Papurau Newydd Cymru
Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru
19 erthygl ar y dudalen hon
-----THE TEACHING OF WELSH…
THE TEACHING OF WELSH IN WELSH 1 ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS. The following is the paper on the above subject by Professor Lloyd, of the U.C.W., read at a I meeting of the Welsh branch of the Teachers' Guild, held at Aberystwyth last Saturday It is, I take it, a favourable augury that the branch of the Teachers' Guild which has been established in our midst has set apart an afternoon for the discussion of this topic. In doing this, the committee have not, of course, sanctioned any scheme, or even taken sides on the question whether tnere shall be teaching of Welsh or not. But they have recognised the interest and the practical importance of the question, and so have prepared the way for an indulgent hearing of what the advocates of this teaching had to say for them- selves. For my part, I ask nothing better than that the matter should be approached in a purely judicial spirit, for, if what I have to urge does cot commend itself to the enlightened judgment, I know not on what other grounds to claim your co-operation. I make, therefore, no appeal to the patriotic impulses of this gathering, firstly, because I suppose not all of you have the felicity to be Welsh, and my declamation might, therefore, fall but coldly on your ears, but even more because I do not believe it is patriotic to appeal to the passions of a people against its truest interests. I advocate some system of teaching, or, as I prefer to put it, quite apart from national pride or prejudice, I believe the principle is a good one, and, if applied, could not fail to benefit the Welsh people educa- tionally. No doubt many of those who are urging the same thing do so fiotn a mere instinct of admira- tion for all that is Welsh and of the reverse for all that is English. But injudicious champions must not be allowed to damage a good cause: the question is really one of educational reform, and I am happy to have the privilege of presenting it in that light to the audience of educational expeits. Let me begin by saying that there is here no question of the perpetuation or the extinction of the Welsh language. The life and death of a language are under the control of natural laws- law& so subtle and yat so potent as to elude and defy the utmost diligence on the part of any organization v hich might set itself to thwart them. At one time, it was said that the introduction of railways would kill the Welsh language, but the language, as a Welsh poet says, was too wise to put its neck under a wheel, and now people talk of the necessity of having booking clerks with an elementary knowledge of Welsh. Later, it was confidently prophesitd that Welsh would disappear with the progress of Board School educition: as a matter of fact, what usually happens is that the Board School education succumbs to the language. Quite as futile would it be to aify artificial organi- zation to seek to prolong the life of the Welsh language an hour beyond its appointed day of doom; when Welsh is not spoken by the common people in their own homes and of their own free will, because they like it and do not care to speak any other language, its career as a living speech will have come to an end. That such a day may come no one will of course deny, unless he is con- cerned to maintain that Providence means to exercise a special guardianship over the language of Eden and of Paradise. All that is contended is that the day has not yet come. Welsh is the home tongue of thousands of Welsh firesides, and is likely to remain so for an indefinite period. From these firesides Welsh-speaking children, knowing little, if any, English, are being sent for instruc- tion to elementary schools. The number of such children attending school at present is probably not far short of 150,000. The question to be solved is how, in the case of these 150,000 children, are we to deal with the knowledge of Welsh and the ignorance of English with which they enter upon school life. Hitherto that question has been answered by treating the children of Merioneth- shire and Cardiganshire in exactly the same way as the children of Norfolk or Devonshire. It has been assumed that they know English, and that they know no other language. I do not for a a moment mean to say that sensible teachers have not grasped the absurdity of the situation and done their best by private methods of their own to remedy the vice of the official system. I only say that this is the system on which codes have been drawn up, text books prepared inspection con- ducted, and grants awarded. All instruction has been conveyed in English, and the mysteries of nouns and verbs have been unfolded to the be- wildered scholar before he was quite clear in his mind as to the difference between the terms "horse" and "cow." I have been startled to discover that Welsh schoolboys had somehow developed a skill for parsing which was indepen- dent of any knowledge of the meaning of words; they knew a noun when they saw it, even though the sense of the word might be a matter on which they did not feel qualified to pronounce an opinion. Knowledge acquired in this manner, even though it should pass the ordeal of inspection, is of course mere useless lumber, of which the scholar willingly relieves himself when he has outgrown his school- going days. Professor Henry Jones calculated some time ago that only one-fifth of the scholars in a purely Welsh school acquired there English enough to be of practical service to them in after life; the remaining four-fifths soon became monoglot Welshmen and Welsh-women, knowing practically nothing, save what they had learned in the Sunday School, where the teaching was criven in a form suited to their comprehension. °This state of things, of course, only prevails in the rural districts. In a seaside town like Aberystwyth, annually flooded with summer visitors-the flower of the Midland counties, there is too much English in the air to allow the younger generation to remain in entire ignorance of the neighbour tongue. Yet even here some of us could tell tales of the Jingoistic feats of lodging-house handmaidens; only the handmaidens may be importations from the country. The Society for the- Utilisation of the Welsh Language has undertaken to grapple with this question. It disclaims any intention of giving the Welsh language a longer lease of life than it is entitled to, and aims only at the utilisa- tion of such knowledge of Welsh as there un- doubtedly is. Some of our supporters have, indeed, come over to us because they see in our plans the most effectual method of killing the Welsh language When English is rationally taught through the medium of Welsh, they say it must make such headway as to drive out the older language altogether. I believe myself they arn a good deal too sanguine, and that there is nothing to prevent Wales from beiug bilingual for many centuries; but I cite their views in order to show tIat we are a liberal and comprehensive body. The kev-note to the movement then is "utilisation," the applica- tion of the well-known educational principle that in teaching we should proceed from the known to the unknown, turning all the child's previous knowledge to account, and developing earlier lines of thought, instead of beginning entirely from the foundation. During its earlier years the Society which now numbers 1,200 members, devoted its energies mainly to the task of bringing public opinion to bear upon government so as to secure the recognition of Welsh teaching in some form in the Education Code. This part of the work was carried to a successful terminition in the year 1889 when the principles of the Society were recognized' in the New Education Code laid by Government before Parliament. The Code, you will remember, did not survive the party struggles of that session, but it was re-introduced in the next, with the Welsh provisions intact, and it came into operation last September. Thus all that Government can do ior us in the matter has been done. The words of the Code are few, and seem to concede little, but official assurances have been received that they are intended to cover all the proposals of the Society, and that if they do not do so, they must be made to. Our appeal has now to be made to those around us- to teachers and schco! managers. This is really a teachers' question, and I am strongly of opinion that the only way of proceeding in the matter is to enlist the co-operation of those who have themselves to carry out in practice the schemes of educational reformers. To appeal to the national enthusiasm of school managers, in days when national enthusiasm is so sure a pass- port to fame, against the over-burthened teacher would not only be moraily wrong, but-what is worse- u nprofess iona 1. It costs the educational authority little to put on a new subject the strain of fitting the new requirement into the school machinery falls mainly on the teacher. But the position is (ana otnerwiso I should hardly have ventured to bring this matter before the Teachers' Guild) not that we propose to saddle the teacher I with new burdens, but that we seek to readjust and lighten the old. There are scores of teachers among our members—teachers in no less than 80 schools have at different times put our ideas to the test of practice, and, if any teachers have regarded us with distrust, it has been the result, I feel certain, of that innate conservatism of which teacher human nature, like other samples of the nn?16 c?m™0<ty, contains so large an admixture, lhe old plan has somehow or other pulled us through year after year. Why venture, they say, I .1 upon new ana perilous experiments? But this is an argument to which you of the Teachers' Guild, the pioneers of reform, the apostles of educational light and leading, will, I am sure, show scant merjy; what appiftves ilself ia your tight as reasonable you will not reject because it is new. I believe the Society has suffered to some extent through the prominence necessarily given hitherto to the weakest part of its programme-Welsh as a specific subject. Until last September, that was the only portion of our design which it was possible to set working in the schools. Welsh grammar could be taught instead of geography, history, or a scientific subject. Now I think it will be readily admitted that if a child is to learn grammar at all, he should begin with the grammar of his native tongue. If his mind is directed to the rules and distinctions which govern so familiar a feature of his life as his every day talk, his intelligence will be stimulated in a profitable way; he will be taught that most valuable lessen, to think for himself, instead of blindly regarding whatever is as existing by some mysterious destiny. If, on the other hand, his most serious grammatical studies gather round a foreign tongue, then grammar will become for bin a kind of eabalistic science, the real import of which is only known to those great necromancers, his preceptors. This, I am convinced, is the case with numberless boys and girls who study Latin they know no more correct the accusative case, say, with actual speech as known to them than they do with the planet Saturn. If grammar, then, is to be made a profitable study for Welsh boys, let it be through the medium of Welsh. Some of those who habitually speak out of the emptiness that is in them have maintained that Welsh has no grammar suitable for use in instruction they imagine the language to be a sort of fortuitous concourse of atoms, blissfully innocent of rules. Possibly, some who are here present and have earnestly wrestled, as beginners in Welsh, with the middle voice and the emphatic predicate are of a different opinion. My belief is that Welsh grammar is an admirable intellectual exercise, particularly so when studied side by side with English grammar it is a whole- some thing to be taught that such rules as "The verb must agree with its nominative in number and person," and "The plural is formed by inflection from the singular," are not as immutable as the law of gravitation. But the question may very properly be asked-baving regard to the very limited possibilities of instruction afforded by an elementary school course, is it well to teach so ornamental a subject as grammar at all ? No one now believes the old fable that "grammar teaches us to read and write correctly," any more than that other, that logic teaches us to reason with propriety." People who know much logic often reason very badly, and to speak and write correctly is an affair, not of grammatical rules, but of practice. When Welsb grammar is proposed as a substitute for geography or some scientific study, there is reasonable room for doubt whether the older subjects may not be in many cases the more useful. Hence, in advocating the adoption of Welsh as a specific subject, the society is in a weaker position than in urging its claims as a class subject. This part of the programme has peihaps suffered also through the inadequacy of the text books, which have been prepared by the society; my own ex- perience in teaching Welsh by their means has convinced me that they need to b ? very thoroughly revised. The mistake was that they were entrusted to compilers who bad previously taught only English grammar, and who followed English conventions, therefore, instead of working on the lines indicated by the genius of the language itself. Welsh as a class subject means the substitution for the present course in English grammar of a graduated course of translation from Welsh into English. The precise manner in which this course is arranged will appear from the prospectus of the society, of which a copy is now before you. In- stead of teaching young Welshmen and Welsh- women parsing and analysis in an unknown tongue, it is proposed to give them systematic lessons in the language which in after life will prove of most service to them in bettering their worldly foitunes. This will be done, not by ignor- ing Welsh and treating it as a vulgar eccentricity, but by making it the basis on which to build a knowledge of English. In doing this, some amount of instruction in Welsh as a literary language wiIi necessarily be given, but the ultimate y result will be that the scholar will speak and write both Welsh and English with tolerable ease, in- stead of speaking only Welsh and writing no language at all. It may be said that this is to be over-sanguine, but surely the experiment is well worth trying. No system of teaching English can be worst than the present one, which in addition to its other disadvantages, the diffidence and awkwardness it produces in the child, the severance it produces between the school and the outside world of home and play, has this crowning draw- back, that it does not teach English. Reading books suitable for the purposes of the scheme are now being prepared some will be ready in a few months' time; and it is earnestly to be hoped that they will meet with the approval of teachers, so that a fair trial may be given to the new method. In the meantime, if I have not convinced you of the wisdom or practical helpfulness of the scheme, I trust I have prepared your minds calmly and dispassionately to consider it when the time comes to put it into operation. Experience must decide the matter; to past experience of my own I can of conrse lay no claim, but I claim the right of every one who has a practical interest in educational matters-the right to suggest reforms.
BETTER THAN WEALTH.
BETTER THAN WEALTH. We have frequently met persons possessed with an abundant store of the good things of this life, but through imprudence and excesses of various kinds have rendered themselves incapable of enjoying their wealth. Many of these would willingly part with all they now possess to regain the health they have lost through their own folly or neglect. By sumptuous living, a lack of proper attention to aiet and other sanitary precautions, they have grosply impaired ineir neaitn, impoverished and poisoned their blood, and weakened their constitutions. Impure or impoverished blood is a fruitful source of many of the ailments that "flesh is beir to," and is generally caused by some derangement of one or more of the vital organs of the body; for instance, by defective digestion and a torpid or sluggish liver. It is demonstrated more clearly from day to day that the most successful remedy for all ailments caused by Indigestion, Deranged Liver, or Impure Blood, is Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters. The most common symptoms of the derangement of these organs, and consequently ot impure blood, are dyspepsia, biliousness, nervousness, low spirits, melancholy, uneasy sleep, frightful dreams, loss of appetite, skin eruptions, &c., from some of which so many suffer and which cause so many discomforts in our homes, and sometimes lead to still more painful and appalling results. The Bitters which have proved so efficacious to thousands of sufferers from the above and other ailments is compesed of NATURE'S REMEDIES only, and contains no mineral or other injurious substance. It is effective when taken by the strong man, and will not injure the weakest and most delicate woman or child; it is suitable to all ages at all seasons of the year; it directly aims to remove the cause and root of the evil is easily obtained, and can always be at band, and is a remedy that has proved efficacious in numerous instances when all other ramedies had failed. At this season of the year no one should be with- out Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters. A course taken now will be invaluable in giving tone to the system, new life to the blood, and in bracing the nerves. Avoid imitations, Remember that none are genuine except Gwilym Evans' Quinine Bitters." See the name on the stamp, label, and bottle. Should any difficulty be experienced in procuring it, write to the Proprietors, who will forward it per return parcel post, carriage paid, to any address. In bottles at 2s. 9d. and 4s. 6d. each. Sold by all Chemists. PROPRIETORS— QUININE BITTEFS MANUFACTURING COMPANY, LTD LLANELLY, SOUTH WALES. LLANELLY, SOUTH WALES.
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THE CARD SCANDAL.
THE CARD SCANDAL. The World returns with reluctance" to the unsavoury subject of the Baccarat scandal," and gives in threat detail a full account— written apparently on information supplied by Sir W. Gordon-Cumming himself-of" the more important occurrences at Tranby Croft on September 10." From this account we make the following extracts. The first interview with Sir William Gordon- Cumming on the part of Lord Coventry and General Williams was sho^t and hurried, because the I n dressing-bell for dinner had already rung. After repudiating the accusation with scorn, and being warned that the Prince of Wales must be iuformed, Sir William, in as many words, put himself in the hands of Lord Coventry and General Williams, claiming, and the claim being admitted, that both were his friends. Sir William's interview with the Prince later in the evening was of some duration. He socke with extreme earnestness, appealing to H.R.H.'s long intimacy with him as affording close knowledge of his character, dwelling on his unblemished reputa- tion as an English gentleman, and as an officer of stainless record. The Prince interpolated at intervals: "There are five wituessesagainst you!" and he terminated the interview with the final comment: I am very sorry, but it is of no use; the evidence is overwhelming—there are five to one against you! After a considerable interval Sir William was recalled, to find the Prince gone, and Lord Coventry and General Owen Williams the only occupants of the room. They presented him with the ultimatum which had been decided upon. He protested against it. They enforced upon him th-it there was no alternative, and warned him that certain members of the Tranbv Croft family who bad been witnesses of his alleged malpractice were set in their determination, if he did not give the stipulated undertaking, to blow him all over the Doncaster course next day. The unfortunate man, in the sudden dire extremity, still struggled in the toils. The nature of the snare flashed upon him "To sign will be an acknowledgment of guilt!" he passionately protestod. Lord Coventry and General William's are understood to be firm in their recollection that the former intimated his assent to this expression, while Sit William Gordon-Cumming has no remembrance to that effect. The point is of little importance, but for the explicit statement in the minute of proceedings that Sir William signed the undertaking in the full understanding that his doing so carried his confession of guilt, which dieliberate and formal construction Sir William repudiates; and it will be seen that the under- taking does not embody the ascribed understanding. Finally, in great agitation, Sir William asked: Do you advise me to sign ? "Certainly," was the answer; you have no alternative!" Then it was that, in an unhappy moment, Sir William set his signature to the following :— "On the understanding that certain circumstances which have occurred during the present week at Tranby Croft are kept secret, I bind myself not to touch a card during the rest of my life." The deed done, Sir William in a measure recovered his perceptions as a man of the world. He asked what was to be done with the paper he had signed, and was told that it was to be placed in the care of the Prince of Wales. Then be inquired whether the prohibition against card- playing would extend to the mild whist habitually played in the regiment, pointing out that absolute abstention on the part of a whist habitue would excite comment and surmise. In reply, he was referred to the literal terms of the undertaking. On the following morning he left Tranby Croft. That day letters were addressed by him to the Prince, to Lord Coventry, and to General Williams protesting against the cruel dilemma in which a momentary panic had involved him, conscious as he was that the undertaking he had been so mad as to sign constituted a virtual admission of guilt; repudiating, however, that construction, and firmly reasserting his innocence of the accusation made against him. The tenor of the reply, which was signed hy the Piince, Lord Coventry, and General Williams, was to the effect that there had been no alternative for him but to sign the document, that he might trust to the compact of silence, and that the incident was closed. THE ACTION OF THE PRINCE OF WALES- The London correspondent of the Manchester Guardian writes The movement against gambling in high places is making much headway, and it seems likely that good will come, after all, out of the baccarat scandal. I am credibly informed that before answering the questions that were addressed fo him in the House of Commons, Mr Stanhope had an interview with the Piince of Wales, and that at this interview an understanding was arrived at that in future more strenuous efforts should be put forth to discourage gambling amongst officers of the army. The London correspondent of the Yorkshtre Post says:—The Prince of Wales is stated to have been so annoyed by the Tranby Croft card scandal that he will make it known that be will not countenance card playing as one of the means of entertainment at any house at which he may be staying hereafter. The report, I am assured, is well founded, and the decision is quite in character with the well-known common sense of the Prince. The effect of such a ukase will of course, be decisive and conclusive. The Prince, it is added, is very indignant also at the breach of confidence involved in revealing the incident after it was agreed on all hands to observe strict silence concerning it. The effect of this part of the affair has been not unnaturally to occasion a coolness in certain quarters. In fact, I should not be surprised if his Royal Highness were to make, or cause to bo made on his behalf, f1 statement upon the entire business. His own parficipation would in that event turn out, I believe, to have been greatly exaggerated. Sir William, it seems, is determined, notwithstanding that much influence has been brought to bear upon him to desist, to carry the affair to the law courts, and this will lead to revelations concerning the fearful amount of private gambling now going on in England, which will startle the public.
LLANEGWAD AND BRECHFA. SCHOOL…
LLANEGWAD AND BRECHFA. SCHOOL BOARD ELECTION. The following is the result of the poll, which was held on the 11th inst. ELECTED. John Da vies, Waungranog 289 *Leyson Thomas, Plasparke 252 *John Davies, Llettygovid 2.1,7 *John Griffiths, Cross Inn 233 William Harries, Nantymab 227 William Gwynne Hughes, Glancothy 220 Daniel Griffiths, Abercothy 213 *William Evans, Monachty 206 John Griffiths, Fynondwch 180 NON-ELECTED. Charles Evans, Union Hall 165 Anthony William Stokes, Ystradrwallt 161 Henry Davies, Llandelyn 107 Members marked thus (*) belonged to the old board.
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LLANDILO BOARD OF;1' GUARDIANS.
LLANDILO BOARD OF ;1' GUARDIANS. The usual fortnightly meeting was held at the Town-hall, on Saturday, when Viscount Emlyn occupied the chair. Those in attendance were (ex-officio) Mr J. L. Thomas (elected)-Major Thomas, David Davies, Isaac Edwards, Wm. Rees, James Rees, Joseph Harries, John Junes, John Davies, Thomas Davies, Henry Jones Thomas, David Lloyd, Henry Davies, INT In. Lewis, Evan Thomas, Wm. Jones, Wm. Griffiths, and Henry Herbert. RELIEF. Mr D. Davies, relieving officer for the North district, reported his expenditure as follows 6th week, £511s 6d. for 346 paupers corres- ponding period last year, 249 13s. 6d. for 354. 7th week, zE41 14-1. 6d. for 349 paupers; corres- ponding week last year, £ 44 14s. for 354. South district (Mr Watkins): 6th week, 943 7s. 2d. for 335 paupers corresponding period, JE49 Is. 7d. for 381. 7th week, JE41 9s. for 335 paupers; corresponding period, JE43 7s. for 373. THE HOUSE. The Master (Mr W. Simon) give the number of inmates for the 6th and 7th weeks as 34 and 34 respectively corresponding weeks last year, 36 and 36. Vagrants numbered 17 and 12 as against 16 and 12, being a total increase of one. On the 1st inst. prayer meeting was kept. On the 4th, 8th and 11th inst., the Revs D. James (Baptist), — Morgans (Methodist), and J. Evans (curate), attended the House respectively and preached. The House was visited by Major Thomas on the 11th. He made no special re- port. The Master said that he had received an application from Mr Evan Jones, road surveyor, for a quantity of stones for the road. He had only 14 tons ready now. --In reply to the chairman, the Master said that the average quantity of stones one tramp would break in a day was five cwt. A discussion then took place as to the price for haulage, when the master was directed to obtain tenders.—It was resolved to supply Mr Jones with the quantity he required. THE TREASURER'S REPORT Showed the total due to be £127. Balance in hand, £410. THE PORTER OF THE HOUSE Applied for an increase in his salary, which was B14 a year. In his letter he said that he had now served twelve months, and that it was understood when he took the appointment that he was to have an increase after that period. The Clerk observed that there was no mention of that in the terms of his engagement, but some members perhaps told the porter of it. However, it did not come from the Board.—In reply to a member, the Cierk said that the salaries of the porters had been 218 and ;C20.-Tlic Chairman enquired how the present porter did his work. The Clerk understood he did his work well. The Master also said the same, and added that he was very willing and careful. Major Thomas moved that the salary be increased to 216. -Several members seconded the same time, and the proposition was unanimously carried. PROPOSED INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF GUARDIANS. The Clerk read a resolution passed at a vestry meeting held at Brynlloi schoolroom, Cwmmaman, which stated that owing to the increase in the rateable value of Bettws parish, an appe il would be made to the Local Government Board for an increase in the number of guardians in that parish.—In reply to the chairman, the Clerk said they had never any increase before. Mr D. Davies said he mentioned the matter first at the last Board with regard to his own parish (Llandebie), for which he urged an increase also in the number of guardians. Mr Herbert said that the rateable value and population would be required. The Chairman agreed, and said a re- turn should be got —-Mr Evan Thomas remarked that the rateable value of Llanegwad was higher, and they also ought to have an increase of guardians (laughter). Mr Henry Jones Thomas concurred. The Chairman observed that they could not deal with the population until they h?d the census.—The Clerk said that they wanted the increase made for the next guardians' election. — The Chairman said that was impossible, for they would have to wait for the census. — Mr James Rees suggested that the Local Government Board should find out the population themselves. Major Thomas proposed waiting until the census was taken. This was seconded. Mr James Rees Let us send a petition to the Local Government Board at present.—Major Thomas You can do that independently. The Chairman supposed that Llandebie and Bettws stood on all fours on the matter. He repeated it was im- possible to get the increase by March, and thought it would be best to go into the matter carefully after the census was received. It would be necessary to state what the rateable value and population was some years back, and what it was now. The Clerk said some were under the im- pression that because they could not get the in- crease by the next guardians' election, they would have to wait another year. The Chairman said there would be no necessity. An election of the additional guardians could be made any time during the year, if the increase should be granted.—Mr James Rees had never understood that, and so would not press for the petition now.—The motion was, therefore, carried. A SANITARY MEETING Was next held, when Lord Emlyn again presided. A COMPLAINT. Mr Evans, Compton House, Ammanford, wrote to complain of an unregistered lodging- house in that place. On one occasion there were 16 men, women and children in it, most of whom bein^ drunk. The communication was accom- panied by a letter from the Local Government Board, requesting the sanitary authority to at- tend to it. After some discussion, it was resolved to send the letters to the chief constable, asking him to see to the matter, and that the clerk write to the Local Government Board, informing them what had been done. LLANEGWAD VILLAGE WATER SUPPLY. The Sanitary Inspector complained of a deficit in this suppiy. There was only one pump there, and that was not in working order. The in- habitants got their supply now from a private well. Two members of the Board were ap- pointed to see to the matter. The proceedings then terminated.
NOTES POLITICAL AND OTHERWISE.
NOTES POLITICAL AND OTHERWISE. THE DISABILITIES BILL. Mr Gladstone is up to one of his old dodges again here is another fair bid for power, and that at any cost. There is nothing raking in his breast but Power, Power, Power, and how well can we apply the words, My country for power." Have the Nonconformists thought of the enormity of his intentions? Have they pondered and studied his Bill ? Have they aroused themselves from their lethargy to see what their Zeraphim is up too ? I trow not. But it matters little to them, for as long as the name of the Jesuit Gladstone is connected with it, it must be right, and they will further submit themselves to be led blindfolded to support him both by voice and vote to enable him to regain power that he may pave the way for others to set the Pope on the Throne. But if Mr Gladstone thinks that he will evoke the Pope's blessing and the support of such as Archbishop Walsh, it would be well to remind him that the uncrowned King of I Ireland still lives, and will yet carry his supporters with him in spite of the G.O.M. THE CONSERVATIVE GOVERNMENT. In the course of a few weeks we shall have in pamphlet form a brief history of the work of the present Government for the past four years. It will surprise even the staunchest supporter of the Government to find the enormous amount of work done in spite of the constant obstruction of the rancorous Radical party. The pamphlet will be of inestimable value, and every effort should be made to have it printed in Welsh, and well distri- buted, so as to give the poor benighted Radical an idea of the work of the Government, and also what benefits even a Conservative Government can bestow upon hiui. I THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. What is agitating the minds of many lovers of the Eisteddfod is whether they can really call it "National" or "Denominational." Some while ago Tudno remarked that we had all our officers from the South, and by his remark drew a hornet's nest about his ears. Even if that is not true, it seems that the majority of the committee are Non- cons. What a pity Mr Gladstone has been to Swansea, otherwise they cmld (I mean tb- Liberal Club) invite him to Swansea during t-.asp days as they did at Wrexham. Biit perhaps Di, or Mr Tim Healy will be disengaged. THE BARMOUTH BURIAL SCANDAL. This manufactured scandal is a, thing of the past, and the Rev Gwynorro Davies, the Methodist minister, as Champion of the Scandal, hits come 01U, if not wiser, a much sadder man. The general opinion is that a stronger case should have been found and astronger and abler champion .-ihouid have taken it in hand. But who cares for such dirty work? It was simply used and levelled to vilify the Church in Wales, and to give some work to the Welsh Radical members in the House of Commons, to ask the question." I don't believe Mr Osborne Morgan would have taken such interest in i had it happened during the time his father was vicar of Conway. 1 J. PUGHE.
LLANRHYSTYD. |
LLANRHYSTYD. | DEATH.—It is with great regret we have to £ chronicle the death of Daniel Llewelyn Jenkins, 1 only son of Mrs Catherine Jenkins and the late ( Captain Daniel Jenkins, of the barque "Emma Jones," Mor<dand Honse, Llanrliystjd, who, after a long and painful illness, departed this life on the 7th February, aged 16 years, and who was interred in the Llaurbystyd Churchyard on the 12th inst. The deceased was well known throughout the dis- trict, and was greatly loved by all who came in contact with him. Great sympathy is felt towards the bereaved mother and family in their sad dis- tress.
LLANDYSSUL.
LLANDYSSUL. WEEKLY MARKET.—At the market on Tuesday last, bacon pigs were scarce, but there was a large supply of porkers. Store pigs were in excess of the demand. The following were the prices obtained demand. The following were the prices obtained Bacon pigs at 5s 9d per score (alive) pcrker pigs at 5s 6d to 5s 9d per sore (aiive) store pigs at 143 to 23s each calves, 343d to 4d per lb (alive); ducks, 3s 6d to 4s 3d per couple (alive) cask butter, Illd to Is OH per lb; fresh roll butter, Is to Is Id per lb; eggs, 7!d to 8d per dozen. FATAL ACCIDENT.- On Monday Mr Rees Davies, of Somerset House, Llandyssul, died at the King's Head Hotel. It appears that Mr Davies called at the hotel and fell down a flight of stairs leading to the hack portion of the premises, receiving injuries from the effects of which he died about 9 30 p.m. on the same day. The deceased was a retired draper. He had emigrated while young to the Cape, and there amassed a fortune. Though he had returned thence many years ago, he still continued hi s business connections with the country.
ABERAYRON.
ABERAYRON. DECLINE OF METHODISM. A correspondent writes:—"I was sorry to find that some person had divulge I a part of what Mr J. M. Howell said in a "Society" recently. But "the cat being out of the bag, 'the whole truth had better be known- The subject that Mr Howells treated upon, was not the decline of Methodism" numerically, but the decline of the Methodist preachers of Cardigan- shire, especially those who had lately fnlfilled their "Cyhoeddiad" at Aberayron, whom, I believe, were described in anything but a complimentary manner. Their insipid discourses were frankly said to be such, that the congregation would not attend and incidentally he gave the figures as described by your correspondent in your last issue. Having lived during most of the twelve months in semi- starvation, it has been decided to get some of the best preachers of the Corph here in May next to a preaching meeting. But the question of the day is what is to become of the Cardiganshire Methodist ministers, if the complaint is well founded ? Can the County Council find them some work to do?" NEW INN. PRICACHING. Last Sunday, February 15th, the Rev. D. Cadfwlch Davies, of Cilcannin, preached in the Calvinistic Methodist Chapel at the above place, to large congregations iu the morning and evening. Mr Davies pathetically referred to the changes that had taken place in the neighbourhood during the fifteen years which had elapsed since he left the place, when a lad about twelve years old. Several of the old people were gone, and others are now filling their places. The eloquence of the youug preacher, together with his poetical of the youug preacher, together with his poetical sentences held the congregation spellbound for nearly an hour in the evening. About sixteen years ven ago there was a batch of about half an dozen children walking from New Inn to Llaufihangel-ar- arth school, nearly all of whom are now in very responsible positions, Mr Davies being one of them. °
PENBOYR.
PENBOYR. CONCERT.—A very successful concert was held on Friday, at Penboyr National School, in aid of the School funds. Penboyr is one of the few parishes in the neighbourhood unencumbered by a School Board, and the school has to be supported entirely by voluntary contributions; thus religious instruction is secured to the children of the pansh, thanks to the several good clergy who have hitherto had the management of the school. The concert was opened with a pianoforte duett artisti- cally played by the Misses Evans, Pentre Farm, Newcastle Emlyn, and another duett was capitally rendered by the same young ladies, when com- mencing the 2nd part of the programme. Miss Kate Evans, also assisted by Miss Jones, of Manordeify, did duty as accompanist, which duty was performed to the entire satisfaction of both the singers and the audience. Miss Phillips, Newcastle Emlyn, in her two happy songs so well rendered, as usual, was highly applauded and encored, and her duetts with Miss Jones, Salutation, Newcastle Emlyn, were highly appreciated, so sweetly and well did their voices blend together, and so finely did they balance. Messrs Richards, of Vaynor, Cardigan give much pleasure and satisfaction in their sono-s' and their comic trio, '• Gwraig Fach," and duett,' "The upper ten and Lower five," fairly brought down the house, and they were rapturously encored. This was the first appearance of Messrs Richards before a Velindre audience, but judging from the reception they had it is not likely to. be the last. Tha two favourite songs "YBacbgen Dewr" and "Father O'Flynn," were capitally sung by the Rev. J. It. Jones, Lampeter, and his dis. tinct enunciation of the words was greatly appre- ciated. Mr Evans, solicitor, Newcastle Emlyn, is an old favourite at Velindre, and he fully main- tained his position on this occasion. His son-s were happily selected and well rendered with good taste and expression, but his comic songs always well selected, and free from valgarity, were received y with thunders of applanse and encored. The Velindre party, consisting of some of the members of the Church Choir, sang the Marveillaise Hymn, "Tne Vikings," with pianoforte duett accom'- paniment, and Lullaby of Life," in their usual masterly manner. The concert was closed with G,)d save the Q leen." A most pleasing evening was spent by all present who appreciate good music.
ST. CLEARS.
ST. CLEARS. ENTERTAINMENT. — The fourth of a series of entertainments on behalf of the funds of the Reading Room, St. Clears, was held in the Town Hall, on Friday, February 6th, Mr T. Evans, C.C., in the chair. This entertainment proved quite equal from a musical as well as a pecuniary point of view to those already held. Miss Evans, Cross House, accompanied in her usual brilliant style;. Mr H. Lyons also assisted. GLASKRYN BOARD SCHOOL. A grand concert was given at the above school on Friday, the 13th inst. The programme showed a good selection of songs, but the comic was not quite suitable to be given before an audience comprising to a great extent of juveniles. The accompanist was Mr Puddicombe. The chair was occupied by Mr Howells, and the proceeds are to be given in aid of the school treat fund. 0
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----------LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR. The Editor does not hold himself responsible for opinims expressed under this heading. All contribu- tions must he verified by the real name ati address of the writer as a guarantee of good faith.
PRESENTATION '1'0 THE MAYOR…
PRESENTATION '1'0 THE MAYOR OF LLANSAWEL. To the Editor of THE JOURNAL. SIR,—Set-ing that no one else has thought fit to call the attention of your numerous readers tf the I proceedings relative to the above matter, so well and fully reported in your issue of the Grh inst., and believing it should be done, I crave a small I portion of your valuable space for the purpose. For those like myself who kno all about the matter, there would be no need whatever to men- tion it; but I would ask those who do not know to iad what is Llansawel, and who and what is the vonderful individual so very ceremoniously dubbed 'Lord Mayor," &c, and then they will see the lollowness, the ridiculousness of the whole proceed- ngs, and undoubtedly will pity those reverend gentlemen and other responsible persons who so villingly gave their countenance to such silly loings. Yours, &c., COTHIAN.
NEW QUAY SCHOOL BOARD.
NEW QUAY SCHOOL BOARD. To the Editor of THE JOURNAL. DEAR SIR,—I he "catechism" touching the tran- sactions of this body which appealed in your last issue, was joyously welcomed by t he ratepayers of the district, the prevailing opinion being that the actions of the Board are not always above suspicion, that interests other than those of the ratepayers prevail there, and that the good of the institution which this body is expected to safeguard is often subjected to private advantage. How the Rev. Mr Roderick will acquit himself of the charges sug- gested against him as a member remains to be neen, but I cannot help thinking the other members as well have somewhat of an explanation required of them. Where was the Rev. W. Griffiths ? Why was he not present at this Board meeting? Was he un- willing to imperil brotherly feelings in the cause of duty and justice ? And what have the Rev. D. Griffith and Dr Evans to say for themselves ? Did thjy jealously guard the trust reposed in them by the ratepayers? I shall not inquire of the other member, because his acting is pretty generally held to be well described by the saying Cana di gan ith nain, fe gan dy nain i tithau," and so he must l ave helped Mr Roderick, whose daughter was E.A.E.'s rival for the monitorship. Besides, it would be useless, as I am told that upon • he charges of Trethdalwr" being brought to his notice, he insolently replied that he would take no note of them, thus revealing the same contemptuous indifference to his own duty and to the rights of others as he manifested when be, a member of the ruling family in Towyn Chapel (this I have upon the authority of Loverof Trueh," and" Jeremiah" of church-cleansing renown) declared that no one had a right to alter the new famous, but ignemin- ously dead and buried address begotten of himself. "Trethdalwr" threatens to agor ddrws ei babell- cyfarfod. Why is this not done after every meeting? it certainly would effect a purification of the air, pure draught of public opinion would soon clear the room of the sooty selfishness that now fills its "pabell-cyfarfod," soils the members' fingers, and leaves its black marks upon many an action. This would be a most desirable "reform," especially when you consider how liable such smallish bodies are to become mere faveur-bestowing machines. Agair., does this Board deal at all in money matters? I am sure that I have never seen or hearll of its statements of accounts. To sift these matter, I would through your columns suggest that we have a public meeting. What say you, fellow-ratepayers of the district ? Yours etc., ANOTHER RATEPAYER.
LLANDILO SCHOOL BOARD.
LLANDILO SCHOOL BOARD. To the Editor of THE JOURNAL. Sip.Tlie Llaudilo School Board met for the first time last Tuesday week, aud I must admit that some of the proceedings there. to say the least of them, may be called extraordinary. The Rev. Josiah Tuwyn Jones, must evidently think that ratepayers' money can be spent anyhow and indis- criminately. He proposes- and the Board tameiy acqtiiesces-to increase tbe teaching ttaff at Bryn- lloi Board Schools by engaging an ex-P.T. Let me ask him—is this increase actually necessary? Decidedly not: The schools are now overstaffed. Then, why this unnecessary expense? In one way it will be establishing a precedent which in the future the Board will find most difficult to ignore. Should Brynlloi secure the services of an ex-P.T., we shall very probably find the masters of the other schools under the Board applying for a similar increase, and with the foregoing precedent to back up their applications, how is the Board acin* to refuse them ? A good ex-P.T. is worth £ 50 a year -one engaged in each school under the Board would be a drain upon the public purse of at least £ *250!! Emphatically I put upon record that we as ratepayers do not want such a wilful and recklpss expenditure of our money. The Board should surely be sufficiently acquainted with the code as to know that their present action is quite unwarrant- able and uncalled for. I gdvipe them to procure a copy of the New Code, and study well article 73, it possibly will be a little instruction for them. Why, may I ask, is the pastor of New Bethel Chapel so obviously a partisan of BryniJoi School? h t hA "glainour" true that "pastor" and "master" bear close kinsmanship to each other.? Or does the Rev. Josiah Towyn Jones think that the school must be overstaffed to the extent he pi-oposes before it can earn more than 17s 6d per head ? Anyhow if he gain his end the ratepayers' money will be squandered unnecessarily. It is to be hoped that the next Board will rescind such an extravagant proposal, and thus show their sense of justice^and fairplay. It would be most expedient, in my humble opinion, to call a public meeting, and there place upon record a remonstrance against the present action of our School Board. The general condition of the schools under the jarisdiciion of this Board is far from sitisfactory. Judging from the reports of Her Majesty's Inspector, the majoiity of the schools are in a very poor and inefficient condition. We hear of some of these schools losing entirely the grant for English grammar, and getting paid on the lower scale for every other subject taught with the exception, perhaps, of music and needlework. Should this untoward state or things be allowed to continue? Certainly not. The managers appointed to look after each school should endeavour by every means in their power to satisfy themselves that every teacher did his work thoroughly and well, and that as far as the managers are concerned, the little ones entrusted to the care of these men are not neglected to such a terrible extent. For the children we plead. How many a child's chances in life are entirely marred by the inefficiency of its early elementary education ? It is a downright and crying shame that most of the schools under this Board are in such an unsatisfactorv condition. Before increasing staff I say insist on getting better work—or, failing that, change those who are responsible for the education of our children, and appoint persons capable of imparting instruction of the right sort. I snail make it my duty whenever opportunity offers of criticising and putting before the reading public the doiugs of our newly-elected school Board. Retrenchment and economy we expect to get, and I fancy every member of the Board must admit that we are only right in our expectations. Yours, ic., A RATEPAYER.
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