The Western Mail

WEATHER FORECAST. I For to-dav (TaM(iay)th. weather In South Wales and Monmouthshire has been fore.,t"t follows:— North-easterly winds, light or moderate: fair tenerant. The weather in Cardiff on Monday was throughout I dull anil threatening.

BAROMETRICAL READING AT CARDIFF. I Appended Is a chart of the barometrical readings for I the 48 noiirs ended Monday midnight, as registered at the Itatern J? Othce. Cardiff. Th intMume"t 1. &111. b?- sea le\pl.

YES'RERDAY'S RAINFALL. I The r.hlf.lI, as 'el.te'e(\ at Tredeleroh, Hompney 1,111 ,ltar Card Iff, for the 12 hours ended 9.0 p.m. ,ig l,t. ,at., each 12 houri of the paitwe.k, wa >3 tolhJWD :— 9 p.m. 9 a.m. Total. M'ondav 6 '00 '0J '00 Mon<lftY 6'00 '0) '00 :J: ?.L. 9 '«> '00  FriUV 10 "CO 'UO 00 SaturdayU '00 CO -00 "11 '00 'CO -30 Monday .r? ? ? -oo Total for the week .°0

SOUTH WALES TIDE TABLE. I r-i—!= -5 ar- ? ?) t M 2 I"I-:i I Iii g _JL-i-JL?? T^i^inl": !o 54 Sallow « 10 1 Aprun ] Height 30 6 27 11 31 0 33 0 20 3 ) iMorninffxs I H 10 21 i 11 '5 i 10 35 | 10 35 r ?q7 111 41 10 ?9 jM&7 tV??nft?tEH??..K :J?42b4 I n Õ 19 ó I t 6 ?'15 < Thnr*r—7"Meornini! 12* o 11 20 112 0111 J1 111 33 129?&?12U120!120 ??.)MS?.).?? :)M 9 5 1 H »l g AH i?-6 12 '912 — I'Morim- fif! 46 I 12 0 I 12 49 I 1»2 8 11w2 _6  12 33 1 Z2 ¡" 'd ) MO"'i¡'112,46_112-Õ-1 JZ9-f1C8-112'-61 ?P")H?ht? ?! s) 3 12 ?!0? 0 f-35 3826269215217 A??'!8HH????" 2?6?2!?!1 27 0 15 0 3 13 4 7 I 3 E8 | 2 F5 I1n .y. }Jvenillg. 4H 3 13 "7 328 3 28 April 6 j{ ??.h.,? i z, & 24 11 26 171 E7 8?278 ——-TMornin; g. 4M 3 42 4 38 1 55 3 55 Mon?v) ?——;4M''7'iI"13j418 Ap,t 20 j ^,7 28 8 l 2?_117 0 29 21zi 6 I 29 « -.iioathlJa.IIIj's;.¡;ÜõCíi:¡ill. JAIexandra Dock. '?IfoM)r' ii?"!h't?M'tSin. tA'tf"?M ?ook.

HUNTING APPOINTMENTS. FOXHOUNDS. ri»\fA"nT!M™ WfiH"ilB.—Tuesday, April 14. P Uo^r Gat'; da,. April 17, Tb. Kennels (to hnisli rp "itti U'???;?-??.?P?'??'-??'??' ???H,?%?y. Ap.,114 Llanfallteg 8I;.tïrldL;n:I)1I_114i.!o¡lallf",lItfg

Captain Boileao, one of the fugitive officers V'ith .Mr. Quinton at the time of the treachery of the .Mnnipuris, has arrived at Lacpur and made his report to the Indian Government on the affair. The most dt-structive tire that has occurred in Chicago sijnce the great fire of 1871 broke out on Sunday nigh*. The conflagration has involved the loss of a large amount of pro- perty, but, fortunately, no life was lost. It is proposed to construct a leaning tower at Chicago, which shall be 100ft. out of the perpendicular, and be capable of supporting IGO.OOOlbs. on the top story. A telegram from Athens confirms the neiis that the Crown Princess of Greece, sister of the German Kmperor, is about to be received into the Greek Churoh. Mr. Phelps, formerly United States Mini- ster to Groat Britain, in course of an interview regarding the lrnching of Italians at New Orleans, is reported to have said that be thought Italy's courie bad shown undue pre- cipitance, as the killing of thoBe men at New Orleans was justified, in his view, by the cir- cumstances leading up to it, In the House of Commons last night Sir E. J. Reed (G., Cardiff) put a question to the Government as to a grievance which it was alleged existed amongst the Welsh population of Cardiff in connection with the census. Questions were asked in reference to the Labour Commission and the position of the Government in connection with the Opium resolution. The House then went into com- nhttee on the Irish Land Bill. In our present issue will be found particu- lars of graveopargcswbich have been brought against two members of Parliament. War- rants have been issued, but it is understood the gentlemen under notice have left the country. The child Florrie Eggleton, who was brutally assaulted on Sunday morning by Daniel Fritz, her father's potman, was some- what better yesterday, some twe4ty splinters having been removed from her skull, snd hopes are entertained of her reoovery. It is alleged that at the marriage of Lady Cecilia Howard the words "obey him" were omitted from the service. Mr. Councillor Saunders, of Bradford, who was arrested daring the progress of the pro- hibited meeting on Sunday, has brought a summons against two of the officers who took him into custody. The Scottish courts have decided that season ticket-holders on the lines affected by the recent strike have ground for action against the companies for any loss or extra cost. It is anticipated that the hearing of the baccarat scandal case will commence this week. At Liverpool yesterday Fitewilliam Webb. who had been travellingfor a firm of brewers, was sent to bard labour for four months on conviction of embezzling JMOO from his employers. A woman at Lima has just given birth to five boys. The death is announoed of Mr. Keeley Halswelle, the well-known attist, which took place suddenly at Paris on Saturday. „ At the monthly meeting of the Swansea Harbour Trust yesterday a satisfactory report was presented as to the month's trade. Mr. Charles Thompson, a Cardiff merchant, has handed over for the use of the residents of Cardiff, subject to certain stipulations, a small garden and field with a splendid view in Romilly-road. Yesterday a "steeplejaok," while at work at Portsmouth, fell a depth of 80ft., sustain- ing internal inj uries, but no bones were broken. Last evening at a specially convened meet- ing at Newport, held under the auspices of the Newport Trades' Council, resolutions were passed protesting against the conviction of Mr. J. H. Wilson at Cardiff Quarter Sessions. At Newport Police-court yesterday, at the instance of the National Vigilanoe Associa- tion, a married man was committed for trial charged with procuring a young woman for immoral purposes. At the last meet of the Glamorgan Fox- hounds, held at Cowbridge yesterday, the master, Mr. H. T. Bassett, had his leg broken from the kick of a horse. A case of assault which presented several amusing features was investigated at Cardiff Police-court yesterday, and resulted in the defendant being bound over to keep the peace. The Cardiff County Counoil yesterday decided, by fifteen votes to seven, to finally complete the undertaking by which £ 5,000 is to be invested in the improvement of the navigation of the Severn. It was understood that if the Cardiff Corporation did not do this the scheme would fall through. ■

WELSH NONCONFORMITY AND ITS I INFLUENCE. Weare led to ask the question, Has Welsh Nonconformity lost its moral in- fluence" by the extraordinary revelations fur- nished by our correspondent, "Gwyliedydd," in* his Spirit of the Welsh Press," with regard to the social and moral condition of certain parts of the Principality." The question is a momentous one and must be looked at boldly, No one doubts that Non- conformity was once a power in the land and a terror to evil-doers, but it is an open question whether it it so now. there has existed for some time a widespread agitation against the Established Church, and it has been openly stated that the existence of the Establishment is injurious to the besV interests of the country. It is earnestly contended that its removal is essential to the welfare of the Principality. And yet our correspondent gives quotations from the Welsh organs of Non- conformity, all bearing testimony to the spread of irreligion'in the oountry. We have taken the trouble to look over a file of the papers during the last fifteen months, and are sur- prised to find the number of oomplaints from religious Nonconformists of the demoralisation which prevails. The entire Principality is studded with ohapels, and the outside publio have been led to believe that Wales is the most moral and religions country in the world. We hear much of the tyranny of Tory land- owners and the worthlessness of the clergy, and how the spread of civilisation is retarded by their selfishness* Special efforts are being made to prove that Nonconformity has taken complete possession of the population. It turns out, however, that the condition of society is anything but satisfactory if we may judge from evidence furnished by the Nonconformists themselves. A fortnight ago our correspon- dent quoted from the Werin, a Radical and Nonoonformist paper published in Carnarvon, a description of the condition of farm labourers in the county of Anglesey. The farm labourers," said the Werin, are very little removed from the cattle and horses. Their condition is a disgrace to civilisation. The.farmers regard their servants as chattels, from whom they may extract as much labour as possible at the leut posMbte cost of food and wages, and the men are comWIled to sleep with the cows and horses." This is a serious indictment against Welsh Noncon- formity. A system of religion that permits such a state of things to exist is manifestly defective. No amount of preaching can compensate for it. Such a condition of social existence is bound to demoralise. The petty sessions and boards of guardians bear melancholy witness to the consequences. We fear that Nonconformity is trading on its past reputation and has lost the power to cope with irreligion. All the denominational organs bear testimony to the fact, and yet the offioial authorities ignore it. A vast amount of time is spent at monthly and quarterly meet- ings, where no end of resolutions are passed, but no reference is ever made to the prevail- ing evil, and no steps are taken to check it. The Baner and Goicuad represent the Calvi- nistio Methodists, and quotations from them about the state of the denomination may be relied upon. A correspondent at the tiantt stated last December that "our congregations are become as unfeeling as gravestones and as cold as ice under the present ministry." We are often pained," says the GoltUlld," at the want of respect for our chapels that was held by our forefathers. they are now used for all purposes, and we are grieved at the growing degeneracy that prevailll." Dr. JoHir THOMAS says in the USt-the organ of the Independents-" We deplore the abeence ot spirituality in our meetings. The devotional portions are gone through hurriedly. Some leave when spiritual matters are being dis- oussed. If we lose our religion, we lose our strength." In another number he observed, The Sabbath is desecrated, family prayer is given up. Is the work of our forefathers to be undona P" Similar quotations might be made from other papers bearing out the same story. Not only is there a growing in- ,ii«oronr» ihmrn to religious exercises, but the change is becoming apparent in the babits and language of the young. A correspondent of the Werin describes what he witnessed at the Ba rgor railway station last summer There was a orowd of far?? servants waiting for the train. Never did 1 hear such language as I did then. The station echoed with their oursing and swear- ing. They were not quarrelling, yet they never uttered a sentence without an oath." This pvaotice is not confined to North Wales, for Dr. JOHN THOMAS relates in the Tyst that which he witnessed in South Walea about the same time. He says" There was a rush at the station until the compartment was crowded. The language used was unworthy of a civilised country. They spoke sometimes in Welsh and sometimes in English and sang snatches of vulgar songs. It is evident that Wales is increasing inungodliness." Suoh is the testimony of the leaders of Nonconformity, and yet they olamour for the destruction of the Church, It is full time to speak plainly. Nonconformity is inoapable of stemming the stream of heathenism which is spreading over the Principality, since it devotes its energies to cripple the Church. Many Non- conformists admit the truth, that the only hope for the humanising and uplifting of the people lies with the Cbaroft,

THE SEVERN NAVIGATION SCHEME. The decision of the Cardiff County Council in the matter of the Severn Navigation scheme will unquestionably command the approval of the great majority of the rate- payers. At on, time it appeared as if the corporation were destined to stand in the light of Cardiff by causing the abandonment of the scheme. A polioy of shortsighted- niggardliness andexoessivecaution met favour in tbe eyes of a considerable number of councillors and aldermen; and it was seriously suggested that, despite the pledges given on behalf of the town, the corporation should insist upon conditions necessarily fatal to the undertaking. H appily, more reasonable views have since obtained, and yesterday it was re- solved, by ainajority of fifteen to seven, to accede to the request of the Severn River Commis- sioners that five thousand pounds should be advanced by way of loan to assist in carrying out the work. In all probability, the powerful pressure applied from outside had not a little to do with the stiffening of the backs of cer- tain aldermen and councillors who a month ago were disposed to give ear to the argument that the money should not be advanced except on better security than the commis- sioners are in a position to offer. Whatever the cause, we are satisfied with the result. Nothing is better calculated to be-little a town than this blowing hot and blowing cold of the authorities in respect of important schemes. Apart from the substan- tial advantages promised for Cardiff by the purposed improvement of the River Severn, the corporation was bound to honour the promise given on its behalf when the undertaking was originally considered and favourably received. The obligation imposed upon the town by its accredited representa- tives could not be escaped without dishonour. By reason, however, of the inclination shown by a seotion of the members of the council to ignore the antecedent oircumstances, it be- came necessary to go over the ground already covered on a previous occasion, and yesterday the scheme was weighed as if it had never be- fore been placed in the balance. Good, however, may result from this killing of the thrice slain. The public memory is proverbially short, and important statements are apt to be forgotten. Consequently, the array of facts and figures ostensibly marshalled for the edification of the council is likely to serve a good purpose in convincing the doubt. ful that the scheme is reasonably calculated to make for the luriher development of Cardiff as a trading port. There are none of us without something at stake in the continued prosperity of Cardiff. On the present oooaaion the town in reality merely lends its credit for a time, since the 5 per cent, interest promised will more than cover the outlay connected with the borrowing of the five thousand pounds. We are of opinion that the material benefits derivable from the scheme adequately warrant, not only this small con- cession, but, if necessary, the actual expendi- ture of five thousand pounds and more of the public money to effeot the improvements required in order to enable us to communioate more freely with the Midlands. Commercial men have given tangible proof of their faith in the scheme in substantial contributions, and that which they have done as individuals or combinations of individuals the corporation should do as the responsible authority acting for an essentially commercial community.

It was all very well to ory up education' said Mr. EBKNEZKR BEAVAN at the meeting of the Cardiff County Council yesterday, "but there is a possibility of paying too dearly for your whistle." Whether or not this comment upon the expenditure of the local school board bejustinabiewe ehaHnot attmpt to decide. It is probable that a lar?e number of ratepayers in Cardiff will agree with Mr. BEAvAz4 that a demand for twelve thousand one hundred pounds, in order to meet the expenses of the sohool board for the ensuing half-year is really a serious affair. On the other hand, it is but fair to point out that the precept is unusually high on account of certain special charges which the board is called upon to meet. These facts, however, hardly served to allay Mr. BEAVAN'S great alarm. He looked at the handsome buildings for schools he saw the beautiful internal fittings, and"-well, there was a possibility of paying too dearly for your whistle. Now, if a Tory or a Church- man had made this comment upon the expen- siveuess of the school board system to the suffering taxpayer, we should probably be reminded of the great advantages which accompany the publio control of elementary eduoation. This is the answer which has been constantly urged against the criticisms of the friends of the voluntary system. But what shall be said when a Radical of the calibre of Mr. EBENEZER BEAVAN takes up the voluntary cry, and what doesmr. BICAVAN himself say to the Radical proposal to put an end to all voluntary efforts in favour of a State-aided, tax-supported system of universal free eduoation ? The ratepayers are now only beaten with whips as compared with the scorpions with which they would be chastised were the voluntary schools to be converted into popularly controlled schools under the system of free eduoation whioh Mr. Jons MOBLEY, in a weak moment, sketched a little more than a year ago.

By the way, it will be noticed that our London correspondent this morning is em- phatic as to the certainty that a Free Education Bill will be passed during the pre- sent session of Parliament. We commend the figures which he quotea to the care- ful consideration of the overburdened ratepayer. Recently an attempt was made by a section of the Radical Non- oonformist press to prove that the voluntary schools are voluntary only in name-, and tbat the ratepayer would lose nothing if the schools were transferred to popularly-elected boards and their cost en- tirely defrayed out of the publio purse. As a matter of fact, the subscriptions of the friends of the voluntary schools amount to three-quarters of a million per annum, an amcunt which could not be paid out of the rates without materially adding to the burdens of the people. It is hardly likely, therefore, that thegovern- ment will consent to hand over the voluntary schools to popnlarly-elected bodies, even if Lord SAUSBUBY and bia colleagues were pre- pared to perpetrate the injustice of robbing the Churoh and the Wesleyau managers of the right of imparting religious instruction in their own schools. It is hardly neoessary at the present time to oall upon all Conservatives and Churchmen to co-operate loyally with the Uovernment in ensuring the safe passage of an Assisted Eduoation Bill. Public opinion is fait rlvening on this subject, and sooner or later the question of providing free elementary education will have to be faced. For our part we prefer to entrust the solution of the problem to the present Government than admit the possibility of its manipulation by a Ministry professedly ani- mated by hostility against the voluntary prinoiple.

The question which Sir EDWABD RBitD put to the PRESIDBNT of the LOCAl, GOVMIK- MENT BOARD last night respeoting the taking of the oensus at Cardiff will probably give our English friends an idea that at the present moment the Welsh-speaking inhabitants of Cardiff are smarting under the effects of some insult or other offered to the national sentiment. That vision of seventeen oongregations rising up in wrath to denounce the arrangements connected with the census is imposing in more than one sanse. The inquiry promised by the Government will reduce the matter to its proper proportions. It will probably disclose the fact that the action of the con- gregations had in no degree the merit of spontaneity, but was due to promptings com- municated from one conmon souroe. Tested in a praotioal way, the grievances will dissolve with singular completeness. In a Cardiff dis- trict with a population of about ten thousuid two applications only were made for Welsh papers, and in both instances the latter were supplied. Of two thousand schedules collected live only were filled up in the vernacular tongue. We regret that departmental blundering should have been permitted to detract in the slightest degree from the value of a graceful concession made by the Ministry, bat in appraising the f•DaioeBen of the ery BOW bebu raited no little assistance may be got from the I knowledge that it has originated in a town where the monoglot Welshman is practi- I cally unknown.

The current number of the Gtninen makes its appearance with commendable punctuality, but, to tell the truth, we have found it both dull and heavy. The only article having any pretension to separate notice is an attack upon Protestantism by a pseudo-Romish priest, but it is as unfair and superficial as a commina- tory treatise usually is. The authorship lies between Mr. OWEN EDWARDS, of Oxford, and the Hev. J. PULESTON JONES, with the balance of probabilities inolining in favour of the latter. A contribution of Mr. ARTHUR PBICK seems to be the concluding reflections of this sentimental young politioian's paper upon Welsh Home Rule which appeared in the previous Oeninen, but why the editor should have chopped the original artiole into two most unequal halves, or why a few paragraphs of Mr. PBICE'S "vain imaginings" should be given to the publio without their context, is more than we can understand. lr. J'DWARD ANWYL has some scathing remarks upon the false patriotism that is so rampant amongst us at the present day, and his timely paper will prove whole- some, though unpleasant, reading to several Uadioal politicians. The poetry is above the average, Tudno's pryddest upon Llangurig Church rising in part* to a high level, and the lines of 11 Glaayny." upon the village churchyard being exceedingly sweet and musical.

Alderman DAVID JONES, with characteris- tic modesty,yesterday attributed the success of his mayoralty to twocauses, both lying outside his own influenoe-the forbearance of col- leagues to his shortcomings and their readi- ness to assist him. It is the conventional thing for an ex-mayor, when thanked for bis services, to disclaim responsibility for the natural results of careful and judioious use of authority. These disclaimers are seldom just, and in the present instance the re- pudiation of personal claim to credit by Alderman JONES is absolutely without warrant. The mayoralty of the latter was singularly successful-a faot chiefly due to the even temper and geniality of the mayor. Alderman JONES IS an unoompromising liadical —one peculiarly tenacious of his political opinions-but in all hIs actions a sturdy common sense preserves him from pushing politics to absurd. lengths. We have nothing in common with him politically, nevertheless we conscientiously aver that few ex-mayors have better deserved the thanks of the council than Alderman DAVID JONES.

LONDON LETTER. >BOU OUR LONDON COBBKSPONDENTS. | LONDON, MONDAY. THE TWO IMPLICATED M.P.'S. The terrible cloud of scandal that has overshadowed Parliament has burst to-night. I have hinted at it several times, but have not been able to indicate particularly. The reasons for reticence have vanished. '1'0- night it is known that two members of "Par- liament have fled, and that warrants are out for their apprehension. The names will very likely be in print to-morrow. In eaoh case the offence is rank, but the shame is divided between the two great parties—one of the accused is a Conservative and the other a Gladatonian. In one case the offence is of a character in which, as I am informed, it is usual to give the culprit twenty- four houw notice, with a view of giving him a chance to escape. It is con- sidered better for publio morahty that a scandal should escape justice than that the air should be tainted with the nauseous revelations of an unspeakable crime. The other charge is as atrooious, but not at in- human. It is a charge of procuring English girls for the Continental immorality market. You will remember a case tried at the Central Criminal Court not very long ago, where a Frenchwoman was convicted of an attempt to procure a young English lady. The young lady had been iuduoed to go abroad as com- panion. Certain proposals were made to ber, which she spiritedly spurned. When every attempt to sap her virture had failed she was permitted to return home. At the back of the woman oonvioted there was a man, who figured under the name of "C. Wilson." This person," C. Wilson," is the criminal whose absconding is the talk of the town, and for whose apprehension war- rants are issued. The other fugitive—the author of the unmentionable offenost-bas got away to Spain. There are three informa- tions in the warrant against him. A detective has traced him to his hiding-plaoe, and has had to return home, leaving him in the secure asylum of a country where extradition does not prevail. Fan EDUCATION. Assisted education will be the next great work of the Government this session. The Bill is certainly going to be introduced and passed. Naturally it waita upon the Budget. Mr. Qoschen's flnanoial arrangements have to be framed to meet the heavy charge neces- sitated by dispensing with the fees, and his Budget will, therefore, principally be an Education Budget. Mr. Goschen will have to provide close upon £ 2,000,000. The annual return issued last night shows that the amount of school pence in 1890 *as within £ 60,000 of £ 2,000,000. Of this, 2900,000 was paid in Church aohools. Churchmen raised £ 589,000 out of £ 768,000 voluntary subscriptions, earned one and a half million out of the three and a quarter million grant, and altogether had £ 3,115,000 out of the seven and a quarter million* total income of aohools in England and Wales. Board schools took nearly one and a half million out of the rates. There are 11,884 Church schools, providing accommodation for 2,651,000, with an average attendance of 1,680,000, against 4,676 board sohools, with acdommodation for 1,915,000, and an average attendance of 1,457,000. The total of schools under inspec- tion is 19,419, providing 5,539,000 school places, and with an attendance of 3,717,000. MOBTAUTT AXONQST M.P.'S. The mortality amongst our M.l' during the last few month* has really been somewhat appalling. Mr. Tapling, M.P. for the Her- borough Division of Leicestershire, was (till quite a young man, whilst Colonel Ham- bra: was scarcely past the prime of life. These deaths of M.P.'s, so quickly following one upon another, oanuot but turn one's thoughts to the subject of whether or no House of Commous, life is altogether a de- sirable one from the point of view of those who esteem beall; b the greatest of all bless- ings. Before the twelve eclook rule was passed, a few years ago, House of Commons' life was admittedly an exceedingly trying one, and it i. well known that one of the effects of the obstruction of the Irish Honie Rulers was the killing off of a considerable number of their Parliamentary opponents. Maoaulay, however, long before the birth of obstruction, wrote of the conten- tions of the Lower House as shattering both mind and body. If it is really the case that the routine and the wear and tear of party politics kill men before their time it may be asked: Is the game worth the oandle ? I FORTHCOMING BT-ELKCTIOXS. While conceding to us London, the Oppo- sition claim that they are going to snap up Whitehaven. There we will have an excellent candidate in Sir Jamea Bain, if, as I imagine, he is selected. Both Sir James and his ion are immeniely popular, and well they may be, seeing they employ 2,000 men in the district. We have hitherto won White. haven by majorities of 100 or 200, but as there are only about 3,000 voters, the majority is not so very small proportionately. In South Leicestershire the struggle will be slow. Both parties are organised to the teeth. It it a stiff constituency to work, comprising 150 square miles of territory spread over 110 parishes, with over 12,000 voters. I fanoywo shall win, as the Gladstonian oandiflate baa had so much rope that he has well-nigh hung up his chances. In South Dorset we will have a capital local candidate if Mr. J. Brymer can be induced to stand, and we ought to hold the seat. I prelum* there will shortly be two other elections to re-place the runaway members. In that event both seats would probably fall to the Tories. I Lou RANDOLPH Cacacaat. I Lord Rod" Otratobilft W-Aown I reference to his going forth on a mission to seek homes for the over-crowded masses of the mother country has excited a titter among those who are acquainted with the real object of his journey. This is the plain truth Fortune does not smile on Lord Randolph at home. He wants money, and, like the bold adventurers who have plant-ad the British flag all over the world, he is going forth to search for it. If he can combine tbe acquisition of wealth for himself with the provision of homes for our surplus popula- tion, so much the better for all parties. You may have heard of a wonderful gold-waabing machine that Lord Kandolph and Mr. Morton Frewen were going to boom at the goldhelds. According to the current aooounts, this machine was to be a sort of philosophers stone. It was estimated that it would be worth at least two millions steriing to the in- ventors. Unfortunately, they badforgotten one trifling detail. The machine was an excellent one, but it was not a patent. It had been anticipated. Before the bubble was burst the joke of the clubs was that Lord Randolph was goiug to drive round the goldfields with his machine in a light trap, just as sewing- machine hawkers work their rounds. Now the wags depict him as prospecting agent in advance for Rhodes and Co. But those who laugh longest laugh last, and I should not be surprised if Lord Randolph made his little pile in Africa, and came heme to enjoy it like other wooers of fortune who have won. HIS GRACE'S IDEAS OP HEROISM. A oui ious letter has appeared in the Irish papers from the lioman Catholic Arobbishop of Cashel with reference to the Tipperary conspiracy. Dr. Croke, who, I believe, pro- claims himself to be a '48 man, is btill of opinion that the unfortunate tenants of Mr. Smith-Barry are realising the heroic. A* far as it is possible to gather a decided opinion from his extremely Glad- stonian phraseology, he regards the agitation as a legal and Constitutional combination of Irish tenants. He says, ex cathedra, that there must be unity of action and no back- sliding admitted. He allows no liberty of action or thought to those who wish to with- draw from the conspiracy. They must stand or fall with the majority. But, after all, Dr. Croke is only echoing the language of Father Humphrey, the vice-gerent of Air. William O'Brien, who deolared the other day that whoever attempted to break up the oom- bination must strike him down first. His Grace's ideas ot heroism are somewhat peculiar, though muoh is not to be expected from a priesthood which looks on compla- cently while old men are shot in the legs atd cattle disembowelled to further a political agitation. During the conspiracy in Tippe- rary some 60 outrages have been committed, and only last week a professional Boycotter received sentence of seven years' penal servi- tude under Sir William Haroourt's Act for being in possession of an explosive, while two other prisoners were sentenced to twelve and eighteen months respectively for posting Boycotting notim. These are IOme of thtt" heroic" methods of a "free and unfettered" combination. Dr. Croke has been requested to mediate by some of the almost ruined tenants, who do not feel called upon to starve themselves and their families any longer. He has replied that there is no truth in the statement that he has "willingly and cheerfully undertaken the office of mediator between Mr. Smith-Barry and his tenants." Altogether the Archbishop is not having a very good time of it just now. Mr. T. D. Sullivan says the favourite dish at ational League meetings is rout bishop. From what I hear, his Grace of Cashel is oertaiuly being toasted on botb sides. Welsh Some Rmll. The writer in the Daily Graphic who reters to the reoent correspondence of Sir Edward Reed on the aubject of Welsh Home Rule seems to be tomewhat behind the tcenes in Welsh pol itics. After refernbg to the ("enthusiasts whote motto is Wales for the Welob," the article proceeds thu. At the same time It it very doubtful whether the member for Cardiff is not, after all, in touch in this matter with several of his ottm Parliamen- tary colleagues (i.e., the Welsh Radical MJP.'s) as well as with the more moderate seotion of the Welsh people." The italics are my own. Who these several Parliamentary colleague* are! the writer of the artiole leaves it to our imagination to decide. Possibly he may bave only a vague idea himself. At the tame time, I can't think that Sir ledward's spirited pro- nouncement on the subject has made many of his colleagues sad and sorrowful. Ala. RANDIIX, M.P., AND TU. EIGHT Houas QOBSTIOH. The promoten of the two Eight Hours Bills, having bMn'foited in their efforts to agi soussion in the Hown on the restriction of the hours of male adult labour, will, through the member for the Gower Division of Glamorgan, endeavour to raise thesubjwtontheroport stageofmr. Matthews! Factory and Workshop Bill now in grand committee. Mr. Randell, indeed, will, in the first place, move an amendment in committee proposing that a clause be inserted in the Faotory Bill restricting the hours of male as well as of female and juvenile labour. This will, of course, be defeated by a large majority. But Mr. Uandell will then return to the oharge when the Bill, as amended by the Grand Committee on Trade, is reported to the Honae. TaR LAND PORCBASK BILL. It is calculated by a member well versea in the matter that at the present rate of progress the Irish Land Purchase Bill-or, rather, the first part of the Bill-can icarcely be disposal of before the Wbitountide holidays. This is allowing about twenty days for the disousiion of the measure in committee, as Wbit Monday falls on the 19th of May, when the House will certainly take its "sual holiday, notwithstanding statements to the contrary in the press. Considering that there are already nineteen pages of amend- ments to the Bill. by far the greater number of which emanate from members of the Oppo- sition. twenty days does not seem an exorbi- tant amount of time to devote to the measure. Mr. Seymour Keay, the" Sim Tappertit" of the Gladstonian party, as Mr. Luoy has dabbed him, has an enormous number of amendments down. He is said to have declared recently that there was not five men in the House of Commons, in addition to himself, who thoroughly understood the financial pro- posals of Mr. Balfour's scheme. It is, there- fore, only natural that he should try and make up for the woful deficiency of his colleagues

EASTER IN WALES [BY "MABK JONXS."] During last Easter Week several of the forces which are shaping the future of Walea were brought into prominent juxtaposition. There was a sort of Easter manoeuvre* of those immaterial forces which are now seek- ing, with more or low strenuousness, to rougb- hew the Walea that is to be. We have all been spectators of these manoeuvres, though most of ua have only been interested in one, or. perhaps, two, of the foroes, and have failed to perceive what, surely; is the most interesting feature of the maiioeuvres, the oonneotion or opposition which exist between force and force. n is just this oonnection and opposition of foreea which point* to a divinity which it shaping our ends, rongh-bew them how we will. There is a striking re^vanoy of purpose, all the more striking beoause un- oonsoious, between the various forcel which moved in auch close proximity during Easter j Week. The ohief of those foroes were those represented by sport, education, the eisteddfod, vestry, and the Radical Federa- tions. The force of sport helps in the work of creating Welshm-m. A Welshman is a very rare creature. J'or Puritanism having bound Wales hand and foot and oast her into the outer darkness of perverted nature, she has given birth to a nerveless, joyless race, ashamed of their manhood. Like an unnatural mother, who, in order to excite the eleemosy- nary pity of men, distorts the limbs of berobild, Puritanism has warped the Welshman into a mis-shaped oreature to excite the pity of Heaven. Heaven, fortooth, will only pity the nearest approach to an abortion. Welshmen have not dared to be men for fear of forfeit- ing this pity of Heaven. They have, there- fore, aought to force tbeil nature into un- natural Puritan mould*, In Welsh Walat you can tell at a glance whether the oreature that speaks to you has come from a Methodist, Baptist, or Independent mould. But, thanks to the influence of Sport, Wales is being liberated from the bands of a vampire Puritanism. We shall yet have Welshmen fleet of foot, deft of hand, quick of eye, who, with exul. tant life, shall scale the height of enterprise. But not in the strength of Nature alone. Education brings knowledge to the assistance of Nature. As sport, by breaking down tbe barriers of Puritanism in one direction, has recovered the realm of Nature for the Welshman, so education, by erasing the barriers of Puritanism in anothei direction, claims the whole realm of know. ledge for him. Through the instrumentality of the elementary and intermediate schools and the university colleges, education is taking firm possession of the whole domain of knowledge in the name of Wales. Gonu But knowledge without her sister, wisdom, is a dubious advantage. And wisdom lingers. Her tardiness is the cause of that perkiness which is so characteristic of much of the product of Welsh educa. tion.. The study of the humanities has not yet humanised Welsh Itudenta- especially Welsh ministerial students. It would be well if we could hasten lagging wisdom. But who can do so ? It is doubt. ful whether the schoolmasters and college professors can. They live at too high a pressure wisdom is a coy maiden, and must not be driven-ahe must be wooed leisurely. Wisdom will ever linger till art tem- pers knowledge. Art can hasten wisdom. I And the Welsh possess a very genuine love of art as expressed ia its several branches, or they would not be found crowded in our eisteddfodau to-day. For surely, if anything could destroy that love, it would be the eisteddfod. For could art be ever associated with more exquisitely dismal proceedings than the eisteddfodic; poetry with a more sublimely prosaic creature than the eisteddfodwr; music with a more discordant surrounding than the com- petitive platform P It is full time art were rescued from eisteddfodio barbarism and placed in a civilised home. While we acknowledge the benefit-splendid benefit-wbich Griffith Jones's circulating schools conferred on Wales in the paet, we do not deem it essential to education that school* tib ld always be of a circulating/amateurish Ilagre, but have built permanent and &xed schools for the imparting of knowledge. Why, therefore, should we leave art to the sporadic eisteddfod and unshorn eis. teddfodwr P The fact is, the eisteddfod belonp to a past age; it no longer serves any useful purpose-unless it be to give prizes to those who would never win them elsewhere. Nay, more: it is a source of positive injury to the Welsh, for it causes them to study art in an amateurish, dilettante way. No steady and persistent efforts are made by the Welsh to place the study of art on a permanent and satisfactory basis by the establishment of publio libraries and art galleries and schools. The death of the eisteddfod is an event for which every patriotio Welshmen should earnestly pray, while striv- ing to prepare a more worthy body for ita transmigrant soul. Till this consummation be accomplished Welsh art will not do much to hasten the advent of lingering wisdom. Sport, knowledge, art, each in its way and degree strives to produce the same reault-a Welshman. But when this Welshman, free, intelligent, humanisedand unwarpedby Pari- tan ism, is created-what then P He will ask the old question: What is the end of my calling ?" Two replies will be given him—one by the old parochial vestry, the other by the new Liberationiit Federations. The veitry bid* him look to the rook whence he ia hewn 4 bid* him realise that he possesses an indivi. duality in order that he may polish one atoM for the temple of humanity; bids him remem* ber that apart from the race he is naoghti that he possesses no independency. He oaq but share in the common constitution of the rtce whioh is revealed in the inclusive Man, Jesut Christ. The end of bis calling is to live according to tbia Divine constitution; that ia, to grow daily more oonsoious of hit unity with the raoe, and to become daily more at-one-ed to it. The at-one-msnt of the Christ-life is the antithesis of the dispersive independenoy of the Adam-life. The Adamio nature is dispersive and disintegrative; seek- ing to be Godlike, it tries to create an inde. pendency—and forma a moral wilderness. The 0 ld parochial vestry caU. upon all to Sght the Adamio nature. It ntg« that, because everyone is constituted in the universal man, all who are united by common neighbourhood ahould fight against the evil apirit of aeparateneat, and manifest the Christ-life of at-one-ment within the sphere of the parish. The vestry ia the Parliament of at-one-ed humanity It meets to transact all the communal business of the parish, Sunday business and week-day busi- ness, upon the basia of at-one-mont. There is a depth of aignifioanoe in the fast that the annual Parliament of at-one-ed parishes should be re-elected at Easter. For the at-one-ing force of life aprines from the risen Lord. The veatry is founded-tbough we may forget it—upon more than a sublime idea, upon the mightieat of moral forces. This is the vestry's message to the Welsh- man. Binphemy i blasphemy r ahout with apoplectic indignation the smug Separatist* of Wa!es. To your parlours, 0 elect of Wales; ye have neither part not lot in a common, vulgar pariah. Separate religion from the State, the secular from the Divine, see that the un- godly touch not the akirta of your garmenta. Liberationism is the negation of at-one-ment. Though Dissenters speak much of the atone, ment, yet the very life of Dissent ia baaed upon Adamio sizes-and-seven-ment. Since there is no at-one-ed humanity eaoh person is independent, and makes the beat terms he can with God-god with God. No wonder that Welsh Liberatiqniats smell so much of the parlour. Abhorring an at-one-ed parish, they dwell habitually in parlours. That air of superb superiority which may be so plainly seen in the Liberationist, in his gait, in every line of his faoe, in the tilt of his nose, and in bis garments, i. due to living in parlours apart from at one ed parishes. ADd parlourism appeals very strongly to the Adamio nature in us. It is, therefore, a question of infinite impor- tance how to counteract the infiuenoe of parlourism in Walea. But the answer ia ready Make the veitry a greater reality. Let our tors show us the at-one-ment of the race in Christ; let them seek to make the vestry the expression of that faitb, by hold- ing it at such plaoea and times at would ensure the largest attendance; let them stir up the parisbionera to use, not merely every legal, but every moral right which may belong to them let them devolve II much of their work II possible upon their parishionera. So will our parishea become conaoioua of their solidarity and at-one-ment. Then we ahall be Welshman indeed. Sport, knowledge, art, and the vestry strive for the same end—the creation of a re- generated Wales. Liberationism is the opposing force it seeks to establish tbe supremacy of parlourism and of the parlour- priest*.

FUNERAL OF MR. E. W. RANDALL, OF PENARTH. .< On Monday morning the mortal remains of Mr. Ednin W. ltundall, Amistant Inspector of Mine* for the Smth Wales District, who died at hi. r..i. dence in Penarth on Ihe 8th inst., at the early AGE of 33, weie interred in the family vault at St. Bride's Major, near Bridgend. The body was con- veyed by train tu Bridgend Station, «I.er« uume* rous friends of the decetsed gentleman were con. sidenbly added to. A proceasiou was forned, including in all twenty vehicl-s, end the whoie then proceeded A distance of four miles to the vill ige churchyard. Ineide the old chllrch the lessons were read by the Rev. Thomal Edwards, curate of Southerndown, after which TIN body was taken to the vault. Here the Rev. F. C. Williams, curate of St. Brido's Major, concluded the service. There was a large number of lovely wretllbi-27 In all—of which fifteen came from C irdiff. 'J lie wlole of the funeral arrangementi were ENTRO* to Messrs. tI. Andrews and Son, of Cardiff., —

===== P' MM Om OF BM?Tn.—RttBtdy and <tdt.Mt(W M<*)Bte< H.Ith, 8,-Wi. MA Tip.: tor Ktp'*? Bl .11l1li111 aaA MMd I?t)<?t?.M?' tMMt. WaUMM.t Vt.-a- b SW Wh« weallto WuhMt- G;? b.. I- e-, IFUUSO* of.d"mbr.- ot0, .$L- t:,jad tC CKLOBO>Lni*B» Ue?X LMM%potfri474 an oblobw f