Glamorgan Free Press

HOpOUIWC A WELSH HARPIST. Enthusiastic Welcoiqe at Caerphilly. On Wednesday evening, Master James Wil- liams, the brilliant young haroist of Aberga- venny, who won the first prize for the best ren- dering on the pedal harp of "Autumn" (John ThomasV for which the prize wax B10 offered at the National Eisteddfod, Newport, Mon., re- ceived quite an ovation on his arrival at Caer- philly that evening. On the arrival of the train from Newport he victorious young minstrel was met at the sta- tion by his famous tutor, Mr Barker, and hund- reds of the inhabitants, who formed in proces- sion. Headed by the Town Brass Band, they shouldered the "conquering hero," who was carried in triumph through the town, the band playing the appropriate tune, "The British Champion." Along the whole route, the inhabitants came out and cheered heartily the modest vo-ung hero. This is the 27th first prize brought to the "Home of Harps," by pupils of Mr Richard Barker, ten feeing national, one international, and sixteen minor eisteddfodau. Caerphilly has had an un. broken chain of eminent harpists from the days of Edward Jones, the composer of the popular and spirited tune, "Caerphillv March," down to the present day. The latter exponent of "iaith enaid arei thanau," was an exceedingly popular minstrel in days of yore, and was family harp- ist to the Tredegar, Cefn Mably, Llanarth, and the leading gentry in Gwent and Morganwg. He was chosen to play before His Majesty, George III., when that monarch visited the Principality and called at Abergavenny. What a significant coincident in history! In ancient days a Caerphilly harpist receives honour at Abergavenny; .in modern days, Abergavenny's famous lharpists is thonoured at Caerphilly! Edward Jones died in the year 1836, and was succeeded by his son, John, who was then a tutor of the celebrated triple harp player, Llew- elyn Williams (Pencerdd v De). Following these ancient minstrels came the eminent princes of the divine art, the Baker Bros., whose fame has extended from "sea. to sea, and from the river to the uttermost part of the earth." Here Ap Siencyn, of Chicago fame, was couched by the Gamaliel of the harp." "Hail, Caerphilly's sweetest music, Echoes of the inspired strings, Wafted on the wings of ages, Hallowed themes to our souls it brings Still our ethereal regions Are pregnant with ecstatic strains, Harmony 'twixt earth and heaven, Old Caerphilly still retains. Castell.vud has collected the history of these ancient a-nd modern minstrels, which will be in- eluded in his book on the history of Caerphilly, Van, and other interesting places in the neigh- bourhood. The book promises to sell well, as the author has already received orders for sev- eral hundred copies.

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[COPYRIGHT.] A DAUGHTER OP THE TROPICS. BY FLORENCE MARRY AT, Author of" Lotva Oonfli Vtronique," etc. CHAPTER XVIII. "WM5 WILL MRS. ARLINGTON SAY?" AftER this the two bmji smoked for some time Without peaking a word. Eacott could not tjuite trust himself t,3 ask any more questions about the contempts-ed change, which involved BO many undreamtof contingencies and Ker- rison felt half guilty, and more than half foolish, as hs remembered how often he had pictured future to his friend which he had tbeen the first to destroy- At length the silence was becoming oppres- sive, and ColoKil Escott made anoffort to break it. *'I wonder," he said, reflectively, "what ■Mrs. Arlington will say The allusion nettled Kerrison. iRe also had Pondered (more than once) what Mrs. Arling- ton would cay, but he was too proud to confess it. "I don?i understand you, Jem," he answered. I am not in the habit of consulting my servants .about my private affairs U Mark, you would neveroall Mrs. Arlington servant ? No I was wrong to stse that term, per- haps;; but your remark instigated it What ■I should have said is, that I should as Boon think of consulting my servants as Mrs. Arling- ton. She is a paid empteyie in my establish- ment, and has nothing to do with any depart- ment but her own." But will she continue to £ 11 that depart- ar-ent under the new arrangement ? *• Why should she not"% 4" I don't know The question simply ooccúrred to me. Ladies do not always get on very well with each other." "Mrs. Arlington will have nothing to do with my wife. I shall put it to—to Lily it she wishes lier to continue to direct the housekeeping. II she does-things will go on as usual. If she does not —Lola will subside into my secretary -coly, and my wife will look after her own house. see no difficulty in the matter." "Not from your point of view, perhaps: but women are difficult creatures to deal with, and I have always heard that when a batchelot who has kept up an establishment like yours, marries, he generally finds he has to get rid of the female members of it3 Then Lola Arlington may go replied Ker- rison, promptly. Go?" echoed Colonel Escott in surprise. u Yes; of course she must go Do you sup- pose I shall allow a single creature, male or female, to remain in the house to annoy my darling? Not a bit of it I am going to marry her in order to try and remove the worries and troubles of life from her path-not to augment them And whoever annoys her in the slightest degree, or fails to make her more comfortable instead of less, must find a home elsewhere. That is all J" "I had no idea," said the Colonel, in a voice which was a little shaky on Mrs. Arling- ton's account, "I had no idea that you would part with an old and tried friend in so uncourt- eons a manner. Think how careful Mrs. Arling. ton has been of your oomfort—how devoted to your interests. You would 6urely not resent » little natural annoyance on her part by a summary dismissal ?" What right; would she have to feel an- noyed ? demanded Kerrison, with an uncom- fortable recollection of the avowal she had made to him. "Only the right of friendship to mourn wher >t finds itself no longer first," replied Eecott sighing. ° .g That's a hit at me, old fellow, and all the promises I have made to keep to you, and to you only, to my life's end. But you mubtn't imagine that my marriage will make any differ. ence between us. No woman can come between ^°!i aP lne' you will still be my bsst friend « ,c, m my life's end. Promise me." Always your best and truest friend, Mark, to the day of your death," replied the Colonel, with emotion. You may depend upon it." That's right; and all the rest may go naog I know you will be charmed with my -Lily, and she will soon be as fond of you as I lun. As for Mrs Arlington, I will speak to her the first thing in the morning, and she must decide for herself. If she doesn't care to stay 1rith me as a married man I will look out for another secretary but if she does stay she must treat my wife with the deference and attention due to the mistress of my house, or We shall fall out on that score." The idea of Lola Arlington treating Lily Power with deference was so incoagruous an that Colonel Escott did not stop to con- template it, but passed on to another subject: When is the marriage to take place, Mark?" 'At the close of the season. I have already secured a shooting-box in the Highlands as you know. I shall take my wife there for the honeymoon, and after a fortnight you must join **8, and we'll have a rare time after the grouse together." ''Thanks, dear old man, but you will be tatter alone, and I shall have business to detain fte in town." What business ? Well, I shall have to look out for rooms for myself for one thing, and the furnishing Of them will occupy all my time." "Jem, you are not in earnest?" What do you mean, Mark ?" You will not leave me because I am going to be married! You promised, you know, to j *e up a permanent abode in my house. I look upon you as a fixture here—in fact, I will lwt part from you." "My dear fellow, that is nonsense The arrangement was made under the idea that "e were both to remain bachelors. Now that .you are about to blossom into a married man 4W such promises must come to an end. What Would your wife say to having a constant visitor at your table ? "My wife will say what I say," insisted Kerrison; and I say that you shall not 30. Here you are, and here you remain." It is impossible, Mark. It would not make *6 happy. It will not be the same thing at 411. I should feel like an 'outsider.' I am quite determined to make a home for myself." It was the first cloud that had arisen to overshadow Kerrison's bright anticipations of the future and he felt it deeply. He did IIot argue the matter further, he did not even 8° on smoking, but he put his pipe on one and leaned his head despondently on his tWo hands. Escott guessed his thoughts, and drew nearer to him. Ie Don't worry about it, old fellow," he said, IRelatlY- It's only what was to be expected In the natural course of events. I never quite believed that, with your wealth and popularity, you would keep single for ever. 1 have had a very happy time of it whilst here, and I shall never forget it. But I shall always be near at hand, and able to drop in on your disengaged evenings and smoke a pipe as we liave been doing now." r "It won't be the same thing," echoed Kerri- eon, wringing his hand. We will hope it may be something much Pleasanter," said Escott, cheerfully. "And Vtho knows but one of these days I may follow your example and look out for a wife for my- f. Then there will be two good old bachelors 8poiled instead of one." "It's all very well to laugh, responded *ark Kerrison, irritably; but you have eaade me miseral,le." And on the following morning, when he word to Mrs. Arlington to join him in the 'brary, the same idea was in his mind. cc I suppose xhe will give me warning too he thought fiercely to himself; "and then I hall have lost both of them.1' ..The anticipation made hire almost rough in ^manner of announcing the news to her Mrs. Arlington, I have something of import- ftee to tell you-at least it may prove of import- 4fte in shaping your plans for the future. I ?°'ng to be married to Miss Power on the of next month." j *o gay that the woman was surprised Q°thing. She felt as if ehe had been sud- <*h ^med to stone. The repulse which *Ho received at Mark Kerrison's hands a ^e^ore had only (if possible) inflamed her to conquer him. It had staggered her, LI.W siho etui trusted in maman'8 prophecies, and believed that in time 1 she would win him for herself; and now he was about to be married-to be lost to her per- haps for ever She flushed and paled under the intelligenca) and her body swayed to and fro where she stood and yet she had sufficient command o^er herself to look him full in the face and say t "Indeed sir I "Yes, it is true. I should have toTd you sooner had it been possible; but it caine about at the last rather suddenly, as I suppose such things usually do. Any way, it is a fact. And now I want to know your wishes on the sub- ject." My wishes, Mr. Kerrisen I mean with respect to your situation here. Do you intend to retain it or not ? CHAPTER XIX. MRS. ARLINGTON WOULD RATHER STAY. LOLA ARLINGTON did not know at first what to answer. She had reigned in that house like its mistress; she had bad the control of every- thing. The servants had been retained or dismissed as she thought proper, and no limit had bean plaoed on her expenditure or her authority. To remain in it, therefore, under the rule of Lily Power would be gall and wormwood to her. And yet how could she part with him? How could she go forth to seek another home where she should never hear his voice nor see his face again? The unfor- tunate woman, with the blind, unreasoning love of an animal, which brings no intellect to bear upon and counteract the evil of a grosser nature, believed that she would kill herself seoner than give up the dangerous pleasure that formed her daily food. Even if she must resign aU hope of becoming his wife, she would still remain near him, she thought, and retain her influence over him, and continue to make her- self a necessary adjunct to his life. That his wife (if she loved him) would be made un- happy by such a course of action never entered for one moment into the calculation of Mrs. Arlington. Wives, in her estimation, were insignificant items, whose happiness (how- ever authorised) was not to be thought of for a moment in comparison with her own. It was herself she considered, and therefore, notwith- standing her disappointment and chagrin, she elected to remain. To gain time she repeated Mark Kerrison's words: "Do I intend to retain my situation or not? The question rather is, sir, do you intend to retain me ?" Of course I do, under—under certain con- ditions." May I inquire what those conditions are ? You set me an unpleasant task in asking me to repeat them, but I don't think I need do more than remind you of a eertain confidence that took place between us a month ago, for your answer." Mrs. Arlington's brow grew dark at the allu- sion, but she made no comment upon it. "I suppose, although it may sound egotisti- cal," continued Mark Kerrison, that it is only due to my future wife and myself that I should tell you, Mrs. Arlington, that we are very much attached to one another, and that what hurts her will hurt me. Also, that I expect and intend her to come into my house as its sole mistress and although I do not think she will have any desire to interfere with your prerogatives, her wishes on all points must be deferred to as if they were law." Of course said Mrs. Arlington. She possesses a sweet, gentle nature, with- out any idea of domineering or tyrannizing, and she has known trouble, and will be quick, I am sure, to feel for others. But she will be my wife-the honoured head of my household, and the first thought in my life-therefore she must be treated as such by everyone who lives under the same roof." I expected no less, Mr. Kerrison And I expected no less of you than a recog- nition of her rights, Mrs. Arlington. I was sure you were too sensible a woman to do anything else. But if-under the circum- stances — you would rather leave me than stay —say so." "I would rather stay It would be folly of me to pretend that I shall not somewhat feel the change, but you shall not be troubled by any knowledge of it. Let me stay and be your friend and assistant, as I have been hitherto. The future Mrs. Kerrison will never receive anything but the utmost courtesy and deference from me. Only—unless you find she can better fill the place than myself-let me still be your secretary-your housekeeper, if it pleases you both-and I will continue to serve you as faithfully as I hitherto have done!" 0 I don't think the future' Mrs. Kerri- son, as you call her, will interfere with either your secretarial or housewifely duties," replied Mark, softly laughing to himself. "She is a tender flower, like her name, who has con- sented to bloom in my garden for the rest of her days. She is too delicate for work of any kind, and should never have been set to rough it in the world. But we shall soon remedy all that On the tenth of next month, then, Mrs. Arlington, my house will have a mistress. Please make the fact known in the servants' hall it will save me an infinity of trouble. Good morning!" Are you not going to work to-day, Mr. Kerrison ? "Well, no, I think not?" he said, rather confusedly. "The fact is, I am not much in the humour for work just now (as you may suppose), and there will be plenty of time for it when I have settled down. I am going to Greenwich, and may not return to dinner. In which case, make my apologies to Colonel Escott. I suppose you have nothing more to say to me he continued, moving towards the door. "Nothing, Mr. Kerrison." He nodded carelessly to her in reply, and passed from the room, leaving her standing by the table with an expression on her face that was not pleasant to behold. Her hand, too, as it hung down by her side, was clenched with anger, and the eyes that followed his retreating form were dark and vindictive. Mark Kerrison would have reason yet to remember the day when he told Lola Arlington that he was going to marry Lily Power. CHAPTER XX. AT APPLESCOURT. THE season was over. The theatres were clos- ing one after the other, and London streets looked empty. Everyone who had enough money to leave town had rushed away to the seaside or the country, trying to shake off the defilement of dust and the enervating effects of languid days and heavy nights in the breezes from the Channel, or the fresh luxuriance of the woods and fields. Applescourt, situated in the heart of Surrey, was in its summer glory. It was an ideal estate for a gentleman of independent means, owning a park, and a wood, and a lake, with an extensive flower-garden, and just sufficient farm and poultry-yard to supply the wants of the family. Mrs. Fielding, to whom the property belonged in her own right, was very proud of it, and boasted of possessing the finest flower-garden the longest line of hothouses, and the best gar- dener in England. Reynolds (as this last-named functionary was called) was always well to the front at every horticultural show, and had a row of prize silver cups upon his side- board that were the envy of the neighbours. His mistress was as great an enthusiast as himself, and almost spent her life amongst her flowers. Indeed it was the general opinion of the country-side that Mrs. Fielding only cared for two things in the world-her garden and her son-and no one was quite sure which she liked the best. If she was a good mother to Esme she was certainly not a pleasant one, for ehe tried to rule him with a rod of iron. He was her only child, and she had been left a widow at nineteen, with nothing but her little boy to comfort her. She had been deeply attached to her husband. bad married him, being a great heiress and he a poor man, against the wishes of all f», «-ieu^8J 8^e had regretted but one thing that he had died and left her to enjoy her nches by herself. Nothing, however, would induce her to part from their son. induce her to part from their son. Until the days of infancy were over, Earn6 had slept in her bosom all night, and been her constant companion by day. As he grew older, her friends entreated her to send him to A public school and make a man of him. But Urs. Fielding insisted on having a private tutor for him instead. She brought him up to no proi'esaion. Her only wish was to educate him to be a companion for herself, and a fitting inheritor of her property when ehe should be gone. Meanwhile the youth moped and became discontented with his lot, and fell into mischief for the want of something to do. The doctors, probably instigated by young Esmé's relations, recommended travel and change of scene, and most unwillingly Mrs. Fielding gave her con- sent to his going abroad for a twelvemonth with his tutor. This bad happened about three years ago. Meantime his mother, feeling lonely in his absence and missing the presence of youti in the house, had secured the services of a young girl as companion, and imprudently retained them after her son's return. The usual consequences ensued. The girl was pretty and innocent—the boy impressionable. In an evil moment Mrs. Fielding discovered that the two young people had plighted their troth to one another, and exchanged rings. In her blind rage and mortification she even thought she had discovered much more; and the idea that Esmd had dared to free him- self from her leading-strings, and choose his own path in life, drove her frantic. She was a woman of a violent temper, and it had never been crossed before. She called her son and her companion to appear in judg- ment before her, and accused them of a mutual affection. They could not deny it. They even went so far as to appeal to her sense of justice and mercy and led away by her anger at their apparent opposition, she commanded Esmd to choose at once and for ever between herself and the girl he professed to love. The young man was taken aback. He did not know what to do. To give up his mother, who had been everything to him from his birth, was an impossibility. Yet it seemed equally impossible to desert the trembling girl he had been the means of bringing into this trouble. He tried to temporise in vain; he appealed to his mother's affection for him with no better effect. Mrs. Fielding was adamant. He must relinquish her society, and all hopes of inherit- ing her property-or this low-born girl whom he had chosen to degrade himself by associating with. It was an awful moment for Esmi-one of those eras in a man's existence when it seema impossible for him to act kindly and honourably by all. He had a hard struggle with him- self, but, when it ended, his choice had fallen on his mother's side, and Mrs. Fielding was triumphant. But she could not let the matter rest there. She drove the poor girl (who had been the cause of her trouble) from the gates of Apples- court, with such revilings and innuendoes as robbed her of her reputation for ever. And then, when frightened, trembling, and in tears, the poor young creature fled from her eight, Mrs. Fielding turned her attention to consoling her son. But this proved to be no easy matter. Esme either sulked, or sorrowed so much, that his mother found very little pleasure in his society. At last he startled her by a demand for an allowance adequate to his position. He was then of age, and considered, as he had no profession, that it was only due to him. Mrs. Fielding felt this circumstance bitterly. It was the first effort Esme had made to break the chain that linked him to Applescourt, and she feared lest, once free, he might fly away altogether. But when she consulted her friends on the subject they advised her to comply with her son's request, or to anticipate worse conse- quences. He would run away to sea, or to Australia, they said, if she did not lengthen his tether. So, much against her will, Mrs. Fielding agreed to give him five hundred a year as a priv- ate allowance, and the usual result ensued. Esme spent more than half his time away from Applescourt, and only returned there when he had exhausted his revenue. He was at home at present, however, and his mother was con tent. She thought he looked ill and pale, but he gave no account of his doings, ana only attri- buted his appearance to the unusual heat of the London season. He never mentioned the rupture of his youth- ful attachment to Mrs. Fielding, and she often wondered if he had met that disreputable girl again, or if he were in communication with her. She would have liked to question him, but she dared not. It was two years now since it occurred, and Ermd had advanced to manhood with rapid strides, and bore a look upon his handsome face so like his father, that she felt sometimes just a little afraid of displeasing him so the matter appeared to be sunk in oblivion. They were sitting at breakfast one morning together, in a pleasant, lazy ;sort of way, skim- ming their letters and newspapers as they ate and drank. It was burning hot in London at the time, where the August sun was streaming down on bricks and tiles that had not yet cooled from the day before but here at Applescourt, although the land was flooded with light, a cool breeze was rustling through the pine-woods, and wafting perfume on its wings as it gently lifted the paper that Mrs. Fielding was trying to decipher. What a string of marriages she remarked presently. It seems as though people pur- posely delayed their wedding-day until they were ready to leave London, in order to make one journey serve both purposes." "And very sensible too," yawned Esmé. "There's quite enough to do in the season with- out having to marry anyone !—such a bore as it must be at any time Mrs. Fielding laughed at his nonchalance. It seemed as if he had quite got over his youthful folly for the dismissed companion. What is the name of the man with whom Colonel Escott is living ? she asked, presently. "Mark Kerrison." "Then he is married. Listen here—'On the tenth of August'—that was last Thursday— 1 at All Saints', Bayswater, Mark Kerrison, of 302, Hyde Park Gardens, to Lily Power.' "To whom?" cried Esme, suddenly leaving his seat, and crossing over to her side. Lily Power. Who is she? Do you know her ? 1) Where is the paragraph ?" he asked, as he took the paper from her hands. Women are very sharp in all matters con- nected with the heart. Esmé spoke low, and tried hard not to let his voice tremble but Mrs. Fielding detected the effort at once, and looked up quickly in his face. It was paler than it had been, and his dark, straight brows were knitted together. Her suspicions were aroused at once. I have read it out to you There is noth- ing more to see," she said, sharply. But he took no notice of the remark. Well," continued Mrs. Fielding, after a pause, why don't you answer my question? Do you know this Lily Power, that you appear so interested in the marriage ? I know Mr. Kerrison," he replied, eva- sively; "is not that enough? And I am sur- prised my godfather never told me ho was going to be married; it is most unexpected In fact, the only time the subject was mooted before me, it was to hear it emphatically con. tradicted "Who contradicted it?" Mrs. Arlington—Mr. Kerrison's lady-secre- tary." "And did you meet this Lily Power there?" Yes I met her there." Esmd, what is the matter with you this morning ? You don't mean to tell me that the mere fact of this woman bearing that girl's name has the power to affect you ? You are not so weak and foolish, surely, as to be hankering after that old business still ? At this allusion Esmó Fielding flushed darkly red. "Mother, that 'old business,' as you call it, took place two years ago, and I have never spoken to you of it from that day to this. I don't recognise your right, therefore, to rake it up again." "You may not have spoken of it, but you have often thought of it and that you cannot deny. I have no wish to deny it. I shall think of it to the day of my death Esme, I am asha.med of you I thought you had more pride An ill-bred, presuming girl -11 Mother if you don't stop I shall say some- thing you will be sorry to hear for if I have not spoken of that time to you, it is because I have been too angry to trust myself to speak of it! Did you imagine that my silence meant approval ? That because I was too foolish, or too cowardly, to stand up in the defence of Lily Prescott, as I should have done, I had no eyes for your injustice to her—no indignation for your unwomanly taunts and threats ? If so, you are marvellously mistaken I have thought of her constantly I have never forgotten that degrading Út41 mu«u ^yu ..¡¡1' :.1b lJW¡ uiiiiu j out of Applescourt without a name, a character, or a friend Whatever has become of her since —whether she is an honoured wife, or has joined that unhappy company that nightly haunts our streets, her fate lies at your door Her blood is on your hands I If you have any wish to retain my affection or respect, don't mention the name of Lily Prescott to me, for it is bhe shame and mortification of my life 11 Mrs. Fielding was astonished at this out. Durst. Her son had been so reticent hitherto, that she was quite unprepared for it, and guessed it once that it must have been caused by some later incident than the one he alluded to. WM it possible that these two Lilys were the same ? And yet how could Mr. Mark Kerrison have committed the folly of marrying an outcast ? Don't attempt to deceive me!" she exclaimed, with true feminine tact, assuming that to be true of which she needed the assur- ance, "you have met that girl again, and it i* useless denying it." Why should I deny it?" he returned, cq am my own master." "So you take good care to let me know said his mother, bitterly. But you would do well to remember that your allowance can be withdrawn at my pleasure, and that I am at liberty to leave my property to whom I think fit." "Oh! take back your allowance, then, and leave your money to the butler, if it pleases you exclaimed Esmd, for I am weary oJ these constant threats; or, rather, since it is my misfortune to be dependent on you, let me draw a year's allowance in advance, and I wilts go out to Australia or America, and rid you of my presence for ever! I am sick of Eng- land, and everything in it, and wish for nc better fate than to lose myself and my identitj in a new world He has seen that girl, and she is beyond his reach," thought Mrs. Fielding, sagely. "I shouldn't be in the least surprised to find it if she who has entrapped poor Mr. Kerrison she was artful enough for anything! I shall make it my duty to discover, for I will Hot let Esme fall into her clutches a second time. If this is not Lily Prescott under an assumed name, why should he be so upset at reading ot the marriage ? There's more here than meets the eye." As she pondered thus behind the shelter of the newspaper-she was too agitated to read -Esmé was gnawing his heart out on the opposite side of the table. "Marriedl" he thought—"married, and gone beyond my reach for ever How mad I was to speak to her as I did! My action must have determined her fate He did not address his mother again, but rising, presently, took out his cigar-case and prepared to pass through the French win- dows into the garden. Mrs. Fielding became afraid she had gone too far; she crossed the room to her son's side, and, standing on tip-toe, kissed him on the fore- head. "We won't talk about Australia just yet, my boy," she said, kindly; you know you can have double your present allowance, if it is not sufficient, and that all my real desire is for your happiness. If we don't always quite agree on what will further it, you must ascribe my different views to a mother's anxiety. You are all I have, EamA I could not part with you but don't let us broach this subject again, my dear. It can lead to nothing but unhappi- ness; let it be dropped between us henceforth, and for ever." She was very careful to make no further allu- sion to Mr. Kerrison's marriage, or the lady who "bad denied its possibility out she had for. ?rotten neither of them neverthelets, and she ully intended to carry out her plan of dis- covery. Colonel Escott and she were naturally friends, and through him she would be able to find out all she wished; but she knew the only way to lull Esmé's suspicions regarding her actions was to pretend that the painful subject was closed between them for ever. (To be continued.)

Te Benefit of the Doubt." A PANDY AUCTIONEER'S WATCH. Alderman R. Lewis and Councillor D. Thomas, sitting at the Ystrad Polioo60 on. Monday, heard a case in which William Edwards, » collier, was summoned for stealing an English lever watch, value 35s, the property of Louis Fine, an auctioneer, residing at Pandy. The evidence tendered by the prosecution was to the following effect: The prosecutor was conducting a sale in a shop in Dunraven street, on the night of Bank Holiday, when the defen- dant, who was in a drunken condition, entered the room. There were nine watches on the counter at the time, and defendant took bold of one of them, and placed it in his pocket. He afterwards put it back, and then picked up another watch, and immediately left the room with a watch in his possession. He returned to the room, but without the watch. P.O. Pratt deposed to arresting defendant, who when charged denied having stolen the watch. Witness had failed to find the watch. The Bench said there wasno reliable evidence before them, and they therefore gave prisoner the benefit of the doubt, and discharged him.

CHRISTIANITY AJJD PROGRESS. To the Editor. Sir,—Mr Baker has made another discovery, which is quite on a par with the other mare's nest he found anent Darwin. He has found that I have executed a complete volte face on this question, merely because I eulogised the Protestant reformers, their principles, and their work. He is either too obtuse to discern the poinnt raised, or he sophisticates to suit his pur pose. I thank your other correspondent for re- minding me of the Pauline doctrine, "Prove all things; hold fast to that which is true," because that is the fundamental principle of free thought But I need not thank him for any opportunities or access to material to form a judgment on the question; for he would rigidly exclude from our public libraries anything adversely criticising the Christian superstition. If he had his way, no doubt, he would veto the Editor in publishing my reflections on it. These Christians will glorify the Reformation with their lips, while they abandon the very principles they eulogise. They accept, as John Stuart Mill remarks, the ethics of Christ and his apostles up to the point of practising them. He is a good divine who follows his own instructions. "See how these Christians love one another" was the sarcastic remark of Pagans anent Early Christians, and it holds good to this very day. Wherever man- kind has set up the conception of a divinely revealed religion and its infallibility, there has always followed, as inevitably as night follows day, perversion of the intellect, ruthless sup- pression of freedom, oppression and cruelty of the most odious description. Take Turkey as an illustration. The Turk is the most devout religionist in Europe; its government is based on a pure theocracy. Behind the Sultan's throne standa the Sheik of Islam, the representative of Mahommet, who claims to have discovered the divinely revealed Word of God in the Koran. The consequences follow as unerringly as any other effect that results from its antecedent cause; persecutions, rapine, and wholesale mas- sacre—that exactly is the history of the Christ- ian church. Mr Baker remnds me that the Bible is not a scientfic book. It is a matter cf complete indifference what is Mr Baker's opin- ion. That is not the point; the real question is, What are the claims the church has set up on behalf of pseudo-Bible science, and what were the reasons that induced her to make these claims? The same claim is made for the Bible as is made for the Koran; it is infallible because it is the divinely revealed word of God and the same result follow in both cases. It was only at the beginning of the present cen- tury that the Romish Church expunged its de- cree against the belief in the heliocentric theory. No longer able to uphold and defend the Geo- centric theory of the Bible, it surrendered its untenable position. The same with regard to the conception of the. earth being a plane; it forced Buffon to make a recantation in regard to certain theories about the earth which con- flicted with the Bible conce -ions. Copernicus was on his deathbed when he received a printed copy of his work, which was destined to revolu- tionise men's ideas about the Cosmos. Draper, referring to this, remarks: "Full of misgivings as to what might be the result, he refrained from publishing it for thirty-six years." Gior- dano Bruno taught the unity of nature and the eternity and potentiality of matter; and the answer of the church to his arguments was to burn him over a slow fire for the presumption of contraverting the preconveived notions of this most holy church. Breastworks of Bibles has to be encountered and overcome before social re- formers can go onwards on the path of human progress. Mr Hammond writes about free thought per- version. This is exquisite. Does he know no- thing about Christianity and its perversions, Robert Moffat, the missionary, tells us that when he first preached the doctrines of Christianity to the Bechuanas, they listened in utter amaze- ment and incredulity. And well thev might; the intellect must be perverted indeed that can receive without question the fundamental doc- trines of this supernatural religion. I was asked for a definition of progress. I gave it; further, I pointed to some anti-progressive notions re- ceived from Palestine, such as slavery, demonolo- gy, witchcraft, faith cure, and miracles. But there is a discreet silence on these questions, except one, viz., slavery. Before I deal with that I want to answer Mr Hammond about hospitals and some other questions he gave. First question: Do I maintain that the twenty millions voted as compensation to the slave- owners was the property of infidels ? I presume that infidels are taxpayers, and had to pay their quota. All wealth comes from labour. It was an idle, rich class that benefited by this heinous system of slavery; but it was the worker, who leaped no benefit whatever, who had to pay to get rid of it. I will here quote Whittier, and 1 hope your correspondent will read, ponder, and inwardly digest: -Pay ransom to the o.wner. Fill the bag to. the brim. Who is owner ?The slave is owner, and ever was Pay him." Mr Hammond ought to know that none are ex- empted from paying taxes. What the number of Freethinkers was at the time this act passed I know not; but Whittaker's almanack a few years ago stated there were between six and seven millions of sceptics in this country. I have no doubt that this awful news will upset Mr Hammond's nervous equilibrium. Still, I hope he will survive the shock, so that he may aid in propping up the tottering fabric of Chris- tianity. Have we any schools and institutions for benevolent purposes? Yes, both of them. It is only Mr Hammond's crass ignorance and animus to our movement that could prompt such a question. There are ethical schools in the country whose function is to educate the young without contaminating their minds with the perversion of a debasing supernaturalism. Has he never heard of the Girard College for orphans in Philadelphia, endowed by a Free- or thinker, one of the noblest institutions in the world ? Hospitals? What about them? Does Mr Hammond maintain that they originated with Christianity? Let him essay to prove it in the "Free Press,' and I will undertake to prove its incorrectness. I want to set one matter right; it refers to the Netherlands. I committed a lapsus scri- bendi in describing three millions being slaug- tered. I ought to have stated that they were ordered to be slaughtered by the Pope; but, for- tunately, it mis-carried. Mr Hammond is wrong in stating that the Pope never ordered this slaughter; the mandate for it first came from him and was confirmed by King Phillip of Spain ten days after. The object os it was to despoil the people of the Netherlands of their wealth, to enricji the church. (See Moltey's "Rise of the Dutch Republic." Now, I must set Mr Hammond right in regard to Darwin and slavery. If any man ever hated slavery from the core of his being ,it was this eminent scientist. I will here quote his own words on quitting the shores of Brazil: "I thank God I shall never again visit a slave country. To this day, if I hear a distant scream it re- calls with painfid vividness my feelings when passing a house near Peramb.co. I heard the most pitiable moans, and could not but suspect that some poor slave was being tortured, yet knew that I was as powerless as a child even to remonstrate.' After describing some revolting details connected with this odious system, and condemning those people who speak of it as a tolerable evil, and commenting on the agony of mind endured at enforced separation between husband and wife, parents and children, he adds: "And these deeds are done and nalliated by men who profess to love their neighbours as themselves, who believe in God and prav that His will be done on earth. Such were the sen- timents of this truly great man towards slavery. "A young slave girl, endowed with a poetic na- ture, wailed forth thus from an anguished heart: "And this was in a Christian land, Where men oft kneel and prav. The vaunted home of liberty Where lash and chain ho id sway." Such is the system which has divine sanction, and Mr Hammond defends, or, at least, ex- tenuates. But I am told that Semitic slavery was nothing like I try to make it out. Slavery iq indefensible in any form whatever, because it destroys the principle of equality, it de- grades, embrutes, and humiliates man. If the moral sense of man repudiates it, how could it ever have received divine sanction? Yet that is what the Bible teaches. I may remind Mi Hammond that emancipation at the year of Jubilee did not apply to the whole class of slaves. Foreign slaves might be obtained by capture, purchase, or by bein born in the house, and over these the masters had entire authority to sell, exchange, judge, punish, or even to put them to death. Let the readers of the "Free Press" read over the very chapter quoted 1-y your correspondent, viz.. Lev. xxv., and particu- larlv the 44 and 46 verses. Here is a beautiful ethic Quoted from Exodus xxi: "If his master have given him a wife and she have borne him sons or daughters, the wife Ilnd her children shall be his master, and he (the husband) shall eo out hv himself." Now if the affection of this slave for his family should be stronger than his aspiration for freedom, and should he elect to remain with his familv, what was his fate then? The sixth verse in Exodus will inform us: "Then the mast3r shall brin him to the iudrres: he shall also bring him to the door or into the door-post, and his master shall bore his eir through with an awl. and he shall serve him for ever." I have given my critics some Bible tmths, perhaps more than they bargained for. V- tv if orr» It vmor vre+eh wl>et Jh" uevii and the blue sea, it WIUI this SeuiUc slave. If he chose to remain with his wife and child- ren, he had life-long servitude and personal mutilation to boot; if he decided for freedom he would have to cut his heartstrings asunder and go forth alone on life's weary journey- that and nothing more. It is quite futile to preach the Fatherhood of God and the brother- hood of man, and, at the same time, to essay to vindicate a divine sanction to such a vile in- stitution as chattel slavery. One would have to stultify himself to believe such a farrago of go nonsense as that, and free thought is needed to purge the human intellect of such perversions. I am, etc. Maerdy. J. LEWIS. To the Editor. Sir,—In your last issue the correspondent who signs his name Joseph Hammond makes several statements which go to prove that he fears the result of the circulation of Freethought literature, or, that he is too narrowminded to accept a negative, and thus with the affirmative (which no doubt he has) to weigh the evidences for and against that which he holds, and arrive at a conclusion which I would term positive. There are several, in fact, his letter is formed up of inconsistent and untruthful quibbles. I would challenge Mr Hammond to prove his assertion. "Infidels do not require the right o hold property for there is little reason to think that they would back their opinions with their purses." I can prove, Sir, that the honest in- fidel or sceptic will and does back, and has backed his opinion with his purse. Is he a Christian? But there-I won't be personal; I will not blame the man for what a religion has made him. He thinks infidels should be pitied. Mr Hammond, an ounce of evidence is worth a ton of pity. Yes, prove all things and hold fast to that which is good." The proof first, then hold fast. The proof has not come yet. His question re "Was the money granted to slave owners l46 property of infidels.' I don't mean to say that it did. But neither did it rightfully belong to the Parliament that gave it. Will Mr Hammond kindly look up the official returns of various Mission Societies at home and abroad, and furnish the truth concerning their work? Let Professor Huxley say what he will about the Bible being a moral guide, I ask the question respectfully: Why is there so much controversy about placing the Bible in the hands of all children at our Board Schools ? Again, I am surprised a. the little knowledge the correspondent has displayed when he asks such questions as to the existence of societies, infirmaries, and so on. No doubt, some of the "Anti-Infidel' 'absurdities! Do they ever visit the sick, clothe the poor, etc.? Why, that is our duty. That is our religion, the religion of humanity. Yes, Mr Hammond, we do it, and more. His question, "Can Mr Lewis tell us of a. single individual regretting having been a Christian? I, for one, can. I could refer you tQ a case only recently—just a few weeks ago. I could give particulars now, but I don't wish to hurt. any- one's feelings by bringing it before the public without permission. I should like to ask your correspondent many questions; for I am entitled to answers, being another of the many searchers for truth. Two will suffice this time. 1, Is faith above or against reason? 2, If they tell us that thev have the infallible word of God, with, of course, its in- finite inspiration, ana all the evidences of ancient and modern researches, which go to prove its aceurateness, why do they take so much pains to protect it? Are they afraid it will become pol- luted, or that the stock of inspiration will run out? I doubt but what some of them think it part fraud and wholly folly.—I am, etc., T. L. MARTIN. To the Editor. Sir,—I have been watching this discussion for some time, and if it were not for the name being above each letter, a casual reader would take it to be a discussion on the meaning of certain words in the English language. I have not no- ticed in any of the letters one fact to prove that Christianity has helped on civilisation. Instead of that, Christianity has exercised a baleful in- fluence upon society by its assumptions of infalli- bility, by its exclusiveness and its insane pre- tension that finality has been reached, that it is placed upon such an immovable basis of truth that all science and all philosophy must take their cue from its crude and untenable creation story and its revolting and immoral redemption myth. It came upon the world when the world was comparatively a baby, and set itself to the task not only of seeing that the baby should not be allowed to grow any bigger, but that it should, if possible, be dwarfed and pinched into something meaner and smaller. It enjoined upon its votaries that the wisdom of man is folly in the sight of God, and that heaven it not filled with philosopher., bat with "hates and suck- lings. It pronounced an appalling curse upon him who should alter by one jot or one tittle anything in the jumbled incoherences of its Scriptures. All knowledge was crystallised, all wisdom put into its eternal shape, eighteen hundred years ago. No secular book was of any use. If it taught what was not in the Bible, it taught what was unnecessary; if it taught any- thing opposed to the Bible, it was blasphemous. It is too true that the world "grew grey at the breath" of Christianity, and that, as Professor Tyndall remarked at Belfast, the victorious ad- vance of science was arrested, and the scientific intellect was compelled, like the exhausted soil, to lie fallow for two milleniums before it could regather the elements necessary to its fertility and strength. If this char<Te be true, and it is, alas! too true, what a record of unutterable guilt this monstrous and bloodstained creed has to answer for! And what have we got in return from it all-the darkness and blood and misery through which it has dragged us ? Nothing! C speak deliberately and advisedly when I repeat we have got literally nothing. Now we have had eighteen centuries of the baleful thing. It has done its best to stand in the way of humani- ty's onward march, and to break the chariot wheels of human progress. It is not Clirist- ianity, but the progressive principle in humanity, that has given us a better state of things in the world now than obtained in that "starless mid- night of our race" known as the Dark Apes. It is not the plastic influence of priestcraft that has made us what we are, but the principle of evolution inherent in our race, and which has raised us from the pristine rudeness of the stone period to the position we occupy to-day. The "summum bonum" of existence is the attainment of individual and collective happiness. Was our race two thousand years ago. not as happy as to-day? What arc there in London and Paris of the elements of rational happiness that were not to be found in Athens and Rome? Were there more wretches who died of hunger in Rome than now die annually in London? Were there more men and women and children in ignorance and squalor and rags? Was there more shame- less and flaunting prostitution in the Forum at Rome than there is in Belgravia? True, Rome had a Tarquin. but his name is held in odium and execration; while London has a thousand Tar- Quins, and their names are not held in odium. They occupy the high plases of the earth: they sit beside God's own Bishops in the Upper House, and in the name of God and the King e-qay to arrest the car of human progress. you in anticiratioll, I am, etc- Abercynon. JAMFG WYPER.

THE CHURCH REVOLT AT CLYDACH VALE. --0- APOLOGY TO THE REV. J. D. JAMES (VICAR) & THE CURATES OF ST. THOMAS' CHURCH, LLWYNYPIA, GLAMORGAN. In our issue of July 10th we published, under the title of "The Church Revolt at Clydach Vale," a paragraph alleging that instead of trying to heal the breach the loci clergy had endea- voured to widen it by burning a number of Welsh books in use at St. 'Il.onias' Church, and that considerable indignation was felt amongst the Church folk and Nonconformists alike in the district at the burning of the Sunday-school books and also the hymn books given by Canon Roberts, and that before the climax was reached, the Vicar of Llwynypia repeatedly expressed his sympathy with the Welsh side of the dispute, but that the profession and practice did not tally. We are informed by the Vicar's solicitors that the local clergy did not burn or order to be burnt any Welsh books." As stated in our issue of July 17th, we are glad to accept this assurance. Welsh books were burnt, but not by them, or by their orders. We. therefore, freely withdraw all statements made in those issues of our paper in any way reflecting on the Rev. J. D. James or any of his curates; we apologise to these gentlemen for having erroneously concluded that what was done was done by their orders; and we relict exceedingly that any pain or annoyance slwR d I have been caused them by our unfortunate error.

p S.P.C C. The Recent Attacks on a Noble Institution. MR WAUGH ON THE "CRUSADE." This month's number of the "Child's Guard- ian," the organ of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, contains the following: "We have received, on what appears very reliable authority, information of what ita promoters call a 'crusade' against, us. If the attack on the financial management fails, then there is to be an attack on our organisation, with a view to the breaking-up of its national unity into separate local societies. The source of this proposal it may some time be necessary to drag from his present secrecy into the daylight, and give to him the notoriety which at present he does not enjoy and which he has excellent reasons to shun. Should that necessity arise, it will not be merely ordinary publicity which will be given to him and his works. He will be exposed to the law as a subtle, vengeful, and unscrupulous conspirator against the society, which proverbially answers all things."

♦ PONTYPRIDD AfID RHONDDA VICTUALLERS. Anqual Outing to Minehead. A HAPPY DAY ON THE SOMERSET COAST. On Thursday the members of the Pontypridd and Rhondda Valleys Licensed Victuallers' Association and friends, numbering about 70, held their annual outing, the destination on thia occasion being that charming little Somerset seaside resort, Minehead. The party included Mr R. L. Phillips, Colliers' Arms, Pontypridd (president), Mrs Phillips, and Mr Jenkyn Phil- lips; Mr Talisin Morgan, Cross Keys, Llantri- sant; Mr J. Evans, Court Hotel, Tonypandy; (vice-presidents); Mr W. John, Cow bridge (treasurer); Mr R. A. Dobson, Cross Keys Hotel Tonypamdy (secretary), and Mrs Dobson; Mr James Phillips, Pontypridd (solicitor to the association); Mr and Mrs David Williams, Grey- hound Hotel, Pontypridd; Mr Tom Davies,lvor Arms, Pontypridd; Mr George Parfitt, White Hart, Pontypridd; Mr Tom Edwards, Cefn House, Pontypridd; Mr Evan Parry Thomas, Pontypridd, Mr T. Charles, Trealaw (of Messrs Strettons); Ex-superintendent Matthews, Ponty- pridd Mrs Lewis, Butchers' Arms Botel.Watt& town; Mr Stoddart, Richards' Arms, Cynon; Mr D. C. Evans, Dunraven Hotel, Tonypandy; Mr Lloyd, Red Cow, Tonyrefail; Mr Morris, Swan Hotel, Penygraig; Mr Daniel Thomas, Pentre Hotel, Pentre; Mr Peter Thomas, Royal Hotel, Clydach Vale; Mr Thomas, Tynewydd Inn, Porth; Mrs Williams, Blaerehondds Hotel Treherbert; Mrs Plummer, Rickards' Arms. Tro- forest; Mrs Watkins and Mr W. Watkins (lalfe of the Greyhound Hotel, Pontypridd); Mrs Ma- carnie, Treforest; Mrs Evan Morgan, Gelligaled Hotel, Ystrad; Mrs Davies, Lewis' Arms, Pelt- rhiwfer; Mr John Thomas, Farmers' Arms, Hafod; Mr Lewis John, late of the White Hart, Tonypandy; Mr W. R. Beith, Pontypridd, P.C. Punter, Pandv; Mr David Morris, Peny- graig, and others/ The company left Ponty- pridd by the 8.20 a.m. to Cardiff Docks, and there embarked upon Messrs P. and A. Camp- bell's well-appointed boat, the Lady Margaret. The weather was perfect, and there was scarcely a ripple upon the water, so that sea-sicknese was an unknown quantity. Minehead was reached in two hours, and on disembarking the party divided, some driving up to the town and the remainder going for a dip in tjie briny. The time before dinner was then occupied in looking around Minehead, which has a magnificent sea- front, with wildly picturesque and romantie hill and woodland scenery. The sands are amongst the finest bordering on the Bristol Channel, and are so firm that races are annually held there. In the neighbourhood are lofty hills called by some the "Alps of Somerset." The scenery is wild and bold, and the town has not yet lost ita primitive rusticity. The old port was once the scene of a busy trade in wool, Irish cattle, and the herring fishery, all of whieh have unfortunately disappeared; and the plaee now thrives on the better class of pleasure seekers, who spend months of rest and enjoy- ment there in the summer. After seeing the sights of the town, an adjournment was made to the Plume and Feathers Hotel, where an ea. cellent dinner was served, and, after the morn- ing's exertions, done justice to. The morning being well advanced no time was lost in wading through a long toast list, three toasts only being proposed. 'The "ueen" was proposed by the president, Mr R. L. Phillips, and musically honoured, after which Mr Talisin Morgan, Llan- trisant, proposed 'The Pontypridd and Rhondda Valleys Licensed Victuallers' Association," coupling with it the name of the president. la doing so, Mr Morgan said it was veI"" pleasing to see at the last meeting, from the very nice report presented by the secretary, that the balance sheet, shewed a very favourable position. He would like to see their friends, the brewers, increase their subscriptions. (Hear, hear). He was glad to see their lady friends present, and hoped this would not be the last occasion o. which they would join them. He asked them to drink to the health of their worthy president, and he trusted his year of office would be as successful as that of their late president, Mr Evans. The latter had increased the member- ship and influence of the society. Mr R. L. Phillips suitably responded, alld re- marked that he felt proud of being president of the association, and he was pleased to see if) many members present. He thought it was a good tiling to come away from their own dis- trict to have their annual dinner, and he hoped that the membership and power of uie associa- tion would rapidly increase in the future. The last balance-sheet was favourable ,and the mem- bership was increasing monthly. At the end of his vear of offiee he would like to see the asso- ciation render a good account of itself, and that the credit account would be larger. (Hear, t6Mr Tom Edwards. Cefn House, Pontypridd, proposed "The Host and Hostess," after which the company dispersed to charter wagonettes, brakes, and other vehicles, for the purpose of driving to Porlock. At present its lovely rural scenery has not been disturbed by railways, but for the visitor who wishes to see Porlock --ere is an excellent service of stage ooaches, which in summer run daily between Minehead and Hfiu- combe, a distance of forty miles. After a drive of eight miles beneath the Quantock Hills, which rise in lofty cliffs shutting off the coast from the high table land, Porlock is reached, and here a delightful couple of hours were spent in visiting the old church and weir. The place is pictur- esquely situated amongst the hills, fern clad hoUows, mountain streams, and wooded glens, whose praises were sung by the poet Southey when he was impressed with the beauty of thei scene. From here is to be distinguished the famous Dunkerry Beacon, on whose lordly peak the iignal fr,- were lit to call to arms th emen, of Somerset, who succeeded in driving back the Danes here in 918. From Porlock numerous excursions can be made to the Doone Valley, the scene of R. D. Blackmore' charming novel, "Lorna Doone." A return to Minehead was made by way of Dunster, where a grand old castle exists. Dunster is a quaintly pretty place the old market house in the centre of the village being well worthy of a visit, and on the wooded hillside Conygar tower can be seen peepm? out from amongst the foliage. Back to the "Plulne and Feathers" at Minehead to tea., and then an hour and a half's enjoyment on the beach, by which time the Lady Margaret arrives in the bay, ready to take the party back to Cardiff. Immediately they got on board the more ener- getic members of the company organised a. con- cert on deck, when Messrs R. L. Phillips, J. Evans, and P. C. Evans "brought down the house" with their admirably rendered ditties, Mr Jenkyn Phillips being the accompanist. Cardiff was .sighted in an hour and a half, and home reached in good time, after a most pleasant day's enjoyment. Mr R. A. Dobson. the secre- c tary, deserves a word of praise for the excellent manner in which he arranged the trip, and r- was ably assisted by Mr David Wil!i"ins, Grey- hound Hotel, Pontypridd.