The Cardiff Times

BEHINDTHE COUNTER Sketches by a Shop Assistant. II.—SALARY AND WORK. The indiscriminate engagement of juniors, as mentioned in my first article, has done much to reduce the wages paid to shop assistants. Experi- ence is in such poor demand that he who possesses it cannot be blamed for wishing be had for ever remained a junior, though thftt is an impossibility, Juniors, young men of four to six years' experi- ence, can easily secure situations at a salary of £18 to £20 per annum, with immediate prospects of advancement, but their progress comes to A STANDSTILL at thirty pounds, and if after another five or six years they find themselves seeking a situation, they generally discover, to their dis- appointment, that those additional years of experience have added nothing to their chances of a higher salary. Io may be true that those who are fortunate enough to toil on in the same estab- blishment throughout all those years become, in exceptional cases, the proud possessors of a remuneration of from forty to fifty pounds a year, but in such cases we generally find that the recipient of this coveted salaiy has become au abject slave to his employers, for there exists a mutual conscious- ness that such salaries are not very easily secured while there are a few unpunfiipled men who eventually grudge the remuneration which has onlybeengained byyears of honest toil and astrict adherence toduty. With a lame excuse to the effect that he has decided upon making a change in his staff, the employer politely asks the assistant to secure another situation, remarking that a change would do the latter an infinite amount of good. Such are the meaus employed by some employers to do away with FABULOUS (?) SALARIES, and, taking advantage of the number of un employed assistants who are ever ready to pop in for a mere pittance, they succeed in bringing about a great saving in the management of their business, although the inevitable result of such action is apparent to the matured business mind. Whilst we blame employers for a lack of wis- dom in depreciating experience, we also blame assistants for reducing themselves to a position in which they are forced to accept the pn ffered terms, however mean, thus reducing the dignity of labour. It is a. sad fact that there are thousands of assistants to whom dismissal would mean destitution, because, in some cases, the wages paid them leave no margin for savings, whilst in others their carelessness as to the future, illustrated in expensive and doubtful recreation and amusement, leads numbers into hopeless ruin. Some hundreds of miles from home many have been, through a single act of indiscretion, literally thrown on the streets almost penniless, and in their despair these are prepared to re-enter a situation at a very small salary indeed. The accumulation of such cases has a tendency to form the basis of the rate of wages, until we are forced to assert that there is no labour, comparatively speaking, which can be employed upon equally low terms. A tradesman advertises for an experienced hand, and receives a batch of applications, the following being a sample of many that I have picked up from among the waste papers of some establishments:- "In reply to your advertisement, I beg to offer myself as the candidate for the vacancy. Experi- ence, 15 years; age, 26; salary, £25." With certain exceptions, candidates of the above class are able to produce good references, and they turn out to be capable hands. Thus, in order to be successtul, you must be prepared to come down to their wage standard. But I must not omit a tribute of praise to the few employers who exhibit a decided prejudice against cheap hands. I will give one example of this class. The previous remarks refer to assistants who live in- doors. Out-door assistants—who, by the way, are the envy of their in-door fellow-toilers—are mere favourably situated in many respects. The salaries of OUT. DOOR ASSISTANTS range from 15s to £2 a week—the most general being 25s and 30<. Yet, a few years ago I saw a young man 23 years of age, and with an experi- ence 01 llyears,offer hissenices for ISsin acity where his board and apartments would cost him fifteen to sixteen shillings. The firm wisely rejected his services, and in a conversation with the managing partner a few minutes afterwards he expressed his conviction to the writer that no young man could keep up appearances on such a paltry sum with- out robbing bis employers—a potent fact which our employers would do well tu ponder over. EMPLOYER AND EMPLOYED ON GOOD TERMS. Capital and labour should, in the matter of wages, as in everything else, go forward hand in hand, bearing each other's burdens. A great manu- facturer was asked some time ago how it was that he never had any trouble with his workmen. "Well," he said, "I have a way of my own. Every little while I call my employes together, and I say, Now, boys, I want to show you how matters stand. What you turned out this year has brought so much. You see it is not so much as we got last year, so I cannot afford to pay you so much as I did then. Now, you know, I put all my capital in this business. What do you think ought to be my percentage ? And what wages ought I to pay you ? Come, let us settle this.' And (continued the manufacturer) we are always unanimous. When we suffer we all suffer together; when he advance we advance together, and my men would do anything for me." ASSISTANTS' WORK- I will now proceed to an assistant's work, and the fines connected with the Execution of the same. In well-managed business houses in the grocery trade, there are several young men employed as stock hands." Their toil is one monotonous routine of packing from Monday morning until Saturday night. From this department the assistants are promoted to the counter. COUNTER HANDS. Counter hand?, or salesmen, have to put up with a very great deal. A successful salesman must be a good judge of character, and the possessor of a fund of patience. He must be polite and obliging ill manners, with a fair command of lauguage. He has to put up with the vagaries of the coarse and whimsical, preserve a cool temper, and exercise his blandest manner on receiving the insults of the ignorant, exert all his powers of persuasion with the capricious and peevish (who) by the way. generally leave without making a purchase), and preserve the "even tenour of his. way" with a host of others, a few of whom I have selected for some.pen-and-ink sketches in a future article. A SYSTEM OF FINES. In our largest business houses assistants are liable to be fined in sums ranging from two pence to one week's salary. For allowing a customer to leave without making a purchase, the poor assistant is mulcted in a fine, of one shilling! How many of you who daily frequent our drapery and grocery establishments are acquainted with this fact ? Not many, I am sure otherwise your natural sense of right and justice would prevent you from making an assis- tant liable to such treatment. Last week I hart occasion to visit a drapery establishment, and was unpleasantly struck with the conduct of the proprietor. A lady assistant, who appeared to be very energetic and obliging was engaged in serving a customer. Before the customer left, and whilst the assistant was at the cash desk receiving change, HER INDISCREET EMPLOYER commenced upbraiding her for not succeeding in selling more than the customer had purchased, and proceeding behind the counter endeavoured to re-open negotiations with the said customer, who, to my great satisfaction and the proprietor's complete discomfiture, assured him in a few stern words that she was fully and properly served. Such customers are the shop assistants' angels, but their visits, alas I are few and far between. Grocers' assistants are fined for im- perfect weight; first offence, one shilling; second, five shillings; third liable to dismissal without' notice or compensation. Space will not allow me to enumerate the catalogue of fines. Suffice it that they aie numerous and unreasonable, and'are often accompanied by such refined exclamations as that "a good sheep's head is better than yours.' What is euphemistically called MEAL TIME" is a hurried and painful fifteen minutes, and unless you return to the shop within the allotted time, a sarcastic message is sent to ask if you intend to remain within all day A customer is allowed to call you a thief, but if you rejoin that it is false, you are informed that your presence is urgently needed in the office. If you escape dismissal you are fortunate. An error in addressing a parcel results in a fine or a torrent of abuse, t'nd yet you are expected to be all smiles and sunshine to the next customer who claims your attention. Assistants are simply ruled WITH A ROD OF IROX, which makes t'iem submissive and fearful. The great strength of the world has been in the com- bined action of the many. Uutil combination is resorted to, shop assistants will remain the "laves of the remorseless. In the words of an eminent writer, It is not equality of condition that is needed, but the equality of right." It is a case of oppression by capital of labour, and our business men can do nothing better than study the following by an American writer:—" Relief will come to the working classes through F. better understanding between capital and labour. Their interests are one. You cannot show me any point where capital has -prosperei with labour oppressed. Show me any point in the last 50 years where capital was getting large accumulations, nnd I wiilshow the point at which labour was getting large wages. Every speech that capital makes against labour is an adjournment of our national prosperity, ana so eqiully is every speech that labour makes against cipizal When the capital of the country maligns labour, it is the eye cursing the hand; when labour maligns capital, it is the hand cursing the eye." My next article will be on Working In."

A CHRISTMAS NUMBER. How Highwaymen used to Molest Travellers. This mouth the English Illustrated Magazine is issued as a Christinas number, being more than double its usual s¡z", and double its usual price- one shilling, instead of sixpence. The engravings aica striking feature, being incomparably bupe- nor to those appearing in any other English magazine. There is a fine engraving of Rem- brandt's portrait of himself, the work of the master being produced with much skill and effect. This and several other engravings are by O. Lao ur, while R. Taylor gives Philip IV., after Velasquez's painting of that melancholy monarch. Travelling in the eighteenth century is admirably illustrated by Hugh Thomson and Herbert Ruil- ton, whose sketches of maii coaches and wsyaide inns have a clJarm all their own. The letterpress is also quite up to the standard. The Story of Jael" is continued, and Professor Minto pro- gresses with "The Mediation of Ralph Har- deiot." Mr Fuzgerald Mollry discourses most pleasantly on players of the past, while Mr Lawreuce Oiiphant describes a visit to the Sea of Galilee. The well-known writer, Mrs Mules- worth, commences a new story, entitled That Girl in Black," and Mr W. Outiam Tristram resumes "Coaching Days and Coaching Ways," than which there is no more delightful reading in the whole number. We cannot resist the temp- tation to give one extract:—The truth is that a little more than a century ago, those who, on nearing Knight&bridge, sported prayer-books, felt for pistols, and generally put themselves in a pos- ture of defence, did the right thing in the right place. The Arcadian tract, indeed, which we now associate with guardsmen and nurserymaids was known to the travellers in the Exeter Fly a3 a place of bogs and highwaymen. Into this great impassable gulf of mud the Exeter Fly pre- sently descended, and, after desperate flounder- ings which only made matters worse, stuck fast. To it, when thus safely anchored, entered a gentleman in a vizor and riding a dark chestnut mare, who good-naturedly recommended the coachman to alight, and offered to relieve the passengers of their purses. The first to take advantage of this amiability and give up his purse was a warrior from Dottingen, who had been loud in bis contempt for highwaymen ever siuce the Fiy left the city, and had sketched with an elaborate garnishing of oaths the horrid fate to which any marauder would be subject who ventured to bar the way. He spoke no more now of Dettingen, and of the standard lie had taken from the musketeer of the French guard. Far from it! He gave his little all to the gentleman who asked for it, counselled submission to his companions, and disappeared to eat straw in the bottom of the coach. The highwayman now aslierl the ladies to oblige, parenthetically observ- ing that time pressed. The words were hardly out of his mouth when Mirabel, a passenger, who had been biding his time, obliged him with a sudden blow on the jaw, and at tile same moment jumpsd from the coach and seized the bridle of the chestnut mare. Tbe highwayman now saiu Zounds and discharged his pistol; but as the chestnut mare reared and fell back with him just as he was tiring it, the aim was not so true as the intention in point of fact, instead of shooting Mirabel through the head, he shot the guard through the har, who announced that he was a dead man, and let off his blunderbuss at the morning star. Meanwhile the highwayman and Mirabel had closed and were wrestling in the mud, the ladies viewing the progress of the strife in a state of pieasmg suppressed excitement, and the coachman flogging his horses with a view of driving off and leaving Mirabel ana his antagonist to decide their interesting difference in solitude and peace. This genial intention was frustrated by the mud, which held the coach fast, and by the aimless insistance with which the guard kept dis- charging his weapon at nothing in particular, the horrid reverberation of which in the empty void of heaven succeeded in waking some watchmen, who, by way of performing their patrol between Kensington and Knightsbridgf, wre lying in graceful bleep at The H»lf-vvay Public-bou e. Suspecting there was something in the air, they came upon the scene just as Mirabel was binding the highwayman's hands behind his back, the man having yielded himself for worse when lie felt eleven stone and ;v half kneeling on his chest, and saw that the chestnut mare had run away. The watch now with great intrepidity took charge of the bound prisoner, helped the Exeter Fly out of the ditch, and Mirabel into the coach.

THE AGE AT WHICH MEN SHOULD MARRY. The two novelists Mr Besant and Mr James Payn are not at one on an important point. In bis newly-published atory, "Katherine Regina," Mr Besant has a fancy sketch of the millennium, in which he says:—" Then no man would be allowed to marry under the age of twenty-eight." Mr Payn, however, who was married himself at twenty-four, argues in his reminiscences that men should marry when possible as soon as they have ceased to b,3 boys, and in his novels the hero and heroine have seldom exceeded the age of twenty- one. Mr Besant can tell a rather amusing story at Mr Payn's expense. Once the former was at the English 1:>k¿" (where he has a great reputation as a mountaineer), and he there met a stranger who dropped flints about being an eminent literary man travelling incognito. Mr Besant's curicsity being excited, the stranger told him in secrecv that he was the author of Los* Sir Massingberd." Mr Besaut wrote off to Mr Payn about tiiis dissovery, adding solemnly, I always suspected this.'

A MODERN SCULPTOR. j Brown: Do you knr-^r that chap Smith? What the dence is he?" Smith: "Yes I know him-that is, I know of him; he's a sculptnr." Brown "Such a looking chap as that a sculptor Surely you must be mistaken ? Smith "He may not be the kind of one you mean, but I know he chiselled a tailor out of a suit of clothes a week or two ago

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OPENING OF WYNDHAM ARCADE. THE FINEST SHOW AND BEST-VALUED IRONMONGERY IN SOUTH WALES IS NOW ON y I E \v AT I PERKINS BROS & CO., [ 53, ST. MARY-STREET, I AND WYNDHAM ARCADE.

Early Welsh Noncon- formist Ministers. By J. Kilsby Jones. WALTER CRADOCK. Walter Cradock was the son of a gentle- man who lived at Trevela, in the parish of Llangwmuchaf, in the county of Monmouth, where was left him a small estate of the value of sixty pounds a year, a con- siderable sum then. He was born some time between 1606 and 1610. It is seldom we get the particulars of such a life as was led by the subject of this sketch, while in modern sixpenny and shilling biographies we are surfeited with petty details about petty perple, living in a petty world, doing pitiably petty things, and on a scale befitting a community of gnats. Cradock being intended for what are called holy orders, was sent to Oxford, and during one of his vacations he visited his native place, nigh unto which (Llanvaches) the Hev. Mr Wroth, rector of that parish, began, about the year 1620, to preach the gospel— being probably the only one in his native county, as well as many other parts of Wales, who knew how to do that ajiostolical work. As the solitary preacher's fame was noised abroad in the county, and Mr Cradock having heard of his doctrines and mode of setting them forth, he resolved to hear him for himself for the purpose of testing the truth of the reports spread about him. The result of his visit was that he became fully convinced'of the soundness of Wroth'a teaching, and he was cOlwerted-a word (when there was faith on earth) of the deepest import, as signifying a natural change great enough to be called a trans- lation from darkness to light, and from death to life. Some time after this, Cradock became curate to Mr Erbury, at St. Mary's, Cardiff. Both vicar and curate were cited to Lambeth for refusing to read the "Book of Sports," published at the command of King James in the year 1617. Its author was Bishop Mor- ton, and, of course, a sound link in the unbroken chain of apostolical succession. Just faney the Apostle Paul playing a game of football with his converts at Corinth in the after part of the first day of the week In these days, if he had done this, he would be styled a broad thinker with muscular views, or a muscular Christian with advanced views. According to the directions contained in this episcopal composition, there was only one religious service to be held in any church on Sunday, except on the occasion of a funeral, and the after part of the day was to be spent in various sports-as a sort of holiday, reward, and relaxation, to the public conscience for attendance at the morning service, and what strikes us as worse still—all clergyman in every parish throughout England and Wales were commanded to read the Book of Sports pub- licly to their congregations, under a heavy fine, and in case of refusal, to be turned out of the church, an outlook that the largest edition of an ecclesiastical dolt could, through the aid of back and stomach, clearly take in and understand. When James died, and Charles, his son, reigned in his stead, there were some clergy- men who, in consequence of the injurious influence of these sports on the morals of the people, had omitted reading this obnoxious book, hoping that the law against the omission would not be put in force. But matters did not take so favourable a turn. This omission was reported to Archbishop Laud, who was the unrelenting enemy of the Puritans—a nick-name rightly applied for once, and of which men of clean lips and pure lives had no reason to be ashamed—and he instantly caused the com- mand to bere-isaued. In order to secure uni- versal obedience to this law of the State Church, informers were employed to find out the defaulters, so that no one should escape unpunished. There were found in that part of old Wales, called Monmouth- shire, two men, and at Cardiff one, who Were possessed of the spirit that animated tliat glorious Hebrew trio on the plains of Dura, and, as already intimated, Walter Cradock was one of them. Wroth fcnd Erbury remained to enlighten the southern part of the principality, while Cradock himself was led into North Wales, '^here he acted as the pioneer of apostolical tVl)rk. After he had been turned out of the church, it appears that his relations behaved ) ery cruelly towards him, and that many of ins former friends turned against him,so that he resolved to work his way into North Wales, preaching in every place where he had an opportunity of doing so. By some means, unknown to \10 in these latter days, he obtained the curacy of Wrex- ham Church, and he immediately excited uncommon interest among his congregation for the people had never before heard such powerful preaching. To them the preacher appeared like a special messenger from the other world, and no wonder, for "his words were with powert" as were those of his Divine Master. Instead of reading the morning prayers, one chronicler says, he, like a true religious teacher, would "open the Scriptures" clearly and warmly, which produced so much effect on the people that, when the church bells wei-e rung at six o'clock in the morning, they flocked from town and country in such num- bers that the large church was completely tilled. And as the church continued to be tilled, the public houses were made empty. Cradock's ministry reformed drunkards, and made the thoughtless and pre- sumptuous thoughtful and reflective. Games and sports lost their attraction, the Sabbath was kept holy, and many people saved from their sins. It is said that some persons would get up in their sleep in conse- quence of the terror felt after hearing him preach. But the reformation he had been instrumental in effecting in the morals of the people began to tell injuriously on the profits of maltsters, brewers, and publicans. Their craft was in danger. Drunkards might be reformed, and their wives and children might have bread instead of kicks, and raiment instead of blinding, bloody blows, but their well-being must not to be put in the scales against the profits of men who had grown rich at ths expense of those who love strong drink. Religion was proving cheaper than sin therefore, if possible, it was to be driven out of the town. The godless set, aided, it seems, by some influential people in the neighbourhood, suc- ceeded in compelling Cradock to leave the town, where he had laboured only twelve months, but assuredly not in vain if he had succeeded in converting only Morgan Lloyd, of whom our readers shall read in due time. But, in fact, his influence proved so powerful and abiding that for ages the most religious people in North Wales were known as Cradockites. Yet he must once more assume the l'assover attitude, and with staff in hand, seek the way that leadeth to the scuth, whither we shall follow him *i*xt week, —

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. o BY W.Abraham, M.P., Mabon. 4 SAFETY LAMPS AND PLACES OF REFUGE. Respecting the inspection of machinery above and below ground, Rule 5 of the new Mines Act, which was rale 20 in the old A(t, provides that a competent person or persons appointed by the owner, agent, or manager shall once at least in every twenty-four hours examine the external parts of the machinery, the guides, and con- ductors in the shafts, and the headgear, ropes, chains, and other similar appliances of the mine which are in actual use both above and bslow ground, and shall once at least in every week examine the state of the shafts, by which persons ascend or descend, a true report of such examina- tion being recorded without delay in a book to be kept at the mine for the purpose. The report must be 'signed by the person who has made the inspection. The sixth rnle provides that all entrances to any place, whether they are suspected to contain dangerous gases or not, and not in actual course of working and extension, are to be properly fenced across their whole width, so as to prevent persons from iuadverfcentlv entering them. NOXIOUS GASES. The seventh rule stipulates for the withdrawal of every workman from a, mine in which noxious gases are found to prevail to a dangerous extent, or a mine that is dangerous from any cause whatever. No person is to venture intoamine in such a state, except so far as is necessary in order to ascertain the cause of danger, and effect its removal. A competent person is to be ap- pointed to inspect, and, in cases where the danger arises from inflammable gas, he must do so with a locked safety lamp. lIe is to make and sig-n a report, setting out accurately the condition of the mine, in a book to be kept at the mine for that purpose. SAFETY LAMPS. The eighth rule provides for the use of safety lamps and lights. No other light than a locked safety lamp is to be allowed in any working where there is likely to be an accumulation of gas. Neither shall naked lights bo used in any other part of the same ventilating- district, situated between the place where locked safety lamps are in use and the return airway. And it is provided in the ninth rule that all safety-lamps, wherever used, are to be so con- structed that they may be safely carried against the air current ordinarily prevailing in that part of the mine, even if that current be inflammable. THE LORDS' INTERFERENCE. This, it will be observed, is one of the clauses interfered:with by the House of Lords, their lord- ships striking out that portion of the clause making it necessary to have the three condemned lamps so protected as to make them proof against extra- ordinary currents full of explosive gas. Where these safety-lamps are requisite, Rule 10 makes it imperative that a competent person shall be appointed for the purpose of examining every safety lamp immediately before it is taken into the workings for use. And it will be an offence to use the lamps until they have been examined and found in good condition, and are securely locked. They are not to be opened, except at the appointed station, or for the purpose of firing shots, in conformity with the regulations. NO LUCIFEP. MATCHES. Further, it will be an offeuce to be in possession of any key or contrivance for opening or unlocking a lamp, or of any lucifer match or a[peratus of any kind for striking a light, except within a completely closed chamber attached to the fuse cf the shot. The sub-section of this rule as to the construction of <"• a safety lamp. is new, and the prohibition of matches, etc., is absolute. By Rule 11, where safety lamps are used, the position of the lamp stations shall not be in the return airway. Rule 12, regulating the use of explosives, I have already explained at length. This rule contains several new provisions, such as substituting fi ve" for four pounds to be taken into the mine in cartridges prohibiting the use of coal or coal-dust intatupingor ramming, and the forcible pressing of an explosive into a hole of insufficient mze prohibiting the unramrning of the explosive once a hole has been charged, and the boring of a second hole at a, less distance than six inches to a hole that had missed fire. Provisions A and B are considerably altered and expanded, especially in their application to dry and dusty mines. A "ventilating district" means such part of a seam as has an independent intake commencing from a main intake air course, and an independent return airway terminating at a main return air-course. A "main haulage road" means a road which has been, or for the time is, in use for moving trams by steam or other mechanical power. Where a seam of a mine is not divided into separate ventilating districts, the provisions in this Act relating to such districts shall be read as though the word "seam "were substituted for the words ventilating districts." CLAT AND IRONSTONE EXCEPTED. So much of this rule as requires the explosive substance taken into the mine to be in cartridges, and so much of the provisions of sub-head (F) as relates to "dry and dusty placGs," and the pro- visions (G), (H), (I), (K), and (L), will not apply to seams of clay or stratified ironstone, which are not worked in connection with any coal sealP, and which contain no coal in the working. A SAFE PRECAUTION DISCARDED. But in all these clauses the old safe and familiar blue cap test on the safety lamp is not found. And the means of testing the presence of gas or the safety of a place where a shot is to be fired are, as I think, insufficiently guarded in these words: "That there is not at or near such place sufficient gas issuing, or accumulated to render it unsafe to fire a shot." So the amount of gas which is to be sufficient to render a place unsafe to fire a shot is to depend entirely on the opinion of the shot-firer, without any definite amount or standard to guide him The 13th rule provides with greater care than was the case in a former act for boreholes and water. It enacts that where a place is likely to contain a dangerous accumula- tion of water, the workings approaching it within 40 yards of the place shali not at any point exceed eight feet in width, and there must constantly be kept at a sufficient distance, which is not less than five yards in advance, at least one bore-hole near the centre of the working, and sufficient flank bore-holes on each side. REFUGE PLACES. Manholes, as places of refuge, are to be provided at each 20 yards in roadswn which persons travel, and if such roads exceed 30 yards in length, with some proper means of coYninunicating distinct and definite signals between the stopping places and the ends of the plane, and these shall be provided at intervals of not more than 10 yards "in every case where there be not sufficient room for a person to stand between the side of a tub, or tram, and the side of the plane, unless the trams are moved by an endless chain or rope. Rule 15 makes it imperative that every road on which persons travel, where the load is drawn by a horse or ooher animal, shall be pro- vided with sufficient manholes at intervals of not more than fifty yards, or a space of sufficient Hngth for a refuge, and of, at least, three feet in width between the wagons running on the tram- road and the side of the road. And Rule 16 sets ovt that all these manholes and places of refuge ar9 to be kept constantly clear and accessible.

•-«.L1.? POSTHUMOUS HONOURS.—Someone speaking befne a witty woman of the fate that seemed generally to overtake literary men and artists- that of being appreciated only after death. "Yes," was the laughing comment, "the critics are,genuine ghouls; they prize only the talent they have unearthed." You say, Mr Smith," said the girl in a low, thoughtful, this-is-a serious-matter sort of tone, that you have loved me for five years and have neverdared to tell meso until to-night?"—"Yes." I he replied.—" Well, I cannot be your wife. Á. I man vho has no more courage than that would feign to be asleep while a burglar stoie his baby's shoes. Chailes Mathews once want to perform at Wakefield, where, owing to the depressed state of trads, the drama received no support. He was afterwards asked how much money he had made at Wak«field, and replied, "Not a shilling." "Not shilling ?" repeated his questioner; "why I thought you went there to star "So I did," reph^d Mathews; but they spell it with a 'V9' in Wakefield.'

WELSH GLEANINGS. I (By Lloffwr.) I think I have mentioned before the formation of a promising Cymmrodoriou Society at Newport. The promoters of the movement are going the right way to work, and are giving the Cardiff Society of the same name a worthy example in some respects. For instance, an English class for the study of \V el -b has been formad. The first nigbt the class was opened some twenty members, all English-speaking, were enrolled; these, under their able and well qualified teacher, the Rev. E. Gurnos Jones, are making steady progress in acquiring the language of Cam- bria. I am given to understand that they have adopted as their text-book the Welsh grammar recently issued by the Society for Utilizing the Welsh Language, aud that it is found to answer the purpose admirably. I have been thinking that the Cardiff Cymmro- dorion might do something in this direction. If they are not prepared to undertake the voluntary tuition of a Welsh class in connection with the society, they might at least take steps to organise an evening class in connection with the University College. I have no doubt that Pro- fessor Powel would be very pleased to arrange for such a class at the college to study, say some of the old Welsh authors. The idea is worth con- sidering, and I trust the passing hint I thus venture to throw out may lead to some good practical results. The college has everything to gain by showing itself to be in thorough touch with the people, and the Cymm- rodorion might render their own organization a material service by making it the means of extend- ing the field of usefulness of the college. In this connection it is gratifying to note that Principal Viriamu Jones will deliver a popular lecture before the Cymmrodorion on Friday night in this week. His subject will be The Laws of Falling Bodies," and will be treated in a popular style calculated to make an apparently abtruse scientific subject both intelligible and interesting to his audience. Principal Jones is himself, I understand, a Cymmrodor, is, indeed, are by this time, most of the leading Welshmen of Cardiff who pretend to be in touch with the national feeling. I have to record the formation of another Cymmodorion Society. Festiuiog, the great in- dustrial centre of Merionethshire, is the place which has now been touched by the continually rising national wave. The long-headed and warm- hearted quarrymen of Festiuiog are arranging for a series of winter's evenings very much on the lines of the Cardiff Cymmrodorion, and I have little doubt that they will prove quite as suc- cessful. The next step in the development of these national societies, I will venture to predict, wiil be an effort at federation. Isolated societies m towns and villages far distant from each other will certainly do some good. But it is evident that their power for usefulness would be very materially enlarged if they were so banded in one organisatioh that they might at short notice confer together on questions of national in- terest, and take concerted action thereon. There are many such matters cropping up now and again, questions quite outside the range of party politics, which come fairly within the province of the Cymmrodorion Societies, and which might, if there were a well-organised federation of these societies, be treated in a manner that would ensure due consideration being paid to the national feel- ing. There is a mission, and an important one, before these societies, and the sooner they reaiize this and set about organizing themselves for its due performance the better. The following letter explains itself, and forms an interesting Gleaning," which I am pleased to be able to bind in my sheaf. "Edinburgh Uni- versity, Nov. 22nd, 1887. Dear 'Lloffwr,'—It may interest your readers to learn that the Edinburgh Welsh Students' Union is in a flourishing con- dition, under the energetic presidency of Dr. Dameil (whose address at Manchester you referred to some weeks ago). As an instance of the energy of the officials of the union, I will mention the fact that they succeeded in arranging a meeting with Mr Lewis Morris, who is in the city this week for the purpose of delivering a lecture at the Edinburgh Philosophical Institution. The senatus kindly gave the use of a lecture theatre, and also conceded the unusual privilege (in this city) of allowing members to ask ladies to be present at a meeting within the walls of the university. The attendance was a large one, and included some of the more prominent of the university professors. Apologies were intimated from Principal Sir William Muir, Dr Skene, &c. Professor Masson, as chairman, having opened the proceedings, introduced Mr Morris, who at once proceeded to the consideration of his subject. In the course of his address lie gave some rather remarkable figures dealing with the inefficiency of Welsh higher and intermediate education, A short report of his speech in the Scotsman was sent to the office of your paper yesterday, and the struggle which had been made by the Welsh ,g people to improve their condition in this respect, and in this connection lie paid an eloquent tribute to the memory of the late Sir Hugh Owen, whose labours ou behalf of his country were un- tiring. At the close of his address 'The March of the Men of Harlech,' was sung. Mr Rhys Davies then, in an eloquent Welsh speech, which was well received, proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Morris for his address this was seconded by Mr J. D. Williams (Llanwist) in another Welsh speech. Dr Daniell then proposed the Visitors,' and in doing so took occasion to give some account of the rise and development of the Welsh Union he also noticed the move- ment, of which the Welsh Union of Edinburgh was the pioneer, for the promulgation of popular scientific information and other educational matter through the medium of the vernacular press. This was seconded by Mr Mills-Roberts, and responded to by Professor Sir Douglas Maclagan, who, in the course of an interesting speech, begged the favour of bearing another Welsh chorus. Mr W. W. Jones (Dowlais) pro- posed a vote of thanks to the senatus. The usual vote of thanks to the chairman was proposed by the Rev Rowland Ellis,and seconded by Principal Williams, of the Edinburgh Veterinary College. "If you will be good enough to construct a para- graph or two from the above report, it may not prove without interest for many of youm readers.- Yours, &c., "SCALPEL." A fact of some interest not generally known has just been communicated to me. It appears that the bulk of the evidence given both before the coroner and at the magisterial enquiry in con- nection with the unhappy murder case at Llanelly, was given entirely in Welsh. The services of an interpreter bad to be requisitioned all through the proceedings. This is certainly a strange commen- tary on the statement being so assiduously spread abroad of the rapidly approaching extinction of Welsh as a spoken language. The English millennium has evidently not yet dawned in Wales, and the need of bilingual officials through- out the jx-incipality is once more fully demon- strated. I am told that Mr J. Puleston Jones, who figured in my gleanings last week, is a relative of Sir John Puleston, and has the misfortune of being blind. We have had in Wales blind musi- cians and blind preachers. Now we are, it seems, going to have a blind scholar, whose fame, I trust, will soon equal that of the late Mr Fawcett.

The most popular girl of this period is the one with red hair. We mean, of course, with those wfco have opt

WELSH MUSIC AND I MUSICIANS. By Dr. Joseph Parry, Principal of the Musical College of Wales, Swansea. No. 26.—MUSICAL EXAMINATIONS. The question of musical examinations is one of sufficient importance to justify a letter being dovoted to it. We may justly call this an examination epoch—one cf severe test. This naturally implies preparation and tuition. I believe it was Dr Arnold who made the remark that EXAMINATIONS ARE THE SALT OF EDUCATION." And I fully join in the opinion that musical examinations do much good, giving a healthy impetus to sound, thorough train- ing, and the search for musical know- ledge. This system, like most other good ones, can be, and is indeed, abused. It is abused by many who pass these examinations, setting themselves up at once as qualified teachers, as if this pass meant a certificate for the art of teaching, such people forgetting that the high and rare power of imparting musical knowledge, style, and musical thought reading is one but very rarely possessed; and, if at all acquired, is but the result: of much experience and thoughtful observation of the ever varied receptive powers of the pupils, as well as the varied degrees of natural musical talent, or, as is sometimes the case, of no real musical talent at all. I said THOUGHT READING. A young lady or gentleman may sing the notes or the words, as the child recites his or her verse or poem, every word being correct, but without in the least degree reading the thoughts, ideas, or the emotions and passions therein contained. This abuse of all the good and well-intended tests is done in supplying cheap lesson-givers. I have too high a regard for the art and calling of a true teacher to call the persons to whom I refer by the noble and respectable name of Teachers of Music." I could furnish some strange instances of the abuses of the high calling of a Teacher." Once an organist who needed his blower for an organ practice, was toid by the said blower that he could not come as he had a lesson to give to one of his pupils at 5-s a term. This was indeed a bad result of examinations, and an under- mining of the profession with a vengeance. A SAD EXPERIENCE. I fear it is the sari experience of many profes- sional teachers in England and Wales to find many of their successful pupils joining the noble army of pupils," thus ruining the profession and our art by cheap and false tuition. Some begin teaching at the tender age of 12 years. The parents of such juvenile teachers deserve punishment for cruelty to their own dear, and supposed gifted, children, and the poor who become pupils (supposing they are getting cheap instruction), are to be pitied for what they get, and for throwing away the little money which they had. That is not Dr Arnold's salt of education," but the abuse is indeed salty. And it is full time that our government should place the musical professions, especially that of teachers, under the same restrictions as those of the legal and the "medical professions," demanding degrees or diplomas, which are of such standing and safety to parents as a guaranteo of :systematic training in the works of the Old Masters; not of waltzes, polkas, and the hosts of other musical coufection- aries which certainly produce artistic indigestion, and spoil the appetite for music of a. high order. DUTY TO OUR ART calls for a speedy check on this too general abuse of these otherwise very excellent examina- tions which are held locally by the London Trinity College, and R:.yal Academy of Music, my Alma Mater. In spite of the perni- cious results arising, I firmly believe that these local examinations held by Trinity College and the R.A. are doing real service to high art, for they certainly compel many teachers to teach music of a classical order—teachers who otherwise would never guide their pupils through a course leading them to a familiarity with the masters and their creations. As a consequence of the exami- nations, the pupils acquire a taste for style aud proper reading of the mas- ters. It is ono thing to play popular drawing-room music, but quite another to under- stand, enjoy, and give a true interpretation of one of Beethoven's sonatas, one of Bach's fugues, one of Chopin's solos, or to master the technique of a solo of the modern school, such as composed by Rubenstein or the Abbe Liszt, To sing one of the Royalty ballads of the present day, which are thrown out by the hundreds, is quite a different task to singing songs, now too generally neglected and unknown, by Sohubert, Schumann, Abt, Franz, and many other men of genius as song-writers. The examinations have done noble service in bringing before less experienced teachers music far too little known to them. EXAMINATIONS AND YOUNG WELSH MUSICIANS. How is it that very few, if any, uf our young singers, players, theorists, and composers ever .enter these examinations, but confine their efforts to eisteddfodic tests? I have often thought it a great pity that our young people have not availed themselves ot these examinations, and have not as yet looked upon them as being at all suitable or intended for themselves. Is it the guinea fee that is beyond their reach ? I have for years longed for an examination more suitable for Welsh students, and especially organised, prepared, and conducted in Welsh or English. Let the fees and subjects meet the re- quirements of Wales of the present day. Why not? If it were wished it could be done, and I am sure it would do inestimable good, directing the studies of our young to noble results. I am sure of two things, that (1) these suggestions are meant for good, and (2) would supply our country with the technical knowledge which she needs. The examinations could be associated with this college, or with the eisteddfod, and in either case could be conducted by all our leading Welsh composers. I earnestly hope that these few suggestions, after the very many others which I have thrown out during my 26 letters in these columns, may yet be taken up, and that they will do some good in promoting the interests of Cerddoriaeth a Cherddorion, Cymru lan, gwJad y gan."

SHRIMPS. The Thames shrimpers have been doing well this year. Sometimes they have sent as many as ten thousand gallons of shrimps to London, one firm alone taking a third of this quantity. The price paid to the fishermen ranges from threepence to two shillings a gallon, but the supply has to be very plentiful for it to sink below sixpence. Taking the year round, the average is about elevenpence. The selling price to the consumer by the first-class retailers is four shillings a gallon but this is for "the best selected." The shrimps when caught are sifted, and those under size are thrown overboard. When they reach Billingsgate they are again sorted out into qualities, and it is from the best that theliigh-priced ones are chosen. Out of each gallon sent from Leigh less than half is thought worth purchasing by the West-end fishmonger.—Leisure Hour.

It is not a difficult task to discover rare talent in young ladies whose parents are wealthy, THE LABOUR QUESTION. When labourers a lockout form They starve, while doing as they like Yet wealthy blacksmiths brave the storm Although they're always on the strike. The most happy man we know is an impecuni- ous editor who has been sued tor libel, damages placed at ICO.OOOdoIts. By George he says, remembering a Hibernian frightened at the presence of a burglar, "as soon as he gets the money I il get up and take it away from him." GIVING HIMSELF AWAY.—A burglar on trial at the New York Court of General Sessions took the stand in his own behalf, testifying that he was innocent. But. said the district attorney, suppose I should tell you that there was some- body in the room looking at you when you took that watch?"—"That's not so," replied the accused.—"How do you know it is notso?"—"You can t stuff me. I looked all over the room, and there was nobody there except me. You don't suppose I'de be a darned fool, do yuu ?" The jury found a verdict of guilty without leaving their seats. A story from Bohemia. says a man at Prague swallowed a small watch with chain attached, which a joker had slipped into a glass of beer while the man's back was turned. The victim now lies in a critical condition, the metal having poisoned his stomach. It is too late to make the suggestion now, but it he had visited the constitu- tional centennial celebration in Philadelphia last month, he would have been quickly relieved of j his watch—as well as all other valuables about the person. He may die before the next centennial is celebrated, L

AT THE MASQUERADE. — M*rgu*rite (Mrs •Sicaro); "I enjoyed the waltz fxceedingly, lom — Mephistopheies (Mr Sie*ni) How did yj1 know ine, Eth^l! Isn'c my disguise good ?" -Marguerite: Excellent, Tom but you "must remember that you are the only man in the woclli who mixes gin with his sherry and bittera.

TALK OF THE TOWN. REVOLUTION IN EMBRYC—GUYING THE "SPECIALS" —ALMA MATER AND HER SUCKLINGS—VAL. BAKER'S BROTHER—BAKER PASHA—A YANKEE SOCIETY PAPER-SOME ITEMS—A FORTUNATE CH.RK — PRESIDENT GREVY "CRERCHEZ LA FEMME"—LIMOCZTX AND CAFFAREL—KING FOG —GETTING HOME—AN OLD GARDEN BLOOMING AGAIN—" WE'LL BIUNG DOWX THE RED DEER." Trafalgnr-square h<s lately been the site of stirring scenes. From lesser incentives revolution has sprung to sudden life. The special did not present a very formidable appearance, though I saw them walking in an air of glory." There were seven generals the first day f service, and an indefinite number of njidemen. Young ladies had forked badges for the. arms of succour, and few were undecorated. In the olden days of ehivalry knights bore their lady love's tokens with them to the field-a rose, a scarf, a glove to-day, see bow history repeats itself GO WHERE CLORY WAITS THEE, BUT, WHILE FAME ELATES THEE, OH! STILL REMEMBER ME." Passing along Trafalgar-square, I was greatly amused with a band of street arabs, wild, ragged urchins, who had formed themselves into a regiment," as they called it, and, armed with sticks, and with badges on the right arms—a dab of red paint in the form of a cross-marched up and down, cheeking the constables, and taking off the specials with true gutter humour. The constables seemed to like it, they laughed so heartily-almost as beartiiyas some of them did at the "specials" themselves. I remember, some five-and-twenfy years ago, being in Cambridge when Alma Mater gave her suckling to the Volunteer cause. I used to watch the youths at drill. Thp officer in command was a gentleman-commoner of Magdalen College. He was studying for the Church militant. He had been in the navy, then in the Blues, and was now fortunate enough tc find in his many-sided career an opportunity of keeping his hand in while aiming at the cassock. There was a review of the regiment" one day in the summer term. A military inspector came down for the occasion. Cambridge was en fete. There was a flower show, a ball, and entertainments galore. I was with a group of friends, when, in a pause of the procaed- ings, the inspector—who had served in the Crimea -joined us, and said that, as he was passing down the line, a subaltern on duty called to him from the ranks" I say, I'm getting tired of all this I want to go home to dinner.' But these were early days. Gradually the military spirit intensified, and, nowadays, discipline is as well understood and recognised in a volunteer camp as at Aldershot. The volunteer officer of the many- sided career was a younger brcther of the late BAKER PASHA, t late colonel of the lOch Hussars, a brave soldier and a geuial comrade. Few men have expiated a sin so nobly and uncomplainingly as did Valentine Baker. A paper which was more virulent in its attiiek on the unfortunate officer than any of its contemporaries has an absurdly patronising paragraph, to the effect that, during that gentleman's frequent visits to this country in later years, he bore himself with "commendable modesty of demeanour." Now, is it not a saving grace that this particular print should consider modesty commendable?'' But then, alas one does not at all times adopt commendable examples. A society—save the mark—paper hae recently bpen started by an American clique. It is smart and readable, but its notes on society read a little funny. The handling of the peerage is specially funny. But Jonathan will learn he is bold, he is unique, and he amuses. Here is a social note "Mr Lionel A. Tollemache is dead. He lived in Bryanston-f-qnare, and (sie) was married to one of the late Major-General Hope's daughters;" this only watits-" And of such is the kingdom of heaven." Also I read in Truthful James Mnx Craik, the authoress, left about £ 17,000, most of which goes to her adopted daughter, Miss Dorothy Creik. Her copyrights go to her husband." The marriage of the popular author of John Halifax, Gentleman," had more than a touch of romance-it had a flavour of chivalry. Miss Mulock was travelling to London with Mr Craik, son of Dr. Craik, minister of the Cathedral, Glasgow, when a railway accident took place, which deprived the young man of one of his legs. Miss Mulock nursed him through his time of trial, ahd when he had rscovered the pair were married. The lady was several years the senior. She never, after early girlhood, looked young, being prim of aspect. She also dressed old. The last time I saw her was at a blind asylum fete, when her toilette was archaic. Her bonnet was the forty year ago cottage shape, with a curiam behind, and it was tie 1 unrior her chin. Siie might have easily passed for seventy. But the face was sweet and good, very calm in expression, and pure. Mr Craik, through his lucky marriage, gradually rose to be a partner iu Macmdlan, the publisher's, firm. When lie left Glasgow to accom- pany Miss" Mulock to London, he was clerk in an accountant's otftce in that city of mist and mire. There is an old French saying we all quote, i.e., that whenever mischief is afloat, cherckez lafemme" Never was saw more apt than in the case of the lite Paris scandal, in which the prime mover was a woman, 0: MADAME LIMOUZtN AND GINERAL CAFrARe present the usual combination of successful villainy—a rogue and a fool. The lady is a wit of fine intelligence. Since she left St. Lazaire Prison, every reporter on the Paris Press has interviewed her so her story is a twice-told tale. The lovely intriguante, on being turned out of her apartment by the virtuous landlord, proceeded to a friendly restaurant at Mont- martre, called the Chat Noir-bow fitting !-and there, for a whole afternoon, she kept the re' porters spellbound by her graphic powers of de- scription. No name was sacred on her vivacious lips. Our sketch is from a Paris drawing take? in court. If ever man died hard, that man waf PRESIDENT GREVY. Lik3 an honest man, the French President states he has not retired of his own free will, but because he found it impossible to carry on the Government. Iu the complications he foresees at home and abroad be also toreeees the probable doom of the Republic. Reverting a moment to the American Society journal, here is how it anuoonces the return to town of distinguished or prominent persons: The Hon. Mrs Jsorth Dalrymple has come back to London, and is to be found at 27, Bruton- street." We are also told that a Lieutenant- Colonelcy has been granted to Mr' Bolland Newton, the general manager of the North London Railway." The particular arm of our military force to which the new lieutenant-colonel belongs is not stated. Perhaps the enterprising editor thinks General Manager a military grade here bat then it is very difficult to under stand American editors. The fog and dreariness of this November will not soon be forgotten—by those who survive the infliction. A well-known publisher in the Strand told me the fog extended into the suburbs. He found it so dense at his station that his carriage had not been able to make its way there for the purpose of conveying him home on his re,urn from town. He set out to walk, but landed in a ditch, and after describing a field, and falling into a hedge, he found himself suddenly back at bis point of departure-the station so he took a re.urn train to town, managed ta get to another line of railway, and caught a train which took him nearer his home, which he reached by midnight. Many had to stay in town 411 night. At one time the darkness could almost be felt. I happened to be near the Mansion House, and took refuge in the Under- ground, where it was light and airy in comparison to above ground. It was in the midst of gloom and fog that Canon Barker opened his unique bazaar at Portman Rooms, Baker street, the ancient scene of Madame Tussaud's giory. The great room WKS a reproduction of the old Mary- bone Gardens," which took their rise at the end of the seventeenth century. Various entertainments were there provided for the public—at first free, afterwards on the payment of a small fee. a shilling giving in addition, refreshment. Music, dramatic performances, lectures, and fire. works drew crowds. To-day Mary bone church is in debt, and its presiding etMoymtn, Canon Barker, seeks to clear the burden by a bazaar, with a grand mise cn. scene of the famous Gardtbs' departed glories. The reproduction was excellently executed by the eminent antiquary, Mr Harris. The stali-holders were many of them in seven- teenth-century costumes — quilted petticoats, Dolly Varden polonaise, with paniers, and mob caps—little lads With white wigs and velvet suits, and attendants in the livery of the same period. There was a reproduction of the old inn, "The Rose of Normandy." The whole thing was well done, and kept going for five days. There was the usual heterogeneous collection of things—a genteel sort of broker's repertory. Various entertainments kept the ball going till ten of the clock. I was offered an ivory paper- cutter, made of ivory" warranted" to be 10,000 years old. Perhaps so. A good many things are "perhaps" in this world. They have had lively times of it due North. The crofters are vindicating their Celtic blood by becoming a law unto themselves. In this instance the game is human it is, so far as the thing itself goes, legitimate—it is deer. THET DRIVE THE FRIGHTENED CREATURES INTO THE SEA. The spirit is agrarian, and the animals :ore tL" intruding tenants. The crofters want the land to which the presence of the deer gives &1. ab- normal value, the rent of a deer forest be; higher than that of many farms. Surely man has more right to live than deer. About thirty years ago an Irisbjsquire died. He had been good landlord, and a benevolent neighbour. The night of his funeral, which was an immense and picturesque one, the deer park of his place was entered, and forty deer were wantonly slaughtered upwards ef 160 escaped, only to fall victims to anyone who ceuid get a shot or a stone at them. No reason was given for the outrage. ZINCO.

ROMANCE. But do you never, Mrs Lovibond, experience an aching void? "Oh, yes, generally at dinner. time!"

The turkey is now at its best, but how fleeting is all the fatness and glory of this world. GRAVITY.-The gravest bird is an owl; the gravest animal is a ass; the gravest fish is aa oyster, which vpeneth not his mouth an the gravest man is s'enera]!y a.—fooL Mrs de Tone: "And what did you think of Home?" Air: Startl.p:Qh. they have such miserable shops there !• Would you believe it ? I went to every shop in Rome without finriipp eoaae buttons I wasipa to lartcb 1"