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gliTL>»1i ....&. YESTERDAY…
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gl iTL>» .&. YESTERDAY AND TO-DAY; OR THE DECLINE AND FALL OF THE BRITISH EfilPIRE [BY J. W. JONES CREMLYN]. .L _1 When Gibbon, sealeu in the garden of a villa j at Lausanne, on the Lake of Geneva, began writing his great book on the Decline and Fate of the Roman Empire centuries had elapsed jince the sovereignty about which he wrote in his stupendous and com- prehensive work had com- pleted its process of de- cay, and had sunk into that eternal oblivion from which it emerges only in the literature and traditions of these times. But this is not the case to-day with our British Empire. It has only just entered upon the first stage of its decline and fall, but commenced to move —slowly but surely—down the steep incline. The disastrous period of 1906 marked by the entry of the present so-called Liberal Government, the occur- rences of that general election and the result of the last, the prodigal waste of enthusiasm that has usurped common sense—the wild unreasoning re- actionary spirit that has dominated the country during the last few years speak ill for, and is opposed to the possibility of England recovering for a long time the wisdom she possessed when, under the direction of the great statesmen of the past, she was honoured, and respected, and feared in every quarter of the globe. "I am an English citizen" was in those days a more potent passport than even its prototype "civis Romanus sum." The claims and rights of the Britisher were paramount to the privileges of the Roman. The extension of the franchise marks a change. It has put votes into the hands of a class easily swayed by mob oratory, and influenced mainly by the specious arguments and vulvar abuse of frothy demagogues; a class moved by every breath of hurried air that blows across the political horizon, carried haphazard down paths about the direction and termination of which they do not know any- thing; degenerate persons who unite but for one purpose the ruin and degradation of their country, and who congregating together in one herd rush like the Gadarene swine down the steep places of rashness into a sea of confusion. They borrow the weakness and folly of the Athenians of old. No sacrifice is too great for a new sensation, anything for change and novelty, and if the model of Athens is too weak-or too ancient-become almost French- like in their hystrical desire to participate in the immaterial, childish, unstable joys of the moment. It was the extension of the franchise in 1884 that added to the Irish constituencies the most ignorant and credulous of the Irish peasantry with a result that at the General Election of 1885 the members of the Home Rule Party increased to ou, who, as it afterwards appeared, held in their hands the fate of the Conservative Ministry, and returned Mr. Gladstone to office at the head of a great majority. Before the extension of the franchise the fate of a government was in the hands of men capable of, and qualified to, exercise wisdom and discretion in tho choice of their rulers, a too extended franchise places the fate of an administration in the hands of persons frequently incapable of judging not only of the ability of statesmen to perform the duties allot- ted to them, but incapable also of understanding upon what side their bread is buttered. Irish Home Rule will-if it ever comes to pass- be another powerful factor towards the declines of the Britsh Ernuire, and yet this is a measure which the present Government is pledged to carry out. Notwithstanding Mr. Gladstone's failure to pass a Home Rule Bill, it must not be forgotten that when speaking at Knowslev, October 27, 1881, upon the Irish Question, he said— "It is a great issue, it is a conflict for the very first elementary principles upon which civil society is constituted. It is idle to talk of either law, or order, or liberty, or religion, or civiliza- tion. if these gentlemen (the Irish members) are to carry through the reckless and chaotic schemes they have devised. Rapine is their first object, but ranine is not their only object. It is perfectly true that they wish to march through rapine to the disintegration and dismemberment of the Empire. Mr. Gladstone was at that time about 71—at the very zenith of his great intellectual powers-these were not the empty vapourings of an inexperienced, untried political adventurer, but the solemn, de- liberate opinion of a Prime Minister of England with over fortv years of strenuous public service in the highest offices of the tate, to give force and weight to his pregnant words, and yet this was the man who, five year., later, introduced the Home Rule Bill. As regards FOREIGN AFFAIRS, the policy of Con- servative administrations has always been charac- terised by greater breadth of mind, and been more farseeing than that of the Liberals. No function of Government is of more importance to the welfare of the nation than the conduct of foreign affairs and the defence of the Empire. It is the want of regard to these imperative matters that have from time to time imperilled our national existence. The policy of the Liberal Government from 1880 to 1885 is a dark chapter of deplorable events in British history. In Asia they abandoned Candahar and got into trouble with Russia on the Afgan Frontier, and then they surrendered Majuba to the Boers; the ultimate result being the great South African War. Then Gordon was sent to Khartoum, and there slaughtered, after which the Soudan was abandoned, to our indelible disgrace. I think class distinctions should always be jealously maintained. I am not, however, an advo- cate of hereditary legislation, nor of the appoint- ment, to responsible berths under Government of men whose only claim to distinction is their posses- sion of a title, but nothing will persuade me that I if a man who is of good birth and education, com- bines with these advantages great intellectual gifts, he will not as a statesman and administrator prove himself immeasurably superior to a man of humble origin, who cherishes none of those noble sentiments and lofty ideals that animate superior race. It is for this reason that I regard with appre- hension the raising of labour candidates-and others very little removed therefrom—to Cabinet rank. Such infringement of prerogative tend to a loss of dignity in the Councils of the State. If no titles were .ever bestowed as a reward for adherence to party we should have a far more honestly-conducted Constitution. It is the indifference manifested 1\0 Imperial interests and the truckling to mere party interest because of the prizes awarded that contributes so largely to arrest progress and impede wholesome Constitutional measures of reform. 'Switzerland is a striking example of a countrjy where there is nothing to be hoped for individually by an exhibition of patriotic zeal. It is the be- stowal of titles for insufficient services, or rather for a blind devotion to party that is so discreditable to our system of Government. Another matter that still agitates our minds is the question of the Fiscal Policy. It must be re- membered that Protection means the lessening of local and Imperial taxation. The revenue derived from Protection enables the government of a country to dispense with much of the revenue de- rived from local and Imperial taxation. In many of the Cantons of Switzerland, for instance, there is no local taxation, the revenue derived from pro- tective tariffs, postal rates, and Government rail- ways being amply sufficient to meet the expenses of Government, and all that is necessary to the well- being of the Confederation. There are no beggars to be seen anywhere in a Swiss town, and a still more decisive proof of Swiss prosperity is the fact that thev have a far larger general trade, per head of population than any other country in Europe, not excluding Great Britain. And yet they are a country severely protected. Unless we adopt similar methods our commercial supremacy will cer- tainly go. As for Education it should be remembered by the poorer classes of the community that it was Lord Salisbury's Conservative Government whicfi conferred upon them free education. It is to two things we owe the present situation- Mr. Gladstone's extension of the Franchise, and the over-educating of the masses. The extended franchise qualified men of limited understanding to vote, and so-called education confusing and be- wildering their judgment causes them to vote, not calmly and impartially, but with a prejudice en- gendered by having acquired learning of superficial, injurious and misleading character. A little learning is a dangerous thing." Naturally having acquired a smattering of political information, having learnt that the dignity of manual labour is a delusion and a myth, that muscular effort as a means of earning a living is to be depreciated, imagining that they possess abilities so exceptional that it is their duty to cultivate them, the youth of to-dav, both male and female, consumed with vain ambitions, instead of going through the good old curriculum, together with a sound technical instruc- tion in the rudiment of some trade, aim at some- thing higher and delude themselves into the belief that they are destined in after life to do something immeasurably superior to that which in the past days of our national power and strength, gave steady, continuous employment to their parents. This cramming is a cursed system both to the in- dividual and to the nation. It fills our youth with information, much of which will be forgotten almost as soon as it is acquired, and which. at all events, is of comparatively little use to people in the station of life from which the majority of the scholars come. One or two exceptional boys may benefit and rise superior to their class, but even so, a national system of education should not be foun- ded for the exceptional but for the majority. To- day you are making boys sick of school, and only too glad to escape from it as soon as they can qualify for the standard that grants them exemption. Then they are turned out and pass from the country to the towns to swell the great army of the un- employed. No sane mah objects to learning, but the fact is we have too many feigned, fictitious, arti- ficial, spurious, pseudo systems disguised under the title of elementary or secondary education. True education would form character, instil discipline, strengthen and enlighten the understanding, and so equip men and women for usefulness in their future stations. The grinding cramming method of to-day produces forced repression on the one hand, and unnatural stimulation on the other. Instead of broadening the mind it narrows and perverts it- in place of strengthening the intellect it weakens the brain. It scoffs at religion and extols scepticism. Originality is crushed and eliminated, and above all a false exotic idea of life and its purpose created and encouraged. In another twenty years, if things progress at the present rate there will be few men who have ac- quired a good, useful, honest trade. Manual labour will be tabooed, there will be no agricultural labourers, and no domestic servants, except, perhaps, here and there, under a glass case, in some museum, preserved in spirits of wine. "A little learning is a dangerous thing" when its possessors have not the wisdom to apply it wisely. There is no doubt that in the rise of the so-called Labur Party, and the appointment of Mr. John Burns to the Presidency of the Local Government Board, the rank and file of the people imagine themselves to be emancipated from all those restric- tions of class and culture that prevented their rising to the highest positions in the State. Whole- some and honest ambition is all very well, but for a day labourer whose intellect dofes not equal his assurance, to turn politician is, when one considers the multiplicity of the people who are now qualified to vote, a serious menace to the supremacy of an Empire that owes its existence to the untiring mental efforts of birth, intclLeot, and profound ability. Too much relaxing of authority is assuredly a danger to the State. You cannot have liberty without, restraint; too much political freedom must be a blunder since the blind exercise of it will re- taliate on the very people for whose welfare the Government should be and are responsible. During recent years an enormous number of "Labour" candidates have been returned to Parliament". Now the direct representation of labour can only be de- sirable in cases where they are required to deal with local administration, or with matters of home policy. With regard to foreign or Imperial policy, whatever good use can a labour member be.' "What can they know of England who only England know ?"' Take the group of Labour members to-day. Their environment necessarily is a confined and narrow one. In almost every case they have very little general, practical grip of politics. They know little of the science of government, so essential to the governors of our world-wide Empire, and yet circumstances have placed them, together with the Irish group, masters of the situation, in a position where they can neutralize the entire operations of His Majesty's Government. It is this fact that, in my opinion, may ring the death-knell of our supremacy since I do not For a moment believe that to have the affairs of the country conducted by such insular, untried, one-sided adherents can possibly conduce to its pros- perity and strength. Are the Irish and Labour members to govern us? Can we look forward with equanimity to a coalition government with Mr. John Redmond as Prime Minister, Keir Hardie as Chancellor of the Exchequer, Barnes as First Lord of the Admiralty, and others placed in similar positions of equal responsibility; one as Secretary of State for India, another for the Colonies; some honourable member who has just emerged from a carpenter's shQp at the War Office, and another im- ported direct from a coal mine and dumped down at the Foreign Office in charge of our Foreign policy! To bring in these gentlemen you have only to allow Socialism to have full scope and many of the present Government and also the heads of the Opposition would be disinclined to continue as mem- bers of a Government, or, indeed, of a Parliament composed of such remarkable statesmen. The Parliament of England-like the Congress of the United States of America—would fail to attract what was brightest and best in the nation, and would become the asylum of second-rate snob ora- tors shrieking for a collective system, for an imprac- ticable fantasy, opposed to human nature, human experience, or economic reason. And in such manner would the decline and fall of the Empire progress.
CARMARTHEN BOARD OF GUARDIANS
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CARMARTHEN BOARD OF GUARDIANS The Carmarthen Board of Guardians held its fortnightly meeting at the Board-room of the Work- house on Saturday. Mr. John Jones, The Plas, presided. There were also present: Messrs. John Williams and D. H. Davies, Abergwili; H. Walters, Llandeiieilog; E. Davies, Llangunnock; E. Wiliiarns, LlanfihaAgel; John Lewis, Llangendeirne; David Phillips, Llangunnor; Griffith Morris, Llanpump- saint; John Francis, Llanstephan; T. Davies, Merthyr; D. Edwards, Newchurch; W. H. Thomas, Mydrim; D. John, St. Clears; Mfss White, the Rev. A. Fuller Mills, Messrs. J. P. Lewis and L. A. Rogers, Carmarthen. REPORTS. The Master's report stated that the Rev. E. G. Turner, Welsh Wesleyan Church, conducted DIvmc Service at the House on the 20th ult., and Mr. T. Harries on the 27th. The number of inmates in the house on the last day of the week was 73 as against 82 for the corresponding period last year. 'lhc number of casual paupers relieved during the fort- night was 140 as against 137 for the corresponding period last year. The reports of the relieving officers showed the amount of outdoor relief distributed during the fortnight ended on the previous Board-day to have been as follows:—First week: boo paupers, a de- crease of 26 as compared (with the corresponding week last year; expenditure, L139 10s. 7d.; a de- crease of 5s. 3d. Second week: 954 paupers, a de crease of 17; expenditure, L130 lis. 6d.; a decrease of £ 4 lis. 6d. The Treasurer's report showed the balance in hand on the previous Board-day to have been £ 3,040 16s. COUNTY COUNCIL PRECEPTS. The Clerk reported the receipt of a precept from the County Council for £1,956 Os. 4d. on the rurai parishes, being at the rate of 4d. in the JS, and £ 18C 16s. 6d. on St. Peter, being at the rate of Id. 11 the E. Mr E. A. Rogers said that he did not think thor. was any need for the Intermediate School to have taken another field. They had a very good fiel, before. The Chairman—Perhaps there will be a changr after the election. THE BUILDING CONTRACT. The Building Committee reported that they hac had some further correspondence with Mr. Rees- Davies. They declined to refer the accounts to ar bitration or to re-open the matter. Mr. J. P. Lewis asked if this was according tc the agreement. a 0 Mr. E. A. Rogers said that they had paid M Rees Davies B150 over and above 1110 sum allowed by the Architect. The report was adopted.
Rural District Council
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Rural District Council The monthly meeting of the Carmarthen Rural District Council was held at the Carmarthen Guild- hall on Saturday at 1.30.—Mr. John Lewis presided. | APPROVAL. j The Local Government Board wrote approving of j the appointment of Mr. W. E. Jones, as sanitary 5 inspector, at a salary of £ 80 a year. > WATER SUPPLIES. The Local Government Board wrote stating uiai they would hold a public enquiry into the proposa, to borrow £ 2,600 for the purposes of a water supply at Gorslas. The Board declined to accept the re- sponsibility of appointing an arbitrator as provideci in the agreement. Mr. Gomer Henry presented a plan for the water supply of Carway. These were approved. TRIMMING HEDGES. Mr. E. Morgan (Surveyor) reported that several occupiers had not complied with the notice to cut their hedges. Mr. E. Davies (Llangunnock) said that all should be treated alike. There were some hedges winch, iiad not been cut iince the formation of the Council. Mr. Edwards (Newchurch) said that the bes. thing would be to give the Surveyors discretion to prosecute in the worst cases. This was agreed to. ALLEGED ENCROACHMENT. Mr. E. Morgan (Surveyor) reported that Mr Davies, Morfa, tit. Clears, had enclosed a piece oi roadside land at Morfabach. Mr. Davies wrote stating that the land was inea -ured with the field in the ordinance mans. The Surveyor said that there was a piece of open .and on the other side of the road. If they allowec -his to be enclosed, they would have to allow tin other also, and then there would be no room for L itone depot. One person informed him that it wa: 1 good thing to enclose this, as it gave great troublt to those who were driving cattle along the road. Mr. John Jones asked if all these places did no jelong to the Council. » The Clerk said that they formed part of the high- way. Mr. Griffith Morris said that it was time they ook such matters up. Ho knew cases in which enough land to build a house on had been enclosee. Mr. Brazell proposed and Mr. Francis seconde: t,hr. t a local committee visit the place and report. The matter was referred to the following co. mittee: Mr. B. R. Thomas, Mr. Bedford, Mr. W. Rets, and Mr. Dd. John. FERRYSIDE WATER. SUPPLY. The Committee which had visited Ferryside re- ported that there must be some obstruction in the pipe from Tucker's Well to the main, and they sug- gested this should be attended to. The valve regu- lating the supply to the Cliff should be removed. This report was adopted.
.» THE MUSIC OF YOUR BLOOD…
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» THE MUSIC OF YOUR BLOOD Have you ever heard your Blvca Have you c-ve, j/ut one of those large sea-s.ieiis to your eai alio Ileard what children say is the sound oi tne S, die "music of the waves"; Well, that is realty the sound of your blood-as it circulates—echoed in the empty shell. Try it at any time and you will hnd that your blocd is always flowing. That is Nature's way of constantly carrying the nourishment from well-digested food to every part of your body. But what happens when your food is not digested? In- stead of carrying nourishment, your blood carries the foul products of Indigestion to every part of your system. No wonder you then have pains all over, headaches, a sense of langour, depression of spirits and a tired-out feeling. You can only be well again when your stomach is restored to working order, enabled to digest food perfectly. Mother Seigel's Syrup, the great herbal tonic, tones and strengthens the stomach, and stimulates the action of the liver and bowels. Thus, it makes food nourish you, purifies your blood and keeps you in vigorous health. Mr. Frank Rogers, of Parsonage Cottages, Catherington. near Horndean, Hants., writes:- "About three years ago I found myself unable to eat without suffering terrible pain across my chest. This went on for several weeks, growing worse all the time. To avoid the pain, I ate so little that I became almost too weak to work. I suffered also from sleeplessness, the pain at my chest troubling ne by night as well as day. I made up my mind to ry Mother Seigel's Syrup. I took three bottles and was then quite free of pain and able to eat without fear. From that day to this I have been as well as a man need be." If ycur system is being poisoned by the foul jroducts of Indigestion, you will have trouble, as Mr. Rogers had, until the cause is removed. Mother ieigel's Syrup promptly and surely removes the 'è1use and thus restores health and strength. The 2 6 bottle contains 3 times as much as the i/Lsd. Size.
AMMANFORD
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AMMANFORD GAS BILL OPPOSITION WITHDRAWN.—The Opposi- ion to the Ammanford Gas Bill when before a Com- nirtee of the Lords has been withdrawn.
---AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM GENERAL…
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AUTOGRAPH LETTER FROM GENERAL SIR THOMAS PICTON. Written from Linheres, Portugal, August 8th, 1810, to his valued friend, Joseph Marryat Esq MP Bucclesbury, London:— LIXHERES, 8th August, 1810. My dear Sir, In consequence of the surrender of Cuidad Roderigo, and the advance of the enemy, with very superior forces, we have withdrawn from the line of the Coa which is no longer defensible, and the Army is now cantonned about 35 miles in the rear cf that River, in the neighbourhood of Alerico. By this movement we have gained two objects: we have trans- ferred the theatre of operations to a more enclosed country where numbers will lose many of their ad- vantages, and we have secured the reunion of the different corps of the Army, whenever events may render such an event desirable. The enemy certainly show little Disposition to force us to a general action; by a rapid movement, im- mediately after the surrender of Cuidad Roderigo they might have compelled us to fight upon ground much less advantageous to us that what we now occupy. They advance with great caution, and leavo as little as possi- ble to Fortune. This campaign will be spun out for some months yet, and there will probably be a great deal of hard fighting before the Enemy will be able to reach the neighbourhood of Lisbon; but as their losses will be supplied by continual reinforcements, and we shall be daily diminishing in number, without any hopes of suc- cour, it is clear that they must eventually succeed. With this view of the subject we are throwing away immense sums of money to no useful purpose; and all we can expect are a few barren sprigs of laurel for our labours and treasure. I have not heard a word f;0iU Trinidad since I have been in this miserable country, and I am, in consequence, desirous of knowing in how my affairs are going on there, particularly those of tho UNION. I have had several attacks of the Walcheran Fever since I have been in this country, but have latterly en- joyed good health. The climate of this country, particularly of the interior is very bad, and more variable than that of England. The Troops in general are now much exposed to slight fevers, and, I may say that fully 10 per cent. of them are now hors do combat in consequence. I hope Mrs. and all your family have had good health to enjoy the air and amusements of the country. Pray offer them my best wsihes. My dear Sir, Very faithfully yours, „ THOMAS PICTON. J. Marryat, Esq. [Our photograph shows the first folio and the signature -of the above letter, the original of which is in the possession of Mr. T. E. Brigstockc, 10, Spilman-street, by whose courtesy it is reproduced here.]
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HENRY THOMAS & SONS' EARLY —Spring Fashions IMPORTANT DISPLAY IN ALL DEPARMENTS, Including the Newest and Smartest Designs in MILLINERY AND COSTUMES HENRY THOMAS & SONS, 2, GUILDHALL SQUARE, CARMARTHEN. 1810-1910. "I do remember an Apothecary And hereabouts he dwells. The most historic CHEMIST SHOP in SOUTH Wales. Established as a Chemist, Shon in 1810 bv the late D. L. MORTIMER, and carried on as such, right up to the present. Depot for the CELEBRATED CROUP & COUGH MIXTURE j The SPECIFIC For WHOOPING COUGH & CROUP in Children. 1!1 and 2/9. Mortimer's Pile and Gravel Pills, IN BOXES. 1/15 and 2/9. Dr. Hopkins' Celebrated Toothache Pills, IN BOXES. and 2/9. y Dr. Hopkins Gout aid Rheumatic Pills, IN BOXES. 1/H and 2 9 Arthur's. "Cura Tuss, The unrivalled Remedy for" COUGHS. COLDS and BRONCHITIS. In Bottles, 1/1* and 5^ The above are prepared only by ARTHUR ARTHUR, CHEMIST AXD PHARMACIST, 5 axd 6, NOTT SQUARE, CARMARTHEN. SPECIAL OFFER BY THE NORTH BRITISH CO., CARMARTHEN For their noted BLENDED TEA at is. 6d. per lb. 2 lbs. for 3 3; 5 lbs. for 7 9. Post paid. Sond for sample order. Sure to please. L6ip. Illuminated Addresses and Testimonials (in Picture and Album Forms) designed and executed (all handwork) by J. FRANCIS LLOYD, 9 Picton Terrace, Carmarthen Who has supplied Addresses for Presentation to the late Queen Victoria and to King" Edward VII. Specimen Photographs, -,Y' th Prices, forwarded on application. "A Veritable Work of Art."—"Western Mail. The Address to tho late Queen was placed FIRST in order of merit at the Exhibition in the Imperial Institute, 1891. (101
NOTABLE IMPLEMENT DEALERS
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NOTABLE IMPLEMENT DEALERS MR. WILLIAM THOMAS, OF CARMARTHEN 'In pursuance of our custom C)f presenting tho readers of "Tho Review" from time to time"" with the portraits and biographical sketches of men of note in the implement and m achinerv world, who will not have lived in vain, but who, when thev have to pass away, will at l.east have the satisfac- tion of having led useful li ves, and of having left the world a little better from an industrial and commercial point of vic;w than thev found it, we have great pleasure on the present occasion m ^fore our readers tho likeness of Mr. William-ihomas, of Carmarthen, one of the lead- ing agricultural imploir ent and machinery (lealer, of the United Kingdc m. A well-known firm of agricultural engineer-s who has known him for many years writes to us tb at Mr. Thomas is 'a thorough business man,' and. proceeds:—'It is a pleasure to do business with him, and in our opinion lie is one of the largest implement agents in South Wales, He is a gentleman who is very much respected for his personal cha racter in his town and district, in- dependently of his business." Mr. William Thomas is well knowp to many of the large British and American ma-nufacturers of agricultural machinery, I having hand ied their productions for some vears with marked success. Mr. Thomas was born and spent his 'boyhood on a farm. but evidently Jw, ambition was not to "follow the plough." and on December 16, 1S78, he abandoned the farm, am' entered into the employ of Mr. J. L. Davies (H" immediate predecessor) to serve his apprenticeship to the ironmongery and agricultural implemen trades. Although only in his sixteenth year he embarked upon the task before him with the de- I termination that he would spare no effort to secure for himself an honotr-able position in commercial circles, and that position he has to-day deservedly attained. For a short ti;ne he was the only em ployee in .the establishment, but his business tae; and ability soon secured for him his employer's confidence, who a little later found that his trade was increasing at a steady rate. More hands were taken on, and Mr. Thomas. was appointed foreman and he soon added a good number of customers to the books by his enterprise and business tact. The business continued to extend in a most satisfactory manner until in time- it came to be considered second 1(1 none in the West of Walc. On Mr. J. L. Davies retiring on October 17, 18o9, Mr. Thomas pur- chased the business, laid plans to stiil further ex. tend it, and bought up a large block of buildings adjoining his old premises', which are situated in the heart of the town: and Low well he Mie- cceded is to be seen in the large trade he to-day commands. In the early seventies it was considered gratifying if a few implements were sold during the year, but at present low figures are left far and away behind, for the number now sold by Mr. Thomas runs into several hundreds per annum. His chief ironmongei-y establishments are at No. 10. Hall-street, and at No. 2. St. Mary-street, and he also has a branch shop at .iu. 9, Priory-street. -4 The chief implement depot is at the Market-place, and ho has also depots at three other towns in the county. In spite of the keen competition now existing, his business, thanks to the cleterminatioh and activity of the proprietor, is still on the in" crease. Mr. Thomas possesses as a dealer one of the largest stocks of agricultural implements in the in business, quick at decisions, and it is safe to pre' in business, quick at decisions, and- it is safe to prè' diet that his business will continue to advance in popularity. This prediction of seven years ago has been verified, for to-day, in addition to his well-known ironmongery and agricultural implement trades, he has added three large and commodious house fur' mshing showrooms to his already extensive busi- ngs, viz,, 1, St. Mary-street 5, St. Mary-street (the premises formerly occupied by the JOUBXAL, and 33, Quay-street, so that to-day he is able to supply ail goods necessary for the furnishing of the home or farm. Mr. Thomas has worked hard and continuously to gain the support of the public, and it is well known that his great success is due to fairness, promptness, and generosity. Whatever you buy In ironmongery, agricultural implements or household furniture, you may rest assured tuat you are having sterling value for your money. At this time of the year we have an opportunity of considering one business proposition of interest to every person who appreciates home. Now is the omo for redecorating and establishing new homes, we therefore should have our interests concentrated on the question of furniture, what to buy, and vviiere to buy. If the^e is any business where reputation for sound, straight dealing is essential, At is the business of furnishing. Go to Mr. William Thomas s and you will at once, find your- self in the right place, with plenty of variety and exceedingly moderate prices. The best advice to give the public is to deal with a house whose reputation has been firmly established 'and whose principal is well known. We can without hosita. tion advise all clasps of people-even those who do not lay out heavy sums of money—to go to Mr. Thomas's and obtain all that is best and brightest Tor the home or farm. To conclude, let us uno you to call to illspect the huge stock for yourself. You are cordially invited to do so. For iron- mongery-go to 9, Priory-street; 10, Hall-street; 4, St. Mary-street. House furniture, etc.—5 St. Mary-street; 1, St. Mary-street; o~, Quay-street. Im- plements—Market Place. Carmarthen, Llanelly, LLuidysEul, and Lpauybythcr.
REMARKABLE BUSINESS PROGRESS.…
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REMARKABLE BUSINESS PROGRESS. SMALL BEGINNINGS TO GREAT ENDS. An instance of how small beginnings grow to great endings is afforded in, tracing the development of the large ironmongery, furnishing, and agrical. tural-implement business so successfully controlled by Mr," William Thomas at Hall-street, Carmarthen. To-day the JOURNAL looks back on a proud record of one hundred years useful work in educating the people, and exercising its influence in the well- being of the country. To-day Mr. William Thomas can look back on a business which has been steadily developing for about two centuries. Unfortunately the interesting history which attaches to the estab- lishment has been lost, but it is believed that the present .extensive enterprise is the outcome of a small shop opened in Hall-street some two hundred years ago, and although only a tiny store- room forming part of the chief depot now, is shown to visitors, with pride, as the foundation of a large flourishing concern. This little room was as noted in yc old times, as the great establishment is to-day. Reached by a flight of stone steps, it was familiarly known as "Pen steps a term synonymous with fair dealings. It served to give the people the best articles obtainable at the cheapest prices, a rule which has never been departed from, and to a strict observance of which the marked and rapid advancement of the business is due. At the rear of the premises is the yard where '-Week in, weeli out, From morn till night, You could hear the bellows roar" of "Hen Jack y Gof," a noted old character of the ancient borough. Passing through several hands, the old shop cannot be traced further back than the time of Mr. Williams, father of the late Mr. W. J. Williams, Cambray House, Carmarthen, who was succeeded by Mr. J. L. Davies, and in 1889 it passed into the hands of the present proprietor. Under his okilful guidance the venture developed with remarkable rapidity. To the ironmongery and implement business was added household furnishing..This extension necessitated the acquirement of more commodious premises, and with that keen business acumen, which has charac- lerised Mr. Thomas' career throughout, he seized the opportunities of acquiring the offices of Messrs. John Francis and Son when they left St. Mary's- street for the Mount, and the large offices of the JOURNAL, when twa years ago the paper was re- moved to its present substantial home. Mr. Thomas quickly transformed these dull and gloomy-looking offices into bright, handsome, well-appointed show- rooms for his furniture, of which he holds a varied and substantial stock, with the result that he has turned St. Mary-street into what has been described as Thomas' Arcade. But Mr. Thomas did not stop here. The growth of this particular department in- creased at such a pace that he soon had to purchase another vacant office in Quay-street which received the necessary embellishment to bring it up to the standard of the others. Here, within a small radius, each of the premises being only a. few yards from the central depot, Mr. Thomas transacts an enor- mous business, but it is only a portion of the vast amount of trade that passes through his hands. In agricultural implements he docs a business second to none in West Wales, i-nd it is interesting to note that Mr. Thomas fipds time to devote his personal attention to every little detail connected with his collosal concern, in addition to taking an active interest in the affairs of his town and county. He is very popular among all classes of the commu- nity, his phenomenal success bearing eloquent testi- mony to this fact. Several years ago he was elected a. member of the ancient Corporation of Carmarthen, and his valuable counsel has stamped him as a representative of the people in its truest sense., A living1 exaniplo. of the old saying, the "more you do, the more you can do," Mr. Thomas makes time to attend social functions, where his genial presence is always welcomed. Our readers will read with pleasure and interest the following biographical sketch of Mr. Thomas, which appeared iu the important trade journal "The Implement and Machinery Review" fur February 2nd, 1903, under the heading of