The Merthyr Express

JJTERARY ASSOCIATIONS OF MERTHYR TYDFIL. [BY A. J. PERM AN, M.A., COTXNTY SCROOL.1, (Given before Merthyr Naturalists' Society. (Continued from last week.) And now that I have presented to you the ert Merthyr antiquarian, the translator, and the literarv historian of the nineteenth century, ycu will expect me to produce a Merthyr poet, and it is pleasant to be able to gratify you. In 1327 appeared "Cardiff Castle: A Poem, with explanatory remarks, and historical extracts" by Taliesin Williams. The author was the fam- ous schoolmaster, son of Edward Will tarns (Iolo Morganwg, a celebrated bard) whose school in Merthyr was attended by many boys who have since become notable. Of these, two, at any rate, may be mentioned—Mr. Charles Herbert .James, M.P. for the Borough, and Sir W. T. Lewis. Taliesin Williams, or "Ap Iolo," to give him his bardic name, was a constant, and successful competitor at Eisteddfodau. He won special praise for a treatise on the "Bardic Alphabet;" he wrote much Welsh poetry, which is greatly admired; and he devoted much time to the arrangement and publication of valua- ble materials left by his father. lie died in 1347 it the age of 60. Of his first English poem, "Cardiff Castle," he says in the preface. "About a third of the following little piece was composed a few weeks before Christmas, and spoken by one of my pupils at an nnnua.l recitation on the eve of the vacation. Should this little publication," he goes on. "be deem- ed worthy of encouragement, I purpose direct- ing my attention to the other castles which be- came the spoils of Norman rapacity." It is a poem of about 300 lines in metres like those of Scott's poems, end it is clear that the Scott series so enormously popular between 1805 and 1813 had larjrel- influenced the author "Why not do for Wales," lie may have reasonably asked, "what Scctt has done for Scotland?"! Unfortunately, the Scott metres are danger- ously easy for a man of any poetical facultv, and Taliesin Williams was hardly a Welsh Scott. The chief subject of the Cardiff poem is the storming of Cardiff' Castla by Ivor Bach (the redoubtable Lord of Upper Senghenydd, who is reputed to have lived at Morlais Castle) and his men in the time of th second Norman lord, Robert of Gloucester, and the temporary re- lease of the surrounding country from the Norman vassalage. It begins :— "The Norman long has ceased to sway In fair Glamorgan's Vale. Fitzhamon's race have passed away, Their deeds as transient as their day; Whate'er their might, no minstrel lay Perpetuates the tale But old tradition through the land Still speaks of raplnels fearful hand That followed in their train." and contains several interesting and forcible passages. For example, the couplet on Liberty "None. none, possess except the free Th' elastic spring of Liberty." the reference to Ivor: "And bright his deeds while ages roll, Brave Ivor of the giant soul; Who drew his sword in freedom's cause Asserting Howell's liberal laws." and the reference to Robert of Normandy: "That gateward Tower, Oh! could it tell Of all the miseries that befell To Royal Robert there Doom'd to its awful prison cell In anguish and despair; Deprived of sight by cruel hand, His sceptred brother's stern command. And lost to nature's page, He withered on thro' manhood's prime And bow'd beneath the hand of time And found decrepit age." On the whole it may be pronounced a pleas- ing and spirited poem, not disfigured by any ari glaring deficiencies, but at the same time not in any way original or rising to anything more than the second rank. DLAMORGAN TRADITIONS. The "Doom of Colyn Dolphyn: A Poem with note3 illustrative of various traditions of Glam- organshire," published in 1337, is a much more ambitious work, and on the whole a less suc- cessful one. It is founded on a story found in the records of the family of the Stradlings of St. Donat's. It is said that a certain Sir Harry returning once from the English side of the Channel, was taken prisoner by a notori- ous sea thief (hailing from Brittany), named Colvn Dolphyn. and obliged to pay a ransom of 2,000 marks, which was raised by the sale of several manors. Sir Harry then had a watch tower built on the coast, and one stormy night, Colyn, having mistaken the light, was wrecked with all his crew on the Nash sands near by, and beinrr captured, was tried by Sir Harry, and hanged in the Castle. The poem is in three cantos called respectively, "The Va.se and the Huntsman," "The Trial," "The Execution," and the narrative is supposed to be given by an old huntsman—Howell (another reminiscence of Scott), at a Christmas festival given by Sir Ed- ward Stradling (grandson of Sir Harry) in St. Donat's Castle somewhere about the middle of the sixteeoth century. A "reat deal of the first canto is taken up by a description of a -vase oa which are pictured figures illustrative of Welsh myths and mythological heroes. Sir Edward then says to Howel:— "Recall thy youthful years-relate 1 The tale of Colyn Dolphyn's fate. The wreck is described with some vigour. One of Sir Edward's men says: "Ho Colyn Satan's tough compeer, At last his victim, art thou here? Bear up, old Dreadnought, hail, what cheer? Coma, clear this pool-nor fume nor fret, Exalted fate awaits thee yet." Colyn is thus described: "Fierce Colyn of resounding tread Whose frame athletic, stature tall Like Saul in Israel tower'd o'er all." In the trial canto a long and rather dull dia- logue takes place between Colyn and Sir Harry, and the third" canto describing the execution the hanging of Colyn and his men—is gruesome without bein speci- ally striking. The actosyllabic couplet is man- aged with ease and smoothness, but the narra- tive is a little confused and laboured, and the descriptive passages are not of aJiv special beauty. If "Marmion," and "The Lord of the Isles," and "Harold the Dauntless" have all been more or less forgotten by the modern reader, we can hardly be surprised if "Colyn Dolphyn" shares the same fate. "Cardiff Cas- tle," on the other hand, is worth preserving, and in a popular form would serve admirably for use in Welsh and especially South Welsh Schools. LOCAL HISTORY. As we approach in our survey the records of our own times, the difficulty of choice increases. The press, for example, offers a theme for in- vestigation fascinating enough. But, the his- tory of the press in Merthyr, although near to our subject, must on this occasion be passed over. The bards, too, who in recent times have upheld the poetic traditions at the Eisteddfod, in the press, and in private, must be left with but scant notice. There is a general literary activity in our days which almost makes of every educated man and woman something of an au- thor. And the present writer knows only too well the impossibility of presenting any account of his subject which could be aught but incom- plete. There are however, a few names which stand out, and with some slight mention of these the present sketch may be brought to a close. Among contemporary writers must be mentioned the veteran historian of Merthyr, without whose assistance any such effort as this would hardly be possible, Mr. Charles Wilkins. Mr. Wilkins has, with an assiduity and perse- verance beyond praise, devoted himself to the accumulation of historical material, and in his "History of the Coal Trade," his "History of the Iron, Steel, and Tinplate Trades," his "Lit- erature of Wales," his "Wales, Past and Pre- sent," and in many scattered articles and es- says. he has laid all future writers under im- mense obligation to his laborious efforts. It is safe to say that his books are indispensable to those who study local history. They show doubtless less power of selection than of accu- mulation, but the facts are there in abundance, and whoever will may take what he requires. Such men as Mr. Wilkins are worthy of all honour. Investigations such as his may often seem parochial and trifling. But history is catholic in the full meaning of the word, and it is this patient gathering of local annals which makes the wide generalisations of national his- tory possible. Mr. Charles Herbert James, for a number of years member of Parliament for the Borough, published several valuable lectures on economic subjects, of which those upon "Capital and Labour" and upon "Wages,' may be mention- ed. The present head of the Bradford United College (Congregational) Principal Griffith Jones—was born in Merthyr, and may, there- fore, be claimed amongst its literary men. He has published several theological works—one, "The Ascent through Christ"-wl)iclt have given him more than a denominational repu- tation. And the versatile Stipendiary Magis- trate for Merthyr, Sir T. Marchant Williams, has shown the lighter as well as the more strict- ly patriotic side of his nature by publishing a volume of Welsh lyrics, and he has accomplish- ed what may be thought somewhat of a literary feat in translating a, number of the quatrains of Fitzgerald's "Omar Khayyam" into Welsh verse. -I

JWM A Question for Cook. B mL Mrr ■^>oes s^e know that her cakes H and pastries will be -(daintier, ■ more delicious, more diges-ffl tible, and keep longer and W I MSORWICKS BAKING POWDERPj £

|Vie»1hyr Watch Committee. THE CHILDREN'S ACT. IMPORTANT NOTICES. A meeting of the Watch Committee of the Merthyr Corporation was held on Tuesday even- ing, the Mayor (Aid. Wilson) presiding. The following were appointed officers to fill vacancies:—John Fitzgerald, Merthyr, age 25, height 6ft. 14in.; William Griffiths, Miski. age 24, height 6ft. Igin. Philip Hampton, BIaen avon, age 27, height 6ft. William Carter, Blaenavon, age 26, height 6ft.; Eugene Sulli- van, Aberdare, age 25, height 5ft. llin.; Samusl Doble, Merthyr, aeg 24. height 5ft. llin. The Chief Constable reported that durng last quarter seven dogs were seized by the police. Five were destroyed, one claimed by the owner, and 'one was sold by the police for 5s., which amount was paid to the Borough Controller. Section 3, eub-sections 8 and of the Dogs Act (1906) stated "that a police officer or other person having charge of any dog de- tained under this Section shall cause the dog to be properly fed and maintained during the seven clear days it is detained. All expenses incurred by the police under this Section shall be defrayed out of the Police Fund. and any money received by the police under this Section shall be paid to the account of the Police Fund." He (the Chief Constable) recommended that the Committee make an allowance to station keepers for the maintenance of stray flogs seized by the police. The amount of 3d. per day was allow- ed to station keepers in the county of Glamor- gan, and he recommended that the eame amount be adopted by this authority.—This was agreed to. The Chief Constable reported that Messrs. J. and G. Jones had delivered at the Town Hall the prison van, and that it was according' to specification. THE CHILDREN'S ACT. The Chief Constable reported in regard to the Children's Act that he had had the fol'ow- ing notice served upon all licensed victuallers: —"Section 119 provides that if any person gives or causes to be given to any child under the age of five years any intoxicating liquor, except upon the order of a duly qualified medicaJ prac- titioner, or in case of sickness, he shall on summary conviction be liable to a fine not ex- ceeding £3. Section 120 provides that the holder of the licence of any licensed premises shall not allow a child under the age of 14 years to be at any time in the bar of the licensed premises, except during the hours of closing. If the holder of a licence acts in con- travention of thm section, Or if any person causes or procures or attempts to cause or pro- cure any child to go to, or to be in, the bar of any licensed premises except during the hours of' closing, he shall be liable on summary con- viction to a fine not exceeding, for the first offence, 40s; for any subsequent offence. JB5. If a child is found in the bar of any licensed premises except during the hours of closing, the holder of the licence shall be deemed to havo committed an offence under this section unless he shows that he has used due diligence to pre- vent the child being admitted to the bar. This section shall not apply in the case of any child of the licence holder, or in the case of a child resident but not employed on the licensed pre- mises, or who may be in the bar of the licensed premises solely for the purpose of passing through in order to obtain access to or egress from some other part of the premises not being a bar. where there is no other convenient means of access to or egress from that part of the premises. In this section the bar of the licensed premises means any open drinking bar or any part of the premises exclusively or main- ly used for the sale and consumption of intoxi- cating liquor." Notices had also been issued to old metal dealers, marine store dealers, and pawnbrokers, pointing out that if a dealer in old metal or a marine store dealer purchases rrom any person apparently under the age of 16 years, any old metal, whether offered for sale bv that person on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, he shall be liable on nummary convic- tion to a fine not exceeding £5; and for the purpoe of this section "old metal' 'includes scrap metal, broken naetal, or partly manufac- tured metal goods, and old or defaced metal goods. The notice also contained the follow- ing :— Section 117 of the Act provides: "That if a pawnbroker takes an article in pawn from any person apparently under the age of 14 years, whether offered by that person on his own bp- half or on behalf of any other person, he shall be guilty of an offence against the Pawnbrok- ers' Act. 1872, but nothing in that Act nor in this section shall affect Section 50 of the Metro- politan Police Act, 1839." DECREASE IN CRIME. The Chief Constable also reported that dur- ing last quarter the total number of crimes com- mitted in the Borough was 82, as compared with 116 in the previous qua.rter. Of the. 82 persons apprehended, 52 were males and 6 were females. The total number of convictions was 46; 13 persons were discharged, and 20 com. mitted for trial. Under the head of non-indict- able offences, the report showed that 546 ma¡ and 131 females were proceeded against, a total of 677, as compared with 647 males and 163 ffc males in the previous quarter, or a decrease of males of 101, and of females of 32. There were 571 convictions of non-indictable offences, and 106 persons were dismissed, showing a de- crease of 103 convictions. An interesting table showed the days during last quarter on which moat drunkenness occurred, viz., Sunday, 36 (as compared with 55 in the previous quarter); Monday, 68, as compared with 4C; Tuesday. 17, as compared with 28; Wednesday, 16 (16); Thursday, 23 (19); Friday, 8 (21); Saturday, 142, as compared with. 113, or a total for the quarter of 308, as compared with 292 in the previous throe months. TENDERS. It was agreed to advertise in the "Merthyr Express" for tenders for summer clothing for the police. A letter was Tead from the local branch of the Society of Painters and Decorators, asking the Council to put in the contracts about to be given out for painting work at Dowlais and elsewhere clauses that Trades Union wages should be paid.—It was agreed to reply that such clauses were inserted, a.nd if thero was any breach, the matter should be reported. The following tenders were received for painting and plumbing work at Dowlais Police Station:—E. M. Jenkins, £20; Mulv->v £86 10s.; J. Jeremiah. £81: John Jenkins. 178.: Thomas Bros., £ 82.—That of Mr. John Jenkins, CaAfti..WJaar*being the lowast, yar- |

Merthyr Corporation Finances. HEAVY COSTS OF RECENT PROSECUTIONS. Coun. F. S. Simons presided at a meeting of the Finance Committee of the Merthyr Corpor ation on Tllesday.Th Borough Controller W. R. Harris) reported that the costs in crimm- al cases during the last, Assizes amounted to th". very heavy sum of £ 401 2s. lOd. The items in- eluded: Counsels' fees. E140 &0.. prosecuting solicitors' fees, JB125 12s. 6d. witnesses' fees, E126 18s. lOd. Costs allowed under the Poor Prisoners' Defence Act. by order of Mr. Justice Bray Solicitor's fees, £ 6 5s. 4d. counsel's fees. £3 5s. 6d. witnesses' fees, 12s. 8d. total, JB401 I 2s. lOd. Mr. Harris stated: "In view of the amount of fees paid to the prosecuting solici- tors, the Finance Committee may consider il advisable lo recommend that the question ct the appointment of a prosecuting solicitor be considered by the Corporation, or one of itr committees, with a. view to a considerable sav- ing in the cost under this head. In Swansea, the prosecuting solicitor is appointed at a salary of £ 100, the Corporation taking ail fees allow- ed. and such an appointment in Merthyr, hav- ing in mind the amount paid at oni Assizes, would certainly be to the advantage of the Cor- poration. In addition to the £ 401 2s. lOd. shown above, there was also paid to youi own police witnesses. J616 5s. 6d. for train fares and allowances, in accordance with the Watch Com- mittee's scale of allowances."—On the motion of Aid. J. liarpur, seconded by Coun. H; M. Lloyd, the matter was referred to the Watch Committee for their recommendation. It was reported that the Controller had re- t'P ceived from the Merthyr Distress Committee a cheque for £82, being the contribution from the Local Government Board in connection with work given to the unemployed on the Thomas- town Recreation Ground. During the quarter ended 31st March, the number of patients admitted to the Mardy Iso- lation Hospital was 189, and the total number of days In hospital for this number was 5.4C6. The nursing staff number ten, givinG- a, total number of 900 day-, en duty, and the domestic staff was nine, with a total number of 740 days on duty. The charges for maintenance of the Hospital during the quarter amounted to L571 Is. 2d. or a coot per head, including staff, of Is. 7 £ d. 2 The Accountant reported that the allowances foT vacancies and irrecoverables on the last rate were: On genera.] district rate, JS637 3s. 00-I and on water rentals JESS 19s. lAd. The summary of accounts showed a balance in the bank in favour of the Council of E19,855 14s. lOd Ip r?ply to Coun. H. M. Lloyd, it was stated that the thr-se shelters at the Thomastown Re- creation Ground will cost £ 93

A Million Oddfellows. Mr. W. Collins, corresponding secretary, has issued the numerical returns of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows for the year ended Decern- ber 31st. The aggregate number of subscribing members is 1.033,701, an increase of 3,975. The adult lodges admitted 32.747 new members, and the increase in the Colonial and foreign district. was 4,869. The Society lost by death 0,897 members, and by secession 25.090 members. The membership is mads up: Adu):, subscribing members, 882,593; admitted or junior member* belonging to adult ledges, 6,572; widows eub- scribing for funeral benefits, 13,357; members of juvenile lodges, 307; members of juvenile societies, 115.197; honorary members, 11,614: members of fena-lo societies, 4,056. The re- turns for the first time include the wives of members, to the number of 468 633, who are insured for a contingent benefit in the event of their predeceasing their husbands.

Trouble on Trouble. First Rheumatism, then Eczema, developed I from a Ghiil. Both Disorders promptly yieided to Dr. Williams' Pink (Pills. There is a striking illustration of the old proverb that troubles never come singly in the misfortunes of health that befel Mrs. Catherine Burgess, of 36, Furnace Hill, Chesterfield. A smiple chill led to a disordered state of the Blood, and this gave rise to the rapid develop- ment of two most aggravating and painful disorders, Rheumatism and Eezema. At length, Mrs. Burgess took Dr. Williams' Pink Pills-for Pale People, and through the rich, red blood these pills supplied she was completely cured. Describing her case to a reporter Mrs. Burgess said :— "I had taken a long walk one trying day and returned home tired and overheaetd. Foolishly I sat in a draught and thus caught a chilL My head felt dizzy, my eyes burned, and cold shivers ran down my spine. Then followed sharp agonising pains in my shoulders and back, and at length my arms and legs were tortured with acute stinging pains. In a few days I was racked with Rheuma- tism from my shoul- ders to my feet. Later, I became Tired and Overheated: aware that I was I Caught a Chill: anaemic. The chill bad Rheumatism with Eczema .affected my blood and Dr. Williams' Pink Pills this was weakening Cured her. my constitution. I was languid, nervous and very pale. The weakness with the tortures of Rheumatism made almost any exertion im- possible, and I bad the greatest difficulty in looking after the household. Then eruptions formed on my skin, and an extremely irritating inflammation spread over me. It proved to be Eczema, and made me most unsightly. I had tried remedies for the Rheumatism without relief, but knowing that Eczema was a blood disease, and being thoroughly run down and nervous, I made up my mind to try Dr. Williams' Pink Pills, for I had read of most obstinate cases being cured by these pills. "I got a supply and took them regularly. After a few days' treatment my nerves were calmed, and the pains in my legs, shoulders and arms diminished considerably. As I continued Dr. Williams' Pink Pills my veins were fed with new blood, and I lost the sickly pallor on my face. Then the pains of Rheumatism left me; the inflammation of the skin and Eczema were also radiply disappearing. I persevered with the treatment, and my general health improved wonderfully. In a remarkably short time all traces of Rheumatism, Eczema and Anaemia vanished and I was completely cured." Here is positive proof of the great value, for internal and external disorders, of the Rich, Red Blood that only Dr. Williams' Pink Pills can make. Through this new blood these pills supply overflowing strength, sound nerves, and a clear, healthy skin. Besides Anaemia, Rheu- matism, and Eczema, they have also cured Debility, Indigestion, Nervous Disorders, St. Vitus' Dance and Paralysis; invaluable also for the aches and ills that afflict women. 2b. 9d. a box, or 13s. 9d. for six, post free, from Dr. Williams' Medicine Co., 46, Holborn Viaduct, London. Also of all dealers but substitutes will not curb you, so always ask for Dr. Williams'.

Wheat rates continue to rise. and the price of bread has been or is about to be increased in a number of provincial towns. The Australian and New Zealand delegates, who are to attend the Imperial Press Confer ence at the beginning of June, left Sydney on J Monday by the "Mara-mll," for Vancouver, on their way to London.

I LOOK AT OUR I & !| WINDOWS i s To-day, j T ursday J |L AND j; if Saturday, ii AND YOU WILL SEE SOMETHING ii THAT WILL INTEREST YOU. I T LIPTON, LIMITED) I j THE LARGEST RETAILERS OF (J | TEA, BUTTER, AND PROVISIONS IN THE WORLD J !t — ——————————————————— 4, Market Square Buildings | j MERTHYR TYDFIL. | J. 4b''1:>

_n,_ p- ( MERTHYR POLICE COURT. TCESDAY.—Before Mr J. Plews and other ? .-nag Is trates. P an, AN OLD OFFENDER.-Redmond Coleman," ah old offender, well known to the Merthyr police, was charged with being drunk. He had a spree on Easter Monday, and having spent all his money, and bein without the wherewithal to pay for a night's lodging-, he went to the po- lice station, and asked for "a lie down." As ¡ he was not capable of taking care of himself, his request was granted, and he was put in one of the cells until Tuesday morning. He ap- peared in the deck with his face plastered. The Magistrates' Clerk asked him who had been painting his face, but he made no reply be- yond smiling.—A fine of 5s. and costs was im- posed, or in default 7 days. "INSULTED DY Two MEN."—Charged with be- ing drunk and disorderly, Gwendoline JoyC) said that she was insulted by two men, who took her for another woman, and she simply protested.—The Bench believed the statement of the police officer, and fined her 5s. and costs, or 7 days. THB WOMAN AND "THE CHILD." Rachel Thomas, an elderly woman, and Cornelius McCarthy, a youth, were charged with miscon duct.—Rachel denied the charge, and naid that she spoke to "the child" because he had bean living next door to her.—Asked by the Magi- strates' Clerk who the child was. she pointed to McCarthy, who stocd by her side.—The latter, replying to the Magistrates, said that he was 15 years of age.-I-le began to cry. and told the Bench that he was not guilty of the charge.— Rachel was fined 20s. and costs, and the charge against "the child" was dismissed. HAD HER TEMPER UPSET.—Martha Williams, Treharris, charged with being drunk and dis- orderly, said that her husband had beaten her, and she left the house. — The Magistrates' Clerk: Did that make you drunk?—The de- fendant: It upset my temper, and I went and got a glass.—She was fined 5s. and costs. NOTHING TO SUPPORT THE CASE. William Powlett, for whom Mr. F. P. Charles appeared, was charged with using indecent language to- wards Edith Frith, Clare-street, Merthyr — The case was dismissed, the Chairman remark. ing that the complainant had nothing to sup- port her charge. THEFT.—Joseph Hussey, standing well over 6ft., was brought up on remand for the third time charged with having stolen a coat and vest, which were now cla.imed by Simon Pictor, a Jewish clothier, of Dow -Hussey was seen by P.S. Jones, Penydarren, carrying the coat and vest. which he said he had worn, but which, as a matter of fact, would not fit a boy of 17. The officer was suspicious and detained the man, who subsequently made contradictory statements as to how he became possessed of the cloth itig.-Taking into consideration the fact that the defendant had been in custody for 11 days awaiting trial, the Bench sentenced him to a day's imprisonment, which meant his im- mediate discharge. AFFILIATION.—Catherine Daley, of Dowlais, summoned Thomas Donovan to show cause, etc.—Mr. F. P. Charles was for defendant. Defendant was told to pay 3s. 6d. a week ASSAULTED THE POLICE. John Thompson, labourer, was charged with being drunk and disorderly, and also with assaulting P.C. John Evans at Merthyr. The Officer said the de- fendant behaved like a madman, kicked witness on the leg, and also injured his thumb.—For drunkenness, Thompson was fined 5s. and costs, and was sent to prison for a month for assault- ing the officer. William Finns, who was call- ed to assist P.C. Thompson, was also kicked by the defendant, who was also ordered to pay J32 and costs, or go to prison for another month. D E;SERTFIL -David Evans, a deserter from the Welsh Regiment, stationed at Gravesend, who gave himself up at Dowlais, because he fell out with his wife, was remanded to await an es- cort. THEFT OF IRON. John Owen, of Merthyr, i charged with stealing old iron, value 3s.. the 1 property of Messrs. Crawshay Bros., Cyfarthfa, j was sent to prison for 14 days. DEFENDED ANOTHER MAN'S WIFE. John Sullivan was charged with unlawfully j wounding James DAly, a labourer, of no fixed abode, who appeared in court with his nose and forehead bandaged. Daly said thai, about half-past eight on the night of the 2nd inst. he saw the defendant beating a woman in Wel- lington-street. Witness went to him and told him not to beat the woman. Sullivan there- upon turned upon him and knocked him down with a blow on the chest, and while on the ground defendant kicked him on the face, se- verely injuring his nose.—When charged by P.C. Stephens with assaulting Daly, the defend- ant said, "Yes, it is me," and the defendant's wife, who was standing close by, also remark- ed, "Yes, it is him, and it is all because he knocked me."—Dr. Ernest Ward said that he examined Daly, and found him suffering from a wound on the bridge of the nose. Daly had had his nose fractured some two years previ- ously, and the blow he received had opened the old wound, but the bone was not broken. The defendant told the magistrates that he was at- tacked by Daly and his brother, and he simply defended himself.—The defendant who was com- mitted to the Quarter Sessions, applied for bail. —The Chief Constable said that a relativo of the defendant had threatened one of the wit- nesses for the prosecution. The defendant's relatives were warned against interfering with the witness, and bail was granted. ]

NURSE JAMES'S PILLS. § ? Bf WOMEN | OF ALL AGES. C J They act like mas/ic: they help nature J correct all irregularities build up the ft; Sgeneral health, and make a 7coman fjf LOOK WELLANO FEEL WELL. | ) tr No woman should be without them. H Pest free for 1/14, 2/9, or 4-/6 from jf I Henry M. Lloyd, 3 1 Chemist, 1 Victoria Street, Merthyr. I WE do not claim to be able to perform miracles, as the days for these are past, but we certainly can lay claim to a great number of marvellous cures, am testified to by a multitude of people who have used our Remedy, viz.. The "MANNINA" HERBAL OINTMENI The cares rango over a field of many and varied diseases, as instance, Cancer of the breast, lip, etc., Tumours, Lupus, Erysipelas, Carbuncles, Abscesses Ulcerated and poisoned wounds. Sarcoma, Piles, Psoriasis, Scalds. Burns, Eczema, Ringworm, R» dent Ulcers of the hands. Chapped ditto, Chilblains, Scurvy, Sprains, Swollen Feet, Rheumatism, etc. And we confidently invite the most thorough inves. tigation of these our various statements with re- gard to the merits of our Remedy. Presuming that you are ready to take r us at our word, and wish to test "MANNINA" for yourselves, see that you ob- tain the right thing. "MANNINA" (Trade Mark) is made np in three different strengths, as No. 1, Full, Cancer, etc.. care, at 2s. 9d., 4s. 6d., and 8s. 6d. per pot.. As No. II., Medium, for all poisoned wounds, at Is. lid., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d. per pot. As No. III., Mild, fot all skin diseases, at is. lid., 2s. 9d., and 4s. 6d. per pot. The Mannina" Ointment is sold by the follow. in Dispensing Chemists, viz. :-Memrs. V.' A, Wills, 3a, Victoria-street, Merthyr; T. Da vies, Porth D. E. Davies, Treorchy Emrys Evans, Aberdare; Oliver Davies, MiU-street, Ponty. pridd Mr. D. George, Dispensing Chemist. 153. Bute-street, Treherbert; Mr. T. Thomas,M. R. P. 3^, Consulting Chemist, Cash Drug Stores Co., Treharris; Mr. D. Williams, M.P.S., Dispensing Cbsmiat, Commercial-street, Mountain Ash, &a. or can be obtained direct from the Sole Proprietor: The "Mannina" Herbal Ointment Con Main Street, FISHGUARD. PLEASE WRITE FOR FREE BOOKLET. -41 i—TO LADIES—■ Irregularities, Suppressions. &c., removed bv a n entirely now and absolutely certain method Without Medicine. No pills, mixture?, or nauseous drugs to take. No useless injections. The greatest discovery of Modern Medical Science. Guaranteed harmless. It is positive, safe, certain, and speedy. Does not interfere with household, dnties. Every case guaranteed. I)o nob experiment with useless remedies, !Send at once a stamped addressed envelope for full particulars and testimonials guaranteed. Genuine under a penalty of £ 1,000. full particulars and testimonials guaranteed. Genuine under a penalty of 21,000. Mrs. H. S. Brookes, Ardgowan Road, Either Green, LONDON. (Established over 16 years.) -4 ¡ ARMITAGies DRY FEED: CHICKEN FOOD. The y original and I)nt Chickens rear- cd on this Food weigh 20 ozs. when five H weeks old. Pullets commence to lav at y original and l>est Chickens rear- cd on this Food weigh 20 ozs. when five H weeks old. Pullets commence to lav at H five months. In bags 4d., 8d., Is. 4d., ■ 2s. 6d. and 5a. Manufactured by Armitage Q Bros., Ltd., Nottingham. Sold by Rich A ■ Sons, Grocers Hopkins Bros., 82, Twyny- B rodyn, Merthyr Tydfil, and D. Jones, Car- N warthen Stores, Tredegar. '!n!) !<! j Aro you looKing for anything? If so, a Want Ad. in our columns will get It for, fou. 1L ly /D" 004 Never, EVER accept e 'Just-as-good kind when you ask for j&, WOW, 'bow D"KI'wvrE" CIGARETTES Fragrant-delightful-absolutely pur6 -r- Finest cigarette,value ever sgld, Of all Tobaccaiiists. GALLAHER, LTI), ( Tl,a 1,3dp..d-t Finn EW(ast and .7

MERTHYR AS BORROW SAW IT. The allusions to Merthyr in the works of En- glish writers are naturallv few There is, how- ever, a reference to the town in George Bor- row's glorified guide book, "Wild Wales," which has always seemed to me interesting and worthy of notice. Coming at, the end of his journey into the Swansea road from Hirwain he describos how he saw the glare and blaze of the forges before him as lie approached the town. "I had blazes now all around me," he says. "I went through filthy slough, over a, bridge, and up a street from which dirty lanes branched off on cither side, passed throngs of savage-looking people talking cJamoro\1sly. shrank from addressing them, and finally found myself before the Castle Inn." The next morn- ing he explored the town "What shall I say," he asks, "of Cyfarthfa Fawr? I had best say but very little. f saw enormous furnaces; streams of molten metal; millions of sparks flying about; aD immense whed impelled round with frightful velocity by a steam engine of 240 horse-power. I heard all kinds of dreadful 8m_rods; The general effect was stunning." TheD turning to other parts, he says: "The houses are ineneral low a.nd mean, and built of rough grey stono. Merthyr, however, can show sev- eral remarkable edifices, though of a gloomy, horrid Satanic character. There is the hall of iron, with its arches, from which proceeds in- cessantly a thundering noise of hammers. Then there is an edifice at the foot of a mountain half-way up the side of which is a blasted for- est, and all the top an enormous cra.g. A truly wonderful edifice it is, such as a, painter might have imagined had he wanted to paint the palace of Satan. There it stands, lJ. house of reddish brick, with a slate roof, four horrid black tow- ers behind, two of them belching forth smoke and flame from their tops, holts like pigeon holes here and there, two immenc white chim- neys standing bv themselves. What edifice can tlw t be of such strange Imd mad details?" "After strolling about," he concludes, "for about two hours with my hands in my pockets. I returned to my inn, called for a. glass of ale, paid my reckoning, and departed The story which immediately follows of the Irish woman Borrow met at Troedyrhrw is one of the most extraordinary in his works (which is saying a good deal), and I ca-n recommend it to anyone who ha.s not read it. "The house of reddish brick with four horrid black towers," etc., is not easy of identification now. Could he refer to the iron works at Penydarren just opposite the County School? This sketch of Merthyr literary history, which T have now given, has no claim, as I have said before, to completeness. It represents the im- pressions of one who approaches the subject without the advantages (or disadvantages) of much previous knowledge, and certainly with- out any prejudice or bias in favour of any one writer ot class of writers. But it is clear that, as regards the past. Merthyr can look back upon what belongs to her literary annals with the just pride that springs from the attempt and the achievement of able work. There are few towns with so short a history that can boast of a literary historian so famed as Thomas Stephens, an antiquarian so able and accurate as G. T. Clark, a translator so skilful in interpreting the thoughts of one language in the forms of an- other as Lady Charlotte Guest. If we cannot boast of a philosopher, a "reat essayist, or a world-renowned poet; if Merthyr has not yet produced a novelist (a strange thing in these days) then we must look to the future to redress the balance, to fill up the gaps, and the best promise of greatness in the future is in the remembrance and in the due appreciation of the worthy traditions of the past To MOTHERS.—Mrs. Wiitslow's Soothing Syrup has been used over fifty year? by millions of mothers for their children while teething, with perfect success. It. will relieve the poor sufferer immediately. It is pleasing to tasie; it produces natural quiet sleep, by relieveiirg the child from pain, and the little cherub awakes "as bright as a button." Of all chemists, Is. lid. per battle.