generation no.v passing away regard it as a safe physical cbarm, Old people still living remember the time when they dared not. venture to set out on a jonrney in the dark without having first armed themselves with a, sprig of the ron- tree." A V-shaped twig wa? cut and put in a pocket on the left side, and it possessed the virtue of warding off ghosts, white ladies. &c. Somewhere near every Flemish "cloro" cot- tage, generally on the hedge opposite the door, stands a solitsrv mountain aeh-tbe desceniant of many an ancestor on the 3ame spot—weathf r- beaten and lumhered by a boat of dear] limbs, bat a venerable guardian of the destinies of the old-world cottaø, We have here evidence of tbe influence of Cruidiem on the lore of peoplea other than Eel tic. The rowan tree was greatly veuerated by the Drnids, and its Eng lish name was "Witchen." Dr. Brewer iden- tifies the "withen" of the Druids with the "wiggen tree" of Westmoreland. The confi- dence of the Flemings in this charm may be exprassed in the words of the following lines of an old ballad :— Their spells were vain. the haggs returned To their queen in sorrow mood, Crying that witches have no power Where thrives the rowan-tree wood. The Pentacle. The pentacle, or pentalpba-a 6gnre consist ing of five straight lines so joined and inersected as to form a five pointed star—is still regarded in Fleming-land as a physical charm and the repository of talismanic power. This credulity is identical with the traditions of the Greek Christians, who uted the figure as a. mystic sign in astrology and necromancy. The figure was beld in veneration by a.nd was known as the" Pentacle of Solomon." Sir William Jones, the reat Oriental scholar, in his work on Folklore," observes that it is worthy of remark that at the present time the magical pentalpha in the western window of tbe southern aisle of Westminster Abbey is one of the em. blems which still exist and speaks to the initiate that the black monks who one chanted in the cboir were deeply read in occult science." Some years ago, when on a tour in quest of !ore, a Pembrokeshire gentlem\n tells us that he remembers being puzzled by the appearance of a number of pentaclea being cut into the bark of several oak trees near the solitary dwelling of a charmer. He addressed the Solon a few questions on the meaning of these strange figures, but was cut short with the reply, "They be sisus." On Cresswell Hill, near Lady's Well, there grows a row of beeches, on one of which may be seen the figure of a pentacle. It stands about 15 feet from the ground, and the wound was evidently made well nigh a century ago, judging by its appearance. There ia a tale that many years ago the White Ladies" were charmed away or banished from the vicinity of the Lady's Well, of Cottage Dingle, by means of several pentacles being cut into the bark of trees growing near by. Warts. There appears to be no trace of the following charm anywhere except in South Pembrokshire, The Flemings of Gower knew nothing ibout it —To remove warts, take a live black snail, and rab it on each wart and say- Wart, begone on this snail's back, Go and nevepr more come back. After tbe application and the recitation, put the snail on a bramble, transfixing it with as many of the prickles as there are warts on the hand. When tbe snail has rotted, the warts disappear. This ends our list of the more notable charms for the present. Our collection is far from being exhausted, but it is at least representative. Some of the superficial aspects of these may :n conclusion be pointed out. These are, 1st, the strange intsrmixture of Christian and Pagan ideas; 2nd, the invocation nf the bleBsed Tri nity; and 3rd, the nse of tbe numbers three and nine, The reader will also observe the coinci- dence between this list and the nse of the same numbers by Shakespeare's witches. It is carious that the numbers three and nine were affected bj^ witches and charmers, ancient and modem. Ovid wiote—" Tar novians carmen magico dem- urmurat ore:" and in "Macbeth," act i., scene iii., we have:— The weird sisters hand in hand, Posters of the sea and land, Thus do go about, about, Thrice to thme and thrice to mine, And thiice again to make up nine. Peace! tbe charm's wound 01'). _'n_

Only One Thing. Will you forgive me ?" The young and beautiful girl buried ter fate in her hands. Alas," she muttered, when I told you last night that I lovo you, and when I allowed you to press your Attentions upon me, I feur that 1 was not conscientious enough, that I misled you as to the state of my affections. The truth is that the beanty of the nivht and the iuflutnee of the full moon- all the surroundings had f»uch a sentimental influence upon me as to mnk i me lose myself. Will you forgive me ? The man she addressed, overcome by Lh, sad truth, was for a time too much moved to anrwer. But stifling bis emotion at by a supreme efford he murmured And is there no hope ? Can noth- g be done ?" Nothing," she sobbed. Notbing- eXcept to wait for another night like

Illustrated Humour. Jim: I'm in love, and the only disagreeable thing about it is that the girl is older than I am. Jack How old are you now? Jim Twenty-two. II Jack Make your mind ea3», my boy. By the time you are twsaty-one sbe' JI be only twenty. Biggs (as prcsperons-looking man who has just saluted Diggs passe? oo): Ao, that's the way I lil,6 to here a man speak. He seemed sincerely glad to tied you alive and well. < Diggs Yes, he probably was. He's director of the company I am insured io, He Kuew. Wife Was that man ever a farmer? ( Husband No. Wife: B;it he's always talking abont the de- lights of livinp in the countrv. Hnsband Exactly. That's what shows he never was a, farmer. Romantic Youth Do you think there is any- thing remarkable in love at first sight? Cynic Not at all It's when people ha.\e been looking at each other for four or five years that it becomes remarkable. Marie I have an engagement with young Saphead, and I don't know how to get out of it. Helen: Ua.\en't you any reason for breaking it off? Marie: Yes, I have a reason, He is the reason —but I want on excuse. Poor Doctor. Physician (looking into his ante-room,where a number of patients are waiting) Who has been waiting the IODet ? Tailor (who has called to present his bill) i have, doctor I delivered the clothes to yon three years ago. Mrs Xexdoie I've beeu thinking of trying to have my daughter's voice cultivated. Would you ? Mrs Peppery By a!! means, if yon have tried evesy other remedy. Miss KILY (1 ft tramcar): It'e really very kind of you, Mr Crrblbe, to give tre yonr seat. Mr Crabbe Not at all. We men are getting tired of being accused of rievergiving up onr seats expept to pretty girls. One Way of Pulling UT). Traveller (in Ireland): Hi. pull her np, man don't yon eee the mare is rnnning away ? or Paddy Hould tiglit, ver honner. For yer life don't ton-ib the leins, Sbure they're as rotten as pears. I'll turn her into tbe river at the bridge below hate. Shore that'll stop her. Visitor: I suppose you have had a very gay season this summer ? Miss Giddyhead: No, indeed! I have been so busily engaged with benevolent work that 1 have really had no time for frivolities. With the cbnrity ba!ls, bazaars, private theatricals, aud masqiwados. ali for the benefit of the poor, I have sacrificed myself entirely to the work of charity, Was the Worst Over? I The Subject (after the fitting): I haven't ast for a portrait for ten years, yon know, and In yery giad the worst is over. The photographer (innocently enough) But you haven t seen the picture yet t First Farmer Wben are yon going to start ploughing? Second Farmer I don't expect to do any. First Farmer You don't? Why? Second Farmer 1 won't have to. I've let & lot of amataur golfer* use my fields for practice since February. Hostess: Have you rd. Baron, tbat qllite unexpectedly my future son-in-law has inherited a large fortune: Baton: Tbe lucky d I Now be does not need to get marriel FLfter all I Mrs Benham: Don't yon think I grow better- looking as I grow older? Benham Yes, and it's really too bad yon can't live ati long a they did in Bible times; yon might then have become a veritable beanty. _L_

Within an Ace. Humonrous and exciting incidents are always happening at a railway station," a stationmaster says -1 I was orjie watching a couple of boys tossing up coins on the platform, when a penny fell between the methods. Quick as thought, a little dog that was with thorn sprang 00 the line to recover the coin. At that instant a tram burst in from the tunnel, The dog tried to reach the high platform, bat failed, while its master bad not time to get down and help it. But the youth made up bis mind iu a moment. He turned and bolted down the plat- form, calling to the dog, who followed between the rails. The platform waa a long one, and the train was coming in at a high rate of speed. Everyone watched the itlee for life in breathless silence. Faster and faster ran tbe master, faster ana taster ran the dog, but the train gained rapidly, and when it finally pulled up the front wheel of the engine was scarcely a foot from the exhausted animal." ile There's a rumour that the Russian and Japanese fleets are etigaged.-She Oh, Mr Spooner, what an inspiring report.

WELSH GLEANINGS. 6 The 10th, lltb, 12th, 15tu. and 14th July next na ve beeu fixed as the dates of the annual meet- ings of the Congregational Union of Wales, SO be beld next year at Tredegar. Principal John Rhys, of Oxford, is not among those who believe that dry rot has set in in connection with Wales'* national festival. 11 The iisteddfod," be writes in a letter just received Jroui Buxton, where the Principal is now staying, the eisteddfod is much the as it was when [ first became acqlJaintd with it, excepting, jerhaps. the falling off in choral music, and for I-hat I cannot account." The Hon. Mrs Bulkeley-Owen, of Tedsmore Flail, writes to i-orrect an error which crept into iss admirable letter on the f'&teddfo'j, which appeared in our issue of Saturday. It was Mr Herbert Lewis, M P. she explains, and not Mr William nones, M.P., WUO said Remember hat nationality is no Ji,n;ted by lan^.uuge there tre more Welsh hearts than Welsh tongues 4 pbr&se which seems destine;: to live," The hist pubhc&iion of the Welsh Baptist Historical Society has now been issued, viz., An Antidote against the inft-ctiou of the rimes (I656j, edited by T. Shankland. The book ivas wntteu by John Mvics and ethers at tha request of the Brecon Cymaofa in 1656, to coun- teract certain views advocated in tbose days by ihe Quakers. It provoked a reply from George Fox, and that reply ia included in the volume no A' issued. The townspeople of Pontypridd will, on Thurs- day next, present Mr L. Gordon Lenox, J.P. -who recently left the town to take up his residence in Gower--with a motor-car aud an illuminated address. Mr Lenox was for many years resident director of Pontypridd Cable and Anchor Works, and took an active part in public affairs and chantable institutions. All parties have heartily joined in the public recoz- nition now made of his manifold services to the town. Y Porth Prydferth." Anthropos," of Carnarvon, has started with one of his cbarac!eristic small volumes of literarvessays and si-etches (" Y Porth Pryd. futh "), a new shilling series, which ia to bear the same name. The first volume consists of 144 pages in particularly clear type, and has for frontispiece a portrait of the author. Meaata Hughes and Son, of Wrexham, are the publishers. A Sassiwn Preaofcer. The vicar of Bangor (Rev. T. Edwin Jonee, M.A ) in his pp.iish magazine for this month states that it is the one object in life of the young Methodist ministar to be ons day a Sassiwn preacher. This ambition dominates all his activities, both mental and spiritual. It looms large on his life's horizon, dwarfing every other object by comparison. The Greek never strove mote strenuously for the Olympian laurel than the young Methodist minister for the attainment of this bighdistirction." Pan-Celtic Surplus. A welJ-kuown Cinnwonite, with a fine skill it epigrams, has just perpetrated the following j— In Celtic life, wherever rife, Three elements you nnd- Religion, love, and politics And all the rest is wind So at Carnarvon Conference, There was not mneh to do There was but wind to leave behind. And all the rest tabn." The rhymester forgot a rather hsfodsome an* plus of £160. Half of sum falls to the share of the local committee. Tbe Carnarvon Herald says that it is proposed that tbis mm should be banded to the governors of the Car- narvon schools, to be invested, and the interest to be given yearly all prizes to scholars who shell excel in tbe atcdy of any Celtic language. Ghost Stories. A resident in the hills remarks that the incident related of the ghost of a donkey is paralleled by a similar case in his experience. He has a servant girl who was much addicted to staying ont late. One evening in autarrn shs rushed to the house, which was on the outskirts of a town, explaining that she bssn delayed by a donkey without a head, which blocked her road and would not bnde." In this case it was proved that the air!, who was visibly fright- bned; had really seen something, or thought that she bad, the appearance taking the form of donkey's ghost but it was also shown that the girl had been drinking, and tba logical inference is that if the ghost of a donkey had appeared and the appearance was a mental distatbftnee of the girl's faculties by alcohol, it may, probably, be that present-day ghosts are the result more or less of spirituous indulgence Animals figure often in cases of D.T.'s—rats, for example. Exposing the Sins of the Church. In Seren Gomer for September, an ex. chairman of tbe Baptist Union of Wales (the Rev. ll, Harris, Treherbertl has an interesting contribution on a enrious subject—" Exposing tbe sins of the Church." Is this being done? Yes,' he replies, and it is dons frequently. Scarcely an annual meeting, or association, or indeed a Sabbath pisses without the black hoartl beinR put up with all the sins of tbe daughter of Zion written thereon in letters of red, of blne, of yellow, and of green. Is thia right ? It is not, say 1. Sin shonld be condemned with the greatest severity, no matter who may be guilty of it. But to expose the weaknesses aud publish the un- truths of the church of God in Gath and in the streets of Ascalon in the hearing of the daugh- ters of the Philistines and the sons of the nn- circumcised appears to me to be irregular, un. scriptnral, and unwise in the extreme. I do not for a moment doubt the purity of the objects of those who do so, bat, having caiefully considered their action, I believe thev are partaking of the fruit of the forbidden tree, Have we not our church meetings and societies wherein to discipline and should we not do so therein, and not in the streets of the city ? Are we to be more foolish than Oddfellows and Ivoritee ? Tell Zion (publicly if you will) of tbe evils which should be avoided, bnt not of the evils it com* mits, but let him that do so bs careful that tbe snnffers of tbe temple shall be all of pare oldl

Songs for the People. Andrew Fletcher of Saltoun, in a letter to the Marquis of 1\Jontroe, wrote I know a very Wiee man that believed that if a man were permitted to make all the ballads he need not care who make the laws of the nation."

THE QUIET WAY. What's tbe use of worrying, Of hurrying And scurrying, Everybody flurrying, And brepkiug np their rest, When everything is teaching us To Bettle down and end the fass, For quiet ways are best ? The rain that trickles down in showere A blessing brings to thirsty flowers, And gentle zephyrs gather op Sweet fragrance from each brtmming ettpi There a rum in the tempest « path, There's rnin in a voice of wrath; And they alcne are bleat Who esrly learn to dominate Themielves, their violence abate, And prove by their serene estate That quiet ways are best.

GOLDEN GATES. Golden gales, when yootb « smiling, Glitter in our vision bright, Over in the distance standing Open in the golden light. Lo, as youth is changed to manhood, Less their glamour seems to be, Darker seems the clouds above tbem, Deeper seerca the mystery. Even as old age is nearing, Eyes are strained those gates to see Nearer, yet beyond them lying, Named not yet tbat other sea. Gates of wealth and gates of honour, Gates of gold and gates of fame After we have passed their portals, Altered wo are, wbr ball blame. There paths to each allotted* True they but a space extend. Ever when this space is traversed, Each toward one point shall teliCl, Should you a?k as whither tending, 1 Silently we write—the eucL