Weekly Mail

TEE PARNELL-O'SHEA SCANDAL. u Labby Loses his Character for Impartiality, BY WESTMINSTER."] There is a flaw, it would seem, even in Mr Laboachere's character for perfect indepen, dence and impartiality. I opened last week's Truth with a good deal of curiosity, expecting' from the very high moral tone which the j paper has recently assumed in discussing the private affairs of other people, that it would favour its readers with some candid and racy remarks on the scandal. But I never a word says Mr. I.abouchcre. Is he, too, a party to the silly conspiracy of silence maintained by those Separatist journals which have been in the habit for a good many months past of speaking of Mr. Parnell as if he were a little higher than the angels ? Nn doubt, it is a shock to their feelings to have the slightest doubt cast on the character of a man who has just been crowned with a halo of sanctity by the Divine Figure of ITawarden. Still, one might have thought j that journals professing a love for fair- play woald not be pat ties to an idle device for hushing tip a matter which urgently demands investigation. One explanation offered of Mr. Labouehere's silence is that since his success in exposing Pigoit his ser- vices have been in great demand as a private detective, and that he is now engaged,! along with Mr. George Lewis, in unravelling the threads of the new conspiracy against the reputation of the Irish leader. But I remember that Mr, Labouchere always spoke his mind very freely about Pigott in Truth before the confession of forgery was extorted in open court, so that this explanation of the mystery comes to nothing. j n I suppose my morality must be below the a' standard of the present age, but I really cannot see what there is in the story to make such a fuss about, or why the followers and admirers of Mr. Parnell should think it necessary to pass ridiculous resolutions before the trial, affirming that the charge against him must be un- j founded, as if, even supposing it were! true, his guilt would disqualify him from being a great political leader. If the charge were proved that be had been carrying on all intrigue with Mrs. O'3hea for the last three years, those are the very years in which he has rendered inestimable services to his party. His record of public work will remain unaffected by any reproach cast upon his private conduct, and an attempt to drive him out of the leadership of his party because he had yielded to temptation in a matter entirely unconnected with politics would deserve to fail. The London correspondent of the Fret/nan's Journal says that Sir Charles Russell has been retained by Mr. Psrnell. Mr. Parnell is convinced that the fact of the lodgment of the petition was intended to have been kept secret until a day or two before the trhl of the libel action against the Times, but friends of Captain O'Shea thought it desirable to burn the captain's boats, and the initiation of proceedings was accordingly pre- maturely divulged. The Laiv T'imes stntes that the case Parnell v. Walter stands No. 355 in the list of special juries, and will not be taken before the 20th iost. j

LAWYERS whose Professional labours necessitate long intervals between meals, nothing will be found so exhilarating, comforting, and. capable of sustaining exhausted nature as CADBURY' COCOA. It it abso- lutely pure. oi

THE EISTEDDFOD. 0 [BY A PHILISTINE.] (' wl;t,l I)eirdd a cliaiitorion, enwo.,ioii o fri." IKUAX AS The Forthcoming Big Eisteddfod at Llaneliy, I am informed on good authority that the committee of this eisteddfod purpose ap- pointing two adjudicators—one a AVelshman and the other an Englishman—and that the names suggested are those of Mr. D. Jenkins, and either Signor Handeger or'Mr. Barnby. With either of the two Englishmen— especially Mr. Barnby-I have reason to believe that our choirs would be satisfied, but as to Mr. Jenkins, all I can say is that I know two choirs who will decline to enter the lists if he occupies a place on the bench. Engaging Adjudicators- n 0 Several of our best adjudicators have spoken to rue on this subject. They complain that many eisteddfod committees send round the country to inquire the terms of a large number of men—good, bad. and indifferent-, for adjudicating at their meetings, and that it is a rule for the committee to select the lowest tender, without taking into considera- tion the abilities of the man, or whether he is capable of fulfilling the duties in a satisfac- tory manner. The post of adjudicator is thus often filled by a pure ignoramus. Our com- mi(tees should remember that the cheapest adjudicator is the dearest in the long run. A good man who can and will do his work thoroughly expects fair remuneration, and that is quite reasonable. The principle of asking for "quotations" like some business firm should be strongly opposed. -k Welsh Harpists. There can be little doubt that there are not as many harpists in Wales now as there were a few decades ago. Wc are, in fact, begin- ning to look upon the harp as a barbarian instrument. We think it more becoming to cultivate a taste for the pianoforte, the Ger- man flute, or the nigger minstrel banjo Our eisteddfod promoters are in the main respon- sible for this, but it is to be hoped that the splendid success which has been achieved by two Welsh harpists will act as an incentive to the rest of our people, who still cherish a fondness for what is, after all, one of the sweetest instruments ever invented. Mr. Tom Barker, of Caerphilly, who accompanied the Welsh singing party through the United States about two years ago, has just arrived in Melbourne, Australia. lie has been engaged by the Victorian Govern- ment to play for five years at the State con- certs in the Colonies, for which he will receive, in addition to travelling expenses, the sum of t2,000. Master Fred. Barker, of Caerphilly, who was engaged by the same Government to play at the Melbourne Exhi- bition in 1888, has now been engaged by the Glasgow Choral Union for two months to give a series of harp recitals at Glasgow, Edinburgh, Paisley, Greenock, Sunderland, Newcastle, Brighton, and Bristol. Miss Llywela Davies. This young lady seems destined to shed fresh lustre upon the 11 land of her fathers.' She has been known as an accomplished pianist and accompanist for a long time, although she is not yet eighteen years of age. She was engaged as one of the accompanists at the Brecon Eisteddfod, where her performances g-avegeneral satisfaction. About two years ago Miss Davies competed for the John Thomas Scholarship at the Boyal Academy of Music, and after a severe struggle she secured it. 'j his scholarship was tenable for three years. So well did Miss Davies pursue her studies that last summer she was awarded a silver medal. Just before Christmas the welcome intelligence reached her home at Brecon that she had succeeded in passing the in- termediate examination for the degree of Bachelor of Music. Naturally enough, the news created the liveliest satisfaction at Brecon, and Miss Davies has received con- gratulations on every hand. She is the first Welsh lady who has passed this examination. Miss Davies has still one stiff ordeal to pass before she can append the mystic words "Mus. Ihc." to her name. I refer,of course,to the final examination, to pass which is no child's play, but those who have watched the young lady's progress have no fear that she will not suc- t'ed 111 obtaining her degree. '-Nl i,,s I)aN,ies is the daughter of Mr. lihys Davies, of Brecon, #* The Bridgend Eisteddfod. -t • The good people of Bridgena have in the programme which they have just issued made a good advance upon the record of last year's meeting. "Dyfed," no doubt to his own un- bounded satisfaction, will not be the adjudi- cator on the refutations. The English recita- tions will be decided by M'r. Edward Fletcher, the geuial lessee of the Theatre ltoyal, Cardiff —a better selection could hardly be made. A rev. gentleman from Swansea will be the adjudicator on the Welsh recitations, and Dyfed,"r as heretofore, will decide the prose and poetry contests, In I Iw musical section of the ei.iteddfod the adjudicators of pron,ious years arc succeeded by Messrs. John North Joliii Thomas (l.lanwrtyd), [ and David W. Lewis (Brynamman). Mr. f SyJney Fifoot, of Cardiff, will be the band adjudicator. In regard to one item on the programme.f. think the committee might certain^ have done better. Beethoven's j Itondo in G forms the test in the piano- forte solo competition, and competitors up to 2'1 years of age are eligible. I think it a decided mistake to fix the limit io h* A player of 20 is no more fit a rival for a chi!d of eight or ten than a man of 30 would be. Besides this, the rondo is scarcely the piece one would select in a competition for adults. I would suggest that the committee should retain the rondo for juveniles let the limit of age be fifteen or sixteen, and let another piece be chosen for all above that age. The committee act wisely in including an alto solo competition in their programme. This is too often neglected by | the promoters of eisteddfodau. The male voice choral competition is sure to be a gr&t success. The test piœe is the well-known and highly popular Martyrs of the Arena," and there are two prizes, of the respective value of £ 15 and £ 5. The prize in the brass band competition will remain £ 10, as at the last eisteddfod. i/<(" New Music. From Messrs. C. Sitkaiu) and Co., The Musical Bouquet" Oflice, High Ilolborn, London :—" The Last Chance," a bold, heart- stirring song in honour of the "oheer the Trenton gave at the escapo of the Calliope in the Samoan hurricane. The Weaver and H Together are too easy songs, with no particular claim to notice. (i The British Tars is a spirited naval march of the true John Bull type, Beyond the name of the march and the publishers' the front page is a perfect blank! The same atrange title-page is characteristic of the II Cliiqjf Cfcwig Waltz," a decidedly good piece of dance music. (< Orchid Blotsoma WaItz" and The Eiffel Polka are oharming pieces, and will find a warm weloome in the ballroom. As publishers of cheap musio Messrs. Sheard have no rivftli, Thoy have ioat issued their Christy Minstrel Comio Song and Danos Albums for 1890. Each book contains 4Q pages, full music size, and are capitally printed on stout paper. When it is reraem* bered that nearly all the contents are copy- j right, it seems little short of marvellous that the books are sold at Is. each. The annuals are, without a doubt, the cheapest music books in the market. 0 0 Jottings. The l;ortO and Cymmer Choir, conducted by Mr. Taliesin IIopkin, is rehearsing Handel's "J oshua," which will be performed in February. About the same time Mr. Gwilym Thoma; and his choir, at Ynyshir, will give a per formance of the "Messiah. It is rumoured that "Eos Cynlais" wit not leave the Rhondda for Llaneliy after all, although arrangements had been complete; for his removal to the tin-plate town. Mr. D. Jenkins, Mus, Bao., is to take th* bass solo parts in a performance of hú operetta, The Village Children," at Cwm- 11% park, Rhondda, during this month. The Dowlais Harmonic Society, led by Mr John Davies, will very likely enter the lists al both the Bridgend and Llaneliy eisteddfodall A choir from Treherbert and district, con. ducted by Mr. Howell Ho wells, also purpoOI competing at Bridgend.

SOME CIRCUS SECRETS .0 How Riders and Horses are Trained, An interest is always felt in the methods cap ployed to teach public performers their art. Thft is especially the case with circus iiders aed acrobats. The Pall Mall Gazette representative, it order to obtain some information on thesf points at first hand, interviewed Mr. William Showles, at Olympia. Mr. Showlej rejoices in the title of "The Champion Bareback Rider of the World," and wears upon his waistcoat a handsome gold medal, about the size of a crown piece, prosented to him by tb$ Brothers Sell?, the great circus proprietors of Sr. Louis, settiog forth his claim to this title. Mr. Showles is celebrated in the United States both a a rider and a trainer of riders, and also as S trainer of horses. Only Way to Ride. I come of a circus-riding family," said the her? of the Jockey Act," and was brought up to th< business from childhood. In my belief that is thj only way to make a successful rider. After 4 certain time a person's limbs are set and the nervei are not controllable but if training is begun in childhood both these difficulties are overcome. The first thing to be done in training a child is to teach him to do on the ground exactly what h, is expected to do when he finally gets on horse. back and performs in the ring. Thus he must b4 able to dance, pirouette, tumble, jump—in fact, do everything. This much learned, he may begin tc ride. Now there are two methods of teaching on horseback, with and without the mécanique.' This is an apparatus erected in the centre of the ring, with a long arm and a cord attached to the rider, which always prevents him falling to th-i ground. For my own part, however, I am inclined to believe that the employment of this apparatus is a mistake. A child, or a grown person, taught with it, or constantly practising with it, becomes so accustomed to the absolute safety it assures that when he comes to perform in the ring with- out it He Loses Confidence, looks about for its wonted support, doesn't find ifc, gets nervous, and is almost sure to get a nasty fall. On the contrary, a child who has been taught without anything of the kind acquires confidence, nerve and daring, and is afraid of nothing, is ready to attempt anything, and generally succeeds. Well, having learned all his intended feats or tricks upon the ground, he is put upon a horse's back in the ring, and, begin- ning from the simplest and easiest, practices on the moving animal, standing up, dancing a few steps; sitting down, kneeling, and all the other littl< tricks you liava seen us do. Then comes somer< saulting. When this is begun the pupil is alwayi in the beginning carefully protected on each sid4 by competent assistants, who watch him closely, and stand ready to catch him if he appears likeli to be going to fall. Presently this safeguard is taken away, and the pupil practices unprotected. Some Trainers Brutes. Cruelty ? Yes, indeed, some trainers are brutes; but I never knew a cruel trainer turn out one good rider or clever acrobat. Boys are gene- rally stubborn and obstinate, especially if they have any grit in them, and often when they get a little tired they will not do tricks that they can do with perfect case. A trainer will then employ a hundred and one cruelties to make them do what is wanted. If he is clever with the whip—and most ringmasters can do just what they like with the whip—he is able to hit his pupil at any place lie likes or wishes to. Tita boy is not holding up his leg or his arm or his head exactly as his trainer wants him to; in a second he gets a stinging reminder from the end of the lash, and not un. frequently gets a piece of flesh cut right out of him. Then trainers will pinch their pupils in a most brutal manner, all the while smiling and insisting upon the smile of the pupil. iiut, here I want to say again very distinctly a cruel tnir.ov nover turns out a good or clever performer. That kind of treatment breaks the heart of a bry, and when he has onco lost heart he may just as well give up the business he is only fit for the minor and inferior branches of his profession. I believe in spending a Ion,, time Oil the training of a child, putting a lot of patience ir,t) it, and giving him all the encouragement possible. My father trained me, and that was his method, and lie made a success of me. How Horses are Trained, "Now you want to know how horses ara trained for the ring. This is a matter requiring ]ust as much care, and is of equally great im- portance \iith the training of a child. It will take a year to train some horses, whereas now and again you get or.e who takes naturally to the work, and learns his business in half t-he time. The first thing to teach him is that when he has gone round the ring he must Int go right out of the door, but he must first go by it, and then turn round and go back to it to get out. This is absolutely necessary, because if a horsa were from any unexpected cause to be frightened whilst, siy, a rider was making a jump, or jtiit after, and were to turn sharp off out at the door. the rider would be shot off his back to I can't say what. distance, and would be terribly, if not fatally, injured. The next thing is to Teach the Horse Not to bt Frightened by anything. This is a long and te-lious job. The whip is cracked in his face, all over him, without touching him; paper-covered hoops are broken over his head, noises of every con- ceivable description are made around him, When I was training the horse I ride hero every day I had a big drum with cymbals fastened on to his back, which I played upon and made a terribla noise, until at last he found it didn't do him any harm and lie made not the 811ghlt objection to it. Why, he actually slept with it on ht back for several dajB !-and in fact everything we could think of that, would frighten an ordinary hcrsfs out of his senses is practised upon fch« circus horse until he gradually literally does not know what fear is in the ordinary sense. A word or a slight blow is thereafter quite suffici-us punishment, and either or both must be given at the very time the fault is committed. Ten to one he will never commit the same fault again. Bareback Riding. The next thing is to teach him to stand a ban* back rider on him without flinching. Now this U difficult, because it hurts him when a rider, after thro wins a somerrault, comes down uo his back. Some horses never get tcoufl- tomed to th's—their backs get quite sots under the skin; but others get hardened to :*t and a good rider is able to choose the right plac« to come down on, and to alight softly. The gre»f thing is to do everything by degrees. The rid« must know his horse thoroughly, and the liorw must know his rider. The success, and eves the life of the rider depend upon this mutual acquaitf* tance and confidence, and horse and man must bt absolute and perfect f;imds."