The Aberdare Leader

THE CHURCH IN WALES. # Sir,—The Parson's Freehold was men- tioned in my last letter as one of the chief causes of the failure of the paroch- ial system of the Established Church; or, in other words, the immunity of the beneficed clergy from all effective dis- cipline, owing to the freehold they have in their living; once installed, it is al- most impossible to remove them. When lr we consider the importance of their posi- tion, the heavy responsibilities attached to their office, what an enormous source of evil this vested interest might be and is), on account of there being no ade- quate security that those who enter its ministry shall be fit for that position. The parson is the head of the parish, and has the right to preside at all meetings of the vestry. He is commonly trustee and distributor of the parish charities, and in a variety of ways has an authority in parish affairs such as belong to no other person Blaclistone says: "A par- son has, during his life, the freehold in himself, of the parsonage house, the glebe, the tithes, and other dues." That is, he has as much right to the living as long as he lives as any man has to his own property of any kind, and within certain wide limits he is free from ail control, and cannot be disturbed in the possession of his benefice. The Rev. Dr. Jessopp, Rector of Seaming, Norfolk, says: Imagine an assistant in a grocer's shop, a carriage builder's yard, your haulier, or your baker, having an estate for life in his office, and being able to draw his pay to his dying day, though he might be for years blind, deaf, paralysed, and imbecile—so incapable, in fact, that he could not even appoint his own de- puty or so indifferent that he cared not whether there was any deputy to dis- charge the duties which he himself was paid to perform. Imagine any public servant being thrown into prison for a flagrant misdemeanour and coming back to his work when the term of his im- prisonment was over, receiving the ar- rears of pay which had accrued during the time he was in gaol, and quietly set- tling down into the old groove, as if noth- ing had happened. Imagine any public servant being suspended from his office for habitual drunkenness—suspended say for two year&-and not even requiring to be reinstated when the two, years were over, but gaily taking his old seat and re- turning to his desk and his bottle, as irre- movable from the emolument of the first as he was inseparable from his devotion to the latter. Yet all this and much more than this is possible for us beneficed clergymen. I am myself the patron of a benefice from which the late Rector was non-resident for 53 years (Trials of a Country Parson, p. 112-114). He adds, that the parochial clergy oc- cupy a frightfully impregnable posi- tion," being-H Fenced about with all sorts of legal safeguards which put us above our parishioners on the one hand, and out of the reach of our bishops on the other; having, as we have, an, al- most unlimited power of turning our benefioes into sinecures, while we reside upon them—or of leaving them to the veriest hireling to serve, while we are dis- porting ourselves in foreign travel al- most as long as we chose to stay. l We have a fine example of this game in the late incumbent of St. Ethelburga, one of those City Churches, which may have served a paist generation, but for which no earthly use remains to-day. The population of the parish is, accord- ing. to the testimony ,of the Rector before the Commission of Disorders in the Church, just about one hundred. Area of the parish three acres. The emolu- ments £ 1,090 per annum; out of which he paid a curate .£180 to perform the duties, while he himself lived and en- joyed himself on the balance at St. Leon- ftrdfs-on-Sea. Within a 100 yards stands the Church of St. Botolph, stipend of in- cumbent £ 1,200, and within a shorter dis- tance the Church of St. Helen's, stipend £ 800, area one acre; the congregations of all three would barely fill the smallest ox the three. Here we have two oi tne illosl cruel wrongs suffered by the Church due entirely to the curse of endowments and method of Church Government pro- fessionalism and vested rights-both com- bining to ruin it. Grant for a moment that the clergyman of the parish is un- sound in doctrine, or worldly in life, the parochial system becomes a most damag- ing institution. The Bishop of Liverpool, who was him- self for many years the incumbent of a. rural parish, and well kiiew-the condi- tions of such parishes, says: It is nonsense to deny that there are scores of large parishes in almost every diocese in England, where the parochial clergyman does little or nothing beside a cold formal round of Sunday services. Christ s truth is not preached. Soul work is neglected. ITie parishioners are like sheep without a shepherd. The bulk of the people never come near the church at all. The few who worship anywhere, take refuge in the chapels of Method- ists, Baptists, and Independents, if not in more questionable places of worship. People in such parishes live and die. with an abiding impression that the Church of England is a rotten, useless institu- tion, and bequeath to their families a legacy of prejudice against the church which lasts for ever. Will anyone pre- tend to tell me that there are not hun- dreds of large English parishes in this condition ?" The same thing applies to Wales. We could name a country parish not far foom Aberdare, that would come within this category very well. Yet it is assumed, ccmmonly so, that the parochial system is of special value in the rural parishes, and it is often urged that without it the people would be in danger of lapsing into heathenism. Dr. Wordsworth, the late Bishop of Lincolnshire, once declared that H disstablishment would pauperize and paganize the people." It seems to me the people would have become pagan- ized long ago, in spite of the establish- ment, were it not for the efforts of other organizations. A Rural Dean, writing to the "Church Times" (May 27th, 1881) says: H I know parishes by the score where there are thousands lapsing into heathenism, and the lazy and inefficient parson is abso- lutely powerless to reach them. No one can do it for or instead of him, un- less he be a Free Churchman, because of the stronghold afforded to freehold rights by the parochial system." This H parson's frhold" means not only a life interest in the salary, etc., but it converts the parish into an ecclesi- astical preserve, within which no other parson can preach or do any spiritual work without leave of the incumbent. No matter how careless he may be, as to the welfare of the people, he can pre- vent any other clergyman from coming to their assistance. If any clergyman takes part in religious services in other parishes than his own, without having previously obtained the consent of the in- cumbent, he is very sharply reminded of his mistake. Sunday, Nov. 8th, 1857, a placard was placed outside the doors of Exeter Hall, London, containing this announcement: Exeter Hall Services for the Working Classes, under the sanction of the Bishop of London. Tube services for Sunday, Nov. 8th, will not take place. The Rev. A. G. Edouart. the incumbent of the parish, has, by a notice served yesterday, forbidden the services. Until the legal question shall have been decided, the committee will therefore suspend the course of services. Signed, (Lord) Shaftesbury, Chairman." The legal question was soon decided. The incum- bent won. However, what the clergy were thus prevented from doing, the Free Church ministers of London -at once undertook, and a new series of services was forthwith arranged, which were con- ducted moreover, as Church of England services (!), and were largely attended. The interest aroused by these occur- rences, and the humiliating position in which they placed the Established Church, led Lord Shaftesbury to intro- duce a Bill to amend the law bearing upon the case. When introducing it he told the Lords what he had seen at Exeter Hall, when the Free Church min- isters were conducting the Church of England Services which clergymen were forbidden to hold The hall was thronged principally by members of the working classes, who were most devout and attentive. I confess, that as I walked away I was almost overwhelmed with shame to think that the Church of Eng- land alone was excluded from holding such services; that the Church of Eng- land, which is constituted the Church of the Realm, and to which such a. duty is peculiarly assigned, should be the only body among believers or unbelievers which is not allowed to open a. hall with the view of giving instruction to the people." The Bill was bitterly opposed by the clergy, and was withdrawn. A rival measure was introduced by the Archbishop of Canterbury, passed the House of Lords, and then quietly drop- ped. The influence of the professional cleric and the vested interests of the par- son's freehold were too strong. Repeated attempts have been made by private members of Parliament to obtain some relaxation of the existing law, but in vain. Ecclesiastical greed of power and privilege has prevailed against them. What are we to think of the Rev. E. G. Edouart and clerics of his type? Are they true ministers of Christ? Are they not professional priests whose presence in the pulpit is a disgrace to the Church, and their utterances nothing but rank blasphemy? How soon will God's king- dom come? How soon will the Church be victorious, when its pulpits are filled with such men? Nov. 23, 1907. CITIZEN.

Aberdare and District Photographic Notes. BY U ROLLO." Christmas with all its joys and sor- rows, joys to those that know not grim want and care, whose health is of the very best, and whose pockets are well lined with the wherewithal to provide for their needs and their pleasures; but there are others. Way down in the dark- ness and the dirt, in the little back street, in the lowly cot, the house where sickness and death has been a silent visitor perhaps for months. These are the sorrowful ones at this gladsome time or the year. Then what about those whose sad lot casts their ways in the gaunt homes of official poordom. They are not in our minds, their fate does not interest us. We care little if their fare now is no better than their usual lot, but at this festive time it should be; though I cannot here moralise upon the sub- ject. But all the aforegoing is a prelude to a suggestion that I wish to make to my readers, for I fully realise that the con- ditions of our indigent poor are not meet subjects for a photographic column. What I would like my readers to do is something that will cost them little in trouble or cash, and it is shortly this. Mcstcamerists, either professional or amateur, contrive during the year's work- ing to amass quite a respectable number of prints over and above what they actu- ally require, and if they were asked right off what they intended to do with them, we should find them hard put to, in find- ing an answer. Very well, then! What is there to prevent them putting them to some good, that will add to someone else's enjoyment, a.nd thus prevent waste*? I have in my possession a number of small albums that will take 15 -plate prints, or 30 i-piate, and it 1 could secure sufficient pictures I would insert them at my own expense, and afterwards have, them distributed, say at the Cottage Homes, the Hospital, the, Fever Home, etc. I have a fair number myself, but nothing' like the quantity sufficient for the lot of albums I hold, if I discrimin- ate between the good and bad amongst the prints in my possession. My desire is to get good prints; I do not want 11 wasters," but the superfluous good prints that anyone may have by them and have no particular use for. I there- fore very cordially ask any of my readers who feel inclined to help me, to send me sufficient prints either for one, two, or more books, each print to have written upon the back the title of the picture, or a short description of what it repre- sents. I shall then put inside the cover the name of the donor of the pictures, so that those who have the privilege of looking through the book will know who the worker is. If you cannot send enough for a whole book, then send in say enough for half. Thus if I get two half lots the book will be made up with a full complement of prints, and the joint. authors' names can then appear to- gether. Now I am asking quite a little thing, and the cost will just be the time of selecting the prints, packing them in an envelope, addressing them to "Rollo," c-c,, "IC-eader" Office, and deliver them to the office, or post them. With a decent response I can make up 10 to 15 albums, and then some eyes will gleam with pleasure as they turn over the pages of Aberdare Workers' Xmas Cards. The only stipulation I reserve to myself is, that I shall use my own discretion as to the selection and classifying of all the prints sent in, and that I shall also reject any pictures that I think unsuitable, without consulting the donor. If a per- son sending in prints would like to have any that might happen to be rejected re- turned, I will undertake to do so on con- dition that a note accompanies the prints stating this wish, with the full postal ad- dress of the sender. Now, please hurry up, as time is on the wing. Scene, a Professional Stu clio. -Sitter: I want something about 15s. a dozen. Artist: I can let you have a cabinet for that! Sitter (dubiously): I'm a haulier; I'd rather have my cart in it. Collapse of Artist. In reply to an enquirier (Anxious) the very best way I know of handling a sheet of bromide anything over 12 by 10 is to soak it after exposure in a dish of clean water until it is quite limp; place it upon a sheet of glass cut to size, placing it then upon the work table to develop. Instead of flowing the developer, which should be dilute, over the paper, use a large sponge, dip the sponge into the solution (and there should be enough to finish the work), quickly pass the sponge across the paper in rapid strokes, each stroke overlapping the previous one and when the last stroke is made across, re- peat the next series from top to bottom, It is quite easy in practice, and a great deal of control is possible in the manipu- lation of the image; as soon as the print is fully developed, take another sponge with Hypo, and repeat the dose with the fixer until finished. Washing can be carried on in a similar manner, and afterwards the print can be put into a large dish for an hour to ensue perman- ency.

Mr Victor Grayson, M,P. A TELLING SPEECH. Mr. Victor Grayson was the chief speaker at a meeting held in the Market Hall, Aberdare, on Monday evening. There was a very large attendance.—The chair was occupied by Mr. Tom Bowen, Aberaman, and he was supported on the platform by Mr. Victor Grayson, M.P., Mr. P. C. Hoffman, Councillors Tom Lewis, E. Stonelake, Owen Powell, Guard- ians Augustus Davies, J. Prowle, Meth Davies, W. Hiley, W. Jones, Messrs. W. W. Price, Idris Davies, and G. Phillips. —The I.L.P. Band of Hope, under the able conductorship of Mr. John Davies, Aberaman, gave excellent renditions of Labour Songs. The children were seated at the back of the platform, and were very neatly and prettily dressed. Miss Lily Maud Treharne was the accompan- ist.—The Chairman, in opening the meet- ing, said that some people wondered why they called themselves Independent. There was a story that certain chapel people claimed independence of the priest, the pope, and the devil. (Laughter.) Well, the I.L.P. were independent of those three in a political sense. They were independent of the Tories, the Liberals, and the Devil. (Renewed laughter.) The I.L.P. stood for Social- ism and co-operation. The others stood for Individualism and antagonism. Mr. Bowen then went on to relate the tre- mendous growth of the Labour Movement during the past few years.—Mr. Hoffman, the organiser of the Shop Assistants, moved, That this mass meeting de- clares its confidence in the Labour Party and supports its demand for enactments during the next Session of Parliament, measures for the provision of work for the unemployed, pensions to the aged and incapacitated workers, and hails with satisfaction the growth of the Socialist movement at home and abroad, and de- clares its opinion that Socialism is the only remedy for the ills of modern society." Mr. Hoffman remarked that the local I.L.P. were starting at the right end by educating the children. If Social- ism stood for anything at all, it stood for the uplifting of those who knew no guile. —Councillor E. Stonelake briefly second- ed the resolution, referring to the sensa- tional triumph of Mr. Grayson in Colne Valley, in the face of so much opposi- tion and misrepresentation.—Mr, Victor < Grayson, M.P., then rose to support the resolution, and was given a very cordial reception. He spoke for over an hour, and made a very favourable impression. He thoroughly understands Welsh aud- iences, his anecdotes being very keenly relished. Since the prorogation of Par- liament he has addressed meetings almost nightly, and two on Sundays, with the result that his voice has become rather hoarse. The hero of Colne Valley made a humourous allusion to the anti-Social- ist campaign. It was a pity, he said, he could not come to Aberdare to reply to a human opponent. The only things they had to meet were gramophones and Dukes. (Laughter.) He felt rather in- dignant to have to fight elusive oppon- ents who never appeared out in the field, but slunk behind disreputable and slan- derous libels. One would think that it was unnecessary to reply to such state- ments, considering that Socialists were watched as closely as detectives could watch anyone. A fiercer light now beat about the agitator than about the throne. Their enemies warned people against the Socialists; that the latter wanted to tear the wife and child from the husband, and father. Why, if the Duke of Rutland and Lord Londonderry thought that, they would send on a subscription to help the transaction. Who dragged their filth through the Divorce Courts? > (Hear, hear.) Toryism as a political philosophy was stone dead, and Liberalism did not appeal to young men. All economists were becoming Socialists. Another base lie uttered against Socialists was that they were anti-religious. Socialists were opposed to some things that passed as re- ligion. He was sick of hearing some re- ligious leaders say, « Yon are only pil- grims here, put up with what you get and wait." If those men caught a chill thev at once sent for the best doctor available to postpone their journey to heaven. (Laughter.) What did the Bible really say ? co Visit the fatherless and the widow." What did Jesus say? "Woe unto you who are rich; blessed are ye poor." Not the good rich men, but the ordinary rich men, for He did not say woe unto you evil rich and blessed are ye good poor. The New Testament belonged to the people, and not to the employers. They had no right to it. If there was to be a religion it should be woven into the texture of their daily lives. There were 670 forked radishes in the House of Com- mons, with heads very fantastic, who met at given periods for a little while to forge legislation for the people. How did they forge it? The Tories wanted to pass a Scottish Churches Bill before the Un- employed Bill, and the Liberals had the Deceased Wife's Sister Bill occupying a prior place. Mr. Asquith wanted to know where to get money from to pay Old Age Pensions. Let him go to the House of Lords. If they wanted to abolish the House of Lords a.nd provide Old Age Pensions! at the same time, let them Ireep the provender awav, and tax unearned increment. Merthyr and Aber- dare had performed a noble act in re- turning one of the grandest characters that God had ever given to humanity. (Hear, hear.) He (the sneaker) wanted to do more—securo the full representation of one principle, not half of one thing and half of another.—The resolution was then put and carried unanimously. — Questions were invited, but none were asked. The hymn, "Lift up the people's banner," was sung at the close.

National Telephone 21.] ..&. '1 -4- T -JL.. JOHN MORGAN & SON (ABERDARE) LIMITED, Builders, Contractors and Undertakers. Complete Funeral Furnishers and Funeral Directors. Estimates given for Bricked Graves and Vaults. ALL ORDERS PROMPTLY ATTENDED TO DCARRIED OUT AT MOST REASONABLE PRICES. Orders taken at the Offices:- Penydarren Street alld 4 Stuart Street, Aberdare. Drink SLIM Horniman's Pure Tea. In Packets only. 1/dt ,(4 1/4 to 3/4 pep lb. Sold by- Aberdare,T.Lloyd,Grocer, Commercial st Aberaman, T. Roberts, Grocer Lewis st. (Wholesale and Retail) T. Maddy, Grocer, Cardiff road Hiley's Cash Stores, Canon street J. Lewis, Tom Evans, Grocer, Whitcombe street W. Lewis, jabilee road tv Phillips, Grocer, Victoria square Co-operative Society E. E. Evans, Chemist „ J. W. Evans, Grocer, Cardiff road W. H. Jones, Lewis, The American Market D. Phillips, Grocer, Canon street G. Evans, 44, Cardiff Road D. Watkins, „ Cross street Cwmaman, Co-operativeSocietv Rees Jones, „ Ynyslwyd street — ^vcoucieiy D. Evans, Royal Stores, Gadlys road Penrhiwceiben Morris & Son, The Stores D. E. Davies, Grocer, „ M* Isaa^; Family Grocer M. Isaac, Wholesale and Retail Grocer, Mountain Ash, CwmbachCo-operativeSy Victoria square J. Long, Grocer Abercwmboi, Co-operative Society D. Smith „ Oxford Perrott Bros., Grocers N. Thomas „ Cwmdare, D. Edwards, Grocer, and at T. Bowen, Jeffrey street t TT,re7nT°nc • u -p. Duffryn Co-operative Society Trecynon, J. R. & J. Smith, Drug Stores Eynon, Grocer, and at Miskin) Special Cwmbach, Co-operative Society Wholesale Agent.) °Peciai EVAN L. DAVIES, Wholesale and Retail Coal and Coke Merchant and Colliery Agent, jjTaflf Vale Yard, ABERDARE (BOTTOM OF CARDIFF AND DUKE STREETS.) Whilst thanking his numerous clientele fcr their patronage hitherto, would fuither announce that he still holds the reputation of keeping the unrivalled best selection of House Coals in the town and district of Aberdare, amongst which the undermentioned qualites may be enumerated, viz North's Navigation Surperior House Coal. Prosser's Miskin Mountain Ash Celebrated House Coal. Monmouthshire Best Elled House Coal. do do Tillery House Coal. do do Red Ash House Coal. Aberdare Merthyr Best Steam House Coal. Aberdare (Williams) Werfa Gralg, House Coal. E.L.D. desires further to remind the public that he keeps a stock of Gas Coke, Cu Firewood (in suitable size blocks) and Sea Sand. Prompt delivery made to any part of town or district for quantities of 5 cwt. and upwards of the above. Special quotations given for Truck loads of Coal, Coke, Sand, and Wood, delivered to any Railway Station. SPECIAL ANNOUNCEMENT. Owing to the limited production, thereby causing unreliable supplies of the famous Aberdare Graig Seam in the town and district, another source of production on that Seam of Coal has been opened, and is in course of development, wherefrom an ample supply is now worked, and obtainable at the above depot at all times, or from the undermentioned Agents, viz: Henry Adams, Coal Merchant, Gadlys Uchaf, Aberdare. R. L. Wigley, 10 Mill street, station, Treoynon. James Jones, „ „ „ „ „ n John Holding & Son, Coal Merchants, High street, Aberdare. E. Russell & Son, 91 11 G.W. Ry. Yard, Aberdare Wm. Druce, Coal Merchant, Sunny bank street, Aberdare. John D. Harris, 19 Curre street, Aberaman. Mrs Saunders, 11 Dean street, Aberdare. ENQUIRIES RESPECTFULLY SOLICITED. TELEGRAMS Carbon, Aberdare. TELEPHONE: P.O. 32, Aberdare. Mr. W. H. WEBB, I.S.M., (Member of the Incorporated Society of Musicians.) Organist and Choirmaster of St. Elvan's Church, Aberdare. Choirmaster an conductor of the Church Choral Unions of the Deanery of Aberdare and the Arch- deaconry of Carmarthen, receives Pupils for Voice Production, Singing. Organ, Piano- forte, Harmony, Composition, Orchestration, &c., and being assisted by qualified Certificated Teachers, is able to offer exceptional terms to those desirous of studying under his superintendence. Candidates successfully prepared for the various Examinations in Theoretical and Practical Music. (Latest success 98 marks out of a possible 100 together with The Local Centre Prize. London College of Music.) Arrangements are being made for the formation of a Ladies' Choir and an Amateur Operatic Society. Address: SPRING HILL, ABERDARE. URE INVA-LUASLE fcCHEMTSTSirRctete. Sold by- G.Tudor Williams,Medical Hall, Aberdare X Estab. 1875. X You may go a long way and pay a big price, but there are few that can Cure j CORNS, BUNIONS, and ESPECIALLY INGROWING NAILS like our friend D. James, 68, Ynyslwyd St.,Aberdare j and as to MAKING A GOOD HAND- SEWN BOOT he i6 without an equal | He has lived in the same house over 30 j Years. Hie Testimonials are inanv. Truly it can be said of him: He makes the lame to ■vvalk. His porous plaster | never fails to cure Lumbago, etc. X "GOGel Wine needs no Bush." NOR DO KERNICK'S VECETABLE PILLS. require a whole column to prove their medicinal yalue. To publh eyen a por- testimonial* reoeived would fill this entire page, but here ie a copy of fady^1" hand from a married ^Meik&ham Sept. 26th, 1907. „ kir.—PleaBe fiend me a Is. 1*<1. box of Vegetable Pills. I have been tekmgr them for thirty-four years and they suit me splendidly. I am now seventy-five years of age. KERNICK'S VEGET^LE PILLS are a general tonic and an invaluable remedy for BAD BLOOD, CONSTIPATION BILE, INDIGESTION, & HEADACHES. They cure & keep away sickness Sold by all Chemists and Stores in Tid., Is. lid., and 2s. 9d. boxes. Local Agents: Jim rye Evans, Harris, Tudor Williams, Cnemists, Aberdare; Jones, Mountain; Ash. Auction Mart (Under Workmen's Hall), Abercynon. T. W. JONES Auctioneer, Abercynon. Begs to give notice that he has opened 0 the above saleroom, where he intends holding sales monthly of all kinds of Furniture, China, &c. Goods taken in for Sale on Commission. Have you seen our New Show of Bedroom Suites. 1\11 the Latest Designs. Just arrived. Take a waty and Inspect the Windows. Victor Freed's 3 & 4, Miskin Road, Mountain Ash. The Up-to-Date House Furnisher. Reliable Goods. Price to suit VRII

Words to Women. A Business Women tells how her time of suffering was ended by Dr, Williams' Pink Pills. Mrs Roberts, who has a restaurant at 64, St. Domingo road, Everton, feels that at middle age she has taken a new lease of life, and tells with enthusiasm how she has been restored to splendid health by Dr Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. If you wish me to make an affidavit as to the great benefits I have derived from Dr Williams' Pink Pills, I will most willingly do so," she remarked to a re- porter recently. "I know that in the ordinary course of nature women have to undergo an anxious experience at my time of life, and it is only in the interest of my sex that I make this statement, so that others can benefit as I have done." THE MOST MARVELLOUS MEDICINE. My restoration to health," she re- sumed, is solely due to what I consider the most marvellous medicine of the age, Dr Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People." You see [ am fifty-three of age, and, having this business to superintend, I am a very busy woman, so my change of health was a very serious matter. I felt terrible pains all over my body, and sometimes my limbs felt so numbed and stiffened that I feared the approach of paralysis; and every time I moved I had an inclination to fall. My legs be- came swollen and inflamed, and seemed to be full of water. They became an abnormal size. My feet ached. I was never free from splitting headaches, con- stantly I had cold perspirations, my face became deathly white, and my eyes were dark and sunken. SEIZURES OF PAIN. My appetite entirely failed, and after a few morsels of food I felt a tearing pain in my chest, accompanied by seizures of pain in the back that almost prostrated me. The least exercise pro- duced spasms, and as I went upstairs I would sometimes fall gasping on the staircase. The nights only meant increased weariness for me. In the morning when I had to go to the market I could hardly drag one leg after the other. My sight became dim, and my hearing failed me. I had a hacking cough. My trials be- came more severe through an attack of influenza. I lost the power of my voice and could only whisper and a shooting, heavy pain under the heart gave me great anxiety. A WONDERFUL CURE. I took many medicines, but derived no benefit from them. Then I was re- commended to take Dr Williams' Pink Pills. Before I took them I was a wasted, almost useless body, but after a few boxes of these wonderful pills I felt quite revived, and to-day I feel like anew woman. Through taking Dr Williams' Pink Pills my body was nourished by new, warm blood, my limbs grew strong, my appetite became good, and I could digest my food properly. I became quite strong again. Hundreds of cus- tomers come into my shop, and I never fail to tell them of the benefits I have derived from Dr Williams' Pink Pills. AT THE ANXIOUS TIME. All women understand how anxious a time is middle age-the years from forty to fifty. To many it is a time of great danger. Durmg that trying exper- ience the recovery of health and the protection of life depends mainly upon one thing—the supply t8 the system of plenty of new rich blood. This is ob. tained by taking Dr Williams' Pink Pills. They have cured Women's Ail- ments, Anaemia, General Weakness, Debility, Decline, Indigestion, Rheu- matism, Neuralgia, and all Nervous Disorders. Only the genuine pills cure (substitutes are worse than useless), and these bear the full name on each pack- age-Dr Williams' Pink Pills for Pale People. They can be obtained of all dealers, or direct from the Dr Williams' Medicine Company, 46, Holborn viaduct, London, post free 2s 9d for one box, or 13s 9d for six boxes. A pamphlet of particular interest to sufferers will be sent free on application from the above address.

Letters to the Editor. RAG AND BONE NUISANCE. Sir,—Attention was drawn in these columns a little while ago to the nuis- ance in the streets and back lanes by so much shouting and horn blowing. Could not something be done to prevent it? I Haw a lady come oat one day and ask borne rag and bone Tx>ys not to keep so much noise, ae her daughter was very ill, but the only notice they took was to turn round and blow the horn in her face., I should like to see such things remain, etc., ANNOYED.