The Merthyr Express

t ML • 1' :]. I 0 Ii: | '||j| You are fiespesiful^^ Inviud* 8 :})-: t I Our Specia! Show Pf^ I J>L~ 3*- '■ L if* tf I OF If 11 1 w III "Qj Mtiss 1 r Esster I i -r r*-r-_ fSJ V l' -Ji T V'-> « Hk -j' j| til I Not a f1ftT>artmPnt is there tlirtvicrhnut our la«'ge estp.^T^Tmonf is |j| ||g not abundantly ready to show you all thai newes: ami best in i. > £ |f P Spring attire. || I From near and far have the goods come—the creations oi the world's ||| || )est prodncers-and we are offering them at the reasonable prices for which If || our shopping centre has long been noted. 0 |1 St would be unfair to mention one department at the expense of another, and |1 m we have so many departments that to attempt to mention what each one has ||f lH to offer is out of the question. K. g And besides we want you to have the pleasure of examining these new fj| I Ip goods-we want you to come, uncertain what you are going to see, but sure ? 1. 1| that the goods we shall have on exhibition will be of the utmost vaW -^trir-tly g| pi fipesh. and up-to-date, and marked at exceptionally low tigu res. m I There's but a short shopping week, and Easter will be right upon us. m There must be a dozen and one things you want to buy before then. Make II your way here, and you will find just what you want at just the price you || R want to pay, with the additional advantage of an enormous stock to select l H from. Post orders receive the immediate and careful attention of an m 11 experienced staff, and we deliver all parcels carriage free. > I R. T. JONES & CO., I H GENERAL AND FANCY DRAPERS, COSTUMIERS, MILLINERS, ■ H GENT'S MERCERS, OUTFITTERS. &c., 1 Market Square, MERTHYR- i

THE CHRONICLES OF CA RTOONI A. By JOHN BJUm). (Author of "Household Sketches," "Marmon LiaL." "Short History of Bedwailt3 Church," etc., etc.) FlBST CBBONICLB. The Kingdom of Cartoonia is situated where- afer my readers choose to place it Its actual geou raphical position does not interest me in Die lea3t, ana its physic*] features are equally matters of indifference The doings of men and women are to me of much greater concern in the arena of humanity, and I prefer viewing and pondering over the actions of life and watching the deeds and dwelling on the words of the puppets, as well as the leaders of the human race, to wasting enooniums on inani- mate surroundings, however attractive they may be to the eye. A sort of gossip j chronicler you may term me, giving the tittle-tattles of life in preference to the exponency of stolidity and artistic natural don't care much if you do deem me one-sided in my views of pre- ferring men to matter, and frankly, reader, I don't think you do either, and I can vouch without swearing affidavits which of the two you consider the more interesting. I am indebted to Baron Poosh, late Plenipo- tentiary Extraordinary at the Court of King Affabel du Just, Cartoonia, for these chronicles, which he assures mo are as correct in detail and substance as any diplomatic correspond- ence could pcssiblv be. As he u a man owning more foreign or<for3 than he can wear, and poss3ssing the confidence of more monarchs and foreign celebrities than would be convenient to any other man, and can juggle with facts and their antithesis with the most astounding equanimity iu and out of eourts of all nations, I think I can vouch for the genuineness of the history herein recorded, without asking my readers to strain at the trnat of credulity or in- vita them to swallow the camel of impossibility. King Affabel the Just, WIlS seated in his royal reception room alone. He had dismissed his at- tendants and court functionaries, as he desired to roceivo in private audience his War Minister, Alldaring, and the War Minister's private sec- rotary, to discuss matters relative to the Army, The King wore a disquieting- look of worry pc h face, and he finjrered nervously the while & b;ç:- flat volume OR which were printed in 1arg-e red letters, "The New Army Scheme." He certainly did not look as if he enjoyed the best of h urWours with his crown all awry on his bead, his gold-mounted meerschaum lying unlit upon the ivory and gold table at his side. He kept tapping the cover of the volume he held with impatient fingers, every now and then opening the book with equal impatience and muttering to himself, "uniforms—buttons—bat- talie ns-ration:manceuvrei-eavalry, etc. as if he had not quite grasped the idea the vol- ame intended to convey. "His Excellency, War Minister Alldaring!" suddenly announced the royal chamberlain, aa he threw oDen the wide folding doors of the au- dience chamber. T' e great War Minister entered, followed by h; private secretary. Colonel Dishdash. The l\ ',te t' was a h'!¡re man of fleshy proportions, i month face of rood humored expression and the ?f;i;itest trace a twinkle in his eye. He \V2a. di'3s?ed in ordinary court suit and cer- tain'? seemed a most peaceful looking m nister eon'V-vir.ir that all the responsibility of Car- too^'a's r>arap'iar:vlia of war rested on his ehc'dcri. Not so, ho wever, his private secre- tary. His appearance was por e cows in the extreme. A bri!lian. bine and told uniforiri adorned his slender weU-shaped figure. H:s breast was coverccl with endows and medals, which sn<ro-c3;ert the ideg that he must have K;.elded the sword every day or his life from in- fa rev in battles for his country, while he car- riad in his ploved hands a cocked hat w:tl-. white plumes of immense dimensions. His silver spurs jinclfd musically as he brought hi "esls smart] v tof/ether after doinjr the re- gnlstion obeisance, and as he took a siJa fiance of h imself in a larfe mirror it was quite clear thp.t ho'vever faultv masters may be in the ar"!1 iffairs of the kincdom, he, at least, was immn''Mita and above reproach. Certainly his tailor was much to be commended you've jow Alldaring. Awful bcok t>.l to wade thi-oMT' said the Ring, as he t'r, -At,- ir on the "enn't ma.ke head or tail o" it. eh. what, what?" His Majesty had a< h&b'i when d:sciissin<r matters of importance of finís" t!1í! his sentences with a rapid "what whr.t'i" which clearlv indicated to the hearers t,nat the roval niind "-as in a condition not to fe- \ith. ;onr 7\T.aje:;t.v is gracious!v nlejused to cob- fi, r.H r,y,!u''f n of t.bo vohime, replied the Wa> T,«rd, as he bowod. "hut I assure your that every word is necessary to the Arinv. M rny private secretary here can tes- tsrr-" "Yes, yes, I suppose so," and giving a word of recognition to the secretary, he suddenly added, "What, another new uniform, Dishdash? Why that makes the fourth I've seen you wear this last week! Why, dash my royal wig, you will exhaust all the Army patterns extant if you go on at that rate, eh, what, what?" Diihdasb hid the consciousness of a rebuke behind a smile of convention, and murmured an apologetic excuse that tasteful uniforms formed one of the chief attractions to the Army. The King nodded good humourediy at Dishdash, with, however, a sly twinkle in his royal eye that did not fail to impress the brilliantly at- tired officer of what the King thought how far vanity had been a component factor in this special effort to exemplify the Army attrac- tions. "Now, Alldaring, to business. I understand there is a serious shortage in the Army. You want half a million more mtn and notwithstand- ing your efforts you have not succeeded in rais- ing the numbers. What's the matter with the people, are they getting unpatriotic, eh, what, what?" and the King leaned back in his chair with a royal air of expectancy "They're coming in, they're commg in, your Majesty," replied Alldaring, a little hurriedly; "slowly, I'll admit, but they're coming. I've circulated among the inhabitants the proposal your Majesty and myself discussed some few weeks ago with reference to an International Sports Arbitration Scheme among the powers of Europe, ar.d it seems to take, your Majesty. Everybody is. learning football and cricket like mad, and when qualified will be incorporated in the National Army at the earliest opportun- ity. By the way, has your Majesty heard any thing further from the Powers respecting the Arbitration scheme Arbitration scheme "Yes, I have." and the King suddenly sat upright and looked grimiy at his War Minis- ter. "The powers in general are not averse to settle national disputes by the way suggested, ter. "The powers in general are not averse to settle national disputes by the way suggested, but several of the leading ones, especially my cousin. King Gvandosa of Teutonia, says that the balls they will use will be made of some thing more substantia! than leather, and that they will be kicked by K'-upp guns!" "Hal" oxe'aim-'d Alld?,ilng, turning pale "another threat, of invasion! Your Majesty aoinetl);ng will have to bo done." "Exactly," replied the King, "and what do you m-opose further?" "Weil, your Majesty, it's men we vant, and men v-3 must havg, and yet conscription is— is r" "Exactly." repeated the King sarca-jfecally and grimly, "compulsion in this freedom-br.-d country of Cutoonia goes against the grain; so in order to retain their personal freedom, the people are willing to risk the chances that fol- low an invasion horn a stronger power," "His Excelieiicy, the Representative of the Fourth E-tate!" suddenly announced the cham berlain as he threw open the door;, and there entered a tall, thin gentleman of ascetic vis- age and dressed in the ordinary fashionable attire of a gentleman. "Confound him muttered Alldaring to him- self. looking suspiciously at the uow-comer, "what the dickens has he got to say to the King?" "Ha Saribbleton. I pot your petition for an audience and am pleased to see vou. Wp want vour advice at once, and as von'ug est-ed you had a remedy to meet this difficulty respecting the Army reform, I am sure our War Minister will be delighted to hear you—eh? what? what?" Scribb'eton advanced with srreat deliberation, and after bowinrr the knee with regulation puno- tiliomness, handed the King an envelope. "I wou'd sure-est that your Majesty would use your best kingly efforts to pass the -=hort Act enc'oe- ed in thi<~ envelope through the Houses of Re- presentatives at ones. It contains the remedy for th"" future safeguard of the country which I had the honour to suggest to your Majesty," and Scribb'eton having handed the envelope and its contents into the royal hands, stood -n(-fioT, less. The King tore the letter open, and instantly began to read. The royal evei opened wide as he perused the contents, and gradually a smile of satisfaction not unmixed with amusement parsed over the Royal features. "Ite brevity is remarkable and refreshing!" eaid the King, laughingly, "but its oortents are none the less impressive. Listen. Alldaring, and tell ijie what vou think of it. "Short Act for furthering the Protective Power of Cartoonia.—All men be- tween the agei of twenty-one and forty, who, on the declaration of war from or against this country, cannot produce a certificate showing that they have served not less than three years of military service, be in-stanily ordered to the front!" "Good heavens!" exclaimed the War Min's- tcr aghast, "the measures proposed are too dtiistic—horribly drastic!" The King turned a twinkling eye of inquiry towards the Representative of the Fourth Es- tate. "War usually is--bort-ibly drastic!" was the imperturbable reply of Scribfcktop.

.0 f; L iQ, C 0 U SUSTAINIP4CP -Vv" AW IP .10 0 QQN -c 9- <5MICA,6

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Architect to PMhyr Education I Authority. I 11,ill. SMITH OR MR. THACKERAY At a meetinsr of the Sites and Buildings 1 Committee of the Merthyr Education Authority on Tuesday, Coun. W. Lewis (Treharris) pro- siding, the Clerk (Mr E. Stephens) asked who was to prepare plans for the proposed new school at Gellifaelog.—The Ch eirna.,i referred to the resolution parsed in June, 1907, which laid it down that Mr. Tn-ackeray, the assistant surveyor, should in future undertake the pre- paration of all plans necessary for new buildings or alterations to present buildings.-Alcl. D. W. Jones said tht since tha.t resolution was passed, Mr. Smith, architect, had prepared plans for the school, which were approved t'y the Beard of Education. Now that a new site was selected it was suggested that Mr. Smith should be thrown over. which would be a dis- honourable act.—Aid. Berry It is dishonour- rer able to make that remark. This will be a new site altogether. You have not got the site yet. How can it be dishonourable ?—Aid. Jones: I adhere to what I have said.—Aid. Berry: I object to it.—Aid. Jones: You can object to what you like.—Aid. J5erry: You ruusfc not make those remarks. Mr. Thackeray w-as ap- pointed to do this work, and he has not had Fn opportunity to show what he can do.—Coun. W. Lev/is (Penydarren) thought it would be dishonourable to take the plans out of Mr. Smith's hands.—Aid. Jones: You must not use that word (Lau.ghter).-The Chairman ruled the motion out of order in face of the resolution passed two year a ago. The Mayor said that if Mr. Smith was not given the work of preparing these nevr plans the Committee would have from him a claim for preparing the fmt plans. A few years ago the late School Board thought to erect an ad- vanced elementary school at Pontmorla.i.1. Plans were prepared, after which it was found that the site was unsuitable. But the Board had to pay Mr. j3mith J6309 5s. for preparing the plans, notwithstanding the fact that they were not used.-r-The Chairman; If Mr. Smith gets this now school will he do without payment for the first plans?—Aid. D. W. Jones: "Certainly. Ke has done it before.—Aid. Berry said the autho- rity would pay Mr. Smith <U per cent., which would amount to about £ '400 commission, rity would pay Mr. Smith per cent., which would amount to about fAOO commission, whereas if Mr. Thackeray did the work {hat money would be savod.—Aid. D. W. Jones: Mr. Thackeray's time will he taken up. — Aid. Berry: What do we pay hun for? -The Chair- man ruled that the resolution. of 1^07 DUIJIJ b? tiered \I j

WHY? Sir,—Can you or any one explain (I doiyit whether it is possible to do so) why a stalwart police constable, wearing the full equipment, including helmet and whistle, was stationed in front of the platform at Colonel Lewis's presen- tation meeting, to see that tho silver plate, each article being too large for a. burglar's pocket, did not run I was present at this very interesting 'unction, and 'ike others was highly amused at the presenco of this fine specimen of our local force The invitation was by ticket, well-known townsmen were stationed at the door. and I consider the placing of a constable in front of the platform to guard the goods an insult to the invited guests Yours, etc., V B.

GOOD FRIDAY. Sir,—It is not surprising tha.t lovers of foot- ball and such things should aurange such mat- ters of sport for Good Friday, when they have the opportunity afforded by a holiday for tak mg part in or witnessing -nem They are not supposed to be influenced by any religious doc trine. But what strikes me as an on-looker curious is the diversity of ways in which th< religious world itself is affected by the day Posters at one place make known the hours o 1 services for meditating on the Crucifixion, pos ten; at another place make known a great socia tea. at sl,4cb and such a chapel May I ask wh) one portion of the religious world fasts anc another feasts in memory of an occasion whicl brought blood guiltiness on the human race? ] think the answer may be found. British and shallow heads are capable of much, am may account for much. Carlyle ascribes thE fact of many going by the cross and "wag gine their heads" as due to the heads being very light.—Yours, etc., ONLOOKER.

ELAINA SALVATION ARMY BAND AT ABERCYNON. Sir,—Your valuable paper being widely read, I should like to pay a tribute of appreciation to the visit of the above band to Aborcynoii. The sacrifice made by these men cannot be for- gotten. As they are all working men. reaùers shouid judge whether this is not practical "self- denial." No payment is made to them, nor expensed allowed, which are met by them- selves for travelling, etc. The inspiration re- sulting from the visit of these men has been helpful to th-3 diffrent churches, and as a Non- conformist. I say "would that such a combina- tion of working men lived at Abercvnon." That willingness to assist the Salvation Army I know exists in every church at Abercynon, but pro grees towards the outside world is unknown fit Abercynon. 1110 visit of the Blaina Band teaches us as Nonconformists their deep devo- tion to the Old Theology they still beheye in. Can our Free Church Council provs itself to have that deep desire to prove Christianity to be something practical to tho outsido world? —Yours, etc., WORKING MAN.

WHAT IS ORIGINALITY ? Sir,—Your correspondent, "Huw Menai," who is evidently smarting from the many stripes that he recently received in your columns, has generously coma forward to supply me with an excellent illustration of the man who stands and walks on his head. I have no desire to add to his sufferings. But I would point out that his letter is & repetition, combined with a misre- presentation, of the ideas and arguments con- tained in my letter, and that he set out, as ho himself says, "to ventilate an imaginary griev- ance." In my letter I referred to Thomas Car- iyle's definition of originality as being synony- mous with sincerity. "Hùw Menai," with this definition before him, says, "I, therefore, define 'originality' as that quantity in man that re- moves him farthest from the average impos- tor." Apart from "Hnw Menai's" verbosity, it requires tremendous ingenuity to distinguish between these two definitions. Again, he says that. purported to show that only Christians, Methodises, and other spiritually minded people can by a just claim to the possession of The word Metho- dists is not in my letter at all, and certainly I did not make any distinction between Christians a.nd Methodists. What I did say, and what I desire to reiterate, was, that originality is a moral qualitv, and is closely associated with goodness and virtue. The original man is the fully developed man the man who fulfils the law of his being and attains th3 object of hw existence. Originality is tho ba,me as reality, and the most real mAn is tho roan who endeav- ours to live up to the highest ideal that he knows. The highest ideal that I know is tho Christian ideal, and the only person, that I know of who completely based His life upon this highest reality, which He Himself laid down, And who expressed it in a life of flawless purity, is Jesus Christ. So those who live" like Him are the roes;, original men. That there arc ovipositors and double-dealers in th0 visible church, as there are impostQTS iu ranks of the Sociahst?, no one will I cU4 w |na £ gunjiljr because he sues 1 to church and kneels down in semblance of prayer, is necessarily a Christian. On the other hand it does not follow because a man goes to church and kneels down in prayer that he is necessarily an impostor and a quack. This I do believe with all my soul, and say it with ) full knowledge of its importance, that the maJl who does not bow his spirit to the Supreme Be- mg IS an 1lI!p0stor and a traitor to his own soul. Reverence is the characteristic attitude of the original man. Man is a religious being, and he is not true to himself if he does not worship that which is above him. He cannot worship I the universe, because that is below him Man, says Pascal, is greater than the mountain, even when it falls upon him and crushes him to death, bccauee he knows that the mountain crushc him; but the mountain does not know. Therefore, I maintain that the man who sub- crushe him; but ths mountain does not know. Therefore, I maintain that the man who sub- ordinates the lower life to the higher, the spirit- ual life, is the truly orir/inal man. The root of "Haw Menai's" fallacy is that ho confuses ge- nius with originality. Although closely connect- ed together in some men, the two can exist without each other. Many men of genius have been failures from the mora! standpoint, while many men without genius have gloriously suc- ceeded in the true sense of the word. If "Huw Menni" had read my letter before starting to criticise it. he would not have accused me of making a Fetish of originality, as I distinctly said in my letter that originality is possible to all men. "Huw Menai" himself unconsciously makes the blunder of which he erroneously accuses me. viz., of makir." a fetish of originality, by say- ing that "originality is the monopoly of the Social'fits." It is impossible for a man who is a Socialist, and only a Socialist, looking at things through Socialistic spectacles, to be an original man, as Socialism is only one phase or aspect of the development of the human race as a whole, and or individual man on the lowest plane of his being. Socialism d0es not con- tain Christianity; but Christianity contains t Socialism, and much more. And inasmuch as sordid cares and cramping conditions of life warp and kinder the development of the artis- tic, sense, the sense of beauty and nobleness, and sublimity, and, therefore, are deprived of the hif/her enjoyments of life, it is the duty of all Christians to encourage and accolerate the movement of social reform. But I would remind Socialists and all concerned that were it not for !-he atmosphere created by the Christian spirit., and the idea! and high standard of iife it has established, it would not be possible for Social- ism to have made such rapid strides as it made; and if some 0' us seem to check and sprag this one aspect of human development, it is because we are anxious that other aspects and phases of human development which seem to be 'ageing behind, should come into line with the material aspect, so that the whole man may advance eoncurrentIv and victoriously to its goal, which is the enthronement of the spiritual man. It is time it was fully recognised by So- cialists that Christianity has done immense ser- vice to social reform by creating and sustaining this high ideal.—Yours truly, ANTHROPOS.

THE DAYLIGHT SAVING BTLL. j Sir,— WL1 you permit me to draw the atten- tion of your readers to the fact that whether i the altsration of the clock b by four steps of twenty minutes each, commencing on the first Sunday in April, or wiiether it be by one step of one hour on the third Sunday in April, the effect will be thai we shall leave our beds and follow our daily pursuits at exactly the same distance from sunrise as we did th:.s morn mi. Will any of your readers say that they were conscious of any hardship this morning. Did the cows not yield milk or did the miikman, ov?rweighted with the burden of his hard lot, fail to deliver the milk n time for breakfast, or did the servants of the household fail to re- spond to the early summons of their alarm clock? Now, condition*? of life in regard to the early part of the day would be exactly the same 0:1 the morning of the first alteration as they were this morning, except t.hat as it would be rather 'ater in the year, the weather, let us hope. will be more genial. It is impossible to carry out any reform wisth- out causing some mtere.ts to suffer, but when one can prove, as can be proved in this case, that considerable advantages will aocrue to at least nine tenths of the whole population of tne country, the slight and almost ridiculous objec- tions which are raised to the Bill should be al- lowed to sink out of sight. A -special committee of the House of Commons 1S, however, about to bit in judgment on the Bill, and everything must be done in order to enable them to arrive at the truth. I, therefore, appeal to vour readers to "end me a statement of any evidence thev will be prepared to give either for or a^'inst the BiU. It must not be said axter this committee has reported that any interest has ? not been heard.—Yours fsjtlif W. Sloane Square. London, S.W.,

f MORAL INSTRUCTION nt ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. J Sir,—The debate in the House of Commons on the 16th ult., upon the motion ot Mr [ George Gooch, seconded by Sir William CoI- line, on the subject of moral instruction in ele- mentary schools, cannot fail to direct increased attention to the work of the Moral Education League. That this attention is desirable is evi- dent from the inaccurate conception of the aims ç and work of this organisation expressed by sev- I eral Unionist Members in the course of the debate. It is further desirable, seeing that the League is exercising considerable influence not only in this country but throughout the world. The apprehension seems to have been enter- tained by some of those who took part in the debate that at the back of the work of the League thero is an arriere pensee of hostility to religious instruction and a desire that ulti- mately this may be superseded by the particular instruction that the League supplies. No such conclusion could have been inferred from the screeches of the opener and seconder, who are vice-presidents of the League; nor has it any basis in fact. The League works, it is true on non-theological lines, regarding questions of supernatural sanctions and relationships as out- side its scope. It acts thus, however, not in any sectarian spirit, but, on the contrary, from the very catholicity of its interests. The cnuiohes and the League have this much in common that both are convinced that what above all else is essential for an efficient moral education is the religious spirit in the sense at least in which this ppirit may be defined as being one which recoanises the supreme value and power of morill ideas. This recognition the League would secure by endeavouring to make what- soever things are "lovely and of good report so attractive to the children, by means of apt narrative and incident within the child's own circlo of experienoe, that lie is instinctiyely drawn to adopt a right attitude toward life, and to respond to the highest claims. That the League's work is of this nature, I thinjc, every one must admit who is familiar with its books, or has heard any of the public moral lessons under its auspices. Should there be any who desire an accurate knowledge of our work or feel interested in our efforts I shall be glad to furnish them with full particulars of our aimF and methods if they will be so good as to com- municate with me.—Faithfully yours, HAR.OLD JOHNSON. Secretarv of the Moral Education League. 6, York Buildings, Adelphi, London, W.C.

ASSOCIATION FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE STATUS OF THE UN- BENEFICED CLERGY. Sir,—May I be allowed, through the medium of your widely read journal, to call the atten- tion of Churchpeopie in this Diocese to the above Association, which was formally in. augurated a few weeks ago at the Chapter House, St. Paul's Cathedral, under the presi- dency of the Venerable Archdeacon Sinclair, with a view o establishing a branch in this Diccese. The object of the Association, as its title indicates, is to improve the status of the unbeneficed clergy. Aro the intelligent laity :atished with the conditions under which the unbeneficed clergy work at the present mo. ment Can the beneficed clergy say that such conditions are worthy of the Christian I fa.ith? Can our bishops say that tney are the best of all possible conditions? According to the Liturgy and formularies of the great An- glican Church, the three orders of the ministry are: Bishops, priests and deacons. She 8.6- signs a certain number of duties and privileges to each order. In all her authoritative stAte- ments concerning the ministry, she deliberately ignores all ecclesiastical titles tha.t do not set forth the spiritual character of these ordeno. "Bishops and curates" — that is the phrase which she employs to represent the three grades of the ministry. She makes no men- tion of vicar, rector, canon, archdeacon, or even deaji Those are mere positions that may be filled by men who are in the second order of the ministry. What seems essantially neary, both from a theological and an his tcrical standpoint, to the well-being of the Church as A spiritual organisation is the un- broken continuity cf her three-fold ministry. That certainly seems to have been apparent in the mind of these who framed her Liturgy and formularies. Now, in practice, these three orders a.re relegated to the background, a.nd bishops, vicar- and curates seem to be the only orders I that the man in the street ii acquainted with. The vicar speaks of his fellow-priest.^ who h&p^ pens to be his assistant priest, as "my man or "my oura.te." The relationship, in most instances, that exists between them is that ^of or "my cura-te." The relationship, in most instances, that exists between them is that of master and man. I do not say that this is the fault of the incumbents. It is the fault of a system that assigns to one class or priests too much authority, and to anouher e-.a-s none at all. An assistant priest has no eeclesiast'cal existence apart from the Lacumbsnt. He i invited to R.D. Chapters, but he has no status at such meetings. When a proctor is elected to Convocation iu any Diocese, the assistant priest is never officially acquainted of the fact. His priest-lxxp>d is cf no value until ho becomes a icar. Again, an assistant priest, whan be become too old for work, is allowed, so far as I any official action on the part of the Church is concerned, to swell the great trmv of paupers ia this country. And. what makos matters worse, he becomes too old at forty, whilst his benefioed brother is allowed to remain young and vigorous at 78 and SO years of age. When | at lrut a banefic-.d priest is obl'jed by old or infirmity to resign his living, the Church provides oomo sprt of a pension for him. Thu?, she allows the beneficed cleryman to remain in her ssrvico, until he, of his cwn accord, i»l&i "I 4$Jgo «W. far .work, agd gjj&w in

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REVIEWS. "Ilaeckel His Life and Work" (by Professor W. Uolscbe) has just been published by Messrs. Watts and Co., 17 Johnson s-court. Fleet-street, for the Rationalist Press Association at sixpence. It is printed in clear type, and there arc four illustra- tions. In "Harper'p Magazine" for April, Dr. W. W. Keen, one of the most famous of American sur- geons, presents in his article on "Recent Surgical Progress" a striking comparison of the accomplish- ments of the friends and foes of experimental re- search. This is only one of the many interesting features of this excellent magazine. There are numerous complete stories and poems; Madame de Bunsen describes diplomatic life at The Hague from 1869 to 1871; and Mr. Charles Henry White has a descriptive article on Chicago, with reproductions in tint from etchings by himself. There are many aitraoliye features in "The Cen- tury Magazine" for April, and the illustrations are up to the iusuaj high standard of excellence. There is a very interesting article on the now ruler of China; Lincoln's Assassination is re-told by an eye-witness; Mr. Frank A. Pench gives a graphic account of the Messina Earthquake; and Mr. Robert lIichens de- scribes the scenes and incidents wbioti, followed the earthquake. Though somewhat belated, these ac- counts will be read with great interest. There are several fascinating stories and bright poems, and altogether the "Century" is a very aitraetive'num- bor. Those who have followed the discussion on the British Navy will be particularly interested in an article in the current issue of "Black and White" on the (irindeli-Mafthews torpado. This is a re- markable invention by an Englishman. It is claim- ed that the torpedo can be guided with absolute certainty until the fatal blow is struck. The article is accompanied by illustrations explaining how the apparatus is worked from .sea and land. There arc many other bright features in the issue of "Black and White" now before us, and it is sufficient to say that the paper maintains its reputation of being one of the best* illustrated weeklies. The Budget, the German Navy, and the Poor Law Report are the three leading articles dealt with in the April number of the "Contemporary Review," and articles on them appear from the pens of Mr. Harold Spender, "Michel," and Canon Barnett re- spectively. Among otiier articles in this interest- ing number are "An Early Christian Hymn Dook." by Dr J. Rendei Harris, "Ciignor Tittoni and the Foreign Policy of ftal.v." Iiy Roroanas; "Weisnaann's Theory of Heredity," by F. Palmer Bcnnell; "Mil- ton's God and Mijton's Satan," by P. T. Forsyth, D.D.; "Kissing the Book," by Judge Parry; "From Rustchuk to Belgrade," by Isabel Armstrong: "The Old Story," by R. Barry O'Brien; "Foreign Affairs," by Dr. B. J. Dillon; and a Poein. "Wind," by Geof- frey Wintlirop Young. Kenneth Morris, of California, contributes a very readable article on "The Mysticism of the Celt" to this month'g "Nationalist"; A. B. Badger writes about "The Lost Art df College Architecture in Wales," and the Editor contributes the first instal- ment of a biographical sketch of "Islwyn," who is described as one of the greatest of Welsh poets. "God Keep Thee, Dear Cymru," is a new version of the Welsh National Anthem by C. Morgan-Richard- son. and it will appeal to all Welshmen. The Lon- don Welshman tells of a meeting at Cardiff con- vened to devise some means pf compelling the Uui- versity of Wales to bestow an honorary degree on the Bev. Jonathan Jenkins. Readers are also presented with a portrait that has not been puh. lished before of the notorious Richard Jones—Die Abordaron. Answers to correspondents form not the least interesting feature of the magazine. "Myth, Magic and Morals," by F. C. Conybeare (Messrs. Watts and Co., Fleet-street, London. 4s. 6d. net). This work, which is issued for the Rational- ist Press Association, is a study of Christian origins. It deals with the various books of the New Testa- ment, the writers of the 6ame, and the teaching of Jesus. "It behoves us," says Mr. Conybeare, "more than ever in this age, when old faiths are loosening their hold on us, and new superstitions, like Spiritu- alism, Occultism, and Christian Science threaten to imprison our minds afresh, to inquire carefully who Jesus of Nazareth wa^ what were his real aims and ideas, what the means at His command for realis- ing them, how the great inst,itutions connected with Ills name originated and grew up." This, the au- thor says, lie has tried to do in this volume, which runs to nearly 400 pages. The book, which must have entailed a considerable amount of labour, is written in simple language, and there carr be 91° doubt left in. the mind of the reader as to the opin- ions of the author. "The entire circle of ideas en- tertained by Christ and Pani are alien and strange to us to-day, and liavo lost all actuality and living interest." says Mr. Conybeara. "None, except 4 few Ignorant ranters, believe to-day that the Kingdom of Sod is imminent, and tha any day Christ may appear on the clouds of heaven, and set up the last Assize, after which He will drive those who never believed in Him down to Hell, and establish on this earth an eternal reign of peace and prosperity for His elect ones..Teens Hiirnwlf is eaen to have lived and died from illusion, which Paul and the Apos- 1 ties shared, and of this illusion the CII ureh is the offspring, though for centuries sue has ft riven to deny her true parentage." These extracts will lie sufficient to convey an idea of the writer's arguments ] aHd conclusions. 'COAGUT.INH,' 'KLINX,' T" tos msgitjpg all thipgsj

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The Editor wishes it. to be distinctly understood that he will not hold himself responsible for the opinions or statements of correspondents, nor under- take to return rejected manuscript. Correspondents aitJST write on one side of the paper only. Correspondents are requested to condense their re- marks as much as possible as. owing to the very great demands upon our space, we cannot undertake to publish letters of great length. Letters of a personal character will not be Inserted

TO CORRESPONDENTS. Mr. T. Jones, Tredegar.—We regret we are unable to find room for your letter

COUNCILLOR DAN THOMaS: SOCIALISM AND SOMETHING ELSE. Sir.—In your last issue three references are made to Socialism. The irt one by Coun- cillor Dan Thomas, the second one by your correspondent "Ar.thropos," and the third on*- by a correspondent signing himself 'A Search- er of Truth" Councillor Dan Thomas elo- quently protests against our teachers and schoolmasters daring to appear on pub.ic platforms witI- well-known Sociajisi dc., because such actions may infkence school chiloren, and plant in tham a desire to know wht thi Soc:a,iom means. He appear to be "nervously afraid" that some of the.-e school children may evolve into rebels become members of the Council, and join "the group." It is a great pity that a man like Mr. Thomas has brought himself to write such utter non •sense. He seems to forget that even school- maters are human beings, with free wills. They are men, before they are servants of tlv public; and as men, they are free to exercise opinions. Mr Thomas would have the salary these teachers earn to be a sort of a wall around their consciences. Instead of men. the-o teachers—pace Mr. Thorr.ac—shouid have no voice in public life; on the contrary, rhey õhould be but salaried machines, without conrycience, without individuality without free will. Socialism to those teachers is not a mere questjon of politics, it is a re1;Qion--a religion which they are devout'y attached to. Of course, this religion embraces politics just as it emb-ao°« people. Would Mr. Thomas have these teachers be reJ1gion 1 o's? So long- as he conforms to the rculaticns laid down bv the education authorities the schools' curricu- lum, it is effrontery on the part of any biassed O1¡t.s:dr to interfere with the schoolmasters' political view' The schoolmaster pndteacho are not paid for whal they do after school hour. They are paid for their profes=iona' school duties. "Anthropce," again complains that Socialists ignore Disestablishment b"^<i<if,~ of t.ncoir zeal for social reform. He apparent- ly confuses the Labour Party with the Socialist }r,ternafollal Party. Socialism is not concern- ed with Dise tablishment. Seeing that its ob- ject^-i.e. Socialism—is to do away Non- conformity as well it would be waste of timp to devote energy to the question of Dise^tab lishment. "Searcher of Truth" nski= whether Roman Catholicism und Sociahsm—that is the movement--are consistent vrith each other? Tl.r answer to that question is in the negative Soc11;sm, it is true. is as Catholic a. the air. but concerns itself with world. The Catho- lic Church is Conservative, and has always defended "private" property. She catholicized superstition, and concerns with ano!hr world. It is evident, on 1"pApc hon. that this Church must go before Social- ism can be realised.—Yours truW. HUW MENAI.

WELSH DISESTABLISHMENT. Sir,—In your last issue you publish a letter from a correspondent signing himself "Anthro- pos," deaJing with the above subject. The writer indulges in the usual methods of attack- ing the Church and repeats the old fallacies with the customary cor.fider.ce of Liborationists. Every statement he has penned has been refuted again and again, but there is nothing so invin- cible as uncharitableness, the fountain from which all this malevolence against the Church springs. He tells us, "The establishment and endowment bv the State of one particular sect of Christianity," etc. From this we are to in- fer that the State has established and endowed the Church. I shall he extremely grateful to your correspondent if he will tell me and your readers gene rail" when and how, and to what extent, and whore has the State endowed the Church? His statement is definite, and I ask for a. definite reply. Perhaps he will tell us afterwards how it is that this State-supported and State-endowed "sect" is called upon every year to raise millions of money to maintain its organisation8 and carry out extensions. If the State endows it why is this necessary?—Yours, etc., CHURCHMAN-

I "But, man alive," cried Alldaring, forgetting in h:s astonishment the ceremonial courtesy of I the Royal surroundings, "they'll be killed—why, it will be a butfherv, man!" Again the King twinkled to Scribbleton. "They will have tha patriotic knowledge of knowing that they fell for their country—whe- they are prepared or not to tight will not be the country's fault, but their own. 'Twere bet- ter to die thus in the front than to hamper the true lines of defence in the rear, and devour the necessary and limited provisions of the regular army. In short, war preparations most be made at the least expense to the willing. and at the sacrifice of the unwilling." Alldaring pulled out his pocket handkerchief and began wiping his heated face. "Very well, your Majesty. Let such an Act as that pass, and I'il vouch for a revolution!" The King again twinkled vigorously to Scribbl& ton. He was evidently enjoying the -tcene. "I also will vouch for a revolution taking place, in the recognition of patriotic responsi- bilities and in army, reform," was the quiet, cool reply of Scribbleton. ""re'U try it! we'll try it!" suddenly ex- claimed the King as he rgc-e and picked up his jewel led meerschaum pipe. 'Til send it to the Houses of Representatives with my Roval de- sire to have it discussed, especially enforcing upon them my Royal approval cf the Act. 13y my royal wipr, its brevity and concisenss.3 is par- tioularly refreshing! You. can stay, Scribble- toil we'll discuss matters relative to this affair. Good day. Alldaring and Dishdash.; mind you don't soil your uniform a3 you pass to your car- riage. It is raining I perceive," and the King gave a hearty laugh as his great War Minister backed, out of the Royal presence. As they w-anc through the door, they heard the clinking of glasses l}{'hind them, and the now cheerful voice cf the King- say, "What's your particular poison, Scribbleton" "Confound that Fourth Estate Representa- tive." growled AUrb-ring to his companion: "that's not the first time the beggar has stolen a march on me!" (To be continued.)

his hands ,-om° recognition of his work, whilst thq unben. ficetf priest, in the prime and vinour of his manhood, 'is often told that he i> too old for work, and tha.t he is no longer wanted. When the Ecclesiastical Commissioners launched their scheme of pensioning aged in- cumbents, they never gave a moment's con- sid-eraticn to the case of the curates. The men who receive the poorest pay, and, in many instances do the most work, were not worthy of consideration, but the gentlemen who receive the best remuneration undsr the most desir able conditions obsessed the thoughts of the Commissioners. Why net treat beneficed and unbeiteiSeed alike? Attain, the appointment ox a curate carrios no fixity of tenure with it. When a new vicar is appoirted to take charge of a parish, ho is entitled, during the lirit six of his vicariate, to dismiss an as- sistant priest who may have worked hard and successfully in the parish for years, without assigning any reason for the course he takes. All the notice he is required to Rive him is six weeks. It is often argued that such a law is not at all a bad one. It is said in its defence that it safeguards the incumbent against the abu&e of influence on tho part of the curate. Such a defence is ar abject con- fession of weakians on the part of the incum- bent. But apart from that, if it is fair for an incumbent to get rid of the curate or curates who worked in the parish under his predeces- sor, why should it not be equally fair for a new bishop to dismiss the incumbents who worked under his predecessor? If the posi- tion creaVid in the latter case would be harsh and intolerable, surely the position as- it now does exist in the former case is equally harsh and intolerable. The A-x:iation for improving the status of the unbeneficed clergy aims at removing the disabilities .under which they work at present. Among the most important reforms which it seeks to brirg about are the following(1) A representation for the unbsneficed clergy in Convocation; (2) A fair and reasonable pension r' for such of them as become too old for work: (3) Appointed through the b'shop without ad- ve-t;-em--nt-s in the papers; (4) Men of proved ability and experience to have a fair amount of responsibility in their sphere of work; (5) Every appointment to a curacy to carry with it fixity cf tenure. I understand that the Society intends to appoint Mr. W. Jones, Ty Gwyn, and 27, High-street, Abrcarn, as secre tary for the Dioosse of Llandaff. I find that his name appears as delegate to the Diocesan Conference. I trust that he will receive the support of all those beneficed clergy in this Diocese who desire an improvement in the status cf their unbeneficed brethren, and that the laity will flock around him. It goes without saying lhat the unbeneficed should heartily support the movement. Hoping that we shall have a flourishing branch of the As- sociation in this D'olpeze soon, and that we ar, within measurable distance of realising the re forms I have mentioned—I am, etc.. CATHOLICUS CAMBRENSIS.