Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

4 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

SONG OF THE HAY-MAKERS.

RETURN OF SIR ROBERT NAPIER,

PRESBYTERIAN < SWELLS.'

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

the commander-in-chief on the 30th March, the brigade was warmly welcomed by his Excellency, and at his request went through its drill and fire with complete success. From Fahla, King Theo- dore opened fire on the Naval Brigade, which was enabled to return the first shot in a very short time, owing to the readiness with which the rocket tubes are handled. Commander Fellowes confirms the statement that Theodore was astonished by the rockets, and that be said it was impossible to fight against people who used such things. The report goes on to describe the recrossing of the Bashilo on the 17th of April, and the burning of Magdala on the following day. From the spoil in the city a trophy was selected and given to each battery and regiment. A valuable and handsome shield, with gold filigree and lion's skin, and a solid silver crose, fell to the lot of the Naval Bri- gade. The proceeds of the sale will be distributed among the troops, the manuscripts sent to the British Museum. In conclusion, the report says —' The marching of the men of the Naval Bri- gade has been excellent throughout, no case having occurred of men falling out on the march, although their boots have frequently been completely worn through, and even men who were sick endeavoured and succeeded in performing long marches. The most strict discipline has been maintained through- out, and in both these points especially the Naval Brigade can compare favourably with any troops.' The names of deserving officers and men are ap- pended. PRESBYTERIAN < SWELLS.' It is singular that such grave men as the Scot- tish Presbyterian ministers should have been given, even in the solemn early times, to indulge in the vanities of dress. In Elizabeth's reign there were some tremendous swells among those ministers. They wore the huge trunk hose of the period, figured in velvet, and clapped embroideries of various colours thereon. There was costly sewing on their passements and a 'steeking with silks,' which denoted much worldly pride. There was much superfluity of cloth in their garments, and to the scandal of the godly they wore plaids even while officiating in kirk. Fancy a minister walking into church with a silk hat of a gay colour, velvet, satin, or taffeta breeks and a swagger worthy of the suit! No wonder their wives were as ridicu- lous as their masters.' Their very sarks were of different colours, and all the hues of Iris were less than those of their upper dresses Bracelets, rings, gold and silver buttons, the worst pride of life hung about their buxom persons. How this fashion could have possessed them is inexplicable, for ministers and their helpmates were, for the most part, exceedingly poor during the first half century of the Reformation. One could not believe in the existence of such a state. of things, but for the fact that the General Assembly published and reprobated it in 1575. They recommended to the clergy that their whole habit be of grave colour, as black, russet, and grey, or sad brown or serges, worset, gro- gram, lytes worset, or such. And their wives tolbe subject to the same order.' This order must have been issued, probably, because of the sins ot a few. The majority led, as they said ih a memorial, a beggar's life.-Saints and Sinners or, In Church and About It. By Dr Doran, F.S.A. « A SINGULAR RETROSPECT. We again took the forest path, the beauty of which brought to my mind the conviction that theologians puzzle themselves in vain respecting the condition of our lost paradise. What teed is the condition of our lost paradise. What teed is there to indulge in subtle enquiries when we have, evidence to teach us 1. Let them take one single walk in the maiden forests of Brazil, and they will no longer have any doubts on the subject. Beneath a similar sky, surrounded by the perfumes of similar flowers, in a similar scene of verdure and of peace, our father Adam lived unfettered and free during his period of happiness, without anxiety and without clothes. The choicest fruits, iuscious anones, cooling bananas, golden apples, tung on the boughs to satisfy his hunger; the poisonous reptiles which now make the forest dan- gerous had not yet suffered beneath the tyran- nical power of man, and therefore left their weapons against him unused. Peace reigned over wood and plain. Adam revelled in the uncon- scions happiness of freedom from care, and en. joyed the privilege of being untroubled by his fellow-creatures, and undisturbed in his repose. Yet, since he was human, there slumbered in his soul the ruinous instinct of the love of progress, suggesting the idea that the world around him might be improved. From that moment began the strife between the Creator and the creature. The woman at his side was sent to fill the blank and in the anxiety to gratify her lay concealed the am- bition close upon which followed sorrow. With Adam's first sensation of weariness entered the thirst for knowledge. Eve at once drew his atten- tion to the necessity for a covering and now the gastronomic idea occured to him that the fruits might be improved upon. Freedom from anxiety bad now given place to wishes for something un- known the good people began to speculate nothing went on as formerly godless thoughts of change, and longings for something better sue. I ceeded they went to districts where fruits no longer dropped into their mouths where the air played coldly over their unclad bodies with the increasing number of their family came the care of providing for them in a word, misery had entered, their paradise had vaniohed, and a state of society, with all its requirements, had begun. Yet Para- dise still exists in all its pristine beauty, bloomin^ in the forests of the magnificent tropics. Man alone has overstepped his bounds and has plunged into the strife of the elements, into the feverish life of human passions; he has closed the door of untroubled peace behind him, and now wandess restlessly on, perpetually at warfare with himself and his fellows.—Recollections of My Lije. By Maximilian L, Emperor of Mexico. It has been ascertained that a raid made a few nights ago on the house of Mr O'Connell, Bear Tra- lee, had no connection with Fenianism. The expla- nation of the affair is carious. The persons engaged in it> were two young rascals, who, having disordered their irinds by the perusal of 'Jack Sheppard, and 'Dick Turpin,' determined on playing the n;le of i highwaymen. With this intention they procured a pistol and powder and shot, armed with which they entered Mr O'Connell's house, when one of them iischarged the contents of his pistol at the servant sjirl, who alarmed at their intrusion, was making her escape to another part of the dwelling. It appears that they had previously tried an experiment on a simple countryman whom they met on the road, and from whom they demanded 'his money or his life.' The boys have been committed for trial at the ensuing assizes. ] THB HonsE AND THE IIIDER. —T remember an old Irish farmer who once rode from Atblone to Dub- lin, some sixty odd Irish miles, in one day, on the same wretched horse. He never halted to feed his beast, nor gave her corn or water during tbe journey, but stopping at his last stage, Maynootb, he tossed off a glass of whisky for his own refresh- ment, saying as he remounted, I Let us see if JP won't go after tltat !Blaè!cwood'sMagazine. BAPTISM OF THE INFANT SON OF THE REV. H. M. BIRCH.—The ceremony of baptising the infapt son of the Rev Henry Mildred Birch, Chaplain, I Ordinary to the Queen, took place on Friday in the Chapel Royal, St James's Palace, at twelve o'clock, H. R. H. the Prince of Wales standing sponsor. A party of about fifty relatives and friends assembled in the chapel. The cup pre" sented by his Royal Highness bears the following inscription: 'Albert Edward Henry Birch, from his godfather Albert Edward, Prince of Wales. The Bishop of London, to his great regret, was prevented performing the ceremony owing to hi| being obliged to attend two consecrations, and the Rev C. F. Tarver officiated. Mr Birch waj formerly tutor to the Prince. He was presented by Lord Wilton to the valuable and important living of Prestwich, near Manchester, in 1852, and the Premier has just selected him to fill the canonry in Ripon Cathedral, which falls to the crown, by virtue of Dr Atlay's elevation. Mr Birch was last term select preacher before the University of CalIl- bridge. WELSH STEAM COAL.-For several years previouS to 1866, the steam coal of South Wales, known as smokeless coal, was almost exclusivelv used on board the vessels and steamers of the Royal Navy, and it gave general satisfaction as regards the speed attained and the evaporative power. In con- sequence of the recommendations of a committed appointed in 1866 at the instance of some of the north of England members, who complained tha1 undue preference was shown to South Wales coal; it was determined that navy contracts for the future should be in the proportion of two-thirds Welsh and one-third north country coals, the mixture, It was alleged, giving superior results to either coai alone. This arrangement was observed for àbouc two years, but it was soon discovered that tb?- mixed coal did not do the service of Welsh alone. Repeated complaints followed from the navy officers of the inefficiency of the fuel, and the result has been that the old arrangement is agaic reverted to, and Welsh smokeless coal is excill sively med. This decision on the part of the Adml" ralty authorities will add considerably to the de- mand for South Wales coal, and indirectly it be a material benefit to the trade in consequence the reputation for quality that will thus be given to the coal. It may be added that within the last few days information has been received that the navy of the Federal States of Germany will in future use Welsh coal.

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