Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

NOTICE.-This column is devoted to better thoughts for quiet moments. Can the wiles of Art, the grasp of Power, Snatch the rich relics of a well-spent hour ? These, when the trembling spirit wings her flight, Pour round her path a stream of living light. ROGERS.

Sincerity. The more honesty a man has, the less he affects the air of a saint. The affectation of sanctity is a blotch on the face of piety. LAVATER.

Beauties of Twilight. Oh how beautiful is the summer night which is not night, but a sunless, yet unclouded, day, des- cending upon earth with dews, and shadows, and refreshing coolness I How beautiful the long, mild twilight, which, like a silver clasp, unites to-day with yesterday How beautiful the silent hour when morning and evening thus sit together, hand in band, beneath the starless sky of mid- night I LONGFELLOW. »

Vanity of Earthly Things. Time, like a long-flowing stream, makes haste into eternity, and is for ever lost and swallowed up there; and while it is hastening to its period, it sweeps away all things with it which are not immortal. There is a limit appointed by Provi- dence to the duration of all the pleasant and desirable scenes of life, to all the works of the hands of men, with all the glories and excellencies of animal nature, and all that is made of flesh and blood. Let us not dote upon anything here below, for heaven hath inscribed vanity upon it. The moment is hastening when the decree of heaven shall be uttered, and Providence shall pronounce upon every glory of the earth, Its time shall be no longer." DR. WATTS.

Books. On all sides are we not driven to the conclusion that, of the things which man can do or make here below, by far the most momentous, wonderful, and worthy, are the things we call books? Those poor bits of rag-paper with black ink on them; from the daily newspaper to the sacred Hebrew Book, what have they not done, what are they not doing ? Is it not, verily, the highest act of man's faculty that produces a book ? It is the thought of man; the true thaumaturgic virtue, by which man works all things whatsoever. All that he does, and brings to pass, is the vesture of a thought. The thing we called bits of paper with traces of black ink" is the purest embodiment a thought of man can have. No wonder it is, in all ways, the activest noblest. THOS. CARLYLE. »

A Midsummer Night. The long day wanes, the broad fields fade; the night, The sweet June night, is like a curtain drawn. The dark lanes know no faintest sound, and white The pallid haw-thorn lights the omooth-pleached lawn. The scented earth drinks from the silent skies Soft dews, more sweet than softest harmonies. There is no stir nor breath of air, the plains Lie slumbering in the close embrace of night, Only the rustling land-rail's note complains The children's casement shows the half veiled light, Only beneath the solemn elm trees tall The fountain seems to fall and cease to fall. Sweet summer night, than summer days more fair, Safe haven of the weary and forlorn, Splendid the gifts the luminous noontides bear, Lovely the opening eyelids of the morn; But thou with softest touch transfigurest This toilworn earth into a heaven of rest. LEWIS MORRIS.

Attachment to Life. The young man, till thirty, never feels practi- cally that he is mortal. He knows it, indeed, and, if need were, he could preach a homily on the fragility of life; but he brings it not home to himself, any more than in a hot June we can ap- propriate to our imagination the freezing days of December. But now, shall I confess a truth? I feel these audits but too powerfully; I begin to count the probabilities of my duration, and to grudge at the expenditure of moments and shortest periods like miser's farthings. In propor- tion as the years both lessen and shorten I set more count upon their periods, and would fain lay my ineffectual finger upon the spoke of the great wheel. I am not content to pass away like a Weaver's shuttle." Those metaphors solace me not, nor sweeten the unpalatable draught of mortality. I care not to be carried with the tide that smoothly bears human life to eternity, and rebel at the inevitable course of destiny. I am in love with this green earth, the face of town and country, the unspeakable rural solitudes, and the sweet security of streets. I would set up my tabernacle here; I am content to stand still at the age to which I am arrived, to be no younger, no richer, no handsomer. I do not want to be weaned by age, or drop, like mellow fruit, as they say, into the grave! Any alteration on this earth of mine, in diet or in lodging, puzzles and discomposes me. My household goods plant a terribly fixed foot, and are not rooted up without blood. They (lo not -willingly seek Lavinian shores. A new state of being staggers me; sun and sky, and breezes and solitary walks, and summer holidays, and the greenness of fields, and the juices of meats and -fishes, and society, and the cheerful glass, and candlelight, and fireside conversations, and jests -and irony-do not these things go out with life ? Can a ghost laugh, or shake his gaunt sides when :you are pleasant with him CHARLES LAMB.

The Journey of Life. We rise in the morning of youth, full of vigour and full of expectation; we set forward with spirit and hope, with gaiety and with diligence, and travel on a while, in a straight road of piety, towards the mansions of rest. In a short time we remit our fervour, and endeavour to find some mitigation of our duty, and some more easy means -of obtaining the same end. We then relax our vigour, and resolve no longer to be terrified with crimes at a distance, but rely on our own con- stancy, and venture to approach what we resolve never to touch. We thus enter the bowers of ease, and repose in the shades of security. Here the heart softens, and vigilance subsides; we are then willing to inquire whether another advance cannot be made, and whether we may not at least turn -our eyes upon the gardens of pleasure. We approach them with scruple and hesitation; we enter them, but enter timorous, and trembling, and always hope to pass through them without losing the road of virtue, which we, for a while, keep in our sight, and to which we propose to return. But temptation succeeds temptation, and one com- pliance prepares us for another; we in time lose the happiness of innocence, and solace our dis- quiet with sensual gratifications. By degrees we let fall the remembrance of our original intention, and quit the only adequate object of rational desire. We entangle ourselves in business, immerge -,Ourselves in luxury, and rove through the labyrinths of inconstancy, till the darkness of old age begins to invade us, and disease and anxiety obstruct our way. We then look back upon our lives with horror, with sorrow, with repentance, and wish, but too often vainly wish, that we had not forsaken the ways of virtue. Happy are they who shall remember that, though the day is past, and their strength wasted, there yet remains one effort to be made; that reformation is never hopeless, nor sincere endeavours ever unassisted that the wan- derer may at length return, after all his errors; and that he who implores strength and courage from above shall find danger and difficulty give way before them. JOHNSON.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—WEDNESDAY. HALF TIMERS BILL READ A THIRD TIME. Mr. ROBSON (L., S. Shields) formally moved the third reading of the Education of Children Bill. Mr. SETON-KARR (C., St. Helens) remarked that the Bill had been carried through the House with indecent haste (Oh, oh). There had been one day for the second reading, one day for Committee, and since then no opportunity of discussing it, the report stage having been taken after twelve o'clock. The Bill, too, had not been printed with its impor- tant amendments. He submitted that the Bill did not benefit the children or improve their education. It did not touch the real difficulty and evil in our elementary education but, in fact, did something to perpetuate it. A great opportunity had been lost of bringing forward a much larger and more 9 1 serious question. Why had the hon. Member re- stricted it to half timers and labour of children over eleven years of age ? He might well have dealt with the regulation of labour of children under eleven. The fundamental errors of the Bill were that it laid too much stress on the mechanical and unpractical teaching of our elementary schools, and assumed that the learning which the children of our working classes acquired in elementary schools was the best possible preparation for the battle of life. He urged that a great distinction should be drawn between the work of children under eleven and those over eleven. It had not been proved that half-time had affected health, whereas the work prepared the children for the work they would pursue through life. It would have been far better to have brought in a Bill to regulate the labor of children under eleven. It had never been shown that life in a mill was more unhealthy than in an elementary school. Working men in Lanca- shire were hostile to the measure. The second reading, it was true, had been carried by a large majority, but large majorities were not always right (laughter.) He moved the rejection of the Bill. Mr. GEORGE WHITELEY (C., Stockport did not think even at the eleventh hour bon. Members fully appreciated the position of the representa- tives of half-time constituencies, or the opinion of the public generally in those districts. There are really no body of working public opinion at the back of the Bill. The employers were against it, as it would hamper them. Workpeople opposed it because they preferred their children should be brought up in the manner in which they them- selves were brought up. The children were opposed to it because they looked forward to the time when they could take up their position as members of the family. The only body of opinion with the supporters of the Bill was the National Union of Teachers. Trade unions in Lancashire were hostile. (Cries of Not all.") Practically all the half-timers were in the weaving industry, and he ventured to say that all the weaving trade unions were against it. (No, no.) He did not begrudge the preferential treatment of the agricul- tural classes, because this Parliament had always placed agriculture first and every other industry afterwards (opposition cheers.) He predicted that this educational experiment would prove one of the most unfortunate in the country districts. He seconded the rejection of the Bill. Mr. DUCKWORTH (L. Lane., Middleton) denied the assertion that there was strong hostility to the measure in Lancashire. Sir F. S. POWELL (C, Wigan) said that he had spoken on the second reading with some sincerity (laughter)land much vigor of language in favor of it. Though he represented an important town in Lan- cashire he had received not a single protest against the remarks he then made, but he had received letter after letter in full sympathy with the object of the Bill (cheers). He regretted very deeply that the opposition to this Bill should come from a certain section of Lancashire Members who sat on that side of the House (hear, hear). It was often said that to the Conservative party belonged the credit of passing many social reforms. But the age was raised from ten to eleven by Mr. Acland, whose absence from the House he deeply deplored (hear, hear), and to-day, when he believed the House would take another step in advance, they could not boast that it was on the initative of a Conservative Member, but by a distinguished hon. gentleman on the other side. He appealed to his Lancashire friends to keep the record as clean as they could, and not to oppose this Bill by one adverse vote (hear, hear). Mr. YOXALL (L. Nottingham, W.) denied altogether that the bulk of the Lancashire people were opposed to this Bill. It would not abolish child labour, but it would do something in that direction, and he was sorry that his hon. friend had had to come to a compromise on the question of childran in agricultural districts. If the Government had shown any courage at all they would have adopted the Bill in its entirety, and so made this compromise unnecessary (hear, hear.) Major RASCH (C. Essex, S.E.) said he had opposed the Bill in its early stages, because it certainly would have pressed very hardly on the agriculturists, but now he hoped it would be passed into law. Mr. S. SMITH (L, Flintshire) was quite convinced that those Lancashire Members who were now opposing the Bill would, in a few years' time, be heartily in its support. Mr. SCHWANN (L, Manchester, N.) contended that it would be impossible to improve the physique of the children in Lancashire and elsewhere until the school age was raised. Mr. HAYWOOD JOHNSTONE (C. Horsham), supported the Bill, and expressed the hope that it would have the effect of keeping young men in the country districts. Mr. HARWOOD (L, Bolton) denied that either the employers or the workpeople of Lancashire were against the proposal contained in the Bill. As a matter of fact he had not heard a protest from a single employer in that county. If Lancashire was to compete successfully with foreigners it was essential that the intelligence and physique of the people of the county should be developed. He appealed to the House to pass the Bill, which he believed would be a great boon to the trade of the country. Mr. J. KENYON (C, Bury) said he should sup- port the Bill because it was a step in the right direction. The half-time system had a bad effect upon the education of the children of this country, and he hoped that in a few years' time it would be abolished altogether (hear, hear.) Sir J. GORST repeated an assurance given by him on previous occasions, that the agricultural element had been carefully considered in dealing with the Bill. In was the opinion of the Educa- tion Department that it would be quite possible to ensure that the attendance of children employed in agricultural districts should during the winter be a real attendance, and that the exemptions in summer should be made up by the winter atten- dances. He heartily congratulated the hon. and learned gentleman (Mr. Robson) upon his success in carrying this extremely important Bill through the House. He did not think he would ever regret being responsible for a measure which would be of great importance in the future (cheers.) SIR WILLIAM HARCOURT. Sir W. HARCOURT was quite sure that the House would never regret having given ja vote in support of the Bill. He desired to associate himself with the Vice-President in his congratulations to Mr. Robson upon the judgment and zeal he had displayed in connection with the Bill. It was with the greatest satisfaction that he had heard the voice of Lancashire as expressed by the hon. Member for Wigan (Sir F. Powell) and the hon. Member for Bolton (Mr. Harwood), and he con- sidered that those gentlemen expressed the enlightened opinion of their great county. He had often personally expressed an opinion on the absolute inefficiency and inadequacy of the existing system of education in this country, and especially of its elementary education. No part of the country suffered more from that inadequacy than the agricultural districts. In his opinion the education in those districts was a disgrace to the country, especially when compared with that of other countries,who, although much poorer and with less resources than England, declined to extract what might be almost called the life-blood of the children, He had always supported to the utmost of his ability the views which he knew were enter- tained by the Vice-President of the Council, and he hoped that the Bill would be only the commence- ment of a series of measures of the same descrip- tion, and that the present would show the people that so far from being a disadvantage, legislation of this kind was of great advantage to the working classes. He trusted that they would by a unani- mous vote pass the Bill, which he was sure would add to the health and wealth of the nation (cheers.) Colonel MELLOR (C, Lanes., Radcliffe) said he would like to see exemptions granted to poor parents. The law already provided for exemptions in cases of age and standard, and he hoped that local authorities in Lancashire would have the power to grant exemptions where necessary to poor parents. The Bill was then read a third time amidst loud cheers. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THURSDAY. WEST AFRICAN LIQUOR TRAFFIC. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN, in reply to Mr. Lawrence (U., Liverpool, Abercromby), said the recently- signed convention provided for a minimum duty of about 3s. per proof gallon on all spirits imported in the West African liquor zone. INDIAN SUGAR BOUNTIES. Sir HENRY FOWLER (R., Wolverhampton) moved that an humble address be presented to her Majesty will be pleased to disallow the Indian Tariff Act of 1899. He declared that it was an entire misconception of the constitution of India and of the legislation and practice which con- trolled the relationship between India and the Im- perial Government to look upon the Indian Government in the same light as one of our self- governing Colonies, whose power in regard to legislation was almost supreme. Out of 224 million acres under crops in India only three millions were given up to sugar. The importation into India amounted to 200,000 tons per annum, but only 74,000 came from bounty-fed countries, while the majority of the rest came from Mauri- tius. As a matter of fact, the importation of bounty-fed sugar was rapidly declining. It was this small and declining trade which it was now proposed to penalise by legislation. As to the origin of this legislation, they did not know what passed before May, 1898, but then a dispatch from India-they did not know whether it was in reply to a dispatch from England, but it rather looked like a bolt from the blue. The Government of India had been approached by the Chamber of Commerce at Bengal as to India being represented at the Brussels Conference on Sugar Bounties. The Government approved of the lepresenting of India at the Brussels Conference, but were not pre- pared to levy countervailing duties on sugar. WHAT IS GOOD FOR INDIA IS GOOD FOR ENGLAND. With regard to certain views which had been expressed by the Viceroy, he was restrained by his respect for him and for his position from saying anything which he might afterwards regret, and consequently he would only say that the speech he delivered on that question was an eloquent exposition of inaccurate statistics and of long- exposed economic fallacies (laughter.) He (the speaker) thought no case had been made out for this proposed new step, which was the hrst step towards the reversal of the policy that has been made of so much advantage to us (Opposition cheers.) It would confer no benefit upon India if it were carried. It would rather stereotype her antiquated processes, and deprive her of that fair competition which was the best stimulus to increased manu- facture. If this policy was good for India it was good for England. If it was right that the sugar planters of the Mauritius should be protected in the markets of India against the competition of Austria and Germany, it was surely right that the sugar planters of the West Indies should be pro- tected against similar competition in the markets of England (cheers from the back Government benches.) Yes, but was that the view of the country ? (Opposition cheers.) If so, let the Government have the courage of their convictions and act upon them. Let the First Lord make an announcement that this was the policy of the Government, and he (the speaker) thought he would quickly scatter to the winds the listless apathy which they were told prevailed in the political world (laughter and Opposition cheers.) Let the Chancellor of the Exchequer stand up and say that he accepted the economic doctrines of the Viceroy of India and the hon. and gallant gentle- man the member for Central Sheffield. Let him say that, and he thought he would be within measurable distance of the haven of repose and freedom from responsibility for whith he so feelingly pleaded in his last address to his con- stituencies (laughter and Opposition cheers.) Mr. J. M. MACLEAN (U., Cardiff), in second- ing, said the motion had taken the form of a vote of censure because the Government had persistent- ly denied them an opportunity of raising a debate on the subject during the past three months. He had expressed his strong condemnation of the act of the Indian Government for his constituents, and there had been a whisper of remonstrance (cheers.) And he did not think there was a single Minister- not even the Colonial Secretary, with all his courage for rash enterprises—(laughter)—who, having seen the effect of the agitation on the people of this country, would venture to propose countervailing duties for England. Countervail- ing duties in England were as dead as bimetalism (laughter and cheers.) India bad hitherto observed the open door, which we pro- fessed to desire all over the world, But now it was being closod-iio doubt, owing to the influence of the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who supplied the India Office with the motive power necessary to pass the legislation (Opposition cheers, and Lord George Hamilton No,") He (Mr. Maclean) did not question the noble lord's sincerity for a moment, but the energy with which the right hon. gentleman pursued this policy only dated from the intervention of the Colonial Secretary (opposition cheers.) Lord GEORGE HAMILTON: I say it is abso- lutely untrue. Mr. MACLEAN thought the noble lord had no right to say that, because he (Mr. Maclean) was simply going by what appeared in the Blue Book (Opposition cheers.) Why did the Colonial Secretary think it necessary to interfere in Indian affairs? Was he pining for new worlds to conquer ? (laughter.) Surely the Colonial Empire was large enough to fill the ambition of any man, however overweening the ambition might be. He might have settled his difficulties with President Kruger first, and then tried a policy which was apparently not so successful as might be desired. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN said the hon. Member for Cardiff had attacked the Government with a con- siderable amount of feeling, and especially the Colonial Secretary (cheers and, laughter). He seemed to think, whether the policy was good or bad in itself, it was certainly bad if advocated by the Secretary for the Colonies (laughter). He had got the Colonial Secretary on the brain (renewed laughter). The hon. Member always professed loyalty to his party, yet he never spoke without attacking some member of the Government (laughter). He knew the attack of the hon. Member could not be on personal grounds, because he had never even spoken to him (laughter). Therefore he could have no quarrel with him (re- newed laughter). He felt it must be some great question of principle, but on this the hon. gentle- man had relieved his (Mr. Chamberlain's) mind. The hon. gentleman told a reporter that he was not animated by any feeling against the Govern- ment or the Colonial Secretary, but his position was that of a man looking through a keyhole at a banquet at which the Liberal Unionists were eating and enjoying themselves and making merry (loud laughter). Looking through a keyhole was an un- dignified position (ministerial cheers). Mr. MACLEAN: Let us be accurate. I wrote this in a paper as descriptive of the general character of the Liberal Unionists. I did not apply it to myself in any way (laughter). Mr. CHAMBERLAIN said he did not know what authority the young gentleman had in applying it to others (ministerial cheers). At all events he would suggest to the hon. gentleman that the pro- cess he described so graphically was apt to produce a distorted vision (laughter). All that he (Mr Chamberlain) had done in connection with this matter was to bring under the notice of his noble friend the Secretary for India a complaint for- warded to him as Colonial Secretary. The hon. gentleman had paid him a compliment for the influence he exercised on the Secretary for India and the Indian Council which he did not deserve. It was his duty to convey the information that the people of the Mauritius believed that their position was seriously in danger unless something was done to put an end to bounty-fed sugar (hear, hear). It was an absurd argument to say that the posi- tion could be improved by the introduction of a better method of production and fresh capital. New capital could not be attracted unless they had stability of trade (ministerial cheers), Night and day he had been considering how the property of the West Indies could best be restored. His efforts had been directed to the introduction of fresh capital and fresh energy. At this moment he had a statement by a party that he would to-morrow engage to invest a millton sterling in the West Inies if the Government would guarantee him against the bounties now being given (cheers). It was said that foreign countries would retaliate. Yes, but it was not their interest to do so. Even if they thought that the policy of the Indian Government was wrong they ought to hesitate before overruling it. The Government were perfectly willing to accept the responsibility, as they held that the policy of the government of India was right —(ministerial cheers)—in nipping in the bud this most prenicious system of bounties —(hear, hear)—and in securing to one of the stable productions of India equal opportunities with its foreign competitors (ministerial cheers). Sir H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN said he could not rise to the height of economic philosophy of the right hon. gentleman (Mr. Courtney), but in the main he accepted his doctrines and agreed with his conclusions (opposition cheers). The speeches of the noble lord and the Secretary for the Colonies showed that it was their intention to apply this policy at some convenient season to this country (cheers and counter cheers). The Opposi- tion were as much opposed to bounties as the Secretary for India. He regarded bounties as another form of protective duties (hear, hear). They disturbed trade and punished the very nation which employed them (opposition cheers). Where they differed was as to the remedy to be applied. When the noble lord said that the countervailing duties were accepted and advocated in certain cases by the old orthodox free trader, he could not but call to mind-a maxim which was constantly quoted in this connection in the words of Sir Robert Peel, that "hewould fight hostile tariffs by free imports." He preferred the old method to the new, and when the noble lord challenged the Opposition to go to the country on the question of bounties, he replied that they were no advocates of bounties, and he would invite the noble lord to go the country with the cry of retaliatory tariffs in the name of sugar (loud opposition cheers). The House divided:— For the motion 152 Against. 293 Government majority. 141 INDECENT LEGISLATIVE HASTE. After alluding to the indecent haste with which the law had been passed, Mr. Maclean said the Legislative Council, which had been cited as in favour of it, consisted mostly of courtiers, among whom the Viceroy, like Cato, gives his little Sen- ate laws, and sits attentive to his own applause" (laughter). These gentlemen denounced counter- vailing duties with Lord Elgin and then approved of them with Lord Curzon (Opposition cheers). They acted on the principles of the Vicar of Bray (laughter). Proceeding, Mr. Maclean said India could grow enough sugar to supply the world (Lord George Hamilton Hear, hear). Yes; and she would grow it much more easily under the stimulus of competition (Opposition cheers). The great cotton industry of India, the tea trade, and the Indian coal and beer and seed oil exports had all been built up, not by artificial means such as countervailing duties, but by unrestricted com- merce, which most educated natives now admitted was the best thing England could hare given them (cheers). In conclusion, he would ask if it were not a shabby device to force on the people of India what they were afraid to propose for England (cheers). This had been done with the deliberate design of introducing preferential duties in every part of the Empire, and therefore, he would un- hesitatingly support the motion before the House, because it declared for fairplay to India and Free Trade for the British Empire (Oppositon cheers). THE TRANSVAAL. MR. CHAMBERLAIN'S WARNING. Mr. BRYN ROBERTS asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether his attention had been drawn to a cablegram from Capetown stating that there was a report that he was conferring with Mr. Rhodes, and that this has astounded the local com- rrmnitv nflWtincr Dutch rminion dfvnlnrablv e was aware t α- th co oi whether he was aware that the municipal council of Capetown had recently, by a large majority, re- fused an address of welcome to Mr. Rhodes; and whether, in order to allay the suspicions that appeared to exist in South Africa, and to prevent all possible misconstruction, he would refrain from all interviews with Mr. Cecil Rhodes ? Mr. CHAMBERLAIN: I am much obliged to the hon. gentleman for giving me the opportunity of con- tradicting this falsehood. My attention was drawn to the cablegram referred to, and I have authorised Sir Alfred Milner to state that I have had no com- munication with Mr. Rhodes on Transvaal affairs since 1896 (cheers). I may take this opportunity of warning the House against believing, without confirmation, any of the numerous statements which at a time like the present are invented and circulated for obvious purposes (Ministerial cheers). Perhaps, in connection with that, I may be allowed to say that I observed in the newspapers two or three days ago a statement—which is repeated in the evening newspapers to-night with a number of details-as to my having made arrangements to leave this country (laughter). The newspapers have been misinformed. There is not a word of truth in any one of the statements which have been made. I have not engaged any carriage either in this country or in France, and I have no intention whatever of leaving the country at the present time (cheers and laughter).

Welsh Land Question. Lord Carrington, I believe," says the London correspundent of the Birmingham Daily Gazette," has determined to raise the Welsh land question in the House of Lords. He will call attention on Friday week to the 'subject of land tenure in Wales and Monmouthshire,' and will ask whether it is the intention of the Government to initiate any legislation upon the matter. It will be remembered, of course, that Lord Carrington was chairman of the Welsh Land Commission appointed by the last Government of Mr. Gladstone."

PENRHYN QUARRIES. AGITATION AMONG THE WORKERS. Considerable agitation has been aroused among the Penrhyn quarrymen by the dismissal of one of their leaders who took a prominent part in the late strike, and was, in fact, a member of the trium- virate which, under the name of the deputation," was the only recognised medium of discussion between Lord Penrhyn and the men during the course of that struggle. No reason has been assigned for the latest abrupt dismissal, that of Robert Davies, and the gradual increase in these: dismissals is the cause of the growing uneasiness felt among the men, and even among the residents in the surrounding districts. When a number of the best workmen in the quarry, who, as far as can be astertained, have given no cause for dismissal either in this or any other manner, and who, moreover, have been prominently associated with every effort of the men in the past to obtain concessions from their employer, are dismissed either without notice, as in the case of Robert Davies, or on apparently trivial grounds, as is alleged to be the case of W. R. Evans, the chairman of the Quarry Committee during the strike, there is, the men consider, something going on which has a threatening aspect as far as they are concerned. The meeting called for the Friday evening was not convened for the purpose of discussing the recent dismissals at the quarry, and was advertised before the dismissal of Robert Davies, but it is considered that it will be difficult, if not impossible, to avoid a discussion of those incidents, and much anxiety is felt among the men's leaders as to the probable outcome of the meeting. Last Thursday Mr. David Pritchard, the acting- manager, resigned his post. During the great strike two years ago he was regarded by the men as their bitterest enemy, but his policy appeared to have the absolute approval and support not only of the chief manager, Mr. Young, but of Lord Penrhyn himself.

A REMARKABLE SUIT. PROBATE AND DIVORCE DIVISION—IFBIDAY. Before Sir. F. Jeune and a Special Jury. Edwards v. Edwards, and Edwards v. Edwards and Williams (Beddoes intervening).-Thi:s- was a consolidated suit. In the first petition, the wife prayed for a judical separation, and in the second the husband, a North Wales doctor, prayed for the dissolution of his marriage on the ground of the alleged misconduct of his wife, which allegation was denied. This was te second hearing of the suit.—Mr. Deane, Q.C., and Mr. Ellis Griffiths, appeared for the husband, and Mr. Inderwick.Q.C., and Mr. Priestly for the wife, and Mr. Foulkes Griffiths for the intervener. According to the statement of the learned Judge, it appeared that in August, 1896, the Petitioner accused his wife of a misconduct with a Member of Parliament, and he wrote out a paper admitting it, which the wite was compelled to sign. one then left her home, and was confined of a child. She positively denied the misconduct alleged, and said that her husband was the father of the child. The husband charged his wife with misconduct, and when the case came to be heard before the husband did not charge any particular person. He said the misconduct was with a person unknown. It was stated that he wrote out a paper which his wife signed, admitting misconduct. At that time the wife charged the husband with cruelty, but at the previous trial she denied it and the result was that the charge of cruelty was withdrawn. On the case going on, the husband gave his evidence, and the result was that the wife was found guilty of a misconduct with a person unknown, and the charge against the husband of cruelty was dismissed. Then an intervention took place. The law said that if there was reason to suppose that there was material facts before the trial which ought to be disclosed the Attorney General might appear on behalf of the public and put those facts before the Court, and might ask to have the- order for the dis- solution of the marriage set aside. Any one who could show that material facts had been withheld might come forward, and Dr. Beddoes, who was a medical man, now came forward in that capacity and had taken upon himself to say that material facts had been withheld, that on the facts, as stated before, the Court come to a wrong conclusion. Be- side that an allegation of misconduct was made against the husband, and that would be very im- portant if it was proved, for the law said that if that was so, it must be taken into consideration. Really the case the jury had to try now was whether the first judgment was wrong owing to material facts not having been set forth or been misunderstood, or whether Mrs. Edwards was guilty of the misconduct of which she was found guilty, she herself not denying it in the previous case. It was a peculiar state of things that persons should be allowed to come forward and say that the previous decision was wrong because material facts were withheld. Evidence was then called, amongst which was that of Dr. Beddoes, the intervener. Other witnesses were called, but they were not cross-examined, and eventually Sir F. Jeune said nothing was being proved, and he condemned the way the case was being carried on. The Jury intimated that they had heard enough of the case. Mr. Arthur Hughes was called by Mr. Deane, and re-stated what had happened at the previous trial, with the object of showing that he nad not influenced Mrs. Edwards. In the result the Jury found in favour of Dr. Edwards, and the intervention was dismissed, with costs.—The Standard."

Appointment. The Aberdeen University Court have appointed Mr. J. Lewis M'Intyre, assistant lecturer in logic and philosophy -t the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, to the Anderson lectureship in com- parative psychology, in succession to Dr. G. F. Stout, at present the Wilde lecturer at Oxford.

Gifts to the College. Mr. James Jones, of Brooklands, Swansea, and High Sheriff for the County of Cardigan, has kindly presented the Library of the College with a valuable collection of books from his private library. The selection was made on behalf of Mr. Jones by his fellow-townsman, Mr. D. Lleufer Thomas, Secretary to the Royal Welsh Land Commission. Mr. William Scott, of Hazelwood, Cathedral-road, Cardiff, formerly of Aberystwyth, has presented to the College a number of valuable old engravings, including some rare prints of old Aberystwyth. The Rev. George Eyre Evans has added to the treasures of the College a framed autograph portrait of the Rev. Dr. Martineau, now in the 95th year of his age; also, one of the interior of the noble library of Manchester College, Oxford, built by Sir Henry Tate, Bart.; a portrait of Mr. Ruskin, and twelve engravings of an early edition of Paradise Lost," together with a con- temporary engraving of John Milbon. -0

Early Recollections. [BY MR. JOHN DAVIES, OF LIVERPOOL.] The early history of the College movement is replete with incidents of the greatest interest to educationalists. It abounds with stories of high aspirations, and ceaseless efforts, strangled by difficulties and defeats; of lethargy on the part of sympathizers, who saw nothing in the efforts of the pioneers of higher education in Wales but an attempt to attain the impossible, and but for the indefatigable perseverance of that truestfriend of Wales, the late Sir Hugh Owen, who in spite of every difficulty and disappointment, never lost heart nor hope, but struggled on in the firm conviction that success would finally reward his efforts, Wales would to-day be still in the initial steps of the movement. As Liverpool Honorary Secretary I well remember in the early "sixties" the difficulty which existed in getting a larger attendance than some ten or a dozen persons to listen to Mr. Hugh Owen's scheme for higher education, after issuing some hundreds of circulars convening the meeting. After a series of spasmodic attempts on the part of the local Committee to infuse enthusiasm in the cause by convening meetings, and waiting upon those of our fellow-townsmen likely to aid in the movement, nothing appeared to impress the bulk of the Welsh community with the practicability of Mr. Owen's scheme. Mr. Eliezer Pugh and Mr. Thomas Davies, of Bootle, were, however, notable exceptions, who by their princely donations, and the absorbing interest they took in the matter, contributed largely to the successful flotation of the University College. One noble lord, wielding considerable influence in North Wales, to whom I applied declined to contribute, on the ground that a University College for Wales was in no wise necessary, now that the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge were open to all who cared to avail themselves of the ad- vantages of higher education, and considered that the movement to establish a University for Wales did more credit to the hearts than to the heads of its promoters, and the attempt was so quixotic as to end in certain failure. It was evident from the responses we received that Wales could noV. rely on her aristocracy for sympathy and succour, and that the aspirations of the nation would never result in success until the country was roused to united action. This, Mr. Hugh Owen made up his mind to effect. His plan of campaign for North Wales was, by the aid of sympathizers in the various towns, to convene meetings to explain his scheme and to solicit subscriptions. Starting at Chester, where a meeting was held under the presidency of the Duke of Westminster, and arrangements made with the local and Liver- pool press for a full report of the proceedings, he was by no means discomfitedJto find that an audience of less than twenty persons had gathered to hear him, notwithstanding the attraction of a brass band which had been pressed into the service. The following day he held a meeting in Holywell where an audience of not more than five attended. One of the number was elected to the chair, and after an execellent introductory speech, called upon Mr. Hugh Owen, who spoke at considerable length, fully alive to the fact that through the medium of the press he was speaking to the whole of Wales. The votes of thanks gave an opportunity for the remainder of his audience to take part in the proceedings. In rapid succession, town after town was visited with increasing audiences at each place. Scarcely a day passed without a column appearing in the daily papers headed University College of Wales" with a full account of the speeches delivered, so that interest in the movement became general, resulting in a steady flow of contributions, which, though for the most compartively small in amount, was eloquent evidence to Mr Owen that the scheme was gaining a hold on the people.

Church Students' Guild. The annual services in connection with the Church Stndents' Guild were held last Sunday. This year the preacher was the Rev. Cyril Bickersteth, M.A., member of the Society of the Resurrection, and son of the late Bishop of Exeter. On Sunday afternoon a large number of students and their friends fore- gathered at St. Michael's Church, where the service was held. The rev. gentleman, who delivered. a powerful and eloquent address based his dis- course on I Epistle of Peters, iii, 15-16. He dwelt on the tendencies of the age to raise con- troversial questions on theological subjects, and pointed the necessity of being prepared to deal with such questions. It was a matter of the greatest Importance to the student to be able to cope with, and master such subjects as they arose. The student should have a strong faith, and he should never fail to diligently enquire into the merits and worth of these questions. The members of the Guild meet every fortnight to read papers and discuss religious topics. The committee of the Guild for the year are: President, Archdeacon Protheroe; committee, AfpRsrs .T Alan Murrav. 1 R M, V Mann. Miss Fotteringham, Miss Newton, Miss Thomas, Miss Iredale hon. sees.. Miss M, E. Hogar and Mr. A. W. Parry.

LLANDYSSUL. OBITUARY.—The death took place, on Thursday last, of Mr. David Davies, Cyfing, Llandyssul. Mr. Davies for years past has resided at Tancoed- mawr. The funeral took place on Monday at Pantydefaid burial grounds, and was largely attended by friends and relatives. The deceased has left a widow and six children to mourn their loss, and for whom much sympathy is felt. SUICIDE.—On Saturday morning, the 17th inst., the neighbourhood was struck by the sad news that Evan Lloyd, of Llain Ffostrassel, had committed suicide. About 6 o'clock a.m. he was found by his daughter hanging to a gate-post by means of his handkerchief and a piece of muffler. P.C. Lewis, of Llandysaul, was immediately sent for. Deceased was about 63 years of age, and had lead an useful and respectable christian life. It was noticed that he was rather low-spirited the last few days of his life, but no one thought he would do such a rash act as to hang himself. He was burried at Bwlchygroes on Tuesday, and has left a widow, a son, and three daughters. SARON INDEPENDENT CHAPEL.—The annual Cymanfa Bregethu" of the above chapel was held on Tuesday and Wednesday, the 13th and 14th inst. The weather was most favourable, and crowds gathered to the different meetings. The meetings were held as follows Tnesday at 6 p.m. Carmel and Bryn-Saron; Wednesday at 10 a.m., 2 and 6'30 p.m., Saron. The Rev. W. V. Edwards presided over the different meetings. The Rev. R. J. Nicholson, Portmadoc, Rev. Ben Davies. Pantteg (the well-known bard), and the Rev. E. Richards, Tonypandy, officiated. The tables were set in the schoolroom, and an abundance of food and willing attendants ministered to the bodily wants of all from far and near. We understand that these meetings proved a great success, owing undoubtedly to the energy and efforts of the able pastor, the Rev. W. Vaughan Edwards.

VELINDRE. TEA PARTY.—On Saturday afternoon, the 17th inst, the Closygraig Band of Hope had their annual picnic on a field belonging to the Tynewydd Farm. About 250 children were present, and after en- joying an excellent banquet, the Sports commenced as usual, and the kind gentlemen of the neighbour- hood gave prizes to the winners in different races, &c. The weather was delightful, and a great i number of people had enjoyed the afternoon well.

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