The Cardiff Times

Music in Wales. Music in Wales is likely to be kept very much en evidence during the present year, and the Musical Festival will, I doubt not, do as much good for the advancement of music in Wales as three or four years of ordinary concerts. The decisions of the Musical Committee give every indication that it is intended to place the first Cardiff Festival in the front rank, and their efforts should be seconded and supported by every admirer of good music throughout the Princi- pality. The Musical Committee met at the Park Hotel, Cardiff, on Saturday night, when the pro- gramme of the Festival was revised. After a two hours' discussion it was arranged as follows, buKfrven now it is subject to slight modification TUESDAY. EVENING.—Elijah. (Mendelssohn). WEDNESDAY. MORNING.—In Memoriam, overture (Sullivan). >■" Stabat Mater {Dvorak). Symphony No. 5 (Beethoven). The Revenge (Stanford). Operatic scene. EVENING.—The Golden Legend (Sullivan). }• Symphony (Schumann). Two vocal items. THURSDAY. MORNING.—Dream of Jubal (Mackenzie). Overture, Meistersingers (Wagner). Blest Pair of Sirens (Hubert Parry). Hymn of PrrCtle (Mendelssohn). EVENING.—Saul of Tarsus (J. Parry). KRIDAY. MORNING.— Faust (Berlioz). EVENING.— Messiah (Handel). In its present form it is certainly more attrac- tive than before, mainly on account of the introduction .f a wider miscellaneous element. Final arrangements for the Cardiff Musical Festival haveat length been made(says the Western Daily Press), and the committee are congratulating themselves that they have secured an unusually strong array of artistes. They have adopted the somewhat bold course of only engaging such vocalists as may be said to be still in their prime, and for this reason several well-known names are missing. The artistes engaged are Madame Nordica, Miss Anna Williams, Miss Hilda Wilson, Miss Eleanor Rees, Mr Edward Lloyd, Mr Ben Da vies, Mr Watkin Mills, and Mr Ludwig. A somewhat fierce discussion has taken place with regard to the leadership, but Mr Alfred Burnett, who has made his mark as leader of the Birmingham Festival, has been finally selected. Mr Barnby is enthusiastic over the prospects of the festival, and speaks in the highest terms of the arrangements made by the committee. He will personally visit the committee in a few weeks, and is anxious to do his utmost to make the Cardiff Festival of equal merit with others in the country. Another novel feature, and one which will be generally approved, lies in the fact that the orchestra engaged is purely British, not a single foreigner obtaining a seat. It is satis- factory to know that this, in the opinion of Mr Bamby. has in no way militated against the excellence of the band. A correspondent writes r—For many reasons Monday night's rehearsal was the most interesting of those that have hitherto been held by the choir of the Car- diff Triennial Musical Festival. It was the first evening devoted to the only new work of the festival, the Said of Tarsus of Dr Joseph Parry. The chorus parts oaly reached Cardiff on Monday, and were distributed to the choir directly before the rehearsal commenced. It was,consequently, a fair, and almost a severe, trial of the reading powers of the members. It is satis- factory to know that the chorus did remarkably well, and elicited the frequent and outspoken praise of the conductor, the Doctor himself. The work is an elaborate dramatic oratorio, somewhat Wagnerian in style, inasmuch as there are no arias, and the solo work consists of mere concerted passages between the principals and the chorus. Saul of Tarsus is written with a bold hand, and is marked by vigour and dramatic skill, the intervals in some cases being almost audacious. The choir evidently took to the work, and at the interval loudly applauded the composer. Dr Parry, who is not so great at speechmaking as at composing, expressed his thanks for the reception which his work had obtained, and assured them he was delighted with their rendering of it at first sight. He offered to introduce the interval earlier in the evening, but by acclamation the choir insisted on working away at the new oratorio. Great satisfaction was expressed by these present to witness this interesting event, on the excellent workmanship of Saul of Tarsus. It will without doubt be a popular work. The last of the series of Saturday Popular Con- certs at the Park Hall, Cardiff, was a. brilliant success when Miss Fanny Moody and Mr Charles Manners again appeared, and charmed a crowded audience. Good music, at popular prices, at the Park Hall has proved a success, and we may look with confidence to aseries of excellent programmes next season. It is very pleasing and encouraging to note the importance which is attached to classical music at the Park Hall popular Sunday afternoon services. Nothing appeals so touchingly to the poople:as the divine harmonies of the works of the great masters, and music is a powerful handmaiden of religion as it is of culture. An organ recital was given on Sunday, with a solo from Haydn's Creation, and a duet from Mendelssohn. Need- less to say thtt the fine large ball was packed. I record with pleasure the success of Misa Davies in winning the much-coveted Southey prize at the Royal Academy of Music. This week we find that she has been again successful in carrying off the Hopkins Memorial Prize. Her record during her four and a half years' studentship at the Royal Academy has been a most brilliant one. She has taken two scholarships, entitling her to six years' studentship free tuition at the Royal Academy, bas matriculated at the London University, and passed her intermediate for the degsoe of Bachelor of Music; has taken six Academy medals (three bronze and three silver), two certificates of the highest merit, and is the winner of the Stemdale Bennett, the Southey, and the Hopkins Memorial Prizes. She is the eldest daughter of Mr Rbys Davies, of Brecon. "BATON.

,W. THE WEATHER AND THE CROPS. Although the land is very cold, the early spring sowings have been satisfactorily accomplished, and farmers aro still very busy getting in both barley and oats. The English wheat average in London has fallen lOd per quarter, and a number of country markets have also been against selling. The present troubles of the trade are largely due to the purchase of two million quarters of Cali- fornian wheat and flour, whero only one million quarters appear to be required. The remarkable way in which India's crop of 1891 has lasted out is another cause. American wheat prices have fallen both on spot and forward, but the first movo in buyers' favour has come f^om English and not from American markets. The spring corn trade has shared in the depression of wheat. For barley, 22 markets out of 30 have been cheaper for oats, 10 out of 30 for pulse, 11 out of 30; and for maize, 21 out of the same number. The depression in foreign grinding barloy is mainly due to the large deliveries from farmers of English barley.—Mark-lane Express.

FROM THE GERMAN.—Lieutenant: I would like very much to have a leave of absence for three days. Colonel: Going to a picnic? "Yes, colonel, we are going to have a little fishing party out in the woods." Going to be ladies in the party ?" Yes, colonel, quite a number of ladies will be in the party." "You can go, and I hope you will enjoy yourself, but for heaven's sake, young man, b" careful. It was on just such an I' innocent picnic that I came to bo gobbled up by the old lady in there." A clergyman meeting an inebriated neighbour, exclaimed, Drunk a^ain, Wilkins!" to which Wilkins, in a semi-conhdential tone, responded, "1)0 am I, parson."

WELSH GLEANINGS. I By Lloffwr. A Lord Mayor for Cardiff. A writer in the Genedl refers to Sir Edward Reed's suggestion that Cardiff's chief magistrate should be honoured with the title of Lord Mayor. Wales, remarks this aciid critic, does not object to Cardiff amusing itself with such baubles, but it will offer strong opposition to Cardiff arro- gating to itself this distinction on the ground that it is the Metropolis of the Principality. How fond the foreigners who lead in public circles in Cardiff are of claiming close and intimate con- nection with Wales when some advantage may be derived from their so doing. The misfortune is that they are quite as ready to turn their backs upon Wales on all other occasions; and none more ready than Sir Edward Reed himself. Me- tropolis for Wales" when something is to be gained from it; at all other seasons an English port and a cosmopolitan town, which it would be ridiculous to describe as Welsh." Welsh Biography. The thirtieth volume of the Dictionary of National Biography which has just been issued, is a peculiarly interesting one, so far as Wales is concerned. It opens with Arthur James Johnes, County-court Judge, and an ardent student of Welsh literature, and after relating the lives of 124 celebrated men rejoicing in the surname of Jones, closes with the name Kenneth. In this volume will be found the names of well- known Welsh poets such as Talbaiarn and Tegid, Welsh divines like Mathetes, Jones Tal- sarn, Idrisyn, Thomas Jones the Welsh poet- preacher, and a host of other Welsh celebrities. There are. however, some striking omissions. Sir Nicholas Kemeys, the sturdy Royalist, who held Chepstow Castle to the death, is not mentioned; neither is Richard Jones, "Schoolmaster in Cardiff," who published in 1589 "A briefe and necessary catechisme with shore instruction for all that do receive the Holy Communion." This little work was re- printed three or four times, and it would be interesting to know something of the author. The name of John Jones, of Gelli, Lyvdy, the accomplished Welsh palaeographer, ought surely to have been included and why not Edward Jones, of the Tranch? Good as is the "Dictionary of National Biography," it leave., something to be desired in the treatment of Welsh worthies. National Institutions (Wales) Bill. In an allusion to the National Institutions (Wales) Bill of Mr Alfred Thomas, the Seren says the measure has encountered some little opposition. The reasons assigned for their hostility by the Dissentients will not, it says, hold water. As to the criticism that the Bill does not go far enough, the Sercn insists that its provisions are as broad and democratic as might fairly be expected at such a time as the present. It is persuaded that Mr Thomas would not in any way object to the appointment of the Welsh Secretary by the County Councils although it can hardly be in expected in existing circumstances, that a method will be adopted in regard to Wales different to that applied to Scotland and Ireland. And after all, in view of the pronounced Liberalism of the Welsh people it could hardly be a serious disadvantage for the proposed Secretary to be appointed by the Government in o £ Qce.—The Celt blames Mr Alfred Thomas for not seeking the advice and co-operation of the Welsh party. At the same time Mr D. 1\ Thomas is censured for taking what is described as the extreme step of giving notice to move the rejection of the Bill. -The Tyst reprobates the manner in which the Conservative press has manufactured a split in the Welsh party," owing to the differences of opinion in regard to the National Institu- tions Bill. Nevertheless it thinks Mr Alfred Thomas might well have taken counsel with his colleagues. The Welsh Land Bill. Mr Ellis's Land Bill gave the Welsh members a. further opportunity of concentrating the atten- tion of the House of Commons on a distinctively Welsh question. The vernacular organs are de- lighted with the debate. Mr Gladstone's vote &gainst the Bill is, however, not viewed with complete satisfaction. Still it is felt that, in view of his speech, the attitude of the Liberal leader is easily intelligible. Beyond question there is a great absence of information as to the precise position of tillers of the soil in Wales. Until statistics on this point are supplied the leaders of Welsh journalism clearly see that radical legislation will be impossible. For this reason the suggestion of Mr Gladstone that a Royal Commission should be appointed is seized upon with eagerness as the first essential and necessary step towards the regeneration of Welsh agriculturists. Satisfac- tion is expressed at th" ability and power of Mr Thomas Ellis's speech in introducing the Bill, which, it is remarked, elicited congratulations from the Grand Old Man, who, at the conclusion of the speech, hastened down to where the hon. member for Merioneth sat, and entered into eager conversation with him over the state of agriculture in the Principality. In their joint letter to the Genedl Gymreig Messrs Ellis and Lloyd George aptly contrast the attitude of Mr Gladstone with that of Mr Chaplin. The Minister for Agriculture asked the House to rej ct this mischievous, unprincipled and uncalled-for Bill." On the other hand, Mr Gladstone said, what we want in regard to Wales is a full and impartial inquiry and further made the important declaration, I do not preclude myself from the ultimate adoption of this measure." Welsh agriculturists will experience great satisfaction, observes the Baner, at the fact that their position an 1 circumstance)) have been laid so forcibly and so clearly before the House of Commons. Mr Gee does not dis- guise his disappointment over the attitude of Mr Gladstone. He feels bound to admit, however, that th- Grand Old Man's suggestion that a Royal Cowmission should first be appointed is a natural and fitting one. Finally, after reviewing all the circum- stances and bearing in mind that there was no possibility if the measure passing this session, the Baner comes to the conclusion that both Mr Gladstone and Mr Morley did almost as much as could fairly be ezpeotsd of them aa leaders of the great Liberal party. The Tarian says that the mitten of Glamorgan are regal in their circumstances as compared with the farmers of Cardigan and Merioneth. As to the debate, while condemning the Tories, the Tarian says it is far from commending Mr Glad stone and other of the Opposition leaders. In view sf the refusal to grant a Royal Commission, the Liberal chief might well have entered a pro- test against the conduct of the Government in not supporting the Bill. Why should there be an unfair discrimination in regard to land legislation between Wales and Ireland ? In the Celt Dr Pan Jones, who is always in a minority of one, describes the Land Bill which Mr Ellis introduced as not worth the paper on which it was printed. Et Catera. A translation of the Arabian Nights is run- ning in the GenecU. The Civic Church is the subject of a leading article in the Tarian, which laughs to acorn Mr Stead's visionary scheme.

They did not very often give dinner-partiee, says a sporting contemporary, and never gave large ones; but at the little reunions to which they did invite their friends they liked everything of the best. So, on the afternoon of one of their choice little feasts, the host summoned his boy in buttons, and said, "Now, John, you must be very caroful how you hand round the wine.' "Yes, sir." These bottles with the black seal are the best, and these with the red seal the inferior sherry. The best sherry is for after dinner; the inferior sherry you will hand round with the hook after soup?' "Yes, sir, perfectly," said the boy in buttons. And the evening came, and the guests came, and everything was pro- gressing admirably till the boy went round the table asking of every guest, "Hook of inferior sherry r Everybody took hock. • i *-tf

A Noted Welsh Musician. 0. J. J. MASON, Mus. Doo., Wilkes- barre, Pa. In view of the great interest which all true Eisteddfodau are taking in the World's Fair Eisteddfod, we extract the following biography and portrait ot an eminent Welsh musician in the Wales beyond the Sea," from Columbia, a Welsh newspaper published at Chicago :— The subject of our sketch, Dr D. J. J. Mason, the eminent Welsh musician and composer, was born in Monmouthshire, Wales, m 1854. His musical education began when quite young under the instruction of his father, from whom his musical genius was inherited. When only eight years old the Doctor had become a very proficient sight reader of vocal music. The cleverness of the boy called forth many bright predictions for his future, which have all been verified, for to. day Dr Mason is known, not only to all Welsh- man, but to every American musician. In 1869 he, with his parents, came to this country, first going to Ashland, Schuylkil county Pa., where, however, they only remained ibout six months. The following Christ- as, at a largo Eis- teddfod held in .Iahanoy City, he tracted considerable ,tention by winning several prizes and :1sisting his father in he choir which won I the principal prizes. vfterwards, with his parents, he earn,) to Persons, where they made their home. In 1872 he entered Mt. Pleasant Seminary, Boyerbowa, Buiks Co., Pa., where he pursued his studies, upon the completion of which he was employed as teacher of vocal and instru- mental music in the same institution. He then went to Danville, Pa., and resumed his musical studies under the able direction of Dr Joseph Parry, subsequently becoming his assis- tant- When Dr Parry went to Wales to assume the professorship in the University at Aberyst- wyth, young Mason took his place in Danville, when be also became organist of the Grove St. Presbyterian Church. During his stay in Dan- ville he won a prize for a composition of Cincin- nati. In Scranton 111 1875 he defeated Gwilym Gwent and some of the noted composers of Wales. This composition, "The Young Musicians," was published by Schirmer, of New York. Locating in Wilkesbarre in 1876, in the early part of 1877 the Mendelssohn Society was organised, and he became its leader. Under his direction the society produced many of the great oratorios, and was in existence until 1882. During this period he was for a short time organist of the Memorial Church, and subsequently, of the first Presbyterian Church. In the summer of 1882 he went to Europe and became a noted student of the Royal Academy of Music, London. Here he remained for four years, diligently pursuing his studies under Duvivier, Fitten, Holland, Davenport, and Macfarren. Beside music, he also took up sciences, classics, &c. In 1886 he took the degree of Mus. Bac. at Trinity Collece, Dublin, his cantata, 0, be Joyful in God, being performed at the University Chapel. At the same time his composition for Mus. Doc. was also accepted at the same institution. In July, 1886, he returned to this country and settled again at Wilkesbarre. Two years later he was granted the degree of Doctor of Music in Toronto, Canada, on the strength of his com- positions. In the fall of 1886 the Wilkesbarre Oratorio Society was organised with him as director. Under his direction numerous oratorios have been given, including the Messiah, Elijah, "St. Paul," Judas Maccabeus," Creation," May Queen," "Samson," Mozart's Requiem," Walpurgis Night," etc. Most of the performances have had full orchestral accom- paniment and the most eminent soloists in the country. Until recently Dr Mason was the director of the famous Welsh Baptist church choir of Scranton, Pa., of 200 voices. This choir also, under his direction, gave a number of great oratorios. His compositions are many, most of which are still in manuscript form. Two elaborate choruses of an oratorio, From Out of the Depths," were published three years ago and were the subjects for $1,000 prize griven at the great eisteddfod held in Wilkesbarre. ITho sacred cantata, O Be Joyful in God," was published about a year ago. One of the numbers of this work, a quintette, will be m competition at an eisteddfod to IKS held in Wilkesbarre the 17th of March, and also at the World's Fair Eisteddfod in 1893. The Welsh version of the cantata was adapted by William Apmadoc. Altogether Dr. Mason as a student has been under the following eminent masters :—Dr. Parry, Dr. Louis Maas, Eugene Thajer, Wheeler. Holland, Duvivier, Fitten, Davenport, and Macfarren. His success as a teacher has been great. Some of tho noted singers and musicians of North-Eastern Penn- sylvania. have been his pupils, the following among others :—Miss L. P. James, Mrs D. E. Miles, Miss Sadie Kaiser, Professors Haydn Evans, T. J. Davis, Daniel Protheroe, D. E. Miles, and D. W. Herbert. At present the Doctor is director of the Oratorio Society, the Klara Schumann Club, and St. Dominic's choir. At Chicago, during August, 1893, one week is to be devoted to a great International Eisteddfod, it having been decided to give to the Columbian World's Fair a favourable exhibit of Welsh music, a music bom of the harp. Dr Mason has been selected to furnish the music of a 3-act serious or grand opera, the libretto of which has been written by Prof. Apmadoc, of Chicago, under the title of "The Maid of Cefn Ydfa." The characters con- cerned arc: The Maid of Cefn Ydfa, named Catrin, soprano; the contralto, Martha, her attendant; the maid's mother, mezzo soprano, and her father, the basso; her poet lover, Will Hopkins, is of course, the traditional tenor; his successful rival, Antony Madoc, bari- tone, who has been chosen as her husband by the parents, who denounce the tenor whom she favours. The plot pourtrays Catrin imprisoned in a part of the castle where her parents live, because of her preference. Denied writing materials, she pricks with a pin blood from her arm to write a letter to her lover. This incident gives rise to a charming solo called the Song of Blood." Compelled to marry Antony, she becomes insane like Lucy of Lammermoor, and dies in the arms of Will. Dr Mabon is at work on the opera, and hopes to have it ready for presentation in August of '93. If his success in the past is a. criterion, the World's Fair Eisteddfodic Committee can feel assured they have placed the work in able hands. It will doubtless reflect credit on their judgment, as well as win fresh laurels for a man who to-day stands with few peers ameng his countrymen in the ranks of music.

Eight or nine miles the other side of the Jor- dan River," writes a traveller out West, I met a man with an ox-team who was carting supplies to his homestead. I said Ha.!fo and then asked, How far is it to Eluiira ?' Seven miles,' he replied. Seven miles!' I exclaimed. Why, I am certainly ten miles from the Jordan, and it can't be much farther! "Well,' said he medita- tively, it mayn't be more 'n six-say, between five'n' six. Nice wheat weather?' 'So it is.' Got any smokin' tobacker ?' No; but here is a cigar.' 'Thanks, thanks. Come to think about it now, I don't b'lieve it's more 'n five miles to 'Mira.' Then, after lighting the cigar, he shut his eyes and blew a cloud of smoke through his nose. Now. stranger, to tell the truth, I don't know, but I went to sleep on the read. Prob'ly it's between three 'n' four miles. Well, I must be gettin* along. Good day.' 'Good day.' 'Say/ said he, after I had gone a couple of rods, I guess it's about three mile, and that hill's the last one you'll ha.ve to climb 'tween here 'n' town.' MODERN Lovs.—Young Man: I love your daughter, and she reciprocates my affection." Father My daughter has spoken to me about you. I have no objection to the match. I am glad to bear it. I wish to ask you one question." III be perfectly candid with you, young man. Proceed." "I expect to give your daughter a diamond engagement ring. Would you object to giving mo a cheque for it, so I can get it back in case we were to break our engagement?" Teacher: Now, Mamie, tell me how many bones you have in your body. Mamie: Two hundred and eight. Teacher: "Wrong; you have only two hundred and seven. Mamie (trium- phantly) Yes, but I swallowed a fish-booeat brsakia&t this morning.

FARM AND GARDEN. I Redemption of Tithe Rent-charge. The report of the Commistsioners appointed to inquire into the redemption of Tithe rent-charge in England and Wales has just been published. The Commissioners have drffwn up the following summary of their recommendations We are of opinion that the existing terms of twenty-five years' purchase of commutation value for the redemption of tithe vent-charge should be abolished that where redemption is voluntary the precedent of tht Glebe Lands Act, 1888, should be followed, and the parties be encouraged to make their own bargains, subject to a de- termining authority as to the price of redemption to be vested in the Board of Agriculture that in the case of clerical rent-charges a notice to the bishop and patron should be substituted for the present provision, which requires their consents in certain cases; and that where redemption is compulsory the terms should be fixed by the Board of Agriculture. Redemption of the smaller sums of tithe rent-charge, up to 20s or 40s, being the whole amount payable by one tithe-payer in the same parish, should, in our opinion, be treated sepa" rately from the ease where many tithe rent charges of small amount, exceeding: in the aggre- gate such limit, are payable by the same land- owner. In the former case redemption should be compulsory on the application of either tithe- owner or tithe-payer, subject to the discretion of the Board of Agriculture to decline redemp- tion where hardship would arise to the tithe-payer. In the latter case we are of opinion that no sufficient reasons exist to justify compulsory redemption. As regards the tithe rent-charge on land which has already been utilised for building purposes, we are of opinion that extensive powers should be given to the Board of Agriculture, with a view to the extinc- tion of all tithe rent-charges on land of this I character with as little delay as practicable. With regard to land which mav hereafter become building land, we are of opinion that tho law should require that the tithe rent-charge be re- deemed before the land is utihsed for building. We recommend that the hardship of com- pulsory redemption should be mitigated by advances of public money in cases where the Board of Agriculture may be of opinion that such advances are justified. Any legis- lation for facilitating the redemption of tithe rent charge should, in onr opinion, be made ap- plicable, with suitable modifications, to corn rents and other payments in lieu of tithes arising under local Acts of Parliament. The difficulties which occasionally arise in regard to the titles of lay tithe-owners, and the hindrances thereby placed in the way of redemption of the tithe rent-charge, appear to us to require that greater powers should be given to the Board of Agricul- ture for the disposal of redemption moneys in such cases. The fees payable should be reduced, and, if possible, abolished in the case of small rent- charges. The alterations and amendments in the law which are above indicated,. <»nd the expe- diency of which will ba illustrated by the evi- dence hereto appended, undoubtedly require early attention on the part of the Legislature, and may be expected in themselves to effect con- siderable results but we must record our opinion that without advances of public monny, such as have been thought proper for the carry me- out of public objects in other directions, no early, rapid, or general redemption of tithe rent-charge, even in those cases where the parties interested and the public have the most reason to desire it, will be found practicable." .Manure Nitrate of (s6i.lt, beridop, Wring a most important- factor in chemistry—it is converted into salt- petre, and is extensively used in the manufacture of ammunition, &c.—is one of the most highly concentrated of nitrogenous fertilisers, and is the more valuable for the reason that the nitrogen is not dissipated by exposure to the atmosphere. The remarkable development during the past few years of the nitrate industry of Chili, where the hitherto only known deposits of caliche (the crude material) exist, has directed attention to the possibility of finding the mineral in other quarters of the globe. The origin of nitrate has given rise to various conjectures, but most geologists seem to favour the theory of its forma- tion by a peculiar deposit, partly organic, partly inorganic, left by the sea on receding from the land in prehistoric times. Nitrate, being readily soluble in water, the area where it may be sought with any degree of success is necessarily circum- scribed the principal rainless regions, in addi- tion to the Pacific slopes of the Andes in South America, comprising vast arid territories, in Northern India under the shadow of the Hima- layas, and the desert plains of Central Africa. How to Get Firm Butter. All butter-makers know that unless theehuming temperature is right the butter may be spongy or soft, and the art of good butter-making consists, among other things, in avoiding this. Of course, it goes without saying that good butter can only be made from good milk and well-cared-for cream, churned when at the correct temperature. Cream varies to a considerable extent in the temperature at which it will best churn exhaustively, and he who churns always at 60 deg. or some other fixed dc-gree of temperature will have more or less trouble. In fixing upon a suitable temperature for churning, the experience of the maker plays a very important part and, when the butter comes in granules, what ever the temperature used. in churning, the mass of butter should be cooled down m washing to 55 deg. to harden the grains. Then the butter is firm in grain, and if tht, last water with which it is washed is of such a temperature that the butter is raised some four or fivi degrees, we get the right condition for making up. Some high-class butter makers, after washing and salt- ing this 55-deg. butter, Icav" it for some hours exposed to a higher temperature, and, when at th-i required temperature, put it on the worker, squeeze out the surplus moisture, and then make up. The whole secret is temperature, cleanliness, and a close watch of the process, so that the right thing is done at the right time. The Garden. Almost daily alternations of sharp frost and thaw, with a gjod deal of sunshine by day, drying north or easterly winds, and some falls of snow, have brought the ground, where thrown up roughly some weeks back, into a beautifully friable condition on the surface. Even our stiff land could scarcely be in better condition for sowing, and a point must be made of getting in plenty of peas. Leeks must be sown at once- indeed, for an early crop this delicious vegetable ought to be sown in February in a little warmth, ;a tyqg season of growth being required to produce good-sized roots. A bed of salaify may bo 4own now, but for scoraonepa there is plenty, of tji^ie yet. Sow also a bed of the Egyptian or Globe beet. Seed of asparagus must be sown at once. Lose no time in preparing new beds for strawberries in the open air, April being probably the best month in the twelve to plant. Grapes mnst bo thinned as soon as the berries are the size of small ptas. Fully half of the number should be cut away, especially of the larger kinds, removing all those that are either small, imperfect, or badly placed. Sweet Peas. These fragrant flowers are indispensable. in every garden, and for cutting unrivalled. When the soil is light the seed should be sown ea-rly- in February, if possible while in warm spots in the southern counties plants sown in the autumn often succeed remarkably well. On heavy or damp and cold ground it is better to wait until the weather gets a little warm, the end of March or 80m.. time in April being quite soon enougfl. If flowers are wanted early, it is a good plan to sew a number in 5in. pots, about 20 soeds in each, and rais-i the plants under glass, but not in a strong heat; when three or four inches high harden off, and plant out before they run too for. Sticks or strings must be placed for the plants to cling to, in good time. If allowed to form seed, sweet peas soon cease to produce any more blossoms, therefore, unless the flowers are out r-gularly the seed-pods must be picked off directly they arc funned.

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

VI.-IF DREAMS WERE SOLD IN THE MARKET. If dreams were sold in the market-place, What kind of dream would yon buy ? The maidin answered with glowinr face, And the love-light in her eye I would buy a dream of a gallant ship Coming dancing over the foam, Of her captain bold in his stars of gold, And her sails all set for home." If dreams were sold in the market-place, What kind of dream would you buy ? I would buy a dream," said a happy youth, Of honour and purpose high, Wrought into the work of the coming years A dream of a loving bride, Of work well done and a house well won, And of children by my side." If dreams were sold in the market-place, What kind of dream would you buy ? And the mothtr lifted a tender face, And said with a longing sigh I would buy a dream of my absent boy, For what could be sweeter bliss Than to clasp his hand in the land of dreams, And giva him a mother's kiss ?" If dreams were sold in the market-place, What kind of dream would you buy ? And the man uplifted a calm, still face To the light of the western sky I would ask a dream of my younger days, A dream of the household band Of the hills and rills, the vales and dales, Of my childhood's native land." So ever and on the soul will dream, From its first hour to its last; Backwards and forwards in search of good, In memory and wishing cast. But, oh, the joy which we shall awake In the land we are going to, And find that the good and beautiful dreams Of our hearts have all come true?

To be Introduced to a Good Boole is to make a Friendship." MAGAZINES FOR APRIL All who a.re interested in the great Social problems—the movements for the betterment of the lot of the poor people—will find a readable and instructive article in Scribncr't Magazine. It forms the first of a series of articles on "The Poor in Great Cities." After a brief introduc- tion Mr Robert A. Woods leads the way with a comprehensive article on "The Social Awakening m London," in which he treats of the work of the Saltation Army, the Country Holiday Fund, tho People's Palace, the University Settlements, and the Socialistic Movements. The article is elaborately illustrated with fine engravings and portrait of the Vicar of Jude's, Whitechapel, General Booth, Charles Booth (author of Labour and Life of the People "), John Burns, and Tom Mann. Mr R. L. Stevenson's story, The Wrecker," is continued, and the number con- tains an interesting budget of articles and illus- trations. In Cassdl £ Saturday Journal, No. 4-13, :tp- pears the opening chapters of Frank Barrett's nsw story, Out of the Jaws of Death." Desultory reading is the bane o' lads. Ye mnnn hegin with self-restraint and method, my man, gin ye intends to gie yourseF a liberal education." TaJcng as a text the counsel which j Alton Locke received from Sandy Mwkaye, a contributor to the Sunday at Some writes a good article on "Reading with Method or Without." The article alone is worth more than the part costs. The special articles in the Leisure Hour are "Egyptian Sketches," "The Great London Dailies—The Standard" Rustic Wit and Wis- dom," "The Horse World of London," "Second Thoughts," "The Great Earthquake of Japan," and "Solar Spots and their significance. These, together with good fiction and numerous illustra- trations, make up a good monthly budget of light and instructive literature. The Religious Tract Society's publications are welcomed in hundreds of thousands of homes monthly. The characteirstics of these publications are bright, original matter, clever illustrations, good paper, and clear printing, and there is above all an elevating tone in every article, story, or poem. contained in the various issues. The Girls' Own Paper, and its companion, The Bo.lI:r Own Paver, maintain their high standard of excellence as regards seasonable literature. Indoor Games and Rccrcctiions has reached part 7, as has also The Girls' Own Indoor Book. Then there are Friendly Greeiinj-s, The Cottager and Articm, Light in the Home, the Child's Companion, and Our Little Dots. Two new numbers are issued in the "R.T.S. Books for the people" Old Hard- wick's Money," and "The Fatal Arrow." This series of short complete stories at a penny each have been issued as a counter attraction to much of the harmful. Walt. Whitman. I am sorry to have to refer to the news which has been received from Philadelphia of the death of the American poet and author, Walt. Whit- man, on Saturday, at the age of 74. Ha was the son of Waiter Whitman, farmer and carpenter, and having spent his boyhood in Brooklyn and New York, learned the printing trade and be- came a journalist. Emerson hailed him in 1855, when his Leaves of Grass appeared, as the author of the most extraordinary pieoe of wit and wisdom" that America had up to that time contributed to literature. The same poem, however, led to his dismissal from a post which in a later day be occupied in a Government Department at Washington. The Secretary of the Interior at that time saw improprieties in this poem, which, as a Christian statesman, he believed he could not tolerate. William Douglas O'Connor, burning with indignation at this treat- ment of the author, issued a pamphlet in his vindication entitled "The Good Gray Poet," a name by which Whitman's friends have ever since referred to him. In the Civil war his assiduity during two years in nursing and attend- ing the sick and wounded resulted m severe prostration and paralysis, from which he suffered during the remainder of his life. I hope to refer to his writings next week, and to an admirable and cheap edition of his chief writings.

ON his~guardT YOUNG DUTGLEBAITM Fadder, how much is two and two ? OLD DINGLBBAPH Vat y*>u vant to do, buy OLD DINGLBBAPH Vat y*>u vant to do, buy or sell ?

OSTRICH AND P ARBOT.-A contemporary gives the following exercises in English composition of two deserving school. children "The ostritch is a larpe and beautiful bird. People ride on them when they are going a long way, and once I saw a picture of a boy on a ostritches back they have very large wings. The Prince of Wales has got a ostrit- chee feathers in his hat. The ostrich is a large bird j and the humming bird is as well but the ostritch is the largest of thorn. The ostrich is found in Man- chester and they live on sand and make their nests on it and lay their eggs on it." "A parrot is a bird that reads a thine through and never thinks about it, and it is a very nice bird, and some of us do a-3 well as parrots. J think wo all ou«rht to learn because that is what we am, sent to school for. And when WÐ read a thing we should not half read it ovnr, like parrot, when a parrot reads it over thoy don't think of what thoy ar* reading. But we should think about a word before we read another, and not do like a parrot does at all. There is a great many who act like a parrot in some schoole rouud this country."

MEN AND MOVEMENTS OF THE DAY. [BY SAT.EX.] No. 7.-WILlIAM MORRIS and Socialism. The social upheaval of the present decade has had no more remarkable man amongst its leaders than William Morris, poet and artist. Only a few years ago the teachers and believers in Socialism were regarded as dangerous individuals, men to be scoffed at and shunned, revolutionary firebrands who wished to wreck the social fabric and bring chaos and insurrection into what was looked upon as nineteenth- century industrial harmony. William Morris stands out very prominently in the little band of the leaders of Socialism, who have by their scholarly agitation for improved methods of social organisation and industrial conditions for the people helped to change public opinion on the important subject of Socialism. Only those who have watched closely tbedevelopmentand progress of the Socialistic movement in England can realise bow great the change has been in the attitude of the public and the Press towards the leaders and followers of Socialism, a change which has been fittingly crowned by the election of one of its most sturdy advocates to the aldermanic bench of the County I Council of London It is not r^ffi^lt to give a pen picture of William Morns, the second of living Eng- lish poets and teacher .f Socialism. He has ,t massive head and a •owerful frame, a ■road fcrehead,amass of flowing grey ha.ir, and clear blue eyes. He would easily be aken for a. p f, by the man in the street. In the matter of d-e3S he carries out in practice his teach- ing of simplicity and unconventionality. He generally wears a soft hat, Inverness cape, a coat and trousers of blue serge, with a waistcoat which opens at the top, and displays a blue flannel shirt. The three subjects which interest him are art, literature, and Socialism, and he talks about his subjects with eloquence, sincerity, and frank- ness. While he is a scholar before anything else, he has nevertheless the robustness of manner of a working mechanic, combined with an utter lack of conventionality. He was born at Walthamstow in 1834, and was educated at Marlborough and at Exeter College. Oxford. He turned his atten- tion to architecture in 1856, and was articled to the late Mr Street, and took his In the same year he founded the Oxford. | Cambridge Magazine, and made his debut in literature, writing for it a number of curious romantic stories and critical papers. These efforts at writing he followed by producing The Defence of Gueneveve and Other Poems," The Life and Death of Jason," and in 1868 "The Earthly Paradise," works which showed his leaning toward" classical and romantic legend and myth, and his great power in dealing with them in a characteristically original style. In 1868, together with his friends Dante G. Rossetti and Burne Jones, William Morris made a bold endeavour to elevate the artistic taste of the public, and to this end founded a business of "art fabrics," wall papers, and stained glass. The business was started as an artistic venture rather than a speculative concern, under the name of Morris, Marshall, Faulkner, and Co. The undertaking, which is now carried on under his own name, has proved to be the most important agent in reforming English deco- ration and taste in colour snd design which has taken place during the last 20 years. Eut we must pass over his work in improving the public taste in art, and his many successes in literature, to consider his work 1 as one ot the prime movers of an important phase of English social life. Some seven or eight y;>ari! ago he became one of the lecturers of the Democratic Federation. His studies of man in Homeric times, and of the men and myths de- picted in the Icelandic Volsunga Saga," de- veloped his coneern for the welfare of man's body and mind tolday. His views and action widened into the Socialistic teacher and lecturer. When a division occurred amongst the leaders of the Democratic Federation, William Morris, with Dr Aveling and a few others, founded the Socialist League, whose organ was The Common- weal. It was in the various issues of this com- paratively short-lived but withal deeply interest- ing journal that the vigorous notes, lectures, and chants appeared. It was in the pages of The Commonweal that A Dream of John Ball first saw the light. For a time the Socialist League and its organ seemed as though there was a long career before them, but the sompwhat fantastic revolutionary hope of the poet, which underlay all his social utteranoes, gradually shook off his followers and readers till the Commonweal dis- appeared, and the League only numbi-red a mere handful. Morris was impatient of ordinary methods of reform, and flouteel politics and poli- ticians. His hope of bringing about a Socialistic state was not through the channels of political reform bymeans of political parties. It is interest- ing to ncto that just as William Morris' Socialist League by despising existing methods of securing reforms through Parliamentary and legislative action, has failed, the Fabian Society- another branch of English Socialists—has come to the forefront in numbers and influence by seeking to bring about the social era through political action and by means of existing machinery. William Morris will be remembered best in years to come as a poet first and as a reformer in art and society secondly. Before leaving our subject, let us see what his ideas about Socialism really are. He deplores the result of the Gospel of Capital and Commercial- ism, and puts forward a claim that "in a properly ordered state of Society overy man willing to work should be ensured—(1) honourable and fitting work (2) a healthy and beautiful bouse (3) full leisure for rest of mind and body." Un- consciously, or half-consciously it may be, we gather wealth by trading on the hard necessity of our fellows, and then we givedribblets ofitjaway to those of them who in one way or another cry out loudest to us. Our poor-laws, our hospitals, are but tubs thrown to the whale; blackmail paid to tame-foot justice, that she may not hobble after us too fast." And then he asks, "When will the time come when honest and clear-seeing men will grow sick of all this chaos and waste, this robbing Peter to pay Paul, which is the essence of commercial war ? When shall we band together to replace the system whose motto is 'The devil take the hindmost' with a system whose motto shall be. really, and with out qualification, One for all and all for one ?' Who knows but that the time may be at hand, but that we now living awty see the beginning of that end which shall extinguish luxury and poverty ? when the upper, middle, and lower classes shall be melted into one class, living con- tentedly a simple and happy life." There are thousands to-day who will cry Amen" to the social gospel preached by William Morris, without suspecting that they are Socialists. NEXT WEEK:— JOHN RUSKTN, AND HIS MESSAGE TO THE WORKERS.

THE CELEBRATED LitAr ANT."—One of the oddest little creatures in all animal nature is the leaf ant of Central America. Although dif- ferent species of this oddity are known to inhabit the American continent from Brazil to Mexico, the real home of the true leaf ant is in Nicaragua. To all outward appearances this little insect is a commonSpt, but one of gigantic size, it must be admittecrf^when compared with the ante of our temperate regions, being on an average over an inch in length. The habit for which these ante are so celebrated, and one which we could hardly believe were it not for the testimony of reputable naturalists, is that of carrying a leaf for a sun- shade, just as our women and men carry parasols and umbrellas for the same purpose. When at work the leaf-carrying ants look like a little army in which each individual member is protected from the sun's rays by a little banner of green. I Another remarkable fact in connection with the leaf-carrier is that only those at work carry the little leafy protection. When a long file of burden- bearers have deposited their budgets.. they discard their parasols, and return for a load without the leaf which made them such conspicuous objects "ben on the up trip."

The Merthyr electors continue to be perturbed over the Mystery of a Hansom Cab. The Pope has made a gift to the Shah of Persia of a magnificent mosaic representing the tomb of Cecilia Metella. Diamonds and crystals can be distinguished from glass and paste by touching them to the tongue. The diamonds feel much colder. Walt Whitman, whose death took place on Sunday, has been aptly described as the poet and apostle of triumphant material progress. Lard Windsor, Mr John Cory, and Mr Fred L. Davis are spoken of as the probable presidents of the Oadoxton Eisteddfod on Whit-Monday. Lord Dufferin is the eighth Ambassador to represent Great Britain in France since the restoration of the Bourbons, whereas France has had no fewer than 38 representatives at the English Court in the same lapse of time. J The Executive of the South Wales Liberal Federation will meet at Swansea either on the 6tb or 7th of April. It is intended to hold the annual meeting in May but its assemblage may be accelerated by the general election. Some years ago Barry Island was valued at £ 12,000. A recent estimate places it at £ 350,GOO as a building estate. Pienty of "land value" difference here for the followers of Henry George to descant upor. We don't guarantee the accur- acy of the figures but give then: as gotten. In the new Education Code Hebrew is for the first time included as one of the languages in which pupil teachers who are candidates for the Queen's Scholarship may be examined. This language has thus been placed on an equal foot- ing with Latin, Greek, French, and German. The Anthracite Miners' Association is steadily increasing in numbers, and the prospective development of the coal field wiil add greatly to its strength in the course of the next few years. The Association already has a membership of close upon 4,000, the collieries affiliated with it numbering 44. A very interesting first edition was sold a few days ago at Sotheby's. It was the premier issue of George Eliot's "Adam Bede," which was given to W. M. Thackeray, whose monogram it contains, besides Miss Evans's autograph inscrip- tion, "From the Author." It was purchased for S15 10s. Messrs Evence Coppee and Co., Cardiff, have entered into a contract with Messrs James Dun- lop and Co., Glasgow, for a coal wash- iug plant capable of washing 350 tons of coal per day of 10 hours. The plant, we are informed. will be one of the most complete yet erected by this firm. Some resentment has been created in the parish of Mynyddislwyn by the action of the Pontllanffraith gentleman, who, coming out at ihe last moment, split the Calvinistic Methodist vote with the result that a safe seat wae sacrificed, the Rev Ceitho Davies, the candidate of the denomination, being defeated, and his place being taken by a curate. Mr John F. Winslow, who has just died at Poughkeepsie, New York State, was one ot the chief American ironmasters. It was his firm that introduced the manufacture of Bessemer steel to the Union, and built the first Monitor for the United States Navy—the vessel whose fight with the Merrimac will be recalled as an event of the Civil War. In the Park Ward election at Cardiff, owing, doubtless, to the belief that Mr Morgan Morgan's return was assured, as many as 130 Liberal pro- mises were not polled. Consequently the number of votes recorded for Mr Morgan does not repre- sent the full measure of the Liberal strength. Mr R. N. Hall estimated the Liberal majority at 90, and a paper giving this result was handed to the Conservative candidate before the poll was closed. A man named Athey dropped from the top storey of the Masonic Temple, Chicago, in November last, by means of a pocket fire escape of his own invention. He repeated the operation in February, by letting himself from the 16th Storey of the new Northern Hotel. Athey has a t)o made the descent from tbe Niagara Suspension Bridge to a boat 200 feet below, as well as a descent into the Cave of Winds at the Falls. Mr Wh telaw Reid, who is about to withdraw from the post of American Minister at Paris, will, it is said, return to his editorial labours on the New York Tribune. Mr Reid began life in the West, and after years of hard labour turned up in Horace Greeley's office, where he worked his, way to the chief post. Mr Reid married a daughter of Mr Ogden Mills, a Califoman millionaire. Every day fresh discoveries are made ililth. examination of the contents of the Tenn Library, which is slowly boing ovrrhajlled at the Cardiff Free Library. A magnifi- cent edition of Shaftesbury's Character- istics has just been unearthed, practically fresh from the printers' hands. It is interesting to iiote, that three other copies are in the possession of Cardift gentlemen. It is announced that a communication has been received intimating that the Duke and Duchess of Connaught have nrade a provisional promise to visit the National Eisteddfod at Rhyl in August, but, probably owing to the Dukj's connection with the Army, they are unable to give an absolute promise at this distance of time, and they request that they should be again approached later on. Arrangements have been made for papers for the Dafydd ap Gwilym Society for next term. At the first meeting Dr Gwenogfryn Evans, M.A-, will expound the Liber Landarensis, in editing which h6 has been engaged for the last year The Dean of Corpus (the Rev C. Plummer, M.A.} will follow, while Mr J. Young Evans, Corpus, will relate his experiences of Brittany, and Mr L. J. Roberts, Exeter, will read a second paper on the "Development of Small Nationalities." Other papers will be arranged for. The Petit Journal, according to the latest report, has reached the enormous circulation of one and a quarter million copies daily. It it printed on wood pulp paper, the raw material— the fir-bemg brought from Norway and Austria. The little journal consumes in a twelvemonth 120,000 fir trees, each having an estimated height of 66 feet, equal to the annual clearing of a forest having an area of 25,000 acres. Caerphilly has produced more eminent harpists than any other place in Great Britain—including Edward and John Jones (father and son), harpists to the Tredegar, Cefn Mably, Llanarth, ond other leading families of Gwent add Mor. gan wg; and Llewelyn Williams, Pencerdd-y- Da. Among Caerphilly harpists of the present day are Masters Tom and Fred Barker, who carried off more prizes from the National Eis- teddfodau than any on record. Mr Henry Davies, the lecturer in mining and ecology in Glamorgaushire under the Technical Instruction Act, has been greatly impressed by the thirst for knowledge displayed by the toiling masses in that c'.unty. At Ystalyfera, one of the local centres, colliers are accustomed to walk as many as six miles in order to attend the classes, and a faw overmen come on horseback. The distance was no deterrent even in the sever-t woither experienced during the past winter. I regard the Prime Minister," says Lord Rosebery, as one of the most powerful aad effective debaters that either of the Houses of Parliament has ever seen." Lord Salisbury," he add^-d, is a master of many more oratorical weapons than the rapier. He would not mind hone pistol, I think, and on occasions in debate he would not disdain the form of Indian blunder buss, loaded with spare pieces of lead, or gravel, or copper coinage, or anything else that might happen to come to him." Last Saturday night saw the Oxford Dafydc ap Gwilym Society assembled for the last timf this term. Professor Rhys presided, and in private business Mr John H. Davies (Cwrt- mawr), of Lincoln College, was elected secretarj for next term. The Rev J. Rogers then read a paper on "Superstitions," in which he dwelt at length on the metaphysical aspect of the question, and then described the superstitions which still exist in the neighbourhood where he came from—Rhos, Upor ham. The paper willb* published in Cymru.

WAGONS, CARTS, AND CARRIAGES, MANUFACTURED OF THE HIGHEST CLASS MATERIAL & WORKMANSHIP BY THE BRISTOL WAGON AND CARRIAGE WORKS CO., LTD. FOR ILLUSTRATED CATALOGUES WITH BEST TERMS, APPLY CHARLES D. PHILLIPS, NEWPORT, MON. S„2

GREAT CLEARANCE SALE NOW PROCEEDING. OETZMANN & CO.. 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, AND 79, HAMPSTEAD-ROAD, LONDON, W. (Near Tottenham Court-road and Gower-street Station) SPECIAL SALE CATALOGUE POST FREE. DURING THIS SALE WILL BE OFFERFD TH8 STOCK OF A CARPET MANUFACTURER, Purchased for Cash at an Immense Reduction. THE STOCK OF A WHOLESALE CITY BUSINESS Messrs Bolcherbf and Co., of Friday-street, E.C., Purchased by Private Contract a.t a Discount of 45 V, ALL CARPETS MADE UP FREE OF CHARGE. 4100

If there is anything fchat makes the poor man feel sarcastic, it is to read advice to rich men on how to secure a good appetite.

-oo.w. THE HOUSEHOLD, HOT MAAT SALAD.-Chop hits of meat very fine. To a coffee-cup of minced meat add one chopped onion, and boil in enough gravy or water to cook the onion add salt and red pepper to the taste. Have ready the yolk of one hard-boiled egg rubbed to a powder and mixed with a tea- spoonful of mustard and enough vinegar to make the whole pleasantly sour when poured over the meat. Spread ever slices of buttered toast and serve hot. MACABONI.-Simmer lb of macaroni in plenty of water till tender, but not broken strain off the water. Take the yolks of five and the whites of two eggs, and half a pint of cream, white meat and ham chopped fine, three spoonfuls of grated cheese. Season with salt and pepper. Heat all together, stirriner constantly. Mix with the macaroni put into a buttered mould and steam one hour. LENTIL SODP.—Boil 1 pint of lentils, 1 grated carrot, 2 unions, 2 turnips, V-Ah. of potatoes, a little mixed herbs, pepper and salt in 3 quarts of water for an hour and a half, press through a wire sieve, put back in the saucepan with 1 as. of butter, boil up, and serve. MANDAKIN PUDDING.—Mix lb. of fine bread crumbs, Ih. of well chopped suet, lb. of Jamaica preserved green ginger, with two eggs, and two tablespoonfuls of the syrup of the ginger. Pour the mixture into a buttered mould or basin and stoam for four hours. BAKED FISH.—After cleaning the fish thoroughly, let it stand in salt water for two or three hours. Rub it well, inside and out, with pepper. Make a dressing of breadcrumbs, one tablespoonful of butter, f) small onion chopped fine, pepper and salt to suit the taste. Stuff the iish with this dressing, and tie or sow up. Put it in the pan, with water .'tlou;h to cover, sprinkle it ov-r with flour, and put in a small piece of butter. Bake slowly one hour. Garnish with tard-boiled ejgs.

ECHOES FROM THE GALENDAR. APRIL. 3. SUNDAY.—S4I Sunday in Lent. 4. MONDAT.—Goldsmith died, 1774. 5. TUESDAY.—Jules Ferrv born, 1832. 6. WEDNESDAY.—Old Larly Day. 7. THURSDAY.—Wordsworth born, 1770. 8. FRIDAY.—King of Denmark born, 1818. 9. SATCKDAY.—King of the Belgians died, 1835. Old Time Marriage Arrangements. Such of our ancestors—says Chambers' "Book of Days"-a.s possessed rank and wealth had a very arbitrary mode of arranging the alliances of their children. So late as the reign of James I. the disposal of young orphan heiress lay wich the monarch on the throns, by whom it was generally deputed to some favourite possessed of sons to whom the marriage might be important. The union of the ward to a son of that person, or some other person chosem by him, was then inevitable. No one, hardly even the young persons themselves, appears to have entertained a doubt that this arrangement was all in the natural and legitimate course of things. The subordination of the young in all respects to their seniors was, indeed one of the most remarkable peculiarities of social life, two or three centuries ago. There is preserved the agreements entered into on the 4th of April, 1528, between Sir William Sturton, son and heir apparent of Edward, Lord Sturton, on the one part, and Walter Hungerford, squire of the body of the King, on the other, for the disposcl of Charles, the eldest son of the former, in marriage to one of the three daughters of the letter, Elinor, Mary, cr Anne, whichever Sir William might choose. It was at the same time agreed that Andrew, the second son of Sir William Sturton. should marry another of the young The terms under which the covenant was made give a striking idea of the absolute I rigour in which it would be carried out. Hunger- ford was to have the custody of the body of Charles Sturton, or, in case of his death, Andrew Sturton, in order to make sure of at least one marriage being effected. On the othor hand, the father of the three girls undertook to pay Sir William eight hundred pounds, two hundred within twelve days of the deliverance of the said Charles," and the remainder at two specified terms. The covenant included an arrangement for the return of the money in case the young gentleman should refuse the marriage, or, if by the previous decease of Sir William, the wardship of his sons should fall to the Crown. Adventures of the Koh-i-Noor. Large diamonds, like first-class pictures, have a European reputation, because they are few in number, are not susceptible of reproduction, are everywhere prized, and can only be bought by the wealthy. Only a few very large diamonds (called paragons) are known in the world. The standard here in view is a minimum weight of one hundred carats. The Koh-i-noor. in its present perfected state, weighs 102 carats the "Star of the South," 125 the Regent, or Pitt diamond, 137; thj Great Austrian diamond. 139 the Orloff, or Great Russian diamond, 193 one in possession of the Rajah of Malta in Borneo, weighs 367 carats in the uncut state. The Porter Rhodes diamond, found at Kimberley. South Africa, weighed 150 carats uncut, and £60,000 was refused for it. A romantic history is attached to every one of these jewels. The Koh-i-noor, which left India on the 6th April, 1850, to pass into tba hands of Queen Victoria, '.as had an especially notable history. It was found in the mines of Golconda. How many years ago this was no one can tell, but the Hindoos, who are fond of high numbers, say that it belonged to Kama, King of Anga, three thousand peats ago. When Tavernier, the French traveller, Was in India about 2 0 years ago, he saw the Koh-i-noor, and told of the intense wonderment and admiration with which it was regarded in that country. After his time, the treasure changed hands frequently among the princes of India, generally by means either of fraud or violence. Early m the present century the possessor was the. Khan of Cabul. When the Punjaub was conquered by the English in 1850 the Koh-i-noor was included among the spoil. Col. Mackeson and Capt. Ramsay brought it to England in the Medea a? a present from the East India Company -o tthe Queen. fc&ner. Frangois M. C. Fourier, the French Socialist, was born on the 7th April, 1772. Among the dreamers and contrivers of new social worlds [ Fourier is unquestionably the prince. No one ever brought to the task a more imperial intellect, or evolved a grander, more complex, and more detailed Utopia. His works are voluminous, and to master the laws and ordinances of his ideal kingdom would be a labour more than equivalent to the comprehension of Blackstone or the Code Napoleon. Fourier was the son of a linen draper, and was born at Besangon. His father lied in narrow circumstances, and Fourier commenced life behind a haberdasher's counter m Rouen. The Pony Express. The Pacific States of America, being separated from the rest by the wide sierra of the Rocky Mountains—canal, railway, or even good roads I not yet being practicable in that region—com- munication necessarily becomes a difficulty. Even to carry letters over two thousand miles of 'D I prairie, mountain, and forest was a task of a I sufficiently formidable character. This difficulty was, however, overcome in 1860 by the enterprise of a private firm. Messrs Russell, Major, and Waddell, who had been engaged as contractors for the conveyance of Government stores, deter. mined to establish a kind of express mail, by which letters should be carried in about a week I between the two extreme points. On the 9th April, I860, the service commenced. Two pony couriers started on the same day, one from San I Francisco to come east, the other from St. Joseph on the Missouri, to go West. When a pony had done his stage at 12 miles an hour, he was re- I placed by another at the stations which the com- pany had built. The mail bags travelled at the rate of 12 miles an hour, and each mail accom- plished the 1,900 miles of distance in about seven days and a half. The system very soon became comparatively consolidated. The men suffered from fatigue, hunger, cold, heat, and especially from the attacks of Indians, but they persevered undauntedly and the pony express served its purpose until the opening of the Pacific Railway in 1869 superseded other means of communication.