The Cardiff Times

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SKETCHES OF WALES AND WELSHMEN. By J. Kilsby Jones. Penry's Trial and Death. The Scottish clergy treated Penry very handsomely. "I taught publickly, he says, in the Church of Scotland, being there- into earnestly desired and called by the order of that Church." In continuance of literary work, which, notwithstanding his frequent changes of residence and severe trials, had become habitual, he translated a work called "Thesis Genevensium," con- sisting of propositions and principles disputed in the University of Geneva, and Published at Edinburgh in 1591. Could he have forgotten his dear, native land, j, or had he proved unfaithful to his convictions of duty, he might now, perhaps, We enjoyed a life of learned leisure, and a Moderate competency, with a peaceful home. The temptation was strong, but was not suffered to prevail. On" Arthur's Seat," or when wandering through a Highland glen, or sailing on the tranquil lake, his heart was stIll 111 Wales, and the desire every day became stronger that within its borders the gospel of salvation might have free course and be glorified. With Pau 6 to say, For my brethren—my • according to the flesh—I h**« Sff Mean_ ness and continual sorrow of heat■ *hile the emissaries of the Hig °"V were not inactive. Whitgift found in Bancroft, a bishop, a most assiduous and efficient coadjutor. By his incessant correspondence, together With the zeal of his agents, the pilgrim secret press," removed from Woolston, first to Warrington, and then to Manchester, Was discovered in Newton-lane by Henry, Earl of Derby, and an ancestor of the pre- sent Lord Derby. Lady Wigston earnestly requested the printers b stay longer at Woolston, but they feared to remain. She gave them at parting half-a-crown each. The carrier says there were delivered to him at Warrington "a printing-press, two boxes of letters, a basket, and a brass pot. The poor printers were captured and sent in custody to the Lords of the Council. The news of the arrest soon reached the I Archbishop while at Canterbury, and he wrote off at once to the lord treasurer, Urgmg him to bring them to punishment. Penry was apprised of the event by his faithful friend, Throgmorton almost every individual connected with the 1 clandestine publications, from Sir Richard Knightley to the man who drove the cart, was seized, and com- pelled, on oath, to disclose all particulars. Sanguine expectations were entertained that in some way Penry would be impli- cated in the authorship of the tracts. Books, Papers, and letters fell into the hands of Bancroft; and his spy at Edinburgh watched the movements of the Presbyterian party, and often intercepted the commu- nications made to the South. The deposition of witnesses, intimidated and anxious to secure their own lives, are still extant. All that judicial subserviency or Prelatical resentment could suggest was done to elicit a particle of evidence turning on Penry's plans and operations. Beyond vague surmise and idle conjecture nothing material was adduced. Maskell, in his history of the Martin 11arprelate controversy, makes the ful- lowing observation "We must not overlook this — that no evidence was found) and also that Penry himself at the time (which I cannot give much Weight to), and always alter, even when about to die—when one is rather inclined to believe that he would speak the truth— denied that he had been concerned in the Writing of these tracts." Foiled in the more immediate design of their inquisitional proceedings, the High Commission did not on that account abandon their object. Whitgift turned to his unfailing source of help the Court. The sceptre was at his service, irrespective of every legal or political con- sideration that might seem to interfere. At his instigation the Queen sent all autograph letter to James, King of Scotland, by Sir J ,)hn Carmichael, dated 6th July, 1590. In deference to a royal communication it is given iiiendini and in the orthography of the period :— Greater promises, more affection and grauutz far more acknowledging^ of received Rood turnes, my dear brother, none can better remember that the gentiluian by your charge hath made me understand whereby I thinke al my endeuors wel recompensed tha.t E-eè them so well acknowledged and do trust that my counsels-if the so much con- tent you—will serve for memorials to turne your actions to serve the turne of your safe Government, and make the lookars on honor vour worthc and reverence such a tular. And lest fayre semblance—that easily may begile—do not brede your ignorance of such persons as eitherpretendreligion and dissemble devotion, let me warne you that there is risen, bothe in your realme and inyne, ¡. secte of perilous consequence, such a.s wold have no kings but a Presbitrye, and take our place, while the enjoy our privi- leges, with a shade of God's word, wiche now is judged to follow right without by their censure the be so denied. Yea., look we wel unto them. When the have made in our peoples hariz a doubt of our religion, and that we erre, if the say so, what perilous issue this may make, I rather thinke than mynde to write. tiapicnii pauca. I pray you stop the mouthes, or make shorter the toungs, of such ministers as dare to make oraison in their pulpits for the persecuted in Ingland for the Gospel. Suppose you, my deare brother, that I can tollerat such scandals of my sincere government ? No. I hope, howsever, you be pleased to bear with ther audacite towards yourselfe, yet you will not suffer a strange King receaue that indignities at such caterpilar's hand that insted of fruite, I am afraid wil stuf YJur realme with venom. Of this I have particularised more to this bearer, together with other answers to his charge, besiching you to hear them, and not to give more harbor rome to vacabond traitors and sedi- tious inventors, but to returne them to me, jr banislie them your land. And thus, with a;any thankes for your honorable intertain- ^iients of my late embassador, I commit you io God, who ever preserve you from all evel counsel and send you grace to folow the best. most assured louing sister and :ousin, "ELIZAUETH R." Ti, my dear brother, the Kins of Soot- lanu." L: pursuance of the r'imc ooject, the iY'vy Council issued a warrant, signed by V- jv.tyift and five others, to the effect that o«o John Penry is an enemy iO the state and if not taken for such heretofore, they should now take knowledge and information thereof from them, and so henceforth account him—they shall herein do her Majesty good service." I:> King James, in obedience to the counsels of his" louing sister and cousin," issued a decree of banishment against Penry. The ministers of Scotland, however, in this in- stance were not so pliant as others, for everywhere they stayed the proceedings thereof." A little longer, therefore, Penry was sheltered from the rage of his enemies and he employed the interval in preparing the last of his publications printed in his lifetime. It is called, "A Treatise wherein is Manifestly Proved that Reformation, and those that are sincerelyfor the same, are Unjustly Charged with being Enemies unto her Majesty and the State—written both for the Clearing of Those that Stand in that Cause, and the Stop- ping of the Slanderous Mouths of all the Enemies thereof." The career of Penry, as a Reformer in the Church of England was rapidly coming to a close. His appeals and remon- strances were alike unavailing. On a calm review, it must be admitted that he sought the accomplishment of a work which, in the nature of things, could not be eftected by the kind of agency he wished to be employed. The end he had in view was worthy, but he mistook the means. In one of his petitions he says :—" Unless the magistrate do uphold the honour of the Lord against Satan, it will fall to the ground for aught man can see." He might as well have said that the stars would fall without scaflolding. Par- liament had no disposition for such a work. The attempts made to correct the more flagrant abuses met with no success. Silently, but not without disappointment, Penry abandoned the hope of Reformation either by Parliament or the Convocation House. From communications from some of his old companions in Cambridge he learned that a companyof sincere Christians, for the most part in humble life, met together in the South of England for mutual edification and united worship. Penry was now prepared to join such a society. He had intended to return to Eng- land and to seek a personal audience with the Sovereign, for the purpose of asking her Royal consent, at least, to his preaching the Gospel in Wales but it was his lot to become united with a poor and afflicted people inlSouthwark—to render them service of untold value; and then to attest to the truth they embraced and professed in common with the seal of martyrdom. In the month of September, 1592, Penry came from Scotland to London, and rested, as he tells us, at the end of his journey, in Long-lane. We are able to give an account of Penry's circumstances on his apprehen- sion in his own words. This is the more satisfactory in that we find nowhere besides any clear information accurate as to dates. He says in a letter to his wife :—"I was taken, you know, at Radcliffe the 22nd of the third month—March, 1592-3, carried the 24th before Mr Young, committed by him there into the Counter in the Poultry." In April following he had to appear before the Lord Chancellor, the Archbishop Whit- gift, the Bishop of London, in their robes, with other members of the High Commission —Justice Young and Dr Some sitting at the lower end of the table—to answer the charge of sedition. The account of the examination is fully given by his biographer, and is brimful of interest, and proves the prisoner to have been in every respect superior to his judges. Though it was a clear case of failure to prove the charge brought against him by his persecutors, yet, to adopt his own words, because his blood was cried for," he was condemned, though the officers of the Crown had considerable difficulty in securing a conviction on any plausible grounds. The perplexity of the prelates was increased by a lucid defence of Penry drawn up in legal terms. The protestation of John Penry, before hi3 death, sent to the Lord Trea- surer, is the last of his utterances known to us in any form, and the climax is sublime. He was left with his God, and the assurance is perfect that he was not forsaken. On the 25th May, sentence of death was formally pronounced. Four days after Archbishop Whitgift attended the council chamber, with Sir John Puckering, the Lord Keepei^ and Sir John Pophani, the Lord Chief Justice, to sign the warrant. The primate ttffixed his tuunc Ji>i st ■ the instrument was sent immediately to the sheriff, who pro- ceeded on the same day to erect the gallows at St. Thomas-a-Watering. While Penry was at dinner, the officers came to bid him make ready, for he must die that afternoon at four o'clock—an unusualiand, therefore, an unexpected hour. He was led, at five, from the prison in the High-street, Borough, to the fatal spot. A small company of per- sons, attracted by seeing the work- men preparing the gibbet, had collected together. Penry would have spoken, but the sheriff insisted that neither in protestation of his loyalty nor in the avowal of his innocence should he utter a word. His life was taken, and the people were dispersed. The place of his burial is unknown. But— Though nameless, trampled, and forgot His servant' humble ashes lie, Yet God has marked and sealed the spot To call its inmate to the sky.

A CHARMING MYSTERY, I was only dreaming, When it seemed her eyes met mine, And appeared as 'twpr8 beaming With a rapture half divine. ior I found her a surprising, A tormenting, tantalizing. Very charming mystery. t Sendeth she my nerves a. dancin Like the sparkles on the wine, Aslryvl l°'1K"' f'CS f"rth romancing, As, a votary at her shrine But she is a quaint, surprising tormenting, tantalizing c' very charming mystery. Oftentimes I'm sure I know 1m- Read her thought?, as I opi;,7 And I long for speech to fchoVher Feelings word* can hemee ddine. But I find her a hurprisiug A tormentiug, tantalizing* Very charming mystery. Seeinetli now, if I should meet her. That my arms would round her twine • Longing lovingly to greet her, If she gave assenting sign. But she M the most surprising, M'" t tormenting, tantalizing, Most bewitching mystery.

-+-- Spriggs "How much older is your sister than you, Johnny ? Johnny Maiui used to be twenty-live years, then she was twenty, and now she aiii'c oniy eighteen. I guess wetjl soon be twins. A REJIAHKBLK CLIMATK. — The city of Cerro de Paseo, in Peru, located at a point where two ranges of the Cordilleras meet, has a remarkable climate, owing to its great elevation above the sea. From December to March, a season which the people term their winter, whereas, in reality it is their summer, the temperature during the day is from twelve to thirteen decrees above zero at night it falls io near zero, but the water seldom freezes. During this season the "UIl appears ac times, and from the parity of the atmosphere the heat caused t'y its rays is almost unbearable. A person may be standing partly in the sunlight and a portion of his body may be in the sliodo; that portion i< disagreeably cold, while the part exposed hJ the sun is uncomfortably wanu.

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. BY W.Abraham, M.P., Mabon. -<> MORE ABOUT THE TRUCK SYSTEM, The root of the evil referred to in my letter of last week as affecting some-or, indeed, rather a larrre proportion -of our Scotch fellow workmen, seems chiefly to be found in the system of de- ferred payment in the mining, ironworking, and quarrying districts. The periods of payments appear to range from a fortnight, a month, and six weeks, up to three months. The wage settle- ments—or pays," as we call them here-are thus reduced to twenty-six, twelve, and in some cases to only four pays or clear wage settlements in the twelve months. The earnings of the workmen being witbheld for so long a time, to the hardship of the men on the one hand, and the great profit of the employers on the other, prosperity and in- dependence amongst workmen so used aie impossible. In a large number of cases the workmen, in order to obtain the necessary supplies for them- selves and families, have been compelled to resort to a system of what is called lines," i.e. -order notes or sub-notes, which are given out by the managers or cashiers of the works. These notes represent so much value in goods to be obtained at stores opened, in many cases, by the firm, or by some one connected with it, and in a. few instances only by independent shopkeepers. Even in the latter case the system is an outrage on personal liberty, and, I am sorry to say, that in this respect the "order" system, even in South Wales, has not entirely died out. In Scotland, where the "line" system is not adopted, weekly or other advances are made in cash on the wages due to the workmen, and the usual amount of interest is charged for the use of the money so advanced—money which is rightly their own. It is incredible that this sort of thing should go on at many collieries. The charge is no less than 5 per cent. a fortnight, or 130 per cent. a year, and, if more than one advance is asked for and given in the fortnight, the annual rate of interest is about 260 per cent. Such a rate of interest has scarcely ever been exacted by the most extortionate usurers known in the history of the world. Yet, extreme as this undoubtedly is, it will be seen by the following table, taken from the report, that in some in- stances even higher rates have been charged At three collieries the poundage of money ad- vanced a fortnight is Is in the £1 at one colliery the rate is for bs, 3d for Õ't 6d for 12s, Is. At five collieries the rate is for 5s. 3d for 7s, 6d for 16s, Is. At one colliery the rates is for 5s, 2d for'l5s, 51 for 13 6d. At one colliery the rate is for5-s 31 for 16" 6d. At one colliery the rate is for 10s, 5il for 16"t 10J. At one colliery ths rate is for 9s, 3d for 16s, 6d. At one coJlieiy the rate is for 8», 31 for 15s, 5d for 18s, 6d. At three collieries the rate is for 20s, 6d." The above is only one form of the imposition that is inflicted on the workmen. Another th-it can be quoted is the sharpening of workmen's iools-sucu as pick:" drills, wedges, &c., &c, Some time ago the payin? for sharpening work- men's tools was pretty generally in vogue in Monmouthshire and South Wales, but at present I believe the system has been almost, if not entirely, done away with. The employers have, as was proper, accepted the responsibility of finding the greater part of the tools, as well as paying for sharpening them. Shovel, box, and a hatchet are the only tools that the great majority of our steam coal colliers are now asked to provide for themselves. But in Scotland, according to Mr Redgrave's report, the following and similar charges are made for pick sharpening :-At one colliery, which is typical of a large number of others, 500 men are employed. They pay 3d each per week for sharpening, and they work five days a week. They require the services of two black- smiths for three hours each day. One of these men receives 22-, and.,the other 28s per week- working hours, 54. The case stand" thus 300 miners, paying 3d per week each, L3 15s propor- tionate cost of smithy expenses for 30 hours per week, 17s 51 balance in favour of employer, L2 17: 9J. This is, I believe, about 340 per cent, profit. At another colliery where 150 men are em. ployed the following state of things is found to exist, and as the statement, is purported to have been made by the blacksmith employed at the colliery, I shall give the same in his own words. Said he My shopwate and I sharpen for all the men, occupying from one and a-half to two hours each day. We use but a handful of coals -Sibs would do all the job. We receive each 24s a week. Besides the picks we do the men's stemmers, wedges, and steel the picks when needed—the only place I know where the men are so generously treated." These men, the report adds, work for their employers 54 hours each per week, and serve the miners 10 hours each per week. The debtor and creditor account for the ir/ior uronld rp.xiilf-. as folloWS — Da. • £ s. d. Value of time employed in sharpening picks.. 23 1 6 Steel laying for picks, wedges, OEC 20 () 0 Five tons of coal, at ■; • ■ 2 10 0 Proportion of rates, rent, ga;, watei, die 5 0 0 50 11 6 Balance at employers' credit 46 18 6 £ 97 10 0 Clt.. £ s. d. Income from deductions-150 miners at 3d each per week 10 0 The report also states that deductions are fre- quently made from wages 011 account of contri- butions to friendly and sick societies, but one ,e caiyiot gather whether such societies are perma- nent institutions or only associated with the works. If they are associated with the works only, and without provision to enable the work- men to continue their membership when they have left the works, the system cannot be too strongiy condemned. For, in the absence of such provisions the men, on changing their employ- ment, forfeit all the contributions which they have been compelled to make as well as the initiatory fees. This form of truck is far too prevalent in this part of.the country, as well as in Scotland, and it tends to tie men down to certain places when it would otherwise be to their interest to move. By enforced rules at some places workmen are com- pelled to pay an initiation feu of 2s 601 for becom- ing members of all accidental fund only, with so much weekly or fortnightly contribution, as the case may be. Should they meet with an accident while working at that colliery, they will receive so much reliet per week from the fund. In case of death by accident, the relatives obtain a certain sum for burial purposes. But should a man work at the colliery for 10, 15, or 20 years without accident, he receives nothing. Should he leave, and without having been injured at work, he receives nothing. And should he leave and return a dozen times he must pay hi.s initiatory fee each time. Cases are well known where the management of such funds, and indeed sick funds as well, is entirely in the hands of the management at the collieries, and when the men who actually contributed the funds sought to see the accounts appertaining to those funds, they have been refused. The days of these one-sided, restricted funds, which in the hands of some employers of labour are nought but modes of trnck, are numbered. So is the system of com- pelling men against their will to pay towards the support of the works doctor because that gentle- man happens to be the nominee of the friend of the works management. It is of the highest interest to alt workmen and their families that when making provision for medical attendance, sickness, and death, contracts should be made with institutions unconnected with the workmen's plrce of employment. I hold the strong conviction that all labour (except it be of a domestic or partly domestic character) should be paid for in full in the coin of the realm, and that in the matter of medical attendance, sickness and death, or any other society, the people should be at liberty to provide for themselves in a permanent institu- tion, so that whenever they may change their place of employment they will not be deprived of the benefits to which they are entitled. Without these conditions it is impossible for workmen to be fully free and independent. It is hardly necessary for me to say here that it is illegal to deduct any moneys from men's wages for either of the purposes I have named, unless a man has given his written consent. This is a proviso that all employers who are in the habit of deducting any such moneys against the will of their workpeople would do well to attend to very shortly. Another kind of truck—abominable and unjust in its application—is the monstrous deiuchons made for educational purposes. Upon the subject of these I prefer making no observations. merely reprinting some of Mr Redgrave's remarks thereon, and the reader can draw his own con- clusions. I think," Mr Redgrave says, it can hardly be known to what ex- tent of hardship a rigid adherence of the system of deductions for schools can be carried, and I add a statement, which I have verified, of the deductions made from the wages of three families working at a very important ironworks, which deductions, the proprietors contend, may be legally made under the statute." Mr Redgrave then cites the three cases—1st, where 38 per month is deducted at the office, with Is 2d paid as fees-to the school board, leaving a total of 4s 2d a month paid by the family for the education of one boy. In the second case, with deductions and school fees, one family pays 5s 2d per month for the edu- cation of one boy, and in the third case a family pays 7s per month in deductions, and Is 2d as fees to the school board, making a total of 8s 2d for the education of one boy. There are, besides the above, many other matters of great interest referred to in this report, especially the mention made of the system of deferred payments in the domestic industries in some parts of the Highlands. I am bound to confess I never dreamed that such evils prevailed, especially to such an extent as is shown in Mr Redgrave's report, and I sincerely hope that these exposures will redouble the efforts of our Scotch friends to establish co-operative stores for the people, and to spread the cause of trades unionism amongst those who have been so unjustly treated. The remedy, to some extent, is in the hands of the workers themselves if they will only unite to apply it.

WELSH GLEANINGS. I' (By Lloffwr.) The well-known lines of Burns— "O wad some power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us," have been recently amended—some would say parodied-thus O! wad some power the giftie gie To ither folks to rightly see, And prent us as we really be." If this is needed anywhere it is certainly so in Wales. English people, not alcue in England but in Wales as well, do not rightly see us as we really be." Without a knowledge of our language they cannot know the real feelings of our hearts. Hitherto there have been afforded Englishmen resident in Wales no facilities for learning the Welsh language other than by colloquial intercourse. Now an attempt is being made to supply tho long-felt want of suitable text-books, both for children and advanced students. The Messrs Duncau, of Cardiff, are about to publish for the Society for Utilizing the Welsh language a series of suitable books. Welshmen are wiser in their generation than the Irish and the Macs as regards the preservation of their language. In Ireland efforts, which appear almost frantic, are being made to preserve the tongue, which is fast disappearing both as a spoken and a written language. In the Isle ut Man it is said that at the present time it would be hard to find 20 persons under 20 years of age who could speak 20 words of the Manx tongue This is how a writer in the leading newspaper of that Island laments its disappearance:—"The beau- tiful language of our forefathers is fleeting away, and no effort is being made to retard or arrest its flight. In a few shore years its sonorous music will be heard no more, and its name will pass for ever into the great big category of things that weie. The Celtic Times thus comments on this :—" This bad fact is another reflection on our vaunted patriotism, which is as hollow as the fallen steeple of Kirk Braddon, and about as thorough. The sluggish inertion of the present generation ot Manxmen in the matter of their native tongue is not merely a blot on the escut- cheon of their fame, but it is a criminal misdeed which all posterity of Manxmen will rouudiy re- proach them for." # I quite agree with the sentiments of the Celtic Times on this matter. Wa manage these things differently in Wales. I have uow before me statistics collected during the pre- sent mouth showing that the Welsh news- papers have a circulation of over 100,000 per week. Magazines published in the same language reach a sale of 150,000 per month. One Welsh newspaper alone has a weekly issue of 23,000, while another Welsh newspaper published at the same office on another day of the week has a circulation of 12,500. It is no unusual thing for Welsh books to attaiu a circulation of 10,000 to 20,000. As many as 250,000 copies, aud indeed 500,000 copies (half a million) of a cheap Welsh work have been issued by a single firm. A Welsh- English Dictionary is now being published, the first volume of which, price half a guinea, con- taining over 4-00 large quarto pages, hasnot reached the end of the nrst letter of the alphabet. We have a Welsh Cyclopaedia, ",Y Givyddoniadur Cyoicri'j," which will compare favourably with any similar work in the English language. It consists of ten large volumes, and forms a whole library in itself. A Welsh publisher expended £ 18 000 (eighteen thousand pounds) over the issue of a single Welsh work, and yet the sale has been sufficient to not only clear all expenses, but to leave the enterprising publisher a fair protit. This is a somewhat different record from what can be shown by any other branch of the Celtic family. "Oeaybyd ir Iaith Gymraeg 1" "Cymru PlI, Cyinru Fydd The Rev H. Elvet Lewis has undertaken to write a series of articles for the" Leisure Hour" on "Some of the Characteristics of Welsh Poetry." Mr Lewis intends giving selections from every class of Welsh poetry, and we may expect to see "YGododin" and Hiraathog's" Emmanuel" lynyddo -side cjmpared Dafydd apGwiJymand Mynyddogside by side Iolo G-och and Ceiriog, Vicar Pntchard audleuan Gwynedd, Goronwy Owen and Isuvyu, sitting together at Elvet's Round Table. The Ilsv W. A. Griffith, formerly of Narbertb, is about to publIsh a volume on "The Welsh Hyum- writers of the last Century." Mr Griffith wrote two articles on this subject it, "Y Beirniad' some years aco, and I believe that.these articles of course greatly amphed, will form the ground- work of his book. Gwalia, a Welsh Conservative paper published at Bangor, is very severe on Tennyson's Jubilee O le. To give Welshmen an idea of it, a Welsh translation is given of the ode in blank verse. I have a lively recollection of the mirth created among Englishmen, and of the ridicule cast upon Welsh bards, by tho publication in a South Wales paper, some years ago, of an English translation into blank verse of an ode read at an obscure presentation meeting. I felt then, and I admit now, that the composition, as a poetical composi- tion, and apart from its "cynghanedd (allitera- tion), was execrable. But though written for amuse- ment for an unimportant occurrence, it would certainly compare favourably with this produc- tion of the Poet Laureate, though specially com- posed for what he was doubtless reminded was the most important event in the reign. I see that in the same paper Mr John Rowlands (Giraldus), now a Cardiff man, whose name has been well known in Welsh literary circles for two generations—has commenced a series of letters on "Education Fifty Years ago." This will be a jubilee sketch of unusual interest, and I eagerly await the appearance of the next instalments. i The Q ;nen has ordered two cop:es of York's work, "The Royal Tribes of Wales to be sent to the Boyal Library at Windsor. This work is now in the press by Mr Isaac Foulke? (Llyfrbryf), Liverpool. It is edited by Mr Richard Williams F.R.H.S., Celynog, Newtown. Mr Humphreys, the well-known publisher of Carnarvon, has just issued as a jubilee edition a Weish "History of the Life and Reign of Victoria, Queen of Great Britain and Empress of India."—The leaders of the Salvation Army have commenced a Welsh issue of the War Cry. It is published in Carnar- von at the Herald Offices.—Messrs Hughes, Wrexham, are about to issue Jubilee Editions of some of their most popular works, including Vicar Prichard's Canwyll y Cymry." There has commenced an unusual exodus of wellknown Welshmen from Wales to the United States. The Rev. Keinion Thomas, editor of Y Celt; Rev. Evan Jones, Carnarvon Rev. Glan- ffrwd Thomas, vicar of St. Asaph's Lucas Williams, and Ehedydd Cynon, are among those named .as being about to pay a more or leas pro- longed visit to the States. The authorities of Baugoc University College are being taken severely to task in the Welsh papers for their studied neglect of the Welsh language. It is the only national college in Wales which has-no professor of Welsh. The Carnar- vonshire special correspondent of the Baner is very bitter in his tone. I am túld that, as a means of testing the real sentiments of the authorities, a Welshman, resident in North Wales, has offered to contribute J3200 towards founding a Welsh chair at the college. if A petition, signed by eight hundred Welsh. men in the North of England has been presented in Parliament in favour of disestablishment in Wales. I mention the fact as an indication of the new interest taken by "Welshmen from home" in the affairs. ofr "Welshmen at home. We want more. of"-this sympathetic interest in our home questions on the part of our brothers and sisters and cousins who have left the old. nest. if. # Another instance of the same tendency is shown in the holding of a Welsh fair, on the bazaar principle and for a charitable purpose at Stockton-on-Tees. One of the chief attractions was a model of a Welsh farmhouse, which had been designed by Mr R. Rees. The ladies who presided at the various stalls were dressed in Welsh costume, and the business was transacted-as far as th3 purchasers could-in Welah. Indeed, a. Welslunan entering the spacious hall where the fair was being held would have imagined himself actually present at an old- ashioned Welsh fair. It goes withoufc 6aying that the affair turned out a complete success. Here js a hint for Welshmen in English towns who are supporters of, say. the Society for Utilizing the Welsh Language, to aid the funds. We are to have a new fashionable Welsh water. in„ p ace. wllheli is going to rival Brighton, and place Llandudno and Aberystwyth in the shade. A. company has been formed under the title of • The Pwllheli Development Association." It is claimed that PWllheli offel's peculiar advau. tages as a watering-place, having a stretch of three miles of beautiful sands, which are clean aud dry when the tide ebbs, while the scenery within easy distance comprises some of the most beautiful and romantic in the kingdom. Suitable accommodation and facilities for visitors will be provided uuder the scheme, # The Marquis of Bute has decided upon making the Jubilee Year a memorable one io and for Cardin. 10 granting of seme ninety acres of land fur the purposes of a public park, which was recorded a week ago,, has just beea supplemented j? 6 ? e5, a .B^te fur uevv buildings for the riiverai y o ege in the beautifui Cathays Park, This is a way of celebrating the Jubilee which will be popular with Welshmen,-and which, I hope, many of the landed gentry of Wales will emulate.

ANECDOTE OF A WELSH PREACHER. A VERY popular, well-beloved, and God-fearing old Welsh preacher some sixty years ago, was one oaiuueld G-ooamau. It is related of him that on one occasion he- although always welcomed with open arms-in- judiciously outstayed his welcome at a well-to-do farmer's house. The venerable apostle we may presume, hiid- ing that he and h.s trusty nag were having a good time of it, were in ciover in bctt felt no disposi- tion to seek fresh j » 0 neia* aud pastures new." Rabbits smothered m ouious (Je}icious b hams, juicy root (nun,) beef, with pipes, ale, and tobacco ad ho., came under n, *• c "uuec the denomination of rusts ot tue flesh, it is true ».„(■ *i t- i- "ue, but they were not to be despised nevertheless A„,» »• (u „ > u An a further, was not the labourer worthy of his hire' However, as the old patriatch'rf lengthened stay was getting beyond the lilnifcs or even Welsh Hospitality, the farmer's sout a jocuW young fellow determinedly secretly to try the effect of a somewhat ingenious, albeit irreverent, ruse on the old man. On a certain night, some short while after the latter had retired to rest, the young farmer got a bullocks horn, commonly used by carters ia those days for the purpose of amusing themselves by blowing on them when riding to and fro on their cart., fetching limo for manure, or taking corn to the market town. Tin horns subsequently entirely superseded the primitive bullock's horn, and pleasant it was in the long summer twilight to listen to the sound of their tooting, which could mdes "eoh rd at| mi ^,staQce of two or three miles.echoing over hill unci dale, greatly to the dehght of the rustic Mary and jeuuy Jones's of tiiosa long-vanished days. The young farmer, taking the bullock's horn, and having shortened the thin end, so as to creuti a greater volume of sound, mounted on to th0 uousetop and crept cautiously to the chimney, wilich led down to the old preacher's bedroom; then putting his lips to the instrument and placing it down the aperture, he shouted with all his lung power, ill tones of attested solemnity William Goodman ?» No answer. William Goodman' No answer. « William Goodman ?'> After the third call a reply came distinct and reverently: "Speak Lard, for thy servant heareth thee!" The mysterious voice replied, Arise to-morrow at early dawn, and proceed to (mentioning some pjacs many wíles ,jja;aut) for there the fields are ready iov the hanest, and the workers are few." «• Lord, Thy will be done, not mine," ejaculated the old man, reverently.

IN MEMORY, a raUf7 0,) the evening air, And then the words, What ship goes there?" rpi ? the dark'nin^ sea I tie ship s fair name came floating back, i saw the ship move on its track, Aud washed it fade away. In sailed away, out o'er the se. And nevermore was seen by ui?, 1-^r seldem there I camo j But oftentimes my mind brings back rl he ship slow sailing o:er its track, Again I heMitsnams. I saw, one day, a sweet, ta;r face, A gentle look, a tender jjracO) The maiden's name 1 learned Wo never met, I doubt if she Has ever seen or heard of mo, Aud we apart were turned. We've never met, and time has fled. Twas years ago, she may be dead Or living, still tho binw And yet ofttime?, when sad at heart, At that sweet face I dreaming st:trt. And hear again her name.

The scene is one of those naw proprietary Tem- ples of Luxury," which of late years have sprung up with such mushroomlike rapidity in western London. "Waiter," cries an aggrieved diner, "just take away this soup, will you? It is as cold as ice You surely don't mean that, sir, returned the waiter. Really sir, it is nearly boiling hot that soup, it is indeeJ "What, then, have you been tasting it?" chmanded the now enraged diner, turning on the man. "Oh dear no, sir, certainly not, sir," was the waiter's reply, "but you see, sir, I just tried it with the tips of my fingers coining along." While it may seem singular that the division line between animals and plants cannot b° clearly traced—some forms appearing to belong to either or both kingdoms—it is still more remarkable that mineral substances should seem to bo living creatures. Oue of the most intere?tinar fiuds in the ocean depths is Huxley's Bathi/bius, made of shapeless, motionless slime. It bus bsen supposed to be the common origin of the animal and veget- able kingdom, bnt its organic character has lately been questioned, and tu-uiy naturalists now consider it only gelatinous gypsum. In Eozoon Canadensis we have another animal of a few years ago wh'ch is now regarded as a mineral substance

LALL BIGHTS BKSKBVED BY THE AUTHOR.] WELSH NATIONAL STORY. Llewelyn; Or, The Last oftheWeish Princes. An Historical Romance. BY BERJAH GWYNFE EVANS, Author of" Bromoen," "Bouudhead and Cavalier," Owen Hagtocs," The Heir of Glynufoit," d;c, &c. CHAPTER XXXIV.—THE PKISONKK. Ignorant of the efforts being made to effect bis release, poor Meiedydd had an unhappy prospect before him. He was too hriaiy convinced of Ap Gwenwynwyn's enmity to entertain any hopes of favour a.t his rival's hands. A lengthened incar- ceration was the least he could expect, and the prospect, to one of Meredydd's temperament, was little better than death. He could only look forward to two chances of escape. One was that he might liud among the jailers who brought-nim dlis food some one who ior the sake of reward might be influenced to connive att if not assist in, his escape from Casted Tre'r Llyn. Another hops which he would not abandon was that his lengthened absence might induce Llewelyu to make inquiries, which would uo doubtlea.d io his discovering wuat had taken place, and result in some energetic steps being taken by the prince on uis behalf. Little did he think-that even then these steps had been taken, and that a very htroiig detachment under Einon ap lihydaerch was inakiuf ail possible haste to reach aim. The door of his prison had not once been opened since he had entered the uuogeon. His food was handed in through a small^peuing above the door, affording him but very little opportunity of eudeavounng to make any advances with the view of coming to an understanding with his attendants. He did maeed endeavour to open a conversation with the iirst man who brought him his food, but met with only a surly response,.and a recommendation to keep his wreath Ion seine more useful purpose. Brave though he was, he felt his heart sink within him. It all who came in contact waLl hun were like this man, there would be but little chance indeed of his succeeding. His second aud third attempt with otners were equal'.y Uti- successful, Then came agaiu the turn of tne man who had first visited and iirst repulsed, lUUi. Meredydd recognised him uy his voice rather than I features, ior the place was too dark to uiabie him to recognise the lace. As ueforc, u .0, tins man was accompanied by an atteuuaiu, Uuom he now ordered to nand him the lood tie curried for the prisoner, and to go back to fetuii something which had been forgotten. The repuise Meredydd iiad met with in the farst instance from Cliis mu.n iia J led him io give up all hope of being able to n.liueuee him, and he had JCLerwiliûl Lu :1Je¡¡: not a word tv him, Whas was, therefore, his surprise to bear the iuii.u say in an eager hue carefully-lowered whisper, Sir Meredydd Sir Meredydd What wouldst tUou asked tue prisoner in no little surpr.oe. Hush cams the reply, not so ioud not so loud I-answered thee suridy enough yeseeie'en when tnou did at speak to met as I knew ic would do thee more iiaim than good to ÍJe supposed to hold any communication with any of us. I was born on the hanks of the Itaon like thyself, and would not widiiigly am Uw^.toiue to harm." Good iricmi tl Lilauk thee, aud tho heaven that sent thee to me, replied Meredydu, How shall I address thee? By wnut nauie. shall 1 call thee ? lhe name matters iittie. Ie is after all only a cloak which a man may put on or (lirow off at pleasure. However, I am calieii Deie, and iu my old home wan known us Deio 'r JLlaneico." "Vi Llanerch ? askud Meretiydu. Tiieu thuug111 kuow thee nui, I know tnoce that beloug 1.0 tbee.' Aye, that thou do^r, as tuey know thee and tniue, W.ts the repjy. -Lauy the kindness I and they have received at the uauda oi those that are of kindred blooU with tuee, and lor tne sake oi these memories—which I have cuerisheu where- ever I nave guue-l would Uut see tilet: harmed." "Good Deio I thauK tut:e-lrulu Wi soul, I do. But tell me what can be done That is a diiiicuit question to answer," replied Deio. Bus/ tLiis uo I know, that tue orders given about thee aie mere strict tUan auy that have been given here ior many a year." "Ay," said Mfjtedydu, hiueiiy, "thy master is determined to keep me saie now that he hath got me in his power. And well ior him that he doth so, iur lJe knows wuat Wuuiú await hiw Wele I free uuce more." Whatever the cause he hath against thee, I know tie is more bitter than he haih ever been. He hath given orders that will euauie thy safe I keeping." 6. If tie can guard within he canuot guird with- out," said Meredydd. "And it will not be long at the worst beiorc L.ewelyu hnds means to unlock my prison door." H Tuat will avail tnee bat little, I am afraid," said Deio. Whas meanest thou ? Ap Gwenwyuvvyu before ha left gave orders that should there be any prospect of the castle being taken thou wert to De put to death. So that if tby door ue 4Jllu¡,;keJt thy friends may dnuthee, but lot as they hoped to do." Meredydd mutLeied curse upon his eiiemy'o vindictiveuess, and was about to address the other again when Deio said:— Hu¡)u! Here come- my companion. He must know nothing oi in-s. Go:ue along, fellow 1" he called iu an angry tone. Thinkest thou I have nought to do out kick my hoeis in this place waiting ior tuy laziness? I c.uno witsi ail possible speed," replied the other, but could uot find the key where thou didst say," Ar. 1 warrant thuu wilt find some excuse. Heie, Sir Prisoner," he added, reachiug the coarse food in throogu the opened giving, here is thy share, and dainty fare thou wdt linu it I doubt nut." "Daintyor not, fci\udt said lleredydd, "it is belter H»an being without, though 1 wiii say I could well be couteut with more oi it, aud oi a ÍJe ter soil." "Ay; that is the thanks thou givest, like the rest o; them. bu1. tuou wiit be long ere thou dost see a better. But I come not to prate with thee. It thyu dost Willlt tliis water take Üt else 1 return it whence it came," said Deio roughly. As be spoke he handed the pitcher in through the grating, and a silent band pressure passed between the two unseen aud unsuspected. After this -iieredydd bore his incarceration WtthmoreequannHLLy. Ha had now sometniug tu louk lorward l." tuuugh the expectation ot a return of his grut: nlend made the tune appear even longer than before. Tue t;c;cuüd uigiiu ui his imprisonmout passed away. On the occasion of De.o'a third visit he had important news to give. Tho prince," he said, hath proved as rapid and decided in action as ever. There is already a strong force within sight of the castle, and Weie it not that we have made unusual preparations of late to strengthen our defences, aud to provide ample food, we should be soon in sorry plight." Llewelyn doth act when the need arises said Meredydd proudly, and I shall soun be free again." That I know not," said Deio. «• Fo» in tho first place, as I have said, we are ill a position to withstand a larger force than now threatens us. And again, should the place be in danger of fall- ing, Ap Gwouwyir.vyn hath provided for thee." "Ay! cursj him cried Meredyud. "But canst thvu not think, good friend Deio, of some means whereby I may yet be able to defeat his object?" "The only way is to get thee out from this dungeon in good time, and outside the castle walls. Thougn bow that i» to be done excoedeth my comprehclhioo." Can'iit thou not manage to leave my door un- fastened some night ? I will then, with my good sword which I yet have by mi, render a pood account of all who oppose my pissage to freedom." Thou wouldst, I fear, have but little chance in such a case. If thou didat kill a doz?u or a 6core, thou couldst not kill all tbe garrison, and excepting myself and perhaps three or four trusty friends of mine—who might befriend thee for my sake—there is not a man in the whole garrison but would readily obey the command to kill thee. And then as to opening the dour. It is locked as well as barred, and the key never leaves the commandant's girdle. I have been trying to think bow it can be done. The only way is to Ret possession of the key, and then to take thee out myself as though thou didst belong to the garrison. To-nigbt I will risk the matter of the key, and when the commandant sleeps wul try to secure it, and place another in its stead. Pray thou, Sir Meredydd, that be notes not the difference between the two." With this understanding Deio once more left his prisoner. Eagerly Meredydd listened to find if be could discover any token of an assault being made, but whether it was that he was out of the reach of any bound from without, or that no actual assault had yet taken place, he heard nothing. Early the next morning, however, be beard hasty steps approaching, and the next moment Deio's alarmed face appeared at tbe grating. "Sir Meredydd!" he cried, "I bear thee ill news." "Let it come," said the other. "Be what it may, I will bear it. "I have no time.to wait. It is this. A messenger hath just arrived bearing a. despatch from Ap Gwenwynwyn, in which he orders thy instant execution." Meredydd was too surprised for a moment to speak, "So be it," said he at last. "But they shall find I can sell my life dearly. Thanks, good friend, for the warning. I will benefit by it." "Be of good cheer," said Deio, in a broken voice. Whatever can be done to help thee will be done. When the door is opened, bear thyself like a man, and strike the first who enters. May- hap thou wilt have help when tbou dost not expect it." With that be disappeared. In a few moments Meredydd heard the tramp of an armed band approaching. He knew they were his executioners, come to do the bidding of Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn. (To be continued.)

-+- Musical and Eisteddfod Notes. By Maelgwyn. The absorbing topic iu musical circles is still the great choral competition at the Pontypool and Abergavenny Eisted'ifuuau. Like the majority of pleasure seekers, I went to Pontypool on Easter Monday, but owiug to the wretched train arrangements did not arrive at the eistoddfodau uutil two choirs and most of the competitors for the soprauo pr ze had been sung. Under these circumstances I am, of course, unable to venture any opinion concerning the Pontypool and Aber- carn choiis. But as 1 have always found Mr Troudman to be not only an able, but a con- scientious adjudicator, I am content to take his opinion. Of the remaining choirs there can be no doubt that Dowlais was the best. Particularly good, I thought, the first part was sung, the f-oprano singing of the passage, "Wretched lovers, quit your dream," being simply soul-affecting. I must honestly confess that I never heard anything more beautiful iu my life, and as I listened to the lovely strains I felt proud that a choir of Welsh working men and maidens bad grasped so well the true spirit of this beautiful chorus. Turning to Liauelly, I must say that, to my thinking, the singing was not so good as it bad been at Aber- dare. Then Llaneily certainly got the better of the Dowlais Choir, so far as Beloved Lord" was cuncerned I but on Easter Monday there was almost a total abseuc-1 of that tender feeling in one or two passages. The voices, however, were beautiful, although there were a couple of altos who sang like double basses. Aud Burslem—what shall be said for Burslem ? Well, I ielt particularly sorry they were beaten, although of course I should have been more sorry to see them win, considering the national character of the contest. But after all has been said, we must confess that Burslem did remarkably well considering the great difficulties that bad been placed m their way They had only a few weeks iu which to rehearse the test piece, and on the day of the contest they started at au unearthly hour in the morning. As they stood on the platform I thought I never saw such a splendid body of singers before. In discipline they set an example which Wales will do weli to follow. There is one little thing I should just like to mention before I leave the Burslem choir. I am an inveterate enemy of boy altos, aud if I were a conductor not a siugie^ne of them would I admit, for many reasons, the chief of which is that tuey cannet lie relied upun. When the Burslem choir sang in Liverpool I noted this fact, and ventured the suggestion that the conductor would do well to getrid of all tbeboy aitos. Mr Powell,the chair- man, came down heavily upon me tor my temerity, and declared that Burslem had used boy altos for I know not how many years, and had fouud them more reliable than giris. On Easter Monday Mr Pioudman deciareu that the boy altos had sun" tkrouj-h the otueiv. and luu made their voices heard almost individually, in future I trust 13urlSiem will take the advice which Maelgwvti ga\ethem three j'ears ago, and which he now repeats. There were, 1 have no doubt, thousands of people in Pontypool who were sorry tu see such a splendid body of singers put out of the competition. The soprano & -io competition at Poutypo.i] and the circumstances connected with it are the only unpleasant features iu an otherwise gloriously successful eisteddfod. The eisteddfod secretary or couuuctur—(it was uut Captain Bevau, I am giad to say)—or whoever was responsible for taking tbig competition out of its turn, ought to be ashamed of himself. When a contest is marked on the pro- grainuieto take place after the choral competition I consider it a shame to bring it forward wheu only two choirs have sung. It was generally understood that the contest would take place about three o'clock, but it Was over by about half- past twelve, before—it is reasonable to suppose all the competitors had arrived. Two youug ladies who had just arrived by train were advised not to sing at ail, aud ''although it was conceded that bath of them sang well, they had no chance whatever. THe adjudication was doubtless fair euough, but I repeat it was decidedly unfair to the competitors tu take the competition out of its turn. Soloists ought tu be treated as considerately as choirs. Messrs Marriott aud William?, of 295. Oxford- street, send me a large parcel of new songs. 'l'lw:Fi¡¡hermallt'' by Gerald M. L.ne, is a good song, with plenty oc melody aud go iu it. It is sure to become a favourite, "llush," by EJith Marriott, is a pretty, though very difficult song, which would be perfectly useless to any but a good singer. Mirage,by the same composer, is a strange aud ditticult composition, but, like Huoll," it displays considerable power. Eur Mertie, Merrie England," by Dr. W. Spark, is oue of the best patriotic I have seen for a long time. There is real merit and no jingoum in it. He is Mioe," by Edith Marriott, is a very good triu fur twu sopianos aud a contralto. There is a decided novelty about this trio, and the theme is well worked out. Too first sopranu sings as high as B n tt. "Twenty Miles to London Town," by Gerald M. Line, is a fairly good song, with a taking refrain. Miss Annie Marriott has already made the air very popular. There is something refreshingly new about How rhail I woo thee?" although, as in most of Edith Marriott's compositions, the straining after melody is plainly noticeable. A Laddie is coming.to woo me," by Ethel Harraaen, is a plucky and not unsuccessful attempt to write something like an old Scotch ballad. "Trust me, I love thee," by E. J. Quance, is a very pleasing setting of Tom Moore's well-known words. "Captor and Captive," by the same composer, is scarcely as pleasing. Love's Vigil," by Gerald M. Lane, is a baautifully melodious serenade with a charming refrain. All the above songs are capitally printed on good stout paper. From Messrs Metier and Co. I have received Scene de Hallet" (The Gipsiea), in three parts, by H. M. Higgs. This is a capital piece of its kind, every page producing some new aud pleasing melody. Is it too late ? by Lawrenca Kellie, is a song of which nothing can be said, except that it is well printed. There is abso- lutely no aim—no melody—in it. Love will Recall" is a good drawing-room song of the ceotimental kind, by Joseph Spawforth. Several well-known vocalists' names appear on the title page a« patrons of this song.

TALK OF THE TOWN. MR BIDER HAGGARD—OBSTRCCTION-—A DANGEROUS GAMB-PURBISHING UP AT BUCKINGHAM PALACE —A PICTCBE SHOW-AN AMERICAS WAR DRAMA- THE KAISER AND A LOVE AFFAIR. The author of a successful book, like the suc- cessful exponent cf a pupular role, becomes at one bound public property, and sometimes the public do not prove very kind leaseholders. Curiosity is ronsed l is but just The mauy-headed beast should show. Bat, as a rule, the public—by whom I mean readers, not writers—though critical in the way of liking or not liking, do not pick the work to pieces to discover flaws in its manufacture they treat it broadly, and accept it as a whole, if they like it at all. Very soon the author's photograph begins to show in Regent-street,and he himself be- comes a mild lion, whose movements are chronicled by the small society papers. It is an amusing little game altoget her, and a little game that often turns a head not over evenly balanced. These remarks are in connection with a portrait I give this week- -that of MR RIDER HAGGARD, I author of King Solomon's Mines," "She," and "JatlS," each work quite sufficient in itself to make a lasting name for its writer. Mr Haggard is at present in Egypt studying the mummies. Some wise print lately announced that he is col- lecting material for a biography of Pharaoh's daughter, with notes of the youtii of Mose*. Mr Haggard has a large future he can afford to ignore "midging," which term, being explained, means the warfare carried on by stinging ephe- mera. Any resemblance between his marvellous conceptions and Moore's "Epicurean" arises from the fact that, for the local colouring, and other necessary matter, both authors fished in the same streams. As Mr Alfred Haggard truly says: It is impossible to see any resemblance in this t.t"ry Epicurean ') to 'She,' beyond that immur- tality is the theme of both stories, and Egyptian wonders are employed in both. Tne land of Egypt and the caves of Kor offer no grsatc-r wonder than the mind of a man which recognises auy similarity between the two fictions." I have heard a subtle argument to the effect that all abstract matters that affect material life ought to hnd their parallel in physical nature, aud that, as we deal with material nature in re- ducing it to our various ueeds, so ought we to deal with the affairs of man. A case in point we wish to make clear of obstruction a waterway for our ships, aid we use force; we blast rocks, and deepen shallows. Ireland is an obstruction on all sides of our home and foreign government. But force will not clear away this obstruction. With the Government the Canadian game of tobogganing is the word, and, with Coercion for the start word, down to G Cabinet have shot. But as they flashed down the e.;my declivity they caugut a giitlllhe ot a well-known figure patiently toiliug upwards: Hi; ii'uw was rail' Irs eye lipnes'li HashV; like a falchion from its sheath And like a silvrr <;Í11."inl1 mtis The accents ui that well-known toi^ue— 1i.xceisior I passed by Buckingham Palace the other day, and saw it in possession ot all army of various trades, painters, &c., upholsterers, and all the rest of it. They are busking the old structure bravely fur the many potentates who wiii take up their abode there for this oppressive J ubilee. The Duke and Duchess of Conuauglit return from Iudia for the occasion, and there, too, come many eastern grandees, Prince Rudolph of Austria. How Loudon w¡;¡ bristle with stars and oh, what a blessed providence it was that the Baby Batteuberg did not slip back to that "else- where" from which it has just come I It tieetns this last little royalty was very dangerously ill for three d"ys. Sp far, the arrangements as re- gards her Majesty are not pleasing to her loyal subjects. She is to spend (Pily two nights at Buckingham Palace during Jukiiee week she theu returns to Windsor, and. revisits Londou for two more nights in the following week. Perhaps, as the time draws near, she may agree to "vhow up a little more. I was novelty-hunting the other day, and I found that a reaction had set in—against the word, not the things—and that Vinious new fads oil tije it;duntees weie tenned "Crown" instead of the hackened term "Jubilee;" so we shall have from Crown pincusnions to Crown type-writers, roasters, bonnets, and braces God save the Queen. A very unique novelty I saw which stood ou its* own bott- m, uuexpioited by either Crown or jubilee, and that whs a new musical gong. This was constructed of an octave of gun-metal pipes or cylinders, of graduated lengths, arranged in a wooden frame. A hammer was slung at tue side with which to summon the hutigry to feed with au appropriate air-" The Roast Beef of Old England." or something oi the sort. The oniy objection I see to its general adoption by the wealthy i" the necessitj iuvoived of haviug a musical fjotintn. living has just bougut- one for his theatre—as a call," I suppose. Auother arrangemeut for the same use was a shield oil which was hung au octave of bells, with I the neces«Vry hammer. Most of the senders to the Royal Academy know tbtlir fate by tins time—" there are groans in many a hut to-day. I have heard a good deal oi adverse criticism on some of the seuds" of the R. A. s, and of course a lot of the rubbish talked. "What makes an art ciitic?' I asked of one of our ablest press-meo. The power of epigram," he replied. I took heart of grace, as I bad heard no epigram so far. It was delightful to listen to the spontaneous critics at the annual exhibition of pictures at St. Jude's Schools, Whitechr-pel. TM* PBOPLE STAND ALMOST DKVOTIONALLT before some cf the pictures. They seem to see with the tips of their noses, and, as they move away, it is reverently, with quiet stew, as if afraid to break the illusion. The common-places and work of an inferior quality, do not deceive them. Many have undeveloped faculties, and naturally, if dumbly, appreciate the spectacle provided by that humanity that makes poor and rich alike kin. It is the same at concerts grand music is seldom above the heads of the people, never above their hearts. I remember attending a large concert at Victoria Hall, and remarking that some of the songs were of a very e'r-vated, classical type. and asked if ballads would not please them better wait and see, I was told, and what I saw astonished me. Most of the audience were of the poorest ciasf-one man was in shirt sleeves but the songs I thought beyond their appreciation were encored tumultuously. Art dis- plays of a fine character, and music of an elevated type, have a humanising influence. At last we have a plav which seems to make the critics amiable. There is a perfect chorus of plaudits, seasoned I)-re and there with a little informing matter. The author is Mr Gillette, an American, and the play is an American war drama. The situations are fine-not mere Jack in-Box surprises, but gradually led up to and developed till, the climax arrived at, a sense of fitness is felt, and author, actors, and audience are at one. There are two great situations—tbe court martial and the hospital scene-excellently worked cut. MR V IRNKR AS THE HERO it- at his best: a conjunction with Miss Alma Murray he succeeds in evoking and sustaining the sympathy of the house. The Princess's has had many successful pieces, some more so than Held by the Enemy." To revert a moment to our Kast End brothers. I have just rend a book published this week by Vizetelly, entitled A City Giri." It is by John Law, presumably, but bears internal evidence of feminine work. and certain evidence of h»v;r,r: been written con amore. It is the story of A City girl whose home is in one of those "bene- volent" blocks (if buildings built by a com- pany, and ruled by a committee. This girl lives with a drunken mother and boorish brother, and supports them by working for sweaters. She if, it is hinted, the illegitimate waif of some well-born seducer, aud is pret'v and refined by nature. She is engaged to George, the caretaker, but falls all too easily to a gentleman who, in some official capacity, visits the City. There is no pretence of tierce sname or remorse it is natural in Blockil," to have babies promise cuousiy, but bai-y dies, and George forgives and marries his trail love. There is no tragedy, no high-pitched fientiment all is terribly, coldly real, life-like to pain—realisms of the finest and most subtle order. The book will make a stir, slight as it is. It is full of a quiet power. The Salvation Army is tenderly, if humorously, dealt with. The character drawing is excellent. I hear that the venerable Kaiser is by no means very highly delighted with the engagement of his two erreat-grandchildren. There are whispers that he disapproves of TWO BRANCHES FROM THE ONE STEM forming a union. In any case, young Prince William is to go on his travels for a year, and Princess Irene, his betrothed, is to stay at home, and spin till he comes back. Our good Queen is all for the pair buckling to at once but what can a constitutional mouarch do against a kiug by Divine right ? Among the stars secured for Mr Car: Ro$*% Italian opera season in May is ii AEIE BOZE, who has beea singing in English opera at Manchester. 1 hear, on excellent authority, that the American Minister at our Court has put him- self into a very impossibie position with respect to Drawing-room presentations. He wrote and asked the Lord Chamberlain what line was to be drawn in sending in name." of American ladies desirous of making their curtsey to monarchy. The auswer vas to the effect that her Majesty would be happy to receive all "respectable" ladies from the other side of the Atlantic. Trns answer is now appearing in theAmericiinPre" north, south, east, and west, and one oi the muzitpron.,itieul journalists of that country, at present officially here, told me that there would be a regular brigade of "respectable" citoyennes of tLe model republic here by May, clamorous for admittance into the sacred precincts of Buckingham Palace. Every respectabie shop- keeper's wife, who can stand a trip to Europe and pay for a court dress, will consiuer she is fat for the honour of kissing Victoria's band. My friend said he has bt;e.i chuckling over the dilemma his representative has Luiued himself in,and anticipates the position impatiently. Mr Phelps he say?, is singularly devoid u; savour faire—tins looks like it, certainly. There is not such a thing in sociai America v., precedence, or position of any degree, or consideration because of oSci-Jemptoymeut. "1 tie President," said my friend, "is n.y servaut I pay taxes, that enables the country to give him wages to perform certaiu duties, and there the matter ends." I that we did something in the same direction as regards the Crown but I spare my CitCulele the remarks tiiat followed-remat-ks whic; !i"Ú their peroration in these words :—"The doom oi your Crown lie* in its fecundity ZINCO.

In Solitude. — Those being.- only are fi i for soli tude who like nobody, are lik-- nobody, and are liked by no hod y. —Z\>m,>nt,rwM»-.