The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

Penmaenmawr. FROM THE HILL TOPS. I skip along the hill tops, I glide before the wind; I squander without counting The money of my mind. As far as possible, anything emanating from the hill tops is to generalise rather than par- ticularise. If the world is not Davy Jones, Davy Jones should be the world. Proof, you say? Everybody knows Adam-which is a Christian name—was a Welshman, but every- body does not know his surname was Jones. Such, however, was the case. There were Adam Jones, Cain Jones, Abel Jones, Noah Jones, and so on, down into the reign of King David, when we had Davy Jones, a name which stuck to Welshmen since, and shall continue to stick for generations yet unborn. You, can- not, therefore, confer a greater boon on a Welshman than baptising him Davy Jones. I trust with this slight divergence I have made the object of these notes clear. Occasion has necessitated I should particular- ise this item. I have read various accounts of the Penmaenmawr Silver Band concert, but in none have I seen any allusion to the conductor. Above rather than below the medium height, square shoulders with a well-developed neck, surmounted by a finely-chiselled head, the in- tellectual forehead, the Grecian nose, the dark eyebrows, the merry blue eyes peeping through those dark lashes that ladies rave about, the fully-formed mouth with the Cupid's dart, the mustachios, and-with due apologies to Con- way-the mayoral whiskers, finishing with a squarely-cut chin, indented with the most con- spicuous of dimples; such is the appearance of the most musical of musical conductors. An architect of no small eminence, Mr Coverley occupies the chair of Penmaenmawr District Council for the second year with evi- dent distinction. Modesty forbade the mention of his name. How is it most of our distinguish- ed men are modest? "What is a quarryman?" I asked a few days since of the most intelligent man I have seen on the hill tops since I bade a final adieu to la- mented Gladstone. After one of those length- ened pauses, which only great men take before committing themselves, he answered much to my amazement, "What is a quarryman? Why -a quarryman is a quarryman Yes, I quite agree with my learned friend, but for his in- formation I must state a quarryman is very much more. Taking a hypotheses, a gentleman is a man who never inflicts pain, a quarryman is a gentleman. His little finger is not adorned with a diamond ring, neither is his front be- decked with a jewel, nevertheless he is nature's nobleman. He is as Longfellow's Village Blacksmth- His brow is wet with honest sweat, He earns whate'er he can; He looks the whole world straight in the face For he owes not any man. Borrowing from the same source, to see him on Saturday afternoon in his second best or shifting suit, with his good old face wreathed in smiles, it makes my heart rejoice. But there is no time I like to see a quarryman more than in the raiment of his daily toil it always reminds me that- A heart of principle doth beat 'Neath that time-worn vest." Go on quarrymen and prosper for you not alone have my blessing, but the blessing of the com- munity at large. Death What a gruesome subject, death: Yes, gruesome but escape it we cannot, the prince and the peasant will one day alike lie in cold oblivion. How many people are there whose death is not anxiously awaited for ? It may be you or I, we know not. When we join the great majority we are kept in for four, five, or six days, and, in some cases even a week before being consigned to mother earth. Why is it so ? Is it that the soul being departed, our relatives wish to keep our bodies o'er clay to stifle half mankind ? Is it that they wish a number of days to elapse to see whether it be a trance or death ? Not so, my readers, neither We are kept on deck sufficiently long for our friends and relations to run into debt and procure a pall for their future knell. Mourning to beautify the body and corrupt the heart. Forsooth, readers, unless there is grief in your hearts, external appearances are as a leaden weight to the body you shower your dust on. There is only one thing I shall leave as a last in- junction, and that is when I, too, topple over, not to convey my remains to the cemetery in the Black Maria. Don't know what the Black Maria is, you say ?" Put a sentinel box at the door of your hearse for a burly constable to keep guard o'er the criminals conveyed from a gaol to a county court- house, paint V.R. 'neath a crown on the sides, and you have a Black Maria. ::< # Why not establish a temperance society in Pen- maenmawr ? You laugh No, total abstinence societies we have in abundance, but temperance societies none. I would suggest the formation of one at once. We do not want faddists, practical men we require this time, therefore I further suggest the magistrates, the police, and—the publicans be waited on to form the first temperance society that has ever been established in Penmaen- mawr. If those gentlemen agree to act in this capacity, the temperance cause will be more bene- fited in one week, than all the total abstinence societies in Penmaenmawr could do in a century. ;¡" Get along, you young brat-take that! said a mother in my presence on Saturday afternoon, and, suiting the action to the word, delivered a blow on her youngest son's cheek. What was the son's crime ? He did nothing, he simply said Come home, mother!" Oh, mothers, scandalise not your little ones If you are weak teach your little ones to be strong. Mothers, you have the most im- portant of all missions in your hands-the training ol your little ones. It remains for you, and you alone, to mould their minds; for God's sake, give us a future generation of manliness and uprighteous- ness, and you shall go into the grave loved, honour- ed, and sung. Very nice dress material inside, Miss Cur- rants are cheaper to-day for your plum puddin', Madam Literally the best champagne in the market just in, sir are a few of the observations we hear to prospective customers at the doors round Pant-yr-Afon. When business does not look for the tradespeople, naturally the tradespeople must look for business. City fathers, would it not be advisable to supply these worthy residents with good hammers to reduce the boulders to the limit of macadam ? While building the thews and sinews of a valuable class this would also have the effect of saving the Council from future actions for broken bones and joints and be a saving of rates to THE MAN ON THE MOUNTAIN. —— A thousand miners are temporarily idle owing to a fire caused in a Normanton mine by the fusing of one of the motors. There are fears that the mine may be flooded, in which case there would be a prolonged stoppage.

Letters from the Seat of War. By Surgeon-Major Willie Davies, of Swansea. Reminiscences of the Siege of Ladysmith and Mafeking. (Continued from last week.) "Jan. 12th. "I went to Subombi yesterday to see our sick and wounded, who now mount up to 70. This does not count the sick we have in the little camp hospital, some 14 or 15, and 30 to 40 or 50 come up for treatment daily, but have not to go ito bed. I brought Sampson back to camp with me, and the men gave him a great reception as he drove in in the ambulance wagon. His frac- ture has done wonderfully well, and the leg- though slightly shorter than the other-is almost quite straight. Unfortunately, the big nerve was injured by the bullet, and he has some paralysis of the muscles of the leg in con- sequence, and will have to be operated on before his leg can be of much use to him even if the operation is successful. It is very disappoint- ing, for without this it would have been a per- fect result. On my return to camp I found In- spector Clark talking to Karrie Davies. What I had quite expected and feared really hap- pened I was so sorry to hear you had had such an anxious time about me on hearing the report that I was taken prisoner. When they took our names I thought that was what would happen, and I said at the time you would be sure to see it in the papers, and they would not trouble to say we had been liberated. Of course, this is only supposition on my part now, but it is quite likely. I heliographed to Ella to-day, 'Edwin doing well. I am in charge. Tell wife.' I added the latter as I could not send you a personal heliograph; and I thought by this you would know I was all right. "To-night we hear very strong rumours that Buller is on the move, and that he will be with us in a few days. I hope it is true. It will be an axious time for us when we know he has started, for if he should fail to get through, we cannot hold out very much longer on account of the high number of sick we have. There are now 1,900 sick at Tubombi, as many as four large hospitals in London would hold. We are very short of nurses and orderlies, and even after taking in civilian men to work, have not a quarter enough. Food and comforts for them are getting very scarce, though there is enough to carry the healthy about for some time, and indeed except for the luxuries, we have little to grumble at. The soldiers have no opportunity now to get drunk, for the poor beggars can gee nothing stronger than tea, except very occa- sionally a ration of rum. I am hungering for a sight of you all, and should revel in a week's leave with you at Hilton. One of the saddest losses we have had to us has been that of poor young Frank Rogers, who was killed on Satur- day. I am so sorry for his parents. He is an only son, and everything possible was done to prevent him going with us on the campaign, and indeed were it not for this, he would pro- bably have had a commission, only it was thought it would have increased his risk. I am afraid it will be an awful blow to his father. Write to him yourself and tell him what I have said, of how much the regiment feels for him. Good-night, darling. This is written in bed. "Jan. 17th. "I have had a bad few days with Edwin, who has had a good deal of fever and been very low. Last night, however, his temperature was nor- mal for the first time. The wounds are looking very well. Poor Stevens, the war correspond- ent, whom I have been treating for typhoid, died the day before yesterday. He had gone through the disease, and his temperature had been normal for some days, when hemorrhage set in, and he died after a couple of days. It was a very sad case, and everyone waj, grieved about it. To-day we heard Buller's guns to the west, and hope he is going to be successful in getting through. I wrote a note to you which I asked the Intelligence Department to send with reference chiefly to Edwin, and as it was to be read before sending, I could not say much in it except with reference to. this matter. "Jan. 18th. -"Buller's guns have been heard all day at Patzieter's Drift, and from the hills here we have been able to see the shells bursting,though it is twelve or fifteen miles away. At about 4.30 the bombardment was terrific, and we knew something was happening of moment. "Jan. -igth. "We heard the welcome news this morning that the Boers had been driven out of their first two lines of entrenchments, and that Buller (or whoever is in command) had got two columns over the river Tugela, one at Potzieters Drift and one higher up the river, in all 16,000 men, and that he had been able to advance his posi- tion 2,000 yards. If this is true, and there is no reason to doubt it, to-morrow ought to see a big attack on the Boer position, which, if suc- cessful, should end in our relief in two or three days at the outside. You can understand our anxiety, for upon his force driving the Boers before him depends whether we get away from here in a few days or whether the siege will be prolonged a lengthy period more, a nd possibly not raised at all. We are very confident, how- ever, and are in excellent spirits at his success so far. I was up at our outposts to-day, and have let my pony loose to graze. When I re- turned I found, to my disgust, that he had got a. hole in his leg, from a stray bullet I suppose, though I can't find it. I am awfully annoyed about it, as he is my pet pony, and he may be a long time getting well. Edwin is ge ting on well; wounds looking healthy and no inflama- tion. I sent a heliograph to-day to Ellen, which I hope she will get. He is, of course, very weak, but he is in fairly good spirits, and on the whole as well as one can expect. "Jan. 23rd. "We have been hearing Buller's guns every day, but he does not seem to get nearer, and one's hopes of being relieved in a few days was apparently premature. We have made up our minds now to 'any' time, for it is only disap- pointing to make any forecasts. They all seem to think everything is but very slow. Edwin is going on all right. We have managed to get him some fruit, which has been.a great boon. I wish I could get a line or two from you. "Saturday, Jan. 27th. "The last week has been filled with rumours of all sorts, but we have had no authentic news till to-day, and this is not comforting. We are told that Buller took the position which would give him complete command of the road into Ladysmith, but that the Boers took it back during the night. I think if this is so, it is a disgrace to Buller, for if he can take a hill in daylight in the face of a determined enemy, he ought to be able to keep it at night with bayonets, which the Boers do not possess. We do not know for certain that Buller is in charge of this column, and some think it is Warren. He is looked upon as a good soldier, and we can't understand his defeat, for defeat it un- « doubtedly is. From the high ground to the west of Ladysmith, on which are our defences, one looks across (to the south-west) a large open plain, across which runs a ridge called 'Rifle- man Bridge), held by the enemy. In the far distance is a range called Taba Tugan, about 15 miles off which ends abruptly,, on the south, in two round points, called Spitzkop (or the Sister Hills). South of this is the Tugela, over which Buller crossed his force which now lies on the other side of the range of hills. On this side we can see, with glasses, the Boer camps, herds of horses and cattle, and after the fight (which we heard from here) these were cleared, and we got the news that our people had taken the hills. The next day, however, the camps were replaced, and the herds came back, and our minds misgave us. To-day we hear the reason. The ridge was taken, and the Boers cleared; it was retaken, and they have come back. We shall now have all our work over again, for those hills must be ours before we can be relieved. It may be a few days, or weeks. If the latter, it can't be many, for we can't last out. But now we may begin to say in earnest that the siege has begun. Up to now it has been loss to libertv without a great deal of hard- ship, but now it is likely to be both. However, it is no use growling, one must make the best of it, and be happy as we can. Edwin is doing very fairly well, but I think he is worrying a good deal. However, he says nothing, and I can't help him. The wounds are doing satis- factory, and he has little fever. Personally, I am keeping very fit. I could eat more than I get, but still am by no means starved. It is a curious sensation to me to look forward to meal- times with pleasure. We are having beautiful weather, and a fair amount of rain, which is fortunate, for it gives us a little grass for our poor horses, who are half, starved, and. look as if you could make hat-pegs of their bones. (To be continued.)

The Household. Some Cooking Recipes. SOAP rubbed on door hinges will prevent them from creaking. KEEP paraffin oil in a jar; it speedily eats through the tin of the gallon flask in which it is brought from the oilshop. FOR cleaning marble chimney-pieces, mix some bullock's gall, half a gill of turpentine, half-a-pint of strong soap "sapple" with as much pipe-clay as will make a stiff paste; put this over the marble, and let it remain for two days, rub off with a soft cloth, and repeat until the marble is clean. RED cabbage is thus pickled:—Allow to each quart of vinegar half an ounce of bruised gin- ger, one ounce whole black pepper, and a little cayenne. Take off the outside leaves of a nice red cabbage, cut it into quarters, remove the stalks, and cut it across in very thin slices. Lay these on a dish, and strew them well with salt, covering them with another dish. Let them remain so for twenty-four hours; then turn into a colander to drain, and wipe each piece with a clean soft cloth. Put them in a jar, boil up the vinegar and spices, and, when cold, pour it over the cabbage. It will be fit for use in a week or two. A little bruised cochineal boiled with the vinegar adds much to the. redness of the pickle. Tie down with a bladder, and keep in a dry place. muc POTATOES WITH CHEESE.—Boil six or eight large potatoes, and-mash them perfectly free from lumps. Add an ounce of butter, the beaten yolks of three eggs, a tablespoonful of cream (or, failing that, another egg), and two ounces of grated cheese. Form into round balls, and bake in a hot oven till well browned. To wash an eiderdown quilt put it in warm, soapy water, to which a little ammonia has been added. Wring it out with the hands and repeat the process till clean, nien rinse all the soap out with two changes of water, shake well and hang out to. dry, shaking frequently. When dry, shake well again until the quilt is soft and full-looking. IT is stated that a local dramatic company has been formed to represent the famous "Breach of Promise Trial" from "Pickwick." This is no small order. These old ideas are always played too modern in every sense, such as the effort with the above in Conway about seven years ago. We wish the newly-launched company every success. They are labouring with a piece that always finds favour with the better class of society. LEMON CHEESECAKES. Required Pastry, juice and rind of a lemon, one ounce of butter, quarter of a pound of castor sugar, one egg. Method Mix the lemon juice and rind, sugar, butter, and egg in a saucepan, heat over a gentle fire till the mixture thickens, --ake the pastry, lay it on a greased dinner-plate when baked, pour the above mixture on it, and serve hot or cold. WHEN baking apples replace the cores with a little nutmeg and sugar and a -pinch of cinna- non; put a small bit of butter on each, and sprinkle with sugar. Cover for a short time after putting them in the oven, and when they get tender remove the cover and let them brown. To clean light satin shoes get a small bottle of spirits of wine, take a piece of new flannel, dip it in the spirits, and rub the shoes length- ways, turning the flannel as it gets soiled. TOMATO JAM.—To one pound tomatoes one pound sugar, one-third of an ounce powdered ginger, the juice and rind of a lemon. Take ripe tomatoes, put them in a large pan, and pour over them boiling water, so as to make the skin peel easily; when the skins are re- moved, put the tomatoes in a preserving pan, add the sugar, grated lemon rind, ginger, and the juice of the lemons, stir together, and boil gently from two and 'a half to three hours, till the whole becomes a thick, smooth mass skim it well, put in'o pots, and cover in the usual way. EXCELLENT MINCEMEAT.—Chop finely 2lb of beef suet; boil gently, but not too much, 2lb under-side of a rump of beef, and chop it finely; peel and chop also 2lb russet apples; stone and chop ilb Valencia raisins, and wash and dry 31b currants; mince the thin peel of two lemons, 40ZS candied orange peel, the same of candied lemon peel, and 20Z citron; mix the suet, beef, apples, raisins, and currants then add the peel, with ;ilb powdered loaf sugar, a teaspoonful of salt, oz powdered mace, ;.i oz pounded cloves, and half a nutmeg grated. When all these have been well mixed, squeeze in the juice of the two lemons, and add half-a-pint of brandy, after which mix into a mass. The art of making this mincemeat is to pick, chop, and mix the articles carefully. The currants should be quite dry; to secure which, wash and dry them before the fire a day before-mixing. The above will make about iolb mincemeat. It should be closely covered and kept in a cool place, and should be made at least a month before it is used.

WAGON COVERS MADE FROM BEST FLAX CANVAS KEPT IN STOCK. Ft. long. Ft. wide. £ s. d. 8 x 6 0 9 0 9 x 6 0 10 0 101 x 7 0 13 6 12 x 8 0 18 0 131 x 9 1 2 6 15 x 10 1 8 0 I61 x 11 1 13 9 18 x 12 2 0 0. 18 x 14 2 6 9 19t x 14 2 10 6 21 2 x 14 2 14 6 21 x 15 2 18 6 CARRIAGE PAID. Including Tabs, Eyelet Holes, Ropes, Lettering, &C.. OTHER SIZES MADE TO ORDER. HOWARD'S, 35, Redcross St., Liverpool Telephone 2339. ESTABLISHED 1849. 1166 MANURE. BLOOD, BONE, AND MEAT. £ 3 10s. PER TON. Delivered free within 50 miles at nearest railway station, in four ton lots. TERMS Per cent <^8counfc f°r Qash. 'I 5 in one month. Net cash in six months. IMPORTANT FACTS. This Manure is one of the best on the market, and Farmers will do well to bear in mind that by using this Manure they are giving back to the land what originally came from it, Last year I was obliged to stop my agents from booking orders, very early, and I had to refuse many owing to the extraordinary success of the Manure the season before, and last season was even a greater success. Intending customers therefore will do well to obtain their supplies early in order to prevent disappointment. Ask your neighbour what the results have been. I manufacture one Manure only. I am the largest manufacturer of this par- ticular Manure in this country. ONE QUALITY. ONE SORT. ONE PRICE. Good Agents Wanted. 1330 R. W. CONNELL, Junr., MANURE MANUFACTURER, 10, South Castle Street, LIVERPOOL. Telegraphic Address Telephone 075. "Phosphate," Liverpool. THOMAS'S, LONDON HOUSE, BANGOR. Departments: DRESSES, SHIRTS, RIBBONS MANTLES, MILLINERY, GLOVES, CAPES, SILKS, TIES, JACKETS, VELVETS, HOSIERY, BLOUSES, LACES, UNDERCLOTHING. &c., &c. Wedding and Mourning Orders on shortest notice. Dressmaking and Millinery a Speciality. Men's, Youths, and Boys' Ready-made Clothing, Hats, Caps, Ties, Collars, &c. Flannels, Linens, Prints, Blankets Curtains, &c LONDON HOUSE, BANGOR 4L THE COLWYN BAY & DISTRICT Advertisings BillpostingCo. LIMITED, Own the largest number of Private Posting Statïont in Colwyn Bay, Llandudno, Penmaen- mawr, Conway, Junction, Penrhynside, Colwyn and Abergele. OFFIOE Powis House, Grove Park, COLWYN BAY. 58 CIROES NURSERIES I COLWYN BAY. CONIFERS, LAURELS, PINES, PRlVf^' POPLARS, RHODODE N DRXJMBI LABURNUMS, ROSES, CLEMATIS, and other CLIMBERS, &c.-Prices on application. Cut Flowers and Table Plants. JOBBING GARDENING BY HOUR OR CONTRACT. E. METCALFE, Manager. A CARD. -1k DAVID JONES, M.P.S., Dispensing Chemist (BY EXAM.), Medallist of the South London School of Pharmacy, The Pharmacy, ABERGELE ROAD, NEXT DOOR TO POST OFFICE, OLD COLWYN. DISPENSING A SPECIALITY. n 829 II