The Cardiff Times

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WORKMEN'S TOPICS. BY MABON, M.P. EMPLOYERS' LIABILITY. the Debate in the House of Commons. Probably one of the most interesting features X the recent debate on employers' liability in the House of Commons was the light thrown Ipon the practice of the London and North- western Railway, and othercompanies. TheNorth Western, as we have been told, contributes 117.500 to an accident tund, in addition to £7,000 year to pension and provident funds. At the feme time it compels its men to contract them- telves out of the Employers' Liability Act of 1880. The membership of the accident fund is 16,500, 1;0 that the total contributions of the com- pany represent 10s per member. No other great Company, except theLondon, Brighton, and South tfoast, calls upon their men to iorego their legal eights. The payments made by the companies for com- pensation under the Act of 1880 must, in the Aggregate, amount to several thousands of pounds & year, though the precise sum cannot be stated. Allowance should be made for these additional payments in comparison instituted. The Midland Railway Company contributes a year to a friendly society, of which its servants are members. This society also grants Special benefits in case of accident or death. The toembersbip being 25,000, the company's contri- Wtions represent about 9s a bead. The Great Western and Great Northern Com- Panies contribute several thousands of pounds a Jear to widows' and orphans'societies and to other funds on their respective railways. On the whole, however, the arrangements on these lines cannot be called very satisfactory. There are no similar funds on the South-Western Railway, but the directors, it is stated, pay out of the Avenues of the company some thousands of Pounds a year by way of compensation allow- ances in cases of accident. It is their boast that these allowances are granted without favouritism, \nd that their men are left in the full enjoyment Of their legal rights. ThaI; the relationship between the directors and the employees are exceedingly amicable can be gathered from the (act that hitherto no case under thb Act of 1880 kas been carried into court. But undoubtedly the most satisfactory arrange- ment is that which prevails on the Great Eastern Railway. Here, as on the North- western, there is an accident fund, to which the Majority of the men contribute, the actual mem- hership being 23,000, and tbe company's contribu- tion is slightly above £ 6,000 a year. The premium, we are told, is lower than in the case of the North-Western fund, the maximum being 2d a week; but this suffices to securealargerbenent in case of death by accident on duty, viz., JB150. A premium of Id a week secures £ 65 under similar circumstances, and then corresponding allowances in cases of disablement. An injured toan or his relatives may, if he chooses, take his chance under the Act of 1880, in which case the benefits he receives from the fund are about half the aincunts just mentioned, the company's con- tributions being withheld. As already stated, the system of the London, Brighton, and South Coast Railway is somewhat similar to that of the North- Western. On the whole, however, it Appears to be rather more favourable to the men, and, so far as we know, the directors have not threatened to withdraw their contribution should 1 the present Bill be passed. Friday night, the 10th inst., the final debate on the question of contracting out or not contracting out of the Bill was disposed of in the Commons. Mr Fenwick, who moved the adjournment the pre- vious night, led off. He alleged that Mr McLaren favoured the London andNorch-Western Company instead of arguing the matter as one of principle. The threat of the directors of that company he regarded as a regrettable attempt at unfairly influencing the House of Commons. The Trade Union Congress, which represented a million and a quarter of men, was unanimous against the pro- posal to contract out of the Bill. As to the con. tention that the men were allowed to do as they liked, he dismissed it with contempt. The men were about as much free agents as a man who is asked by a highwayman to give up his purse, the highwayman meantime holding a pistol at his victim's head. They were being asked to sur- render their liberty and the protection which the law offered them. He further declared that Mr Asquith had bit the mark when he said that the compensation paid to the men of the various ^companies was simply an insurance against strikes and against demands for increased wages, and he, therefore, cordially supported the Bill. Mr Plunket, who is a director of the London and North-Western Railway Company, then spoke from the other side of the question. Mr Plunket, who is a charming speaker, made a long speech in defence of the position taken up by his company, and the impression left on the House was that, right or wrong, he was at least sincere. He repeatedly said that if the Bill passed without this clause the company would at once withdraw its contribution of £ 20,000 a year towards the men's societies. The blame for this, he contended. Would rest upon the men who resisted tbe amend- ment and forced the Bill as it stood into law. Our friend, Mr Burns, came next, and was loudly cheered when be rose. He spoke in a loud, clear voice, and at a. terrific pace. He began with a taunt at Mr Plunket, as one who represented scholars and litterateurs, who knew nothing of the wants of working men. He himself had some 3,000 railway men in his constituency. He knew them, and they knew him in fact, they passed his door every day. Clapham Junction and Battersea, he claimed, formed one of the greatest railway centres in the kingdom. If 100 out of the 3,000 would hold out their hands in favour of con. tracting out of the Bill, "I will resign my seat," exclaimed our blunt friend. A little later, point- ing across to Mr Gladstone, who sat listening intently, Mr Burns said, with no little emotion- As a workman I thank the Prime Minister for having brought in a Bill which no other Government has had the courage to do and he thanked the Home Secretary also. He also claimed that the Conservative operators in Lancashire were On his side in.. thia matter, and that all Trade Unionists, whether Conservatives, Liberals, or Socialists, were strongly against contracting out. Proceeding, he "gave instances of intimidation in connection with some ballots taken by various companies in the matter, and read a letter from a man at the South Metropolitan Gasworks, showing that while the men signed petitions in favour of contracting out when these petitions were brought round the works, they had meet- ings outside the gates, and were unanimous from their standpoint, and he declared that 3bere were eight millions of men and women, all too poor to organise or to join societies, whose hopes were centered in this Bill. Once more turning to Mr Gladstone, he explained, with outstrerched hand, I ask the Prime Minister and his colleagues to stick their guns." He denied also that he Wanted the destruction of the funds of the different railways in the ordinary sense of the word "destruction." He wanted them transferred to bona-fidefriendly societies, where they could be dealt with apart from directorial influence. He declared also that some of the railways had no more regard tor the travelling pubho and the lives of their people than a chartered company had for naked savages. If the London and I North-Western Railway Company withdraws its £ 20,000 a year, what becomes of its reputation for benevolence and generosity which has been so much flaunted of late? Let that company imitate the Midland Company, which does not require contracting out, and let it spend some of its capital, like the Mid- land, over bridges and safety appliances, and the men would be better off. What he waa chiefly anxious about was 1 the safety of the men on the lines; and he proved that accidents had increased terribly of late, whereas in France, where con. tracting out was forbidden, they had decreased. After genial and funny allusions to Andrew Carnegie as the worst employer in the universe," John gave the House some terrible details about accidents, which he claimed were caused chiefly by overwork, undermlionning, and underpaying. Do not let us exempt from this Bill the most wealthy and the most risky industry in the country," be exclaimed; "the one which feels least the pinches of foreign competition, and which earns an easy and continuous 4% per cent. in a manner not to the credit of the directors' heads and hearts," then in a direct personal appeal to the Government which he knows how to make so telling, he wound up a really remarkable speech.

Musical and Eisteddfodic. BY MAELGWYN. CRUMLIN EISTEDDFOD. The last of the great eisteddfodau of 1893 was held at Crumlin, under the shadow of the great viaduct, last week, and was by no means the least enjoyable of tbe series. An incident of the journey to the eisteddfod is worth recounting. At Rhymney Junction there came into the train a set of as rowdy and blackguardly hobbledehoys as ever I had the misfortune to come in contact with. They shouted, yelled, whistled, and sang (?) hymns and songs in a ear-piercing manner, and altogether behaved in a manner that would have shamed a yahoo. When the train stopped at Crumlin they separated, but I heard one of them bawl out Hot. Shoni Morris, hoi, here's a b- wild place, ay ?" The idea of fellows of that stamp calling anyplace "wild" was really comical. A Deadlock. Just after the commencement of the proceeding something like a deadlock ensued. The presiden- tial address had been delivered, but the competi- tions could not be taken because owing to the great number of competitors the preliminary con- tests could not be finished in time. In this dilemma Mr David Bowen, the eisteddfod con- ducter, said that although his voice was old and cracked he would sing Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau," and he did so with considerable success. But when be had finished it was found that the preliminary contests were still unended, and an appeal was made to Mrs Alfred Morris, whose lad es' choir occupied the side platform, to allow some of her pupils to sing so as to fill up the time. The lady readily agreed, and we were all pre- paring to listen to something enjoyable, when lo in walked the selected bass soloist from the pre- liminary test, and we heard not the music of the sweet-voiced daughters of Gwent. Although Mr David Bowen is not as young as he used to be, he can still give points to many a younger man in the matter of eisteddfod conduct- ing. He did capitally-of that there can be no doubt—notwithstanding that towards evening his task was by no means easy. The Adjudicators. Not since the days of poor John North have I heard such straightforward talk as from Mr Emlym Evans and Mr J. H. Roberts at Crumlin. There was none of that palpably insincere reference to "the finest composition we have ever listened to." Where a performance was good, it was duly appreciated, and where the opposite was the case, it wa* very properly condemned. Thus in the very first competition of the day— that for bass soloist-Mr Roberts said, "I came here expecting a good deal,. and I am bound to tell you that so far my expectations have not been realised. The music reading has been correct for the most part, but that amount of brain work which the piece deserves has not been given to it." So with Mr Evans, In the chief choral award he said, Up to a certain time we were seriously thinking of witholdiug the prize altogether, because nothing can be more harmful to the eisteddfod than to award prizes where there is not sufficient merit." This is excellent. Another good point in the adjudications was that the can- didates in the preliminary tests were not utterly ignored as they have been too often in the past. For example, every girl who competed for the alto solo prize knows to-day why she did not win it just as the winner < knows exactly where she excelled. I met large numbers of the competitors at different times, and I am bound to say that I heard no expressions of dissatisfaction with the awards. The Competitions. I must say that a little more discrimination ought to have been exercised in the selection of some at least of the test pieces. For tenors, the I test was a song called Y Llong a'r Goleudy for sopranos, it was nothing less than the chief solo from Don Giovanni. Yet to my thinking there was no sing ng heard during the day that could compare with the soprano solo as sung by Miss Maggie Morris, Tonyrefail. This is the same young lady who d;stinguished herself so greatly at Pontypridd, and who came within an ace of winning the prize on that occasion. At Crumlin her performance was even better, and for myself I have no hesitation in thinking it the finest thing I have heard at any eisteddfod this year. The upper notes and the florid passages were sung with a purity, a sweetness, and a grace- fulness that won unbounded applause, and at once stamped the singer' as one of our coming stars. Miss M. J. Williams, of Dowlais, sur- prised everybody by coming out at the top of the contralto soloists. Considering her youth, and the difficult nature of the test piece, she did wonderfully well. Of the other minor con- tests, the male voice duet seemed to me the best. Gwynalaw threw an amount of fire and enthusiasm into his rendering as easily distanced all other competitors, and his partner's voice blended very nicely with his own. Like Mr J. H. Roberts, I did not think much of the bass contest, though undoubtedly the best man won. The singing by the ladies' choir was much better than it was at Pontypridd, and it is evident that in Mrs Alfred Morris we have a conductress of marked ability. The altos were better than I ha.ve ever heard in a Monmouthshire choir, and the sopranos, though not equal to tbem, were also good. The choir's enunciation was excellent. Not much can be said for tha chief choral com- petition. The Carmarthenshire choir commenced in a manner that threatened to be unbeatable, but they went badly out of tune. The winning choir sang the "Blessing and honour" movement altogether too slowly. Had a fairly good choir entered the list it would have snapped up the prize without much difficulty.

Equal to the Occasion. WEARY RAQGLES (suddenly stopping): Ooo! Lookee there Wot's this sign mean ? It says Help wanted." DusTY RHODES: You haia't got no business head. Jus you pick up that sign an' carry it along an' I'll foller behind an' pass 'round th' hat.

Jim Webster's Luck. Sam, can yer lend me a dollar that yer has no use fur?" said Jim Webster to Sam Jonnsing. "Certainly, Jim; I'se pleased to accommodate yer," said Sam, handing Jim a dollar. Jim was so surprised at his luck in getting the money that he bit the coin to see if he was awake or merely dreaming, and in doing so discovered that the dollar was made of lead. "Dis heah is a counterfeit, Sam I didn't think you'd do me hat way." I know it's a counterfeit. Jim yer asked me fur one I bad no use fur, an' I give it to yer; I'6e always kind to my friends."

Free of oharge—An unloaded gqo..> 'Su

WELSH GLEANINGS. By Rhydycheinwr. The Parish Councils Bill. The roots of the present lie deep in the past." Bishop otubbs, the great authority on English Constitutional History, has shown how strong the principle of local government was in the early history of England, and how at the Norman Conquest this principle was partly superseded by the centralising policy of the Normans. The better consolidated Norman superstructure was superimposed on the better consolidated Eng- lish sub-structure which was so strong in the cohesion of its lower organisms, the association of individuals in the town- ship, in the hundred, and in the shire with their gemots. After centuries of the centralising policy, we are now reverting to the more ancient principle, and are in an epoch when the strengthening of local government is an acknow. lodged maxim with our politicians. The establishment of county councils has affected Wales more than any other part of the United Kingdom, and the Parish Councils Bill is warmly welcomed by the Welsh newspapers. The attitude of even the Church and Conservative press, the Llan, for instance, is sympathetic, although, as in some respects depriving the clergy of the chairmanship of the parish Parliament, the Bill takes away an ancient privilege. Seren Cymi-u says:—"We believe that the Bill will create a considerable revolution in our social and political system, more so in some respects than even the county council, inasmuch as they will be more convenient, and will draw out rural and democratic talent. The old machine was break- ing down and it was time to devise a new one." The Goleuad thinks that "this is the most important measure that has been introduced by a Liberal Government for some time. By it the clergyman will not be deprived of any of his ecclesisastical dignity but civil matters will be removed from the vestry to the parish council." "Gwleidyddwr" (of the Tyst) declares that he never had much faith in Mr Fowler's Noncon- formity, as he seems too ready to conciliate Churchmen. The Bill may thus be marred greatly." The Cyrnro think that the "chie blessing which will be conferred by the Bill will be the separation of the civil from the ecclesiastical matters of the parish. At present they form one unsystematic jumble, from which all sorts of confusion and chaos arise." The Baner fears that the Opposition will after all obstruct the Bill, as it will be a. splendid achievement for the Liberals. The Rev. Vyrnwy Morgan, in his London Letter to the Celt, reviews the discussions on the Bill, and in- cidentally pronounces Sir Charles Dilke to be higher from his shoulders upwards than anybody in the House, except Gladstone." The same writer expresses his belief that the parson and the squire, who have always clung to each other like David and Jonathan, have no great love for the Bill." Mr Lloyd-George, M.P., in his Par- liamentary Letter" to the Genedl, says that politicians who were last Session fighting like wotves are now as mild as lambs. One reason is that both sides profess admiration for the Parish Councils Bill. Mr Fowler's compromising speech was an able effort to remove the prejudices of the Church party, who have come to the inevitable conclusion that the Bill is a tort of an infernal machine for blowing the Established Church to atoms. From a Churoh Point of Vieww. The attitude of the Welsh Churchman towards the Bill is well voiced by Syllydd y Llan in the Llan, where the Churchman's welcome to the Bill is not unmingled with doubts and fears, It is very desirable to have parish councils for the sake of teaching practical politics to the common people. But we should refrain from regarding it as a patent pill for curing all the evils of country parishes. Probably farmers will not be benefited much by it, and will have to pay more taxes. And what of our workmen ? What have they derived from our county councils? As yet, at any rate, the county councils have done nothing to help the working man. They have not taken advantage of the right they have to help workmen to obtain their three acres and a cow. County councillors prefer to pass pompous and vapid resolutions on disputed questions which pertain nowise to their business than to do the good they can unostentatiously. Things will soon come to right, for there yet remains much sound common sense in the rural parts of Wales, and they will soon learn that it is wiser to choose strong, quiet, sensible men to represent them rather than feed the vanity of restless, garru- lous demagogues with the letters C.C. P.C. and Alderman' This and Alder- man That. I would advocate parish councils were it only because it will relieve clergymen frcm the unpleasant duty of presiding over vestries." This sounds very much like sour grapes and many clergymen will doubtless feel the loss of a little dignity in being thus deprived of what they have always regarded as an inherent privilege. By the way, will our parish councillors be adorned with the initial letters P.C. ?" These will be a little am- biguous, as m Wales, at any rate, they are worn as a sort of degree by our police-constables. Welshmen have a failing in this direction, and soon the man who is degree-less or title-less will be a rara avis, especially as American Universities are so liberal to Welsh- men who seek their peculiar honours. The Late Rev John Hughes. Contributions on the character of the late Dr. John Hughes still continue in the Welsh news- papers. The IAan takes the opportunity of his death to peg a homily on the great men of Welsh Nonconformity, in which it is maintained that men like Dr. Hughes, strong, cultured, and quiet men, respected the Church and make re-union possible. Of all the comments on Dr. Hughes in the current weeklies, the most prominent is the con. tinuation of the article on him contributed by the Rev. Griffith Ellis, M.A., Bootle, to the Baner. These deserve notice not only from their intrinsic merits but from the fact that Mr Ellis unites in himself more than any other of the Calvinisric Methodist ministers the qualities which gave splendour to the character of Dr. Hughes, and that he has already attained a position in the foremost rank of Methodist min^tero, Mr JSllis furnishes elaborate analysis of the various qualities of the Carnarvon divine, his remarks this week being confined to him as a preacher and as a religious leader. His sermons were, he says, delivered in the choicest Welsh, the purity and felicity of his language being one of his marked characteristics. We hope his influence will be felt in this respect in the yonna- preachers whom he has left behind. Each one ought, of course, to preserve his peculiar qualities but Dr. Hughes's example should be an incentive to all to strive to attain the highest and chastest purity in their particular style. He was noted for his keenness, his sound judg- ment, and especially his tact. He believed in his own denomination, but was remarkably broad- minded. There was no one he respected more than Cardinal Newman, and he admired many members of the Established Church. He was a safe leader :n all matters of doctrine." Welsh in Elementary dchoels. The Genedl has a vigorous article, in which it arraigns the attitude of elementary school- inspeotors to the teaching of Welsh in our schools. Some of the inspectors give their whole in fluence against the new system. This should not be. What rights have the inspectors to declare what should be taught in the schools ? Their duty is to examine. And why do they impede the plans of the Government of which they are servants ? The complaint is not a local one. It is heard from all parts of Wales, and the teachers are much agitated in consequence of the conduct of Itheg inspectors. They cannot fight the inspectors; so this duty devolves on our school boards." Whether this be wholly true, or only partially true, or not true at all. I do not know, but if the Genedl is right, then it is passing strange that Englishmen and Anglicised Welsh- men in officii position should mete this treat- Ant to the Welsh lftogoage in Wales itself.

I Parliamentary History of Brecon. [BY MR WILLIAMS, SOLICITOR, CARMARTHEN.] 1640, March.—Heroert Price, of the Priory, Brecon, who was re-elected October following to the Long Parliament, but was disabled to sit, for his loyalty, 1647. This distinguished royalist member was the second son of Sir Thomas Price, of the Priory, and married Goditha, daughter of Sir Henry Arden, Bart., of Park-ball, County Warwick, I He was a gallant cavaliw in the civil wars, held Hereford for the king, and fought at Naseby, after which battle King Charles 1. found refuge at this gallant gentleman's seat at the Priory, Brecon, August, 1645, Col. Herbert Price, being then governor of Brecknock Castle. He was Master of the Household to Charles II., with a fee of 100 marks and seven dishes daily for his table," from 1661 till his death, and is said to have received £10,000 in boons from the Court. He received the honour of knight- hood from Charles II., presented to L'anspyddid, 1666 and 1668, and died Feb., 1678. 1647, April.—Lewis (or Ludovich) Lewis, of Llangorse, vice Colonel Herbert PrIce, disabled to sit, only son of Sir William Lewis, Bart., of Llangorse, M.P. for tbe county 1660, and was married, but died in the lifetime of his father. One of his daughters married one of the Pryses of Gogerddan, county Cardigan. 1654.—No returns found in the Blue Book, but Jones's "History of Breconshire" gives Lewis Lewis as one of the two members. In December, 1658, Samuel Whitturcke (or Wightwick), Esq. 1660.-No return is found in the Blue Book, but the member for Brecon seems to have been Sir Henry Williams, Bart., of Gwernyfed (see Co. 1661). Sir Herbert Price, Knt.. of the Priory (see 1(40), was again elected 26th April, 1661, but as Kinghoness (cr Kingsmill) Lacy, Esq., was also returned 29th April, it was evident that there was a contest at this date, and that there was a double return. However, the seat was retained by Sir Herbert (who, being returned by the proper cmeer, was ordered to sit, and afterwards voted duly elected) until his death 1677 or 1678, as appears from the next return. It is probable that this Mr Lacy was Kingsmill Lacy, who succeeded his father as second baronet April, 1667, married Lady Theophila Berkeley, daughter of George, Earl of Berkeley, was a Fellow of the Royal Society, M.P. Andov-jr February, 1673-8, sealed at Facombe, Hants, and died 1678. The baronetcy expired with his son 1759. This view is borne out by the fact that his father's uncle was the eminent Dr. Willjam Lucy, who was Lord Bishop of St. David's 1660-7 and whose sons were connected with the borough, Robert Lucy being elected bailiff of Brecon 1691 and 1706. and alderman 1692, and registrar of the diocese of St. David's, and the Rev. Richard Lucy being chancellor of the diocese, and the Rev. Hubert Spencer Lucy, M.A., being treasurer of St. David's. 1678, Feb.—Thomas Mansel, of Briton Ferry, vice Sir Herbert Price, deceased. Quaere, only son of Bussy Mansel, of Briton Ferry, Comman- der-in-Chief of Cromwell's Forces in Glamorgan, 1645. If so he m. Eliz., d. and h. ot Richard Games, of Bodwigvad, in Pentferyn, and died 1684. His only son Thomas bequeathed his estate to his godson Bussy, last Lord Mansel of Margam. 1679, Feb.—John Jeffreys of the Priory (see Co, 1661). There was a double return at the election, Thomas Mansel being also returned, but the return by which Thomas Mansel was re- turned was declared void by order of the House," 1 April, 1679, it being proved that John Jeffreys had been returned by the Bailiff," who was declared to be the proper returning officer. 1679, Oct.—John Jeffreys, re-elected 1681 1685, April.—Charles. Marquis of Worcester (see Co., 1685). He preferred to sit for Co. Mon. or Co. Gloucester, and accordingly John Jeffreys was chosen in his room, June, 1635. 1689.—Thomas Morgan, of Tredegar, who defeated Jeffrey Jeffreys, eldest son of William Morgan, M.P., of Tredegar, b. Sept., 1664 m. Martha, dau. of Sir Edw. Mansel, Bart., was M.P. Brecon, 1689-90 and 1698-1700. and Co. Monmouth, 1690, till his death from small-pox, Dec", 1700. He was sheriff of Co. Mon.. 1689, and his brother Charles unsuccessfully contested Brecon, 1690. 1690.—Jeffrey Jeffreys, of St. Mary Axe, London, against whose return Charles Morgan petitioned in vain, third son of Watkin Jeffreys, of Llywel, and m. Sarah, dau. of Nicholas Dawes, of London. He became a merchant "of great fortune, rank, and quality in London, and a man of note there, for he was niade a Com- missioner of Lieutenancy for the City. and became a London alderman. He pur- chased the Priory Estate, Rrecon, from the daughter of Colonel John Jeffreys M.P. for the County 1661, soon after that gentleman's death in 1688, fought two unsuccessful battles for the Borough of Brecon 1689 and 1698, and was its member 1690-8 and 1701 till bis death at his Surrey seat, Roehampton House, in October, 1709. This seat he had purchased soon after the death of its owner, the Countess of Devonshire. He was elected sheriff of London 1689, knighted October, 1699, chosen alderman of portsoken Ward August, 1701, made colonel of the Yellow Regiment of the Trained Bands June, 1707, but superseded February, 1708, was a candidate for the office of Lord Mayor of London 1703, and would have been ohosen for that position August, 1709 but for bis dangerous illness at the time. 1698.—Thomas Morgan, who defeated Jeffrey Jeffreys by a majority of 32 out of 160 votes recorded, whereupon Mr Jeffreys unsuccessfully petitioned. 1701, January.—Sir Jeffrey Jeffreys, re-elected November, 1701, 1702, and 1705. 1709. Nov.—Edward Jeffreys, of St. Mary Axe. London, vice his father, Sir Jeffrey Jeffreys decease. He was again chosen 1710, but defeated 1713, and died July, 1740. 1715.—Roger Jones, of Buckland, who was the son of Edward Jones, of that place (see Co. 1685), born 1691, sat for Brecon, 1713 22, when he unsuccessfully contested the county; was appointed steward of the King's Lordship of Penkelly August, 1731, and died —, 1741, "lamented by his friends and country in general." He presented to Llanbelty, 1727. Edward Jeffreys seems to have petitioned in 1715. 1722.—William Morgan, of Tredegar (see Mon- mouthshire, 1722). The burgesses of Brecon petitioned against his return, bnt Mr Morgan, having been also returned for Co. Mon., made his faction to represent that constituency, and his brother, Thomas Morgan, of Dderw (see Monmouthshire), was elected in his room, May, 1723. A petition was presented against bis return by John Pratt (who had the Jeffreys' interest), and after his re-election in 1727, John Jeffreys petitioned, but all these petitions in 1690, 1698, 1715, 1722, 1723, 1727, seemed to have been Without auccfess. l To 65; continued.) ■ ■ ••

FORTUNE-TELLING IN INDIA. Delhi at present rejoices in the possession of a remarkable fortune teller, whose exploits, accord- ing to a correspondent, are causing much excite- ment. "The native community here," be says, "is put into a ferment of excitement just now owing to the wonderful and strange revelations made by a native 'Josbti"or astrologer. The man has taken up quarters in the Chandni Chunk, and so extraordinary and correct are his predictions, that people in large numbers flock to him to have their destinies unravelled. It is t rumoured that even Europeans have paid the man a visit, and have come away, not only satisfied, but full of wonder. He is reported to be making over Rs40 per diem, his charges being Rl for every question put to him; and it is strange to have to record that the man appears to have the power ot second sight, or, rather, to be able to anticipate the questions he is to be aaked. He is either a very clever impostor or a wonderful phenomenon, far ho places no rastriotion on the questions he should be asked, so that from the most important to the most trivial queries are put to him. and answered correctly. He discloses the past and reveals the future with equal facility. A native gentleman, well-known and respected in Delhi, visited the Joshti_' with the express object of testing his capabilities for thought reading, and on being admitted into the 'JoshtiV presence, the latter at once said I know wnat yon have come to ask you wish me to tell you the date and hour of your birth,' and mirabUc dictu, the Joshti' furnished # the gentleman with every particular of his birth, giving the correct datu, and even specifying the hour of the occurrence. To say the least of lk, the man does most extra* ordinary things.

Wot every client is able te Jteep hit own counsel,

FARM AND GARDEN. The Welsh Farmer's Position. Cattle and horses are low in price, but not so low, the old folk say, as they were forty years ago, while rents have been reduced either temporarily or permanently to about the same figures as prevailed then, except of course whore great improvements have been made in the land and buildings meanwhile. Labour is certainly dearer, but improved machinery and implements of agrioulture enable the farmer to do with far less hired help than formerly. On the whole, therefore, the position is far from hopeless; but it will take time for the majority of farmers to adapt themselves to the altered circumstances, and cut 'their eoats according to their cloth. At present, rates and taxes fall too heavily upon them and their landlords, and this burden will have to be lightened. Neither must they be allowed to be handicapped in their severe struggle with foreign imports of beef, mutton. corn, wool, flour, butter, etc.. by preferential rates being granted to the latter by railway companies. —Farm, Field, and Fireside. Farm Notes. It seemed at one time as though October was going: to be as pronouncedly a wet month as its predecessors had been dry, but no great amount of rain fell after all, save for one good deluge about the middle. A few frosty nights brought the leaves off the trees very quickly, but the grass looks as green as ever, and the root crops scarcely suffered any check, to judge from their flourishing condition. Swedes and turnips have made astonishing growth since the drought broke up, as it did here in July. The rains, very light. at first certainly, were sufficient to start the young plants and keep them growing, and came just in time to save the crop. What looked at one time likely to be an utter failure proved in the end a phenomenal success. Nothing could have been more unpromising than the outlook as regarded swedes and turnips up to the middle of July, and nothing could well have surpassed their subse- quent growth. The only complaints are that this took place too quickly iu many instances, and that turnips in particular rotted away after attaining enormous dimensions. Taking the root crop as a whole, however, it is seldom that we have seen a better one, and the sight of it must gladden the heart of many a poor farmer in these days of low price?. If he cannot sell his live stock he is, at all events, not without the means to keep them over the winter. Fodder of all kinds is more plentiful than the most sanguine could have imagined to be possible before .the drought broke up. Vegetable Garden. Roots of rhubarb of any early variety may be tak,tii up, with as little injury as possible, and placed in any warm building; it will do very well under the greenhouse stage, or anywhere if there is a little warmth, or it may be covered with boxes, tubs. crates, or other makeshift appliance, and then surrounded with manure and leaves, in sufficient bulk to generate heat. I think anybody with a spare outbu Ilding might utilise it in the growth of mushrooms, rhubarb, and seakale. The difficulty with many is in getting manure, and without warm stable manure nothing can be done. In visiting Battle Abbey some years ago I noticed the excellent use that the cellars beneath the ruins in the grounds were put to in the forcing of mushrooms, rhubarb, seakale, etc. The warmth of the beds kept up a genial temperature that was suitable for all the crops grown. Railway atones, caves, and cellars are the best places for forcing these products, becacse the warmth generated Ly the feimentiug manure cannot escape. In the flunsily-built mushroom-housfes above ground the heat escapes so quickly that they are of little use for the work. See that all roots likely to be injured by frost are placed under cover. Fruit Garden. New plantations of raspberries may be made now. There are several ways of training rasp- berries* for smalt gardens. A wire treilis is sometimes used in the form oi three wires trained to stakes, so as to forma trellis four and a half to five feet inheight.the canes being planted eighteen inches apart, and trained diagonal iy. By tne old system of planting in groups, four feet apart, and training to stakes, the stakes come expensive, and when the canes are bent in bundles the iruit is frequently small. For a good many years past I have ado Jted a modiheationof the field system of culture, and the result has been in every way satisfactory. The canes are planted from fifteen inches to eighteen inches apart in the rows, the rows being five feet apart. The first year the canes are cut down to six inches, the second year and always after they are left three feet long, and, being then on the ground, they grow so robust as to need no support. Flower Garden. See that newly-planted standard roses are properly staked. Iron stake*, well painted, are permanent; but in cold districis I should prefer wood stakes. These, if the bottoms are charred in the fire, will last a. long time. Arches, if placed in suitable positions, are ornamental, and help to break up the flatness of the garden, and a garden without creepers cannot be said to be properly furnished. Arches made of galvanised iron should be painted before climbers are trained thereon. The best roses for covering arches are Gloire de Dijon and its varieties Keine Marie Hennette and Madame Berard, William A. Richardson, Cheshunt Hybrid, Bouquet d'Or, and Aimee Vibert. The last-named is a very old rose. and is as nearly as possible evergreen. I last year saw a rose garden completely surrounded with festoons of this charming white cluster rose. and I thought I never saw anything more beauti- ful. And this white bordering forms an appro- priate setting to the bright-coloured flowers inside. Honeysuckles, clematis in variety (not forgetting Flammula, the sweet-scented late- flowering kind), and the whitu and yellow jasmines are all necessary to the garden. Greenhouse. Frequent change of position will be beneficial to ail plants in pots during tho short days. Do not over-water zonal pelargoniums. A buoyaut atmosphere is necessary to preserve flowers from damping. It is quite possible to over-dose chrysanthemums with stimulants. The fat, highly-fed blooms are more likely to suffer from damp than when judgment has been used in the application of liquid manure. Climbers should be shortened back as much as possible to let in abundance of light. Mignonette in pots will hardly be safe now in cold frames. A position near the glass in the greonhouse is the right place now. There is a good dftl of de- porativo value in Chmeso primulas when the plants are well grown and the strain is good. There is » good deal of rubbish sold, in cinerarias, primulas, and cyclamens. The best way, when once a good strain of anything has been secured, is to save seeds at home. Late flowering plants are the best for seed purposes. Get in a stack of loam for potting purposes. Remove the soft un- ripe shoots from Marechal Niel and other roses planted out under g ass; this will let in the air and light, and materially assist in ripening the wood. The roots should now have less water. Plants attacked with gre-n-fly or mildew may be dipped in a solution of eoap, two ounces to the gallon. Add a handful of sulphur where mildew is present.- Cottage Gardening. The Weather and the Crops. There is no doubt that autumn-sown wheat in the United Kingdom and the United States, in France, Spain, Italy, Austria, Hungary, and Russia has made a good start, and that the first move in the game of a new season is accordingly to be scored to the wheat grower. With regard to trade, the English wheat markets of the past week have been the turn in buyer's favour. For foreign wheat prices have been still more decidedly on the down grade, and although theprice of English wheat does not exceed 6d per qr., that concession must be chronicled as general. Foreign wheat has fallen 6d per qr. on Argentine, Russian, and Californian, and Is on Australian and New Zealand, but the fall in Indian, Persian, and Egyptian wheat is 3d only, while the sorts which are firmly maintained in prioe are red American, fine Dulath, bard Manitoba, and best Chilian. The prioe of London Produce Exchange flour has fallen 6d per sack on the spot, and 3d for December delivery. The London top price remains nominally, unchanged. In the spring corn trade, maize is firm pending arrivals, and barley weak in oonseqo?* of the moderate supplies afloat.

Andrew Tletcher, .t Salt«un, m a letter to the Marquis of Montrose, wrote :—" I knew a. very wise man that believed that if a man were permitted t* make all the ballads he need not care whw sheuld make the laws of th;¡ nati«n."

THE PRESENT HOUR. Why repine we, why despair, Yielding to the instant woe ? We are not what, once we were Let us build on that we know. Let the future and the past Make sublime the present hour What we do is doomed to last. And we know not all our power. Even now the future life Shape we with unconscious hands Sudden 'midst the woe and strife Full our dream incarnate stands. Lightest thought and humblest deed, Aspiration's faintest breath, These are but the unseen seed That fructifies in spite of death. Not despair, but wise devotion, Takes the meanness from our task High resolves and onward motion— These the passing moments ask. MALCOLM QUIN.

TO MY DOG BLANCO. My dear dumb friend, low lying there, A willing vassal at my feet, Glad partner of my home and fare, My shadow in the street. I look into your great brown eyes, Where love and loyal homage shine, And wonder where the difference lies Between your soul and mine. For all of good that I have found, Within myself or human kind. Hath royally informed and crowned Your gentle heart and mind. I scan the whole broad earth around Fur that one heart which, leal and true, Bears friendship without end cr bound, And find the prize in you. I trust you as I trust the stars Nor cruel loss nor scoff or pride, Nor beggary nor dungeon bars Can move you from my side. As patient under injury As any Christian saint of old, As gentle as a lamb with me. But with your brothers bold. Ah, Blanco, did I worship God As truly as you worship me, Or follow where my Master trod With your humility Did I sit fondly at bis feet, As you, dear Blanco, sit at mine, And watch him with a love as sweet, My life would grow divine ANON.

The Household. The Pewer of Habit. Have you ever dreamed of being bound by a thousand little threads, so that, though you want to escape and go in one direction, you cannot? Well, habitual sins become httle threads binding us so that we cannot break away and be free to do what is right, what we know very well is right, and what we know we ought to do. Do you remember how in Gullivers Travels we are told of his bondage in Lilliput by the tiny people there ? They were so small that he could have killed any number of them with ease, but they took advantage of his being asleep to fasten him down to the ground by thousands of Httle strings and threads fastened to his hair, so that when he wanted to rise he could not, he was a prisoner. That is exactly what habitual sin does for ua it binds us so fast that the will and power to' break away go from us.—REV. S. BAKING GOCLD. Bites and Soratohes. A bite either from a dog or from a cat who is not mad, from a cat especially, is often venomous. and difficult to heal. The beat treatment is, immediately to apply a large hot white bread ponltice to the part, and to renew it every four hours; and, if there be much pain in the wound, to well foment the part, every time before apply- ing the poultice, with a hot camomile and poppy- head fomentation. Scratches of a cat are best treated by smearing, freely and continuously for an hour, and then afterwards at longer intervals, on the part affected, fresh butter. If fresh butter be not at hand, fresh lard—that is to say lard without salt—will answer the purpose. If the pain of the scratch be very intense, foment the part affected with hot water, and then apply a hot white bread poultice, which should be frequently renewed. Perils of the Barber's Shop. Dr. A. Blaschko has published a paper on the hygiene of the barber's shop. in which be enumerates the diseases which may be contracted in the barber's chair, either directly from the barber or indirectly from his instruments and appliances. The list of diseases is long and alarming, hut to it may be added, perhaps, typhoid fever, which it has been thought has sometimes been contracted by leaning over a basin "with an improperly-trapped waste-pipe during the process of shampooing. That there is very real danger of catching skin diseases unless the barber is very cleanly in all his arrangements and appliances, is undoubtedly true. The measures of prevention recom- mended are: — (1) Thorough cleansing of the shaving brush and razor in boiling water (2) a separate brush for each man (3) a clean, freshly-washed towel for each person (4) clean powder puffs. In bumble shops, where the fee would not warrant the barber in oupplyingatresh towel for every customer, Dr. Blaschko suggests that the Chinese paper towels might be used.— British Medical Journal. « Hints. RooK. CAKES.—One pound of flour, eight ounces of brown sugar, six ounces of butter or dripping, half a nutmeg grated, a dessertspoonful of baking powder, and three eggs. Well rub together with the hands the flour and butter or dripping, then the baking powder, sugar, nutmeg, and half a pound of well-cleaned currants or sultanas, mix all well together with three eggs (it must be well mixed and be rather stiff, so that small pieces can be broken and put on floured tins looking rough and rocky). Bake in a moderately hot oven half an hour. A blanched almond may be stuck into each little cake they should be a pale brown. RICE AND API-LE SOUFFLK.—Boil two table- spcontuls of rice in half a pint of milk when soft add the yoke of two eggs, and sugar to sweeten make a wall with it around the sides of the dish. Stew some pared and cored apples until soft, till up the apertures in the apples with red currant jelly, pile them in the centre of the dish, and cover the whole with the whites of two eggs beaten to a stiff froth, and made very sweet with white sugar. Brown in the oven, and serve with cream. ORANGE PUDDING,—Peel and cut in thin slices three oranges grate the rind of two, and sprinkle it, and about two ounces of fine sugar, over the fruit. Put into a basin a pint of milk, and put the basin into a pan of boiling water mix smoothly tct^et^ac two t^bloejipwnfals of flour, half a targe cupful of sugar, a little cold milk, and the yolks of two eggs. When the milk is hot add the mixture, stirring all the time let it thicken, and pour over the oranges i beat well the whites of two eggs. add a tittle sugar, spread over the pudding, and brown in a hoc oven. LEMON PUDDING.—Take eight ounces of bread- crumbs, six ounces of suet (very finely chopped), six ounces of loaf sugar, the grated pee! and juice of two lemons, and four beaten eggs. Mix these ingredients well together, and boil in a well buttered basin or mould for an hour and a half. GINGERBREAD CAKE.—One pound of treacle, one pound and a half of flour, half n pound of brown sugar, one ounce and a half of ground ginger, half a pound of dripping, a dessert-spoon- ful of baking-powder, and three whole eggs. Mix all thoroughly well together, put into a well- butterpd cake-tin, bake in a hot oven one hour. HOT WATER.—It is wonderful how many good purposes hot water serves. A compress of hnen wrung out of hot salt and water and applied to the chest, covered entirely and closely with flannel to prevent the taking cold. will ease pain and do away with the irritation which culminates in frequent coughing. Hot water at the back of the neck and behind the ears will cure that nervous weariness and hysteria which overcome one after a bard day's work. Hot water taken internally before a meal is an aid to digestion.

A Misunderstanding. Old Mike Shays was arrested and brought into the station-house the other night for the fifteenth consecutive time in a fortnight. What is your name ?" asked the sergeant, merely by way of formality. But Mike was above the sphere of the common- place. and drawing himself up proudly replied, My name is Norval. On the Grampian hills my father feeds his flocks, a frugal swain." "What's that about swine?" inquired the sergeant, sternly. Oh, be didn't mean anything personal," said tbe station-keeper depreeatingly. That's just Mark Anton?** address to the Bomtna."

Chicago Chaired Bard. THE ARRIVAL OF DYFED. The Rev. E. Rees (Dyfed), the chaired bard of the Chicago International Eisteddfod, arrived home after a prolonged absence in America on Saturday afternoon. He left Liverpool shortly after ten o'clock, and reached Cardiff about half- past three, but as the precise time of his arrival was not generally known there was no welcome of a public nature awaiting him. The signal success achieved by Dyfedat tbeCbicagoExhibition will be fresh in the minds of all Cardtffians how with his poem, Jesus of Nazareth," he took the premier award of the chief poetical competition at the world-open eisteddfod. The prize took the form of a bardic chair, £ 100 in money, and a gold medaL The chair is of handsomely-carved oak, surmounted by the Prince of Wales's feathers, the harp of Wales, and the American coat of arms, while it has on it the Cymmrodorion motto, Y gwir yn erbyn y byd." This, bow- ever, is by no means the first brilliant success which has been deservedly achieved by Dyfed, for he is the holder of no less than eleven chairs and seeing that he is but a comparatively young man, it may be confidently asserted that still more glorious honours are in store for him in the near future. I REV. E. REES (DTFED). A man of such poetical inclinations could bardly visit a country like America without gleaning considerable knowledge of the charac- teristics of the Yankets and their land and with the object of ascertaining his impressions of the States, one of our representatives waited upon the bard at his home in Llantris«ant-street, Cardiff. The rev. gentleman is essentially a homely man, and viewing things from a highly philosophical standpoint, is not prone to loquaciousness. You see," he excused himself, I did not go over to America in th., capacity of a roving commissioner of inquiry, and I did not look into matters very deepiy, but there are certain characteristics about the States' institutions which cannot but <trike a Briton on his visit, there. For instance, the enthusiasm of the American people in everything they undertake is remarkable." "How does this apply to religious matters?" asked the Pressman. "Oh, it's just the same there. There is a stronger bond of brotherhood existing between the different sects than in the old country. During my stay there I preached in numbers of chapels, and always found crowded congregations on each occasion." You preached in Welsh ?" Yes. I travelled through the whole of the Welsh settlement, and lectured there about a dozen times, and I was struck with the earnest- ness of the people. When a stranger is announced to preach, the whole of the different churches in the neighbourhood combine to make the affair a success, and members of all denominations attend the chapel. More than once the places of worship were crowded out." What is the predominant denomination ?" Amongst the Welsh the Calvinistic Metbo. dists are the stronger body by far, and this is noticable more particularly in :.he Far West. They have some gifted men among their ranks. The Rev. Hugh Davies is perhaps the befet preacher out there, and Dr. Howells, the editor rt?w"^yfill,n a Welsb magazine, is a remarkably able man." Is the singing particularly good ?" "There is sonin grand congregational singing, and the choirs-all composed of male and female voices-are well paid, and consequently the best that can be got. But in this respect they hardly come up to the old country. Talking about the old country reminds me that they experience in the large cities the same difficulties as here in keeping hold of the young Welshmen. They're somewhat inclined to leave the flock and cling to the English but efforts are, of course, being made to counteract this. The great revival which has been felt of late in Welsh matters in the mother country has extended to the States, and the Cymric there are making it felt with great forse." What do you think of American people generally ?" As everybody says, they're kind and hospit- able and very generous, especially to strangers." And the country ?" "A splendid place for capitalists and working men. Out West-I went over 80 miles the other side of Chicago—there is abundant scope and opportunity for the worker; far more labour to be had iiian can be supplied, even by the eastern dis- trict- of the continent. If I could not work my way here I would go straight to America and run my chance there. I would not hesitate a moment. I may say I had many calls while out there but as I did not go with the intention of staying, I refused them." What about politics ?" Oh, the political world is rotten to the core. They have a splendid system of education. Large and properly equipped schools are built; teachers of the highest standard are appointed, and they seem altogether to take the greatest possible painswith the education of the children." In the course of further conversation, Dyfed dwelt upon the the enthusiasm which pr«vailed during the Welsh week at the Chicago Exhibi- tion, and said the eisteddfod proved one of the most successful features of the whole fair. Welsh- men gathered there from all quarters of the country, and although there was a deficit of about 2,000 dollars, it was otherwise a most unqualified success. _————

COLLIERS' HOMES. Ah Indictment of the "Tub." Gwyneth Vaugrhan. one of the organising .agents of the British Women's Temperance Association, writes It was with much pleasure that I read your timely leader upon the above subject. The best explanation I have ever heard of our land question was the one I had from a Spanish gentleman a short time ago Ah you likes the gentry, you English peoples; and you have to keep them." But the part 1 more especially wish to notice is the one that deals with "the collier's tub." How to get rid of a habit so injurious to the morals of our people has been to me a burning question from the first moment it dawned upon me that such a habit existed. No one knows better than I do the difficulties of the mining homes. I have passed to-and-fro among the people, mingled freely with them, and learnt to appreciate the many excellent traits in their character. Homes in reality-those houses for which the collier has to pay a high rent—they can never be made They are put up in some fashion of jerry building, without a single thought for the comfort of the inhabitants. Probably, in entering the house, the first thing you will knock against will be the water tap close to the front door; and very unlikely. indeed, that' you can find a room upstairs with a fireplace in it. and where you could make an invalid comfortable. Such things are not for the collier, and my heart has ached many a time to see the welfare and home comforts of the man who earns his daily bread in sush deadly peril, so little cared for-no ioftlp, indeed, than if he was some other beast of burden. Certainly there ought to be a bathroom in the collier's house. I say it, unhesitatingly, that at the present day the circumstances under which our colliers are obliged to wash themselves are a disgrace to nineteenth century civilisation. The colliers and their women are human beings, and it is monstrous to say that they can so get used to such a state of thtngs. According to such a way of reasoning, no evil will harm us provided we get used to it. If the collier's morals are fairly good when he lives under the cruel disadvantages of this daily exposure of himself, what a splendid example to all the would he would be if he was able to rid himself of such trammels. I hope the day is not far distant when the men will decide this matter for themselves. The miners have for too longa time devoted their hard-earned wages to educating the children of the publican and the brewer instead of consulting the interest of their own offspring. But we hail the dawn of a brighter day, when the daughter of the collier may be also brought up amongst surroundings that will not shock a woman's modesty. I do not call ignorance innocence, but I do most solemnly declare that our little girls in our mining valleys are preco- cious beyond their years. We bave waited long enough for this abomination to be swept away. The landlords and the employers fatten and grow rich on the men's labour. The men's turn must oome. and let us hope to see a law passed that would make it penal for any miner's cottage to be erected without a bathroom in it. I would suggest two words to our miners Agitate Organise Be certain that this round aarth of ours was not made for kings and thrones, but for MEN. ours was not made for kings and thrones, but for MEN. ———>

Jasper Trouble is what develops strength in a man.—Jumpuppe 3 Yes, indeed. A man can be- come a thorough philosopher by watohiog the miseries of others.

Welsh Tit-Bits. Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion. [BY CADRAWD ] The Life anei Characteristics of lolo Morganwg. (Continued from last week.) "Neddy," as he was known generally, was in the habit of bringing with him to his work a wallet containing books and papers. He never would go with the other workmen to any private or even a. public-house that might be near where they were working to take his meals, but invari. ably would stay by himself in solitude, and it was not uncommon for them to find him after returning from their meals busy at bis reading, or perhaps writing, with his food by him un- touched. On one occasion his father was engaged in enlarging a parsonage in the neighbourhood of Treffiennie. The family going to live at another house while the work was being carried out, the animals were left behind and allowed to remain about the place, in the expectation that the men at their work would see that they did not damage anything in or about the house in the daytime. One day, when going to "ake his dinner, Iolo's father requested him, since he would not go with them, to see that none of the animals which were about be allowed to enter the buildings during the dinner hour. Iolo promised to do so, but turned out to be a very careless watchman. Wben bis father and the men returned they found the student engaged in bis books and deep in bis study, and the animals in full possession of the buildings. The hogs, geese, ducks, and chickens were in the vicar's dining-room, the calves occupied the kitchen, and in thf parlour was a donkey full length on the carpeted floor. For this negligence he was severely rebuked by his father, and the consequence was that he fumed, and, without saying a word, took his wallet and departed. His father bad no other idea but that he had gone to some of his relatives at Pont-nedd-Fechan.tand that he would return again in the course of a few weeks. But not a word was heard of him for several months, when at last his father received a letter from him, and among other things it stated that he was at the time dressing stones for the new London Bridge. This was about the ye-r 1771. During this period his principal studies were architecture, in which art he afterwards became an authority, and. Dr. Maikins in his Scenes, Antiquities, etc., of South Wales (1800), says, "There are but few better judges, either of de. sign or execution in architecture, than Iolo." The young Welshman happening one day to be in a bookseller's shop when a huge man of extra- ordinary appearance walked iu. and after turning the leaves of several of the new monthlies that were strewn over the counter, then pushing them away. and at the same time exclaiming that they were the rubbish of the times," he walked out of the shop without speaking another word to anyone. After he was ffone the young stone- mason enquired of the bookseller who he was, when, to his great astonishment, he was informed that he had seen no less a personage than the great Dr Samuel Johnson, author ot the Rambler," Rassalas," etc.. etc. Quoth the astonished Welshman, If I had known I would have tried to muster courage to address him." You will have," said the bookseller, "the same opportunity again on the first day of the next month, for he will certainly come, as he is in the habit of doing, to look over the new monthlies on that day." The first of next month came. IoJa made it a point to be present at the bookseller's shop before him, and in a little while came the growling doctor." Iola bad selected three English grammars, and fce very humbly ap-, proached the learned lexicographer, and intro- ducing himself as a young Welshman desirous of mastering the English language, would feel obliged to him if he would kindly tell him which would suit him the best. The doctor took hold of the three books, and after looking at the title page of each one, he looked at the young Welsh- man, and said that either one would do for him. The Welshman was rather offended at this un. expected sort of repiy, which he con- sidered not altogether respectful, and ex- claimed that he would buy the three, in order to make sure of the best. He related this incident many years afterwards to BoswelJ, who informed Iolo that, if he had let him bowl and have his own way a little while, he would become more pleasant and cheerful; but Iolo never could subdue his own feelings once he thought he was slighted in any way, nor could be ever suffer to be sat upon by any man. In this respect Iolo and Dr. Johnson were much of the same temperament. From London he went to Dartford, and found employment for himself at the said place fc- nearly four years, after which period be returned to his native Vale of Glamorgan, staying only a few days in London on his journey home. This was in the year 1777, when he composed his Devona's Vale," where he says No more of London's hateful noise Yp maddened crowd* adieu Detesting art, utigtnial joys, I dwell no more with you. Hail, dear Glamorgan, let me greet Once more the favoured plain, I fly with gladdened soul to meet My native cot again. The Book of Baglan, RAGLANDE (continued). Edwaid Earl of Wor. ma. Elizabeth, da. to Ffrances Earle of Huntington. Wai. Lord Herbert died without issue. Henrye Somerset lo. Herlt. Thos. Somerset. Charles Somerset. Edward Somerset. Ladie Elizabeth. Ladie Catherin ma. Wm, sone to Sir John Peters, Knight. Ladie Anne ma. Sir Edward Winter, Knight. Ladie Frances ma. Wm. Jno., of Llyn, Esq. Ladie Blanche. Richard Herbert, of Ewias, b. sone of Wm. Earle of Pembroke, ma. Elizabeth, da. and sole fceire to Sir Mathew Cradock, Knight. Sir George Herbert, Knight (of Swansea), ma. Elizabeth, da. to Thos. ot Benston Castle, Esq. Mathew Herbert ma. Marye, da. of Sir Thos. Gameg, Lo. of Coytie. Wm. Herbert m&. Alles, da- to Sir John Raglan, Knight. Catherine ma. Sir Roger Vaughan, of Portha- male, Kuight. John Herbert ma. Ladie Powis and had issue. Sir Wm., sone of Mathew Herbert, ma. Marye da. to Morgan Aubrey, Esq. John Herbert, Knight, ma. Margaret, da. to and co. h. to Wm. Morgan, and had issue Marye, sole heire, and ma. Dodington, E-q. Roland, sone of Sir Roger and Catherine Vaughan, ma. da. and co. heare to Henry Myle ab Farrye, of Newoourt, Esqr. Anne, co. h., another da., ma; Rowland Vaughan, ot Brod- warden, Esqr. Cicil Herbert ma. Sir Tho. Ja.ot PeflQiMMU- Knight.. Sir Wm. Morgan died without tfigue, Harrie Morgan, his daughter and co. b. ma. to Sir Walter Montague, Knight. George Morgan, E-qr., ma. Florence, his da.. ma. Wm. Powell, of Llanpill, Esqr. Elizabeth ma. Wm. Owen. of Cetnes, in Cardi. ganshire, who issued George Owen, who ma. da. to Wm. Phe, of Picton. Esqr., and had issue. Margaret, da. to Sir Thos. and Cicil Herbert, of Pencoed, ma. William Mathewe, of Radyr, Esqr. Marie, da. to Wm. Matbewe, married to Cunbron Mathewe, of Llandaff, E..qr. William Mathewe, of Llandaff, Esqr., now living, Catherine Mathewe. I

Ahem! ETHEL How did George like your swansdown boa? boa! MAUDI Oh, immensely; be was tiokled wiftb ffc

GuSSIPS' CORNtR. • Lord Roberts is to receive the freedom of die City of Dundee. When the Lord Mayors couch, still in use, originrlly built in 1757 it cost £ 1,065—consid6M& a great sum at that time. Lord Carrington has agreed to offer another farm of 200 acres to the Holland (LrncolnshiN: County Council for small holdings.. ,»< The best paid medical officer of health in don is Dr. Segwick Saunders, who receive* c. salary of £1.200 from the corporation. The Cuban revolutionists at Key West, Flonda have received information that fifteen towns ii, the centre of Cuba are in open rebellion. I It is announced from Kiel that Vice-Adanirt: Schroder, who is well-known to naval men W England, has been placed on the retired list. Influenza is troubling some parts of Essex, an £ is associated with a condition of the throat whidt' has a marked tendency to become diphtberitie. M. Ibsen is iu Paris, Out the fact is not generally known, for he has a horror of inter- viewers, and, moreover, he does not speai France. The" Black List" of solicitors whom it V desired to strike off the rolls this session is Ius. usually heavy, for it includes no fewer than IS names. Mdme. Bernhardt has taken back to Paris wrtfc her from her South American tour about 201 birds. There will be no such hats in Parie at hers this season. The average number of weddings at St. George's, Hanover-square, used to be about 1A)t for each quarter of the year last quarter it won only 53. The tsetse fly has re-appeared in Zululand. Great swarms of locusts are devastating the country around Bloemfontein, the capital of tbe Free State. Mr Walter Peace, who has occupied the position1 of representative in London of Natal during the last 14 years, has been appointed Agent-General for that Colony. Mrs Roosevelt, wife of the Secretary to the United States Embassy, died at Ascot on Sunday afternooD. Mrs Roosevelt had been for some time seriously indisposed. Matthias Mull, who went to India 40 odff years ago to superintend a printing press estab- lishment and remained there until bis reoeai- death, was the founder of the Times of India. A society has beau formed with tiie object oi agitating for increased pensions to old soldierr who have reached the age of 55 years, similarly to those existing in the navy. The Premier has conferred the Regius Pro- fessorship of Greek, vacant by the death of Dr. Jowett. on Mr Ingram By water, MA., Fellow of Exeter College, and Reader in Greek. In her long conveisations with the leading members of Mr Hare's company at Ba' moral recently the Empress Eugenie pathetically re- minded them that 23 years had passed since she had witnessed a play. Lord Mostyn's illness, which followed im. mediately after his attendance at the funeral of the late General Wynne, and was supposed to be a. severe cold, is now stated to be influenza. Hit lordship is progressing favourably. The orders from the Admiralty as to the stop- page of overtime have been carried out in Chat- ham Dockyard, where. uuteas undw vwy eloep. tional circumstances, all overtime has ceased. The order effects several thousand workmen. Mr Asquith will in a few days issue his new list of factory inspectors. It is generally believed that among them will be found a large proportion of working-men inspectors, and several women for the supervision of certain branches of female labour. The will of the late Mr Carter Harrison, the murdered mayor of Chicago, shows that hit estate is valued at 1,000,000 dollars. A few small charitable bequests are made, and the balance divided equally among his children. The Council of the National Rifle Association Las decided that in the military breechloader competitions at Bisley next year the maximum calibre of weapons used must be *315, and tbe maximum weight 101b., with or without magazine. The Prince of Wales will be again nominated for election as Most Worshipful Grand Master oI- English Freemasons in Grand Lodge on Deoem ber 6th. His Royal Highness will have a simjKl nomination in the Mark Degree in Gr&ncKMarb Lodge on December 5cb. Paul B. Du Chailln, in an interview with < Philadelphia reporter, was overwhelmingly en-, thusiastic as to the Chicago Fair. M. Du Cjtonpft has seen all the fairs for the last 40 yeats, ai»4 declares that all combined and all that he hasctjrftF seen pale before the grandeur and magnificskca of this. ,0(: Remarkable artesian springs, yielding l,8T2^Q0t gallons per day at a pressure of 161b to xtt* square inch, have been tapped in the Oolitic bedy at Bourn, Lincolnshire, at a depth of 100 r.c from the surface, by means of an artesian tiibv well 15 inches in diameter. The parents of the gigantic Chang, who die £ at Bournemouth recently, were well-to-do. Hit father was a tea and silk grower at Waang-Hutfr near Pekin, where Chang was born on Mawjk 15tb, 1847. As a boy Chang was not at all abofr the common size. The skill of the German Emperor as a undw man is not only of the highest order, byf "it further remarkable in view of bis inability tC make ordinary use of his left arm. Firing t&» other day at balls thrown into the air; hk Majesty is reported to have hit 30 in succession^ none of the other gentlemen shooting being able to approach his ecore, and this though he oalf used his right arm. The model of the Viking ship sent out frOK Norway to Chicago hes just started from the lake city on a long inland voyage. St. Paul and Minneapolis are to be visited in the Nuttbr west, and from the twin cities the ship will, bit- rowsd down the Mississippi to NewOrleaas, stopping at St. Louis on the way. Then it wit be sailed round the Atlantic coast to Washing* ton. New York, and Boston. Another American girl will become an Engligtc peeress when Miss Ad £ le Grant becomes the wife, of the Earl of Essex. Miss Grant 16 the eldest daughter of Mr and Mrs Beach Grant, of Hew York. She is well known in London and Paris raaiety. Although AaMrican fey Mi* Grant is stated to have little else American about her, as she was educated in Paris and has aoaree" lived at all in her native country.

A SATURDAY SERMON. Men who have lived in crowded, pent-up streets, through whole lives of toil, and never wished for change men to whom custom has indeed been second nature, and have come almowt to love each brick and stone that formed the narrow boundaries of their daily walks—even they, with the hand of Death upon them. haw been known to yearn at last for one short glimpse of Nature's face, and, carried far trtmb the scenes of their old pains and pleasures, havt seemed to pass at once into a new state of belwjfe and. crawling forth from day to day to noW. green, sunny spot, have bad such memories I wakened up within them by the mere sight of sky, and bill, and plain, aud glistening water that a foretaste of Heaven itself has nnotfasiv their quick decline, and they have sunk into their tombs ae peacefully as the sun, whose setting they watched from their lonely chamber window but a few hours before, faded from their dim and feeble sight I The memories which peaceful ooantry scenes call up are not of this world, or oftta. thoughts and hopes. Their gentle influenoes may teach us to weave fresh garlands for the craves -of those we loved, mav purify our thoughts, aad bear down before it old enmity and hatred hot beneath all this there lingers, in the least reoee. tive mind, a vague and half-formed oonscionsQMC I of having held such feelings long before in *OQM remote and distant time, which calls up solemn I thoughts of distant times to come, and bends doiHKX pride and worldliaess beneath it. -y. Cbabum DtcuMk