The Cambrian

THE CHILDREN'S CORNER. [CONDUCTED BY UNCLE ROBIN.J Between the dark and the daylight, W heu the night is beeinniHg to lower. Comes a pause in the day's occupations That is known as the Children's Hour." 504] [504 Uncle Robin's Society now numbers 504- members. An additional list of members will be published next week.

THE WELSH DICKY BIRD SOCIETY. FOUNDED BY UNCLE ROBIN, MARCH, 1899. FOR THE PROMOTION OF KINDNESS TOWARDS BIRDS AND ALL LIVING THINGS. A FAITHFUL MESSENGER. An American general wanted to send a mes- sage to another general, to ask him to join his forces with his own, so that they might be strong enough to attack the English commander —Lord'Rawdon. To his surprise he found that no one would take the message. Even the bravest man said: "The undertaking is too dangerous. Man after man might try and get killed, for the country to be passed is full of English troops." Then General Greene grew angry, and said he wished he could go himself. lie knew the country was dangerous, but he thought his soldiers were men; and he wound up by telling them they deserved to be shot. As he was walking off to his tent, in a very bad temper, a young girl followed him, and as he turned before entering it, to look round, she went up to him. "General," she said, "if you will let me, I will take the message to General Sumter. The officer stared in wonder. Who are you ? he asked. "Emily Geiger, daughter of Private Geiger." And you are ready to take a message through a dangerous country ? "Sir, I am ready to go," was the simple answer. The general did not like to accept the girl's offer, but he knew that every minute was of importance, for in a few hours it would be too late. So at last he agreed. He wrote a short note on a small sheet of paper; then he made Emily learn it by heart, and it was a good thing she did so, as you will see. General Greene told a soldier named Hilder to walk five miles on the way with the brave girl, and you may be sure the other soldiers cheered them loudly as they left the camp. Hilder walked six miles, and then went back to report that all was well so far. Emily kept off the main roads as much as possible, and walked steadily on. When night came, she slept in a sheltered place, with the precious note inside the body of her frock. She was on her way again early the next morn- ing, but she had not gone far when she was over- taken by a party of English soldiers. The officer rode up to her, and told her that he suspected she was a messenger from the enemy's camp, and she must go with him to the nearest town. "If you are only a traveller," he said, "you will soon be released, and we will do our best to make up for the delay." The road to the town was long, hot, and dusty, but they reached it at last; and Emily was taken to the English colonel, who told her that she must be searched. The woman whose business it was to do this took the poor girl into a little room. "Sit down, please," she said; "I will be back in ten minutes. I don't think you look as if you would run away, but I'll lock you in to make sure." The instant the door closed, Emily looked round. There was nothing in the room but plain wooden chairs and table. No carpet, no curtain, no fire where she could get rid of her letter. Only a few minutes remained, and if she were not quick General Sumter would never get his message. She took the little note from her bosom, she read it carefully once more, then she tore it up in tiny pieces, and what do you think she did ? She rolled them up and swallowed them, every one She had only just got rid of the last piece when the matron came in, with many apologies for keeping her. Of course she found nothing for her pains, and when Emily was taken once more to the colonel he said: "I advise you to make all possible speed across country, and should you meet any more of Rawdon's scouts, hand them this passport." So Emily Geiger made her way to General Sumter's camp and delivered her message, and you may be sure that she was well treated and kindly looked after as the faithful bearer of a message. .i A boy ef seven protested earnestly after his holidays against being sent back to school. "What," said his father, "don't you want to go to school ?" Yes; but not to that school." "And why not to that one?" "Because they want to teach me a lot of things that I don t know anything about." THE ROBIN FAMILY AT HOME. It was such a dear little house, snugly built on a bough of a great spreading chestnut-tree! And there were three baby robins in it, all close together, with just their sharp yellow beaks seen over the edge of the nest. That was when they were still. But when father or mother came dashing through the green leaves with a big, fat worm in their mouths, then the little robins were very much excited and awake. They would stretch out their long necks, all grey and mottled—not a bit like the robins as we know them. —and the father would come and feed them, then fly off again'.for more. And then the mother would come and feed them, for they were always hungry. One morning one of the baby robins said: "I am going to fly to-day." And his brother and sister looked at him with big eyes, and said: Do you really think that you can ? And the little robin said: "Of course! Don't you know how all day yesterday I kept flapping my wings ? It is very easy, and I want to go out into the world." The brother and sister looked at him curiously. It must be very nice to have such courage, they thought. Then the brave little bird stood on the edge of the nest and spread out his wings, and flew to a little twig near by. Then he flew back to the nest, and rested just a moment, then flew further away. And the father-bird cried "That is good! Now come here18 And the little robin obeyed, and flew away, away off into another tree, and the father carro and fed him with the tenderest worm he could find. The news spread, and little Miss Thrush and Mrs. Sparrow came and made a friendly call. Little Miss Thrush fluttered around among the leaves and caught caterpillars in a very grown- up manner, and said: "Just see me-how easy I do it. You'd better, come out and try." But Mrs. Sparrow was not so encouraging. "Your children are not very smart, Mrs. Robin," she said. "They are too big to stay at home and be so lazy. They ought to go out and get food for themselves." The little robins looked very much ashamed, and sank back into their nest; but the mother gave them a worm to comfort them. But they kept thinking of what Mrs. Sparrow had said, and after a while the little brother said: "I'm going too." And before the little girl robin knew about it he had flown away. And then the last little baby was very lone- some. The father had gone away to see that nothing happened to the other two, and the nest seemed so big and dreary. She couldn't fly. She tried to flutter her wings as the others had done, but it was no use. She couldn't manage them. It was because she had been so crowded, the mother told her. She hadn't had room enough to grow big and strong. She would grow now. And one morning very soon the last little baby robin flapped her wings and cried delightedly: "I can fly! I can fly And away she went over the houses and the tops of the very highest trees, till it almost seemed as if she would never come back again. But when suppertime came there was the little robin, sitting on the edge of the home nest with a fat worm she had caught, and Papa Robin said: Well done, baby, well done 1"

A marriage has been arranged between Captam Philip Levepon-Gower, of the Derbyshire Repi- ment (the Sherwood Foresters), and Norah, elder daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Christopher Nugent, of The Hall, Pinner, Middlesex.

THE RELIGION OF THE FUTURE." [SERMON BY REV. W. TUDOR JONES, UNITARIAN CHAPEL, SWANSEA.] The following is an extract of a sermon preached last Sunday evening by the Rev. W. Tudor Jones, at the Unitarian Church, High- street :— In dwelling on this subject, I lay no claims to any special inspiration. Indeed, no special inspiration is necessary. But the thing is necessary for the proper understanding of the true trend of things,—an unbiassed mind—a mind aware of the progress of thought; and by being aware of this progress of thought we are enabled to carry the lines into the future. The future will be what the present makes it. There will be another element in the future which is not found in the present, or else progress would be impossible. But something of the present will drop, and some- thing of the present will remain in the reli- gion of the future. To a few of these elements, those which will drop and remain, I wish to call your attention. (1) Let us ask in the first place— Dona RELIGION CHANOE ? We all admit that theology changes that it becomes more and more scientific in the de- velopment of the ages. Theology means the ideas which we possess of religion, of the highest things in a tangible form—in a form capable of being grasped by the understand- ing of man. It means the notions concerning God. the universe and man brought within the realm of the understanding. It is belief justified, which is the test which distinguishes true belief from superstition. So we will agree that theology changes. You need not go outside the churches of this town in order to see that notions concerning the highest things change and grow. Possibly, some of you have noticed in the papers of last week a paragraph of a sermon on How to read the Bible," preached by an able and highly re- spected Nonconformist minister of this town. This is a proof to us that things are chang- ing, and it augurs well for liberal theology and religion to find an able minister cou- rageous enough to proclaim the truth con- cerning the Bible in a way fundamentally different to that of the past. The minister mentioned that it is now immaterial whether we believe iu the verbal inspiration of the Bible or not; immaterial whether there was a real Garden of Eden, a literal tree of know- ledge or not. These are depicted in the book of Genesis as being real, but it is not neces- sary that we should believe them to be real. THB GREAT FACT, according to the paragraph mentioned, was that sin had entered our world, and that man had rebelled against his Creator and had con- sequently suffered. Also the preacher urged his hearers to read the Bible intelligently, and notice the progressive revelation which is found in it. Now, this is exactly what has been preached within these walls for over half-a-century. We are not alone to-day, and we rejoice in it. Others as well as ourselves believe now that the Bible is a noble book of man,—the records of a nation struggling after higher and higher conceptions of God. And we rejoice in the fact that the upward move- ment gathers strength, and is pressing on us often from the most unexpected quarters. A fortnight ago, Canon Cheyne preached a ser- mon in Rochester Cathedral on the Fourth Gospel, in which he pointed out the evidence of two hands in that Gospel, and mentioned that the evidence for miracles as now shown in modern light is insufficient for their belief. The learned Canon further pointed out that it is impossible for any historical mind to believe in them at this time of day. I say again, there are signs on all hands that theology is continually changing, continually moving upwards from the base of authority and orthodoxy to the peaks of reason, illu- mined by the understanding and conscience of humanity, and we take it as a good omen that the future will reveal higher and nobler and diviner conceptions to us concerning the universe, man, and God. DOES RELIGION MOVE AS THEOLOGY DOES ? It does. Religion is a kind of trust before the mystery of the universe. It is an attempt, intuitive in man, to place himself at one with the universe. Now, a certain amount of belief is found in even this. A man would not attempt to place himself at one with the universe unless he had some reason for doing so. Religion, in this way, has reason for its basis, if not for its contents, It is something which is not measured by the scales of the understanding solely because it is not an exact quantity and not a full grown thing. It is not a mechanical thing but a vital thing. We suspend judgment upon it because it is a living thing in process of perpetual unfolding. But the partial explanation which is given to it rests upon a knowledge of it. As Principal James Drummond says, Even religion cannot exist in intelligent minds without seeking to understand and define its own basis, contents and relations." In this way then religion moves. Man continually changes his attitude towards the great problems of the universe. From age to age he changes his points of view and multiplies the points, and it is in this way only tb at God and the universe become intelligible to us at all. No two ages, nor, indeed, two men, stand on the same level in viewing things. The standpoints are changed and multiplied in viewing all things on the whole scale of exist- ence, for this is a condition of all true advancement. So religion moves. Man rests in securer places, and finds his God more and more real. (3) May we ask then, towards what is THIS MOVEMENT OF RELIGION —the movement which is in a kind of fluid state to-day running down the stream of time towards a nobler state of things for our children than for us. "The progress of religion," says Emerson. is steadily to its identity with morals." All conceptions of God which humanity possess to-day flow on- ward to goodness, life and character. Emerson further says that the next age will behold God in the ethical laws. And another eminent American Unitarian says, "Ethics thovght out is religious thought; ethics felt out is religious feeling; ethics lived out is religious life." It is important to remember that these two writers do not identify ethics and religion. What they mean is that the whole of the science of conduct, the whole sphere of character will in the future be within the realm of religion. The meaning is that religion in the future will not be only nor mainly theories about things—things which often have no bearing upon human life. Religion will continue in a degree to be that, because the ideas which we possess concern- ing man's relation with God, the world and his fellows are not realized by us as yet. But the religion of the future will mean something besides this. All the ideas which are at the timè- possible of realization will con- stitute the essence of the religion of the future. It will lay emphasis, not upon dogmas, that is, not upon theories which were realized by man centuries ago, and which are the products of human minds akin to our own. Common sense tells us that these theories cannot be realized in the same manner now. This would be analogous to an attempt to wear the clothes of boyhood after we are grown up. You may smile at the analogy, but it is none the more ridiculous and foolish than the attempt to dress religion in a garb which suited our ancestors, but which does not suit us, and onr conceptions will have to be modified and corrected by those who will folJow us. We pass the mile-stones of life never to return to them again. Once they are passed they are, or at least ought to be, passed for ever. We must travel for ever onward. It argues ill for our manhood if we play like children, and waste our time in a foolish way about what ought to have been passed by us long, long ago. What is history but a continual movement towards the unknown future? Take move- ment, change away from the history of nations, and nations cease to be, and history ceases to be written. In order to live at the best, man and nations must be alert and on the move, possessing as the years pass away higher and finer conceptions of things, and greater grace of character and life. Religion then moves towards a nobler future, and the religion of the future will of necessity be very different to that of the past or the present. (4) In which way will the RELIGION OF THE FUTURE from that of the present? • What will remain and what will drop? The new century is to see, according to the ablest minds of to-day, an important reorganisation of the Christian Church. The world is weary of the immutability of dogmas which create a dualism in life a.nd divide man's faculties into different compartments. How then to bring about a healthier, saner religion ? The problem is not a mechanical one but a vital one. Religious sentiments deepened through centuries experience will not die in a day. But there are signs that the unessentials in them are dropping off more and more. The harsh systems of the wrath of God, the doctrines of hell and everlasting punishment are not preached to-day. Little is heard of a scheme of salvation, and the sacrifice of Christ is looked upon not as a contract between God and man but as an universal j principle upon which every noble life is built, The Churches of Christendom seem to be uniting more and more on the essentials. Congregationalists and Unitarians work together hand in hand in America. More emphasis is laid upon goodness than upon j dogma. One of the most beautiful passages in the Bible is the story about Moses, when in answer to his prayer that he might see God, God makes "all his goodness pass before him." Is there any other way by which we can see God who is spirit except as we see the expression and manifestation of goodness ? Wherever we see goodness we see God. God shows himself through men, through good thoughts and actions. Whoever loves good- ness loves God. The religion of the future: will have as its kernel goodness. It will not be goodness as conceived in a being beyond ourselves solely, but as goodness conceived by our spirits and lived in our lives. TRUE RELIGION will then mean not theories about the good- ness of God, not any special incarnation, but a clear manifestation of God in the lives of men. Let any man's life agree with the ideas which he possesses concerning the noblest and best and divinest things, and that man's life will reveal Grod in exactly the same manner as God has always been revealed. This constitutes the basis and true super- structure of religion. The religion of the future will then see God in goodness as we see ourselves in a mirror. Religion in this manner will not be an empty wail for God in space mainly, but man will find him within himself in goodness, truth and love. Speak to Him thou, for He hears, And spirit with spirit can meet; Closer is He than breathing, And nearer than hands and feet." The true verification of God will be the consciousness of his spirit dwelling in ours and moving us to higher realms of duty and activity. The stress in the religion of the future will be laid on the necessity of feeling this consciousness of God permeating our lives and not upon particular doctrines about him. The test of all things will be our own minds and spirits. (5) It will naturally oicur to you to ask WHAT PLACE WILL JESUS OCCUPY in the religion of the future ? He will always be revered as the one who brought to the surface of life the idea of union of man and God, and as the one who exemplified without ever wavering the eternal principle of self-sacrifice. But people say we owe all to him. Let us be honest ? Can we owe all to anyone ? Are we passive then in so far that the ideas which we possess concerning God and the universe are worthless ? The practical point which I wish you to notice, and which, as things seem to-day, is that man's attempt to fix his attention upon past events entirely—whether persons or things— is prejudicial to the growth of his life. Let me not be misunderstood. Look at it in this way. In all departments of human endeavour, in science, art and literature we are building upon the experiences of the past. This is also true in religion. Whatever has been of help to man in the past we endeavour to hold fast. The memories of the noble dead, the mighty deeds of heroes, and every act of goodness go to the beautifying of our characters and the growth of our lives. In this way we need not fear that the world will lose the inspiration of the life of Jesus. But surely this does not include the whole content of our lives. Have we not problems to face to-day ? Have we not modern enemies to fight ? The inspiration of Jesus does not mean the calling back of men to the mere imitation of the past in a servile fashion. This would be like commanding artists to copy the old masters without introducing any new element into their work. It would resemble forcing the young scientist to study Newton's Principia and ignore all scientific books which have since been written. Such things hinder the true unfolding of one's nature because they turn the means into an end. Such a manner in art, science, religion, do not spell progress. In connection with human advancement on all its planes two things must constantly be borne in mind— man himself and the perpetually changing environment. From age to age man throws something into the total environment of life,, so that it is never the same. It changes as the clouds. We cannot imitate Jesus nor anyone else, and it would harm our nature even if it were possible for us to do so. Our true masters in all departments of human thought and action are they who do not compel us to adjust our lives mechanically to theirs, but they who aid us with their thoughts and spirits for further development on the lines of our own nature. The TRUE DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE takes place by one's own spirit receiving what was good in the past and the present, thus moving on towards a richer future. Jesus would not ask—did not ask—men to imitate him. He wished man to be free in spirit—the man's own spirit. He would tell every man to find out and obey the laws of the divine kingdom through his own understanding and conscience and will, for thus the man could become free. But possibly it will be said that he made it a test of discipleship that men should calli him Lord. When we dwell upon this we miss his highest teaching. He taught the new truth that lordship meant service. He is our lord in the sense that He served most, and we are lords in the degree we serve, not rule. The religion of the future will find God net by calling Jesus names which He never called Himself, but by serving as He did. Our lives then move from theory to service, from names to the things themselves. In this manner the religious life grows by coming into touch with all that was noble in the past, and in the present as well. It will look upon all thought as the revelation of God, the gradual unfold- ing of things in consonance with the growth of our capacities. The religion of the future will not attempt to shut God in a book, but man and nature will be living books of God for all who wish to progress. Thus wherever man will look be will see God. Wherever he goes he will meet Him. (6) Lastly, the religion of the future will acknowledge TRUTH, GOODNESS AND GOD wherever they will be found, and its test of discipleship will be character and service and not particular opinions and theories about I character and service and God. Do you think Jesus would bar out of his company one who loved his friends, who attempted to serve mankind and to love his heavenly Father? The Church of the future will not do it either. But it is sad to think that to a too large extent the Church of the present does it. There is no room in many churches for a man who is courageous enough to proclaim the truth as he sees it. But the signs are increasing that we are going to witness a complete change in this respect. The true religion of the coming day will comprehend all true faith that has ever been, and will keep its mind and heart ever open for further light on the problems of existence. It will be the harbinger of peace and blessedness to man on the earth, and it will have a warm place in its heart for all who live the good life and who act the good will. No amount of opposition can hinder the coming of the glorious day. One might as well attempt to stop the flowing tide as to attempt to hinder the inevitable flow of things towards God and their eternal home. Onward will things go. ¡ The stream for ever runs. Still glides the stream and shall for ever glide, The form remains, the function never dies, While we, the brave, tho mighty and the wise, We men, who in our morn of youth defied The elements, mnst vanish be it so Enough, if something from our hands have power To live, and act, and serve the future hour; And if as toward the silent tomb we go Through love, through hope, and faith's trans- cendent dower j We feel that we are greater than we know."

CONTEMPORARY CHAT During the recent tropical weather a very fine array of white waistcoats have been on view throughout London and the suburbs. Now, if the wearers of these garments are philanthropists, and parade these snowy vests for the purpose of giving an aspect of coolness to the neighbour- hood, I personally am greatly indebted to them, saysMr.Ashby Sterry in the Graphic. But if they imagine that by this style of clothing they are keeping themselves cool, their imagination must have got very much the better of their common sense. A white waistcoat—that is to say, an ordinary white waistcoat made of drill—is the very hottest garment you could possibly wear. It has a very close texture to begin with, and when it has been frequently treated by the laundress its means of ventilation become so absolutely closed by starch and soap that you might just as well wear a cuirass of mackin- tosh. Of course there are light flannels and other materials in white that are admirably adapted for tropical times, but the ordinary white waistcoat worn by thousands as a summer garment is an absolute failure. And yet it has been held in high esteem for at least half a century! July is not always the hottest month in the year; in recent years its temperature has been exceeded both in August and September. The latter month, indeed, gave us the maximum of summer in 1693. It appears, however, from Whi taker that on the average of fifty years the warmest days are July 14th, 15th, and 16th. The average mean temperature in the -shade (day and night) for those days is 63deg., the mean being 62 from June 25th, and falling again to that figure on July 17th. The average remains unchanged till August 16th, when it falls to 61. There is a lawsuit pending in the Scottish cour's which, unless a compromise can be effected between the conflicting parties, will arouse considerable interest in all circles of society. Acccording to the West End, it concerns one of the largest estates in the Western High- lands, and turns on a flaw in the technical wording of a will. Twenty years have elapsed since the will came into execution, and till quite recently no one dreamt of disputing it. By a mere chance the mistake was discovered that involves the making good of twenty years' arrears of a large income. No wonder the beneficiaries under the will are anxious to square matters privately, but naturally, under the cir- cumstances, it is no easy task for the lawyers to arrive at a settlement equally agreeable to all parties. The British Medical Journal says: We under- stand that a Departmental Committee, consist- ing of Mr. Austen Chamberlain, M.P. Admiral Moore, C.B., C.M.G., Junior Naval Lord; and Sir Henry Norbury, the Medical Director-General, with Staff-Surgeon Gipps, R.N., as Secretary, has been sitting for some time past 'to con- sider various projects of medical reform in the Royal Navy. Among other subjects which have engaged attention is that of the teaching of tropical diseases and the general teaching in the Naval Medical School at Haslar. We are con- fidently assured that the alterations which the Committee are likely to recommend will be such as will commend themselves to the officers of the service and to the medical profession. Afternoon teas in fashionable Transatlantic society are much enlivened just now by the popular fad for telling fortunes in a teacup. Special teacups are sold for the purpose, very wide and deep, and having the inside covered with a network of lines and a border of the signs of the Zodiac and various astrological emblems. When the guest has finished his or her tea, the hostess solemnly examines She position of the tea leaves in connection with the lines and signs, and foretells the future accordingly. Local option experiments in Norway appear to have proved that closing public-houses does not necessarily reduce drinking. There was recently taken in Fredrikstad a vote as to whether the town's "Bnendevin-Samlag," or public drink store, should continue or be suppressed. Every- body over twenty-five years of age is entitled to vote, and the result of the polling was the aboli- tion of the Samlag. But the British Vice- Consul reports that it has practically made no difference so far as the consumption of drink is concerned. The people who want drink get it, and the closing of one or two public-houses does not deter them. Consequently there is as much drunkenness as ever. At the same time the local hospitals, schools, and charitable institutions which shared the profits of the Samlag find their resources considerably cut off. "As the present law does not appear to have worked more favour- ably in any other part of the country, it is not improbable," the Vice-Consul adds, "that an amending measure will soon have to be con- sidered by the Storthing." The Vice-Consul at Stavanger sends home an almost precisely similar story. It is not improbable that before long the Shore- ditch Vestry will make a new departure by beginning business in the "public-house line." The Swan Tavern, Provost-street, bars the way in the Maria-place improvement scheme, and notices have been served to treat for compulsory acquisition of the premises. The vestry will have three courses open to it: it may follow the lead recently set by the London County Council, and drop the licence; it may dispose of it to a brewer; or retain the interest and run the public- house itself on ordinary business lines. It will be interesting to see which alternative is adopted. An interesting commission has been given by the French Government to a lady art-worker in gold for a necklace designed as a gift to the Empress of Russia. It consists of twelve medal- lions in gold, each bearing the portrait of a Frenchwoman celebrated in political, literary, or social history. The series begins with the first Christian Queen of France, and ends prior to the Great Revolution. An interesting little romanceTwas unveiled at the last meeting of the Central London School District Managers. Forty years ago one of the lads of the school started out to make his way in the world fortified with the meagre training that the barrack school afforded half a century ago. The lad worked hard, and now holds an impor- tant position in her Majesty's Post Office. But he has not forgotten his early association with the Hanwell School, and last week applied for permission to be present at the annual fits which will shortly take place. In an interesting letter to 'the managers he recalled the fact that in the old days the music was supplied by a tin- whistle band, of which he was a member. As a result of coppers collected on the routs sach bandboy received twopence for his services. The writer pointed out that that state of things con- trasted very strongly with the fine band and numerous privileges enjoyed by the scholars to- day. Those who advocate an Anglo-American under- standing should bear in mind the colossal danger which threatens the race in the immediate future, writes Sir Walter Besant in the Queen. There has arisen of late in the minds of all the European Powers a profound jealousy of the Anglo-Saxon, or Anglo-Celt—I prefer the latter name. They see the Anglo-Celt in possession of all the fairest places on the earth; they see in him the spirit of democracy, which is the deadly enemy of the autocrat. It is not only a jealousy of prosperity, it is a fear that all this people should join hands, in which case the future of democracy would be assured. The danger to be met is that of the combination of the three great Powers of Europe against Great Britain alone, a combination which might be successful, in which case the whole of our Colonial Empire would fall to pieces and be divided. This com- bination would be naturally followed by another against the United States of America, which would be the only last refuge and hope of freedom, as Holland once seemed the only fortress of free religious thought. It is not for me, but for a student of the Art of War, to calcu- late the chances of such a combination. It is not very often that members of our old nobility are reduced to the very lowest depths of penury. But it does happen sometimes, as a statement in the report submitted at the annual meeting of the Universal Beneficent Society thews. We read that among the pensioners of the society was a Viscountess, who, at the time she applied for assistance, was trying to earn v living, so as to keep out of the workhouse, by making shirts at twopence apiece, and was in receipt of out-door parish relief. "Shirts at twopence"! Making these is surely about the worst use to which any human being could be put, to say nothing of a Viscountess. Whv, asks the' Westminster Gazette, don't some of these charitable societies trace the history of a few of these garments, and let the world know whence they come and where they go ? "Captain Coe" writes: I am very glad to see that the Jockey Club are about to consider a pro- posal to prevent any jockey whatever from own- ing hones. I think a jockey has quite enough to do to attend to his legitimate business, and leave the owning to others. If I had my way no bookmaker should be allowed to own horses either, for the animals carrying the colours of some of the pencillers shew most erratic form at times.

"ST. ILLTYD'S CHURCH, PEMBREY Its History and its Architecture," by Mr. Edward Roberts and Mr. H. A. Pertwee. This is a well-written and reliable work: it is profusely illustrated, and should be in the hands of all interested in Church history. Order at oree. Price, one shilling.—See advt.

BRYNMILL SCHOOL PRIZE DAY. THE HEAD-MASTER'S REPORT. The annual distribution of prizes at the Brynmill School took place on Wednesday after- noon. The Worshipful Mayor (Mr. R. Martin) presided, and among those present were: The Mayoress, Miss Dillwyn, Revs. J. Pollock and 0. T. Snelling, Mr. C. H. Perkins, Councillor and Mrs. Griff Davies, Mrs. E. Lewis, Dr. and Mrs. Prees (U.S. Consul), Mr. and Mrs. J. Powell, Mr. John Williams (contractor), and a large number of other ladies and gentlemen. The meeting was held in the large hall of the infants' and girls' department, and the table was tastefully laid and decorated with flowers grown by the boys, and with a choice selection of beautiful books stamped with the Training College arms in gilt. The programme opened with a chorus by the boys, followed by a recitation by little Miss Betty James and glees by the girls. The Head-master then read his report and stated that letters of apology for non-attendance had been sent by Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, Bart., M.P., Sir J. J. Jenkins, M.P., J. Coke Fowler, E.-q. (Stipendiary), Mr. and Mrs. Ben Evans, Mr. D. Roberts and others. The following was the headmaster's report:- At the close of this, our third school year, it is interesting to notice the growth and development of the school. The average attendance iu the boys' department the first week after opening was 220. At the end of the first school year it had increased to 260. At the end of the second it was 328, while for the year just closed the average attendance has been 362. The numbers for the girls and infants' departments are not quite as large, but in these also the average attendance has steadily improved, and we have now a total number on the books of 1,079, viz. 399 boys, 350 girls, and 330 infants. The reports of H.M. Inspectors, which we have been success- ful in obtaining, have been excellent for each department, and we trust and believe that the report for the past year will be no exception to that of former years. At the recent examination for scholarships to the Intermediate School, one of our pupils (Frank Williams) was successful, while another (Harold Donaldson) has just suc- ceeded in carrying off the first prize in science offered by the School Board in competition by the whole district—a distinction which was ob- tained last year by one of the girls (May Cleaver), who also won a scholarship at the High School for Girls, and who, we are pleased to find. continues to maintain a high position in that school. Last week five of our scholars sat for the Oxford local examinaticn, two for junior, and three for the preliminary, and when the results are issued we can only hope they will be as satisfactory as were those of last year, when the three whom we sent in passed. Several scholarships to the Higher Grade School have been obtained, and the list for Standard V., which is being presented to the School Board this day is. I am informed, headed by one of our pupils (Douglas Goode). An experiment which we have inaugurated this prize day is the com- petition for the best flowers grown by the boys. Some months ago Messrs. Toogood and Sons, of the Royal Seed Establishment, Southampton, in order to encourage horticulture among the young, were kind enough to offer medals and certificates for the best-grown hardy flowers grown from seed supplied by themselves or ob- tained from any other source. The boys were told to ask their parents for a yard or two of garden and were encouraged to prepare the ground and sow the ssed, and to attend carefully to the young plants themselves by watering, etc. A large number began well, but alas! some seed fell by the wayside of good intention, and the fowls of procrastination came and devoured it up, and some fell on the stony ground of temptation to play, when it had not much earth and it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away, and some fell among the thorns of inatten- tion, the thorns grew up and choked it; and so much that was intended for our little show to-day is not here for the foregoing reasons. But other seed fell on the good ground of perseverance, and did yield and has brought forth the modest little bouquets which are before us. and which have been adjudged by a practical gardener, Mr. Edwards, for whose services we are indebted to Mr. D. Jenkins, Llwyn Helyn, and who has awarded the silver medal to Tom Pascoe, Standard IV., and the bronze medal to Alfred Hughes, Standard IV., the certificate to (1) Frank Knuckey, Standard VII., (2) Benjamim John, Standard II., (3) Wm. Burgess, Standard III. The Educational Exhibition that is being held in Cardiff this week, preparatory for the Universal Exhibition at Paris next tyear, contains such excellent specimens of school children's work as to win the unstinted praise of even the Cardiff papers, and the work sent from this school, especially that prepared in the Girls'and Infants' departments, under the superintendence of my colleagues, Miss Thomas and Miss Michell (the Head Teachers of those departments) and their staff, well sustains the credit of Swansea. In closing this brief report, I would like to bear testimony to the pleasure with which we have received the appreciative co-operation of many of the parents of our pupils. In these times there is a dangerou tendency in parents to delegate the training of their children intellectually and morally, to such a degree as to take little or no part in it themselves, save to find fault with those who are endeavouring to perform that duty for them. This is perhaps more prevalent with the invidiously" so called" better class than with those who sometimes are considered to occupy a lower rung in the social ladder. It is therefore doubly pleasant when one meets with representa- tives from all classes who are kind and good enough to appreciate efforts even when they are only partially successful. The Chairman gave an interesting and encour- aging address on education, after which an action song and chorus by the infants was very pleasingly rendered. A recitation followed and a chorus by the boys preceded the distribution of prizes. The Mayoress distributed the prizes to the pupils and the silver and bronze medals and certificates were awarded to the successful amateur gardeners whose bouquets adorned the table. After another tuneful measure, sweetly rendered by the girls, and a hearty cheer (initiated by the Mayor) had been given by the boys for their teachers, an invitation was given to all to view the buildings, and the meeting closed with the National Anthem. BOYS' PRIZE LIST. The following is the prize list for 1899:— DIVISION I-GENEP.AL.-I, Kenneth Jones; 2, Reginald Prees. Drawing: 1, Ross Dwerry- house 2. Claude Henderson. DIVISION II—GENERAL.—1. Leslie Hitohins 2, Clifford Austin; 3, Leslie Thomas. Drawing: William Brown. DIVISION HI—GENERAL.—1, Harold Quick; 2, Bertie Richards; 3, Edgar Jones. Drawing: 1, Clifford Roberts; 2, Gwyn Rees; 3, Edgar Walters. DIVISION IV—GENERAL.—1. Griffith Jones; 2. Gordon Pascoe; 3, John Caird. Drawing: 1, William Kenwood; 2, Hubert Desmond; 3, R. Stephens. DIVISION V—GENERAL.—1, Reggie Tregaskis 2, Harold Davies; 3, Ernest Dunkin. Drawing 1, Nelson Bayley 2. Irving Huggins 3, Harold Jenkins. Science: 1, Eddie Williams; 2, George Naylor; 3, Stanley Haines. DIVISION VI—GENERAL.—1, Henry Rees; 2, Bert;e Stroud: 3, Avery Bates. Drawing: 1, Harry Hooking; 2, William Doxsey; 3, Arthur Biroball. Special (General): 1. Peroy Lidgsy 2, Arthur Mock; 3, Frank Williams. Special (Science): 1, Harold Donaldson; 2, Jos. Baker. GIRLS' PRIZE LIST. DIVISION I—GENERAL WORK. 1, Elsie Davies; 2, Elsie Williams. Drawing: 1, Winnie Williams 2, Evelyn Deeley. DIVISION II—GENERAL WORK.—1, Edith Court; 2, Ettie Jenkins; 3, Gladys Jones. Drawing: Irene Tucker. DIVISION III-GENERAL WORK.—1, Irene Thomas; 2. Mabel Davies; 3, Millie Thomas. Drawing: I, Edith Birchall; 2, Rose Mitchell; 3, Sarah Thomas. DIVISION IV—GENERAL WORK.—1, Sophie Robinson; 2, Janet Lorraine; 3, Ethelind Saunders. Drawing: 1, Ethel Townshend; 2, Ethel Seward 3, Gwennie Morris. DIVISION V—GENERAL WORK.—1, Agnes Davies; 2, Nellie Lockman; 3, Nellie Sutton. Drawing 1, Nesta Stephen 2, Gladys Walker. Science: 1, Hannah Lorraine 2, Mary Ace 3, Bessie Aldridge. DIVISIONS VI AND VII—GENERAL WORK.- 1. Mabel Seward; 2, Annie Turpin; 3, Jessie Hollins.—Drawing: 1. Olive Stephen; 2, Edith Richards 3. Lillie Griffiths; 4, Irene Tregaskis. Science: 1, Beatrice Lane; 2, Elsie Thomas; 3, Rosa Richards; 4, Elsie Davies. INFANTS' PRIZE LIST. Marion Jones. Gladys Beynon, Dorothy Thomas, Nellie James, Arthur Green, Willie Farrant, Bernard Rees, Horace Boyle, Donald MoCremmda, Aubrey Cooper, Amanda Morgan, Sylvia Oakey, Kingsley Thomas, Lily Bright, Bernard Bennett, Joe Downer, Beatrice Johnston, Cissie Turner, Elsie Robinson, Gwenny Ross, Dora Strond, Olive Workman, Reginald Powell, Leslie Davies, Gwenny Stokes, Betty James, John Jenkins, Hubert Howell, Robert Lorraine, Gladys Thomas, James MeCrimmon, Stuart Wood, Percy Thompson, Ralph Latimer, Harry Robinson, Phjllis Milligan, Nita Thomas, Gladys Rew, Willie Davies, Ada Anderson, Elsie Lewis, Blodwin Williams, Alice Elliot, Nellie Shapland, Florrie Pitt, George Blakeman, Hessey Mattey, Rachel Cooper, Mabel Pitt. Ernest Clemo, Ivor Powell, Madge James, Gladys Beunettt and Ella Ackenhead.

All A SAFE, PERMANENT, AND WARRANTED CURE tor Pimples, Scrofula, Scurvy, Bad Legs, Skin and Blood Diseases, Pimples and gores of all kinds, we can with confidence recommend Clarke's World-famed Blood Mixture. It is certainly the finest Blood Purifier that science and medical skill have brought to light." Thousands of wonderful cures have been effected by it. Bold everywhere, at 2s. 94. per bottle. Beware of worthless Imitation, "A Perfect Beverage.medical Annual. PURE-SOLUBLE. EASILY DIGESTED-EXQUISITE FLAVOR. Cocoa "Yields a maximum proportion of "the valuable food constituents. Easy of assimilation and digestion. Cheaper to use in the end. THE LANCET. BEST & GOES FARTHEST. ,<>>t.,d ¡,>I"<

THE TEMPLE OF FAME." I By" GOTHIC." There was an ape in the days that were earlier, Centuries past and his hair became curlier Centuries more added a thumb to his wrist; He was a man and a positivist." And there was a certain congregation of men called a council or board, and they were men who conducted the management of a portion of the public bu-iness in the country in which they dwelt. And there was a certain man that stood high in the estimation of the people, and he was known of them as a man of integrity and judg- ment, and he was the scribe and servant of the congregation. Now this congregation consisted of men, various in disposition, temperament and knowledge, and were not all blessed with great brain power or intellect, yet they were as one man upon matters personal, and so it came to pass, if these- did not run counter to, or clash with the public's, this congregation or board went on the even tenor of its way much in the same" hum drum" manner as did other boards or congregations, the members of which, were persons of limited business education and experience, and consisted principally of those whose duties were connected with the plough, grass, the bowels of the earth, shepherds, dealers in spice and camel drivers, together with various other useful and worthy occupations. But behold the scribe, before mentioned, through his supaiior knowledge, tact and ability, combined with modesty, raised himself in the estimation of the congregation so that they left all business in his hands, because they were not so learned in congregation's duty and work as he. And it eame to pass that the scribe was stricken by the hand of disease, and gathered to his fathers, and behold there was great lamentation and weeping of the congregation, but there was some who yearned for the fleshpots of and among them were those who waited to put on the sandals of the departed, and secretly in their hearts were glad and rejoiced exceedingly. Their joy was hidden, but they rent their clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, together with the cloak, which is well worn by those who do not wish to be seen by the outer world. This cloak is of very ancient pattern and of many colours and shapes, the fashion is said to be very old, one "Adam" who lived before the days of Moses, is said to have worn one of a similar design. So all the congregation and their households and friends wept, some delivered funeral orations, while others sang praises in honour of the dead, and all walked softly. But one "Nehemia" desired to be scribe, and yet another Absolam my son" coveted the scribe's place, and not- withstanding it was against the law to speak one with another, regarding the" number" of the congregation who were for or against they whispered in each other's ears Lo! friend of my bosom, wilt thou remember thy servant, his uncle, cousin, or aunt" in the day of the numbering P But behold the time of the meeting of the congregation drew near, and many were the ways and devices of those behind the inner curtain to sit in the seat of the scribe, etc. Yet there were those of other households who would fain compete, and whose length of days ability and know ledge were not inferior to those cousins and aunts" the favoured of certain numbers of the congregation. This did not grieve the congregation, for they looked not upon strangers, as did Pharaoh upon Joseph. How- beit only "Nehemia"and "Absolam my son" were the loved ones. The time being fulfilled, thefday arrived for the judgment of the congregation, and behold there was a great commotion in the Tabernacle, which was situated upon a high hill." lo here my friend being the constant cry, come hither I would speak with thee," "thou wilt not depart from thy word." The high priest could hardly restrain the congregation, from an arena. At length one learned member stood forth and said, it is not just my brethren a certain man sent abroad writing which was at variance with the wishes and desires of certain of us, and was calculated to overthrow our plans and interfere with our desire with respect to our cousins and aunts.' And this learned man spoke a great deal of words, but lo! and behold, this member of the congregation was carried away in spirit, and confessed that he had, before the congregation met, asked one who desired to be scribe, if he would take a helper or assistant, and it was not known to outside congregations, and was against the law to co4i or address a man as scribe, who was not appointed of the congregation. And there was a certain strong man in the congregation whose feelings were hurt at part of the members actions, and he said, Nay, it behoves us to stop such disputation, what will the more enlightened of the people think of uøt But the strong mau was unable to struggle with the agility of acrobats, and so he became dumb. And it came to pass that the old unwritten law, which did not permit of candidates sitting at the judgment abst and pleading their own cause was done away with, and a new and improved law was passed, that any candidate being a cousin or an aunt or one of the househould, should in future so act, and the law was put in force. And there were those of other households who were of the opinion that such a law was not required, because they said that, the scribe was known before the numbering' and before the meeting of the congregation, there were strangers who said, it is a mockery," a form which must be gone through to please the people. So it came to pass as was spoken by those who could see through a wall when there is a hole in it. that although "Absolam my son" was not what his father loved, he was of the household, and "Nehamia" resigned in the scribe's stead. Then the congregation of learned men fell on each others' necks and wept tears of joy, over the wise and judicious way in which they managed the board's affairs and the public's business, but not all these things are written in the books of the chronicles of the doings and sayings of the congregation of The Temple of Fame."

YOUR ATTENTION, PLEASE! Sufferers from Gravel, Lumbago, Files, Pains in the Back, Dropsy, Wind and Water Com- plaints, Diseases of Kidney, Bladder, Urinary Organs, Stone, Gleet, Stricture, Bc'atica, Rheumatism and Gout, will find a positive ctire in HOLDEOTD'S GRAVEL PILLS. Try a small oox, and if not satisfied your money will be returned- Price Is. lid. of all Chemists, or post free 12 stamps, from Holdroyd's Medieal Hall, Cleckheaton, Yorks. Don', be put off. If yod cannot get them. write at once to the Proprietor, and a box will h-o sent next post.

THE ASSIZES. TO COMMENCE AT SWANSEA TO-DAY. Justices Bruce and Kennedy will open the commission at the Guildhall at 11 o'clock this (Friday) morning. There are about 40 prisoners, and the cases include three murder trials, and the civil list is very long. Among the civil cases is an interesting Swansea one, in which two residents of Sketty proceed against Mr. Leyson, solicitor, for establishing a match factory at Sketty, which they say is prejudicial to public health. There are 31 cases in the civil list to be heard before Mr. Justice Bruce. They include 26 cases before a special jury; 11 before a common jury; and five without a jury. The Caswell right of action will come on for hearing.

THE S.S c. OCEANIC." TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—Owing to the numerous inquiries we have lately had as to the sailing dates of the new twin screw steamer Oceanic," belonging to the White Star Line, we have the pleasure in advising you that the same have been fixed as follows;- Wednesday, September 6th, October 4th, November 29th, and shall be glad if you can give same publicity through your paper. The saloon rates by this magnificent steamer, of 17,040 tons gross registsr and 740 feet;long) are X25 to X60 second class, ElO.-Youre faith.- fully, T. B. W. MASON A Co., Swansea Agents. Swansea, July 25th, 1899. ♦

THE ENFRANCHISEMENT OF WOMEN. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,—Seeing in your paper A weekly oauserie by Silas Hockings on the above important re. quirement of this age-now growing old with the obsolete cry of refusing women full privileges in all that pertains to men, politically, iiocially, parliamentary, and domestically, whether written against by an expert like S. Hockinga or by any other like-minded great man-I desire to say they have no real fundamental argument to put forth, but simply old, antiquated, hackneyed phrases, ..h me female brain, HimUler AM—n physically," "no capacity for business," &c. &c. All these men have nothing to do with ous. toms and prejudices which have "so long held sway." Their business is to administer justice to the people as far as they conscientiously see, and it seems absurd to include woman in their law-making and law-abiding country and have no voice, no vote in making these laws. She is as eminently fitted to obey and break just as men can and will do. That the majority of women" don't care two straws for the fran. chise is a libel, and ought to be included with all the foregoing false disqualiifcations. The time I has come when duty and justice demand the en. franchisement of "The Uitlandera" of Great Britain, regardless of sex. 'Tis opportunity women lack, not ability, seeing that many men voters are mere dolts in a community, just all women are some of our greatest heroines and philanthropists, who neglected not their homes,- children, and husbands, though wearily handi- capped by custom and the worlld's stigma, being outside the pale of all the privileges of the male party traditions, although born of the same parents and reared under the same roof Woman's administrative power has already bee tested, and it will take the oombined efforts of male and female tact and ability to uplift the world to Christ for peace, temperance and purity in every form.—Yours, &c., A ULTLANDEB IN THIS COUNTRY. +

FULL WEIGHT WITHOUT THE PACKAGE.— Drinkers of good tea are advised to buy Horni- man's, and see that they get it. Sold in Swansea and the District by Price, Grocer. Cwmbwrla; Evans' Stores, Morriston; Evaas, Grocer, Plasmarl; Harding, Landore; Jones, 178, High-street; Davies and Co., 49. Gorse-lane, 23. Ffynone-street, and College- street Jones, 30, New Oxford-street; Davies, 30, High- street; Bonnett, Heath field, street; Chapman, Hansel- street; Clark, Oxford-street and Beach-street; Davies Bros., Oxford-street; J. T. Davies, Walter-road; Evans, Walter-road; J. Jones, Wassail-square and ferestfacb; M. Jones, High-street; Matthews, St. Helen's-road; farlby, Maasel-street; Griffiths and Co., Grocers, 8t. Thomas; J. E. Thomas, Walter-road; National Stent*. 60, High-street,

CQIbe oet'f;) corner. NATIVE PATRIOTISM. Marching along, through a motley throng, The King of the Southern Seas, With step now feeble, but mind still strong, He rais'd a War Cry loud and long And then fell down on his stiff'ning knees, Praying aloud under tropical trees. Lord of the Christians, we will fight To free the tribes who have long endur'd The white man's gibes, and the white man's might. Thou, say their Priests, wert here To calumny, insult, yet rose to be King of all kings, triumphant, free. So we who have meekly bowed the neck To an alien's foot, and an alien's yoke, Patiently waiting the time to break The goad that prongs and the rough wheel's spoke, We'll Britons show that human slaves Will rise more glorious from their graves. We have weepingly wip'd out prideful sin. We have worship'd the wondrous pow'rs that be, But they have abused their kith and kin, The dark-hued races who sprang from Thee. Let them, 0 Lord, this lesson learn, That cowed and crushed beings turn." "Arise, ye Brave-! ye still are brave, Fight for the fallen race Shall beauteous dark-eyed child be slave Unto a Power that knows not grace, That cannot speak a civil word To us, who sl"?at!i'd for it the sword ? Draw forth their own fell instruments, More potent than our tomahawks, Erect ye hasty battlements And shoot them down, the human hawks That prey upon unwary fowl. Shoot them!—and let the creatures howl For anguish then they'll shriek and cry, Would we had left tbeir homes alone And ne'er had mark'd a sparkling eye, Or from temptation straight had flown. Would we had laboured to atone I For loss of land, by kindness shown." To arms, ye braves Down with the Race Who with fell spirits tempted thee, Who gave thee brandy for thy mace, With rnm and opium ruined thee. Down with the braggarts who have said That coloured Patriotism's dead. Then, as he heard the clang of arms, The hasty march of colour'd men, And watch'd the whiteys' blanch'd alarms, The old king's heart, grew young again. I'll live to see my kindred free, Their prowess known from sea to sea." Such is the power of victory To add respect to those despised. The white man's senate thoroughly Their laws and statntes quick revised, And gave to brown men as to white An equal share and equal right. —CHORLTON.

LLANELLY.—The "CAMBRIAN" may be obtained at W. H. SMITH & SON'S Bookstall, Railway Station

ComsponbBnte. Our columns are open to the intelligent discussion of all questiont of an important public nature, but, of course it isunderstood that we do not necessarily endorse the views of* our Correspondents. We cannot insert tetters which have appeared elsewhere nor do we undertake to return rejected manuscripts. Alllettera to the Editor must be authenticated with the name and address of the writer, not necessarily for publics Hon, but as a guarantee of good faith.

VACCINATION IN JAPAN. 0 TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SiB,-During the delivery of a lengthy and powerful address on Vaccination at the opening of the Session of the University of Peragia, November, 1898, Professor Buata, after relating some German statistics of small pox, and the pertinacity with which pro-vaccinists cite Ger- many as the most striking example of the effieaey of the new-fangled invention, viz., Re-vacoina- tion," says ;_u A well-known medical professor at one of our principal Univerities, spoke last year, at a public meeting held in the interests of vaccination, as follows :-In order to maintain a population in a perfect condition of immunity, frequent re-vaccination should be prescribed; for instance, every five or seven years, as is the practice in Japan, according to a law passed in that country in 1885." Prof. Ruata then said:— I lost no time in enquiring how matters stood in Japan, and I have succeeded in obtaining the following information from official reports: In 1872 a law was passed rendering vaccination com- pulsory. But, owing to the great mortality from small-pox, the Legislative Chamber in 1885pasftd another law, which made re-vaccination compul- sory every five to seven years. In pursuance of this law, between 1886 and 1892, no fewer than 25,474,370 vaccinations, re-vaccinations and re- re-vaccinations took place; which means that about two-thirds of the entire population of Japan, already well vaccinated by the law of 1872, were re-vaccinated or re-re-vaccinated within a period of seven years. It does not seem possible that the most ardent pro-vaccinist could desire more. Japan, unlike Germany, does not praotice isolation. Well, during the seven years (1886-92) that country lost no fewer than 38,977 from small-pox, while 156,175 small-pox cases were notified." Well might the Professor add: After such convincing figures as these, further proof is needless."—Yours truly, Bradford-on-Avon, J. WLST. July 18, 1889.