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Blue Homers.
Blue Homers. The Blue Homer is one of the most popular of pigeons, whether as a homer" proper or as a show bird. No breed of pigeons is handsomer, although its beauty is of a quieter kind than that of many of its compeers. It has a bold, striking outline, and in every way seens cub out for work and in colour and marking it approximates more nearly to the wild rock-dove than any other of the domestic pigeons. It is a Jgreab prize winner, although it has figured more on the show bench than in the air. Still, in build, ib is what a good and a fast flier ought to be, and is represen- tative of the class of birds which have done such marvellous flying feats. The better of the homers attain to nearly a mile a minute in speed, and their services are now being requisitioned for quite a host of purposes. They have long been used in the Army and Navy and by newspaper offices, and as carriers and messengers they are now being pressed into several branches of trade. The show and the working homer are, of course, very different birds—one being bred for point, the other for work. When in condition the homer should be tight or close feathered, and "as hard as nails."
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I WORKMEN'S TOPICS. ITI
I WORKMEN'S TOPICS. IT THE UNEMPLOYED. At Heme and Abroad, BY MABON. _^a Was Baid in my previous letter, nob with- ™*oding the recent promises of good trade and Srilf"- ^e problem of the unemployed « remain. The class of men to which the lh e0l^0ye<i belong, and from which the bulk of Pauperism now comes, have votes, and many them must have given those votes to the party UP *^e new Government. They have uently believed in the sincerity of the authors new social programme, and must have them at their word. There is no other in our opinion, by which to explain the anpport the new Government have ^Wved from the working classes.
! The Reyal Commission.
The Reyal Commission. » *0 times gone by it was said, and with a good of troth, that the appointment of a Royal ^"Bmission or a Committee, Parliamentary otherwise, to inquire into any matter simply a convenient way of shelving subject. But even in thi3 respect have greatly changed. The work now d^ne such bodies creates much more interest,"and is tched much more keenly by the public than k 0488 in times gone by. It is therefore to ^hoped that the labours, and especially the of the Select Committee of the Jr0^86 °* Commons, to consider to what extent 'ack, or want of employment prevailed, and ° means by which the distress may be removed, be forgotten by the new Government. labours of that Committee were cub short by X'"olution of Parliament, and in theexcitement V the General Election have for the time being booll forgotten. But this Committee, just before oeased to exist, issued a third report, and more have followed had that Committee been to continue its labours. This third report, however, contains some very and interesting information as to the •enfc of the evil. The substance of those state- U that, besides an enormous amount of ^mporary distress caused by the severe weather last winter, there was in 179 localities, a population of 4,507,267, apart from the of employment due to the weather, an ^optional want of employment owing to slack- trade, depression of agriculture, or to or local causes. 9 Committee also received some important) ► ^'Wation in relation to this question from the Government Board, the substance of whioh hat existing statutory powers under the Board Guardians might put poor persons to work for i under rule8 made by the Local Government and one of the reoommeudations of that ^^ittee is that that board should at once make rules. i the cost or wages of such employment ie v nw'> '9 hinted at in the recommendation the Committee has made with regard to t! °n« where it is provided that the guardians Metropolitan Union should be empowered, the sancbionof the LondonCounty Counoii, with any sanitary authority within their tt|on that, in consideration of the latter employ- such number of persons and during such r^od as may be agreed upon, the guardians will a contribution to the sanitary authority ef {„ amount not exceeding one-half of the cost ^^Jrted in the employment of such persons,' such fcJ*ibution to be charged to the Metropolitan Poor Fund." are glad to note that wibh respect to the of the disfranchisement of recipients of 1 the Committee say that in cases of ex- ^wonal distress it ought to be possible to lkrlr4iuate between deserving persons forced to Ine dependent upon such aidiand the ordinary for parish relief, and that the former to be exempted from any such degradation, j *0, well done, indefed conc!usion the Committee say that they jj. ^nade these recommendations in prospeob of 11^ stress that may again be expected during winter months. They also say tha have had schemes laid before them evincing °*re 'n the elaboration, as well as the most Ohilmthropic spirit in intention, but to which have not been able to give due consideration. Cfn therefore hope that in another Parliament >j0quiry may be renewed, in order that the ^8lature may be guided to the adoption of fceBt* ^or 'he evils to which many of the most industrious among tour people are fr*-t exposed." The realisation of this hope be the special care of those of the working t^at placed the present Government in
The Unemployed in Other Lands.
The Unemployed in Other Lands. ¡Ii ^st not be understood for a moment that w country alone this difficult problem of the ^^Ptayed needs solution. The Massachusetts ttw, on the unemployed has just issued a jUj. 'olwminous report, which is divided into five three of which deal with measures of tg- » with wayfarers and tramps, and with ^ty of employment in public works. The ^ea'8 with the causes of irregularity in j^n selected ndustries, and the fifth contains cr eport with the recommendations of the board recommends that a Central Labour **«lief Agency, be formed, with branches in districts of the city' or town; that this shall establish work tests of a simple, and possible, educational character, that if appear necessary, the public should be *° ^or ^un(^s to be distributed or used in » that in cases of exceptional distress in trades, it should be proper for this society Ppropriate and hand over a portion of its directly to the officers of the workmou's *hK%Ves» whose accounts should afterwards be to audit. convict labour, while admitting the ott4. competition from this side, the board lat it would be most unwise to convict labour as a matter of public Ay regards the eight hours day, that Wpotit .& movement which ought to be left to 'tself out independently of any recoir.- commission appointed to consider Measures for the unemployed." And II ^t^6^arda immigration, the Commissioners ^T*t''y recommend measures for the C^°n immigration, and advise the Legislature of Massachusetts res°lve requesting its repiesentatives and j 8 in (Jongress to work for the passage of a of i!dding he immigration of any above the I 0*)S, years who cannot read and write some Swage, and that a head tax of at least 20 !be imposed upon every immigrant." They ^gnj8U.^6st many improvements in the laws ating employment of bureaux. Again in
It . New South Wales
It New South Wales 18 found that matters in this respect Jbiw from bad to worse. The report of the Government Labour ° Of this Colony, which ends February this states that the depressed state of the beoj. f "Barket and want of employment" have felt throughout the Colony. The in f °f applicants for employment registered 1,42^' in February lasb were 13.S75, or ttl0re than in the preceding year. The vr listed and sent to work for the same In Was 16,380, as against 10,349 in 1893-4. %»»(j • 44,320 persons have been registered to 34,883 have been assisted and sent ^ich to in the three years during 1140 1 the bureau had been in existence. "Urnber givun here as assisted to work" includes persons for whom ^*ces was found and persons assisted to they thought it likely that they Tallin,. work- The largest, number<■ of any stored in 1894-5 was those of genera whom, wort juce^hjded many clerks and professional men, mechanics and others who have registered themselves as labourers, believing that by so doing they could get to work more readily. Of the total number assisted and sent to work 10,718 were sent away from Sydney and other places as miners to fields where they know or think they could at least make a living for themselves. It is stated also that "a large number of these men have settled down in the country, making a living by means of farming or other work, and that some 600 families have been sent to join their bread-winners, &c. The foregoing, although showing a distressed state of things to be existing elsewhere as well as in this country, points also to the fact that in America as well as in one of our best Colonies great efforts are put forward on the part of the authorities there to assist their people to some good and honest employment, to which there are no degrading conditions attached and we are ex- ceedingly glad to find that they are proceeding so admirably, not only in assisting their people to find WON, but to improve their family and social position by bringing together again those families who, through adverse circumstances, have been cruelly separated. It is to be hoped that our Home Government will follow suit in such good work. It is in this and other industrial respects a great advantage that the present Government has such a large majority its responsibility will be commensurate with its power. Some of its leading members have in general terms committed themselves to a policy of "constructive social reform," aud they have been given such a majority that they can do anything that they are willing to do. These are facts that working men should especially bear in mind. Many and ma ny a workman must have supported the Government, sincerely believing that it will do more for labour than its predecessor. Whether this opinion is well founded or not will soon be found out: the Government has ample power, and will soon have ample opportunities, to show its true nature in this respect, and doubtless the masses of the people will be anxiously looking forward to the revelation of their promised constructive social reform.
WILD LIFE IN ENGLAND.
WILD LIFE IN ENGLAND. In no uncomplimentary sense the essays on J "Wild England of To-day," with which Mr Cornish has followed up his re- cent Life at the Zoo," may be de- scribed as impressionist sketches in natural history. Latin names and scientific classifications are conspicuous by their absence; but, on the other hand, we are presented with a suocs- sion of vivid descriptions that show us many of the wild creatures of this country exactly as they have appeared to the author's eyes. But keen as Mr Cornish's obser- vation is, it does not constitute his only qualifi- cation for a work of this kind. He is happiiy en- dowed with a comprehensive sympathyfor animal lile, which enables him not only to note the comical resemblance of the puffin, with its white shirt-front and black coat, to a City waiter, or the confidence trick by which certain fraudulent ravens manage to deprive a young cormorant of its fish, but also the constancy of the osprey to the memory of its dead mate, the delight of the small animals in the novelty of the first snow, and the maternal solioitude and devotion that characterise so many of the wild creatures. To mark the social characteristics of the beings that inhabit the most sequestered and beautiful porbions of these islands, and to show them in their habitat as they live, is to manyminds an even more attractive pursuit than to arrange them in genera and speciea and to trace their evolution. The varying grades of character in animals and birds, whether domesticated or wild, provide an endless field for study, and it not infrequently happens that the so-called human qualities are found to be by no means the exclusive property of the biped lords of creation. Thus, in TBJS SWANNERY AT ABBOTSFORD, as the author tells us, a small building estate is so highly valued that ia order to secure eligible plots the swans sit on them for long periods before the nesting season, their tedious vigil being from time to time relieved by their mates., They have grown accustomed to the swanlierd, who provides them with building material, but he is the only human being whom they will tolerate. This privi- leged person is nevertheless well able to testify to the force of a blow that a swan can give, having once had one dealt him that laid him up for a week. Bat then he had been crawling on all fours to examine a nest, and thus aroused the suspicions of the male partner therein, who bad previously regarded him as a biped like himself. If anyone would like to see » go Wen eagle, when happening to be in the ^cottish H n land, leb him fly a kite shaped like an eagle. This, we are told, is a sure draw if any eagles are about; they are completely puzzled, and cannot resist the temptation of examining the strange fowl. It is satisfactory to learn that THE GOLDEN EAGLE, which ab one time seemed destined to tion, is rapidlv increasing in numbers, reason bem* that the birds are P^rved in order to keep down the hares thab interfere with ^stalking by jumping up and alarming the The eagle, it appears, may be trained to accu itself to the society of man sufficientl^y 11 P nbout his breakfast table and devour his butter but the predatory instincts of the bird remai"a-l, it is an expensive peb in consequence o destructiveness to lambs and other small anim The osprey is far more rare than the eaffle » notwithstanding the information of the Zoolofcic Society, to the effect that only three eyries are known to be continuously inhabited, the author thinks there must be other eyries in the inacces- sible pine forests of the North. The fox, the deer, the feathered game, and the small animials and birds are all subjects that the author pleasantly touches upon. He considers that much of the land that has lately been thrown out of cultivation might be turned to profitable account as A NURSERY FOR THE WILD BABBIT, which is always iu demand at good prices asi an article of food. He has also a useful essay on trout-breeding, which he regards as a too much neglected industry, and points out that the trout "weight for weight contMM more food than any game bird or aninaai, though perhaps everyone will nob endorse ms opinion that it equals or surpasses all of them in flavour. The scope of the work is wide, it being made to embrace not only the wild denizens ot tms island but also some of the human beings who .ive among Kem, from the fisherman who, having «o pockets, carries everything m his cap, and wnen that is full, confesses to depositing a lobster-in his buzzum, to the wily shepherd of the White Horse Hill, who surreptitiously drives his flock to browse upon his neighbour's pas;ture, ana that alas with the connivance of his coma dog.' Of course, Mr Cornish has by no means exhausted his subject. It is one, indeed, that is practically inexhaustible. However, it is gramy 109 to find that it is in competent hands, and it cannot be doubted that if the author continues his work he will succeed in awakening a renewed interest in many beautiful living things that are in danger of perishing by the devastating hand of human beings, whose only excuse for carrying on the work of extermination is ignorance.
SUFFICIENT TESTIMONY.
SUFFICIENT TESTIMONY. JoNzs Hallo, Robinson, delighted to see you, me boy! I hew You bare a position with my friends Skinner and Co. ROBINSON: 0)1, yes; I have a poaitioa aa collector there JONES That's first-rate. Who recommended you ? ROBINSON Oh, nobody. I jasb told them that. I once collected an account from you, and they instantly gave mo the berth.
[No title]
My friend," asked the man with the red nose and watery eyes, is the Home Saloon, where they sell the bishop's beer, anywhere about, here V Yes, my good man," eagerly answered; the tall, ministerial-lopking man in black, its, right over tbereacrOlil. the street." "Thanks, J mumbled the other, moving on, "I ww flfraitf II wight
WELSH GLEANINGS.
WELSH GLEANINGS. The Rev. T. Stephens, Wellingborough, ia pre- paring for publication an album of Welsh Con- gregational ministers. The Rev. W. Davies, Llandilo, has issued the history of the London Missionary Society in Welsh on the occasion of the centenary of the society. The uew hymn book for the use of Welsh Con- gregatioual Churches, issued by the Welsh Con- gregational Union, will be out during the present month. Sir Roger de Biessey was constable of Chester in the days of Owain Glyndwr. From him Lord Brassey is descended. The Hanmers of North Wales are descendants of Owam Glyndwr. Miss Anna Williams, Mr E. Lloyd, Mr Ben Davies, and Mr Watkin Mills are amongst the solo vocalists who have been engaged for the Three Choirs' Festival at Gloucester next month. Serpents and frogs in the days of old were never to be found on Bardsey Island, where no man died during the lifetime of a person older than himself. There the order of precedence according to age was the rule, and not, as in less favoured localities, the exception. Professor Kuno Meyer, of the Liverpool University College, declares that tunes like Serch Hudol,' Rhuad Eirw'r Dyffryn,' Castell Rhuthyn,' Y Wenynen,' to mention but a few among hundreds, lose their very soul and life when transferred from the harp to any other nstrument." Bangor Cathedral was visited by a Noncon- formist one afternoon during a recent holiday. When the choir and two clergy marched in, preceded by the verger, he and two ladies formed the whole of the congregation. Bangor Cathedral costs about £3,000 a year to maintain, apart from structural repairs. To turn this wasted money to useful account in the service ot humanity is, according to Church Defenders, "robbery of God." Swanns sea, Swanawick, Swanesey, and Sweyn's-eye appear for the modern Swansea iu ancient records, including Hearne's in 1722. Sweyne-zea, Sweynthe, a place of enchantment, Swans' Sea, tr'weynsei, and Swine-sea are to be found in several old chronicles. But iu a very important will, dated October 5th, 1705, the town is described as Swanley, in the county of Gla- morgan." This name traces its origin to the ley or meadow of swans. Yr Hauwr for August contains a portrait of the Rev. D, Morgans (Marthsyfard), Cross Hands, near Llauelly. Mr Morgans is a native of Mathry, in Pembrokeshire. He was baptised when only ten years of age, at Llangloffan. At the Sunday school at Llangloffan one of his felbw-pupils was Mr Abel Thomas, Q.C., M.P. He removed when 16 years of age to Aberdare, and became a member of Ynyslwyd Baptist Chapel, whence he proceeded to Haverfordwest College, proceeding thence to his present pastorate. During the rendering of the Spectre's Bride by the Llanelly Eisteddfod Choir two prominent eisteddfodwyr were seen to laugh consumedly when Mr Ben Davies was dramatically singing the words, There is a spectre somewhere near, there is a spectre somewhere near." It was caused by one of the schoolmasters of Wales tragically whispering in their ears, There is a 'spector somewhere near, there is a 'spector somewhere near." The two gentlemen were Mr Marchant William*, a former inspector under the London School Board, and Mr L. J. Roberts, H.M.L Liberalism in Aberdare will lose an ardent supporter in the departure of Mr Ishmael Harries, who has been promoted to the post of superin- tendent under the Prudential Assurance Com- pany at Chepstow. Mr Harries was for many years secretary of the Aberdare Liberal Club, and during the time he held that post the club prospered marvellously, becoming one of the strongest institutions of the kind in South Wales. He is also a member of the Executive Council of the South Wales Liberal Federation, and has taken a prominent part in looal politics during his residence in the town. Rocking-stones, the maen Hog. were once numer- ous in Wales, but many of them have been dis- placed. The mosb celebrated is at Pontypridd. The Maen Sigl of St. David's Head still can be shaken with the least touch. On Orme's Head a displaced one is called Cryd Tudno; the Back- stone is on the Monmouth border the stone on Dinas Dinorwig weighed 12 tons, but could be easily swayed, and was broken up for house building; Arthur's Stone, in Gower, once rocked, and the stone beside Scwd-Wladis Fall, in the Vale of Neath, was thrown down by Sabbath-breakers. Many ladies figured at King Arthur's Court, and their names have passed from language to language under various guises. Gwenbwyfar, the swelling white wave, is called by Dante Geneura; in English, Guenever, Ganivre, and Ganore; in Cornish, Jennifer in French, Genievre and in Italian, Zineura. Gwenddolen, the white- browed lady, is the modern Gwendoline. Gwen- frewi, the white stream, is Winifred and Wini- freda. Esyllt, in French Yseulte and Ysonde, and in Italian Isolto. Elinea, or Lunea, the daughter of Brychan, is called Almeda by Giraldus Cambrensis, and in French is Lunette. Bronwen, the white bosom, has become Breng- wain, Branwen. Branywaine, and Brangion. Caerleon is a replica in size and plan of Gloucester City. Ordnance maps of the two places provev it, and there is evidence in the masonry of the walls that both were the work of the second Roman legion. Besides conquering the Silures, Julius Frontinus also constructed a magnificent paved road from Gloucester through Dean Forest to Caerwent and Caerleon—a road still known as the Julian way, and the paving of which is still preserved in some of the Forest glades. The road crossed the Severn at Over, near Gloucester indeed, the iron bridge which carries the Great Western Railway there rests npon foundations which were laid by the second Augustan legion 1,800 years ago. Idris Fawr is credited with the invention of the harp in the fourth century. There were three kinds of harps—Telyn y Brenin, or harp of a King; Telyn Pencerdd, or harp of a master of music and Telyn Gwrda. or harp of a gentleman. The most ancient Welsh harp bad but one row of strings, and did not receive a second row until the fourteenth century. About H50 a third row appeared. Seven strings to a harp were considered mystical. The jaws, afterwards corrupted to Jew's harp, is referred to by a Welsh poet of the fourteenth century, In 1580 a double harp was seen. Llewelyn's harp had strings of hair curiously braided. When in Wales in October and November last, Professor Rhys revisited a number of the in- scribed stones in Wales and examined others for the first time, and in the Archsologia Cambrensis for July there is printed a most interesting paper from the professor's pen dealing with the atone at Llanmadoc, in Gower, the Lougbor Altar, the Caswilia stones, near Haver- fordwest, the Carreg Llwyd, near Cefn Gurfed, Montgomeryshire, and the Careu Cross- inscrip- tion, of whioh he suggests a new reading, If MargiIent RecetIJ Fecit," which ho translates if Meredydd of Rheged made it." Rheged, hei contends, was the name of the district around Aberystwyth, Cardiganshire, "Is Mabon's train gone ?" asked a collier at the Tceorky Station booking office on Monday morning. No," replied the clerk ) Mabon's train does not leave until lOminutea to 10 o'clock." "Ticket for Mabon's train, then, if you please!" remarked tlhe:miner. It appears that Mabon's train is the cheapesb on the Taff Vale Railway, but it only runs on Mabon's Day. Mabon was at the next railway station (Pentre) when the train steamed in, and he had the pleasure of travelling by his own train." «» Beasley's train," which' means' the-, ordinary, .followed soon after. Atanre number of the "feolliers in. the.. valley ",believe, tJhab Mabon. baa tobtained the^cheapMirain <
THE HOUSEHOLD.
THE HOUSEHOLD. One comes across so many amateur undertakings nowadays; clubs, associations, societies, leagues for the circulation of one thing, the promotion of another, the conversion of a third and mutual admiration of a fourth, that I cannot help feeling in addressing the secretaries of these various efforts I am probably addressing the majority of my readers, at any rate, I feel certain that all of them must be on a. committee of some kind! And to the hard-working secretary I know that my speaking will be a, boon and a blessing. The typewriter certainly enables one to duplicate to the extent of six, or at the most 10, copies, but what are even 10 copies when one has to send a copy of a notice to perhaps two or three hundred mem- bers ? There is an invention which anyone can make for themselves, and with this simple mechanism an immense number of duplicates can be easily run off. For notice of meetings, school entertainments, and a hundred other things it is really exceedingly valuable and now I will tell you exactly how it is made. It consists of a pad or cake of gelatine, glycerine and water, which forms a stiff jelly, and if a sheet of paper that has been transcribed with analine ink is pressed lightly upon the jelly a reversed impression of the writing is received, and the ink is so absorbed that many successive copies of the writing may be taken by simply pressing sheets of dry, blank paper npon the jelly. The way it is done can be seen from the accompanying sketch. The FOR DUPLICATING NOTICES. I exact way to make the cake of gelatine is one part of gelatine, four parts of glycerine, and two parts of water. The ink used may be made by either of the two following formulas. No. 1 consists of one part of methyl violet, one part of alcohol, and seven parts of water. The second is made of two parts rosanaline, ten parts of water, and one part of alcohol. When the pad is to be used it is necessary to pass a. wet sponge lighbly over the face of the gelatine and leave till nearly dry before taking the first copy. This is very important, for if this precaution is neglected the face of the pad will be ruined by the first trausfer. The geletine composition can be poured into any kind of flat tin or box, and the equipment for duplicating a thousand copies, if required, is complete. After use be careful to wash off all the remaining ink. All the old patterns of crocheted lace are coming to the fore, and very pretty they are when worked in good cream silk, quite handsome enough to put on any kind of gown. The fol- lowing are two receipts for making what used to be called the old pineapple pattern, which is, perhaps, more effective than any other design. No. 1.—The foundation of straight-edge is made first of 15 chain, turn, make a treble shell, 5 chain, another shell, 1 treble, turn, 3 chain, shell in shell, 5 chain, shell in shell, turn, 3 chain, shell in shell, 5 chain, shell in shell, I treble. Continue this foundation to the length of lace you want to make, allowing 19 shells for each complete scollop. The term" sheIl" means an abbreviation, and if "wrIt large" it means 3 treble, 2 chain, 3 treble, all in the same stitch of the foundation chain. The thread need not be broken, but some very good workers prefer to break it and start fresh for the pines. Make 3 chain, treble shell, 4 cliaiii,, shell, 4 ohain, shell, turn, 3 chain, shell, 4 chain, 9 double, treble, 4 chain,I shell, turn, 3 chain, shell, 1 single crochet, 3 chain, repeat 6 times, 4 chain. shell. Decrease the nnmbor of holes in work- ing across eaoh time till the fieure is com- pleted. Make RBETTT DESIGNS FOR OROOHJTT. I another figure like the firet on the right band of the first. Each time you go across on the second figure, make a row on the connecting fan. The fan is first a sheU this is filled with 7 double crochet, this in turn with 1 treble, 3 chain, in each stitch of the preceding row, turn, fill each hole with six single orochet. When the end of the scollop is reached, make one row of douple guipure stitch, which brings the worker down again to the foundation or straight-edge, ready to begin on another scollop. No. 2 design. In this laoe the pines are made first, and the scollop and straight-edge put on to complete the pat- tern. The pines or figures are made like those in No. 1, making the second figure from the right of the first, and the third from the right of the preceding one. The scollop edge has two rows of double guipure stitches. The straight edge is made of 3 obain, 1 treble. Make an extm row over the first of the preceding rows to make the edge straight. Fill the holes ot this extra row with 5 single crochet. The English summer is nob, as a rule, settled enough to require anything very permanent in the way of covering up the fire-place. Something that is easy to move being preferable, as there are few amongst us who oannob remember the joy of sitting round a fire on a chilly evening in July or August, ridiculous as it may sound. I A PRBTTY SUMMER DESIGN FOB FIREPLACE. Certainly this summer we have not had any excuse for such cat-like proclivities, but a shower on St. Swithin's day has been enough to make us think of what may be in store. A very pretty screen may be made by nailing five upright pieces of bamboo against two cross-way pieces of flat wood; between these uprights spaces must be left to be filled afterwards by four upright speci- men glasses tied into their places with bows of coloured ribbon. The whole may be wreathed in smilax, and flowers stuck in the glasses or the wood uprights, or in both, if preferred, and it looks exceedingly pretty when placed in front of the empty fireplace and can easily be removed. If bamboo is not procurable, plain wood uprights may be used, and these can be rendered very decorative by means of a little metallic paint. ETHEL.
An Urgent Oase.,.
An Urgent Oase. Small Boy t Mother's sick this mornin,' an' she sent this note. Doctor (reading note): U Please come at once, doctor, as I have a bad spell of disapepshier." Well, yes, I should say she had—a very bad spell. John, bring the buggy round right away.
[No title]
First Beauty Charlie Lovette behaved abomi- nably to poor Effie.-Seoond Ditto: How was that!—First Beauty Why, she happened to be temporarily disengaged, and of course she accepted him for the time, and he actually hurried the wedding over before she could find someone really eligible shameful, I call it. A gentleman gave a party in honour of a "celebrated missionary lately returned from his field of work. The ladies appeared in very decollete dresses, and as the host feared the style 'might shock his reverence he apologised to him for it,< saying that fashion demanded it. Ob, I dolfb,, mtnd ttst all," replied the_ÙIIIIOI!.MJ"¡.. K
The Rev. John Howell.I
The Rev. John Howell. A REMINISCENCE, My heart is heavy to-night. I have just heard of the death of my true and life-long friend, Rev. John Howell, of Mountain Ash. We were boys together in Georgie's School in Llanboidy, 13 miles west cf Carmarthen. That was 40 years ago. We were but tote then. It was,the parish school. Tuition was free to those who attended church and school on the Sabbath Day. Our parents were Dissenters. Yet this being the only school in the community at the time, they per- mitted us to attend "church" on the Sabbath. Georgie Phillips was a man of wit and wisdom. He was an ornament, to the village. He was bandy with his quill. Dr. Nicholl, of the Britith Weekly, ought to find someone to resuscitate him, for though be orepared no lads and pairts" for the Universities, yet he was an unique and interesting character. His pupils loved him, and we carry him in our hearts to the ends of the earth. Ho was rather a poor teacher, yet bis per- sonality impressed itself upon us to our lasting good. I left him after one year and spent three years at Cefnpant with Thomas Rees, and then came back to the parish school for a few months more. John remained with him all this time. But we both left school together when from 10 to 11 years old and became choice boys for the farmers iu the parishes of Llanboidy, Eglwysfair, and Llanwiuio. Our lives thus drifted apart for a period of about five years. Then we both worked our way to Aberdare, and came together at Heolyfelin and Cwm- dare. For three years we boarded next door to each other at Windsor-street-ho with Mary Griffiths and I with John Evans and his family. Mary Griffiths was alittle bome-body, marvellous for her neatness, cleanliness, and care. She was very proud of her boarder, and if she is living to-day she mourns him as her pet son. John Evans was a man of inquisitive mind, of tenacious grasp, of blunt and positive expression, with a heart of velvet tenderness, and a oourage that knew no daunting. His heroic intrepidity led him to his death in a mine explosion at Maerdy some years ago. His wife was a woman of sweet calmness and gentle patience, whose housekeeping was an honour to her head and bands. We three, the two Johns and myself, were free lanoes.: We devoured Welsh literature with eager avidity. We asked questions boldly. We dis- cussed hotly. We tyere young, and, of course, crude. Older and quieter people might have been annoyed with our assurance. But no true lovers of youth and freedom could have derided and snubbed ua. n was a time of political and eduoational awakening—the years '67, '68, '69, and '70. The Reform Bill had just passed. The Irish Chnfch was Disestablished. Forster's eduoational scheme was introduced. The firet University Collegafor Wales was being founded at Aberystwyth. Bright, Gladstone. Disraeli were in the zenith of their power. We felt the agitation. Our bUias were aglow. We read the letters of Y Qphebyd in the Baner, and the comments of "S.}R. in the Dydd. We discussed all these questions of the day on our way to work, while; eating our lunches and while waiting for our empty trai*g* Wo worked at the Bwllfa Colliery, in yWmdare, down in the drift in Number Eight. David Evan Shon was gaffer; Thomas Walker, the "doctor," was nreman and Evan Morgan walked the airways. Ianto Bach and Long Tom drove the heading Jamie Jinks and David Philips, Tom Stephens and his uncle Griff, David and John Owen, Dick, the saint, we three, and several others walked the breasts." Ib was a congenial crowd. Our daily gatherings, at meal time and when work was scarce, were a veritable literary society. We sang and rhymed we declaimed and debated. Poetry, p^ibiee, and religion were our tbemea. It was a roí:grh school. Bat minds were awakened and idoMtwere diffused by this jolly converse. John Howell and in earned to "cipher" with the small coal box for a slate. At home on evenings, we studied some primary geography, and William tiennie's English gram- mar. We translated from English to Welsh word by word, and lino by l'ne. a few pages of Todd's Student Manual." We obtained this book by the advice of Mr E. Gilbert Price, of Aberdare. I remember distinctly our first attempt at transla- tion. Each wentto his own roomand worked for two hours, and then we came out to compare notes. We had barely worked through the first para- graph, and some of the clauses were an insoluble enigma to us. but we pM-severed until we could work from four to five ;pages at a sitting. Still we could not pronounce the English words. Our reading was mental, not w oca I. We belonged to the Mill-street Baptist Church. The preaching of Pastor Harris was both instructive and stimulating to us. We were never absent from prayer meeting. Our voices were regularly brard in the society meet- ings of the church, contributing much, I fear, to their formality, monotony, and. dulness. Passages of Scripture were assigned for con- sideration a week inadvanoe. We prepared ourselves with some oare, so that the meetings became to us means of self-culture. We took active interest in public affairs. Among the miners in our shaft we were always opposed to strikes, and. frequently brought the anti-strike feeling.into triumphant expression by working quietly against such leaders as William Gwilym and Thomas Thomas. We presumed to busy ourselves in tovrnStfairs. We both opposed Mr Thomas Pugh in JIlS etfort to ride into popular favour on thee back of economy and opposition to the public park and other publio improvements. I well remember that I was once stoned off the platform when attempting to tcake a speech against Mr Pugh in a public meeting out on the commons. In the General Electlonof 1868 we were divided both of us were for Henry Richard. Then, in my blunt, headstrong wanner, I was for Fother- gill. I always remember this with shame and sorrow. But he, with more intelligence, and truer, liner, nobler instincts, was for Mr Bruce. I have often though* what a privilege it was to my dear friend during the 18 years of his co. residence with Lord Aberdare at Mountain Ash to think that there had been nothing in his attitude towards his Lordship that raised a sigh or brought a blush. In 1869 our churoh urged us both to consider whether or not we ought tc give our- selves to the ministry of the Gospol. This accorded with the promptings of our souls. We all once attempted more formal addresses in the society meetings of the church. Howell was a splendid miner—skilful, indus- trious, frugal, thrifty. He had thui saved a little money. With Ibis m his pocket, he quit working and went to school to Mr Jones, the pastor of the Unitswan Church at Trecynon. Jones was a fine", teacher. John learned rapidly. His aptness for languages was very marked. In the summer of 1810 our paths parted never again to meet permanently. He went to Ponty- pool College. I came to America, to the schools at Lewisburg, Pennsylvania- At Pontypool he was a great favourite of President Thomas. His character was pure; his disposition lovely; his purpose simple and transparent; his industry and success apparent to all in aU things. His mastery of English was always a matter of admiration to me. S6 spoke and wrote not only correctly but nuentlyt idiomatically, sprightly, and chattily. His accent baffled detection. Not many native Englishmen could equal him as a ready, racy speaker or writer. Yet he retained all the fervour and fotce of his Celtic heart. His pastorate at Tonypany. Cwmparc, and Mountain AshJ were grandly successful. There was not the least taint of professionalism about him, he was free from cant and minis- terial mannerisms, he was a man aflame with love, devoted to the good of his fellowmen. He had felt the smarting bites of sorrow and the bewildering pangs of grief. Yeti the Divine love kept him sweet and whole- some. He was hopeful resilient, enthusiastic to the end. In 1879,1 VlIoid him a visit at Mountain. Ash, he had just buried several darling children. His pain was tiemendous, yet not a whisper escaped him. One alone was left—a sweet giri- baby—little Gwenllian. Twelve years later, in 1891, I spent a week with him at Swansea. He had just returned from Efrypt, Palestine, and the Mediterranean. Little Gwenllian was absent. Daring twelve years she had brightened their home, and then suddenly she was not, for God took her. The blow was stunning, yet my dear friend and his brave wife stood it, not stoically, sullenly, defiantly, but submissively, sweetly, heroically, lovingly. Their bearing impressed me as the mosb sublime I had ever witnessed. Soon thereafter the Liberator crash came. taking from him all the savings of a laborious, frugal life. I have bJ me now the letter in which he gave me this last item. Ho fully realised his stripped condition. His soul twitched as he felt all was gone, yet his will was resolute. He had never lived for money. He had lived for service. Ho could serve yet, and he would while the Master permitted. Thus he was ever triumphant. His mind never lost its sharp thirst for know- ledge. No subject was outside the pale of his inquisitiveness. But he did not live to know. He lived to serve. His knowledge was for service. Nothiug human was alien to him. Ho was keenly alive to the best interests of the town of Mountain Ash,.of the parish of Llanwenna, of the Principality *of Wales, of the United of humanity the world over. Physical comfort, safety, luxury; educational opportunity and attainment of the best quality for all; religious liberty, equality, and progress—these and like subjects enlisted his unflinching devotion. The prospect of Disestablishment in Wales thrilled him with unspeakable joy. It was a mercy thab he died with the wreck of the Rosebery Ministry. He escaped the pain of that defeat. He was, indeed, a nobleman. His heart was very large his symapthies were very tender his energy was most intense; his devotion to public good was complete. There was not a selfish fibre in his constitution he knew not how to spare himself; his life he sacrifieed on the alter of humanity. He was a burning and a shining light. He shined so brightly because he burned so intensely. He burned himself away as a candle for the illumination of the community. Better, he thought, to live and waste in living, Than live in useless sleep: Who gives to others what is worth the giving Cannot both give and keep. Farewell, brother beloved. The Ablantio parted us thrice, and brought us together twice in 25 years. Death, which parts us to-day, will soon unite us never more to part. OWEN JAMES, M.A. Hollidaysburg, Penna, July 19th, 1895.
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Andrew Fletcher, ot Saltoun, in a letter ta 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 mate the laws ef the nation."
FUTURE, PRESENT, PAST.
FUTURE, PRESENT, PAST. Ye moments of eternal time That ever come and go, And bear to every coast and clime Your freights of weal and woe; Ye reap what former moments sowed, And, as ye onward sweep, Drop in your course the seeds abroad Which after moments reap. And while ye singly troop alonff, Uncheek'd, relentless, fast, Th' eternal spirit of your song Is future—present—past. With eye of sense we only see The present moment's scope The past exists in memory, The future lives in hope. Seize on the present, earnest mind; Call up your noblest pow'rs, Dare to be swift,-we can but find The passing moment ours FREDERIOK BURRINGTON.
IF WE TRY.
IF WE TRY. We can learn a useful lesson From a single drop of dew, For it sparkles to remind us How to make our whole life true. Wn should never waste our moments; They are quickly passing by; To improve them is a. duty— We can do it if we try. Let as drop a gentle warning By the wayside as we go, And perhaps the germ of kindness In a careless heart may grow Let our seed be sown at morning, For the night is drawing nigh, There's a harvest for the faithful— We may share it if we try. As the bee is never idle, And the brook is never still, In the pleasant field of labour There's a place we all may fill; We should never waste our moments, They are passing quickly by To improve them is a duty— We can do it if we try. F. J.
JUNE.
JUNE. And what is so rate as a day in Jane Then, if ever, come perfect days Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune, And over it softly her warm ear lays Whether we look, or whether we listen, We hear life murmur, or see it glisten; Every clod feels a stir of might, An instmct within it that reaches and towers, And, gropiug blindly above it for hKhli. Climbs to a soul in grass and flowers The flush of life may well bo seen Thrilling back over hills aud valleys » The COWSup -Btareles in meadows green, The buttercup catches the sun in its chalice, And tbelre's never a leaf nor a blade too mean To be some happy creature's palace The little bird sits at his door in the sun, At, it like a blossom among the leaves, And le", his illumined baing o'errun Withsthe deluge of summer it receives; His mate feels the eggs beneath her wings, if And the heart iu her dumb breast flutters and sings; He sings to the wide world, and she to her nest- In the uice ear of Nature which song is the best ? JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL.
IPAGANINI'S VIOLIN.
I PAGANINI'S VIOLIN. Paganiui's violin, and the instrument which he used in his later years-a Guarnerius. dated 1743 -wdnld probably command something like j35,000 it it could be put into the market now indeed, the sum of £ 2.400 has already beeu offered for it and refused, and a report was lately circulated that £ 10,000 -had been tried. But the instrument cannot be sold. Pasranini himself bequeathed it to the city of Genoa, and the municipal authorities there are keenly alive to the value of the treasure. They have it bestowed in a glass case in the recess of a wall, which is again encased in heavy French plate-glass, the whole being closed by a massive door. Every two months the seals are broken, and the violin is played upon for about half an hour in the presence ot city officials, and then it is replaced and put under municipal seal. This, of course, is done to keep the instrument in good condition. Paganini came by the violin in a curious way. A French merchant lenb jaiin the instrument to play upon at a concert at Leghorn. After the concert Paganini brought it back to its owner, when the latter exclaimed to the delighted astonishment of the player, Never more will I profane the strings which your fingers have touched bhab instrument is yours." The Genoa people have been in IUQk in the matter of violins. Sivori, who died last year, was a pupil of Paganini, and Paganini presented him when a youth with a very fine Guarnerius instrument. It was, therefore, but natural that Sivori should wish his violin to rest beside Paganini's, and so to-day for a small fee you can see both instru- ments in the municipal niche at Genoa.-Comh,U Magazine*
TOBACCO PIPES IN OLD LONDON,
TOBACCO PIPES IN OLD LONDON, The diggings of old London contribute quite a wealth of pipe produce, and at the Guildhall and the British Museum exist very good collections. Upon examination these pipes show a flab piece under the bowl, where the name of the maker was stamped. The various stamps and names of these early makers are satisfactorily corroborated by the parish register, and not a few of the families are still prosperous makers of to- bacco pipes. Some of the earliest of these stamps are of great interest. A heart containing initials: a rose in a circle; a cock in a circle: the name of maker and date of manufacture in a square, are found as four of the oldest specimens, the first bearing the date 1590. The Irish Dudheen," the Scotch Cutty," and the French Culottes were amongst these early clays. The purifica- tion of pipes (says a writer in the 'Gentleman's Magazine) took place in those older days in the ovens of various bakehouses, as stacked together in double rings they were carried from the clubs and coffee-houses periodically to the bakers of bread, who for quite a nominal sum re- kilned them and returned them white and clean to their various owners. The waxing of the pipe- end, to prevent it sticking to the lips, originated with the Dutch, and was probably introduced about the year 1700. The cheaper pipes were nob waxed, but the tip of the stem was merely steeped in a tankard of ale a few minutes before using, as a precaution against lip-sores. The same thing is done to-day with the old Fitzgerald pipes of Ireland. THE MASTER Another evening out you want, bnb what for J What is your pastime ? MARY Well, sir,.I'm NOB «AE0*«T ihis;
Profitable Bee-keeping.
Profitable Bee-keeping. Bee-keeping, as a rural occupation, does not receive that share of attention it deserves, and this is doubtless, to some extant, due to the fact that bees, when interfered with, have the power of making their presence felt in a very unpleasant manner. Another and more serious objection is found in the statement made by many bee-keepers that "Bees don't pay." This is nonsense, for there are few districts in England where, taking one year with another, bee-keeping on modern principles will nob give a percentage of profit on the outlay of time and money that will put many hobbies and rural occupations in the I shade. In many parts of England there are extensive acreages of honey-producing crops grown, and in such districts it must be the bee- keeper's fault if, favoured with genial weather, he does not so manage the apiary as to make it a source of considerable profit. Strong stocks of bees, placed in the neighbourhood of crops of white alsike clover, sanfoin, mustard, turnip, or similar crops, will quickly gather an amount of honey that, to ordinary observers, is simply incredible. The present has been, taking the country as a whole, the best season for many years, and enor- mous takes are already recorded, fifty Ibs. and upward from swarms and 100 lbs. and upwards from stocks are by no means uncommon. Many large takes might be recorded here, but a few will suffice to prove that what can be done by one bee- keeper might, under equally favourable conditions, be done by others. The writer's record take in 1893 was 1321bs. 15ozs., the same year his neigh- bour took 1351bs from his best hive, while in South Lincolnshire a young man, the son of a farmer, obtained the splendid average of 1561bs. per hive.
Parsley,
Parsley, Out of the many herbs grown in the kitchen garden, there are none more useful than parsley, although it is used more for decorative purposes than for its culinary properties. If parsley were only used by cooks there would be very little said about fern-leaved, curled, or treble-curled, and the various kinds known to the gardener. It is strange that after all the trouble that has been taken in growing the best curled parsley, there should be so much rubbish grown which is little better than the common cow-parsley. However, when much care is exercised in collecting seed from the finest double strains, the grower will find that the planthasanatura) tendency to revert from the treble-curled to curled, and then to uncurled, until the plants are valueless. The chief reason why gardeners as a rule grow such poor parsley is due to the manner in which they grow It. It is either grown in beds broadcast, or in rows and thinned out when large enough; in consequence I there is no chance for it to do well, and the plants deteriorate. To grow parsley successfully the seed should bft sown under glass in pans during March, and pricked out thinly in May. The great ad- t vantage of pricking out the young plants is that all the common kiuds are easily found and re- moved, while the finer plants are more readily I preserved. There is also another great advantage in following out the above plan, viz., that in the autumn the parsley may be lifted with a slight ball of mould to the roots and put into pots, placed in any vacant space under glass, when the grower will have a plentiful supply right through the winter.
Pig Breeding.
Pig Breeding. The cheapest way to breed good pigs is to buy the young daughter of some neighbour's sow that you know to be a good mother and sucklcr, when about three months old, and let her runabout if there is accommodation, but feeding her the while. Care should be taken not to over-feed or get her too fat. At seven months o!d she may be put to the boar, Some prefer 1;1 let it be eight months, but we think seven enough. We have found by experience that the best pigs to thiive are half or j three-quarter bred (the latter preferred) of any pure stock—that is to say, a good, well-shaped, fairly large country sow put to a thorougobred boar, and the females of her brood put to another thoroughbred. The result of the second cross will be three-quarter-bred of the sire's strain. A half-bred, that is the produce of an ordinary country sow pub to a thoroughbred boar, is a very good thriver also. We have also found, however, that the cross the other way, in which the dam is thoroughbred, three-quarter, or half-bred, and the sire a common country pig, is by no means as satisfactory. The cross between two thorough- bred strainsof any of the known varieties, say Berk- shire and Large Yorkshire, is sometimes good, but on the whole for breeding purposes we prefer the cross of a thoroughbred strain to a good ordinary country pig or half-bred. One reason, we think, why it does not always succeed, is that the two strains, whatever particular ones they may be, are both closely bred, and the putting of the two together does nob bring that useful pro- perty, freshness of blood. Altogether, in our experience, mongrels or half-mongrels, when crossed with the thoroughbred breeds, produce the most rapidly fattening pig for making pork, though of course not suitable for the showyard or for stud purposes.
Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion.
Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion. [BY CADRAWD.) On the Welsh Language. Wiitten by Mrs Catherine Phillips, of Port Einion. near Cardigan Town, 1740. Add. MSS. 14,929. If honour to an ancient name be due, Or riches challenge it for one that's near, The British language claims in either sense, Both for its age and for its opulence. But all great things must be from us removed, To be with higher reverence beloved, To landskips which in distant prospects lye With greater wonder draw the pleasant eye, Is not great Trey to one dark ruin hurled ? Once the fam'd scene of all the fighting world, Where's Athens now to whom Rome learning owes, And the safe la urels that adorn'd her brows ? A strange reverse of fate she did endure, Never once greater then she now obscure. E'en Rome herself can but some footsteps show Of Scipio's time, and those of Cicero, And as the Roman and the Grecian State, The British fell, the spoil of Time and Fate, But though the language hath the beauty lost, Yet she bath still some great remains to boast For t'was in that the sacred Bards of old, In deathless number did their thoughts unfold. In groves, by rivers, and in fertile plains, They civilised and taught the listening swains, Whilst with high raptures, and as great success, Virtue they clothed in music's charming dress This Merlin spoke, who in his gloomy cave, E'en Destiny herself seem'd to enslave For to his sight the future time was known Much better than to others is their own And with such state predictions from him fell As if he did decree and not foretell. This spoke King Arthur, who, if fame be true, Could have compell'd mankind to speak it too In this once Boadicea's valour taught. And spoke more nobly than her soldiers fought; Tell me what Hero could do more than she, Who fell at once from fame and liberty ? Nor could a greater sacrifice belong, Or to her children's or her country's wrong. This spoke Caractacus, who was so brave, That to the Roman fortune check he gave And when their yoke he could decline no more, He it so decently and nobly bore, That Rome herself with blushes did believe A Britain would the law of honoar give, And hastily his chains away she threw, Lest her own captive else should her subdue.
Tlysau yr Hen Oeseedd,
Tlysau yr Hen Oeseedd, This was the first attempt at starting a Welsh magazine, and the eminent Lewys Morys (Llewelyn Ddu o Fon) ia entitled to be the pioneer in this respect. The title-page of the first and only number issued is most interesting. It runs as follows Tlysau y Hen Oesoedd, sef Gwaith Doethion y Cynfyd; yn Cynwys Rhan o Gywreinrwydd yr Hen Frutanaidd. Gwedi casglu all an o amryw 'sgrifeiniadau er mwyn difyrwch l'r sawl a'l chwenycho, ag er mwyn cadw coffadwriaeth am yr hen wyr da doethion gynt, a ymdrech- asant mor galonog dros eu biaeth a'u gwlad. "Nid wrth ei big mae prynu Cyffylog." Well-sou tiding verses are the charms we use, Heroic thoughts and virtue to infuse; Things of deep sense we may in prose unfold, Bub they mov& more in lofty numbers told. Argraphwyd Ynghaer-Gybi, ym Mon 1735. To the English reader.—It is intended to carry on this collection of our British antiquities on the best subjects handled by the antients, and if proper encouragement is given the choicest description, similies, and characters of things shall be published, by subscription, four sheets for sixpence, quarterly, with English explanatory notes and critical observations, and also a dis- sertation upon our poetry and language—things which very few Luglish readers have any know- ledge of, except our antiquaries, our MSS. haviug been made public, and in a great measure destroyed by tJle folly of some and the envy of others the publishing oc which will claar up several disputed points in our history and antiquities and preserve t,be memory of the worthy actions of those brave people who main- tained their rights in Britain for above two thousand years. Those gentlemen that are pleased to enconrnge this undertaking by their subscriptions, advice, or otherwise, are desired to communicate their thoughts as soon as they can letters post paid.—L. Morys. Another attempt was made in the year 1770 by a Carmarthenshire publisher by the name of Ross—an Englishman to vvlftm Wales is deeply indebted for the numerous and, on the whole, excellent Welsh books lie published during a period covering nearly the latter half of the last century. This magazine was calhd the Eurgrawn, or Trysorfa Gwybodacth, but for the want of support its career closed at the end of the same year. At present we have 40, if not more, Welsh magazines in a flourishing condition.
The Dinefor Family.
The Dinefor Family. Sir Gruffydd ab Nicholas, grandfather of Sir Rhys ab Thomas, was a celebrated patron of the Welsh bards. Gorhoffa gynt Syr Gruffydd-yr Awen Liti rywiog, a pbrydydd." He presided at the eisteddfod held in the year 1451 in the ancient town of Carmarthen. Syr Rbys ab Thomas, one of the ancestors of the present Lord Dinefor, was chieftain of South Wales, and distinguished for being one of the principal instruments in bringing Henry VII. to the throne of England. Dinefwyr, nodwyr awenyddion-gwyr A garanb wir Frython, LIt), o gedyeirn-Ilygadon A bri y Cymry o'r bron." Lord Dinefor was the president of the Cambrian Society in Dyled in 1823. Who is responsible for the absence of the present noble Lord from the great; and grand national gathering at Llanelly last week 5
AFTER THE GARDEN PARTY,
AFTER THE GARDEN PARTY, CLAUDE May I have the pleasure of seeing you home, Miss Florrie ? FLORRIE Oil, certainly There's the hill just in front, or, if you prefer it, you might climb the tree in the back, but go anywhere so that you get a perfect view. I shall be starting in a few minutes.
Endive.
Endive. Well grown endive is a necessity in nearly every house, and should be grown in sufficient quantity to keep up a regular supply. Rich, deeply worked, friable soil is necessary for this crop, and water in abundance is a prime necessity in dry weather, or the plants will soon bolt." Batavian and other upright kinds will need tying in the same way as lettuce to blanch, while the flat growing kinds should be covered with a flower-pot for the same purpose. Seeds should be sown on seed-beds in small quantities fortnightly from March till September, the two lasb sowings being the largest as the plants have to stand through the winter. As soon as large enough, they must be trans. planted about a foot apart each way, and when ready blanched and used. The plants raised from seed sown from May to July should be planted out on a border facing the north, and the later sowings to stand the winter should be in the opposite position. A little protection will be needed during frost, otherwise the plants are quite hardy. For sorts use green curled, white moss curled, Italian, and round-leaved Batavian, the latter being especially good for late use.
Replies tl Correspondents.
Replies tl Correspondents. "Amateur."—You probablygrow your marrows in too rich soil. Try a few plants in ordinarily- manured, newly-forked ground, such as has been cleared of early potatoes. Do not add fresh manure. Further, be careful to set the first few blooms artificially by conveying the pollen from theJllale flower-the big gaudy one that is— to the female flower that forms with a tiny fruit at its base. Embden geese, J. K. Long may safely keep as regards being hardy they are extremely so. h Lepus should never breed from two half- bred wild rabbits for rearing in hutches. They are as wild as wild ones. Put a Belgian hare doe to the buck, and use the doe vice versa, or get a Flemish giant buck.
| No Room for Doubt.
No Room for Doubt. Two physicians named Bledso and Curem were residents of a Texas town, and as is frequently the case, they were bitter rivals and hated each other heartily. Nob many months ago a man by the name of Robinson died. Mrs Robinson, a nervous excitable little woman, firmly believed that her husband bad been buried alive. In order to relieve her mind she repaired to the office of Bledso one morning, as she wanted to tell him of many things which led her to believe her husband had been buried alive. Curem was her family physician, but she did not go to him, for the reason that he had pronounced her husband dead and would ridicule anything to the contrary. "Doctor Bledso," she said, "I firmly believe my husband has been buried alive." Who was the physician in attendance in his illness?" asked Bledso. Dr. Curem." "Dr. Curem, eh Well, if he attended him you need nofc have any further apprehension as to your husband being buried alive. Your husband was undoubtedly dead when buried." a
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Caller: Ihave a little poem which .—Editor (buatiy); That eentleinan over there, sir.- CaUer (genially): Ia he'the literarv critic j5dit«c (peUtfixl;
Augustine and the British…
Augustine and the British Bishops. Dean Howsou, in his book on the D e, says there are only two places connected with the meeting of Augustine and the British Bishops, namely, Augustine's Oak on the Severn and Bangor on the Dee."
Twe of a Kind.
Twe of a Kind. Mrs Yerger You came home rather early this morning. Col. Yerger I was kept busy I had to woik like the very devil. Mrs Yerger Yes where aid you leave the gentleman
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You speak of that boy across the street as a geezer,' said the elderly customer from the country'; what is a geezer ?" A geezer," replied the bootblack, busily plying both his brushes, is about the same thing as a gazabo." And what is a gazabo ?" Say," retorted the boy, straightening up and looking at him with open-eyed astonishment, you'd better go to a night school." Young man," said the fond father, iu giving you my daughter I have entrusted you with the dearest treasure o5 my life." The young man was duly impressed. Then he looked at his watch. Really," he remarked, I had no idea it was so late. The cars have stopped. Could I borrow your wheel to get down town ?" Young man, I woulck nyV tnwfc wftytfy wrbb with gutwtod*"
GOSSIPS' CORNER.;
GOSSIPS' CORNER. Much attention is being paid in Vienna to the higher education of women. A ladies' academy there has just sent out a syllabus for 1895-96 embracing the whole range of science and learn- ing, the literary study of modern language* inclusive. Dr. James Martineau is spending a holiday at Rothiemurches, Aviemore, a favourite spot of his n Scotland. There are some pretty glens in the neighbourhood, and the place is surrounded by picturesque hills, of which Dr. Martineau is very fond. Spinach contains considerably more iron than the yolk of eggs, while the latter again is superjoi in this respect to beef, next in ordet coining apples, lentils, strawberries, white beans, peas, potatoes, wheat, etc., and almost at the bottom of the list we find cow's milk. Mr H. M. Stanley, in consequence of bit election as a member of Parliament for North Lambeth, has asked (says the Patriote) to be released from his engagement to servo the Independent Congo State till the year 1900. The King of the Belgians, it is believed, has acceded to this request. Probably the most noteworthy incident in OGl1. nection with the game of golf during the past week has been the fine score of 72 for a round of the Leasowe Club's course by Mr John Ball, jun., whose grand form enabled him to win the bandU cap from plus 9. The heart of King Louis XVIL of France. which has been for years in the possession of M, Edouard Dumont, of Neuilly, France, wai recently delivered with impressive ceremonies intc the hands of the Count Urbain de Maille, repre. senting the Duke of Madrid. Ib is said that Prince Ferdinand of Bulgaria knows everything." He speaks French and English fluently, and can converse in at least six languages. He is a methodical worker, and is as his desk every morning at half-past seven. He ia fond of outdoor life, is an enthusiastic naturalist, and a good shot. His historical knowledge is said to be something extraordinary. The pastor of St. Andrew's Church, Dunedio, after preaching a sermon on the evils of gambling, asked that all those members of hit congregation who were willing to make a sotemo promise never to make a bet or attend a raw meeting would stand up. The whole congrega* tion, with two or three exceptions, stood up. As an instance of ready Irish retort, a writer in the Daily Graphic quotes the answer of a Kil. larney woman who was congratulated by some visitors on the appearance of her ohildren. "Speaks well for the climate," said one of the visitors. Fatth, your honour," was the proiupt- reply, it's the climate that half of them IiveI on, for to tell the truth, they're very badly off." Lord Lonsdale was the hero of the best story that was told at Goodwood. He had occasion to telegraph to the Emperor of Germany, and the message was duly written out to His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor of Germany, Potsdam.1* • To Lord Lonsdale's amazement, half an home later the message was returned from the Post Office marked insufficiently addressed." A fashion gossip says that probably the greater number of smart women content themselves with 10 to 15 new gowns for the Season." At th* same time, there are many who order 25 gowns tor. start the Season with, and then, as the tempt- ing Paris novelties come out, do not dream of resisting the inclination to have a few more to* special occasions. Miss Hope Temple, the composer of many charming songs, has been married to M. Audrt Messager, composer of La Basoche," and other successful works. It is a union of musical iutel. lact. The bride is a young and very pretty woman, bright and vivacious in manner. A gathering 01 musical and other celebrities asseuibiod at the wedding reception held by her mother before 1;1\« happy pair left for Folkestone, en their way ta F ranee. Sorrs of the questions addressed to the editor of ladies' papers by their readers are extremely funny. A morning paper unearths one which will be hard to beat. A young lady, who is dissatisfied with the shape of her nose, wishes, to know it glove-stretchers will be of any use. If she wank her nose to be tip-tilted like the oetal of a flower she had better use her curling tongs. In the streets of Paris on Friday a novel tDOd. of advertising his needs was adopted by a work man in want of employment. He had writbeu in a good round hand on a sheet of paper, I require a situation." This he had placed upon his hav, and on Friday afternoon he might have been sees walking quietly along with his head slightlj inclined so that the public at large might con- veniently read his candid declaration. There is a good deal to be said in favour of bit, Goodall's protest in the Times against the fevoris) anxiety for high speed in long railway journeys. As he puts it. the gain of an hour in a day's travelling is of little account in comparison with shattered nerves and impaired digestion. Mt Goodall pleads for a minimum wait of 40 mitfutei for dinner at York. The maxim" Fate cannot touch me, I have dined to-day does not hold good when the diner has only had 00 minutes M negotiate four courses. The duties of town crier to the little Scottish town of Dunning devolve upon an old lady of th< name of Miller, now in the seventieth year of feei life. She is still a bale and heaity woinaUf not- withstanding her attainment of the allotted span, and is known locally as the "belt wife." Recently she proclaimed for the 33rd time he» Majesty's birthday. In addition to her duties M town crier, this remarkable old lady has for the ast 16 years acted as janitor of the public school. The keen competition for small holdings which has characterised the large majority of auction sa les this season has rosulted in some remark. able prices being realised. In Warwickshire lasl week an allotment field, containing la. lr.35p., actually fetched £60, or 50 j'ear's purchase of th. present rental a piece of turf land, lr 27p., £ 75, or 75 years' purchase and a similar piece, Up., £ 31, or 124 years' purchase. Four lots. eich com- prising cottage, garden, and laud, the following prices were obtained :-h. 2r. 22p., zC202, being; over 30 years' purchase 3a. lr. 16p., JBS70, also aver 30 years' purchase ta. J6415, just 35 yeanr purchase and 31. Ir, 27p., JB390, about 32 ye" purchase. Barbers1 shops in the county of Kent have foi the past few days been overflowing with police, men. They were not in search of modern Sweeney Todds, but merely anxious to comply with tht wishes of their official superior. The new Chief Constable has expressed his disapproval of men in the force adorning their faces with mutton-ohop" whiskers or "door-knocker" appendages to the chin. None but military moustaches or well. regulated beards are in future to be tolerated, and constables who cannot rear either the one or th< other of these capillary garnishings in sufficient quantities to preserve symmetry must content themselves with clean shaven countenance^ Hence the unusual harvest for Kentish batbeah
A SATURDAY SERMON.
A SATURDAY SERMON. It was a crowded hall, a thousand personc sitting in silent and breathless circles. An andanU of Haydn's was in the air. It was sweet and delicate music, both merry and melanoholy tripv. ping to a sunshiny measure that set everybody'# heart beating in time. There was a childish grace about the musio that charmed all listeners IIcI a tender enthusiasm. It made them cry and laugh at once though many sat motionless and stolid, you might see eyes shining and dilating, as mothers' eyes dilate sometimes when thej watch their children at play. The child. less were no longer childless, while that gentle, irresistible music shook from the delicate string* of the instruments the lonely and eilent had found a voice: the bard of heart and indifferent were moved and carried away pent-up longingt were set free. Other strings were sounding witi) the music, and it was not music, though it wai harmony, that struck and shook those mysterious fibres that bind men and women to life. Thf hopelessness <of the lonely, tha mad longing Of the storm of Jifo, all WMM4 epwa*w<