Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

Good Temper. '¥: ——— It isTa medicine which brings relief, And "moderates the malady of grief; It is a ceaseless spring, from which doth flow Contentment, peace, and happiness below It is the pilot which our bark will guide Safe past the rocks of envy, hate, or pride It is the soft south wind that miltlly blows, Carrying sweet fragrance wheresoe'er it goes; It isthe shield that will protect our hearts From malice and from envy's poisoned darts; Like water doth it fall on hatred's flame, And either quenches or abates the same; But on affection's pure and hallowed fire It falls like oil, and makes it mount the higher. R. W. JACKSO.

Health and. Study. If, by gaining knowledge, we destroy our health, labour for a thing that will be useless in our hands; and it", by harrassing our bodies (though with a design to render ourselves more useful), we deprive ourselves of the abilities and opportunities of doing that good which we might have done with 3. meaner talent, which God thought sufficient for us, by having denied us the strength to improve it to that pitch which men cf stronger constitutions Can attain to: we rob God of so much service, and our neighbours of all that help, which, in a state of health, we might have been able to perform He that sinks his vessel by overloading it, though it be With gold and silver and precious stones, will give but an ill account of his voyage. LOCKE.

4 Musement and Pin-money. BY "PHILIP SIDNEY." READER MIKE,— How many women do you know w y prefer a Gibbon to a gown, or a Greek 1 iato to French bonnet ? to Very few and far between are they, yet such an one is in our midst, whose action is destined to influence for untold good many generations as yet unborn. Last week there was opened in sunny Barmouth a handsome building, well furnished and free from debt, which has been called into existence in the first place, as a fitting store house for a noble library, bequeathed to the town by Miss Frances Power Cobbe, a woman'who, as she told the friends assembled on the occasion, did distinctly prefer books to balls," which she bought for her own use in a far distant youth out of what we women call our pin-money.' Every phrase, every line in Miss Cobbes letter to the committee of the Barmouth Library, is worthy of the closest attention of all of you, who are con- vinced in your own minds of the truth of Charles Beard's oft reiterated dictum, that life is not all beer and billiards." Come apart for one moment and with me ponder on Miss Cobbe's words, amongst the noblest and most soul lifting, which have for some time been uttered amidst our eternal hills and by the verge of the everlasting ocean. My much-loved books." What a whole life's love this means, no one can tell, unless lie or she f' has, at the first step by paintul. and weary, seir- denving and self-forgetting exertions, got a library together, and affectionately carressed and faithfully used every book placed in it. Be such treasured volumes few or many, they enter into their owner's self and become flesh of his flesh and bone of his bone. Looking forward to the time which must come, —be the day fat or near—when the owner and the owned must for ever part company, what more natural than that a permanent place shall be pro- vided for them, where, under certain necessary con- ditions, they shall still be of service to enable some young men and women to pursue serious and worthy studies." The solid nucleus of the whole—the history, philosophy, and poetry round which the other books have gathered—was bought for my own use 9 1 in my far-distant youth out of what we women call our pin-money Here we seem to get suddenly transported back to the days of which we occasionally read, when a few lads and lasses, here and there, in crowded town, or by babbling brook did really stint them- selves to buy their books. Reader, do I hear you say this is only an excep- tional, old world case, that such things are never done nowadays, when plenty of boating and hockey, football and tennis are supposed by so many to count as the be all and end all of life ? I reply that it is not so, that there are still left a few men and women who can keep Miss Cobbe in company, whose early struggles have, like hers, been many and hard, to build up their libraries." Bear with me while, by way of emphasising my point, I tell you a true and an untold tale, suppress- ing only the name of the chief actor in it. Not many miles distant from Miss Cobbe's happy home at Hengwrt is a library of some 2000 books, acquired by its owner and user, through long years of most self denying struggle. It contains works on an oat of the way historical 'path, not a few of which have come from the authors themselves, to gladden the heart of the remote worker. When in youth the owner determined that the books needed should be got, day after day did their present possessor go without a dinner; when companion: lunchcd lordly on ten pence, that "peculiar one" took a roll, and a sup of water from a street fountain never riding where walking was possible, yea even using string blackened in the ink pot as boot laces, anything to economise and to get the sum where with to acquire a conveted volume. Year in, and year out this course was pursued, now saving in one way, now in another with the present result that in early middle life the owner's collection—used, loved, caressed, wept over, laughed over,- is not deemed unworthy of accept- ance by one of Oxford's noble libraries, to the shelves of which it has long been bequeathed. Open the door and peep at some of the treasures, here is a line of Biographies bought and paid for on delivery by bun money; here a whole set of loved Scott's painfully acquired, volume by volume, with money saved from buses and cabs and tips. There histories upon histories recording the struggles of many communities of worshippers and thinkers from the bitter days of the seventeenth century. Ah you cast eyes upon some treasures ? The Apologia given by Newman; works by Charles Beard with his sign manual, a Martineau with the I philosopher's, greeting." There they are with rows of companions, the joy of their owner, and the daily tools of work. This may probably provoke your smiles," as Miss Cobbe says, then be it so, but the solemn facts remain as I tell them. Learning sought for learning's sake (not to pass examinations or turn it to wordly account) is the wealth of the mind." Who shall dare to paint the rose? To add to this sentence and its sentiments were indeed impossible. In it we get the kernel of Stirling truth, ponder on it well, and then contrast with it the action of some deluded man, who having perchance passed an examination, hurries off to sell his books, and then to his life's work t t t Verily indeed is Miss Cobbe's letter strong focd for babes. With pure and peaceful pleasures blest, Speed my calm and stndious days, While the noblest works of mightiest minds, Lie often to my gaze." These are lines of noble import, lines to fire any ardent soul, lines, in the spirit of which every true lover of his books takes off his hat and silently salutes them on their shelves, whenever he enteis his library. Glad indeed, says Miss Cobbe "should I be to help some young men and women to this best kind of riches, by enabling them to pursue serious, and worthy studies, for which, without my books, they might not have found facilities near home." Yes reader mine here are possibilities the like of which open up a vista for the future, unknown to lads and lasses of a former generation. How works it out ? A boy, say, is fired with an ardent and burning desire to work out for himself the great truth of the theory of Evolution. He hies himself to the Cobbe room, and there spread out for his use are those volumes of Darwin, touched themselves by the master's hand, and consecrated by that of a devoted pupil. Who shall say that from Barmouth County School there may not issue forth a student who shall rival him, who eanJe quietly out one morning from Shrewsbury School, and after year;, of original work lvi, carried to his grave in Westmins- ter Abbey, by a gratdulnat1011 ? A perchance tJlPra may be lurking away in some hidden fastness ot Cader a boy or a girl, yet to !>e touched by ths fire, lighted and kindled for more tkan ninety years, by James Marlineau. Philosophy has still other victor wreaths to win, iiwv such conquests be prepared lor in the Cobbe room When the hour comes for them to go forth to do their share of the world's work and help to lift some of its burden, they will find that the know- ledge they have hived,in their studious years is an unfailing help and strength in every undertaking, and a source of serene enjoyment to the last days of old age." Herein lies the gist of the whole matter, only as we gradually ascend the steps of advancing years to view from the summit glories upon glories, of which we wot not as yet," only then do we fully value and appreciate those efforts of our younger years' which perchance have opened to us some pasre of a master hand, and from its truth have touched the hem of the Great Master's robe, which is wrought of truth, love, mercy and righteeus- ness. May the Blessed One bless the donor and her readers.

All letters must be written on one side of the paper and accompanied by the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Correspondents are urgently requested to send their letters to the office as early as possible.

"MR. WILLIAMS." SIR,—There is a question at the head of the column by Philip Sidney," who was Mr Williams, of Ystradlo ? Isaac Williams, Of Ystradteilo, Llanrhysted, was the Vicar of that parish from 1764 to 1810, as also of five other parishes at the same time. D. JOES. n T,; ncn, Llanon, R.S.O., 13th April. LAMPETER PARISH CHURCHYARD. SIR,—Not a few who have the best interests of the town at heart will heartily unite with Dr. Cluneglas Davies in protesting in the strongest terms against any proposal to extend the present Churchyard. From a sanitary point of view no- thing could be more retrogressive than to perpetu- ate the present site as the burial-ground of an ever-increasing community. I maintain it is in- cumbent upon our Town Council to give this matter the serious consideration which it demands, lest they find themselves in a dilemma. It is patent to all that, the present Churchyard is rapidly being encircled by human habitations, and it is very evi- dent that, at the present rate, it will soon be in the centre of dwelling houses. At present the question of the removal of the burial-ground may be one of discretion only; but the time cannot be far distant—even, in fact, if it not now is—that the matter will be one of compulsion. There can be no question that, the proximity of the Churchyard to the town is a source of great danger to public health. In the report of the Yes try. in your last issue it is stated that" sevetal of those present proved that there was no foundation for such allegations —that is to say, Dr. Davies' allegations that the proximity of the Churchyard to the town was re- sponsible for the high death rate through tuber- cular complaints and diphtheria-" these allega- tions," continues the report, were described as absurd," To ignoramuses they were, no doubt, ab- surd in the highest degree. But just fancy what manner of men had we to butt their own petty opinions against the trained knowledge and ex- perience of Dr. Davies. The whole thing reads like a comedy. Dr. Davies, I have not the least doubt, is well able to defend himself, and has reasons of his own for his modus operandi; but surely every fair- minded man in the town will admit that he is de- serving of the gratitude of his fellow townsmen, rather than the censure of a few insignificant vestry men, for calling attention to this important matter. The time is not far distant when the town will have to seriously grapple with the question of se- curing a cemetery. Would it not be far better to prepare for that by quiet gradations, than to delay it by undertaking new and further burdens ? INCOLA. SHOULD SECTARIANISM TIE RAMPANT IN ABERAYEON ? Sirz,-This is a question which may well be answered in the negative after perusing the pertinent remarks of your local correspondent con- cerning the short-sighted policy which the Aber- ayron ratepayers have adopted in choosing representatives on the local governing bodies. Your correspondent has taken praiseworthy care to differ- entiate the beneficial sectarianism that gives birth to a healthy rivalry in doing good from the pernic- ious, bastard form that concerns itself solely with mundane matters. And in taking the case of Aber- ayron in particular it must be borne in mind that the same inane and illogical sectarianism is only too much in evidence throughout Wales in general. Whether the point at issue be the electing of a district or county councillor, of a poor-rate guardian, or of a teacher in an elementary or intermediate school, the first question asked in nine cases out of ten is not Will he be likely to perform his duties satis- factorily?" but (h/da prey ernrnd mac ef?" And if lie be not orthodox enough in his religious views according to the straight-laced ideas of the almighty Majority, if lie will not belong to one or other of the most powerful local religious societies then it would be easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for that man to reach his desired goal. It is truly disheartening to the would-be professed Christian and equally entertain- ing to the blase cynic to view the undignified, petty struggles between the various religious commun- ities of this country—communities which profess to follow Him who plainly and decisively declared that His Kingdom was not of this world. Religion which ought to be a crowning glory is dragged through the mire when its adherents show such a- lamentable lack of common sense as to take the 39 Articles orthe Cyffcs ly!ldd,:or any similar standard, as a reliable test whereby to judge the capability of a candidate to faithfully fulfil the duties of a district councillor or a poor-rate guardian. The secret cliques that linust be formed, and the secret caucuses that must be assembled before one sect allies with another sect in order to worst a third sect on the election day must tend inevitably to bring discredit on Christian church members from whom better things are expected. And now will not the good people and true of Aberayron put away such chlidish things, and, in the next election, setting aside all sectarian considerations, seek to elect the most worthy candidates, irrespective of creed or dogma. Not only is the present modus operandi illogical but it certainly does exercise a crampingléLm1 unnealtny IIluence iroin the ethical point oi view, and may bring to pass an equally detrimental material result. In writing this I wish to make it clear that not the slightest imputation is cast on the ladies and gentlemen who were recently returned Guardians and Councillors. It is not the elected but the intrigues of election that stand in dire need of criticism, and if these remarks will aid in drawing attention to the urgent necessity for reform, then accomplished will be the pur- pose of this letter by M.

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.

A poet is a world inclosed in a man. VICTOR HUGO. History is the summary of biographies. z, LanD HOUHGTOX. # Centuries are but seconds in the great process of the development of advancing humanity. HUMBOLDT. Jealousy is a disease of the mind, bred of that love which will not suffer a ipartner in a thing beloved. JJ TBEMK. The cancer of jealousy on the breast can never wholly be cut out, if I am to believe great masters 3f the healing art. PITCHER. Use not evasions when called upon tc do a good :hing, nor excuses when you are reproached for loing a bad one. LAVATER. Shipwreck and death are less dreadful than .hose pleasures by which virtue is subverted. ¡¡o¡- or If you reject Justice and Peace when they sue for acceptance, be assured that the cause of Peace and Justice will be avenged. # He that would acquire glory at the expense of humanity is a monster, and not a man; nor can true glory be thus acquired glory is nothing more than the radiance of virtue; and the virtue of a prince is moderation and benevolence. » The greatest misfortune that can happen among relations is a different way of bringing up, so as to set one another's opinions and characters in an entirely new point of view. HAZLITT. The web of our lives is of mingled yarn, good and ill together; our virtues would be proud if our faults whipped them not; and our vices would despair if they were not encouraged by our virtues. HAZLITT. A conqueror is kindness far beyond The armed victor, who doth thundering preach Civilisation with the cannon's tongue, Woe-brought delights, and bloody benefits. A gentle word begets a gentle thought; Drawing the sting from malice. Better thus, Than bruise with hate the ignorant serpent's head, Who knoweth nothing till you teach it to him. BARRY CORNWALL.

Time and the Year. In Spring-time we rear, we do sow, and we plant; In Summer get victuals, lest after we want; In Harvest we carry in corn, and the fruit, In Winter to spend, as we need of each suit. 'The year! compare, as I find for a truth, 'The Spring unto Childhood, the Summer to Youth, The Harvest to Manhood, the Winter to Age, All quickly forgot, as a play on a stage. Time past is forgotten, ere men be aware; Time present is thought on, with wonderful care; Time coming is feared, and therefore we save, Yet oft £ ere it come we be gone to the grave. THOMAS TUSSER.

True Value of Experience. Experience brings in the materials from which Intellect works; for it must be granted that a man of limited experience will often be more capable than be who has gone through the greatest variety of scenes, or rather, perhaps, that one man may collect more experience in a sphere of a few miles square, .than another who has sailed round the 'WorM. WILLIAM GODWI.

"And to Godliness, Brotherly ikindness." Kindness is too often left uncultivated because lIlen do not sufficiently understand its value. Men may be charitable and not kind merciful, yet not kind; self denying and yet not kind. If they Would add a little common kindness to their un- common graces, they would convert ten where they now only abate the prejudice of one." F. W. FABER.

Rich and Poor. If we create imaginary wants, why do we not I create imaginary satisfactions 1 It was the happiest phrenzy of the two to be like the mad Athenian, who thought all the ships that came into the harbour to be his own than to be still tor- menting ourselves with insatiable desires. BULSTRODE. « What is so hateful to a poor man as the purse- proud arrogance cf a rich one? Let fortune shut tte scene, and make the poor man rich, he runs at once into the vice that he declaimed against so feelingly; these are strange contradictions in human character. CUMBERLAND. When I behold a fashionable table set out in all its magnifioeuce> I fancy that I see gouts and drepsies, fevers and lethargies, with other in- numerable distempers lying in ambuscade among the dishes. Nature delights in the most plain and simple diet. Every animal but man keeps to one dish. Man falls upon everything that comes in his way; not the smallest fruit or excrescence of the earth, scarce a berry or a mushroom can escape him. ,¡. ADDISO. Honour be to all honest conditions of human life, and to that of honest poverty among the rest. Let the poor only turn tile-i" nii sfoi-ttineii to the improvement of themselves, let them presume not to think that suffering authorises then to commit Grimes, or to foster hatrecl; and they cannot be wholly unhappy. Never under any cncumstances, vre to jbe severe in our judgment cf them. Consider how hard a thing it is to snffei extreme Want on th# highway or in the hovel, while wi.hm •a few steps of him the wretched man beholds hi* fellow-creatures splendidly arraye^ and daintily fed, ;L^ I>V him. Forgive him if he have the Weakness to resrard you with malice, and relieve his Wants boa-KiM; be is a mar." S T. COIVliiilDOK.

WEST WALES AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. The Council of this society, which embraces the counties of Carmarthen, Cardigan, and Pembroke, met. at the Boars lieaa notei, Carmarthen, on Wednesday week, Sir Marteine Lloyd, Bart., Bron- wydd, presiding. Sir Marteme thanked the society for appointing him president for the year, and offered two cups. Mr Clement Williams. Penally- one of the best supporters of this flourishing association- sent a message that he would like additional prizes given to tenant farmers. The secretary (Mr D. H. Thomas, Starling Park) stated tfcat the balance to the good exceeded £200. The Council, therefore, added £12 to the black and Z12 to the c-loured cattle department, the president offering his ^trophies also for tthe benefit jof tenant'fariners" exhibiting (1) the best black bull or cow, with offspring; and (2) the best hackney 15 hands high and upwards, and stated that his daughter would exhibit (not for competition) the pony which Colonel (now General) Mackinnon rode through "the South African war. It was decided t) hold "the next, show on Carmarthen Park in August.