Weekly Mail

tif Wttlto Pkil KZSt> SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1908. The" JJ EF.KLY MAIL is publishei tm Fridays and Saturdays, and ranbe obtained from your local newsagent. If YOt, find any difficulty in obtaining the paper, please communicate with the Manager, JVetkly Alaii Offices, Cardiff. The Weekly Mail" will be sent b-i post on payment of a subscription in advance on the following terms;- S. If. One Quarter 1 8 JYalf I-car 3 3 One Year 6 6 L

A MINISTER FOR WALES. At the important conference at Shrews- bury last week the movement for the creation of a Minister for Wales and for the establishment of a national council to control education in Wales and Mon- mouthshire was revived. There is reason to believe that this time the movement is destined to achieve better results. When it was placed before Parliament it had the misfortune to be mixed up with a most contentious Bill. The difficulties tihat that measure endeavoured to remove also contributed to the failure of the Welsh Council idea. Those difficulties still remain, but, while keeping them in view, it is not impossible to formulate a scheme which will confer upon Wales the same measure of national recognition as is now enjoyed by Scotland a.nd Ireland. During the last few years Wales has had a rather bitter experience. That experi- ence has strengthened and confirmed the belief tihat tihe only way out of her trouble, the only way to avoid injustice in the future, is to have in Parliament a Minister responsible to Parliament for Welsh affairs. The eventual scope of the new Minister's authority is a matter for discussion and development, but the leaders of the present movement cannot do better than take the Secretaryship for Scotland as their model, and try to re- produce for Wales a department which may ultimately grow into the same pro- portions and efficiency as tie Scottish Office. It is twenty-three years since the Secretaryship for Scotland was established by Act of Parliament—an Act, by the way, which was introduced by Lord Rosebery and adopted by the late Lord Salisbury and his Cabinet as a Government measure. After nearly a quarter of a century's experience the legislators who are responsible for the experiment can look back with the con- viction that they did the right thing, especially for Scotland, and that the fears expressed by the few dissentients have proved quite groundless". The reasons with which the late Lord Salis- bury justified the measure in the case of Scotland can be applied with equal force to the case of Wales. Speaking in the House of Lords, he said: "There is a good deal to be said for the considera- tion advanced by the Earl of Fife that the Scottish people are chronologically considerably ahead of the English people in the matter of education, and that there must be something galling in the consideration that in dealing with educa- tional matters all questions are decided rather on English than on Scottish principles." So far as education is concerned, Wales would gain im- measurably by such an office. Having no responsible Minister to look after her interests, Wales was threatened a little while back with the loss of a large share of her secondary grants. What a cum- bersome remedy had to be resorted to! Meetings of protest had to be held; committees oaJled together from the uttermost recesses of Wales; deputations despatched to London. Nothing of this kind is needed in Scotland a.nd Ireland, whose Secretaries take especial care to secure their national interests. What Wales must have is a WelElh Secretary. The Shrewsbury conference did not confine the demand to the question of education. Later on it will be more fully discussed whether something more should n-x. be attached to the office. The Secretary for Scotland Act, which was only three months going through all its stages, and on which probably less than ten hours were spent in discussion, included most of the administrative branches of t-he Government in Scotland. Ten years later the LOcal Government j Board for Scotland was created, with powers analogous to those exercised by the Local Government Board at White- hall. It is a legitimate aspiration that eventually Wales may enjoy the same privilege. That some form of devolu- tion of this character is needed is amply shown by the long and irritating delays to which a,pplica,tions from the Welsh local authorities are subjected. The fact is that England, as the predominant partner, receives attention first and Wales last. These, however, are matters for future discussion. For the present it is gratifying that the Shrewsbury con- ference was practically unanimous and in earnest. If the question is tackled in this spirit a Se-cretalry for Wales Act ought to be passed as readily as was the S,-e,retery for Scotland Act of 1885.

THE EASTERN WAR CLOUD. Bulga-ria has received some sound advice from Great Britain a.nd the other Powers, which it is to be hoped will be accepted. Great Britain has informed the pugnacious little Principality that, in the view of his Majesty's Govern- ment, the continued occupation of the Oriental Railways by Bulgaria is unjus- tifiable. That is an opinion in which all the Powers will, doubtless, concur, a.nd the German and Austrian representa- tives in Sofia have already presented this view. When the strike took place on the Oriental Railways the Bulgarian Government sent troops to take the place of the strikers in Eastern Roumelia. When the strike was settled the troops remained, and they life still in occupation. The whole thing looks nothing better than a precocious attempt on the part of Bulgaria to rtick a quarrel with rejuvenescent Turkey a.nd strike a 1 I>w for independence at a time when Turkey is really very badly equipped to ward it off. The disquieting feature of the whole affair is that Bulgaria would scarcely have adopted such an attitude on its own responsibility and initiative, and that it must have received either the inspiration or the encouragement from one of the Great Powers. An atmosphere of suspicion, disturbing to the prevailing harmony, has, conse- quently, grown up in Europe once more. Who to suspect is the puzzle. Events seem to be shaping themselves to a satisfactory settlement without com- pelling the guilty Powe.r, if there is one, expose its hand. In the face of the 'hostile attitude of practicably all the Powers in Europe, Bulgaria will prob- ably deem it wiee to evacuate the railway and to acknowledge tlwit as it is Turkish property, Turkey has tbe-righ-t to control it. Single-handed, in the present state of things, Bulgaria would stand at least a sporting chance of coming off beet in a w*r with Turkey. The Bulgarian Army was never so good; the Turkish Army never so bad. In short, Bulgaria has a chance which is not likely to recur of asserting its independence. This is the greatest factor making for war. But Bulgaria cannot afford to assert i-ts independence on such a pretext as this and in direct hostility to Europe, a.nd even if the Powers allowed them to fight, it may be questioned whether the spoils would eventually go to the victors. So, all things considered, a wa.r in the Near East is not a likely calamity. This is all for the good of Turkey, whose brand new constitution is not able to stand the strain of a war, and who, for obvious reasons, has tried ite best to avoid resort to arm j

LONDON LETTER. A COLUMN OF INTEREST TO ALL OUR READERS. LONDON, Thursday. The trouble in the Neaj- East is not as serious as the papers make out. Bulgaria has put itself in the wrong, and there will probably be no difference of opinion among the Powers as to the necessity of it retracing the false step and restoring the railway i.t has seized. Bulgaria may be desirous to fight Turkey, but it dare not face all Europe. The only point which gives diplomatists any concern is what Power has put up Bulgaria to take this step. It could hardly have- done so daring a thing without being prompted by some greater Power desirous of making mischief. The energies of Euro- pean diplomacy will be employed in the endeavour to make that mischievous Power disclose its hand. Otherwise the endeavour to make that mischievous Power disclose its hand. Otherwise the task of repressing Bulgaria is compara-, tively easy. If the secrets of the Euro- pea.n Chancelleries could be disclosed, I believe it would be found that more uneasiness exists with regard to the Franco-German incident at Casa Blanca than with regard to Bulgaria. Not that immediate trouble is likely to arise out1 immediate trouble is likely to arise out of the protection afforded by the Ger- man vice-consul to deserters from the French force. The incident is most dis- quieting because of the indication it affords of a desire to pin-prick France into an irrestraingi.ble fury. The prayer of those who most earnestly desire peace should be, May God give France patience." IX THEIR FATHERS' FOOTSTEPS. There is a fine touch of the hereditary about the succession to the offices of lord mayor and sheriffs this year. Sir Henry Truscott, who was elected lord mayor on Tuesday, is the son of a former well-honoured lord mayor, Sir Francis Truscott. Sir John Knill, who was second on the list, and, in all human probability, will be lord mayor next vear, is the son of another lord mayor, the late Sir Sturt Ivnill, who served sixteen years ago, and Mr. Alder-j man Hanson, one of the new sheriffs, is the son of Sir Reginald Hanson, who was also sheriff and lord mayor. The new lord mayor is the subject of this further coincidence, that, while his father obtained his knighthood as sheriff on the occasion of the national thanks- giving in St. Paul's Cathedral for the recovery of the Prince of Wales (his present Majesty) from typhoid fever, he (the new lord mayor) was knighted at the similar occasion of thanksgiving for the King's recovery after the severe surgi-1 cal operation lie underwent on the eve of what ought to have been bis Corona- tion Day. WHITEHALL. The Local Government Board may be commended for protesting against its new offices being described as in Parlia- ment-street. The protest has been favourably received by the Westminster City Council, which is now seriously con- sidering the practicability of extending the name of Whitehall to the whole length of the magnificent thoroughfare stretching from Trafalgar-square to Par- liament-square. As a preliminary stop, the wishes of the rated occupiers are to be ascertained. On that point I imagine there will be no difficulty, for Whitehall is one of the best addresses that oan be given in London. It will be a surprise to many people to know that this fine and historic thoroughfare, lined for the most part on both sides with Govern- ment offices, bears three names. The first and shortest section, from Parlia- ment-square to the Colonial Office, is Parliament-street. It used to be Parliament-street. It used to be tenanted largely by Parliamentary agents until they we.re routed out of their places to make way for the new offices of the Local Government Ik>ard. The second and main section is Whitehall. The third section, commencing a.t White- hall-place, opposite the Admiralty, and extending to the Trafalgar-square end, is Charing Cross. Few Londoners had any idea that this was a bit of Charing Cross. They took it that Charing Cross included the railway station and the Cross, a.nd I did not go beyond Trafalgar-square. MINTO—LANSDOWNE ALLIANCE. That is a fortuitous marria.ge which has been arranged between the third daughter of the Earl of Minto and the I second son of the Marquess of Lans- downe. It is an alliance between the families of a Viceroy and an ex-Vicerov. The Earl of Kerry, Lord Lansdowne's eldest son, is also married into a branch of the family of the Marquess of Linlith- gow, who was also a Viceroy (Australia). Lord Minto's elder daughter, moreover, is married to Lord Ernngton, the son of another great satrap, the Earl of Cromer. A LADY GUARDIAN. Mrs. Cordrey, the lady who is one of the seven guardians and ex-guardians of Poplar arrested for alleged con- spiracy, is the first otf her sex to be included in the charges which have been made with regard to local administra- tion in the East End. Mrs. Cordrey is a thoroughgoing politician, a Socialist, a member of the Independent Labour Party, and, in addition to other local offices she has held, has been chairwoman of the Poplar Relief Committee. AN ANCIENT MARINER. Two more of our grand old men have gone over to the majority. Admiral Moorman, who has gone in his ninety- ninth year, was the "Father" of the British Navy. Mr. William Farren, who died in Italy aged eighty-three, might be almost called the "Father" of the British stage. Admiral Moorman werft to sea a.t the age of thirteen, as they did in the good old days. He was on active service for fifty-three years, a.nd he was in the Navy altogether eighty-six years. Yet he had the bad luck to have no fighting. CELEBRATED FAMILY. Mr. Farren represented the third generation of a family of actors. The first was William Fa.rren, and they all have been William one after the other, even to William the fourth, son of the great actor just dead, who is still enjoy- ing a living reputation on the English stage. "Sir Peter Teazle" was the greatest success of the William Farren who is gone, but he was famous in a variety of parts. Curiously enough,, the celebrated Miss Farren who became Countess of Derby in the latter half of the eighteenth century was chiefly famous for her Lady Teazle." In our own time, too, there was Nelly Farren. the queen of burlesque. WEALTHY COLONIALS. Another wealthy Australian is coming to live in England, and he is also a Scottish-Australian. I refer to Mr. Robert' Christison, who has bought Bur- well Park, a large place in Lincolnshire, with several thousand acres of land. The purchase includes the whole parish and village and the advoweon. This acquisi- tion is merely a drop in Mr. Christison's landed possessions. At Lammermoor, in Qneensl.a.nd, he is noted as one of the largest breeders of pedigree stock, and he owns nearly half a million acres of Queensland soil. For these wealthy citizens of the oversea. States of the Empire the Motherland is becoming a residential and pleasure resort where they ma.y come to live at their ease. This may be good for England, but it is not quite a nice thing for the land where they have made their money. ARCHANGELS. A delicate question which has arisen in connection with the archangels in Mr. Tree's production of "Faust" appears to be no nearer a settlement now than at the beginning. The point is as to the propriety of the archangels being represented by ladies. Obviously, the archangels are masculine. They are invariably referred to in the Bible as Hhe" a.nd "him." There is reason for committing the impersonation of angels to ladies because the qualities of serene beauty and perfection of form a.re better obtainable from the feminine than from the masculine ihlarf of creation. Yet jt was Madame de Stael who, as we have been conveniently reminded in the dis- cussion now going on, explained that a.ngels were represented as masculine because the union of power and beauty constitutes all that we mortals can imagine of perfection." Surely, a more bitter satire oa the gentler sex was never penned.

ABODE OF LOVE. 1 "MESSIAH'S" SECRETARY WEDS A CARDIFF DOMESTIC, The Affapemooe (" Abode of Lovenear Bridgwater, Somerset, has been 110 much in the public eye lately that the following announcement from the "Standard" is inte- resting:— HEAD—LINK.—On the 27th inst., at the Agapemone, and afterwards before the Registrar, John Victor Read, to Elizabeth Hannah (May) Link. The parties, accompanied by the parents of the bridegroom, drove to the registry office in a motor-car. They were all quietly dressed. The ceremony was performed by Mr. Charles Chard, registrar of marriages, and the only other person present was the super- intendent registrar. There was a scene of much animation at the Agapemone that afternoon. A number of disciples had come from a distance to witness the ceremony, and the ladies flitting about on the lawn in their white dresses made a pretty picture. The bride, who ie an extremely beautiful girl, has been a servant, at the Abode of Love for sotme little time. Her parents live in Cardiff, and an interview with her mother is given below. It is stated that very shortly after the girl's arrival at Spaxton, young Read, who is a fine, handsome young fellow of 21, fell desperately in love with her, and ardently- pressed his suit. which was accepted. THE READ FAMILY. The bridegroom, Mjc. John Read, is a son of Mr. Charles Stokes Read, M.A., of Trinity College. Cambridge, who until tne autumn of 1905 was a director of the V.V. (Vis Vitae) Bread Company, Limited. The story of the Reads is one of the tragedies of the Agapemone. Mr. C. S. Read at Cambridge was a fa.mous oarsma-n, and he rowed in the University boat race in 1872. when Oxford were beaten in a heavy snowstorm. He rowed with the winning Cantabs in 1873 and 1874, and left the University with a distinguished career alike in the boats and the schools. Mr. a.nd Mrs. Head early became interested in the work of the Salvation Army, and wrote articles for their publications, The War Cry and All the World." It was in the Army that Mr. Read met once more Mr. Smyth-Pigott, whom he had known at Cambridge. When Pigott left the Army the Reads followed him, and became ardent j converts to the faith of the Agapemone. In 19C2 there was a riot at t-fte Church of the Ark of the Covenant on Clapton- common owing to Pigott having declared himself the Messiah. Mr: and Mrs. Read decided to throw in their lot with the Spaxton community, and took their two youngest daughters and their son John, the bridgeroom in this ease, down with them. There was no lack of funds, and they took with them clothes and other property, j sufficient to ma.ka them comforta,ble. There were elder children of Mr. Read who have refused to adopt the Aga.pemonite creed, and who are not at Spaxton. (There are about 60 residents at the Aga- pemone. which is a large house with a chapel and extensive grounds, beautiful lawns, and gardens. BELLE OF THE ABODE." A Spaxton inhabitant, who is familiar with the Agapemonites, told me (says a press representative) that the bride's prettiness led her to be recognised as the "belle of the Abode." With regard to hP position at the Abode. I ought to mention ühat the servants are all members of Pigott's band, and have privileges which ordinary domestics do not enjoy. I am told that young Mr. Read and his wife have been devotedly attached to each other for a considerable time. Indeed, they were anxiously awaiting the attainment ot their majority to become man and wife. The bridegroom is described in the register as of independent means. No information, however, is given as to the worldly condition or the bride. The witnesses of the marriage were the bridegroom s father and mother, the former, Mr. Cha-rles Stokes Read, being described 9 a retir l stockbroker. The bride's father is set out in the register as G-ustavus Link, and his rank of profession as "retired mercantile marine." THE BRIDE'S MOTHER TELLS THE STORY OF THE AFFAIR. There has been great speculation a.s to the newly-made bride's connection with Cardiff. The directory only showed one person of the name of Link residing in Cardiff, a boarding-hon&o keeper, residing at Peel- etreet. Docks, and he was not in any way related. Searching inquiries, however, by a. special Weekly Mail man unearthed the bride's parents at Ctrawgetown, where they have apartments with Mr. £ n £ laS>d. Mrs. John Victor Read—to give the bride her new name—is the eldest daughter of Mr. Gustavus and Mrs. Elizabeth Link, her father being a retired ship's steward- She was horn on the 14th of May in Jubiiee Year, and IS. therefore, 21 years of age. Her grandfather on her father's side is a sbiP^ro^er in a large way of 'business at Tonnay-fha-rente, France, and is also the agent for the London Steam Navigation Company at that place. In an interview with Mrs- link, our repre- sentative was informed that she knew a.ll about her daughter's marriage. Mies May Link, as she then was, visited her mother at Cardiff on Thursday last, and gave her full information of the approaching event. Mrs. Link had previously met Mr. Read a.t the Abode of Love, wheire she had been a visitor on several occasions. She thought him a very nice young man. a.nd immediately gave her consent when asked on Thursday last. HOW IT OAME ABOUT. When asked how her daughter became an inmate of the Abode. Mrs. Link stated it was quite by accident. Five years ago last July her daughter took her little nephew, who had been on a visit to Cardiff, baok to his home at Bridgwater. During her stay there help was required at the Abode, and Miss Link, who was just sixteen at that time, engaged herself for a few days. The inmates ha.vi.ng taken a liking to her she was a very pretty girl—she was offered service, which she accepted, and has since dwelt at the Abode, with the exception of a few visits to Cardiff. As regards the daily life in THE GARDEN" OF LOVE Mrs. Link stated that what had appeared in the papers was all a lot of outride talk. The inmates lived a very quiet a.nd peaceful life —doing an the good they can outside and trying in every possible way to live up to Biblical teaching. There is service every day, the CbuToh service being the one followed, wtth A. and M. hymns. As an instance of the incorrect reports which had appeared in the press at various times, Mrs. Link stated that after the birth of "Glory" a pic-nic was held up in the Quantook Hills. A press report stated that Mr. Smyth-Piggott was surrounded by a bevy of fair ladies, and. seated in his carriage, was being handed tea by a young lady who was beautiful beyond description. "This young lady," added Mrs. Link, "was myself. I was over there for a few dayp, and was one of the pic-niokers. I am not young, and neither am I beautiul; and, moreover, ..I am the mother of six children. They ought not to write such lies about people who arc living a good life and always stretching out a helping hand whenever it is needed. The poor of Bridgwater and district have a lot to thank these people for." In another quarter our representative was informed that a younger sister was also at the Abode, but Mrs. Link stated that this I was not true. It was true. though, that her young daughter, seven years of age, had fre- quently visited her sister, but eihe was not permanently living there.

YOUNG WOMAN'S CHILD. RHONDDA COUPLE'S TRIP TO BRISTOL. At the Porth Police-court on Thursday Robert Palmer, boot-maker, Williumsrtown, was sued by Minnie Fletcher, a single young woman, of the same place, to show ca-use, Ac. Mr. James Phillip". solici- tor, Pontypridd, appeared for the com- plainant and Mir. Archibald Daniel repre- sented the defendant. Mr. Phillips stated tha.t the paternity was admitted. His client went to service at defendant's house, his wife being ill at the time. Impropriety took place, and Palmer took the yioung woman to Bristol, where they passed as brother and sister, the latter being described as Minnie Palmer, Letters were written to complainant's parents by their daughter that she was in service and happy in her position. A sad feature was that her mother died on the Sunday following her home-ooming, and Minnie's infant also passed away. In one letter Palmer wrote:- Bam was over on Saturday last, and, of course, Mary was spitting to him about you; but, of course. I do not believe it, and. of course, it io all lies, as you and me know. But never mind; look after your child. I am going to make him stagger the world. Talk about strong men! They won't be in it. (Laughter.) So cheer up and get a good heap of hot cross buns. (Re- newed laughter.)—From your true brother, ROBERT. The father of complainant gave evidence of the expenses incurred by him owing to the birth and death of the child, and angrily said that he would like to hang the defendant. Mr. Phillips: We cannot get that ordered in this court. (Laughter.) In the result, JE5 expenses were allowed amd £2 2s. advocate's fees.

TIRED OF COURTSHIP. + CONSTABLE'S COURTING WAS MERELY PAPER-LOVE. In the London S-oourt on Wednes-1 day (before Mr. Under-sheriff Burchell) the case of Burnett v. P.,{)llremitted from the High Court for the assessment of damages- came on for decision. The defendant was not present or represented. I Mr. H. Ellis, who represented the plaintiff, said his client was a young lady living at New Bamet, and the defendant was a police- I oonstabl-e in the Metropolitan Police Dock- ya.rd Division at Devonport. It appeared that in October, 1906, the defendant was stationed at Chislehurst, where the plaintiff's father was also stationed as a police-con- stable. Defendant became acquainted with the plaintiff's daughter, and he paid her very marked attention. Shortly after that the defendant was removed to Devon port. He asked permission to write letters to her, a.nd that permission was granted. From the out- set he began to correspond with her, and she answered. On January 26, 1907, the defen- dant wrote to her offering marriage, in the following terms:— Dear Minnie,—Do you care to come and marry me down here, my love, and gave me from going into the section-house? The plaintiff agreed to marry him, but counselled a wait, as she desired that they should be married free of debt. To that the defendant assented, and he then began to write letters to his fiancee. One letter was a type-written document covering no fewer than five sheets, and, as a matter of fact, he wrote a similar letter every day. There were no fewer than 400 letters and 135 postcards. "Gentlemen," said Mr. Ellis, "I am not going to inflict a.ll of them on you, but in one he wrote: 'I remain your own loving and true sweetheart, Charles.' The letter eecmed at the end to coruscate into a perfect pyrotechnic display," said counsel, "the kifsee being worked into the form of letters, which read, 'My angel,' 'Sweet- heart mine,' 'Between two hearts,' and 'Two hearts are one, darling.' (Laughter.) Continuing, counsel said that in the May following the defendant asked the plaintiff to go to Devonport and spend her holidays She did so at her own expense. In the September following the defendant went to Chislehurst to spend his holidays. He introduced the plaintiff to every one of his acquaintances, and even to his own relations as his future wife. Rings were exdwnged, and true love was running smoothly when he went back to his duty. The lotters continued down to May or June of this year. About that time the defendant's love had apparently cooled, and eventually he wrote a letter breaking off the engage- ment simply because he said he had got tired of the position of her and of waiting. The letter read: — My only explanation of my coldness to you of late is that I am tired of only seeing you once a, year, a.nd I wish you to sot me free from your great, trust which you put in me, and which I took a mean advantage of you by going with other girls, a.nd I shall continue to do so, and, that be-hg the case, your love for me must die, and you will soon forget me, faithless lover that I am, because ours was only really love once a year when we met, and the rest was merely paper love of which I grew tired, and I want somebody here to cheer me instead of wait- ing a year for that comfort. So please for- get me. and I trust you will find some other companion who will not take advantage of your trust as I have done, and, as a matter of fact, you loved and trusted me far too much.—I remain, C. W. R. The plaintiff was naturally upset, and was ill for some time afterwards. When pro- ceedings were begun, the defendant wrote a. most insolent letter. It was headed— H.M. Dockyard, Main Gate, Keyham, Devon. Dear Sirs,—In answer to your letter of the 8t.h, I think tba.t my best advice to you is to persuade your client to settle your costs and let the case drop, because I have absolutely, truthfully speaking, no ready I cash, and it is a waste of time all round, don't you thin*, trying to foroe blood out of a stone, or, in vther words, out of a I fellow who hag not any money? Sirs, if your client agrees with what I propose I will pay her back later, because it is use- lees to go on like this, is it not. when she knows perfectly well that if she went to court she would only get so much a week? Please lot me know your answer as soon as possible as I guess you, like myself, are getting tired of all this nonsense on your client's part.—I remain, yours truly, C. W. R. Counsel said it was a heartless case of breach of promise, and he asked for damages. The plaintiff, a, smart and prepossessing yotang woman, !fa'f\6 evldeooe, beartos out counsel's statement. There was no defence, a.nd the jury assessed the damages at £25, judgment being entered for that a.mount with costs.

ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES. FELICITATING ALDERMAN ROBERT HUGHES. A meeting of the council of the Cardiff Cymmrodorlon Society was held at the Uni- versity College on Wednesday, when Alder- man Robert Hughes presided. The President referred with satisfaction to the appointment of a Royal Commission on Monuments in Wales. Mr. J. Austin Jenkins said this was a great step forward in the development of research into the ancient history of Wales, because, as Owen Rhoscomyl, Professor Bosanquet, and other great authorities had stated, a history of Wales could not be satisfactorily written until excavations had been made and in- formation collected as to how the Ancient Britons lived. He moved the following reso- lution :— That the Cardiff Cymmrodorion Society recognises the appointment of a Royal Com- mission on Ancient Monuments in Wales and Monmouthshire, and with the view of affording information on the ancient monu- ments of the Cardiff district to the Com- mitision, appoints a committee for the pur- pose of co-operating with the Commission in such manner as may be found most suit- able after negotiations with the secretary of the Commission, and that copies of this resolution be sent to kindred societies in the Principality. We desire also to place on record our great satisfaction at the appointment of our president as a member of such Commission. (Applause.) He did not think from a busi- ness point of view a better appointment could have been made than that of Alderman Robert Hughes. (Hear, hear.) It was fre- quently found that scholars, when they were gathered together, were a most unbusiness- like body, but their president he was satis- fied would make things hum. (Laughter.) Mr. T. Lovell, who seconded, said there were many monuments in the immediate neighbourhood of Cardiff which were very little known, without mentioning Llantwit Major, Margam. and other places. The resolution was carried unanimously. The President thanked the council for the referenoes which had been made to him self. He never expected such an honour, and put it down entirely to his connection with the Cardiff Cymmrodorion Society. No doubt. it was meant as a compliment to that society. The following committee was appointed, with power to add to their number:—Mr. T. H. Thomas^ Dr. R. Prichard, Messrs. Charles Morgan, T. Lovell, Vaughan Hughes, Evan I Owen, and David Beynon. A letter was read from Messrs. C. Corn (Limited), The Hayes, offering to the society a portrait in oils of Mr. Lloyd George, who gave them special sittings at the City-hall. They suggested that it might be presented to the Chancellor. The council decided to accept the portrait with thanks, and to ask Messrs. Corn (Limited) to allow it to remain in their studio until the end of next week, in order that members of the society might have an opportunity of seeing it. The president and secretary were requested to communicate with Mr. Lloyd George in order to ascertain his wishes in regard to the presentation of the portrait to himself. A committee, consisting of Sir Marchant Williams, Mr. Austin Jenkins, and Mr. Martin Jones, with the officers of the society, was appointed to make arrangements for a pAbldc lecture by Mr. A. P. Graves in January next. It was also resolved that immediate steps be taken to celebrate the millenary Howel Dda in the same month.

CRACK SCOUT OF INDIA. DISTINCTION FOR A BARGOED MAN. The officer commanding the 1st Battalion Monmouthshire Regiment has approved of the following promotions and appointments in "F" Company (Dargoed):- Colour-eergeant—Percy J. Rees; sergeants— R. Pickwick, S. Holifield, W. G. Winetone, and Charles A. Osborne; lance-sergeants—L. J. Thomas and W. Holifield (Bayle Band); cor- porals— C. H. Fowler, W. G. Dowler. and H. J. Warlow; lance-corporals— J. Carpenter, F. Walker, S. Hall, S. Harris, and W. J. Thomas. Messrs. Rees. Pickwick, Oeborne, and Thomas are old Volunteer N.C.O.'s. Messrs. Winstone and Holifield were formerly Regular Army Mr. Winetone having been the champion scout of India for two' years in succession, and the only soldier, tha.t ever received the Scouting Badge of India.

SOCIAL AND PERSONAL. 4 CHATTY ITEMS ABOUT MEN AND MATTERS. London's New Lord Mayor. Sir George Wyatt Truscott was on Tuesday elected Lord Mayor of London. Celtic Renaissance. An official return states that more ttan 180,000 children are being taught Irish in Iris-h schools. Irish M.P.'s at Chicago. Mr. John Redmond, M.P., Mr. Devlin, M.P., and Mr. Fitzgibbon arrived at Chicago on Wednesday morning. A Democratic System. The four candidates at the forthcoming district council bye-elcct-ion at Menai Bridge include a knight and a luggage carrier. Mr. Balfour Browne, K.C. Mr. Balfour Browne, K.C., who had been invited to become the Conservative candi- date in East Bradford, has announced that he has decided to accept invitation. Archbishop of Westminster. Archbishop Bourne, who twenty-five years ago on Tuesday was ordained a priest in Paris, has crossed to the French capital to celebrate his silver jubilee. Lansdowne-Minto Alliance. The engagement is announced of Captain Lord Charles Fitzmaurice, second son of the Marquess of Lansdowne, to Lady Violet Elliot, youngest daughter of the Earl of Minto. General Booth the Guest of De Beers. General Booth on Saturday visited Cradock and Kimberley, where he was the guest of the De Beers Company. He has started for Ithodesia. Son of General Tyler. Captain 11. M. Tyler, of the Durham Light Infantry, son of Major-general T. B. Tyler, has paseed the competitive examination for admission to the Staff College, Camberley. Lord Ninian Stuart. Lord and Lady Ninian Crichton-Stuart have been entertaining at Falkland House Lady Norali Noel. Lady Margaret Criohton-Stuart. Lord Column Orichton-Stuart, and Mr. Niall Campbell. Nation. A report by the Commissioners of Customs shows that nearly 280,000,C031b. 0f tea, or about 6ilb. per head of the population, were imported into the United Kingdom dur- ing the year ended last March. Queen :n Solitude. On the birthday of Carlos I. many services were held in Lisbon for the repose of the murdered King's soul. Queen Amelia, in solitude, would not even receive Ministers of the Crown. Countess as Violinist. The Countess of Malmesbury, who is an accomplished violinist, has consented to give violin solos in Holdenhuirst Church, near Heron Court, at a harvest festival oil Sun- day next. The Duke of Connaught. The Duke and Duchess of Connaught and Princess Patricia have gone to Bagshot for a few days. They will be back in town early in the coming week, and are expeoted to sail for Malta a few days later. Ranji's Farewell to English Cricket. The Jam Sahib of Nawanag-ar captained a victorious side against a Godalming team on Saturday at Midhurst, this being probably his last appearance in English cricket for some years. The Jam had the misfortune to play on at 13. M.P.'s Visit CardTtT City-hall. Mr. J. F. Remnant, M.P. (London), and" Mr. Edward Goulding, M.P. (Wargrave), paid a visit to the Cardiff City-hall on Monday, and signed their names in the Lord Mayor's visitors' book. They were delighted with the magnificence of the munioipal palace. King and Glastonbury Abbey. The Bishop of Bath and Wells has received a telegram from General Sir Dighton Probyn f-tating that he was authorised to send to the bishop a cheque for 50 guineas from the King for the Glastonbury Abbey purchase fund. Duke of the Abruni's Marriagre. It is stated that the Duke of the Abruaszi will leave Rsme for the United States shortly in connection with the arrangements for his marriage to Miss Elkins, which will take placc in November. On her voyage to Italy Miss Elkins will be escorted by several Italian v;rship3.-Ccnt;:¡,1 News. Bridegroom of 88 Years. At the age of 88, Captain Thomas Mitohell. who was formerly in the merchant service, ha.8 been married for the fourth time at Carlton, near Selby, his bride being a Hull lady scire years his junior. The bridal pair were greeted by the villagers on leaving the church with showers of rce. Jewish Pedlar's Wealth. Mr. Harris Norman, of Mill-road. Cam- bridge, a pedlar, and a Polish Jew, left estate valued, at £ 12,000 gross. By bie will, which w- fouBd 121 lile bat, the tcatMdr left the whole ofn property equaJl, between Add en brooked Hospital, Cambridge, n.nd the London Jewish Synag-ogue for poor and needy Cup Worth :£5,500. A silver-gilt cup, which has been used in the ordinary way in the household of Colonel W. Nevill Tufnell, of Great Wol- tham, Essex, and to which no special value was attached, has just been sold privately for £5,500. It is known as the Creseener Cup, with cover of Henry VII. period, and bears the London hall-mark of 1503. Soldier and Author. News reachcd Taunton on Saturday of the death at La-houl, India, of Major Ferdinand Ma.nsel Peacock, late of the Somersetshire Light Infantry, aged 46. The deceased was well known by reason of a number all mili- tary stories of whioh he was the author. He served throughout the Burmese and South African wars. Windfall for the P.M.G. Mrs. Emily Mary Buxton. of Oobham, Surrey, who died in June at the age of 84, left estate of the gross value of £113,000. Mrs. Buxton states that her son Bertram was well provided for by the will of his father, and that her married daughters are provided for by a settlement. She left £ 12,000 to her daughter Richinia, and the residue of her estate to her son, Mr. Sydney Buxton, M.P. Mr. Lloyd George's Bungalow. Mr. Lloyd George has bought land on the borders of Criocioth borough, on which he will build a bungalow residence. The site is elevated, and commands superb views of Snowdonia and of Cardigan Bay. It is within a short distance of the little Baptist chapel which the Chancellor attended thrice every Sunday when a boy, and where as a youth of sixteen he was baptised. The Present Problem. Cannot some compulsory measures be taken whereby, instead of being allowed to starve at home, filling our workhouses, our lunatic asylums, and our gaols, the young men and women, the middle-aged, with. under favour- able conditions, many years of enjoyable life before them, should be obliged to emigrate to countries where there is work in plenty for willing hands?—"Throne and Country." Two Notable Birthdays. The National Service League on Wednesday sent the following telegram to Lord Roberts at Droitwich" The committee of the National Service League, representing over 30,000 supporters of the great reform you are advocating with such noble devotion, send heartfelt greeting and good wishes on your birthday, which is also that of Nelson, whose last signal to his fleet is your message to the British people." Famous Pictures for Dublin. The Dublin Municipal Gallery of Modem Art. which was opened in state in January of this year, has been enriched by the generosity of Lord Iveagh, who has pre- sented to it the well-known pictures, "Pretty Jennie Bond," by G. F. Watts, R.A.; "Lilacs." by Sir John Milla-is, P.R.A.; and "A View in Venice," by James Holland, showing the famous Colleone Statue. The Dublin Munici- pal Gallery is the first, founded in Ireland, and is the only one in the country devoted to modern art. Mr. Chamberlain. Mr. Joseph Chamberlain gave evidence on Wednesday of gradually returning health. Hitherto he has confined his outdoor exercise to the gardens at Highbury, in which he has always shown great interest, but on Wednes- day, with the country bathed in warm sun- shine, he drove with Mrs. Chamberladn. in an open carriage through the suburb i f Edgbaston. Attired in a suit of grey flannel, the right hon. gentleman looked very ID-uch better than when he returned from the Con- tinent, and smilingly acknowledged the salutes of the townspeople. Women's Independence. How many men who talk lightly of woman's dependence know that there are now 5.500,000 women workers in England? That there are, besides the 2,000,000 domestic ser- vants, 867,000 women employed in textile in- dustries, 903,000 in dressmaking, 80.500 in commerce, and nearly 100,000 in farming ? That there are 55,784 women clerks, 200,000 women teachers, 44,000 musicians and actresses, 79,000 nurses, and 292 women doc- tors ? Here in these figures we have a meagre of the real army of revolt.—"Albany Review." Lady Wins the Blue Ribbon" of Pharmacy. The sixty-seventh session of the Sohool of pharmacy connected with the Pharmaceuti- cal Society of Great Britain was opened in London on Wednesday. It was chiefly interesting by reason of the fact that for the flret time a lady. Miss Gertrude Wren, was presented with the Pereira Medal, which is the highest distinction that tan be won in pharmacy. Miss Wren gained 87 per cent. of the total number of marks, and the examiners reported that she showed by her work that she possessed a very accurate knowledge of the sciences pertaining to phar- macy, and, moreover, a dear and ootioise method of re-prodacing that knowledge on examination.

WEEK BY WEEK* -11 + LIGHTER SIDE OF CURKEHf 1 EVENTS. m An explosive ten times as powerfnl t lyddite has been discovered. It is obtaioe" t by boiling down Aberystwyth language. Civilisation may be fairly said to ha.: come to stay at Goodwiclc. The erection 0 a lock-up is in contemplation. If the Rev. W. E. Winks has not got strong views on the subject of wheeling it is wonder. He has been knocked down three times by cyclists in the streets of Cardiff- The numbers of bricks used in the constrUO" tion of the Severn Tunnel were so many that if distributed there would be enough to two apiece to every man, woman, and chila in the United Kingdom. Milford is not pleased with its railway facilities. A resident says it took him an hout the other day to get from there to Haver- fordwest, a. distance by rail of only eight miles. A good athlete could have eafiiW done it in less time on his head." A snippety paper dealing with beards sa.1f there happens to exist a Mr. Alexander Craigie. of Porth, who has 7ft. 2Jin. or unadulterated whiskers." This startling intimation should set Porth people lookinl round for the phenomenon; but we suspeet it's a printer's error. « It isn't everyone who starts digging potatoes and finds gold; but a labourer afc Llandegai has just unearthed a valuable watch and chain whilst excavating the familiar vegetable. Does this come under the law of treasure-trove? Or will the Chan- cellor of the Exchequer make an exceptio. in favour of a Welshman? When Cochfa.rf and his wife's chotf reached Scranton several old schoolfellow* turned up to welcome them. One maD called on Cochfarf to return a jacketing the latter had given him forty-one years ago in the Dim bath Valley, in the Ogmore, but when the Welsh-American saw his old school- mate's six feet of burliness he changed hiØ mind, for he was only an eleven-stone maD. Bookmen appreciate the Bibliography of Wales" which is issued periodically froJJl the Cardiff Welsh Library. Mr. Ernest Rhys writes that the rarer pieces include too many out-of-t^he-way matters that no indi- vidual collector could hope to place and catalogue without this official aid from the Cardiff librarians, who would well deserve to be gold-medalled by the Welsh Academy if one existed." The rainiest spot in the British Isles jØ Llyn Llydaw, Snowdon. No less than 196 inches fell there last year, as against 179 at the Stye in Cumberland, which used to he thought the rainiest spot till the Snowdtf gauge was erected. Plynlimmon had last year 100 inches of rain. The smallest Welsh rainfall was Llanefydd—only 21 inches. The lowest record in South Wales and Monmouth'* shire was Caldioott—32 inches.. A Welsh coracle taken from the Bivef Towy, and bearing evidences of many. ard night's battle, finds a place of honoaf in the Bristol Museum, which is the magnifl" cent gift of Sir William Henry Wills, Bart., "to his fellow-citizens," in 1904. The record hauls which the Carmarthen coraclemen had last season does not bca.r out the suggestion underneath the specimen, that, although still to a small extent in use for salmon fishing, it is probably destined to disappear in a few years' time." The recent appeal by the Bishop of the Falkland Islands for a Welsh-speaking clergý" man to minister to Welsh Churchmen Patagonia re-calls the fact that among the earliest religious causes established by Welsh- men in the United States was a Welsh Church of England cause at Radnor, Philadelphia* The original St. David's Church, as first built there in 1714, still stands, and /services con" tinue to be conducted there as they were 20J years ago. The church is, however, better known to loyal" Amllrricans" as the resting-place of the celebrated General Anthony Wayne, better known in history sØ Mad Anthony," who was buried there. Many striking historical facts e.d"8 chronicled ift bronze in our old church towerS, ^uch as that of LlaDeIIy, Breconshire. The oldest bell there, with its invocation of the patron saint Elli, of the sixth century, is ot pro-Reformation date. The next two, dated 1626, the first year of Charles 1., synchrony with the establishment of iron smelting workS in the parish by the Hanburys, of which are now long discontinued. At tbll11 time 1A\.ud, afterwards Archbishop of Canter- bury, was bishop of the diocese, and one of the inscriptions reads: Fear God. honour t King. The next two were added in 1715, Wø first year of George I. If the private history of the Welsh Eistedd- fod were known it would reveal many tragedy in Welsh poetry. O such is d*8* •' very exeeUewt article Wr% Whar*r rrtmi ti,„ „ Glas'jant Jones, of Cross 1: j-tl e curren. issue of Y Geninon." Ih^^one and tha f sa-m? year Watcyn Wyn won ci £ tea chairs, with their accompanying prizes. He was subjected to much unfriendly criticism for this wholesale way of do*: eisteddfod bu<dness. Glasnant cow why. Domestio troubles had imposed upOø poor Wat a. bnrden of debt which he wished to be rid of. "And so," says Glasnant, forthwith placed the burden on the back of his Muse, and she brought back loads of oak and gold sufficient to make the bard free of debt." What a:i illuminating light on conditions of Welsh bardism! A correspondent writes:—"The following may be the explanation of the mysterious cock-crowing incident during Mr. Lloy^ George's speech. I,a-st week Mr. George spent four days with Mr. Jarne" Murray, M.P., the chairman of the Scotch Poultry Commission, now engaged in taking evidence as to the condition of the industry and the bet methods of improving it. It is rumoured that the Commission '\VI recommend (1) that all should purchase a new rooster or every twelve month6, and (2) that egIS should be sold by weight and not b1 number. Probably the obtrusive Nor Wales rooster intended to express b approval of these proposals, or to warn Chancellor of the Exchequer against th^ genial Mr. Murray and his fellow-G01JJ; missioners!" Quite so; or it may be that rooster has taken to heart Mr. Llo^ George's threat about robbing the he° rooets. Welsh Baptists are beginning to entertøJJL serious doubts of Dr. Gomer Lewis's ortb doxy. He has just been spending a week 1 North Wales, where the Calvinif^ Methodists are all powerful and the Bapt^ practically nowhere—and the having no Gomor of their own, have capture the breezy Baptist. On three nights week Gomer preached—or lectured, isn't much to choose between the two thio* where Gomer is concerned—a,t as Methodist chapels; on Friday night he up by lecturing at the Methodist Mawr, Llanberis, for the benefit of a I as celebrity incapacitated by illness. This the 509th occasion for Gomer to deliver same lecture—but, fortunately, not to t same audienec—and the lecture netted handsome amount of £2.3 to the benefit Self-help is a virtue largely existent Wales. A correspondent furnishes evidence of it:—"In looking over the matrt is lation lists of the University of Wales glad to see the good work that is being d in some of the country grammar schools. Bala Preparatory School, Old College (Carmarthen). Pencader Grammar Sob^. Trevecca College School, Clynnog Graxn^^ School, Gwynfryri and Pontypridd Colleg19^ Schools, and Newcastle Emlyn School. The students that attend 6-chools are usually those that are too olbØ attend the intermediate schools. :f majority of them have spent years of 1 Ae., lives as colliers, quarrymen, tin-platers.. and have to study under great disadvantas^ ( yet over thirty students from the schools are found in the June and of matriculation lists of the University Wales." ol<| Tlie first part of this paragraph is an story, but it has to be read for the ea the rest. A large company of Welsh men were telling stories in the smoke-r i of the Raven Hotel. Shrewsbury. Wbel.ot1'" came to the turn of Dr. T. H. Morris ( town), chairman of the Glamorgan tion Committee, he narrated a pe0^^ dream. "I dreamed," he said, of going up the steps leading to the g £ Heaven I was stopped by an angel. tb** me a piece of chalk, with the reminde ol) all who aecended had to put a jjfe* each 6tep for each besetting sin of oP time. When I had got a.bout bal.f- doØ I met Sir Marchant Williams J towards lae, looking very glum. remarked, 'where are you going man?' and Sir Marchant replied, 1D chral tones, I am going down -jude^ more chalk! That woke me np> co 0? the doctor, amidst the loud lauS company. "That's exceedingly In chipped in Sir Maroliant, who was juii^ the room. "I dreamed a 0f WJ dream night. I was at the to yfjt steps, having a private conversa i St. Peter, when a good-looking dame came up and asked f" jd •What is your name?' asked ø1' Jones, sir.' she replied. I am Peter, after looking an the rec ^o0ot l-ame is not on my book, and yo P e admitted.' "But I am fully sisted the old lady. Did you a»d was Mary Jones?" Peter again was answered in th« affirmative t■ looked through his book in yai > do ■ asked, in sympathetic tones. > m come from, my good woman? V town, sir,' was the answer. torø" 1 explains it,' said Peter, ■ place always send the people yean before their time- jS J