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SKETCHES OF WALES AND WELSHMEN. By J. Kiisby Jones. B Our Obligation to Penry. In the foregoing sketches given of John Penry an effort was made to furnish the reader with a continuous, though necessarily condensed, narrative, of the principal events and doings of a short but exceptionally heroic life. And the reason for this was the very regretable fact that to the bulk of living Welshmen Penry was only a name, and to many hardly that, because the docu- ments necessary to compose a clear, intelli- gible account of the4 man, and of what he wrote and did, had not seen the light until the late Rev. Dr. Wad- dington, a great ecclesiastical historian, had, by patient, persevering searchings in all possible quarters, made correct tran- scripts of his pamphlets and letters, which enabled him to write a life of him abounding in solid materials which a writer, possessed of artistic skill and a practised hand, could Weave into a life-story of thrilling interest, but that work, whose circu- ktion was never large, has been n°w for some years out of Pnu Observation continues to confirm the ru of the remark that the world knows nothing, or next to nothing, about its greatest men, and that its babble is about local celebritIes, °r small men of short-lived fame, lncapa through being inJ abiding footmarks on the sancis the boasting and bragging on the platforms of eisteddfodau, the ugly, morti- fyiu<r fact remains to correct national con- «,t'Ind vanity, if. indeed th«e be a cure for that form of disease, that Wales has bred only a very few really brave men, and that the tinkers on two hands are quite sufficient to count them. John Rowland—better known as Henry M. Stanley—is the only living Welshman known throughout the whole civilized world. It is true that "Wales has had, since the death of John I'enry and Roger Williams, a small number of gifted men—few and far between and of these, one here and there ought to have been always attended by a shorthand writer, gath- ering up every fragment and crumb of their sayinga that nothing should be lost, for whenever they opened their mouths to speak t was to say something which had not. knowingly been ever said before, or in a form which it had not entered into any other man's heart ever to have chosen. Non- CMifot-miats of every sect, without distinc- tion, who visit the mineral springs either of Llauwrtyd or Llangammarch ought, asa reli- gious duty, to visit Cefnbrith, the birth- place ot Penry, distant from the latter place three miles, and from the former four miles. Especially should young ministers and students preparing for the Christian ministry visit a spot redeemed from commonness by a man of superlative qualities, in order to beget the enthusiasm so necessary to every man bent upon mend- ing the world; but if they are not in- spTrable, let them, barren paupers, not waste their time by undertaking even so short a pilgrimage, but redeem it by playing croquet with silly, simpering girls. Is it a fact, or only a harmless fancy, that the sons of the mountain are, as a rule, children of freedom, and though penniless and well nigh breadless, they prefer their freedom to fatted, fettered bondage? What are the widest streets, dividing palatial dwellings in comparison with mountain glens separating towering blocks of rocky masonry, firmly set without dressing or mortar, and covered here with nodding fir trees, and there with bracken and brushwood ? and what is a ride in Rotten-row compared with a gallop of fifty miles along the mossy ridge of a high mountain, the horse and its rider revelling in oxygen and freedom without let or hindrance, and the horizon, not bounded by red brick, but far, far away in the distance 1 Broad, fertile, sheltered valleys are in- valuable as nature's factories for the pro. duction of food, but not for the genesis of the heroic type of men. Such men as dwell there have necessarily much in common with the animals which they breed and fatten. English graziers are chary of buy- ing a beast with a restless eye, for it will not lay on flesh; whereas the one with the heavy sleepy eye will be the fastest to convert grass into beef. Every man and every animal has a right to appear in its own order, and in accordance with its surroundings. It is anadmitted fact, and therefore requir- ing no contirmatoryevidence, that the Celt is constitutionally sentimental, poetic, un- worldly, religious, or superstitious. He is not a money-maker, nor loves he filthy lucre. There are very few Celtic millionaires. Lewis Loyd, the father of the late Lord Overstone, is the only Welshman, pure and simple, springing from the ranks, and an entirely self-built man, who became a millionaire, unless the second be the person who is said to have died in San Francisco some short time ago, leaving a fortune of a. million and a half to those who can establish their claim to the property, the man having died without a will. The history of Penry shows the power and influence of an entire man from head to heel. Poor and nigh unto perishing is any country that breeds no men, and it is a sure sign of approaching ruin when it becomes necessary to take a candle and lantern to search dark holes and obscure corners for a man, because the breed has perished where it used to flourish. Tyrants, always cowards, have a perfect dread of a niaiu; even his shadow gives them a twinge, and the >?/u>+icn. lA his name spoils their dinner c-orours their dreams. Penry must have been a thorough man, for how otherwise could he, a poor young man born among the mountains of Wales," have been able to disturb crowned and mitred heads-the highest authorities in Church and State ? From Pharaoh to Herod, and to the pre- sent time, bad men and corrupt rulers are afraid, not only of a grown-up man, but even of a man-child; and now and again they have been afraid of women. Napoleon the First was greatly afraid of literary women. The only women he admired and valued were those who had given birth to the greatest number of boys, so that he might have plenty of soldiers. He re- regarded women simply as breeding animals for the genesis of fighting men. Penry was not only a most manly man, a vir," but a pre-eminently good man, his piety being of the apostolic type. He would have been to Paul a companion in labour to his heart's content. Tie believed in God every day, whereas his ecclesiastical perse- cutors believed in him professedly and pre- teitdedhf only on Sundays when, with the white (If one eye turned hypocritically up; owards heaven, while the other was never off the filthy lucre, they mechan- cally went through a prescribed service, without faith or feeling. It is these bastard pitrs. a, that have driven the working classes from their churches, making them scoffers and sceptics. It was not only an ecclesiastical and political blunder, but a crime of the darkest complexion to put Penry to death. It was prospectively an act of suicide on the part of the State Church. It is a most dangerous thing to persecutors themselves to put to death a high principled and self forgetful reformer. Would any man of business put to death a sleepless night watchman, or a policeman who endangered his life to protect his pro- perty '< Not likely that the force of foUy could so far go. Penry did not fear those who could "destroy his body," but not his sold. The grave is literally a land of silence and of forgetfulness as regards the majority of mankind; but the graves of martyr- reformers are never silent, and never for- gotten. Twenty years after Penry's death his writ- ings were re-published, and twenty-nine years later than that period two thousand ministers were turned out of the Established Church. Although the pilgrim-martyr has been dead very nearly three hundred years, he still speaks from thousands of Dissenting chapels in towns and country, and on every Liberation platform in England and Wales, and will continue to speak until the Church of England in Wales is disendowed and disestablished. It would be well for all Church of England parsons to consider well and inwardly digest this lesson before reading the commandment, "Thou shalt not kill," especially a scholarly, godly Church reformer, for he is more to be feared when dead than when living. Wales is indebted primarily for what she is to-day, religiously, educationally, poli- tically, and socially, to her own brave son, the grand pioneer of ecclesiastical freedom. In perilous times did he plant the tree of liberty, and it was with his heart's blood that he manured it but he was not per- mitted to live long enough to sit under it. But by faith he saw it strike its roots in his own loved mountain land, and spreading its lusty boughs, thickly covered with leaves, in all directions, and under its ample shade he saw old men and women, young men and maidens, sitting in safety, none daring to make them afraid. While devoutly thankful that our "lines have fallen in pleasant places," and that we have a "goodly heritage," let us never forget our undying obligations to our princely tes- tator for having left us the grandest and richest legacy which it is possible for any man to have, in his testament. Penry loved his country with the undying love of an enlightened Christian patriot; and it was to the hour of his death the upper- most desire of his heart to spend and be spent as a preacher of the Gospel to his own countrymen. The reader has been put in possession of the testimony of a highly educated member of the Established Church in regard to its constitution, spirit, and acts, and the effect of it is to condemn that Church as a scan- dalous abuse and misrepresentation of Christianity.

A FUGITIVE KING. of the corridor.leading from Westminster Hall to the Hon e of Commons is one depicting a fair young girl on horseback, followed by an attendant groom of sad and anxious visage. The groom in question was no other than King Charles II., flying for dear life after his defeat at the battle of Worcester, and the lady was Jane Lane, of Bent- ley Hall. After his Majesty had played his perilous game at hide and seek in the famous oak during the time he was in hiding at Boscobel House, and the Priest's Hole at Moseley, it was I deemed advisable to remove him farther afield, and an ardent Royalist named Colonel Lane, living at Bentley Hall, near Wallsall, invited the King to his house, despite the risk of capital punishment to any who should "harbour Charles Stuart," and in disregard of the re'rd of five thousand pouuds to any who would deliver the Charles Stuart to his enemies." • • • • • Arriving at Bentley, the King was persuaded by Colonel Lane to change his suit. This advice was well-timed, for the King's apparel at this moment was far from regal, and went beyond the necessi- ties of his enforced disguise, A contemporary record thus describes it:—"The habit that the King came in was a greasy old grey steeple- crowned hat, with the brim turned up, without lining or hatband, the sweat appearing two inches deep through it round the band place a green cloth jump coat, threadbare even to the threads being worn white, and breeches of the same, with long knees down to the garter; with an old sweaty leathern doublet, a pair of white flannel stockings next to his legs, which the King said were his boot stockings, their tops being cut off ) prevent their being discovered; his shoes old, all slashed for the ease of his feet, and full of gravel; r-n old coarse shirt patched both at the neck and hands, of the very coarse sort which in Staffordshjrs went by the name of 'hogging shirts. The King wore no gloves, had his hair cut short up to his ears, and had his hands coloured with walnut juice." A hasty supper and an earnest conference took place at Bentley Hall at the witching hour." Early next mornirtR the King, attired as groom, rode down the drive as attendant to Jane Lane, who had obtained a pass to visit a sick relation at Bristol. Merrily enough the strangely disguised pair jogged on for the first few miles, but the ride was enlivened by many an exciting incident. On the way to Stratford they met a troop of round- heads, at the sight of whom Charles turned pale, "nd would have excited suspicion, had not the lady dealt a few strokes with her whip across his shoulders, to the delight of the Roundheads whose admiration of the lady's courage disarmed their suspicion. Little Folks' Magazine.

THE USUAL PRELIMINARIES.—A young married woman proposed to go on the stage. "Very well," said her patient husband will you apply for a divorce before or after yourfirst appearance?" I cannot tell, sir," she said frankly, until I select my co-respondent. HE PITIED THE POOR YOUNG MAN.—Lord Rosebery, who married a wealthy Jeveiss of the Rothschild family, once took her to India with him. They attended a dinner in Calchester. A Rajah asked "And this Lord Rosebery of your great country—has he brought his wives with him?" S-sli exclaimed the duohes. blushing scarlet. That's Lady Rosebery over there, next the viceroy The Oriental regarded Lady fiosebery fur some moments and thou remarked with a sigh: "Poor youtig man I liope they allow him a nicer oxie i home 1"

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. BY W.Abraham, M.P., Mabon. TRUCK AMENDMENT BillS. The object of both these Bills is to amend the Truck Act of 1881. The great defect of that Act is that it only applies to workmen in certain spe- cified trades, which are enumerated in section 19 thereof. Both Bills according propose to extend the scope of the Truck Act to workmen generally, subject to certain limited exceptions. Bill No. 21, clause 18, defines the term workmen" as including every person engaged in manual labour, except (a) domestic or mineral servants, (b) servants in husbandry, (c) seamen and sea-apprentices." With these exceptions the Act includes auy person in the employment or under the control of au employer. Moreover,! t sets out that the fact that any work- man is the agent of his employer shall not pre- vent the application of the provisions of this Act as between such workman and bis employer. Bill No. 109 (Clause 2) adopts the definition of the word "workman" given in clause 10 of the Employers and Workmen's Act, 1875, which includes persons engaged in manual labour only, excepting domestic and menial servants. Thus it will be seen that Bill No. 21, which has been brought in by Mr Donald Crawford, M.P. for N.E. Lanarkshire, is somewhat wider in scope than Bill No. 109, which has been introduced by our old friend, Mr Bradlaugb. Stores aud payment of wages form an interest- ing point dealt with by these Bills. Bill 21 (Clause 6) prohibits the sale of stores by em. ployers to workmen. The term stores includes groceries, drapery, intoxicating liquors, and provisions of any kind. It is also made illegal for my employer to compel any workmau, by direct or indirect means, to spend the whole or part even of his wages at any particular place, or in any particular manner, or with auy particular person." And, what is more, the bill provides that the person with whom the workmau s money is so expended is guilty of an offence against the Truck Acts unless tie satisfies the court that he was iguorant of any contract that such money should be spent with him or at his shop. Constqueutly the favourite receivers of provision notes will have reason to be caieful after the passing of these bills, for Bill 109, in its 7th clause, pro- hibits contracts with workmen compelling them to spend their wages at any particular shop, and prohibiting the dismissal of workmen on that ground. Deductions from workmen's wages are another point specially dealt with in Bill 21. It is a well- knownjact that these deductions have hitherto been a pregnant source of grievances amongst workmen and of disputes among employer and employed. This particular phase of the question called for special attention. I regret having to admit that the extremities to which deductions for educational purposes in some places are made fully justify Clause 7 in Bill 21, which provides that deductions for educatiou shall be confined to the school fees of children of whom the work- man is parent or guardian." Obviously this will put an end to the practice so universally adopted in this district of levying a certain poundage on each and every workman for educational pur- poses, and whereby in the past the young have been enabled to help the old, and the, strong to help the weak. Medical attendance and deductions for that purpose, with the supplying of medicine, are provided for in clause 8 of Bill 21 on the ground that the workmen mav from time to time appoint a person ta be their medical attendant, and to supply them with medicine. Mr B. Pickard, M.P., and myself succeeded,, so far with the compiler of this bill tuat we obtained the insertion of clause 8, pro- viding that the men from time to time may appoint a person to bo their own medical attend- ant, &c." We have failed to tind a reason for leav- ing out a proposed addition to line 5 of the clause. Following the word?, and such deductions shall be paid to the persons so appointed,"—we proposed to add, or to the person appointed by the work- men themselves to receive such moneys." So this clause now falls short of providing that deductions should not be made by theemployen, in cases where the workmen keep the management of the medical fund in their own hands. While the employer has the power ta retain these moneys in the office, and also to make the employment of meh conditional on their paying to a. certain medical attendant, the provision that they shall appoint their medical attendant will in most cases be a dead letter. When Bill 21 is taken in committee, this point will need careful watching. No deduction is to be made from workmen's wages for sharpening tools. Evidently Mr Red- grave's report on certain practices which exist in Scotland respecting tool sharpening has had a good effect, for it is understood that the Under- Secretary of State, Mr Stuart Wortley, has aiready accepted this principle on behalf of the Government, and it is almost certain that tool sh'upeuing deductions will bo impossible after the passing of bill 21. With respect to house rent, it is proposed that where the use of a house is given to a workman as part of his wages, or let to him at a lower rate by his employer, on condition that the rent is to be deducted from his wages, such workman shall not be bound to remove from the house until after he has received one month's notice to quit from the employer or his agent. But a workman who leaves his employment of his own accord is not to be entitled to a longer notice of removal than he has given of his intention to leave his em- ployment. This latter provision will affect us but little in this part of the country, for, as a rule, the term of notice for employment and residence is one and the same. Another class of amendments entirely is to be proposed by Mr Broadhurst, viz. "That no de- ductions shall be made from workmen's wages for any sick, accident, or funeral benefit provided or proposed to be provided by an employer, nor shall it be lawful for any em- ployer or his agent to make it a condi- tion of hiring that workmen's wages shall be liable to deductions in the shape of subscriptions to any such fund; or any benefit, charitable, or provident institutions whatsoever." It is easy to comprehend the kind of institution aimed at, and, in all probability, much will be said before the amendment is accepted. Persons will rave about the folly, if not the evil, of interfering between employers and workmen about destroy- ing the freedom of contract, &c., &c. Indeed, it is somewhat surprising to tind how much more is said when any change is proposed which is likely to benefit the workmen. As I have already pointed out, there can be no freedom of contract where one man has to bid and beg for that which is a monopoly in another man's hand. It is provided that no reduction shall be made from a workman's wages on account of any work, materials, machinery, or tools which may have been spoiled or injured by him in the course of his employment, neither will it be lawful for an employer t" make it a condition of hiring that any workman be willing to hold himself responsible for any such spoilage or injury, providing always that such spoilage or injury had not been brought about by any act wilfully committed by such workman himself, or in concert with any other person or persons. It is further stipulated that no deductions shallbe made from a workman's wages for any time he may lose when employed upon piece-work, nor shall a workman employed upon time be liable to have deducted from his wages more than the actual value of the time lost, measured by the wages received. No deduction whatever is to be made from a man's wages in lieu of any tines imposed by an em- ployer or his agent. Moreover, Bill 21 provides that where sums are deducted from the wages of workmen for the purposes allowed by the Act, such workmen may appoint two auditors, to whom the employers shall submit a correct account of the receipts and expenditure of such deductions, and shall give them all books, vouchers, and documents affording them every facility for such audit. Such are the details respecting any and all of the lawful deductions which can be made under the proposed Amended Truck Act. Few employers would care to make any deductions whatever, for, in addition to the foregoing, no deduction will be lawful without the written consent of the workman from whose wages it is made. By a rare stroke of good fortune, Mr Brad- laugh's bill was found unblocked on March 15th, and by arranging with the Government to defer the committee stage till after Easter, the committee have already begun to discuss the bill, and by the time my next article is publisiied-in which I propose to deal with the modes and periods of payments of wages, weekly, fort- nightly, and otherwise-the Amended Truck Act will be nearly ready to the placed on the statute book of the country. The Government have shewn a disposition to assist in passing it. Mr Bradlaugh has expressed a willingness to adopt any amendments that can be shewn as likely to improve the measure.

PERILS OF PHOTOGRAPHY. In the year 2887 nobody will be proud of his ancestors. Why ? Because when any such allusion is made the nouveau riche will ask to inspect the family album, and the photographs of this century will simply be discreditable. Do you ever open the old album and look over the pictures ? Well, the oIl folks-your father and mother—always look well, for don't you know, parents are always old-fashioned. But there's your aunt, with a coal-scuttle bonnet and hoops, and her hair pasted down over her forehead and parted in the middle; with a kind of jaundice complexion and bright eyes, that show in their pupils nothing but the excited, intense interest of trying to look into the camera for fifty seconds without winking. And you thought she was so pretty then, and you remember as a child when you went and told your mother you saw her being kissed by her beau at the garden gate. Then there's her beau, who afterwards married her. He was so handsome, don't you know. Lood at him. He wears a long frock coat with lapels that curl up under his arms he has a flaming necktie and a shirt front showing down to where the coat looks as if were tied by a string tight around his waist. His trousers don't fit, aud his face is all covered with yellow speck", and he looks as if he bad swallowed a fly, and it was in dying agonies in his windpipe—while he daren't cough for fear of spoiline- the picture. Then there's yourself. Well, that's not so bad. You know you were nretty as "»• child, and you remember the dress, and-well, you're not quite so old-fashioned to yourself-as the other?. And you turn the page. There's Fred, whom you jilted. You look at him, and you're glad you jilted him. He used to be so beautifully pensive. Now he looks like an idiot, and-well-you doubt it he ever could ha.ve been so horrid anyway. Then your hnsband comes along and turns the book over and says "Do you remember that? You close it on vour fingers; it's fearful. You have an old- fashioned, shapeless black silk gown that looKs like a gingham, or something with and big ruffles, and the skirt is gracefully bunc iea out like a half-exhausted balloon. And you've had the picture painted, a-ild the berutiftil red of your checks has become mottled, and the neck 18 yellow, and the hair is a^ dirty-brown co you've got hold most awkwardly of a £ l i.i And your husband wonders what he t see in von, until you show him his P Then he shuts up suddenly, like a knife, don you know.—Pecks Sun.

QUITE A DIFFERENCE. These stairs do "not entirely resemble Jacobs ladder, for here the angels seern to be all assent.in and none of them dissenting (descending.) I

A LIFE-LIKE PICTURE. I SHE-" Do you* think mY picture resembles me? HE-"Indeed it does. It resembles you so much that I would have recognized you by it even if ha.d never seen you before m my life."

We see the blue sky occasionally nowadays. We are sometimes surprised that we do not see it more frequently, for the weather that we have had for a long time ought to give even the sky the blues. -()$to,, Post. „ „ A GHASTLY FOLLY.-A new Parisian folly is a mourning dinner. Twelve young ladies dressed in black eat with bone-handled knives, dnnk from skulls, and say not a word. The mourning is because they die. The silence is too much for them. SWORN OFF.—Young Poet (to Friend): Well, Charley, I've sworn off. Friend (enthusiastically); I'm heartily glad of it, old boy: and all of your friends will feel the same way. Let's go and have a drink! Young Poet: Didn't I just tell yon I had sworn off drinking? Friend (disappointed): You didn't say you had sworn i ff drinking. I supposed that you had sworn off writing poetry.

[ALL RIGHTS RESERVED BY THE AUTHOR.] WELSH "NATIONAL STORY. J Llewelyn; Or, The Last of the Welsh Princes. An Historical Romance. BY BERJAH GWYNFE EVANS, Author of Brumoen" "Roundhead and Cavalier," Owen Hughes," The Heir of GLymfon," < £ v. dr. SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. On theoauk of the Iihou, iu Kaduorshire, near the present vulage of Llandriiidou, stood the castle of Cefu J4ys. One autumn evening in the l2D2, a solitary hoisemau on ajadeii steed, appeared approaching tue banks of the ri, er opposite the castle. SSouie children strolling near attracted his attention Two of them Were boys, Grufiyddai, Gwenwynsvyii and Meredydd ap lulnyied. 1 he girl was called Gwen, the daughter of Kliydderch, or L-tuest, a farui near. Owen accepting the companionship of Gruifydd to take her home, AlereUydd was left at liberty, and became the guiae to the horseman towarus thu lad's home. Ou the way a troop ot horssiaen is perceived approaching the i.ord near which Owen and her com- panion have to pass. Meiedydd, knowing the cruelty of the Normans, runs to warn his childish companions, and the horseman is left to i!"i ? >vay seif- 'J-he troou seen consisted of hdward, subsequently Edward i!, of Sir Simon de Montfort, karl or Leicester, hi daughter K.eanor, a Gorman kmgnt, fair Geoffrey tia j,au<.iey, and their followers. Approucauig the ford they SuU iiywel, the servant of fthyadeich, with his dog Crafanc, and because the dog is found gnawing the dry h jof of a stag, the dog and his master are each deprived of an eye aud an ear. ^wen who arrives at this moment, is taken witu them, and Meredydd who also appeals on the scene, is made a prisoner likewise. But lie manages to make his escape, and returns homo, where ho finds the horseman, who has discovered himself as Llewelyn, Piince of Wales, fbere are also present Kdnyied. Mereiiyuds father, icwdwr, bis biother, IthydUerch, Gwens father, Inon, her biother. anU liywe!, the servant, with his do.: Crafanc. Llewelyn, led by Meredydd, visits Simon de furt, tIlt; Las been pitched outside tuo casJe v,allb. treaty is made between them agxmat Ldwarcl aud Henry ui., and the next moraiug L.ewelyn and Eleanor arc priv .te.y betrothed at Abbey L/Win iiu. A W'ght or two afterwards the Castle vi Cefn Llys is attacked by Llewelva, and falls into his i^hh,, hl i1!011,' ;ainjuu <le Montfort having been slam in battle, iih widow and daughter retire to i'lance. Here, some years afterwards, they ar. visited by UeVeIYll and Meiedytld in disguise, and some ¡ romantic adventures occur, in whicu Llewelyn and eiubstosy is^seuTt^'G« eti are mixed up. Au i i J ranco on Llewelyn's return to witif the i'rince |an0h ° 't!r to be united in marriage with tne Prince. In this embassy Grutfvdd ap Gwcii- wyiiwyn takes a leading part, and he arranges with m v *>dey to attack and seize Eleanor during ta the and bear her captiv° to the iinglibh court. 'i'his is accordingly done, ultyud still tigudng \n the opinion of Wale"' aud consni>» S bes^ 1"rienJ- He ruturus to »aiea, ana conspires with bafydd. Llewelyn's brother, and other cliiet tains, tu seize Llewelyn or to kill him. aiscovers' Grutf^dV10 "UouU"ort> at H"3 Court- to Wales Vo put Lie^w/r3 ^My' Sf °ZTd i'rii(fmiri».i t 7weiyu on his guard. Gweiiaucl Refused ami Lhfi" pt °P°ses for Her hand, but is a h«v aware of his Rented by M^redvd.1*V°K 1ta ta abduct her, but is pre- re 'eases heY r r ,t!' aPP«ars on the steue and Veredvdd s permitted escape, while wxtrnoruii "llew.iv t0 Gweu» is Xhu ws"?vn o toiii-m ? receive* a letter from Ap Gwen- wa%chief ta in 111 his ^"ds documents proving oiiels to do Lhis o,, ,kfeU lKiTt 1U the conspiracy. He coiiddential awnt v.° c°nditions, viz., that some (^stelllWrl fv.Wvv i ^ewtlyn's should be sent to tnat he Gruifvdd iiTf^ *or the documents, and if y P ^Wenwyuwyn sbouid be provided woula enable him to reach Gwelwynwyn s stmngiiold^1 somewuat SCHJII 1 tocl^onjusW chfetoin who, however, a dungeon In the r.f ^him' caals bim WL of' th« l.Mj aUWhlle Gwen, having been made awaie oi the business o, which her lover has Ap11 Gwenimwyn's* C.he P"nca to save Meredydd from i u treacherv Uewelvn. who has between Meredydd0-^1!11 r-°f what bii4i taken Hioiir wi- ^l"uiiydd,before the lauer's action He therefore "?Ceii-s»y oi taking immediate ouisuit of Meredv. ,1 T'1" a courier, ithys Gyflym, iu drives loo late as' recali h"a- ^s' waver, Castell Xre'r Llyn.' i^dj>'ad re?cbed iiinon ap Khyduerch head of a strong force t j^ b5°^' af^ the case Meredydd is Mill a t I6 meat Mereuydd is waited 8 a native of Glyn Ithon u!a1u1"amed Vv the help of this man 'he s home. With but beiore it can be out in°"taves a Plan ^escape, bearing Gruifydd ap Gwe™!™1? a cJ0urler ar"vf Mereuydd at once put to death11 W^U S ol to CHAPTER XXXVI.A DEFEATED PLAN. It would be impossible to describe the dis- appointment of both Tewdwrab Ednyfed and Ubys Gyflym when they realised the fact that though their prey had been in their grasn they had allowed him to escape them, and had thus practically sealed the fate of Meredydd. In this emergency, however, Rhys fully justified the trust the Prince had reposed in him. With him to think was to act. Turning to Tewdwr he asked:— "In what direction travelled Ap Gwenwyn- wyn r •'Straight on, making, as {ar as Icouid judge, directly for the Eughsh border was the reuiy Then, unless he donki "Rubles upon us, we may even yet catch him. Let me have a horse, and hal -a-dozen of thy men well mounted, and we shall mayhap, catch him iQ his owu net<» How dost thou propose to act? To tollow him now would onlw u .niybeto warn him and send him off the quicker." Just 80 a.nd, therefore I go to meet him." To meet him ?" "Ay Didst thou but know this country as I do, hadst thou been oblised as I have to travel it as the crow flies rather tilaa „ the waUjr floWS> thou wouldst know that a man in a matter of lhe and death can cover more distance in a mile properly chosen than an ordinary traveller could in two miles. Let me have these men of thine, and m an hour's time I will meet him face-to- face. That thou shalt right readUy. and I winiend them myself." ,uo^ s0* Thou must perforce remain with thine own meu." What ? Thickest thou I will permit him who is in spirit, if not in actual deed, my brother's murderer to be captured by another hand, when I can reach out mine OWn to aefze him ?" I know thou art not the man to risk the failure of this scheme by thy foolfcardiness. Thou wouldst not frighten our wolf from the trap into which he is going blindly. Seest thou not this ? ien he sees halt a dozen men approach- ing him from the direction of the English or er, he will remember how easily he slipped through thy fingers, and that very ease will mauce him to come blindly forward right into our arms. Wert thou, however, with us, be would lecognize thy buny form a mile away, and seek saiety iu his horse's heels." But there is the possibility he may likewise suspect thee and thy men, and attempt to flee." "That is possible, but not like to happen. But even if he did so, where could he flee in first instance but away from us ? And away from us would of necessity be towards thee and thy party. Therefore, when we have been gone, say half a mile's distance, do thou and thy men follow on the heels of Ap Gwenwynwyn, so that if be doth flee from us he will fall into thy hands." "So be it then," said Tewdwr, and the sooner this be done the better, for already my blood boils within me when I think of poor Meredydd shut up in that castle, and my hands crave to be at this base traitor's throat." No time was lost. Rhys Gyflym was supplied with a horse, and, accompanied by half-a-dozen picked men excellently well mounted, he started "S, taking a course almost at right angles to that pursued by Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn. Rapidly he rode forward, heedless of obstacles before which any less bold a heart would have quailed, and which no ordinary traveller would have dared to face. Fortunate it was for them that his followers were equally well mounted with himself, and that the example set them by him made up for any deficiency in boldness which they might have. Obstacles which appeared to them to be insurmountable were proved by him to be such as might be overcome, and what he had done his followers could hardly fail to attempt. Thus it happened that after an hour's hard tiding the party found them- selves once more on the beaten track. Here Rbys dismounted, and, ..fi.er examining the ground carefully, said, in tone which be- tokened his deep satisfaction, I thought so He hath not yet passed this way, and unless some spirit from Annwn help him we shall have him safe enough. Let us on to meet him." A quarter of an hour's bard riding proved his surmise to be correct, for reaehing the brow of a small hill, they perceived, preparing to descend the declivity on the opposite eide, a couple of horsemen whom they had nc difficulty in recognizing as Gruftyddap Gwenwyn- wyn, and Alan, his esquire. It'was evident that Rhys and his perceived by the fugitives at the same time, for both stopped for a moment as though hesitating what to do. Apparently they were discussing tbe advisability of retiring or proceeding. "Let us go forward, boys, as though we had no special object in view," said Rhys. No hurry, nor any token that we expect so find in them any but ordinary travellers whom we can meet any hour of the day. Let us proceed as though we had abundance of time at our disposal." This timely precaution cooled the ardour of one or two of the men, who would have hurried forward at the first sight of their prey. The leisurely descent of the hill ou the part of Rhys and his party seemed to have settled the question wjth the others, for they did not retreat. They remained, it is true, for a. moment longer, as though undecided what to do, and then like- wise slowly continued their journey downwards. The consequence was that the two parties found themselves face to face about two-thirds of the distance up the slope down which Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn and his esquire were descending. But Rhys, keen of vision and quick of action as be had been, had overlooked one thing. He bad forgotten that bis features were familiar to the traitor he had come to capture, and that Ap Gwenwynwyn had seen him at Llewelyn's court the very evening of his flight. When, therefore, the two parties came so near each other as to enable them to recognise each other's countenance, Gruffydd saw with dismay that here, facing him, was a. man in the confidence of the Prince, and whom he had left at Aber with Llewelyn when he fled for his life. Conscience makes cowards of us ail, and the Welsh proverb says that the guilty flees before he is pursued. So it was now. The traitor at once expected that a trap of some kind awaited him. There was no time for consultation, not even time for consideration. The only thing left him to do was to act. To go forward meant certain captivity. To return the way he came offered possible safety. If Alan," said he hastily, "an'thou lovest me and art a loyal man, keep these men at bay at whatever cost till I reach the top of the hiil." So saying, he turned his horse's head up the hill, and spurred madly away, leaving Alau alone to cover his retreat. be continued.)

Musical and Eisteddfod Notes. e- By Maeigwyn. My friend, Captain Gus lie van, of Poatypool, is as enterprising as ever, and no sooner has he got one thing off his hands than he plunges into another. The balance-sheet of the monster Easter festivities iu Pontypool Park has not yet been made up, but I have no doubt there will be a balance on the right side of between £1,500 and £2,000. What would Wales not give for a hundred men like Mr Bevan ? Encouraged by the remarks cf Mr Proud- man at the close of the choral competition, the Pontypool choir has resolved to go to the National Eisteddfod in London for the purpose of taking part in the chief choral competitions. Captain Bevan is assisting, having guaranteed to furnish the amount of money necessary to defray the expenses incurred by the journey to London. But this money, it must be remembered, wiil not be taken from the profits of the Easter festivities, but will be obtained in some other way, probably by the holding of a number of concerts, or, if matters come to the worst, Mr Bevan will himself defray the whole oi the expenses. Here is a spirit of munificence which some of our titled neigh- bours would do well to imitate. A pretty story reaches me from a reliable source, showing that eminent musicians and poets are not impervious to the arrows of Cupid any more than the rest of us. Two friends—a musician and a poet—after travelling together for some time, came to the house of a well-known per- sonage with whom they stayed for a short time. Mine host, it seems, had a particularly beautiful daughter, with large blue eyes, brown hair, and a world of other charms, all of which had their effect upon the visitors. The musician thought it would be a good thing to get a song written in honour of the fair one, so he asked the poet to write a few verses which he (the musician) would set to music. The bargain was made, but the poet sent the lines to a certain publication which inserted them, and when the publication came into the hands uf the musician he found the song printed and actually dedicated to the young lady herself. Thereupon the musician, who did not like the idea of being "sold," adjourned to his study, and in the course of a couple of hours set his friend's words to music. The song in its complete form was dedi- cated to the young lady's father and published, and I am of opinion that the poet knew nothing of it until a copy was placed in his hand. Whether the young lady knew of these little moves and counter-moves or not, I am unable to say, but I believe she remains disengaged. The programme of the forthcoming musical eisteddfod at Bridgend is a capital one in every respect. I am delighted to find that the committee have not ignored the claims of the aito singers,as is so often done at our local eisteddfodau. The sopranos, teuors, and basses we always re- member, but as a rule we thrust tho poor little altos out in the cold. This, however, is not done on the present occasion. A guinea is offered in each of the four departments, the subject of the bass competition being Badwr," by D. Jenkins. Evidently the Bridgend committee agreed with me wheu I said this song would form an excellent test piece. Violin and pianoforte com- petitions will also take place, the prize being a guinea for each. In addition to the great choral competition for £70, to which I referred last week, there will be a small voice choral contest tor £10, the test piece being "Valiant Warriors," from D. Jenkins's "David and Goliath." And for those choirs who are too small to take part in the chief competition a contest will be provided, the prize being £20, and the subject "Then round about the starry throne," from Handel's Samson." Edward Asbdown, of Hanover-square, London, W., sends me a selection of new music, chiefly pianoforte pieces. "Boating on the Lake and In the Fields" are two charming little sketches for young performers, by Michael Watscn. They are both very easy and extremely pretty (Is 6 I each). Madge," a rustic dance, by the same composer, is also very ptetty and quite as easy as the other two (Is 6d). Barbara," a village dance by J. Pridham, is a trifle more difficult, but the left hand has very little te do throughout (Is ód). B. Aguilar has composed a melodious "Novelette" for violin and piano (2i). Jubilee Ma.rch," by JT Pridham, is no better and no worse than so much of the otiier jubilee music. It is beautifully illustrated with portraits of George III. and the Queen (2s). "Alaska," a Russian dance, by Louis B. Mailett, is very pretty, aud, should become popular (Is 6d). "Suite de Valses is a rather strange but agree able composition, by Charles S. Macpherson. It is weil fingered throughout (2s). "Bergerette and Les Cassagnettes" are two beautiful pieces by Sydney Smith. Tins composer has earned a world-wide reputation with his pianoforte compositions, and the two pieces before me will certainly not detract from that reputation (2s each). "Three Roundels," by Thomas B. Knott (the first of these, "Love, though I die," is noticeable for the brilliancy of the accompani- meir) are good things in their way, and they deserve to become widely known (2s). Let me worship thee" is written in F. H. Coweu's usual refined style, It is not a sacred song, as the title would lead one to suppose, but a love song with very amorous words (2s). The Budding of the Rose," by Langton Williams, is a magnificent song which it isdiffieult to praise too highly, and the accompaniment is every whit as good as the vocal part (2s). It is very seldom that we bear of one of Gilbert and Sullivan's operas being performed by a com- pany of amateurs. Yet this is about to be doue at Dowlais. Mr Edwiu B. O'Neill, the organist of the parish church, has formed a really good com- pany bf local amateurs under the name of the Dowlais Amateur Operatic Company. No sooner was the company formed than the popular opera of H.M.S. Pinafore" was put in rehearsal, and so successfully has the work been carried on that dot the present moment the whole of the opera has been learned. The public performance is fixed for May 26th at Dowlais, and the object is to benefit the funds ortheMerthyr General Hospital.

One means very effectual for the preservation of health is a quiet and cheerful mind, not afflicted with violent passions or distracted with immoderate 7:r:.

WELSH GLEANINGS. (By Lloffwr.) Who has not read and admired Adam Bede?" Of the thousands who have been delighted with n this masterpiece, how many have realised that the principal figure—the Adam Bede of the story-j not a creature of the imagination, but a picture taken from life ? Few, I daresay. But fewer still are prepared for the announcement that the original of tho portrait was "a Welshman or Kyiriro, a liurb ancient Briton in body, mind, and features." This, be it remembered, is not ono of the numerous imaginary relationships we Welshmen are twitted with claiming with every distinguished person. The assertion is made by Mr Ferrar FenI.on--certaialy not a Welshman, in nhme, at all events—who in a recent magazine arti- cle gives the interesting fact that the original Adam Bede was a Welshman, named William Evans, the paternal uncle of the talented authoress. George Eliot." William Evans, like his double, Adam Bede, was a caipenter, but endowed like- wise with more than ordinary talent. He pos- sessed no mean ability as a sculptor and architect. Mr Fenton indeed complains that the niece does not do her Welsh uncle full justice in the picture she gives of him as Adam Bede. It is to be le- gretted that the writer ot the article does not give fuller particulars as to the Welsh extraction of "George Eliot." He says her uncle, William Evans, told him that his father w as a Cymro o waed coch cyfa' but does not bay what part of Wales he came from. it The Rev. Principal Edwards, D.D., cannot be more highly esteemed by the great body of his fellow countrymen since he has gained his new title than he was before. The Vice-Chancellor of Edinburgh University in formally presenting Principal Edward, referred to his connection with the University, College of Wales at Aber- ystwyth, and with higher education generally in the Principality, his brilliant career as a student, the distinction gained at Oxford, and in very com- plimentary terms to his Commentary on the Epistle to the Corinthians." The manner in which the Vice-Chancelior referred to tiie interesting fact that twenty-two years ago the tame universitv conferred a similar hononron Dr. Edwards' father, and that henceforth father and son would divide between them the honour of representing Wales on the calender of the university as holding this degiee, was as appropriate as it must have been gratifying to the two worthy Weishmeu referred to. Long may ttbe new Dr. Edwards enj^y his well-earned distinction. I do not, as a rule, stute in this column where I glean my various items from. This omission is not due to any want of readiness to acknowledge the sources from which I draw vigy materials, but simply from the fact that it would be impossible to specify the source in every instance." Some- time, however, it may be desirable to make an exception, and I do so now in stating that the following interesting example of « apostolic suc- cession" is gleaned from "Lladmerydd's" last letter to Y Tjist a'r Dydd. I make this reference partly from a feeling that it is due to Dr Thomas I shonld do iOU, and partly from a wish to prove that I do not belong to the class of jealous journalists" he handles so roughly in the same issue of the paper. As a journalist myself, I am ever far more ready to assist than to oppose or even to ignore any brother of the pen. » But now for the Apostolic succession item. In 1795 the Rev. John Williams, Garn, Carnarvon- shire, emigrated to America. Two years later he was ordained minister of the Baptist Church at Oliver-street, New York, where he laboured. until his death in 1825. A branch church was established in Amity-street, in the same city, and in 1832 the Rev. W. R. Williams, son of the Rev. John Williams above-named, was ordained minister there. He had been brought up to the study of he law, but he left the law, and turned to the prophets, or rather to the Gospel, and for 52 years he laboured as successfully and as acceptably as his father had done before him. This year his son, Mr Leighton Williams, who had al%o been brought up to the practice ot the law, adopted the Church by preference as a profession, and has just been ordained as his lather's successor in the same church. Thus the son succeeds tl11-: father in 55 years, and the grandfather in 90 years, in charge of practically one and the same church. Here is another interesting American gleaning. The first British ship which landed in the United States after their independence was acknowledged was commanded by a Welshman, Captain William Robert Humphreys, of Tyddyn Biogen, Caergyoi Anglesey. One of his descendants, Dr Richard Kuill Jones, has just been made a justice of the peace in Oneida County, New York. Wales has long been proud of her daughters of Rong, and of none more so than of Miss Mary Davies. It is somewhat amusing though to end our English fnends now claiming Miss Mary Davies as our English soprano The Pall Mall Gazette has been having a plebiscite of its readers to determine the relative positions of the great English singers. The published results place Miss Mary Davies at the head of the poll as the best soprano, and she attains a similar honour as the best ballad singer. Let the English claim her as they may, she will never be anything but Welsh in heart and sympathy. It is not often ti.at such a variety of talent is displayed in one famiiy. The father, the well-known Myoorydd," has made a name for himself as a sculptor; Miss Mary Davies the world knows of her sister, Miss Dilys Davies, is alsu distinguishing herself in unother equally honourable career. The Rev Keinion Thomas, editor of Y Celt, has landed safely in New York.-Tne W^h Wesieyans have just opene i a new chapel at Widues Lancashire. This is a noticeable fact, inasmuch as tbe Wesieyans form the weakest oi I?!™ £ oac™rf°rm«t denominations in Wales.—Dr R. D. Roberts, M.A., has just issued in pamphlet form a reprint of his articles in the Iraethodydd" for January and March on "The universities for the People.The death is announced, at the early age of 31, tit Dr Tegid Aneurin Evans, of Flint, son of the great Welsh lexicographer, the Rev Silvan Evans. *> The annual musical festival of the Liverpool Welsh Calvinistic Methodists appears to have been a great success this year-as it deserved to be. The union was only formed seven years ago, and has been productive of much good. The number of singers this year was 1,300, a hundred more than last ye.r, a;id six hundred more than in 1885.

A WOMAN ON A YACHT. -H<)uekeeping ON boaru a yacht we find to be quite an interesting study. Champagne is one of its cardinal princi- ples. Many of us do not drink it fearing head- ache, but it is always there," and we believe no yacht is considered to be properly ballasted with- out champagne. Various yacht owners have vari- ous superstitions, however, and it is said that the owner of the Mayflower never sails unless the white sloop is fully ttocked with melons. Small wonder, however, that the owners of racing yachts need some creature comfort on board, for on racing days every bit of coal is put on shore to "lighten the spip," and cold collations are the order of the day. In some yachts even the cabin furniture is taken out during a race, and every bit of super. fluous weight is removsd—boats, davits, the heaviest anchor, &c. No idlers are allowed on board either. If a guest is invited on a racing yacht in one of those close and exciting contata it is with the understanding that he is to help the crew, iu order to make up tor his weight. Iu otbet words the crew is a Corinthian one everybody is at least expected to haul in on the main sheet." The forward part of a racing yacht's deck is a wilderness of ropes, although it is a very orderly wilderness, in which every foot of rope is carefully Coiled and !ut in its own particular pJa.

TALK OF THE TOWN. PICTURES AND PEOPLK-Fllt FOLK—DIEtCTOIRE BOSNETb —LADY COLIS CAMPBELL-HER I.VTEK- vikiv WITH THE CARDINAL—HOME IS A CORO.VETKD TWO-WHEELER-PRETTY DOROTHY DENE—HCN(i AT LAST—AN AMERICAN APOTLE-UTOPU-A CLUB MISSION ALL ABOUT IT—A CONTRACT SWOnD-JUSTIN U'CARTHY—A SOLUTION FOR THE IRISH QUESTION—HAVE A DRAW?—A>' AMERICAN ARISTOCRAT—HER STAR—THE RED LAMP: ITS CAST-ROSINA FILIPPI-Tkig lilNG SCENE- BUFFALO BILL. I mentioned last week that the sales of the Royal Institute, the second day, amounted to £ 3.000. I ought to have said £ 5,000. The Americans are many in the land at preseut, aud dollars likewise. One of the chief events of the London seas-a has always been the private view day of the Royal Academy, when society en masse is en evidence in its best bib and tucker. The pictures are the least part of this show there is, in fact, little more than volumes de luxe, or the portfolios of photographs which one turns idly over after dinner with a languid interest, but infinitely more observant of, and attracted by, the doings and looks of one's fellow -guests. After all, folks gather together to look and be looked at. to talk and be talked to, and are bored rather than otherwise by tbe efforts provided to amuse them. They don't want to be amused—they are buffioient to themselves and so at this opening day of the grand picture show of the year, tiie raison d'etre or the muster is a very secondary affair. It is, as society aud the outer man of art g.. a very picturesque ani brilliant spectacle. Ou Friday week I joined a party of frieuds in the Academical Chambers, and noted, for journalistic purposes, the poses, personalities, and clothes of the very fine com- pany. The Marchioness of Salisbury, by whout I uuwittiugly came to an anchor on a centre lounge, was quietly attired in grey silk and black mantle. She has a kindly face, and is not so clever-looking as she i5. Lady Randolph Churchill is clever-looking, but not to my fancy taking. She was finely got up—••er mantle in itself an attraction it wa a n.¡,.s (,1 embroidery, the design Imperial bees. I Then Lady Colin Campbell made the situation all her own as she mowd with stately grace from one gallery to the other, attended by a con- sequential-looking knight-errant of diminutive I stature. Her attire was severe black, the skirt in straight lines, unbroken by drapery r her waist was too small in girth for the width of her shoulders, which were square and rather high bat she was very graceful. She wore, too, a Directoire bonnet of large size, the high sloping- upward leaf adding to her height considerably. Not another woman in those gallieries could have carried off such a highly fashionable old-world top-knot. Her ladyship was not the centre of circles of friends—she seemedVone in that vast crowd of which she was once a bright and par- ticular star. A little tableau was enacted In a corner. Quietiy and persistently she had followed the saintly steps of his Eminence Cardinal Manning, whose ascetic countenance, urbane and kindly with, drew many a look of reverence and curiosity. At last, in a quiet nook, while enjoying Calm after a Storm and An Old Man's I'riends, that Eminence was cornertni, and Lady Colin obtained her quest she was presented to him, and curtseys, except to royalty—and these are mere bobs—having gone out, she lowered her Directoire," setting all its garniture of lilacs nodding, and said some rever- tial words of the I-,i nd. I am bound to say that the rencontre was brief, and that the Cardinal's countenance was expressive, which is just what an ecclesiastical countenance onht HIlt to be. A good many people watched this little social episode. The famous emerald eardrops glistened so did the wearei's tine eyes, which have a marvellous, a feline power of contraction and dilation. Another little rencontre amused the curious. The Duke of Argyll and two of lii, daughters were close beside Lady Colin-out the pictures were interesting. Mrs Lewis—Kate Terry once upon a gay time—was bright, aud chatted long with tbe Lady of Salisbury. Mrs Bancroft and "Irving, Mrs Kendal with a socially royal and 'Irving, Mrs Kendal with a socially royal air, and Lady Monkton in a splendid gown of grey. I felt, in fact, utterly unhinged by the calsxy of celebrities, and determined to treat myself home to one of the new sweli hansoms, with a coronet on the panel, and a eoekxde on the dnver. It would have been an insult t., my experience-, that day to have 'bussed it.. There, too, was lovely Dorothy Dene. and grotesque George Grossmith, the latter in statuesque if diminutive dignity side by side with the G.O.M. or, as the wild Westerns in Buffalo Bill's suite term him, the Grand White Man. I heard on all sides the remark that, altogether, the pictures were better than last year's, and that the Line showed some work that would live. I give, however, one work by the cumulative F,)rty, which, though HUNG ON THE LINE, does not show much signs of life. It is the finale ¡ of an academic idyll in three parts, "Rejected, Dejected, Ejected." Mr C. Sainton, the son of the late Madame Dolby, has three pictures on the walls thifi year, two on the Line. One, The Rag-picker," a French study, is very fine. Mr j Sainton is one of the artists ou the "Zinco." I was t a large afternoon at the scudio of Mr I Mo.-ciiellts, the artist, in Cadogan-square, one of the most picturesque in London. The entertain- ment was a lecture by Mr Courtney Palmer, an American gentleman and President of the Nine- teenth Century Arts Clubs in New York—a society which formed the subject of his lecture, The object of this club is, iu plain words, the > "federation of the world." The lecturer dipt into the fucure, for as human eye could } see; f saw the vision of the world, and all the wonder thit would be; told us that members of all cuits, of all social | degrees, if cultivated and workers, were ad- mitted that various subjects were arranged for discussion, and no topics were prohibited, j Opinion formed a band of union, not of dis- union, and in reason and argument men and ( women came to know each other's better part, and to discover points of unity. Mr Palmer told us that they were about to emphasise their mission in architecture, and that he returns to the Empire City to take a chief part in the erection of a great Federal Club House. He urged men and wollieui of the old world to follow his schema of federation, to form such a I club in their midst here, and to send out mission- aries to the big- cities of the civilised world to found similar societiss there also aud then, giving his Pegasus a spur, he drew in vivid colouring a grawd ¡ Utopia, and prophesied through its influence "man to man the world o'er would brothers be, an' a' that." i Mr Haweis replied in a bantering spirit. The reverend gentleman is not much of a priest, but I fancy be felt, in the abseuce of particular doctrine, that federation was a baseless dream. Oscar Wilde followed suit, and seemed to think such a elub would be .uarIning-Ûscar' very fond of that word—quite charming, he was sure, if only people were not fiddled to, or bored by, [ the ubiquitous writer, or other amusement factor. His idea of federation was conversation. I heard the other day of a well-known literary star who was invited to an afternoon at a Mrs Leo Huntfr's, but meeting seven banjoes on the stair- ease, be led in time. The lecture was too long by half-it was a written essay—An amiable re- publican's dream. Would, though, that the • war-drum throbb'd no longer, and the battle flags were furl'd, in this parliament of men, this federation of the world." No need then for THE CONTT. A CT ENTORD, a weapon which, it would seem, was not inWioed for either offence or defence. But we may be too doctrinal, a mistake always, and a paternal Government may decree that those who take the sword should perish with the sword. I omitted to mention that one of the speakers in answer to Mr Palmer was Justin M'Carthv, who stated that he had recently returned from New York, where he bad been hospitably entertained by the club in question, but he did cot add that he thought such a society would solve the Irish question Turning to the Budget for a moment one may say that in Goschen there is always light, but I do not think that HE TENDKF.S A CLIKAPM; PIPE MR A DRAW. 1. Let us take the goods the gods provide with the extra smoke the Budget allows, and not fish out "motive." I went a few nights ago to see "The Red Lamp" at the Comedy, and was delighted. Tile house was quite iul;, und the audience was very appreciative. Lady Monckton has made great strides since I saw her last, some four years ago, and fully deserves the success she lias won. There may not be much spontaneity in her action, and she may he too careful and studied in her motions. Tiiis would arise from the fact that she did not become a professional till to,) late in life to work into the "nature" of the tiling, which talented yeuth can always do. Her dre.-ses were superb, and so were her diamonds. Iii "Jita the Penman" she received £ 60 a week salary, and I daresay gets more in her present ;-61c. The play is a stirrihg one, is exciting and sympathetic. MR BKERBOHM TREE, AS THE RUSSIAN r>*LdlTAT nE!ITRIUS, is a .ruly fine conception excellently sustained, and Miss Rosir.a F.lip" as Fi"isc the maid, ie perfection. The critic^ one and all spesk of her exquisite finesse and easy elaboration of a very insignificant part, which, indeed, was created for her, as in the origins! cast there was no waiting maid. The seflne which has been such a hit is tbe one in which De^iitnus bribes her with a diamond ring to tell her mistress's movements. The piece will have a long run, and prove an established favourite. The Comedy is a very pretty house, and well ventilated. As I said last week, Mr Irving soon leaves us for America. He is giving repetitions cf hi« former triumphs to full houses. His great role, "XHK BELLS," seems to ".draw the best. It is amusing to see lp Ir\ing in lar?e mixed gatherings, quiet.y and dexterously eeliug uis way througu obtrusive groups, and evading his numerous siirht .ac quaintances, who insist ou shaking hands with the great artist, to be seen of ali men. On Monday I hope to attend the opening of the American Exhibition, which, being of private enterprise, ouizlit to be termed the Americans' Exhibitiou. I have had the honour of visiting Buffalo Bill in his tent, and found him grand snr| beautiful as the ladies would say. He is Spanish in type, and i& courtly in manner. I had the pleasure of a rehearsal in which wild horses bucked, buffaloes careered, and men did on horse- back what (thousands could not do on anything but, as they say in novels, of the rest an m. ZINCO.

Mr Stayer: "Alas we make resolutions only tc break them:" Miss Quick °, Ye". very true Now, I rest Jved to retae eiirly nights aau bere it linearly eleven o clock ,f Are you a Presbyterian ?" asked a lady of a little girl who was visiting at her house. Vo replied the droll child; "nor a Methodist t%c a Baptist I firuess I must be au advertisement" THE PRoPE:&Coumr, In case of an accident, doctor—a. broken leg, for instance—what is best "w T, « waltinK the physicianT Well, said the doctor, "I think the best thing to be done is to get his money ready for hiui." "Tiie only po.ible objection that can be found with the house," said the landlord, after showing all the apartments, "6 is the absence of a bath- room. "That àoef;U'[, ruake any difference at all." replied the would-be tenant; I am a» An- arcbist." -Harpe1"S Bazaar.,