The Cambrian

Varieties, &c. -1' -r Bawl dresses—Ba' y clothes. A clean im ossibility—Avoiding March dust. "Shafts of luisfortune"- The ventilating shafts. Comfort fur the Corporation-" Threatened men live long," The mean temperature is what dignsts a man with enn-y climate. When a girl is inclined to be fast, her mother should hold her fast. The only man absent from the Brighton Review.—Corporal Punishment. Good name for typical box and stall frequenters—The liaw- haw"-dience. Should not the District Railway openinga" have been ventilated 'ere this ? If a ship makes eight knots an hour, how long will she take to make a crotchet collar ? Notice to Mariners. — Most inhospitable coasts: Cape U-shant," and Cape Clear." New Reading—A peacock's feathers may not point a moral, but they certainly adorn a tail. A society journalist stands a good chance of losing all his real estate if he becomess too personal. "A prudent man," says a witty Frenchman, "is like a pin. His head prevents him going too far." "PI ease do not tumble down the shaft," is the polite notice posted at the mouth of a Nevada mine. All sorts of sleeves are admissible for ladies' dresses, but the sleeve round the waist rem tins the favourite. The demand for chairs that Washington once sat on is keeping American furniture-maker8 very buay. Strawberry red is the latest rcsthetic col ur. Some very aristocratic noses are trimmed with it this season. There is no place like home," repeated Mr. Henpeck, looking at a motto; and he heartily added, "I'm glad there 'S Another darling's candour.—" Pa," said a little fellow to his unshaven father, "your chin looks like the wheel in a musi- C8" The' sacred heavens around him shine," wrote the poet. And th ■ compo-dtor put it, "The scared hyneas around him whine." What building is that ?" asked a stranger of a boy, point- ing to the school. "That," said the boy, "why, that's a tannery." Magisterial pun (Inter.): How is it that the police-court is so dreaclfnlly cold? Magistrate: Oh! it's just-ice (justice) for Swansej. The proper study of mankind is man." Pope knew better than to say "woman." Woman is too deep a study for anybody to undertake. What is the best attitude for self-defence?" said a pupil to a well-known pugilist. Keep a civil tongue in your head, was the significant reply. "Children," said a considerate matron to her assembled progeny, you may have everything you want, but you mustn't want anything you can't have." The editor of the Albany Express says that the only reason why his dwelling was not blown away in a late storm was that there was a heavy mortgage upon it. A contemporary saj sThese three things it is unwise to repose confidence in—a Democratic Legislature, nitro- glycerine, and a mule's sense of honour. A man in the suburbs called his wife shadow" because she is continually following him about. We take it for granted ♦ l it he is even afraid of his own shadow. A dog which had lost the whole of her interesting family was seen trying to poke a piece of crape through the handle of the door of one of the sausage shops i the city. An American paper has credit for tiie last liquid remedy for baldness, as follows:—Use brandy externally till the hair "rows then take it internally to clinch the roots. A Legal conundrum.—If distance lends enchantment to the view, and the view refuses to retain it, what remedy has dis- tance ? The court takes its papers and reserves its decision. Women are called the softer sex because they are so easily humbugged. Out of one hundred girls ninety-five would pre- fer ostentation to happiness—a dandy husband to a mechanic. The young man who resolved to commit suicide because his sweetheart married an undertaker, owes his life to the secend sober thought that he might be furnishing his rival with a Job. A young Oil City lady recently visited New York, and when she returned home related to her friends how she stop ed at a palatable hotel and went up ana down stairs in a culti- vator." A young coloured lady of Philadelphia wears shoes about seventeen inches long, and there is so much of her on the ground that she never succeeds in getting the dampness out Xf her system. I' What part," asked a Sunday School teacher of the' Burial of Sir John Moore' do you like best ?" The boy was thought- ful for a moment and then repiied—" Few and short were the prayers we said." Lord Castlereagh made so many new words that Canning called him the literary coiner. He has got a mint in his mind," said he. Mint in his mind remarked Sheridan. "Would that he had sage in his head," A country editor has received the following ;—" Dear fc>ir,— I have looked carefully and patiently orer your paper for months for the death of some individual I was acquainted with, but as yet not a single soul I care anything about has dropped oil. You will therefore please to have my name erased." The frequency of suits for breach of promise recently in- stituted against old men by young women is having its effect Miss,' said an old man in a crowded tramcar yesterday, miss, I'll get up and give you my seat, if you'll solemnly swear before all these witnesses that you don't consider it an offer of marriage. A little boy, when picking the drumsticks of a chicken, swallowed one of the tendons, and was very nearly choked. The tendon was, however, extracted with great difficulty from the little feliow s throat when he exclaimed, "Oh. mamma, it wasn't the chickabiddy s fault; it was because cook forgot to take off its garters. Masonic.-A contemporary gets the following story from a telegraph operator in a country town A member of the Masonic order telegraphed to a companion at a distance: 'Make room for teu Royal Arch Masons coming to-day." When the companions arrived they found a pen had been built for their accommodation the telegram at its destination reading Make room for ten RAM s—coming to-day. SPRATS. Avoid eating sprats, while you're able To dine off a turkey or duck- When asparagus graces your table. Remember which end you should suck. Keep continually eating and drinking, And don't even stop to take breath, # And iu spite of your doctors, we're thinking, You'll live till the day of your death. A Painter's Revenge,—After Gainsborough's introduction to court, commissions for portraits flowed in so fast that, with all his rapidity of execution and untiring industry, he was un- able te satisfy the impatience of some of his sitters. One gentleman lost his temper, and inquired of the painter's porter, in a voice loud enough to be overheard—" Has that fellow Gainsborough finished my portrait ?" Ushered into the painting-room he beheld his picture. After expres- sing his approbation, he requested it might be sent home at once, adding—" I may as well give you a check for the other fifty guineas." Stiy a minute," said Gainsborough, •• it just wants the finishing stroke." And such was his independent spirit that, snatchiug up a back-ground brush, he dashed it across the smiling features, indignantly exclaiming—Sir, where is my fellow—now?" j

portfolio. Reason itself is true and just, but the reasou of every particular man is weak and wavering, perpetually swayed and turned by his interests, his passions, and his vices.— Swift. Words must be fitted to a man's mouth. 'Twas well said of the fellow that was to make a speech for my Lord Mayor -he desired to take measure of his lordship's mouth.—Selden. There is more heart-breukiug than consolation in taking leave of one's friends. I am willing to omit this act of civility, for of all the offices of friendship that is the only one that is unpleasaiit.—Montaigne. Intellectual attainments and habits are no security for good conduct, unless they are supported by religious principles without religion the highest endowments of intellect can only render the possessor more dangerous, if he be ill-disposed if well-disposed only more unhappy.— South ey. I do not think a man is ever able to work himself up to the mark of true confidence with his friend. Man together, when they like each other, talk of politics, or perhaps of money but I doubt whether they ever really tell their thought and longings to each other (Lady Eustace loquitur.)—Anthony Trollope. The temper of a child, misled by vice or mistake, like a dislocated bone, is easy to be reduced into its place, if taken in time: but if suffered to remain in its dislocated position, a callous substance fills up the empty space, and by neglect grows equally hard with the bone, and resisting the power of the surgeon's skill venders the reductions of the joint impossible.—De^oc. I am sure that modesty is a part of talent; that a certain tendency to hear what others have to say, and to give it its due weight and importance is quite as valuable as it is amiable that it is a vast promoter of knowledge; and that the contrary habit of general contempt is a very dangerous practice in the (.ouduct of the understanding.— Syd Mp 8m ith. A man of genius is apt to be limited to one single style and to become perforce a mannerist, merely because the public is not ,«o just to its own amusement as to give him an opportunity of throwing himself into different lines; and doubtless the exercise of our ta!ents in one unvaried course by decrees render them incapable of any other, as the over-u«e of any one limb of (Our body gradually im- poverishes the rest.—Sir Walter Scott. It is the common doom of man that he must eat his bread by the sweat of his brow, that is by the sweat of his body, or the sweat of his mind. If this toil was in- flicted as a curse, it is, as n.ight be expected from the curses of the Father of all blessings, tempered with many alleviations, many comforts. Every attempt to fly from it. and to refuse the very terms of our existence, becomes much more truly a curse; and heavier pains and penalties fail upon those who would elude the tasks which are put upon them by the great Master Workman of the world, who in his dealings with his creatures, sym- pathizes with their weakness, and speaking of a creation wrought by mere will out of nothing, speaks of six days of labour and one of rest.- -Bvrke. Presumption nr.d arrogancy is the mother of all error and humility neeoieth to fear no eiror. For humility will only search to know the truth it will search and will bring together one place with another and where it cannot find out the meaning, it will pray, it will ask of others that know, and will not presump- tuously and rashly define anything which it knoweth not. Therefore the humble man may search any tn.ru boldly in the Scripture, without any error. And if he be ignorant, he ought the more to read and to seare'i Holy Scripture, to bring him out of ignorance. I say not nay, but a man may prosper with only hearing but he may much more profit with both hearing and reading. —Hamily I. The understanding has great and exacting duties to- wards religious truth. If God speaks, the least that His rational creature can do is to try to understand Him and therefore, as the powers of the mind gradually unfold themselves, religious truth ought to engage an increasing chare of every one of them, and, not the least, of the understanding. When we learn religious truth as chil- dren, we necessarily take it all just as our mother teaches it. She offers no real explanations we could not under- stand her if she did. But this does not apply, by any means, to the whole of the Christian creed and as re- gards a. great deal of a Christian's faith, if his mental and moral growth be healthy and symmetrical, there should be a constant invigoration of what is learnt by authority through what is observed, thought out, handled by the mind for itself. F lith finds its strength increasingly in what is suggested or dictated from within. A time comes to most thoughtful young men and women, when they are tempted to think what they have learnt, in childhood, about life, and death, and God, and Jesus Christ, and all that be?rs on our place in the eternal world, is uncertain. that it is the shadow of an old creed which still haunts the earth—that it is the echoes of voices which ought to have died away at the close of Middle Ages. To many a young man the first visit to his mind of this terrible sus- picion has brought real and keen agony but in every such trial, to every sincere soul, there is a. voice to be heard which still whispers, Behold My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself. Handle Me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see Me have. You think that it is the ghost of a religion that confronts you. Handle it, and you will see for yourself that it rests on a basis at least as sura as that of the ordinary forms of human historical and moral knowledge it rests on history as well as on conscience. The life and death and resur- rection of Jesus Christ is not a work of the sanctified imagination of a later age. Handle it handle it searchingly but reverently and you will discover this for yourself. You will see that there is an intrinsic consistency, that there is a solidity, that there is a power of resistance to critical solvents, about it, which you little suspect. But do not suppose that, because it condescends to be thus tested by your understanding, as regards its reality, it is therefore, within the compass of your under- standing as to its scope. It ends in that which is beyond you. While jou are finite and bounded in your range of vision, it, being an unveiling of the divine Being, is divine. Yes, Christianity plants its feet firmly on the soil of earth in the life of our Lord. Its hands are seen, again, and again, working in the stirring agencies of later history, but it rears its head upwards to the sky. It loses itself as a creed in the clouds of heaven. We see the very feet, the very hands, the reality of the one incomparable life but we only see enough to know assuredly that there is much more which is necessarily and utterly beyond us, lost as the apostle puts it—lost in the depths of the riches both of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God.Canon Liddon.

COURAGE TO DO EIGHT.—We talk with contempt of mere animal courage; yet there is in it an unselfishness, it may be, a reckless fearlessness it is at least the pursuit of something higher than pleasure, and looked at rightly, all goodness is courage. What is purity but the bravely putting away from the mind all that can destroy the soul ? What is truth but the daring of all conse- quences ? There is a daring which will rise in physical danger; but he is the true, brave man, woman, or child, who can say again and again to any interruption towards wronging, the unswerving No. and not a wavering Yep. HEROISM AT HOME.—How useless our lives seem to us sometimes 1 How we long for an opportunity to perform some great action We become tired of the daily routine home-life and imagine we would be far happier in other scenes. We think of life's great battlefield, and we wish to be heroes. We think of the good we might do if our lot bad been cast in different scenes. We forget that the world bestows no titles as noble as father, mother, sister or brother. In the sacred precincts of home, we have many chances of heroism. The daily acts of self-denial for the good of a loved one, the gentle word of soothing for another's trouble, the care for sick, may all seem 8!1 nothing; yet who can tell the good they accomplish ? Our slightest word may have an influence over another for good or evil. We are daily sowing the seed whJnh will bring forth some sort of harvest Well wflMt be for us if the harvest is one we will be proud to earner If some one m that dear home circle can look back in after years, and as he tenderly utters our name aav "Her words and example prepared me for a life of happiness," we may well say, I have not lived in vain.— American Rural Home. THE ANEEOIO.— The sensitiveness and rapidity of the aneroid admirably illustrate the true principal upon which barometic indications for a. rise or fall depend, that the direct downward pressure of the atmosphere that surrounds our globe is as nearly as possible equal to fifteen pounds on the square inch; but that pressure is slightly increased or decreased by its rarefaction or densification, through various meteorological influences, or the height above or below the sea-level. By the aneroid, we can with facility not only measure the height of a mountain top, or the absolute height of an Egyptian pyramid above the plain on which it was built or the variations of incline on a line of railway, even when the train is running at its utmost speed, but even the difference in elevation in the basement and the attic of your house, as, aneroid in hand, you watch the gradual fall from fair" to "change." Can any experiment better prove that the barometer is is reality only a measurer of atmospheric pressure, and is but indirectly a weather glass? For while making such a trial BO change in the weather would take place, thou oh the mdex passes from "fair" to "change," and so clearly proves the absurdity of the old-fashioned barometer indications.—Cassell s Household Guide. DON'T BETRAY CONFIDENCE.—Treachery is a detest- able fault j therefore let nothing tempt you to betary a secret confided to your honour. What if the friend who once trusted and told you all the secrets of his heart has become your enemy ? You are still bound to keep your word inviolate, and preserve locked in your heart the secrets confidently made known to you. A man of principal will never betray an enemy. He holds it a Christian duty never to reveal what in good faith was placed in his keeping. While the Albanians were at war with Phillip, King of Macedon, they intercepted a letter that the King had written to his wife Olympia. It was returned unopened, that it might not be read in public—their laws forbidding them to reveal a secret. A priest, who had been found guilty of this offence, was ordered to leave the country. Save you another's secret in your keeping? Then reveal it not for the world. A confiding friend may tell you a hundred things, which, if whispered abroad, would bring him into contempt and ridicule, and injure his character through life. No one is so upright that he may not have committed some ungentlemanly act, or some impure offence, which may nave been done years ago, before the individual's character was formed, and before he had a wife and children. Would it not be a profanation of the most social duty, in a fit of anger, or out of malice and revenge,ta divulge a secret like this? A man's enemies would not care whether it was a fault of his thoughtless youth or his maturer years, so long as they could make a handle of it to his injury, and thus effect their purpose Bo careful, then, never, under any consideration whatever, to repeat what has been whispered to you in the confidence of frendship. A betrayer of secrets is fit only for the society of the low and vile. j

SWANSEA AND DISTRICT NEWS. Winterbourne Court Farm, near Bristol, was on Monday destroyed by fire. The family had a remarkably narrow escape. THE HIGH-SHERIFF OF BRECONSHIRE. W. T. Crawshay, Esq., of Cyfarthfa Castle, Merthyr-Tydfil, has appointed the Rev. J. Bonsonby Lucas, M.A., to be his chaplain. A meeting was held at Cardiff on Friday, Lord Aberdare presiding, to consider what steps should be taken to perpetuate the memory of the late Dr. Ollivant, who had presided over the diocese as Bishop for thirty- two years. The great services which the Bishop had rendered to religion and to the Church of England were recognised by the Chairman, the Dean and Archdeacon of Lladaff, and other speakers, and it was finally resolved to erect a statue of Dr. Ollivant in the cathedral, and to construct an appropriate building in Limdaii, in which to place the valuable library bequeathed by the 1 ite Bishop to the Dean and Chapter. THE LATE DR. OLLIVANT.—The will of the Right Rev. Alfred Ollivant, D.D., Bishop of Llandaff, who died on December 16 last at Bishop's Court, Llandaff, has been proved at the Llandaff District Registry by Joseph Earle Ollivant and Edward Albert Ollivant, the sons, and Simon Dunning, the executors, the value of the personal estate being over £30,001.1. The testator bequeaths some books to St. David's College, Wales; his portrait, pre- sented to him by subscription, painted by W. W. Ouless, II. A., after the death of his wife, to the bishop for the time being of the See of Llandaff such furniture, plate, books, horses, and carriages to his wife, Mrs. Alicia Olivia Ollivant, as she may select, and also £2,000 and the divi- dends of £3,000 consols for life and some other bequest. The residue of his real and personal estate is to be divided in equal shares between his four children, Charlotte Elizabeth. Alfred, Joseph Earle, and Edward Albert. LOCAL COMMISSIONS.—The London Gazette of Tuesday night contains the following Line Battalions.—The South Wales Borderers—Major Thomas Rainforth retires on retired pay Lieutenant W illiam Cecil Godfrey resigns his commisiioa. Welsh Regunent-The undermentioned Lieutenants have been appointed probationers for the Indian Staff Corps :—Ronald B. Coke and Frederick C. Rynd. Militia Artillery.—3rd Brigade, Welsh Division —Lieutenant John Co^hlan Blakemore Booker resigns his commission. Militia Engineers, Royal Monmouth- shire—Captain Thomas Phillips Price resigns his com- mission. VolunteerRifles.—3rd Glamorgan—Lieutenant Lawrence Richards to be captain. BRISTOL AN'D WEST OF EXGLAXD BANK (LIMITED).— We understand that Mr. Frederick Tucer has. been appointed to the management of the St. Phillips's branch of this bank in the city of Bristol, being sue ceeded in the management of the Swansea bank by Mr. John Squire, late of Exeter. Mr. Tucker has been con- nected with the Swansea branch of the" est of England Bank for about 12 years—the last four years as manager, and his affability, urbanity, and assiduous attention to business has secured many sincere and aftiched friends, who, whilst regretting his removal from Swansea, are pie.sed that his ability has been recognised and re- warded by such a lucrative appointment. GOHSEINON.—During the late winter, a series of well- supporied entertainments have been held at this place, and a very successful one to closa the services, was held 0,1 Saturday evening last. It took the form of an amateur nigger troupe, consisting of young men of the neighbourhood, and the performance was highly ap- preciated. Tr-e accompnuyist was Miss Stafford. The proceeds of the series are devoted to the support of the Reading Room, held in a very convenient place, supplied by Mr. Llewelyn, Penllergare, who has also placed there several volumes of beautifully illustrated books for the use of the members. Several daily papers are taken in, as well as the Graphic, Punch, &c., and the means of playing draughts are provided, so that the young men of the locality can blend amusement with information. It is but right that the names of Mr. Kirby, Penllergare Farm, Mr. Stafford, head-gardener, and Mr. John Mainwaring, Brynrhos, should bementioned in connection with the entertainments and the reading rooms, as the success of one as well as the other has followed from their continuous efforts and support. The chairman of the series of entertainments was Mr. Hughes, school- master. SHIPWRECKS AXD Loss OF LIFE.—The barque Morman Court, from Java, struck on Thursday night on the Cymyran beach, Holyhead, and filled with water. At daylight the following morning, 20 men were seen in the forerigging. Rockets were fired five times without suc- cess. The Rhosteign life-boat also attempted a rescue, hut filled twice with water, and had to return.—Eleven of the crew of the Liverpool ship^Arzilla arrived in Liverpool last week, their vessel having been abandoned while on a voyage to Monte Video. The Ciptain and officers, numbering eight altogether, perished through the capsizing of their boat.—The barque Epsilon, of Swansea, Captain Peachy, from Hamburg to Swansea, in ballast, is ashore on the Gunfleet Sands. The lifeboat at Clacton-on-Sea went out to the vessel and left part of her crew on board to assist in jettisoning the ballast in the hope of getting her afloat.—Agnes Ellen, of Swansea, from Runcorn, with rock salt, for Newcastle-on-Tyne, has put into Belfast Lough with loss of jibboom, fore- topgallant and maintopmasts, having experienced heavy weather off Innistrahull. THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD OF WALES.—Mr. D. T. Evans, secreary to the Eisteddfod, writing in reference to the statement that the offer of a prize for the best panto- mine libretto, based on Sindbad the Sailor, had evoked much comment in Welsh literary circles as being al- together out of character with the traditions and objects of this national institution, says:—"1 read all the Welsh literary papers, and correspond with the leading literary men of the Principality, but have not seen the 'comments' referred to, or received any complaint against the ac- ceptance of the pantomine libretto. One of the main objects of the Eisteddfod is to develop and encourage native talent. The Welsh people have always been celebrated for their love of poetry and music, and the best friends of the Eisteddfod, while not neglecting these popular arts, endeavour to cultivate a taste for other de- partments of literature and art. It has been the practice of late years to offer prizes for librettos and cantatas and the Cardiff Committee not only follow the example of their predecessors, but endeavour to bring out the dramatic talent which has hitherto lain dormant CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY LOCAL EXAMINATIONS.—The syndicate appointed by the Senate to conduct the local examinations have just issued their 25th annual report of the examinations conducted at the various centres in December last, the class list of which was published on the 26th of February. In 1878 there were entered 3329 junior boys, 1483 junior girls, 620 senior boys, and 997 senior girls, making a total of 6435; and in 1882 the cor- responding figures were 3926 junior boys, 1793 junior girl8,648 senior boys, and 1273 senior girls—total 7640. Of the junior boys examined last year, 31 g pe^ cen^ passed in honours, and 41 per cent, not in honours, the failures being 27 4 per cent. Of the junior girls examined, 236 passed in honours, and 47"9 not in honours; the total number passed were 71*5, whilst the total failures were 28 5. Of the 605 senior boys examined, 26 per cent. passed in honours, aud 31'7 per cent. not in honours while the total failures were 42 3. Of the senior girls examined, 13 per cent. passed in honours, and 43 per cent. passed not in honours, whilst the total failures were 44 per cent. ANOTHER NEW TUG-BOAT FOR SWANSEA.—"The cry h still they come." Last week another neat and trim new screw tug-boat arrived in Swansea waters for work at this port. The name of the latest addition is the Stag," owned by Captain Whiteside and Son, of Pen- treguinea, St. Thomas, Swansea. She was built at the Vauxhall Works of Mr. John Payne, Bristol, the well- known builder of steam ships, &c. She had bean fully equipped and prepared for sea as she lay on the stocks before being launched, and on Easter Monday last a large company of spectators assembled to witness that interesting event. The ceremony of christening was gracefully performed by Miss Payne, daughter of the builder, after which, with steam up, she gently ^lided into the water, amidst the loud applause of the assem- bly. She then proceeded on a short trial trip) during which everything worked in a most satisfactory manner. After returning for the purpose of coaling, she at once proceeded down channel to Swansea, where she arrived after an easy steam of five hours. She is really a hand- some craft, and does credit to the builder as well as being an acquisition to our port. She is an enlarged model of the Fawn," by the same builder, whose arrival at this port we noticed a year or two ago. Her dimensions are as follows :— Length, 60 feet: beam, 12 feet- depth 7 feet 6 inches. She is worked by high-pressure' en«ines (18in. cylinder) of 2.5 horse-power, nominal, and is com- manded by Captain Edwards. Her hull is of iron and her internal fittings are commodious and well finished We wish the" Stag" a prosperous career, and com- pliment Mr. Payne and Captain Whiteside upon the unostentatious despatch with which they have added to our important fleet of tug-boats. The "Stag" com- menced towing on Monday last. A NEGLECTED DISINFECTANT.—Sulphate of copper which is not patented or brought out by a limited company, may be bought at its fair retail value of 6d. or less per pound (the oil-shop name for it is "blue- vitriol "), in crystals, readily soluble in water. I have lately used it in the case of a trouble to which English households are too commonly liable, and one that has in many cases done serious mischief. The stoppage of a soil-pipe caused the over flow of a closet, and a conse- quent saturation of floor boards, that in time would pro- bably have developed danger by nourishing and develop- ing those germs of bacteria, bacilli, &c., which abound in the air, and are ready to increase and multiply wherever their unsavoury food abounds. By simply mopping the floor with a solution of these green crystals, and allow- ing it to soak well into the pores of the wood, they cease to become a habitat for such microscopic abominations, The copper-salt poisons the poisoners. Dr. Burg goes so far as to recommend that building materials, articles of furniture, clothing, &c., should be injected with sulphate of copper, in order to avert infection, and in support of this refers to the immunity of workers in copper from cholera, typhoid fever, and infectious diseases generally, I agree with him to the extent of suggesting the desira- bility of occasionally mopping the house floors with this solution. Its visible effects on the wood are first to stain it with a faint green tinge which gradually tones down to a brown stain, giving to deal the appearance of oak a change which has no disadvantage from an artistic point of view. If the wood is already tainted with organic matter capable of giving off sulphuretted hydrogen the darkening change is more rapid and decided, owing to the formation of sulphide of copper. The solution of sulphate should not be put into iron or zinc vessels as it rapidly corrodes them, and deposits a non-adherent film of copper. It will even disintegrate common earthen- ware, by penetrating the glaze, and crystallising within the pores of the ware, but this is a work of time (weeks or months). Stoneware resists this, and wooden buckets may be used safely. It is better to keep the crystals and dissolve when required. Ordinary earthenware may be used with impunity if washed immediately afterwards, j Sulphate of copper is largely manufactured in the copper | works in Swansea,—The Gtntkimn's Magazine*

GLAMORGANSHIRE EASTER QUARTER SESSIONS. These Quarter Sessions commenced on Monday at two o'clock, at the Guildhall, Swansea, for the transaction of the civil business of the county. Mr. R. O. Jones presided, and the magistrates present were—Mr. C R. M. Talbot, M.P., Lnrd Lieutenant; Sir H. H. Vivian. M.P., Sir Joseph Spearman, B*rt., J. C. Fowler, Vice-Chairman; J. T. D. Llewelyn, HowelG-wyn, Dyffryn; J. Trev. Jenkin, R. H. Rhys, Alderman William Thomas, Lan C. T. Wilson, Richard Richards, Arthur Richardson, Rev. Walter Richardson, John Glasbrook, J. G. Hall, D. H. Jones, J. E. Moore, Griffith Llewellyn, S. S. H. Horman- Fisher, William Hunter, John Nicholls, Merthyr Mawr; James Lewis, Aberdare; Aubrey Vivian, M. B. Williams, T. S. Bishop, W. Graham Vivian, John H. Rowland, Neath; Evan Thomas, the Gnoil; J. C. Richardson, jun., George Burden Strick, &c. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The Finance Committee's Report waa read as follows :— At a meeting of the Finance Committee, held at Swan- sea, on the 22ud day of March, 1883, J. T. D. Llewelyn. Esq., in the chair, the report of the County Auditor was received. Bills of expenditure during the past quarter were laid before the committee, certified by Magistrates or the County Officers, to the amount of £2,545 16s. 8d., of which the sum of J6337 9s. lid. is chargeable against the Lunatic Asylum Capital Account. The committee recommend that these bills, of which a list is appended, be paid. Having estimated the probable demands upon the County for the coming half-year, and the receipts available to meet them, including the receipt of a sum of £10,000 borrowed for the Lunatic Asylum Capital Account, the committee recommend that a county rare of a farthing in the pound be ordered to be raised. The committee recommend that the Treasury be requested to increase the pension awarded on retirement to Chief Warder Paddon. of Swansea Prison, to £100 a year, the County undertaking to make up the deficiency. —JOHN T. D. LLKWELYN, Chairman. On the motion of Mr. J. T. D. Llewelyn, the Chair- man of Finance, the Report of the Finance Committee was adopted. On the motion of Mr. Llewelyn, it was affirmed that a county rate of a farthing in the pound be levied to raise X'2,-J20. corXTY AUDITOR'S REPORT. The agenda paper also contained the following report:— Her Majesty's Paymaster-General has remitted to the County Treasurer the sum of £174 Is. 4d. for conveyance of prisoners, and £ 1,656 13s. 2d. in respect of criminal prosecutions at Sessions and Assizes, both payments ex- tending to 31st December, 1882. The Treasurer of the County of Carmarthen has paid .£81 19s. 6cl., being the moiety of the costs of the repairs of Loughor Bridge. Her Majesty's Treasury has paid the sum of £8.828 19s. 10d. the moiety of the cost of the Police Force, but the amount was not received in time to be included in these accounts. The schedules appended to this report give information as follows:- -Lunatic Asylum Capital Account, <L-c.—The receipt side is unaltered from the account of the Epiphany Quarter, the balance of the loan from the London Assurance Corporation, £10,000, not being receivable until April next. The payments made during the quarter have been £1.283 3s. 7d. for the Architect and Clerk of the Works JE216 for New Bridge and Cottages, and JE150 under the head of additional land, awards, and roads. The balance overpaid is thereby increased from £6854s. 7d. to £2,334 8s. 2d. The Landlords Repairs are £652 14s., the special fund expen- diture £113 13s. 3<1" and the Maintenance of Patients (for six months) £572 10s. 2d. Contents of the Treasurer s Balance.—The cash book of the Treasurer agrees with the Banker's pass book, and shows £1,997 15s. Id. to the credit of the County; £299 15s. lid. to the credit of the Mertbyr Stipendiary Account; £740 12s. lid. to the credit of the Pontypridd Stipendiary Account, and ..£1,778 2s. 8d. to the credit, of the Police Superannua- tion. The accounts against which debit balances stand are—Lunatic Asylum Capital Account, £2,:334 8s. 2d. as before referred to; Police, £797 14s. 3\1.; Private Com- panies for Police Services, £147 19s. 5d. The result of these figures is a balance at the bankers of £1,536 4s. 9d. Loins.—The indebtedness of the County on this account is £71,457 10s 9,1., as against £72,296 8s. at Epiphany Quarter, and includes the £10.000 about to be received from the London Assurance Corporation. The rates of interest are—at 4J per cent., £32,523 9. 5d., and at 3g per cent., £6,052 17s. These are the balances of loans originally contracted at the following rates—at 4t per cent., £83,000; at 4 per cent., £4:3,100, and 3A per cent., f 6,300. Police Superannuation Fund is now represented by £18,930 10s. lid. balances of loans due by the County, £1,769 Os. lOd. consols, £1,778 2s, 8d. cash as shown in the contents of the Treasurer's balance, £22,477 14s. 5d. total.—HENRY DEVER, F.C.A. POLICE COMMITTEE. The report of this C immittee was as follows :— At a meeting of the Police Committee, held at Swansea, on Thursday, the 22nd day of March, 1883, composed of the same members as the Finance Committee, J. T. D. Llewelyn, Esq., in the chair, the committee have had under their consideration a bill of one of the Justices' Clerks for fees earned by him aud allowed by the Jus- tices, in cases where the police have been the prosecutors and the fees have not been recovered from the defendants. Similar bills have previously been paid. The Clerks afterwards repay the amounts with oheir other fees to the credit of the County Rate. The committee recom- mend that these bills be no longer paid in cash, but that when Justices order payment of clerks' fees by the Police, the clerks be allowed the benefit of them in the account taken to fix their salaries. They also call atten- tion to the Chief Constable's report, wherein he forwards an application of the Superintendents of Police for an increase of salary. Their memorial is circulated here- with. The committee recommend that notice be given at these Sessions that the application will be taken into consideration at the Midsummer Sessions, and tbat the question of paying Income Tax on the Superintendents' pay be adjourned for consideration at the same time.— JOHN T. D. LLEWKLYN, Chairman. CHIEF CONSTABLE'S REPORT.—The number of persons summoned and apprehended during the Quarter are 2,954. Males. 2,625; Females, 329. Committed for trial, 29—at Quarter Sessions, 19; at Assizes, 10. On the motion of Mr. J. T. D. Llewelyn, seconded by Mr. J. Trev. Jenkin, it was resolved to levy a police rate of a balf-penfty in the pound. The application of the Superintendents of the County Police for an increase of salary and to have their income-tax paid by the County, were adjourned till the Midsummer Sessions. In the course of a discussion as to the repairs of the various Police-stations in the county, The Lord Lieutenant spoke in commendation of a special wash or paint which, when placed on porous stone, made them perfectly impervious to water, and so greatly protected buildings. It was much better than the Roman cement which had been recommended. On the motion of Mr. Rhys, seconded by Mr. R. Richards, the question was deferred. In reply to Sir H. H. Vivian, Bart., Mr. Bassett, jun., the Acting Surveyor, said that it had been found that washing the stone exterior with water and Roman cement was a perfect cure for the J dampness complained of at the stations. It was found to answer at the Great Western Railway Station near by. Mr. R. Richards You may as well wash it with sand and water. Mr. Talbot said it was necessary to put something of the nature of oil with lime wash, or that would go off with the next shower of riin. Sir Hussey Vivian said Roman cement was different from lime in that it set more quickly. The hon. baronet could not see why it should not be tried, as it was recommended by the Surveyor. This was put to vote and carried. LUNATIC ASYLUM. In reply to the Chairman, who said he feared the de- ferring of the matter would cause a delay of three months, Mr. J. T. Jenkin said the committee of the Asylum was not yet in a position to enter into contracts. HE-ASSESSMENT OF PARISHES. Mr. J. C. Fowler said the County Rate Assessment Committee had gone into this question, and they now recommended that the assessment of Loughor be reduced from £5,000 to ^4,000; tbat Blaengwrach be retained at £3,855; that Ltanharran be reduced by £500 j that Llangeinor be increased from £1.600 to £1,900. In the case of Newton Nottage, a professional valuer had been called in but had not yet done the work. As to the other instances, notices were issued and a meeting was held to bear objections, but no objec- tions had been made. On the motion of the Chairman of the Finance Com- mittee, seconded by Mr. J. T. Jenkin, it was agreed to grant to Chief Warder Paddon a superannuation allowance of £100 a year, and the Clerk of the Pelce was instructed to ask the Government to increase their proportion of allowance under this head. THE LOCOMOTIVE JUMBO ON THE ROADS OF GOWBR. Mr. Sidney Davies appealed again on behalf of Mr. Greening, of Killay, in respect of his application to the Court of Quirter Sessions for a license for the use of the locomotive on the roads of Gower. Mr. Davies said be had been instructed to apply for a mandamus on the ground that his client was unable to get his application for a license either aocepted or refused. The Clerk of the Peace said it was quite true that the Court, at the last Sessions, had adjourned this ap- plication, because it was then reported that there was to be a prosecution of the owner of the locomotive for running it without a license. It was understood that at the last Sessions the solicitor would make an appli- cation for the license, but as he did not appear, the matter was adjourned till the present sessions. Since that he (the Clerk of the Peace) had been served with a rule nisi for a mandamus which the Court would have to meet. It was for the Court to judge whether they would grant the application now while the rule nisi was pending, or whether they would adjourn it until that rule was decided. He thought the Court would be perfectly justified in taking the latter course. It had been rather a favour that the application had been adjourned from the last court, instead of being thrown out. Perhaps, however, the parties would agree to pay the costs on condition of the application being granted now. It wae known to the Court that the bye-laws had been submitted to the Local Govern- ment Board, and he was expecting them to be returned every day. They were such bye-laws as were deemed necessary for the protection of the public. Mr. R. Richards: The roads are very narrow where this locomotive is used. Mr. Davies asked whether be should read to the Court the letter which had been sent to the Cierk of the Peace touching this matter. The Clerk said this locomotive had been running for some time every day without a license, and he consi- dered the police were to blame for not proseoutir.g. Colonel Lindsay, Chief Constable of the Cou-itv, said proceedings had been taken but the summons had been dismissed. Mr. R. Richards The engine on the road is vary dangerous. Mr. Davies said that he merely wished to submit that he had mnde application at the last Court by letter. The Chairman moved that thi* question be adjourned until the action in the Court of Queen's Bench is con- cluded, and that meanwhile the Clerk of the Peaca be directed to take all proper measures to meet the case. Mr. J. Trev. Jenkin seconded. He was or.a of taa magistrates who were bound under penalty to look after the condition of the roads and bridges The Chairman And I, too. We must go to priiju if we neglect our duty in the matter. (A laugh). The proposition was they carried. THE COUNTY ROADS BOARD DEFICIT. Mr. Nichol, ofMerthyr Mawr, said thut in cor.sa- quence of heavy legal expenses in connection with t!ie Tramway at Swansea, and in consequence of th? in- creased work rendeied nec-essarv by the severity of the weather during the last year, the County Roads Board applied to the Court for a rate in aid to the amount of £1,200, which would be necessary, and sufficient to meet the case. He begged to move that the sa.x.e oe granted. Mr. R. H. Rhys seconded, though he was 30rr? tuera should be a deficit. Mr. R. Richards thought the neighbourhood of Swansea should be exempt from this charge. The western district of the county contributed about £ 2,-500 which was used to maintain the roads near Cardiff, and in the east. Chairman Your district has cost more thin ali, It is there the tramway is. Mr. Richards reiterated that Sivanstft ought to be exempted, because the surplus of this district wa3 used to repair the roads near Cardiff. (Laughter). The Chairman said he thought the time had now come for him to intimate to the County Roads Board that they must do without aid from the county rate. No doubt, in this instance, the Board had incurred heavy expenses in endeavouring to prevent locomotives from killing people and endangering the lives of people. The County Roads Board ought to be able to pay their way with their own income of £ 11,0000 or £12,000 a year, and they ougrht not to come upoa the county rate for assistance. He did not wish to oppose the present application, but he thought there would be a difficulty about making them a further grant Mr. Nicholl said the County Roads Board bad lived within their own income for a long time past, and this was an exceptional matter. Mr. John Glasbrook This arises from the way of repairing the roads. You have only one surveyor for the whole county, and he sends out a number of bovs. That is the way they are short of money. Chairman: There has been an alteration of the system now. The grant was then passed. Arrangements having been made for the receipt of £20,000 borrowed from the Treasury, and for the proper investment of £1,700. part of the Superannua- tion Fund, in consols, the magistrates separated. TUESDAY. CRIMINAL BUSINESS. The Court sat at 10 o'clock, when there were on the bench—the Chairman (Mr. R. O. Jones), the Vice- Chairman (Mr. J. C. Fowler), the ex-High-Sheriff, Sir Joseph Spearman, and Mr. Benjamin Jones, Llanelly. The following gentlemen answered to their names, and were sworn on the grand jury :—J. W. Browning, J. W. Browning, J. W. Chenall, John Griffiths, John Hopkins, William Jones, jun" Pritchard Jones, David Thom8.s Lewis, Lewis Lewis, James Martell, W. H. Mills, R. B. Owens, P. Thomas, T. Rosser, H. J. Stokes, Alfred West, Evau Evans, Daniel Gray, and Thomas Phillips, junior. In charging the grand jury, the learned Chairman said he was happy to see such a considerable attendance of grand jurors, because it showed that they took a proper interest in the work which devolved upon them as grand jurors. The number of cases on the calendar for their consideration was not very numerous. They were rather less than last Session. There was a diminution of crime in the county. The cases now on the calendar were such as would ordinarily occur in a population of this kind, and they presented no cases of very great aggrava- tion. 00 the whole, the county might be congratulated on a gradual diminution of crime. No doubt the Sum- mary Jurisdiction Act had something to do with it, because a great many cases are now disposed of before the magistrates which used to be sent to the Sessions. Most of the cases now sent to the Sessions were charges of larceny, where prisoners had been previously con- victed, or where they had chosen to come before a jury. After making some unimportant remarks upon some of the 24 cases on the calendar, the Chairman dismissed the grand jury to their labours, with the intimation that all witnesses were in attendance, and therefore the grand jury miaht be able to conclude their work, and be dis- missed that same day. FIRST COURT. [Before R. O. Jones and J. Trev. Jenkin, Esqrs.] FALSE PRETENCES AT SWANSEA.—Mary Ann Gunter, aged 17, domestic servant, pleaded guilty to having ob- tained from "William Bennett, shoemaker, one pair of boots, by falsely pretending that they were for her mis- tress, Mrs. Grinter, newsvendor, of College-street, and she was now sentenced to one month's imprisonment at Swansea. The Chairman intimated that perhaps in the meanwhile the Governor of the Gaol might be able to get her a place to go to when she came out where she would be out of the way of temptation. COUSTERFBIT COIN CASE AT SWANSEA. -John Thomas, 18, shop porter, was indicted for unlawfully uttering a counterfeit half-crown on the 10th of February last. Mr. B. F. Williams prosecuted. We have reported the facts of this case more than once already. It appears that the prisoner was a porter in the employ of Messrs. J. and W. Richards, Castle-street, on whose desk had been nailed the counterfeit half-crown now in question. It had a hole through it. It appears that he met a boy in the street, and, giving him the coin, told him to go into the shop of Mr. White, of Burman-street, for a penny bun. Mr. White deposed that the hole through the half- crown attracted his attention and awakened his suspicion. When he was going to give the boy into custody, the prisoner came up and said the coin was his, and he had sent the boy in. Mr. J. B. Richards said he missed the coin from bis cashier's desk on the Saturday the alleged offence was committed. P.C. Evan Nicholas appre- hended prisoner, alld Mr. Nolliber, assistant silversmith with Mr. Hennessey, of Wind-street, deposed that the coin was a bad one. The jury found prisoner guilty. The Bench said the offence was a serious one, and he would now be sent to gaol for 4 months at Swansea. THEFT AT YSTRADYFODWG.—David Davies, 29, a labourer, pleaded guilty to stealing a pair of men's boots, of the value of 10s. 9.1., the property of William Davies, at Ystradyfodwg, on the 3rd March. He also admitted two previous convictions for felony. He had undergone two years imprisonment already, but as tha.t wa,s five years ago, the court now sent him to gaol for only six months, but with the warning that if he came up a"ain he would probably get five or six years in penal servitude STEALING GKOCERIES AT CARDIFF.—Jane Carpenter, a married woman, whose age was evidently nearly double that srated to be, pleaded guilty to stealing a parcel of grOC.tneoS;iheT,Prperty of William Darling, at Cardiff, on the 24th February. She also admitted a previous conviction, and the sentence of the court against her was now seven years' penal servitude. STABBING AT CARDIFF.—John Connoll, 21, labourer, was indicted for unlawfully stabbing and wounding Patrick Ford, at Cardiff, on the 17th March, 1883. Mr. Abel Thomas prosecuted. It appeared that the prisoner, the prosecutor, and others were drinking in the Glaston- bury Arms. There was a quarrel about some women who had come in. Prisoner struck prosecutor, and when prosecutor was going to strike. him back prisoner stabbed him with a knife in the region of the heart. Dr. Griffiths, the medical officer of Cardiff Infirmary, de- posed that when prisoner was brought in he was suffering from a clean-cut wound from the breast to the third rib. It was not dangerous, but in a dangerous place. The cuts in the clothes corresponded with the wound. The jury, after retiring for some time, found a verdict of guilty with a recommendation to mercy. Prisoner was sentenced to four months' imprisonment. STEALING A Tun OF OLIENE —Mary Ann Thomas, 32, married, pleaded guilty to stealing a tub of oliene from Nathaniel Davies, at Merthyr, on the 17th Februarv and there having been four previous convictions registered agalDst hel, she was Sentenced 18 months'imprison- BILLS THROWN OUT.-The Grand Jury threw out the f. o for obtaining meat of the value of £ 14 from Sophia Smale, Swansea, by false pre. ences against Thomas Jones, for indecently assaulting P! ?8 ?Iary Richards at Gellygaer; against Leonard and David Jones, for unlawfully btaming £ 2 12s. 6d. from Daniel Thomas, at Llantris- \v L.*1D 1882, and January, 1863; and against Watkin Jones and Abraham Montague, who were in- dicted for obtaining by false pretences £2 lis. 3d. from Daniel Thomas, at Llantrissant, on the 23rd of January. STABBING AT CARDIFF.—Catherine Lucas, 24, married, was convicted of unlawfully and maliciously stabbing Margaret Adams, at Cardiff, on the 16th February, and she was sentenced to four months' imprisonment with hard labour. WILFUL DAMAGE.—Cornelius Sullivan, 30, was in- dicted for unlawfully and maliciously committing damage upon the shop window and fixtures of William Brooking Tope, to the extent of JE13, at Cardiff, on the 9th March, 1883. Mr. Jeffreys prosecuted. The jury found that prisoner was guilty of the offence, bat he had committed it under provocation. The Chairman said prisoner had given way to a fit of unrestrained passion and fury, and it was well for him that fury had not been directed against a person instead of against property. He must pay a fine of JElO and costs, or in default one month's imprisonment. LODGER'S THEFT.—Stephen Thomas, haulier, aged 24, was convicted of stealing 12s. from Richard Wilcox, at Ystradyfodwg, on the 22nd November. The prisoner, after pawning a suit of clothes belonging to the mrn with wboai be lodged, made off with the money. As he Ystradyfodwg, on the 22nd November. The prisoner, after pawning a suit of clothes belonging to the mrn with whom be lodged, made off with the money. As he was an old offender, he was now sent into penal servitod* for seven years. HOUSE-BREAKING AT Morris and John Mitchel, two of the men who had beelS employed under Mr. Parker at the construction of Swansea New Docks, and more recently at similar work' near Cardiff, surrendered to their bail to answer a char" of wilfully breaking into and entering the dwelling-hoo»* of Diana Williams, at the above-named place, and ated' ing therefrom a quantity of different articles. Bit* Brynmor Jones prosecuted and Mr. Josephs defended The articles had been found in the possession of the prt" soners. Mr. W. R. Parker gave the men an excelle#J character, during the several years they had worke" under him, and said he was surprised to find such charge against them. The jury found that prisoner were guilty of larceny, but not of house-breaking, an. the Court sentenced them each to four months' iaipr'* soament with hard labour. SECOND COURT. [Before Mr. J. C. Fowler (vice-chairman), Sir Joseph Spearman, Mr. B. Jones, and Mr. E. N. JonpfJ HIGHWAYROBBKRT.—William Livingstone, 24, Michael Kelly, 17, and Jane Byan, 37, were charged, the twO former with stealing a watch and chain, two shillin," and a purse, from the person of George Edworthy, a* Cardiff, on the 12th February, and the last named with receiving the watch aud chain knowing them to been stolen. Edworthy was accosted by the woman Ryan on his way home to Penarth. At that moment the two male prisoners appeared on the set-lie, and Livingston* seized prosecutor by the throat. The latter was thrown to the ground, and robbed of the money mentioned' Ryan now stated that the watch was given to her to pledge by Livingstone. The jury acquitted Ryan and Kelly, but found Livingstone guilty. Inspector Price, of Cardiff, said that Livingstone was the captain of gang of thieves at Cardiff, and upon previous conviction* being mentioned against him he was sentenced to ten years' penal servitude and seven years police super- vision. WOUNDING BY A WOMAN.—Sarah Williams, 22, prostitute, was indicted for stabbing and wounding Joseph Bird. at Cardiff, on the 14th of March, 1883- About one o'clock on the day named the prisoner visited the Royal Hotel and was served with some whisky, which she drank and then left. About three o'clock she returned and asked for something more to drink, but Bird, the barman, declined to serve her. She then used very objectionable language, and was ordered to leave the bar, but she declined to do so; and thereupon the barman. Bird, proceeded to carry her out of the bouse. The woman drew a knife, and as the man was carrying her up a flight of stairs stabbed him twice, first in the neck and the second time in the back of the head. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and she was sentenced to six months' imprisonment. STEALING MONEY.—Frederick Hill, 17, labourer was indicted for stealing 13s. 9d. and a purse from Jean Artus, in the parish of Llangafelach, on the 3rd March- —Mr. Brynmor Jones prosecuted, and the prisoner was undefended. The prosecutor and the prisoner, had lodged in the same house, on Neath-road, Morriston. Prosecutor left in his bedroon a waistcoat, containing the money in a purse. He subsequently went into the Trewddfa Inn, and in consequence of some information he heard there returned home, when be fonnd the money to be missing. It seemed that Hill visited the Trewddfa public-house the same morning, and paid for drink out of a purse which was identinedas the prosecutor's. Prisoner was arrested at Llangafelach Fair on the 15th of March by Police-Constable Bowden. At the Morriston Police Station he admitted taking the money, and at the same time asked the prosecutor to forgive him, saying that he would return it as soon as he could get it. The jury found the prisoner guilty, and another charge being proved against him, he was sent to prison for six calendar months. This concluded the business of the Easter Sessions.

The Liberal students of Glasgow University have re- solved to bring forward a candidate to oppose Lord Butt for the Lord Rectorship. BEAUTIFUL FLOWERS IN SnOrER AND AUTUMN.— Sutton' "Half-(Juinea" Collection of Flower Seeds will make a garden beautiful through the summer and autumn. It consists of ;— 6 varieties Truffaut's French Pceony-flowered Aster, 6 varieties finest dwarf German Ten-week Stock, 2 oz. mixed Sweet Peas, j oz. sweet Mignonette; 12 varieties showy Hardy Annuals, including Nemophila, Clarkia, Candytuft, &c.; 6 varieties half-hardy and tender Annuals, including Balsam, Phlox- drummondii, Portulaca, &c. 6 varieties hardy Perennials and Biennials; 6 varieties Everlasting Flowers, suitable for winter bouquets 1 oz. mixed dwarf Nasturtium, 1 oz. mixed tall ■Nasturtium and will be forwarded post free, on receipt ef P.O.O. Sutton's collections of Hardy Annual Flower Seeds contain all the showy and pretty varieties, 2s. 6d., as., and 7s. 6d. each, post free. Instructions on cultivation sent with the seeds, Sutton and BOIlS, the Queen's Seedsmen, Reading, jerks,

BRINLEY RICHARDS ON MUSICAL EDUCATION. At a concert given at St. John's Schoolroom, Crock- herbtown, Cardiff, last week. Mr. Brinley Richards consented to take part in the proceedings. The dis- tinguished musician said: This being my third, and probably my last, visit to Cardiff, as the official re- presentative of tbe Royal Academy of Music, I wish to make some remarks concerning the Local Examinations- I may at once state that the results justify me in making a favourable report of the progress of musical education in Cardiff. To the candidates who are present this evening I would speak as a fellow-student, for though my life has been devoted to music, I still consider myself a student. If we are willing to learn there is no time of life that we may not do so. The best and wisest of us can never live to be more than students, for there is no art, no science, that has yet been per- fected. And so with tbe Divine art of music. The great giants of the art—whose works are left to us as legacies of inestimable value—would tell you, were they here to-night, how far they were from accomplishing perfection. You have the earlier school of Bach and Handel, in which the mechanical, the curious rhythm and fugal forms are made prominent; three good examples of fugue are given by both these great men. and one by a mora modern writer, Mozart. By fugue is meant a given phrase of two or three bars, and called (technically) the subject, which is made to fly" (as tbe word implies) through the various parts, first appearing in the highest, or soprano, then in the lowest, then in tbe middle, and finally appearing in ite- turn in every part, and afterwards curtailed or extended and modified in relative or other keys. Very curious specimens of imitation are sometimes to be met with in some of these fugues—something like a dialogue, in which two are engaged. Now, referring again to the lists, you have tbe different forms of the minor mode, containing diatonic and chromatic in Mendelasoha: capriccio in A minor. Then you have the graceful and sentimental ideas of Sir Sterndale Bennett exemplified in his allegro grasioso. Sir Sterndale Bennett was one of our own countrymen—that jp, he was an English- man, and up to the time of his death the revered prin- cipal of the Royal Academy of Music. His career is a sufficient reply to those who question the possibility of obtaining musical education in England. Among the other works selected, we have an example from Chopin, in which you have some instances of enhar- monic modulation—that modulation which enables us to pass from keys with flat signatures to remote once with 6harps-in fact a modulation effected without taking the fingers off the keys. We have also an extract from the works of that giant writer Beethoren, usually thoughtfal and grave, but in tbi polonaise which has been selected somewhat more light and playful than he is wont to be in fact tbe Royal Academy has set before your examples of every style except that which is vulglir-enmples which, if you study thoughtfully and diligently, must eventually train your mind to thoroughly enjoy and appreciate all that is beautiful in the art. Believe me that it is of the highest importance what should, or should not, be placed before you for your study and practice—your taste as well as your fingers have to be educated. Now, bad I looked into your music folios a little while ago I doubt not but that I should have found much there that would not have commended itself to the thoughtful and educated musiciaa, and so far you will agree with me, that the Academy has done much for you if it has only set you on the right course of study to become truly educated musicians. And this question, What to study ?" if of immense importance. You may eke out your hour at the piano and accomplish nothing, just as it is pos- sible to wade through volumes of books without acquiring one crumb of solid information. Printers and publishers are responsible as much for the trashy music in circulation as the heaps of trashy books that if .ste and squander away the youthful hours. Nay, more than waste, they corrupt. Now, there is some difference between amusement and study, although both may be combined. But your practice dot the piano, if it has not helped you over some difficult passage or passages, has done little or nothing for you as a student pushing onwards, and I think the Royal Academy has helped both you and your teachers, if they be teachers worthy of the name and as it is the natural tendency in youth to read light books because they require nc effort of the mind, so young pianoforte students, too, catch at tbe light a; d frivolous in music for the same reason, as it requires scarcely any care to watch the stuff which many still play, and still less study. Now, these examinations have done all this they have backed up your teachers against the natural inclination to idle stuff, and they have defined in what they have set before you as proper models for study and practice, and as your ear becomes trained (and it is an organ that can ba tutored as well as any other) the more will be your enjoyment of the beauties of such great masters as Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and others, and it will be your duty, so far as you can, to educate others iu the same way, not by stooping or pandering to their taste. which has probably not bien trained, but to endeavour to raise them to your standard, inasmuch as you have been taught. It is gratifying to see so many ladies going in this year for paper work, and it is moreover somewhat encouraging to the principal and committee of management, who have your interests at heart, for without attention to this department pianoforte playing is reduced to a mcchanical operation. The committee have undertaken these examinations purely for the advancement of the art in every part of the kingdom, and tbe results have been most gratifying. It is the only way open that could possibly reach the masses, and ultimately raise popular taste, and although this is only tbe third year for these examinations the affect produced has been manifest in every town where the Academy has been operating. (Applause.)