The Cardiff Times

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WORKMEN'S TOPICS. BY MABON, M.P. MANUFACTURED IRON TRADE. Mr Wafcerhouse's return to the Board of Con- ciliation and Arbitration for the manufactured !ron and steel trades of the North of England for the first two months of the year was received at Darlington a week ago. Messrs Winpanny and Cox, the secretaries of the board, declare that in ixecordance with the Sliding Scale arrangement Shere will be a reduction of 9d per ton on pudd- ing, and 7* per cent. on all other forge and mill tvages, to take place from the 1st ult. Mr Waterhouse's declaration is as follows :—Having Collected from the firms and companies belonging Jo or associated for this with your board the returns of their sales of manufactured iron for 3he two months ending 25th of February last, And having verified the same by an examination ".tf their books, I certify the average net selling jpace per ton to have been £ 7 10s 9-53d. Beneath <4s-a statement of the different classes of iron and "fue average net selling price each Sales during the two months ended February, 1901 Aver, net selling ,price Weight invoiced. Percentage pertou. t. a. q. 3&B. of total. £ s a Bails 333 1 2 11 2-10 fi 8 1*30 Plates 4,444 13 2 14 28 09 7 5 7*27 Bars U"" 8,238 0 1 G 52-05 7 16 5 06 Angles. 2,811 6 2 19 17*76 7 5 2 4 16,82.7 2 0 22 10,000 S7 10 9'53 IT am, gentlemen, your obedient servant, (Signed) EDWIN WATERHOUSE. The previous return for the months of November and December gave the net selling price of rails, ^plates, bars, and angles at £ 8 5s 2-45d, and the production of the four classes of iron at 16,744 tons. Unfortunately one of the most noticeable features of this return is the large decline in pro- duction, a striking evidence in itself of the de- pasture of the boom of the previous two years.' fin fact, there has been no parallel to the small output of the past two months of this year for touch more than a decade. True, there were evi- dence of declining business in the ascertainment for November and December, when there was a very large drop in the production, but the posi- tion in this respect is still more accentuated for January and February. During these two toonths the associated firms turned out 15,827 'tons of rails, bars, plates, and angles, as against 16,744 in November and December, when, as "ompared with the corresponding period of 1899, there was a decline of nearly 11,000 tons. In this return there is a decline of 10,361 tons upon January and February last year, when there was An output of 26,188 tons. There is a decrease of 9,555 tons upon the first two months of 1899. A decline is shown on the previous return in all class of material, except plates, where there is a small increase. There is, however, only a net • decrease of 917 tons on November and December, as those two months have already borne the brunt of declining trade. The displacement of Btanufacturad iron and steel is undoubtedly responsible in a large degree for the reduction in the relative output of the former, as compared "With 10 or 15 years ago, and there is every reason te believe that these conditions will continue and become distinct features in the future of the trade. In the matter of prices it is plainly apparent that there must be further reductions in subsequent returns as the year advances, for the ascertained prices are greatly in excess of the Present market values, and in point of fact are much higlier than the latter throughout the first Quarter of the year. Bars and angles are more than £1 per ton higher in the ascertainment than they can now be bought at in the open market, though plates do not show such a large differ- ence. This arises from orders being in hand from last year, 'which were taken at high Prices, and which were only executed with- in the present year. The anomally, however, is rapidly in course of adjustment, and modifications will be shown in subsequent returns. Prices had advanced uninterruptedly for a very considerable period,when the maximum rates were attained, having been Y.3 11s lOd from the minimum of 1895. The first reduction was shown for November and December last year, but 'it wae only 9d per ton. There is a decline shown in this return of 14s 5d in the net average Prices, which shows £7 10s 9-53d as against 98 5a 2-48d for the preceding two months. This lednction in price has a marked effect upon iron- workers' wages, which upon the Sliding Scale mo reduced 71 per cent. They had previously risen s30 per cent. upon the standard in less than two Yea.rs, and were altogether 35 per cent. higher than their minimum wage. The reduction will commence on and from April 1st. The Outlook. Is the decline in the home iton and sleel trades successive ? is a question that is now often Put, and one well deserving answer. Some of the financial papers in town-are discussing the ques- tion, and are giving a number of statistics, from "hieh readers are asked to draw their own Occlusions, and the only natural conclusion therefrom is that the decline is anything but ex- cessive, and in nearly every case is justified by Results and circumstances. And further decline tan be reasonably feared. Everybody knows now that the current half-year at least cannot benefit by reduction in the price of coal. From the North as well as in the South we are encouraged by the fact that for the time being least there are signs that the prices of this fclost necessary article are stiffening, and will be still further stiffened by the stoppages of the Collieries for the Easter holidays. From the Tmo comes the good news that the British ports are once more opening for them, and will at once %Be the pressure of supply overcoming the de- mand, and little better prices are already re- i Ported from that quarter. At home the combine, the holidays, and the 5 per cent. advance in col- liers' wages so recently declared will help the Delinquents to put their backs up a bit, aona refuse to allow the prices of our best Totalities to be so rapidly and once more 110 unnecessarily reduced. Is it not Astonishing to find the South Wales coal owners ffter their experieace of the last two years of essential a necessity the "Welsh steam coal become in the world's coaling bill of fare, that the moment things begin to slacken from a ltladdening speed back to the ordinary course that they break their hearts and begin again to. Rive their stuff away under its proper value,, *bile they only want a little general understaud- Ibg and confidence among themselves to regulate' these prices within rational limits. No one that ^es anything for the permanent good of our coal ^ade would wish them to use their power, how- ler great it may be, to maintain unreasonable trices such as was effected by the iceent war Scare. Other people must live as well colliery owners and workmen. In fact, colliery Interests" in all its forms cannot live well very °ng unless coal can be got and sold at prices Jkat will not stifle other industries. Aouring Y^k to the holidays and percentages in wages, |^M11 be now understood that these holidays will VpCr>me a regular institution in this great mining restrict. Since the employers took away Mabon's ay it was known that something else—some Other holiday which was not of a similar '^racter to that holiday, which was taken every ^Icudar month throughout the yoazo-would be lkbatituted. Hence it may be taken that there be no quarrelling nor even any ill-feeling J^ween colliery owners and their workpeople in coalfield as long as they will content fchem- ^lvea tvith about the same number of days per being taken for holiday purposes as was j under the other system. Hence it may bo as the status quo of tha business, as friend, Mr J. William*. of Keath, would have that the holidays for the South Wales community will- be divided into four '?. different periods of about three days each three days at Christmas time, three at Easter, three at Whitsuntide, and the other three in Bank Holi- day week, August. Personally I think that j this is, or would be, a very fair compromise in this once very sore matter indeed. Un- doubtebly it would be by far the I 1 more preferable arrangement than taken r, Saturday and a Monday on each of these occa I sions, which would mean breaking into two weeks each time, and which would also mean depriving I pit night men of two extra turns, which, under the above arrangement, they need not lose more than one extra turn. One cannot help being sorry to find such a number of colliery owners complaining in conse- quence of having to pay the last 5 per cent. ad- vance in wages-wages rising and prices jumping down. There is no sense in it, they say, and I dozens of small colliery owners will have to close their mines in consequence. Well, it is perfectly fair and it is but wliat was expected, and what every thoughtful person, even among the public at large, must inevitably follow the late inflated and unreasonable prices that were demanded and paid for coal. It must not be forgotten, either, that a large num- ber of those small collieries would have never been forgotten had it not been for the high prices received for coals. The owners have reaped the benefit of their boom prices, and should have fore- ¡ seen the present evil day for them and made provision for it. If these grumblings will be car- ried into their logical conclusions and collieries are closed, the owners must not forget that such a course will be about the strongest argument for condemning the present system of regulating wages when the time comes to bring about the proposed change.

With Hints an Peultry and Steck. By COUNTRY COUSIN. Florists' Flowers: Carnations. In many places the carnation is a somewhat difficult plant to manage, and many people fail to grow it successfully. The reason on many soils is the necessity for annual propagation and timely planting and as a great many growers do not exactly know the need of this, or on account of pressure of work do not attend to it, failure is pretty frequent. An excellent way to get to get over difficulties of this kind is to grow carnations from seed sown every spring in a cool frame during March or April, the seedlings being pricked out in summer. These seedling plants are much more vigorous generally than the layerd ones; they pass the winter better, flower more freely, and last in bloom longer. The only drawback is that we get what chance gives us instead of the exact reproduc- tions of the plants from layers, but from a good strain of seed plants may be had as handsome as any named kinds, though there may be a per- centage of single and rather poor flowers, but even these may be useful for cutting. Sow the seed thinly in pans that have been previously well drained, and filled with a light sandy compost. Cover the seed very lightly with soil, give a watering through a fine rose, and place a sheet of glass over the pan, The pans may either be placed in a warm house or a cool frame, In the former case, as soon as the seed germinates, remove the seedlings to cooler quarters, and gradually inure them to plenty of air. When the young plants are large enough to handle, they should be transplanted to other pans or boxes of good soil. For this move a suitable compost is loam three parts, leaf mould one part, and old mushroom bed manure, or dried cow dung and sand, one part each. A cold frame will be the best plan for young plants, where they can receive abundance of fresh air, and at the same time protected from heavy raiins and frost. When the young plants have attained a good size, plant them out in a sheltered but open situation away from the of trees, Pretty well any good garden soil will suit them, but the better it is the larger and stronger the blooms will be. All weeds must be thoroughly kept down, and occasionally in dry weather a good watering will be necessary. By carefully attending to these few simple directions, the plants quickly attain a large size, and flowers v/ill be produced in the greatest profusion, that will be found invaluable for cutting purposes. Notes on Live Steck for April. The stock farmer will find that April is about the most trying month of the whole year. His fodder niav be of the very best, bnt as the month goes on it becomes more or less dry and unpalat- able, particularly if not fed fresh from the stack. Moreover, the animals thomsives are becoming more fanciful in their wants every day they appear to know that the season for green food is near, and consequently there is a continual rest- lessness present which is impossible to allay. In most cases this means a double loss. First, there is a falling off in condition or suspension of progress at the present time, and this can only be properly met by providing a plentiful supply of the food required secondly, there is the loss of food and time about six weeks hence, when all this lost ground has to be made up previous to any real advance being forthcoming. This will show the importance of really good feeding, so that animals will not only be able to hold their own, but able to put on flesh also, and thereby do their best when green food, whether forage or grass, is again available. Some people may like to see feeding-stuffs cheaper, but their standard of purity is certainly higher than for- merly. Great care will be necessary in the case of yearlings which have been hardly wintered, and are therefore in a low condition. If stock of this kind are unduly forced now, they will be almost certain to fall victims to blackleg- Except in late districts or in cheese-making dairies where March is considered time enough for calves to make an appearance, cows should now be eervad, in order to secure the advantage of the winter demand for milk and early calves for rearing purposes. A January calf is worth practically double the value of one dropped in May, as it is strong enough to bear the strain of a summer's run at grass, and to meet the stern days of winter. From the point of view of the milk provider,, it will also be as well to regulate the output of new milk, especially in those districts where milk is sent away all through the year, tha object being to avoid an excessive supply during April and May, when so many buyers are flooded. The piggery is another department needing a careful consideration. High prices for pork is almost certain to have the effect of increasing the number of feeding animals, and in too many cases this is done without paying too much attention to their selec- tion, which should always be observed in the case of such stock. In order to get the besj results from the piggery, owners and breeders should be alive to the importance of marketing stock as soon as ready. Growing Savoys. The majority of people sow savoys too early. Whene sown in March or early in April the plants in many cases have to remain in the seed beds, or sometimes where pricked out, till they have spoilt each other, very often some of thera commencing to heart prematurely but if the seed be sown in a nice open position about the end of April or early in May, the seedlings will Just about be ready to receive them. One of the greatest mistakes that can possibly be made is to (sow seeds P* the cabbage family" on rich land I The Very Early Paris Savoy. J this causes rank growth, and transplanting is rendered less easy. Plants from the open fields are certainly the best; they may very likely be stunted, and more blue thru green as regards colour, but when there has been sufficient rain to well moisten the soil, one may draw sturdy little plants and dibble them out without the slightest check being given. On the contrary, leggy over- grown garden plants are very slow in recovering from the check of transplanting, and for a long time sure a prey to sings. There is no necessity to sow savoys early in order to secure an early time are a prey to sings. There is no necessity to sow savoys early in order to secure an early supply, as those miniature varieties, such as Tom Thumb, St. John's, Little Pixie, and very early I Paris Savoy are oftentimes fit to 6nt before they are wanted. It is useless to plant savoys on poor ground or in shady fruit borders, as they seldom attain a useful size when thus treated. Poor land should be enriched and made firm again after digging. Loose, rich ground encourages rapid growth, but as the plants are supposed to stand severe frost, it is not wise' to grow them too rankly. Before planting draw drills with a hoe and fill them with liquid manure tiu. will enable the plants to bo sot cut with a trowel, besides giving them a good j start. Tho small early sorts may be planted j twelve inches apart eaoh way, and the distance being increased according to- the size of the variety, up to, say, 18 inches or 20 inches. St John's Savoy is an excellent variety, and heads very quickly. The Tom Thumb is one of the smallest savoys known. Hearts compact and delicate in flavour. Little Pixie (New Dwarf Ulm) is also an excellent variety, and very suitable for small gardens. The dwarf green curled is a fine medium-sized variety and well worthy of attention. The Very Early Paris Savoy (illustrated above) is quite a week or ten days earlier than any other kind. For winter supplies we would direct the attention of our readers to the dwarf early green curled, the early flat green curled, and the Victoria savoys. For the use of the above illustration of the Very Barly Paris Savoy we are indebted to the courtesy of MM. Vilmorin, Andrieux et Cie., seedsmen, of Paris, France. Bee Notes for April. Now is the time to consider how the hives are to be managed, in order that the bees may be in the right condition to take full advantage of the first honey flow. Brood rearing ought now to be maJang rapid progress, and as pollen can be obtained the stimulus already acquired will be continued, but honey from natural sources will scarcely be obtainable in sufficient quantity for the needs of the inhabitants for some little time yet. In order that the prosperous condition of breeding stocks may be continued without re- ceiving a check until the beginning of the honey harvest, a constant though slow supply of syrup- will have to be given, but care must be taken that no more syrup is supplied than what the bees actually require for their present use. When stoclte are strong early in the season they will, under good management, do well all through the honey season, but those that are weak now, and in consequence not ready to make the most of the first incoming, will, generally speaking. do but little more than keep themselves during that period. Take full Advantage of mild weather, and examine the outside frames up to the Cirood nest. Partially uncap the sealed honsycombs next to the cluster of bees, in order to stimulate the queen to begin breeding. Any coverings of frames found to be damp can he removed at the same time, and dry quilts supplied in their Elaces, being careful that the opening of the ive is performed with as little disturbance to the inmates as possible, a little smoke being used during the operation. In the case of a. queenless hive, unite the bees to a colony having a fertile queen. This operation may be done towards evening by quietly inserting the bees on their own combs on either side of the occupied combs of the colony to be added to. A little syrup given in a feeder will insure peace and unity in the hive. Generally, queenlessness is denoted by the constant agitation of the bees at the entrance of the hive, this continual agita- tion being carried on after the bees in other hives have retired for the day. Whatever the operations are that have to be performed during the month, great care must be taken to keep the brood combs warm, and it will be much the better plan not to remove the winter packings until more room is required by the bees within the hive.

DIARY OF GARDEN WORK. Week Ending April 20ih. Flower Garden.-D2vhlias not yet started may be planted out in the borders now. A little mound of soil may be drawn over the crowns to protect them from late frosts. Divide the roots or take cuttings from the plants started in heat, place them in single pots under glass till the end of May. For exhibition flowers the ground must be well prepared by trenching and manuring. Divide and replant hardy herbaceous plants, and plant out hollyhocks. New plants bought in spring are generally very small. These will do better if planted in a reserve bed for one season to get strong, and where they can receive better care. Carnations wintered in frames should go out now into well-prepared beds. Plant gladioli and tigridias. Place sticks to sweet peas and sow again for successional blooming. Thin self- sown annuals which have stood the winter, and transplant the thinnings. Iceland poppies are very useful for cutting. Sow Shirley and other poppies, also a.ll other hardy annuals. Sow in forge-sized patches. They need not be regular in shape the patches will look better if they fill up the allotted space regardless of outline. Many good perennials may be rose from seed sown now and transplanted when large enough. Tea roses in pots may be planted out now. Rose cuttings from plants forced under glass will soon root in a hotbed. Lay the cuttings in moist cocoa-fibre at a temperature of 85 degrees, and keep close and shaded. As soon as they are rooted, pot them up and plunge for a week or two in the hotbed to start them. They may be planted out in June, and will flower in August and September. Mow lawns regularly now once a weak, and roll frequently. Use the hoe to keep down weeds. Fruit Garden.-Set out melons now in a hot- bed. The bed must be well made and of a sub- stantial size, as good melons cannot be grown without warmth. If the bed is allowed to get cold and the plants receive a check, they will most likely fail there. fore if a bed h"rge enough to give continuous hsat cannot, be made, better wait a, few weeks. A dressing of soot or lime, or the two combined, will prove very useful among strawberries to keep down slugs and other insects. Apply this dress- ing before the mulching is put on. A bed of early strawberries should find a place in every garden, large as well as small. Two good kinds for a small garden are Royal Sovereign and the perpetual Saint Joseph. The latter has fruited right up to October. If these two, or either one of them, are planted on a warm border, and th blossoms sheltered, the fruit will come very early. Fruit trees on walls will still require protection against frosts, or the young buds will be damaged beyond recovery. Before now we have had some very sharp frosty mornings the latter end of May. Vegetable Garden.—Tie up early lettuces to blanch. Sow seeds and plaut out the early sow- ings. Thin early horn carrots, the thinnings will be useful in the kitchen. Sow the main crop of intermediate carrots if not already done. Many people do not thin the main crop carrots enough, and consequently the roots are poor both in quality and size. Before sowing carrots the ground should be well limed. If the maggot has been troublesome in previous years, paraffin oil, mixed with water, is a good insecticide, and is useful for watering the ground where the carrot grubs are troublesome. It is best used after the plants are up. If gardeners would take the same pains to destroy the insects which attack the roots as is usually taken to destroy those attack- ing the foliage the crops would be much better. Soot is disliked by nearly all insects, and a, sprink- ling of soot after the young plants are up will do good. The hoe used freely in dry weather will help to scatter insects which travel upon, or lie near, the snrfa-ce. The more the hoe is used the less trouble there will be from insects. Sow plenty of marrow peas, and finish planting potatoes. Sow vegetable marrows. Plant dwarf French beans—Black Prince is a good early kind —but after they are up they must be sheltered on cold nights. Greenhouse.—If there is a vine in the house attend to the thinning and tying down of the young shoots. It is much colder near the glass than it is 12 inches away, and if the young shoots arc allowed to grow up against the glass they will suffer, besides there is the danger of the young shoots, being broken. If grapes are grown in the house, ventilation must re- ceive more attention than if plants alone are grown. On mild, calm mornings, allow a little air, say, one inch or two inches along the ridge, not later than 7 a.m. Later on, when the sun rises early, give air by 6 a.m., and as the day goes on admit more air. To swell the bunches close the house not later than 4 p.m. There should be. plenty of flowers now, and lots of plants coming on in succession. When repotting strong plants a little artificial manure, not ex- exceeding 21bs per bushel, may be mixed with the potting soil with great advantage. If there are no grape vines in the house grow tomatoes in pots, 10 inches or 12 inches in diameter. These may be potted and started on now, as an ordinary greenhouse will be plenty warm enough for toma- toes. Window Garden.—Cactuses which have been kept dry all through the winter should now have water supplied regularly, and some of them will soon be in t flower. It will be as well to take campanulas and other plants in baskets out of the room now and again, and dip them in a tub of water, to make sure they arc sllfficiently moist.

Songs for the People. .A Andrew Fletcher of Salfconn, in a letter to the Marquis of Montrose, wrote" I know a very wise man that believed that if a man were permitted to make all the ballads he need not care who should makf* the laws of the nation." THE OLD BOOKS. They are gray with the gray of ages, Borrowed, and begged, and sold Thumb-marked of saints and sagefv, In the scholarly days of old. Rose leaves pressed for a lover Rest in their pages dim, Though silent centuries cover All that is left of him. And I feel in the library's shadows* With this ghostly company, The breath of forgotten meadows And the centuries over me And when twilight bells are caJling- When the day with its strifes is o'er— There are ghostly footsteps falling Faint on the library floor. Singers, and saints, and sages- In the fame of a name we trust, But time will cover our pagÐS, As even our tombs, with dust. For here in the library's shadows, Where the famed and tameless bo, I roam in forgotten meadows, With the centuries over rae —Frank L. Stanton in "Songs from Dixie Land."

A wflWRn Caarie Natiori n.'

Illustrated Humour. Extremes meet when a dinner includes calf's brains and oxtail soup. They say my face is a dream," exclaimed the girl who wished to go on the stage. Yes," replied the candid friend; 'fades away each night, J ell?" A Sabbatarian. Old Lady: My good man, are you a Christian? Tramp: Well, mum, nobody can accuse me of ever 'aving worked on a, Sunday. There are some people who cannot keep a ser- vant for more than a month, and Mrs Myldue I is one of them. She is in constant communica- tion with the registry office. One morning Mrs Myldue found herself without assistance in the house, the new maid not having arrived. She answered a knock at the door and found the butcher's boy with the meat. Imagine her feel- ings when the youth gave vent to a prolonged whistle, and ejaculated, "Whatt another fresh un "1 You won't stay long here, I'll bet. She's a rum un, she is." I Coached. Magistrate: Now, my boy, yon are on your oath. Do you know what that meajis ? Witness Er—No, sir, not exactly. Magistrate: Do you know what you axe. ex- pected to tell ? Witness (promptly): Oh, yes, sir; tho lawyer that brought me here wrote it all down so's I j could learn it off by heart. John Thomas," whispered Mrs Kolderness, there's a burglar in the drawing-room. He has just knocked up against the piano. Didn't you hoar him?" "All right," said John Thomas, jumping out of bed, "I'll, go down. "Oh, John Thomas," cried Mrs H., in alarm, don't do anything rash." "Certainly not," replied J. T., as he opened the bedroom door; "I'm going to help him. You don't suppose he can get that piano oiic of the house without assist- ance, do you?'' I Let the Cat Out of the Bag. Assistant (after cutting off seventeen patterns): Will there be anything more to-da.y, madam ? Miss Grabber: No, thank you; but let me see, I think you'd better let me have another pattern. My mother is so very particular. Cnt a piece from off that roll under your hand. Small Sister (loud enough to be overheard) "Why, Annie, mother said she wasn't going to have any blue in that crazy quilts because it fades so. I was married on Fridav, the 13th," she said. Well," replied the intimate friend, with no desire to be disagreeable, that effec- tually disposes of the idea that it is unlucky. It I was really you." I She Scored. Grierson (winding up the discussion): Yes, I daresay. Bnt yell must admit you didn't know much when you married mo, Mrs Grierson: Yes no doubt that accounts for itl Doctor Nobody can justly accuse me of par- tiality in my practice. I treat all my patients alike.. Patients Then I shall ha.Te to-oall in another physician. I can sec crape on the door of your patient over the way. "Git Yet 'Air Cut."—a famous pianist, almost as celebrated for the length of his nair as for his music, lately purchased a penny paper from a newsboy whose face was dirty even Tbe- yond the ordinary dirtiness of newsboys. The pianist paid for it with a threepenny-bit, and, of course, the boy had no change. Never I mind," said the musician, "go and spend it on getting your facc washed." Without a nR>ment's hesitation the boy plunged his hand into his pocket, pulled out the threepennv-bit, and I shoved it into his customer's hand. 'Ere, guv'nor," he sa.id, "you keep the frnppence, and git yer 2air cut.

WELSH GLEANINGS. Principal Bebb, of St. David's College, Lam- peter, is on a visit to Llanwrin. Gwili intends publishing his latest success— a pryddest on U ffern," which won the prize at Dolgellau Eisteddfod. There are station mistresses on the Cambrian Railways. Miss Jenkins hfte been stationed at Dolwen for the last six y«§sts, and Miss Jones is and has been for sixteen' years at St. Harmon's, This is said to be a unique feature in the annals of British railways. The British Medical Journal understands that the honorary degree of LL.D. (Doctor of Laws) of the Edinburgh University is to be con- ferred on Sir John Williams, the famous Welsh physician. Sir John and Lady Williams have now arrived at their country residence in Llan- stephan for the Easter holidays. As illustrating the pace at which the depait- mental mind works, the following instance would be hard to beat A local authority in North Wales submitted to the Local Government Board plans for an extension of gasworks. After I keeping them for three months the Board re- turned them with an inquiry as to\ what a^ bit of colour on one of the sheets represented The Federation of School Boards for Wales and Uonmonthshire hag much ground to gain I before it can be regarded as fully representative of the Principality. It is a matter of regret that out of more than 120 School Boards in North Wales only twenty-one belong to the Federation, and out of 380 in the whole of Wales only seventy- six have joined. Mr Jenkin Howell, of Aberdare, thinks that the story about Twmi Domos Dafydd and Llew, llwyfo, which appeared in this column cannot be exactly true. "There was." he writes, "no park in the place when Llew lived here, nor for at least eight years afterfae left. That Llew was capable of playing such a .part goes without say- ing. but the character of trar beautiful paa-k must be defended." The tonic sol-faists of South Wales are making arrangements for a conterence in the autumn at Treorky. The programme will include an address by Mr Harrison, M.A., Mus.Bac., Oxon, the secretary of the Tonic Sol-fa College an address on Conducting" by Mr Venables and an address on "Harmony by Mr David Jen- kins, Mus.Bac. Mr W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), Mr Alfred Thomas, M.P., and Mr Spencer Cur- wen have been chosen to preside at the meetings. Mr Justice Mathew has appointed Mr David Henry Crompton, barrister-at-law, of the Inner Temple, Clerk of Assize on the North Wales Circuit in succession to his father, Mr Henry Crompton, who has resigned the appointment. Mr Henry Crompton had held the post since 1859, and at the time of his resignation was probably the senior Clerk of Assize in England or Wales. A son of Mr Justice Crompton, who died in 1865, Mr Henry Crompton waa bom in 1836. I t, The Ioiig-expected History of Neath Abbey 1 (one of the most interesting monasteries in the Principality) will be issued shortly, thanks to the enterprise of a local journalist, Mr John E. Richards, Neath. The work will include the his- tory of Neath Castle also, together with many other historical incidents of the district. This preparation is also undtrta&en by Dr. Walter de Gray Birch, LLJfr., F.S.A., of the British Museum, who will be fcnown also as the editor of the History of Margara Abbey," and other valuable works. U Un l'hyfeda yw Pv; un wedi meddwi" is a familiar line of Welsh poetry. A farmer named John, living at Cefncarfan, near Bridgend, saw the descriptive picture of the poet in real life on I Monday evening. He was taking some ferns to put under the pigs in their cot, when, to his con- sternation, he found there was an increase in their number. The new comer was a man, in his shirt sleeves, with his coat around his head and the pigs lying comfortably around him. He pleaded hard to be allowed to remain, but the pigs pro- tested, and the farmer supported their protest, fearing the stranger would demoralise the pigs— for the pigs were sober, but the man was not. The Duke of Beauiort, who is disposing of some of bis estates, comes of a family which was once a great pillar of the aristocracy. One of the Duke's ancestors was sufficiently interested in Charles Stuart to spend £300,000 on his cause. The present Duke, remarks the" St. James's Gazette," though he is well past middle age, has not taken an active interest in politics, and has only once or twice been noticed in the House of Lords. The most interesting thing he has done during the last few years was to marry the widow of Baron de Tuyll. His House is famous for its devotion to sport and Toryism his father spent a small fortune on the Badminton Hunt. It is Twrfab's opinion that the old Welsh hymn, Beth aydd imi yn y byd," is altogether too dismal and gloomy, and suggests the follow- ing paraphrase as a substitute :— Beth sydd imi yn y byd Ond amrywiaeth mawr o hyd 'R hin yn gyfnewidiol syda, Haf a givnaf, nos a dydd. Meddyg archolledig rai, Gwen dy wyneb sv'n iachan; Dal fy llygaid, Geidwad mad, Ar hin deg y nefol wlad. Gwynfe. a small Carmarthenshire village, enjoys the reputation of being the home of many missionaries and ministers. The late Rev. W. Griffiths, the first missionary to set foot in Madagascar, was born near Gwynfe, and the Rev. John Edwards, D.D., the home missionary at Pittsburg, is a native of tho same neighbour- hood. It is well known that Congregationalism reigns supreme at Gwynfe, but it is curious that the latest addition to the host of ministers who hail from there is a Methodist, and Mr Morgan Jones, senior student of Trevecca College and a native of Gwynfe, who recently accepted the pastorate of Furnace (C.M.) Chapel, Llanelly, is considered a very good preacher amongst the Corph." We do not think that King Edward will be as forgetful of Wales as his predecessor, George IV., was. On one occasion that monarch was storm-driven to Milford Haven. He was sea-sick, cross, and drunk, and he drove rapidly through the country to London. To this time (according to Mrs Margaret L. Woods in the current number of the Nineteenth Century ") must belong the story of the good Welsh burgesses who went out to meet their King with a loyal address of welcome. The same writer, continuing, says that a Mayor, or what not, spoke it but the King was speaking, too. At length his reply waa audible. He rose to his feet in the carriage and waved his hand towards his loving subjects. Drive over them he yelled to the coachman drive over them I' And so departed he from Wales." Both in respect to the variety and interest of its contents "Young Wales" for April is a capital number, and fully maintains the high standard of excellence reached by tho new series. The literary staff" of the magazine are por- trayed in the frontispiece, and in the pages appear several other illustrations of leading Welshmen. Sir William H. Preece, K CJ3-, F.R.S., contributes an article on Dewi Sant, which includes some interesting studies of Shakespeare's Welshmen. In Sir William's opinion Shakespeare's sketch ofWelshcharacler is a masterpiece of dramatic.authorship. Mr Ernest Rhys contributes the opening chapter-of a. story with Welsh flavour, The Disillusion of John Prooort," and local interest attaches to a critical, though kindly, review by Mr F. E. Hameroftha "Son of Judith," a tale of the Welsh mining valleys, written by Mr Joseph Keating, of Cardiff. In his WaJes, Month by Month," the editor (Mr J. Hugh Edwaxds) speaks of theFree Church conference gathering at Cardiff, I and' ventures the opinion that though Wales at large extended, through the hand of Cardiff, a very warm welcome to the National Council, it is very questionable whether the assembly gave Wales in return the same full measure of respcct." The writer complains of the president s back-handed compliments to Wales," and that so few Welshmen were given a place in the official programme of speakers.

THE HOUSEHOLD. An old lady complained to me the other day, ? that she had nothing with which to occupy her hands. She said she found the counting of stitches in fancy knitting too much for her eyes, therefore I told her of the following very simple way of making pretty wool wraps. Procure nine ounces of white double Berlin wool, and three balls of pale green spangled Eis wool, also two very thick wooden pins. Cast on with the white wool, 80 stitches (or 90 if preferred), and knit six rows, *join on the Eis wool with a neat knot, and knit four rows, break off and join on the white again, and knit five rows repeat from knitting alternate stripes of white and pale green, always being careful to have each fastening of wool on the same side- of the shawl, thus making a right and a wrong side to the work. When the His wool is nearly used up, malie two large tassels I A Knitted Cloud. j abont five inches in depth of the Borliji wool mix- ing with it a little of the green. Having knitted with the white wool last, cast off, draw each end of the wrap together with a needle, and fasten with a tassel at each end. This cloud will be about two and a half yards long, and may be mada into a hood for the head by finishing one end with a bow of ribbon instead of the tassel. Shet- land wool is sometimes used with the Berlin, but it very easily catches in things, and consequently tears. Knitting silk also looks very pretty, as a substitnte for the Eis wool. Everyone knows how extremely difficult it is to keep a room tidy when one has a lot of mending about, and many are the devices which have been resorted to. A work-basket, is no use, for it is invariably too small, which means that the lid cannot be closed, and the work tumbles about all over the place. Now, nothing could be simpler than to have this screen, the pockets of which are large and numerous enough to contain all the mending of the household. It can be easily made at home, and may possess two, three, or four folds, according to the fancy of the maker. The screen itself can be made of bamboo, which can be purchased at most oil shops at a very rea- sonable price. The bamboo for the upright should be fairly stout, about an inch and a, half in diameter. All must be the same length, the number of course depending upon the number of folds. Don't forget in cutting bamboo, that a fine saw must be used, and that very little PpBS sure is needed, otherwise your cane will split in the cutting. Now for the crossbars. If the screen is to have three pockets, you will require four cross pieces on each leaf, one at the top and bottom, and two midway, at such a distance apart that the pockets occupy the spaces made by the divisions formed by the crossbars. The pockets could be fastened to these bars, ac well as the material covering the by the divisions formed by the crossbars. The pockets could be fastened to these bars, ac well as the material covering the screen, so adding to their strength. Great I A Hold-All Screen for the Workroom. I care must be taken in molting holes inbamboo 00 as not to split the cane. A "centre" is the best tool to employ for this purpose, but, as it is a rather expensive purchase, a small hot poker: I can be used instead. but it must be red hot each time it is used. Mark on all the uprights with a pair of compasses exactly where the holes ¡! axe to come, not only their position, but the exact diameter of the cross-pieces. Commence from the centre of each circle and burn a hole right through the inner side of the b&mooo, working through the inner side of the bamboo, working the poker round to enlarge the hole when neces- sary. Do not let the holes be a bit too big to take the crossbars or the strength of the framework will be lessened they mast fit ex- actly. Having prepared your citse so far, get some strong, fresh glue make it boiling hot, and glue the bars into the uprights, tying the frames together to keep the cross-pieces in position till tho glue has set. It will take about twenty-four hours. The best way of hingeing the leaves to- gether, which is your next piece of work, is by means of ordinary chair webbing, such as is used on the common clothes-horse, so arranging it that the screen will open either way. The material for covering the screen is entirely a. matter of taste. I should advise a lightly-woven canvas, which will give the strength desired, and be en- tirely hidden by the pockets. These should be of some bright colour, in strong cretonne or serge, lined with canvas. Stitch the pockets all round the three sides, and work a fancy stitch, herring- bone, or feather stitch, all round them, which would make a pretty finish, or should you'wish further to adorn them, a design of flowers or butterflies might be worked in silk or wool. in the centre of each pocket. I came across a very pretty and useful pincase the other day. It was made from a short length of ribbon and a small piece of flannel. The rib- bon, which was about three quarters of a yard in length, was mitred at one end, on which mitre was marked, in pale blue silk, a pretty spray of forget-me-ncts. Through a slit at tho top of the mitre was stitched a narrow piece of saa-sanet ribbon, which formed a I A Portable Pin Case. j r tie. Down the inside of the ribbon, extending to within half an inch of either side of the edge, was sewn a piece of white flannel, prettily but- tonholed all round in pale blue silk, and on the flannel were arranged black and white pins, as shown in the illustration. This case has the advantage of being portable, as when rolled up and tied round by means of the sarsanet ribbon, it is quite safely carried in the pocket. It is well known that gruel is not universally appreciated, but this is not, perhaps, so much from the fact of its being gruel, but that it is very rarely well made. To begin with, most cooks are too impatient to take the extra trouble of first mixing it with cold water, and afterwards adding the hot slowly. It can be made by mixing two dessert-spoonfuls of fine English meal into a thin batter, and then gradually adding to it a, pint of boiling water in a sauce- pan. Boil this for ten minutes, and sweeten to taste. Not only will the spruel made in this way prove more palatable, but it will a1 go be far mci-e esbsily digested by the invalid. ETHEL.

An Unlucky Throw.-u Invade England f". exclaimed the enthusiastic Frenchmcji. Easiest thing in the world Why, sir, in 12 hours we could throw an army of 100,000 men into Eng- land Possibly Possibly replied his leas enthusiastic countryman. But what if the English should refuse to throw the army back ?" The Negro's Caution.—Amusing mistakes, and mistakes not amusing, have sometimes boen made in connection with the tying of the Jhlot, and not all have been so careful as the bride- groom iu the following anecdote At a negro wedding,when tho clergyman had read the words, love. honour, and obey." the bridegroom inter- rupted him and said, Please. sah, read dat again. Read it once mo', so's de lady kin ketch de fnll solemnity of de meaning adding sug- gestively, I'se been married befo'

MUSIC IN WALES. BY 0. EMLYfl EVANS. (Llew Lywyvo.) The death of Llew Llwyvo removes from our midst a once familiar figure on the Eisteddfod and concert platform, and who was one of the last representatives of that generation of musical eisteddfodists who formed a link between the Wales of the past and that of the pesent—the Cymru Fu and Cymrn Sydd," the Wales of the harpers and pennillion singers, and the Wales of large choirs, expert soloists, and of at least aspirations after advanced instrumental development generally. In thus allying, or apparently allying, Llew Lhryvo with music in particular, we do not wish to convey the idea that his claims lie solely, or even chiefly, in that direction. Llew was a man. of varied abilities, and had won successes as poet, journalist, essayist, novelist, and vocalist, as well. as adjudicator and eisteddfod conductor; and. his position in the Welsh WalhaIIa, will rest upon, his merits in poetic and literary composition. Musically he must be ganged from a vocal stand- point, and in the zenith of his popularity the public at large knew him, mainly, as one who* could sing a song or a ballad in a manner they could both hear and understand, and valued him. accordingly. As the well-versed in eisteddfodic history is aware, for some time the musical doings were limited to an occasional prformance on the Welsh harp. and pennillion singing in the course of the proceedings. In no one's dreams had an. eisteddfod concert figured, but when such con- certs became realities then the poor harp and the penmliion were made to feel that, except to be now and then displayed as curiosities, they had done their day's work. Then the ballad, and the Welsh air as vocal song came in and in these LIew Llwyvo, who had been endowed with a good vocal organ, made his mark. In addition to what may be termed a voice of considerable carrying power, Llew also possessed the sense to perceive that not one whit less essential was it to sing in a manner and language tmderstanded of the people. He entertained his hearers, and If He Did Not Aim fer High Art neither did he descend to that which was low., Morfa RhllddlRJI" and John Jones a John Bull may not appeal to the musical epicure, but they were healthier fare than much of what is offered at eisteddfodan and concerts "in these more ambitious days. It was also, as already in- dicated, a period of transition the old school of pennillionists in which enunciation and the in ingeniousness of the versification took precedence of vocal quality at one end, and at the other the incoming cult -which placed vocalisation first and highest. Certain statements have been made regarding Llew Llwyvo which must be taken earn graaa salis. such as his having trained Edith Wynne, Mrs Watts Hnghes, Eos Morlais, etc., and his friends know nothing of the JE500 said to have been raised at the last Swansea Eisteddfod by Sir John Pnleston and other prominent Welsh- men," and "which purchased an annuity for Llwvo." We have not to deal here with the bard's chequered life, and in any case de mortuis nil," etc., but the facts are that during the last nine years of his life, i.e., since Rhyl National Eisteddfod, 1892, up to his death, he was kept above want and in comparative com- fort, through the kindness and generosity of some friends, chiefly at Carnarvon, and notably of Mr M. T. Morris,although it is but fair to add tha' others contributed, including Mr James Sstuvage (New York (son-in-laJi), and other relatives whilst Merthyr, true to its old tradi- tions—as witness the case of Robyn Ddu Eryxi— also gave liberally through the hands of Mr John Vaughau. Mr M. T. Morris, to the last faithful to a self-imposed trust, undertook the funeral arrangemennts, and at the end of a stressful life poor Llew was put to rest beside his wife, who had predeceased him by many years, in Llanbiblig Churchyard. He had a most re- pec-table fnneral." onr informant tells us; "a, number of the leading men of the town and 1 country, as well as other districts, being pre- .sent. T i Widest beth Ddywed fy Nghalon." Our entertaining friend Morien has woven an interesting little story around the above line, but which he does not quote quite correctly the a in his Ti a wyddost being a somewhat, inelegant addition to the original. Ceiriog him-; self furnishes us with authentic particulars as to the point in question, in a note to the verses, of which the above forms the title and final line, published in his first book of poems, Oriau'r' Hwyr (1860). These verses," he states, were occasioned by the parting words of the I author's mother, when she was returning to Wales after paying him a visit. Ceiriog was then living in Manchester, and although Llew Llwyvo played many parts in life we have no record, either in his autobiography published in Carnarvon some years ago, nor else- where, that he ever served^as a draper's assistant or lived in the cotton city. The two opening lines of the poem are :— Yn araf i safle'r getbydres gerllaw, Y rhodiai fy mam gyda i phlentyn no allusion to a third person intruding upon the sacredness of that parting scene between mother and child. The line—often abbreviated into Ti wyddest (Thou knowost)—has. become popular, we should say, because of the depth of exprtession and sentiment which it contains in itself, the beauty of the verses as a whole, and the exceed- ingly sympathetic music to which they have been set by Dr. Joseph Parry. It is but rarely that even Ceiriog wrote anything finer than these stanzas, especially the last, which has been rendered into English with a considerable <Vi' Ount of success by the Rev. Edmund Q. JOnes in his first volume of Welsh Lyrics :— Sin not "—in the skies though this sentence I read, In letters of fire engraven, Though roared the loud thunder in accents of dread, Transgress not the laws of high heaven Though slowed the swift lightning to one solid flame, My feet from ungodliness staying, Far stronger the words from my mother which came— You know what my heart, dear, is saying." A Manx Eisteddfod, In times when the Celtic element in these islands was something more than a mere fringe, the eisteddfod was probably not an un- •. known institution in the Isle of Man and even in our own day Mon a Manaw (Anglesey and the Isle of Man) have been bracketed together in the programmes at least of some of our national gatherings. The recent awakening of our Celtic brethren in mattfers literary and musical has not been without effect upon the Manxman, as the annual music competitions held in the island of late years prove, the ninth having taken place at Douglas on March 20th and 21st last. With commendable modesty there meetings are called exactly what they are, Music Competitions, not a Grand Musical Eisteddfod," or some such title, as too often adopted in Wales. The pro- grammes issued at Douglas also are precisely what such documents should be, means of pro- viding full information regarding the business in hand, and not trade advertisements necessitating a wild hunt for what stray and limited particu- lars of the competitions they may contain. Here we had the words of each piece, numbers and names of competitors, distinguishing colours of. the choirs, and a time-table of the competitions,: this latter system being carried out successfully as we understand. The competitive pieces were all of good standard, and had evidently been selected with care and discrimination. We also find prizes offered in sight-reading for juniors, adults, and for chorrs, and that they induced satisfactory contests. When shall we in the home of the eisteddfod be able to report simi- larly ? Two prizes were offered for the beet accompaniment (amateur), another example that we could profitably follow- Dr. Roland Rogers, who adjudicated, stated that" the pro. gramme they had gone through in the last two days was one of the best he had ever seen. Everything had been arranged so progressively and if continued he felt sure the effect of these contests must have a great influence on the musical talent of the island in the future." The lesson taught us from Manxland is to be busi- nesslike and progressive in our eisteddfodic work, to discard the old happy-go-lucky stagnancy for that which is systematical and abreast of the times.

Illustrated Fashions. I' The Englishwoman is famed all the world over "for her prowess in all matters pertaining to sport. The girl of the present day glories in the proficiency' in pursuits which in the middle of the last cen- tury would have been considered exceedingly unfeminine and unladylike. Cycling, golfing, hockey, cricket, swimming, and even skating were not, in our grandmothers' days, within the sphere of a woman's capabilities, and her atten- tion was devoted only to working unnatural flowers in wool and silk on canvas, or in house- wifely pursuits, and the brewing of herbs gua- ranteed to cure anything from rheumatism to gout, which the old dames of the village chose to lay claim to. The result of the .gradual under- mining of all sucb ideas is that the girls now-a-days diSIJlay.1, much finer physique than their ancestors, and would scorn to consider a disposition to ward hys- terics a peculiarity to be envied. And if the A Riding Habit. I t Englishwoman has won a name for herself in the eyes of the public as a keen and oftentimes suc- cessful competitor in all matters relating to out- door sport, she has commaded the respect of her Continental sisters in regard to her costume and outfit generally, which is workmanlike and fits both the requirements of the occasion and her figure to a nicety. This fact is more particularly noticeable when equipped for a scamper acrqss country on horseback, or a spin on her bike. In my sketch you will find depicted a smart costume for the first sport. The coat and riding skirt are of navy blue waterproof cloth. and the former is well modelled to the lines of the figure, while the, latter is cut to walking length, and hangs well and straight when in the saddle. Some girls do not realise the necessity of having a riding costume "built" by an experienced tailor, and content themselves with manufacturing a home- made article, with the aid of the local dress- maker. To my mind, the girl who can afford to ride on horseback must be prepared to supply herself with a riding-habit, hat, boots, gloves, &c., of the most approved style, otherwise she should remain content with something less am- bitions. To fill this requirement cycling will be found a welcome second, and since the introduction of the free wheel this pursuit has become more than ever popular. It has the undoubted advantage over riding on horseback that the exploiter, when i I A Smart Cycling C<5StUfne. l ) weary, can alight from her iron steed and resttvhen and where she will. whereas in the former case this is not by any means feasible. Owing to the fact that mourning was almost compulsory dur- ing the early part of this season, many bla.ck;cos- tumes have been seen on aluminium and silver- mounted cycles on the routes ladies love to fre- quent, but with the arrival half-mourning the eye is gratified by the many pretty toilettes which, on wheels," are to be encountered every day, but more particularly at the week ends, happily seeking relief from the sordidness of town in the seclusion of the suburbs. I saw a girl riding a cycle in such a pretty tnrnout that I cannot resist demonstrating its charms to my readers with a view to their acquiring the best I points thereof and adapting such to their own requirements. The gown in this instance was exceedingly simple in design, but clad the rider who guided the silver-grey bike to perfection. It was designed of just that particular shade I of grey tweed which somehow or other doesn't I show traces of dust, and was worn with soft, grey kid shoes and gaiters en suite. The owner thereof was tall, with a graceful, well-modelled figure—a J A Useful Hat. fact which cdCdticed greatly to the stweess of the tout ensemble. The bodice was cut on easy lines in front and tucked crossways, while a rolling collar of white satin, finished in front by a black tic arranged sailor fashion, looked exceedingly chic, the general effect being greatly added to by the black stitching. The whole was completed by a trim sailor ha. of white straw, banded in black, such as is shown in the illustration. The only marked difference between this chapeau and its predeces- sors lies in the fact that it is banded neither with black silk ribbon nor tan leather, but with a double strap of black leather, secured at the side by two very business-like steel buckles.

Very Often.—PhUosopher You can't judge a man by the clothes, he w ears.—Cyme That may be so but yon can by those his wife wears. Limitations.—First Cavalier The King can do no wrong.—Second Cavalier Ah, yes And what a wearisome life a King's must be, to be sure!

Welsh Tit-Bits. Ticyn oOipynau Cymreig. ByCADRA WI. Barrel Organ in Churches. In reply to a query which appeared in thI8 column two weeks ago. I have received the follow- ing information from MrJ, Edwards, of Newport, road, Cardiff:- I, At St. Hilary Church, near Cowbridge, I remember a barrel organ being used to lead the singing. The incumbent at the time was the Rev. George Montgomery Traherne. It would be in the fifties, about the time of the Crimean War. It was not for a special occasion, but waa in regular use. leading the singing ifor 80m. time." The Rev. J. M. Traherne was born at Coed- riglan, near Cardiff. being the son of Mr Llew- elyn Traheme. He was educated at Cambridge, where he graduated B.A. in 1810. and M.A. in 1813. He was ordained deacon in 1812 and priest in 1813, by the Bishop of Bath and Wells. He married Mies Charlotte Louisa, dasghter of Mr Thomas Mansell Talbot, of Margam Park, and sister of the ]pte Mr C. R. M. Talbot, MJP. for Mid-Glamorgan. He was in his time consi- dered the best authority on ecclesiastical archi- tecture in South Wales. He wrote several import- ant historical notices in pamphlets, and also to tha "Archseologia Cambrensis. as well as toother antiquarian journals. Mrs Traherne was a skilful artist, and published some very fine drawings of places of interest in the Vale. be- sides leaving a collection of drawings of old churches in Glamorgan. Mr Traherne died February 6th, 1860, at Coedrighw. Curious Old Welsh Hymns. I am in receipt of several oonrmimicatirtns from friends interested in the above subject, audi though some of them declare their inability to add to the collection, they neverthelass hope that it will be a good one. My friend Ap Gwilym, Bettws, has sent a..choice few of what I really wanted. I may remind my readers again that I shall not use any hymn which is known to be printed in any Welsh collection, such as those included in Ap Gvilym's contribution, via.^— 'Rym yn dy erfyn. Arghwydd mawr, &0. Angau yw torfyn pob dyn byw, &c. The first being a well-known hymn by WillifHna of Pa-ntycelyn, and the latter is from Arch- deacon Pryse's Version of the Psalms. Again, I will not include paraphrases of well-known hymns. This collection must be perfectly ori- ginal, like the following :— # Dafydd, gyda chareg fach, Dim mwy na bwtwn, D'rawodd Goliath fawr i'r IlaiW, Mor farwed a chig llwtwn. In parts of Glamorgan a sheep is called nw- and llwddwn. instead of llwdn. Emynau AngladdoL 0, codweh fi, fy mhedwar ffrynd, O'r ty Ïr bedd sydd raid im' fyn'tlt Yty o glai rhaid aros draw— Y fi sy'n myn'd a chwithau ddawi Fe'm cleddir inau ma's o law, A chaib a rhaw a phicis; Os na chaf 'nabod Crist yn frawfl, Hi fydd yn dlawd echrydus. Mewn coffin cul o bren caf fod, Heb allu symnd llaw na thro'd; A m corph vn Dawn o bryfed byw, A m enaid bach lie myno Duw. Harvest Thanksgiving Service. Tydi, 0 Arglwydd. wyt yn rhoi Bara beunydd ini gnoi; Os daeth gwlybamaeth ar yr ycf," Ti ro'ist y tatws ini gyd. Beer Drinking in Olden Times. There has been lately a good deal of attentlffli given to beer, the Englishman's favourite beve- rage, and of late years the Welshman has not been backward in consuming his share, tba national Welsh beverage being neglected pro- bably on account of the material for making mead getting les?, while the popniaticnmcreaaed. It seems that the inhabitants of this island have always been fond of their drink, and beet drinking was a family custom in England witls high and low up to the fourteenth century, while the inhabitants of Wales drank mostly hydromel,, (mead) up to the year 1049 afterwards beer, of which were two descriptions—common ale and spiced ale. The law even at that time regnlato3, and fixed the price of the latter at twice t1w: value of the former. In 1307 we read that beef had become dearer, and its price, according to quality, was two. three, and four pence a gallon. Accordingly a regulation of the Corporation the City of London determined that a gallon f the best beer shonld only cost three halfpence and common beer one penny. Perhaps the fire place where beer is alluded to in Welsh literar ture is in a poem by Taliesin- Y gwr am roddes y gwin a'r cwrwf a'r med. Then there is a Welsh proverb which says :— AIlwedd calon, cwrw da. Cwrw main (small beer) is recommenddd i# Meddygon Myddfai, with other things for < bad cough. Cwrw cadarn (strong beer) the old Welsh called their strong ale. There are also special lawf concerning beer in Howel the Good's Laws, com" piled in the ninth century. In Holinshed's time (about 1570) different descriptions of beer were brewed in England, The best was called March beer, because it waf brewed in the month of March, and it \r&F com. monly drank after being one month old, but aJ, the tables of distinguished people one and tWC: years old From that time, say from the begisr ning of the seventeenth century, wine, which waC imported in many qualities, superseded beert and at the time of Henry VllI, wines from Gaa. cony formed the chief beverage. There also existed some police inspection of breweries in the sixteenth century. The omcert: were called conners. We have plenty of recotdf telling us how the English brewed their beer, and celebrated was the beer of Hereford, which was known by the name Kamna in the Middle Ages. Then the old British Koorow, in th* county of Derby, and especially the Yorkshire ale. There was also the spiced beer called brabefc. made of ale, and pepper, and honey, and muefJ. in favour by the poorer people. Till the middle of last centniy people warf allowed to brew their own beer, and the revenue from beer was calculated on the quantity of malt used. The excisemen a.nèJJ\ .supervisors were much dreaded, and when they did find Excise articles the fine was a severe one. I have a chain of" englynion composed by a parish clerk at Llan-, gyfelach, written in 1700, satirising a supervises by the name of Fox, who had caught him con- cealing a quantity of malt. Lean only give tN', first and last as a specimen of the whole, whie& have never been published:— Exciseman llydan fel Ho—gwr anvtf Hwn enwit yn gadno; Aflwydd blin a i adilyno, Wrth regau'r byd—" Yn grog y fco." Lladron llawn udon linn adain—y diawf A'i ddwylo n ei 'sgrifen Idofrnddion rhyddion yw rhain, A'r Cythranl yn eu cathrain.

A SATURDAY SERMON, Although a kindness comes better late thU. never, many an act that would give a great deai of pleasure if done in season, loses half its grae< by a tardiness of performance. The roason foS this habit of being behind—for it a habit—it hard to find. Seldom is anything gained by ify and time is actually lost in the apology making and explanation? that have to follow. The letter sent on time has a fragrance that the long. delayed one, half-filled with explanations, cannot possibly have. Apo. ^ios necessitated by oul own carelessnona or tardiness are unpleasant things to make or to receive. The book thn.t ie being widely read and discussed, and which tht. owner intends to pass on to one who has few chances to dip into now hooks, will be far more welcome if offered while a fresh interest clingr to its pages. No one btrf would give a cordial assent tc 9*1 of these propositions, bnt proiMbty the most of us have at lhr- present moment t number of -inch inter ue l tmt postponed kindi nessee en onr conscicnces, but will scarce) y otertf the name of kicdners if urn eh longer defe-med.

Ambiguous.—: M&ry. didn't T hMf you kiss that yonn* mac hu.t. nip-hi who-: rvciy. away ?—Maid UMpc aiot, It;? aiwaye hard to make IncoiopetSM*-fef i:cve that it has been fairly U9&tea« <