The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

THE STAGE AND THE PULPIT." The readers of the CHRONICLE may not be aware of the pernicious literature circulating in the neighbourhood. Under the pretence of a hatred to slavery, and zeal for liberty, a writer in a local print arrogates the seat of the judge and pro- nounces the sentence that the average Brition is a "helpless serf" enthralled by such tyrants as religious dogmas, scientific prejudices, antisocial observances." The average Briton a serf! the land where every shade of opinion in religion and politics is freely enjoyed and openly professed without the fear of any tyrant--is this the land of serfs P Take Pontypridd and the neighbourhood for an example. Have we not here the Druid in perfect freedom, teaching his votaries on his Rocking Stone in the presence of the sun and the eye of light. Have we not here the infidel who views with scorn both the ancient Druid and the zealous Christian ? And even the Christian "serfs" themselves claim the authority to judge the teaching of the pulpit by the great standard. One might think that the writer felt himself in the chains of tyranny trodden down by the caste. But what has suggested all this nonsense ? The fact that there are 25 churches, and 25 ministers, perhaps, who claim their rights to express before the magistrates their opinion as to the evil influences of the theatre as at present conducted. We are allowed to send petitions to Parliament, in respect to measures which may become law. We are at liberty to appeal to any constituted authority like the sanitary Board against any thing that may prove injurious to health; bnt beware of appealing to magistrates against what may be deemed a moral injury to our families; for if you do you are serfs enthralled by religious dogmas. It appears that the only freeman in the land is he who is conveyed from the hall of Thespis to the festival of Bacchus, and thence between two to the temple of Venus. These are the only characteristics of intelligence and liberty. Surely this must be the age of Solon. In comparing the stage and the pulpit, the writer saya It is a very moot question indeed whether the stage as it is now conducted is not a more powerful lever for the regeneration of the community than the pulpit itself: and why? Because events are depicted as nearly as they ean be to the life. What man seeing the play of Drink" performed but could fail to be much more solemnly impressed by what he has seen than if he heard the whole twenty-five ministers and deacons, or a hundred Goughs ?" We congratulate the writer for coming out in his true colours. Poor ministers you are silenced for ever, you have to leave the field and let the theatre regenerate the world-Gough is doomed to eternal oblivion and the thousands that he has been the means of leading from drunkenness to sobriety must forget his very name, while the champion of Thespis is crowned for elevating the community, and providing attractions sufficiently potent to keep men from drunkenness, immorality and orime.

NOTES ON PASSING EVENTS. THE DOCTORS DON'T AGREE. Was there ever a better illustration of the old adage about doctors not agreeing than ths dispute respecting the Well at Heolfach? The Cardiff public analyst declared the water ia the well to be unfit for drinking durposes; the Swansea public analyst seems to be equally positive that it is excellent water. Dr. Franklyn, of Kensington, considers the water unfit for anything better than washing j but Messrs. Wigner & Harland, of 79, Tower-street, London, say it is fit for all domestic purposes. When this kind of evidence was given pro and con closing the said well, none need be surprised that the Bench endeavoured to steer between Scylla and Charybdis by simply order- ing people not to use the water for drinking or culinary purposes. The Local Board still have the power to try the effeot of moralmasion" on the Heolfach people. A COMING EVENT. IT IS scarcely appropriate to place under the head of passing events," perhaps the recent move on the part of the tilyntaff Burial Board towards reducing the fees they charge for barial at the cemetery. We have mooted the subject before, and it is well known that some members of the Beard have been directing their attention to it for some time. The closing of some neighbouring graveyards will, doubtless increase the number of burials at the cemetery, so it is to be hoped that the Board will make very considerable reductions in their scale of fees. When a vestry is called let the people attend so as to have a voice in the matter. INDIGNATION AT MOUNTAIN ASH. Oir with his head, so much for Buckingham," Beems to be the cry of the ratepayers of Mountain Ash who assembled this week to condemn the action of their Local Board with respect to the Surveyor. If the Local Government Board take action in the matter Lord Aberdare in likely to have his peace of mind disturbed again by reports in the local papers of lively proceedings at the Local Board meetings. As to what the ultimate result may be Don't prophesy until you know/' XAILWAT COMMUNICATION. THOSE of our readers who are in the habit of going away by rail through Cardiff, and who have consequently been made acquainted with the undesirable trudging that people have to do in order to get from the Taff Vale to the Great Western Railway Station, will be glad to learn that steps are being taken to try to compel the railway companies to run passenger trains between the stations named. Running powers exist, it appears, but the companies cannot come to terms, and it remains to be seen whether the railway commission will not oblige them to complete the arrangement.

DEATH OF AN EMINENT WELSH MINISTER. The death is announced of the Rev. John Foulkes, of Rhuthin, at the ripe age of 78 years. The de- ceased was one of the oldest ministers of the Cal- vinistic Methodist Church of Wales, having been in its ministry for 60 years. He was well known and very highly respected through the Principality and the towns of England where Welshmen reside, and there were few pulpits connected with the de- nomination in which he had not preached. His interment took place at Abergele on Monday. The greatest respect was paid to his memory at Rhuthin and Abergele. A service was held at Rhos Chapel, Rhuthin, and a great concourse of people-miaie- ter3, deacons, and the general public—joined the cortege at the chapel to follow the remains at the railway station. On the arrival of the train at Abergele the cortege formed near the railway station, and a fcreat concourse of ministers, deacons, and the general public proceeded from the station to the Welsh chapel, where a service was held.

ANNITiltBAItY AI CARDIlP.-The 21st anniversary of Salem Baptist chapel, Splotiands, was held on Sunday and Monday,when the ReTs, G. H. Griffiths, Newcastle Emlyn, and E. Jones, Fennel, Rhymney, preached to large congregations. j

FAIRPLAY AND THE THEATRE. To the Editor of the" Pontypridd Chronicle." SIR.—The Germans have a proverb that apologies have always one leg lame. The two apologies from Fairplay and Romeo appear to me to be lame in both legs. A French officer once drew his sword and was about to make short work with his oppo- nent, when he perceived that he had lost one arm. Drawing back his deadly weapon and raising his cap, he bowed to the crippled officer and rushed past him to find a two armed antagonist. I wish I could follow his chivalrous example but how can I with only two to fight and both of them lame in the legs ? From more proficient writers, trained to fence with the weapons of the Logician, we should have had letters more to a debater's mind, and to quote Cowley with one verbal altera- tion we should have had Rich, racy lettors, in which we The soil from which they came, taste smell and see." As it is I feel that my own severe opinion of the theatre will really damage its reputation but very little more than the crude letters, and the blatant praise of my opponents. So much for the exordium. We have at the very outset of Fairplay's last production an instructive example of his method of dealing with his opponents. In a previous letter he made as usual a number of bare assertions, and then in his following epistle says that I did not in my "first letter at any rate, refute a single point," but I contend that it is first his duty to prove his points. He makes assertions which he cannot in any way prove and then actually has the audacity to ask me to prove the contrary if I doubt them. Not I. The contrary is proved until Fairplay proves his assertions. The man who asserts that "the moon is made of green cheese must prove. I shall certainly not take the trouble to disprove until he first offers his proof. 'Ihe burden of proof rests first upon him who asserts. This first principle of logic Fairplay cannot bo ignorant of, and yet he calls upon me to disprove what he has failed to prove. Fairplay, apparently afraid that the readers of the CHRONICLB have not paid much attention to bis past letters, once more asserts that the object of the theatre is to hold the mirror up to nature' but until he proves that mirror to be a true one I shall be compelled to consider it either as a con- cave, or a convex one, or else as a very poor piece of plate-glass, for when I did some years ago visit theatres at Pontypridd, &c., I very, very seldom saw nature represented there except in an ex- tremely distorted manner. The critical faculty of my friend must be singularly defective, or he must have been labouring under such excessive animus when he penned his last letter as to becloud his better judgement. That I referred to characters in plays and not to men who visit the theatre when I used the appellation hot lipped leehert." Mr Fairplay might readily have discovered, had he given to the reading of my letter a tithe of the attention which he devoted to the writing of his own. I appeal to Romeo if this is not making fair foul" and to the readers of the CHRONICLE if such an invidious misrepresentation of my state- ment is not contrary to the spirit of British fairplay and justice ? But your correspondent waxes warmer in his theme and in the ardour of his polemical zeal actually takes the needless trouble to tell us that the theatre is not meant as a place to make men religious," when the fact is patent to the world. Anyone whose mental faculties were not hopelessly disorganised is perfectly aware of the truth of this snperfiuous statement. The gentleman, however, admits that the theatre does pander to the lowest tastes and that there is a tendency to the bad in plays, but this, he urges, occurs only where a theatre is opposed by religious bodies." Oh! it does occur here, does it ? Then according to Fairplay even the "wooden shanty" is in this particular, not without sin." "Call you that backing of your friends ? a plague upon such backing." I feel I must here candidly admit that Fairplay at least is an apostle specially gifted for 'destroying the theatre." Romeo had better take care of the reputation of his friends, for this is not the chatter of irresponsible frivolity but the language of one who does not "make foul appear fair." That I may not misrepresent Fairplay's argument about the sentiments of the drama, even to the wright of one poor scruple," and that others might perceive the kind of argument which he does not think humiliating to employ in defence of the plays, I will cite his own words It is nothing but the chatter of irresponsible frivolity to say that their language is as bad as their sentiments." Now, for the sake of brevity, I accept hisatatement as correct, and of course conclude that the sentiments of the plays are even worse than their language. Et tu Brute! Romeo, is this calling fair, foul ?" I said, the sentiments of the plays are as bad as their language," but Fairplay objects and by implication says they are worse. There is, however, a portion of Fairplay's letter to which I wish to call particular attention, and that I may not wrong his statements a hair-breadth I shall again quote his own words. He remarks: Well, but the songs are foolish and lewd persists my friend." He here represents me as having made that assertion, but a more false accusation even the brain of Mephiltophiles could not have invented, and I cannot but think that the sophists throughout the land should reward him for this charge with an appropriate testimonial; suppose I say a copy of his own epistle bound in calf. All Fairplay's small talk about the Bible, religion, Ac., is beside the question. The subject we are dis- cussing at present is—what are the influences and results of the Theatre. Once for all, let me inform Fairplay that I have expressed no sympathy with plays acted in chapels, or with good templar's skittle allies, Ac., any more than I have with those thinga when at other plaoes, so he need not make any more straw men of this kind for the amuse- ment of knocking them down. I will not take to be drawn into any side issues. Let Fairplay prove if he can by historical arguments the good influences of the theatre, and I promise to prove in like manner its opposite influences. This is fair play is it not ? Then when we have exhausted this subject I shall be very willing to consider the influence and results of the Christian Religion. Is this not fair and just f Fairplay, towards the close of his letter, indulges very considerably in personal abuses-a deplorable defect, as well as a fault in a controversialist-while he is too prone to pervert or to ignore facts. I did not wish to hide myself uader a nom-iM-guerre, nor did I complain because Fairplay had adopted a misnomer, but I did think that Fairplay was too much of a gentleman to take an just advantage of the blunder I seemed to have made in charitably regarding him as a person of that description. So much for Fairplay. Let me now direct your attention to his coadjutor. It is both weak and idle for Romeo to charge me with calumniating his friends, unless the gentleman is the counterpart of the lady described by Cowper, as speaking of her dear five hundred friends." I spoke of no one in particular, but of the majority of those who attended the theatre, and not of 14 respectable townsmen" who may occasionally visit such places. If Romeo relies upon the exception in favour of himself and of his friends, he must prove the exception he wants. My state- ment refers to the majority of those who attend the theatre. I did not say that respectable people were swinish;" I would shrink even in thought from using such a designation in con. nection with any respectable" persons, but Romeo must prove his exception to the majority if he wants. I will not. I spoke of those whom I had seen rushing out of the theatre and not of any persons who came out respectably. I was not wrong in using the term I did in my letter with regard to bipeded beasts I saw. I have seen nearly as many pigs dressed in coats and waistcoats Ac., emerging from theatres as I have clothed in bristles atd living in pigstyes. I have seen beasts taken from theatres at Pontypridd in as decidedly piggish a. state as any pork-butcher could have wished them in, and I have heard them grunt out their oaths, as though they had only just been released from the embraces of a house of Bacchus. But I strike the name of pigs from the list of respectable people. Space will not permit me to deal with the remainder of Romeo's letter permit me, however, to say that Romeo is a gentleman of infinite trust. He even trusts that I will digest" his letter before I again appear in print, What on earth can he bo dreaming of ? He must take me to be of unbounded stomach. I suppose someone with a voracious maw like that of the yonng gentleman whom in last week's issue of the CBJIONICLX was described as having swallowed in six days 379lbs 2oz. of stuff. A man might as well try to realise Sydney Smith's suggestion of taking off his flesh and sitting in his bones" as to digest all this non-sensical twaddle. What next ? 0, what men dare do! what men may do What men daily do not knowing what they do." I am, yours, Ac., D.D. TBEFOBEST.

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. THE POLICE AND THE VAGRANTS. — We have re- ceived a communication from one who denominates himself Sympathy, complaining of the Police's treatment of vagrants. We on the other hand think that the authorities give them too much encouragement by far. Let Mr Sympathy offer these vagrants employment and he will soon find out that they prefer to suffer all the inclemency of the weather to hardwork. The following is a correct version of the opinion of tramps, of a Welshman's generosity. "The Welsh are the most easily imposed upon of any nation. A person has only to make a long face at the door and assume a pitiable appearance, and the tender Welsh will at once bring out half a loaf of bread." We might add that the only use made of it is often to sell the bread to those who keep pigs. ^———————tm

THE SEWERAGE OF THE RHONDDA IMPORTANT LOCAL BOARD MEETING. A special meeting of the Ystradyfodwg Local Board wan held cm Friday last, under the presiden. cyof Mr Lewis Davies. A early all the Board members were present. The meeting had bt-en called to consider the appointment of engineers for the purpose of carrying out the sewage scheme (Mr Lomax s), which had partially been adopted by the Board. As one of the members was new, the chairman fully and lucidly explaimed Mr Lomax's scheme. He strongly deprecated the land irrigation system, and dwelt upon the embarrassment in which it had involved Birmingham. That town, after getting several injunctions against it, and and expending JE10,000 in introducing a Bill to Parliament, had ultimately abandoned their proposal, and adopted the dry earth closet system. By the time when the last Government report was issued, Birmingham had converted 7,000 closets into dry earth closets. The plan they had to carry away the refuse was such as to render the system in its operation void of offence to the inhabitants and innoxious; for the scavengers placed an air. tight covering upon the pail in the closet, and substituted another pail which had been cleansed add deodorised at the depot provided for that purpose. The Chairman further remarked that that was far less expensive than the land irrigation system.-Dr. Henry Naunton Davies, in strongly supporting the chairman's views, explained that the land irrigation system was a gigantic failure. On the grounds of health and economy the tank system was preferable.—It was resolved that the clerk (Mr Walter Morgan, Pontypridd) should communicate with Mr Lomax (the engineer) as to his terms for professional services. The Board members were very desirous that the sewerage scheme should be practically applied without any unnecessary delay.

DEATH OF MR. JEPSON, CONTRACTOR, PONTYPRIDD. We are sorry to have to record the death of Mr Jepson, of the firm of Jones A Jepson, the well known eontractors at Cardiff. They had the contract to make the Ely Waterworks Extension, which was being carried on day aad night. Mr Jepson in his anxiety for the work, went out to Ely on Saturday night at 12 p.m. As he desired to see what progress was being made. After making a general inspection he was making his way to the road, where his trap was, when he fell into the mill race, and was drowned in about four feet of water; the mill raoe,-only partially fenced at the spot, being about 100 yards from where his men were working. Mr Jepson must have fallen 8 or 10 feet. He leaves a wife and family, residing in Cathays. MORTALITY RETURNS FOR PONTYPRIDD. The Registrar General's Quarterly Returns, just issued shows the marriages in the quarter to have numbered 214; birth, 867; deaths, 668. The births were only 33 less than in Cardiff, and trom this it would seem that the population of each approximate. There was an excessive mortality in the district during the last quarter, for the 668 deaths were as many as 192 above the average of the March periods of 1878-9-80. This is an extra. ordinary increase, and was equal to about 40 per cent. The principal growth was among infants, for 162 deaths referred to children under one year. Again, as many as 125 deaths were due to violence, and in addition scarlet fever was very prevalent, and was fatal in 65 cases. The latter was on the increase, as in December there were only 55. Besides, there were 16 of measles, and an eaoal number of fever.

THE WELSH SUNDAY CLOSING BILL. SECOND READING. GRAND WELSH VICTORY. In the House of Commons, on Wednesday evening, Mr John Roberts moved the second reading of the Welsh Sunday Closing Bill. He was supported by Mr. Gladstone, Mr Rathbone, Sir E. J. Reed, Mr H. H. Vivian, Mr 0. H. James, Mr Morgan Lloyd, Mr Osborne Morgan, Mr Carbntt, and others. The only opponents of the measure were Mr Warton, Mr Onslow, and a few Irish mem. bers. When the House divided there were— For the second reading. 161 Against 17 Majority for 145 The Bill was then read a second time.

THE PENTGRAIG COLLIERY EX- PLOSION. THE ENQUIRY AT CARDIFF. ACQUITTAL OF THE MANAGER. The enquiry institututed by the Home Secretary, with a view to deprive, it necessary, the manager of Penygraig Steam Coal Colliery of his certificate, was held at Cardiff, before Mr R. O. Jones. Mr T. H. Stephens represented the Home Office, and Mr Simons, of Merthyr, appeared on behalf of Mr Rowlands. The case has turned out in favour of the manager, and the bulk of the evidenee goes to prove that the explosion cannot be attributed to either neglect or incompetency on the part of Mr Rowlands, on which ground he haa bøea acquitted. In the summing up of the magistrate he showed that the evidence proved there was nothing to demand more precaution than unal-the explosion could not he uttributed to the use of gunpowder—' although the lamp-cabin was in a wrong position, yet this had nothing to do with the present ex. plosion, and moreover, it has been removed since the explosion took place. The doors were sufficient although it would be desirable to have more. The record of lamp keys and the maintenance, bratice, Ac., have had the attention of the manager who has always manifested the greatest care for the lives of the workmen. All the charges have fallen through and the manager retains his certificate.

ARREST OF MR DILLON, M.P., In the House of Commons on Wednesday, the SPEAKER announced that he had received the following letter from the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland:—" Viceregal Lodgo, Dublin, May 3, 1881.—Sir,—I have to inform you that Mr Dillon! the member for the county of Tipperary, was arrested yesterday at Portarlington, by virtue of a warrant issued by me under the Act for the better Protection of Life and Property in Ireland -(Signed) "COWMB." ,°, ..Jo