The Cardiff Times

4 I SUNCLAD TOBACCO IS the Best. Try It. I

I WORKMEN'S TOPICS. (BY MABON, M.P.) EIGHT HOURS DAYTN* BELGIAN COAL MINES. The Belgian Bill for reducing the hours of labour in Belgian mines, as the readers of the South Wales Daily News" were informed a little while ago, has been ander consideration for about a year and a half, and has lately met with a fate which was wholly unexpected. Indeed, in this respect, it has met with a, much similar fate at the hands of the King of the Belgian as the Miners' Federation Bill of this country has received at the hands of the present Home Secretary. The progress of both has been b&ulked by commit- tees. The progress with the British Bill has been slowed down by the existence of a Depart- mental Committee which the promoters of the Bill had not heard a single word about up to within a couple of hours of the time the Bill n passed through the House of Commons without 0 division last year. The opponents of the Bill were prepared for days before—and the Belgian Bill had been read the second time and passed by the Chamber, but was withdrawn by Royal decree which had been settled only the day before the final decision was arrived at by the Chamber, and which decision had not been communicated to the Chamber. According to the text thereof, the object of the Belgian Bill was to amend the Mining Acts of 1810 and 1837, anespccialJy to deal with the conditions under which concessions will be p-anted for mining and new coalfields in the Campin or Limburg. However, one finds that the long delay in the settlement of the problem of working the Limburg coalfield had not pre- vented the Ministry from issuing several con- cessions for that district under the old Acts, and this may have something to do with the hastening of the decision of the Lower House there during the pa,at two months. But there are very good reasons for helieving that the tact that the question of reducing the hours -i-f work in mines were being forced on the con- jideration of Parliaments all over Europe bad a Ureal, deal to do with it also. The proceedings ip connection with the first reading of the Bill, in the beginning of March last, were forced very much by the Socialist members of the Lower House—they admittedly vranteci the same passed so as to secure a reduc- >:cd in the working hours of the men to be em- ployed in the collieries to be opened in the Campiii district. These proposals were opposed by the Govern- ment, it was alleged, on the ground that the measure only referred to one part. of the country. But the reformers, for reasons of their own, continued urgiag on the passing of the measure and it was uJtin13 tdy proposed that the matter should be referred to a Com- mission in order to consider the problem of reducing the hours in all the coal mines of the country. This was also carried, and it stipu- lated that in the absence of a law. the Govern- ment should, in agreement with the mining council, fix the working period by Royal decree, and t',e. other amendment that was carried by a minority of ten. votes only, stipu- lated that th,i.t,igth of the working hours for miners aboulrT^ot. exceed eight hours from bank to bank. )r l' The second .eading of this Bill, which took place on the 12th of April, decided by a majo- rity of six. that failing a, special law a Royal decree should be issued, fixing the hours to be worked per day after having consulted with the mining council and the superior council of industry, which, in the opinion of the friends of the measure, was a sufficient guarantee that evc'ry precaution necessary would be provided for. However, the members of the Cabinet who were against the House in the matter, after their defeat in the Chamber, tendered their resignations to the King. On the following day, they found out that the King had issued a decree the day previous, withdrawing the very Bill that the Chamber, in its ignorance, was allowed to carry. This announcement produced a considerable consternation in political and other circles. The opponents of the Bill, as well as its friends, became very angry, though for different reasons, because they had been allowed to continue their opposition to the Bill, which was so unnecessary did they know that the Bill had been withdrawn, and the other be. cause all their efforts on behalf of the miners had been in vain. It has been officially explained since that the reasons that moved the King and his Government wa.s, that as a, commission of in- quiry had just been appointed to investigate the working conditions of the mines and miners, the Government did not wish to pro- ceed with the new legislation, in which con- ditions had been inserted which were not generally acceptable to the Chamber. The result was, the postponement of the struggle, which would culminate ultimately between the Lower Chamber and the Senate, The former considered that it had been rather shabbily dealt with. It has now been dis- covered that the decree to appoint the com- mittee of investigation bad only been issued sinctr the 9th—three days before the Bill passed the Chamber, and only two before the King issued his decree of withdrawal-all of which, it is alleged, the members of the Chamber had been kept ignorant of. The commission of inquiry appointed by Royal decree is composed of three senators llhd members of the Chamber, three econo- mists, three officials or former officials, three colliery managers, and three work- ing miners, making in all twenty-three persons. The first clauses of the order of reference states that the Commis. sion shall assure themselves as to whether the duration ot the underground work in coal mines gives rise to abuse, and if so in what measure legal limitation of the length of work :ould obviate the evil. The second clause gives instruction to investigate what would be the probable effect in the various districts of such a measure, notably from the point of view of hygiene, and security of working and upon production, manual labour, and wages. Inthe third clause, the question of the influence of such a measure upon the export of coal, and upon the condition of other industries, is to be inquired into, whilst the remaining clauses deal with the problems of the collection of information, and the formation of sub-com- mittes and the expenses of undertaking journeys in pursuance of the inquiry. Whatever will he the result of this inquiry there is a, great similarity between its terms of reference and those of the Eng. lish Departmental Committee that in- quired into the various conditions of things appertaining to the reduction of hours in the mines of this country. Whatever will be the result of the inquiry, there is no manner of doubt in the minds of the Belgian mine- owners that the first end in visrw by its being investigated has been won by the ba,ulking of the Bill that .was then before the Chamber. As I "have already said, the victory won will not serve the opponents of this needed reform in Belgium—will not serve them very much. For the Premier himself, much to the surprise of everybody, has already introduced a similar Bill into the Senate of the New Parliament, as was vetoed by the King after its having been^ passed by the Chamber of Deputies and feel- ing runs very strong in Belgium at present at the Action of the King in this matter a little while ago and that of the Premier with respect to it now. The similarity of treatment of the English and Belgian Miners' Hours Bills is likely to be ca-ried a little further. For while the promoters of the English Bill will not expect much assistance in the passing of theirs from the Home Secretary—their faith in the promise of the Premier is unshaken.

Farmer: Do you believe. in irrigation sya- tems « Financier I certainly do, when it "Mines to watering stocks.

Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion. By CADRAWD. Why the Bard of Pencsrdd Nedd was Sent to the Cardiff Jail. (Continued from Tit.Bits," May 11th.) WhenHopkin Rees. of Ynys-yr-AUor, had looked over all the papers in the possession of Mary John, and found that the lease granted to Edward .John by the Hon. Bussy Mansell, on Aberclwvd" and Llwyndu," was not to be found, Mftry John was under a concern about it, and to whom to apply for it, and re- collected that the door of her house had been broken open about a week before, of which she had complained to several neighbours, not sus- pecting at that time that anything had been stolen, except a trifle, which she thought had been taken from one end of the chest, in which the papers were kept. It now dawned upon her that it was the lease that had been taken away. She went to Rees Morgan, and told him that the lease was lost, and he suggested that the lawyer. Mr Wilkins, had kept it as security for the payment of the remaining 305 she owed him, as we have stated in the last article. Mary, and Hannah John, and Rees Morgan went to Mr Wilkins, who was posi- tive that he had delivered the lease, and told Rees Morgan that he suspected him in this affair, who very readily answered that he was prepared to take bis oath that he never had it. Mr Wilkins, as a Master in Chancery, adminis- tered the oath to Rees Morgan, who swore that he knew nothing of the lease, whereupon Mr Wilkins said Though you have sworn this, yet I am as far from believing you as I was before." At their return from the lawyer's office, Rees Morgan said to the said Mary John, his mother- in-law: "You must be very silent in this affair, otherwise if Mr Mansell and Mr Rees, the agent, hear that the lease is lost, they will very soon take the land from you." Rees Morgan goes to Swansea, and had a deed drawn between himself and Mrs Jotyn, for the money and land, and this was duly signed by the parties concerned without even hearing the same read or kTnowing the contents there- of and Rees Morgan's expression told the woman who had signed I will keep this myself, to see it I cannot keep it safer than you kept the other." The women were told that what they were signing was a deed which would save the land to them from Mr Mansell, since the lease thereof had been lost. But this last deed had a different meaning when thsy came to know the truth, for it turned out to be a mortgage, and that by it Mrs John and her daughter, who held the same interest in the lease of Aberelwyd and Llwyndu, had signed a document declaring that they owed Rees Morgan £80. and that if the same. and interest, were not paid by <1. certain datc. the lease would be entirely forfeited to the said Rees Morgan. After a. tremendous lot of heckling and borrowing, consulting and galivantmg, we find that, Rees Morgan was brought to book, and was taken up by a person named David Thomas, who seems to have undertaken the cause of the poor women who had been the prey of the Glyn Neath bard. Rees Morgan, by virtue of a warrant from John Llewellyn, Esq., of Ynysgerwn, was committed to Cardiff Jail, his guilt plainly appearing, and having nothing to say in his own justification. By habeas corpus be was removed from Cardiff to Brecon Jail, at the expense of the county of Gla- morgan, which amounted to about £5. In April Sessions, 1742, at Brecon, the grand jury found a bill against the said Rees 3forgan, for utter- ing and publishing, as true: the eaid deed, knowing the same to be false, to defraud the said Richard Williams, and borrowing of the said Richard Williams £20 on the credit there- of, and leaving it as a security for the repay- ment of the said sum. But Rees Morgan, who seems to be naturally clever and witty, who had nothing to say in his own defence, endea- voured to pick boles in the indictment, and succeeded to find out that the clerk, in trans- cribing the deed, recited in the indictment,-bad varied a few letters which the nicety of the law required to be exact, whereby, and not for bis innocence, he was acquitted by the petty jury. However, the justices of the great sessions being of opinion that he ought to be brought to condign punishment for so flagrant an offence, thought fit to continue him in bail till the ensuing sessions, when he appeared. and another bill was found against him by the grand jury for the like offence, and he came to be tried again, when it appeared that the clerK of indictment had again made another inistake, having mentioned the endorsement on the deed for the supposed consideration money as part of the deed,whereas it should have been mentioned as an endorsement, and thus by the nicety and chicanery of the law he again escaped. But the court being willing he should be tried on the merits again, ordered him to be continued on bail till the following sessions. Rees Morgan again came in for luck. Mr Wil- liams (the chief, or principal witness against him), died before the same was traversed, as the lawyers say, and consequently the prosecu. tion ceased, otherwise., in all probability. Mr Rees Morgan would, according to his deserts, have met with that fate which wouli have put an end to all his sufferings, as far as he was concerned, with the world. As it was, he suffered for nearly three years imprisonment in the County Jail in Cardiff before he was re- moved to Brecon, so it was evident that the painful transactions did not bring any gain to him, but quite the contrary. He lost the land which he thought he had made secure by his cleverness over people who were illiterate, but honest. When we find Rees Morgan after this is on the pages of the Eur- grawn Cymraeg," the first Welsh monthly magazine ever published in Wales, and in a quarter of a century older than when he out- witted the clerk of of arraign twice. He is a very able poet, and it is surprising that so little of his poetry is to-be met with. He was a con- temporary of Lewys Hopcin, Edward Ifan, Dafydd Nicholas o r Pergwm, Will Hopkin of Llacgynwyd, &c. He was present at the meeting of the Gla- morgan bards, which met at Pontneddfechan, when D. Nicholas sang the following englyn to the River Neath— Pe bai'r afon hon o hyd-yn gwrw I gyrhaedd yr hollfyd Ni fyddem, ond a foddwyd, Wrthi as ynddi i gvd." It seems that Pontneddfechan for many years was the place where the bards of Glamorgan held their meetings, and on one of these oeca. sions, Ffeirad Coch yr Ystrad attended in a state of intoxication, and cleared the room he was a bit of a bard himself, but being an exceptionally big and active man, and of des- perate temper when under the influence of drink, the bards present allowed the meeting to be given up rather than to try and pacify the parson. It is recorded that one of his' parishioners had presented the red parson" with half a salmon which he had caught in the river Rhon- dda, but instead of being pleased with the gift, he fumed at the smallness of the gift, and said— Gwaeddais i drosto ar Dduw lawer pryd, Mi haeddwn gael samwn, un cyfan i gyd." There is a quarry somewhere on the moun- tain between the Neath and the Rhondda valleys known to this day as Cwar y Ffeirad," the red parson having fallen over it on a dark night in coming home. The horse was killed, but the rider was unhurt. On another occasion, he was accosted on the mountain by a highway robber, who demanded of him his money; but the Ffeirad Coch struck him a blow which killed him on the spot. When he found that the man was dead he went and acquainted the nearest magistrate of what had happened, and his evidence is very characteristic of the man— Fi trawa's a o modd, ond fi Haddas a o'm hanfodd." (I struck him of my own accord, but killed him advertently).

In Reply. A well-known philanthropist once called on a millionaire to beg a subscription towards a charity which he was much interested jn. Who was it." said the millionaire, smiling. that said that charity begins at home 7" The caller frowned. "It was some one, I'll be bound," he an- swered, 'i who wanted an excuse not to contri- bute." bute."

MUSIC IN WALES. By D. EMLYN EVÁNS. WELSH MUSICIANS IN THE NORTH OF ENGLAND. When the average Welshman who is imbued with the national inclination towards poetry and song migrates into another land, this pre- dilection of which perhaps he could not divest himself if he would, nor probably would if he could, but carries with him as part and parcel of himself, is sooner or later pretty certain to reveal itself. This is his history in America, Australia, South Africa, a.nd other far-off lands therefore that it should be so in Dur- ham, or Yorkshire, or Cumberland, &c., is not in any way surprising. Amongst the Welsh colonies which have settled down in the North of England, none have been more faithful to the national spirit nor more active in musical and other like work than those who may be found on the banks of the Tees whilst the list of public men associ- atcd with them is not by any means one to be contemned. Some of these have passed away, some have retired or returned to spend the evening of their days in the old country, white others have elected to remain in the land of their adoption until the "book of the toil is read," and" the long day closes." Of these latter two stand out prominently, both on account of their respective ages and long record of activity we refer to Mr Ivander Griffiths-whose labours have been on the Der- went—and Asaph Glyn Ebwy, whose contribu- tions to another column in this journal are, no doubt, as well-known to the poetically-inclined reader as they are esteemed. The surviving and venerable leaders of the old guard beyond the borders may count upon the respect and sympathy of their fellow- musicians at all times and particularly so when ill-health has overtaken the one, as has been of late the lot of Mr Griffiths; and when the other mourns the loss of a talented and loved son, Mr John Wrilliams (Ap Asaph). Thornaby-on-Tees.singing leader and conductor of the Lyric Male Voice Choir," with other choirs in the district. The death has to be deplored also of Mr John Morgan, Middles. brough, the conductor—and we belive, the founder—of the "Apollo" Choir of that, town: like Mr John Williams, a strenuous and successful worker and their removal is a, very appreciable loss to the cause of music in Stockton, Middlesbrough, a'nd their locali- ties. A Toronto Lecture on "Welsh Music and Musicians." At a lecture-concert given in the Toronto Conservatory of Music on the 14th ult., Mr Edward Broome discoursed on The Land of Song and the Home of the Harp," so the Daily Star" of that city tells us; the official title, however, being that given in our heading, and the subject sub-divided into three periods r., Folksongs II., h Choral, Hymn. and Anthem and III., Moderns," acknowledgement being made, among others, to the proprietors of the Cardiff Times for several issues of the paper containing articles published in this column freely drawn from." We are informed that the subject was fol- lowed with deep interest by a large audience, many of whom were genuinely surprised at the debt modern music was shown to owe to the sonyr loving people of Wales, with their bards, their Eisledfodels,' their skill on the harp, and their pervading passion for the beautiful in sound or word. After giving a long historical sketch of the Welsh people and their language, the lecturer produced facts to show that the earliest ex- ample of music in Wales was ages in advance of that of any other country in its harmonic structure. To illustrate his point, Mr Broome's singers rendered a folk song which tradition and history agree was written in 795 A.D. This was placed side by side with the attempts at harmony of much later date. The technical construction of the ancient Welsh violin or Crwth,' as it is called in Wales, was de. scribed, "and reasons were given why its con- struction added proof to the statement that harmony existed in Wales long before it was acknowledged in other countries. Coming down to more recent periods, letters were read from the descendents of some of the most notable musicians, giving data that no printed book could supply. Mr Broome had secured the co-operation of the Welsh press to locate people that could be of service to him, with the result that his information was particularly full and complete. Mr Broome lived in Wales for some years, and had the advantage of a personal acquaint- ance with many of the modern school of com- posers and singers. This. advantage he made good use of in his lecture. Probably few people in the audience knew that Edward German, whose opera Tom Jones was given its first hearing a couple of weeks ago in London, and whose songs and orchestral pieces are familiar the world over, was a Welshman. or that Henry Wood, the famous conductor of the Queen's Hall orchestra, was partly Welsh, or that Lieutenant Albert Wrilliams was an. other product of the Land of Song.' The lecture was enlivened bv the highly efficient chorus of about 40 voices which sang examples from the different periods treated. These in- cluded such numbers as The March of the Men of Harlecli." and Hob i derri We present the above to the reader minus any comment beyond stating that the construc- tion of the old Welsh Crwth does fairly justify the assumption that it was used for harmonic purposes. vYe may also add that Mr Broome, if not a native of Bangor (North Wales), re- sided there for some considerable time, and that on the maternal side he can be claimed as a Welshman. He emigrated to Canada some years ago. where he has been successful as organist, teacher, conductor, and composer his productions including some importantcom- positions at our National Eisteddfod.

Songs for the People. Andrew Fletcher, of Saltorm, In a Jetter to the Marquis of M?ntrœe, wrote :r know r, ry wise man that believed that if a man wera permitted ts makeftll the ballads he need not can who should make the laws of the nation."

A VIOLET. A violet on the green, With lowly stem, and bloom unseen; It was a sweet, low flower. A shepherd maiden came that way, With lightsome step and aspect gay, Came near, came ncar. Came o'er the green with song. Ah thought the violet, might I be The fairest flower on all the lea, Ah but for one brief hour And might be plucked by that dear maid, And gently on her bosom laid, Ah but, ah but A few dear moments long. Alas the maiden, as she pass'd, No eye upon the violet cast; She crush d the poor wee flower It sank, and, dying, heaved no sigh, And if I die, at least I die By her, by her. Beneath her feet I die. —From the German of Goethe,

ABOU BEN ADHEM. Abou Ben Adhem (may his tribe increase !) Awoke one night from a deepdream of peacc, And saw within the moonlight in his room, Making it rich and like a lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book of gold Exceeding peace had made Ben Adhem bold. And to the presence in the room he said, What writest thou 1" The vision raised its head. And with a, look made of all sweet accord. Answered, The names of those who love the And is mine one 1" said Abou. U Nay, not so." Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerily still and said. I .pray thee, then, Write me as one who loves his fellow-men." The angel wrote and vanished. The next night It came again, with a great wakening light, And showed the names whom love ot God had blessed— And lo i Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. —Leigh Hunt.

She (at the piano) Listen How do you enjoy this refrain ?—He Very much. The more you refrain the better I like. it.

Illustrated Humour. Undeniable Proof. I've had more than twenty offers of mar. riage," said Miss Elderleigh. Then," replied Miss Kara Flippe, it must be true as our preacher said last Sunday,' that men are kinder of heart than people generally suppose." Two of* a Kind- New Girl. (timidly): I s'pose you are a fine cook, mum ? Young Mjstresg Bless me, no; I don't know anything about it. New (xirl (relieved) Thelf we'll get along fan;ously. mum T don't either What Could She Have Meant. fTe Wbat a number of parties your sister must go to. She's always out when I call. She Yes, she's the lucky one. Showed Symptoms. Neighbour So your boy is to be a professor, is he? Then bem-List be making good progress in his studies ? Parent: No, not exactly that: but he is get. ting to be beautfuliy absent minded. Still No Improvement. Hello, Bill, old man. Well, well I haven't seen you since the old days when we used to run round together." "No, Jack. Ah, those old days What a fool I used to be then I tell you I am glad to see you; You haven't changed a bit, old man." A Cheerful Pr<%Syi*;on. Old Craakvbo: I think we had better have passage and the stairs re-papered while I'm laid up, Mrs Grimmage. Mrs Grimmage (his housekeeper):: Lor'. sir, 'adn't. yer better wait and see 'ow yer goes on furst ? Them coffins do make such work with staircase wall papers. In a Hurry. ( Respect is due to the man on his last journey ] to the cemetery, and the cabman who was making for Victoria Station showed the proper feeling in driving for some distance along the procession without trying to cross it. But at last he could restrain himself no longer. Turn- ing his horse across the hearse, he said, in a cabman's whisper, Look 'ere, my fare's in a 'urry, and your's ain't Making Allowance. Orator: Now, friends and fellow-citizens, what is the natural deductions from these facts ? Voice in the crowd Fifty per cent. An Obvious Conclusion. The Widower: I've always said that if I was married again I would choose a girl who is as good as she is beautiful. Miss Willing: Really, this is very sudden, George. But I accept you of course. Sunday Strife. Freddie, Freddie, what are you thinking about ? lapw often have I told you not to play with youflsoldiers on a Sunday ?" Oh, but you see, mama," said Freddy, promptly, this is a religious war they're fighting." Alike. Mrs Prosy: Reading is quite a passion with my husband. _Jike. Mrs Dresser So it is with mine when he readl; my nlilliner's bills. Getting Even. Near sighted old Gentleman (entering shop): Have you any linen dusters ? Over-dressed Youth (.with his most sarcastic manner): I'm not an assistant in this estab- lishment vet, sir. Gentleman: Not yet an assistant, eh ? Errand boy. I presume ? Well, legs are as good as brains in some departments. How is your new servant, Mrs Upmore ? I heard she was ill." She's improving. She was able to sit up this morning and give notice Teacher Yes Mary succeeded Edward VI. Tilly Jones, can you tell me who came after Mary ? Tilly Jones Her little lamb. Professor (examining class in physics): The I; pressure of bodes at rest is called force. Give us an example, Jones ? Jones (an observant scholar); The police force.

TALKS ON HEALTH. By DR. ANDREW WILSON. r About Shingles. l7nder the name of shingles, a very trouble- some disease generally regarded as purely skin trouble, but one which has a relation to the nervous system is to be noted. It so hap- pens that at the present season of the year cases of shingles are tolerably frequent. W hether this depends upon some run down con- dition of the system peculiar to spring, or whether on the other hand there is some cli- matic or other influence to be regarded as tending towards the production of the disease is a very open question. By many autbori- ties shingles is regarded as a result of cold, but on the other hand we have to take into account that cold is not followed by the appearance [of this ailment in the vast majority of these who suffer therefrom. Hence we must fall back upon the idea that some special condition of the body, assisted it may be by some eold or de. pressed state of the system is responsible for the appearance of the malady. We find an example of shingles represented in a very mild form in the shape of so-called "cold spots" which often break out at the sides of the mouih after a severe attack of cold. Here in all proba- bility we are dealing with some irritation or other which the cold has directly produced, and we may not be fat" wrong if we suppose in such a case that some germ or other has at- tacked the particular part and given origin to the ailment. These cold spots begin with an inflammation of the part and speedily develop a kind of head or pimple. This pimple, which may assume the appearance of a small blister bursts, and finally the process of healing takes place. The Typical Ailment. By far the most typical development of shingles, and one apt to be extremely pain- ful is that which attacks the chest. The eruption of shingles proceeds round the one side of the chest from the backbone to the front, and in this case is known to follow the course of the nerve, which lies between the libs. A certain amount of fever may be present in such a case and the presence of the eruption gives origin to local pain and smarting. The eruption in the chest gives very much the same course as that already J described in the case of the cold spot on the mouth. In many cases, however, a crop of shingles take a very long time to disappear, and if they are in any way irritated, for ex- ample, by the patient scratching them, the sores may be very much delayed in healing, giving rise thus to a large amount of irritation and pain. In the treatment of shingles a powder composed of equal parts of starch and oxide of zinc may be kept applied*, to the part. In some cases ointment of the oxide I of zinc wll be found to be both a cooling and a healing preparation. It is of great impor- tmce that the blisters, when they break, and exhibit a raw surface, should not be allowed to be exposed to the air. After application of the ointment the parts should be wrapped in cotton wool and protected from cold. Where much irritation is present and where pain is experienced, small doses of antipyrin may be tried, or a powder composed of five grains of antipyrin and five grains of phen- acetin my be given and repeated if pa in still con. tinues in from four to fr o hours A curious idea, is prevalent with regard to shingles. namely, that if a complete zone of shingles forms round the body the case is likelv to be a fatal one. For this belief I need hardly say there is no justification whatever. Spring Medicines. I have just alluded to the fart that in the spring time many persons complain of a run- down condition of body whilst those who may be perfectly weH entertain the belief that it is necessary in the spring season of the year to take. what is in popular language called "spring medicine," and which, as a rule. are drugs of the nature of aperients or purgatives. It is difficult to trace the origin of this belief and equally difficult to suppose that the healthy person cannot pass from winter to spring without some disturbance of health than he1can pass from, say, summer to autumn, or autumn to winter, without experiencing dis- turbance of health. As a matter of fact, I do not believe any warrant exists for sup. posing that the onset of spring is liable to be attended with any such consequences as as those which exist in the popular imagina- tion. I have a theory that if illnesses are apt to attack us at this time of the year they arise in the ordinary way, namely, through our exhibiting some fault or other in the proper regulation of our health. Thus a person may be easily tempted by a spell of mild spring weather to leave off articles of clothing which are still necessary to be worn for the due preservation of the bodily heat. Hence colds and chills may be liable to be incurred, and blame is laid upon the season, when in reality it should rest with ourselves. Of old. our forefathers went the length of undergoing a spring blood-letting. This was in the days when the taking of the blood from the arm was regarded not merely as "a purifying mea- sure to the system at large, but was of ex- tremely common practice in the treatment of many diseases. We have very much improved in our ideas since those days, and we recognise that the taking away of any quantity of blood cannot bv anv means alter the constitution and quality of the blood, in which the real power of the blood to keep us well or to make us ill may be said to reside. About Blood-letting, If in the spring any symptoms of illnesses appear, these should be treated on the ordinary lines. It is the belief of perfectly healthy per- sons that they require doses of aperient medi- cine at the present season of the year, against which one has to here enter a strong protest. Speaking of blood-letting, whilst this mode of treating disease has undoubtedly passed away into the background, medical men recog- nise, plainly and fuilv, that in certain diseases the practice of withdrawing a certain amount of blood from the body may be attended with beneficial results. Blood-letting, in other words, is a good remedy which has unfor. fortunately gone too completely out of fashion. It is not needful here to specify the particular diseases in which blood-letting is still on occasion resorted to, but I might quote in- flammation of the lungs as one of the ailments in which blood-letting occasionally does good, whilst in cases of apoplexy the removal of a certain quantity of blood tends to relieve the tension on the brain. The subject of old remedies that have gone out of fashion is an extremely interesting one, and shows us that the art and practice of medicine is subject very much to the same evolutions and development that other branches of science exhibit. The process of discovery has no floubt enriched medicine with many new drugs, and with many substances that were unknown to our forefathers. At the same time, one may reasonably express the belief that we might with advantage frequently turn to certain of the older remedies which were well tried and by no means found wanting by the predecessor of the medical man of to-day. Hip Joint Trouble. A correspondent has asked for some infor- mation regarding hip joint trouble. As a rule this ailment appears early in life, and is certainly one which is well calculated to attract the attention of the mother. W hen- ever a child exhibits symptoms of the trouble, complaining of pain in walking, with some evidence of the shortening of the limb, it should he at once seen to by a surgeon. I should like to impress upon my readers that a very great deal can be done to rectify and remedy this serious complaint if only the surgeon is consulted in time. Remember aJso that hip joint trouble, aa a rule. is only an evidence of some condition in the child's constitution. A large number of children suffering from scrofula, for example, are apt to have affec- tions of the joints, the hip joints amongst them being affected. The child's constitution/of course, must be carefully braced up, and cod liver oil with iron duly administered, whilst the whole surroundings of the child must be supervised in the way of its having plenty of fresh air. preferably that of the seaside, good food and warm clothing. To avoid any future deformity likely to incapacitate the child's movements early treatment is, of course, neces- sary.

Whose P Rumours of a disastrous mishap on the rail- way had reached the offces of a local news- paper, and a reporter sought information. "See here," said the official he was cross- questioning, you fellows must think we have accidents for your benefiL" Perhaps you wouldn't mind telling me whose benefit you do have them for y" re- joined the reporter. Button this point the official was reticent. Retributive. A certain Judge who possessed a rather hasty temper was frequently accompanied when on circuit duty by his wife. There was one stipu- lation, however, made by his Lordship, and that was that the lady must never tuck band- boxes under the seat of the carriage. On one occasion the Judge hit his foot against one of those flimsy receptacles for hats and bonnets. Down went a window with a bang, and out went the bandbox into the ditch. The startled coachman pulled up, but was ordered to drive on and let the thing lie where it was. They reached their destination in due course, and his Lordship proceeded to robe for the court. And now, where's my wig? Where's my wig he demanded, when everything else had been donned. Your wig, my Lord," replied the aervant, trembling with fear of the consequences, was in the bandbox which you threw out of the window aa we came along." trembling with fear of the consequences, was in the bandbox which you threw out of the window aa we came along." S

¡ Fashion and Things Feminine. By MISS IDA MELLER. For Plain and Braided Cloth. In regard to bodices, two styles in particu- lar are current—the kimono and the pinafore. Both are simple and charming, and are copied in all summer materials. The mixing of plain and embroidered stuffs is not only fashion- able, but often very convenient, and permits of some highly successful renovations and the using up of small lengths of good material to advantage. A suggestion for a costume of plain and braided cloth is afforded by the ac- companying sketch. Tbe skirt and sleeves are of plain material. while the cuffs and bodice are braided. The latter is cut with a waistcoat neck. and the fronts are seamed to the sides, this added front piece being conveni- ent when a renovation is in progress. The vest is of tucked batiste and Jace. and tb batiste collar-band is cut very high after the now pre- vailing mode. It is surprising how much style is given to a toilette by the high fitted collar- band, which can always be kept well up by the aid of various little supports that are sold at all drapers, and are so much more con- venient than the ordinary whalebones used for the same purpose. The fancy part of the toilette sketched, namely the bodice and cuffs, might be carried out in embroidered net or in cloth, applique with silk motifs edged with cord or fine braid. Again the black might be of plain or embroidered material. The hat worn is typical of the most popular mode of the day embracing the close mushroom brim. A Shirt of Delaine and Washing Lace. Tucks and box pleats in various widths and in more or less numbers are the distinguishing features of most of the summer shirts, both in woollens and cambrics. Delaine holds its own for the every-day shirt, and, like nun's veiling, also much used for shirts, is quickly washed and requires no getting up beyond ironing. The sliirt illustrated may serve as a guide to a. simple, smart pattern for morning wear with I tailor-made skirts. It is of cream delaine, with Torchon lace cuffs, collar, and plastron, the cuffs and collar having hems of delaine. Five small tucks are arranged on each side of the plastron, from the shoulders downwards, and to keep the fulness well to the centre-front, tapes are run at the waist, through a band of delaine, across the plastron, and slightly be- yond, the loose ends of the tape then spanning the waist and being tied at the back. Adding to One's Income. The question of how to add to one's income affects a large number of women. Those living in the country may make pocket money by flower culture, which, of course, must be very thoroughly undertakpn if it is to become a pay- ing business and also by the supply of home- made jams, such as are not generally sold by the ordinary grocer. Vegetable marrow jam, for instance, is most delicious, but difficult to procure yet it is easy enough to make, and is invariably a favourite when put on the table. Then, again, by the supply of the delicious delicacy, known as Devonshire cream, the man- ufacture of'which need not be confined to any special area, women might make a fair profit. In any of these undertakings the aim must be to secure a regular clientsle who would be willing to take a weekly or monthlv supply of goods. Until such a connection is estalishcd, business can hardly be very profitable. With regard to the selling of cut flowers, it is a good plan to get in touch with the hotels or any public- places where a regular supply is con- stantly needed, and try, if possible, to secure standing orders. Flowers are always wanted in hotels for table decorations. The selling of roots and pot plants would naturally be a branch of the flower industry. A Cheap Floor Stain. To make a light stain for the floor, take per- manganate of potash and mix it with water, allowing- one ounce of the former to half a gallon of the latter. Brush over the floor with the fluid (taking care not to let it touch the hands) and on the following day rub the boards with boiled linseed oil. On the third dav polish them with beeswax and turpentine. A mat placed by the door where the traffic is greatest, saves the wear of the stain. Queen Cakes. Work 2ozs of butter and 2ozs of castor sugar to a cream add, gradually, 4ozs of flour, and 2ozs of currants or preso-ved cherries. Whisk well one egg, and add to n, two tablespoonsful of cream, essence of lemons or almonds to taste, and a quarter of a teaspoonful of carbonate of soda, dissolved in a little milk. Mix all to- gether and beat for ten minutes, put into small, buttered cups, and bake for fifteen or thirty minutes. Bread Jelly. The following is an old-fashioned recipe for making Bread Tellv-an unknown dish with most people. The instructions run Take a quantity of the soft part of a loaf, break it up. cover it with boiling water, and allow it to soak for some hours. The water contain- ing all the noxious matters with which the bread may be adulterated, is then to be strained off completely, and fresh water added. Place the mixture on the fire and allow it to boil for some time until it becomes smooth the water is then to be pressed out. and the bread in cooling, will form a thick jelly. Mix a portion of this with sugared milk and water for use as it is wanted." The recipe is economi- cal, and might be of use in an emergency. Thoughts far the Week. A promise should be a sacred thing. Where one comes forward to share another's sorrows, ten jump to share the joys. Let your conduct be your religion; then ftiere will be no need to quarrel about what sect you belong to. It always argues a base and cowardly temper to whisper secretly what you dare not speak to a man's face. Few things bring contentment to the grum- bling mind sooner than to see another person with a heavier burden than one's own bearing it bravely. How anxiously we look forward to the com- ing day and try to discern what it may bring us. But our endeavours are all in vain the morrow is an impenetrable curtain veiling a stage in which we are all to act.

Mrs Jones I wish I could think of some. thing to keep my husband at home in the even- ings. Mrs Smithson Buy him a motor-car, dear. Mrs Jones He'd be out more than ever if I did that. Mrs Smithson No, indeed My husband bought one last week, and the doctor says he won't be out for six weeks I

i WELSH GLEANINGS. News and Views in Lighter Vein. Lord Justice Buckley and Lady Buckley spent the Whitsuntide holidays at Criccieth. Madame Melba, the singer, has been staying during the past week with Lady Magdalen Bulkeley at Baron Hill, Beaumaris. The Marquis of Anglesey has recently reo signed his commission in the Royal Horse Guards Blue, a,nd has gone to America as the guest of Mr Cornelius Vanderbilt on board the North Star, which sailed from Genoa-a few day ago. There is no end to newspaper enterprise. A Welsh newspaper is reported as having in it* stop press news the startling announcement tha.t.. the cuckoo has been heard in the dis- trict 1" Who says that the number 13 is unlucky Last week on number 13 green of the Porth- cawl golf links two sovereigns were picked up. On the next. day another sovereign was found on the same green. Mr Horace Lyns, of New- port, had lost two of the coins, and they were restored to him. Mr Seymour Hicks's company, which on Saturday completed at Leeds a three months' tour with the Beauty of Bath in the North of England and the South of Scotland, included Miss Roberts Jones, of Cardiff, who is known on the stage as Violet Veary. Miss Roberts Jones, who possesses an excellent voice, was only 17 last Tuesday, and has recently received offers of engagement frcm other managers, in- cluding a tour to America. Cardiff will have plenty of religious meetings during the coming summer. The Primitive Methodists have obtained permission from the City Council to hold a large demonstration in Cathavs Park, and in August General Booth will make one of his triumphal progresses through the city. This will be the head of the Salvation Army's first visit to Cardiff after his remarkable experience in Japan, and his fol- lowers in South Wales are anticipating a great demonstration on that occasion. The Secular Solution. Wales is represented on the General Council of the" Secular Education League hy Col. Ivor Herbert. M.P.. Mr J. Lloyd Morgan. M.P., Mr J. Allanson Picton. M.A. (Pcnmaen- mawr), Mr D. A. Thomas. M.P., and Mr W. Llewelyn Williams. M.P. The first manifesto of the League, which has just been issued. states that every attempt made to settle the education question in England and Wales has conspicuously failed. The reason for this failure is that partial and partisan lines have been followed. The Act of 190? PITd in one dirertion, the Bill of 1906 erred as badly in another direction. Everyone sees that a further attempt, to be successful, must proceed upon fresh lines altogether and it is with a view to this new departure that the Secular Education League has come into beÏng." Local Nick-names. Anglesey people are called Moeh Mon," Flintshire folk aN"" Mulod," and Merioneth- shire men lladron." There is an old couplet to this effect:— Moeh Mon a lloian Lleyn A lladron sir Feirionydd. The explanation given (writes the Vicar of St* Dogmaels) is that in the olden times a certain Queen toured through North Wales, when the Anglesey folk presented her Majesty with a pig, and the Lleyn people gave a young calf, but the Merionethshire oeople stole" both from her. But what can be the origin of such sayings as the following Y byd a lÀan. rwst," Boed rhyngoch, gwyr Pentyrch ?" The Welsh Fusilier "Flash." The attempt of 1906 to discontinue the well known flash" worn by the officers of tb" famous Welsh Fusiliers was not the first one As far back as 1834, according to Olr Wales," No. 1, Vol. IIL, the six service com- panies, on their arrival in England from Gibraltar, were ordered by the Inspector- General to discontinue the flash." as not. being according to regulation. (The flash is a knot of black ribbon worn by the officers and staff sergeants on the back of the collar of the tunic. The Royal Welsh Fusiliers, being the last regiment in the Army that wore the wig, retained the ribbons in imitation of the queue q bag.) Lieutenant Colonel Harrison imme- diately telegraphed to the colonel of the regi- ment. Sir W. (rordon, whereupon the King wag graciously pleased to approve that the • flash should be henceforth worn and established as 8 peculiarity whereby to mark the dress of thi. regiment. This gave great satisfaction to the Fusiliers. « The Vale in Old Days. There is one reminder of the Vale, of Glamor' gan that comes athwart the reflective mind (writes a holiday visitor) which local residentr, may not entertaiD. Fresh from my books. I picture in little retreats the studeuts who once were abundant in Llantwit. Then from alf parts of the country so renowned were th*, halls of learning" in the Vale thither they they came tc glean wisdom, and among then, revered tutors only now hajided down in thf historic page, or with scenery preserved ia saintship, or by ancient stone with Latin in scriptions. What a host they were and only to think that eyes which pored over ancient lessons, once looked about in these very lane! and meadow lands out upon the sea which has brought the scholars to the Leys or other nooki along the coasts. What a contrast to the maritime and the commercial present: Thf great part then unknown, and a slumbrous silence hanging around Llantwit which dreamers say still haunts the place Through the Vale of Glamorgan. A holiday correspondent exclaims—Now i the time when the vale is at its best. and week enders might go to, far less beautiful scene1 than the Vale for a very small outlay. The other day I went by way of Pontypridd, a delightful outing to Cowbridge. One had a taste of the grimy at one or two points-tht old familiar smell of coal tar for instance, anc a length of coal waggons laden high with black diamonds, and bound for port, but these only contrasts, for the odour of flowers was perceptible, and the primrose and cowslip were in great profusion and the pleasant spectacle of farmers busy in fields or repairing bam? which had suffered in winter storms greeted the travellers freely. On all sides rural scenes abounded, lanes and meadows. Even the railways partook of a rural character. Plat. forms for the convenience of the few travellers* were to be seen., and instead of passenger tra.Î111 dashing by with a business air, they crept uf to little stopping places, and' the guarc descending opened a wicket gate for a triir maiden or two, locked the gate, and pocketec the key, all in a homely fashion, wishing th' travellers good-bye as he journeyed on. e was like a private railway to a cosy homestead and yet within sight of larmer-like Cowbndgk and not 25 miles from bustling Cardiff. Original Language of Europe. Morien writes ;—Mr R. T. Owen. Ystaiyfera has reached a climax of absurdity in stating that Cen, in Cenarth, is identical with Pen, in the name Penarth. He endeavours to provr this out of the Erse or Irish language. It known to every scholar that the Erse is a mix- ture of the Scythic and Kummric, or Welsh languages. It has long been acknowledged it the great philological schools of Germany th. to discover the original language of Europe- the language which gave the original name: to the mountains and rivers of European coua tries—one must steady Welsh. The result to- day is that the Colleges of Germany study Welsh far more than is done in the Colleges 0: Wales itself. Mr Owen falls into the strange error of stating that talcen (a forehead) if a compound, meaning tall head That Cei signifies Pen or Head therefore that it would b* correct to name Penarth Cenarth. Now a verj tyro in such studies would know that Cen it the Welsh for bare or hairless, and the foreheati is called tal-cen or tall cen, because it is a high part of the face which is hairless.