Rhyl Journal

ST. ASAPH BOARD OF GUARDIANS. DATE OF THE ELECTION FIXED. The fortnightly meeting of this Board was held on Friday at St. Asaph Workhouse, Mr E. Morgan, J.P., presided, and Mr Jno. Williams occupied the vice-chair. The following Guardians were also present:—Sir Wm. Grenville Williams, Bart., Bodelwyddan; Jno. Roberts, Bodfary; Jos. Lloyd, Cefn Thos. Morgan, Cwm Jos. Roberta, Den- bigh Jno. Williams, Dyserth; Jno. Lloyd, Henllan Wm. Jones, Llannefydd Thos. Ellis, Meliden; Jno. Hughes. Prestatyn; W. Conwy Bell, Robt. Morris, Mrs Rawlins, Rhuddlan; Mrs M. Jones, Mrs Lloyd Jones, Messrs S. Perks, J. H. Ellis, Rhyl; Miss Bennett, St. Asaph Messrs Thos. Lloyd, Trefnant Jno. Kerfoot, Vaenol Bach and Chas. Grimsley (clerk). Treats to the Inmates. It was reported that Mrs Luxmoore and Miss Bennett had given treats to the inmates, and the Board passed a vote of thanks for the same. The District Nurse at Abergele. A letter was read from Miss A. Evans, hon. sec. to the Abergele District Nursing Fund, asking the Board for a contribution. It was pointed out that the nurse had been in the district since January 20th, and that already she was attending 8 cases, 4 of which were paupers. The Chairman said a telegram had been received from Mr A. Foulkes, asking that the question should be allowed to stand over for a fortnight. Mr Jos. Lloyd observed that St. Asaph sup- ported its own nurse, and that Denbigh waa the only place where a nurse received help from the Board. The Chairman considered that it would be only fair to comply with Mr Foulkes' request. On the proposition of the Vice-Chairman, the matter was deferred. The Detention of Habitual Drunkards. The Birmingham Union wrote asking the Board to support a petition to the Home Secretary in favour of the law as to the detention of habitual drunkards being made compulsory, and not optional as at present. Mrs Lloyd Jones spoke in favour of the Board taking up the matter, and moved that a like petition be sent. The Clerk explained that a few years ago the Board had passed a resolution on the subject. It was decided to send a petition to the Home Secretary. The Vacolnatlon Question at Denbigh. The Assistant Secretary to the Local Govern- ment Board wrote as follows under date Feb 28th: I am directed by the Local Government Board to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 12th inst, enclosing a copy of an explanation by Dr J R Hughes, the public vaccinator for the Denbigh District ot the St Asaph Union of the irregularities reported against him by the Board's Inspector, Dr Wheaton. The Board assent to the admission of Dr R James Hughes, to act as occa- sional deputy to the above-named public vaccinator, but they do so on the distinct understanding that his services will be employed only in the unavoid- able absence of the public vaccinator, who is res- ponsible for public vaccination in his district, and who ought in the Board's opinion habitually to perform it in person. An endorsement as to the admission of the deputy should be made on the vaccination contract for the district. A specimen form of endorsement is enclosed. I am to add that unless the public vaccinator is prepared to act on the above understanding, the Guardians should terminate his vaccination contract, and enter into a contract with some qualified medical practitioner who will personally perform the duties for which he is responsible." The Chairman thought that the Clerk had better forward the letter to Dr Hughes. This course was agreed to without discussion. The Date of the Eleotlon. The Clerk reported that the County Council had fixed the election of Guardians for Saturday, April 2nd, except in the case of Rhyl, where the election will take place on April 4th. The County Council had divided Rhyl into three wards. Calls In Arrears. It was reported that calls were in arrears from Cefn, Prestatyn, Rhuddlan, Bettws, St. Asaph, St. George, VJodelwyddan and Waen. Mr Jos. Lloyd said he had heard some special reasons for the calls in St. Asaph not being paid. The Clerk replied that the assistant overseer had had a lot of trouble in consequence of the parish being divided. It was not until the end ot December that the rates could be made. Mr Jos. Lloyd asked if the Clerk had written to the overseers instead of the assistant overaeer. The Clerk replied that he had written to the overseers and the assistant overseers. Mr Jos. Lloyd said he desired that Mr Small- wood should have notice. It was decided to send to the assistant overseers. The School Attendanoe Officers. On the recommendation of the School Atten- dance Committee the officers were re-appointed at the same salary and terms, the Clerk intimating that the Committee would re-arrange matters next year. This concluded the business and the Board then rose.

MAKE O MISTAKE. Many people mistake a false for a true economy. Good economy "take care of the pence, letting the pounds take care of themselves bad economy is "a penny wise and apound foolish." True economy is careful to make the "stitch in time which saves nine;" false economy risks the loss of a valuable horse for the want of a nail in a horse shoe, or the lost of a fine ship for the want of a pennyworth of tar. In all matters of economy the test question should always be "Can I afford it ?" For instance, when suffering from any slight ailment, ask your- self, Can I afford to let this slight cough develop into asthma, chronic bronchitis, or consumption ? Can I afford to let this "out of sorts" feeling which I suffer from occasionally to settle into a confirmed melancholy? Can I afford to let my wife grow weaker day by day under household buiens, or my child, who is now only a little delicate, run the risk of being obliged to succumb entirely, or can I afford myself to run the risk of breaking down entirely, and giving up my work, all for a want of a little precaution ? When you are told that the excellent preparation know as Gwilyn Evans' Quinine Bitters which is acknowledged to be the best tonic remedy ever discovered, would enable you to avoid all these dangers, the question should not be Can I afford it?" but "Can I afford to he without it?" In most cases common sense will tell you that you CANNOT afford to be without it and you CANNOT afford to run the risk you are now running, while so valuable a remedy as Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters is at hand. If your occupation is an unhealthy one, if you are exposed to the weather, or work long hours in close rooms; if your ccnstitutiou is weakened, or your health undermined; or if you are in any way not "up to the mark," use Gwilym Evans'Quinine Bit- ters, the Vegetable Tonic. It never fails to streng- then the weakened system, to brace the ner- ves and fortify the constitution. Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters is purely vegetable, and certified by Analysts to be pure and harmless. It may be safely taken by delicate ladies and children in cases of weakness. Many people after enjoying the good things of life, are subject to much after-suffering from the inability of the stomach to perform its duties. A timely use of Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters would strengthen the digestive organs, and serve to remedy the evil. We have no sympathy with those people who always complain of being ill and miserable, and out of sorts, when a course of Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters would set them right. Sold in bottles 2s 9d and 4s 6d each, by all chemists and patent medicine vendors, or direct from the proprietors The Quinine Bitters Manu- facturing Company Limited, Llanelly, South Wales carriage free by parcel post. Beware of imitations. See the name Gwilym Evans on label, stamp, and bottle; and refuse any preparation offered as a substitute for it.

"From Whom no Secrets are Hid." God, list'ning, heareth each secret prayer Though it maketh no sound on the silent air, He liveth unseen in the realms of thought, And every prayer is a flower wrought. On the mantle which shall enwrap thy soul When it passeth upwards beyond earth's goal, Where each must teU of their lives, the story, Evil deeds are like jet beads, black, Good deeds are pearls which no lustre lack, Tears of repentance like diamonds shine, And ruby is Charity's colour divine, Blood red, for the poor are by blood our kin, And to slight the poor is a mortal sin Blessed are they whose garment o'er Is 'broider'd with rubies at heaven's door. Where the lights of God shine at midday clear And the songs of seraphs salute the ear, Where the weary rest, and the toilers cease, From their labours, and all is eternal peace. MARIANNE LESTER.

HEALTH AND HOME. BY W. GORDON STABLES, M.D., R.N, Author of "Sickness and Health," "The People's A. B. C. Guide to Health," "The Wife's Guide to Health and Happiness," Ac., &c. — A RAID AGAINST QUACKERY. It is very gratifying to learn that at long last something like a raid will be carried out against the quacks even in our country. Not to put it too strongly, the manufacturer of patent pills, said by him to cure about half the diseases to which human beings are subject, is as big a rogue as the man who picks a pocket in a London 'bus. Indeed, in somo measure he is more so, because the quack pill "gentlemen" (sic) not only defraud people, but ruin their health at the same time. I hope to have more to say in the near future about quackery, any- how it seems a subject that the most respectable portion of the medical press are not inclined to per- mit to rest until something is done by Parliament to put it down. EATING FOR PLEASURE. That there is a deal of pleasure connected with the discussion of a good dinner goes without saying. At the same time, as a general rule. Society spends over much time at the table, the consequence is that too much is eaten, and, I may add, drank also. There would be far fewer over-stout or over-ruddy men in England if this were not the case. It is, moreover, true that full-blooded people stand illness of an inflammatory character badly. They go more easily down before it than your thin, wiry, or even nervous folks, who have plenty of nerve in them. although not so much blood. They say that too many cooks spoil the broth; anyhow, too many dishes, in my opinion, spoil the dinner. For my own part I would rather dine off a tender joint, potatoes, and greens, with pudding and fruit to follow, in good old English fashion, than at the best table de hdte in Paris or London. Fashion is fashion, of course, but still, fashion may often spoil the health. EASING FOR HEALTH. This is the other side of the question. Most people eat more than is necessary, to say the least of it. The appetite should never be forced before a meal with wine or alcohol. Indeed, it should not require to be, and will not, if one takes plenty of out-door exercise of an agreeable nature. Soups, as a rule, are unnecessary to the strong, and in many subjects they create acidity. Agreeable conversation is better than any soup. But talking about soups: the most wholesome of all is probably good Scotch mutton broth, as barley is very nourishing, particularly for children. Is it not just possible that there is rather too much refinement in our cooking nowadays ? And 00 many co urses ? I think people would be healthier and live longer if it were fish one day or meat the next, if entrees were seldom seen; if more fruit were eaten in the morning; and if good oat- meal porridge had a greater shew. These are but simple hints, but they have been found of use. CLOTHING FOR SPRINGTIME. We cannot put much faith in this dull climate until May, so on no account should winter clothing be changed till then. Wool is the best for all the year round, because it is a non-conductor. It can repel cold as well as retain heat, and elderly people should never forget that. Thin undecrlothing then in summer, and thicker in the inclement, but all-wool. Macintoshes and goloshes are decidedly unhealthy, because they retain the perspiration and cause dampness to the dress generally. CONDIMENTS AND THE COMPLEXION. Do they spoil it ? The correct answer is, I think, no, not if used in moderation. Used thus they are good digestives, otherwise they create dyspepsia. and no young lady can have a pure complexion if she suffers from this complaint. Moreover, the liver suffers, and this adds to the general muddineas of the countenance. Cayenne pepper is a good condi- ment if not eaten by spoonfuls, and black pepper, I believe, is better than whito. Yet it is the latter which is always stuck down at the best hotels. By the way, you seldom find good cayenne in England. Not the richly-flavoured powder of Jamaica. Adul- teration, of course, has to account for. I daresay a dash of brick-dust puts down the scale, but it certainly does not improve the pepper. Mustard also deserves a word of recommendation. But it should be the best and the purest. NOSE BLEEDING. Ever had this trouble, reader, since you were a boy at school ? And yet, curiously enough, it may do much good at times to those who are too ruddy I know a case that happened to a man who was rather fond of beefsteak and port, in which I feel pretty certain it prevented apoplexy itself. In this case, however, the bleeding lasted off and on or three days. This was certainly too long. Plugging the nostrils from the inside is a little operation that requires surgical assistance. But plugging cotton wadding from the outside is often effective. So is laving the loins with cold water. This should be done with a sponge, while the patient is in a sitting or upright position. The old-fashioned plan of placing a piece of cold iron along the spine is not a bad one. A large key does as well as anyhting else. DO YOU TAKE PROPER CARE OF THE TEETH? I am sure we do not; even those who have excellent masticators are apt to let them go to decay for want of proper attention. The tooth brush-it must never oe too hard, by the way—is as necessary to the preservation cf health as water itself, and I cannot say it too often, or too emphatically, that the teeth should be lightly brushed with the simplest of powders, or pastes, after every meal. Sanitas tooth powder is very good, common chalk will do, soap or carbonate of soda, or, lastly, but certainly. not least, charcoal. I remember once upon a time asking a very pretty Scotch country lassie how she managed to keep her teeth so bonnie and white. "Easy that," was the reply. "I just put my finger up the lum (chimney) and rub them wi' the soot. Well, but here is another hint. Some people are apt to have caries of the teeth at a very early date. These should be additionally careful to keep them clean, and take extra care of the health. Too much sweet stuff and stimulants should be avoided. Others are quite different. I have lost some back teeth myself, but, otherwise, this set that God has giv3n me is marvellously strong, and I believe that I could hang on to a rope by. them. All my people take their teeth to the grave with them. On the other hand, read the following letter, just received from a literary friend, younger than I am. It gives some hints about "gas also, which are interesting, as many are afraid to take gas, or chloroform either. DEFECTIVE TEETH. Says my friend, who, by the way, is deaf: "I am a member of one of those unfortunate families which inherit from generation to generation a constitutional defect in the matter of teeth. You know well that this runs through every member of such families, no matter what care is taken. The evil is there, and sooner or later asserts itself very unpleasantly in many ways. Well, I have had rather a bad time on and off for years, but it was necessary, with a view to a thorough good job, to wait a little. I bave recently undergone a thorough inspection and operation under gas, with the result that I am already more comfortable in many respects than I have been for several years. It was my first ex- perience undeivgas, and whilst under it, and whilst the men of blood were doing their work, I was in my old school cricket field by the Avon here, all in the bright sunshine, and the light-heartedness of early boyhood! I was practically dead to this world, of course. I was teld when I came back again to this world that I struggled terribly under gas, and that I was one of the most powerlul men that they had ever had to restrain Such is the mystery of life I have been very fortunate in getting into the hands of a thoroughly honest and clever dentist. Of course I am paying a good price for good work, but the man absolutely declined to receive even part of his charges before he had satisfied himself and me in what he has to do, nor would he take any security for the money. So there is no fear of being rushed off with a cheap and ultimately expensive job I shall be glad to give this man's name when you ask- me to do so. He is in very good practice, though a comparatively young man. He is no quack at all. but goes on very well and very conscientiously. I lost a good deal of blood, and, of course, the- enforced change of diet and general shock of an extensive clearance has put me back somewhat. But here is a confession. On the same evening, after that operation, I was going through some comic nigger songs with a boy here! That, of course, brought on the bleeding, and I had to be sedate. It only shews what vitality some men have. It may interest you professionally to know that since this operation I have regained something of my hearing, enough to make it all the better for me. I should like to know briefly the reason for this. Some men who never had particularly good teeth have enjoyed very fair general health, -rd have become really powerful men phy tP" tereas other men, with apparently perfect masticatory apparatus, have always been queer and never at all vigorous physically. Tell me how this is. When the doctors put me in the operating chair they were surprised at my muscularity. I had warned them viat I was very excitable and might give trouble.*

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ON THE USE OF CHURCH BELLS. Br THE REV. ELIAS OWEN, F.S.A. There were three kinds of bells in use in the services of the Church two were hand-bells, and the third was suspended either in the church, turret or belfry. These had their distinctive functions. The first that shall be referred to is the sacrmg bell. The Sacring Bell.-This was a small bell osed at the celebration of Mass, and when the Sacrament was administered to the sick at their homes. When the Host was exalted this bell was rung, and possibly it was tinkled as the procession proceeded to the abode of the sick to administer the last Sacrament. Thus Cardinal Pole in 1557, ,n.. ?8 ^0r^» 'n his ordinary visitation w!thia his diocese of Canterbury, inquiries of the clergy" whether the Sacrament be carried devoutly to them that fall sick, with light, and with a little sacrmg bell. (Concilia, vol. iv., p. 170.) This bell is not at present used in our parish churches, but several of them have been preserved and have reached our days. At Llaorhyddlad Church, Anglesey, there is one, It is of small dimensions, being only 4 in. high, and 2t in. by 2 in. at the bottom, and it is of cast bronze. The Corpse-Bel I --This was a small hand-bell. It was formerly the custom (which I believe was continued into the present century) for the parish clerk to precede funerals, walking a short distance in advance of the procession, tolling as he went along a small hand-bell. Many allusions are made in terriers to this kind of bell. Thus, among the articles mentioned in the parish terrier of Llanfair Dyflryn ClwJd is "a little bell to be rung before the corps." This entry is of import- ance as it shows that in 1729 it was customary to ring or toll a hand-bell before funerals. There is a small band-bell still in existence in Llanfair parish, bearing the date 1723, and this probably is the bell referred to in the terrier of 1729. In other terriers I find this bell called a bier- bell." This is the case in the terrier of Llangyn- bafal, Dyffryn Clwyd; or a corps-bell, which is the name given to the bell in many places. Thus in Rbyddlan terrier '1791) mention is made of two small oons, _u one small bell, and another small corps-bell." This entry shows that up to the end of the last century there was more than one small bell in churches, and that one, at least, had a special function attached to it. In other places this bell is described as a hand-bell for funerals." The custom of ringing a hand-bell before funerals is ancient.* Archbishop Grindal, 1571 A representation of this custom occurs on the Bayeux Tapestry. in his injunctions to the clergy, says, "at funerals no ringing'any hand-bells." Notwithstanding episcopal injunctions, the ringing of hand-bells at funerals was continued even to our own thresholds. At Aberystwyth it is still the custom for the parish clerk to go through the streets tolling a small hand-bell on the day of the funeral; and in Carnarvon it was lately the custom to ring a small hand-bell through all the streets, to give notice of an approaching funeral. But the custom has ceased in our rural parishes. It will be noticed that the corps-bell was designated the bier-bell because it was used at funerals in which biers were used for bearing the dead to the grave. The biers formerly used in Wales were horse-biers, or elorfeirch; and the roads were formerly so bad that the biers used in our days could not have been employed. The horse- bier, as its name implies, was carried by horses, and it consisted of two long arms or shafts into which the horses were placed, with transverse pieces of wood in the centre, on which the coffin was placed. Many references are made in parish documents to these horse-biers. Thus it is stated in Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd terrier, dated 1729, that the parish possessed one horse-bier and one horse-clothand in the churchwardens' accounts for 1728 is this entry, To the clerk for cleansing, f rubbing, and oyling the horse-bier for this year, lOs." rubbing, and oyling the horse-bier for this year, 10s." In the churchwardens' accounts for the year 1749, in the parish of Gwyddelwern, I find the following consecutive entries: To David Roberts for following the horse- bier to carry the body of Jane Edmond 0 0 8 Expenses attend the barial .006 To my horse there .010 To the saddler for mending things belong- ing to the horse-bier, and attendance.. 0 2 O. It When the roade were so badly kept, and so narrow, that vehicles such as sleds," which up to the present century were in common use in the mountainous parts of Wales, could not pass each other, the tolling of a bell to indicate the approach of a funeral became a necessity, for everything was obliged, by custom, to give p!aco to a funeral. There are many of these small hand-bells stiil in existence. Severn! of them were until lately used in calling the children to school. I fear that unless these survivors of IBrmer days are preserved in the church chests, they will soon disappear. Bells used in Perambulations—When formerly the parish bounderies were perambulated in Rogation days, a bell was rung by the clerk in the procession. Archbishop Grindal, in his injunc- tions in 1571, state neither banners nor hand- bells were to be carried in these perambulations." I do not know when this custom ceased, but up to quite modern time parish boundaries were beaten, and most likely the hand-bell was in requisition to the end. Hand-Bell used in Proclamations.—It was at one time the custom, before printing notices be- came common, for the parish clerk to announce from the steps of the churchyard cross, or latterly in the churchyard, every event of importance that concerned the parishioners, and proclamation was announced by the ringing of a hand-bell, immediately after the morning service. This cus- tom reached the days of the living. I find that the amount paid to the clerk for this work was specified in the terriers. Thus in Cwm terrier, Flintshire, dated 24th June, 1774, it is stated that the parish clerk was to receive for every proclamation in the church- yard two pence." The amount varied, for, in Llandrinio parish was paid: for every procla- mation made in the churchyard four pence." The bell on these occasions waft used much like the bell in our days. The pariah hand-bell was also in requisition at tithe auctions. „ Swearing'on portable"Bells.-In former agesit. was customarv to take oaths on portable bells Giraldus Cambrensia alludes to this custom. His words are: "I must not omit that the portable bells were held in great reverence by the people and clergy, both in Ireland, Sootland, and Wales; insomuch that they had greater regard for oaths sworn on these bells than on the gospels. For by some occult virtue, with which they were in a manner divine imbued those who forfeited suoh oaths have often been severely punished, and the chatisement inflicted on tranegrespors has been severe. (Bobn's Edition, p. 146) Bells in Belfries--All the offices of church behs seem to be included in a couple of lines quoted by Bourna, p. 14, from Spelman, who derived them fiom a source that I am not aquainted with. These lines are:— Lando Deum vermn, plebem voco, congrego, clernm, Defanctes ploro, pettem fogo, festa decoro." (I praise the true God, call the people, convene the clflrgy, Mourn the dead, dispel pestilence, and grace festivals.) These words call for no special remarks, but peitow fugo imply that the sound of the bell was supposed to be endowed with peculiar power. In Dyer's English Folk-lore." p. 264, it is atated that" Wynkyn de Worde tells us that bells are'; rung during thunderstorms, to the end that fiends and wicked spirits should be abashed and flee, and cease the moving of the tempest." From Bourne's Antiquities of the Common People," ed. 1725, p. 17, it would appear that! devils were much afraid of bells, and fled away at the sound of them; and according to Croker, the opinion was entertained in Ireland and elsewhere that the dwarfs and fairies were driven away from places by the ringing of the bells of churches. Croker remarks, in his Fairy Legends of Ireland," vol. ii, p. 100, that the Troldes leave I the country on the rin.gin,4 of bells and remain away. Such beings were associated in the popu- lar mind with Satan, Croker writes (vol. i., p. 46) The notion of fairies, dwarfs, brownies, etc., being excluded from salvation, and of their having formed part of the crew that fell with Satan, seems to be pretty general all over Europe." And thus they one and all were afraid of holy bells sanctified to the worship of God. This notion will account for many superstitions which cluster around bells. I lately heard of a pool, or well, not far from Penrhos Church, in which a wicked spirit was laid by the priest, through the instru- mentality of a bell, which he rang, before which the Evil One retreated, and precipitated himself into the well, to escape from iti horrible sound, and there he remains to this day. The Passing Bell.-Formerly, in all parts of Wales, the passing bell was tolled for the dying, just as the spirit left the body. This is a very ancient custom, and is mentioned by the Venerable Bede:— When the bell begins to toll, Lord have mercy on the sool." In our days, in country places, the bell is tolled not as formerly, when the person was dying, but on the evening before the funeral. It has, conse- quently, logt its significance. In Wilkins' Concilia," vo!. iv. p. 249, is an injunction under the date 1564 that when any Christian bodye is in passing, that the bell be tolled and after the time of his passing to-ring no more but one shorte peale, and one before the buriall, and another shorta peale after the buriall." Ringing or tolling the bell before the burial is still common, and "a shorte peale after the burial is still to be heard in many Welsh parishes, as, for instance, Llanyblodwel, Llanasa, and Caerwys. The sexton, when tolling the passing bell, observes certain rules by which information is imparted to the parishioners respecting the de- ceased. Thus, in Northop parish, nine tolls repeated on each of the three bells denote a man's death: eight ditto, a woman's; seven ditto, a boy's; six ditto, a girl's. In Efenechtyd, where there was only one bell, nine tolls thrice repeated, with a pause after each set, indicated a man's death; eight ditto, a woman's; seven ditto, a bachelor's; six ditto, a spinster's five ditto, a boy's four ditto, a girl's In some parishes the bell was tolled the above number of times without the threefold repetition., This custom is becoming obsolete. Immediately! after the ringing of the bells or bell to denote the sex of the deceased, the age of the departed was tolled, and thus the parishioners knew whose passing bell was rung. The Broth-Bell.-In many churches a bell is tolled after the congregation leaves the church of a Sunday morning. This is the case in Llany- blodwel. On inquiry as to this custom I failed to get a satisfactory answer but a lady laughingly said it was to give notice to thieves to make themselves scarce before the family returned from church, for they woald interrupt the robbers at heir labours. In some parishes in Wales this bell was called "Y gloch botes," or the broth-bell. In Bettws Gwerfil Goch, near Corwen, this bell was discon- tinued in the days of the living. The Rev. Robert Edwards, the Rector of the parish, informs me that the object was to let those know who bad to remain at home to get dinner ready, of which the first course was potes, or a piggin of porridge. I find from "English Folk-lore," p. 265, that: In some country villages, it is customary to ring the church bell while the congregation are leaving the church. The reason assigned for doing so. is to inform the parishioners who have been unable to attend in the morning that divine service will be celebrated in the afternoon. It is sometimes called the Padding-Bell,' and, accor- ding to some, is rung in order ti warn the cooks that dinner-time is near to hand." It is said that the parish clerk was specially paid by the farmers for ringing this bell. The re- muneration was a dole of meal paid to him by the farmers, in proportion to the size of their takings, ,the smallest farmer paying one bason-full of oat meal, and the rest a greater quantity. I find in Bettws Gwerfil Go h terrier, dated 1856, which is a transcript of that of 1774, that: the clerk is entitled to Bell-sheaf, or Blawd-y- gloch." But after all there may be some doubt as to this dole being paid for this special service. Joy-Bell.-On every occasion of local or national rejoicings the church bell was rung. Weddings, returning home of families, coming of .age of a squire's son and heir, and on such like occurrences,the solitary church bell was not silent; and where there was a peal they were boisterously loud in their expression of joy. Bells were proverbially thirsty things, and unless their tongues were moistened with good old English ale rather often, their tongues would not wag. Entries are often found in parish records of ale supplied to the ringers. Thus, in the churchwardens' accounts in Chirk parish, for the year 1688, I find the following entry: "Payd for Ale to ye ringers when the byshopps were gott frome out of the tower 00 02 00." Fire-Bell.-The church bells were always rung when a fire took place the clanging of the bells on such occasions announced to the people that a fire was raging, and they immediately went to the scene of the conflagration to endeavour to extinguish it. The Excommunicating Bell.—When a person was excommunicated, the church bell was solemnly tolled, and the practice is still continued in Catholic countries. Excommunication almost reached our days in Wales. Thus, I find in an old parish book in Llanfair D. Clwyd this entry: "Henry Richard, for prophaning the Lord's Day, and John David and Alice vch. Thomas for clandestine marriage, were all three pronounced excommunioated, July, 1694." And inside the cover of the old Parish Register of Newtown, Montgomeryshire, is the following entry: Memorand, August ye 11th, 1771, the following perFOns were denounced excommunicated: Mary Jones, Mary Davies, Edward Lloyd, Mary Ingram, and Mary Evans, all for fornication and bastardy." Pan cake-Bell. -This bell was rung on Shrove Tuesday, and the custom has reached our days. A few years ago I examined Worthenbury school, on Shrove Tuesday, sometimes called Pancake. Day, and at eleven o'clock the church bell was tolled. On inquiry whether there was a service in cbnrch, the curate answered in the negative, and the children told me that the bell was rung to let their mothers know that it was time to put the pancakes on the fire. This, originally, was a bell for calling the people to church to confession, immediately before Lent, as implied by the word Shrove Tuesday. I In many churches a bell is rung at eight o'clock in the morning, and at other hours when there are no religious services, showing that at one time divine services were held at those hours. Ave-Bell.-This bell was rung previously to the services on Sundays and Saints' days. In some parishes it was a custom to toll a bell, for a short time, half an boar before the hour of public prayer, and in many parishes the clerk tolled the bell for a quaiter of an hour previously to the hour of prayer, so as to give everyone ample time to be in church before the service commenced. Induction Bell.-Tliis is rung by the clergyman on taking possession of a new living, and it is said that the number of tinkles indicates the number of years of his incumbency. It conse- quently becomes a matter of vital importance to the incoming clergyman to arrange beforehand how many times he is to toll this bell. Should the living be not an eligible one, a few tinkles would be sufficient; but it should be remem- bered, on the other hand, that when tolling that bell, he is, it may be, tolling his own knell, and not the number of years that he is to wait for his promotion. m „ The Clerk's Wage for Tolling the Bell.—It was chiefly for the bell-rinsing that the parish clerk

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Tales from old St. Asaph. No. 4—The Miller's Wooing. One hundred years ago, there lived within The mill, a Burly man whose name was Pym. He had a business good, but, so 'twas said, Was mean enough to covet people's bread. He never gIve away nor crust nor crumb, And to each wanderer's cry was deaf and dumb. He bad wedded twice, and twica had he Been left a childless man—in misery. said his wives were poorly fed indeed Their clotbes were threadbare—all for his gold-greed. He was not mean enough to live alone, And so he looked around to fill hia home. He had made up his mind that she to wed Mast be a widow with a clever head Must have no children—(HB mast be her all)— And be both handsome, and exceeding tall, As he was old, bis wife need not be young, Nor most she have a bitter scolding tongue, It did not matter if she had no money, For then she'd eat the bread, without the honey. The miller looked around each day and said— I wonder when the fourth bride will be wed, I see none likely to become the spouse Of this lone man—his spirits to arouse." He had no friends—no real friends. I meant To give him safe advice on trouble sent, Bnt one day as his steps were homeward bent From a long walk (upon his thoughts intent), He saw in front of him a form he knew By sight-she was no friend of his, 'tis trae- But an old dame, who filled an almshouse cot, And seemed contented with her humble lot. The miller in a trice saw here a chance To woo a wife (his interests to enhance) And so he stopped her, doffed his cap, and said, My dear good dame, do yon desire to wed ?" To wed, Sir," cried she. what, what. oan yoa mean, I a poor woman—as you must have seen. Who are you, Sir, pray tell me, if you will," And he replied. The miller of the Mill;" Wbep this she heard, she smiled (bat up her sleeve), The miller's words she scarcely could believe, And be, thinking that he had won her o'er, Offered his company past his own door, And on the way she asked him if she might Invite him to her room that self-same night, And there, the answer which he wanted then, She promised him, if bo would seek her den." The miller reached his home pleased with himself, For now he was no longer on the shelf;" And he was snre he'd got a wife once more Who'd save his money and increase his store. The dame, meanwhile, whose name was Betty Haghea, Hal harried back to tell the cheerful news Of how the Miller of the Mill bad said, My dear good dame, do you desire to wed," And how he'd promised that he'd meet her soon, In fact, that very night, in her poor room, For she was going to give him answer terse It she would wed for better or for worse. But when the Miller came—the dame had not Made up her mind as yet; he would not stop, So she invited him to come next night At nine o'clock. If no one was in sight He migbt go iD, bat if the neighbours round Were looking on—(they did at every sountt)- 'Twas thus he'd know her answer she had found. If she wooll wed, she'd open wide her door And set his mini at rest— for ever more As lovers often sweetly say but then It she had cet her face agsinst the men (As women often do) her door he'd find Would be closed fast—then she had changed her mind. The miller never doubted but she'd wed, And straightway bought a ring (h'm, so he said), And then repaired to meet his lady dear To hear her answer Yes with ne'er a fear. For she had told him that she was not young, Nor yet had she a bitter scolding tongue, And she had told him that she was not rich, But she could cook, and scruh, and scour, and atitoh, And she had told him that she loved him dear, Although the tile went round that he was near." But when he reached the house, the neighbours all Seemed busy over—surely not his call ? He did not know—he only waited there To see if she—the widow full of care Would give the answer which he doubted not Would be, that with him she'd throw in her lot. He listened, and he heard the bolts unbarred, His bosom heaved with pride hi. heait beat hard. The neighbours all seemed gone to red; their root Was stopped at last, whate'er it was about. A second more, and, in the moonlight dim The dame appealed (and looking straight at Pya), Poising a pail of water full to brim, She poured it over—not the floor-but him Cr) iog out loud enough for all to hear— Home with you, miser, never come you near Again, and did you think I'd marry you, A moan, base, wretch ?" But the words, doubly true Were lost on the poor Miller, for the shout one old neighbour, brqaght the otheys out, Who jeered, and laughed, and joked with right good Wla, Watching the half drowned Miller seek his mill; And ever after when his nose he showed Out-ide his milt, some man upon the road Would rfcognize the hero of my tllfJ (for every one bad heard it in the Vale), iVoull stop him. and these words would surely S8Y- My dear good Sir, how is your wife tJ-day ?" St. Asaph. C. W.

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was paid. This wage or dole was called Ysgub-y-gloch, or bell sheaf; Yd-y-gloch, or bell corn Blawd-y-gloch, or bell meal. In the varions parish terriers the clerk's wage is generally mentioned, and his dole is called by either of the above names. I will give a few quotations on this point. In Gwannysgor terrier, dated 10th Ang. 1816, is the following entrp: "The clerk's "Ilges ilS a cus- tomary allowance of one Threave of corn. half wheat and half barley, out of the Tythe which he may chnse in any part of the parish, and in the harvest collects the voluntary contribution of sheaves of corn from the parishioners." Again, in Cwm terrier it is stated that: there is also due to the parish clerk a stated rate of corn, viz., wheat or barley yearly, from every occupier of lands in the said parish, proportionably to what every inhabitant occupies." Mr John Morris, the aged parish clerk of Dcrwen, told me that he was in the habit of accompanying his father when the Yd-y-gloch was collected. In those days caits were unknown, and the dole was collected and placed on a sledge. Often and again his father received a sledge-load of corn from a single farmer, and everyone gave liberally and freely. The custom ceased shortly after the passing of the Commutation Act, and the clerk henceforth in many parishes was remu- nerated out of the tithe. With one remark, I bring this paper to a close. It would seem that the words clock "and bell are in ordinary language, in Welsh, synonymous. This implias that in former years people took their time from the ringing, at stated hours, of the church boll, and not from dials or clocks, which in our days are so numerous, but which formerly were very scarce, even for years after their invention. Thus, every time we say" Faint o'r gloch," What's the time P we are iu mind car- ried back to years gone by, and a custom which language enshrines.—" Arebrejlogia Cambrensu July, 1894.