Glamorgan Free Press

Bfiuotard and Gress. -v- The T, Halo Voice Sooieiy will mp'2:e at Pcnarcli, Mond:iy next, cn "Pom- peii." Success to them. A special n-eelinj of snop assistants will be held on T i-s-iay evening next at Coombes' jBestaurant to consider the closing system, when all shop assistants are urgently requested to attend. Aü interested in the movement should ecmir.ly put in an appearance. An English girl who was kissed by a stran- ger and La him arrested for his boldness testified iI" Court that "lIe kissed her six timee and -An she stopped counting. A Pontyprid-i girl, under such circumstances, probably w "Üd have been entirely engrossed in the counting. On Sunday evening, the 26th ult.. the Rev. J. R. JOTKS preached a funeral sernon on the late Miss Cissie Phillips, taking as L: text Thessalonians iv. 14. R, fcrp| e= wer,. n ade tn J.e nn 1 T vlrt,cs o* tin deceased p. id j many of the large ),,i p:->-et:t were visibly affected. General S:e William Gatacre.. n W, ne;d «j eaid there were 30,000 Methodists the A rriiy. :1111 he and his brother officer-, wibh .d there were more, because they "He i hvays Ievoted to their duty and had a. been sense of what was right. This quali- fication was, he believed, largely due to the excellent training they received from the Wes.eyan ministers. It has remained for a Welshman to avenge ifco American jibe that in Wales we have no climate, but only samples. When complain- ing in Boston of the terrible cold-there haa Been a drop in the thermometer of a score or two of degrees in twenty-four hours—he was asked, "Hut don't you have cold weather in Wales?" "On yes," was the reply, "we have caid weather in Wales. but not the four seasons in )t.- day." Landlordism may be of the tyranical sort •without possessing ownership in land. A Wo ventry landlord has recently inserted an ingenious clause in his rent-books. It runs as follows: "No dogs, pigeons or rabbits allowed to be kept on the premises unless rent be paid to the landlord for them. and a separate rent book is given to the tenant by the landlord 'with the name of each dog, and the number of pigeons or rabbits to be allowed to be kept. Ubgs, per week. 6d. each; pigeons, per week, 3d. each; rabbits, per week, 3d. each." Sir Wilfred Lawson has. after his manner, expressed hi3 opinion of the Workmens Com- pensation Act in verse, and it has been made effective use of by Mr Broadhurst in the series of meetings he has been just addressing. (Here is the verse — H. you fall thirty feet slap bang on the street. rYcru'll get cash if your head be split; Bat if, cutting it fine, you fall twenty-nine, In that case you won't get a bit. So the mor-d ls this-is I'm not far amiss I* you are a wise working man, If you find you've a call to accomplish a fall. Then tumble as far as you can. Sir Wilfred Lawson suggests an Ecumenical Council which might be made up out of the present Parliament to look after the interests of the Cftmrch of England. Here it is:—Mr Arifcur Balfour (Apostle of Philosophic Doubt). Sir William Harcourt (Avenging Angel of Legality),, Mr John Dillon (Roman Catholic), Mr Sam Smith (Protestant), Mr Carvell Wil- Bams Presenter), Mr Walter Rothschild (.Jew), Me LaBoncfaere (Sage), Sir M. Bhownaggre" fCftrsee), and Sir Wilfred Lawson (Lunatic) Row ftbswrd it was, said he, to talk about ■issenftrtr; Laving nothing to do -with the aBefrs of the Church because they did not go to dhurch. He did not go to the public house fiat he claimed to have something to do with ilit affairs. Parliament could make larws for "Hie Church, and it had the power to make | PIP6ple obey these laws. (Coud cheers*. The foilowing letter, sent us by a cones- grandest, was addressed by an Australian squatter to i Melbourne firm of agricultural implimeat agents:- What do you send a man to repair my reaper and binder that nows nothin about it the 4II'06S peecee he put on broke the furst time I use the machine and the seat bar snapt and dam neer killetl me if i bad i would have sude your femt for da manges, the Man told me the mettal he put in was unbreakable but it is fcrittler nor glass now i have to employ men Butting the crops with scithes. come and take joar rotten old machine awa and refund me jtftn 20 pound deposit i paid or i will go to law. do you think ime going to get tore to peaces and every bone in my bodie broke with your old rstmashackle hurdygerdy and pay your man 4 ponnds every ume he comes up for repairs, if you are willing to send your nun at onct and ficks it proper i will pay pou balaos but i want it fixt so it wont brakt. again for i can never lern how to fixct a ntistery like that. you may think my language ungeutelmany but if yond fallen in iuke mashine and hadnt a sound spot on your liedy and tore all your close into the bargan I son youd be prity mad to and had to pay 19 pounds for cuttin the crop after all not to speke of the mens tuier. »

Eisteddfod at Perndale- A most successful eisteddfod was held at the Congregational Church, North Street, Perndale, on Thursday, when an excellent competition was gone through. One most ing item was the tiack board drawing (Hind-folded), which created roars of laughter jUtj svttjeet Iwing a saucepan. Some of the Wmpetitors had the handle far larger than Ow pan, while others !>tuc\ the handle in all posiuons. B-iows are the officials and aw- ards:—Ohairr.ian, Councillor Morris Morris; øcJjodkators. music, Mr Enoch Lewis, A.C.. Mgitation, Rev. C Evar^ A.K.C., stockings, flptr James Williams, prize bags Mrs J. Olmmiaz, Waek board drawing, Mr Tom Morris jiMptor. Soprano KJo :Der-n Par." sevm i tocmpetitors, prize divided between Misers Annie Rees and MyfaBwy Wiiliam«; alto solo, "Horw hom4," six competitors. Master E-ldie Thorra- solo, five com- petitors. Mr n, C. TVivies Tvloretowii; fcaritone solo, "Death 0i Nelson," fcur com- petitors. W. Deveraux: or-artettp. It i well," ffcree parties. Dd. Williams and party; (Stockings, competitor?, M,og Griffithw. Bhn street; prize bag, Mrs Mark Humphries; Mark board drawing, blin,3-folilei, subject, I "gaucepan." ten competitws, Master Eddib Iníom. The secretary wae Mr Tom )fo: :s.

r FRENCH APOI.Ol. V TO THE Q IT 15 EN. While the Yayor of Nice was in Paris in order to represent that city at M. aure's funeral, the City Coui-ril of Nice asked him to c..11 on Sir E. Monson, British Ambassador, to tender apologies for the discousteous allu.-ion to Queen Victoria made in one of t e concert i.al so tli.t cifcv, and to explain to his Excellency that the Municipality so strongly reprobated the allusion that it Caused the offensive reference to be immediately stopped. As the Mayor was unable to see Sir E. Mo< son, he conveyed" his message to the Fir t Secretary o! the liriti h Legation, expressing the hope that h r .\iaj sty would not resent what had pas.-ed, tait that on the contrary she would be assmeri of the respect and veneration of the whole city of ISire towards her. The First Secretary replied that he was convinced that the Queen was not at ail oiTendcd.

A VIENNA SCANDAL The judicial authorities of Vienna have finally resolved to get to the bottom of the circumstances under which a gamekeeper named Laszez met with his death recently. An order has been given for his oody to be exhumed for examina- tion. According to current report the man was shot, iead in auuel with his master, young Count Petoki, a lady member of tne Count's family being the real cause of the tragedy. Public opinion is greatly excited over the case.

ROBBING HIS BEST FRIEND. At Bury, Francis Kay was charged with stealing iE35 in gold, the money of James Brierley. Evidence wa3 given that Kay was nursed by the prosecutor's wile when a child. In consequence of hi- conduct his father had practically turned him out, and the prosecutor took him in, giving him food and lodging while he was out of work from September last. Prisoner became aware of the fact that the prosecutor kept his savings in a drawer, the key of which was in another drawer, and found an opportunity to steal the money. Kay, who comes of a very respectable family, said he had spent the money in drink.—The magistrates said there was not a single redeeming feature in the case. They sentenced the prisoner to four months' hard labour.

DRAWING LOTS '10 BE EATEN. A man named James McNab has arrived at Winnipeg in a distressing condition. He says that he was one of a party of men which started for Klondike. Their provisionH were exhaust* d. and being imlwisotied in the snow and without food, they (tecitied that one of their number must be sacrificed to sustain the others. They accordingly drew lots to decide which of them should be killed and eaten. McNab asserts that one lot fell to him, but that he managed to escape betore the others had a chance to kill him.

ATTEMPTED DOUBLE MURDER. Reuben Dunham, fifty-nine. carpenter, East- lane, Wheathampstead, Herts, has been charged at Clerkenwell with attempting to murder Elixa Williams by stabbing her at Shepperton-road, Islington; and also with attempting to murder Herbert Benjamin Williams, organ maker.-Dr. Kershaw said he found Mrs. Williams lying on th bed in night attire, with wounds in the breast and abdomen. One of the wounds was very dangerous 'Ihere was still danger of peri- tonitis and internal hemorrhage, and she would not be able to attend tb., court for six weeks. Both her bands were severely cut. as if she had struggled to protect herself. Williams also had cute about the hat,ds.-Herbert William. said his wife was pri. oner's daughter. While he and his wife were in bed, prisoner burst the room door open. He commenced to swear, and Mrs. Williams sat lip in bed. The prisoner suddenly pulled from his pocket a large knife and plunged the blade into her stomach. There was a struggle, during which both witness and his wife received cuts on their hands. The knife was wrenched from prboner's grasp by witness, but prisoner regained possession of it, and made a further attempt to stab him. Several persona who had entered the house turned prisoner into the street. Afterwards he was brought back to the house by two policemen.—Prisoner's allegation 18 that prosecutors were hiding his wife and had all his money. He had been in London tour times, but had not been able to see hor. They had broken up his bome.-R-nded-

A LONG INDICTMENT. William Robert Jackson, a well-dressed man of twenty-three, was brought up, at the Middle- sex Sessions, for sentence on eighteen charges of obtaining money by false pretences. The in- dictment was seven. fleet long. -Mr. Muir prose- cuted for the Treasury..—The accused for some time advertised very extensively guns and ammunition for sale at #my low pricei--w 10.. indeed, that they could not be purchased for the Amount he sought to sell them -Mr. Littler 4awma tin U> tifhtoen ones, bird lbbm.

I CHIPS OF NEWS. The Britidi Columbian Governmenthas decided to raise a loar; in London. Six men h?.ve been killed by an explosion of dynamite or. die Jungfrau Railway. Mr. William i'.i ore (Unionist) has been returned unoppose for North Antrim. Sir William iiarcourt is at present in Rome, where he preserves a strict incognito. The police are searching for an office-boy, named Willis, who succeeded in forging his employer's name to a cheque for £ 323 10s., and petting it cashed at the head office of the London, City, and Midland Bank. A hundred thousand persons in North and South Armenia are reported to be in a state of abject misery, while 12,000 Christians in the district of Van are said to be dying of hunger and cold. ° Seven years' penal servitude was the sentence passed on Saturday at the Middlesex Sessions upon a man whom Mr. Littler characterised as a loathiBome brute. Hi-i habit was to break into and sleep in houses from which the occupants were absent, and to leave behind him disgusting letters. The extensive hoot manufactory of Messrs. Pratt, at Kingswood, Bristol, has been destroyed by fire, several thousand pounds' damage being done, and a large number of people thrown out of employment. A ti,iian named Fred Payne was buried beneath the debris when the roof crashed in. When rescued he was found to be suffering Irom injuries to the leg and thi^h. A dreadful accident has occurred at Thornlei^h Colliery, Blower's Green, Dudley, resulting in two men, named George Pritciiard and Joseph Watton, being terribly injured. The men were employed to get down some marl, and in using some powder for blasting purposes a Fhot un- expectedly fired. The men were hurled a con- siderable distance, and were shockingly injured about their heads. At Wednesburj-, four young men, who were strangers to the district, have t ean each sentenced to Feven days' iir.prisonn ent for vagrancy. They were found entering a house at night, wearing shoes with indiarubber soles, and were unable to satisfactorily account for their Conduct. At Bath Police-court William Joseph Lowell, who some years aco achieved considerable notoriety in Bath and elsewhere in consequen e of certain religious services he hel.1, has been remanded on 't charge of bigau:ously marrying Eva Frances Brown, at Bath in 1882, his first wife, to whom he was married in 1876, being then alive. The prosecuting solicitor said the. police would produce his first wife as a witness, and shew that she was visited by Lowell, in the very street from which they were married, as recently as two years ago. At the annual meeting of the Newspaper Press Fund, over which Lord Gleneak presided, the report shewed that the number of members is 1,070, the sum of P,1,662 10s. had been granted to forty-six members and relatives of deceased members, and P,306 to forty-five non-me;: bers. af,26,788 lis. was invested. The remains of the late Right Hon. Sir George F. Bowen, P.C.. G.C.M.G., were interred on Saturday in Kensal Grrell Cemetery. At Croydor, Lilian Ford, a fashionably- dressed and much-jewelled lady, aged thirty- five, South Norwood, was fined 8s. 6d. for being drunk and disorderly. A constable stated that he saw the defendant at midnight knocking off gentlemen's hats. She insisted on having a cab to the police-court. She said she had had too much wine, and dared say she did lots of silly things. The news received from the British Agent at Cabul discredits the sensational statements about the Aireer's health, and, on the contrary. states that his Highness is perfectly well. The Earl of Strafford, Senior Equerry to the Queen, who wan seized with illness on Friday night, is very much better. The police have no clue to the Chelsea diamond robbery yet. But they are confident of arresting the right man. The Countess of Sefton died at her residence, 44, Lennox-gardens, London, on Saturday. In reply to a deputation upon the Inhabited House Duty the Chancellor of the Exchequer s-id he was not prepared to hold out any hope of a reduction. Reduction in taxation was not very probable this year. The police are investigating a daring burglary at Moorfields, London, at which a considerable number of valuable diamond goods were stolen. One pair o solitaires was valued at Lioo. Mrs. Collins, wife of a hairdresser, of Grey- hound-road, Fulham, has given birth to triplets, The Johannesburg policeman Jonee, who was charged with killing Mr. Edgar by shooting him with his revolver, has been acquitted. The Lord Mayor of London has consented to preside at a preliminary meeting of the London committee now being formed in con- nection with the forthcoming Glasgow Inter- national Exhibition of 1901. Another fatal accident is reported in connection with the construction of the new railway bridge at Thwute Gate, Hunslet, Leeds. A riveter, named Thomas Smith, missed his footing and fell from a ti ight, of nearly fifty feet, alighting upon his head, whieh was literally battered in. The Bolton magistrates have committed William Torkington and John Herrick, directors of the Torkington Household Stores, with branches in various parts of Lancashire, for trial on charges o! fraud. It is alleged that they entered into a onspiracy to conceal goods, and buy the business back fcom the reeeiver. Further disturbances are reported at Constanti- nople among the Albanians, and the Russian Ambassador has impressed upon the Sultan the necessity of immediately quelling them. The plague is officially declared to have broken out in Jeddah. M. Welti. ex-President of the Swiss Confedera- tion, has died of a stroke of apoplexy at the age of seventy-three. Sir Salter Pyne has arrived in Calcutta from Afghanistan, having terminated his services with the Ameer. Ue intends to go to America. Several Greeks and Bulgarian Macedonians are said to have been arrested in Constantinople without any apparent cause. After detention and the extortion of money, they were released. A telegram from Brussels states that, evidently despairing of ary chance of intervening in France at present, the Duke of Orleana has left Brussels for Turin, to rejoin the Duchess The millionaire Greek banker, Andre Syngros, well known in Athens for his public liberalitie.. is dead. His will leaves his whole estate, valued at over a million sterling, to various national charitable institutions of Greece. After visiting the Atbara battlefield; the Duke of Connaught presented the Distinguished Service Order to Lieutenants Stevenson, Hall, and Mid- winter. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught have also visited Wady Haifa and Assouan. A party of twelve missionaries has just left London for the work of the Universities Mission to Central Africa, proceeding overland to Naples, v-here they will join the Kaiser for Zanzibar. The party is composed of four clergymen, four ladies, and four laymen. Jane Bessant was, at Clevedom (Somerset), sentenced to a month for cruelty to Arthur Bessant, her stepson, eleven, whom she bad beaten in a barbarous manner day after day. At Coventry, Walter Richard Hancax bas been committed for 'trial charged with uttering « receipt with intent to defraud Ernest Marson, aDd also with perjury. Not approving of her brother getting named* Margaret Noakes, of Wednesbury, went to his sweetheart's house, broke up the furniture, and violently assaulted her, thus delaying the marriage. She was ordered to pay B3. The Pfcvonia passengers have all embarked on board the Portuguese S.B. Vega, and will proceed in her direct to New Yerk. The danger of a further fall of rock at A.IMIo. Switserland, is not yet past, and the early collapse of a mass 400,000 cubic metres in extent may be expected. A rumour is current that Lord Ritchow, who has recently been" fMUng" for the Khalifa, is Returning to England by special order froea headqaartera. It is estimated that 100,000 persons viewed the grave of the late M.. Paure on Friday. Agnes Carter, eighteen, with a baby In her arme, has been sent to prison at Leicester for a month for stealing a puree containing £3 from a nurse at the workhouse infirmary. Mr. Percy Flower, of Swalecliffe, am Ban. bury, who was thrown from his horse while out with the Warwickshire hounds, ia lying in a precarious condition. Benjamin Unwis4 auctioneer, Moiecaasbe, has been acquitted at Lancaster on a chares of obtaining,Z5 by false pretences from Richard Knight, solicitor. The Waterloo Cup. the principal coursiiur event of the year. has been won by Mr. J. B. Thomp- son's Black Fury, which in the final round .beat the Duke of Leeds's La pal, nominated by Colonel MeCalmont. On the night of the draw Black Fmy itas an extreme outsider. At Leicester, Levi PaiHng. Joseph Toone, Junes Marsh, and Henry Healey, carriage MMainertt, employed by the Midland Railway Oowpany, Leicester, have been remanded, efawgad wife steeling t hamper ot fork fl«i

The World,of Pastime. By "Jhe Sportmg Scribe." CAERPHILLY v. CHEPSTOW (St. Mary's). This match was played on the ground of the former on Saturday. The homesters had the best of the game during the tirst half, the visitors having to aetcad a good deal. Half time arrived with nothing scored. Soon after the restart Goss, one of the visiting halves getting hold, scored a try which was converted. The homesters gradually took play town to the visitors 2o. C. Davies got hold from a scrum about five yards from the visitors' goal, and passed out to Lewis, but Goss intercepted the pass, and after traversing the whole length of the field, scored a try, which v.: s not im- proved upon. Soon after this th esame player scored his third try which was goaled. Just before the call of time, C. Davies scored a try for the homesters, which remained un- converted. Final soore: -Chepstow (8: Mary's two goal, one trv; Caerphilly, one try. ABERCYNON v. BELLE VUE BOYS. The above junior league match was played on the grounds ut the former 011 Saturday. Mr Tom Phillips Pontypridd, officiated as referee. In the opening stage of the game the visitors played splendidly, but when once the homesters settled down they gave their opponents a very ansious time of it. The scoring opened after a most determined run by George PageL (captain). This had the effect of arousing the homesters still more, and the visiting full-baok, having his kick charged Enabled Harry Johnson to score. Neither of these were goaled. Sam Paget then experienced hard lines in rot scoring after a splendid effort on his rut, The visit- ing goal was now the scene of a hot attack but the defence was particularly good. The second half added three more tries, all scored by Dai Lewis with commendable praise. H. Johnson was successful with one kick. The visiting forwards proved themselves a very smart and clever lot, although lacking in the essential quality of weight. Some of their backs were also very conspicious, whilst others performed indifferently. The homesters played admirably, and with a little more "luck" would have augmented the score of 1 goal, 4 tries to nil. YSTRAD RHONDDA v. ABERAMAN. This League matclb was played on the grounds of the former, and resulted in a. win for the homesters by two tries to nil. Ystrad Thursdays v. Aberavon Thursdays, Played on the grounds of the latter, and resulted in a win for the visitors by a penalty goal to nil.

BlIJLlAHI)K An important match was played at the Constitutional Club, Ferndale, between the home team and Penygraig, in connection with the Rhondda League, resulting in a win for the home team by 98 soores. PBNYGRAIG. J Morgan 100 Richards 59 Lomas 68 Thomas 100 B. Williams 34- 361 FERNDALE. Thomas 80 Harris 100 L. Howells 108 Perkins 79 fiavies 100 459 By winning this -liatch Ferndale have only another to win to min the shield.

LIBERALISM AT CAERPHILLY. A well attended meeting of Liberals was held at the Board School, Caerphilly, on Tuesday evening, for the purpose of forming a new asse rtion, and to take steps fur a more complete and effective organisation of the party. TR. W. J. Sutherland was voted to the e.iair. After a few appropriate remarks from th) Chairman and others in reviegr4 the past work, and urging the necessity for a better and more vigorous organisation, Mr- Hawkins moved, and it was according'^ agree that the best thanks of the meeting: should be given to the chairman, secretaries, officers, and the executive for their services, during the past year. The elation of officers for the new association was then procedee<V with. Mr Hawkins was selected for the posi- tion of president, vice-president, Mr S. T Jackson; treasurer, Mr G. Willey. The choice- of secretary fell upon Mr Philip Davies, late- secretary Grangetown Ward Cardiff Liberal! Association, who had now oome to reside there. Much credit is due to Mr Davies for the splendid victory gained by the Liberal party in Grangetown at the last November election. During the period that he held tile- position there he worked steadily, and, was in earnest in his efforts to piaoe the, organisa- tion of the party upon its present sound biMs, and waa unremitting in his efforts, at all times, for the success of Liberal grtnoiplfeB- Ho has already begun to take a deep in in public matters at Caierphilly, and. it is hoped that be will succeed in reviving- the cause of Liberalism. Mr Sutherland wiUi act as his assistant, and the following geatlensn with the officers, will constitute an executive committee:—Councillor Wm. Thomas, Saw. J. P. Davies, and Messrs D. T. SalatMei,. John Morgan, J. H. Phillips, Wilson, IL B Morgan, W. A. Phillips, Joseph Bloweib, T. Rees and T. Jones. A large number earoll0a themselves as members and subscribed to th* funds of the association. The enibusi-O the\. W&:> evinced augurs well for a speedy awaken- ing of the Liberat spirit in Caerjbitty- 8. will at once be taken to expose the fallacious policy of the present government, and to educate the electors upon loeal affairs that appertain to their welfare and progress. A resolution was submitted by the chairman congratulating the Right Hon. Sir H. Camp- bell Bannermann upon his appointment as leader of the Liberal party in the House, of commons. This was seconded by Mr Sahghiet who also added congratulatory refererraet to our member, Mr Alfred Thomas, u-pco Ma re-election as chairman of the Welsh ParHa- mentary party, and was ably supported by Messrs P. Davies and Wilson, and rasanimously carried. After the usual customary thanks to the chairman for presiding the meeting ter- minated. Printed and Published by the Propristorw at the "Glamorgan Free Presto Printing WodIII 22, Taff Street, lpontypiidd, Parkh of PoBtju frtdd, County of Glamorgan. 8ATUBMY, MARCH 4, If*.

"You can Ftf- with half an "vM" u>»c Praxk THOMAS ("My Ratter.") sells the best 3/9 Hat. For Pancing and Dres« Shoes d all .description a to Davies Free Press Buildings, 23. Taff eet, Pontypridd. 4539 Ten. Tee, TV a—Why is T Harris' T^a like tfce British Ariny P Because it cannot be beateu Try it. 4540

St. David's Day. I Local Celebrations ST. DAVIDS, PONTYPRIDD. On Wednesday evening, March the 1st, a goodly number of ladies and gentlcmen assembled at St. David's Hall, at the invRa- (ion of the Mutual Improvement society to ceL- brute St. David's Day. The chair was d by the president,, Mr C. Morgan, GtJLiwsatad Road. A very interesting address was given by Mr Prys Jones, of Court House Street, on VVelsh Traditions and Superstiticns. Mr Jones' pleasing address was attentively listened to, and enjoyed by those present. During the evening the proceedings were enlivened by songs, choruses, etc., ably rendered by the following ladies and gentlemen:—The Ponty- pridd Ladies Choir (conducted by Miss A. D. Williams), Mrs Evans (Morfvdd Mcrgamvg), Miss Agnes Rowlands, Miss Janet Hughes, Mr Walter Chick, and Mr Harry John, whilst It little fellow named Albie J^nes, of Cil- fynydd, rendered the "Charge of the Light Brigade," "Carlos," and "Excelsior" with marked effect, his. elocution and dramatic action evoked the loudest applause. Coffee and refreshments were served during the even. ing by the lady members of the society. The session's programme is fast drawing to a close three items only remaining. On Wedensday rext. March 8th, Mr E. Roberts, Taff Vale House, will deliver an address upon "John Morlev." Mardh 15th, Mr Griffith Griffiths, ot the Capital and Counties Bank, will lecture on the "Early days of Welsh Methodism," illustrated by limelight. The session will be brought to a close on Wednesday, March 22nd. when The evening will be devoted to things Scotch. Mr Jno. Stevenson, of the London and Provincial Bank is reported to have & splendid programme in readiness for the 22nd. PONTYPRIDD A large gathering assembled at the Green- meadow Hotel, Pontypridd, on Wednesday evening to celebrate the anniversary of Dewi Sant. Justice having been done to an ex- cellent dinner served by Host Gowan, the ch-air was taken by Councillor Sam Evans. J.P., and the vice-chair by Profe-ssor Desmane. "The town and trade of Pontypridd" was submitted by Sérgeant Perkins, and responded to by the Chairman and Mr J. W. John, the former expressing a hope that the Guardians would soon undertake the classification of paupers. Ponityprjdd, in lifts estimation, owing to its central position, was bound to flourish, and he hoped to see the County Offices soon established in the town. Then came the toast of the evening, viz., "The memory of Saint David," which was entrusted to Mr T. Rees (South Wales Daily News), who,, in the course of his exhaustive and interesting speech, said The task has been entrusted me of submitt- ing what you will agree with me is the most important toast of the evening, viz., that of 'The memory of St. David, the patron saint of Wales. I do not know what special qualities, if any at all, I possess to be asked to do so, and I regret that it has not been placed in more competent hands. I crave your irdulgence, however, for a few minutes, whilst I shall endeavour, to the best of my ability. to carry out my work, though I fear I shall not be able to render that justice to the subject which it deserves. To Welshmen all th" world over, this is an auspicious day, and wherever they may be found, in towns across the border, and in distant lands, we find that they gather together to honour the memory of one who was a great scholar and patriot. and whose services in the cause of Christianity and civilization are kept in loving remembrance. Many centuries have passed since his days, and history has, comparatively speaking, but little to tell us of him, and even that little is somewhat contradictory. It is said that the patron saints of Scotland, England, Ire- land and Wales were so chosen because in their lives they represented the most striking and peculiar characteristics of their respect- ive countries. The English people have al- ways been renowned for their feats of arms, hence the propriety of ahoosing for their tutelan sai: St. Georje who v. as famous for bt military deeds and valour. The Scottish peo- ple choose St. Andrew, but it is difficult to understand why they should have selected him from among the twelve. Was it because he was more long-headed and cautious than his fellows? Some said he was chosen because it was he who discovered the land with the five loaves and fishes, and we all know that a peculiar characteristic of a typical Scotchman is his *eirart»Me keenness and business oapaci ty. The Welsh people of old were no mean warriors, For even the great Caesar himself bore testimony to their valour, whilst Milton described them as ""An old haughty nation, proud in arms." (Applause). It was fitting, however, that the patron saint of Wales should be a religious hero, and St. David was chosen because of his great piety and devotion. The same remarks also apply to St. Patrick, whose memory is ever kept green by the sons and daughters of the Emerald Isle. When we think of the close relationship which has of late years existed between the Irish and the Welsh people, the secret perhaps may be found in the fact that their patron saint was a Welsh- man, for history tells us that St. Patrick was born at Gower. He was a contemporary of St. Davi3, and was educated in a college at Llantwit Major. He there became a teacher of the doctrines of Christianity, and was taken a prisoner to Ireland by Irish rovers, who at that time greatly infested Wales. He never returned to his native country, but it is said that he succeeded in the course of 60 years in converting the aboriginal Irish into Christians, and that he was buried at the advanced age of 121 at Glastonbury, by our own patron saint. So much, gentlemen, of a Welshman, who by his great religious works has endeared himself for all time to our Irish neighbours. Having -digressed so far, I will now endeavour to give you a brief outline of the life of St. David. We know but little of the details of his life, but it is certain— notwithstanding what has been written to tha contrary that he was a myth, and that every- thing concerning him was the work of a dream- er and a visionary-that lie flourished in the fifth century, and wns a consj>iciou3 figure of the Arthurian era. He was the son of Sandde afc Cedig ab Cunedda Wiedic,r-and his mother was Non. His father was. it is stated, a des- cendant of the Royal house of Oededlgien, or Cardigan, and it is said that he met Non whilst hunting near St. Davids. Aspersions have been cast upon the legitimacy of St. David, but relative to this matter I will only say thnt some of the noblest and greatest men and women the world has ever seen have been traduced nnd villffie-T, and that slander- ous tongues are unfortunately as busy to-day •je th?v were in remote ages. Acmnl;na to Gimldni. the great historian, he was born near the plaoe that ts now known as St. David's, and vu bapkad 8tI Forth Cteis ia • that neighbourhood by the Bishop of Munster. ) He ia .anl have been educated in the famous college then existing at LIantwit Major- where St. Patrick was at one time a teacher —and afterwards in that of Paulinus, at Tygwyn-ar-Taf, which being Anglocised means the White House on the Tail, where he is supposed to have spent ten years in the study of the scriptures, and where Teilo. the second Bishop of Llandaff, was one of his fellow students. Little is known of the way in which St. David spent the years of his youth, but after preparing himself for the preaching cf the Gospel he travelled extensively, and visi:ed Rome -,vher. one writer states. h" wts ordained an arch-bishop. Subsequently e founded a monastery in the Valley of Rhcs, which. was afterwards called Mevevia. and then St. David. There he lived in retirement with his disciples, practising the religious austerities sanctioned by the r-iperstition of the age. He first seems to have been roused from his seclusion to attend a synod at Llah dewibrefi, Cardigan, where there were present 118 bishops, besides abbots, monks, and a very large congregation of the laity. It is generally believed that it was at this synod St. David was elected Primate of the Welsh Church, and I have read a very curious incident re- garding it. The bishops, so the story goes, agreed that the one among them who' could preach the Word with the greatest grace and eloquence, and whose voice could be heard by the most distant of the vast con- c ;ursc, should be elected the chief of the church. St. David was not present, and after all the bishops had given what are described as their Wessons," all agreed that there was t not one among them who could be heard by all, and therefore none worthy of being elected Pimate. Then one rose antl said that lie knew of a young man, who was meek and fair to behoTt!, ""and who always had an angel as a companion; that he was known as St. David, and had been appointed an arch-bishop .in Rome, and further that in a vision he had seen an an,el speaking to him and telling him to go to St. David. Afte these remarkable words St. David was sent for, but it is said that he declined to go to the synod because .f his umility. Two (f the bisho s—Deiniol, who assisted his father in establishing the celebrated monastery of Bangor.is-y-coed, on the hanks of the Dee, in Flintshire, where 1.200 Cymric priests, whilst in the act of praying for the success of the Christian arms in the battle which was then being fought, Wierd cruelly massacred by Ethelforth, the king of Northumbria—and Dyfrig, who, other historians tell us, resigned the primacy of to attend. He was urged to preach from elevated ground,, but he declined, and it is said that his burning eloquence and silver ,onpile Lis v)ic3 linking forlh like a clear trumpet, deeply roused his hearers. It is also said that upon that occasion a strange inci- dent happened, the ground upon which St. David stood being raised to a great height by an unseen power. He spoke with such eloquence that he silenced the advocates of the Peagian heresy, and utterly vanquished them, with the result that he was by common consent elected Primate. The heresy referred to had been founded about the beginning of that century by Morgan, a very learned Welsh- m, n, and it spread so rapidly, and took such rent, t&at it cans»l great ai jjl o the ortho- dox Christians. St. David lead the crusale against it and his exertions were eventually crowned with success, for the heresy was over- thrown. That stands out pre-eminently as St. Drvid's greatest achievement. It is generally believed that Wales was divided into dicceeaa in his time, and it was about five centuries later that the Welsh bishops acknowledged the soverignty of the Archbishop of ant- bury. Under St. David the cause of religion prospered greatly in Cambria, and ripened with much fruit every day. He was a noble type of man, and it is said by Giraldus, that he was held up as a mirror and pattern of life to his contemporaries; that he informed all by words, and instructed them by example, that as a preacher he was most powerful through his eloquence, but more so in his works, that In was a doctrine to his bearers, a guide to the religious, a life to the poor, a support to the orph n s, a vrotHion to .i,i. Hid a father to the fatherless. (Applause). St David obtained the permission of King Arthur to remove the archiepiscopal see from Caer- llecn to oj" i avid in oonsejuenc* of his fatae*iii-lav saving given all bis lands in Pembrokeshire to the church, and as Oaerlleon Vi n too much exposed to the in ursions of the warlike Saxons. As I have already said St. David lived during the days of King Arthur the most popular and renowned of all heroes of ancient and modern times. As the founder o' European chivalry, and the champion of Christen ou. Rgainst the pagan bon es of the North, he created a new era, and his expkrts form pait of the literature of almost every language in Europe and Asia. The life and career of this monarch belongs rather to the history of chivalry and civilization than to any one land or race. He sucoqpded to the throne in the years 500, and was educated at Caerlleon. We have all read of the Knights of the Round Table, who were attached to the Order of Christian chivalry, (founded %Y Arthur, and their object was to oppose the progress of paganism and Romanism, to be loyal to the British throne, to protect the defenceless, to show mercy to the fallen, to honour womanhood, and never to turn their backs upon a foe. What noble sentiment*: And what a fine example to emulate! (Ap- plause). If men in these days carried them out would they not leave the world better than they found it? You might ask, "What has all this to do with St. David?" Gentle- men, we have every reason to believe that our revered patron saint had much to do with the high irtandtil of life and morality of those days as exemplified ;n the sentiments which I just alluded to, for was not King Arthur educated by him at Caerlleon? The King's Court there was the resort of all the genius and erudition of the aga. and St. David is said to have been one of its brightest and j-i res4, orna n»nts- \V"en we feme .&100" that the education of the future king was entrusted ta our patron saint, may we not reasonably suppose that the high and noble principles which governed his life were inculcated by Pt. David ? He had doubtless a great deal ro do do in moulding the fine character of the king, ond the influence which be exercised over him is doubtless felt to-day, for it must have had a far-reaching effect upon the propagation rf Christianity, and the spread of civilization. St. David lived for Snany years after the allotted span of life, and died at the age of 82, in the year 544, and in the monastery I which he founded in St. David's. where he was buried with honours by Maelgwyn Gwyn- edd, King of Gwynedd, or North Wn ea, and the frst surcessor of Arthur. He was rinc'tfpl by the Pope ab ot ll20, atd ba ha", long maintained the highest station among the paints ef the country, notwithstanding the efforts that have been made to disparagebie memory. Since the 12th century his pre- eminence has been undisputed, and so famous was his shrine that it attracted volaries not only from all parts of Wales, but also from foreign countries, and three of the kings of England-William the Conqueror, Henry II, and Edward I, and his Queen—are said to have undertaken the journey to St. David's, which when repeated was deemed equal to one pilgrimage to Rome. Gentlemen, I must now draw to a close. I fear I have wearied you with my long, but not, I trust, uninterest- ing e'-rk-. vY^* are, like thousands of our lIL vm-n e sewhere, fisscuib'ed to- night to do meek and reverent homage to St. David's memory. The celebration of St. David's Day is becoming more popular every year, and that to me is an eloquent testimony to the fact that Wales and Welshmen are ftill progressing, and that there is a great and widely-felt re-awakening in the national life of our beloved country. It is to-day more vigorous than it has ever been, and when we look back at the long past. and think of the many bitter strugles and viscistudes through which our land has passed, the figure of our patron siaint shines forth like a bright beacon light. 'V..e wts, an) still is famous as the land of the harp, of music, and song—"Gwlad y delyn; gwlad y gan." For years she has been struggling to secure a better educational system, so that her sons and daughters may be bptter equipped for the severe battles of life. Surely but slowly the efforts which have been unceasingly made in that direction are being crowned with success, and we find that Welshmen are holding their own in politics,, in science, and in trade gener- ally. Above all, however, Wales is known as a Christian country, for Welshmen, in spite of long and bitter persecutions, have through the ages clung tenaciously to the faith taught bv J DaVL I The highest culture iid the highest religion go hana in hand, and who amongst us would oare to dwell upon what the conditions of Gallant Little Wales and her people would be to-day had the religion of our early ancestors not at all times been their -c guiding light? Welshmen have always been patriotic, loving their country, their language, and tTieir religion, and I am sure, gentlemel- that I am simply expressing the sentiments of all of you when I hope that these annual '/atlering. will Jong o a' up, ind ".ttt they wih be the means of uniting all Welshmen, and all with whom they are brought into contact in tha pilgrimage of life, in a still closer and stronger bond of brotherhood and friendship. (Applause). Gentlemen. I ask jou all to join with me in drinking silently 10 "The menory of St. David, the patron saint cf Wtles "The land we live in" was given by Mr James Brown, and replied to by Mr J. D. Jones (insurance superintendent), and during the evening an address was given by Mr R. Gwyngy-11 Hughes in the vernacular. "The Chairman" was submitted by Mr Valentine, Bristol, in an able speech, and during the evening songs were given by Messrs G. Miller, F. C. Rees, and W. Davies (Post Office), The latter also made a distinct hit with his clever recitation of G. R. Sims' "The Lifeboat." Mr Valentine, with his recitation of "Molly Muldoon" created much merriment. The English and Welsh national anthems brought on on]oyalie v" eg to a cloie The seere- tary, Mr F. C. Rees deserves every credit ht his capable organisation of the affair. j HOPTaNSTOVi N. The annual meeting to celebrate St. David's n • inory under the t u -pi- of be Treli fod, Gwenynen (Hafod), and If or Tael ;">i.?es o Ivorites was held at the Molly Bum 11.11, jAOt-lmsbown, on We>»ie»- ay nighi. There was a good attendance present, aid the chair was occupied by Mr Thomas .Tones, com, actor, Hafod. and the vice-chair bq Mr John Morgan, Hafod. The toast of the even- ing, "The memory of St. David, the patron ti 11 of Wales was g ten v Mt R. Gwjngyil Hughes in his usual enthusiastic style in the vernacular, and in the c Ul"'t! of his speech he dealth at length with the history of St. David an the "ork be ha" accon-ulished. The toast was received with enthusiasm. Subee- ItP; tly tlis vx ;3 cha-rman, who is the past oCt. trict president, • elivere 1 an. address upon Ifor Hael and Ivoritism, and a resolution, which was moved by Mr My. Mills (Tafonwy), seconded by Mr Moses Jones, secretary of 11. ITrehafod Lodge, was Unanimously 1 assc-.i, rv.nderrinn;* tne action of Mr Justice Darling with refer,,t-m to "tte use of he Wohh l language in the Assise Court at Carnarvon. Tie rroemli-igs enlivenjaI by a number of songs etc., the vocalists being Messrs To d Lewis, B. Collins, Elias Jones, Dd Dcvies, E. r.vift anl Iflss Maggie Vills, vho also accompanied on the. pianoforte. Mr Edwr.id Evans, Hafod, also gave a recitation, and (lur. ing the evening Mr Gwyngyll Hughes read several verses dealing with the celebration of St. David's Day, one of them referring to a statement which Mr Hughes declared had been made by Korien that St. David was a myth, and Mr Hughes, in his vigorous reply in verse to the sage of Treforest caused considerable merriment. The verse is given be]- Hwn wna Morien, anwybydu, Ni bu gwr o'i fath yn Nghymru, Medd y "Derwydd" doeth, heb ffeithiau, Ond, pwy gred ei ffug honiadau; Credwn yn ein Sant gmarcheidiol Hanes hwn sydd wirioneddol, A chyfrolau gei'r i brofi. Archesgobaeth "Sant" Tydewi.- PORTH. On Wednesday evening, a very interesting concert was held at the Britannia Inn, under the auspices of the "Glan Rhondda Lodge" of True Ivorites. The chair was very ably filled by Mr John Jones, and the vice-chair by Mr Thomas Jones. After a few pertinent remarks on the object of the meeting by the Cebair-n in, the concert commenced in earnest, and was kept up until 11 o'clock, when it was drawn to a doee by the whole of the company sing- ing "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau." St. David's Day is looking up in this neighbourhood the t'.a few years, more interest being taken in tnese meetings and a crowded house being 'he result. Amongst those who took part in iLe proceedings were:— singers, Messrs Benjamin Lewis, Gwilym James, Philip Jones, Rowland ia.,es, Edward Humitri*, William I. Wil- comics. Messrs Fred Harris, William Wilt: \0151, and Alee Davies; recitations and addresses bj Messrs Evan Evans, John Pugh and Garfield Thomas; pianists, Messrs Edward Evans and Evan Thomas; violin, Mr William Griffi -,Is.

SPEECH BY SIR E. GREY. Sir Edward tirey was the guest of the Eighty and Russell Clubs at Oxford on Saturday night. fl, r, 'spolid,'d to tllp toast of the Liberal P rty, which was proposed by Professor York Powell. Mr E. Grey, in reply, said the evacua- tion of Eay| t was not merely a quest on between two Power-, and if the present position of affairs was accepted as evacuation it would destroy all the good work that had been done. In matters of finance he advocated taxation of ground values.

TJfcCRRIULE MOTOR CAR ACCIDENT. A shocking accident occurred on Saturday evening while a number of gentlemen connected with the Auxiliary Army and Navy Stores were making an dijcial trial of a waggonette m-jtor car near Harrow. The stores had been in negotiation with a motor car company as to the advisabi ity of a servii e of such cars, and one ot their employe-, named Sewell, "ded as driver on the < xjjei imental trip. The journey was successfully m ;de to Harrow, but 011 the return the car, within a few minutes of six o'clock, was sent at too :2reat a speed down G ove-hiil. The car, gaining in velocity by the weight of its passenger. could not be controlled once it had properly started. At the foot of the hill the driver was faced by a high bank, the road ending abruptly n another road. He applied the brake with full force, when immediately the front wheels collapsed, the wrecked car came to the ground" ith a thud, and everybody was pitched out. Sewell was killed on the spot. Major Ritchie, who was sitting by him on the box at the time, sustained a severe fracture at the bae of the skull, while four oteer gentle- men were greatly bruised and shaken. Their wounds were dressed at the local cottage hospital. The condition of Major Ritchie was said to be most serious, but the other injured were able to leave for London when their wounds had been dressed. 'Ihe complete collapse of the car is one of the most extraordinary things about the accident. When the wheels broke the front of the car ploughed deeply into the road, swerved, and then the car partly turned over, twisting itself into a strange tangle of wood, machinery, and wheels.

DAMAGES AGAINST AN M.P. At Herefordshire assizes, a special jury ha. granted L141 as damages against Mr. Lewis Sinclair, M.P., Netherall gardens, London, in favour of Colonel Decie, Chairman of the Here- fordshire County Council, for breach of warranty of two carriage horses named respectively Sportsman and Sporting Life. It was contended that the horses were advertised as sound and quiet, and that one proved to be lame and the other plunged. The defence was that Colonel Decie bought two other horses. Monkey and Stormer, which were not warranted.

ALLEGED BANK FRAUD. The London and Westminster Bank is reported to have been the victim of a serious forgery. The other day a cheque for £820, purporting to be from a West End money-Jendt'r, was presented at St. James's-square branch. It was written on notepaper, accompanied by a letter, and the bank officials, not doubting the genuineness of the signature, cashed the cheque. The forger is said to have advertised for a private secretary, and sent one of the applicants to cash the cheque, afterwards sending him to change the notes into French money and English gold. He then told the secietary he did not require him further that day, and disappeared. The secretary com- municated his suspicion to the bank, and the forgery was discovered. The manager of the bank states that the matter is being investigated by the police, but there is no clue to the perpe. trator of the fraud, who is believed to have lett the country.

THE VOLUNTEERS' MEDAL. It having been pointed out to Lord Lansdowne that the long-service medal given to Volunteers does not bear the name of the recipient, the Secretary for War has promised that, in future issues of the medal, the regimental number, rank, and name of the recipient shall be engraved upon it.