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THE OUTCOME OF THE PREFERENCE…
(BY MABON, M.P.) THE OUTCOME OF THE PRE- FERENCE DEBATE. The re-affirmation of the resolutions passed by the Conference oi 1902 is the result of the Preference debate in the Conference of 1907. These resolutions, as rc-affirmed, simply ap- proved- of the granting of Preference by the Colonies, without committing the Mother Country to any change at; all. This was really a-i much as could be ex- pected, and can be expected until, at least, the friends of Preference themselves ran show us some way for the Colenies that are now receiving so much without any semblance of reciprocity on the part of most of them to do something for the Mother Country—for all the Mother Country does for them—Mr Dcalcin, the prime mover in this matter, doubtless thought that in that last proposition of his, that one per cent, tax, he bad conceived a fair and adequate plan for the mutual advancement of all concerned in the matter of stimulating transmission of "ommerec between the various countries con- cerned. The Mother Countrv obviously could act respond to the Australian pressure in accepting either, nor that which ultimately followed it. The Government itself, if they i wished to do so could not. since the nation has expressed an opinion on the subject that is entirely contrary to Preferential tariff, and that, in mv opinion. is not in the least degree likely to be altered. Mr Deakin's last proposition of a one per cent. tax all-round became so obviously unjust to the Mother Country sinco she should have to pay seven and a half pounds for every one pound to all the Crown Colonics put together, that it scarcely found any support. The discussion throughout has been a tho- roughly interesting one, conducted straight- forwardly but cautiously, and with good temper on all hands. The lack of courtesy and food temper that has been displayed has not been in evidence in the Conference room, and our Colonial visitors have not been participa- tors therein, nor are they responsible for it in any degree. The guilty parties are those who have made the Conference an opportunity for the persistent and mischievous disagreement Df Ministers with purely partisan purposes in new. The snarling over the printed reports si the Conference has been a case in point. The Conference itself has absolutely used its own discretion in the matter of the authority to aay how far the reports of its proceedings should be published. Yet the Government have been blamed for alleged suppression of epeecbes—particularly of Colonial speeches. As a matter of fa-ct, the daily reports have given t4t' speeches of the Colonial statesmen quite as folly as thdse of the British Minister. Another popular misrepresentation has been that the Crovenunenthabve snubbed the Colonies. This is a Isurdly untrue—they have done nothing of the sort—they have no more snubbed the "olonie< than Mr Deakin and Sir William Lýr ,ubbe.d the Mother Country. J Ii fjMJt, if Singr has been, done done at all, VKfcli %vei, .-partisan politician will not a4mit to hav^#^ the case, the boot is on the other foot; fcV,e-'h Mr Deakin and Sir Wi. liam Lyno have been endeavouring to show that they thought they could teach the Mother Country her business, whereas the Mother Country has made no attempt whatever to teach the Colonies their business. Of course, Messrs Asquith, D. Lloyd George, and Churchill gave the reasons why Great Britain was a Free Trade country, and why it was her interest, attd the Empire's interest, that she remained eo. Considering what their views are, and what the Nation's views are, what else could they ha.ve done ? What kind of representatives would they have been had they turned round on those that they represented, and given other people's views instead of their own, and those that they really represented. Moreover, let it be rcmembered that several of the Colonial Prime Ministers themselves deliberately re- frained from supporting Mr Deakin's propo- sals, on the ground that the matter was one for the Mother Country to decide for herself. Three of them differed from the Tory view at home that in this matter the Mother Country has no right to have an opinion of her own. So. as a matter of fact, the differences of cpicion on the question of Preference have pro- voked no ill-feeling whatever, and the amiable Tory efforts to damage Imperial harmony be. cause a. Liberal Government happened to be in power at the time of the Conference, have for- tunatelv been entirely wasted. The chief effect of the Conference, in my view, as far as Preference is concerned, has, on the one hand, revealed itself in the develop- ments of British Toryism. It has induced Mr Balfour to become an out-and-out whole- hogger. It has brought other doubting Union- ists into the fold. But it has done much valu- able work apart from the Fiscal question— FtITl on that question it has left this country —at least its industrial community—unshaken in its faith in Free Trade; and the country as g whole has a phrewd jdea. that its Imperial patriotism does not suffer by comparison with that of the Colonies, although it is ro more Willing to give up its Fiscal policy than they ire to abandon theirs. The Flowing Trade Tide. The Board of Trade returns continue to Supply the Fiscal Reformers at home with gome very bard nuts to crack. Last, week. the Trade returns for- April were issued, and they conts-in figures even more striking than those by which they have been preceded month by month, for during last month the value of poods imported amount to £ 58,786;097, against £ 47j054,231 in the corresponding period of 1906, and £ 43,232,159 if 1903. Thus there was an increase oi £9.726,787 as compared with the carce month in 1906. and an advsnca. 01 £ 13,503,935 as compared with 1905. Indeed, so far, the trade of the current year ha-s been so satisfactory, for the first four months, im- ports show an increase of £ 26,685,854 compared with 19C6, and an increase of £ 45,170,454 com- par-cd WiLb 1905. When we turn to exports, the record is less encouraging. During the first four months of the present year, exports of Foreign and Colo- nial merchandise reveal a. rise of JE5,949,066 compared with 1906, and of £9,149AG8 aaccm. ?E;eJ with 19C:>. Tariff Reformers ignore i.hese facts, that tell so forcibly against them. If. however, the figures contained in the Board of Trade returns had been the other way, we should lure heard very much about them from the Casr-andras of commerce. Facts which are so satisfactory to the rest of the community ought, doubtless, to be of a depressing nature to the Fiscal Reformers. Yet, instead of exhi- biting. any signs of pessimism, politicians of1 that cult continue to pursue their propaganda with a persistency worthy of a better cause. Though the facts are against them, Tariff Heforms, they tell me, have some encourage- ment in the half-hearted attitude of those who call themselves Free Traders, and who do not Peem to know how to use the facts which are in their favour. Well, personally, I don't see the use of shouting very much myself- especially while the facts themselves shout so loud. Labour in Germany. The M six men of Gainsborough," whose teport on labour in Germany was the subject of a series of questions to the Prime Minister a ^iew days ago, may have achieved notoriety for their exploits, &c., but they, more than others cf the same class, will scarcely succeed in influencing labour opinion in this country regarding the merits or de- merits of Continental Protection. The sum. marised abstracts of their couclnsions" is •nly caar4»etog ON account of its omissions, and the excusable conception they form of the probable gullibility of their fellows. These pilgrim brothers express their surprise at the excellence of the conditions enjoyed by workmen in Germany, and their comfort, content, sobri- ely, and respectability, the workers enjoyment, in that Tariff ridden coun. try have been pictured over and over again, but the stream of irrefutable testimony as to the widespread distress and servile conditions of labour continues unaba- ted. The intolerable strain due to dear meat. a fact that the pilgrims are compelled to acknowledge, is fast forcing the tension to a breaking point. When, both quality and price of the staple article of food are impossible,there arises at once a factor more menacing than any comparative state- ment of economics. Moreover, thanks to Trade Unionism, wages are improving within the German Emnire. The building trade is everywhere in a fair condition." says the six men of Gainsborough. Well, fortunately, it is so, and also that the Federation of German Trade Unions has just completed an investigation of the hours and rates of masons and bricklayers in Germany. The statistics relate to 218.660 workmen, and shew that 1,532 operatives were paid less than 3d per hour, while 189,S74 skilled men earned 3d and Hd inclusive. Then 17,144 got 6d, and 16,370 were paid a beggarly 4id per hour. For the whole Empire, the average rate for masons and bricklayers was 5|d per hour the carpen- tens have the same rate. but painters get about 15 per cent, less than masons. It follows that long spells of work are resorted to in the struggle for means of subsistence, hence 79 per cent. of the men worked ten or eleven hours and upwards exclusive of meal-times These prices are about half the rate paid in this country—in fact, 5*d per hour is paid to builders' labourers. Experience in the Building Trade is not diss! milar to other occupations. In 1905, 67.000 coal hewers averaged 19" lOd weekly metali- ferous miners numbering 20,000 earned 155 Ed a week: mechanics gel 3s 3d a day; yet thou. sands upon thousands of various classes or labourers would enjoy affluence if their pay approach the figure paid to their English com- rades. Therefore I invite my fellow-workers in these Isles to reflect well on the German con- dition before allowing themselves to be mis. led by the Tariff Reformers, or those paid to do their questionable work.
-------------------MUSIGTNWALES,…
MUSIGTNWALES, By D. EMLYN EVANS. A CONDUCTOR WANTED. Although the statement that a conductor is required may be read in a general sense, it refers primarily here to the official announce- j ment that the president and the committee of the Philharmonic Society of Sydney, New South Wales, need the services of a gentleman to fill the position of conductor, and who will be required to take up the appointment in August or September of this year. The duties will be preparing and conducting four concerts per year, generally oratorio and occasionally orchestral, with an extra concert on Cliristmas Day ;a.nd the salary £250 per annum, two years' contract: while it js stated that the appoint- ment affords a a excellent opportunity to secure also a valuable teaching connection." Consi- dering the cost- of living in Australia, the stipend offered does not appear verylarpe, and it is not quite clear whether the additional in- ducement is a valuable teaching connec- tion already made by another musician, and Whicto juay be secured by arrangement, or a connection that one may be able to form by his own efforts when he gets there. We read, too of some; Wonderful Salaries paid to conductors,and of the financial resources of musical societies in other countries. For instance, we arc told that Emil Pauer is to re ceive £3.000 for the season at Pittsburg, the or- chestral society there having a guarantee fund of £8,000 a year at its back for the next three years and similarly other societies in the American cities. Nevertheless, the Sydney post offers undoubted attraction to a young musi* can disposed to try his fortunes in the Antipo- dean music world. And we see no valid reason why some of our younger musical aspirants in Wales should not figure amongst the candi- dates on this occasion, as they have in pre- vious events not quite dissimilar, and it may- be win. One of our fellow-countrymen has for some years filled an important musical post in Aus- trdlia.,while others continue to flourish in Canada and the United States as teachers, organists, and conductors—we refer now to men who are established as professional musicians, and who live by and devote their whole time and energy to the art; and not the quasi-amateurs con- nected with the Eisteddfod and other institu- tions, although they also do good, and exceed ingly useful service in their way. It must not be supposed, however,that in the writer's opinion, Wales possesses a redundancy of capable conductors because he brings the attractions of far-away lands to their notice. Neither is she super,abundantly rich in the matter of church organists, pianoforte teachers orvoice-tra-iners but we believe that the ex- ample of those who have migrated to other countries, and have succeeded in those sub- ioçts.ma.y"Í1ayo abenencial influence on others by encouraging them to similar effort. As an illustration—a case in potnh-we may mention the far-reaching effect produced by the success of one or two of our Younger Welsh Organists at the examinations of the R.C.O,the Royal College of Organists: so that by this time the number of the Wel^h organists en- titled to wear the distinguishing initials of that. excellent institute ar^ gratifyinglv numerous and encouraging. But great as were our needs in respect to organists—and are still, more or less, with butlittie likelihood of any marked im- provement until the organists' duties are better appreciated and remuncrated-our wants as regards conductors are, at least, quite as pres- sing as to time. and as important in their con sequences. And in this connection, unfortu- nately, we have no collcge or school of music that. can come to our assistance; the "we" in this case implying us who inhabit these islands, for our rich neighbour across the border is as poverty-stricken as ourselves. No doubt the true conduct or, like his brother-artist the composer, the poet., the painter, and so on. is born—not made Nevertheless he. like his confreres generally, inquires the necessary op- portunity to practice his talents, and this, in a systematic and an educative sense,is lacking, Undoubtedly a marked improvement in the manner of conducting has taken place among us in Wales of late years. The conductor who merely beats time--wags a stick—still re- mains, of coure. but the class is a decreasing number, we believe. The extraordinary gym- nastic displays and physical contortions which were exhibited on our platforms are, wo are fain to think, largely things of the past now. No doubt, public criticism, supplementing the expressed opinion of the candid adjudicator, and perhaps the example of the better way furnished by some of our leading conductors at the singing festival, which carries more or less light to remotest comers, have had their influ- ence. We are not sure that the principle of offering an especial prize for conducting, is not one that could be advantageously adopted and extended at the Etstaddfod. And it is certain that an Association of ahoral Conductors, meeting periodically in some large town, or populous centre, for the purpose of practical rehearsal rather than much verbal discussion, members to take their turn in the conductor's seat. would be of immense benefit if persevered in. The work could either be done in sections —separate classes—or in progressive stages. beginning with the simpler choral forms and advancing by degrees, to the more abstruse, Tocal and instrumental. For the purpose" of this rehearsal, a pianoforte would have to suffice-played, of course, by another hand, the aspiring young conductor displaying his talent, as well as he could, by indicating the correct tempi, the phrasing, rhythm, expres- sion, &c. This could not give him all tha.t he would wish, but plus the criticisms and the suggestions that would follow, it would be of very material assistance to him in .his studies, and of aid when he had to face a choir and an orchestra proper. The Welsh musical conductor I will have need to be up and doing, if be is to hold his own at home, or carve his way among other nationalities.
Welsh Tit-Bits. ..
Welsh Tit-Bits. Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion. By CADRAWD. Sf DEFFRO, MAE'N DDYDD." This most, appropriate Chair motto is. per- haps, the lca^fc known of the mottoes of the different chairs of the Isle of Britain. It is the motto OF the chair ot: (Twent rwchgoed. held towards the beginning of the 16th century in Raglan Castle, under the patronage of Lord William Herbert, the translation of which i5- Awake. it is day." This, it seerrts to me, is the most suitable for Wales at the present day, for there appears to be a-considerable awakening in the diredion of the four winds—in education, in religious equality, in astronomy, and archaeology- Tn .Kature," a weekly journal of science, edited by fSir Norman Lockyer, director of the South Kensington Observatory, for last week, an- pears a. long article by the Rev 1. Griffith (Pentrefwr) on the Astronomical and \rch- relogieal value of the Welsh Gorsedd." It seems that Mr Griffith has found a perfect plan of the original Gorsedd, which gives the solstitial and the May years. "Pentrefwr" it seems is satisfied that there are several lines upon which can be proved the genuine anti- quity of the Gorsedd traditions, and in his most interesting article he confidently invites arch ■ ajologists to study them. This, I have no doubt, will be mu.vc to the ears of Pofessor I. Mor) is Jones, who has labouied so much to prove that. there was nothing in these tradi- tions. What we understand from Pen- trefwr's article is, that the formation of aU the Gorseddic remains which he has been able to CX3.miDe, are astronomically correct, though it seems that those who have been expound- ing the positions of the stones,.theirmesning and mission, are in a fog- I am very highly pleased with one thing which I find in this article, and that is, Pentrefwr pays a high tribute to the honesty of one for whose memory I have the greatest respect, and to whose in- dustry Wales and all Welshmen are more in- debted than to any other, in modern times. This perfect plan of the Welsh Gorsedd is found at Llanover. in the Iolo manuscripts, which are now the property of Mrs Herbert and though Mr Edward Williams (Iolo Mor- gan wg). who died in 1826, did not seem to quite understand the plans he had copied into his M& for there were more than the perfect plan which is produced with Pentrefwr's article, but to lola's honesty as a copyist we are indebtedto the old Bardd Braint a Defod o Drefflemir. (like in a thousand and one other instances) for a very valuable document, faithfully trans- cribed. The Rev John Griffith (Pentrefwr) hM re- moved his quarters lately from Nant-v-Moel to Llangyiwyd, the centre of Tir Iarll, and seems to be inspired with the associations of this ancient district, he has been on the Twmpath," making observations already, and has been satisfied with some observations he has made that this place is sacred. He has also turned his attention to Margam, for in matter of Gorseddic lore, Margam and Llangynwyd can-not be separated, and he has something very new and important to say about the Chapter House, at this ancient city, about tbe only part of the old monastery which has beer [allowed to stand- Why this was allowed \f> remain is, perhaps, that the Chapter House connected with a monastic church of Margam was a secular college, though closely attached to the church and ruled b, the monks, and having no approach but from the church. I However, this is what "Pentrefwr" has to tell us about this interesting old rnin, which is, to all lovers of archaeology tbe gem of Mar- g3.m still. i Margam's Gorsedd Chapter House. The Chapter House, the parliament bouse of a Vithedral Church, is a unique British insti- tution. The earliest Chapter Houses are quad- rangular. All the English Cistercian Chapter- houses known at the time of the foundation of Margam Abbey were quadrangular. The Cistercians of Wales built two twelve- sided Chapter-houses in the same year-that of Margam, and that of Dore Abbey. Only at Margam and Dore that the Cistercians built polygonal Chapter-houses. During the century following, the foundation of Margam, several polygonal Chapter-houses were built in Britain, but the one at Margam and Dore (though that js now detroyed) seems to be unique as a copy of the bardie Gorsedd, in two essential par- ticulars of (1) A circle divided into twelve sectioni1 of 30 degrees each and of (2) A definite arrangement for observing sunrise. The Cistercians of Wales (or in Wales) must have bad the Gorsedd in view when they planned their twelve-sided Chapter-house. The most influential of the foundation brethren of Margam, perhaps the actual founder, was a Welsh bard-monk called Meilir Awenet (or Awenydd), being the the name of a recognised status, or disciple at a Gorsedd. It was doubtless due to the pronounced Welsh character of t.he monastic establishment at Mar- gam that the hill chieftains, who had not sub- mitted to the Norman yoke, were so lavish in their gifts to Margam. The district is described in a charter of the period as the Welsh hundred of the county of Margam. The Margam Chapter-house Gorseddic plan was subseqently used as a Gorsedd by the bards of Tir Iarll. Of this once-famed sanctuary nothing re- mains at the present day but the shell of the Chapter-house, which by neglect has lost its most ornamental parts. When Mr Wyndham made a tour in Wales in 1777 (blwyddyn y tair caib), this elegant building was entire, and was drawn and engraved for his book. In the year 1793. it had suffered much from the plants which grew upon its stone roof—two of the windows had fallen, and the centre column had given way. Its form is fortunately handed down to posterity by Mr Grimm's drawing in Mr Wynd- bam's book. Gale, in his collection of old his- torians. has preserved the Annales de Mar- gam." from the year 10&6 to 1232. These con- tain a genera! chronological history of the prin- cipal military and ecclesiastical events, which took' place within that interval, but they throw little light on the history of the Abbey. However, we have had lately published a beautiful illustrated history of Margam Abbey, derived from original documents by a compe- tent hand, in the person of Mr W. De Gray Birch, LL.D., F.S.A., of the British. Museum, who acknowledged his indebtedness to Mr G. T. Clark, of Talygarn. for the publication of his" Carte." and also the catalogue of Miss Talbot's charters and muniments of Margam and Fenrice, in 6 vols., which the Lady of Margam has published at her own expense.
---------..----------Perhaps…
Perhaps it Was. When I was once in danger from a Jion," said an old African explorer," I tried sitting down and staring at him, as I had no wea- pon" How did it work t" asked his companion- Perfectly. The lion did not offer to touch me." Strange. How do you account for it ?" Well, sometimes I have thought it was because I sat down on a high branch of a very tali tree." A Month's Money for Mary. Did the postman leave a.ny letters, Mary ?" the mistress asked on returning from a visit one afternoon. Nothing but a postcard, ma'am." I Who is it from, Mary ?" 44 And do you think 1''d read it. ma'am ?" asked the girl with an injured air. Perhaps not. But anyone who sends me a postcard is either stupid or impertinent." You'll excuse me. ma'am," returned the girl loftily." but that's a nice way to be talk. I ing about your own mother." Lawyer What is your gross income ?—Wit- ness I have no gross income.—Lawyer: No income at all'!—Witness No gross income. I have a net income. 1 am in the fish business. First Young Lady I'll tell you something in confidence, which you must keep a secret. I'm engaged to Mr de Riche.—Second Ditto: All right; I'll sec that the report is spread thoroughly. 1 Teacher Which animal is satisfied with the least amount of nourishment?—Charlie: The moth.—Teacher The moth ? Oh, no, the moth is the most voracious animal.—Charlie But it only eats holes. R
Fashion and Things¡ Feminine.…
Fashion and Things ¡ Feminine. By MISS IDA MELLER. A Pinafore Frock of Checked Lawn. One of the most troublpsnmc parts of dr,z, to the woman of little leisure is the plotting and planning preceding- the important decision governing the matter of design. This matter is considerably simplified and quickened by having one or two dressesor 'olouse? made after the same model. Ch.-yiges can be ruug by the addition of different.collars, vests,and so forth. One of the simplest and most useful designs for a bodice, suitable for serge. delaine, or muslin. is the well-known sailor pattern, provided with three pleats oq either side of the centre front. This, in grey delaine with a pink or mauve rosebud scattered over it, looks very pretty accompanied by a collar and cuffs of broderie Anglaise run with black bebo velvet while if the delaine is in black and white, the colla" and cuffs should be run with turquoise blue or green velvet. The addition of broderie Anglaise to washing frocks of fancy material is largely encouraged. It is used a good deal as yokes, or chemisettes, and sleeves, to pinafore bodices. In this way it ekes out the pretty frock of blue-and-white checked lawn sketched. The bodice is slit over the shoulders to show points of broderio from the chemisette below, and the effect is prettier if the edges are marked by fine braid, also used as a border to the neck and sleeVes—though the introduction of braid is optional. The open sleeves are a very pretty feature of the design, and are especially appropriate;, to washing materials. The skirt is quite simple, one or two folds at the foot being the 'sole trimming. This is a charming dress for a young girl. A Girl's Blouse of Spotted Silk. The best-chosen suits for school-girls are those of navy blue serge, made with sailor blouses of their own material, or worn with shirts of cream flannel. Tftore are very few colours that little crirls can wear with success. Browns, mauves, ;md greenashould be in the ca tegory of the ignored^" but navy blue is I becoming to dark and fail- alpe. and all ages. This, in Shantung silk, IS appropriate tor the schoolgirl's afternoon ftoek. The blouse of white washing silk remains as popular as ever for girls' wear. In the model sketched the suriaee of the silk is scattered over with em- broidered spots, which help to give substance to the otherwise flimsy material. The front box-pleat is crossed with little straps of spotted silk, and beneath the strappings are the long ends of a crepe-de-chine neck-tie, while the collar and cuffs are of lace-edged broderie Anglaise. Economy in the Kitchen. In order to keep the housekeeping bills low. it is necessary that the young housekeeper shall look after all culinary items herself: other- wise waste is certain to go on in the kitchen. Bones, tnstead. of being thrown away,should be reserved for the stock-pot remains of potatoes and cabbages should be fried together after the popular bubble and squeak fashion and for scraps of bread there is always a use in the making: of puddings, the crusts being cut off, crisped in the oven. grated, and set aside in a glass bottle. to be used as raspings for frying purposes. Or again, slices of stale bread may be put in the oven until auitc crisp, and are then most delicious eaten with butter. The truly economical housekeeper will do her own mar- keting. Sbe will be served twice as well as when ordering vegetables, meat, fish, etc., from the errand boy at the back-door. To Whiten the Hands. To encourage the skin of the hands to keep white, mix thoroughly two ounces of Eau de Cologne, two ounces of lemon juice, and six ounces of curd soap, melted. When coirl and hard, this is an excellent soap for whitening the hands. A Home-made Perfume. A sweet-smelling toilet scent can be made, bv mixing together the following ingredients': Four ounces of rectified spirits of wine, one drachm of English oil of lavender,threedrachms of essence of bergamot, and one drachm of essence ol amber. A Good Skin Tonic. In the hot weather the skin is apt to become relaxed and need a tonic. The following is easilv made. Mix together two ounces of Eau de Cologne, one ounce of tincture of camphor, and half-an-punce of simple tincture of ben- zoin. Add a few drops to the toilet water when bathing the face. Ginger Beer. To make ginger beer, place, in a large pan two pounds and a half of lump sugar and the peel of two lemons, cut very thin. Boil an ounce and a haJf of ginger in nearly three gal- lons of water, and when it boils pour it over the sugar and lemon in the pan. Stir in an ounce of cream of tartar, mix the whole, and cover with a thick cloth. Leave the mixture till milk-warm. Then add four tablespoonsfuis of yeast, spread on a piece of toast hot from the firs, and the juice of. lemons strained. Let itworkfor twelve hours, strain through muslin, bcttle, and cork tightly, wiring or otherwise securing the corks. The beer will be ready far use in two or three days. Silver-backed Brushes. To clean silver-backed hair-brushes, rnh them with flour, and then shake them and polish. Thoughts for the Week. Without labour there is no arriving at red, nor without fighting can the victory be reached. -Thomas a Kempis. We would have inward peace, Yet will not look within We would have misery cease, Yet will not cease from sin Wo want all pleasant ends, but Will use no harsh means. -Matthew Arnold. Well to suffer is divine Pass the watchword down the line. Pass the countersign, endure Not to him who rashly dares, But to him who <obly bears, Is the victor's garland sure- —WhTttlw.
TALKS ON HEALTH.I
TALKS ON HEALTH. I By DR. ANDREW WILSON. I Some Skin Troubles. j To-day I propose to say something regarding certain forms of skin irritation which ar'j aptto be prrvalent at the present season of the year. In the winter season a very weli-known and irritable condition of'the skin, accompanied. however by no eruption, is that known as winter itch. J 11 thr pre- sent season many persons are liable to suffer from a similsr ailment, and it maybe therefore advisable that a few wnrds of advice regarding the treatment of this irritating con- dition may be included in our present-health talk. The symptoms experienced in connec- tion witll the ailment in question are those of general skin irritation apt to effect certain regions of the body over others. Thus, it is no uacommon thing to find the front aspect of the arms affected, whilst irrilation is also rom- monlv found on the back and occasionally cn the front of the legs. Hence, when an erup- tion is present, the irritation gives rise to an itchv fepli!1g of the skin amounting to;:¡ general seuse of discomfort. When scratching is in- dulged in by way of relieving thl' irritation. wheals are apt to appear on the skin surface, and even without the irritation produced by scratching, the appearance of the skin may be somewhat reddened, a nd often of a character to suggest some degree of inflammation being present. With regard to the origin of such a trouble, most authorities agree in attributing it. as In case of nettle rash itself, to some di- gestive derangement. At the same time, con- sidering the greater frequency of the ailment in the winter season, and also in the inclement weather of spring, we may not be far wrong if we adapt the suggestion that changes of tem- perature, and no doubt exposure to these. may in the case at many persons give rise to the affection. About Treatment. I Seeing that in all probability this disease depends upon 'some digestive derangement, it may be well that the sufferer should pay special attention in the first place to his food. The diet should be of a light character, and all articles such as salt foods, cheese, pickles. and the like, such as are calculated to give rise to indigestion, should be strictly avoided. It will be well also that alcohol should be avoided, seeing that it posseses a very dis- tinct effect upon the blood vessel of the skin- The treatment had better be commenced by giving an ordinary saline purgative, or a dose of Apenta water. A tepid bath verging on the side of hotness should be taken, a little bi-carbonate of soda being dissolved in the water, and it may be well bear to bear in mind that in most cases of skin irritation, tepid water with soda dissolved in it is remarkably soothing to the skin surface. With reference to any other applications which may be required, the itchine may be relieved by bathing the skin vrith a weak solution of vinegar and water. whilst a like result will follow the use of haze- line diluted with water or even pure. Occa- sionally a dusting powder may exercise a sooth. ing effect. Such a powder is composed of two ounces of powdered starch, one ounce of zinc oxide, and one drachm of powdered camphor. Some Further Troubles. Dealing with skin troubles, it may be well here to say a word regarding the treatment of nettle-rash, or erythema, as it is commonly called. The trouble, as has already been in- dicated. very frequently follows from the taking of improper food. As showing how much the individual constitution has to do with the production of disease, it may be here mentioned that curious cases ol what we may term bodily dislike of certain foods ere well known to physicians at large. For example, shell fish will produce nettle rash very readily in many persons, and in others again, salmon or mackerel will give rise to this symptom. Even -^rawberries have been known to set up in at: sck of erythema, and in another ca.se known w> me. eggs seem to possess this undesirable power and property. We can only account for this curious consti- tution. as it, were, on the assumption that the foods in question must certain some substance or principle which in individual cases serves to I disorder the digestion, and to set up irritation of the skin. Here, again, the treatment is that of first giving a purge and of bathing tie part with tepid water, in which soda has been dis- solved. A useful lotion which is calculated to give relief is composed of tw.o ounces of eau de. Cologne, half au ounce of zinc oxide, half an ounce of coal tar liauor. and sixteen ounces of water. Some of this lotion should be sponged or daubed on the irritated sur- face and allowed to dry. There is a final variety of this affection, namely, erythemc which is sometimes very troublesome in the case of stout persons, whilst in infants it is also the cause of a good deal of worry to mothers. Where two surfaces of skin rub to- gether, a certain amount of irritation appears. and the skin surfaces become, if neglected, very much inflamed. The parts should be very gently washed with tepid water and as gently dried. The best treatment is that of applying. after drying, an ointment composed of zinc ointment two ounces, calamine two drachms. powdered starch four drachms. In stout per- sons where there is much irritation of this kind, the skin surfaces should be separated by a fold of fine lint or linen, on each side of which the ointment in question has been spread. Pain in the Back. Several correspondents write to me asking for some information regarding the nature of a complaint which they term" pain in the back." I am sorry that it is imrossible to give them any definite or satisfactory information on the somewhat scanty basis they offer for criticism. but I may be doing a service if I point out that the phrase "pain in the back" is one which may be taken as a symptom indicating the presence of different diseases and ailments- All depends in this case on the situation of the pain, on its duration, its intensity, and. what is more to the point, its association with other symptoms. The phrase pain in the back may be thus used to describe that common trouble, lumbago. The pain here comes on, as a rule. suddenly, and is a sign of a form of rheu- matism specially affecting the muscles of the loins. There is little likelihood that anyone could mistake lumbago for another complaint, seeing that the slightest movement in an acute case produces a regular spasm of pain, so that the individual has only to rest if possible with- out any movement at all. Associated with lumbago there may be a very slight amount of feverishness. and, as a rule, the kidney secretion will be found somewhat scanty and of a high colour. The remedy here is to rest in bed and the application of flannels wrung out of verv hot water, and sprinkled with turpentine Otherwise, hot poultices renewed as often as I ^necessary—for nothing is worse than poultices allowed to become cold—will be found capahle of relieving the pain. A dose of 20 grains of bromide of potash taken in water at bedtime especially, or once between meals durkig the day, may be found effective in relieving the symptoms. Oth.r Causes. A pain in the back may be due to other causes than lumbago. A dull aching pain, not so much affecting the loins region as a little higher up in the back, the a"hing taking place rather on each side of the body, or it may be on the other side only, may' lead us to suspect the existence of some kidney truble. This will be the more likely to be the case if the secretion of the kidney be in any way altered from what is normal. Thus the urine may be very much decreased in quantity, a sign which ought to excite our suspicion that some kidney trouble is prr<;cnt, whilst in other cases and in different classes of kidney disease the kidney secretion may be more abundant than is natural. Especially, also, if pain in the back in the case I am describing be associated in any degree with the appear- ance of dropsy, as represented in the swelling of the feet or face, then the case may undoubt- edly be deemed to be that of kidney disease, and thl! doctor's services must be requisitioned at once. Yet another class of case." of pain in I the back. and especially at the lower part of the back, is very often in women especially associated with disorders peculiar tothfirsex. Many a woman struggles onwards to perform her household duties or to discharge other work whilst suffering intensely from such pain. For these, too, medical assistance is also re. quired, and it may cpmfort patients suffering as I have described to know that very fre- quently a slight derangement, easily remedied, may be found to lie at the root of all their trouble and suffering. When. therefore. people talk about pain in the back, let them remember that this is an entirely indefinite term, its only use being that of indicating, as a pain does, that something is wrong, and that the cause of that something demands investi- gation at the hands of the doctor.
------Ready for Him.
Ready for Him. In a. certain church in the Highlands the weekly collection, after being counted, was placed in a box which was given to the car? of the minister. The latter hid it, with the key. in a place known only to himself and the beadle. In spite of this, small sums of money were regularly extracted from the heard, and one Sunday, when the minister discovered that some more had disappeared, he summoned the beadle. David," said he. someone has been taking the church money from the box, and you know there is no one has access to it but you and myself." Thinking he had the beadle thoroughly cornered, the minister fixed him with his eve and paused for an answer. But David dumb- founded him by his cool proposal Weel, minister, then if there's a defee- sheney, it's for you an' me to rrrake it up iu am' 8*v oaoUxing about it."
Illustrated Humour. .
Illustrated Humour. Number One To The For?. Up I don't seem to care for anything now-s- dav. She I think you forget yoursp]f ? A Gem From The Emerald Isle. A peasant in a remote part of Ireland was one day standing at the door of his cabin, and an English tours^t passing stopped to speak to him. As he did so. he saw the children inside the house playing with a pig. My good fellow. he said. why have you that pig in the house ? It does not seem right." "Why not, sorr answered Pat why Dot ? an' hasn't tbe house every accom- modation that any raysonat'le pig would require r' In The Drawing Room. Clara I:;he puts lots of ieeJing into her sing- ing. doesn't she ? Percy Yes but it mUEt be awful to feel that way. He Knew Beforehand. Mamma Now, Johnny, when you divide your orange with your little sister, ask her will she have the larger piece. Small Johnny Ob, fudge What's the use of asking- her' The Motorist's Expenses. The running expeoss of a motor-car arc rather hea-vv, aren't they. Dasher 7" n'm, yes but nothing like the running over expenses, my dear man." Brit That. Didn't q&ve Him. Mother Tonnpy. what did I say I'd do to you if you touched that jam again ? Tommy: Why. it's funny, m», that you should forget, too. I'm blest if I can r,ir,ember Might Have Been Worse. Bobby. I'm surprised. This note from your schoolmaster says you re the last boy in a class of twenfv-five." Well, I could lIe worse." I don t see how." It might have been a bigger class. A Question of Sight. Was your marriage the result of love at first sight Yes, on my part. Had I been gifted with second sight I'd never have married." How Did He Know ? Scott Long hair makes a man look intel- lectual. Mott: Except when his wife finds one on his coat. Then he looks foolish. A Striking Concidence. Mr Gotsum Maria, bow long has that young Smoothley been coming here to see Nellie ? Mrs Grttsam Let me see. You remember when the papers published that story about your having sold a gold mine for half a million ? Yes ? Well, as nearly as I can recall it, that's the time when he began coming Johnny Was Right. Johnny, you shouldn't have eaten those preserved "fruits. They were placed on the i,if! merely to fill up." Well, that's just what I used them for." An Easy Mark. faier- well, my boy, so you have inter- viewed your girl's father, eh ? Did you make the old codger toe the mark ? Son: Yes, dad. I was the mark. Th* Awakening. Wantono: What's the matter, Blanklev ? You're all cut about, and your arm in a sling, as though you had been in a fight, and yet you look beaming and smiling over it all. Blankley: The fact is, I have all along thought ihy boy Jim a sort of muff, and so I undertook to give him some boxing lessons to wake him up. This is the result of the first lesson. Oh, I'm proud of that boy. Young Man I—er—have called to ask for your daughter's hand.-Her Father: You can have it, and welcome, young man—that is, if you can induce her to take it out of my pocket. Magistrate Stay I cannot allow you to address the bench in this familiar manner.— Prisoner Beg your waship's pardon but you and me has met so often we seems like old friends.
IWELSH GLEANINGS.
I WELSH GLEANINGS. I News and Views in Lighter Vein. One of the curiosities of Pengam at the ¡ present moment is an egg of abnormal dimen- sions laid by a duck belonging to Mr D. Morgan, of Lewis School. The egg is 31 inches long, 21 inches across, and nearly 24 ounces in weight. The Denby Pageant is fixed for July 30th. 31st. and August 1st. next. The committee have pone about matters in a business-like way. and proof of the interest taken in the movement, by the townspeople is the fact that in the twelve historical episodes to be repre- sented the performers, in music, speech, and action, will number over 1.000. Mr F. R. Benson is the master of the ceremonies. Welsh temperance advocates are directing their efforts more than ever before into prac- tical channels. In Merionethshire temperance women have for some years provided a dinner in the temperance tent on the occasion of the annual agricultural show in the county. Now we hear that the Temperance Fnion of the Welshwomen of London are arranging to put up a marquee on Hampstead Heath for the supply of non-intoxicating liquors on YMiit. Monday. The Brave De Glares. It is difficult to see why Cardiff Council should be in such a hurry to get rid of the simple, dignified De Clare Arms, with which the town ha5 œen identified for so manv- centuries. A De Clare was one of the Barons who wrung Magna Charta from the unwilling hand of King John. Another De Clare was killed at Bannock- burn. He rushed into the affray ahead of the English troops, and there perished, with the same scutcheon on his breast that the Cardiff city fathers are anxious to discard. The old arms—with their historic associations-are worthy of better treatment. Penarth. The Vicar of St. Dogmael writes In addi- tion to what has been already written bv Morien and Mr B. T. Jones. B-A-, on the above subject, let me point out that there is still another meaning to the word earth.' it is the Welsh equivalent to the. English" hemp." Another Welsh word, with the same meaning, is" cywarch." Carthon °, is the Welsh name of a rough bed-cloth article, somewhat lighter than a quilt, but I don't think that either the article or the name is much in vogue in these fashion- able days. I fail to find the word' earth in Chancellor Silvan Evans' Welsh-English dictionary. The word arth is sometimes used as the name of rivers, such as we find to be the case, in Aberarth." and, I presume, in Glyn- artben, too. In addition to the list of place names already given, 1 might mention Garth ( Khiwabon), Peniarth, and Arthog(aIlin North Wales). There is Esgairgarthen, too. Ail things considered, it appears to be a rather difficult matter to fu: upon the real meaning of the name Penarth and its cognates. I ncrease of Coal Values. A correspondent suggests tliat the. thought* ful prophecy of an old resident in Wales nearly 60 years ago is in part likely to become true He said —" I came from Gloucestershire about 1630 to 1840. and was astonished to find that the coal miner had much about the same pay- ment for digging coal as men in my old country had for digging turnips Of course it will b^ contested that farm labourers had only from 12s to 14s a week, but as this was often sup- plements by » bit of garden ground th&t yielded potatoes and cabbages with a s r "ient plot to keep a pig, they were able to bv t live comforta-bly, and the coal miner did not. tnd does not, do morev And then cottt*Mt t;btlt life. Theconiergoesoutin themoming well and hearty- and nicv be brought home on a plank at night, while, the turnip digger lives up to j the three score and ten. and often more. Now my contention is that coal must be dearer, and it is those who use the Welsh coal who should pay a sufficient price to give the collier a fair wage and ena.ble him to put by his own pension," The old gentleman's views are submitted to the reader's consideration. Welsh Sermons. I have always admired (writes Man or the Hills) the simplicity, originality, and fervoui of Welsh sermons. English sermons, as a. rule, are colder—more polished, perhaps—and in consequence lack the homely warmth of H". Welsh. The Welsh preacher takes you to the mountains, tjo the whitewashed farm, and the brook where the sliaep arc gathered, with Moss. the shepherd's dog. in charge, looking as grave as a magistrate. And you bear homely sayings, and listen to earnest advice which remain in your recollection. The other day amongst tly hills a good man was preaching, and in the course of it he said. 'let not the cobwebs affect you wash them away from your face and brain don't let them surround you and darken your sight, or dull you? energies sweep them away.' and so he con- tinued. groping about as if he had becomi entangled in a web. Then coming back to th6 cobwebs again and again, until at length p friend near who felt that his minister wax unable to get away from the cobwebs; whispered sufficiently loud to ca.tch the preacher's ear, Kill the spider, sir Kill th6 spider. Longevity ef Coal Pits. Colliery Annalist writes:—"It has been stated in your columns on several occasions that the life of a coal pit i, a long one, and instances have been given in proof, but one of the most remarkable is yet to be narrated. Those who have read the history of tie coal trade will remember that in 1828 a small level was opened in Aberca-naid, near Merthyr. by Robert Thomas, whose widow, Lucy, carried on the level and coal wharf after hiE death. This level was the first one driven into the steam coal which has had such a magnificent history, for though the level has long been abandoned steam coal to the extent of over 20 million tons per annum is now bemf shipped from Cardiff. Now, it is most gratify. I ing to note that a few days ago the old workinf was reopened, and there is full expectation thaf asumcient area of good coal, probably the six feet and yard vein-, remains to make it a profitable enterprise. The fact that a railway siding is to be constructed to serve the Rbvmney and Great Western Railway augurs well- This is another proof, laker, in conjunc- tion with the re-working of old historical cwmgls, that after the lapse of 80 yea rs some of the early coal workings are yet valuable assets. One reason, of course, is to be sought in the somewhat quiet working in the old times com- pared with the dash and drive of the present. When the Hills, of Plymouth, were making iron, the colliers employed first numbered three now they are something like 3.000." Tlie Crymlin Viaduct. Apropos of a recent paragraph in this columi concerning the Crymlin viaduct, a Llaneily correspondent recalls a daring performance that was executed during the tune of its? con- struction, when a tight-rope was fixed between the two middle pillars and a man actually walkeAacross. This well-known bridge was erected by Messrs Kennard Bros., ol the Crymlin Viaduct Works, under the superintend- ence, and we believe from the designs of the eminent engineer, Mr Tom Kennard. This firm also erected the girder work for the Char- ing Cross Railway Station, London, under the superintendence of the same engineer, who afterwards went to South America take large contracts for the erection of bridges in that country. The greater part., if not tfer whole, of the iron used in the construction of the bridge and the railway station was msdc at the Old Lodge Iron Works, Llaneily, the* owned by the late Mr W. Henry Nevill. oæ correspondent was connected with one of th' firms named for many years, and he very wef remembers an episode that happened during the construction of the bridge. He was passing over on loot before it was complete and in tb&{ middle, at the deepest part, there was a gap o a yard or so wide not placed over. The mec were in the habit of crossing this by means o a 9-inch plank., but our correspondent could not rouse sufficient courage to do this bu jumped across. He was, however, assured aftap wards tint this was much more dangerous that- if fee had walked the Blank. A.