Monmouthshire Merlin

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Correspondents sending letters for insertion should send also their names and addresses-not necessarily for publication. No notice will be taken of cont- munications when this requirement is not complied with. Letters and other matters intended for pub- lication should be addressed to The Editor," not to any person connected with the office, by name. As a rule, we do not undertake to return manuscripts deemed unsuitable for publication nor can we engage to inform writers whether their communications are considered eligible for publication or not, otherwise than in our Notices to Correspondents." An article on the Newport School Board is omitted for want of space.

THE Jl0iunoutl]s|ire 10 e ilk NEWPORT, FRIDAY, JUNE 21, 1878. CAPITAL AND LABOUR. IN the Lancashire cotton strike two things stand forward very prominently amidst other lessons inculcated by the bitter conflict; first, that employers are potent enough to maintain a rigorous and compact opposition to the de- mands of the employed; and, secondly, that Trades Unions are by no means the invulne- rable stronghold which Mr. GEORGE HOWELL, and other well-meaning men, would have us believe. While it would be unjust and untrue to say that Labour occupies a subsidiary posi- tion in the world of commerce, it must be con. ceded by all unbiassed minds, and by those enabled to regard things from a practical, rather than a theoretical standpoint, that Capi- tal stands foremost as the commercial lever, and that it has the power, and is even capable of exercising a despotic influence. The artisan can devote himself to one particular kind of work only the capitalist's ramifications ex- tend to all branches of trade and manufacture. True it certainly is that Capital could not be applied to its right and proper uses without the assistance of Labour, and it is in accord- ance with the natural order of things that the two should work together, side by side, one depending upon the other. In the present in- stance, that of the cotton strike, Capital must conquer, if -not on account of its simple inhe- rent qualities, because the Trades'Unions will find themselves unable to assist the opera- tives to prolong the conflict; and the operaJ tives themselves have, within the last two or three days, shown a strong disposi- tion to accept, the ilicvitable-a large number O having gone in at the ten per cent. reduction. It may be alleged that it is desirable that workmen should have some means of insisting upon their rights when those rights are threat- ened or usurped but as the Bisuop OF MAN- CHESTER has pointed out, both a bad and good use can be made of such a weapon as trade unionism. If the influences of combina- tion be exerted for the purpose of obtaining by equitable means just and reasonable terms for the employed, not even the most prejudiced will be able to say a word against it; but if it be used for the purpose of exciting the minds of ignorant multitudes to acts of violence and terrorism, to obtain a higher rate of wages than is justified by the state of trade, then such combination is calculated to accomplish an immense amount of injury, and to prevent the consummation of those ends which Trades Unions have in view. Our markets have suf- fered much already from foreign competition, and the conduct of the Lancashire operatives tends further to diminish the value of home industries. But unfortunately the men seemed, until within a few days ago, to have closed their eyes against all logical inferences, and were bent solely upon resisting the 10 per cent. reduction proposed by the masters. Now, however, they have got into a more reasonable frame of mind. Mr. GEORGE HOWELL has recently published, through Messrs. Chatto and Windus, an inte- resting volume, The Conflicts of Capital and Labour," and in his preface he promises to do justice both to employers and employed; but as one who, according to his own statement, has suffered considerably from the combination of masters, he can hardly be expected to look with very great favour on Capital. Mr-1 HOWELL is eloquent when discussing the ad-1 vantages of trade unionism, but he says little or nothing of its demerits, and he ventures on the remark that H¡all individual workman has but little chance of obtaining what he deems a fair day's pay for a fair day's work,' or other equitable conditions of labour." This phrase may be taken to typify the tone of the whole volume, which is, as may be expected, a strong defence of Unionism. The author would, in our opinion, have done well to have addressed himself more particularly to the working classes, and have exhorted them to consider the eventualities of strikes-whether they could in any way be prevented, and whether they were always, or even frequently, justifiable. At this juncture, 'such an appeal, proceeding from such a quarter, would have had a good effect. Of late years there has been a great extension of that line of demarca- tion which separates masters from men; the bond of sympathy has given place to suspicion, and workmen have become restless and dissa- tisfied. In most instances masters do not care less about the true welfare of their men than hitherto, but, unhappily, the impression re- mains that they do. But whatever may be the cause of the strikes in various branches of trade, let us hope that in future those who take upon themselves the function of leading workmen against their employers, will be guided more by fact than sentiment, and that their action will be based upon an accurate conception of the principles of social and poli- tical economy, and not upon any shallow and ill-defined ideas as to the rights and privileges of the labouring classes. _.m_

LORD BEACONSFIELD. LORD BEACOXSFIELD'S appointment as one of HER MAJESTY'S Plenipotentiaries to the great Congress at Berlin has moved those news- papers which are on the look-out for accusa- tions against the Government, to declare that he would undertake anything which promised him a prominent position. But such writers seem to have forgotten the conduct of Mr DISRAELI, when he was offered the office of Prime Minister by HER MAJESTY in 1878, vice Mr GLADSTONE resigned. At that period Mr DISRAELI was not only asked to take post of Premier, but was absolutely taunted by Mr GLADSTONE as having done wrong in sum- marily refusing to undertake the office. Mr DISRAELI, in his defence in the House of Com- mons at the time, proved that his course had been thoroughly honourable, and in every way worthy of the great Constitutional Party of which he was then, as now, the recognised and esteemed leader. Ho pointed out that had he accepted office in 1873, it would have been with a majority of 88 or 90 against him on questions of general policy, although by the then recent division the Government of Mr GLADSTONE had sustained a defeat which made that right honourable gentleman resign. Mr DISRAELI might easily have assumed the reins of Government, as HER MAJESTY offered to dissolve Parliament, if he considered that such a course would be beneficial to the Con- servative Party. He, however, refused to take advantage of the opportunity, and he did it for reasons which he placed on record, and which secured the unanimous approval of his party, and, to a large extent, that of his oppo- nents. He pointed out that a Minister in office, foreseeing the necessity of a dissolution of I Parliament, is able to dispose of public busi- ness in a proper manner, preparatory to the act which be advises; whereas the leader of the Opposition must be unacquainted with numerous facts which would render an act of of dissolution either an act of foolishness or of wisdom. The construction ot a Ministry, said Mr DISRAELI, falls entirely upon the individual entrusted with its formation. As a matter of time it affects the position of the Government, and at the time that he was asked to accept office, viz., in the month of March, he had to face the near approach of the Easter holidays, when he would have had to resort to votes on account, or to accept the estimates of his pre- decessors, or those of the permanent clerks. Had he gone to the country, for want of know- ledge of the exact position of foreign events, he would have had to go with a blank sheet of paper. Serious questions of international law were about engaging public attention, as were the Alabama Claims and the French Treaty of Commerce. Upon these subjects it was impossible for the Conservatives to speak out in a manner that would have satisfied themselves and been consistent with an appeal to the country. Then there was the question of Local Taxation, and Mr DISRAELI truly said that it would have been impossible for a Ministry formed from Jais side of the House to go to the country and be silent on that ques- tion. If, on the other hand, he had accepted office, and put off a. dissolution until the end of the Session, he and his supporters, he felt, would have been treated with contumely and contempt. It was true that the House of Commons had supported him in 1867, when he was in a minority, and had assisted him in carrying a Reform Bill which Mr GLADSTONE had opposed, and been singularly defeated in opposing; but before that period both Lord DEKIIY and himself had learned what it was to be in office, and not in power. In 1851 Lord DERBY was asked to take office, but had to decline, under circumstances most painful to himself: and the country was left for 48 hours without a Government. Iia 1852 Lord DERBY was obliged to take office. Lord PALMERSTON refused to help him on the ground that he had no friends, and, in fact, Lord DERBY had to form a Cabinet of individuals who had never been in office, the leadership being entrusted to Mr DISRAELI—an act which had happened only once before, and that as far back as the days of Lord SHELHOURNE. Under these circumstances the Conservatives naturally expected not only fair play, but generous treat- ment. They found neither. Parliament would vote only six months' supplies, and the new Government was compelled to call Parlia- ment together again in the month of November. There was, said Mr DISRAELI, no wholesale censure, but there was plenty of retail humilia- tion in store for Lord DERlIY and his Cabinet They were not allowed to perform the most ordinary office of Government without there being annexed to it some ignominious con- dition. Mr DISRAELI had too much self-respect to bear a repetition of such conduct, and so, in 1873, he refused to form a Government, even with the promise of HER MAJESTY that she would exercise the royal prerogative and dis- solve Parliament. Did Mr DISRAELI'S conduct on that occasion show any extreme haste to hold the greatest position to which a subject can be raised ? It may be remembered how he was urged by un- thinking and short-sighted friends to take office, and tojgivehis party, at any rate, twelve months of place, if not of power; but Mr DISRAELI was equal to the highest demand which can be made upon a statesman, and especially upon the leader of a party, and that is, to know the right moment to refuse office as well as the right moment to accept it. He knew that at that time the Tory Party occupied the most satisfactory position whffeh it had had since the days of its greatest statesmen, Mr PITT and Lord GRENVILLE. He scanned the political heavens, read the future, and his prescience was not at fault. He realised that such ques- tions as those of trade and navigation were practically settled; that far greater questions were coming to the front, and that it was of the utmost importance that the Constitutional Party-a party distinguished for its patriotism as well as its organisation—should remain in a position to lead the people and to direct the public mind. Believing thus, he was able to say, in concluding his speech, amidst loud and prolonged cheering "And, Sir, when that time arrives, and when they enter upon a eareer which must be noble, and which I hope and believe will be triumphant, I think they may perhaps remember, and not, perhaps, with unkindness, that I at least prevented one obstacle from being placed in their way, when, as the trustee of their honour and their interests, I declined to form a weak and dis- credited Administration." These are hardly the sentiments of a statesman who would condescend to be guided by such sordid and time-serving aspirations as those which his opponents seem anxious to attribute to him at the present hour.

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE. n-+-- SOUTH WALES COAL AND IRON TRADES.— The exports of coal from Cardiff during May fell off considerably, but at both Newport and Swansea the foreign exports increased. Last month Cardiff shipped to foreign parts 330,779 tons of coal. For May, 1877, the quantity shipped was 363,130 tons. Newport shipped 62,087 tons, and for May, 1877, 53,878 tons. Swansea last month shipped 62,102 tons, and for May, 1877, 59,037 tons. Coastwise Cardiff shipped last month 72,227 tons, and for May, 1877, 66,648 tons. Newport 75,825 tons, and for May, 1877, 68,654 tons. Swansea shipped last month 18,420 tons, and for May, 1877, 27,604 tons. Cardiff last month shipped 5,799 tons of iron. Newport 10,421 tons and Swansea 524 tons. From Cardiff last month 7,691 tons of patent fuel were shipped, and from Swansea 9,036 tons. LOCAL LIQUIDATIONS.—Griffith Evans, 101, Commercial-street, Newport, Mon., grocer and gun metal and brass founder John Steen and Christopher Stagholm, Swansea, outfitters Henry Daniel, Ystrad, Rhoudda Valley, Glamorganshire, grocer Thomas H. Thomas, Treforest, near Pontypridd, draper and general warehouseman Charle3 Windmill, Roath, Cardiff, butcher; John Scarlett, Cardiff, ship chandler; Thomas Laucey, London-road, Neath, Glamorgan- shire, butcher; James Henry Thorne, 72, Station-road, Llanelly, Carmarthenshire, baker and confectioner; Thomas Baskerville Jones, Wheat-street and Castle Brewery, Brecon, brewer and licensed victualler; Thomas Woodcock, Ynyshir, in the parish of Ystrady- fodwg, Glamorganshire, collier, late of Treherbert, greengrocer; Evan Lewis Lewis and William Lewis, trading as Lewis Brothers, Trealaw, Glamorganshire, timber merchants Alfred Parfitt, Pentre, Glamorgan- shire, brewer and innkeeper; Robert H. Fennell, Mer- thyr Tydfil, fishmonger. ORDER OF SHEPHERDS—At the A.M.C. of this order, held last week at Hawarde), Mr W. H. Witts, who has for many years acted as corresponding secretary of the Newport district, was appointed a director on the Board of Management. MR. J. C. PARKINSON.—The latest instal- ment of Mr Sala's Echoes of the Week," in the Illustrated London News, contains the following refer- ence to Mr J. C. Parkinson. Referring to literary men who have gone into business, Mr Sala says :— To the list I may add the name of a contemporary writer, and a very brilliant and versatile essayist, Mr Joseph C. Parkinson, who, some years since, gave up to la haute finance what was meant for mankind—I mean the readers of the Daily New*—and went into business with a will. I notice that Mr Parkinson has recently been elected by acclamation president of the Newport Chamber of Commerce, and one of the har- bour commissioners. It may be that one of the hardest working and most influential business men of the day is none the worse for his experience in London, on the Continent, in America and India, as leader writer and special correspondent." THIRD MONMOUTHSHIRE RIFLES. At the monthly competition for the challenge prize the fol- j lowing scores were obtained. The ranges were 200 and 500 yards, five shots each, Wimbledon marking —Sergeant T. Roberts, 57 Corporal J. Collman. 5(i Private W. Garland, 54; Private C. D. Fothergill, 48 Sergeant J. Anstice, 46; Lieutenant S. Bryan, 45; Quartermaster V. W. Woodcock, 45; Captain J. Thompson, 42 Sergeant J. Harris, 41. PONTYPRIDD, CAERPHILLY, AND NEWPORT RAIL- WAY BILL.—ON Monday this Bill came before the Examiner of the House of Commons, when it was found that the standing orders had not been techni- cally complied with, and the Bill will now have to be advanced before Lord RedesdalÐt in order to have the standing orders dispensed with. At a special meeting of the proprietors of the Taff Vale Railway Company, held at Cardiff, on Tuesday, a resolution was adopted formally approving the Bill for authorising the construction of the Ponty- pridd, Caerphilly, and Newport Railway. PANTEG V. NEWPORT.—On Saturday a cricket match was played between these clubs on the Newport ground. Newport was the winner. THE RECENT I^XPLOSION.—A committee of members of the Town Council, consisting of the Mayor (Mr John Moses), Alderman Lyne, and Councillors Beynon, Vaughan, Thompson, and Hoskins, has been formed, who will receive subscriptions to a fund to assist the sufferers by the explosion on board the Chrysolite. Subscription lists have been opened at each of the three local banks, and contributions may be sent to the members of the committee, or to Mr C. R. Lyne, the deputy town clerk, who is the hon. secretary. ATTEMPTED SUICIDE.—On Sunday morning a man named Powell, living in Tunnel-terrace, made an attempt upon his Oivn life. Prompt aid was ren- dered, and the deed was prevented. A LARGE STEAMER. — We have had this week in the Alexandra Docks one of the largest stea- mers that has ever visited this port. She will carry upwards of 4,000 tons, is named the Timor, and is under the command of Captain Rauton, having been chartered by Mr J. Cory to take a cargo to Bombay. PON'L'YMISTER V. ALEXANDRA (NEWPORT) CRICKET CLUB.—This match was played on Saturday at Poiitymister. Score Pontymister, 57 Alexandra, DEATH OF A DOCK CONSTABLE.—On Wednes- day morning, Dock-constable Comley, one of the officers of the Newport Dock Company, died somewhat suddenly, from the effects, it is said, of erysipelas in the head. Deceased leaves a widow, and had for a loi g time been employed iu the borough police force. PROPERTY SALE.— On Wednesday afternoon Mr Thomas Parry held a sale of property at the King's Head Hotel. There was a large attendance. The first lot was a close of arable land, 2a. Or. 17p., situate in the parish of Llangibby, let at X5 a year. This was withdrawn, as there were no bidders. Lot 2 consisted of 3a. Ir. 17p. of arable land, on the main road from Pontypool to Llangibby it did not secure a purchaser. The third lot consisted of Sa. Or. 5p. of grazing land, in the parish of Llandeg- veth, let it X20 a year it was sold for £565 to the Rev. C. C. Williams. Lot 4 was 3a. Or. 2p. of graz. ing land in Llangattock-juxta-Caerleon, let at £9 a year. This reached only X200 and was withdrawn. Lot 5 was the most important lot, consisting of the Wain-y-Pwllfarm, containing9da. 3r. 4p., and includ- ing a good farm house. The biddings were commen- ced at £2,400 and ran up to X3,300, where they stoppad. Reserve, £ 4,500. Lot 6, and the last, was la. 3r 15p. of garden ground and pasture land, eligible for a villa residence, and situate near Llwyncelyn House. The highest bid was zC70, the reserve being £150. NEWPORT v. NEATH. — On Tuesday these cricket clubs met on the Newport ground, and the home team won easily. I

DR. PARRY" AND HIS CHOIR AT NEWPORT. Something more than ordinary notice is due to the visit of Dr. Parry, the now distinguished Welsh com poser, with his representative choir, to Newport, this week. Having given full proof of the possession of the genius which deserves distinction, Dr. Parry (not many years since plain Joseph Parry) has worthily risen to the honour of a University degree and it is only fair to say that Cambridge has seldom, 1 if ever, bestowed a distinction more honestly earned and more fully deserved than that which made the afore-mentioned Joseph Parry a full-blown Doctor of Music. Proof of this will be found in the sketch given below of Dr. Parry's career, while his appointment to the Professorship of Music in the University College of Wales points clearly in the same direction. As a Welsh composer, Dr. Parry is in one respect unique- he alone of his countrymen has produced an Opera and to this he has been led, as we learn from the pre- face to the work, by the feeling that the Welsh," pre- eminently a musical people, and having a strong pre- dilection for dramatic representations," ought to be stimulated to the production of this class of music. In giving practical effect to this feeling, Dr. Parry has produced, in "Blodwen," an operatic gem which abundantly testifies to his qualification for the work he undertook, and which will, we think, secure him lasting fame. For his countrymen, with their love of distinctively Welsh compositions, we may well suppose that Blodwen will possess strong attrac- tions but when the merits of his opera become known, Dr. Parry's repute will not be confined to these. Most of our readers are aware that Dr. Parry's re- I presentative choir accompanied him last week to Cambridge University, and the Alexandra Palace, London, where their performances of their leader's works were favourably, and in some instances, en- thusiastically received. Arrangements were made for a provincial tour this week, and in pursuance of this, the choir sang in Bristol on Monday, in Newport on Tuesday, in Cardiff on Wednesday, and in Swansea on Thursday. This day (Friday) and to-morrow other towns are to be visited. In each place afternoon and evening concerts are given. At Newport, on Tuesday, the first portion of the afternoon performance consisted of a miscellaneous programme of songs, solos, duets, quartetts, &c., and everything was admirably carried out. The following singers took part Mr Lucas Williams, R.A.M., who sang The Mariner," by Louis Diehl. Miss Hattie Davies, who rendered "When the heart is young"; Mr D. Evans (Eos Dar) who gave a splendid rendering of "Y Bywydfad" Miss Adelaide Morgan (in the "Lost Chord") Mr R. C. Jenkins, U.C.W., and the choir, under the leadership of Mr R. Evans, The second part 11 was devoted to the performance of "Jerusalem," or "Judgment and Mercy," a sacred exercise, composed by Dr Parry. The composer, on making his appearance on the platform, was greeted with loud cheers. He acted as condactor during the performance of the work. The piece brings out talent and taste akin to those the composer has shown in his previous productions, without having that newness" of character which Blodwen" naturally exhibits. The grand double chorus 0 Jerusalem," sung by four voices (in cannon)-Miss Adelaide Mor- gan, Miss Eleanor Rees, Mr W. Davies, and Mr R. C. Jenkins-and also by the choir, seemed to develope the Welsh "fire" so much talked of, and deservedly gained applause. The chorale, My Jesus, as Thou wilt" is full of the pathos and touching simplicity of the old Welsh hyinn-tunes, and reminds one forcibly of some such pieces as "Ai Iesu prynwr dynolryw A wela'i draw a'i guawd yn friw, A'i waed yn lliwio'r lie ?" Mr Lucas Williams' rendering of the bass recitative and air, "Behold, the day of the Lord cometh," and But the Lord will remember his children," was truly excellent. The chorale Inspirer and hearer of prayer," sung by the choir, was pre-eminently Welsh, and was full of the confident spirit which prevade such pieces as Pwy welaf o Edom yn d'od." The last piece —" We magnify and glorify Thy ntime"was excellently given by the choir, orchestra, &c. The attendauce at this performance might have been larger, but there was a good audience, and an appreciative one. In the evening, when three hours were occupied in the performance of Blodwen," the Royal Albert Hall was fairly tilled, though we could heartily wish that every seat might have been occupied, so that the warmest possible welcome might have been given to a composer whose talent, industry, and indomitable perseverance eminently entitle him to honour. Of the Opera, the dramatis personce were as follows Blodwen, Miss Hattie Davies, U.C..W. Ellen, Miss Gayney Griffiths, U. C. W. Lidy Maelor, Miss Lizzie Evans, R.A.M. Sir Howell, Mr Thomas Evans, U.C. W. Messengers of Maelor Castle, Mr W. Davies and Mr D. Howell, U.C.W. The Bard, Mr R. C. Jeukins Arthur (a Welsh Warrior), the Monk, aud Rh a Gwyn, Mr Lucas Williams, R.A.M. ;Chorus— Servants, Castle Keepers, Huntsmen, Soldiers, and Inhabitants. Within five minutes of the appointed time Dr Parry took the baton, and started his well-disciplined com- pany upon their work and for three hours, with periods of rest which did uot amount, in the aggre. gate, to more than fifteen minutes, they were thread- ing their way, with keen appreciation and warm interest, through the several stages of the opera. The audience Were not long in showing that they were at one with the singers, and as the choruses rung oat from more than a hundred voices, or the sweet and tender strains cf Miss Hattie Davies. or the rich full contralto tones of Miss Lizzie Evans fell upon the ear, their delight found vent in almost rapturous applause. Dr Parry s composition appeals both to the passion for music and the amor patriai it gives scope for some of the finest displays of musical effect, while here and there an under-current of some familiar Welsh air awakens the patriotic feeling of his countrymen. The opera is distinctively Welsh in its basis and its inci- dents—whilst its discriminative range over the whole field of effective and appealing music, places it beyond the category of that which is simply national, and will secure for it a hearty reception by all who possess a true love of musical art, and can be swayed by the power of melody and harmony under their most telling forms of expression. It were easy to specify illustra- r tions of these remarks, but for this we have not space. It must suffice to say that some parts of Dr Parry's work thrill by their wondrous force and almost im- passioned expressiveness—while others melt by their irresistible pathos—the Prisoners' Chorus and B!od- wen's touching lamentation over her lost Howell, being instances in point. By the production of Blodwen" Dr Parry has not merely enhanced his own fame, but laid his countrymen under a lasting obligation. It is but just to say that iu Tuesday evening's per- formance of Blodwen Dr Parry's reputation did not sutiei at the hands of the executants. Miss Hattie Davies, Miss Lizzie Evans, Miss Gayney Griffiths, Mr Lucas W illiams, and Mr Thomas Evans, all gave proof of culture aud vocal power enabling them to do the soli, duets. &c., with a close approach to faultlessness while Mr R. C. Jenkins, Mr D. Howell, and Mr W. Davies were fairly successful in the minor parts assigned to them. A touch of flatness here and there was perhaps the ouly defect in tune, while the time was observed throughout, by soloists and chorus, with surprising exactness. A warm commendation is due to the choir for while the concerted parts of the opera are, here and there, of a difficult aud testing nature, the singers showed that they had studied these, and were consequently prepared to throw them off with won vrou-s precision as to time, and with but few defects as to expression. The Gloucester String Band, to whom the orchestral accompaniments were assigned, did their work with exquisite taste and full mastery of the music. On the whole" Blodwen" in Newport was a splendid success, and upon this fact we con- gratulate the composer and his loyal and well-drilled company. In connection with this subject, the following sketch of Dr Parry's career, from the South Wales Daily } News, will, we think, be read with interest Joseph Parry is the son of Daniel and Elizabeth Parry, formerly of Merthyr Tydiil. Mr Parry's father, a native of Pembrokeshire, removed to Mer- thyr when he was but a youth, and for thirty years previous to his emigrating to the United States, fol- lowed the occupation of refiner at Cyfarthfa Works. Mr Parry's mother was born at Kidwelly, and is dis- tantly related to the senior member of Parliament for the Merthyr and Aberdare boroughs. The subject of this brief sketch was born on the 21st of May, 1S41, at the Old Chapel House, Merthyr, and is the youngest but two of a family of eight children. Like many I celebrated men, Joseph Parry was watched over in his I infancy by an excellent mother—a sensible and re- ligious woman. It was related of her that it was no I unusual thing for her to lead the congregational sing- ing in the absence of the appointed leader; and it is not too much to say that Dr. Parry imbibed music J with his mother's milk. From his very infancy Dr. Parry was surrounded by musical strains. The" row" in which he was born was the residence of several eminent musicians and in the close vicinity of his home the famed Cyfarthfa Brass Band was wont to practice. Young Joseph, it is said, at this time, ex- hibited an extraordinary aptitude at picking up the F leading themes of everything which the band might' rehearse and whenever they turned out in public Joseph was a faithful attendant upon them. Last year Dr. Parry composed a reminiscence of his attach. ment to the band, which he dedicated to the bands- men. He identified himself with the singing-class at Merthyr while he was but a child, and soon proved a valuable auxiliary to the conductor, Mr Robert James, who is at present doing excellent work among the Welsh people of Hyde Park, Pennsylvania. Owing to the low state of wages prevalent at this period in the iron trade, Joseph Parry was compelled to enter the forge when he was nine years old, which, of course, prevented him from partaking of education to any beneficial extent. In 1854 he emigrated with the family to America, where his father died in 1866. Joseph continued to work diligently at the rolls in Kingston, Pennsylvania, and had but meagre time for the prosecution of his favourite study. About this time he had the good fortune to meet with a fellow- countryman named John Abel Jones, who was, more- over, an excellent musician. Jones, being a native of Merthyr, took much interest in young Parry, and taught him to read music; while a man named Price (who had emigrated from Rhynin) led him through the intricacies of harmony and counterpoint. In Jones and Price our hero found valuable friends. They in- duced him to try his hand at composing, and, strange to say, his first attempt was rewarded with a prize at an eisteddfod competition. In 1861 he entered the Normal College at Genesee, New York, for a term, and received lessons from Bassini-an excellent teacher and a friend of Rossini. The late lamented P. P. Bliss, who was a short time since killed in a railway accident in the States, was also a student here at the time and between him and young Parry a warm attachment sprung up, which was only interrupted by the death of the former. From this period Mr Parry's name as a winner at the chief eisteddfodau was a matter of frequent occur- rence. At the Swansea National Eisteddfod he carried away four of the principal prizes at the Llandilo National Eisteddfod he swept away every prize that was offered for musical compositions at the Chester National Eisteddfod he won the X20 and gold medal for the cantata "The Prodigal Son," which was per- formed last winter at Aberystwith, under the con- ductorship of the author. On Mr Parry's arrival in England, the council of the Welsh National Eisteddfod magnanimously offered to maintain him for 12 months at the Royal Academy of Music, but family affairs made it necessary for him to decline the generous offer, and he shortly after- wards returned to America. In December, 1S67, a committee was formed in America, prominent in con- nection with which was Aneurin Vardd, for the pur- pose of raising a fund for the musical education of the rising young Welshman. In August, 186S, he once more set sail for Yr Hen Wlad," and on his arrival entered the famed ipstitution in Tenterden- street, where he had for teacher the scholarly Sir Sterndale Bennett. The close of the first year of his academical career found him a prize man, and a series of very successful concerts held on his behalf in the Principality, enabled him to remain at the academy longer than he anticipated. The close of the second year found him in possession of the bronze medal; and in another year he took away the silver medal of the academy, which was presented through the hands of Mrs Gladstone, who took advantage of the oppor- tunity to congratulate her fellow-countryman upon his unqualified success. In 1871 he won the degree of Mus. B. at Cambridge, and in September of the same year he returned, with his wife and family (who bad arrived some time previous) full of spirits, brimful of hope, to America. After concluding a very success- ful tour, during which he received more than 100 com- plimentary coucerts, he setded down at Danville, Pa., and opened a musical seminary which soon matured into a most flourishing institution. In the fall of the year 1874, in response to a cor- dial invitation from the council, he arrived at Aberyst- with, to preside in the chair of music at the University College of Wales. I should not omit to mention that such was the esteem in which Mr Parry and his wife were held by the Welsh residents in London, that the latter generously presented Mr Parry with a gold ,o watch and appendages, and his wife with a magniti- cent diamond ring. Gifted with an iron constitution, unsurpassed diligence, and a hxed determination, Professor Parry has accomplished before he is 37 years of age, an amount of work which would have shed a lustre upon a veteran of 80. I have authority for saving that for many months past he has been hard at work daily, until the approach of the small hours of the morning. In connection with the publication of his opera, Blodwen," and the preparation of the band parts of the same work, he has gone through a task that would have appalled a heart less courageous. His genius is as versatile as it is prolific. He has pursued his studies in every department of musical art; his compositions range from the simple ballad to e the laborious oratorio. He has published already over a hundred songs, sixty anthems and choruses, fifty congregational tunes, a veritable heap of quartettes, trios, duetts, ;ind glees compositions for the organ, and for stringed instruments four overtures for full orchestras three sonatas for piaco, a grand symphony for full orchestra; five cantatas; and one opera Blotiwen"). He is also engaged at present upon an oratorio, on the libretto, "Emannuel," by Dr William Rees.

LATE GENERAL NEWS The Queen aud Princess Beatrice, attended by their suite, will, it is understood, according to the latest arrangements, leave Balmoral on Friday afternoon and arrive at Windsor early on Saturday morning. A marriage is stated to have been arranged between the Prince Imperial of France and the Princess Thyra of Denmark. Tae contemplated alliance is believed to have been arranged by the Princess of Wales. His Royal Hignness the Prince of Wales arrived in London on Wednesday morning from Paris. A hundred and thirty Socialists were arrested on Sunday night at the Tivoli Beer Gardens, Berlin. The mill of Messrs. Brigg Bros., spinners and manu- facturers, of Keighley, was burnt down on Tuesday. The damage is estimated at £ 6,000. A telegram from Havre announces that the steamer Alliance, from Southampton, has run into the steamer A telegram from Havre announces that the steamer Alliance, from Southampton, has run into the steamer Francois, first bound for Honfieur. Nine persons were injured and several drowned. Seven bodies were brought ashore at Folkestone on Wednesday from the wreck of the Grower Kurfurst. At the Wood Pit, Haydock. up to Wednesday even. ing, 141 bodies had been brought to the surface. The restoration of the ventilation is not yet sufficiently advanced to admit of rapid progress with the work of exploration. At a meeting attended by several members of Par. liameut, as well as other gentlemen, held iu London on Wednesday, a committee was appointed to prepare a measure to be submitted to Parliament with a view to amend the provisions of the University Test Act. The Speaker announced, in reference to the double return for South Northumberland election, on Wed- nesday, that it was Mr Grey's intention not to con- test further the petition of Mr Ridley. The Conser- vative candidate will accordingly take his seat. Sir Robert Anstruther, Bart, has issued an address announcing his intention to retire from the represen- tation of Fifeshire at the end of the present Parlia- ment in consequence of ill-health. A vacancy has occurred in the representation of the Flint boroughs by the death of Mr Peter Ellis Eyton, which took place at Rhyl on Wednesday. Mr Eyton, was an advanced Liberal. The Conservative candidate at the forthcoming election will be Mr Peuuant, A presentment has been laid against the Rev. Matthew Woodward, M.A., vicar of Folkestone, charging him with carrying on certain illegal practices. On Wednesday morning the May or of Bristol, Alder- man G. \V. Edwards, received an official intimation of the visit of his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to Bristol on the occasion of the Royal Agricultural Society's show on Durdham Down, in Juiy. The intimation is to the effect that his Royal Highness will arrive in Bristol all the morning of the 12th prox., and that he will leave the same evening. A grand eisteddfod, attended by nearly 5,000 per- sons, was held at Narbertii, ou Tuesday, when Mr J. B. Bowen, M.P., presided. A Constantinople telegram, dated Wednesday, 7.35 p.m., states that the British fleet, after some artillery practice, has taken up a position between Halki and Prinkipo. Mr Kirkman D. Hodgson, ODC of the members for Bristol, was seized with an attack of paralysis on Monday last, out is much better. All immediate danger has passed, an l his recovery is now hoped for THE CO RROX STRIKE. All the mills in Blackburn were thrown O:Jen on Wednesday moruiug, and the operatives turned up remarkably well. Ail the Burnley mills but two started, and these two are stopped from other causes than the strike. All tile mills iu Accriucrton and Osbaldtwistle commenced work on Wednesday morn- ing, in m ny cases with a full complement of hands. The spiuoers ot Accnueton have also resumed work almost to a man, but the Oibaldwistie spinners still remain undecided. Yesterday operatives numbering 1,000 left work at Bury, rather than submit to a reduction of which notice was given a month ago. Sir William Miles, baronet, died at his seat, Leigh Court, near Bristol, on Wednesday afternoon, in his 82nd year. He was a Conservative, and for many years a member of Parliament and chairman of Quarter Sessions.

) THE EASTERN QUESTION. The following particulars of current events have been transmitted during the week by Correspondents of London daily papers, through Reuter's agency, &c. — THE BERLIN CONGRESS. BERLIN, MONDAY. Yesterday's dinner at Potsdam was remarkably pleasant, partaking of a family character. The ma. jority of the guests were English. The gathering, 50 in number, comprised, besides members of the special and ordinary English Embassy, with whom were Lady Odo Russell and Mrs Dering. the Crown Prince and Princess of Germany their second son, Prince Henry, who is in the Navy Prince Karl, the Emperor's brother Prince Frederick Charles, the Red Prince, with his Princess and two daughters, and their fiances -the Duke of Connaught and Prince Henry of the Netherlands. The party, including the Earl of Beaconsneld and the Marquis of Salisbury, returned to Berlin last night. This morning Lord Beaconsfield paid a visit to Prince Gortschakoff, who is very ill, but is expected nevertheless to be able to attend the Congress. Prince Gortschakoff has also received M. Coaalniceano the Roumanian Minister of Foreign Affairs. A large crowd assembled to see Lord Beaconsfield come downstairs and cross the road in his carriage to the Radziwill Palace. Lord Salisbury read at the Congress a paper in favour of the admission of Greece and the question was discussed at length, but no decision was arrived at. Several documents were read by Prince Bismarck, who made propositions for the regulation of the de- bates. The proceedings were for the most part of a formal character, however, and no decision was taken on any subject. The Congress, which was, for the first time, fully attended, was adjourned till Tuesday. Much surprise and disappointment have been created here by the publication in the London press of the Schouvaloff-Salisbury Memorandum. The Plenipotentiaries are most strict in keeping the pledge of secrecy which Prince Bismarck has exacted. Extraordinary precautions have been taken to prevent any intelligence from transpiring. All the German officials take an oath on the Bible to divulge nothing, and they have been compelled to repeat this solemn engagement in view of the Congress and the oath has even been administered toO, official printers and lithographers. The Turkish Plenipotentiaries are perfectly satisfied with all the proceedings which have hitherto taken place in the Congress. They have agreed completely in the views which have been taken by the English Plenipotentiaries regarding all the points which, up to the present, have been mooted. The publication of the Schouvaloff Memorandum has greatly disappointed all except official Germans. The strong desire of Prince Bismarck to secure peace, almost at any price, influences his official entourage to welcome any arrangement which shall obviate the necessity of going to war. The Germans of all other classes are disgusted at the relinquishment by England of her splendid position. Germans generally fear their gigantic neighbour, whose colossal army may some day be directed against them but they rejoice at the present dismal plight of Russia, and fear lest a few years' peace may restore her strength to a formidable degree. The Austrians express themselves still more strongly they have the additional mortification of supposing that their country's interests have been sacrificed to England's desire to conciliate Russia. I have good reason to believe that the result arrived at in the Congress will bear no resemblance to the provisions of the Memorandum. In the first place, the lines of the document are drawn in the most elas- tic fashion but a still more important point is that, in the more than probable event of any one of the stipulations being modified in the conclave, the whole instrument falls to the ground. The usual crowd assembled about the Radziwill Palace on Wednesday to see the diplomatists arrive. To day's sitting was very short. Count Schouvaloff was the first to leave the Radziwill Palace. No deci- sion was arrived at on any subject. All whom I have seen are more reticent than ever. The shortness of to-day's deliberations is no index of concord or dis- cord the fact is, although it fJeems a paradox, that more business is transacted outside than inside the Council Hall, and more on off days than when the Congress meets. There was a small dinner at the English Embassy yesterday, and the party finished the evening at the Zoological Gardens, where the first late concert of the season, lasting till ten o'clock, took place. The party enjoyed the admirable music of Ban Kaiser Alexander's Regiment, although themselves the observed of all observers. CONSTANTINOPLE, JUNE 19. Advices received here state that the sittings of the Berlin Congress have up to the present had satisfactory results. Dissension has commenced on the question of the two Bulgarias, and a conciliatory disposition is manifested with regard to the frontiers to be assigned to those provinces. England is understood to oppose Russian control in Bulgaria, but is not in favonr of replacing it by European control. England is also represented as being opposed to the appointment of an International Commission at Constantinople, which would enter upon its labours should the stipulated reforms not be executed by the Porte. According to the same advices, the session of the Congress may be expected to last a month. GREECE AND THE CONGRESS. A Reuter's telegram of Thursday's date states that the Congress decided on Wednesday to admit Greece to the Congress with a consultative voice in questions affecting Greek interests. The proposal was made by England and France separately, but in a similar form. The other Powers gave their assent, and the Turkish Plenipoten- tiaries alone abstained, it is said on formal grounJs, from making any observations upon the proposal. A grand dinner was given on Thursday by the Crown Prince and Princess oi Germany at the new palace in Potsdam, in honour of the Austrian and Russian Pleni- potentiaries. There were about .50 guests, including some of the Ministers and Foreigu Ambassadors. THE MILITARY SITUATION. PERA, TUESDAY. Yesterday we were startled by another scare. In the afternoon a report was spread that Fuad Pasha had sent an ultimatum to General Todleben, to the effect that if the observatories constructed by the Russians and overlooking the Turkish positions were not removed withiu 12 hours the Ottoman general would attack the Russians. As a consequence of this menace, it was said the latter were forming up in line of battle. ° Nothing in the shape of a conflict has been reported. Fuad may have sent remonstrancts to the Russian headquarters respecting some objectionable observa- tories, but 1 doubt that be sent an ultimatum. It is a fact, however, that great activity was visible yesterday in the Muscovite camp, considerable move- ments of troops taking place. The army before Con- stantinople received reinforcements during the day, called up in all haste from Tchataldji and other places along the line of railway. Although yesterday's panic has subsided, it affords, nevertheless, another proof that fears of a conflict will continue so long as the two armies remain in such close proximity. INDUSTRIAL ENTERPRISE IN TURKEY. A Pera correspondent has been informed that at the Council of Ministers held on Sunday, a plan for the opening of Turkey to native and European capitalists was under consideration. The project in question comprises concessions for railways throughout the country, and all kinds of industrial enterprises.

L'LAXDAFF Dt„U AND Dmrr; INSTITUTION. A public examination of the pupils of this institution v ill ta^.e place at the Town-hall, Newport, this (Friuaj)i e\emng, Several Newport children are ex- pected to be present, so it is to be hoped that the meeting will be well attended. A young man went arm-in-arm with John Wesley into a room that was provided with all luxuries for the table. He whispered to the poacher, There is not much self-denial here, Mr Wesley." "No," said he, but there is a fine field for its exercise." HOLLOWAY'S PILLS.—This purifying and regulating Medicine should occasionally be bad recourse £ > during foggy, cold, and wet weather. These Pills are the best preventive of hoarseness, sore throat, diphtheria, pleurisy, and asthma, and are sure remedies for congestion^ bronchitis, and inflammation. A moderate attention to the directions folded round each box will enable every invalid to take the Pills in the most advantageous manner they wi lbe taught the proper do £ es, and the circumstances under which they must be increased or diminished. Holloway's Pills act as alteratives, aperients, and tonics. Whenever these Pills have been taken as the last resource the result has always been gratifying. Even when they fail to cure, they always assuage the severity of the symptoms aud diminish the danger. THROAT AFFECTIONS AND HOARSENESS.-All suf- fering from irritation of the throat and hoarseness wil' be agreeably surprised at the almost immediate relief aliorded by the use of Brown's Bronchial Troches' These famous" lozenges" are now sold by most respectable chemists in this country, at Is. I'd. per box. People roubled with a -'hacking cough," a "slight cold," ot bronchial affections cannot try them too soon, as similar troubles, if allowed to progress, result in sanous Pulmo nary and Asthmatic affections. See that the wordu Brown's Bronchial Troches" are on the Government Stamp around each box.—Manufactured by JOHN I BROWN & SONS, Boston, United States. Depot 49, Oxford-street London. p 493