The Carmarthen Journal and South Wales Weekly Advertiser

AMMANFORD NOTES. WATER. The Ammanford correspondent of a contem- porary seems to be again in his old form as regards the water supply. He has once more brought before the public his wild statements," as we certainly cannot style them anything else. He says the local agitation concerning the water supply is a subject that has been upper- most in the minds of the villagers for some time past." I quite agree with him that every topic of conversation that is started is sure to lead up to the water question. I think, however, I am right in saying that our leading men are unani- mous in their decision to reject this scheme which the correspondent alluded to is so proud of trying to push on the public. His nolens volens efforts are decidedly in vain. I have followed the latter parts of his notes with the closest attention. He gives the following reasons against well water ;-(l.) A very grave reason, some wells are too near graves." The nearest is at least one hundred yards from any grave. (2.) The water in one well when low is as red as Amman water." I think this well, being the only one affected, is more wholesome, owing to the iron contained in it but, if this is not so, it could easily be closed, and is only one of those available. I suppose no one suggests it is fed from the river. (3.) "A fine eel has been caught in another well." What of that? Eels will often travel miles over land and then make their home in any chance piece of water they reach besides, it would be one of the wonders of the world if he can find any reservoir in the country that does not contain some of these creeping things. (4.) The wells that supply most water are too near pubs drunken men use them." It certainly is a dangerous plan for a drunken man to get near an open well fifteen or twenty feet deep all wells should have doors or covers on top, and so be safe from these habitual donkeys. (6.) The greater part of them fail when they are mostly wanted." After a very close investigation I find that out of the fourteen wells we have in the village there were only three of this number absolutely dry, and that only for want of sinking three or four feet deeper. Why did not this correspondent come out before the public at the great meeting, instead of fight- ing behind the bushes and issuing insinuating bulletins, while in the meantime he is quite obtuse to what the opinion of the public is ? "THE BRIDGE." I hear a meeting is to be held shortly to again consider the bridge question. I trust the meet- ing will be well attended, so that we may thoroughly hear the opinions of both sides. VOLUNTEERS. I am given to understand that the younger portion of Ammanford society are agitating a good deal as to how they may be able to effect the formation of a Volunteer Corps. It certainly would be a grand movement and a great success if it were based on a proper foundation. Young men from the surrounding districts, Cwmamman, Brynamman, Penygroes and Llandebie, would, I hear, materially assist in the matter. I would suggest that the most prominent persons who are interested in the movement should call a public meeting and invite some of the veteran villagers to join the ranks we could most assuredly have a detachment quite as strong as that at Llandilo. The difficulties in the way are very great, among them being the want of a Drill Hall. I am told that one of the neighbouring gentry tried to form a detachment some time ago, but the War Office at that time were not in favour of allowing it, and it was suggested that all who were anxious to join should join the Llandilo Corps, & that when a sufficient number had done so pressure might be brought to bear on the War Office to grant a separate detachment for Ammanford. Will not somebody again take this up ? THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. It gives me great pleasure to report the success of Mr J. T. Job, of this place, who divided the prize of one guinea for the best englyn to Mr J. T. D. Llewelyn, Penllergare, at the National Eisteddfod last week. Mr Job will be a bard of great note like his old teacher, Watcyn Wyn.

SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION FOR THE DEANERY OF ST. CLEARS. A quarterly meeting of this Association was held at the Board School, Whitland, on Satur- day, when 21 members attended, the Rev. D. Pugh Evans, R.D., being in the chair. The following subjects were discussed at con- siderable length :— 1. The reforming the basis of the A ssociatiun. —The Rev. Evan Rowlands objected to the manner in which the Association was conducted at present, and proposed that the subject should be postponed, as the clergyman was not present who had complained that, owing to his having no Sunday school, his people were enticed from him to a Sunday school in a neigh- bouring parish.—It was proposed by the Rev. A. Britten, seconded by the Rev. T. Davies, and carried, that the basis of the Association remain as at present.—Notice was given by Mr John Davies that at the next meeting he would propose the enlargement of the committee by the inclu- sion of all clergy of the deanery.—Rer. D. Pugh gave notice that he would propose an alteration in the system of tickets. 2. The work to be pi-epai-ed for the next Festivals. -Mr John Davies, before proposing a subject for the coming year, wished to defend this grave subject from an attack that had been made upon it by an anonymous writer in THE JOURNAL. With all due deference to that gentleman, he begged to differ from him entirely. While the Psalms hold such a prominent position in our Church service, he considered that a competent knowledge of the life and character of the author of so many of those Psalms was a most fitting subject for Church Sunday schools to undertake. So anxious was he that the Church Service should be thoroughly understood and intelligently joined in that he proposed that the Church's "Services and Seasons" should be the subject for the coming year, and that a plain and simple choral morning service with an easy anthem be prepared for the next festival.—The Rev. E. Rowland spoke in depreciating terms of choral service, and objected to the subject proposed.— The Rev. D. Pugh seconded Mr Davies' proposal, and suggested that Mr Davies should be invited to read at the next meeting of the Association a very excellent lecture which he had prepared on the subject.—The proposal and suggestion were both accepted. 3. The places at which the next Festivals shall be held.-The Rev. E. Rowlands proposed St. Clears for the English schools and Mydrim for the Welish.-Rev. D. Pugh was in favour of Whit- land for the English schools and St. Clears for the Welsh.—Finally, on the proposal of Mr John Davies, seconded by Mr Thomas, of Parke, it was decided that both English and Welsh schools should meet at Pendine. 4. The best means of clearing the debt of A:4 7s. Old. incurred on books, trainers' travelling expenses, &c., for the two festivals held this yeat-. The Rev. Thos. Thomas proposed that a concert should be given.—The Rev. W. Rees saw no objection to such a concert being held at Llan- boidy, when he felt sure that a larger sum than that required could easily be obtained.—The Rev. E. Rowlands demanded to see the accounts, declared them to be cooked," and objected to the payment of the trainers' expenses, stating that a member of the committee had told him the accounts were not properly considered at the last committee meeting.—The Chairman very indig- nantly repudiated the accusation that any of the officials of the Association had been guilty of cooking the accounts," and said that if the member of the committee alluded to had done his duty he would have asked for further con- sideration of the accounts at the committee meeting.—The treasurer (Mr John Davies, of the Bank, St. Clears), then fully explained the accounts, and the Rev. W. Davies (trainer) expressed his readiness to submit every separate item of his expenditure to the ineetitir.-At the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by the Rev. D. Pugh, the warmest thanks of the meeting were given to the Rev. W. Davies for the very valuable assistance he had rendered to the Asso- ciation, and the treasurer was empowered to pay his expenses, each school being asked to contri- bute 5s. towards the deficit. More than half the sum required was collected in the room. Votes of thanks were also accorded to those who had catechised the schools. The following sub- committee was appointed to arrange the work for the coming year :-The Rural Dean, Rev. W. Rees, Rev W. Davies, Mr John Davies, Rev. D. Pugh, Rev. A. Britten, and Rev. E. Rowlands.

LAWN TENNIS. CARMARTHEN V. HAVERFORDWEST. This match, played at Haverfordwest on August 27th, resulted in a win for Carmarthen by nine events to four, seventeen setts to twelre. GENTLEMEN'S DOUBLES. Messrs D. E. Stephens and W. E. Jennings (C) beat Messrs F. and C. Davies (H)-6-3, 6-3. Dr. A. G. Williams and Capt. F. Birch (C) beat Messrs H. Williams and Shettle, (H)-6-2. GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES. Dr. A. G. Williams (C) beat Mr H. Williams (H)-6-5, 6-2. Mr D. E. Stephens (C) beat Mr F. Davies (H)- 6—4, 6—3. Capt. F. Birch (C) beat Mr C. Davies (H)- 6-3,6-3. MIXED DOUBLES. Mr W. E. Jennings and Miss G. Thomas (C) beat Mr H. Williams and Miss Scott (H)-4-6, 6-1,6-0. Mr D. E. Stephens and Miss Lewis (C) beat Mr F. Davies and Miss Shettle (8)-5-6, 6-5, 6-0. Dr. A. G. Williams and Mrs Mortimer (C) beat Mr C. Davies and Miss Williams (H)-5-6, 6-3,6-4. Mr S. Davies and Miss Owen (H) beat Capt. Birch and Mrs Stephens (C)-6-2, 6 -3. LADIES' DOUBLES. Miss Shettle and Miss Scott (H) beat Mrs Stephens and Miss Lewis (C)—6—2, 6-3. Miss Williams and Mrs Storry (H) beat Miss G. Thomas and Mrs Mortimer (0)-6-2, 6-3. LADIES' SINGLES. Miss Williams (H) beat Mrs Mortimer (C)— 6-1, 6-1. Miss G. Thomas (C) beat Miss Shettle (H)- 3-6, 6-3, 7-5.

LLANDOVERY NOTES. (By BIZMO.) Since I wrote to you last week [ have been searching very diligently, but, so far, without success for the rumour still in circulation regard- ing the running" of a newspaper at Llan- dovery. If the statement has any truth in it, it is rather remarkable that those who speak on the matter and take an interest in it are still unable to grope their way out of the quagmire of uncertainty. It seems stranger still, if there is really such a project on foot, that those by whom it is contemplated have not taken greater care if desirous of keeping the affair in darkness until it became an accomplished fact-as they appear to —than they have done. How very funny that an idea of this sort should be mooted in a small place like Llandoverj*, whose number of readers are anything but numerous. It recalls to my mind, with a much more realistic meaning than ever before, the words of the old adage, That wonders never cease." # The season is fast approaching when young folks will be asking anxiously, How shall we amuse ourselves during the long evenings ? I trust that our kind-hearted vicar and his amiable curate, Mr Williams, will this year again answer the question in the same practical and common sense way as they did last year. They spared no pains then to post the rising generation and their seniors well up in Church history in a strictly impartial manner, blending instruction with amusement, and, at the same time, adding to the usefulness of the teaching through aiding the memory by the very excellent magic lantern views they exhibited in connection therewith.

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LLANDOVERY PETTY SESSIONS. These sessions were held in the Town-hall on Friday. The magistrates present were Col. D. E. Jones; Mr E. Jones, Velindre; and Mr George Jones, Ystrad. William Jones, Glansevin Mill, Llangadock, was charged with removing a clipping machine from Llanddewi, near Llangadock, on the 20th August last. Mr H. Alfred Thomas appeared for the police, and Jones was undefended. After having briefly stated the facts of the case, Mr Thomas called upon P.C. James, of Llangadock, who said he attendei a sale at Llanddewi on Tuesday, the 20th of August. At five minutes past four that day he was informed that the clipping machine produced was missing from a case in the saddle room. He found it on the grass on the top of the hedge, about a 100 yards from Llanddewi House. He had previously seen defendant go down the road, stop at that spot, and take some- thing out of his breast or coat pocket-he could not say which—and place it in the hedge. Witness then went to the defendant and asked him if he had been in the stable and the coach- house, and he replied that he had. He then asked him if he had seen anybody taking some- thing away from the saddle room. He answered in the negative. Witness now went back to the I hedge, and defendant to the stable. Mr E. Jones asked if defendant was arrested. Mr Thomas—He was not arrested at all, but a summons was taken out afterwards. Mr E. Jones asked if it was the constable's duty under the circumstances to ask the de- fendant questions. Mr Thomas-Not unless he apprehended him then and there.. Superintendent Phillips was understood to say that it was if he had satisfied himself that there was reasonable cause for arrest. Proceeding, witness said that after finding the missing article he showed it to defendant, who then said he was very sorry. He did not know what made him take it. Defendant—That is totally wrong. Mr Thomas—You don't know anything as to the value of it 1 Witness—One similar to it was sold for 7a. 6d. at the sale that day. The man said that this was the best of the two. Col. J ones- Yon say that one of this descrip- tion was sold for 7s. 6d. That is not the value new. Mr George Jones—They are a good deal cheaper now than they used to be. In answer to a question Mr Thomas said that Capt. Croxton was the owner of the clipping machine. Mr E. Jones—But it is the police that prose- cute in this case 1 Mr Thomas—Yes. Defendant here said he was very sorry that he had to come before the Bench. Several of them had been playing with each other iu the saddle room cutting each other's whiskers, Ac. Evan Davies for one was with them. He did not intend taking the machine away, but only to play a trick upon his companions. When he saw Mr James he put it in the hedge. He intended tak- ing it back again. John Davies, the next witness called, said he identified the machine by certain marks running athwart it on the part nearest the handle. A person named Evan Davies was examined on behalf of defendant with a "iew to corrobora- ting a statement made previously by him to the. effect that he had confided to him that he in- tended playing a trick. This witness, however, y said he had nothing to say, only that he saw the machine being manipulated on the defendant's whiskers to see how it would work at Llanddewi saddle roont." He did not see defendant take it away. They all had it in their hands, but he (wit- ness) was in doubt as to whether defendant put it down. He left the stable before defendant. He also said that he took it away to try it on a horse. P.C. James, in reply to the Bench, said no charge had been brought against defendant before. A penalty of J61 and costs was inflicted. ASSAULT. Henry Stamp, a horsedealer, was charged by Mrs Margaret Lewis, Orchard-street, with assault- ing her. Defendant did not appear. Witness said that she was going to the Wheat Sheaf tc fetch a pint of beer on the 9th of Inst month, when defendant, who was sitting on a chair immediately behind the folding doors that lead from the passage to the kitchen, put out his foot and tripped her. She asked him what he was doing, and he jumped up and tried to put his two hands about her throat to choke her. He also gave her a kick in the side. She then got behind R. Havard, and afterwards took out a summons against defendant. R. Havard said he happened to be in the Wheat Sheaf on the night in question. Stamp was sitting by the door, having only just come in. 9 In, Mrs Lewis came in with a little tin jug in her hand. As she was coming in defendant threw out his foot and she screamed. Witness did not know whether he kicked her. He saw him move his foot. Complainant was frightened and tumbled over to witness. Mr E. Jones-Did she complain of being hurt ? ° R. Havard—She ecreamed out murder at the time, sir. He did not see defendant take hold of her throat, but he saw him raise his arm and exclaim, What are you screaming at 1" He was in liquor at the time. Mr Phillips said that dfendant had been con- victed 18 or 20 times. He had been convicted for assaults on the police, but mostly for drunk- enness. Defendant was fined a sovereign, or, in default, committed for 14 days.

CONVERSATION. If we talked only when we had something worth saying, and then said it in the best and simplest words in our vocabulary, we should add a deal to the value of our conversation. We meet plenty of talkative people, but few good talkers. We think it a great mistake so to repress children that they are not allowed to join in the family conversation, but it is equally a mistake to Jet them interrupt the conversation of their elders. It is, however, well when they interest themselves in sensible or instructive talk. The chief disadvantage of repressing children is that it is apt to render them awk- wardly bashful. There is no doubt that bashful- ness is usually the result of excessive self-con- sciousness, which is, after all, but a form of vanity-one who talks to interest others without considering himself, is never bashful. To begin with, the voice should be agreeable. Harsh tones must be modified, clearness of utterance cultivated, and women especially should endeavour to attain A low, sweet voice, An excellent thing in woman." The language should be carefully chosen affectation is vulgar, besides which it has an insincere sound little calculated to inspire con- fidence or friendship. Never be ashamed of talking plain English, but do not abuse it by using vulgar words or current slang. Thackeray said that there was gentlemanly slang as well as vulgar slang, but the two are so inextricably mixed that is difficult to tell one from another. Therefore it is best to avoid either. If girls knew the abominably low origin of many slang phrases that they so glibly repeat, we think they would drop them in disgust. One may use expressive speech without the least approach to slang. ==

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THE MILFORD DOCKS COMPANY. The ordinary half-yearly meeting of this com- pany was held on Thursday (29th ult.), at No. 112, Fenchurch-street, London. Mr Thomas Wood presidec, and in moving the adoption of the report and accounts referred to the work which had been got through at the docks, which he said were now in a condition to receive some of the largest ships afloat. The entrance channel was now clear to a depth of 34 feet. The work of lengthening the dry dock to the proposed 600 feet had also been proceeded with, and the work had so far advanced that, if required, the dock could be used at. short notice for the accommodation of vessels 450 feet lone. The necessary accommodation has been made for all cargoes and traffic. The fish trade had grown with great rapidity, and had become a business of a very important character, and it bid fair to materially increase the prosperity of Milford. It was with great satisfaction they were able to announce that the company had now direct com- munication between the dock quays and the lines of the Great Western Company. Mr Fitz-Herbert Wright seconded the motion. In the discussion on the report, Mr Bradford (Milford Haven Estate and Railway Company) asked the following questions :-Will it be neces- sary to raise any further capital for the purpose of completing the docks, including the dry dock, and, if so, how is it proposed to be raised? What further amount of money is now necessary to complete the docks ? When do you anticipate securing American traffic, and what steps have been taken for that purpose, and how have thay progressed up to the present moment ? Is it a fact the earning power of the docks for the last six mouths was only about 2700, and the cost of earning that amount nearly £1,806 ? Mr Nelson, another shareholder, put several questions, in which he wished to know if the directors had done all they could with the object of bringing to Milford various liners. If, he said, they had done all they could, and had failed, they were not to blame, but if they had taken no steps, a very serious responsibility rested upon them. Mr C. E. Newbon (deputy-chairman), with the permission of the chairman, replied to the queries. He said Mr Carbon (who, the last speaker men- tioned, was going to build eight ships of 12,000 tons burden, at a cost each of £250,000, to run from Long Island to some port on the weat coast of Ireland) had not been lost sight of, and the same remark applied to the proposed Canadian Pacific line In all these matters they must have patience. Referring to Mr Bradford's questions, he did not think that answering them would carry them much further, nor did he think it was desirable to lay such information on the table at a public meeting. He thought, on the whole, everything was vastly satisfactory- more so than even Mr Bradford could have expected in so short a time. The fishing trade, which Mr Bradford spoke disparagingly of at the last meet- ing, had, at all events, enabled them to get a certain amount of money to cover working ex- penses. Mr Bradford did not press for the figures, although he thought it would have been better if the directors had informed the shareholders whether it would be necessary to apply for powers to raise further capital to complete the docks. He himself was of opinion that £ 100,000 would be necessary for the purpose. He complained that the board should have spent between 93,000 and 94,000 in making their connection with the Great Western when his own line could have been connected with the docks for about 1:50. He held to his opinion about the fish trade, as the docks were not constructed for that class of trade, and said that if proper steps had been taken, the petroleum trad., which had gone to Barrow, would have come to Milford. Mr Birt, a director, maintained that the cir- cumstances of the company were better than they ever were before. In making the connection with the Great Western the board had to con- sider the interests of the Milford Dock Company, and not those of the Milford Estate Company. It was true they have spent over E3,000 in making the connection, but that amount would soon be recouped by the rebate on charges which the Great Western had undertaken to make (hear, hear). Captain Darke, a director, assured Mr Brad- ford that efforts had been made to obtain the petroleum trade, but without success. Mr Birt said if they obtained the petroleum trade, they would never get the transatlantic steamers, as the City of Paris, for instance, would never lie alongside a vessel which had on board 10,000 barrels of petroleum (laughter). The report and accounts were then adopted, and the proceedings terminated.

SOME WELSH CHARACTERISTICS. At an eisteddfod held at Cardiff on Monday last, Major Jones, the American Consul, made use of the following remarks respecting the national character of our countrymen "In order to ascertain the inner life of a nation we must examine, not the speeches of great men nor the works of great authors, but we must go to the playgrounds and examine the pastimes and recreations of the people. Germans have their shooting matches, and go to their beer gardens for dancing and singing; the Spaniards have their bull fights, the Italians their carnival, while the French visit cafes to discuss the social and political problems of the day. The English people have football and cricket for the masses they have hunting and other sports for the various grades of society, but the Welsh people find their pastime and recreation in intellectual exercises. Matthew Arnold said 'The common people of Wales show something Greek in them, something spiritual, something human, some- thing I am afraid one must add which in the common people of England is not to be found.' Dr. Thirwall, the late Bishop of St. David's, corroborated the testimony when he said, It is a most remarkable feature in the history of the common people, and such as is to be said of no other people than the Welsh, that they have centred their national recreation in literature and musical competition.' There is something Olympic in these competitions. If a man wishes to be successful in this life, he must become expert in his own subject, or he will be left behind in the race, and if those who enter into competitions at eisteddfodau wish to win, they must practise. Whatever may be said in regard to the Welsh people, intellectually or physically, they have the best voices of any people in Europe. They have proved their excellence in choral singing, and the other day there was a splendid orchestral competition at Brecon. It was thought somewhat infra dig. for Dr. Parry to take an orchestra to Brecon to compete for the prize. But Dr. Parry, by taking an orchestra to Brecon, set a premium upon orchestral music in the Principality. I believe it will be the means of directing the attention of the Welsh people to orchestral music, and that, possibly, the number of orchestras that would compete in future will be largely increased by the fact that their first musician had stooped down to conduct an orchestra at the National Eisteddfod."

LIGHT RAILWAYS iOR WALES. The Cardiganshire County Council has decided, in conjunction with the adjoining Councils, to approach the Government for the purpose of IIrg- ing a scheme for a system of light railways, to be constructed by aid of Government loans or other- wise. In taking up the matter, the Government would not be making a new departure, as nearly all European Governments are owners of railways, and the principle has just been recognised by our own administration in the case of Ireland. The surplus wealth of Wales is very small, and under present conditions it would be next to impossible to form a company to construct the necessary railways. The great English companies remain inactive, because they can see no prospect of immediate gain, though there is little doubt that such a system as that referred to, if cheaply constructed and economically managed, would more than pay expenses. At any rate, the question has greater claim upon the attention of county councillors and members of Parliament than many so-called schemes of reform,-Cunnty Council Gazette. f

WELSHMEN IN BRITTANY M. Renan recently received at his country residence, Rosmapamon, an interesting visit from the Welsh Archaeological Association, who have been exploring Brittany. The excursionists were introduced by Professor John Rhys, Celtic Professor at Oxford University. In reply M Renan made a speech, pointing out the common origin of the U elsh and the Britons. Here are a few extract-% "When I went to London a few years ago. Lord Tennyson told me a curious anecdote. Taking a tour through Brittany, as you are doing now, he spent a night at Llannion. When he called for his bill in the morning, the woman who kept the inn refused to receive a penny, re- marking, Oh, no, sir. Have yon not been the bard of our King Arthur ? This innkeeper was evidently an educated woman, and I should say her case was an exceptional one. But when our sailors go to Cardiff, they can easily understand your countrymen, and have no difficulty in making themselves understood. You, yourself, M. Rhys, have sooken with nnr "IOn. and understand all they say, while they, with a few exceptions, can easily follow you. That is not to be wondered at, for the people of this district originally came from Cardigan, so that Mr Rhys and that town are in a measure relatives. (Here M Renan and the professor shook hands.) I have often said to myself that if the storms which our unfortunate country, France, has to go through compelled me to seek refuge in England —not that it is likely, as I am an old man—I should take advantage of it, were it but to remind the public of the old law of Edward the Confessor, 0 -5 • exacts ^at those who come from Lesser Britain must be received as good and true citoyens of this realm, because they once departed from the body of this realm.' In those days the teachings of history were not forgotten. After all we have not change I much. We are an obstinate race, always behind our times. Our good old saints were very obstinate, too. All those good old Breton saints, all of Welsh or Irish origin, are the special objects of my devotion. I do not like modern saints. I consider they are teo intolerant." M. Renan was loudly cheered by his Welsh visitors, among whom were Archdeacon Allen, the Yen C. C. Edinondei, Principal of St. David's College, Mr Davies, and Mr E. Sidney Hartland, Swansea. The Evening Standard of the 2nd inst makes the following comments on M. Renan's speech :— 0 It is likely that M. ttenan is acquainted with the works of Thomas Wright, who was almost as weli known to French AS to English <*utjfjuari#nsj and perhaps was more intelligently honoured' p But the great living scholar may well have over- looked his impressive observations and remarks upon the Welsh. Mr Wright did not pursue that branch of archaeology, but a man of such broad reading and quick preception must needs form views more or less distinct, upon any great historic question within his field. The pleasant speech delivered by M. Renan to his visitors would have roused him like a trumpet. Painful enough Mr Wright would have found it to hear such a distinguished authority assume, as a matter of course, that the Bretons came from Wales but to identify the very district of the Principality where the present inhabitants of it certain French commune had their aboriginal seat—that audacious heresy might rouse the gentlest of philosophers to passion. Amongst the powerful arguments adduced by Mr Wright to prove that the Welsh came from Brittany, about the time of the English Conquest, was that identity of language which M. Renan insisted on. It is certainly curious that the Bretons and the Welsh everywhere should perfectly understand each other, while the Gaelic and the Erae are unintelligible to both. M. Renan explains the striking fact, apparently, by an universal migration from Wales, of which we have no evidence something, indeed, is told us cf a great migration from Cornwall, but Cornish and BretMii were hardly more alike than Breton and and Gaelic. Mr Wright, upon the other hand reversed this explanation, carrying the Bretons into Wales. And if there be no written evidence to support this view either, it is buttressed by such circumstantial arguments as made even Lady Charlotte Guest pause awhile.

HOW PEN DRAGON CLEARED THE GATE. I once owed the rare combination of a good hack and hunter, in the person of a charming little Cornish horse-" Pen Dragon by name -whom I rode for several years, and who ended his career, full of years and honour, in his eighteenth season. His only fault was self- assertion he would be first at every fence, if he pulled one's arms off to get there. It became a recognised fact amongst my hunting friends that when he was in the field ho was to give every one the lead-which I must say he did in very good style, rarely making a mistake. Little Drag, as we affectionately called him, was certainly a very remarkable jumper, for on one occasion he undoubtedly cleared a turnpike gate with a two-wheeled basket carriage behind him. He performed this feat under the following cir- cumstances :-He was being driven home°by a stable-lad one winter's evening just as it was growing dark. Before long he overtook another horse trotting in front of him this irritated him and speedily roused his habitual determination to be first. He. accordingly shot forward at a sharp gallop, which presently became a bolt. The turnpike gate, closed and bolted for the night then came into view. He saw in it only an ordinary fence, at which he must, of course, be first, so he merely re-doubled his pace. The terrified stable-boy shouted loudly the be- wildered gate-keeper, seeing the state of affairs, and hoping to prevent an accident, made an at- tempt to open the gate, but it was too late, so the unfortunate boy shut his eyes, no doubt mentally wrote to his friends," and huna on to the reins like grim death. An upward bound, a horrible jolt, a jarring crash, and he found him- self neither killed nor insensible, but still in the cart, and safely in the road again, with the gate behind him, and little Dragon sobering into a walk. It seems scarcely conceivable, but horse, cart, and occupant had got over the gate with but little damage to it or themselves. That they had so passed there is no doubt, for though the boy could give no account of himself, the wheel- marks and the splintering of the wood on the top bar of the gate showed that the cart had really gone over it. The startled old gate-keeper, too, added his testimony in the most convincing fashion When I saw that horse and them two red lights a-flyin' over me," he said, I why I knew it must be t'ould gintleman hisself."

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