The Cardiff Times

GENUINE SITPF.-A lady residing at Green- ford, whose penuriousne88 proverbial, but who prided herself up01? excellence of her home-brewed wines ana oeer, or rtal barley- corn" as she termed it, received a load of furni- ture from London, and requested the assistance of a neighbouring hind to unload the waggon. When the work was done the man Was surprised at the old lady's liberality in asking him to take a draught of her best ale. John smacked his lips. Thank'ee, ma am ,I don'b care if I do." The ale was brought, and, heing drunk, she said, "Ay, I see you like it- „genuine stuff— nothing but malt and bops. v)h, there is, ma'am," replied John. Indeed said the old lady. "What?" •'Water, ma am. You know you couldn't make it without water." "Ah, true, John. I forgot the water. N0) ma'am," retorted the labourer, I m dashed if you did SAFE ALL AROUNI). -Teacher: Tommy, you know what I told you yesterday, that if you didn't ran right home and tell your mother you had played truant last weekj I would give you a good whipping. Tommy xes m an> J told her. Teacher: What did she say ? Tommy: She said if I hadn't told her she would have licked me, too. Those who dance ¡rt!1st pay the fiddler-very often, also, those who Bit the dances out.

Songs for the People. Andrew Fletcher, of Saltoun, in a letter to the Marquis of Montrose, wrote :—I know a very wise man that believed that if a, man were permitted to make all the ballads he need not care whe should make the laws of the nation."

THE LITTLE COAT. The most beautiful of all the poems written about a child is that of Mr Coventry Patmore, in which the father looks at the playthings of tho child whom he had reprimanded for some childish offence. The dead boy in a little poem of Riloy's brings back the child of Mr Patmore; but the boy is an American and not an English boy. It would be difficult to fancy a jiarent who has ever lost a child reading this catalogue of a dead child's little belongings with dry eyes :— Here's his ragged "roundabout"— Turn the pockets inside out; See; his penknife, lost to use, Rusted, shut with apple-juice Here, with marbles, top, and string, Is his deadly "devil-slin," With its rubber, limp at last As the sparrows of the past! Beeswax—bucldes—leather straps- Bullets, and a box of caps,— Not a thing of all, I guess, But betrays some waywardness-< E'en these tickets, blue and red, For the Bible-verses said— Such as this his mem'ry kept— "Jesus wept." Here's a fishing hook-and-lin* Tangled up with wire and twine. And dead angle-worms, and some Slugs of lead and chewing gum, Blent with scents that can but come From the oil of rhodium. Here-a soiled, yet dainty note, That some little sweetheart wrote, Dotting—" Vine grows round the stump," And—"My sweetest sugar lump Wrapped in this—a padlock key Where he's filed a touch-hole—see And some powder in a quill Corked up with a liver pill; And a spongy little chunk Of punk." Here's the little coat—but 0 Where is he we've censured so Don't you hear us calling, dear ? Back come back, and never fear— You may wander where you will, Over orchard, field and hill You may kill the birds, or do Anything that pleases you Ah, this empty coat of his Every tatter worth a kiss Every stain as pure instead As the white stars oveihpad And the pocket;3-homes were they Of the little hands that plav Now no more—but, absent," thus Beckon us. James Whitcomb Riley.

Itf THE HOUSEHOLD. "r..7).b. CSEKSS CUTLETS.—Cut some slices of bread free from crust, about 1 in. thick and 2% in. square, spread thickly over the top some butter and a little mustard, then a layer of cheese that has been well pounded with the back of a spoon, squeeze over them the juice of a lemon, season with pepper and salt. Fry them in a pan con- taining hot batter, do not turn them when a eoldea brov. n, take them up and place them in a dutch-oven before the tiro, or hold a salamander over them for a minute. Sprmlde them with some finely-chopped parsley. Serve hot on an ornamental paper. STEAK STEWED PI.AI.-Til11e, forty minutes altogether. Half a pint of water, one onion, a spoonful orwalnut ketchup, a little caper liquor, a piece of butter rolled in flour, and some pepper and salt. Fry the steaks in butter a good brown, then put m a stewpan 72 pint of water, 1 onion sliced, a tableepoonful of walnut ke tchup, a little caper liquor, pepper and salt. Cover the pan close, aud let them stew slowly. Thicken the gravy with a piece of butter rolied in flour, and serve them on a hot dish. GISGEn BKER.—This favourite drink is agree- able to the ta-st-e, cooling, and very slightly stimulating. It is best made some four or five weeks before it is to be used, though it can be made so as to be ready for drinking in three days. We give two methods for making it Add to 14 gallon* of water 14ib. of loai sugar and 4 oa. of root ginger, well pounded, then boil all one hour. Now strain the liquor into an earthen jar, let it stand until cold, then put it into a cask, adding the strained juice of It lemons, with the peel cut up in thin slices; add half a spoonful of ale yeast on the top. Keep the cas-k closely corked for two weeks. Then put the beer into bottles, and in another fortnight it wiil be fit for use. 2. To 41b. of sugar add 4oz of ginger, 2oz of cream of tartar, and 4 lemons. Put all into an oarthen jar, and pour over it 6 gallons of boiling water, and when miik warm put in a httle yeast. Let it stand all night to work, bottle it the next day, and in three days it will be ready for drinking. ASPARAGUS Sour.—There are many ways of making this soup. You n.ay break off the tender heads and cook the remainder of the stalks in water until so tender that you can mash the pulp through a sieve. To one cupful of this pulp add one pint of the water in which the asparagus was boiled, one pint of milk, and one tablespoonful of butter melted and rubbed smooth over the fire with one of flour: season with salt, pepper, and nutmeg. A gill of cream and three gills of milk, leaving out the asparagus water, make a richer soup. The tender heads can be boiled for an omelette, or served with a sauce. CAULITLOWER SOUP.—Take half a medium- sized cauliflower, cut up small, and put in a saucepan add pint of water. Cook till tender. Rub through a sieve, add one gill of milk, a little butter, pepper and salt to taste; boil up and thicken with a teasixtonful of wheatmeal, and serve. This can lie varied according to season by taking asparagus, celery, or Jerusalem artichokes instead of cauliflower. MACARONI CHEKSE.—Boil 2oz. of macaroni until tender, with enough water to absorb turn in a pie-dish, mix with loz. of Parmesan cheese, a little milk, pepper and salt to taste; put a few little bits of butter on the top, and bake in the oven until slightly brown. Serve with tomato sauce and vegetables. HAGGIS.—Mix one large tablespoonful of wheat- meal and 1 oz. of oatmeal with a little milk and one egg to a fairly thick paste; chop fine one Spanish onion and add to the paste, with a. little herb and pepper aud salt to taste. Put in a. greased pudding-basin, and boil1% hour. Eat with potatoes, vegetables, aud sauce. LKNTIL AND PEA Socp.—Take 1 lb. of lentils, 1 lb. of split one stick ot celery, two lezks, one lai-fTe Spanish omon, two carrots (one grated), 1 oz. of buttjr, pepper and salt to taste. Boil in three quarts of boiling water, and let it boilfor three hours. RASRBKRRR PUDDING.—Cat a few slices of stale brown bread, remove the crusts, and soak in a custard made with two eggs and a pint of milk flavoured to taste. When the bread has absorbed the liquid, put a layer on the bottom of a pie-dish, then a layer of raspberry jam, another layer of soaked bread, another of jam. one more laver of bread, fitting the pieces nicely together. Spread over this warmed butter, crushed sugar, and chopped almonds. Bake an hour in a moderate oven.

A MARTYR. Treasurer Frank Dodge of the Academy has been leading a martyr life this week to a con- siderable extent. The attraction has been Beauty and the Beast, and he has met a good many of both at tho box-office window. For instance, on Wednesday an old man appeared and said he wanted three seats. Then be hemmed and hawed till he brought in by the neck the fact that his daughter was one of the little actresses in the show. "And she vas not dot beest needer 0, no. She vas a daisy. Dondt you seen her youst ofer py von side—quite a ploomp gals. Yah, dots my gals. Of you efer Keerd her sing about dot chromos vat haf turned ofer py de vail, yet I tink you make some tears in yours eyes out. Aber my gels she is not so strong mit de lung of she haf goot lungs she be dot great oopra singer, I bet you." It was with great reluctance that the German father yielded the place at the ticket window to a woman. She asked how much the seats cast. Seats in the parkay said Dodge. Don't say parkay. Say parket." Seats in the parkay Don't correct me I did not intend to correct yon." Well, I know a thing or two about French and I am positive that p-a-r-q-u-e-t-t-e is pro- nounced parket. If it were spelled parquet it would be pronounced parkay. Is it spelled with two t s and an e It is on this diagram here." "The diagram has evidently blundered." No, it has not. That is one way to spell the word, but when it is spelled that way it should be pronounced parket. I believe you, madam, and I thank you for your information. How many parket seats-" "Oh, lets say parkay—it sounds less affected." "All right. How many parkay seats." Guess I don't wish any there. Gimme one in the dress circle." The box office is a warm little apartment and & few large drops of Dodge perspiration stood out in bold relief on his forehead as he wrenched his face into a smile and gave the French specialist her seat.

A NEW HAWKSHAW.—First Detective How did you discover that English defaulter's iden- tity ? Second Detective I got off a pun and he was the only man in tho crowd who laughed at it. Papa," inquired the little boy, "how big a hailstone did you ever see ?" I've seen hail- stones," said Deacon Ironside, with animation, as big as—as big—no This is Sunday Read another pageof yer catechism, Samuel"

ECHOES FROM THE CALENDAR. MAY. 29. SUNDAY.—Sunday after Ascension. Oak Apple Day. 30. MO.VDAV.—Joan of Arc burnt, 1431. King Arthur died 542. 31. TUESDAY.—Lord Chelmsford born, 1827. JUNE. 1. WEDNESDAY.—Prinee Louis Naooleon killed, 1879. 2. THURSDAY.— Garibaldi died, 18S2. 3. FRLDAY-I"lin iJeorge of Wales born, 1865. 4. SATURDAY.—General Wolseley born, 1833. The Cunard Company. Sir George Burns, noted as one of the founders of the great Cunard Steamship Company, died in June, 1890, aged ninety-four. His family have been long-lived—his father died at the age of ninety-five, and grandfather eighty-four. It was in 1838 that the Government invited tenders for conveyance of the mails, and an American, named Cunard, with Messrs Burns and Mclver, estab- lished the company, which has done so much to improve and accelerate the conveyance of passen- gers and mails between England and America. The company started with a capital of L270,000, four steamers carrying 115 cabin passengers, and a subsidy of L80,000 a year, the voyage taking a fortnight; now the steamers carry more than ten times as many passengers, and the journey does not exceed a week. Sir George was noted as being a great friend of the late Lord Shaftes- bury, who spent many holidays at his seat in Wemyss Bay, Scotland. Oak Apple Day. There are still a few dreary old towns and villages in rural England where almost every ruin that Time has unroofed, and every moulder- ing wall his silent teeth have gnawed through are attributed to the cannon of Cromwell and his grim Ironsides, though in many instances history has left no record that either the stern Protector or his dreaded troopers were ever near the spot. In many of these old-fashioned and out-of-the-way places the 29th May is still celebrated in memory of King Charles's preservation in the oak of Boscobtl, and his Restoration. The Royal Oak is also a common alehouse sign in these localities, on which the Merry Monarch is pictured p-jeping through the branches at the Roundheads below, looking not unhko some boy caught stealing apples, who dares not descend for fear of the owners of the fruit. Oak Appie-day is the name generally given to this rural holiday, which has taken the place of the old May-day games of our more remote ancestors though the May poles are still decorated and danced round on the 29th of this mouth, as they were in the more memorable May days of the olden time. But Oak-Apple-Day is not the merry old May- day which our forefathers delighted to honour. Sweet May, as they loved to call her, is dead; for although they decorate the Maypole with fiowers and place a garish figure in the centre of the largest garland, it is but the emblem of a dead king now, instead of the beautiful nymph which our ancestors typified, wreathed with May buds, and scattering flowers on the earth, and which our grave Milton pictured as the flowery- '-NL-iy, that cami "dancing from the East," and throwing from her green lap The yellow cowslip and the pale primrose." King Arthur. King Arthur, an ancient British hero of the sixth century, was the son of Uther Pendragon and the Princess Igerna, wife of Gorlois. Duke of Cornwall. He married Guinevere or Genevia established the famous order of the Round Table; and reigned, surrounded by a splendid court, 12 years in peace. After this, as the poets relate, be conquered Denmark, Norway, and France, slew the giai.ts of Spain, and went to Ronte. From thence he is said to have hastened home ou account of the faithlessness of his wife, and Modred, his nephew, who had stirred up his subjects to rebellion. He subdued the rebels, but died in consequence of his wounds on the island of Avalon. The story of Arthur is sup- posed to have some foundation in fact, and has ever been a favourite subject with our roman- ticists and poets. It is generally believed that Artnur was one of the last great Celtic chiefs who led his countrymen from the West of England to resist the settlement of the Haxons in the country. But many authorities regard him as a leader of the Cymry of Cumbria and Strath-CJyde against the Saxon invaders of the east coast and the Picts and Scots north of the Forth and the Clyde. The earliest mention of him is made by the Welsh bards, that is if we accept the an- tiquity assigned to their poems-an antiquity which, though assailed by Stephen and Nash, is in a modified way skilfully defended by Skene. In these poems Arthwys" appears as the Gtt-k-clig (" milit--ry leader") of the Britains—a heroic prince who successfully battled with heathen Picts and Saxons. Garibaldi. Guiseppe Garibaldi, the Italian patriot and hero, was born at Nice, 1807, his father being a poor fisherman. He got little education, and for a number of years was a sailor on various trading vessels. In 183 he became a member of the "Young Italy party, and being condemned to death for his share in the schemes of Mazzini. escaped to Marseilles, took service in the fleet of the Bey of Tunis, and finally went to South America, and served the Republic of Rio Grande. In 1848 be returned to Italy, raised a band of volunteers, and harassed the Austrians until the cessation of hostilities and re-establish- ment of Austrian supremacy in Lombardy. He then retired to Switzerland, but in the spring of 1849 proceeded to Rome to support Mazzini's Republic He was appointed to command the forces, but the odds were overwhelming, and, after a desperate dcfence of thirty day,! Garibaldi escaped from Rome with 4,000 of his followers. In the course of his flight his wife, Anita, died from fatigue and privations. He did good service in the war of 1859. in which Sardima recovered Lombardy, and in 1862 he endeavoured to force the Roman question to a solution, and entered Calabria with a small following, but was taken prisoner at Aspromonte by the royal troops. He was soon released, however, and returned to Caprera. In 1864 he received an enthusiastic welcome to Britain. In 1836 he commanded a volunteer force against the Austrians in the Italian Tyrol, but failed to accomplish anything of consequeiiee. Next year he attempted the liberation of Rome, but near Mentana was de- feated by the French and Pontifical troops, and was again imprisoned by the Italian Govern- ment, but soon pardoned and released. In 1870 he gave his services to the French Republican Government against the Germans, and with his 20,000 men rendered valuable assistance in the south-east. At the end f. the war he was elected a member of the French Assembly, but speedily resigned his seat, and returned to Caprera. Rome now became the capital of United Italy, and here in January, 1875, Garibaldi took his seat in the Italian Parlia- ment. The latter part of his life was spent quietly at Caprera.. After 1870 he wrote two or three novels-very mediocre productions. He died somerhat suddenly June 2, 1882.

A SURE THING. BOB TAYIOR Do you want to know how to 1 win at horse racing! JACK POTTER Certainly BoB TAYLOR Play the horses that I don't.

Men and Movements of the Day. [BY SALEX.] No. H.-PR0FESS0R8TUART, M.P.. and the University Extension Movement. When the history of the democratisationof education in this country is written the name of James Stuart will occupy a prominent place in the list of names of those who, more than others, laboured to bring University education to the very doors of the people. Professor Stuart is the clever and able son of Mr J. G. Stuart, of Balgorie Works, Markinch, Fifeshire. He won honours at St. Andrew's University, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he was third wrangler in 1866, and became a Fellow of his College in 1867, and Professor of Mechanism and Ap- phed Mathematics at the University in 1875. He was M.P. for Hackney in 1884 and 1885, and since then he has represented Shore- ditch. He is a living embodiment of the union of culture and Democracy, and has done more than any other man to create and extend the system of University Extension work. He is thoroughly in touch with progres- sive politics, and is looked upon as a genuine "working man's friend." The University Extension Movement and the Provincial Colleges which were brought into existence by the reflex action of the movement for democratising education have grown up during the public career of Professor Stuart. Twenty- five years ago there were no Beard Schools University extension did not exist; a.nd the three Colleges of Wales and the Colleges at Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Sheffield, I Newcastle, Liverpool, Leeds, and Dundee had not been founded. The Women's Colleges of Newnham and Girton were not thought of. What encouraging progress has been made during a quarter of a century, largely influenced through- out by James Stuart, who is still on the right side of fifty. Like many another great institution, the University Extension movement has been gradu- ally developed from exjverience, gained by attempts to carry to the people the best education that the Universities could give. It is no cut and dried scheme, but the natural growth from a desire to extend education. It has been built up slowly from actual experience, and framed so as to meet the actual difficulties encountered and the necessities observed during the work of popularising true education, and herein lies its strength and value. It was in 1867 that Professor Stuart was invited by an Association of lady teachers in the North of Eng- land to give them a course of lectures on the art of teaching. The Association took the name of the North of England Council for the Education of Women, the president being Mrs Josephine Butler, and the secretary, Miss A. J. Clouzh. He was then a young man and full of the teach- ing question. He rephed that he would accede to their request by showing how a subject should be taught, and that he would give a short course of lectures on astronomy. He was opposed to the single lecture scheme in vogue at Mechanics' Institutes, regard- ing the single lecture as no better than giving a stone to the people when they asked for bread. His lectures were given to classes of teachers in Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield, and Leeds, and he travelled from one town to another each week for a period of two months. During the autumn of 1867, when he was lecturing to the ladies, a friend in Crewe asked him to lecture to the workmen in connection with the Crewe Mechanics' Institute. He arranged to lecture on "Meteors" on November 14th. Strangely enough, he received an advertisement from heaven, for on the day previous there occurred a most remarkable shower of meteors. The town was talking of it when he arrived, and through this strange coincidence the hall was crowded, and hundreds failed to get in. The lecture was so successful that he promised to go again, and he subsequently delivered a course 0, lectures. It was from these lectures to working men and to the lady teachers that the idea of University Extension was evolved. and from the experience gamed at these lectures the principal features of University Extension were developed—(1) Circuit lecturing (2) the use of the printed syllabus,which forms a guide to the subject m hand, saves the trouble of note-taking, and assists and encourages private study (3) voluntary written exercises in answer to questions set by the lecturer (4) the class preceding or following the lecture, for discussion and elucida- tion of difficulties experienced in the reading of the members and later the final written explanations. These then were the beginnings of the system of University Extension, which has developed into so important and beneficial au institution for adult men and women- a system which has in this country thousands of attendants at the lectures and hundreds of courses yearly. The University of Cambridge adopted the sys- tem in 1873, in 1876 the London Society for the Extension of University Teaching adopted the Cambridge method, and in 1878 local lectures wore first authorised by Oxford. From the first University Extension, though an uphill struggle, was progressive, and it is not likely to be allowed to stand still. Cambridge is following the policy of affiliating large towns, and of giving consecutive courses of lectures in science, literature, and history. The lectures have been made a stepping-stone to the University itself. An extension student passing six courses in one group and two other courses, together with examination in mathematics, Latin, and one other foreign language, will be admitted to Cambridge University, and credited with one year's advanced standing. That is, that by two years' study instead of three in residence, be may win the degree, of B.A. Oxford and Cambridge encourage the formation of associations of students, and each hold summer schools of exten- sion students. Some idea of the influence and usefulness of the movement may be gathered from the ex- perience of a working man in the North. He says It is six years since I attended the first course of University Extension lectures, and I have attend-d all the courses since. I can- not tell how much I owe to these lectures. They have worked a revolution in my life. I am able to take broader views of questions, and my in- terests are widened. My life altogether is brighter and happier. There is something about these University lectures different from science and art classes. I can't say exactly what it is, but they do more for you and have more life in them." University Extension, as founded and de- veloped in this country by Professor Stuart, has been introduced in America with enormous suc- cess and as the University Extension movement has been copied by the Chautauqua Home Reading Circles in America, so the National Home Reading Union here is based on the experience and the success of Chan- tauqua. Professor Stuart must be a happy man when he views the progress of University Extension and the Democratic tendency of education generally. But he is some- thing more than a reformer of educational methods. Radical politics and social reforms have his sympathies and being responsible for the political direction of the Star newspaper- having the ear of Mr Gladstone and being a Radical M.P.-his influence for good is unique. He is an excellent specimen of a leader of Demo- cratic thought and action. NEXT WKKK "Mr CHARLES BOOTH and His Work among the Poor."

WITTY TO THE LAST.—Sam Beazley, the archi- tect and dramatist, was one of the most amiable and amusing persons that ever lived. Many years before his death he wrote his own epitaph— Here lies Samuel Beazley, who lived hard and died easily." Unhappily, the latter declaration was not prophetic. He suffered considerably a short time before his decease, and, his usual spirits occasionally forsaking him, he one day wrote so melancholy a letter that the friend to whom it was addressed observed in his reply that it was "like the first chapter of Jeremiah." You are mistaken," retorted the wit—" it is the j last chapter of Samuel."

I GOSSIPS' CORNER. The Tyst says that at least two new D.D.'s arc on their way across the Atlantic. Lady Henry Somerset thinks New York is at bad morally as London, but not worse. Sir W. T. Lewis is expected home trom the Continent next week. "Vitaline," to which General Gresser's death wasattributed, can no longer be obtained in Russia. Its sale is prohibited. A unique newspaper will shortly be issued printed in Braille type, which consists of a series of raised dots. and can be read by the blind. Mr W. T. Lee, Liberal Registration agent for South Monmouthshire, has successfully under- gone a severe operation at the London HospitaL Rev David Davies, of Brighton, formerly of Cardiff, is engaged in writing in Welsh a life of Spurgeon. Strenuous efforts are being made to secure the attendance of Mr Tom Ellis, M.P., at the forth- coming demonstration of the East Glamorgan Liberals at Porth. Messrs A. Tylor and Co., Limited, have, through their agent, Mr Herbert Kirkhouse, Brynbedw, renewed their annual donation of 210 to each church at Tylorstown. Quoth Sir John Bridge, at Bow-street I* everyone knew what we are told in this court about the misery of married couples, I am afraid there would be no more marriages in England." Lord Sheffield hopes to be able next season to take out a thoroughly representative team tc Australia to play three test matches only, to decide the question of supremacy between English and Australian cricketers. A hundred years ago scarcely any European in the countries north of Spain had smoked a cigar. It first became a fashion in Hamburg, according to the Elein-e Zeitung, where the first cigar shop was opened by Schlottmann in 1788. We all know of the clergyman who gave out the lesson as being taken from the Colostle to the Epissians. His feat has been par- alleled hy another victin: to metaphasia, who al. luded under similar circumstances to the Dool of Beuteronomy." Mr Bert Harris (artist), late of Cardiff, is at present engaged in painting a life-size portrait of Lord Roberts, Commander-in-Chief in India, ai Simla. He has also been very successful in painting jwrtraits of various Indian princes since his arrival in India. Mr A. Herbert Brewer, organist of St. Michael's Church, Coventry, has been offered and accepted the post of organist and music-master at Ton- bridge School. Mr Brewer has withdrawn from the contest for Bangor Cathedral. He was one of the six selected to compete for that post. Pendine, a prettily-situated village on the extreme end of the Carmarthenshire coast, is yearly becoming more popular as a pleasure resort. Visitors are conveyed by brakes from St. Clears, the nearest railway station. A movement is on foot to construct a railway from the lattei place. A Newport professional man has just com- pleted an installation of the electric light in hir private residence. The gas engine is in the base- ment, and the conversion of gas into electricity it cheaper-bar the capital expended in plant—than if the gas were consumed direct. Coolness and cleanliness also count for something. Mr Humphreys, of Aberken, an agriculturist and a member of the Calvinietic Methodist denomination, has definitely consented to come forward as a Liberal Unionist candidate for the representation of the Bifi*WO on of Carnarvon in opposition to Mr Bryn Roberts, M.P. Mr Humphreys is opposed to Disestablishment. Sir; (jifporge Trevelyan's son George, who is only 16 years of age, has been credited with the prize p&m at Harrow. Curiously enough, Sit George carried off the same prize himself at an unusually early age. To Master George Macaulay Trevelyan, however, belongs the distinction not only of winning the prize, but of being the youngest who ever attained such an honour. "Now, Mrs McCarthy," asked Mr Chariot Matthews of a witness at Pontypridd County- court, how far was the carriage from the wall T" "Ob, about a foot, sir." "Do you know," asked his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams, how many inches there are in a foot?" "Of course, your Honour," retorted the witness, rather indignantly, and then added, "it depends on the size of the foot!" The Postmaster-General has issued a notice calling attention to the requirement that a person to whom a postal order is issued must before part- ing with it fill in the name of the payee. He alae advises every person before parting with an order to preserve a note of its number. Unless the name of the payee and the number of the order are given, the Postmaster-General cannot under. take to trace orders if lost. Some interesting Byron relics are to be sold at Sotheby's next month. They include a m=W silver travelling inkstand, engraved with the initial B and coronet; three or four snuff- boxes the poet's patch-box a silver pipe that was once Napoleon's, and Robert Burns's tobacco-box. This last is of leather, and was made by T. Clark, of Edinburgh, and is marked on the front R. B., Kilmarnock, 1780.' Heigho what a lot the printer has to answei for. One of our reporters, the other evening, describing the ball, wrote that a corridor wu draped with decorated dhirries, and was horrified, on taking up his paper the next morning, to find that the compositor had adorned the corridor in question with decorated mummies!" That reporter did not, till last evening, recover from the shock he experienced on reading the paper. Teachers are not without honour in the Rhcmdda. Mr J. W. John, Ynyshir, has been presented by the people of the locality with a substantial token of their appreciation and as an expression of congratulation upon his forsaking the life of a Benedick. Mr John is one who hat taken a wide view of his duties. Both in and out of school he has helped to further every good cause. Happily, the four walls of the school haw not circumscribed his usefulness. In looking over some books at a second-hand book stall in Cardiff a few days ago, the Rev J. A. Jenkins, B.A., picked up a book on Presbyterian Chapels and Charities in Litiga- tion, "and on it was written the name of the former owner, Alexander Hannay, late secretary of the Congregational Union of England and Wales. Dr Hannay had also written on it the number 1,804, which referred in all probability to its number in his library. South Wales has been depleted cf railway men of the grade known as platelayers and per. manent way repairers. They have been con- vilyed to the other side to assist in the conversion of the broad gauge to the narrow auge. It if noteworthy that the latter was selected, not oa scientific principles, but by the accidental circum- stance that it was the width of a coal line in Dur- ham. When the Stockton and Darlington Rail- way was made, the enginoer adopted the 4f* 8%in. between the metals. The broad gauge, on the other hand, was the deliborate result of care- ful study by Brunei, and yet an accidental gauge was destined to efface it.

A SATURDAY SERMON. It was reserved for Christianity to present to the world an ideal character, which through all the changes of 18 centuries has filled the beaiAr of men with an impassioned love, has shown itaeii capable of acting on all ages, nations, tempera- ments, and conditions; has not only been tb& highest pattern of virtue, but the highest incen- tive to its practice, and has exerted so deep as influence that it may be truly said that the simple record of three short years of active life has done more to regenerate and to soften man than all the disquisitions of philosophers, and than all the exhortations of moralists This has, indeed, been the well-spring of whatever has been best and purest in the Christian life. Amid all the sina and failings, amid all the priestcraft, the persecu- tion, and fanaticism which have defaced the Church, it has preserved in the character and example of its Founder an enduring principle of regeneration. W. E. H. Lsaxr.

small capitalists jhoulci writ' 10L' Pamphlets (copyright entered at tationers' Hall) explaining If. B. SMITH'S SYSTEM OF MAKING PROFITS IN STOCKS AND SHARES, and upwards without further risk repeatedly jj°ubled, average duration of transactions three ?ays. The bast evidence of popularity and success j* the crowds of clients which throng his offices, stocks selected and acconnts managed, if desired, j'eekly investment list showing lists of profits wade during previous week. The Court Journal j&ys:—"The throngof operators dealing with J^r. Smith is quite astounding." Particulars, ^t'-TOonial; press opinions, post free. 14764 H. B. SMITH, STOCKBKOKEH, *3, Size-lane, Queen Victoria-street, London, E.C.

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WORKMEN'S TOPICS, BY MABON, M.P. MR CHAPLIN'S SMALL HOLDINGS. The Agricultnral Labourer's Interest Neglected. The most hopeful part of the Bill was jJ&t on which stress seemed to be laid. lhat provision was only admitted, as it tfere—by the bye—save the provision to 'ease land and let it out to labourers Who are earning but cannot afford to purchase—there can be nothing taore hopeless than to expect these labourers to be able to buy land on the terms of this Bill. Suppose, for instance, that the price of a small holding is £100, has to put down j325, has to find some JB120 for stocking, and has to pay the first year's interest before he has really Ij* any return from his first year's harvest, thing seems to me wholly impossible. Unfortunately the country has been under » 6 control for several generations of land- °r«s, who have constantly discouraged the ■^all working farmer. They have done so &der the mistaken, unjust idea that if "torking men were allowed to have land on the f^tte terms, or nearly at the same terms, as farmers, labour will not be available, ven now> although the large farmers are FVltlS up their farms, and thousands of res of land are actually unoccupied and grow nothing but weeds, the landlords will not abandon their policy of refusing land to orking men on the ground that they "gat to remain labourers. They insist Pon charging working farmers, for small quantities of land, JB5 and j34, and even Per acre, while they are willing to ■»** to large farmers at from 20s to s Per acre. Experience has ultimately aj0Wll» and even, convinced aome old and .Averse Tories like Mr Chaplin, that work- ing farmers, by living hard and working a*d, can subsist and even pay this heavy M unjust rent but of course they do not, ttder such circumstances, realise a fair re- for their industry, neither can they ke suitable provision for old age. "X the case of a hard-working man ^copying 10 acres of land for 30 years, y^ying £ 4 per acre rent, he pays at least **5 a year more than a large farmer is barged for the same land. If half of that mount was added to his family ex- Penditure, it would relieve his house- old from the condition of semi- starvation to which they are now subjected, ,^1 if the other half were saved and in- afc per cont. it would amount to 7^*8 at the end of 30 years. Now, what on can justify such unequal conditions as and such robbery of the results of working man's labours for the supposed e&efifc of the landlords, and even large fitters 1 It is this system which is responsible for 6 wretched poverty and want of employ- jwhich prevails. The land does not to yield a due reward to f«bour whenever it is bestowed upon 1* Labourers in abundance could be placed J1 it, and labourers whose only desire is to i laboufers who are content to work and live hard in the sense pf living yP°n very little. But the owner stands upon Unri an<* says such a man, This which you want Bhall remain idle bless you pay me at least £ 3 or £ 4 per acre annum, and I would rather let it to a large ^'ber at 20s an acre than to you at any and the land remains idle. For more 20 years past thousands of acres of jf have in this country,small as it is,been idle under this system, and have pro- to n°thing even to the landlord, nothing j, 'he fanner, and nothing to the labourer. 10 acres of fully cultivated land will lfta* tain a family in abundant comfort; but families are driven away, and the 0j grows weeds to the injury a fche cultivated land around .^hat I am afraid of, andihave very little „ of, is that it will remain so for any good fae'r Holdings Act is going to th 'e coming into the possession of ^snaall and working farmer. what feelings must a small working Undi6r Pay' w^ere *s possible, £ 60 to a lan~i for 15 acres of land when the same ah i°rd allows better land to remain ^°8°lutely unoccupied ? When land farmed in the usual manner by it f6 farmers the expenditure upon p labour does not exceed 30s per acre annum, and this is the case especially .ere three or four farms have been thrown together into one, as has often been the « of late years. A large portion of the d so dealt with might have given employ- ent to labour to the extent of £ 10 per acre and it does so under a system of atnily agriculture, where the house is ,Ced in the centre of a few acres of land, v .each member ot the family finds con- |j. ^al and healthful occupation. Indeed ^hi 18 useless to say that such fctwp8 cannot" be done, for queer results as jr^dicted here, are now obtained, and have for hundred years past and more, in y cases, but the profits are absorbed by f Q unJust exercise of landlords and farmers j,6 i express purpose of keeping the in actual slavery. And it is the S0:~Oving of these unjust powers that, to of extent, are anticipated to be the result Small Holdings Bill whenever it to pass. We must express our dis- intment that it is not so. Minister for Agriculture (Mr spoke of lowered wages owing to .v°*^ulturai depression and to constant is empl°yment in winter." But what remarkable is that in that Mr naplin is quite wrong, although the de- betfSe<^ agricultural labourers have been of Pa^ ever than they were in the days l&nji Corn Laws, those palmy days for how ^s an^ farmers. To explain w that peculiar result came about i0 ul<* take very long, perhaps too on *i?-W a ^act' nevertheless, and ifcif u cerfca^n ways does not reflect ?** credit on Mr Chaplin and on his class bak 6 Past' and could be well weighed in the ^-Jance against a sudden and very generous lah<?ern exbibited towards the agricultural Lik rers s'nce ^-r Gladstone and the erals gave them votes. "e present wages of agricultural °urers, though they are, as we said, better *reVtkat palmy days of Protection, it i better than starvation wages, since (w8 a fact that a family of four persons can- be kept in food alone in our workhouses C{jPfc at a cost of some shillings more per than the ordinary labourers' weekly Vage- amount to. It Is not the smallness of ^he wages that we deplore, but cause of the smallness thereof. Sta* crushing influence of low wages els our labourers, drives them forth too their native villages, and compels them toh unwillingly to seek work elsewhere, and tj, 8 bringing the whole race of workers tha?u§h°ut the United Kingdom subject to of thUn^ust comPetition which deprives them wages they would otherwise obtain. blaowlnz and feeling this, we cannot again tfte our deep regret and disappoint- ptoff at this Bill is not equal to its thefed object of finding means to bring laoourer back to the land. t,

^datiler: But' my boy, surely you are too Suitor. ^I.nurry Aurelia. How old are you ?—Her f 'l{?'ltoen» s'r-—Her father: And she is half rr"t0° ?reat a disparity! Why not i a dozen years ? Then you 11 be twenty- r, and 8 e'H probably be just abouc the same You.

Peers of Glamorgan. IV.—LORD TREDEGAR (Continued). On the death of John Morgan in 1792, and the consequent failure of the male line, it becomes necessary to deal with the two daughters of Thomas Morgan, the Judge-Advocate, Jane and Catherine. The younger of the two, Jane, mar- ried Charles Vann, of Llanwern, Mon., M.P., Brecon, 1772, till his decease six years after. wards (son of Charles Vann, J.P., of the same place, who unsuccessfully con- tested Glamorgan, 1754), and their daugh- ter, and eventually heiress, Catherine, married Sir Robert Salusbury, Bart., who was the eldest son of Robert Salusbury, of Cotton Hall, Denbigh- shire, but by his marriage acquiring the Llan- wern estate, he settled at that place, was High Sheriff for the county of Monmouth in 1786, created a Baronet in 1795, M.P. for the county of Monmouth in 1792-6, and Brecon in 1796-1812, and died five years afterwards. The elder daughter Jane married the eminent civilian, Dr Charles Gould (eldest son of King Gould, Deputy Judge Advocate, of a Middlesex family), who, having been bred to the profession of a barrister-at-law, became a member of the College of Laws, and was created one of his Majesty's Coun- cil. He served the office of Deputy to the before-mentioned Thomas Morgan, Judge-Advocate, for 13 years, and having married his daughter, he was appointed to succeed his father-in-law in the important post of Judge-Advocate-General, 1769, and this office he held with great distinction to himself for 36 year3. Through the family interest of his wife he became member for Brecon, 1778, and sat for nine years, when ho succeeded his brother-in-law, Charles Morgan, as knight of the shire for the county, which honourable position he occupied till old age forced him to retire from public life a short time before his decease in 1806, at the age of 80. He was many years Chancellor of the Diocese of Sarum, and Chamberlain of the counties of Brecknock, Glamorgan, and Radnor, and the death of the last of his three brothers-in-law having raised him to the position of head of the family, he was created a baronet (1792), and the same year assumed the surname and arms of Morgan instead of Gould. His younger son John was killed when a mid- shipman in the Royal Navy in Lord Rodney's great victory over the French fleet in 1782, and the elder son Charles, who. was in early life a colonel in the Coldstream Guards, served as Bailiff of Brecon 1790 and 1793, succeeded to the title 1806, was M.P. for Brecon nine years, and County of Monmouth 35 years, and died at the age of 86 in 1846, having had several sons and daughters, one of whom married Lord Rodney. George, the second son, was M.P. for Brecon 1818-30, and died a year before his father. The fourth son, Charles Octavius Swinnerton Morgan, who died at a great age a short time ago, was M.P. for the County of Monmouth 1840-74. The eldest son, Charles Morgan Robinson Morgan, was created in 1859 Lord Tredegar, and died at the age of 83 in 1875. Thus the united ages of this nobleman, his father, and grand- father amounted to 249 years. He married the daughter of General Godfrey Mundy. and granddaughter of Admiral Lord Rodney, was Bailiff of Brecon 1814 and 1831, member 1812-18, 1830-2, and 1835-47, High Sheriff for the county of Monmouthl821, and county of Brecon 1850 major of the Glamorgan Militia for ten years, became third baronet 1846, and in 1859 was elevated to the peerage under the title of Baron Tredegar. His Lordship, who was in every sense of the word a nobleman, was Lord-Lieutenant of Breconshire for nine years previous to his decease. One of his daughters is the Viscountess Hereford, another married Sir George Walker, Bart., the eldest daughter married Sir William Style, Bart., while another married Colonel H. Gore Lindsay, tha late Chief Constable of Glamorgan, whose son, Captain Lindsay, recently succeeded him in that post. Of Lord Tredegar's sons, the eldest, Charles Rodney Morgan, died abroad when member for Brecon, 1854; the youngest son is the Hon. George Gould Morgan while the fourth is the Hon. Arthur John Morgan, J.P. and D.L., counties Monmouth aDd Brecknock, who un- successfully contested that county 1880 and 1885. The third son is the popular colonel, the Hon. Frederick Courtenay Morgan, M.P. South Monmouth since 1885, and county Monmouth 1874-85, who is the heir presumptive to the peerage, and who fought as a captain in the Rifle Brigade in the Crimea, and has been Honorary Colonel of the 1st Monmouthshire Volunteers for the last ten years, having pre- viously been Lieutenant-Colonel, 1860-70. He is seated at Ruperra Castle. The second but eldest surviving son is the present genial nobleman, Godfrey Charles, second Baron Tredegar, who was born 62 years ago and is unmarried. He, like his brother, is a Crimean hero, and to him more- over belongs the imperishable honour of having formedoneof the Noble SixHundred who went through the valley of death" at Balaclava, where he fought as lieutenant in the 17th Lancers, and was promoted captain for his conduct that day. He served as Major of the Gloucestershire Yeomanry Cavalry on retiring from the army 1856-75, and as Knight of the Shire for Brecknock 1859-75, when he vacated both positions on his accession to the title. Lord Tredegar, who resides at Tredegar Park, is a J.P. Glamorg:m, J.P. and D.L. Brecknock, and an Alderman and vice- chairman of the Monmouthshire County Council. He is universally and deservedly popular, and right worthily upholds the honour of his ancient house. His income is a princely one; he spends jt in a similar manner.

NOT A CAPTIOUS MAN. A night or two since, as a policeman was making his way up Beaubien-street, he was accosted by a coloured man with the remark: I I doan' want to seem capshus, sah—'deed I doan', but dar's trouble in my house ober dar." What sort of trouble?" Why, sah, a cull'd pusson called Williams sits dar wid his feet on de stove convarsin' wid my wife. I'se ordered him to vacate, sab, but he refused. What am de proper course in sich a case?" Go and order him out once more." In about ten minutes the man returned and reported: I doan' want to seem capshus, sab, but I dun ordered him out, just as you said." And he didn't go ?" No sah. He said he'd see me in Texas fust. What would be your advice under such circum- stances?" If a man was in my house, and wouldn't go out, I'd put him out." Would it seem eapshus, sah I don't think so." "Just as you say. sail-iigt so, sah. I feel sartin dat I ketch de ideah." He retired into his house, and the other re- mained to see the end. It came in about three minutes. Three or four yells were heard, some. body's feet seemed to strike the wall, and then the, door opened, and Williams flew into the street like a half-filled straw bed. He was scarcely on his feet before he bolted up the walk, and the owner of the house came down the steps to explain I doan' like to seem capshus, sab, but now dat I've got my ban' in I'd like your advice about cuffin' de ole woman up to a peak 'Pears to me dat she sorter incouraged Williams to believe dat I couldn't lick one side of him

?"C' HIS TPTOUBLE. MISS DOGGETT (to man who has returned her lost" pet): Here is five shillings, my good man. I hope Fido didn't give you much trouble ? MAN (with the air of a martyr) Thot same he did, mum. Oi had to kape him toied oop in th' cellar, axe sit thero an' watch him all day, or e!d,'&.broken loose and run back homo.

WELSH GLEANINGS. By LloiTwr. The Two Laws. The following inscriptions appear, a traveller informs me, on a public drinking-fountain at St. Asaph. I can only hope that everyone in that city has procured a trustees' ticket :Jesus answered and said nnto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up unto everlasting life."—John iv., 13, 14. "Lot him that is athirst come, and whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."—Rev. xxii., 17.-Take Notice.—Holders of the trustees' tickets are allowed to take this water. Anyone else taking it will be prosecuted.—By order.— Truth. A Canard. The paragraph that recently made the round of the papers to the effect that certain preparations are being made in Carnarvon Castle with the view of making it an occasional residence for Royalty was (says the Carnarvon Herald) simpiy a piece of sensational nonsense. The writer in a North of England paper who suggests that the "restored fabric may again become the residence of a Prince of Wales" has yet to "do" the Castle in order to perceive the absurdity of his conjecture. The simple fact, meantime, is that Sir John Puleston, the present constable, is bent upon leaving the grand old structure in far better repair than lie found it, and this necessary and praiseworthy work has been carried on for several months past. The task undertaken is to erect a turret, with battlements, on the Well Tower, to the left of the entrance, so as to bring it to correspond with the Dungeon Tower, to the right. Mr Howeil Williams. Mr Howell Williams, the candidate for the Denbigh Boroughs, was bora in Pembrokeshire, and is the son of a tenant farmer. He speaks Welsh, and is head of the firm of Idris and Co., mineral water manufacturers, London. He is a County Councillor for London, representing North St. Paneras Division, and is Chairman of the Main Drainage Committee of that body, which has the spending of one-third of the entire revenue of the Council, and is the most important of all the committees. Summer School ofTheology. The suggestion that a summer school of theology should be established in Wales has taken well, and been received with something very much akin to enthusiasm by busy and hard-working ministers. It is to be hoped that this movement will not he allowed to fall through, as so many advantages can be derived from it. I believe that the Rev J. A. Jenkins, B.A., Cardiff, knows a good deal about this proposal; let him again, then, suggest a committee of denominational leaders to take the matter immediately in hand this committee can resolve and determine how further action is to be taken, and the very fact of the committee bjing made up of the leading men of the several Welsh denominations would be sufficient testimony for conjecturing that the matter would be taken up with earnestness in all portions of the Principality. —OSirisiian loealth. Welsh Persistency. The hon. members who are fighting the Clergy Discipline Bill in Committee are Mr S. Evans, Mr Lloyd George, Mr D. A. Thomas, three Welsh Gladstonian M.P.'s, and Mr Philipps, a Scotch Gladstonian M. A., who often works with the "Young Wales Party." Despite tha angry appearance and agitated gestures of Mr Glad- stone yesterday, they declare that they will stick to their guns and fight to the bitter end. They are all young men-the first two were elected to Parliament in 1890, and the second two in 1888.— Evening News and Post. Dr Herber Evans. The religious press refers in very flattering terms to Dr Herber Evans' presidential addressat the Congregational Union. Says the British Weekly So closed a speech showing, as Dr Fair- bairn afterwards put it, the majesty and breadth of outlook of your own mountains, and the sudden and sweet surprises of your own valleys." It was marvellous as coming from one who preaches every Sunday at home in Welsh, and also proved how alive the Welsh pulpit is to the latest problems of faith and religious life. Those who know Dr Evans know him to be one of the best read men in the pulpit, and his ad- dress proved to some extent what varied fields he visits. A brighter, braver, breezier address was never delivered from the chair of the Congrega- tional Union. Mr Mendelssohn Parry. Mr D. Mendelssohn Parry, son of Dr Joseph Parry, of Penarth, has been summoned to London to act pro tern, as Professor at the Guildhall School of Music, one of the principal piano pro- fessors at that well-known academy having been ordered to take a prolonged rest. Until this term Mr Parry was piano professor at the Harrow Music School, and assistant organist at Harrow Parish Church, but has been residing with his father at Penarth since he was summoned home by his brother's lamented death. Disestablishment Meetings. The Monmouthshire Disestablishment Cam- paign Committee, of which the Rev W. Morris Thomas, Caerleon, and the Rev B. Ceitho Davies, Abercarn, are secretaries, have arranged to hold meetings in the county upon the Disestablishment question. The first of the series will take place at Phdlips's Memorial Hall, Newport, on May 31st, when Mr D. A. Thomas, M.P., Mr W. Abraham, M.P. (Mabon), Mr S. T. Evans, M.P., Mr Albert Spicer (candidate for the Monmouth Boroughs), Baron Profumo (candidate for South Monmouthshire), and Dr Edwards, Pontypool, will take part in the proceedings. Et Csatera, Professor Rhys is now engaged on a comparison of what remains there- are of Pictish, mainly on inscriptions, with Celtic, and also with the Basque language. Doubtless, we shall soon hear of sQme highly interesting results of his investigations. The annual meetings of the Welsh Baptist Union will be held this year at Carnarvon during the third week in August. This is the first time for the Union to visit Carnarvon. The Union comprises all the Baptist Churches in Wales and Monmouthshire, and hundreds of delegates will be present in the town attending the annual meeting. The Herald Cymraeg states:—Nebo, a small village situated on Llanllyfni mountain, is the residence of sixteen persons whose ages range from 88 to 77, the aggregate being 1,284 years. The same village boasts of having amongst its inhabit- ants twenty persons who arc between 65 and 77 years of age. There are only 80 voters, and of these 15 are octogenarians.

o WHERE HE SLEPT.—An English resident of Russia describes the merchant of that country as knowing the pecuniary value of what is called "a good position in society." He has a fine house and gorgeous furniture, and gives sump- tuous feasts; but he really sighs for the simple life which he formerly led as a peasant. The corpo- ration of a country town honoured me, says the writer, with a dinner, and I slept at the house of a rich merchant of the place. he old gentleman took me, according to custom, into every room of his house, and showed me all the expensive pro- perty he had stuffed it with—pictures, furniture, ornaments, clocks, carpets, silver and £ >old. I was called on to exhaust my vocabulary ot admi- ration. Among the rest he showed me his own bedroom, furnished with a very fined bed, and he asked me the invariable question-" What did I think of that ?" I admired it properly. I thought it magnificent. It was covered with blue silk and lace. Yes," he said, "that cost a good deal of monev, but," with a wink such^as nobody tut a Russian knows how to give, I don't sleepi' a-top of that bed. I sleep under it. A STERN TEST.—Mrs Feathers You think I paid too high for that bonnet ? Why, it's wopth t every cent of thirty dollars Feathers Humph t Takeit tathe pawnbroker's, and see.

The People's University. HOME-READING AND SELF- CULTURE. I HE emblems here shown are those of the National Home-reading Union-the lamp and the open book sur- rounded by a circle. The National Home- reading Union has made rapid strides in the Principality during the past year, and as the Fourth Summer As- sembly is to be held at Weston from June 25th to July 2nd, 1892, it is proposed to give some account of a national movement which bids fair to become a great institution. The Union has circles of readers in Cardiff, Swansea, Pontypridd, Aberdare, Mountain Ash, Pontypridd, Aberdare, Mountain Ash, Rhayader, &c., and several of the lecturers at the Summer Assembly at Weston are Professors of the University Colleges of Wales. From many points of view, which will be emphasised later, the gathering at Westen and the progress of the National Home Reading Union have special interest to the Principality. The Example of the New World. In America one of the great influences for good at work is admitted to be that of the Chautauqua Literaryancl Scientific Circle, which now numbers over a hundred thousand members, mostly in America, but with branches in every part of the world. It was really the outgrowth of a Sund ay School movement for the encouragement and direction of the reading of the young and old people in good literature, and has become in the first decade of its existence a great university for the people. The National Home Reading Union is founded somewhat on the ideas of the American institution, though it varies greatly from it in its management and selection of reading. The National Home Reading Union was inaugurated at Blackpool on July 16th, 1889, when Professor James Stuart, M.P., one of the ardent workers and disciples of the University Extension-Move- ment, delivered the first address at the summer gathering. In that memorable address he said The cause of this assembly is simple. The origin and cause of this assembly is the Education Act of 1870. Those who, neglected hitherto, were first got into the schools then, have now grown to be men and women in the prime of life, and in the first flush of young and capable activity; and north and south, and east and west, the effect of that fact is becoming evident." We have the children of the people taught how to read and write under the Education Act, but what then ? Thus far the. Legislature went and no further. We spend upon national education millions of pounds a year of the national revenue, and children arecarriedon to a period in lifu which is the most important in their existence, when the State system of education abruptly cuds. Year by year, at the ages of 12, 13, and 14, tens of thousands of young people leave the schools, and at the same time end all attempts at mental im- provement. We build up an enormous system of elementary educatiou at the public cost, and at the most critical part allow all the good results to run to waste. At the time the thousands of young people "complete their education in this country, the German boy or girl is still having its faculties trained and developed in continuation evening schools—intermediate, higher, and tech- nical schools. Too often we find that the youth thus neglected "turns its arithmetic to roguery, and its literature tolust," as CanonFarrar forcibly puts it. The Origin of ine Home Reading Union. It was mainly to fill up this gap of legislative shortsightedness, and to teach young aud old people how and what to read with the highest pleasure and advantage to themselves that the National Home Reading Union was founded. "It is to regulate the reading which otherwise may become foolish, frivolous, or debasing to stimulate the spirit of inquiry which otherwise might flag, to satisfy the mental demands which are too often neglected." It also aims at widen- ing the intelligence, at elevating the aspirations, at guiding the studies, atdeepeuing the happiness of those who will faithfully accept its guidance. In short, it is a bold attempt at bringing univer- sity teaching to the people." Its Constitution. The Homo Reading Union is non-political and unsectarian, and the composition of its vice- presidential roll and Council includes the great men and women of the Church of England, the Church of Rome, the Nonconformist bodies, the great public schools and universities, and poli- ticians and social workers. It is really and truly national in its character, and seeks to do a great national work. The Union has completed two years' successful work, and at the close of the first reading session it had enrolled 4,586 members and granted 2,356 certificates to members who had read the various prescribed courses. The third year's work will conclude with the Summer Assembly at Weston. The help and encouragement which the reader can obtain from the Union is surprising. I enrols each reader as a member, so that he comes into personal relation with it, and is associated with a large number of other readers like himself. The reader may join either the young people's section or the general readers for a fee of Is or 3s, and a reduction in the latter fee of one-third is made to working men and women. Each member receives a pamphlet containing the specially- selected course of reading, and may choose to some extent his or her reading for the nine months from October to June. A copy of the monthly journal is also sent to each member, by means of which his own interest in the work of tho Union is maintained. It is this journa which is the main bond of fellowship, and its articles and directions are contributed by Uni- versity men and women, and specialists in the subjects which they treat, so that the direction which the member gets is of tho best. The objects of the journal are:-(I) To give introduc- tions to each book that is to be read, showing its main points ->f interest—the good to bo got from it—the best ways of reading it, &c.; (2) to give explanatory notes, such as a tutor would give a class, on words, &c., in the bnoks read; (3) as far as possible to answer difficulties that are found in these books by thoir readers; (4) to show the influence of reading upon character and the happiness of life, and thus to awaken a deeper sense of the educative value of read- ing;" (5) to make announcements, and to create a bond of fellowship between readers. In addition memoranda sheets are sent to each member, so that, if possible, a short account of what has been read may be sent by each reader once a month, and any special difficulties may be stated that need explanation. These record memoranda will be kept, and certificates will be given at the end of the year, according to the work done. A special certificate will be given at the end of the full course, which will extend over four years. It will thus be seen that the most isolated reader in Wales may, for a small fee, enter a bond of fellowship and receive help and en- couragement, and new hopes in his studies. But it is not only to the isolated and individual reader that the Union appeals. Its greatest hope of success lies in the formation of reading circles. These circles may be formed among friends and neighbours, and in connection with day and Sunday schools, clubs, guilds, trades' uaions, mutual improvement societies, co-operative socie- ties, and literary and scientific societies. The method of procedure in circles is the same as with individual readers. Each member joins the Union, and receives all the advantages of mem- bership, with the additional advantage of meeting weekly, fortnightly, or monthly in the circle, where the reading may be discussed and difficul- ties solved. (To be continued.)

AFTER LONG SEPARATION.—Smith: Do yon remember Miss Arkwright, with whom we used to dance so often ?—J ones Perfectly she was pretty, but fanciful as the mischievous, light, and foolish, aud I often said to myself I pity the mau who marries her. —Smith I married her three year, -tgo. My darling," said the ardent young chemist, "you are worth your weight in pure iridium." And she felt just a trifle uneasy about it until she made inquiries next day, and found the dear, foolish fellow had apprised her at six million dollars and some odd oents.

I FARM AND GARDEN. I Seeds or Meadow Hay. When speaking of seeds," I allude to clovers and mixed grasses used for hay, while meadow hay includes such as is got from any permanent pasture fields, either uplands or lowlands. It is now time ts decide between mowing and grazing. Farmers will do well to mow extra breadths this summer where possible, as lickyards have not been so bare for many years. The last two winters have been severe, and extended so far into spring as to leave the country exceedingly barren in early summer. Hence there has been such a call upon haystacks that there is but a little store left in the country prices have gone up considerably, and unless a fruitful time follows on now, there Mill be a further advance. It is somewhat singular that not until the last decade or two has clover hay made a higher price in market than meadow hay, and yet there is no doubt that when well harvested it is really the more valuable feed for all kinds of horses doing slow work. Meadow hay will always be most in demand for hunters, hackneys, and carriage horses, but the large numbers of dray horses now in use in all large towns create a strong demand for clovers. There are several reasons why farmers may more profitably mow seeds" than permanent pasture for hay this year. The common stock of the farm thrive better on grass tields than on "seeds;" for, although the latter give early spriug feed, yet after mid- summer, when the rye-grasses run to seed, the herbage is not relished, and stock need new pastures to roam over. Seeds give two hay crops in the year, which is more than can be said of meadow land, as a rule. Even in the excep- tional case, the second crop of meadow hay compares badly with a second crop of clover. Seeds" produce a heavier weight per acre than grass, and, as the produce makes more per ton in market, the crop is obviously the more profitable to grow. Clover hay appears a more substantial feed for working horses than meadow hay. Every carter knows well that his team will keep in good condition with less corn oil clover than on meadow hay. Still, some eminent authorities have classed the majority of grasses on old turf ground as more nutritious than herbage on new turf. r, arni and Home." W:ndow Gardening. I notice as I walk about that a few of the most venturesome spirits are banging out their window- boxes, but it is rather early yet to fill boxes with tender things unless they can bo kept in a shel- tered position for a time. Good soil is a, necessity, whether one depends upon seeds such as mignonette or annuals, or fills the boxes in tho orthodox fashion with "geraniums," Marguerites, calceolarias, lobelias, fuchsias, &c. Tuberous begonias would be a success in win- dow-boxes if they got water enough. This is the weak point in outside window gardening. The plants after the In-st few weeks do not get enough water, either from carelessness about them or a misconception as to their wants. The same remark applies—though, perhaps, in a less degree—to outside window-boxes at all seasons of the year. Shrubs in winter often perish for want of water Fuchsias are not much grown now as window-plants, either inside or out. This is a loss, I think, as no other plant exactly takes the place of the fuchsia, and fuchsias never die if well cared for. Outdoor Garden. Look over roses frequently to destroy maggots, whether in the bud or curled up in the tender leaves. Green-fly wiil also have to be reckoned with. Bnfc there nte *-ty of 'insecticides for dealing with green-fly, and there is tobacco- I powder always handy. Weed and top-dress the I rockery. Old leaf-mould mixed with a httle snd forms a good mixture for placing round delicate subjects. There should be a rockery in every garden to provide a well-drained site for beautiful but delicate plants that cannot be grown elsewhere. To my mind this is one of the most interesting phases of gardening. Bedding plants in temporary structures hardening off must not be left altogether uncovered at night till the leaves are sufficiently hardened to bear exposure. This gradual hardening of the foliage is most important. The seasons somehow seem at present out of joint. Twenty years ago I used to begin bedding out by the middle of May. There was so much of it to do it was necessary to begin early. Now the end of the month is quite early enough to bed out anything except calceolarias and stocks and asters. The latter, if well hardened, may be planted out at any time now. Give liquid manure to roses. Water and mulch newly-planted trees and shrubs. Herbaceous plants set out this spring should also have some help in this way. With care, anything in the way of evergreens or hardy plants generally may yet be planted. It is late of course, for such work, but anything planted m this month will grow very well, and necessity sometimes comjiels one to do things later than the orthodox time. I am not a be- liever in orthodox time for doing anything it savours too much of rule of thumb. Stake and tie carnations and other border plants, which will shortly require support. Tie loosely. Young -P hands often do a lot of mischief by tying young shoots and stems too tight.—" Gardening Illustrated." Convolvulus Major for a Treilis. This most beautiful plant is not grown so fre- quently as it should be, especially in an east or west position, where tvelbs-work or a bare wall has to be covered quickly- Its habit of closing its flowers in strong sunshine makes it unsuitable for a south aspect; but on an east trellis its beauty is unrivalled, as the sun, after opening the blooms, passes off before it has power to destroy them. On the west side, too, the blossoms last until the afternoon, giving exquisite wreaths of fairy-like flowers until the sun comes round to them. This plant should be raised in small pots in the shelter of glass or a window, in May, and planted out in rich soil the first week in June, if frosts are over. Or the seed may be sown in the open ground early in May, in rich soil, covering them to the depth of a quarter of an inch. They need plenty of good soil, and also of water, to cover a trellis quickly.