Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

7 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

©ttr Itanium (Joraspiibfiit.…

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Itanium (Joraspiibfiit. I [We deem it ri^'it to state that v.-e do not at al: ^imes 'xientify ourselves with our correspondent's opinions.) In reference to the reconstructed Ministry, it will be I seen, ere Ion?, whether, as a Conservative organ asserts, the Government is one of the strongest th at has ruled over the country for many years—strong in parliamentary ability, in unity of purpose, and in public confidence. It is much to be regretted that Ministerial complica- tions had to be arranged at the critical moment when Government was about to announce its policy on Ireland, and that it 9hould have taken ten days to re- construct the Ministry but there seems to have been no help for it. Ireland will perhaps be the great touchstone of the strength of Ministers, and the whole country will watch with anxiety the course that is pursued. The Scotch and Irish Keform Bills will also be two other difficulties, but both put together are not I likely to be so critical as Irish legislation. One fact which will undoubtedly tend to strengthen the present Ministry is that the Opposition will make no effort to turn them out. It is universally understood that no great party battle will be fought, as so many are fought, with the object of changing the occupation of the Treasury benches. But on the other hand it seems also pretty generally understood, among the liberal party at least, that a Conservative Government will not long be possible when a new House of Commons is returned. If out verrons. Your readers will have seen that Lord Chelmsford delivered up the Great Seal, and that her Majesty was pleased to deliver it to the new Lord Chancellor. As the ideas relative to thin Great Seal are generally very vague, it may be interesting to state what it really is. It is really and truly a seal of monster proportions. It is formed of two silver concave saucers—I can think of no better word. On one of these is engraved in bas-relief the vera effigies of the Queen surrounded by the Cardinal Virtues on the other her Majesty being represented on horseback. When the Queen issues any royal mandate the Great Seal of England" is impressed with this double portrait, and the fact of this seal being attached makes the document of royal force irrespective of anything that that document may contain. This Great Seal— that is to say the two silver saucers which make the seal in wax—is always in the possession of the Lord Chancellor for the time being. His Lordship keeps it, at his private residence, in a box covered with morocco leather, on which the royal arms are richly emblazoned, the box being secured by a Bramah lock. It is said that according to old unrepealed laws the mere possession of this Great Seal of England constitutes the possessor the supreme Judge of the Court of Chancery, the Speaker of the House of Lords, and the keeper of the Queen's conscience and that sealed with this, whether by lawful authority or not, every document which can emanate from the Sovereign is rendered valid and irrevocable without the consent of the three estates of the realm. But this is perhaps a mere constitutional theory which would soon be disposed of were any burglar, for instance, to break into Lord Cairns's house and rob him of the box containing the two silver discs or saucers which constitute the Great Seal of England. It may be presumed that we shall now be spared any further speculations and gossip about Mr. Speke. He has been advised to have rest of mind and body and change of scene, and is going to the south of France to have both. That his mind was unhinged for a time there can be no doubt, for facts which have transpired, independently of his extraordinary wander- ings, prove it; but it is satisfactory to hear, on un- doubted authority, that some ill-natured rumours affecting his moral character are entirely without foundation. "Representative institutions," said the late Prince Consort, "are on their trial." The words have ever since been undergoing verification. With equal truth it may be said that trades' unions are now on their trial. And yet the men who are being judged by public opinion contain amongst them members of trade unions who seem to be endeavouring to secure their own condemnation. Here is » case in point. Some men had been taken away from the Isle of Dogs, where there is still a large amount of distress, by the Free Labour Association, to replace men who were on strike at Liverpool. These nominally free labourers were met by about 100 trades' unionists, brutally assaulted, knocked down, kicked, &c. And for what offence ? Because they dared to sell their own labour at their own price. The Association had nothing to do with reguktmg their pay. It always scrupulously avoids « £ the kind, and confines itself to action as a medium of wterv^^l wiployers and employed, where both parties acte* ,1vte^dicUtion ky trades' unions. In so far as it opposed to trades' unionism, "'1 sMir^vi^Ketrically merits of the two platforms," but content myself by noting as one of the signs of the times that this Free labour Association, frolll very small beginnings, is decidedly making headway. <> Within the last few years there have been several cases of gross cruelty to servant girls, children, &c. A case of the kind has just occurred, a servant girl' of thirteen years of age having been brutally treated by her mistress. For this the woman is sentenced to five year's penal servitude—a terrible sentence for a woman who has filled a respectable position. I do not say that this punishment, however, is too severe but cer- tainly if it is not, many other persons convicted of equally gross cruelty have got off very lightly. The time seems to have come for "making an example." Unhappy the criminal who happens to be convicted at this critical stage in the history of crime. Justice ought to be justice in the abstract as well as relatively, but human nature seems to be unequal to the main- tenance of a rigid standard that shall be uninfluenced by fears and passions and hence our judges now and then deteumine on "making an example." It is earnestly to be hoped that this heavy sentence will act as such. Mrs. Mary Ann Radcliffe may con- gratulate herself that she was not tried by a jury of matrons, with a specially severe matron for her judge. The death of a Welsh bard and antiquary, at the age of eighty, is announced. It is said that he had never been more than four miles from home, that he had never written a letter, and never received one. At such an age, and in such an age, the world can well spare such a man. How a man could have been an antiquary and a bard with such a limited field of experience it is not easy to conceive. Surely, he must have soon used up local objects of interest within his circle of twenty- four miles circumference, supposing he traversed it all, and his antiquarianism must have been to a great ex- tent founded on the researches of others. Strange that a poet and an author should have confined him- self to a locality in this style, as though he had been interne in the French style. And strange, too, that there should be so many, who, in this respect, are like him. Within even an omnibus ride of the great metropolis there are thousands of men and women who have never been to London. I have met with many such persons. For instance, a well-to-do man lived till near 70 within 14 miles of Hyde Park, and had never been to London till a few weeks before his death, when he came here en route for the seaside and this specimen of stagnant hdmanity was a market gar- dener, who had sent up his gooris to Covent Garden twice a week for more than half a century. As to labourers, and especially the wives of labourers, it is common enough, even in these railroad days, for them to live and die in the village in which they are born, and never even see a town within a dozen miles of them, or any other town. Such people are almost as much vegetables as human beings. Every profession and trade has its peculiar phrase- ology, but that of the stage is perhaps more curious than any. Some rather funny terms are used in some advertisements before me. Among people wanted are a heavy and juvenile gentleman." Whether it is one gentleman who must be both heavy and juvenile is not stated, nor how heavy or how juvenile the one or the two must be. To open March 10." Open what ? 1 Stars are invited to write," but only moveable stars of course. A walking lady, a walking gentle- man, and a few useful people" are also wanted. Well, it may be naturally supposed that an actress or actor must be able to walk, otherwise they would have to act, like marionettes, by machinery. The way in which the useful people are dragged in ;is a make-weight is rather suggestive, and conveys the idea that useful people are much less valued than ornamental people—an idea which derives force from such wants as these—must be young and good- looking;" "wanted a young and handsome accom- plished leading lady—send carte." But is it not sad that woman should thus sell her beauty to be gazed at at so much a head? Sober people who can dress í well off the stage are also required. Sobriety is very desirable of course, but why should a manager stipu- late that people should dress well off the stage? Perhaps, however- perhaps-he provides.them with the means of doing so if they are in other respects qualified. Talent of both sexes may write duffers need not^ apply The latter caution at all events is plain enough, but how can talent" apply ? A man or woman must have a very high opinion of himself or herself to look upon himself or her- self aforesaid as not only being talented, but talent embodied. A "second singing chambermaid" is also wanted. What is a singing chambermaid ? The character is not uncommon on the stage, but it certainly does not occur in every play, and what then is the singing chambermaid to do ? Is she to be left out in the cold, or is she to sing in some other part ? But what if there be no part requiring a song? No song, no supper perhaps. But here is something more mysterious still. A corner man" is wanted. And pray what is a corner man? Perhaps be is one of those very "useful people" who, when the manager finds himself in a corner, owing to the non-attendance of a heavy man, a juvenile gentleman, or a walking gentleman, can take any part. But I give it up. I have only been showing my ignorance, I know, but in these fast and clever times even ignorance is some- times refreshing.

Iltktllmtcinis Intelligent,I

ILL-TREATING A SERVANT GIRL.

DEATH OF A "MONARCH RETIRED…

A BUCOLIC TRAGEDY.

A DISPUTED QUESTION AT OXFORD.

EPITOME OF NEWS