The Cambrian

THE PAST. Anwng the dream* of duj/sthat were, I find my loit youth again." Ah me how quickly the past comes back— The 3orrow, the joy, and the pain But, though hard itaseciiis, for those fair dreams I would suffer the same again. Twasatimeofsurrowandgrief, Though the sun shed as bright a glow As e'er had been seen 011 the leaves so green Of the apple-boughs bending low. As beneath their shadow I stood, I thought of the dead and gone— Of hearts at rest who had done their best To save me from feeling alone. Ah little they knew of the past, With its burdeu of woe and strife- How oft I had prayed beneath the shade Of those trees to bury my life But those dear hearts are gone, and still I am waiting and pondaring o'er Things that might have heen, and have not been But before me for evermore. The days of my youth come back- The sorrow, the joy, and the pain; And, though hard it seems, for those fair dreams I would suffer the same again XAOMI.

THE CHAMBERS OF DEATH. Methought in the chambers of Death I strayed, Dispirited, lone, and sore afraid, And eagerly, earnestly looked to see The faces and forms once so dear to me The loved and the dear who before had gone, And left me to wander oil earth alone I wandered in vain, for no ray of light Cheered the lone chambers as dark as night, Xo sunbeam strayed o'er the darkened way, And all I could do was to trust and pray That my feet might be led through the dark despair That clustered around me everywhere. "Alas:" I murmured, "where, where can they be The loved and the dear thatllong to see? Have they perished away in the dreadful tomb That encircles me now in its fearful gloom ? Stili, though weak and weary, I wandered away, But all I could do as to trust and pray. Then the cry arose in my heart for light j To cheer my soul 'mid the awful sight Then my prayer was heard—'mid the lonely way Sojae blest light shone with a luminous ray, And a voice, though far off, sounded loving and clear "Though thy soul be afraid, it need not fear. "These chambers are but the pathway to light, The passage that makes heaven doubly bright— That shows that the love of thy God can stray To the road that seems most out of the way— That in darkness or light man still may know There's an Arm to lead if he will but go, To reach the blest goal where darkness shall cease, And his life be one endless time of peace." > FLORENCE DUDLEY.

Xittrarg Varkfirs, &t. Moving for a new trial-Courtin,, a second wife. How do you define black as your hat ?—Darkness that may be felt. 3 It requires courage to remain ignorant of those useless sub- jects which are generally valued.—Ilelvetins. In good society we are required to do obliging things to one another; in genteel society we are only required to say them. One of the Tichborne jury says his days are numbered that is more than can be said for the coming days of the trial.- Judy. The use of tobacco is a disgusting habit. It weakens the frame, benumbs the faculties, and, what is far worse, keeps up the price. When a young lady gets a letter she carries it in her hand, but a couple of pounds of sausages she manages to squeeze into her pocket. A Yankee paper alludes to a dog which, after howling for an hour in front of the editor's house, had to adjourn for repairs. A retired schoolmaster excuses his passion for angling by saying that, from constant habit, he never feels quite himself, unless he's handling the rod. A lady, who was more favoured by fortune than education at a party she gave, desired her daughter to play "the fashion- able new malady she got last week." The longer I live the more I see that Bishop Butler was right when he said that a man who really loved truth in the world was almost as rare as a black swan.—George Grote. Which side of the street do you live on, 31rs. Kipple ?" asked a counsel, cross-examining a witness. On either side, sir. If you go one way, it's on the right side if you go the other way, it's on the left." A five-year-old-boy told his mother how to make butter. You just take a long stick with a cross at the end of it; then you get a big tub and then you borrow a cow." Schoolmaster—" How many kinds of axes are there? Little boy-" Broad axe. narrow axe, iron axe, steel axe, axe of the Apostles, and axe my father Schcolmaster-" Good—go to the top of the class." A Georgia bride is saicl to have looked a very lily, cradled in the golden glimmer of some evening lake-a foam Heck, snowy, yet sun-flushed among the ripplings of some soft south- ern sea." A Philadelphia judge rejected a juror the other day merely because he had been in the penitentiary for assault and battery, manslaughter, grand larceny, and highway robbery. A Quaker lady recently explained to her domestic that washing-day came on every second day. The girl left in high dudgeon. She didn't go to be washing every other day, not she. A man was watching a balloon sailing directly overhead, with his mouth open to undue bigness, when it was suddenly filled with sand. The tourist of the heavens saw the open mouth, and threw out ballast. When you see a dead man in the road, with long hair, no underclothing-, and his boots run over at the heel, you may be quite confident it is a newspaper man, murdered for his money. At a railway-station, a few days ago, an eager-looking young man jumped from the train, and clasped a waiting woman in his arms.—"Heavens my wife!" said he.—" Mercy my rufHes said she. Which showed what both were thinking of. Lord Campbell, it is well known, was fond of a joke, and sometimes had the tables turned upon himself. A few days before his death he met a barrister, who had grown stout of late, and he remarked—" Why, Mr. you are getting as fat as a porpoise."—" Fit companion, my lord, for the great seal," was the ready repartee. Jones and his wife were always quarrelling about their com- parative talent for keeping a fire. She insisted that just so surely as he attempted to re-arrange the sticks with the tongs, he put the fire out. One night the church-bell sounded an alarm, and sprang for his fire-bucket, eager to rush to the conflagration. "Mr. Jones," cried his wife, as he reached the door, "Mr. Jones, take the tongs." A London newsboy having strayed into Surrey, was brought before a justice of the peace on some petty charge.—" Where do you live asked the justice. —" With mother," said the boy. Where does she live With "father." Where does he live?"—" At home."—" Where is their home ?" roared the justice. That's where I'm from, old man," replied the boy, winking at the judge.—The young rascal was told to go back there," and he went. A fellow was one day boasting of his pedigree, when a wag who was present remarked very sententiously, Ah, I have no doubt. That reminds me very much of a remark made by Lord Bacon—' They who derive their worth from their ances- tors resemble potatoes, the most valuable part of which are underground." The editor of the Lexington (Missouri) was from the first opposed to the recent editorial convention to St. Louis, but he controlled his feelings, and mildly but decidedly referred to it as an aimless and fruitless catawampus of nincompoopic gabsquirts and rapscallions." It rained the other evening in Indianapolis, and there was an entertainment. A young gentleman said to a young lady, May I have the pleasure of protecting you with my umbrel- la ?" Said she, with her lovely round expressive eyes looking full in his, Put up your darned old rag." A little girl attending a day school had her dinner stolen. No clue could be obtained of the thief, although it was sought with tears. Finally a mild plan was hit upon. A tempting with tears. Finally a mild plan was hit upon. A tempting dumpling with a filling of Cayenne pepper was placed in her satchel, and the result was watched. Before noon a little boy was seen at the pump, working it in a lively manner. Ladies in fashionable attire are supposed t look ocaptivating, even to the eyes of unsophisticated nature.. But look at the facts. A dog, brought up on a whaling vessel, who had been absent on a three years' voyage, and had never seen a woman was so frightened with the first he saw when he finally reached the haunts of civilization that he immediately fell into a fit — American Paper. A book-canvasser recently invaded a snug cottage where he found a bright-looking little woman sewing by the window so he began to descant volubly on the merits of the book he had for sale. This he kept up for half-an-hour, and, as the little woman made no answer, he concluded that lie had found a customer. He handed her the pen which he had ready for her to make her subscription whereupon, instead of putting her autograph on the list, she wrote upon a scrap of paper from her work-box, Ime defe and duni. It was too much for the disappointed man. lie retreated from the cottage without saying another word. Talk not of the idleness which is full of quiet thoughts. Is it idle to be up with the day to feel the balmy coolness of a rich summer dew—to watch the coming splendour of the sun —to see the young leap —to hear singing, a mile above us, the strong-throated lark, the spirit of the scene—is this idle? Yet by some it is called so. The sluggard who wakes half the night to lay-lime-twigs for poor honesty the next day; the varlet who acknowledges no villainy on the safe side of an Act of Parlia- ment-he calls one a loiterer and a time-kiiler; be it so—it does not spoil the fishing. Idle Why, angling is in itself a system of morality — Douglas Jerrold. In the life of Admiral Sir Edward Codrmgton, by his daugh- ter, Lady Bouchier, it is stated that in February, 1842, the Queen came, accompanied by Prince Albert, to spend a day at her Admiralty House. The next morning her Majesty went off to Spithead in her yacht, to visit the Quern, new three-decker, accompanied by Admirals and Generals, Lords of the Aumi- ralty, and the Duke of Wellington. The latter at the time was far from strong: and he caused great uneasiness to the i™?18 by unsteadily mounting and descending the companion with his hands encumbered with his large cocked hat and his urabrelia, and pertinaciously refusing any help what- anrf nrm y ?was offered to relieve him of his umbrella, murh nLCVui1<1 why the offer seemed to vex him so much, until it was afterwards learnt that this offer of holding mirers to ohti?™ ? ad often been used as a trick by his ftd- lostso manvt^i, & off "a memorial of him he had to hold it fJrh^nL6! y^^ggj^to^^gan^reg^ved xtl £ UAIE KAJAH Uf SARAWAK. I was greatly tempted as I passed Sarawak in the island of Borneo, to run in aud visit my friend Rajah Brooke, whose career in the East hath been so remarkable a one. Cruising in these seas years ago when he was a young man, in his own yacht, a jaunty iittle armed schooner of about 200 tons, he happened in at Sarawak. The natives, taking a fancy to him and his tiny man-of war, insisted upon electing him their Rajah, or Governor. He assented, got a foothold in the island, grew in favor, increased his dominions, and was, at the period of our visit to the coast, one of the most powerful Rajahs in Borneo. Since my return from the China seas, the Rajah hath died, full of years and full of honours, bequeathing his government to a blood relation. It would be difficult for even a Yankee to beat that.—Captain Semmes' Adven- tures Afloat. THE RECRUITING SERGEANT. Recruiting in public-bouses has been given up, as far as nossible • at least twenty-four hours and a half must be allowed to elapse between the enlistment and at- testation and up to the moment when he is sworn in before a magistrate, the recruit can buy himself off on payment of a guinea as smart money." In the interval the recruit is subjected to a careful medical examination, and the doctor may be trusted to take care that he is perfectly sober and has all his wits about him. One of the tests to which great importance is attached relates to the eye-sight". A sheet of paper marked with a number of dots is held up at three yards from the recruit, and he has to count the dots, each of his eyes being alternately covered by the sergeant's .esolute hand. A man who was not quite himself could never go through this ordeal satisfactorily. The recruit is always questioned by the attesting magistrate in such a manner as to show that his free will and consent are beyond dispute and any complaint made by a recruit against the method of his enlistment is fully enquired into. It would be too much to say that the recruiting sergeant of the present day is altogether above the blandishments of a flattering tongue and rosy-coloured pictures of the gay and glorious life of a soldier; but he knows that his superiors perfectly un- derstand the disadvantages of enlisting unwilling men who will probably desert on the first opportunity; and that he will be rebuked instead of rewarded if he is shown to be guilty of any unfairness. Having gone so far in the right direction, it can hardly be doubted that the military authorities will see the expediency of placing the whole system above suspicion. "It may yet be considered," says the inspector general of recruiting, whether the act of enlistment might not be rendered a more open contract between the parties in the presence of a witness." -Good Words. SIR FRANCIS CHANTREY AND DR. WILBERFORCE. At a moment when society and the public prints are rife with anecdotes illustrating the piety, the zeal, the classical scholarship, the general erudition, and the social fascination of the late Bishop Wilberfurce, perhaps an instance of his graceful wit may not be unacceptable. In the winter of 1829, amongst those assembled to enjoy the far-famed sport at Holkham, the seat of the Earl of Leicester, then Mr. Coke, was Sir Francis Chantrey the late eminent sculptor, as keen and expert in the coverts as he was persevering and skilful in the studio. On the 20th of November in that year he accomplished the feat, almost unique in England, though I believe not unfre- quent in Greece, of killing two woodcocks at one shot. The exploit was hailed with acclamation by all present. Mr. Coke paraded the whole cavalcade-guns, keepers, beaters, &c.—with pleasant solemnity, before the delighted hero of the moment, who, as they saluted him in passing, gravely waved the wonderful but indescribable Peruvian hat in which it pleased him always to shoot in answer to their homage and it was voted by acclamation that the spot then immortalised, previously called Quarter Plantations," should be henceforth known as "Chantrey Hill," a name which it bears to this day. That incident was often the subject of pleasant memories at Holkham but a few years afterwards Sir Francis himself, on his annual arrival there, brought with him a more lasting and a graceful record of it, as well as of his own artistic skill, in the shape of a monumental slab, embodying by his own hand in immortal marble the feat in question. On its semicircular capital are inscribed the words — "Two woodcocks killed at Holkham, November, 1829, by Francis Chantrey, sculptor, at one shot. Presented to Thomas William Coke, Esq., 1834." Below the in- scription appears in bold bas-relief an Exquisite group of the two birds, chiselled with a delicacy and a fidelity to nature which the artist himself never surpassed, and on which, indeed, he has evidently expended all his skill. This valuable and appropriate present was of course re- ceived with all honour, and was placed in a coign of 'vantage" in the great hall at Holkham, amongst various other costly works of art. As below the bas-relief of the woodcocks there was a. vacant space left for an appropriate inscription commemorative of the incident, there was ultimately placed on a little table near by an album, in which all visitors were invited to contribute a specimen of their talent in that line, with the view that one should eventually be chosen and inscribed on the marble. The book speedily presented a most creditable collection of productiono, in almost all languages but though Wel- lesley, Maltby, Selwyn, Wrangham, Bowles, Jeffrey, Millman,and others noted for verse or scholarship entered the lists, the contribution offered by Dr. Wilberforce, then bishop of Oxford, has always been admitted in its epigrammatic and graceful fancy to have born away the palm. It runs thus,- Life in death, a mystic lot, Dealt thou to the winged band; Death from thine unerring shot; Life from thine undying hand." A WELSH LEGEND OWAIN AND THE FARIES. Owain and Dafydd were on their way to the harvest field one evening to resume their task of gathering in the corn-a duty rendered urgent by the need of making the best of the harvest moon, then at its brightest. They took food with them for their evening meal. Boy,' said Owain to his companion,' would it not be well that I should run to Cemaes at suppertime to get my shoes from the cobbler ? Our master is not likely to come to us to night; and, even if he should, I can get back in time to resume work after supper.' Yes, you can easily do that,' was the answer. Supper time having come, Owain put his bread and cheese in his pocket, and started on his errand. After going some distance he perceived close to his path a circle of little men and women, some of grotesque, and all of playful aspect. At the sight he was of course greatly frightened but after pausing a moment to recover breath, he summoned courage to approach them, and on doing so he saw a little woman of rare beauty in the midst of the group. She was so surpassingly fair that honest Owain was quite smitten by her charms. Seeing his attention fixed on herself, she ran from among the fairy crowd, and, clasping her soft arms round his neck, invited him to join them to which he joyfully assented, for his fears had now left him, and he thought only of this, the loveliest creature of her sex he had ever seen. Long was the time he spent in company of his new friends —company so delightful that he forgot the lapse of time. But at last, remembering his duty, and fearing that Dafydd might need his help, or that his employer might come to the fielol and discover his absence, he unwillingly returned without going to Cemaes. When he reached the field the scene was wholly changed. His fellow servant was not there. The field was a pasture in which cattle were quietly grazing. While wondering at this a keen sense of hunger came over him. Putting his hand into his pocket for the food be had brought, he found it as hard as stone. On going to the farm house, he found there not his master's household, but strangers, to whom he was as unknown as they to him. Utterly bewildered, he started to look for a lodging at the house of some neighbours, and on his way met one whose appearance seemed in some way familiar. They both hesitated a moment, until Owain asked—' Are you Dafydd ?' Yes,' was the answer. 'But who are you? Surely not Owain?' Yes, I am Owain, Why where did you go that evening?' 'Take me home with you, and I'll tell you. How long is that ago ?' Well,' rejoined Dafydd, let me see—I have been married fifteen years, and you went away five years before that ?' What became of my shoes ?' The shoe- maker kept them till he gave you up for lost and then sold them.' They started for Dafydd's home together, Owain telling Dafydd his experiences of 20 years with the fairies, and, hearing of the many changes that had taken place while he was away.-Once a Week. A YACHTING CRUISE. A mere yachting picnic is all very well, no doubt, when you enjoy it in lovely regatta weather that is to say, when the sun is calmly shining on the sea that is gently rippled by the play of the cat's-paws, when you are never out of sight of the coast, and when you have quiet and comfortable moorings within easy reach of you. Then, in the moat natty of nautical cos- tumes, you tread your friend's decks with the swagger of a sea-bred buccaneer you bear yourself as if you were abso- lutely indifferent to the very dirtiest weather, and coolly cock your weather eye at the cloudless horizon with the air of an ancient mariner looking out for squalls. Under the exhilara- ting influence of the champagne that foamed so freely into the glasses at lunch, for the moment you can honestly believe you are weather-proof. Perchance in the spirit of hospitality ge- nerated in the genial after-luncheon atmosphere, and in sym- pathy with your thorough enjoyment, your good-natured friend invites you for his autumn cruise. It is an invitation which ninety-nine men out of a hundred would jump at, and you jump at it accordingly. So you find yourself back again on board the Sea Queen a fortnight later, and are bound, we will say, to the coasi of X orway. It is not so very far off; a plea- sant bit of a run before the wind; indeed you are only sorry that the pleasure will be so quickly over, having taken pains to inform yourself of the average length of steamer passage from Hull to Christiansund. However, it was something like what you might call a sea, even as yeu steamed over the South- ampton Water, and the little dingy that takes you from the shore to the Sea Queen bobs about decidedly disagreeably. There is a faintly ominous whistle in the ringing overhead, something like the low moanings of a Banshee hovering some- where a good bit off. It strikes you with similar sinister pre- sentiments, and you are not much reassured by the swift scud of the clouds against the watery moon as you lift your eyes to the heavens above you. However, there is no help for it; your pride is piqued to show your carelessness, and you know that your friend would make it a point of honour to sail were the weather far more threatening than it was likely to be. When you have stood out beyond the shelter of the shore you are informed that there is a bit of a breeze blowing. A bit of a breeze it may be, or half a gale, or a whole one at all events, you find it more than enough for you. You have a sense that the slippery morsel of a thing you have shipped in may go sliding from beneath you before you have time to miss her now and then she heels over to the blast, as if it had got fairly under her and was in the act of heaving her over. Your heart is oftener in your mouth than elsewhere, and you could fancy your stomach had changed to something like a jelly-fish. The appointments of the small cabin are unimpeachable in their elegance, but by a natural affinity of material they remind you irresistibly of the last steamer saloon you suffered in. Yet on board that steamer, miserable as you were, you had a sense of stability and safety, a sense that is altogether lacking here. You had embarked on that steamer to make a voyage as matter of business, and were in a position to calculate approximately how long your sufferings were to endure. It is understood that you have sailed in the Sea Queen for pleasure, and, in ff,? ^?ur ^toee fr;ends are to all appearance veritably cheer- nf Hiiwl s be before you sight the historical shores leavo y°u know not; that is an affair w,hich you must leave to the winds and the waves.— Saturday Review,

M. FENWICK LB-PORQCET, a gentleman whose name has been widely known for upwards of half a century in connection with French and other foreign scholastic. work?, died m London on Tuesday at the age of 77. He was son of Captain Fen wick, an English officer, and was born in Paris in 1706. He leaves a widow and one daughter.

THE UNINVITED GUEST. I think," said my husband, one day, "that we really should do something about Georgina's education. She is really too old now to idle her time as she does." "Yes," I agreed; but unless we settle in a town, I do not see how we can improve her. I really dread bring- ing a governess to this desolate spot; she would not stay above a month." This was by no means the first conversation my hus- band and I had had about our only child and spoiled pet; but it is a fair specimen of many, and ended, like the others, by letting the subject drop. However, as winter approached we decided on moving into E- and took apartments for a short time. My husband soon became restless; he "hated lodgings," he said, and thought Georgina, accustomed to run about the country, would fall ill if confined to our small rooms. He would take a house then she could play where she chose, and run up and down stairs to her heart's con- tent, especially on wet days. Taking a house, however, is more easily accomplished in word than deed. Winter is the season in E- and this, it was predicted, would be an unusually good one. Rents rose in proportion. Our means were then rather straitened not so our ideas, however. We were both fastidious, and I fear the house-agent found us rather unreasonable. I got so tired of walking up and down stairs in empty houses, and also felt so chilled, that at last I allowed George to take all the trouble of visiting and viewing those in the list sent us by Mr. Letts. When he came home, and reported what he had seen, I listened with due attention but on considering carefully, there was generally some drawback. One day, George came in with a radiant countenance, and said My dear, I am sure I have found the exact house to suit us." Where ?" was my first question. He named a dull, but aristocratic part of the city. I listened with great deference while he expatiated on the merits of this habitation, and described it from "garret to basement." It certainly seemed unobjection- able. The rent was the next point; that also was in our favour. So it was arranged that I should accompany George next day to see it; and he politely said that my decision should be final. La nuit porte conseit." In the wakeful moments of night I resolved that, if the new house was one where I could make my family at all comfortable, I would not discourage the evident desire of George to take it. In this mood I accompanied my husband next morn- ing When we reached our destination I thought its appearance unexceptionable. When we had traversed it all, I said: "I think we may decide on settling ourselves here." I quite agree with you," said my husband, I knew what your opinion would be." We are at last fortunate," we agreed. The house-agent was silent. Signing and sealing were accomplished without delay. Next day we had large fires lighted, and the house, which gave us the idea of having been long unoccupied, was thoroughly aired. In a few days we took possession. The morning of our arrival we contrived to settle our furniture, and the pretty little articles of bigotry and virtue," as Mrs. Caudle has it, from our old house, to look as home-like as possible. In the afternoon, George went out for his customary ramble I was too busy to accompany him, and Georgina appeared to think I could not arrange things without her assistance, so she would not leave me. We bad placed our books on their shelves this was the finishing touch. I still had the last in my hand, but had opened it, and was glancing over its contents. Georgina wa.s at the centre table, taking off the bonnet and cloak in which her doll had accomplished her journey. In a moment, however, I felt my gown pulled I turned, and saw that my child had crept to my side, and she whispered stealthily Look there, mamma!" I looked in the direction my darling pointed, and saw an old gentleman seated in one of the arm-chairs. He seemed about seventy; his head was slightly bowed, his hands clasped, and he was apparently absorbed in thought. I gazed earnestly at him, but could not recall his features; in fact, he was to me perfectly a stranger. Some moments passed thus. I then thought he must be a friend of the former tenants of our new abode, and that it was time, if he bad thought to find them there, to acquaint him with his mistake. With this resolution I approached and addressed him. He however, neither looked at me, nor appeared to have heard me speak. Thinking he might be deaf, I repeated my observations in a higher key. All in vain he did not raise his head or pay me the slightestest attention. I tried again, but was equally un- successful. I now thought my visitor must have lost his senses, and recalled all I had heard of lunatics eluding the vigi- lance of their keepers, and entering the quiet haven of a family unexpectedly. With this idea I took my child's hand, and we left the room. We entered the dining-room, and I rang the bell. "MacTavish, I asked, when the butler came in, has anyone called to. day to see me ?" No, ma'am." Or to enquire for the last occupants of this house ?" "No, ma'am." "You are quite certain ?" Yes, ma'am." Will you enquire if any of the maids have opened the front door to any one ?" I know they have not, ma'am, as I have been about here all the afternoon." I wish you to enquire," I said. MacTavish went off with an injured air but presently returned with ill-concealed triumph to say that no one except himself had opened the hall door that day. I returned to the drawing-room. Our unexpected visitor was still there. It was now about four o clock. I did not expect my husband till five; but, oh how I wished some magnetic power could bring him home. Presently I was struck with the reeollection that I had neither seen nor heard the drawing-room door open this determined me on watching for our guest's departure. With this view I seated myself near the door, and be- guiled the time with my crotchet. In about an hour, however, just as I had done counting a few stitches, I glanced towards the armchair-it was unoccupied How could he have gone ?" was my first thought. when I began to think; for I was wonder-stricken at first. He certainly could not have gone to the door, or I must have seen him. I hastened to ring the bell; but when MacTavish appeared, I hardly knew what to say, feeling reluctant to let him know the strange incident till I had told my husband, so I asked Has your master returned ?" No, ma'am." Did you not open the front door just now ?" No, ma'am," no one has passed in or out since." e I was puzzled, but at that moment George knocked, and MacTavish hastened downstairs. I felt relieved on seeing my husband, and soon told him all that had happened. When I saw his air of wonder, and I may say doubt, I felt sorry that, in my anxiety to avoid any foundation for exaggerated stories, I had not called one of the ser- vants to witness the stranger's visit; for though George did not absolutely refuse to believe me, he asked so many questions, that I almost began to doubt the evidence of my eyes. Next morning passed as usual; but in the afternoon, George insisted on remaining at home with me, but he did not do so with a good grade on the contrary, he was most restless, paced up and down the room, took the books from their shelves, opened them, but instead of reading, threw them about, examined every little article on the chiffoniers and tables as though he had never seen them before, and fidgetted as if he was expecting some one to keep an appointment. I laughingly reminded him that our friend had made no promise. Evening closed in, and our party was not increased. Next morning, George went out early. The cold just at this season was so intense, I was kept a prisoner at home. In the afternoon he stayed with me no old gentleman appeared, and George was as impatient as before. Three or four days passed in like manner. At last George, seemingly convinced that Georgina and I had been mistaken, left us one afternoon for his. customary walk. About four o'clock that day, habit induced me to glance at the arm-chair. The uninvited guest was there Knowing that he had not entered the room in any ordinary way, I did not like to approach him this time. Georgina, perceiving him also, crept close to me, and we left the room. I rang the dining-room bell for Mac- Tavish, and he called the other servants. I was first to enter the drawing-room, and was slowly followed by a wondering train. Our old visitor did not move even to raise his head we stood about him in silence then, dismissing the rest, I kept my own maid with me. Mac- Tavish waited in the entrance-hall for the departure of the old gentleman; however, our watch was useless-- he disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared. When my husband returned, he found the household in great agitation: no one now daub ted of an unearthly visitor. George, however, ridiculed that idea, laughed at my pale face, and said it would never do to encourage or even allow our servants to believe such nonsense, or we should become the laughing-stock of the neighbour- hood. I begged him not to leave me of an afternoon till he was convinced that this was an illusion. He said he would sooner stay at home till the expiration of our lease than miss seeing the "old gentleman," who was now our household word." However, his patience was not long tried this time for the following afternoon we were all three in the drawing-room. I was working, Georgina seated at my feet, my husband passing up and down the room, sweep- ing unconsciously the anti-macassars off the chairs and sofas, catching his foot occasionally in my dress, and stopping his promenade only to examine the books and china, and lay them down again, but either upside down or in the wrong place however, the mischief was not irreparable. That inspection over, George walked to the window and whistled, Meantime my nerves were becoming strung to their utmost. It was almost four o'clock. I watched the timepiece, and when it pointed to four, I glanced at the chair there was our guest! George, however, appeared to have forgotten all about him, and kept his back to us while he gazed from the window. My child took my hand, but remained where she was; I dared not move, but counted the moments till George should turn. At last he did so. Words cannot describe the amazement pictured in his countenance: he seemed thunder-stricken; but, soon recovering his self-possession, he walked up to and addressed our visitor. He, however, was not more successful than I had been for the old gentleman neither raised his head even to glance at him, nor made the slightest movement, but appeared, as usual, absorbed in thought. MacTavish found some excuse to enter the room to see the result of his master's vigil; he approached also; the other servants in a short time followed, as if guessing something was wrong. An astonished circle formed round the chair, and an agreement was made in whispers that none should stir till its occupant should go. But how that came to pass was incomprehensible. He disappeared with the eyes of all our circle still fixed on him. How can I describe it? I can only say he was and he was not. In order to certify himself of this absence, my husband was going to seat himself in the chair but Georgina. interposed and would not suffer it, evidently in the fear that the chair might sink through the lowest depths of the earth. My husband's next proceeding was to call on Mr. Letts, the house agent, who seemed so overwhelmed with astonishment, that more simple people might have, believed that he had never heard of such a strange thing before. However, in the evening my maid went out, and in some shops near enquired about the house as if she had been a stranger to it; and heard that no one stayed very long in it; some of the less cautious of these usual gossip- retailers told of an old gentleman who had been seen in it for mmy years, but who never did any harm." Next morning I had a severe attack of neuralgia, an occasional tormentor then brought on by the agitation of the preceding days. George fetched a doctor, and we related to him the extraordinary incident that had befallen us. He readily admitted that he had often heard the story, and strongly advised our breaking our lease, and added that I must have a complete change of air and scene. My husband called again on Mr. Letts, who, after much pressure, allowed that, because there were some rumours, which of course he did not believe, afloat about this house, he had let us have it as favour- ably for ourselves as possible, and sooner than have any- thing said about it, or, as he put it, have any disagree- ment, he would take it off our hands. We moved into an hotel till our packing was accomplished. My maid requested MacTavish's presence as a protection while she removed from the drawing-room all that I had placed in it. When all was ended, we sent our servants to our old home and my husband, my child, and I came abroad to divert our minds, rather over-strained hitherto, and endeavour to forget our uninvited guest of E

SWANSEA. POLICE NEWS. SATURDAY. [Before N. p. Cameron and J. T. Jenkin, Esq.] ASSAULTING THE POLICE.—Thomas Davies was charged with being drunk and riotous and assaulting P.C. Raw- lings while in the execution of his duty. The officer stated that on the previous evening the prisoner, who was drunk, was fighting with another man, and he went to him and asked him to desist. As he would not witness took him into custody, when he kicked and struck him several times. He was convicted and sent to gaol for a month with hard labour. NEGLECTING TO JOIN HIS VESSEL.—William Waper, a foreign seaman, was charged with neglecting to join the British ship Lizzie, in which ha had agreed to serve. Capt. Breton, the master of the vessel, and marine officer Williams proved the case. The captain said he was willing to take him back, and the magistrates ordered him to be conveyed on board. SURETIES OF THE PEACE.—Thomas Pearson, a clog- maker, was charged with using threatening language towards Richard Birch. The complainant, an elderly man, deposed that the defendant had repeatedly threatened him and he was in bodily fear that he would do him some injury. The defendant was ordered to find one surety in £10 or two in j60 each to keep the peace for three months. ASSAULT.—Catherine Jones, a married woman, was convicted of assaulting Elizabeth Ireland on the 16th inst. and was fined 20s. and costs. DRUNK.— A married woman named Catherine Lewis' was charged with being drunk and making use of obscene language in Howell's Court on the 23rd inst. P. C. Morgans (52) gave evidence, and the prisoner was convicted and sentenced to 10 days' imprisonment. COUNTY BUSINESS. [Before the same Magistrates.] ALLEGED DRUNKENNESS.—William Rees and John Davies were severally charged with being drunk in the parish of Llanrhidian on the 4th inst. Mr. Woodward appeared for the defendants. P.C. Smith deposed that on the day in question late in the evening he saw both prisoners drunk and creating a disturbance; one was lying on the ground, cursing, the other was kneeling down, shouting, and unable to walk without assistance. He spoke to them and they went away. For the defence numerous witnesses were called, all of whom gave their evidence in Welsh,4and who gave an entirely opposite account of the matter, declaring that both the men were quite sober, that they were close together, perfectly quiet, and that the policeman never spoke to them. The ma- gistrates eventually dismissed both summonses, as well as one preferred by the same officer against Ann Thomas, a licensed victualler at Llanrhidian, who was summoned for selling liquor to a drunken person on the 7th instant. DRUNKENNESS.—William Lewis, convicted of drunk- enness at Loughor, on the 2nd instant, upon the testi- mony of P.S. 60 was ordered to pay 8s. costs.—Alabourer at the Spelter Works, named William Matthews, for being drunk and disorderly at Llandilo-Talybont, was fined 15s. including costs. William Webber, of Murton, for drunk- enness on the 2nd instant, was fined Is. and 9s. costs. P.C. Llewellyn proved the esse.—William Howells and Philip Beynon, Mumbles, for being drunk and riotous on the 4th instant, were fined-the first named 15s. including costs, and the latter 10s. including costs. MONDAY. [Before T. Ford, Esq. (Mayor), J. C. Fowler and T. Phillips, Esqrs.] STEALING A WATCH.—John Moss, hammerman, was brought up on remand charged with stealing a silver watch, of the valu^of £17s. 6d., from the shop of Mr. Isaac Seline, pawnbroker, &c., High-street. Mr. Wood- ward appeared for the prisoner. Selim Moses, a nephew of the prosecutor, said that about 4 o'clock on the evening of the 28th inst. he was in his uncle's shop, when he saw the prisoner and another man and two women enter into the pledge department. He followed them and saw his uncle attending to them. While so engaged he saw the prisoner go out of the front shop into the street, and soon after saw him enter into tLe pledge department and go behind the counter. Mr. Seline followed him and ordered him to go away, which he did. Soon after he had gone witness missed a silver watch which he had seen lying on a work-bench near where the prisoner was standing about five minutes before he (prisoner) went in. He was sure that no other person entered from the time he last saw the watch safe until he missed it. The prisoner appeared to be drunk. P.C. 21 said he apprehended the prisoner about 6 o'clock on the evening of the 20th, and charged him with stealing a watch from Mr. Seline's shop. He said I was in the shop, but I don't know anything about the watch." He seemed at first to be intoxicated, but witness believed a good deal was put on, as he afterwards became sober enough. The prisoner was committed for trial at the sessions. UTTERING COUNTERFEIT COIN.—George Summers, aged 62, a French polisher, was brought up charged with uttering a counterfeit coin. In addition to the evidence previously given it was proved that the prisoner had sent a little boy into the Wassail-street stores, kept by Mr. Wedlake, to buy some rum, giving him a bad florin to pay for it. The florin was detected, but upon the prisoner being looked for he was not to be found. The prisoner was committed for trial at the sessions. ^WARD FOR THE RECOVERY OV A RING.—Mr. Polety, Mount Pleasant, appeared before the magistrates and asked for their decision upon the following point:—It appeared that on Tuesday evening last Mrs. Primavesi, of Castle-street, went to bathe on the Sands, having at the time a valuable diamond ring on her finger. In the machme she removed it and placed it on a shelf. When she left she forgot the ring, and upon making enquiries for it some time after it was not to be found. She then Sj*ve information to the police, who issued a handbiU, + khat whoever had found the ring and would bring it to the police station should receive £ 3 reward. On Wed- nesday before the;handbill was issued, the ring was found near the limekiln, a considerable distance from the bathing station, by a girl named Connor, 16 years old, servant in Mr. Polety's employ, who took it home and Ir^if r5° *ler mistress, and Mr. Polety took it to Mr. ■Mills, Castle-street, and Mr. Cousins, Wind-street, to ascertain its value. On seeing the handbill next day Mr. Cousins gave information to the police, which resulted in the ring being discovered and identified. The question was who was entitled to the reward. Mr. Cousins claimed It (mtending to present it to the Hospital), on the ground that he had given information which had led to its dis- covery but Mr. Polety claimed it as representing the the girl wh0 had found it. Mr. Brock thought Mr. Polety was decidedly to blame for not having at once taken the ring to the police-station. He thought it was a very improper practice for persons to retain in their own possession the property of other people in the hope of obtamlllg a reward. Mr. Polety acknowledged that he fti. "remiss" in the matter. Ultimately two 01 the magistrates—the Mayor and Mr. Fowler—were h ?Pln.10Q that the girl was entitled to the reward, she having found it, and—what seemed the proper thing or her to do—given it to her mistress. Mr. Brock on he contrary thought the reward (which pending the of the question was in the hands of the police), should be returned to the owner, and that any person who considered he had a legal claim to it should be re- quired to make it out in the usual way.—[The reward was ultimately given to the girl.] W?1IPING ON A TRAIN IN MOTION.—TWO men, named William Taylor and John Williams, the former an engine driver, the latter a collier, both living at Ystalyfera, were severally charged with attempting to enter a carriage on the Swansea Vale Railway while the train was in motion. Walter Scott Boone, the station master, proved the case. At appeared that being too late to get into the proper carriage they jumped upon a buffer—a very dangerous practice, which was becoming too common and which it was necessary to put a stop to. The defendants had no good excuse to offer and were fined 10s. each and costs. TUESDAY. [Before J. C. Fowler and T. Phillips, Esqrs.] MENDICANCY.—An old man, named David Thomas, was charged with soliciting alms. P. C. Barnett said that he saw the defendant begging of various persons near the New Cut Bridge, about 20 minutes past 9 o'clock yester- aay evening. He searched him and found in his pos- session 6d. in silver and 4s. in copper. He was sent to gaol for 7 days. No PHonECUTION.—Mary Beynon, a. married woman, liVlng in John-street, and Ann Beynon, a resident in ■+^1 "°}irt, sisters-in-law, were brought up charged with stealing a quantity of pears from a shop in High- street, the property of Margaret Scott. No prosecutor appeared and the prisoners were discharged. NEGLECTING TO MAINTAIN HIS MOTHER.—William Bailey, a. shipwright, was charged with neglecting to maintain his mother, who had, in consequence, become chargeable to the Swansea Union. Mr. Tuckfield proved the case. The defendant, who admitted being in receipt I of 30s. a week wages, was ordered to contribute 2s. 6d. a week. DESERTING HIS SHIP.—Thomas Sorrell was charged with deserting the ship Maori in which he had engaged to serve as a seaman. P.O. Owen John, of the Mercantile Marine, proved the case, and the defendant was sent to prison for eight weeks. '■ ■ ■■

PROVINCIAL GHAND LODGE OF SOUTH WALES. MEETING AT CARDIFF. The Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, for the Eastern Division of the Province of South Wales, was held on Thursday at Cardiff, under the banner of the Glamorgan Lodge (36). The Townhall was fitted up as a lodge-room, in which the meeting took place. At one o'clock the brethren began to assemble, and shortly after that hour the Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Theodore Mansel Talbot, attended by the mem- bers of Provincial Grand Lodge in considerable force, entered the lodge-room in marshal order, and took their seats on the raised dais. The following brethren were present: the Right Worshipful Pro- vincial Grand Master, Bro. Theedore Mansel Talbot; the Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Bro. Edward J. Morris Provincial Grand Senior Warden, Bro. Marmaduke Ten- nant; Provincial Grand Junior Warden, Bro. George Alien Provincial Grand Chaplain, Bro. the Rev. D. Parker Morgan; Grand Treasurer, Bro. T. L. Daniel; Provincial Grand Registrar, Bro. F. Eroughton; Provin- ci il Grand Secretary, Bro. W. Whittington Bros. T. G. South, P. Cooper, W. H. Martin, P. Bird, Charles Mills, J. Becker, Thomas B. Bell, Sigismund Weichart, James Harman, Samuel Nash, E J. Thomas, Thomas Hodge, J. B. Phillips, J. W. Jones, Henry Green, Rowland Thomas, Richard Eve, Edward S. Hill, Albert Harris, Oliver S. Brooke, S. Hanley, Frederick Binckes, Evan Thomas, Samuel B. Power, William Morris, S. G. Hom- fray, Rhys Howells, R. S. Fisher, J. W. Hodges, Wm. Willans, W. E. Brown, R. S. Glbbs, S. Horn, T. H. W. Morgan, John C. Barry, F. Stephens, H. G. Caulfield, H. Fothergill, F. Orden, J. C. Manning, T. C. Shelper, Fred. Hood, Thomas Haynes, E. Quelch, F. Mitchell, William Davies, R. Shaddick, S. W. Jasper, D. Richards, D. Lewis, W. H. Tucker, W. J. Rees, W. H. Davies, C. Taylor. B. P. Harvey, John Williams, and B, R. Harvey. The following visitors were also present Bro. S. G. Homfray, Dep. Prov. G.M,, Monmouth; Bro. J. B. Phillipps, Prov. G. Registrar, and Bro. Charles Miles, Prov. G.S.B., South Wales West Division; Bro. Hodges, of London; &c., &c. The lodge having been opened in due form, the Provincial Grand Master called on Bro. Whittington, Provinoial Grand Secretary, to read the minutes of the last Provincial Grand Lodge, held under the banner of the Afan Lodge, Aberavon, in August last, which were confirmed. The Provincial Grand Treasurer's account for the past year, was also produced and passed, and copies of the annual report were distributed among the brethren. The Right Worshipful Grand Master, in his opening address, congratulated the brethren on the hearty wel- come which had been accorded them under the banner of the Glamorgan Loilge—a welcome which breathed of the true spirit of Masonry. He then drew attention to the great loss which the craft had sustained in the death of the Chief of the Order, the Earl of Zetland, which had placed the Order in mourning, In this loss they had to mourn the death of one who for a quarter of a. century presided over them, and one to whose fatherly guidance and firm band was due the rapid and substantial strides masonry had made all over the world. He must also mention another loss which Masonry had sustained. They were aware that the present Provincial Grand Lodge would not in the ordinary course of things have been held in that room, but would have been held under the banner of the Talbot Lodge, at Swansea. By the sudden death, however, of Bro. William Cox, P.M., and P. Prov. Grand Treasurer, the Provincial Grand Lodge had been deprived of one of its most attached supporters'; the members of the Tdlbot Lodge, Swansea, especially had to mourn the loss of one whose kindness of heart, sterling qualities, and genial disposition, had endeared him to everyone, while he himself (the Prov. G.M.) had to deplore the loss of a trusted adviser and valued friend. In referring to the report of the Provincial Grand Lodge committee, which would shortly be brought before them, they would see that Grand Lodge had concurred in the representa- tion made from the province that any brother whose list of contributions collected for the charities should amount to 100 guineas should be entitled to the charity jewel." He was very pleased to be able to make this communication to them. and he hoped, as he believed it would, lead to increased activity. He was proud to add that the lodges of the province generally were working steadily and much to his satisfaction. The provincial grand officers for the ensuing year were then appointed and invested as follow :—G.S.W., Bro. W. H. Martin; G.J.W., Bro. F. Broughton; Grand Chaplain, Bro. Rev. D. P. Morgan; Provincial Grand Treasurer, Bro. T. D. Daniel; G. Registrar, Bro. S. B. Power G. Sec., Bro. Walter Whittington G.S.D., Bro. Walter Edgar Brown G.J.D., Bro. Henry Green G. Sup. Works, Bro. H. St. G. Caulfield; G. Dir. Cer., Bros. F. C. Hill and Thomas Shelper; G. Organist, Bro. F. F. Atkins; G.S.P., Bro. Glass; G. Tyler, Bro. P. Becker G. Stewards, Bros. Andrews, J. H. Thomas, S. Herbert, C. Taylor. G. Smith, and E. P. Martin. The Deputy Provincial Grand Master then moved that the report of the Grand Lodge Committee be taken as read, and adopted. The report was most favourable as regards the position and prospects of Freemasonry gene- rally throughout the province. The report concluded as follows :—" In their last report, the committee ventured to express their belief that a satisfactory solution of the Charity J ewer question would be arrived at before another meeting of Provincial Grand Lodge was held. This prediction has been realised, and it is with very much gratification that the committee now report to Provincial Grand Lodge that, at the quarterly communi- cation of Grand Lodge in June last, the following an- nouncement was made by R.W. the Deputy Grand Master: Every brother who shall serve the office of steward at any anniversary festival of any one of the charities as the representative of some provincial or country lodge, who shall personally attend such festival, and shall bring up thereto contributions amounting to not less than one hundred guineas, shall have the same rights and privileges as to wearing the charity jewel or clasps as if he had himself contributed the sum of ten guineas whilst serving such stewardship.' The committee have the pleasure to announce the re-establishment of the system of steward representation, which has hitherto proved so successful, and in consequence of which mate- rial aid has been extended to the charities, as will be seen by annexed statement of amounts contributed by the Province during the last seven years. Brother Frederick Ware, P. Prov. G. Registrar, and P.M. Bute Lodge, No. 960, will represent the Province at the next festival of the girls' school; and the claims of the boys' school will be advocated by Bro. Samuel B. Power, Prov. G. Regis- trar, Talbot Lodge, No. 1,323. The committee recom- mend grants of liberal amounts from Provincial Grand Lodge Funds, in aid of both educational establishments and urge upon the respective lodges of the province to assist in the good work by renewed effort and increased liberality. The committee recommend for the support if the province, as a candidate for election to the Boys' school, Arthur David Kerr, son of the late Bro. Jame? Kerr, P.M. of the Cambrian Lodge, No. 364, Neath. The case, as represented to the committee, appears to be a very deserving one, and one which claims the best aid of the Province. Brethren are requested to reserve their votes, and to transmit them to Bro. W. Whittington, Provincial Grand Secretary, Neath, as usual. On the motion of Bro. R. F. Langley, P. Prov. S.G.W., seconded by Bro. E. J. Thomas, P. Prov. G.D.C., the sum of 50 guineas was'ordered to be voted to each of the Masonic charities. Bro. E. S. Hill, P. Prov. J.G.W., proposed that the sum of £5 5s. be voted to the Cardiff Infirmary, which was seconded and carried unanimously. On the motion of Bro. W. H. Martin, Prov. S.G.W., seconded by Bro. Thomas Shelper, Prov. G.D.C., the sum of £5 was voted from the funds of the Grand Lodge to the widow of the late Bro. W. Morgan, Glamorgan Lodge. Some other formal masonic business was transacted, and the usual collection was made for the poor, and the amount, £7 odd, handed to the W. M. of the Glamor- gan Lodge for distribution. This concluded the business of the Grand Lodge. The banquet was held at the Royal Hotel, when there was a good attendance of members present. The catering was in every respect satisfactory. The cloth having been withdrawn, and the toast of The Queen and the Craft" having been given and right loyally responded to, The Provincial Grand Master proposed "The Prince of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family." In proposing the toast, the speaker said that the Prince of Wales had been visiting the northern portion of the Principality, and had been making flattering speeches there. He hoped the time was not far distant when the Prince would visit South Wales—(hear, hear)-and was quite sure his Royal Highness would be as warmly welcomed in the south as he could possibly be in the north, j (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with enthusiasm. The Provincial Grand Master then proposed The health of our Masonic Chief, the Marquis of Ripon." (Cheers.) The speaker said he had written to the Marquis of Ripon with the view of obtaining his lordship's attend- ance at the present meeting, but the numerpus and pressing engagements of tkeir worthy chief prevented him being present, as he would otherwise have been. From the growth of masonry in South Wales they would cer- tainly have something to show the Marquis of Ripon when he came into South Wales, and he hoped the Grand Master of the order would be able to pay them a v^pit at no distant period, and see how well they were getting 011.^ (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with three times three. Song, Death of Nelson," Bro. R. Eve. The Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master then proposed "The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master," which was drunk with enthusiasm. The speaker alluded to the great and satisfactory increase in masonry which had taken place under the presidency of the Wor. shipful Provincial Grand Master, and to the immense strides which the province had made in its contributions towards masonic charities since he had filled the principal f chair in the province—a chair which was never more ably filled, and a province which was never more masonically presided over. (Applause.) # # The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master re- sponded to the toast, and wished every brother .pregent in their respective lodges, a successful and prosperous year, and hoped he should meet them all at the next pro. vincial grand lodge. (Cheers.) Song, Let each man learn to know himself," Bro. F. Broughton. The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master then proposed "The- Worshipful Deputy Provincial Grand Master," which was received with enthusiasm. The speaker alluded to the distinguished services which Bro. Morris had rendered to masonry, and to his signal ability and expertness in working the mechanism of the craft. He hoped Bro. Morris would long live to hold the position which by his masonic talents he had justly earned, and which he so ably maintained. (Continued cheers.) Song, Love, love," Bro. S. G. Homfray, who was enthusiastically encored, and obliged with Nicodemus." The Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master then proposed The Visitors," coupling with the toast the names of Bro. G. S. Homfray, Deputy Grand Master for Monmouthshire, and Bros. Phillipps and Miles, Worship- ful Masters of lodges in the Western Province, all of whom responded, as did also Bro. Hodges. Tha Right Worshipful Provincial Grand Master then proposed The Provincial Grand Officers," coupling with the toast the names of Bro. Martin, G.S.W., and Bro. Broughton, G J.W., who responded. The toast of Our Masonic Charities," coupled with the name of Bro. Binckes, who responded in an able speech, and The Lodges of the Province," brought the list of toasts to an end.

THE CYFARTHFA WORKS AND THE CRAWSHAY FAMILY. I had heard a. great deal of the somewhat peculiar con- dition of things at the Cyfarthfa Works I had even heard the term paternal relation" of the employers towards the employed at Cyfarthfa, and intended to give the matter a detailed examination. The Cyfarthfa Works are by no means so large as the Dowlais, but they are larger than the Plymouth, and are very accessible, being hardly a mile from the town. They employ altogether—men, women, and children-close upon 5000 people. I suppose that at the present time it would unquestionably be more profitable to the owners to sell the coal at the present enormous prices than to use it up for iron. The profits on coal are enormous, if the profits really come to the owners; but iron shows extremely little profit. The plant, however, being in existence, the traditions of the firm having' to be maintained, some sort of vested interest being allowed to the employed, some hope of better times being indulged, the ironworks of Cyfarthfa are continued, and probably would be even with a positive margin of loss. Some coal is sent from Cyfarthfa, but iron mainly. There is certainly a sort of ancestral and patriarchal feeling at Cyfarthfa which hardly exists elsewhere. There are many men who have grown grey in the employment of the Crawshays, who have never charged or would wish to change their place. They have begun as children, perhaps only fetching and carrying small article, for a few shillings a week and have gone on to earn, as firemen and puddlers, their three pounds. There is not the same intense pressure to produce here as in other districts. The owner, having inherited a few loose millions," can afford to take things considerately and calmly. If you take the manager of a company, with his five thousand a yenr salary, and wanting to make another five thousand a year by his commission and percentage, you have of course a very different set of circumstances; he is anxious to produce as fast as possible; but the owner of Cyfarthfa is reported to have once truly said, that he could afford to shut up his works for fifty years. The Crawshays have always shown a strong individualism of their own, as thoroughly able and independent, straightforward and liberal men. Bishop Watson, an absentee Bishop, who only came into his diocese once in three years, in his curious Anecdotes of his Times," says, "I went over the mountains from Neath to a place where no bishop had ever held a confirmation before, Merthvr Tydvil. I was, whilst there, hospitably entertained and lodged by Mr. Craw- shay, one of the most intelligent and opulent ironmasters in Europe." He goes on to relate that Mr. Crawsbay said that there would always be three or four thousand pounds at his service if he happened to want them. It was a greater civility than the absentee prelate deserved. At the pits and works Crawshay follows Crawshay. "Au Amurath to an Amurath succeeds." Mr. Richard Crawshay, in 1847, when entertained at a dinner by the people of Mer- thyr, gave an account "f the rise of his family of iron kings." ''My grandfather was the son of a most re- spectable farmer in Normanton, Yorkshire. At the age of fifteen father and son differed. My grandfather, an enterprising boy, rode his own pony to Loud m. then an arduous task of some fifteen or twenty days' Gravelling. On getting there he found himself perfectly destitute of friends. He sold his pony for jei-5 and dtirk-g the time that the proceeds of the pony kept him he found employ- ment in an iron warehouse in London, kept by Mr. Bickle- will. He hired himself for three years for jElo, the price of the pony. His occupation was to clean the counting. house, to put the desks in order, and to dj anjtiiug els3 that he was told. By industry, integrity, and perseverance he gained his master's favour, and was termed 'The Yorkshire Boy.' He had a very amiable and good master, and before he had been two years in his place stood high in his master's confidence. The trade in which he was engaged was only a cast-iron warehouse and his master assigned to him, the Yorkshire boy, the privilege of selling flat-irons—the things with which our shirts and clothes are flattened. The washerwomen of London were sharp folk, and when they bought one flat-iron they stole two. Mr. Bicklewill thought that the best person to cope with thum would be a man working for his own interest, and a Yorkshireman at the same time. This was the first matter of trading that ever my grandfather embarked in. By honesty and perseverance he continued to grow in favour. His master retired in a few years and left my grandfather in posses- sion of his cast-iron business in London, which was carried on on the very site where he ended his days in York road. My grandfather left his business in London and came down here and my father, who carried it on, supplied him with money almost as fast as he spent here, but not quite so fast. What occurred subsequently this company knows perfectly well. Who started with humbler pro. spects in life than my grandfather ? No man in this room is so poor that he cannot command £ 15. Depend upon it that any many that is industrious, honest, and persevering, will be respected in any class of life he may move in. Do you think, gentlemen, there is a man in England prouder than I am ? What is all the world to me unless they know me ?" I was certainly somewhat disap- pointed with my experience of the Castle. It is a somewhat imposing structure of grey stone, but by no means so extensive as I had been informed. I had heard a story at a London club of the elder Craw- shay, now "gone over to the majority." He had asked for some carpeting at a West-end shop, but had not been satisfied with what he had seen. The shopman began to look with a little contempt before him. I suppose," he said at last, that what you really want is some rem- nants." They must be biggish remnants," quietly answered he of Cyfarthfa to the astonished shopman, to cover seven acres. The story is ben trovato, so good as to be good for nothing. The castle edifice stands upon about half an acre of ground. The grounds are large, the gardens extremely good, the park somewhat extensive, without deer, but with plantations well preserved with game. It is quite unlike any castle that I have ever seen or stayed at. It has a stern, utilitarian character, pecu- liarly its own the lodge gates facing the grimy lane that goes down to the grimy works. Coming out on the ter- race, the unique character of the stern, rough place, fit residence for an iron king, impresses you strongly. Some iron rails, a kind of tramway, came almost to the front door. The place might be a fortress, a. mill, a lunatic asylum, unless you know to the contrary. A somewhat steep ascent leads you to the gardens behind the house, with conservatories and ferneries. Some of the hothouses are very rich in their contents. The flowers might be the glory of any conservatory but even in looking at the flowers you could not get rid of the idea of iron and coal. —The Practical Magazine for August. ♦

Later advices from Alsace-Lorraine (the Morning Post says) show the refusals to take the oath of allegiance to the German Emperor on the part of the newly-elected members of communal councils to have been far less numerous than first reported by telegraph. Of twenty councils only seven are unable to proceed with business for want of a quorum. DEATH OF THE DOWAGER COUNTESS OF KENIIARE.— The death is announced of Augusta Anne, Dowager Coun- tess of Kenmare, who died on Tuesday afternoon at her house in Belgrave-square, London. She was widow of Valentine, second Earl of Kenmare. Sir Joseph Worth, commission agent, Kidderminster, was found on Tuesday in a field near that town with his throat horribly gashed. He was still alive, but is injured beyond recovery. A razor was found near him, by which the wounds were probably inflicted. The paviers of London have resolved to start Alfred Armstrong Walton, of Stroke-upon-Trent, as a Trades Union candidate for Parliament at the next general elec- tion. The miners and other trade associations are pre- paring for similar action. Among those who received the Bardic title at the re- cent Mold Eisteddfod was Mr. John Curwen, of Plaistow, who was installed as "Dyrwent Pencerdd." This was intended as a recognition of the Tonic-Sol-Fa movement in the person of its chief. Mr. Curwen acted as judge in several of the choral competitions. Mr. Joseph Cowen and four other members of the Town Council of Newcastle-on-Tyne have purchased, at a cost of B25,000 the Elswick-hall estate, and thrown it open to the public as a free park. A marriage is arranged between Miss Agnes Gladstone, eldest daughter of the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone, and the Rev. E. C. Wickham, Head Master of Wellington College. At the Liverpool assizes, Mr. Charles Lainont, glass merchant, Liverpool, has obtained a verdict against the London and North-Western Railway Company, awarding him £4,500, in addition to a sum of £400 previously paid to him, and his medical, hotel, and other expenses, for injuries he sustained in the Kirtlebridge collision in October last. The heir of Abernant, Mr. Richard Fothergill, jun., will shortly attain his majority, and the inhabitants of Merthyr and Aberdare have determined to commemorate the event. A feature of paramount interest on the occa- sion will be the presentation to Caradog and the Cam- brian Five Hundred" of medals struck in honour of their victory at the Crystal Palace. THE NEW ORDINARY GREAT WESTERN STOCK.—The principal point of discussion in the London Stock Mar- kets on Saturday, says the Globe, was the Great Western Railway report, which confirms the rumour of ani ssue of ordinary stock in the form of a bonus to the present holders-a course which demands the promptest con- demnation as improvident in the highest degree, and as further having the disadvantage of disturbing the value of the stocks, and of missing the rare opportunity of contributing towards the replication of former errors of a directly opposite character. The directors propose to issue £1,50Q,000 new ordinary stock to the present holders at £110, the market price of which is £126. As the ordinary capital is £11,635,362, the allotment will be at the rate of X13 of new to £ 100 old, which is equal to a cash distribution of X2 per cent. and making with the dividend 3! per cent. per annum interest on the past half-year. The loss to the company is £ 216,000. The Globe fears the Great Western Stock will be made more speculative than before by this improvident scheme, whereas it is the true interest of investors that the directors should promote the reverse disposition. The announcement has been received with general disappro- bation in the share market; and all railways have declined in consequence. t