The Merthyr Express

i1 .pi f.- P% Beauty v Value. E i L; iv, e spread to every corner of our B Establishment with the coming. of the I -1 SPRING GOODS. 0 p Particularly is this true in our | Dress Goods Department. The wealth J of new things defies description-every H new weave, every new shade, is repre- ffi sented in our showing, and for Value, i real honest value, our 1910 Spring i Display surpasses any previous Exhibi- 1 tion. I Take the various fabrics suitable are confident batter value or greater variety could not be found in the whole I are Spring Costi ernes value or greater :t l)1 the British Isles. The following are but a few of the HL any delightful Costume Weaves we arc- showing :— DON EGAL tweeds; in a large variety of colours, 52in. i Tide, at from 2s. 6!d. per yard. WOOL SACK CHEVlil)TS -quite the Newest on oostume W, Iaves-in self ;and two tone colourings, 50in. wide, 1s. Ilid. and 2s. 114d. per yard. This new fabric h of a Hopsack nature and makes un into charming tostitmes. NEW H,ERRING BOPfE SUITINGS in attractive Spring colour?* SOin. wide, at Is. 61d. and Is. 111d. per yard. IMITATION HARRIS TWEEDS, in several colours, 52in. wide, Is. 11 tel. per yard. These Tweeds cannot be beaten far present wear. NEW HAWICK TWEEDS, in all the Fashionable colours, ideal for knockabout costumes, 50in. wide, Is. 614 and 1s. 11d. per yard. We have chosen our stock with great care, and are confident it will meet with the ajpproval of our patrons. We have put examples of the various weaves in our Windows, but, of course, to get a true conception of the worth and beauty of our Display you must come inside and examine the goods themselves. We do not ask you to come in and purchase, but we do say come in and look round, for we want you to appreciate how well fitted we are to serve you. I ? UnUCEUft! R m HOUSEHOLD LINENS, j A We are now making a Special Show 1 of these. Table Cloths, Napkins, Sheets, H ¡ Towels, Towelings, &c. they are a most 1 attractive assortment of just the kinds that I are most serviceable, those that will delight i the practical housekeeper, and the prices are I attractive too, as these instances show. B Bleache's Damask Table Cloths & Serviettes. I TABLE CLOTHS, 2yds. by 2yds., 3s. lid., 4s. lid., 63. lid., 8s. lid., § 10s. 6d., 129 |j TABLE CLOTHS, 2yds. by 2 £ yds., 4s. lid., 6s. lid., to 25s. Sd. 1 TABLE CLOTHS, 2iyds. by 3yds., 8s. 11d,, 10s. 6d., 12s. 6d., 15s. 6d. H to 35s. I SERVIETTES, 3s. 6d., 4s. 6d., 5s. 6d., 6s. 6d., 7s. 11d. to 25s. 6d. S per dozen. | Handsome Embroidered and Openwork Cotton and Linen BED- jl SPREADS, 8s. 11d. to 3 guineas. jg| Embroidered and Hemstitched Cotton and Linen SHEETS, 11s. 6d., fj 14s. lid. up to 50s. per pair. fe Hemstitched, Frilled and Embroidered PILLOW CASES, 6|d>, 8|d., j| Wjd., is. 0 £ d. to 4s. 11 d. I Tray, uchesse, Sideboard and Atfernoon Tea CLOTHS, in everr |! Style and Quality. T S | Enormous Stock of TOWELS AND TOWELLING. 1 100 dozen Brown and White Stripe TURKISH TOWELS, 3-,Id., 4 £ d., R .id., 8 £ d. to Is. 11dJ. I 6 4 80 dozen Hemstitched TURKISH TOW5LS (Pure White), Is. Old., B Is. 3|d., Is. 61d., to 3s. lid. B 4 Christy's Brown Linen Towels, 101d. to 4s. 11 d. 8 Huckaback TOWELS (all Linen), Old., 3id., 10ld. to Ss. 11d. 1 I GLASS TOWELS, KITCHEN TOWELS, 3ATH SHEETS, etc., etc., I in great variety, at exceptionally Low Prices. B J I In 1 R. T. JONES & Co., I in Market Square, Merthyr. J

"¡ Antiquarian Column. C,,vmy glo. -When Roger Williams was miDts- ter hero, he had connection also with two cL^roh-ee near Llandovery. I believe, and the question has often occurred to me—how was the ground covered? There were no roads, were there? Owen Rees was minister at Aber- dare, 1756-68, and for some years previously he was in charge of the two churches near Llan- dovery as well as Aberdare. He is known to have been in Aberdare in 1754- and he finally severed his connection with Iilandovery in 1756. What is the history of road-making in this I jveiThbourhood ?—S.N.S. Castell Deden was at Gefncoed, and known later as Laburnum House, where the Rev. Owen Evans lived for many years. The name Î8 a corruption of Tydien Castle, and Tydien is said to have boon, like Tydvil, a daughter of Brychan Brvel-iein -o_!z, who is said to have had S4 sons and 24 daughters. It is known that Castell Deden was originally a religious house, & kind of monastery or nunnery; and it is more than likely that the 48 reputed children ■of Brychan were heads of some kind of relig- ious brotherhoods and sisterhoods. Many of the r.mi es are connected with rivrre and brooks. "T'l-n Ifan, Tilter," waa a noted Merthyr tshart'.c r in the early part of last century. I have tried for many years to get some bio- igrapliical particulars of him, but with no suo- toess- He was, I believe, a frequent contributor 4o 'Seren Gomer," and author of a pamphlet of which I saw a copy some 50 years ago, the only one I have ever seen. He followed the occupation of "titter." whatever that may mean, at Cyfarthfa.—S.N.S. Rev. Daniel Davies. Perhaps you will (allow a few corrections and additions. Mr. Davies was ordained May 6th, 1785. He re- -si--ned towards tho end of 1810. In 1826-31 he was mimster at Watford, and 1832-7 at Cefn- tood. He died a. Pontypr;dd, Augrust 15th. EL853. aged 93.-(See "Hanes Eglwys Yaysgau," D. D. Williams.)—S.N.S. P.mc-y-Bwrlin, or more correotly, Pant-y- is a place of historical interest. It denotes a spot to tho south of Merthyr, not far from a farm known as Tai Mo.wr It derives its numn from the fact that bull-fights were held Itfcere in ancient times, the lnte probably taking ;place oarly in 1835, when Thomas, son of o'r Gno! was gored to death. Dur- ing the Parlaimentary session" of that year, an Act was passed to out an end to bull-fighting I in this country. Thomas's body was interred in the burying-trround of the Old Mpeting Houee, Cefncoed. In the s.%mc gray:" tho re- miains of his father, Edward Thomas Edward, a poet of some notfl were inferred in 1840, aged 80. Edward is credited with having formed an I underground ca.nal in the DyUas Colliery in 1795, for which William Evan Roes, gr^t- ■grandfathpr of DT. Bees Griffiths, of Cardiff, bti-ilt the boat, The Gnol is a farm-house on tb"" hill above Cwrnbacb, Aberdre,-N.S. Old Proverbs.—Mitch doubt seems to prevail I as to the present value of our old proverbs, And there may be an apparent reason for it. Still, at will be wel to remember that the old people, living more in the OP"TI than we do, w-Te more observant and spolci from experience. In order to justify th.5 truth of some of the proverb?, we must remember that the change commonly known as O S. into N.S. put many of them out of pear. Before 1752. the year beflran on March 25th, so when the transfer wis made March 25th, so when the transfer wAs made from that date to the 1st of January. 1751 was dep.-ived of January, February, and 24 days of I March, nearly the whole of its last three months: with the result that we must wait eleven days longer sometimes to give the pro- ) verb th:- semblance of truth. It is said the may Sower does nor, bloom until June; but it I did bsiora 1752.—6.N.S. RUINS OF CAPEL Y FFOREST. ¡ ,-ir,-Ob-,orvir,g your column on antiquarian subjects I believe it would bo interesting to aom; of your readers if their attention were caiie<! to the ruins of the old church called Caps! j Fforest, which are situated in a se- cluded hollow on top ot tho hill called Mynydd y Fforest, as near as possible in a due ea3t line jpf the Merthyr Vale Colliery. Some time ago being on the spot. I made a few observations of the old ruin. and found that the foundation walls ara still in a go state of preservation. The building measures about 39 ft. length by 24 ft. span. The corner quoins are intact, and the workmanship on the mason work indicates good craft. The mortpr is composed of lime mbred with earth of the nature of. the soil to be found on the spot. I placed my compass pn the lengthways of the building, and found ihe line of the walls bear exactly due fast aijd west, showing that who CVQf. laid t,ha foundation line of the building must have been acquaintecj with Ecclesiastical architecture. On the eWt end of the building there are diitinet traces if the foundation of boundary wall enclosing an Urea of grave yard which, no. doubt, contain human remains. On the south side there aro traces of two short walls, such as a porch en- trance. On the inside of the west end wall is *n opening set off with quions, which I take lo Ix? a fireplace opening. T shalj be pleased to know whether any of your readers have any oh. servations to make on the origin of this old ruin. I remember hearing from an old inhab- itant of the locality the traditipB thq^ lje bad beard that St. Tielo &ad other dlyinea from Llancarvan regularly rode on horseback to this old church to preach on Sunday mornings. It is also said that this old church is of more an- cient origin than the Merthyr Parish Church. —Yours, etc., ONE INTERESTED n¡ ANTIQOTTY. "THE CELEBRITIES OF OLD MERTHYR." Sir,—Many of your readers are, I take it, like myself, very interested in tho attention which has been paid lately in your columns to the history of our native town. History, like charity, should begin at home, and having made ourselves masters of the history of our town, we may then well proceed to study the history of the nation, the history of the British Empire, and the history of empires long since crumbled into dust. An important ana valu- able contribution to this local history was made at the last meeting of the Merthyr Cymreig- yddion Society by Mr. Ben Jones (Merthyrfab). Mr. Jones is a well-known ll figure, known to most people as an energetic postman, and known also to very many of us as a good poet and an ardent patriot—both local and national. "Merthyrfab," in the course of a very able paper, dealt with "The Poets of Merthyr and Distirict during the last three hundred years." Many of the persons of whom we read lately in the "Express'' were referred to and com- mented upon, and ono night was altogether too short to deal with the Tories of interesting matter which the industry of Mr. Jones had accumulated. The discussion which followed wa^ most enthusiastic, auo it was strongly urged that Mr. Jones should publish his paper in book-form. This, of course, is only one branch of the history of Merthyr, but all will agree that it is a most important branch, for in throwing light upon o!d Merthyr poets we also throw light upon some of the very best citizens of the old days. The lovers of literary matters in aur sister town—Aberdare—are very enthusiastic concerning the history of literature as it immediately affects their town, and it is to bo hoped that Mr. Jones will go on with the enterprise to which he has n urged, so that our neighbours may realize that we are citizens of no maar c. -that we have a past of which ity 0 all Merthyriana may feel proud.—Your?, etc., ''CYllBEXGYDD." THE OLD MILITARY ROAD FROM CHESTER TO CARDIFF The interesting excerpt sent by "Antiquar- ian" last week, descriptive of the ancient road from Chester via Brecon to Cardiff, sets one thinking about the difficulties, of communication through mountain tracts in those days. The road in question evidently is the old road wh-ch comes through the depression between the central and eastern peaks of the Beacons range into Taf-fechan, past the Neuadd down to the bridga, when it crosses t-be stream, and so on by Pentwyn to Capel Tai-fcchan and Pontsticill. Up .to this point the road is clear enough. On the high ground a* Pontsticill, however, there would be alternative routes through Vaynor to Cefncoed and Merthyr, or into the valley across the river, and up on the eastern side to Pantcadivor. The latter is obviously flie continuatiod from the names of places. The; ruins of Morlais Cattle are placed at one mile from Pontsticill. The next point marking distances is Beacon Hill. This ftlsc furnishes a clue to the route of the road, and it is a very crooked one. At Pant it turned at right angles, as to-day, and passed over the Bryni&u and Penbryn to Gwaelodygarth, and thence down into the present main road by tho Hospital. It continued along that road till just below the Theatre, where it tuTaed off to tho east, crossed tho Morlais by some bridge anterior to what was known years later as Waterloo Bridge, climbed the buLUsida to Pen- yard, and the nee on to losing Top, where it made a sharp turn to tha south, and continued on to Mountain Hare, where it joined the road from the Parish Church 61" Merthyr, through Twvnyrddyn, to Twynywadn. Just beyortd Mountain Hare, it went off the last-named road sfgain southwards for some distance, until a branch went off to Blaenbargoed, tho m^in track continuing a cours^eylong the summit of the mountain through ti>0. fdrm called Begwns, and thence down through Cefn Forest to Twyn- ygarreg—now Trcharris—into the road from Merthyr, now crossed by the. Great Western Railway. I haye no idea what hillet were called BulJavan Hills at the head of Tai-fcchan; but there can be no doubt that the Beacon Hill, five miles along the route from the ruins of Mortal's Castle, iq located by Des- moun- tain farm on the estate of Lord Plymouth, now in the occupation of Mr. Stephen Thomas. It is remarkable that although the route mdi- cated went for miles through the parish of Merthyr, yet there is no mention or the town- ship or village. IroAwpriks n coal love's were in operation on a, considerable sws. ft that period, and therefore the place was of some note and importance.—S. Several letters intended for jns^rtioq_ in this column 3r. h-] ever Until next week.

jHajr For Cakes, Pastry, JHV Puddings and Pies. [BORWICKS] ^^BAKINGPOWttER^p

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

TO CORRESPONDENTS. T. Jones —We thank you for your communi- cation, and recrret wo are unable to find room for it.

RELIGION AND SOCIALISM. Sir,—I am one of many that feel obliged: to you for reporting in your paper the excellent oourao of sermons just now given by the Rev. J. Morgan Jones, Hope Chapel, Merthyr, and I strongly think that if ths remaining dis- courses will be anything on a par with those reported, it would be a great service to the wl oommunity if Mr. Jones could ba induced to have them printed in pamphlet form at the earliest ,b,t'?'o. It would also be an equally greai vice to Christianity and Liber- alism if he can be persuaded to publish them in Welsh as well. A HIRWAIN LIBERAL VOTER AND ANTI SOCIALIST.

A* CALL TO MINISTERS. S.ir,-Wiil you allow me to say a few words to the ministers of the Gospel? It is high time for the servants of God to awake to their re- sponsibility here in Merthyr. What are they doing to savo souls for the Master's kingdom ? It is high time to awake out of their skep. The minister of each Christian Church should awake to his duty outside as well as insido tiho church. Their religion is far too comfortable. They should leave their easy chairs, pull off their kid gloves and top hats, and, for Christ's sake, go down and save the lost souls for whom Christ died. Do they ever think of the perish- ing multitudes that never enter a place of wor- slup because it is far too respectable for them? Look at that great building, the Y.M.C.A.. that is being raised to save young men. May I ask, what is being done to save young womp'n? The young men are ever lounging about the street corners, with hands in their pocKets and pipes in their mouths. They won't go into the piacas provided for them already without put- ting the town to all the expense for the Y.M.C.A. Look at our Rescue Home and the few rescue workers struggling feebly trying to save a few. Why not take an, individual in- terest in the Rescue Home, and help that to become self-supportin?. and give scope to the workers to go forward with "their noble work in saying JOlJng girls from ruin. £ 200 can he raised quite easily one afternoon over a toot- b&U match. A shelter has been spoken about, y&t nothing has been done in that direction. I think .the whole town ought to take, an, in- tecest ip the rogcue work. It could 6oon be mad? a succes^ and sufficient funds raised to -1 ua carry on God's work in saving individual souls^ Lot tha young. n?@n afterwards_ be seen to. Let us try to save our young girls first from immorality and ruin. Let the whole district lice up the roscu? woTk. Tho churches hav« done their part in '■ Iii.; way, but the whole dis- trict can* do more; and as the money can bo gained for football matches, 1ft it to a&va ita lo«( fel]en4 ja Ihe fihfpe of a laundry, or some such like insti- tute, where girls could bo employed. I hope these few remarks will have a good result.—I am, Sir, yours, etc., A CHRISTIAN WORKER.

A DENIAL. Sir,—It has been suggested by some person or porsons, whose identity I am ignorant of, that I, at the meeting of Merthyr Vale work- men, which was held at the Aberfan HaJl last Thursday, endeavoured my utmost to disturb the meeting "by booling." Please permit me to give this charge an unqualified and emphatic denial. I never did "boo," and two friends who happened to sit almost beside me are pre- pared to bear me out. It is true that as an outsider I had no right to be present at th.e meeting; but out of curiosity, I, to my sorrow, did present mysolf, with the result that I un- wittingly became a target for this unfounded accusation. The meeting terminated in a verit- able pandemonium; a roar of "boos" signalled the rising of a majority of the speakers. It seems, therefore, strange that one solitary indi- vidual among an audience of seven hundred in continual uproar should have attracted go much attention. My "boo" apparently carried more weight than the "boos" of the other six hundred and ninety nine put together! But, as I said before, I never did "boo." I merely laughed—being human. This charge, however, is but one of a. long series of misrepresentations with which I have been cowardly assailed by certain people at Merthyr Vale.—Yours sin- cerely, Merthyr Vale. HUW MENAI.

RECREATION GROUNDS FOR ABERFAN AND MERTHYR VALE. Sir,—Can I have a little space in your valu- able paper to draw the attention of the inhabit- ants of Aberfan and Merthyr Valo to the fact that, to all appearances, the movement to pro- vide suitable recreation grounds has ialien through. I notice with regret that Messrs. Nixons and Co. are constructing roadways, etc., for tipping purposes on the Coffee Tavern field, and that plans, etc., are in hand to build houses on the piece of waste ground near tho branch library at Aberfan. When those two pieces of fground become lost to us, we have no others available, without going a considerable distance from the centre of the village. May I suggest that some action be taken to see if this open space and field cannot be saved to us. The piece of ground couJ.d, without a. great deal of expense, be cleaned up and mado useful for various games, such as bowls and football,, for youngsters. A bandstand could also bo erected for our local band for open-air practices, etc. The Coffee Tavern field, I am sure, could bo acquired if an influential committee were formed, to press the Corporation to approach Messrs. Nixon again. Trusting something will be done before it is too late,—Yours, etc.. DAN. EVANS. :;n Marche, Aberfan. April 4th, 1910.

DARRAN MAN IN SOUTH AFRICA. Sir,—I read with regret, on my arrival here last week from Central Africa, of tho terrible colliery disaster which occurred at Darran Pit, near Bargoed (my old place of residence), re- cently. Please extend to all the sufferers, on my behalf, my deep-felt sympathy and condol- ence in their sad bereavement and suffering, especially to the family of the iate Mr. David Lewis (manager), who, when in South Wales, I knew well. Kindly inform me if any sub- scription list has been opened, in order that I may do my little to assist in alleviating the suffering of tho fatherless ones.—Yours faith- fully, ALF. J. WHITE, Certificated Accountant.. "Rooikrans," P.O. Rooiberg- Mine, via Warmbaths, TranfvaaJ, South Africa., March 12th, 1910.

POLITICS AND RELIGION. • Sir,—The sad circumstances connected with the death of the Rev. Thomas Law, the great organizer of Free Church Councils, are calculat- ed to raise a question in regard to ministers being saddled with the dual burdens of politics and religion. A man like the late Mr. Law, whom I knew very well, had to bear that dual burden from which he found no rest, until, wrecked in nerve, he became the victim of some irresponsible impure, and the churches he has helped are shocked, and perhaps in- jured. The politician knows no rest.. There is always homething stirring and moving in politics, and always a state of tension. Such a case as Mr. Law's, to my mind, conveys a. warning against an exacting political propa- ganda in connection with any church or churches. The ordinary citizen, too, knocking about the world six days out of seven, in con- tact and frequent argument it may be,, with a great variety of minds, wants a respite from militant politics and policies when he goes to a place of worship. He wants teaching and strengthening in those principles which will guide him in great questions without his being bothered and Derturbed by exhortations to back up this cause or that cause. The Church is emptying her pews and losing her opportunities for usefulness by this dabbling in party poli- tics: in connection with" the worries, vexations, and unrest of which a great man has wrecked bis natural and moral life. Is not his blood on the system?—Yours faithfully, OLD WAYS. Bargoed, April 4th, 1910.

ARE BAPTISTS BIGOTED AND INTOLERANT? Sir,—Might I be permitted to SAy that the bigotry and intolerance of "Pro-Baptiet" in I your issue of the 2nd inst. surpass that of the most illiterate Catholics. The Catholics, in- deed, have some sort of an excuse for being intolerant. They contend—and, unfortunately, their contention is supported by history—that the Catholic Church existed for centuries before all others, that during that time, when the art of printing was unknown, th.e Scriptures were transcribed and re-transcribed again and again by Catholics, and that this country was con- verted from paganism to Christianity by Catho- lics. The Baptists have no suoh plea. Their Church did not come into existence until the seventeenth century. Like the other branches of Nonconformity, it is a man-made religion, not founded on a rock, and there-fore destined to perish. No amount of quackery and Bal- fourian chicanery could prove otherwise. We hear a great deal about the "boon" of "open j Bibles," but to the thoughtful observer the I open Bible is more a curse than a boon. It has filled the country with bigoted quacks. Seeing that the greatest scholars of all ages differ in their interpretation of the Scriptures,' it ought to be plain to the most obtuse that aemi-illiterate "local" preachers are not quali- fied to say what religion is right or wrong. It ougtht also to be plain to everyone that every church contains bad and good, and that there are good men who never attend any place of worship. I have heard it said on more tnan one occasion that it was Mr. Lloyd George's knowledge ef the New Testament that enabled him to produce such a good Budget. The only fault I have to find with the Budget is that many of its ciauses are not drastic enough, but I maintain that Mr. Lloyd George might have produced an equally good Budget if he had neyer read a line in the New Testament. Mr. W. E. Gladstone did more for the democracy than any Nonconformist ever did, and although I belong to that Church of which he was a member, I am prepared to admit that he might have been just as successful if he bad been a Jew or an Atheist. When will mankind learn that religion is one thing and politici another? I may say here that Nonconformists in general are; the most narrow-minded people with whom I come in contact.. I should like to say some- thing about the objectionable practice of put- ting clergymen oh publio bodies, but space will not permit. Trusting you will give this the same publicity that you gave to the letter of "Pro-Baptist,"—I remain, Sir. yours faithfully, A CHURCHMAN, Ebbw Vale, April 5th, 1910.

DEFENCE OF CATHOLIC SOCIALISTS: BEING A REPLY TO A MERTHYR VALE PRIEST. Sir,—Finding that the Socialist position can- not be successfully assailed from the economic and histocial side, the opponents of Socialism in despair fasten upon what they conceive to be its anti-religious teachings. In a desperate effort to prove that this is the case, "the enemies of the Red Flag," among whom are many ministers oi religion, hav circulated broad- oast a pamphlet purporting to contain authentic quotations from the works of Karl Marx, Engel, Blatcliford, Kauteky, Bax, Hyndman, and other well-known whioh (they aver) distinctly prove that Socialism is inimical to traditional religion. It is needless for me to say that these quotations have been wrenched for their contexts; in fact, quite new matter h&s, in some places, been introduced, so as to make it more relish able to the anti- Socialists. On more than one occasion I have found it necessary to challenge these "enemies of the Red Flag" to quote me chapter, verse, authority, and source from which their quota- tions emanated, but all in vain. The Catholio priest who lately held a week's mission in Mer- thyr Vale was typical of the anti-Socialists. Somebody had made it hie business to inform the missioner that many of the local Catholics were enamoured of Father T. J. Hagerty, M.A., and his gospel of "Economic Discontent." In othar words, these local Catholics ha.d the vulgar audacity to declare themselves Social- ists. The good missioner, one Sunday night, proceeded to disillusion them. He pointed out to hia hearers that he had made himself ac- quainted with the movements of Father Hag- erty, and that he had found out the worthy father wais now in America leadinar strikers. Leading strikers!—what a. dreadful sin! What a fall from graçe Were not his heajrors at fbt momfnt anticipating a strike in the, Welsh coa&clds? Did not Jesus Himself lead a host of atrikers against the system, which obtained at His time ? Socialism means the common ownership of the means of life. If the worthy missioner is to bo believed, to advocate that is to commit a sin against the Catholic Church, but not against God! It ia, however, unfair, to' measure the Catholic Church by tho measurement of this missioner's perspective. Everything is founded on the stomach: Catholic churches and Ficnch j' revolutions, Sicilian vespers, nad the National .Liberal Club. life ui foremoetly n. cesMc; ia SiMtiM the wbsr«,witji&l to maistiifl, that life. Protection from the elements, and protection from hunger, takes precedence over every other protection. Socialism is concerned with this material consideration; it is eminent- ly and character isticaily a religion of the stomach. Capitalism makes no distinction be- tween the religion of those conscious units which it employs. Almost in every coal mino in South Wales, wo find Greeks, Chinese, Las- cars, Kaffirs, working side by side with WeJsh- men and Englishman. In the same "Barxv" wo find Mohammedans, Catholics, Atheists, I Nonconformists, and Quakers toiling side by side. Capitalism, where unskilled labour is concerned, is only interested in muscles; it cares not whether its employees are followers of Bradlaugh, of Buddha, or of Jesus. If capital- ism makes no distinction between the religions of men, why is it urged, then, that Socialism does, and that Socialism will? Socialism means the supplanting of capitalistic exploitation of labour fo.r individual profit, with social produc- tion for use. It is a. social and economic doc- trine, and has no more concern with men's belief in original sin than it has with Hegel's doctrine of contradictions. Religion is a co-entity of rational conscious- ness it is not an importation from without, but an eternal principle within; it is mixed with the blood, Man is the, mriaculous centre of an infinity of miracb. Every moment of his life he stands, as Carlyle says, in the "con- flux of eternities." Behind him is an Eternity and Infinity, and before him is an Ertenity and Infinity; he is the exclamation mark (!) of the two. An inscrutable mystery hems him Ül; he knows not whence ha came, nor whither he goes; he keeps the balance with the aid of his utter ignorance. This great mystery is the essence of all religions; it is religion "per se." In tho aenso of apprehending this mystery, every man living is a religious being. This is a. splendid truth; and to assert that Socialism will do away with religionin this sense, at any rate—is as foclish as if one were to assert that Socialism, would do away with human life. Religion is a private matter; it consists in sacred intercourse between man and his Maker. If men will persist in having a church and priests as spiritual offering and mediators, by all means let them have it. The opponents of Socialism forget that if the people want the Church to remain, the Church snail remain; but if, on the contrary, the people do not want tho Church to remain, the Church in conse- quence shall not remain. It is a concern of the people, and to talk as if the people could be driven to accept anything a mere handful of Socialists should happen to dictate, whether it be in demolishing churches or in erecting tem- ples to Reason, is to compliment the power of that ilk. How much more in touch with modern senti- ments and aspirations than is the usual Catholic missioner opponent of Socialism, were the early fathers of the Church? Was it not the good i-St. Augustine who said: "Property is not a. natural right, but a positive right, founded simply on civil authority" ? Again, St. Clement said "Private property is the fruit of iniquity." St. Jerome: "Opulence is always the result of theft; if not committed by the actual possessor, then by his predecessors." St. Ambrose: "The soil was given to rich and poor in common. Wherefor, oh ye rich, do you unjustly claim it for yourselves alone?" St. John Chrysostum: "You say that the poor do not work; but do you work yourselves, you rich men? Do you not enjoy iu idleness the goods you have un- justly inherited ? Do you not exhaust others with labour, while you enjoy in indolence the fruits of their misery?" This Merthyr Vale missioner talked vaguely about excommunicat- ing thosa Catholics who have a. predilection for the teachings of Father Hagerty and Social- ism. If so, lie had better begin at once. I wonder how many Catholic Socialists would bo excommunicated in America, Ireland, France, Germany, Austria, Russia, and throughout the whole Catholio world? I am of opinion that the number would amount to almost a million. Let the Catholic Church quit her hold on poli- tical and economic intrigue, and rise to the sublime heights which St. Peter intended this great Church to occupy. Let her priests oease to attack Socialism, and Socialists will cease to attack the Church.—Yours sincerely, Aberfan. UNE SANSCULLOTE.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND CLERGYMEN AND THE BREWERS. Sir,—Tho Rev. T. O. Davies is in a dilemma; instead of answering the question plainly put to him, he meddles with Tariff Reform, Church and State, Tory schoolmasters, and goodness knows what—a very entertaining feat, like a man trying to cultivate cancer on the crown of his head, hoping to extract it from beneath the sole of his foot. Mr. Davies said at Abercarn, and has repeated the same words, that it was grievous to find clergymen of the Church of England joining hands with the brewers and publicans. He has written a lot in defence, but there is not one single particle of evidence to prove that he found one clergyman in this capacity I ask, why did he not at Abercarn distinctly say "that it was grievous to read in the 'Daily News' how Liberal meetings were broken up, Church schools used for political meetings, Tory schoolmasters acting as Tory agents, and a vicar's wife almosf forbidding 50 members to enter a certain shop?" I say he had no right to interpret all this election humour as evidenoe proving up to the hilt that clergymen joined hands with the brewers. He made the statement, leaving an impreasioh | that such a. combination was a localised affair. I was, however, hoping that his reply would contain something definite, but in spite of numerous anecdotes from the "London Daily News," they aro disappointingly negatives. I I find only probability, and that stated meta- phorically, where I looked for certainty. I asked him by letter, and also through the Press, to furnish me with the names and addresses of both clergy and brewers, but his reply is as far off the mark as those constituencies ho mentions are from West Monmouth. Mr. Davies says "it was grievous," etc.; con- sequently, i want this grievance to be settled on unmietakoable evidence before ho can pose as being satisfied that what he said at Abercarn has been proved up to the hilt. Mr. Davies says my letter perplexed him. Of course, let- ters demanding proof always do. It is far more easy to get out of it on this line than ex- pressing in clear, definite compendious terms the charge be has levelled out against the clergy. He reminds me of not watching the events of the last election with an unbiassed mind—a very practical piece* of advice, indeed, consider- ing all his arguments are deduced from the "London Daily News." I repeat what I prev- iously said: "It is a serious charge against the clergy." Can you conceive anything more ser- ious or anything more damaging to religion than that the oldest and most influential Christ- ian body in the land--41. body of which Mr. Davies says the majority of clergy and mem- bers were hand in hand with the brewers? He says it has often been a burden on his heart "to see the Church of England working 11. the elections with the enemies, of temparance, and joining with the classes against the masses," etc. A burden, forsooth! May God preserve us from this pretence of sorrow and sympathy— rather let me say from such yncbaritablenqss towards the Church. It is almost an unpardon- able offence to twit the Church with being an enemy to progress. The Church has always b0en on the side of the poor, the masses, 4nd progress. There is no need to go into this; the greatest statesmen in all Europe confirm this. It would be more correct to say what a burden it is to see Nonconformity joining hands with the Socialists—the latter who make an alliance with infidels, and agnostics, and others who are totally indifferent- to religion. The whole weight of Mr. Davies's argument is based on the assumption that because a per- son voted Tory, he joined hands with the brewers and publicans. Not necessarily. Thousands, undoubtedly, who are total abstain- ers voted Tory, and no doubt thousands of Dissenters voted likewise. To argue, because a man, whether he be a Churchman or; Dissen- ter, voted Tory, and by doing so he therefore joined hands with brewers and publicans, is sheer nonsense. But Mr. Davies narrows down all limitations and condemns only the parson and members of the Church of England, and accordingly they, and only them, voted Tory. Inasmuch as he knows the secrecy of the ballot- box, perhaps he will really tell us whether or not Diss«nters joined hands with the brewers, since this condemnation must be pronounced by the way a man votes. Naturally, Mr. Da- vies cannot for ona moment admit that people otherwise than Churchpeople did so. It is, in- deed, very amusing to follow how "he proves up to the hilt." Not one single extract con- tains the phrase which he used. But he is careful enough to tag on to the end of each quotation his own manufactured stereotyped phrase: "Clergymen joined hands with the brewers." He has proved his case "up to the hilt" on the following grounds, let us briefly consider this proving, and yet found wanting:—Fact 1: "Labourers received presents of whiskey, bands of roughs in a semi-intoxicated condition were breaking up Liberal meetings; a Tariff Reform parson imported to tell the people the usual Protection mis-statements." This piece of evi- dence is supposed to have been contributed by the Vicar of St. Andrew's, Blandford. But does the Vicar of St. Andrew's discriminate between Churchmen and Dissenters? How on earth, then, can Mr. Davies call them clergy- men except h infers that the "labourers and bands of roughs" were clergymen? In effect, he does, for he says: "Here we have not a Non- conformist minister, but a clergyman giving facts (please give the facts) to prove that clergymen were joining hands with the" brew- ers." Why, I may as well fjAY that the dis- turbers of Mr. Cameron's meetings at Ebbw Vale and elsewhere were Nonconformist minis- • ters. What does Mr. Davies really mean? Does he take umbra.ge at the imported parson to speak on Tariff Reform? Has not a parson the same right and freedom to believe in Tariff Reform as what Mr. Davies has in Free Ti:4â- or, say, in temperance? I am broad-minded' enough to think that this "imported parson" did no more harm than a London çona. tional minister who went to Merthyr to, speak on MT. Keir Harjdie's Socialistio platform. This way of argument is merely childishness. I leave it to the intelligence of your readers to. judge whether such are facts \0, qualify such a aruel insinuation. (2) Take another fact (?\: "What with the lords o £ the rex-no-, tho Clwrdb of England. parsons, the squ;r>, the Tory farmer, the Tory village schoolrnnstr-r, ro wonder wo lost." What would any judge in any assize think if evidence against » cruniwdl in ;w "sj i. (3) One more, fact: "Clergymen used their schools to help the Tory and the brewer party. One schoolmaster gave a dictation lesson to the children. A strong fleet and Tariff Reform will save us. Vote for the Unionist." Surely, Mr. Davies does not seriously intend this little piece of children's nursery humour as substantial proof in support of his allega- tion. What has all this election humour, which is nothing more, to do with the question? Granting that Church schools were used for political meetings, I would rather, yea, a thousand times over, see a school utilised for such meetings than places of worship dedicated to the glory of God, and yet used for political purposes, as Mr. Davies knows, such were dur- ing the last election. I am extremely sorry that I am obliged to enter into these matters, but I cannot allow Mr. Davies's remarks to go unnoticed. He himself is the aggressor; instead of confining himself to the one point in question, at motor- car speed, he pacea on heedlessly over un- necessary ground. He made a bold and glaring charge, and when called upon to substantiate it, he tries to explain it all away in a figurative sense. I challenge him to prove his case. His numerous quotations from the "Daily News" only make his own case the more ridiculous. To give publicity to such, and then to say h has proved his ca,se up to the hilt, is iimply grotesque. He made the charge, as 10 ^cord of fact, and in reply he speaks either parabolic- ally or allegorically It comes to this with Mr. Davies, tRat every man who voted other than Liberal has joined hands with the brewer. To argue and to be so prejudiced in this way is reducing all politics to an absurdity At the time of writing this, men are busy recording argue and to be so prejudiced in this way is reducing all politics to an absurdity At the time of writing this, men are busy recording their votes in an Urban Council contest. I may as well say that every vote recorded for a j Liberal candidate to-day means joining hands with a party against those who hold different views. But this is absurd; there are men who are not Churchmen in this contest, like there were Coneervatives in the last election, whose aims are for the common good. As I anticipated from the beginning, the real grievance is the Church. The Church and the parson is the target Hg J^sks how to get the Church on the side of righteousness? This question confirms my previous statement, "They claim to ba more spiritual than we:" I am not going into this, but I will say what widens the unhappy breach: The standard-bearers of Non- conformity fanning tha fla.me AOf religious dis- cord and fostering a spirit of suspicion and dis- like. Nothing can pass by without philippic against the Church. It is, indeed, a great wonder to me that such an awful and dreadful Church is not left severely alone. With regard to the statement that a vicar's wife in Carnar- vonshire instructed fifty members not to enter a certain shop; and a statement which he offers 1 as another fact proving the clergy hand in hand with brewfers, which is almost laughable, I ask Mr. Davies, as a gentleman, and who, no doubt, is a lover of fair play, to give the name of the vicar. If a reply is forthcoming, remem- ber, I want facts; it not, then he may regard this letter as final.-I am, faithfully vours, R. H. WELLS. Park-road, Ebbw Vale, April 4th, 1910.

TENDERS FOR CROCKERY AND THE BEDWELLTY BOARD OF GUARDIANS. Sir,—Will you kindly allow me a little space I in your valuable paper to add a few remarks to the report which appeared in last week's ùísue of the "Merthyr Express" of my interview with the Bedweilty Board of Guardians. I am isoity that I cannot give a verbatim report, and I have to rely on my memory to give an account of what trans- pired. When I entered the Board Room the Chairman asked me to state my grievanoe. My feelings may be better imagined than de- scribed as I stood before such an assembly, for this was the first time in my life that I had appeared before euch a body of men. As recorded in your last week's issue, I stated that I had no animosity tc' rd, my com- petitor nor towards any mem I, of the Board. I also stated that theae were lines which' I did not quote for, because ,.o was not in my line, and I did not know whether they were wanted. I was told that this was nox business of mine. This li4e was for "mounted celery glasses," and I observed that it did not state in the schedule whether they were to be gold-mounted or silver-mounted. In answer to a question as to the other lines, I stated that one was for "hot pot dishes," which Are rarely used in this district, and, therefore, I did not stock them, and the other wis "oval pie dishes," but the schedule did not state the size required. In answer to Questions as to the prices of thess lines, I informed them r that the. "hot pot dishes" varied in pfioe from 9d. to Is. 6d., and that the "pie dishes" varied from 3d. to 6d. each. I was then asked numerous questions, which have already been reported, and Mr. Eagle- some observed that my tender had not been properly filled up. T then asked why my samples were considered. Whether this ques- tion was answered or not I cannot say. Mr. E. Carter then stated that be had met me in the street, and that he knew a little about and invited me up to the meting of the Board of Guarcllwxs, where I would be given a hearing. One of the members of the Board stated that he would not put my samples be- fore his children leave <klop>e paupers, A' TPY samples were still a# the WcrkQouse I estreated the members to examine them. but this they refused to do. Another member stated that m it was now too late to make Complaints and that I should have come before, as the ten- der had been accepted. I replied to this that I could not make a complaint before the tender had been sOfteptadL The items which I did not quote for were totalled up, and still I was considerably below the tOO tender. After this I left the Board Room, and on my way down I was Overtaken by two Guar- dians who were not on the Contracting Com- mittee. They looked at my samples and said that they had no fault to find with th-em. I should like to point out to Mr. Carter that he did not meet nip in the street, but in cer- tain business premises. With your permission, I should like to ask a few questions regarding this n2atter --Pimdy, I should like the opinion of my fellow-townsmon of the guardian who said that he would not place my samples before his children: These temples are the same class of goods, which are in everyday use in 6ome of the best housOs of Tredegar. Secondly, I should like to be in- formed as to who the, njembera of th, contt committee, are, and their system of considering tenders. Thirdly, I should like to ask, "If my contract was not properly filled up, why were my looked at instead of being tunied away by the committee, who had a proper right to adopt this course, if they wish 1" Anyone who wishes to see tho class of goods which have been rejected as unworthy of a pauper's table are requested to examine th same. They will be on view in my window for the next week, and I invite the public to inspect them. If I cannot obtain red from the Board of Guard- ians, I shall, with the assistanos of others, take proceedings to obtain a Local Government Boiard inquiry. Thanking you in snticipation, and apologising for encroaching so much on your valuable space,—I remain, yours truly, JOHN DAVIES. 99, Commercial-street, Tredegar, April 5th, 1910.

ST. IVES-THE CORNISH SPA. "I have found that all the Trenwith Springs exhibit radio-activity to an abnormal extent, even when compared with other mineral waters." Such are the words with which Mr. Norman Whitehouse, the late assistant to Sir W. t Ramsay begins his interesting report ýn the latest mineral discovery in the Cornish Ri- viera. It is, therefore, by no means impota- b!e that before the century is much plder the "Delectable Duchy" will add to its countless natural attractions the possession of one of the most famous curative spas and health resorts in the whole world. No wonder there is muck ex citement just now at St. hes.

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