The Cardiff Times

film LARGEST PROPRTffT A py CIHfISHING ESTABLISHMENT IN THE WORLD. 57, ESTABLISHED X 71,73, /A S. 77. and 79 lug. Y/ SAMPSTEAB ROAD .(Nea-r Tottenham V/ Court-rd.) /fS&y LONDON CarP«te made ttp Free o Charge, and when prepaid senv Carriage Paid to any Railway V f Station in England or Wales. ^lmmmm^VSTRA.TED CATALOGUE PnsT Wvm *inft

I WELSH GLEANINGS. By Lloffwr. "A Prophet in his own Country." Under this heading the Cymro, the organ of the Liverpool Welshmen, describes in its leading article the visit of Mr Gladstone to Liverpool last week, to receive the freedom of his native jcity. Liverpool is no longer open to the re- jjroach to whioh Nazareth was liable; hut, nevertheless, savs the Cymro, this curious characteristic of human nature—to undervalue a prophet who is intimately known-was seen in the comparatively small crowd which attended Mr Gladstone in the streets of Liverpool, which Were much fuller when the Shah of Persia and when Cetewayo marched along them. Those who were so fortunate as to obtain seats In St George's-hall had a, rare treat in hearing Mr Gladstone eloquently describing his native )ity as it was in his youth. His voice was like a tilver bell, and penetrated to every quarter of the vast hall, and his movements were as active as when he was in the prime of his strength, though taany noticed that there were obvious signs of the advance of old age. There was nothing new in the speech, but under the charm of his practised hand, all his facts were clothed with a fascinating freshness and interest." The Baner blames the Tories for the dilatoriness with which the honour was proffered to Mr Gladstone. It was more an honour for Liverpool to be favoured with the acceptance of its freedom than for the Prime Minister to be offered it. His visit created won- derful excitement. For once theie was no dis- tinction between Conservative and Liberal; all United heartily in welcoming Liverpool's greatest son-the most illustrious man, doubtless, now on "Earth." Patriotism and Education. 1 The Genedl, referring to the addresses on educa- tion recently given by Mr Goschen, Mr Bryce, 'and Mr Acland, who advocated the teaching of •history in schools, devotes a luminous leading 'article to this subject. History and poetry are the two strongest products of patriotism. If Welsh history and Welsh poetry were taught in cur schools future generations would be better patriots. By history' we mean also the history of the growth of the Constitution under "which we live, the history of the Crown, the history of our Parliament, the history of our local courts and of our local institutions. Onr children ought to be taught how our country is governed, so that when they reach lnanhoid they will bo interested in all the political movements of society. Mr Goschen and Mr Acland hoped that the County Councils would' devote money from the fund which they have in hand far "educational purposes towards advancing historical study, and Mr Acland said that if the County Councils would lead in this direction the Govern- ment would soon follow by contributing like- wise. Welsh County Councils, then, be up and doing The Rev Edward Matthews. The. notices of Mr Matthews are fulL.r in this week's newspapers than in those of last week; but scarcely any of them attain to that literary excellence and brilliant critical tasto which characterised those which appeared in the Baner and in the Cymro for last week. Biographical notices, jottings of personal recollections, "in tnemoriam" poems, and eulogistic lucubrations are abundantly scattered in the columns of the Herald Cymraeg, the Llan, Tarian y Gweithiwr, :the Cymro, the Celt, &c. The official organ of the Calvinistic Methodists (the Goleuad) treats of Mr Matthews in a, long leading article, contributed by the Rev J. Wyndham Lewis, Carmarthen, J but the writer contents himself with writing a biographical skctch and not a critical estimate. The Congregationalist Tyst has an equally long leading article (of over three columns) on the sama subject, and gives a fair and luminous criticism of Mr Matthews There are various opinions about Mr Matthews' voic: Some say it was wretchedly bad others that it was re- tnarka-bly good. The truth lies somewhere between these two extreme views. He had a voice pleasing enough, but it was difficult to hear him during the first part uf the sermon. Before the end, however, he gave vent to shouts and roars, which completely rent the audience, and frequently caused them to burst out in rejoicing. When he reached the climax, he would break off abruptly, while the audience were yearning for him to go on. Some, attributed these disappoint- ingly-brief exhibitions of energy to laziness but they were rather the preacher's art. His irony was inimitable, and lie revelled in destroy- ing. On many an occasion when his ftdlow- preacaers had-epenfc hours in discussion, he would suddenly get up and, with withering sarcasm, would ridicule their whole deliberations." The South Wales correspondent of the Baner, who uses his colarul1 this week to a considera- tion of Mr Matthews' position in his connection, confirms this view. Nowhere," say. he, was his influence more prominent than in a public discussion in some conferencc. On the discussion of some burning question, both sides regarded him as supreme; his own adherents relied on his infliiencD, while their opponents trembled in fear of him." The Methodist corres- pondent of the Gcncdl likens his sermons to Shakesperian dramas in their development; the development in the preacher's mind seemed to be proceeding step by step along with hearers' his portrait was not shown to them as a complete picture, but they were allowed to see the pictur" gradually evolving m his own mind." The Magazines for December. The magazines for this month are of average excellence.—In the Ccrddor Dr. Enilyn Evans discusses the position of the Rev. E. Stephen (Tanymarian) in the mu sical history of Wales, as the editor of the Welsh Congregational:sts' hymn and tune-book, and also as the composer of the first Welsh ora-tofio.— In Ccrddor y Cymry, Alaw Ddu, referring to Mr T. E. Ellis' address before the Dafydd ap Gwilym Society, pleads for the inclusion of musical degi-ees in tho forthcoming Welsh University.—Oyfai'L yr Aelwyd. continues Mr Charles Ash ton's valuable prize essay on the "Laws of Hywel Dda," while the Rev. H. Etvet Lewis concludes his masterly sketch of Tennyson, together with clever translations from" In MemorIam," and" The Idylls of the Kin,?.— L.R.D. has some." ongJynion" in memory ofr j5r Sauiidfera "HfUfre VylcTigraun. The Ifaid has a delightfully-written article on The Rev Thomas Jonfes, Rector of Creaton," the joint founder, with Charles or Bala, of the Bible Socicty; and the editor (Elis Wyn o Wyrfai) gives soma additional verses, of charm- ing simplicity and felicity of expression, in memory of his wife. Trysorfa y Plant has an excellent photograph of the late Mr R. J. Davies, J.P., Gwrtniawr this month concludes its 31st year and the editor (the Rev. T. Lt vi) exults, with pardonable prid", that the magazine has now fcr many years kept up a circulation of 40,000 copies a month, a phenomenal circulation for a Welsh magazine.

Kate: If you dare to kiss me again, I shall call Auntie.—Jack Don't trouble yourself; I kissed her as I came in. IT MADE A DIFFERENCE.—" No, Mr Dear- horn," said Miss Eas' lake, and there was a world of sympathy for the young man she was rejecting in the tones of her voice and in <he expression of ] her face as she spoke "no, Mr Dearborn, it can- not be. As H man I respect you, but I feel that we are utterly unsuited to each other. I do not wish to pa:n you, and I trust I have helped to make, your disappointment ea-sy to bear. We can < always be friends, I trust—so bear up and be con- tent." I can't say that it is much of a disap- pointment, Miss Eastlake," the young man re- s plied, frankiy. The fact IS that Miss Ethel Chapman, exercising her leap-year privilege, has risk- I me to marry her. I didn't like to refuse, 1 sol begged for a week in which to consider it. 2 hoping that in that time I might 1 Ray tio more, Mr Dearborn," interrupted the t maiden, as a deep expression of soorn overspread her lovely features. "If Ethel Chapman thinks she can snap you up right under ray very nose, 1 she's decidedly off, let me tell you. Willie, love, I am youra." (

Musical and Eisteddfodic. BY MAELGWYN. Things eisteddfodic have been unusually quiet during the last three or four weeks. But a great deal of hard work has been and is still being done by our choirs preparatery to the Christmas concerts and eisteddfodau. The only Eisteddfod of note held within the last few weeks has been that at Dowlais, where some splendid contests were decided. Dr Parry had a difficult task to decide the merits of no fewer than fifteen com- positions that had been sent in for the prize of five gumeas. offered for the best requiem to the late Eos Morlais. Mr Tom Price, of Merthyr, was the successful competitor, and his work was very highly spoken of by the adjudicator. The prize of a. magnificently carved oak bardic chair, presented to the eisteddfod by Alderman Gwilym James, and valued at seven guineas, was won by Mr J, E. Samuel, Dowlais, in whose favour it may be remembered one of the adjudicators decided last year. Altogether ther^ were nearly a hundred competitors for the four prizes offered for elocutionary proficiency. The promoters of the Dowlais Eisteddfod, by thus going in so thoroughly for the encouragement of elocution, j both among seniors and juniors and in both languages, have set an example that those who have charge of the National gathering might fol- low with advantage. The vocal solo competitions were for the most part extremely good, and here, again, the com- mittee showed they had not lost sight of the fact that at the Eisteddfod no particular voice should be boycotted. There were one soprano, one junior alto, one tenor, one bass, and one baritone solo contest. The quartette competition was a poor affair, none of the parties being able to keep time since the assistance of the pianoforte was denied. One party it may be worth noting raised the pitch a full tone and a half. In the chief choral competition two choirs from Dow- lais ran each other very closely indeed, and com- pletely out-distanced the other candidates for the prize. After a very minute comparison of the performance of all the choirs, Mr T. Davies. Ebbw Vale (who was the adjudicator) awarded the prize to the Dowlais Music lovers who gained the full number of marks allowed. The other Dowlais choir was only a shade behind. The successful choir is virtually the same one that carried off the second choral prize at Bridgend last summer without a single rehearsal, and in the teeth of nine other can- didates for the honour. Mr Tom Griffiths, conductor of the famous Llansamlet band, was the adjudicator in the drum and fife band contest. Close upon twenty^ bands had entered, but the terrible state of the weather kept many of them at home. Neverthe- less, the competition was a splendid one, and Mr Griffiths delivered what was perhaps the most complete adjudication that bandsmen have re- ceived for a very long time. Altogether the Dowlais Eisteddfod was a most conspicuous success, and, in spite of the miserable weather, the Oddfellows' Hall was densely crowded at both the first and second meeting. Mr William Morgan, Pant, chairman; Mr D. C. Evans, treasurer; and Mr Morgan L. Walters and the Rev W. L. Hufhes, secretaries, deserve a word of praise for having brought the Eisteddfod to such a brilliant close, ANOTHER ASSOCIATION. The good people who, for the last 18 months or so, have been using their spare time in endeavour- ing to break down the South Wales Brass Band Association will, no doubt, be glad to hear that in future there will be another claimant for their attention. An association of drum and fife bands in South Wales has been formed as the result of a meeting held at Dowlais on Monday. No fewer than 22 bands were represented. Mr Daniel Gethin Parker, the veteran conductor, was elected president of the Association, and Mr Tom Griffiths, the leader of the Llansamlet Band, was made vice-president. The Rev W. L. Hughes, Dowlais, the man who, above all others, is responsible for having -called the -Association into existence, was entrusted with the secretarial duties. Needless to say, one of the aims of the Association is to secure for drum and fife bands that measure of justice which brass bands, thanks to their Association, have been receiving for the last 18 or 20 months. It was decided that all the bands peti- tion the promoters of the Pontypridd National Eisteddfod to include a drum and fife band com- petition in their programme. There is every reason to believe that the new Association will be as successful as the older combination. DHPARIIY'S "BLODWEN." The Brynmawr Excelsior Choir have been engaged on the rehearsal of this delightful work, r-I g and will give about half a dozen performances of it during the last week of the present year. The choir has already performed five or six works, the most important of which was the Bohemian Girl. It is said by those who have attended the rehearsals of Blodwen that a really good representa- tion of the work may be looked forward to. The part of Blodwen will be taken by Miss S. M. Lewis (Ebbw Vale). Miss Annie Lewis (Dowlais) will impersonate Lady Maelor, while the only other outsiders are Mr Sandford Jones (Merthyr) and Mr Morgan T. Jones (Dowlais). SOUTH WALES MUSICAL EISTEDDFOD. Although the entrance list has not yet closed it is evident that the Eisteddfod to be held at Neath, on Boxing Day, will be, musically, a tremendous success. All soloists have to pay au entrance fee of a shilling, and the indiscriminate sending m of names by people who have no inten- tion of competing is thus put a stop to. Another good move on the part of the committee is to put off the beginning of preliminary tests until half- past ten o'clock. Competitors from a distance will now have the same chance as those living in the immediate neighbourhood. As was stated some tiruo ago, the chief choial competi- tion will be for choirs of male voices only. The following choirs have entered, viz. .—Pontycymmer, Rhondda Glee Society, J Treorky, Aberaman, Porth and Cyinmer, Port Talbot, Llaneliy, Brynaman, Carmarthen, and Dowlas. A few more are expected. The prize of £30 offered for the best rendering of Worthy ] is the Lamb" will, it is believed, be competed i for by about a dozen choirs, three of which hail from the Aberdare district. The male voice competition promises to be one of the grandest ( ever heard in Wales. The test pieces are entirely j new and the adjudicator (Mr Riseley, Bristol) is a competent and experienced choir-leader. ( Competitors have thus every reason to know that they" will be judged according to their merits. ( Up to the present seven or eight of the very best £ bands in South Wales have signified their inten- 3 tion of competing for the valuable prizes offered. j Among the drum and fife bands that have £ already entered are Llansamlet, Rosolvea, } Neath, Treboeth, Merthyr Town, Mountain Ash, j and Cymrn&r (Glyncomvg). ( t ] ETHEL (who is not famous for her good looks): ( [ don't see why you should call Miss Whitmore alain. I'm sure I wish I were only half as good- ooking as she is. ) i FRED You are Ethel-you know you are. (And Ethel is wondering whether he meant to ;orcpliment her.)

The scientific man is very frequently repre- 1 iented to us as an individual of mean physique, I jut the figures recently quoted by Lord Kelvin ] tt the anniversary meeting of the Royal Society j show in the mast unmistakable manner that tho j jursuit of science is by no means unfavourable to i ;he prolongation of life. It appears that of the ? fellows deceased during the past year, the average age was over 74. Only two died before j ;he age of 60- while two others reached the age :d 901

I FARM AND GARDEN. Early. Potatoes, In the vicinity of various continental cities where there is a remunerati ve demand for early potatoes, growers adopt the practice of digging into the hill before the tubers are all ripe, in order to remove for sale such as are, large enough for cooking. The soil is then replaced, and the still attached tubers continue their growth. The legitimate theft may be perpetrated two or three times during the development of the plant. It is claimed, moreover, that the total yield is in- creased by this method. To determine whether such is really the case a series of experiments, extending over the last four or five years, has been carried out in Germany, in the course of which numbers of differ- ent varieties, both of early and of late potatoes, were grown for purposes of trial. The large tubers were stolen from soma of the plauts of each variety once before the final harvest, from others twice and threo times, whilst in yet other specimens the tubers remained undisturbed till all were dug. In every case upwards of a score of plants received identical treatment, thus affording extensive data for purposes of comparison. The results point to the general conclusion that the total yield of tubers where they were removed one or more times during growth was larger in number, but smaller in weight, than where the plants remained undisturbed till fully ripe. The adverse influence of this fractional harvesting, as it may be termed, on the weight of the total yield, was the more noticeable tho earlier and the oftener the tubers were removed. Ventilation of Cow-Sheds. "What amount of ventilation is needed for a cow-shed with one cow T' seems a peculiar question, and I suspect thot what you really want to know is the cubic air space sufficient for a cow. If this to be so you ought to provide not less than nine hundred feet, and it might be more with advantage. The ventilation necessary for one cow is, of course, the same as for forty. It must be sufficient to keep the air pure. Inlets for pure air and outlets for food must be provided for any building, large or small, as, if there is no diffusion of air, the contained atmosphere must become vitiated and unfit for breathing purposes. The expired air from the Inngs, the exhalations from the skin, and the gases from the excretions soon render contained air impure. The temperature of a cow-shed in summer should be about the same as that outside. It should never exceed 70 deg. Fah., nor should it be allowed to fall below 40 deg. Fah. in winter. Warmth up to a certain point is equal to food, but purity of the atmosphere must not be sacri- ficed to warmth. A high temperature in a cow- shed is very commonly synonymous with im- purity of the air and general foulness of the sur- roundings.—Farrn, Field, and Fireside. The Weather and the Crops. Wheat-sowing has hardly made any progress since December came in, and most farmers who have not completed their usual acreage will now either wait till early spring or have recourse to other crops. The effect of the colder weather in checking the too-rapid growth of October-sown wheat is beneficial, but beyond this and the slight improvement in the state of the market deliveries, the week's record is not cheerful. The imperial average of 27s has no precedent within living memory, while the effect of a 2Ss lOd average quoted in London has been to attract an unusually large quantity of English wheat to the Metropolitan market. The price of foreign wheat has receded Is per qr. in the week for both American and Russian descriptions. Indian wheat has not been so depressed, still 3d decline has been allowed. Australian and Chilian are about the only sorts for which previous full prices are made, and these descriptions are nearly exhausted on spot price of London. Household flour is now down to 25s, being 10s decline on the year. The spring corn trade is fairly steady for oats and barley. Pulse and maize depressed. —Mark-lane Express.. Fruit Garden. The planting finished, pruning is the next operation requiring attention, and although there is no actual hurry for this most important work at present, yet the present mild and open weather offers an excellent opportunity for getting on with it, and, on the whole, it is just as well to get it done and out of the way. After the turn of the year there is plenty of other work needing attention, both out of doors and inside, and then we often get very bard weather in January and February, when it is impossible to perform any work of this kind. None of the multitudinous operations of a garden call for so much experience and skill as pruning, and none are so frequently performed badly. To begin with, no gardener can prune his trees rightly unless he is thoroughly acquainted with their habits, the state of their roots, the kind of soil they are growing in, and other particulars. Then, trees on different systems of training require totally different methods of pruning; and, lastly, individual varieties demand particular teatment in this respect. A few years ago the system of pruning generally adopted was far too severe now the reverse is the case to a great extent. A happy medium between the two is the safest liue to follow. All the pruning that orchard, standard, or other trees on the free system of growth require is, as a rule, to have have a little of the weaker spray, or old worn-out wood, removed occasionally, and the centre of the head in particular kept open. Dwarf pyramids, bushes, &c., must be much more closely restricted, but the chief object is to remove superfluous growth (barren shoots), and to retain all the fruit-bearing spurs and embryo tfruit) buds. frees on the cordon system must b3 spurred in almost like a vine, but if properly summer- pruned there will not- be much to be done to these j now. ( Vegetable Garden. < Land intended for onions may have a dressing 1 jf manure, and be thrown into ridges or else be J irenched up and the surface left rough and open. Asparagus bods or plantations, if not already lone, should be top dressed with rich manure j with some salt, if thought uwcessary the sides of 1 ¡he beds straightened, and the loose earth 2 scattered over the manure; but there is no 1 necessity to heap up soil on the beds, as was formerly the custom; these deeply-covered roots ire always later in starting, and although where £ blanched heads are desired, sufficient covering for the purpose will be necessary, still, in many 1 ;ases too much earth has been placed over the :rowns. The ground for forming new plantations 1 )f asparagus, seakah, and rhubarb should be manured and trenched up roughly now.' Another ;urn over in March with the steel fork will pre- pare the ground for planting. MnshrOonis' ih small quantities may be giown in deep boxes .mder the greenhouse stage, or in any place yhere a temperature of 55 degrees can be had. rhe boxes should be deep enough to allow six nches clear between the beds and the top of the jox, and should be covered with close-fitting lids. rhe lids are necessary to maintain a genial ttmosphert; round the young mushrooms, and to ceep the moisture in the beds. I have had good jrops of mushrooms in wine-cases, and after the jeds are made up the wine-cases may stand any- where without causing any bad smell when shut ip close. Only well-fermented manure should 36 used, and the spawn should be new and good. rhe moist autumn has been favourable fcr late- alanted greens, but late broccoli not yet heeled 3 )ver will stand a poor chance if we get very tavere weather. Young horn carrots sown in July 'or winter should be covered with dry fern if I rIDst sets in. -Gardening Illustrated. j.

At Sadler's Wells Theatre, one evening during 1 Mr Phelps's management, the house was very full tnd very noisy, and there was every appearance )f the performance going off in dumb show. Just t )efore the time for the curtain to go up there ivere loud cries from the gallery of Phelps s Phelps After a little delay the curtain was s irawn back and Phelps, dressed for his pa.tt, came i 'orward. Advancing to the footlights with ( folded arms, and looking up to the gallery very 5rmly, he called out, What is it you want ?" 1 "Too full! too full!" shouted a dozen voices. 1 Well," said Phelps, then why don't some of ( pou go out ?" This seemed to take the gods by ] surprise, for there was no response. Phelps there- < apon retired, the curtain went .up, and no more < was beard of too full."

Parliamentary History of Carmarthenshire. [JRY W. R. WILLIAMS, SOLICITOR, TALYBONT.] 1820. Hon. George Rice Rice, of Dynevor Castle, only son of George Lord Dynevor (see ante, 1790), born August, 1715; married, Nov- ember, 1824, Frances, eldest daughter of Lord Charles Fitzroy, and niece of the 4th Duke of Grafton, and assumed the additional surname of Trevor by royal licence, October, 1824, on in- heriting the estates of the Trevors, of Glynde, Sussex (see ante, 1722). He was re-elected (as the Hon. G. R. Rice Trevor) 1826 and 1830, and although he did not sit in the short Parliament of 1831-2, yet he was again returned to the first reformed Parliament of 1832. and continued to sit, in spite of all opposition. He was placed at the head of the poll whenever there was a contest 1832, 1835, 1837), till he succeeded his father as fourth Lprd Dynevor, April, 1852. His Lordship was for many years a Deputy-Lieutenant of the County, Lieut.-Colonel Commandant of the Royal Car- marthenshire Fusiliers (Militia), was appointed a Militia A.D.C. to the Queen, 1852 (which grave him tho rank of Colonel), and was a Vice-Presi- dent of the Royal Cambrian Institution, and had the patronage of three livings. Lord Dynevor died October, 1869, when the title devolved upon his cousin, the Rev Francis William Rice, D.D. Vicar of Fairford, Gloucester, for 50 years, who died in 1878, when he was succeeded by his eldest son, the present Lord Dynevor, who was born 1836, and is a member of the Carmarthenshire County Council. 1831. Sir Jamps Hamlyn Williams, Bart., of Clovelly Court and Edwinsford, eldest son of above Sir J. H. Williams (see ante, 1802), whom ho succeeded as third baronet 1829, born 1790, married February, 1823, Lady Mary Fortescne, fourth daughter of Earl For fescue was made Lieut.-Col. East Devon Militia. 1846, served as Sheriff of Carmarthenshire 1348 distinguished himself by the various election contests he took part in with regard to this county. Thus he was returned 1831, but at the next election, when two members were to be elected, he was at the bottom of the poll, the votes being—Trevor, 1,853; Adams, 1,638; Williams, 1,504. Nothing daunted, Sir James came forward at the first opportunity in 1835, and was successful, after a keen contest,, which terminated—Trevor, 2,198; Wilhams, 1,938; John Jones, 1,840. In two years' time the tables were again turned, as the poll closed— Trevor, 2,469 Jones, 2,155 Williams, 2,076. This was Sir James's last contest. He died in 1861, when the baronetcy became extinct, as previously stated. (See ante, 1802.) 1832. The Reform Act of 1832 gave a second Member to Carmarthenshire, and the colleague retnrned with Mr Rice Trevor was Edward Hamlyn Adams, of Middleton Hall, eldest son of William Adams, of the same place. Mr Adams was born in Jamaica in 1777, and married January, 1796, Amelia Sophia, eldest daughter of Captain John MacPherson, of the United States. He served as High Sheriff for the county 1831, and as Member 1852-4, and died January, 1842. The elder of the two sons took the name of Abadam (Ap Adam). 1835. Hon. G. R. Rice Trevor and Sir James Hamlyn Williams, Bart. 1837. Hon. G. R. Rice Trevor and John Jones, of Ystrad. He was born September, 1777, the second son of Thomas Jones, of Ystrad, and died unmarried November, 1841, having represented the county (which he unsuccessfully contested in 1835) from 1837 till his death, being re-elected with Mr Rice Trevor without a contest in July, 1841. 1846. John David Arthur Saunders-Davies, of Pentre, Pembrokeshire, vice John Jones, deceased. Mr Davies was the eldest Master of Arts, married July, 1826, Elizabeth Maria, daughter of Col. Owen Phillips, of Williamstown, co. Pembroke, and was M.P. for this county from 1842 till his death in 1857, being re-elected 1847, 1852, and March, 1857. Mr Davies was a Justice of the Peace for this county, and a J.P. and Deputy. Lieutenant for counties Pembroke and Cardigan and for several years occupied the dignified posi- tion of chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions for Cardiganshire. 1852, May.—David Jones, of Pantglas, vice Mr Rice Trevor, now become Lord Dynevor This member was the eldest son of John Jones, of Blaenos, and grandson and heir of David Jones of Pantglas; was born Nov., 1811, educated at the Charterhouse, married July, 1845, Margaret Charlotte, eldest daughter of Sir George Camp- bell, Bart., and was a J.P. and D.L. for the three counties of Brecknock, Carmarthen, and Middle- stx, and served as High Sheriff of this county 1845, for which he was member 1852-68, being re- elected 1357, 1859, and 1865. Mr Jones contested the Borough of Sudbury (Wilts) at the General Election of 1841, and having been defeated at the poll, petitioned at his own expense against the return, with the result that the two sitting members were unseatedjmd the borough was dis- franchised. 1852 (July) and 1857 (March).—Mr D. A. Saunders-Davies and Mr David Jones were re-e'ected without opposition. 1857 (June).—David Pugh, of Manoravon, vice D. A. Saunders-Davies, deceased. Eldest son of Colonel David Heron Pugh, D.L., of Manoravon, born 1805, educated at Rugby, graduated B.A. Balliol College, Oxford, was called to the bar at the Inner Temple, 1837, and joined the Northern Circuit, was a J.P. and D.L. for county Cardigan n.ud J.P. for this county, of which he served as High Sheriff, and had the honour of being chairman of its Quarter Sessions 1843-52. Mr Pugh represented Carmarthenshire 1857-68, and sat for the Eastern Division from December, 1885, till his death in 1890. 1859 and 1865 David Jones and David Pugh re. elected. 1868. Edward John Sartoris, of Llangennech Park, Llaneliy, and John Jones, of Blaenos. The former was the eldest son of Urban S., of Seeaux, Paris, was born 1817, succeeded to tho family estates 1832, married ten years afterwards Adelaide, daughter of C. Kemble, became a J.P. for Hampshire 1863, and was Lord of the Manor jf Warneford, Hants, a J.P. and D.L. for this county, and M.P. 1863-74, when he was defeated iiy Lord Emlyn, and was patron of the living of Llangennech. He had a scat at Warsach House, ritclifield, Berks. Mr Jones was the son of John Jenos, of Blaenos (his mother being Mary, daughter of William Jones, of Ystrad), and, therefore, younger brother to the member for 1852-68. Ho ivos born 1815, educated under Dr. Butler, at Shrewsbury School, called to the Bar at the Vliddle Temple, 1839, and married two years tfterwards his cousin Aune, second daughter of David Thomas, of Wellfield, Radnorshire. Ho < vasa J.P. and D.L. for his native coutity, High 1 sheriff (1854), and member (1868 80), when he ] was defeated. (ft be concluded.) J l

The Little Iron Was Not Hot. j She was ironing her doll's new gown, Maid Miriam, four years old, With her brows puckered down In a painstaking frown, Under her tresses of gold. 'Twas Sunday, and nurse coming in. Exclaimed in a tone of surprise— Don't you know it's a sin Any work to begin „ On the day that tho Lord sanctifies ?" Then, lifting her face like a rose, < Thus answered the wise little tot— « Now, don't you suppose < The dear Lord He knows This little iron ain't hot ?" £

GOT THE OLD WOMAN AGAIN.—" Mother, are J *ou going to have turkey for Thanksgiving ?" Why, of course. It wouldn't be ThanksgiVing ] vithout turkey, Johnny." It's a. good thing, ( hen, that there's turkeys, hain't it?" Why T t 'Cause if there was no turkeys there wouldn't ( )e no Thanksgiving." 41 Oh, yes there would." ( Why, you jist said yerself that it wouldn't be 10 Thanksgiving without turkey." That'll do j law. Hurry on after that coaL" I They thought more of the Legion of Honour in 1 ;be time of the first Napoleon than they do now. i rhe Emperor, it is said, one day met an old one- < irmed soldier, and asked him where he lost his i lrm. "Sire, at Austerlitz." "And were you i lot decorated V No, sire." Then here is my i )wn cross for you; I make you chevalier." t Your majesty names me chevalier because I < lavs lost one arm. What would your majesty s lave done if I had lost both?" "Oh, in that t sase I should have made you officer of the < Legion." Whereupon the soldier immediately i irew his sword and cut off bis other arm. Now. there is no particular reason to doubt tbj¡3 story.' I rbe only question is, how did he do it! i

Andrew Fletcher, of Sait«un, m a letter t* 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 Etake the 13.ws.f the nation."

AGESTGOI You think, sweet maid, as thus ye go, Perchance to tryst with lover dear. That, though as fair as flowers that blow, Your beauty, will like theirs, appear Perennially—so thought maids long ago— Ages ago! Just as you trip frequently walk, Those tints of rose and pearl to show, Your grace of movement—bud on stalk, g Nor nods or bends, with motion slow, More prettily—this was other men's talk Ages ago! Yes, many a girl of Grecian form. And many a Roman lass beside, Long since the food of odious worm, Was filled with all your natural pride. Most certamly- dust, they, upon the welfrmc storm ° Ages ago! Ye come, ye live, ye are onr joy Fair beings to sight; aye, sweet delights Successtve troops of lovers toy, Companions of our moonlit nights And sentiment—such were even maid and boy Ages ago! Dread time dread change dread fate, alas What awful moral in tho view Of your proud splendour, as ye pass, Whilst amorous eyes chng fast to you Most faithfully Thus those now under grass Ages ago! Yes, all your beauty brave dofcfrfade Silent become your voices sweet. Time goes, and 'neath this now thronged glade Others will list the tread of feet Not yours, my dear She lived it will be said, Ages ago! A. L. H.

THE TINKLING OF THE BELL The summer sun was setting, An the hills were all aglow, And a glory and a beauty Rested in the vale below- Suddenly, from out the stillness, Over hills and through the dell, Came the sweetest notes of music In the tinkling of a bell. And I stopped me there to listen, Mid that evening paradise, For the sounds somehow had thrilled me, Filled me with a grand surprise. And I looked across the meadows And the valleys rich and green, With the lengthening evening shadows, To my boyhood days again. Just the tinkling of a cow-bell O'er the hills and far away, And a barefoot boy I wandered In the golden summer days. And the world looked like an Eden With its round of mirth and joy. For it seemed that God's own blessing Rested on the farmer's boy. Once again I saw them coming, Through the timber—coming home, Now Indian file" across the clearing Whitefoot, Cherry, Lineback, Roan; So I make this glad confession, Naught can stir my heart so well As that plain old-time procession, And the tinkling of the bell. While the curfew's tones are falling, On the quiet evening air, And L'Angelus, is calling Worshippers to bow in prayer, Let me listen for the muqic Which I he ard at close of day- Sacred be the blessed ine«a.'ries Of the good old times for ave. W. L. FERHIS.

PHILANTHROPISTS IN PARLIA- MENT. The muster-roll of the members reveals a varied and diversified choice, and points to the presence of philanthropic efiortiu many fields—some that the stricter meaning of the word might not sug- gest. Hare is a mem^sr of whom the world, knows little'bot his wealth and next his name is that of a leader of men in the Welsh coal-mines. This county constituency honours the son of a past leader of the "House;" and that borough has elected a journalist who is becoming a professional politician. Personal attractions, gifts and graces of oratory, promises of support to popular measures, local influences, trade relationships—all these motives and aids have assisted in the determination of .the choice of electors. And thus it is well for the country and well for the House of Commons that the change- able voices of the electorate decide in favour of some of those whose interest is other than personal or party, and who devote much of their time to what is really philanthropic effort. A division in the county of Durham has for sixty years, with slight intermission, returned one of the locally potential Pease family. Sir Joseph W. Pease, who sits for Barnard Castle Division, is not only a coal-owner and a railway magnate—he is the president of the Peace Society, and represents an interest in the promulgation of the views of Sturge, and Burritt, and Richards, and Charleton that is not only personal, but is inherited. Not alone by sup- port of the Peace Society, but by varied and munificent gifts, have the family of which Sir Joseph Pease is the head justified the claim and their position. Public libraries, schools, and institutes for children and workmen, a lavish support of missionary and temperance effort, have for years been their generous methods of aiding localities they are interested in. In the House of Commons are three members of that northern family -Sir Joseph Pease, his son, and his cousin—each representing county divisions in Durham, Northumberland, and Yorkshire. Differing widely in experience in business and in the arena. of his life-work, but with an equal zeal for the common good, is the member for the Keighley division of Yorkshire. Mr Isaac Holden is one*of the "grand old men" of the new Parliament. His life has been a romance. The son of a coal-miner, he began life as a dmw- boy to two hand-weavers; thence he entered a cotton-mill, and successively he was a mathe- matical teacher and classical master, then book- keeper, manager, and owner of a wool-combing mill, and inventor—the son of a pcor miner in Scotland became a princely manufacturer. But it is not the mere suocess 111 business life that won him his seat in the House of Commons; it has been the liking of the common people for one whose aim has bem not only to perfect plans of manufacture and to build up huge works, but to care for the welfare of the work- men, to give them facilities for their education in things both mental and spiritual. Spring- ing from the people, knowing their struggles, sympathising with their aspirations, and endea- vouring to direct their efforts to the better ] things of life, Mr Isaac Holden, in a green old J age, is one of tho striking personalities York- shire sends to Parliament. One of the divisions of Bradford returns Mr W. S. Caine to the new Parliament. In him there is one of the most active of the philanthropic commercial men of the day. In middle lite-this is the fiftieth year —a retired merchant, and the son-in-law of one af the most revered ministers of Liverpool, the t Rev Hugh Stowell Brown, Mr William Caine ] brings to the House of Commons knowledge of ] men and places. He brines, too, the reputation < Jf being one of the most generous supporters of < religious and temperance causes in the districts tie is associated with and though some of his ] letters from India were supposed to press hardly < mnussionMiea there, those who knew the busy ] Member for East Bradford best. believe that his < lim has been rather to make religious effort < abroad more productive of results than to reflect ] executive. Your commercial p:an desires "esults tnat aris vifi'fbt'e, and i& too apt to judge ay these visible results only. But there are those who believe that the former member for Scar- borough and Barrow will become one of the orces that in the future will mould philanthropic iffort. ]

A PET CHIMPANZEE.—I was once the owner ef i highly-educated chimpanzee. He knew all the riends of the house, all our acquaintances, and distinguished them readilyirom strangers. Eveiy- >ne treating him kindly he looked upon as a per- sonal friend. He never felt more comfortable ¡han when he was admitted to the family circle md allowed to move freely around, and open and i shut the doors, while his joy was boundless when le was assigned a place at the common table and ¡he guests admired his. natural wit and practical okes. He expressed his satisfaction and thanks ;0 them by drumming furiously on the table, [n his numerous moments of leisure his favourite >ccupation consisted in investigating carefully !very object within his reach. Helowered the door )f the stove for the purpose of watching the fire, >pened drawers, rummaged boxes and trunks and ilayed with their contents provided the latter did lot look suspicious to him. How easily suspicion night be aroused in his mind might be illustrated JY the fact that, as long as he lived, he shrank with terror from every common rubber ball. Dbfedience to my orders and attachment to my person, and to everybody caring for him. were his artues, and he bored me with his persistent ivishesto accompany me. He knew perfectly his ;ime for retiring, and was happy when some one )f us carried him to his bedroom like a baby. As icon as the light was put out, he would jump into ¡he bed and cover himself, becauso he was afraid )f the darkness. His favourite meal was supper with tea, which he was very fond of. He sipped t from a cup, and ate the dipped-bread slice with t. spoon, having been taught not to use the fingers a eating.

ECHOES FROM THE CALENDAR. DECEMBER. 18. SUNDAY.—lolo Morganwg died. 1826. John Wesley born, 1708. 19. MONDAY.—J. M. W. Turner, painter, died, 1841. 20. TUESDAY.—Gethin Colliery Explosion, 1865; 30 lives lost. 21. WEDNESDAY.—Shortest dav. 22. THURSDAY. —Percival shot, 1783. Dr Phillius Neuaddlwyd, died, 1842. 1 23. FRIDAY.— Mardy Colliery Explosion, 1885; 81 killed. 24. SATURDAY.—Rev Walter Cradock died, 1659 Christmas Eve. J. M. W. Turner. Joseph Mallard Turner, R. A., was the son of a barber, and was borA. at his father's shop in Maiden-lane, in London, in 1775. The friendly chat of the celebrities of the time in that room of frizzling and curling persuaded Turner, the' father, that his son would become a great man, so he gave him a very fair education,'and in his rude way encouraged the lad's taste for art. The son formed a close ac- quaintance with a clever young artist like himself, Girtin, who would have been, had he lived (some critics say), his great rival. Turner himself used good-naturedly to assert: If poor Tom lived, I should have starved." In 1789 Turner entered the R ival Academy as a. student. After remaining there in that capacity for five years, and working actively at his profession for other five, during which periods he sent to the exhibition no less than 49 pictures, he was elected an Associate of the Royal Academy. In the two following years he exhibited 14 pictures, and in 1802 was elected an Academician. Till this date he had chiefly been known as a landscape painter in water-colonrs, but thenceforth he turned his attention to oil-painting, and in the ensuing half- century produced at the Academy exhibition upwards of 200 pictures. To enumerate the different paintings of Turner would be impossible. They have established him Is the greatest of English landscape painters, and earned for him the appellation of the "English Claude," to whom, indeed, many of his admirers pronounce him superior. The Haicyon Days. The seven days preceding and the seven days following the shortest day, or the winter solstice, are called by the ancients the Halcyon Days. The phrase, so familiar as expressive of a period of tranquility and happiness, is derived from a fable, that during the period just indicated, while the halcyon bird or king-fisher was breeding, the sea was always calm, and might be navigated in per- fect security by the mariner. The name halcyon is derived from the two Greek words for sea and conceive and according to poetic fiction, the bird was represented as hatching her eggs on a floating nest in the midst of the waters. Dryden thus alludes to it:— Amidst our arms as quiet you shall be. As halcyon's brooding on & winter's sea." Christmas Eve. The eves or vigils of the different ecclesiastical festivals throughout the year are, according to the strict letter of canonical rule, times of fasting and penance; but in general instances custom has appropriated them to very different purposes, and made thorn seasons of mirth and jollity. Such is the case with All Saints' Eve, and perhaps even more so with Christmas Eve, or the evening before Christmas Day. With Christmas Eve the Christmas holidays may practically be said to commence, though, according to ecclesiastical computation, the festival really begins on the 16th December, on the day which is distinguished in the calendar as O. Sapicnta, from the name of an anthem, sung during Advent. It is, proper, how- ever, to state that there seems to te a. discrepancy of opinion on this point, and that, in the judg- ment of some. the true Christmas festival does not commence till tho evening before Christmas Day. The season is held to terminate on the 1st of Febma.-y, or the evening before the Purification of the Virgin (Candlemas Day), by which date, according to the ecclesiastical canons, all the Christmas decorations must be removed from the churches. In common parlance, certainly, the Christmas holidays comprehend a period of nearly a fort- night, commencing on Christmas Eve and ending on Twelfth Day. The whole of this season is still a jovial one, abounding in entertainments and merry-makings of all sorts, but is very much changed from what it used to be with our ancestors in feudal times, when it was an almost uninterrupted round of feasting and jollity.

MUSIC IN THE GARW VALLEY. [FENI A COJRBESPONDEKT.] Ever since the National Eisteddfod at Swansea in 1891, when the above party was accorded such high praise by competent musical critics, and so easily out-distanced all other competitors, it has not thought fit to enter the lists as a competitor at minor eigteddfodau. Knowing that there was an important male voice competition, with a prize of 1;50, at the forthcoming Neath Eisteddfod, and that the party was busily engaged on the two test pieces, viz., The Word Went Forth and "A Message to Phyllis," I sought an interview with the secretary, Mr Llewellyn Jones and a cordial reception awaited me. The following dialogue took place :— "Your party is getting up the Neath text pieces ?"—Yes." Then I presume your party will be com- petitors?"—"Of that I am not so sure. We are competitors on certain conditions and on those conditions only." I immediately replied "Surely, it must be something unusual that leads you to such a firm determination.' Are you dissatisfied with the adjudicator ?" Mr Jones replied We have nothing what- ever against Dr Riseley, for he has never, to our knowledge, adjudicated at an eisteddfod before, and it is reported that he is the conductor of a very distinguished musical society, but we main- tain that in such an eisteddfod, and especially in such an important competition as that of the male voices, where the best Welsh parties are reported to have entered themselves as competitors, there should be two adjudicators in fairness to tho parties and to the adjudicator. We certainly think that it is too much to expect one gentleman to do the work alone." Have you any desire to get any particular person appointed as co-adjudicator with Dr p Riseley, of whom you speak in such high terms ?" ivas my next query and tho ready reply was: We have no name, but we certainly think he should be a Welshman, as there are plenty of dis- tinguished Welsh musicians any one of whom would please us as a co-adjudicator with Dr Riseley." "Then, I take it, Mr Jones, that unless a second adjudicator is appointed thePontycymmer Male Voice Party will be non est at the Neath Kisteddfod, and so it will be robbed of one of its :hicf attractions. May I ask what does the jonductor. Mr T. Richards, think of the matter?" Mr Richards is in favour of competing if possible, though he is strongly in favour of a second adjudicator, but I may tell you that the party is governed by a committee whose decision m any point is final, and this committee has lecided that unless a second adjudicator is np- pointed the party is not to compete at Neath." t.

Texas Justice. ? A young Texas lawyer was reaently elected justice of the peace. His first case was that of a little negro who had been charged with having stolen some fruit. What is your name ?" Jimmy Peters, sah." Have you ever been arrested before ?'' No, sah." How old are you ?" Ten years old, sah." "Prisoner at the bar, you are accused of hav- ing embezzled a ripe peach in the market. What were the causes that induced you to deviate from the path of honesty, and thus stain with disgrace and infamy an until up to that time an un- tarnished escutcheon ?"

Agriculture, despite the talk ot depression and impending ruin, has Dot, apparently, quite gone out of favour as an occupation for tho sons of rich and distinguished persons. Sir Andrew Clark, for instance, has just placed one of his sons as a farm pupil with Mr P. S. Danby, of Offchurch, near Leamington. Sir Andrew was himself last year the tenant for several months of Offchurch Bury, one of the seats of the Aylesford family, and he is understood tö be very fend of Warwick- shire. A STINGING REBUKE.— Mrs Kirke: George, I think it is perfectly shameful for you to stay away from church and sit home reading novels —George And what was the text this morning, my dear ?—Mrs Kirke ? Why !—Oh I forget; but Mr Tonsill sang a. lovely solo, and I saw a bonnet that was simply a dream Nobody ever hates an egotist except another egotist. Other people are only bored.

The Household. The Bright Side. Ye men of gloom and austerity, who paint the face of infinite benevolence with an eternal frown, read in the Everlasting Book, wide open to your view, the lesson it would teach. Its pictures are not in black and sombre hues, but bright and glowing tints; its music—save when ye drown it is not in sighs and groans, but songs and cheer- ful sounds. Listen to the million voices in the summer air and find one dismal as your own. Remember, if ye can, the sense of hope and pleasure which every glad return of day awakens in the breast of all your kind who have not changed their nature and learn some wisdom, even from the witless, when their hearts are lifted up, they know not why, by all the mirth and happiness it brings. Alone, and not Alone. Charles Kingsley speaks with enthusiasm of the heaths and moors around his home, where he so often and so long enjoyed the wonders of Nature, but never alone, because he said, When man was not with me I had companions in every bee. and flower, and pebble; and never idle, be- cause I could not pass a swamp or a tuft of heather without finding in it a fairy tale of which I could not decipher here and there a line or two, and yet found them more interesting than all the books, save one, which were ever written." Hints. hASTY PUDDING.—Hasty pudding, or mush, when it is properly made, is not only one of the healthiest, but also one of the most palatable of the commoner dishes; the trouble generally is that people do not cook it enough. In a pint or quart of boiling water, according to the quantity you desire, stir very gradually enough oatmeal or Indian meal to make a thin mush or porridge, then sprinkle in a little salt, and keep it boiling and stirring steadily for at least an hour and a half or two hours then turn it out into moulds, dishes, or cups. as you like, and let it cool. It can be eaten with milk, or jam, or whatever you may like best. FEWEET POTATO PCDDING.—Beat to a cream a pound of sugar and one pound of butter, boil and mash fine two pounds of potatoes, beat the potatoes by degrees into the butter and sugar, add five eggs, beaten light, a wine-glass of wine, one of brandy, and one of rose water, two tea- spoons of spice, and half a pint of cream; bake in a crust. COTTAGB PTDDING.-—Tft'o cups of flour, one of sugar, two tablespoons of melted butter, a tea- spoonful of cream of tartar, one of soda, and one egg; flavour with lemon. WORKMAN'S PUDDTNG.—Half a pint of treacle, half a pint of boiling water, one teaspoon of soda, and a little salt, and enough flour to make as stiff as sponge cake. CABBAGE A LA FRANCAISF,.—A large cabbage, a slice of bacon, a sprig of thyme, two carrots, one bay-leaf, some gravy, pepper and salt, minced m"a.t, or forcemeat. Take off the outer leaves, and cut off the stalk from a fine cabbage scald it in hot water for ten minutes, make a hole 111 the middle, by the side of the stalk, and fill it np between each leaf with minced beef or mutton highly seasoned, or with some sausage forcemeat, bind it round neatly, and stand it in a stewpan with some gravy, a sprig of thyme, the bay-leaf, and two carrots; let all stew gentiy, and when done place the cabbage on a dish, untie the string, and pour the strained gravy round it. Garnish with carrots and turnips, and serve it up very hot.

LOVE—THE SALT OF LIFE. Love is the salt of life. It cannot be denied that there comes a time when many duties become dull. We recognise them as duties, and we acknowledge duty to be the "stern daughter øf the voice of God;" but we feel that duties ar < a drudgery things to be done because they are duties, but in the doing of which we find no joy. When things are thus, if love comes in a change takes place. Love moves the heart towards duty, and duty becomes delight. Love supplies the salt duties are no longer insipid they are palatable, they bring a joy which is love's satisfaction; they are drudgery no longer, they are delight. It was this love which made the sacred writer say, "I delight to do Thy will." It made our Lord speak of duty as tho nonnsh- ment of the heart. My meat is to do the will of Him that sent me." Thi" wholesome influence of love over the duties of life the Apostle illus- trates in speaking of the greater and the lesser duties of lite. There is a shadow wtifch wafts upon the performance of all duties. The passion which Young calls the universal passion—pride— works alongside us in discharge of the greater duties contempt, which is akin to pride, hinders us in the discharge of the lesser duties. But love vanquishes pride and contempt vanishes. Take the great duties of life. The Apostle speaksof these. The gifts of eloquence, knowledge, strong faith, conspicuous devotion, all enable men to do work which is distinguished and eminent. All are useful to the Church of Christ; but the Apostle sees that over all these may creep a corrupt. spirit unless love be present. Though I spMJ: with the tongues of men and of angeis though I have faith to move mountains, knowledge to understand all mysteries, devotion to go to the stake, yet without charity I am nothing and reasonably so, for the gift of utterance ma.y become vainsrloriousness, knowledge may breed conceit, energetic and triumphant faith may lead to insolence, and devotion may be allied with arrogance. These are but forms of pride these are the ways in which th.. spirit of corruption spreads through the soul in the discharge of the greater a.nd more conspicuous duties of life Love corrects this for love's eyes are nSfc-^et upon the greatness of the service, but on the u?e and helpiulness of it. Lovu asks not giorv. Charity seeketh not her own charity is kind, says the Apostle. Love thinks of doing kindness, and finds its joy in doing good this our Lord exemplified. It was enough that the people hungered and needed food He fed them He asked no glory He sought to avoid being dragged into fame. When He saw that they would come and take Him by force and make Him a king. He departed, He withdrew Himself for love in Him came not to be ministered unto, but to minister. He sought only to do good to the helpless and the hungry, and in the doing of it He found His reward.

THE H NEW" JOURNALISM. A new and ghastly form of humour is being used by merciless writers in the Daily Telegraph, the chief merit being that unreal wit is forcibly galvanised through the tawdry framework of a police-court paragraph. Here is a sample culled from a recent issue — Gibbon in one of his paradoxical sentences de- clares that revenge is profitable." James Curry; French-polisher, who had probably been read in cr the Decline and Fall," has found out that, how- ever entrancing the historian's stylo may be. his facts and deductions are not always exact. So far from experiencing revenge profitable, he has already found it a costly indulgence, and the pro- cess is not yet finished. He brought an sction in Clerkenwell County Court against Mr Morris Greeberg and lost it. In revenue lis got hold of a formidable piece of gas-piping, walked to his opponent's warehouse in Mau- chester-avenue, and broke four plate-glass witi- dows valued at £13 10: 1\\ ow,' said he, 'I am satisfied I'have had my revenge Mr Greeberg, on his part, was highly dissatisfied and called a policeman, who took the revengeful French polisher before the magistrate at Guild- hall. Curry asked Mr Alderman Samuel to deal summarily with the case, as he did nut now f«el angry any more but th? magistrate said h3 could not, as tho damage was over £5. The accused was committed for trial, and has there- fore already found out that if revenge be sweet it certainly is not profitable also that the law is much harder than plate-glass windows." It would surely have been enough punishment to have condemned the defendant to read the report of his own case.

A Bachelor's Lament. I am a. jolly bachelor, Have learned to sew and mend, To keep my things iu proper shape And on myself depend But there is one thing, I'll confess, That does my efforts mock; No matter how hard I may try, I cannot mend a sock. I use a patent button that Requires not any thread I'll sew a rip without a skip And make a feather bed. But what are those accomplishments If I must strike a rock. Whenever I shall try to darn A bole within my sock ? My rooms are kept with every care, From all disorder free; There's not a thing to vex my life And none to bother me. Yet if you of my marriage learn, In which I take no stock, 'Twixt you and me, the cause will be: I cannot mend a sock.

TTBEI) Of ms TALK.—At a recent trial in Scot- land a certain lady got into the witness-box to be examined, when the following conversation took place between her and the opposing counsel Counsel: How old are you ?—Miss Jane Oh, weel, sir, I am an unmarried woman, and dinna think it right to answer that question.—The Jndge 011, yes, answer the prentleman. How old are you ?-Miss Jane Weel-a-well, I an; fifty.—Counsel: Are you not more'!—Miss Jane Weel, I am sixty.—The inquisitive lawyer still further asked if she had any hopes of getting married, to which Miss Jane replied "Wee!, sir, I winna tell alee; I hanna lost hope yet. scorn- fully adding. "but I widna. marry yoo, for-I am «ick and tired o' your palaver already."

Notes from Oxford. [FROY Oult WELSH COBBESPOKDEKT.3 OXFORD, Sunday Night. The Rev W. G. E. Rees, of Llaneliy, baa been awarded a certificate with distinction in tho recent examination for the University scholarship in French, open to all, graduates or under. graduates, who have not exceeded their sixteenth term from matriculation. Professor Rhys has for some little time been engaged on a, brochure for the Scottish Archaeo- logical Association, dealing with the question of the interpretation of Pictish Ogams and Relics, on the assumption that Pictish is closely allied to Basque. Such a connection has for a long time been known to ethnologists, but it has remained for the Professor to obtain the complete solution of tbe philological difficulties involved. Inscrip- tions which have been discarded as almost meaningless and unable to be construed in any rationally-intelligent manner, yield to the new theory as did the doors of the magic cave to the words of Ali Baba. Prior to this two theories have been propounded. W. F. Skene, the Quem's Hoyal Scotch Historiographer, lately deceased, considered Pictish to be nought but Gaelic "writ old Stokes believes it is Welsh, almost pre-historic, which has suffered the devitalising influences of race, time, circumstance, and climate. :ow," remarks Professor Rhys, I am vulgarly supposed to know; a little about Welsh, but if anybody can see or hint at anything in these two languages which possesses the slightest similarity, etymo- logieally or philologicaliv to the words in the following inscription I shall be glad to hear of it Lttocutict-ts, oJi'(hut;ini, pevx, Czrocs. The word pevv is conjectured to be the saile as hevvevy, or quevv, which is a known word. This necessitate- Lh" change of qu into p, or aiUirating both, of wh or hu into But this is "exactly what takes place in Aberdeenshire, the county where the Pictish element is last to be traced, up to the present day. Here where is nronounced 'far'; 'who,' 'fa'; 'when,' fen 'vvho whipped the white whelp?' becomes Ft foppit ta fi te folpie Here is another interesting inscription ;— Losisio Veda Nepos Vepageni," Lossio is the agglutinative root, as it were, attached to Veda, after the manner of Basque (which is essentially agglutinative in its character), stand- ing for the genitive Lossionos "-a word which still survives in the proper name Levshon. Veda is doubtlessly Uccla, cl being- often confused with d. Vcpogcni is another puzzler. It was at first supposed to refer to some lost tribe, and bzzirs marked similarity to the names of not a few men- tioned in that bane of the fourth-form boy, Csesar s Gallic War. The Professor con- strues it in this way Now Vipoig is the name of a weil-known Pictish king, en is the genitive case in Basque, standing for "of the," i the Latin genitive, so that Vepo- geni would bo a double genitive. Such doubles are not uncommon in English—"lcine" is a double plural. "The lesser lights," "The most unkindost cut cf all," arc examples of double comparatives and superlatives respectively. The genitive ending "en" is not exclusively Basque, being also found in Finnish, which is another European language not bekngin"? to the Aryan group. Another example of the same kind may be seen in Inigena cunigni avittoriges, and us Latin equivalent Avilona filia cunigni. It is a curious thing that the first five ogams stand for the I initial letters of the first five Irish numerals. The inscriptions, when bilingual, too, are much m»re grammatically exact in the Latin than in the Irish, in which they are written. The inference is that Irish or Celtic was not the mother tongue of the transcriber. The professtr contends that the usage of placing the verb first I in a Welsh sentence is due to the influence of something non-Aryan, inasmuch as in the oldest Ii Gaulish inscriptions this custom never prevailed. The present work is supplementary to the ¡ Rhind lectures, which were delivered m Edin- burgh last year, and will be embodied )ater on in a magnum opus, "Celts and Pre-Celts." Professor Rhys hopes to spend next April in the Pyrenees studying Basque. There is some passable common-room poetry in the Isis this week. The following extract is taken from Danny Deaver" For they-'re sending down Dan Deever. and ther say he lI!ustrtt stti.y 1 The J)oiis are qnite unanimo hoofing him tc- day. They'll collar all the caution oof his guv'nor had io pay And they're sending down Dan Deever in the mornin<r. What makes the men all swear so hard ?" the guile- less Fresher cried. "They've cause enongh they've cause enough," the Fourth Year Man replied. "What makes the Porter wipe his eyes ?" the guile- less Fresher crieci. A touch of cold a touch of cold," the Fourth Year Man replied. They are sending down Dan Deever; they are eivine him the boot, They've put his luggage in the porch, and soon he'll be en route— The Dean has brought it all about,—tbe dirty sneakinc brute, 0, they're sending down Dan Deever in the morning. His rooms were just below my own," the guileless Fresher cried, He 11 be sleepiug far away to-night," the Fourth Year Man replied, He called on me when he came up," the guileless Fresher cried, He'll be calling on his guv'nor soon," the Fourth Year Man replied. They have sent down Danay Deever out of dirtv, petty spite, The Dons are in the Common-room with faces lone and while- Ho the College is preparing for a good old rag to- night. For they're sending down Dan Deever in the morning. "To rag" is slang for "to bullyrag," "to throw into confusion," and is the expression used when men upset furniture, break glass, crockery or, as Mark Twain would put it, play the ever- lasting mischief," after a bout of drinking. Oxford slang is, generally speakmer, remarkable for its extreme simplicity the word is merely clipped, anfi the syllable er added. Thus— "breakfast becomer, brecker," exercise "— ecker "Divver" and Gossers stand for the examinations iu Divinity and the Gospels. The Proctor is the Proprgms," a Queen's College man is called a. Quagger," St Mary Hall goes by the name of Skimmery and, horribile dictu, Mr Gladstone is colloquially referred to as The Gladder." On Wednesday night, Father Ignatius de- livered an address, in the Holywell Music Room, on The Enghsh Church Union and the Higher Criticism. Having offered prayer, the Father said, although he was not going to preach a ser- mon, he wanted to take a text as the foundation of their thoughts and his, and turned to II. Timothy, verses 15, 16, 17, wherein the Holy Scriptures are commended by the Apostle Paul as being given by the inspiration of God. He said he had jotted down a few notes, the same as he spoke from the ether day at Brighton upon The Church Association and the attacks on the Bible," because the Association did not seem to be at all troubled about the matter. They were much more concerned about the putting of a little water into the Sacramental wine. (Applause.) He should be very sorry for any one of his young friends to think him at all illiberal, and to show that he would have everyone enjoy libertv of conscience, of speech, and of action, he might m say that tho Iste Charles Bradlaugh was one of his personal friends. Mr 33 rad laugh was most liberal in his kind invitations to him to speak in his Hall of Science to the Freethinkers, and on every occasion be received the utmost kindness and courtesy, and he was very sorry when cir- cumstances made it impossible fcr him to pay Mr Bradlaugh any further visits. Father Ignatius went on to say that the University of Oxford was a hornets' nest of infidelity. (Shame.) It was offensive to say so, but it was true. He should like to put the Christianity of Balliol and Oriel and some of the other colleges together, and he did not think it would cover a threepenny piece. Proceeding, the reverend Father criticised m severe terms the work of Canons Driver and Cheyne, the Rev Mr Gore, the Rev Professor Davison, and others, and urged upon bis hearers the necessity of constant and persistent agitation on this most important question throughout the length and breadth of the land. He also announced his intention of conducting a mission in Oxford next Lent.

A STRONG MAN. In the smoke-room.—First hon. member (read-J sing): He literally carried the audience with j him." Seoond ditto (who had beeo there): :11 He hado'tmocb to carry."

GOSSIPS'CORNER. Once again it is reported that Em in Pasha i* dead. The Lord Chancellor has appointed new magis. trates for BeUast-all Home Rulers. Yice-Admiral Fairfax has sent in his resigns. tion as Commander-in-Chief of the Channel Squadron. Rooms have been engaged at the Grand Hotel Biarritz, for Mr Gladstone, who is expected there on the 20th instant. Lord Penruyn has allowed his Carnarvonshire tenantry an abatement of 25 per cent. upon the current half-year's rentals. Over a thousand pounds is the cost of a. smal- pec* of Scotch salmon angling to a Manchester gtnLornan. ELS total catch was three small fish. t, T Davies' 0? Canton, contributes to the December number of Cenad Hedd » sympathetic and ably-written sketch of the late Dr Saunders. A Japanese paper discusses the question of the degeneration of Buddhist priests. It does no* hesItate to denounce the wbo:e order of nriestl hood as being sunk in the depths of immoralities. A large number of boys are periodically in. valided out of the service from the Devonport training ships. A day or two ago 30 boys, ohiefiy suffering from chest complaints, were declared unfit for service. A legacy of £20,000 is bequeathed to tbe Marchioness of Ripon by the will of her mother the iate Lady Mary Gertrude Vyner, daughter of the second Earl de Grey, and widow of MrHearr Vyncr, of Kewby Hall, Yorks. It is stated on good authority that Prince ueorsre of Wales (Duke of York) is to be be- trothed to the Princess May of Teck shortly after tne anniversary of the death of the Duke of Clarence and Avondale next month. A day or two ago a corncrake was caught ic tne neighoourhood of Pentrefelin, Llangollen. As it is a bird of passage, and seen in Great .Britain during the summer months only, tbe capture is considered a remarkable one ThenewDean of St. Asaph, the'Very Rev Watkin Williams, has announced his intention of presenting to the city of St. Asaph a Museum and JV;ci«siastical Library. A site has been selected between the grammar school and the cathedral. Mr Alfred Gilbert, the new Academician, le one of the ablest and most ambitious of the youiiger sculptors. He learnt his art under Boehm, and worked in the studio of Cavelier and took the fancy of the critics by an early work, called "The Kiss of Victory." Sir Evelyn Wood has been directed to hold the 1st bouth Wales Borderers in readiness at Alder- shot to embark for Egypt at the end of next week. They will go out in her Majesty's ship Malabar, which will leave Suez again on the lsi ot January with the 1st Devonshire for India. The Lord Chancellor has added the names of Mr W. Duck, -Mr T. Jackson. and Mr G. F. Harris to the commission of the peace for the borough of Marlborough. An the above gentle- men are Liberals, and two are Nonconformists. The appointments, coupled with those recently maue in Devizes, have caused much satisfaction in Wiltshire. The Lord Mayor and the Lady Mayoress attended High Mass on Sunday in the Church of St. Mary s, Mooraeids, Liverpool-street Two prie-dieus, eoversd with cmuson doth, fringed with gold lace, bÐml specially erected fot them. During the official year the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress will attend this church regn- larly en Sundays. When questioned recently as to the secret of hi- success in carrying on his home for orphans, Mr George Mailer, the Bristol philanthropist, still healthy and vigorous at the age of 88. replied, For 53 years and niaa months this* institution has been carried on, and webave never appeaJfd to man, but simply prayed to God." Mr Thomas Enis, M. P., as fourth Charity Commissioner, wili have no salary, but it is usual for the holder of that post to be given the first vacancy in the paid offices. The salary of the third Commissioner is Bl,200, of the seoond Commissioner £1,500, while the chief gets£2,OOQ, and is allowed a private, secretary, for whom £100 a year is provided. Stories of Gould are cropping up in,all direc- tions. An American m England now sends 116 one of how he introduced business affairs into hit household, When he married Miss Taylor sit. brought a dowry of about £4,000, and Gould took her into a sort of a partnership with him; and under his successful leadership the "firm" at last had £200,000 to divide. Ernest, Renan's son-in-law, Professor Psichari, is busily engaged in cataloguing the great historian's library, which contains about 10,000 volumes. Renan always expressed the hope that his library would not be dispersed, and the family have already received a handsome dfer "from America. The sale, however, will not take place tiil next spring. Uniil then everything remains undecided. One night—so the story goes-Goold said, Mother, we must dissolve partnership—dissolve at once." "Why, Jay," anxiously queried his v better half. "It's just this, mother, I might as well be frank with you. You are the only part- ner I ever had that I navn't 'scooped,' and much as I love you, I don't believe I can resist the temptation to do you up too." Mrs Gonld at once consented. The trousseau for Princess Margaret of Prussia has been manufactured almost entirely in Germany, though a few daintly toilettes and under-garments hail from London and Fans. Tho bridal \11 is beins manufactured by 500 Silesian lacemakers at Ecrschberg, tho Em;cress Frederick having herself supplied the design. Ths wedding dress, of the orthodox rich white satin, will have a wido border of myrtle branches in thick silver embroidery. A French paper gives the following instance of Cardinal Lavigerie's ready wit. When Bishop of Nancy be once attended an evening party. At abcut 10 o clock several ladies arrived in MI evening dress, if the term full can be applied to what was so very exiguous. The bishop got up to #o somewhat abruptly, and when his hostess protested, rejoined What would you, madame? You give me a warm welcome, but your guests give me too much of the cold shoulder." The number of animals blind by reason of their inhabiting dark caves, too most familiat of are those of Carniola and of the Kentucky mpm- mofch caves, has been added to by tbe discon a new ganus and species of blind salamander train the Rock House Cave, Missouri. Mr Stejneger, the reptilian authority of the Smithsonian In- stitntion, pronounces it one of the most import- ant and interesting herpetologrical eventit-of recent years."

A SATURDAY SERMON. Well did Aristotle observe, If there ww* men whose habitations had been always under- ground, in great and commodious booses, adorned with statues and pictures, furnished with everything which they who are reputed happy abound with; and if, without stirring from thence, they should be informed of a cer- tain Divine power and majesty, and after eome time, the earth should open, and they shoaI4 qust their dark abode to come to wture they should immediately behold th* earth, the seas, the heavens; should considet tha vast extent of the clouds aud force of the winds; should see the sun. and obeerv* his grandeur and beauty, and also his creative ;¡) power, inasmuch as day is occasioned by the diffusion of his light through the sky; and when 11 night has obscured the earth, they should oon- templatethe heavens bespangled and adorned' with stars; the surprising variety of the moos, ft her increase and wane the rising and aetfcixuMsf all the stars, and the inviolable regularity of their courses; when, says be, "they should Mat these things, they would undoubtedly conolod* that there are QQdes- awJT that. these an" aiighty wodta. ■ f>—