The Rhondda Leader

U Cymanfa Ganu at Trealaw. The 27th annual singing festival in connection with the Welsh Methodist Churches of Mid-Rhondda was held at Seion, T'realaw, on Monday last. The churches Represented were Seion, Pisgah, Bethania, Libanns, and Pontrhondda. The conductor for the day was Mr. David Evans, Mus, Bac., Cardiff, and the suc- cess of the singing during the proceed- ings reflects much credit on his ability. Tue morning meeting, as usual given to the children, was presided over by the Rev. M. H. Eliis. This was a most enjoy- able meeting, the little children singing their several hymns with sweetness that delighted the crowded audience. The tunes sung were Winchester Old," Mi hoifwn wel'd yr Iosu," Yn y man," Y Nefoedd (in memory of the late Mr. Wm. Lewis, Blaenclydach, a very faith- ful deacon at Libanus), Cartref yn y Nef," Yn Berl yn Nghoron Iesu," and Mi fynaf ddweyd am Iesu." An anthem, Awn i Ganaan," by Mr. Gwilym James, Was also sung. The Rev. Jas. Morris, Penygraig, presided over the afternoon Meeting, when again the chapel was crowded. The following tunes were effec- tively sung —" Fulda," Engedi," Dim ond y dail," Yn Hen 50," Hapus ■Dyrfa," and St. Swithin." A surprising feature was the splendid chanting of the 15th' chapter of Corinthians, 1. This is generally a poor item in our gymanfas," and so it was very gratifying to note an -lnlprov.eme,nt in this respect. The com- piittee showed themselves very ambitious "I choosii-ig a difficult chorus as is Halle- lujah," from Beethoven's Mount of Olives," but the success of the rendering fully justified their choice. The two anthems, Efe a ddaw (Tom Price) and "Fel y brefa'r hydd (John Thomas), were also well sung. The building proved far too small to accomodate either the lingers or the audienpe at the evening Meeting. The Rev. John Morgan pre- sided. The singing of the several hymn- tunes was again very fine, Oynval" being especially so. The anthems were again sung. Altogether, the cymanfa was a complete success, and ought to do a great amount of good to the congre- gational singing in the several churches. t should also be noted that Miss Caroline Jones, Penygraig, now of the R.A.M., gave Hear ye, Israel (" Elijah "), a rendering that was much appreciated. JJe accompaniments were played during tne day by Messrs. D. R. James and B. Powell.

Treorchy. The notices tendered by the men of the Abergorchy Colliery as a protest against the employment of non-Unionists have »een withdrawn.* The notices expired on the 30th April. There are still about 130 "nell outside the Federation, and with the obJect of preventing a stoppage, a week's extension of the notices was granted by the management. It was found that, after a visit by Mr. Tom Evans, miners' agent, the men came to the conclusion hat the non-Unionist question at the colliery had been successfully handled, ^ud as a result the notices were with- drawn. -co

colj^N^S' STARCH |i or the At B. maid's fwslins Soh!

Cigarette Papers, The Philosophy of Marriage. I hope my readers will hot be frightened by the above heading, I am not going to advocate marriages—indeed, I question very much, being a bachelor, whether I would be the most likely person to dilate upon such a topic; but one cannot very well shut his eyes to what is going on around him, and what I intend writing this week are merely some conclusions which I have arrived at after deep and thoughtful study. Of course, I am well aware that in some quarters I am credited with not possessing such a capacity for serious reflection, but let me assure my readers that I, in common with many of nrr weaker brethren, have my sane moments, and the fruits of certain investi- gations made during those periods may, not without profit, be communicated to a confiding and indulgent public. I have not, therefore, arrived at my present state of thinking without con- siderable contortions of thought, and the processes by which I have arrived at this desirable state are both interesting and instructive. They are interesting, in the first place, because all matters connected with marriage, to me, are interesting, and they are also. instructive because they have opened my eyes to many strange things, and demonstrated many new facts of which I was almost, if not entirely, oblivious before. The question of marriage —giggle not, dear reader—presented itself very forcibly to my mind some time ago, when I was entertained by a very dear friend of mine who, possesses a charming and amiable wife. Up to then I enter- tained very indifferent views about women —indeed, some of my feminine friends have spoken of me in bated breath as cold and unimpressionable, and one of the dear girls has gone so far as to declare that I am what. she terms the horrid monster—a woman hater But this was by no means stating the truth, nor the whole truth; in fact, it contained just a little of truth and much of that which was not exactly the attributes of George Washington. However, I must confess that woman as a, wife never seriously entered my head I cannot say that the thoughts of home and family ever left a deep impression on my mind; I was that kind of creature which considers woman as a very nice and pretty and amiable being in her way-but to be kept at a distance. But after that visit to my married friend, well, indeed, I cannot exactly bring my feelings into a proper order. To say that he was happy in the possession of such a, treasure as I have alluded to is, I think, only to put it in a mild form. He seemed to me to be living in a perfect ecstacy, and I don't wonder. She is not one of those wives who always deem it their wifely duty to ram their mothers' maxims down their husbands' throats; neither does she exer- cise any of that new woman superiority over her lord and master, and delights in tying him to her apron strings to be ex- hibited before her dearest friends" as an example of how the brute ought to be tamed. On the contrary, she-has a quiet and homely dignity which becomes her exceedingly well. A suffused joy lights up her pale features and diffuses a sub- dued serenity around. She is not osten- tatious, neither is she verbiose; her con- versation is pleasing and musical to the ear, and altogether life in the little circle is one round of joy and happiness un- alloyed. To complete the picture; there is a bright little lad of about two or three years of age, who is the little cherub of this little Paradise. It was with a feeling of loneliness I left this little family late at night. I had tasted of the joys of pure domestic happiness; I had been allowed to look upon a picture which neither age nor Time can wither. And the picture still comes to my mind. Alone in my room late at night, with a. book or pen in hand, that picture will continue to interpose itself between me and my work. Even when following the prosaic paths of journalism that picture will haunt me. When I try to obtain a little sleep at night, a little family circle with a shock- headed little boy romping about with his toys presents itself before my eyes, and I close my eyes and dream the whole thing over again. That is very true, and holds good in some cases; but, alas! how many there are who can point to another side of the picture. Marriage is, after all, a risky speculation, and it requires a good deal of cold reasoning before one can enter confidently into the benedict state. To take a. wife is not like buying a horse. One must certainly be prepared for dis- appointments in life, and he who goes into the marriage state thinking that all is bliss within that magic circle, goes into a pit with his eyes shut. Too many of our young, men and women are carried away with the idea that married life is a huge fun, but those who have had their eyes opened, who have tasted of its troubles and disappointments, who have drunk the cup of domestic bitterness to the dregs, those can tell a different tale. Many of our young girls drift into mar- riage without a thought of the added responsibility which comes with husband and children marriage to them is a white mountain, and it is not until the moun- tain is reached that the illusion dis- appears. Then life is found to be but a grim battle with circumstances, demand- ing the most vital energies which can be put forth. In many cases, I believe that this entering into wedlock with eyes shut has been at the root of many domestic tragedies, and whole chapters of misery might have been averted had these people put forth just as much reason and common sense as they would put forth in the purchasing of a new dress or hat. It is not only the girls who are to blame, but the men also. How many men go into wedlock with any thought of adhering to the vows which they made so glibly at the marriage altar ? Is it not a fact that many husbands, having unconsciously ex- pected their spouses to' be perfect, display lamentable unreasonableness when they find that they are after all only human, subject to the same failings and weak- nesses as. themselves. Success in mar- riage, they say, is a, matter of tempera- ment, and this is true to a great extent. How many miserable lives would be spared every year how many happy homes would remain so had their owners displayed just as much sagacity in dealing with one an- other as they would do in ordinary busi- ness matters? How smoothly would the stream of happiness continue to flow had a hasty word been checked. How happy would the human lot be if it ceased to magnify its little troubles and its petty vexations? With one more word to the women, I will conclude. Don't think that your husband has ceased to love you when you are not greeted with a kindly smile, when he crosses the threshold from his day's labours. He may have troubles of his own which you know not. Rather seek to make him forget these by a cheer- ful word and a pleasant smile. Lastly, let me ask you to always act up to what you are—Queens. Utilise the power and influence which your Creator has given you iin ennobling the home and to make it what it should really be—a haven of refuge against the storms and tempests of an unmindful worlcl. In the words of Ruskih let me conclude —" Queens you must always be; queens to your lovers, queens to your husbands, and your sons; queens of higher mystery to the world beyond. But, alas! you are too often idle and careless queens, grasping at majesty in the least things, while you abdicate it in the greatest." FAGIUS.

Porth Police Court. Thursday.—Before Mr. T. P. Jenkins, Dr. Parry, and Mr. Thomas Griffiths. WORKING UNFIT HORSE. Antonio Louis, an Italian, from Ponty- gwaith, was charged with working an un- fit horse. The police officer giving evidence stated that he saw the defendant with a pony and cart in Pontygwaith. He noticed that underneath the saddle a sack cover- ing, and on examination he found a sore on the pony's back, and another under the collar. He asked the defendant why he worked the horse in that state, and defendant replied that he did not know there was any harm in it. He was fined 10B. and costs. A MELEE IN A FERNDALE BAR. Thomas Morris, a carter employed at the Rhondda Hotel, Blaenllechau, charged Thomas John Thomas and David Davies, two colliers, with assault.. Complainant stated that on Monday he was removing some chairs and other articles upstairs, when the landlady called upon him to put the two defendants out- side. The defendant Thomas was put out quietly, but the defendant Davies refused to be put out, and struck him a nasty blow in the face, and he (witness) fell to the floor. Thos. Thomas then returned, and the complainant faced him in order to put him out again. This time, Thomas gave him a blow which laid him out on the floor. The other occupants of the bar then chimed in, and the complainant had a very rough time of it. The police were called in, and he was saved from being further ill-treated. Davies was fined t3, and Thos. Thomas was fined £ 2 and costs. REFRESHMENT HOUSE OWNER PROSECUTED. W. Hopkins, refreshment house keeper, Hannah Street, Porth, was summoned for keeping his premises open during pro- hibited hours. Mr. James Phillips, Ponty- pridd, appeared for defendant, and Supt. Cole prosecuted on behalf of the police. P.O. Prothero stated that he noticed the front door of the defendant's premises open at 11.40 p.m. on Saturday, the 21st ult. He went in, and standing by the counter were two men, with drinks in front of them. He then heard some bad language going on in an adjoining room, which was used as a "bagatelle room. He proceeded there, and found about 25 boys playing on the table. He then proceeded to the billiard room, where he found 30 boys. In the middle of them was a young girl, about 17 years of age. Witness spoke to defendant who replied that he could keep open until one o'clock on the fol- lowing morning. Mr. James Phillips submitted that the Act of Parliament allowed the defendant to keep his billiard room open until one o'clock. His refreshment license only entitled him to keep open until eleven o'clock. His client had closed his refresh- ment department at eleven. The door was reopened for persons who wished to go out. Mr. T. P. Jenkins thought that the one Act contradicted the other, and the billiard license gave an opportunity to a person to sell refreshments after eleven o'clock. A note should be taken of that point at the Licensing Sessions. Supt. Cole said that the police had com- plained about men receiving refreshments after eleven o'clock. Defendant said there were not so many boys as stated by the constable. He had not. served the two men with drinks. The Bench came to the conclusion that they had been served, and defendant was ordered to pay the costs. "A SMALL WOMAN AND A T'ART'AR.' )) A diminutive woman, named Gwen Humphreys, of Furnace Row, Ponty- gwaith, was charged by Mrs. Margaret Stephens, also of Pontygwaith, with threats. Mrs. Stephens said that the defendant had threatened to wash her hands in her blood. She is a very small woman," remarked Mr. Jenkins. "Some of these small women are very fiery and savage, too." "Did she look furious?" inquired the Bench of the witness. She was in a fighting attitude, sir," was the reply. You are a small woman, but you are a tartar," complainant further remarked. The defendant was bound over to keep the peace for six months, herself in the sum of £5 and security of E5, and ordered to pay 18s. costs. The defendant's parting shot was, I prefer to go down for fourteen days." Later on, however, she relented, and found the necessary security. DESERTION. Thomas Thomas, collier, Ynyshir, was summoned by his wife, Elizabeth, for desertion. It transpired that Thomas was a mem- ber of the Salvation Army, and that com- plainant was his third wife. Defendant declared that his married life with complainant had been one round of misery, and she had even declared that she wished the pit in which ho was en- gaged would explode before he came. D. AND D John Owens, Ferndale, 25s, Charles D. Levy, Ferndale, 10s. Charles Hell way, Treala-w, 10s. Joseph Spa-lai*, Trealaw, 10s. James Davies, Ynyshir, 15s. Dd. Job Williams, Ynyshir, 20s. TEMPORARY TRANSFER OF LICENSE. A temporary transfer was granted of the Ynyshir Hotel, Ynyshir, from John Evans to E. Jones. Mr. A. T. James, solicitor, Pontypridd, made the application.

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Amos the Cr.pple of Capernaum. Grard Performance at Ferndale. On Thursday evening, at the Tudor Hail, by special request, the choir of Tabernacle Chapel, Ferndale, gave a repeat performance of the above work, which was produced in dramatic form, and the faith- ful reproduction of Oriental customs and costumes produced a spectacular effect seldom attained by amateurs. The well- filled hall afforded ample proof that the previous performance had been well appre- ciated, and Mr. Gwilym Jones and his choir must be complimented on the suc- cess which has attended their efforts on both occasions. Scene 1 represents the interior of a room in Herod's Castle, wherein we are introduced to Joanna, wife of Chuza (Miss M. E. Williams), and her son Amos, the Cripple of Capernaum (Miss S. B. Thomas). From the adjoining ban- queting hall comes the sound of dancing and feasting, whilst outside the palace the populace are holding high revel, the occasion being the birthday of their lord and master, Herod. Ezra, a servitor (Mr. James James) enters, and informs Joanna of the beheading of John the Baptist, but is interrupted by Chuza, master of Herod's household (Mr. David Jones), who, enter- ing the room at this juncture, is ex- ceedingly wroth at finding Ezra there. Divining that the cruel news has been communicated to his wife. Chuza im- periously orders Ezra hence, bidding him attend to the needs of the assembled guests. Horrified at the cruelties con- tinually perpetrated by Herod, Joanna beseeches her husband to take her and her cripple child from amidst these hated surroundings. In Scene 2 we find our- selves on the foreshore at Capernaum— so closely associated with our Saviour's public ministry—where a group of fisher- men, engaged in mending their nets, are conversing with an aged shepherd named Micah (Mr. D. W. Davies), who has just joined them, about the wonderful doings of the Prophet of Nazareth. Joanna and Amos, having left Herod's court, approach this group, and filled with a sudden hope, the mother leaves her child with the fishermen and hastens hence to seek the Prophet and to invoke His aid on her son's behalf. During her absence, Micah tells the wondering child of a visitation of angels, and the maid Zillah (Miss Jane Davies) joins the company. Several Pharisees and Saducees now make their appearance, and are loud in tReir con- demnation of the people's credulity in believing in this impostor Prophet, as they term Him. They, however, beat a pre- cipitate retreat at the approach of Lamecli the Leprous (Mr. John Bowen). Joanna rejoins Amos, and a procession of people are seen passing by on their way to Jerusalem to celebrate the customary Feast of the Tabernacle ("Gwyl y Pebyll"). 1_ -u_ Scene 3 is laid outside a house in Jeru- salem, where we find Chuza bewailing his fate and complaining that everything is going against him. Several passers-by sympathise with him and endeavour to console him. The Pharisees, including Phineas (Mr. Morgan Davies), and the Saducees, including Reuben (Mr. John Duggan), again appear, and Bartimeus, the blind beggar (Mr. D. Shelby Morris), testifies eloquently to the miraculous powers possessed by the Nazarene. The Widow of Naiii (Miss Edith Davies) relates to the swelling crowd the wondrous story of her son's return to life. The crowd is unceremoniously dispersed by a Roman Centurion (Mr. Tom James) and a num- ber of soldiers. In Scene 4 we find our- selves again at Capernaum, and see a. number of children bearing leafy branches and flowers, disporting themselves on the beach. Joanna appears, in sore distress at having missed little Amos in the crowd whilst returning from Jerusalem. Chuza, accompanied by the Pharisees and Saducees, who are endeavouring to per- suade him to go with them, now comes on the scene, and immediately afterwards Amos, the erstwhile cripple, bursts in as nimble and fleet of foot as any, having met the Prophet and been made the sub- ject of another of His wondrous miracles. A superb and masterly finale is now wit- nessed, the whole throng, now thoroughly convinced, joining in a chorus of praise and avowing their readiness to follow whithersoever He may lead. On the whole, the ladies and gentlemen taking the important parts were in fine voice, and all acquitted themselves well, and we will therefore refrain from singling out individuals for special mention, believing that all concerned did their best. "The best can do no more." II02\1E REMEDIES. Every housekeeper should possess a knowledge of simple remedies for the slight ailments of the household. Those who know exactly what to do under all circumstances rarely lose self.cor;h".i and it is particularly important for the of a family to know what remedies to ii) .J case of accidents and emergencies, and to have such on hand. The following are reliable. For burns, linseed oil. glycerine and borax wátcr, mixed together and freely applied, will be found efficacious. Fot- a black eye, a cloth wrung out of warm nater and applied frequently will prevent sore- ness and discolouring of the skin. A NEW GRAVITATION THEORY. Gravitation is explained, says Scicncc Siftingt, by a new theory as due to the motion of matter having the tenuity usually assigned to the ether. All matter is in motion, and the smaller the ag- gregation the greater is the maximum velo. iry. Open space contains very minute particles in rapid motion in all directions. The partides are small enough to pass between the molecules of ordinary bodies, and they are stopped or re- flected in proportion to the mass of the body bombarded. Two bodies in space shield each other on one side, being thus apparently at- tracted.

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