Rhondda Leader Maesteg Garw and Ogmore Telegraph

WHEN THE CHURCH RULED SPAIN. According to Vincent Blasco Ibanez, the Spanish novelist, who in The Shadow of the Cathedral (Constable) describes many genera- tions of ecclesiastical life in Spain, it was Don Carlos and Philip II., the German foreigners, who destroyed the pure and uncorrupted Spain, the Spain of religious tolerance, of industrial and agricultural wealth and of free munici- palities" The free municipalities disappeared, their de- fenders went to the scaffold both in Castille and Valencia; the Spaniard abandoned his plough or his weaving, to range the world with an arque- bus on hM shoulder, and the town militia were transformed into bands which fought all over Europe without knowing why. Ihe flourishing towns became villages; churches were turned into convents; the popular tolerant clergy were changed into friars, who imitated with servile complacency the German fanaticism. The fields remained barren for want of hands to cultivate them, the poor dreamt of becoming rich from the sack of the enemy's towns, and left their work; the industrious burghers abandoned com- merce as fit only for heretics, and became nur- series of clerks and petty magistrates. And in the days when ruin overwhelmed us, Spain had never been so religious. The Church was mistress of everything; the ecclesiastical tribunals judged even the King himself; but secular justice could not touch even the hem of a garment of the lowest sacristan, even though he committed the greatest crimes in the public streets. Spain had 11,000 convents, more than 100,000 friars, and 40,000 nuns, and to these must be added 78,000 priests. and the innumerable servi- tors and dependants of the Church, such as algu- aziles. familiars, gaolers, and notaries of the In- quisition, sacristans, stewards, buleros, convent door-porters, choristers, singers, lay-brothers, novices, and I know not how many other people. In exchange, the nation, from a population of 30,000,000, had shrunk to 7,000,000 in less than 200 years. The expulsions of Jews and Moors by religious intolerance, the continual foreign wars. the emigration to America in the hope of growing rich without work, hunger, the lack of sanitation, and the abandonment of agriculture had brought about this rapid depopulation. The revenues of Spain had fallen to 14,000,000 ducats, whereas the clerical revenue had risen to 8,000,000; the Church possessed more than half the national fortune! What times!

THE EVIL EYE. The Evil Eye" is still believed in by the Sicilians. Mr. Harry Festing Jones in "Diver- sions in Sicily (Alston Rivers) writes: The prevailing idea seems to be that an evil influence proceed," from the eye of the jettatore, who is not necessarily a bad person, at least, "he need not be desirous of hurting anyone. The misfortunes that follow wherever he goes may be averted by the interposition of some attractive-object whereby the glance from his eye is arrested, and either the misfortune does not happen at all, or the force of the evil influ- ence is expanded elsewhere. Therefore, it is as well always to carry some charm against the evil eye. All over Italy, but especially in the south, it is rare to meet a man who does not carry a charm, either on his watch-chain or in his pocket, or on a string or chain round his neck under his clothes, and he usually carries more than one. Women, of course, always wear them, which may be 'because a woman likes to sur- round herself with pretty things, and, if she can say that they protect her, she has a reason, unconnected with vanity, which she may be apt to profess is her true reason for wearing orna- ments. Probably no change of fashion will ever banish horns made of coral or mother- of-pearl being pointed, they are supposed to attract and break up the evil glance ae a light- ning conductor is supposed to attract and break up a flash of lightning.

IN A RED CROSS HOSPITAL. Sir Henry Brackenbury, in his Some Memo- Ties of My Spare Time" (Blackwood), thus de- scribes a scene during the Franco Prussian War in one oi the hospitals which the Red Cross Society set up: I will tell you what I saw. I found them dressing a wounded Bavarian, who had been hit in the left side by a chassepot ball, which had passed through his left lung and out near his spine. I wish the people who have given us money so generously could have seen that one eight alone—the young, handsome, plucky Bava- rian, sitting so coolly while his wounds were dressed with a solution of carbolic acid, leaning so completely on Frank, who is a woman in gentleness and a man in strength and firmness, and a young girl of the village helping him and Blewitt bravely and quietly. The next case I saw him drees, was a French s<)ldier. wounded in the thigh by a needle-gun bullet, which seemed not to be yet extracted, and who groaned so that Frank gave him chloroform while Blewitt dressed his wound. These were but two sights of many. There they lay side by side together, French and Germans, enemies no longer, all quiet in their common suffering. Floors covered with the poor fellows, with every fort of wound. Some dying with balls through the cheet, some with crushed arms or legs from shells. One Frenchman had lain for three days in a ditch, and was brought in to have his thigh amputated., He asked for a cigar the I!10m,ent the amputa- tion was over. Another Bavarian, with his thigh and hip smashed to pieces by a shell—and. alas, in such a condition that I could not go near him, though his wounds were dressed with pure carbolic acid. The wounds were now in the stage of suppuration, and a cigar was necessary for men who, like myself, are not accustomed to such places.

THE MOTHER OF ALL SAILS. There is a sort of sail which may be called the original of all sails. Mr. Hilaire Belloc suggests this in Esto Perpetua," his book of Algerian studies and impressions. It is the sail with which antiquity was familiar. It brought the ships to Tenedos, and the Argo carried it. The Norwegians had it when they were pirates 1,000 years ago. They have it still. It is nearer a lug-sail than anything else, and, indeed, the Deal luggers carry something very near it. It is almost'a square sail, but the yard has a slight rake and there is a bit of a peak to it. It is the kind of sail which seems to come first into the mind of any man when he sets out to use the wind. In its original form it is to be seen con- tinually to-day, hoisted above small boats in the north of Europe. But this sail is too simple. It will not go close to the wind, and in those light and variable winds which somehow have no force along the deck it hangs empty and makes no way, because it has no height. Now when, during that great renaissance of theirs in the seventh century, the Arabs left their deserts and took to the sea, they became for a short time in sailing,- as in philosophy, the teachers of their new subjects. They took this sail which they had found in all the ports they had conquered along the Medi- terranean coast—in Alexandria, in Cyrene, in Carthage, in CaBsarea they lightened and lengthened the yard, lifted the peak up high, clewed down the foot, and very soon had that triangular lateen sail which will, perhaps, re- main when every other evidence of their early conquering energy has disappeared. With such a sail they drove those first fleets of theirs which gave them at once the islands and the commerce of the Mediterranean. It was the sail which permitted their invasion of the northern shores, and the unhappy subjection of Spain. Europeans have for now some 700 years, from at least the Third Crusade, so constantly used Spain. Europeans have for now some 700 years, from at least the Third Crusade, so constantly used this gift of Islam that they ha]f forget it-s origin. You may see it in all the Christian harbours of the Mediterranean to-day, in every port of the Portuguese coast, and here and there as far north as the Channel. It is not to be seen be- yond Cherbourg, but in Cherbourg it is quite common. The harbour-boats that run between the fleet and the shore hoist these late-ens. Yet it is not of European making. It bears a foreign mark, which is very distinct, and which puzzles every northerner when he first comes across this sail- it reefs along the yard. Why it should do so, heither history nor the men who handle it can explain, since single sails are manifestly made to reef from the foot to the leech, where a man can best get at them. Not so the lateen. If you carry too much can- vas and the wind is pressing her, you must take it in from aloft, or, it must be supposed, lower the whole on deck. And this foreign, quaint, un- usual thing which stamps the lateen everywhere, is best seen when the sail is put away in the harbour.

The Budget or the Obli- garchic House of Lords. A Poor Man's Appeal to His Fellow-Men. Whether you are a struggling working man or a hard-pressed business man. it does not matter the above are the im- portant issues which you and I will be called upon to decide at the General Election. Remember, this is the most important election that you and I have ever seen, and will see again during our lifetime. Your vote and mine will decide for the future one thing or the other that is, Whether future taxation by any Government must be levied entirely upon the labouring and business people of this country, or whether wealthy people, such as the Jewish Rothschilds and great landowners, such as the Duke of West- minister, shall be made to pay their due share to meet the heavy responsibilities of the State. Doming past years the poor have been compelled to pay, and we have paid so much that we cannot pay more. These wealthy people have intimated to us, in their refusal to pass the Budget, that they will not help us to pay; and they tell us that it is barefaced insolence on our part to ask them to contribute from their superabundance towards the expenditure of the country. Is it fair and just that the wealthy people should pay in proportion to their ability and their abundance? How will you answer the question? Set aside your political opinions for a moment and think over the matter seriously. The Question does not affect your politics. It is a question to be decided on its own social bearings. Its answer will depend whether you; are a lover of foul or fair-play. Which? If you are a true Briton, you are a lover of fair-play; and if you will act conscien- tiously, you will vote for the candidate who will support the Budget. If you vote for the Budget, you will also decide for all times whether the representatives of the people, whom you and I select and send to the House of Commons, shall pos- sess full powers over the finances of the State or whether an hereditary Cham- ber, composed mainly of the first-born sons of lords and dukes, and others who have become very wealthy and famous in war and scientific purusits, but absolutely unelected, shall domineer and usurp every power which has hitherto been invested in the House of Commons and the crowned head of this mighty Empire. You will also remember that by voting for the Budget and its provisions for fair and equitable taxation, you will also sup- port the beneficent principle of Free Trade. The Budget stands for the Rights of the House of Representation, and the subordination of the Hereditary House of Lords. It also stands for the existence of Free Trade and the avoidance of Pro- tection with its cruel taxation of the, food of the people. The great issue which the Libeval, Party will ask you and I to decide is—" The Budget and the Veto of the Hereditary Chamber." The Conser- vative Party will take a mean advantage of the crisis and set forth the unfair cry of The Budget or Tariff Reform? Will you allow yourselves to be led astray from the great and stupendous issue which the House of Lords has raised in its insane desire to overrule the voice of the people ? If -so, you will lose the only chance which has ever been offered you to select your future rulers, and the adiustment of fair and honest taxation. If on the other hand, you will take full advantage of the unexampled tide which has happened in the political affairs of the nation, and vote for the Budget, you will witness its "glorious resurrection," the curtailment of the powers of an oligarchic Chamber, the continuance of Free. Trade and Old Age Pensions, and the heginning of a new era, in social legislation which is made possible by this democratic Budget. The Conservative who will support the Lords in the present crisis, is beyond any doubt a traitor to the principles of representa- tive government. The poor man who will vote against the Budget will prove a traitor to himself and his children. Be faithful to the sacrifices which our fore fathers made for our political emancipa- tion. Strike a good blow at the last link which holds our liberties fastened to a feudal system. Every vote given to a Conservative at the next election will be a vote for the taxation of food and slavery. Every vote given to the support of the Budget will be a vote for fairness and equality of taxation, and our poli- tical freedom from the trammels of an hereditary House of Lords. Dinas. THOS. D. EVANS.

Local Wedding. BEVIS—BLIZZARD. A wedding; was solemnised at Ton Parish Church on Sunday, the contract- ing parties being Miss A. Bevis, (daughter of Mr. Henry Bevis, 10, Station Street, Treherbert) and Mr. David Blizzard 75, Ystrad Road, Ystrad. The bride was attired in a travelling costume of mauve coloured cloth, with hat to match, and carried a bouquet of beautiful white chrysanthemums. The bridesmaids— Misses Wright, Pentre—carried bouquets of pink chrysanthemums. The bouquets were sent by Mrs. Back. Dorset (bride's aunt). Mrs. 1. J. Varker, Treherbert, gave the bride away. The best man was Mr. T. Lewis, Ton. Mr. George Bevis (bride's brother) also accompanied the wedding party. Numerous and valuable presents were received from their many friends.

Fall from n Oil Tank. An inquest was held at Trealaw on Mon- day last concerning the death of Charles Wooding (13), 170. Rhys Street, Trealaw. The evidence proved that deceased was engaged by Mr. W. J. Burgess, agent for the American Oil Company, to attend the horses of an oil tank. He climbed to the top of the tank and fell off on to the road. A verdict of Accidental death was returned. Deceased, who was a faithful member of Carmel (E.B.) Sunday School, Trealaw, was buried at Llethrddu Cemetery on Tuesday, the Rev. J. Lamb officiating. A large number of the deceased's Sunday School companions formed part of the large procession.

Behind every Pair of 08 um W im N%YJM vw MLL'S Perth Boots. b a firm with over 100 years' repu- tatlon for making- good solid reliable, leather, boots, for the hard wear and tear of the Agriculturist and his famny, fit 1 f? { The P^rth Farmer (on the Farm) 16/- ? W/$' A The Kirk or Market Farmer, 13/9 and tear of the Agriculturist and fit 1 f? { The P^rth Farmer (on the Farm) 16/- W W/$' A Th0 Xlrk or Market Farmer, 13/9 v\ VH 1 J Perth Ploughman, Watertight, 10/6 Write to-day for our free IIlus- ( trated Price List No. 40 tells all about us and our happy-footed customers. Established over too yean. NORWKLLS, PURTHIN.B.

Pentre Trades and Labour Council. A" Address upon "Incorporation." At a special meeting held on Monday evening, at the. Ton Institute, an excel- lent speech in favour of the Incorporation of the Rhondda, was made by Councillor Tom Evans, Penygraig. The chair was taken by Mr. 'rhos. Thomas. Councillor Evans, at the outset, stated that lie thought the Rhondda people were as capable, and more so than any ouirside its area ,to know their own requirements. He proceeded to enumerate the many advantages that would accrue from being a corporate body with absolute power to deal with local affairs. He stated that in no case where a Charter has been granted has it been recalled, thus show- ing that Charters given have conferred advantages upon the various communi- ties so privileged. They have been the means of quickening municipal interest and activity among the people. Much of the effectiveness and usefulness of the present Council was crippled by the domination of the Countv Council. Whilst the Rliondda Urban District Council con- tributed largely to the County rates, the benefits derived were not commensurate. In the matter of education, police control, &c., the County practically monopolised all control. Such a large area, such popu- lation, such ratable value, and such stand- ing in the municipal world demanded for the Rhondda a greater measure of control of its own affairs than it now had, and these were to be obtained by Incorpora- tion (applause). Messrs. Phippen, Jones, James, Rees, and Davies having asked questions, which were satisfactorily replied to, Mr. David Thomas (checkweigher) moved the heartiest thanks of the meeting to Coun- cillor Evans. Mr. James seconded, and the motion was carried with acclamation.

Your Eyes are Bread winners! I TNTomatter what your occupation may be, everything depends on your sight. Without good, keen sight, you cannot hope to hold your own in these days of keen Competition, It is an age of the survival of the fittest; the weakest (those with weak sight) go under. Are your eyes right? Can you work for hours without fatigue or discomfort? Can you see as well as you ought ? If not, have them put right. Call and be fitted with a pair of speoially adapted glasses which give strength and vigour to even the weakest eyes. -+-O-+-' Note Only Addiess- EMRYS RICHARDS Chemist & Optician, The Dunraven Pharmacy, TONYPAN DY (lower end). The Chemist nearest the Trealaw Bridge. 3111 C. BECHSTEIN, By Special Appointment to Their Majesties the King and Queen, H. M. the late Queen Victoria, H.M. the Emperor of Germany, H.M. the Czar of Russia, H.M. the King of Italy, H.M. the King of Spain, &c., &c. -+- MY SOLE AND EXLCUSIVE AGENTS FOR CARDIFF AND DISTRICT ARE R. J. HEATH & SONS Who are also Sole Agents for BROADWOOD^BLUTHNER, STECK, SCHIEDMAYER NEUMEYER, WALDEMAR, THE ORCHESTRELLE COMPANY'S PIANOLA-PIANOS & ORCHESTRELLES, &c., &c. GRAMOPHONES AND ACCESSCRIES -+- 70, Taff Street, Pontypridd, 76, QUEEN STREET, CARDIFF, PENARTH, AND PORT TALBOT, Nat. Tel.: Cardiff 2199; Pontypriddi 21. 1500

THE EXAMPLE OF PARENTS. A good parent's first care is to be virtuous himself; his second, to make his virtues as easy and engaging to those about him as their nature will admit. Virtue itself offends when coupled with forbidding manners; and some virtues may be urged to such excess, or brought forward so unseasonably, as to discourage and repel those who observe and who are acted upon by them, instead of exciting an inclination to imitate and adopt them. Young minds are particularly liable to these unfortunate impressions. For in- stance, if a father's economy degenerate into a minute and teasing parsimony, it is odds but that the son, who has suffered under it. sets out a sworn enemy to all rules of order and frugality. If a father's piety be morose, rigor- ous, and tinged with melancholy, perpetually breaking in upon the recreation of his family, and surfeiting them with the language of re- ligion on all occasions, there is danger lest the son carry from home with him a settled preju- dice against seriousness and religion, as incon- sistent with every plan of a pleasurable life; and turns out, when he mixes with the world, a char- acter of levity or dissoluteness. -PALEY.

TO REMOVE PAPER STAINS. They may be removed by applying a aotutiott of oxaUc acid, citric acid. or tartaric aoid ttpott the paper without fear of damage. Theee M>di take out writing ink, but do not interfere witb rvintina- 4

DEW POXDS MADE OF METAL. In connection with the study of dew-ponds, it is interesting to note the reoent invention of artificial dew-ponds, or "never-empty" troughs. These troughs are intended for coverts and other rearing places, where a good supply of clean water is required without the necessity for frequent renewal. It is claimed that they will always remain full after being once filled with water, sufficient rain and dew being collected and retained to keep up a constant supply in the driest summer. The trough consists essentially of one shallow metal tray inverted inside another; atmosphereic moisture condenses on the under side of the oover and is preserved from evaporation.

NOTICE i Cross Bros.,Ltd. l THE CARblFF IRONMONGERS, Special Xmas Display of Useful Presents IN Silver Novelties. Electro-Plate Cutlery. Dressing Cases from 8/6 Vanity Bags, 2/- Purses from 1/- Special Small Fold Umbrellas, 8/11 Travelling Rugs, 5/11 Fancy Brass Goods. Our CHINA & GLASS DEPARTMENT is Up-to-date with all the LATEST NOVELTIES for the coming Xmas Season. Pleaso Note Our Prices are Cardiff's Lowest Always. CROSS BROTHERS, Ltd., 3 & 4, St. Mary Street ) ik PHIFF 18 & 19, Church Street wHIrlJ'ir ■ 3289 NAT. 'PHONE—67 PONTYPRIDD. TED POWIS, MS.cC"d 26, Taff Street, PONTYPRIDD, Has a number of Second-hand Moto Cycles and Cycles FOR SALE. TWO MOTOR CARS FOR HIRE (One Four-seater and One Five-seater including seat for Driver.) TERMS MODERATE. Grand Selection of Phonographs in Stock. Also a Speciality in Edison Machines. 5032 aa .& "'JI.& if Educational Publishing Co., I Limited. (Formerly the Scholastic Trading Company). The Oldest Educational Booksellers in Cardiff | — CARRY THE Largest and Most Yaried Assortment of School and College Text Books, Technical Books, Reward Books and Exercise Books. iff "n Orders reaching us through the Post receive prompt S attention. We carry an immense Stock of Leather & Fancy Goods, J Christmas Cards, Games, and Fancy Stationery. Secretaries of Sunday Schools, Librarians and others will find an unrivalled Stock from which to select Prize Books. Largest Discount given. OUR ONLY RETAIL ADDRESS IS— The 11 SCHOLASTIC," 37, St. Mary Street, CARDIFF. 5758 (Opposite Royal Hotel). THE I YOU NEED NO iflk "T* U ^ou probably imagine it wants a big balance at the I I ■ Bank to go in for Home Furnishing ? Nothing of the kind-that was years ago mm ■ ■ ■ | | |k| The E.F.C. have changed all that. I"™ TO I ■■ ■ 1^1 No need to worry about big outlays—heavy expenses— long waiting. n Under our Easy Payment Scheme we will ■ Furnish your Home from kitchen to attic NOW • .—for trifling periodical payments such as you can EASILY afford! Taff Q+ i °PP°site PflMTVPRinn Jusfc a few sllillings weekly out of your income— I all uli \Penuei Chapei/j rUll 8 11 I1IIIKJ Terms to suit you personally. (See name before entering). We have no fixed Scale Payments. Terms to meet Each Customer. Call and see us about it. Also at You'll be delighted with our Stock. High Street, Bargoed, 6 Church Street, Abertiiiery. Our Prices, too, are Manufacturers' Prices Headquarters: ADIT At f f f 42, City Road, Rocithf Cardiff, f | f /-f 999