The Cardiff Times

..L ,U SUNCLAL j TOBAuA* IS the Best. "8 Try It.

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. I t BY MABON, M.P. 'It THE ALL-ROUND HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR. S— Thtf peace. goodwill, and happiness of the New Year fortunately has not been broken this Mwae by the, pa;lr c cry of the unemployed. NPt that ? is W be assumed for a moment Inafc there are KQ Unemployed in the land now. For whatever the state of the trade may be, we jkali always hav% with ii!ik, the inefficient and 2he ufltraiued workers that are continually in danger of lapsing into the ranks of the unem- ployed and even the unemployable. But nnemployMeut as a painful social omen Is riot to-day detracting from our pleasing and satisfactory symptoms of British social Well being. The industries-, of our country, geiNfraHy speaking. are fally^mployed and our fereignfc#s £ de is increasing1 by leaps and bounds In fact almost every possible factor is predic. ting or.showing, as vit were/some?satisfactory proirf thaut the year 1907 is going to be an ex- ceedingly prosperous year. All classes, as far as I can see, are participat- ing in the revival of trade, and also inJthat well-timed enj ovment that the peace and hap- piness which this season of the year brings in its train. 4, I Other countries, such as America and Canada, Germany and France, shared greatly in the great commercial, prosperity of the year that has just closed, and are likely to share very largely in the promised practical prosperity of the present year. But strange'to say .,i Britain, of all others, is the one country. because of the great, commercial interest she has in every quarter of the globe, anp her free- dom of trade, can really Jejoice 1n the trade Successes of other countries, because she herself directly benefits largely from their increase d wealth. She is the only country that can say— what, increase of wealth prosperity brings into other countries, ehe also brings it into me. Trade, as a rule, rrtovas in cycles, and there ire manifold indications that in the New Year., prosperity will continue unchecked. Mr Shaw, Secretary to the United States rreaaurv, has been warning the American of thepossiblc ill-luck of good-luck. tVhi'ie addresskig an assembly of manufacturers .w day:agó. he is reported to have said, flat down upon your knees to-night a'*d to save the country from its pros- We are going too fast. Only complete disaster can follow the continuation of the pt unparalleled conditions." There can be no-better counsel given to any people or peoples, to any nation of nations, in a time of feverish rush. Modern experience teadhes that a boom is very apt to be succeeded by a period of severe jepressi, In fact, the seeds of the one ar-q often sown by the other. Such stimulus Is fciven to production bv an abnormal depiand «h*t -when the demand falls to the normal level prices come tumbling down, stocks accumulate, "nd lean yegs follow. JSncmgh of this, though. Ths -4ide Apt intend treating with in f-hie, my first article, of the most promising, and, I -expect, the most astoundingly progressive and indus- briaJly successful yenrduring the period of one's life. That a period of Jeau years will come in '.heiiHitce ig natural,but pot yet. Kuough to the :<day is the evil thereof, so let u§ flrocfeed t^> deal with the most present, as well as the most pleasant state of things. Shall I say that here in Great Britain we are <aJi glad to learn that trade and commerce in 'jaQfj United States are so-what shall I say ?— < 'threateningly flourishing that it is thought wise that they, at least those 'of them who still do so,should pray God to save their country from its Drosperity ? And while weshould say our Amens most emphatically to that wish, still, our admiration of that country and its people is such that we cannot refrain, somehow. from thanking His Eternal Majesty" for bestowing upon them such bountiful showers of material blessing as they are already experi- encing, and are likely to do so for another year at least. It is not new for us to learn that the manufacturers and merchants of America are at their wits' end to supply the demand, that the railways are literally choked with traffic, etc. America does everything, even trade booming, on the grand scale. The great trans-Atl.-ntic Republic is a Continent in itself, and it is still in its youth, industrially speaking; it greatly surpasses us in area, in mineral wealth, and in production and population, etc., Btc., and we do not begrudge our cousins the fact that their country once more apparently reeks with plenty." Still it is not only the United States that are experiencing a spell of great commercial pros- perity. In Canada, as well as in the States, the year now closing has been one of abound- ing plenty. Land values in the Dominion have been rapidly advancing. The harvest has been abundant, and manufactures are thriving. Only the other day Sir Wilfred Laurier, in a ipeech in the Canadian Parliament, spok-e of the year as one of phenomenal prosperity. Great Britain," he said, the mother of trade as it is the mother of freedom, has a trade of 420 per head of the population, Germany a trade of.Elo per head, the Uuited States a trade of iEg per head, while Canada has a trade of zEI8 per head of the population." evidently by far the nearest approach to the Mother Country of all others. Canada doubtless is a country with a magnificent future, and we can readily pardon Sir Wilfred Laurier's enthusiasm with regard to it. Seeking for future consolation with regard to bfae Parliamentary solution of Social Ques- tions," from our experience of the year that has just closed one may justly assert that the immediate future even is not without great promise. Already the new Parliament has felt that their discussion thereof was more real and rigorous than at any other of its predecessors. The advent of the fifty Labour members thereto gave the discussion more life. reality and prac- ticability, and I must admit that the change was quite, though quietly welcomed by the great bulk of the Liberal members. As to the attitude of the Labour members towards the Liberal party there are doubtless differences of opinion within the ranks. It must be remem- bered there are yet but a body of men gathered together from different societies, and holding different views—a portion of that body's support is drawn from workmen who were equally hostile to both parties. But all fair- minded men will admit that, in the main, both Labour and Liberalism owe their unexampled victory last year to their success in omit- tifag their differences, and working together. Doubtless as long as this union continues the united parties of progress will hold their own; and if we Ipok at the practical aims of both parties, there is no reason why it should not continue. In many a vital question the Labour men showed themselves in the hour of trial the staunchestof Radicals,and the Radical members were always safe on Labour ques- tions. With many of the problems of poverty and unemployment, of overcrowding and put:\C convenience., that come before the Bouse, both these parties, with very few ex- ceptions indo--d. stood shoulder to shoulder against the c-jmmon foe—and without pre- judice to any new movement. Among the Labour men, I hope that the day is long dis- tant when they will do anything tending to break up this unity, and to refuse to recognise as friends those who are always prepared to help them.

Little Bobbie (looking up from his school reading book): I say, papa, do you believe this story about the Pied Piper of Hamelin? It says, you know, that when the piper played the rats all followed him and drowned themselves.— Papa I have no doubt that's a true story, Bobbie. There's a piper in this town that makes us all wish to drown ourselves when we bear him play.

Welsh Tit-Bits. Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion By OADRAWD. A little thought, when I sent as usual my compliments of the season to an old friend that what I wished to tell him in secret should be announced on the house top. and made tbe gossip of South Wales. However, the result has been marvellous in my sight, for I have received quite a number of congratula- tions from friends, stamped with the impres- sion of the old metre so dear to me, viz.. Tri- ban Morganwg," for which I am profoundly thankful. To me. after so many years of toil in con- nection with the old Tribanau," it is a satis- faction to see the great revival in the love for the oldest Weish metre. The little measure has been looked upon by our chaired bards of latter day order as a loose incoherent triban," too common for any good (!) poetry, knowing not. or at least caring not, that it is as ancient as englyn Milwr," the most:a,ncient of British verse, or perhaps any other in the world. In this metre we are informed by no less an authority than Lewvs Ddu oFon,"vtbis kind of triplets of eight syllables, the song called the Book f Job was written, which Is supposed to be the oldest poem extant, and all our British poetry was in thajsame kind of stanzas, and written in the- heroic way. This venerable metre was caned" triban," and every county has its peculiar and particular time to which these verses were sung-u Triban Morfudd- Triban Meirionydd, Triban Mor- ganwg, Triban Gwyr Gwsnt, and indeed the old ancient tune. Tair-sir-ar-ddeg Cyniru." and above all the Triban. or the Warrior Song." Llywarch Hen wrote his poetry in the metre, but the gravity and uniformity of the age he lived in was called Englyn Milwr," or the 4 Heroic Englyn." Fy newis bethau er yn was, Merch i estron a march glas, A heddyw nid ynt gyfaddaa." The Triban was the metre most custom- ary among the bards of Glamorgan at the time of the Conquest, when Robert, Duke of Normandy, was a prisoner at Cardiff Castle, at which place he was detained for upwards of twenty-eight years, during- which period of imprisonment he acquired a thorough know- ledge in the Welsh language and seeing the Welsh bards there on the festivals, he grew partial to them. and became a bard, and com- posed stanzas to be read at their Congress. We can only give one as a. specimen of the poem :— Dar a dyfwys ym meillion A chanu a briw ni bu gronn Gwac a gar gwydd ymryson." The translation :— Oak that grew on greensward bourn, Its once fair branches tempest torn. Whom envy's^hate. pursues shall lone in anguish mourn." Tal ab Iolo. But I am wandering from my subject. The true meaning of Englyn Milwr is Heroic Poetry," which metre to-ctoy we call the tri- ban," and written as aboarin three lines. The name triban" was gWen it when it was extended to follow the music, and it will be seen bow easily the above Englyn Milwr glides into a triban :— v Fy newis bethau er yh was, Merch i estron a marcnglas, Ond heddyw'ri wir fe ddarfu'ro nwy, Nid ydynthwy gyfaddas." In the taat form it will be seen that there is a kind of a middle rhyme which agrees ex- tremely well with the variations of the sounds in music and a luxuriousness in the expression as well as'the sound. I am pleased, as I have said, that people Vho < ø. loyal to their country and their language are showing more respect to things old, and that the Triban, the olde it relic an ancient and honourable nation can ooast of. is again being «sspectfuU^reaieal.. Many years ago, if a man went to a aeighbour to grind his axe, be would thank him for the kindness with a Triban. The farmer of The Ffaldau had occasion to go to the neighbouring farm one morning to grind his scythe before commencing to cut his hay, he acknowledged the kindness thus :— T Bore da. i ch'i wr y ty, A diolch am lifanu A phan ddewch i Gelliron Chi gewch yn lion y'ch talu." Just fancy a stranger meeting Shams Twrbil on the road one day who wanted to know the way to a place called Penmailat," receiving the following prompt reply, in a beautiful Triban :— Ar hyd y pluf yn gro's i'r gr'an, Dechreua'n mla'n y gynffon Dros i gefan a'i wa'r wen, Do'i at y pen yn union." Another innocent, unsuspecting, uncircum- venting sort of a fellow, had gone to buy a. pig, and in this case he had attended his business too early, before daylight, which gave the pig- dealer the advantage over him, which he gener- ally makes the best of. This is how the man who in the darkness of the morning bewails his misfortune, buries his grief within the four lines of a Triban :— Fi gwnasacha bora, Ti netho fargan ddecha 1 Ti brynais fochyn gan rhyw ddyn, A thwll i d-n a'n.isha." I am often asked why I am so fond of living in the past, and write so much about what has disappeared for ever, and not of the present, with all its advancements and developments. My first reply generally is, that in the past all the inhabitants lived on the soil, and the rich and poor alike knew the language of the country and talked matters over in that ancient tongue, Even the Norman Knights who settled in Glamorganshire found that the best thing for them to do was to learn the Welsh and teach it to their children. In the older times, there was no such distance as the present between the ruler and the toiler. Take the following picture, framed so neatly within the four quarters of, a Triban, as an illustration of the social aspect of the country as regards landlord and tenant. A poor cottager at the end of the summer had striven to koop the life in a pig. but could not see how he could prepare him for death without having permis. sion from his landlord to send him into his wood to fatten on the abundance of acorns which were strewn all over the ground. The landlord was a Welshman, which gave the la- bourer confidence that his application would be duly considered, and he approached him with the following Tribann, comprising all he de- sires in the exact limits as follows :— Mae geni fochyn cwta. Rhwy petar gwal yn nghartra Beth yw'r talmant sydd i fod, Os aaff i'ch co'd i pesa The landlord rose to the occasion and proved at all times that he had a real Welsh heart, and also a fair share of the awen barod" which endears him to every son of Gwyllt Walia and replied :— Fy ffryn'd am mwyn dylyddyn, Nid wyf am wasgu undyn 1 Ch'i gewcb dalu'n ol y lies A naiff y mes i'r mochyn. Show me a picture in brilliancy in modern times to equal that. The following are an example of the congra- tulations I have received this week on acquir- ing three score years. May the Triban live when I gone, and may we all live below so as to reign above :— I Gadrawd. Mae'r teulu yma heno. O'u calon yn-dymuno Y bydd i chwi cyn myn'd i bant Gael treulio'r cant yn gryno. t Caerdydd. "Boed eto driugain mlynedd I Cadrawd cyn ei ddiwedd A threulied rhai'n er llwydd alles Dan heulog des tangnefedd." v Broniestyn, Triugain llawn o flwyddi, Ga'dd Cadrawd yn y 11 wyni Blwyddau maith fo otoTo'i daith, Cyn rhpi'r dydd gwaith i-fynu. Dwyn pethau r.udd o'r cynddydd, I'r goleu wna'r cofledydd Boed dyddiau cnawd—ein mwyn Cad- rawd, Dan wenau ffawd yn ddedwydd. A phan ddaw dydd ymfudo. I decach maes i weithio Proffwydo'r wy* bydd llu dan glwy' Tra dalio'r Llyfnwy i lifo." Ton-vr-Ystrad- I beg to ask the indulgence of those who arc waiting for the concluding article on the his- tory of the Glamorganshire first Press. I hope to give it cext week.

MUiSIC IN WALES. By D. EMLYN EVANS. MISCELLANEA. Mr Ivander Griffiths' old friends in South IVales, as well as those of the younger genera- tion of Welsh musicians interested in and ac. quainted with the history of music—and musi- cians—in Wales in the period preceding their own, will regret to learn of Mr Griffiths' con- tinued illness. When the syllabus of the Cumberland Musical Festival and Eisteddfod, holden at Workington on the opening days of the new year, as usual, reached us, we were in hopes that the esteemed musician, who insti- tuted the festival so many years ago, and to, t whose untiring perseverance and^ pluck its having weathered the storms to whioh such having weathered the storms to whioh such institutions are subject until the preSt day is no doubt due. was by this time convalescent. The strange handwriting,however,was ominous, and a notice in one of the pages expresses the regret of the committee that Mr Griffiths' state of health was such as to render it im- possible for him to take any part in the active: management of this year's proceedings." The eisteddfod was founded in 1872, but has not been held annually quite continuously, this yealr's being the 32nd meeting. It is, neverthe- less, a record in a land strange to'such gather- ings—especially 30 years sgo—of which one may fairly be proud; and Welsh musicians will join the committee in the earnest hope that Mr Ivander Griffiths may soon be restored to health and strength again." Judging from all accounts that haveome to hand, Mr William Thomas, Treorky, and his famed Royal Welsh Male Voice Choir—not to forget the two lady artistes who.without doubt, contributed to the musical attractions of the party—have met with nothing but enthusiastic appreciation and uniform success a.t the- three score and ten concerts <or thereabouts) which they gave in different parts of the United States during their two months' visit to that country, and from which they returned the end of the old year which is just passed. Apparently the only dissatisfied persons were those who had" not had the pleasure to hear the choir. We understand that two concerts were given on board ship when outward bound, aladptwo again on the return voyage, in aid of the sea- men's institutions in Liverpool and New York. To the delight of the hearers the Royal Cam- brians, before leaving the White Star liner Baltic at the landing stage, Liverpool. gave very fine renderings of" Llwyn Orn," Har- lech," and the "HenWIad." The Incorporated Society of Musicians has issued its syUabus of local examinations for 1907—embracing the three subjects, piano, singing, and organ—with its usual promptitude a quotatition from an article on Examina" tions by Dr. Henry Hiles, which appeared in the Quarterly Musical Review," forminganot inappropriate introduction. As an indication of the society's catholicity of taste, we may men- tion that amongst the tests selected for the various grades in singing are pieces by Handel, Haydn, Purcell, Mozart, Beethoven, Weber. Mendelssohn, Spohr, Schubert. Schumann, Brahms, Omeg. Dvorak, Tschaikowsky. Ruben stein, Liszt, Vlassenet, Gounod, Mascherom, Bennett, Benedict, Balfe, Hatton, Smart; Sullivan, Macfarren, Goring Thomas, Staioer, Tours, Wallace, aod English, Welsh, and Irish national a^rs, etc. A separate syllabus for violin, viola, violoncello, and harp may be obtained «n application to-the general secre- tary, Mr Ed. Chadfield, 19. Bereecs-street, London. Wales is already under considerable obliga- tion to Scottish publishers for the services ijhey have done to Welsh literature in the pnst.^tad, they promise to make us similarly indebted in tíeonnecti9n.th music- The musical reader is acquainted with the collections of Welsh national airs issued by Scotch firms—altjidugh the first collection of all, published by George Thomson, of Edinburgh, early in the previous cttgtury, atfff only bejfcnown to J&e musical bookworm-Wnd jidWltoon two fpimi. seleMkfes may be expected, as we understand. Of course. this is not a matter of sentiment, but of busi. 1 ness with the publishers But the reading ind singing public do not trouble in the leasttwhat a publisher's motive may be as long a&he supplies them with what they require and we are only glad to find that Welsh music does spell a certain amount, at least, of money, even, to the keen-headed Scotsman and the enter- prising Englishman. An esteemed daily contemporary, published in the North of England, and which criculates freely in North Wales, in reporting an eistedd- fod held at Cefnmawr last Christmas Day, stated that In the chief choral eompetition D Pughe Evans's 0, fy lesu,' and Ffrangcon Davies's The singing of the future,'formed the test pieces." for which certain choirs named had entered, etc etc. Our premier baritone's fine work on The singing of the future we all know. We are not aware that to his many accomplishments he also adds the art of musical composition, but even if it were so, we could hardly suppose that he would have essayed the* task of setting that work to music, not to mention its being afterwards selected as a test piece at an eisteddfod. As a rule one has not to seek far for the key to a misprint. Others defy elucidation and become riddles—to outward seeming—much the same, apparently, as this which has made Mr Ffrangcon Davies's Sing- ing of the future one of the choral competi- tive pieces at Cefnmawr Eisteddfod. Various communications have recently come to hand from Welsh musical adjudicators of proved ability and established reputation, com- plaining of the treatment which is being meted them by some committees by the offer of inferior positions as preliminary adjudicators only, Hie post of chief adjudicator being reserved for gentlemen imported from England—often with no reputation outside their own district and none whatever as expert eisteddfodic judges. This is a much larger and more im- portant question than can be discussed at present, although one that will probably require to be considered sooner or later. In the mean- time it is for our rising school of adjudicators to guard their own interests and the honours of their craft: white it is for committees to re- member that as Trech gwlad nag Arglwydd so will public opinion prove stronger than any committee ultimately. Speaking for ourselves, after a rather long and varied experience, we have met with but little except courteous and fa-ir treatment at the hands of committees generally, and those who are disposed otherwise ItI.ust be a very. small minority.

■■ r— Worthy of Honour. It is an impressive thought," said a clergy- man, that the heroes, the leaders, and the great scientists, inventors, and soldiers of the next generation are now in our schools, receiv- ing the training that is to prepare them for their work in the future. When we realise th's it shouldgi ve us a greater appreciation of the part played by our school teachers. Yet I fear that their Work never receives the recognition it deserves. Many teachers are underpaid, although they Are expected not only to train the young minds in their charge, but to show to scores of children the same patience and regard that the parents show to a few, and those their own." They wtr« Right. A well-known actor, who has a great reputa- tion among his friends as a ventriloquist, tells the following story. I was staying at a country house," he says, and one afternoon tea was served on the lawn. Behind my chair rose a. superb tree. Looking up into the thick foliage I shouted in a loud voice Hullo What are you doing up there ?' To my amazement a thin young voice replied I ain't doin' no harm, sir. I'm just •vatchin' the gentry.' "The guests glanced at one another, smil- ing appreciatively. Pulling myself together I went on Did anyone give you permission to climb up into that tree 7' Yes, sir. The under-gardener, sir. He's my cousin.* Well,' said I, so far there's no harm rvone. But be careful not to fail, and don't let anyone see you.' All right, sir,' said the humble voice. "I turned to my audience, and bowed my thankp. for their applause. They all said that they had never listened to such realistic ven- triloquism- And they were right, too." City Man (crustily): No, no I never give to beggars on the street.—Tramp Then, if you will kindly give ma your name and address I'll call.

Fashion and Things Feminine. -J By MISS IDA MELLER. Frocks for Girls." Girls' party frocks are very fresh and dainty looking, all the softest and most youthful-look- ing materials, such as net, tulle, and muslin, serving for their creation. Now and then a frock of mousseline will be lightly embroidered with crystal dew-drops, dotted about singly or in the form of small riags but very little glitter is allowed to the debutante's toilette, and when beads are employed they are used with extreme caution. Simple frocks of white net, with full skirts and bodices, trimmed with bands Qi satin-ribbon, is-hort puff sleeves, and waistbands of ribbon matching the trimming, are among the most popular modes for girls, who are also provided with dainty frocks of esprit net, much befriljed on the skirts. For afternoon wear at At Irome's or gatherings of gim- they will find t retty frocks in those vv-hite silk trimmed with lac^ and i-ibbon -*hich materials the original of the frock ustiatedis eomposed. The full bodice is trimmed in a rather novel way with graduated straps of lace insertion, forming a border to th«,yoke of finer lace. this being made up offowupon w of Valenciennes insertion in a rather narrow width. The deep cuffs are of similar insertion, but on the skirt the coarser lace is employed, each strap having a knot of white ribbon at the top. The ribbon is repeated at the waist and in the hair, and a Jittle ganging is introduced on the tucked flounce and at the waist. fThis frock would be useful, after the holidays,"a best dress at boarding school. A Smart Little Coat. 1 striking feature with regard te> coats is the difference allowed fry fashion in the matter of" length. The very lopgpand the very short coat rivals, and it is diifi&cult to say which is the most popujsuv cstceedingly smart things in short coats" are ataiorg the best beloved modes, skilled tailors giving & wonderful spring to the short. basque that jusf meets the highest point of the hip. The little coat sketched is # simplc,design for cloth, or velvet, with a waist- coat of moire silk and smau-droped band across the waist of the same, groups of tiny buttons decking the fronts. The simplicity of the coat (especially the plainness oftbe fronts) renders the design a refreshing change from the braid- trimmed or otherwise deCoM^ed model. Straps of cloth or velvet arc effectively used on the fronts, and the neck is bound with another strap, which passes on to the waistcoat.. The sleeves are also strapped from the shoulders downwards, and are finished with folds of moire. Another type of short coat is a; quaint little sac, extending no further thap the waist, with a few pleats introduced on the lower part, these being held at the top with A-band of silk braid, suggesting a shortwaisted effect, the braid rising higher at the back ttytn in frqnt. The trimming is used also down thfe fronts of the coat. Cape-sleeves are, graceful features of other winter coats, made of fjar, cloth, and velvet, and quite a new sleeve is cut in one with the coat itself and is almost like a muff, with wide, open ends. Jt reaches to the elbows and is a very attractive model. Furs and Feathers. Happil^ for those who cannot afford the luxury cf costly furs, there arcsubst itutes in cheaper pelts that give a very good appearance for the money and though they cannot equal, of course, the loveliness of the more expensive articles, they are. nevertheless, capable of im- parting considerable smartness to a costume. The sets consisting of stoles and muffs of imita- tron sealskin are examples, and there are various inexpensive light brown furs that are becoming. Then, again, there arethecoque feather boas that take the place of the fur or ostrich feather neck-wrap, and yield a fashion- able air of importance to a costume. The essen- tial feature of this season's boas is that. they shall be unusally thick round. The length is optional. Economical Hints. Cuttings of velvet or velveteen may be turned to good use if made into pads for polishing boots and shoes and the old suede gloves are capital1 things for cleaning windows and plate. Instead of throwing away old, worn gloves of this sort, they should be put in the plate- cleaning.box. The hand part can, however, be cut, off and thrown away. Scraps of chamois leather also make good window polishers They should be tied to. gether on a string, and hung out to dry after use.. In cleaning windows? no rags that shed lint should be used.. The secret of preserving a washed chamois leather soft and supple is to haug,it up to dry while the soap-suds ar^ still in it. Rinsing it will make it harder, w .» T A Birthday Cake. A rich ptum cake that is suitable for com- memorating birthdays is made by mixing to- gether the following ingredients and baking them in a wellgreased cake-tin for five hours. Quantities Butter, Jib. moist sugar, lib. treacle, ilb. 6 eggs 1 gill of new milk warmed 2lbs. of currants lib. of chopped candied peel; 2ozs. of sweet almonds, chopped; and lib. of flour, which should be gently sifted in. The butter, sugar, treacle and eggs should be first mixed together, then the milk added to them. and lastly, the fttber specified ingrcd. ients. The temperatuf the oven must be brisk, but it should not be too hot. This cake for birthday occasions, should be iced on the top and decorated with 4t'Y cherries and strips of angelica. Thoughts for the Week. > Sir W^ter Scott says There never did and never will exist anything permanently noble and excellent in a character which was stranger to the exercise of resolute self-denial." Our deeds, whether good or evil, follow us as shadows. Of all possessions, contentedness is the best by far. What is goodness ? First and forertiost, the agreement of the will with the consciencp. Every evil to which we do not succumb is a benefactor. We.aain the strength of the temp- tation we resist.

"What dp the natives do in Africa when they ? "> into mourning for their relatives ? Do they werr black T" asked Mrs Portly Pompous pf a returned explorar. 11 If it is a very heavy be- reavement they simply take off the f' v clothes they otherwise wear."

TALKS ON HEALTH. By DR. ANDREW WILSON. Electricity and Disease. "It is curious to observe how widespread ts the notion that the application of electricity in diseased states of the body is iikely to be followed by an improvement in health or by actual cure of ailments. The most serious troubles involving alterations of the structure of the body are regarded by many persons as being amenable to the action of electricity, and so great is the faith expressed in the appli- cation of this remedy thate often hear a phrase quoted to the effect that electricity is life" Now, the physician is accustomed to employ electricity for the cure and relief of not a few ailments, whilst it is found in his hands a valuable adjunct tothe action of drugs. We must, however, bear in mind that we are here talking of the scientific application of electricity at the hands of a man trained pro- fessionally in its use and capable of judging all the circumstances under which he appli- cation is likely to be of service or the reverse. But I have in my mind to-day, more especially the popular ideas of electricity and of elec- trical appliances widely advertised, and it is to be presumed, as widely bought Of the majorIty of such appliances. I may say, that when they are not thoroughly useless, they cannot at their best be regarded as efficient generators of an electrical current strong enough to affect any diseased condition. We must also take into account the fact that even if they did produce currents of sufficient strength, the mode of application and use of electricity is a matter for medical guidance and n certainly not one of purely amateur experi ments in the way of cure. Frauds on the Public. That the public have been grossly and wil- fully deceived by many so-called electrical appliances is. of course, a matter of history. Flannel belts have been sold, having sewn into them metal discs, from which it was alleged currents of electricity could now, and thus, as it were. imbue the system with th form of energy. Where any benefit has take place from the application of snch bogus appliances we may attribute such benefit to th1 warmth afforded by the flannel, and not to any electrical supply such « bogus appliance could exhibit. Again, it may be said that even in electrical apparatus of more ambitious kind the currents produced are not of the strength which can possibly affect a body. It may be here: mentioned that great resistance to the discharge of electrical currents is offered by the skin, and that the skin itself has to be specially prepared and moistened in order that even powerful currents from scientific apparatus should in this way atrect.the body. We may, therefore, judge of the utter waste of money represented on the parf of those who purchase electrical appliances of the class to which I have alluded. Whilst a greater evii still has to be reckoned with. nameiy, that money so spent is not merely absolutely wasted, but valuable time is also lost in attempting a cure of an ailment. It will be well, therefore, that readers should take these hints to heart where any question of the application of electricity for the cure of disease is mooted. If electrical appli- cations are to be of any service at all, they must be applied by a physician in the first place, and must be made through the medium ofdefilliteapparatus on the other. Running Ears. In this column I have had occasion to men- tion the question of running ears, so com- mon in children after an attack of scarlet fever or measles, and sometimes following upon an attack of ear trouble pure and simple. I am led to return to this subject a,f £ er raiding a strongly-worded protestby a physician published in one of the medical journals against the indifference exhibited by pa' ents in respect of cases of this description occurring in their children. He remarks that in one month, two cases of ear trouble have terminated fatally in a hospital under his charge, apd it is added that as usual in such cases the friends were extremely surprised that a running ear should cause such trouble. One of the friends remarked, one thinks much of a running ear." This wholesale neg- lectlof what is a very dangerous condition in- deed has two grievoos results. In the first place. if the child should recover, the pro- bability is that^the sense of heading ..in ofiejor both ears may be lost, and it rea £ rf?t»^*sfro" great exercise of thought, to understand how very badly a child under these circumstances will be handicapped in the work of his life, In the second place, running ears constitute of themselves a very serious source of danger. The ear is situated, far too near the brain to cause us to contemplate any disease of that organ with anything but grave concern. A suppurating ear is a. source of infection, and the germs contained in the matter which issues forth from the ear are liable to be absorbed by the blood, and to be carried to the brain, there to set up inflammation which is extremely liable to prove of a fatal character. Some Captions. Parents should lay to heart the advice that any discharge from a child's ear should be at once attended to, and the same remark applies naturaily to the ears of adults. No matter of what character the discharge may be. whether it is of an inoffensive character, or whether on the other band, as ill usually the case, it is of an offensive nature, it indicates the pre- sence of disease and of the need for instant treatment. In too many cases the mother is con- tent to place cotton wool in the ear of the child or to use some lotion cr other, the cotton wool being in the latter case also in vogue. A lotion of any kind cannot reach the part of the e^r which is affected, and it should be clearly borne in mind that to place cotton wool in an ear which is suppurating internally, is to confine within a small space the offensive matter, and thus to render its absorption into the blood much more likely to occur. I should boldly say that the usual treatment of a running ear such as I have described is itself a dangerous practice, and one likely to bring about a latal result- Another point which should be borne in mind is that the ear]y treatment of such cases is easily carried out, and it is of a com- paratively simple nature, as a rule, whereas when the disease has been allowed to progress, and the bones of the head in which the ear parts are situated become involved, an opera- tion of great gravity and implying great risk requires them to be performed. It would be well, indeed, if we took greater care of our ears all round than is usually the case, whilst chil- dren should certainly be taught that to put uny- thing into their ears, or to use the ear roughly under any circumstances is likely to be produc- tive of very serious results. ChapRed Hands. A very troublesome condition :s apt to pre- sent itself in the winter season in the ahape I of chapped bands. This affection is. perhaps, more common in those who in the exercise of their wo^k have cause to wet or moisten the hands frequently. A very prominent cause of this trouble is that the hands, being im. properly dried, and then of being held in front of a fite. The skin is thus weakened, and fissures are apt to in it, A (simi- lar cause gives rise to chilblains. It is much better in cases where the hands or feet are damp to dry them thoroughly with a per- fectly dry towel, and if any necessity arises for additional heat, this should be procured by rubbing the hands with a dry towel. The use of soaps containing the excess of alkali is also a comnon cause of the condition under considera- tion. As an application. nothing is said to answer better than an oint- ment composed of a drachm and a half of coal tar liquor, and two ounces of lanoline. This ointment should be applied to the part at night, whilst gloves should be worn in order to keep the preparation freely applied to the affected parts. Another useful applica- tion for chaps and sores generally is a com- bination of four parts of glycerine to one of Friar's balsam.

As Calculated. Remember," said Mr Bumblebee to his wife. who was about to buy a new gown, it is not to cost mor6 than ten pounds- Now, can you get a good dress for that, price 1" Mrs Bumblebee nodded her head emphati- qIly." "Of course I can. Josiah Very well, then- It is a bargain," said her husband, sternly, for he had some previous ex- perience of feminine bills. Ten pounds—not a penny more. And," he added,.in a lower tone. I don't care how much less it costs." A month later, with a red face and a pierc- ing eye, he approached his wife. In his hand he flourished a bill. What is the meaning of this ?" he de- manded. Twelve pounds ten, and you solemnly promised to keep within the ten pounds we agreed to." Mrs Bumblebee met his indignant glance with smiling unconcern. It's all right, dear," she assured him, I was able to do that from what you told me" From what- I told you ?" roared her ex- asperated spouse. Yes, doAt you see, I found a dress that had been marked down from twelve pounds ten shillings to ten pounds, which is what you aWowed me to spend-" "Well?" Why, that mea/nt that I saved two pounds ten. So I-I spent the two pounds ton on a hat —which I bad a perfect right to do." then, patting him on the cheek in a coaling manner, she added There, you see. with all your business talent you men don't know so much as a woman" And tinniblebee, with a groan, admitted that this was true. Wagger They say that old Couponnes the banker, has untold wealth.—Gagger Yes, that's what the tax-collector susnects. )

Illustrated Humour, A Literary Debate. Lady (at book store): I wakt ,to get a ^ood novel to read on the train—something rather pathetic. Salesman Let me see—How would The Last Days of Pompeii do ? Lady: Pompeii? I never heard of him. What did he die of ? Salesman I4m riot quite sure, ma am— some kind of an. eruption, J've heard. During His Majesty's Pleasure. Yer look bad, Jim. Been laid up ?" "Sorter, To-day's the first timel've bean put er doors in three months." What was the matter with you ?" Nothin'; but the judge woWdtL't. bdieve it. The Cook's IrAiiiihg. I Pageboy I want two pounds of pc-tit sau- sages, and cook says will you be so kind as to wrap them up in a newspaper containing a good love story. His Only Objection. A bucolic individual engaged a room at* well-known hotel, in a better-known city, and before retiring asked the clerk about the houns for dining. We have breakfast from six o'clock to eleven, dinner from eleven to three, and supper from three to eight," explained the clerk. Verra weel," replied the fat one, solemnly, but that disna leave much time tae see the toon Å GreAt. Composer- Ethel: Who is that man vou hlstbowed to t -Pwwk,W. pasef Ethel A composer, did you say ? Penelope Yes. He manufactures soothing syrup. The Chance of & Lifetime. Business Man: What do you waist ? Applicant I 6Anie to inquire if you were in' want of an assistant. Very sorry. I do all the work myself," was the answer. The place that would just have suited me," murmured the other as he strolled, lazily, doorwards. Only One Explanation. Merchant (to office boy: How is it, Clarke, that whenever I enter the office you are idling ? Clarke: I don't know, sir,mmless it be them soft shoes you wear, that don't make no noise An Unfortunate Accident. Vulgar Youth: llaveat I met you some- where before ? Old Gentleman If you have it was entirely unintentional on my part, I assure you. Two Sides to the Question. "Father." said a youngster, on being scolded, I heard Mr Watts say that great met's son$ never did any good. I ain't a great man's son, am I Up to a latehotir father's mind had not found1 a suitable answer, Knew From Experience. Pop, what's the difference between a visit and a visitation V Er-why, when your grandmother visits us it is a visitation." One Disadvantages First Youngster Wouldn't you like to be a lark so as to be able to fly right up in the air ? Second Youngster: Not much. Think of the time they have to get up Another Trade Trick. Doctor James, did that lady in the waiting- room come in ber own carriage, or a tram car ? Servant: Tramcar. sir. Doctor: Thanks- I couldn't tellfrom her dress whether to prescribe three .months at Harrowgate, or sulphur and treacle. It's funny." remarked Sandy Bowen, "how politics aud love are so much alike. For instance, if you meet a bonny girl, and she gives you half a chance to kiss her; you go in for Free Trade. However, after-you get married: and your wife's mother wants to embrace her newly- acquired son-in-law, you go in for Protection. If your wife seeks an oscillatory exchange you in time become a Passive Resiter, and ——" She turns out a Home Ruler if she has any sense." remarked Mrs Bowen, who happened to overhear the conversation.

Welsh Gossip. The Rev. W. M. Lewis, Ty Llt^yd, Pembroke- shire, an ex-moderator of the South Wales C.M. Association, Davies Lecturer, &c., has suffered Jor some time from mtomnia. He baa been ordered by his medical advisers to cease altogether from preaching; for a while- His numerous friends, however, will be glad to learn that there is no cause for alarm, and that Mr Lewis is much better at present. The Cambrian Society, which has been estab- lished in Johannesburg for over a decade, is in a very flourishing state- The Eisteddfod pro- moted annually has become one of the chief events of the .year.land the competitors are very"cis$mOpo!ttati, Drift"Hatl. bleof seating 8.000. has been found inadequate to accommodate the crowds who attend the function, and for next year's Eisteddfod a more commodious haH has been secured. Mr J• Pryoe Rosser, formerly of Pontypridd, w^p for many years the treasurer of the society. The Non.Unionist. The following ecglynion tothe "Anundebwr" (Non-Unionist), by Oweledydd," were adjudged the best at Bodringallt, Christmas Eisteddfod:— Yr Anundebwr hunan dybiol—gwalch Drwg yw, adireol Marwol bla'r cyleh glofaol— Her wawdio'i farwd yw » frol. ,9^ Dibarch yw'r Anundebwr—a gwrthrych Gwurthrudd, gwlad-derfysgwr; Llwynog am geiniog yw'r gwr. Ac un a phen cynffonwr. Gladstone's Benevolence. The Library and Hostel of St. Deiniol's. at Hawarden, is bemg fotmallyopened in the first week of the New Year. Headers of Mr Morley's masterly Life of Gladstone" will recollect how fondly Mr Gladstone cherished this pro- ject. In a paper of suggestions to one of his sons at Oxford Mr Gladstone advised lrimto dedicate a certa^n portion of his means to pur- poses of charity and religion- Mr Morley points out how his example backed his precept. Mr Gladstone kept detailed accounts of his expen- diture from 1831 to 1837, and he devoted to objects of charity and rebgion over £ 80,000— this besides the £30. he devoted to the hostel and library which are now being opened. Christmas in the Rhondda. Since Christmas night the Rhondda has been visited with a heavy faU of snow and a sharp frost- Tne practice of decorating cottages during the festive season with holly and mistle- toe has been more in vogue than usual- More than ordinary interest was evinced in tbø plygain, which was held in the morning aad marked by the fervency of the revival in several places. It is evident that mJÁy favour old customs. In the days of my youth (writes Eos Hafod ") the Rhondda. was dressed with heather and trees. Foxes, birds, and squirrels were plentiful, and their presence afforded an Opportunity for sport. The river and 1ak.es were often covered with thick ice and skating was a. popular pastime. Pictures of Peace. Many of your readers." writes Tubal Cain, will remember, I have no doubt, one of Landseer's pictures, a sunny hillside, aa old cannon, and a lamb and little children gambolling about the emblem of war. That was a, pretty conceit, but practical life in the steel works, and tinplate works, shows some- thing that is still more in contrast. In ironworks from the times of Napoleon, it has been the custom to import the old cannon and other ,matters from battlefields on the Continent, and use them up in the furnaces, and then convert them into rails and bars Thus ratte. the vsry types of friendly » commercial life, are She relics of feaii' grinning hate. That the tin works have striking contrasts, the London En' this week tells us that the great wheel Court. London, is being broken up to the tinplate worlCSof South Wales. the fragments are tjeing mixed with a.nd iron ore, and converted into Sir bars for, tinplate. Then the next- be biscuit boxes, tobacco boxes, a and, of course, tea caddies." Benefactions at Merthyr. Amongst the leading donors to the Christmas dinner at Merthyr, Mrs Rose Mary Crawsha was again prominent. For very many vv she has remembered the poor of the di1 and in many ways shown kind-1 recollection of the happy years of her at Cyfarthfa. One memorable placing in the home of all the 01 workmen copies of the history t works, and of the Crawsha> illustrated with portraits of the kings, from the times of the pica. Richard Crawshay. This history is regardeu proudly by the old people and their sons and daughters as their most valued possession, and ( is to be seen on the chest of drawers in the bes. ■■ room, placed with the family Bible and Bunyan's "Pilgrims Progress." The agent entrusted with the presentation has added a portrait of Mrs Rose Mary Crawshay, with a little inscdption-which h&s given increased > ph)asure. New Year's Greetings. Principal Edwards, of Cardiff, t his friends on the advent of the New Joys and sorrows are commingled year's close, t Just as thorns grow up together With sweetly-blossomed rose Memories are sad a.nd tender bending o'er new-made tomb, And the ties that death has severed fiU soft hearts with deepening eloom Yet although the shadows gather, there Light at eventide. And the Star of Hope shines brightly, which Eal"tb:5 sorrows t-aanot bid«! (1b-come, but God-abide th at the heart erf everything. So the Nightingale o sorrow in t1:t darkest night can sing. Onward, upward iRM wOrld nioveth, though the foe is fierce and loud, Fcir we see the Bcm oi Promise gleaming o* the darkest cloud Yes, the Light of God is breaking over mpflHH a distant land, Prophesying that Christ is Victor and thtI Golden'Age at hand. Strength for noble service through the whole of Ninctt^eo Seven— Bright with prom&»,is the Future, and our God is in His Heaven.

Songs for the People. • m Andrew Fletcher, of SaJtoun, in • letter to Marquis of Montrose wrote"I know a vefy vist jn&n. tint bellevel that if a man were pennitteif ta make all the ballads he need ftotcue who ghool$ make the law« of the nation." v

W-HILE WE MAY. i The bands are such dear hands They are so full: they turn out our demands So often they reach out. With trifles scarcely thought about, So many times they do So mahy things for me, for Vou— If their fond wills mistake, i We may well bend, not break. M, They are such fond, frail lips •, \;S That- speak to us. Pray, if love strips Them of discretion many times, s* Or if they speak too slow or quick, such criaaa We may pass by for we may see Days not far off when those small words, may bt, Held out as slow, qr quick, or out jaf place, but dear, Becanse the lips are no more here. They are such dear, familiar feet that go Along the path with ours—feet fast or stow. And trying to keep pace—if they mistake Or tread upon someftower that we would tafcr Upon our breast, or bruise some reed, Or crusb,poor hope until it bleed. We may be mute mJS Not turning quickly to impute ■djk Grave fault; for they and wo Have such a little way to go—can be -MS Together such a little while along the way, |a| Wo will be patient while we may. So many tittle faults we find. We see them for not blind Is love we see them hut if you and I jyJMUi Perhaps remember them some by and by They will not be Faults then—grave faults—to you and me, But just odd ways—mistakes—or even less~BHH Remembrances to bless. TlaW Days changc so many things—yes—hours, We see so differently in sun? and showers. Mistaken NOrds to-night, 'W Ma.y be so cherished by to-morrow's light -fgf» W emay be patient for we know There's such a little way to '7jgr