The Cardiff Times

Being the Random Recollections of a South Wales Journalist, BY J. C. MANNING (CARL MORGANWG), Author of Frozen Hearts," Paul Tracey's Legacy," &c. CHAPTER IV. THREE HISTORIC EVENTS. There are three historic events, the recollection of which will always be endowed with special interest in the minds of Cardiff people. These are the coming of age of the Marquess of Bule, his lordship's marriage, and the birth of the first child. I had left South Wales, and was living in London, when the first of this interesting triplet and red-letter days came round, but lost no time in obtaining a commission from several of the leading metropolitan journals to send in special correspondence on the subject, to which was added a mandate from the Scotsman, the leading daily paper in Scotland, to send as fuU a report of the proceedings as time and circumstances would allow. On the occasion of the marriage I was told off to record the section of the day's work which comprised the arrival of the Marquess and Marchioness of Bute at Cardiff Station on the Great Western Railway and when the Lady Margaret was born, I was sent on a secret and special mission to Rothesay in order to transmit particulars of the event to the paper I represented at Cardiff. I say a secret mission, because I was simply instructed, by telegram to me at Swansea, to proceed to Glasgow by the next tram, where I should find sealed instructions awaiting me at the George Hotel. I had no idea of the purport of my journey till I reached Glasgow, and my in- structions then were to proceed to Rothesay and await the coming event. LORD BUTK's COMING OF AGE. I shall not readily forget the tremendous en- thusiasm with which Lord Bute was received on the attainment of his majority—the great roar of warm hearted plaudits that went up as be landed from his yacht Ladybird and stepped on to the pier—the joyous shouts that followed him at every step m his progress through the town, and which only died away when his lordship disap- peared within his own historic castle gates. I had never seen Lord Bute previous to this. He was a profound mystery to many in South Wales—seen only through a glass darkly. A man of splendid physique- upright as a dart—with the healthful glow of perfect manhood mantling about bis handsome face—his general aspect endowed with the in- describable grace of retiring modesty, which seemed to me to imply a sense of his own inability to realise and to grasp aright the vast possibilities of the future, which opened up to his mental vision as the veil was lifted that had so long obscured them from his gaze. It was on the 12th of September, 1868, these hidden possibilities were revealed to Lord Bute for the first time in his life, and Cardiff may claim to itself, on the ground of historic right, the privilege of having to draw the veil aside. It is no flattery to say that Cardiff did this bravely and well. Who is it comes with ruddy cheek 1 And modest bearing o'er the sea, While fifty thousand voices break The air with love and loyally ? 'lis Bute's young chieftain come to claim A heritage of wealth and power- A noble and a blameless name, With heart just bursting into flower. And o'er the surging billows roll Outspoken plaudits, such as king's Can boast, a nation's soul In one glad shcut its "fealty brings. No sycophantic tone the cry That greets the lordly chieftain's ear Affection beams in eVtlry eye That meets his own both far and near. And in each heart there broods this tboucht: If one who won Qfold their love Could bear these sounds, ail blessine-fraught, High up in peaceful realms above—»!" ■ Alld out tbe cry ht weJcotne went, Like distant thunder o'er the sea.- A voice that filled the firmament, And told of life's best chivalry. They greet the son—they loved the sire; Their love for whom willllow be his Beats there a heart tuat could aspice To prouder heritage than this? The soul that hath its living root In such rare soil will spread amain— Wili blossom into glorious fruit, And live the lost life o'er again. The idea that forms the germ of the Tlast ot the foregoing lines is Lord Bute's own, and it seems to me particularly striking. In the afternoon of the day on which he arrived at Cardiff the traders and working men of the town gave a banquet to his lordship, at which some 12,000 persons were present. Lord Bute said I mean, to the very utmost of my ability, to do my duty towards this place to the end of my life, and in this I will ask you to help me. We must work for the increase of Cardiff in pros- perity, in trade, in wealth, and in power and successful enterprise. We must work for the increase of Cardiff in knowledge and in purity we must strive as far as in us lies to ameliorate and abolishes far as we can, the misery, the crime, the sin with which we are surrounded. These, as you know, were the daily aspirations of my father, whose useful and meritorious life I am this day commencing to live over again.J RFJOICING FOR A WEEK. The festivities and rejoicings at Cardiff to celebrate tho occasion extended over a whole week. His lordship arrived by sea on board his yacht, being escorted from mid-channel by a fleet of over 70 craft of all sizes belonging to the port. On reaching the pier he was met by Mr John Boyle, Mr M'Connoclne, and the dock officials, by the mayor, Mr R. Lewis Rsece, and members of the corporation, the civic and ecclesiastical dignitaries, and the mili- tary bodies of the town. Arriving at Cardiff Castle, his lordship, in reply to an address from the Mayor and Town Council, delivered a brief speech containing these memor- able words:—"During the life-long connection which will be between me and you, it is my hope and desire, and I will even add, the determination of my will, that 410 effort shall be wanting on my part to the utmost of my ability to gain your friendship and respect, by the conscientious discharge of those duties which devolve on me by virtue ot my position." LORD BUTE'S MARRIAGE. Lord Bute was married on the 16'Ji of April, 1872. The ceremony took place at the Brompton Oratory, London, and the arrival of the newly- wedded pair at Cardiff afforded the people another opportunity of manifesting their loyalty and affection. The bride was accompanied to the altar by eight bridesmaids, the bridegroom's best man bemg Lord Mauchline, son of the Countess of Loudoun, and nephew of the Marquis of Hast- ings, the bridal ceremony being performed by the Right Reverend the Archbishop, now Cardinal Manning. After, the wedding breakfast, which took place at Lord Howard's town residence, the newlv-wedded pair left London for Cardiff Castle, being received on their arrival at Cardiff with every manifestation of joy and enthusiasm by the inhabitants, who assembled in a vast crowd to welcome the bride to her new home. The Mar- chioness of Bute is the eldest daughter of Lord Howard of Grossop, and is said to have been the "Clare Arundel" introduced by Mr Disraeli, afterwards the Earl of Beaconsfield, into his novel of Lotha.r," of which work the hero, Lothair, is said to have been the Marquess of Bute. THE BIRTH OF LADY MARGARET. The little Lady Margaret, the infant daughter of the house of Bute, was born at Mount Stuart House, Isle of Bute, in Scotland, on the 24-th of December, 1875, and was baptised after sunset the same evenicg; in the private chapel at Mount Stuart. I was the only representative of the press who was privileged to be present at the baptism and as Mount Stuart House and the little chapel have sino$been destroyed by fire, I feel a par- donable-pride in recording the fact that the description I sent, or rather brought myself, for publication at Cardiff, is the only descriptiVe account extant of the won- derful treasures contained in that same private chftpel in which the interesting historic event took placo, which I was sent so many miles to chronicle. I had a letter of introduction to Father Smith, the chaplain of the household—I think his name was Smith, but am not quite sure —and my progress was thus made easy. TREASURES IN THE PRIVATE CHAPEL. The private chapel in which the ceremony of baptism took place was a veritable casket, fitted with gold, and silver, and precious stones. The 'Me cary«t<a tawju standing about a foot high, and fifteen inches in diameter, supported by the expanded wings of the four evangelists—Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. The figures were represented kneeling on a base of crystal, and holding in their hands each his own Gospel, with a Greek inscription showing the opinion of each on the subject of baptism. The figures were of solid silver. The head of St. Matthew was that of an eagle, that bird being eanerallv held to represent the evangelist the head of St. Mark was that of a lion, for the same reason the bead of St. Luke was that of an ox, and the head of St. John that of a man. The eyes in each case were of precious stones, being exact facsimiles of the eyes of the bird and the animals represented. Over the altar, and painted on the wall, was represented the Saviour with a rock at his feet on each side of Him-were the Blessed Virgin and the whole of the Apostles, and in one corner holy innocents played with palm branches. From the rock four streams of water flowed, representing the four rivers of Paradise, which broke into cascades against the seven golden candlesticks, and were represented asrflowiug in a stream—the river of life—down each side of the chapel, on the banks of which, on one side, walk- ing towards the Saviour, the whole length of, the building, were the female martyrs, bearing instruments of martyrdom and palm branches and on the other side, also waHking towards the Saviour, the male martyrs, bearing similar instruments and palm branches. Near the rock were represented several harts approaching to drink the water, in illustration of the text-" As the hart panteth after the- fountains i of water, so my soul panteth for thee, 0 Lord." The back of the altar consisted of beautifully carved fretwork, so arranged as to show through the interstices the various coloured silks used for the several cere- monies and festivals, for the sacrament of baptism the colour being white. On the altar was a silver bust of Margaret, Queen of Scotland, placed there temporarily during the ceremony, St. Margaret being the patron saint of the Marchioness of Bute. The bust was surmounted by a fac-simile of the crown of Scotland, now in Edinburgh Castle. Stone for stone it was identical with the crown worn for centuries by the Scottish sovereigns. It was a masterpiece of jeweller's work, and was encrusted with a profusion of precious stones, the eyes of the figure being composed of stones, which gave a marvellous life-like expression to the face. The antiquity of the original diadem of which this was a copy is traced by general consent to the reign of Robert of Bruce. Father Smith was the officiating priest, and the address from the steps of the altar was delivered by Monsignor Capel. A LONS [TELMRAM. Next dayHvas Christmas Day, and it was on a Saturday. I had given notice at the post-office that I should have a long press message to send through to Cardiff, but when, later in the day, I handed about three columns of newspaper matter to the postmaster, told him be could take that to begin with, and by the time he had got it through I should have as much more ready for him, he opened his eyes to their widest possible extent, and began fingering the batch of manu- script with an abstracted air that implied serious doubts as to the mode of dealing with so formidable a message. "DO TOU WANT IT ALL SENT THROUGH?" he asked, with a bewildered look. Yes," said I, and as much more-for goodness sake don't say you can't do it!" He said he could certainly not get it all through, but would set about it at once and do his best. This was hardly good enough the resources of the office were evidently restricted, and I saw there was going to be a collapse. Why not start off at once and insure the delivery of my copy by taking it to Cardiff myself? To think was to act. The Glasgow steamer was lying alongside the quay ready to start-I could see it from the window of the Bute Hotel where I was stopping. There were no other means of getting to Glasgow from Jibe Isle of Bute that night, and the evening was already advanced. Five minutes served to pay the hotel bill, to gather my traps together, and to stuff them into my portmanteau as I ran hurriedly towards the quay less than a hundred yards off, shouting lustily to the skipper of the steamer to hold his hand, and I jumped aboard just as the gangway had been hauled in and the vessel began to move off. A TROUBLESOME JOURNEY. On arriving at Glasgow I found that the trams were timed to run on Christmas Day the same as on Sunday, and the calculation I had made of being able to reach South Wales in the course of the night was knocked on the head. There was no help for it. I had Sunday before me, and the very best that could possibly be done would be to reach Cardiff by the ten o'ciock train on Sunday night. At Crewe I had to wait several hours, and while there I handed in an explanatory message for Cardiff, which I afterwards found was never sent. Will this train catch the South Wales train from Hereford ?" I asked anxiously of the guard, as I joined the train at Crewe. uWe don't always catch it," was the reply, and I doubt if we shall do so to-night—the excursions throw everything out of gear." This was not encouraging. The train was timed to leave Hereford for South Wales about eight o'clock, and the train from Crewe to arrive at Hereford a few minutes before that time. I caught the train, and barely, for it was on the move as I ran out of the booking-office after taking my ticket. "THANK GOD YOU HAVE COME!" were the first words that greeted me on stepping to the platform at Cardiff. It was one of the reporters (Mr Ward, junior), who bad been sent to reconnoitre the last train from the North as a forlorn hope. There's been the very devil to pay," said be; "we have been wiring all the world over for you." "Didn't you get my tele- gram from Crewe ?" I asked. Not a word," was the reply. on, for goodness sake, and report yourself." I met my chief on the lower stairs leading to the editor's room. "You have nearly been the death of us all," he said, with a dolorous aspect that was decidedly comical. A little higher up I met his chief, with wbite face and eager eyes, looking ex- pectantly down into the gloom below. "Got your copy ready ?" he quietly asked, with that practical eye to the main chance which was always one of his most prominent characteristics. My answer was to hand him a bundle of copy almost as big as himself, with which he bounded into the sub-editor's room. A little higher up I met his chief—the ruling spirit of the whole concern—who stood on the top step of the landing, looking as though he contemplated throwing himself down upon me, but was magnanimously thinking better of it for fear fie.might hurt himself. Explanations ensued, and all finished as merrily as a marriage bell, but the newspaper readers of South Wales never knew, from that day to this, how uear they were to being deprived of that which I went so many miles to obtain, and which would never, in so complete a form, have found its way to Car- diff in time by any other means than the one adopted. (I*o be continued.)

A RUM MISTAKE. Hairdresser A little Bay Rum, sir?" Customer I won't be troubling you fur any jist now, for I've had a glass o' beerj an' I hate to mix tne drinks."

THIi: SMALL BOY IN CLOVER. 'WA're living on the toppest shelf, We'e everything from goose to grouse; I haint been licked for most week, 'Cause we've got company 't our house. When we're alone my ma is strict, An' makes me keep as still's a mouse, But now I make a heap o' noise, 'Cause we've got ccmp'ny't our house. We've peach preserves an' pumpkin pie, An* jelly cake three times a day, An' I'm havin' such a bully time, I w»hs4 <m eomp'gg oosatio et** t

WELSH GLEANINGS. I (By Lloffwr.) The one thing which is occupying public atten- tion in South Wales, almost to the exclusion of all others, is the Merthyr election. People are asking one another who will be chosen to stand as the accredited candidate of the Liberal party ? A number of names have been mentioned as probable candidates, and whoever may be chosen may consider that he has beenijononred in no small degree in being chosen from so many good and able men. Until the choice of the Liberal Association has been made it would not become me to mention names. Still, as a Welshman, and as one who knows something of Welsh feeiing, I shall be readily excused for stating a hw general principles, which represent not my own views alone, but those of a large and increasing number of Welsh Nationalists. 'It This election brings us face to face with one of the most iunjwrtant aspects of the alleged revival of Welsh national feeling. If Cymru Fydd is anything but a name, if the agitation initiated by the Welsh national party aims at anything, it the public utterances of its leaders mean more than emply bluster, then one of the foremost demands of the Welsh national party is a better representation in Parliament of Welsh feeling. It is only uttering a truism to say that Wales is essentially and intensely Liberal. But this is only apart of the truth. Liberalism in Wales means more than Liberalism in the abstract. It means Welsh Liberalism, in which the special claims of Wales have to be added to, and sometimes take precedence of, the ordinary objects and aims of the, LiLeral party. < Viewed in this light, the holding of advanced Liberal principles is only one of the qualifications necessary for a typical Welsh Liberal member. Such a member must be a Liberal, but he must be more than a Liberal-he must be a Welshman in sym- pathy, if not in birth and speech. This is not raising the cry of Wales for the Welsh. It is not ignoring or under-estimating the value of vertices rendered to the cause of Welsh reform by those who cannot boast of Welsh blood or descent. 'It 'It As of yore, so is it now, tbey are not all Israel which are of Israel," and the possession of Welsh blood does not at all times carry with it Welsh sympathies. Unfortunately, we can look around us and see many who clfim to be considered Y\ elsnmen, and who are sofin a limited sense, but who are to all intents and purposes as thoroughly English in thought and feeling and as blind to or ignorant of Welsh nflftds as though they had never visited this side of Offa's Dyloe. In the sense of Welsh Nationalists such men. would not for a moment be deemed Welshmen. On the other haud, we have among us men from other nationalities whose great services to the cause of Welsh reforms give them a claim to 'be considered as thoroughly Welsh in their apprehension of eur needs, and in their sympathy with our aspira- tions, as though they had been born and bred among us. Such men are honoured in Wales fn^ ^ales. f$ut those who, being strangers to the sod, have only a casual and superficial acquaintance with the Principality, or who, being Welsh by birth or descent, have no sym- pathy with Welsh demands, and being to all intents and purposes English in their inclinations, do :not estimate the importance of Welsh movements, cannot for that reason be regarded as suitable representatives of Welsh opinion. # We now come back to the question, What are the qualifications necessary in a Nationalist repre- sentati ve of a Welsh constituency? He must in the first place evidently be an advanced Liberal, for Liberalism and Welsh nationalism run to a great extent on parallel lines. But he must bo more than this. He must be perfectly orthodox in the Welsh political faith, thoroughly Welsh in sympathy, conversant with Welsh needs, and devoted to Welsh interests. • Welsh constituencies demand the formation of a Welsh party in Parliament. Fidelity to such a party will be an indispensable qualification in a typical Welsh member. Among the Possible contingencies oitha future is a collision between the Welsh, party and even a Liberal Government. Fidelity to the cause of Welsh nationality would demand in Buch cases that the Welsh party should be supported even in opposition to a Liberal Govern- ment if that Government persistently ignored a reasonable Welsh demand. If Welsh nationality has any backbone in it, it will no longer silently or patiently permit Welsh interests to be neglected, ignored, or thrust into the back- ground to make way for any and every trivial matter which even a Liberal Government may deem to deserve first attention, W In choosing, therefore, a candidate as suit- able to represent a thoroughly Welsh con- stituency the possibility of such a collision must not be overlooked. It is possible that in the past we have been too prone to look for men who will "honour" a constitu- ency by representing it in Parliament. Honour is all very well in its place, but it will not advance Welsh interests It is not honour, but loyal service, that Wales needs just now, and it is this loyal service that Welsh constituencies should demand. On one occasion a Welsh member resigned his seat ttrat Lord Hartington might "honour VVales by representing her in Parliament. Let his record be searched, it will be searched in vain for any real service he rendered Wales while filling a Welsh seat. Much is being said of the importance of keeping the Liberal party united. It is important it should be kept united, but the unity of the Liberal party in Wales can only be maintained by paying due regard to the rapid growth of the Welsh national feeling, and the demands growing .mt of the special cir- cumstances of the principality. it Thê Liberal party in Merthyr has a grave responsibility. It has its own honour to maintain. For 20 years it has been represented by a man who won the proud dis. tmotion of being considered the member for Wales, and who won that distinction by devotion to the Welsh cause in its darker and feebler days. It cannot now, when that cause is coming prominently to the front, -afford to choose a man who does not know, or sympathise with, Welsh needs, and who is not prepared to be in every con- tingency a member for \VaIes as well as a member for Merthyr.. v » • The honour of Wales, is also involved in the choice of Merthyr. This is practically the first ejection since Welsh nationality has assumed an "aggressive form, and Merthyr, as a Welsh constituency, owes a duty to the principality. That it v/ifl perform this duty nobly I have little doubt. I think Wales can rest assured that the Liberal party in Merthyr and Aberdare will choose a man who has a personal knowledge of W%m«eeds, a deep and sincere sympathy with ^elsh aspirations, and who is prepared to svva*L-- JAWty to the Welsh party of the future. » It is pleasant to turn irom purely political to purely literary matters, J ^Hve just received a copy of the first number of "Oid Welsh Chips," consisting of Notes, OqjiMies, replies, and a collection of popular hii$nca £ biographical, and antiquarian chit-chat, reSfttittSLto Wales and the borders. The truigaJSftfe" Consists of 40 well printed pages, and is enclosed in a neat yellow cover, bearing the red dragon of Wales promi- nentiy on the front page. The leek has been very wtirtK»lly and the only fault I fillll in the conception is that the shield which is borne by the dragon does not bear the royal aims of Wales, the four lions of Prince Llewelyn. • • ♦ As to the literary contents of the number, we have a very interesting sketch of American work on Welsh genealogj this is succeeded by the, first part of a. deeply-interesting sketch of an old Brecon poet-" Henry Vaughan, Silurist,"—from the able pen of a lady who is well-versed in her county's history, and who is also able to express her thoughts in very felicitous languarge. The article will hnve done its work if it only succeeds in enlightening and interesting Breconsbire folk as to the life and writings of one of her most worthy sons. Much of Silui ist's poetry deserves to be placed side by side with the divine and solemn melodies of good, though quaint, George Herbert. North and South Wales are eqnally represented m the biographical section, for the next sketch tells us something of a Flintshire worthy—Lord Chief Justice Kenyon. The author of this paper, a rising young Breconian, Mr Ivor Bowen Jones, son of ttie Rev J. B. Jones, B.A., of Brecon, has done his work well: a more careful piece of sum- marized and succinct writing is seldom mat with. All the chief incidents in the Welsh Chief Jus- tice's life are set forth, and the article is impartial and just. « Then follow a number of short articles, all front the pen of the editor, on the following sub- jects :—A Famous Dictionary by a Welshman The History of Anglesea One Hundred Years Ago; The Welsh Gold Fever of To-day The Guests of Dowlais Eisteddfodic Notes of Sixty- Five Years Ago In Memoriam—1887. Notes and Queries on Historical and Biographical subjects follow. Of course there can be no "replies" in the initial part. Then follow a few pages of literary, art, and social notes referring to the Principality. We are told something about the connection of several eminent litterateurs, theologians, and scientists with the Principality. Altogether the magazine, from cover to cover, is replete with 'matter of the deepest interest to lovers of Welsh lore. That there is a wide field for such a magazine among us nono will doubt, and that Mr Poole, of Brecon, has aimed at filling this want in a worthy manner all will admit when they have perused the first number. Some time ago there appeared in'the Cardiff Times the Welsh and English words of a new national song, Up with the Leek." The author of the Welsh words was Mr Iwan Jenkyn, F.R.H.S., well knownas a most ardent nationalist. The words have been set to music by Mr R. S. Hughes, and the song, with Welsh and English words, and with solfa and old notation on the same copy, has just been issued in the usual form by Mr D. Jenkins, Mus. Bac., Aberystwyth. This is only one of the series of Welsh national songs issued by Mr Jenkins to which I have or several occasions referred. If the present sone., is a sample of the others, the series should prove highly popular. • Mr Iwan Jenkyn has just afforded another practical proof of his strong national inclinations. He has just issued the programme of a musical entertaiument intended to be beld on St. David's Day in connection with the Cefufies Schools, of which he is headmaster. The programme con- sists entirely of Welsh national airs and songs set to Welsh words. As Mr Iwan JAnkyn says in a note which accompanies the programme, "If we can but fill our children's minds with love of their country, its songs, and its language, they will grow up nationalists." Mr Jenkyn's annual Welsh school concerts have been a great success in the past, and afford an example which other Welsh teachers would do well to follow.

THE FAMOUS VICTORY AT NEWPORT, (By Old Stager.) The representative team of Welsh Rugby Football players that on Saturday last encountered Scotland gained a great victory-two victories, in fact. In the fir-t place, they defeated our friends the enemy from the land of brown heath and shaggy wood, and in the second place-and per- haps 'twas a more famous victory still—they con- quered the editor of the Cardiff Times. Hitherto the editor, much to my exceeding dolour, has somewhat set his face against permitting foot- ballers to have an innings in these columns, but now, getting entangled in the gceat wave of enthusiasm that swept over the country on Saturday evening last, he has so far relaxed from his set line of policy as to permit me to have the honour of recounting to the readers of this journal some of the leading incidents of the now historic battle waged on the ground of the Newport Cricket, Athletic, and Football Club. Elsewhere I have already had a good deal to say on the same subject, and it is difficult in going over the ground again to avoid incurring the charge cf repeating oneself. Therefore I will assume that for the nonce I am addressing a circle who do not ordinarily follow the fortunes of the gams or its champions. Subscribers to the Saturday night football edition of the Echo and Monday's South IValcs Daily News, please take note. Well, to explain why it is we who do take an interest in Welsh football, or rather football as it is played in Wales, regard the victory of Saturday last in the light of a triumph, I must go back to the time-some eight or nine years ago for the moment I cau't remember the exact date-wheu Wales, which, so far as Rugby football is concerned, may be spelt South Wales, first placed an international team in the field. That team tried conclusions with England, and with results so disastrous that for very shame's sake I forbear to record the number of goals, tries and minor points by which we were defeated! Football, comparatively speaking, was then in its infancy in the Principality, but year after year saw it take enormous strides to the front. True, the area in which the Hugoygame is played, and which rnsy he said to be confined to the counties of Glamorgan Pembroke, Monmouthshire, and Dreconshire. has not been extended, but, nevertheless, it may be safely said that for one club we possessed, Ray nine years aKo, tbere are now ten or more. All this betokens increased interest in the game, and this increased interest, gradual as was its creation, speedily brought about an improvement in the play or the leading clubs. In the first inter- national match phyed-that with England, already referred to-Wales went down badly, but since then her representatives have continued steadily to improve. On three occasions Ireland has been met and defeated, and year after year wehave got closer and closer to England, the match of last season, played at Lianelly, ending in a draw in favour of Wales. This season, for reasons which I need not enter upon bere, England will not take part in international matches, so that we are precluded from following up our win over the Caledonians by treating the Saxons in a similar style. AH this, however, does not explain why we should feel so elated with the victory just THE KICK OFF. attained over the Scotchmen. Well, the reason lies thusly :—Although we could during the last three or four years make a stubborn tight of it with England, although we could beat Ireland-last time, it must be confessed, somewhat flnkily—the Scotchmen, save on one occasion, three years ago, when the result was a draw, invariably walked over us. We thought they were going to repeat the operation on Saturday once more, and when we found that they were incapable of doing it, and that for once in a way the sun was to shine on our side of the hedge, what wonder if we felt, and still feel dis- posed, to indulge in a little swagger ? And now after this perhaps all too lengthy preamble, let me come to the match itself. The venue of the struggle "—I have chaffed the users of that phrase elsewhere, but am now rather glad to use it myself for want of a batter—was, as I have before stated, at Newport, and here let me express an opinion I have long beld-that from the point of view of a spectator, the Newport ground is out and away the bebt in Wales. The bicycle track running round it enables the crowd v to look on at a match without, as in the case of those who affect the sixpenny side at Cardiff, standing ankle deep in mud, and the spectators have the advantage over those at the Swansea ground, which possesses a similar track, of being closer to the tcucli-line, and, therefore, in a better position to observe the efforts of individual players. Both grounds in other respects are preferable to those of Cardiff and Llanelly, the raised banks under the walls affording people who can't afford the stand, and arrive too late to find a front place against the ropes, an admirable view. For the match under notice the accommo- dation, good as it is at Newport, had been im- proved by the erection in rear of one of the goals of a spacious stand, capable of holding some hundreds of spectators. The latter, many of whom were brought to the scene by special trains run frorr. all parts of South Wales, numbered between five and six thousand, a total which would have been largely exceeded had it not been for the increased prices charged for admis- sion. For fully an hour before the time advertised for the game to commence the crowd had begun to assemble, and loud and hearty cheers hailed the advent on the ground of the teams. The Scotchmen, clad in dark blue jerseys, and headed by their captain, Charley Iweid—a veritable giant—were the first to step 011 to the ground, and then came the Welshmen in scarlet jerseys, their breasts adorned with the Prince of Wales' feathers. To Tom Clapp, of the Newport team, the oldest international of the fifteen, was deputed the captaincy of the Welsh team. The "spinning of the coin" resulted in favour of Clapp, who marshalled his men at. the upper end of the ground, and then, amidst a hush of expectancy, Charley Reid placed the ball in the csntre of the field, and kicked off. Wbeawefaw the two fifteens, even those of us who were most sanguine as to the prospects of the Welshmen felt despondent. Our men, wen- developed fellows as they were, were such mere dwarfs beside the Scotchmen. And then that kick off. That was not reassuring. Straight as an arrow flew the ball across the Welsh goal-line, and Roberts, a youngster from Llanelly, who was entrusted with the onerous task of defending the goal, had perforce to touch down in defence. "Piny up, Walss shouted the crowd, as Roberts or Arthur Gould, I forsel which, dropped out, Rnd right well the gallant little Welshmen responded to the cail. "PLAY UP, WALES." Arthur Gould, the fa- mous NewJt¡,t lad, who is now recognised s»s one of ^the finest three queers in the kingdom,"aud was ad- mitted in this match by the Scotchmen to be the best mau on the ground, carried the ball away to the Northern- ers' end of the field amidst wild and en- thusiastic cheers. The "leather" gut into scrtminnge, and pre- sently emerged under the heels of the Welsh forwards. "Buller" Stadden, a Yorkshire- man" halE" of Cardiff origin, had it up in a twinkling, and, pitch- ing it to Pryce Jen- kins, a Carmarthen lad, the latter dodged the entire body of Scotch backs and gained a try for Wales. How we cheered I shan't pretend to describe. Suffice it to say that the thousands of throats present did their level best for the space of fully a minute to make all the noise they could. The place kick, taken by Xedzlie, of Cardiff, failed, bat we recked not of that. Let Scotland score what they would they could not now beat us pointless. 1 aster grew the game after this, and fierce were the onslaughts of the Northerners on the Welsh goal line, but they could not score. Twice they nearly managed the trick, but George Bowen, one of Swansea's best, was there ready to receive them on the line, and the Scotchman in possession had to bite the dust, which, on this occasion, happened to be mud. "WELL TACKLED." Still, although unable to mak3 the scoring level, n Scotland twice more exacted a touch in defence before half-time. The smallest and weakest must in the end go to the wall, we all thought, and we fully anticipated in the next half seeing Scotland pile it on. How agreeably were we disappointed. The physically weaker men—the Welshmen— soon showed us the value of possessing science and skill when brute force and want of know- ledge have to be encountered. Working like horses and displaying vastly superior tactics to those of their opponents, they quite held their own in the second half, and the Scotchmen being unable to score, the call of no side left the Welshmen winners of a splendidly contested game by a try to 4 minors. When we in the crowd realised, and it was not easy to realise it either, that Wales had won, I will leave you to imagiue how we behaved, We cheered, yelled, and some of us—the more excitable- even indulged in a savage-like breakdown. Then a rush was made for some of the heroes of the fight, chief among all of whom let me lIame Arthur Gould, and bore them away in triumph to the King's Head Hotel, which hostelry both teams had fixed upon as their headquarters. SEK, THE CONQUERING HERO COMES." aUnn it} I _l • I ,If "uru wt, n<tu our UUHTYIplODS on terra firma, and given them a parting salute as they disappeared into the hotel to exchange the habiliments of the fight for the sober srarb of everyday life, we were not satisfied, but kept on cheering and yelling till the trains were due to convey us home. Thus we comforted ourselves at and after one of the finest football matches it has ever been my privilege to witness, and mv only wish is that I nviy yet have the oppor- tunity of lookiug on at such another, 1

THE CANDiD FRIEND. r Fritz married a very ugly girl, and on meeting hisfriend Rudolph, the former asked: "How do you like my wife's looks?" Jeewhilikins She must have a lot of money," replied the candid friend,

TALK OF THE TOWN. A MAILED SOLDIER — A MOTHKR'S AYXTETT- STEELED AGAINST FATE—A CIWKL TARANT—A SAD ANNIVKUSAKY — THE POLAR ASPIRANT — CHARLES WYNDHAJI—MISS LYDYA THOMPSON — BABICLTK "—A BlëAP. AT BAY—RESCUED—A LADY LION TAMER: HICH PI.UCK — THT! AMATEUR AGAIN -A LADY OF FORTUNE STAGR STFTCK—A PAYING GANFF-THI, SALON: ITS OBJECTS-)Ili:S'S DRESS OF THE FUTURE. I remember a few years ago, when Indian troubles were in the air, going with a near relative to choose a sword for her son, who had just been gi-z^tted to a weli-known fighting regiment ordered to the frontier. In the room of arms stood a lay figure in a coat cf mail, a cuirass hinging on a block close at hand. :My, friend surveyed the mailed figure wistfully, and then, closely examining the cuirass, asked its price anxiously. She was told it was not for sale—that it was only used as a piece of repre- sentatire accoutrement of the years goceby, when swords were ircre freely used than rifles, and combat was oftener hand-to-hand. She sat. down and sighed, with evident disappointment, saving, in an aside to me "Perhaps we can get another somewhere; I should like Percy to have one with him, they look so safe I often'thought of sending the incident to Punch, but that froutier business to-day recalls tears, not laughter. There is no armour against fate Death iavs hiu icy h aids on kings. But the Secretary for Ireland is STEELED AGAIXST FATE -a wise precaution where an iron rule has been I deemed necessary. Still, if safe from personal harm, the Chief Secret try is kindling a feeling of profound indignation against himself. Under I the Coercion Act nearly four hundred perbons have been flung into prison, including some of the bravest and best men in Ireland. The Dissenti- I ent Liberals prate about equal laws, yet net a dfzeu of the four hundred prisoners have ccmmitted offences known to the English law. Mr Balfour, in the true spirit of a mediaeval ruler, uses his power to lay political opponents by the heels. And this is how political prisoners are treated Mr O'Brien was robbed of his trousers, and Mr Blunt,of his overcoat. Mr Blunt now wears an overcoat, thouer it is a coat of prison cut. He is even allowed to walk about as well as be can manage to do so with his rheumatic pains. Mr Cox, M.P., after sentence, was confined in a flagged cell without a fireplace, or any other means of heating." The cell had been long dis- used, the walls were reeking with damp, and the lower portion of the window sasli was so rotted 4way, that Mr Cox had to fill the aperture with his tr.nffi"T to keep out the cold biting wind. He was allowed a mattress and a pillow on the plank bed, bui-, altogether, the cell was the most miserable, cheerless, ;id filthy apartment it is possible to conceive." By latest advices, Mr Cox was in prison clothing, and chopping wood in the gaol yard. Mr O'Brien I was released from Tullamore in a pitiable state. The case of Mr Lane, M.P., exhibits the atrocious system at its worst. lie may come out of prison completely deranged. His sensitive spirit and delicately nervous organization make him a model victim. He was put on bread and water for six days he had 110 exercise for eight days, and no sleep; and. subsequently, he was found "in a state bordering on mental and physical collapse," and "developing hallucinations" in a manner that gave a medical visitor the liveliest Concern. These cruelties perpetrated on Irish gentlemen recall tho worst days of the Venetian Republic, when the Council of Three used to send its doomed and helpless victims across the Bridge of Sighs. ■ £ One of the pluckiest histrionic feats of late years has been Charles Wyndham's invasion of German boards, and with unprecedented success too. We have all heard of his triumps at Berlin, and now we him bolder grywr., with his watch- word, "EXCELSIOR," CT.IMBIN'Ci TEE NORTHERN POLE. May be come down safely, and return tn 'js with his head in its right position, and benri&le. Fame does not overturn great minds. OhOTles Wyndham is one of the genuine successes of the stage, to which he drifted, natural like, from the Windsor Strollers, a body of smateurs supposed to be a very good imitation of the real thing., He is very popular, and much in request in Boeiitty. The Straud is lively just now with MISS LYDIA THOMPSON IN BABETTE." I I do not know anyone who carries off a leg p-urt like the charming Lydia. The Strand always does good business. The 50th ult. called to mind the d«ath of Gordon, as well as the anniversary of the execu- tion of Charles I., who was, some say, the last kiufc that "reigned "in Eugland, leaving m- to interpret reigning as we may. On the 30clj of January Charles died by the nation's act, and 239 years after the attempt to commemorate b:r a solemn mass in a Catholic church the death of his latest direct descendant, Bonnie Pri oce Charlie," fell abortively to the ground-nobody oared-the king is dead—Long live the King But Prince Charlie has a more enduring mottu- Agent toan even ttono—tM !tve< in ballact-lor e -v I and long years to come his name will still dwell in a halo of romance, and our posterity will sing Jacobite songs, forgetful or ignorant of the fact that they were written after the peaceful settling down of the Guelph dynasty in our midst. The Jacobite songs never rallied the clans to "ficht for Charlie" they rang their bold measure long after the "march of the Cameron men" had died in echo, and Charlie himself bad crossed another border, a miserable, worthless, druuken old reprobate. Facts are stubborn things. The London press haq been making merry over Mr Haweis's cock, which not only crew in the morn, but crew all night long, 28 times on one occasion, without more than a few seconds' inter- mission. Splendid copy this cock has been, and very amusing some of the leaders on the subject have been, that of the Daily Telegraph in especial. The agrieved lady bore the torment nine long sleepless months. She tried remonstrance and entreaty, then she interviewed the tiny parson, and things seemed likely to quiet down. The cock was silent for a week, then he began again with renewed vigour. Sleep fled the lady's pillow, and three times she beat a retreat into the country, only to return to hear her enemy as loud as ever. At last she carried her case into Court, but in the meantime some good angel walked off with the whole roost, and the lawsuit went off also. Perhaps Mr Haweis will buy another cock, and the Jaw may be called in again. The lady, who has suffered materially in health, is the youngest daughter of the late Sir William Jardine, of Applegarth, Dumfries- shire, the eminent ornithologist. I think, had -chanticleer known this fact, be would have timed his crowing better. I would suggest to Mr Haweis, as a suitable text for an early sermon. "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you." The man to whom so man eyes turn to see how the war wind blows, M. TIS-ZA, is at present a personage of as nmch import*noa as interest. He suspects Russia's intentions he has his weather eye upon Russia. A young man, half foreign, who has resided many years in Russia, told me this week that the feeling of the Country is extremely bitter towards England, even more so than against Germany, which they bate. The people, too, long for war. He lived familiarly among the peasantry, and he states that nothing would please them better than to arm against England. I asked him what the Czar said about it all. "He laughs at England," he replied. One day a. friend of mine "-whom he named-" happeneri to be with one of the Ministers when the Czir came into the room, holding a paper in his band. 'The Mahdi is up again,' he sa'd tell Mr Gladstone to frighten him with one of his Midlothian speeches. My friend thinks England strangely blind to Russia'* hatred. Katkoff could not understand us. Why does not England take Egypt, and let us annex Constantinople?" The answer to a Why is often very palpable Prince Bismarck's speech on Monday last bodes no good to Russia. The bear is treacherous. A tamer in Patis the other day was suddenly attacked by one. He fought him with his fists-he might have used his tongue w:th better effect. At last his son, a soldier, drew his sword, and gettii.g into the cage, CHARGED THE BEAR. The disabled tamer was tak^n out terribly mauled, and the bear was shot. These scenes are of frequent occurrence; very few tamers esea pe in the long run. A lady tamer in this country the other day bad her cheek torn opeu while placing her head in a lion's mouth. The animal, getting im- patient, suddenly closed its jaws, with the result named. Strange to say, it evinced no anger its paw descended on her shoulder, bruising it severely. The animal then retreated to a corner, crouching, as u in fear. Next day the plucky •■ivomiu wished to go through the performance ad usual, but the manager would not let iier. One evening recently, Miss Freake. the daugh- ter of Sir Thomas Freake, son of the self-made millionaire, and first baronet of that name, made her first appearance on the London stage in Cupid's Messenger, a little play-in by Laurence Cantley, which will now precede .Partners. It would be instructive to know under what condi- tions the young lady obtained the engagement (?), as there are certain occasions 011 which the ofiiceof paymaster is reversed. Amateurs often pay large sums to be allowed to strut and fret their hour" upon the stage, to the detriment of the genuine pro- fessional, and not always to the advantage of the piece. The amateur, as a rule, seldom rises above the mediocre. I have known cruel cases, in which artistes of established talent have been shunted to make room for a payiug amateur. In one instance the lady paid a heavy sum down, and understood to wear real diamonds, which she did, and which were worth many thousands. Miss 1 reake is a brisk, likely actress, but only trans- cendent talent can excuse a woniau of her fortune taking the place of a breadwinner. The Salon, the literary society which I bava frequently mentioned, holds its third meeting of the season on the 21st, in the art galleries of the Nineteenth Century Association, in Conduit- street. This society was instituted for tbe express purpose of banding brainworkers together, and bringing them into social intercourse with the capital that employs literary labour. It nomben over 200 members now, and is steadily increasing its circle. Valuable introouctions have been made already. Musical talent is also brought forward, aud foreigners of distinction are entertained. No such society has hitherto existed in London. It may interest some of my male readers to how that this season an effort iu distinguished quarters will be made to embelisb the dress of gentleaoen. Coloured silk scarves, or folders, will be worn between the waistcoat and the shirt, and knee breeches, silk stockings, aud buckled ISb" will be attempted. Z1NCO.

Betting on the races is on the increase. Did you ever back a horse, Darringer J" Onfy once, Bromley." Did you win ?" I lost five hun- dred dollars. I backed him into a shop window on Chestnut-street." Customer (in grocery StorC) picking away at tito raisin-box)-" What thps^ raisins worth boy! -°y Fi' cenfs." Costomor—" What, only five cents a pound ?" Boy—,r No fi» cents fer wot you ve eat."— A Texas exchange says; "Nothing is more pernicious than the.iiabit of contracting debts." How about the babit of -paying debts ? Is that not more pernicious, at least, from the creditor** standpoint ? If the German population of some Western cities continue to grow as it has been doing it won t be long before they will begin to raise the question, Is it advisable to continue the ■tiida of English in our public school*

FtTimsH THROTTflWOTTT fnM1),; f r OE EZVIAN-N l- & CO HAMPSTEAD.ROAD, LONDON. O A^PET DKpARXMENT.—OETZMANN"and CO. Gr, *»rosseis «'arpet at Is 9d and Is lid per yard. 2< ci,i 2s 3d and 2s 6d. Five-frame ditto, var i Hilton pile Carpe-ls at 3s 11 per j^hjvvith or without borders. 0E £ PIA™ aml CO,. CABINETMAKERS, UP- W^CM-'>TERKKS, and Complete House Furnishers, •j'v °y- 'li 73, 75, 77, and ',9, llampstead-road (near iW ■» am ^oul't-roail and Gower-street Station), l" mt"re> C'aipecs, Bedding. Drapery, Furnishing "oamonsery. Cutlery, Electro PUIE, China, Glass, -^giiianginsrs, Pictures, Bronzes. Clocks, 6iv. ILLUsTRAlïm CATALOG UE. post free. OK'J'ZMANN and CO., 07, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77. and 79, HAM P.-oTKAP-RO \D, (NEAR 'lOTJ'ENXIAM COLTKT-HOAD). õ;

ELECTRIC_ YEAST All BAKERS and gROCERS who require GOOD YEAST Should npply to THE LONDON AND WEST OF ENGLAND YEAST COMPANY, BRIDGE-STREET, CARDIFF, OR 1, OLD DOCK-STREET, NEWPORT. CHIEF OFFICES 53, BETHNAL GREEN-ROAD, LONDON, IT4 AND 31, STAPLETON ROAD. BRISTOL. See Testimonials from Dr D A VIES, late Medical Officer of Health for Bristol. 13210

THE TWO THOUSAND EJECTED MINISTERS. By the Rev. Kilsby Jones, I THE REV, SAMUEL JONES, M.A. ? Samuel Jones, M.A., was the "Querist" [ of the two last sketches. He was the son of John Roberts, of Conven, in Merioneth- shire, but his father at the time of his death [ resided near Chirk Castle, in Denbighshire. The difference in the surnames is accounted *or by the long continued practice of con- verting the Christian name of the father tnto the surname of the son, and, as a rule, adding an <!S)" which serves as the solitary Representative of the monosyllable "his' — clumsy but-well meant equivalent of the Welsh "Ab," of "Mab" (son). We know next to nothing about Samuel 'Tones's early history, including the name of the place where he was taught the first rudirnents of learning, and the name of the haPPy man who had the rare privilege and honour ot teaching so promising and gifted a pupil-who raised no expectations which ^ere not fully realized as an Oxford student, and during the whole of h's subsequent eventful, suffering life, fte matriculated at All Soul's College, Oxford, on the 11th of March, 1647, but he afterwards removed to Jesus College, where, in course of time, he became a fellow and tutor. He received Presbyterian ordination Taunton, and was inducted to the living of Llangynwyd, near Bridgend, Glamorgan- shire, some time before the Restoration, and he was ejected from the living in 1662. Hiani-stwife was Mary, the daughter of Rees Powell, Esq., by whom he had fourteen children, but most of them died in their in- fancy, and the mother herself died in giving birth to her fourteenth child, July 23, 1676, in the 38th year of her age. The following epitaph, evidently the composition of her affectionate husband, is still to be seen on ier tombstone in Llangynwyd Churchyard A living wife and mother dear, Asleep in Christ, is lodged here Reader, repent, thy minutes fly. Redeem thy time and learn to d:e; Now make thy peace in Christ alone; Slight not the counsel of a stone. Mr Jones was married a second time on the '-4th of August, 1677, to Mrs Mary David, Jf St Lythan's, near Cardiff. It doe. not Appear that he had any family by his second "dfe. Maria, his eldest daughter was married "*t Swansea, August 15, 1687, to Mr avi Tones, of the parish of Llangollen, one ofner father's pupils. This young man is described AS the son of a freeholder, and an old disci- ple." About the time of his marriage ae succeeded Mr Titus Thomas in the pastorate of the Independent Church at Shrewsbury, where he died, greatly lamented by an attached flock, in the year 1718. His son, Mr Joshua Jones, was for many years pastor of a Dissenting congregation in Man- chester. Brynllwarch, a respectable farmhouse in the parish of Llangynwyd, appears to have been Mr Samuel Jones's residence from the time of his marriage with his first wife to the end of his life. That farm was probably a fart of his father-in-law s estate, and constituted his daughter's dowry. Mr Jones was for many years before his death severely afflicted by that general complaint of hard students in that ags— stone in the bladder. Tormenting paroxysms of pain generally seized him once a fortnight, continuing for some days. He usually went through his ministerial service, though his excruciating pains extorted tears and groans, which occasioned frequent and affecting pauses in his dis- courses. His patience was most exemp- lary under all his bodily ills. He died in the 70th year of his age, on the 7th of September, 1697, and was buried on the 10th of the same month at Llangynwyd. The inscription on his tomb has long been erased, and no one seems to have felt sufficient interest in it to take the trouble of copying it when legible. The safest plan is to have no tombstone inscription at all, and then an ungrateful world will have no opportunity of showing its indifference to the "memory of the just," which, being blessedis safe in God's keeping. Jones's contemporaries describe him as a man of the primitive Christian stamp, always meek, humble, loving, and peacable. His conversation was marked by sweet gravity and pleasantness. He was very prudent in his conduct, by which he gained so much esteem and respect among the gentry that many of them placed their sons under his tuition. Lord Mansel spent several years in his family Was such a man, an eminent Christirn, scholarly and apostolical in spirit and labours, exposed to persecution ? When has even the highest character served as a protection against the blind fury of narrow-minded black-hearted persecutors? The world's best friends—its unpaid police—have been treated in every age as if they had been ''the offscouring of all things," and the outcasts of outcasts themselves. Although he was an excellent minister, a very moderate but principled and nrm Nonconformist, and one of the most accom- plished scholars and successful tutors in the kingdom, yet, notwithstanding all this, Jones was frequently imprisoned for Noncon- formity during the episcopate of Dr Francis Davies, which was from 1667 to 1675. One day in harvest time, as Jones was Bitting under a tree near his house, two men came up to him and asked if that place was Brynllwarch, and he replied in the affirma- tive. They then inquired if Mr Jones was at home. Yes, said he—go in, and you shall soon see him. He suspected that they were constables sent to arrest him, but he did not attempt to escape, as he could easily have done. He soon followed them to the house, and said-" I am Mr Jones. What is your business with me r His dignified and commanding appearance so affected the men that they could not for a. while utter a word. At length one of them tremblingly said that they had a warrant to take him before Justice ——< of Ewenny (Ewynwy ?), an officious, spiteful, persecuting magistrate. Though the distance from Brynllwarch to Ewenny is above ten miles, Mr Jones chose to walk it rather than inconvenience a neigh- bour, to whom he had lent his horses that day to carry his hay. Being somewhat corpulent, and in a" delicate state of health, he felt very tired after walking such a distance. When he reached the place, he was conducted to the kitchen, where he took a seat. Some little time after, the magistrate coming in suddenly, and finding him seated, asked him angrily how he dared to sit in I his house. "Sir," replied Mr Jones, stand- ing, "I did not think that it would have been an offence to a gentleman that a tired man, sent for by him, should sit in his kitchen, but," he added, these tired limbs of mine will support me when some will not be able to stand." "Do you know," said the angry magistrate, "to whom you speak?" I do," repliecl Mr Jones. "I have," said the persecutor, authority to commit you to prison." Not," replied the Christian gentleman, without my heavenly Father's permission." At this the enraged magistrate wrote a commitment, and sent Samuel Jones, in the custody of two con- stables, to the House of Correction at Cowbridge; but before he had gone more than a mile on his way there, the persecutor's conscience began to trouble him or what he had done, and in order to quiet his conscience he sent a message after Mr Jones to release him. Mr Jones then re- turned home afttlr having walked that day more than 20 miles. Tired as lie must have been, it is very likely that he enjoyed more refreshing sleep that night after his long and fatiguing walk than his coarse, brutal persecutor, for a clear conscience is the best bed maker in the world. In our next sketch we shall have to finish this brief biography with a further account of Mr Jones as the learned and able tutor of the first Nonconformist institution for train- ing young men for the Christian ministry in Wales.

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. e BY W.Abraham, M.P., Mabon. CARTRIDGESOR LOOSE POWDER IN MINES P Employers and workmen in various places are now beginning to tax their time and brains in order to study and understand the new Mines Act. But to do that only is scarcely sufficient to enable them to claim the benefit of certain exemptions made by order of various Home Secretaries, unless they make themselves acquainted with the various orders which were made from time to time under the old act. Apparently the must aggra- vating point is still the USE OF EXPLOSIVES." A number of the collieries that, by the order of Home Secretary Bruce, now Lord Aberdare, had been exempted from so much or the provisions of sub-rule F, which pre- scribed the use of cartridges, and allowed, under certain conditions, loose powder to be taken into mines in a case of canister, containing not more than 41bs., and have, since the commencement of this year, through the inattention of the management to its right, compelled, though unwillingly in many cases, their men to take their powder into the mines in cartridges. This the men Wrongly object to for several reasons. In the first place they are put to great incon- venience and danger in having to take the powder with them to their homes and there prepare their CARTRIDGES IN THE MIDST OF THKIR FAMILIES. In the second place, having to prepare their cartridges at home, so much is left to conjecture as to the size of the ^harge they will have to use, and so, often they aire not able to do the same amount of work as if they could prepare their cartridges at the working-place after boring the shot-holes. Thus there is much more trouble with the powder and the work it does is less effective. This complaint prevails at a great number of the small collieries all over the litio. From Aberdare I received a deputation upon the subject at the beginning of last week. At Llanelly the manage- ment have stuck to their guns and have made no change. The Gweudraeth Valley is full of the topic, and employers and workmen are in a fix, not knowing what to do. Therefore, I will try and explain the matter once more :— NEW ACT. BTTliE 12. Any explosive substance shall only be used in the mine below ground as follows-(a) It shall not be stored in the mine, (b) It shall not be taken into the mine, except in cartridges in a secure case or canister, containing not more than five pounds." It is over these sub-sections of Rule 12 that so many managers loso their balance, forgetting the special proviso that immediately follows :—"Pro- vided that on the application of the owner, agent, or manager of any mine, the Home Secretary may by order exempt such mine from so much of this rule as forbids taking an explosive substance into the mine, except in cartridges." There can be no doubt that this provision has been made in order to meet cases such as those affecting the collieries to which I have already referred. There is nothing plainer than that the position can be altered on the owners and the collieries makng application to the Home Secretary. It is no use trifling with the question. The application must be made by the proper party, and the workmen can give their adherence to it. It will be better to make the application at once than to remain quiet and suffer inconveni- ence and loss. This remark applies to collieries where no such order has been previously made. But all collieries that had the old orders in force immediately before the cammencement of this Act have, in my opinion, NOTHING TO FItAR, For Mr Secretary Brnce issued a circular with his decision on the points raised in the minutes of a special meeting of the inspectors, held on the 16t.li Novembei, 1872—the same month as the circular was issued. The 13th section of that circular referred the question of gunpowder— Rule 8—sub-rule (f), which prescribes (among other things) the use of cartridges. The circular stated that the rule did not apply to mines in which inflammable gas had never been found, nor to mines in which inflammable gas had been found, if more than three months had elapsed aince the finding thereof. Into all such mines powder might be brought loose in a case or canister containing not more than 4!bs. Sub- rule F applied exclusively to mines in which in- ti, mmable gas has been found, and to those only during the three months aft?r the finding of the illtiunmable gas. Where it applied, it superseded the sub-rule B. Such were the terms of the circular issued to the inspectors of the Home Office, on November 28th, 1872, and I am strongly of opinion that wherever the same conditions now exist, and did exist immediately before the commencement uf this year, and, that in consequence, loose powder was allowed to be taken into the mines in cases or canisters, there will be no objection to that being continued. But application must be made to the Home Secretary by the owner, &c., of the mine, through the mines inspector of the J otrtct.

EAR-EAR. CLERICAL GENTLEMAN. — By-the-way, Mr Brown has just joiued the choir they tell me he has a great ear for music." Yes," replied De Jones I knew he bad a great ear-two of them, ID fact: but I did not know that they were for music. I supposed they were used for brushing flies off the top of his head."

Young housekfeper (to fish-dealer); What kind of fish have yon this morning'—Fish-deafer: How would you like P-w-. nic- striped mum ? -Yo H. (hesitatingly): No I think I would pre- fer something in a small check. Maud (awakening suddenly at throe a.m ) Ie Mother, there's a man trying to break into the house. "—Mother (wearily); Hush, child, ite your father he's afraid to ting the-door ben." The door opened and there flV)ata0 out the paesiona te odour of dying flowers and the soft tinkle of a piano." is a sentence in a newspaper story that falls under our eye. The tinkle bein* soft probably accounts for its fl .atinrr. Had it been a Data tinkle it would not have floated but gone to tb^ bottom. Keep your piano tinkles soft if you WtOttbemtoaoat.