Penarth Chronicle and District Advertiser

LITERARY EXTRACTS. BEAUTIFULLY SIMPLig.-Necessity, being the mother jf invention, is responsible for some strange ex- Sclients, as is exemplified by some shoopkeepers in e foreign and poorer quarters of London. Their themselves consist largely of foreigners, Including all nationalities, who cannot read English, f id a few who can read no language whatsoever, et the shopkeeper has no difficulty in informing them of the price of his wares; and he adopts a jjethod beautiful in its simplicity. Let us suppose a Eocer desires to make them understand the price of 8 tea. On the top of a little tray of loose tea he will have an ounce packet made up, and a penny, j which we assume is the price, tied to it with a piece of cotton. It is quite clear, then, that the price of I 3D ounce of tea is a penny. Experience soon teaches the customers the size of aa ounce packet, that I quantity of this commodity being the standard, as it Is rare that anybody in such neighbourhoods buys a greater quantity at a time. There is also no difficulty ps to quality, for there is usHally only one kind sold -the cheapest. A window of a provision and Seneral dealer's shop presents a curious appearance, 'here can be seen a packet of half a pound of sugar frith three farthings on it, a bundle of wood with a halfpenny, a loaf of bread with two-pence, a half- pint measure of milk with three farthings attached, SC. Nearly all the things sold in the shop are dis- played in the window, from pins to putty, from peas 10 potted salmon, and with their curious substitutes for price tickets for a unique, if unpicturesque, con- glomeration. To show that there is a reduction on a quantity, a coin is placed on one article and near it jMre several of the same articles tied together, and their total price in coin shown. The reduction is thus made apparent to the dullest. The expedient is found to be quite sufficient for their purposes. They dgn!t find it necessary to post up such notices as Paqr Trust is Dead Bad Pay Killed Him," for the uncertainties of the credit system are unknown jthem, but they would be equal to the Occasion bhould it arise, and would probably be ingeniOUST eijough to express these East-end little trading mottoes in a language of a universality equal to that expmtbd-though not realised-of Volapiik, with the additional advantage of greater clearness n tnd simplicity.—'Cdsselts Saturday Journal. JUNE.—June is as a (fairyland in the kingdom of the year-so gorgeous its pageants, so delicate each Retail, so gentle every word that is borne on the wavering breezes; and, the longest day, if it chance to fall in fair weather, is the treasure-house—all Mature is so passing fair then. See the clouds as they sail in the azure sky—billowy masses of white §nd grey, such as are seldom seen earlier or later in the year. They were there in April and May, but the background of deeps of blue where the dew is ftored was not so pure, and they showed to less advantage. June is the month to paint those vaporous squadrons that a prose poet has called "the fleets of Heaven." How apt the metaphor! In March, when boisterous winds drove them along and tore their canvas into shreds, how they drifted and tossed like ships in a gale How they hurried forward in the scant time of February flays, scudding along like the ships of iEneas, when the wind drove them on to the hospitable shores of Carthage. Now they glide at leisure, float in proud state, or ride at anchor for the days are long in June, and glad, and calm. Even clouds are cheerful now. All the sorrowful imagery of clouds were false if these were typical. The very shadows they cast are full of light they seem to smile as they let fall a shade that only Colours the hills more richly as they pass, and dyes the green of field and wood to bright er hue. June clouds are not the storm-signals we borrow to show forth those phases of human sadness that clouds, in poetic language, betoken; they are scarcely less radiant than June flowers. June flowers bloom everywhere. In the grass there are still some spring blossoms; daisies grow taller, trying to get abreast with luxuriant grasses buttercups are golden in the meadow, a few violets linger in the later copses; herb-robert is pink in the hedge. The tender anemones and sturdy daffodils, that alike seem able to bear early cold and storm, are gone. but still from the woodlands the fragrance of fading blue- bells is wafted and the ugly scent of white garlic that lies like winter snow in the dappled light and hade that is so pleasant in the woods while yet the icreen of leaves in June is faulty. Spring and lummer meet, their flowers intermingle. Lone sDrays of Solomon's Seal, one of the loveliest of our wild ">wers, put forth their white bells in the woods. Ihere too the purple orchis blows, and tiny flowers If hay-scented woodruff, wild strawberry, and lilies I of the valley. There is no dearth of flowers in the woods as yet. Later, when the trees have put on their full verdure, and the leaves are broad and itrong, darkness falls in the long aisles where branching columns and arches support an impene- trable roof; and in the daik few plants bloOlll.- The Quiver. KILLALoi;The Bishop of the diocese gives the following description of his cathedral city liillaloe is a. little town on a great river. A few inns and public- houses stand by the river-side, and up from the river's bank climb two or three steep, straggling, and muddy streets. These form the town. There is a little bustle in it generally, on account of the passing | barges depositing their freights on the little quays ind there is much conversation and frequent laughter among the men who are always standing at the corners of the streets, always smoking clay pipes, always ready to greet a stranger with a kindly word and pleasant smile. The country around is not exactly mountainous, but very hilly. The hills rise to about a thousand feet, with pasture and tillage creeping as far as they can up their sides, leaving the rounded tops rugged with slaty •rags, softened by heather and gorse. Between the Qills flows the river Shannon, about as wide here as the Rhine at Coblentz. A mile higher up it has amerged from a vast lake 25 miles long, varying in breadth from eight to three. After its rest in this lake, beautiful with wooded banks and jutting pro- montories, studded here and there with islands, where j old towers and ruined castles stand amidst trees and brushwood after this rest the river comes forth Keep, swift, and flowing, dark in colour, like the eves of Irish girls, dark with a blue that is almost black. It pours itself between the steep town of Ivillaloe and the steeply rising hills on the opposite side. An old bridge with many arches; lomo wide and some narrow, steps over the her here-ci bridge quaint and picturesque, but strong and massive, which has for centuries breasted the swellings of the mighty river. After passing the I ghadows of the_bridge, the river breaks into foaming -w-i 0 0

READINGS FOR THE YOUNG. (From the Christian Globe?) A GREEDY BOY. Benny was greedy, I'm grieved to, e Of all the good things that came fit his wayf The truth to tell you, he wantfgjjPmore Than ever he needed, ten times o'er, And he wheedled andj*shiiS&} hnd coaxed and cried, And often snatched.|LU)§ t]ii^g denied. He went to visit at*grandpa's farm, And all things tlr6 had a novel charm But the cream hrank, and the eggs he sucked, And the rooster's §?t^est plumes he plucked, Till all who met him" frWc shocked to see How greedy and rude a baj; could be, ;■* Of many fruits he had eaten his fill, When he found a new one prettier still, So smooth and bright, so glossy and red; "You mustn't taste that one," grandma said; But naughty Benny, so qtlick and bold, Crammed in just all that his mouth would hold. Then his face grew red, and his eyelid s streamed, While he gasped and choked and danced and screamed; 'Twas a ripe red pepper, so strong and hot, And, oh what a dreadful dose he got! Poor grandma pitied his pain and fright, But the rooster cackled: It serves him rights" TUB LONGEST DAY.' r It is quite important, when speaking of the longest day in the year, to say what part of the World we are talking about, as will be seen by read- ing the following list, which tells the length of the longest day in several places. longest day in several places. At Wardbnry, Norway, the longest day lasts, from May 21 to July 22, without interruption. At Stockholm, Sweden, the longest day is 18 hours in length. cl 2 At Spitsbergen, the longest day is three and one half months. In London, and at Bremen, in Prussia, the longest day has 16.j hours. At Hamburg, in Germany, and Dantzic, in Prussia, the longest day has 17 hours. At. St. Petersburg, Russia, and Tobolsk, Siberia. the longest day is 19 hours, and the shortest five hours. At Tornea, Finland, June 21 brings a day nearly 22 hours long, but how unfortunate are the children of the place at Christmas, for Christmas Day is less than three hours in length. At New York the longest day is about 15 hours, and at Montreal. Canada, it is 16. I But the longest dav of all will be in New Jerusalem; for there shall be no night there." ¡ EXERCISING THE SKIN. "The trouble with most bad complexions," said a doctor to a number of schoolgirls tile other day, "is that the skin does not get exercise enough." That was a new idea; they had never thought of it before, and, while they were bewailing the pre- sence of a muddy skin and of eruptions on the face, they had not dreamed that they could help the matter. 1 Well, here is the doctor's advice, given in a nut-, shell: Take a tonic every morning, in the shape of a I cool sponge bath, followed by a vigorous rubbing I with a dry towel, not too coarse, the face and neck receiving their full share of the friction. This sets the blood moving briskly and electrifies the system. Take a warm bath at bedtime, and wash the face I slowly, carefully, and thoroughly with warm water and soap. The oily matter exudiug from the skin satches minute- particles of dust, which cannot be ione I removed in any other way: and many eruptions | ire caused by neglect of this simple precaution. After this wholesome cleansing, dip the face into a basin of clear, cold water, and the skin will be left firm and healthy. I" Half-It-n-Lit-)tir a day will give time for the baths | and there-will be rest and refreshment, as well as an improved complexion, as a result." A DOG STony. I A good' story is told by Reuben Roseneath in the magazine with which Dr Barnndo seeks to interest young: people in his work, y „ The lad's name_was Biot.j_t.be "doé Slop. Their

Executed at the Chronicle Office, Penarth.

moti AMERICAN HTMOUK "You began practice ^Arkansas, did you not, doctor?" replied physician, I did. I would have got'S*. aloD g all right, if it had not been for my diploma. Y. occurred to one of the natives to ask what it was. "My diploma,' I answered, 'is from one of the best schools in the country.' 'You' 'don't mean to tell me,' said the old man, 'that you had ter go to school to lam your trade, do ye r' 'Certainly,' said 1. 'That is enough fer me said the old man; 'any feller that hain't got no more' nateral sense that he has to go to school to larn to- be a doctor, an' him a grown man, ain't no man fer me,' and he jammed his hands into his pockets and walked out. I stayed six weeks more, and gave it up." "You have brought new sunshine into my life," he said rapturously. "Do you mean that?" she asked tiinidiy. Of course I mean it. Can you dSuefcme?' "Oh, of course, I know you wouldn't intentionally misrepresent. But you know a young man so often thinks a gid has brought sunshine into his life when, in reality, it's only moonshine." TIIE porter of a palace car is envied and cordially disliked by a good many people, but all is not joy and tips even for the porter. I saw one the other dav whom I actually felt sorry for—the only one who ever came within the category of my" sympathy" The car was nearly full, it was a cold dav, and of course, the ventilation was bad. "Porter i" a, stout old gentleman near me; and the porter came. Open some of these ventilalors-we'll smother here. All right, sah And the porter got his. stack and went along throwing open the little oblon* wmdows above, while the ladies looked about ner- vously. III llFS ,minutes the temperature fell JOcleg °r j a little bald-headed man at tlia °i ff 9° J, Car' :ire .vou g°ing to freeze us to death ihe porter got his stick and began to close some of the ventilators. He knew he had lost one lp anc was a half-dollar out. "Now you're going to roast us again! cried a third gentleman. The £ ?,r,,eri T518 now ,a d°lIar out. "I can't, stand this ^.augiit, porter, said a lady, as he tried to get, awav. J-nis was probably a quarter more gone. Shut that floor, yelled a man down the aisle. Porter The porter went, down the aisle with a cold perspira- tion on his sable forehead. He explained that there \K,.s no door open. Then it's the ventilators, porter —shut 'em up This lady is chilled through The porter hustled along with his stick, making a mental calculation as to which ventilator would lose him the least money. He .-chose the one immediately over the head of thernan who started the row. You shut that ventilator and I'll report you to the com- pany," said that individual. But the. porter was angry himself now, and he closed it with a snap. Then the other people quietly settled themselves back with a leeling of satisfaction—and not another voice Yvag. raised during the triii.

I rapids rt rushes fiercely and wITcHyon both sides of an island where stands one of the very oldest churches in Ireland-a diminutive building, with roof of stone-grey, worn, and battered, but too firm and solid to be called a ruin. Just before the river divides it passes close under the old cathedral. The sound of the rushing waters can be heard as the people pass under the ancient deeply-moulded arch into the dim, solemn, quiet house of prayer. A fine specimen of early Irish architecture is this church of St. Flannan. It is half covered with ivy, but it is well preserved, and has, during late years, been carefully restored. It has a massive square tower. Its lancet windows are tall and narrow, but exquisitely proportioned; each deeply-cut moulding, each quaintly-carved corbel, is a study for the antiquary. The Norman arch and dog-tooth fretwork were still lingering with the childhood of Gothic when the cathedral was built, and the Transition style gives it a peculiar interest and beauty. In this old cathedral the new bishop's enthronement took place. The ceremony caught a shade of the pathos that wa observed in the scene outside. There was something in it touching, sad, speaking of struggle and difficulty, Mad a present coming through a much-tried past, and yet it was at the same time bright with cseery eontentment, with pleasant human sympathy, and With readily upspringing hope.-The Quiver This was the secret of his good luck Lhe was so obliging." Did the merchant or waggoner want an errand boy, or did anyone want a job done at a moment's notice, it was only to get sight of Will and it was as good as done for Will would hurry through his own business in order to help. When he was at home he kept the wood-box full of wood, and his mother never had to ask him to bring up a scuttle of coals, and many other little things did he do in a cheerful manner, so that he was a great favourite. If he saw younger boys in trouble, he would try to help them out; and he put on his shoes, after having taken them off one pouring, wet night, to walk two miles to the town for a parcel containing a new gown the carrier had neglected to bring to the kitchen girl, who was crying bitterly because she could net have it to wear next morning at her sister's wedding. But it was not so much what Win did, as how he did it, that was so agreeable.

I home was in ITaltasounu liay in nsT, ~tBe tfios t northerly island of the Shetlands. It was the doctor's house, and everybody knew it. One day the' lad set sail in his pleasure boat with his dog and gun. Lying in the mouth of the bay is the uninhabited island of Balta. He sailed outside this island, and passing a rock that pushed its head out of the sea, he saw an otfer on it. To shoot it, to jump on the rock with the end of the mooring rope in his hand, was the work of a moment. But, as the boat fell off to leeward, to his horror, he saw the rope slip through the ring and drop into the sea. He could not swim he was a prisoner, and the tide was rising. Slop was with him. He had taught him to carry messages home. He wrote on a leaf of a book, I am on the Skarta rock boat adrift; send help instantly." He tied this to Slop's collar and ordered him home. The dog seemed to know it was a matter of life and death. Biot watched his progress. He reached the island, he saw him clear against the sky, and then: disappear. Slop had now to cross the island,, swim across to Unst, and then he had two miles of a journey. And what if a rabbit crossed his path? Oh, what waiting! Hel sat passive and powerless for three long weary hours, but as the waves were laving his- feet the awful stillness was broken by the quick stroke of oars. Round the headland came a light four-oared boat, and high in the bow, with paws on the gunwale, quivering with excitement, was faithful Slop. Slop is now no more. His master no longer lives in the doctor's house in Unst. His home is in a Scottish manse, and when his sons wish to see his eyes sparkle, they ask if once he had a dog called. Slop. vc* PRIDE IN THE FAMILY NAME. A teacher, who has bad long experience in dealings with boys, writes: I wonder if mothers realise how easy it is to appeal to a boy's sense of honour? One of my most unruly pupils at one time was the son of a prominent member of the Town Council, whose noble Christian character was the admiration of all' his fellow-citizens. His son was constantly violating the rules of the school. At length I said to him I have no influence over you any longer, Sara, and there is nothing to do' but to send you home. Of course, you won't mind the disgrace of being expelled, but think how your parents will feel to have the fine old name of dishonoured.' "He was a manly boy, and quickly replied: 'I never thought of that.' From that time forward the sense of upholding the honour of the family name was a strong motive with him. I think the cases are few where a boy may not be influenced by appealing to his pride in the family mwe," *+..1 -■ •••-• I TRIPPING INTO TOWN. A little lass with golden hair, A little lass in brown, A little lass with raven locks, Went tripping into town. I like the golden hair the best!" And I prefer the brown And I the black three sparrows said, Three sparrows of the town. Tu-whit! Tu-whoo and ol owl cried, From a belfry in the town Glad-hearted lasses need not mind If locks be gold, black, brown Tu-whit! Tu-whoo so fast, so fast, The sands of life run down. And soon, so soon three white-haired 44paes Will totter through the town; Gone then, for aye, the raven locks, The golden hair, the brown, And she will fairest be whose face "C Has never worn a frown." ti'Vi'iiiiiiiiii»«iilllMlll'fitili'irilil iinnjfcj.