The London Welshman

Notes from South Wales. (From our Special Correspondent.) A St. David's Day Novelty. It is interesting to note that a tradesman at Pontypridd ce'ebrated St. David's Day by decorating his shop windows with leeks. I am told that the display aroused much interest. Pity, or Contempt. It is difficult to say whether the writer of the silly effusions on the Cymmrodorion Society medal" in an Aberystwyth paper is deserving of pity or contempt. The best thing is just to remark: Poor fellow Poor fellow Druan bach K' No Hats in Church. On Sunday night I attended a certain prominent church in a well-known South Wales town in company with a friend. We sat in the middle of the building. In front of us were several ladies, and try as we would we were unable to see the officiating minister owing to the big hats worn by the ladies in question. It is true, that by craning our heads well forward, we could just catch a glimpse of the reverend gentleman's head, but no more. This reminds me of the recent incident at Willington Avenue Presbyterian Church at Brooklyn, America, where, at the request of men who say that their view of the pulpit is quite cut off by the hats of ladies attending the same church, women have been requested by the pastor henceforth to remove their headgear before the services begin, and I am sure that there are scores of LONDON WELSHMAN readers who will cordially approve of his action. In making his request to the fair members of his congregation, I noticed that the reverend gentleman said I know that in his epistle to the Corinthians, St. Paul declaims against women going to prayers uncovered, but it is not always possible to run a modern church along the lines laid down by St. Paul. Many of the men of my congregation have asked me to do this thing, as they could not see me if they were more than five or six rows back, so I decided to try the experiment. I am interested in the ex- periment, as I believe that in time it will be the custom in all churches for women to remove their hats." Most heartily do I say Clywch, clywch Peat Coal. According to a scientific paper, another pro- cess for the manufacture of peat coal has appeared, and the intelligence ought to interest the people of the Tregaron district in Cardigan- shire, where there are extensive peat fields. According to the promoters, the new process is to revolutionise the world's coal trade. The peat, so I understand, after reading the article alluded to, is first subjected to a process of dehydration by heating fans, and is then disintegrated electrically, without loss of any of the valuable properties which it possesses. It is then moulded and pressed, and ready for use. According to report, the actual cost of producing one ton of peat is 5s., and the product is said to be equal in every respect to Welsh steam coal costing over 5s. at the pit's mouth. Who knows but that Tregaron may yet become a second Cardiff ? Working Men's Cottages. We have heard a great deal within the last few years as to the above question in South Wales,

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SOUTH WALES BUSINESS NOTES. [In this column it is our intention to bnng before the notice of our numerous readers the features of various businesses calculated to prove of use and assistance to them. Proprietors of shops, hotels, &c., desirous of such publicity should coilzllZunicate with us.] PHRENOLOGICAL. — Clergy, ministers, pro- fessional men, and tradesmen testify to the wonderfully accurate delineations of Madame Elvira, F.C.S., Queen Street Arcade, Cardiff. SURGICAL APPLIANCES.—Artificial legs, arms. hands, eyes, &c. Abdominal belts for ladies. Illustrated lists post free from manufacturer Allen Pearce, 23, Charles Street, Cardiff. A LEADING CARDIFF TRADESMAN.—Mr. Richard Jenkins, 3 and 5, Custom House Street, Cardiff, is one of the leading tradesmen in the city. He carries on a most successful Tailoring establishment, and the excellence MR. RICHARD JENKINS. of his suits, &c., is well known. Mr. Jenkins is a native of Carmarthenshire, but has been resident in Cardiff over 20 years. His motto is Prompt attention, good quality, and best workmanship, at fair prices.

but when, as a correspondent in a South Wales weekly appropriately points out, will some of the philanthropists embark in the building line, and put up workmen's cottages at a payable rent? What is the use, the correspondent in question further goes on to say, of putting up working men's houses with a rental of 5s. 6d. to 8s. per week ? Where is the working man that can afford to pay it unless he stints himself and his wife and children of several of the littleluxuries that go towards making life worth living ? Do some of our speculators in building ever think seriously (when they are putting up houses to rent at 7s. 6d. per week) that they will never get good tenants to pay their rent regularly ? No, they simply have in view an auctioneer's sale, with the house described as very desirable, &c., good view, and so on, and now in the occupation of Mr. Shoot the Moon, at 7s. 6d. per week. The game is about played out Mr. Builders. People are getting too up-to-date. Build houses that you can afford to let at 4s. 6d. to 5s. per week. Let these houses to honest working men. It will pay you better, in the long run, to have one honest tenant at 5s. per week, than to have Mr. Moonlight Flit or Mrs. Bunkum at 8s. per week. The Ballad Singers of Wales. The lecture on the above subject by Mr. J. H. Davies, M.A., Registrar of the Aberystwyth University College, delivered on recent dates before the respective members of the Cardiff Cymmrodorion Society and Cymdeithas Cymry Casnewydd was exceedingly interesting and instructive. Mr. Davies is unquestionably one of the best of Welsh classical scholars. In the capacity of editor of the Guild of Graduates' publications and early Welsh manuscripts, he is probably doing more for the preservation of Welsh mediaeval literature than any living savant. By the way, it is said that Mr. Davies' private library at Cwrtmawr, Cardiganshire, is one of the finest collections extant, and bears a favour- able comparison with that well-known collection of earliest collected manuscripts, the Hengwrt Library of the Wynne's. Mr. Davies' knowledge of the Ballad Singers of Wales" is most exhaustive, and although the subject may sound a humble one, it is wonderful what a fascinating subject it becomes when handled by a gentleman of Mr. Davies' culture and ability. Good Welshman for London. Mr. John Davies, Lerry View, Talybont, Cardiganshire, who is about leaving that picturesque village for London, where he has taken a milk business, is a good Welshman, and one of the most highly respected residents of North Cardiganshire. He has filled the position of secretary to the local agricultural society, and in that capacity has shown great tact and business ability; in fact, his departure will be a distinct loss to the agricultural cause of the district. Mr. Davies is also interested in music, and has acted as organist in the local church. In fact, Mr. Davies is a useful all- round man, and his numerous friends will wish him the best possible success in his new home. Mr. Lloyd-George. The best description of Mr. Lloyd-George that I have ever read, appears in the current issue of Young Man, from the pen of "A Member of the Hansard staff." It will bear reproduction. Here it is :—" It cannot be said that in personal appearance Mr. Lloyd George is altogether an Adonis, nor is there any veneer of elegant refinement about him. His figure is short and somewhat spare, and there is a peculiar poise of the head, just a little to one side, with a corresponding hitch of the shoulders when walking, though, that is not noticeable so much when the right hon. gentleman is on his feet speaking, either on the public platform or in his place in the House of Commons. His features are not regular. A rugged cast often indicates great strength of character. In repose, the face seems sickled o'er with the pale cast of thought.' When amongst his closest friends, there is a winsome smile which loses somewhat of its sweetness at some retort or point made in Parliament or on the platform which he enjoys or approves. A broad, lofty forehead beneath his stra;ght, dark brows are quick responsive eyes, of which colour it is hard to say, so varied are the lights, but they are real windows of the soul. A massive Grecian nose, with high cheek- bones, a determined chin and mobile mouth, shaded on the upper lip by a short drooping moustache. When animated in debate, or inspired by high ideals and a sane passion for the people's weal, the head is thrown back with a quick jerk, or bent over to emphasise a nervous and pregnant phrase. Language, gesture, reveal that elemental spirit which has captured the soul of Welsh nationality, and the enthusiastic admiration and adhesion of Progressive Liberalism in England, and made him one of the elect guides of the nation. Who can mistake great thoughts ? They seize upon the mind—arrest and search And stake it'