South Wales Daily News

COLUMN FOR CHILDREN. JACK-IN.THE-GREEN, One day, when I was a little girl of eight, we r were all sitting at breakfast, when we suddenly heard a great deal of noise aud commotion going on in the garden, accompanied by the squeaking of a tiddle, and this wis followed by a loud peal at the fronfc door bell. We all rushed out in much excitement to discover what was the matter, and outside the door we found the funniest company you ever saw. Theresas a tall extraordinary figure, of a sort of cone shape, completely Covered with branches and sprays of greenery I another figure with a muslin skirt and a man's hat, and various others in fantastic costumes, deoorated with green boughs. They were aU dancing and careermg about in strange style to the sound of the fiddle, and one of them came and held a shovel out to UR, asking for money for Jack-in-the-Green. It was the 1st of May festival, and quite new tons, who had previously lived in aplace where the 1st of May was only as other days of the year. Later in the morning a number of children came round with garlands, some only with little posies of cowslips, wallflowers, and primroses tied on sticks, but others carrying large and really pretty devices of flowers, the making of which must have needed a good deal of time and patience. They all wanted a penny for the garland," and whatever we children thought of our visitors, our elders found the constant ringing of the bell by these little beggars a nuisance which inclined more to the giving of sharp words than halfpence LET US ALL A-MAYING GO." Jack-in-the-Green has almost, if not quite, dis- appeared so have the Maypoles, round which people used to dance on the green on May-day. If the day is kept up at all in any of the towns and villages where my readers live I wish they would write and tell me about it, For the May- day Festival is a very old one and two or three hundred years ago kings and queens, and mayors and aldermen, used to go merrily out a-Maying, with lively music and the blowing of horns, and would bring from the woods and fields flowers and greenery to deck all the houses round about, while at the dance in the evening there were always to be seen representatives of Robin Hood, the gay forester, and his merry men and Maid Marian. Later on it became more especially the gala day of the milkmaids and later still it was the chimnoy-sweeps festival, for in the times when the sweeps and their poor little climbing boys used to have to climb chimneys in order to sweep them, a benevolent IRdy, Mrs Elizabeth Montague, was filled with pity for their hard lives, and used to give all the London sweeps a big dintu-r every 1st of May. At Magdalen College. Oxford, it is the custom for the choristers to ascend the tower of the chapel early on May morning and sing partsongs; and at South- ampton, until quite recently, a special May choir used to gather at six o'clock on the top of oneiof the old town gates and welcome the day in similar fashion. Another practice was for girls to go out as early as possible and gather May-dew to benefit their complexions; and I have no doubt it did benefit them. Getting up eariy and going into the fields on bright spring mornings are capital things for the complexion. PRESIDENT OF THE ACADEMY. May morning, or at least the first Monday in May, has cpme to be associated now in London, not with May poles and May dew, but with the opaning of exhibitions, and among them of the great picture exhibition, the Royal Academy. This year the Royal Academy opens under a new President, Sir John Millais, who thus holds the most distinguished artistic position in England, as officially at the head of all the artists in the kingdom. Sir John did not come of grand people he was born at the town I mentioned just now, Southampton, but his early childhood was spent in the Island of Jersey, where his father was an officer in the Militia, and on the first day he was in London the first sight he was taken to see was the imposing horse sentries all the Horse Guards. But the next day his mother, a wise, loving woman, to whom her son says he owes everything—took him on a more important and anxious errand, which was nothing less than to see the President of the Royal Academy, then Sir Martin Archer Shee. Did the little fellow of nine, as he stood before the great man, have any dream, I wonder, that one day he himself should be in that great man's place ? He had always been fond of drawing, and had excited admiring wonder among his neighbours. My friends," said Mrs Millais, "think a great deal of my boy's talent for drawing, but of course I cannot trust entirely to their opinion or my own, so I have brought him to you as the best authority of all, to ask whether you think it would be prudent to bring him up as a painter." '« Madam," &aid Sir Martin, "you had better bring him up to be a chimney-sweep!" SIR JOHN AND THE BUNS. That was not very encouraging; but Mrs Millais asked the President at least to look at the boy's drawings, and so the portfolio was brought in. And when Sir Martin had looked at them, he laid his hand on the little lad's head and said, Did you do all these drawings yourself, my little man!" Then, to Mn Millais he added, Madam, it jQ your duty to bring the boy up to art." It was not so easy to learn drawing and painting in those days as it was now for there were not schools of art and technical classes in every town but John was sent as pupil to a well-known teacher, and as he worked hard he was two years later admitted to the Royal Academy School. He was the youngest student —the youngest but one ever tdmitted-so be had to go the errands for the others. One of these was to collecb forty or fifty pence each day from his companions and go out and buy r forty or fifty buns for lunch; but perhaps he did not object to that errand, for he always had a bun for himself as pay, and it was one of the best, a twopenny Bath In the second year of hie studentship he won a prize, and after that he won all the medals he tried for. When he was only seventeen he had one of his pictures accepted and hung in the Royal Academy and as that was in 1846, just 58 years ago, he oelebrates his jubilee as a painter by being the Academ y President in 1896. THE HARE THAT CAUGHT A MAN. This story has been a long time in the Letter Box. It was sent from Alexandria to Annt Maggie by Esquire Manolo Constantino, and she sent it to me, for she knew you and I would like it. Once on a time a great deal of rain foil, and the river Seine oveiflowed, but where the land was j\ httle elevatci it formed small islands in the midst of the flood. In one of these islands a hare was caught, and was too frightened to swim. A man seeing it in such a fix rejoiced, thinking nothing would be easier than to catch poor bunny and have a good dinner. He got a boat and rowed to the islet, landed, threw his rope care- lessly over a branch to attach the boat, and in a second was in full chase of the hare. The poor little creature in its fright jumped into the boat, and the force of the shake sent the boat right into the middle of the stream and the current took the hare far away, having the man a prisoner all night, without any dinner at all. He was rescued next day, but was known to the end of his days as the man who was caught by the hare." HOW THE TADPOLES GROW. Princess Spinaway told us, you will remember, about her pet frogs. I have been reading in one of the magazines about a gentleman who brought up I a very large family of young frogs in a big bell-glass in his room. Ignorant gabies see in a frog only a thing which moves by jumps, and which, being harmless and helpless, can be stoned and tormented without any danger to the cruel gabies themselves. But this man knew that a frog is ono of the many wonders of God's wonderful creation, being half a fish and half a land animal, and breathing at different times of its life in three different ways, and he wanted to watch the progress of its growth. It was rather a messy business, but if I tell you about it you will be saved the trouble of trying for yourselves. He brought home from a pond a mass of jelly or spawn, consisting of round transparent eggs, each with a black spot in its centre. Every day this spot grew bigger, till the heads and tails of the tiny babies within could be plainly seen, and in ten days they camEt out from their jelly cradles, which they immedi- ately began to c-st. They looked then like little animated tea-leaves, and they breathed by branch- ing whiskers or branchiae." In a month these whiskers disappeared, and it was a funny thing that all the family lost their right-hand whisker first, and then that of the left. After this they breathed by gills, like fishes. and were full-grown tadpoles, swimming about in the water by the help of their long tails. HANDS OUT! As the water in the bell-glass was not full of tasty food M their native pond would have been, the tadpoles had to be fed with tiny bits of meat hung in the water from strings. They did not eat all the meat, but sucked away the nourishing part and left the fibre; and they didn't mind what sorb of meat it was so long as it was not veal. When they were about three months old their future legs made their first appearance, for a tiny foot could be seen on each side of the tail; but the legs grew slowly and seemed to be no use for a long time. Still the tadpole was better off than baby, you see, for it could swim abont while waiting to "feel its feet." When the hind legs were full grown the "arms and hands" came, but unlike them they oame ready made. ready for immediate use. For a day or two, while < the little hands were visible under the skin, j their owner was very reattess and excited, till at length by a grand effort one arm was pushed through an hour er two afterwards the other hand darted forth, and there was the perfect frog for while the arms were coming the tail grew emaner and smaller and then vanished altogether, and in place of gills the little creature began, just as its second hanri came out, to breathe by lungs, as you and I and all other animals do. But before this perfect state quite arrived their friendly gaoler took all the little froggies baok to their pond, knowing that they must be able to eseape from the water en to land directly their lungs were perfected, or they would be drowned ae yon er I would be; and by the pead side the frogs lived the happy, useful life intended for them, and jumped merrily about the field and croaked their evening cfaornses. THE nOG'S SINGING SCHOOL. Down in the rashes beside the pool The frogs were having a singing aebool; Old frogs, yoanf frop, bodpoles and aU, Doing their beat at their leader's call. He waved a grass-blade high in the air, And cried "Ker-ohonk,"which means "Prepare, lint the youngest singer took up the strain, And eung Ker-chunk with might and main. The others followed as he sang, Ker chunk their voiees loudly rang, Until their leader so angry grew He snapped his baton quite in two And croaked Oh wrong oh wrong! Which his class mistook for another song At that their leader hopped right away- Ker-chunk I oh wrong I" I beard him say. J Then flop he went for a swim in the pool, sifgiw #00001,

I ERIN GO BRAGH. ANDREW CAVANNAGHS'S PLUCK. I THE TALE AS TOLD BY HIMSELF. The sub-editor was cooling off, after seeing to press the last edition of the Echo; and was summarising events to the reporter on duty, Heavy day-Mulwell Hiil murder sensational stuff. Ssntences commuted on tho Transvaal fellows. Had to put the Synagogue into a stick or two and Bird's chapel only a par. Good matter all round. Things get busier every day." Then the door burst open. and THE DEPUTATION ENTERED. One hatless member seen.ed excited. I want to tell yer 'boiit this boy 'e saved another boy from drownin' rescued ',m went in after 'im an(] got'im oub." The business having thus been introduced in due form, with full explicitness, the unimpaa- sioned sub laconically inquired :— Who did ?" This one," answered the gentleman without a hat, indicating his colleague who had no shoes and the latter, removing his head-gear when thus brought into notice, displayed a thatch of wet hair and smiled. Tell us about it." Why, he tumbled in the Feeder, and he shouted me an' I dived after him and brought him out. 'Andy,' he says, I'il give yer every Why, he tumbled in the Feeder, and he shouted me an' 7. dived after him and brought him out. Andy,' he says, I'il give yor everv penny I gob; every penny I got, Andy, he says". Au' I took off his clothes and 'put my coat round him an' another boy put bis coat round, an' we him an' another boy put bis coat round, an' we took him home. 'E was nearly drowned." Whereabouts in the Feeder ?" II Near the Baths." You can swim, then ?" Yes." Wbert4 did you learn ?" At the Baths. I was the only one there as could swim an' he [pointing to the original speaker] shontfd me." I was on the wall," interpolated that gentle- man, "an'I hollered, 'Andy. Andy, there's a little boy in the river,' an' Aiidv got over the wall an' dived after 'im, and fetched 'im out." "Your name's Andrew, then. Andrew what 1" "Andrew Cavanagh, sir, I climbed up the wall as soon as I could, an' I dived in, an' I started fetchin' under water." Fetching ?" Yi'S; fetchin' round with my hands an' swimmin' under water to find ';m." Didn't they show you where to go in ?" I saw his cap an' went in there an' I caught !im round the waist and brought 'iin up." Didn't he grip you ?" No his hands dropped just dead Jike. 'E didn't ketch 'old o' me, an' we come up in the middle and I swum ashore with 'rm. I was swimming with one hand, an' had '1m with the other." He'd bin up once, and gone down agin," said the smallest member of the deputation. Yus an' Andy saved him a year ago," said the boy in the background, indicating the little one. Did you see him go in this afternoon ?" No I come with him to show him the way. Somebody said, 'You go and tell the EcJio and he didn't, know the way." I WHAT Didn't know the way to the Echo office ?" I Not the way upstairs, sir. He was at the I bottom and didn't know the way so I come with him." Then Andrew handed in a certificate duly attested, the which is worth reproduction. attested, the which is worth reproduction. Who was the boy you saved ? Georgy Tunsiclt. He's a foreigner. A lot of people said Go and tell the Eeho reporter about it,, and I come quick." He evidently had, for bis dry suit, included a man's singlet that dropped almost below the coat. But Andrew was tion,, the le" jolly; and when,after a pass from pocket to palm, he said Thank you" and departed, he vouchsafed the intelligence— My brother John saved a child down by the West Wharf."

LLANDAFF DISTRICT COUNCIL. The annual meeting of the Llandaff and Diakv Powis Rural District Council was held on Thurs- day under the presidency of Mr H. Lewis. At the outset Mr Warren (th6 clerk) snbmitted a list of attendances of members for the p ist year. They were as follows :—Mr R. Forrest, 10 out of a possible 13; Mr O. H. Jones, 6 Mr Daniel Lougher, 6 Mr J. H Davies. 9 Mr John Thomas, 11 Mr WID, Williams. 8 Mr Wm. Lougher, 7 Rev. J R. Buckley, 10 Mr Rees Thomas, 10 Mr David Evans, 11 Rev. T. Rees, 10 Mr J. L. Jenkins, 10 Mr F. Wride, 10; Mr Thomas Thomas, 4; Mr John David, 6 Rev. T. J, Davies, 11 Mr Edward Thomas, 4 MrD. W. Savours, 6 Mr Thomas Bassett, 0; Mr David Evans (Rhydygwern), 0; Mr Aaron Johnson. 4; Mr Thomas Cram, 11; General H. H. Lee, 7 Rv. J. S. Jones, 4 Mr Oliver Williani-, 10; Mr Willia.tr Evans, 7; Mr Thomas Jenkins, 1 Mr W. V. Huntley, 4 Mr Thomas Oliver, 6 Mr I Thomas Williams, 3; Mr William Wride, 13 Mr Henry Lewis, 3 and Mr Henry Williams, 1, The last two mentioned made every possible attendance. Mr Lewis being elected on the 24th of February this year, and Mr Henry Williams on the 30th of March. Mr Robert Fnrrest was again elected chairman of the Counoil, and Mr O. H. Jones vice-chairman. A communication was read from the Secretary of State in reply to a letter sent him by the Council respecting the recent upsetting of a waggon containing dynamite whilst proceeding iu> Cefn On Mountain, Caerphilly, to Messrs Cross Brothers' magazine. He stated chat he had received a letter from Messrs Cross Brothers to the effect that the accident was not due to the wheels skidding in the ruts, but from the breaking of the shafts. The ruts, they argued, were nob dangerous in fact were very serviceable. The Chairman thought the rues were exceedingly dangerous, and asked Mr Frazer, the surveyor, his opinion on the point. He expressed himself similarly, and added that from what he could gather the waggon slid down the road, and in trying to get it back the shafts, broke and it was upset. The meeting pronounced the ruts dangerous, and resolved to ask Messrs Cross Bros, to get them filled up.

NEWPORT IMPORTS AND EXPORTS. The exports of coal, foreign aud coastwise, from Newport for the week ended last Wednesday even- ing amounted to 68,812 tons and one cargo (weight not given), of which 47,623 tons were despatched to foreign ports, and 21.189 tons and one cargo went ooaetwise. The other exports for the week included :-Tinplates, 6 cargoes and 134 tons rails, 960 tons patent fnel, 700 tons railway chairs, 190 tons pS water, 160 tonll; tour, 3 cargoes nails, 2 cargoes machinery, 45 tons fastenings, 35 tons; gaspipes, 37 tons rails and tin, 1 cargo iron, 9 tons and general merchandise, 5 cargoes and 46 tons, The imports for the week were Iron ore, 7,480 tons pifcpropa, 1,146 loads and 155 toils pitch pine, 1,027 loads; sleeper blocks, 1,174 loads manganese ore, 2,605 tons pig iron, 1 cargo and 450 tons; pitwood, 270 tons, 120 loads, and 1 cargo stones, 3 cargoes and 70 tons mining timber, 610 loads silver saad, 1 cargo and 100 tons irou, 2 cargoes iron rails, 210 goes timber, 1 cargo and 112 loads sand, 1 cargo and 78 tons sleepers, 26 loads Soar, 1 cargo; slates, 1 oarg° wheat, 66 tons grain, 1 cargo; rails, 1 cargo manure, 70 tons aud general merchandise, 13 cargoes.

Limic Juice is now one of the most popular beverages, especially in Spring and Summer. The Lancet says :—" We counsel the public to drink Lime Juice whenever and wherever they list." Montserrat Lime-Fruit Juice is a most delicious, refreshinsr drink- and a veritable draught of health. Montserrat time. Fruit Juica and Cordials are sold by druggists, grocers, and wine merchants, everywhere.—An album of photo- graphic views of the beautiful Island of Montserrat (West Indies), will be sent on application to Evans, Sons and Co., 56, Hanover-street, MTerpool. on xeeeipt offt P90B? etatpp. 1480 i

LABOUR'S MA? fc)AY. TO-DAy DEM< iNSTftATION. There will be six platforms at She 1st of May demonstration in Hyd^ Part today. The BxTV^Wl1] be :-Mrm Eleinor Marx Aveling, H. M. Hyndiiiati, Felix Valhovsky, Pete Currau, Miss Amy Morant-, Marcel Sembat (Socialist meinbrllr or the French Chamber of Deputies), A. DeK-ki, Wzll Thorne, Tom M'Cartiiy, H. Quelch, B. A. Jedrzejowski, Dr. Aveling, C. T. Quinn, Louise Michel. J. C. I-nwGr-hy,and others. Pro. cession* will march from OlorkenweH-greeu Fitz- toy-square, Camberwell-trreoo, &e., and form up on the E tn ban Km en t, near CReopntra's Needle and proceed, via Northnmberlaud-avenue, Oockspur- street, Pall Mall. St. Jan)es'reet, and Piccadilly to Hyde Park. The resolutions will be as follows :—(a) "That this mass meeting of workers send fraternal greetings to their fellows assembled on th's day, and assert with them their determination to overthrow wagedom and capitalism, and establish by their united efforts that international cooperative common- wealth in which all the instruments of industry will be owned and controlled by the organized I communities, and equal opportunity be given to I all to lead healthy, hitpp¡ human lives." (b) That tin's meeting further calk for the iM mediatl, adoption of universal adult sugracfe,second ballot, ¡ payment of members and of election expenses, a I legal eight hours day, and of free maintenance. of all children in board schools, as means of realising peacefully their economic emancipation and of checking the frightful physical deterioriation of our class."

A SUICIDE'S STRATAGEM. John Skipper, aged 49, a stonemason, of 19, Huzlewood-crescent, North Kensington, swallowed a dose of carbolic r.cid. At the inquest VVecinesaay a curious letter was produced, written oy sue deceased with the idea of showine the chemist when buying the poison. rioor \i„h?5'.4-9<t J22, Glostev-ieirace, Bayswater. xt Mothei,— Just a few lines hoping you are well. ^7Tr^antS fat^eJ !° ,came 011 Mondav at 11 o clock to do away with the dog, as it is getting worse, and she is frightened of it and would like it buried before going away Your loving daughter. (Here followed several crosses.) Thomas Skipper, a brother of the deceased I who was greatly excited, said he could not make bis brother's death out. He had known that the deceased often went down on his knees and begged his wife to tell him whether she had put any stuff into his tea to poison him b9fore he drank it. Caroline Mills, wife of a labourer, sister of the deceased, t-aid she also could not understand her I brother's death it seemed so strange to her. The jury considered the case a clear one, and returned a verdict of Suicide whilst of unsound mind, adding a rider to the effect that no blame could be attached to the widow.

DIVORCE SUIT DROPPED. Aclaim was made at WeatiL, itister County Courk on Wednesday for 35 guineas by Mr Middleton Bradford, a solicitor, from Dr, North, under an agreement that he was to pay plaintiff that sum upon the pronouncement of a decree nisi m a contemplated divorce suic against his wife. Mr Cannot, counsel for plaintiff, said that plaintiff was acquainted with facts of great im. portance to defendant, as he was engaged in a matter in which defendant's wife tried to levy blackmail against a man who had committed adultery with, saying she would tell her husband if money was not forthcoming. Not only was plaintiff prepared to prove the adultery with many men against the wife, but that she had another husband still alive. so that nullity of marriage would have been obtained on the Vound of bigamy, or a decree on the ground of adultery, but for seme reason defendant dropped his actiou. Defendant had paid three guineas into court without admitting liability. After hearing the evidence for plaintiff, his Honour non-suited him with costs. It was nn unusual casp. Defendant agreed tu pay 35 guineas when the decree was pronounced. Is never was pronounced.

THE PERILS OF THE STAGE. AN EXCITING PERFORMANCE OF "MACBETH." Two unrehearsed incidents occurred at the Opera House, Chatham, on Wednesday, during the performance of Macbeth by Miss Sarah inornes company, and rather alarmed the audience. Mr Gotdon Craig, son of Miss Ellen .,err/' .9 j* Paying Macbeth, broke a sword in the duel with Macduff, and the latter was severely «U^i>n hand. Beyond this incident a curtain suddenly descended through the breaking of a rope, and a scene-shifter was struck on the head and rendered insensible.

MEN OF THE DAY. The Duke of Argyll began his official career when he was 30 years of age as Lord Privy Seal m 1853. Two years later he was Postmaster- General, and again Lord Privy Seal from June, 1859, to July, 1866. In December, 1868, he was THE DUKE OF ABGTLL. appointed Secretary for India, and President of thp Council of India, and for a third time became Lord Privy Seal in 1880. His Grace is Hereditary Master of the Queen's Household in Scotland, and Hereditary Sheriff of Argyleshire. He was Chancellor of the Uni- versity of St. Andrew's in 1851, and Rector "f the University of Gi-gow in 1854. The Duke is a pro ii tic writer upon scientific, politi- cal, and social subjects, &nd a frequent contri- butor to the leading periodicals. He is the author ot various works, -niong wtncti may be mentioned Th- R-ign of L'lW," The Unity of Nature," Scotland as It Was and Is," The Unseen Foundations of Society," and The B'jrdens of Belief," a volume of poems published in 1894.

PAST EVENTS IN OUR ISLAND RECALLED. RECALLED. MAY 1ST. 1660—The Parliament voted that the Govern- ment ouglit, to be by King, Lords, and Commons," and the Commons voted LSO,000 for Charles's present needs. 1683—(Charles II.)—A patent was granted to j Robert Fitzgerrard for making salt water f rEi h. 1689—(William and Mary)-The Royal Assent I was given to a Bill for raising money by a poll for reducing Ireland. 1707—(Aune)—Thanksgiving Day for the Union with Scotland. The Queen went in great State to St. Paul's, where the Bishop of Oxford preached before her.

A SCHOOLBOY VENDETTA. The boys of the MilfiQld-street and St. Pancras- street Bopird schools are at enmity, and every evening they gather in Mortimer Market to fight. Naturally the inhabitants of Tottenham Court- road complain, and on Tuesday night a policeman plunged into the thick of the combat and dragged out Frederick Stanton. swearing something awful," as be said at Bow-street on Wednesday The lad bolted, but an irate passer-by captured him again, and in indignaut language now told Mr Vaughan that the nuisance wan almost unbearable. Stones as big as his fist fluw about, and girls—he might almost say women- urged the boys on. Only the previous night a window in a stationer's shop was broken by them. Mr Vaughan said that he regretted that he oould net order the prisoner to be whipped. He would fine him 10s or seven days, and if any more boys were charged with this offence, the full penalty of 403 or a month would be imposed.

BURGLARIES IN LONDON. On Wednesday there was a daring burglary at a bouse in Chelsea. A quantity of plate and two gold presentation keys were carried off. One bearing the inscription. Presented to Mrs Rankin on the opening of Hereford Fffe Library, 1872." was set with rubies and emeralds. The other was inscribed, Presented to Mrs Rtnkin at the opening of Leominster Free Library, 1892." OTlie thieves remain at large. The polios have j also been notified of other burglaries at the same time at Tooting and Shepherd's Bush in the former a quantity of jewellery, four 25 notes, and some gold were stolen. No arrests have yet been made in either case

A PURITAN CORONER. Coroner Wyatt has peculiar notions as to what constitutes blasphemy. On Wednesday be held an inquest at Newmgton on the body of an infant, the mother of which deposed that when she picked the child up she exclaimed to her husband, "Ob, my Charlie, the baby's dead !"—The Coroner We don' want so much blasphemy, if you please. Let me tell you that if you make use of such blasphemous expressions outside it WOft" do in a Coroner's court."

BARON HIRSCH AND THE PRINCE OF WALES. The London correspondent of the Manchester Coulursays:-It is asserted in well-informed circles that advices have reached London to the effect that the late Baron Hirsch has left a large sum of monsy and his English stud to tbe Prince of Wales. This statement has, of oourse, yet to be wafitined but having regard to the intimacy of the friendship that existed between the Prince and the Baron, and the influential character of the source of my information, there should be good reason for believing that the report is wet!. founded. I have on many oocasions seen the Prince and Baron Hirsch in the enclosure at Epsom, and have always been struck by the cordiality of their relations.

LATEST NEWS FBOM THE TRANSVAAL.—A Gentle- man travellingin Becbuanaland en route for Balawayo writes I have been very bad with fearful headaches for over a week. I t-ook two doses of Munday's Liver Pills, and am all right again."—Sold in bo^ee, Is, 2s 6d, and 4s 6d, free by post.—T. Mtrnday, Chemist, 1, High- I etreet, Crrdiff: UK

THE WELSH PRESS. [BY ÁP IDANFKY.V. J IN AID OF AGRICULTURE. Mr Chaplin's ingenious little scheme for extending out-door relief to landowners under the guise of relieving the burdens of agriculture is just one of those measures which illustrate, every line of it, the greed and the rapacity of the Tory party when, conscious of its strength, it believes it can disdain the protests of opponents, and ignore without compunction the dictates of consciecca and justice. Toryism without Hypocrisy," is the term applied to it by the Tytt, a phrase which has the advantage of bitting off the situation to a nicety. What further proofs can possibly be needed," queries the Baner, to fully convince all the agriculturists of Wales and the majority of English farmers that the land- owners of the country, and not the tenants, are the class that this Adminis- tration is pledged to further the interests of ?" The Land Tenure and Rent Revision Bill, in- troduced by Mr R. J. Price, it believes would have been of some real service to the farmers, but this was unceremoniously rejected by a majority of 114. The Bancr exposes the insincerity of the Government In the course of a severe comment upon the statement of Mr Long that a measure for amending the Land Tenure Act must be deferred pending the completion of the report of the Royal Commission. This," remarks the Baner, 1 would have been a plausible excuse, had it not been for the measure introduced by Mr Chaplin on Monday night." When it is necessary to put public money in the pockets of the landowners, it can be done without delav. bnt when it is sought to help the farmer, we must wait for the report of a Commission The Tyst is exceedingly bitter, and contrasts the fair promises of the party during the fight of 1895, with the actions of that party now that it is in authority. The elections wpre so favourable that 11 the Tory party now -believe they can afford so live for a short time honestly and in their true colours, and dispense with their eternal hypocrisy. Even Tories are courageous enough to come to the light when they are in an un- reasonable majority. It is said also tii..t wolves are bold enough for anything when they are sufficiently numerous." The Tyst scorns the idea that agricultural rents will be reduced owing to the relief now extended to the landlords. Not a penny will travel beyond the landlord's own I pocket, and what is more serious is that the industrious workmen and the shopkeepers of the towns will have to make up a sum of two millions for the landlords. Of the vast surplus which fell to this Governmdnt as the result of Sir Wm. Haroonrt's able and courageous policy, mi a halfpenny goes to help the people The Seren (B.) declares its chief objection to the measure to be that it will not attain the object professed to be in view. If all the rates were repealed, how much better off would the farmer be when the landlord already takes away from him every penny be can scrape together ?" The Tarian takes a similar view, and declares that such a proposition as involves the taxation of the working classes to put money in the pockets of landlords is intolerable. The Welsh paper* are all agreed on three points (1) That if the bardens of agriculture are to be reduced it is the rents and tithes that need readjustment, and not tbe land tax and rates (2) that Mr R. J. Price's meaMv would have gone a long way to help the struggling farmers and (3) that farmers will not in the least be benetited by the proposals in Mr Chapliu a Bill. THf EDUCATION BILL. jrt .a d'8P°s|tion in some quarters to regard Mr Chamberlain s letter on the differential treatment of Board and Sectarian schools as a welcome rift in the dark cloud which has for many days been banging over the friends of free and untrammelled education. To the Tarian, the failure of the Liberal Unionist leader to offer a single word in defence of the vital points of Sir John Gorst's Bill is a proof that tbe measure admits of no defence, and is the heaviest blow yet inflicted upon it. It is worthy of notice, as indicating the absorbing interest manifested in the measure in Wales, that this week again in the leading columns of the vernacular journals it holds a pre-eminent position. The Herald q. in a leader, entitled Cymraeg, in a leader, entitled "A Storm Brew- itig," publishes an interesting outline of the various movements now in progress against the Bill, and rejoices at the firm attitude which an increasing number of Liberal Unionists are assuming on the question. The Tarian, by the way, has little faith in these Unionists, and expresses deep diHgust at the resolution in favour of the measure carried by a majority of the Unionist party in Birmingham. The HeraM. Cymraeg, notwithstanding all that has been done, is still of the opinion that \Va!e is not sufficiently active in opposition, and, as becomes a Carnarvon paper, holds up as an example to be followed theremarkably successful conference of UnsecUuans held lasf week in that town-a conference which, so the, Herald puta it. is likely to make an impressioe upon the country and to exercise some influence upon Parliament." The Cymro contrasts the action of the Liberal Unionist leaders of to-day witb their actions in the 70's as members of tht Birmingham Educational League, under whosl. auspices Mr Chamberlain made his debut it public life. Mr Chamberlain now finds himself between Scyllp. and Chatvbdis, but will probably, so the Cymro believes, extricate himself out of thi predicament by supporting the measure on tht p'ea that it was one of the demands put forth bv the electors in the recent General Election. Aft Chamberlain is exoeed ingly moral as a statesman adds the same journal with an ill-concealed sneer "and we hope some Welsh mpmber will afforri him the opportunity ot acting upon this principle hy moving the exclusion of Wales from the opera tions of the Bill. Wales does not want iL and it is a piece of disgraceful brutality on th* part; of the Government to propose such a measure to Wales, much Jess forcing her to accept it on the same terms as England." The Tyst, discussing the prospects, is strongly of the opinion that nr hope can be entertained for help from IVft Chamberlain and his party, and adds. If the measure becomes law, the only effectual means of killing it will be to decline to pay the rate. This is an old method of warfare, but a very sure one for all that. It may be after all that this will be the shortest way to Disestablishment and the House of Lords. Who known The Serm, on the other hand, rejoices that sbere are some of Mi Chamberlain's party who are now opening their eyes and hesitating to follow him. There art ample indications of au approaching mutiny it. their ranks, and tbe Seren, to support this view., quotes nn extract from one of the South Walts Daily News leaders. THE CHUROH AJFD ITS REFORMERS. The Lian extracts a good d<■*) of amusement out of the efforts of a few young Churchmen tc initiate a movement for Church reform, ane pokes fun at the Bangor exhibition," which it the way of the Llan of referring to the public. meeting rtcently held and addressed by the' leaders of the reform party in that city. The names of the speakers are given so as to show that not one of them holds a Welsh living but the Llan rather unfairly ignores the fact that most of them are Welshmen, and that the fact that they are not amenable to the discipline of Church dignitaries in Wales is rather an advant. age to them in the attitude they assume. The Llcn, however, inquires whether wisdom hM crossed Offa's Dyke, and whether no one it Wales knows what is best for the Church of hit fathers, We have oftfn observed," it continues, "that Welshmen in England are inclined tc look upon us who have stayed at home as in sume respects inferior to them. We must be forgiven for falling to see eye to eye with them on thic point; we would preter Church matters to be re- arranged, when the necessity arises, bv experienced men at home rather than by educated young men from beyond the borders. We trust that after the Bangor exhibition we shall hear no more of this new league. Let our brethern divert their enthusiasm to praotical subjects there is more need of reforming Churchmen than of reforming the Church." None, of course, are so blind as those that will not see: and the LUtn writer is verifying the old adage. The reformers, with a clearer vision, are foreseeing the inevitable and would prepare to meet it, bub the Church will not suffer itself to be reformed—by-and:bye, when the disaster comes, it will regret the folly that led it to scorn and to belittle its best friends. THE WELSH DNIVlRSrrr. The cordial welcome aocorded to the Welsh University Court on the occasion of its recent visit to Cardiff is favourably commented upon by the Tarian, which rejoices in the rapid progress made by the University in popular esteem. Time was when the idea of a University was regarded as an idle dream of a few thoughtless men, whose patriotism WM beyond doubt, but woo were bereft of reason but now, continues the Welsh journal of the South Wales miners, we have the Cot porations of the various towns addreesing itw Counoil, and engaged ic rivalry together for the honour of housing its offices. This indi- cates that Welsh ideas are extending and taking a firm grip of the people; the national sentiment in various forms comes in like a sea at its flood, and we find towns that are regarded as the most Anglicised overpowered tey its influence."

SOUTH WALES MUSICAL FESTIVAL. On Monday next the first full chorus rehearsal of the South Wales Musical Festival will be held in Cardiff uader the condustorship of Mr August Manns, the well-known conductor of the Handel Festival and of the Crystal Palace Concerts. There will be a chorus of 1 000 voices drawn from 24 centres throughout South Wales and Mon- mouthshire. In oonnoetion with this rehearsal, which, by the way, will be of a strictly private nature, the committee have decided to engage a small orchestra, an innovation which is commend- able, and which will be'of service to the cborns in their future work. The general booking plan for the festival will be opened on Monday.

THE SOCIAL EVIL. At Cardiff Police Court on Thursday EliDbetIt Lee wvA fined 95 aad costs or one mouth, on the evidence of P.C. Ohedzey, for assisting in the management of a brothal at 16, Caael-par&de, ow, April 30th.

THE GBXAT CURE FOR CORNS.— MUNDAYIJ Viridine—Still further testimony. A Chemist writes Will you send me a bc-ttle of your Viridine ? It is fOJ" my own use. I get plenty of corn cures of the same colour, but none :,hero appear to equal yours. N. one ought to say nis corns are incurable until he liat used 'Ç'iridiDp" raousands have been cured, m,st of whom had severed for over 50 years RewaA-jo tnitauons. Sold m bottles ;15. by pest Is 2d. by the, proprietor. J. Monday, Ctwraist T High-street Caraifr ana all Chemist- 1079