The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

Y GOLOFN GYMREIG. Y Gohebiaethau i'w danfon i'r Golygydd MR. COSSLETT COSSLETT, (CARNELIAN), PONTYPRIDD. BWRDD Y GOL. "Fy Nymuniad."—Mae eich "Dymuniad" ynganmoladwy, a'r ffordd i chwi gyrhaedd y 2 Ily cytryw yw trwy ddyfal barhad. Y Picadili Fringe."—Ymddengys. ,,y Y Gath."—Darluniadol iawn. Cymdeithas Cymreigyddion, &c."—Braidd yn 11 y llwyd yw'r gynghanedd yn hwn, er y dichon ei bod yn newydd i chwi. Ymddengys. Cusan."—Nid yw Miss Ceridwen yn hoffi eich cusan, am eich bod yn tramgwyddo Mr Grammer yn y llinell ganlynol Dyfais glyd wefusau glan." Dyfais glyd dwy wefus, glan I ollwng teimlad allan. Neu fel hyn:— Dyfais clyd wefusau glan, Clyd wefusau sydd i fod yn y cysylltiad yna chw welwch, ac mae'r gynghanedd yr un mor rheolaidd. Anfonwch cyn hir eto. Helynt y fam wrth ddiddyfnu'r Baban. Cerdd ddoniol a lied gywir o'r helynt," tra mae penill olaf yn awgrymiadol iawn. Am nad yw faci yma." -Ca, y rhai ymddangos or mwyn y perthynasau, ac nid o herwydd eu teilyngdod. I'r Swyddfa: Dafydd o'r Llwyn, Merfyn, a Hi Glan Aman. PRYDDEST I'R TELEPHONE. (Cystadleuol yn Salem, Forth, Nadolig, 1880.) Bellseinydd hoff, mae'th odidawgrwydd di, Yn hawlio can, ac annherfynol fri, Mae urddasolrwydd dy gynllunydd mawr, Yn deilwng o'r edmygedd mwya'n awr, Tra byddo genau i berseinio iaith, Bydd mawredd yn gerfiedig ar ei waith. Difyrwch, a thueddiad dyn o'i gryd Yw gweithio allan ei gyulluniau prid, Cynlluniau Newton fu'n dadlenu'r nef, A dwyn i'r amlwg fydoed I cudd wnaeth ef; Cywreinion byd o hyd sy'n amlhau, A'u defnyddioldeb sydd i fyth barhau Hawddgarol ddyfl; gaed, a champ waith jw Er dwyn y pell yn agos at y clyw. Mae'r awen yn ei phalas yn mwynhau, Golygfa a'r fedrusrwydd mawr yr oes, Mae hi'n edmygu'r oil gan lawenhau Wrth deimlo nerth athrylith, dysg, a moes, Mae swyn a mawredd yn ngwrthrychau'r gan Mae'r gwrthrych hwn o nodwedd deilwng iawn, 0 deimlo gwres yr awenyddol dan, A'i fawr gofleidio gan fynwesau dawn. Drwy gyfrwng y Pellseinydd, gall y dyn Chwyrn-daflu'i eiriau i bellenig fan Mor hyglyw ag y byddai yno 'i hun Yn siarad, neu yn sefyll yn ei ran, Pe bae cywilydd yn gordoi fy mywyd, Fel carwn gael ywguddio wrth fy hun, A chadw draw dros byth o wvdd y byd, Cawn ymgom a'm cyfeillion eto'r un. Ni raid i'r hen wr ado'i fwth na'i dan Yn nhymor oer y gauaf, gall gael llawn Gyfeillach gyda'r byd sydd ar wahan,— Heb raid wrth ludded yn ei bwyr brydnawn, Mae absenoldeb yn creu siomiaut mawr 'R ol disgwyl cael cyfeillach ambell ffrynd, Oh pwy all luddias cyfeillachu'n awr ? Pob rhwystr i ddifodiant orfu fyn'd. Rhad a gwerthfawr oedd gwasanaeth Y golomen gludydd gynt, Heibio'i dalaeth ar ol talaeth, Elai ar ei greddfol hynt, Hoff arwres diniweidvwydd, Gwibiai drwy awyrgylch Duw, Rhyfedd fod y fath symylrwydd At wasanaeth dynolryw. Anfanteision, megis niwlodd, Fu'n gordoi yr oesau draw, Rhwystrau megis derch fynyddau I'w hamgylchn ar bob llaw Ond daeth awr i" aruser esgor, A'r wrtbrychau o fwynhad, Llwyr falurio rhwystrau didor, Wnaeth talentau heirdd fy ngwlad. Rowland Hill a'i faes cynyrchfawr, Lanwodd wagle dwfn iawn, Gwagle ein hangenion dirfawr, Drwy ddyfeisiad, wnaeth yn llawn Ei lythyrnod fydd a'r gylchdro Tra fydd cylchdro yn y nen Ein haelwydydd byth gant deimlo O'i hawddgarwch pur dilen. Ah! Bellseinydd mae'n rhagori Ryw sut ar bob dyfais wnawd Pwy na ddicbon wertlifawiogi, Ymgom-gludydd byd tylawd, Cawn ymddiddan drwy bellafoedd, Fel pe'n ysgwyd dwylaw'n lion, Taflu'u Ilais tros gyfandiroedd Drwy y gyfrwng wifren hon. Ily niae'r dref megis tabwrdd tan lwyth o guriadau, At phrydferth beolydd mown cylch o symbalau, Cerbydau'n ymwibio yn mhob dull ac agwedd, A masnach yn tyrfu fel rhaidr diddiwedd. Mao'n synu'r dieithr gan gymaint ei thrydan, l\he'n ddigon i foddi rhwysfawredd y daran; Ond eto drwy ganol mil myrddiwn o leisiau, Drwy ganol enbydrwydd, y meirch garlamiadau, Trwy eigion berwedig y tryblith aruthol, Ni g-awn ymgynghori o'r manau pellafol. Nid ydyw'r pellseinydd ond eto'n ei fabrod, A byth nis difodir ei wychder gan benoed, Bydd megis yn ieuanc yn mhen draw'r milflwyddau Yn fendith barhaol i'r holl genedlaethau, Pwy wyr na estynir ei enau dros foroedd, I draethu'r efengyl i'r pell anialdiroedd, Gall fod yn offeryn yu nwylaw rhagluniaeth, I achub pechadur o fin damnedigaeth, Neu fod gwasanaethgar i'r nefol genadwr, I dd'weyd wrth y Pagan am Dduw a Chreawdwr, A'i eiriau'n ymsaethu fel mellt difradwriaeth, Rhoi dwyfol lewyrchiad dros ddunos paganicteth. Wel bellach terfynaf fy nghan i'r pellseinydd, Mae'r canmawl ei hunan, ft:l teg gymwyne^ydd, Pan gloe'r fy ngenau yn mhriddell y dyffryn, Bydd yntau'n pellseinio dros rywrai n ddiderfyn Ardderchiog saingludydd, camguswaith dyfeisiol, Sydd engraifft o rinn edd treiddgarweh meddyliol. WILLIAM BASSETT. CUSAN. Sel hynod, mynwesol aman—cariad Cywiraf yw cusan; Dyfais clyd wefusau glan I ollwng teimlad allan. FY NYMUNIAD. Uchel nod o wybodaeth-a garwn Gyrhaedd, a dysgeidiaeth, Eirian gamp i'r awen gaeth, Pfordd hynod hoff farddoniaeth. Y PICADILI FRINGE, NEU'R DONKEY'S CROP. Anturiaeth ffol yw tori—natariol Wallt eirian y lili; Nid ail yw'r Picadili I hollt teg yn ei gwallt hi. Y GATH. (Buddugol.) Un hyf, loeyw, yw'r gath flewog,-hir ei chwt Byr ei choes, a barfog Llym ewinedd—daneddog— Heini ei chlyw,-llyfn ei chlog. CYMDEITHAS CYMREIGYDDION TAYLOR'S TOWN. (Cydfuddugol.) Cymdeithas addas yw hon—er rhoddi Gwir addysg i'r beirddion Gwyli lwydd ein Gwalia Ion, A Dodda ein llenyddion. DAFYDD on LLWYN.

FAIRPLAY AND THE THEATRE. To the Editor of the Pontypridd Chronicle. Sm,—Is there no balm in G.ilead ? Can nought be found to allay the grief of the great champion of morality ? Will no one join him in this unequal struggle with the two "lame" (?) advocates of the stage ? When I read, Sir, the column of childish splutterings which your correspondent has made so much boast of, I was forcibly reminded of that old fable of "The ass in the lion's skin." But let me assure D.D. on behalf of my dear five hundred friends that we have lived near a wood too long to be frightened by an owl; and that no matter how loud or discordant his brayings may be, we shall have only one feeling, and that of sympathy with the deluded victim of his own imagination. One would imagine from the bombastic style in which D.D. pens his epistles, that we had in him a writer trained with the weapons of a Logician" whose chief desire was to enter the gladiatorial arena with foemen worthy of his steel. Nothing can be more illusory. Instead of fighing the foemen he has with their weapons he insinuates that the one is a calf and the other a writer of nonsensical twaddle." Truly this is fine argu- ment! Of his logic more anon. Should all D.D.'s effusions bo as quixotic as the last it will be long ere letters from that quarter are filled with substance more to a debater's mind." A great noise is made by D.D. about some atlegcd unproved assertions of Fairplay, and our great teacher asserts, innocently no doubt, that until Fairplay proves his own asserrions, he shall take no opportunity of disproving them. Noble magnanimity Has D.D. never heard of Axioms ? He will not disprove what- he knows lie cannot. Will he deny that in this educated nineteenth century there has been a rapid growth and development of dramatic representation ? If theatres are 'baneful in their results, how does our great philosopher account for their present position in public favour P Surely, education has not a downward tendency 11 will not assuredly send us seeking that which is lewd and base We have been told that many writers and actors led wretched lives and ended their days in infamy and shame. After such a gushing denunciation, I did think that D.D. would have been man enough to say some- thing of the authors and players quoted in my last, and to show him that the list of the lions of the stage is not yet exhausted, I will include Moliere, Voltaire, Baron Le Rain, Monttteury, Thackeray, Macready, Matthews, Boucicoult, and Byron, and he can have a host of others when he has dispensed with these. But, no, D.D. knows too well that in these, at least, he has no "cripples" to deal with, but strong two-armed opponents, and so his "chivalrous nature keeps him out. of harm's way. D.D. requires proof that the object of the theatre is to hold the mirror up to nature." Let him read the opinion of him whose name is in every man's mouth, whose writings are in every man's hands; he who stamped the impress of his great mind upon his own age, and has left its influence on the ages that followed-Dr. Samuel Johnson. In a preface to Shakspere, published about 1765 he says, Shakspere is above all writers, at least above all modern writers, the poet of nature; the poet that holds up to his readers a faithful mirror of manners and of life." This surely is plain enough, and is the opinion of one who had, at least as perfect a knowledge of what constituted morality, as D.D. Again, quoting from the same authority, I find Though he had so many difficulties to encounter, and so little assistance to surmount them, he had been able to attain an exact knowledge of many modes of life, and many casts of native dispositions to vary them with great multiplicity; to mark them by nice distinctions; and to show them in full view by proper combinations. In this part of his per- formance he had none to imitate, but has himself been imitated by all succeeding writers; and it may be doubted whether from all his successors more maxims of theoretical knowledge, or more rules of practical prudence can be collected, than he alone has given to his country." Let D.D. fell that "straw-man" if he dares. The "swinish multitude" has at length been 'r qualified. The multitude has dwindled down to those I saw rushing out of the theatre." But still D.D. retreats badly. It is yet the "majority of those who attend the theatre" who come under the category of bipeded beasts." That this is a pervertion of fact must be patent to every one who has been, either inside the wooden walls lately sojourning at Pontypridd, or the more substantial buildings to be found elsewhere. Does D.D. think to trade on our imaginations when he tells us that the majority of those who attend theatres are drunken beasts ? Do we not know that managers would never allow—at the cost of losing the respectable portion of their patrons, yea, probably their license—such beasts to enter their theatres P Is D.D. pre- pared to substantiate his statement that the "majority of those who attend the theatre" attend in a drunken state ? Has he the audacity to say, that out of from five to six hundred persons who attended the shanty on any one evening, some, say, three hundred were in a state of drunken helplessness P Even supposing this to be the case, then comes the question, is the theatre to blame for this P In our travelling theatres, and in many of our permanent ones you do not find that they sell intoxicating drinks and I am not aware that the stage is-except in a play- -ever turned into a tavern. How then is the theatre to blame for this depravity P Must not the gin-palaces be held blaniable in this respect ? I cannot say whether in his zeal for the demolition of the theatre, D.D. is actuated by any other than conscientious motives, be this as it may, our innkeepers ought to be grateful to him and the gallant-though defeated --little band who have been endeavouring so per- sistently to persuade us that the theatre is the focus and the radiator of all that is immoral, licen- tious and depraved. We have been treated in the last outburst of D.D. to a line example of logical deduction, almost as rich as the well known one of an eel-pie being a pigeon The language of the majority of the plays acted is as bad as their sentiments" says D.D. To this statement my fellow cripple demurs, and then we have D.D. rushing to the conclusion that if the language is not so bad, it must of necessity be worse. But, hold my friend! Might not the language be of a nobler and better kind, or might not both be good;" or what is more probable, might not my friend- my crippled one I mean—have objected to the whole of the statement, as he calls it what in sooth it is, the chatter of irresponsible frivolity D.D's vocabulary seems to me to be strangely deficient, or very limited, for towards the end of his letter we find him very funny over the word "digest." Let me remind him that that too has a double meaning" and assuring him that this lame" an- tagonist still means fight, I conclude with another extract, trusting that his intellectual digestion will serve him better than on a former occasion. The bookful blockhead ignorantly read With loads of learned lumber in his head, With his own tongue still edifies his ears, And always listening to himself appears." ROMEO.

FIRE ENGINE. The Board could not adopt the resolution suggested by the committee which was held a month ago as to the Chemical Fire Extincteur. They therefore resolved to have both Manual Engine and Chemical Extincteur, the former being worth £80, and the latter £18.

BITS FROM BOOKS. RAIN AFTER AN INDIAN DROUGHT. Hope looked like folly. Then suddenly at last, when it seemed almost too late, Nature re- lented. A shadow of clouds had grown up- on the horison, the great rain-wind blew, driving a tempest of dust before it, whirling the dead leaves from the trees, and signalling that help wascoming. The torrent descended—not a mocking shower, but a glorious life-saving deluge, brimming the tanks to overflowing, and sending the dead weeds swirling down the nullahs. In instant response the earth broke out into life. From forest and hill the familiar cries of Nature were again heard, the crane trumpeting to his mate as he stalks among the wav- ing sedges, the cry of curlew and plover wheeling above the meres, the clamour of wild fowl settling upon the waters, the barking of the fox from the nullahs. The antelope found out their old haunts, and from the villages the hyena and jackal skulked away to ravine and cave. Men and women came straggling back to their villages; ploughs were dragged afield; and, where a week ago was helplessness and desolation, the only sounds of living things the cries of beasts and birds quarrelling over the corpses, there awoke a glad renewal of busy peasant life.—Under the Punkah. By Phil. Robinson, LOCUSTS. Locusts are now a 'regular portion of the day's provision with us, and are really an excellent article of diet. After trying them in several ways, we have come to the conclusion that they are best plain boiled The long hopping legs must be pulled off, and the locust held by the wings, dipped into salt and eaten. As to flavour, this insect tastes of vegetables rather than of fish or flesh, not unlike green wheat in England and to us it supplies the place of vegetables, of which we are much in need. The red locust is better eating than the green one. For catching locusts the morn- ing is the time, when they are half benumbed by the cold and their wings are damp with the dew, so that they cannot fly they may then be found clustered in hundreds under the desert bushes and ga'hered without trouble. Later on the sun dries their wings and they are difficult to capture, having intelligence enough to keep just out of reach when pursued. Flying, they look extremely like may- flies being carried side-on to the wind. They can steer themselves about as much as flying fish do, and can aiight when they like; in fact, they very seldom let themselves be drifted against men or camels, and seem able to calculate exactly the reach of a stick. This year they are all over the country, in enormous armies by day, and huddled in regiments under everybody by night. They devour every-thing vegetable; and are devoured by everything animal- desert-larks and bustards, ravens, hawks, and buzzards. We passed to-day through flocks of ravens and buzzards sitting on the ground gorged with them. The camels minch them in with their food, the greyhounds run snapping after them all day long, eating as many as they can catch. The Bedouins often give them to their horses, and a Awwad says that this year many tribes have nothing to eat just now but locusts and camel's milk; thus the locust in some measure makes amend for being a pestilence, by being himself con- sumed.-A Pilgrimage to the Nejd, d:C. ByLady Anne Blunt. OLD ST. PAUL'S. The grand and spacious nave of the Cathedral obtained the name of St. Paul's-walk a name only too suggestive of the profanations of which it became the scene. It was the common lounge of the idler, the Fop's Alley of the day. It will be remembered that there were two doors exactly opposite to each other, piercing the north and south walls, about the middle of the nave; and that there were grand entrances at each of the transepts. These two sets of doors, immediately opposite to each other, v ere only too suggestive to the profane of the ease with which a short cut might be made from one side of the church-yard to the other. A common thoroughfare was soon established. Presently menwere not satisfied with merely passing through the church. The porter with his heavy burden on his shoulders, the water- carrier with his buckets, found it pleasant enough to set down their burdens, and to rest in the cool shade of massive pillars. Nor was this all, for both men and women soon began to bring their wares into the holy place, and to buy and sell and get gain. As early as the year 1385, Bishop Bray- brocke, from his palace hard by the Cathedral, writes a very vigorous letter to his faithful laity upon the subject of the buyers andsellers in the church of St. Paul. He calls to mind the example of the Divine Redeemer, who visited the Temple of Jerusalem, and_ "seeing that the people were more intent on buying and selling than on prayers," cast out the offenders, and proclaimed that they had made the House of God a den of thieves. So, alas it had come to pass that in thevery Cathedral of St. Paul on ordinary days, and still more on festival days, men and women thronged to the holy place with their merchandise. There, at their several standing places, just as in a public market, they exposed their wares. Nor must it be supposed that such evil practices were peculiar to St. Paul's. The ancient statutes of Wells Cathedral contain a similar clause, and the like abuses were common enough elsewhere.— Chapters in the History of Old St. Paul's. By W. Sparrow Simpson, D.D. FOET AND PHILOSOPHER IN LONDON. Send, if you choose, a philosopher to London, but on no account send a poet thither. Send a philosa- pher, and place him at a corner of Cheapside. He will there learn more than out of all the books of the last Leipsig fair. As the human waves roar around him, a sea of new thought? will arise within him. The infinite spirit which broods over it will breathe upon him. The most hidden secrets of the social order will suddenly reveal themselves to him. He will hear with the ear and see with the eye the heart-beat of the world. For if London be the right hand of the world-its active, mighty right hand— that street which leads from the Exchange to Down- ing-street may well be regarded as the world's great artery. But do not send a poet to London. This hard reality of things, this colossal uniformity, this mechanical movement, this sullenness amidst its pleasures, of overgrown London—depresses the im- agination and rends the hea-t. And did you venture to send a Germim poet thither-a dreamer who must needs stand and stare at every sight, be it a ragged beggar woman, or a jeweller's resplendent window —hewill assuredly fare badly, and be pushed about on all sides, or even knocked down. I soon perceived that this people has much to do. It lives on grand scale, and, though food and clothing are dearer here than with us, it seeks to be better clothed and fed than we do. As accords with high rank, it has also great debts, and yet it sometimes ostentatiously throws handfuls of guineas out of the window, pays other nations to fight that it might witness the sport, gives handsome gratuities to foreign kings. And so John Bull must work day and night to procure money for all this expenditure—day and night must he rack his brain to contrive new machinery. Be must sit and reckon in the sweat of his brow, and hurry along, w out time to look about him, from the dock to the E iange, from the Exchange to the Strand. He m; surely be pardoned if, when he finds a German po gazing in a print shop window, at a corner of CI" apside, he pushes him rather roughly aside. — Wit, Wisdom, and Pathos from the prose of Heinrich Heine. Selected and translated by J. Snodgrass.

FAIRPLAY AND THE THEATRE. To the Editor of the Pontypridd Chronicle." SIR,-When I first wrote upon this subject to your paper, I thought you would have given the same chance to both sides, but the week before last I forwarded to you a communication which you held over for a week, while you thought fit to insert one from the pen of D.D., Treforest. He had been allowed to publish two letters. I replied to one, but before I could reply to the second you published his third, and at the same time you declared your preference by publishing a leader on "The Stage and the Pulpit," thus showing, un- mistakeable partiality and a total disregard of the rules of discussion. As to D D's third letter I can only say that the blind infatuation which charac- terised his letters from the beginning is more glaring in that than in either of the others. D.D. complains bitterly of what he is pleased to term the "personal abuse" which I indulged in, and he seems to have so thoroughly lost his tern per that he actually uses .more insulting language than he did in first epistle. It was of course very wrong did in first epistle. It was of course very wrong of me to suggest what I would not say of him, but it was perfectly fair of him to charge me with con- cocting, fabricating, making foul appear fair, and what not; and it is quite in accord with taste for him to openly charge me with falsehood. Why not have gone a hair's breadth further, and said "You told a lie ?" What is his conduct throughout but that of a man straining at a gnat and swallowing a camel ? With regard to his calling for proof, lef me reply in his own words This first principle of Logic he cannot be ignorant of" "Jeremiah" made a number of unfounded assertions, to which I replied, asking for proof. He wrote again, and I answered. Jeremiah has never proved his case, and the burden of proof rests on him and on D.D., who has come out to champion him. I adduced my experience as against Jeremiah's non-experience, and I contend that D.D's experience corroborates my own. I consider that I have proved my case, and let your readers judge between us. That D.D. doubts it is nothing. Having given proofs to satisfy reasonable minds that have not been perverted I rest con- tent. If D.D. can prove that I am wrong, let him do so. Empty bellowing, and protestations of offended dignity will not suffice. Being accustomed to "call a spade a spade" I suppose I pricked "D.D's" windbag, "and the final event to himself has been that as he rose like a rocket lie fell like the stick." Now let us look at the latest effusion of your weeping correspondent Jeremiah, whose continual tears remind me of Charles Dickcns's "Job Trotter," where Sam Weller exclaims Vot's the matter with the man; Chelsea water-works is nothin' to you. Vhat are you melting vith now ? The consciousness o' willaijy ?" But 1 would not do Brutus wrong," for our Jeremiah weeps over the" willainy" of other people, and evidently thanks the Lord that he is not as other men." He has only one argument "in his last letter, and that is in reply to my statement that when Rome occupied the seat of glory among the nations its theatre was a marvel to the world. His answer is that at that time wickedness and lewdness (anllartrwydd) were at their highest point in Rome whereas Jerusalem, without a theatre, was entirely different. In the first place, can he prove that there was no theatre at Jerusalem ? Then, to the subject He has all alontr chosen to associate lewdness with the theatre. That such a sin exists, and has existed, everywhere, independent of the theatre, is indeed notorious. It is one of the plague spots of society, Jerusalem was no exception The Jews, though the chosen people, sinned grievously in this respect, and if they had not a theatre then Jeremiah has tumbled down the edifice he built himself. King David sinned in that respect and was punished for it. And when Soloman" ruled and his kingdom was in its glory that sin was rife, for he had seven hundred wives, princesses. and three hundred concubines," and he went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites." Here as the Yankee would say, was a ruler that licked Brigham Young into fits. And yet there was no theatre at Jerusalem!" When Solomon reigned, he and, necessarily, his people, went after the abomination of the Ammonites — which anyone acquainted with ancient history understands to mean the grossest licentiousness.and he built a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of the children of Mon b. Yet, "there was no theatre at Jerusalem" Brutus says so, and surely, he is an honourable man." Yours Truly, F AIRPLAY.

PONTYPRIDD BOARD OF HEALTH. The monthly meeting of the above Board was held on Tuesday, the 17th inst. The members present were Messrs. C. Bass. tt (in the chair), Jabez Evans. W. Griffiths, R. Smyth, Moses Cul., D. Davies, D. Leyshon, G. J. Peon, and J. Lewis. L he minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. After this reference was made to the loss the Board had ,sustained by the death of Mr Phillips, one of the members who was always very faithful. In order to fill up the vacancy in the Board it was proposed by Mr C Bassett, and secon- ded by Mr W. Griffiths, that the Rev. D. W. Wil- liams be elected. This was carried unanimously.

MR CRAWSHAY'S DISQUALIFICATION. The next business considered was whether Mr Crawshay had disqualified himself for membership by absenting himself from the meetings of the Board for more than six months. After receiving notice of his disqualification some correspendence took place between Mr L'rawsliay and the Local Government Board on the subject. The letters were read in the meeting. One of them being the reply of the Local Government Board to Mr Crawshay, which was as follows Whitehall, London, 3rd May, 1881,—Sir,—I am directed by the Local Government Board to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 25th April, and state in reply that they have no juris- diction with regard to the qualification or election of members of Local Boards, and it is not their practice therefore to icteifere in these matters.- I am Sir, your obedient servant, J. F. BOLTOX, Assistant Secretary.—F. R. Crawshay, Esq., Tre- forest, Pontypridd." T! is correspondence did not alter the resolution of the Board. Mr Crawshay, being present, ar- gued that ilbiess and absence from home were sufficient reasons for his not being able to attend. Thus illness kept him from being disqualified. He abu found fault with the Clerk for not giving him notice when he became disqualified. The Clerk on the other hand thought that every person who was fit for a seat on the Board ought to know when he is become disqualified. Mr CRAWSBAY thought that if he was considered disqualified there ougbt to have been five vacancies instead of four in the last election. It was shown that Mr Crawshay was not only six months absent, but even twelve months, as he had not attended from 13th of May, 1879, to 14th of May 1880, and had only attended five times since his electien as a member of the Board. Mr JABE/. EVANS said that if Mr Crawshay ad- mitted his disqualification he would be ready to vote for his re-election on the supposition that he would in future be more attentive to the business of the Board. In his opinion it was only child's play to seek a seat on the Board without attendiug the meetings, or only just attending otteu enough to keep his membership. Mr D. DAViKs asked if Mr Crawshay could prove by a doctor s certificate that illness had prevented his attendance. After a long discussion Mr Cule moved, and Mr Smyth seconded, ''that in the opinion of this meetino- he has been disqualified as proved ny his own letter to the Local Government Board, and his own admission." This was carried. Mr CRAWSHAY said I must give you notice of appeal against the resolution." DIVISION OF THE UKBAS DISTRICT INTO WARDS. Mr D. Leyshon proposed that it is desirable that the District be divided into wards, and in order to effect this the necessary measures be forthwith taken. This division cannot be done without having a requisition signed by twenty rate-payers, to hold a public meeting to support the scheme after which a Local Government Inspector will be sent to inquire into the case. The scheme of Mr Levshon was as follows Mr Chairman and Gentlemen, I have much pleasure in laying before you according to my notice of motion which was given at the last meeting as to dividing the whole District into four wards Boundary of each ward, and number of houses in each at the present time as follows No. 1. The town ward from Rhondda Bridge, along the North side of the Rhondda river, so far as Pwllgwaen Bridge, thence taking the line formerly dividing the Urban and Rural Boards up to Norton Bridge and down to Mr Wm. Davies' e houses, en the Pentrebaeh road, including Trallwn, and Coedpenmaen. Number of houses, 750. No. 2. or Graig ward from Rhondda bridge, (Llantwit side), along' the Taff river, until at a point in a line under the Railway bridge leading from Tramroad up to Woodland including Wood- land house, thence a line across to the boundary on the mountain following the boundary to Llan- trisant road, Toll gate down to Penrhiw brook; following the same to Rhondda river. Number of houses, 648. No. 3, or Treforest warll from a line adjoining No. 1 and 2, across from Woodland or Railway bridge to Pentrebaeh road, commencing at Mr Wm. Davies' houses, right up and down the boundary, including Pentrebaeh, Glyntaff, Rhyd- felen, and Treforest,. Number of houses, 615. No. 4. Or Rhondda road, from Penrhiw brook, up to Gelliwyon mountain and to Trehafod, the upper part of the district, including all the new portion which was added to the Board recently in the parish of Llanwonno, and Llantrisant, to Pwll- gwaen bridge, adjoining X o. 1. Number of houses, 540. It was agreed to have a committee of the whole board to meet on Friday, at 4 30 p.m. to arrange the necessary measures to carry out the object.

THE SCRVKYOR'S REPORT. This referred to several improvements antici- pated by the Board, one of which was the widening of the Rhondda bridge by six feet. It appears that Capt. Williams, as owner of the property at one end of the bridge, objects to any interference with his wall. But on the other side an addition of six feet might be made. It was suggested by Mr Bassett and adopted by the Hoard that a suitable person be employed near the Rhondda Road Railway Bridge to ascertain the amount of traffic on this portion of the road. Among the improvements suggested was that of widening the pavement in Taff-street, especially the centre of the town. This was proposed by Mr Penn, who argued that as a rate of tenpence in the £ would come to £ 1708 6s 8d. an addition of a penny to that rate would be an increase of JE170 which would be sufficient for this object. On the proposition of Mr Cule, seconded by Mr Davies, and supported by Mr Jabez Evans, all these improvements were deferred because as they argued the circumstances of the ratepayers would not allow of an increase of the rates at present, and the Board was now in debt to the Bank which together with the gas bill which was due would amount to £ 600, while they had only about jE70 uncollected rates. Mr SMTTH proposed, and Mr A. Cule seconded that a tenpenny rate be made. This was carried.

The boy who is well spanked fully realises the deep meaning of stern justice. Levender tried to lecture four-year-old Willie. Yes," said he, "you sneaked into the pantry and stole biscuits." "I didn't thneak," cried young virttK, brushing off the biscuit crumbs I just waited until mamma went upstairs, and then walked in as bold as a lion." Many an amusing mistake has been made by people hard of hearing. We are told that a certain Dean of Ely was once at a dinner, when just as the cloth was removed the subject of discourse happened to be that of extraordinary mortality among law- yers. We have lost," said a. gentleman, not less than seven eminent barristers in as many months." The Dean, who was very deaf, rose just at the conclu- sion of these remarks, and gave the company grace: For this, and every other mercy, make us trulv thankful I" Of those who have signed the petition against Mr Roberts's Sunday Closing Bill, at Cardiff, are to be found the signatures of 1887 women.

THE TRANSVAAL. FRIDAY, MAY 13. FIGHTING NEAR LICHTENBFRG. PROCEEDINGS OF THE COMMISSION. Telegraphing from Newcastle on Thursday, the standard's special correspondent says Authentic news from Boer sources confirms the re- port of fighting between Montesia and Mocaha, two Kaffir chiefs. The battle took place near Lichten- burg, on the 1st inst. Mocaba, who is a friend of the Boers, was defeated with heavy loss. He says that Montesia was assisted by 60 Europeans. It is reported that Kronje has raised a Boer commando of 500 men to go to the assistance of Mocaba. The question has been discussed to-day at the meet- ing of the Commission, and it has been arranged that a British officer shall be sent to the scene of conflict to warn both the Kaffirs and Boers to abstain from hostilities. Joubert alleges that throughout the Transvaal the loyalists are encouraging the natives to attack the Boers. The latter, therefore, are driven to take pre- cautionary measures. The situation is seriaus, and in face of the proba- bility of civil war, it may be necessary for the British troops again to reoccupy the Transvaal to preserve peace but, as men say, if the treaty is finally arranged, the British must then leave the Boers to themselves, and civil war will be only postponed by their interference now. There can be no doubt that in making terms with the Boer leaders, insufficient attention was paid to the fact that the British and loyal Boers and the natives form the great majority of the inhabitants of the country, and that it was certain that these would not submit to be sacrificed to the Dutch minority. The question aiose at the sitting of the commission to-day as to the interpretation of the clause in the treaty for the compensation of loyalists for the de- struction or confiscation of their property during the war. The Boer view of the clause differs entirely from our own. After some discussion, Sir Hercules Robinson closed the debate by saying that it was for the Commission to decide as to the proper interpreta- tion of the clause. The Commission are at present discussing the power proposed to be vested in the British Resident. Kronje will probably be called before the Commission to render an explanation of his action in reference to the capitulation of Potchefstroom. The Commission will proceed to Heidelburg, and thence to Pretoria, to take evidence, about the 25th instant. Mr. Brand arrived here last nipht. Mr. Kruger says that two of the Potchefstroom guns are some- where between Potchefstroom and Heidelburg. The Lydenburg relief detachment has reached Middle- burg without molestation. The Boers are now pub- lishing a paper, called the South African Republic Gazette. British rule in South Africa is entirely ignored in its columns. SATURDAY, MAY 14. EVIDENCE BEFORE THE COMMISSION. The Standard's Durban correspondent, tele- graphing on Friday, says Several witnesses were examined befere the commis- sion at Newcastle to-day. Allan Smith, a Hottentot, has sworn that he heard a Boer messenger who had come from Joubert give orders to have Messrs. Barber and Dyas shot. An Amatanga, a son of the chief Panda, swore that the Boers tried to make him fight against the English, and that when he refused they threatened to shoot him. Vandurlenden, a loyal Boer of the Marico district, swore that he was commanded to fight against Belsh- wana, the chief of Montstuba, but refused. The chief of Montsuive protected many of the loyal party from the Boers during the war, and a large commr do is out against him. Joubert has been sent by the c. ^mission to stop them from attacking him. MONDAY, MAY 16. LETTER FROM THE SWAZI KING. Telegraphing from Newcastle on Sunday, the Standard's special correspondent says A letter has been received from the King of the Swazis. In it he acknowledges the receipt of the communication from General Wood inclosing the proclamation, and he expresses the highest gratifica- tion at the promise that a British Commissioner should again be attached to him. He rejoices at the news that his territory is to continue separated from that of the Boers. He said that during the war the latter persisted in endeavouring to stir up the native tribes against the British, but failed entirely, as the natives w«re all in favour of our rule. Major Buller and Mr. Joubert have gone to the north-west frontier, to order the Kaffirs and Boers to desist from hostilities and to disperse at once. The guns and rifles taken at Potchefstroom are still undelivered. The troops intended to garrison Potchef- stroom will probably march on the 18th instant. The general belief is that they will meet with opposition. The Commissioners leave for Pretoria on the 21st instant. FRANCE AND TmTIS. The Tunis correspondent of the Times gives the following as the text of an important telegram trans- n.itted by the Bey to Lord Granville and the Ministers of the Great Powers on Thursday: "To Eail Gran- ville, London.-The advance of the French troops in this Regency continues. Hitherto we have suc- ceeded in reassuring our subjects by reiterated decla- rations that the French operations would be strictly confined to the punishment of the Kroumirs. We believed that the assurances given to the Powers and to our suzerain justified our so doing. Notwithstanding these protestations, the French camp is to-day within 17 miles of our capital, and during their march the French forces approached it even nearer. These undeniable facts tend materially to lessen the effect of the injunctions we have gi "n our subjects, and have even led to our own conduct being very seriously animadverted on in our own dominions. We have redoubled our efforts to persuade our subjects to offer no resistance to this invasion, but our task becomes more difficult an a disregard of the assurances given becomes more ap- parent. Is it possible for us to tell how long we may be able to maintain order among the unoffending tribes, who see their dwellings, herds, and crops sacri- ficed by the march of the French troops ? In these circumstances, and in view of the extreme urgency of the case, we implore the British Government, as well as the Government'! of the other Great Powers, to take such measures as may at least induce the Go- vernment of the French Republic to declare its intentions in respect to own Regency and make known the complains which it ttlay consider itself justified to prefer against us.—MUHAMED ESSADEK." At four o'clock on Thursday afternoon the Bey granted an audience to General Breard, the French commander, who then read to his Highness the text of a treaty in 10 articles, the principal of which provides that there shall be a French Minister resident at Tunis charged to watch the execution of the treaty. The Bey asked to be allowed until 9 o'clock in the evening for consideration, but signed the treaty an hour before that time. The following is stated to be the text of the treaty enforced on the Bev of Tunis by General Breard The Government of the French Republic, desirous of preventing the continuation of disorders on the frontiers and of drawing closer its relations with the Government of the Regency, has appointed General Breard delegate extraordinarv and pleni- potentiary, 1. The treaties of friendship and com- merce existing between France and the Regency are confirmed and renewed. 2. With the view of aiiling the Government of the French Republic to obtain the means of guaranteeing the defence of its interests, the Government of the Bey accords to the Govern- ment of the French Republic every facility to insure the security of the coast line and the frontiers of the Regency, by an occupation the extent and conditions of which will be settled subsequently. 3. This occu- pation will cease when the authorities of the Bey shall have proved themselves capable of assuring the safety of the frontier. The Government of the French Republic, on its side, guarantees the States of the Bey against all foreign aggression. 4. The Govern- ment of the French Republic guarantees the execu- tion of existing treaties. 5. The Government of the French Republic is represented at Tunis by a resi- dent Minister, who will superintend the carrying out of the above provisions. 6. The diplomatic agents of the French Republic at foreign Courts will protect Tunisian subjects and defend their interests. In re- turn, the Government of the Bey engages to conclude no treaty, convention, or international act without having informed the Government of the French Re- public, and having come to a previous understanding with it on the subject. 7. The Government of the French Republic and the Government of the Bey will come to an understanding as to the terms of a settlement of the public debt and the rights of the creditors of the Regency. The conditions of that settlement will be fixed subse- quently. 8. A war contribution will be paid by the tribes of the frontier and the coast; the amount of that indemnity and the manner of recovering it will be dis- cussed in future negotiations. 9. To protect French interests against the smuggling of arms and of muni- tions of war, the Government of the Bey engages to prevent all importation of powder and arms. 10. The present treaty will be submitted for ratification to the President of the French Republic." When General Breard visited the Bey a squadron of cavalry and a battery of artillery were posted close to the palace, and remained there until after the con- ditions were signed. A witness of the proceedings told the standard's Tunis correspondent that the scene in the palace was a most painful one. The Bey at first declined to read a document so forced upon him. It was then read aloud by M. Roustan. The greatest a'arm prevailed in the palace, and especially in the harem, for the Bey's personal safety, as the French hnd threatened to substitute in his place his younger brother Sidi Taib. The princesses sent message aft^r n essHge to him, imploring him to sign the document. At last the Bey gave way, and placed his signature to the conditions. He then expressed a hope that at least the humiliation of an entry of the French troops into Tunis would be spared to him but the general said coldly that he received orders only from bis own GoTwamwafc.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT. HOUSE OF LORDS.—THUBSDAT. On the motion of tne Lord Chancellor the Stolen Goods Bill and th" Charitable Trusts Act Amendment Bili were read a second time after a little criticism from Lord Salisbury. The object of first-named nill was to increase the powers of the poticeanthcrttiesto recover allien goods. The second measure was framed to extend the powers of the Charity Commissioners and Lord Salisbury called on the House to watch its pr-nLTiess with vigilance, as it would have the effect ot ha i ding bodily over to the commissioners all the equities of the country.—The Inland Revenue Buildings Bill passed through committee. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—THROAT. Mr. Cnihlers said the Queen would review the Scot- tish voiunteers at Edinburgh some day between August 20 and 31.—In answer to Mr. Rogera, Mr. Gladstone said he preferred to wait until the House had disposed of the second reading of the Land Bill before considering what course it would be ad- visable to take to expedite the after progress of that measure.—Mr. Shaw resumed the debate on the Irish Land Bill. He ga-, e the measure a w.irm sup- port, while making a few suggestions with a view ot facilitating its operation. He also appealed to Irish members of all parties not to consider it in any party spirit, but to unite in the endeavour to effect a settlement of what was a real Irish difficulty.- Mr. M. Henry regarded the bill as just in the main, and, with amendments, it would five the tenants more than they had ever expected. This, he believ* d, was well known to the Land League, and Mr. Parnell's proposal to abstain from voting wae simply intended to damn the bill in the eyes of the Lord», and prevent the passing of the Act, when the occupation of the Land League would be gone.— Mr. Plunket expressed warm approbation of the purchase clauses, of the emigration clauses, and a so of the reclamation proposals, thtugh he did not expect these last to have i. very wide opera- tion. The other parts of the bill he did not regard with so much favour, and especially he dwelt on the injustice of the conditions under which a fair rent was to be fixed where there was no Uister tenant-right. The property of the tenant outside of Ulster evolved out of the Act of 1870 was purely imaginary, and the greatest sufferer would he the landlord who had been indulgent to his tenantry, and who had thus made this tenant-right of greater value.- Mr. A. Sullivan supported the bill, believing that it might be amended so as to prove of inestimable benefit to Ireland. He replied to Mr. Henry's accu- sations against the Land League that it was that organisation which brought the question within the range of practical politics.-The debate was then adjourned on the motion of the Solicitor-General for Ireland. HOUSE OF LORDS.—FRIDAY. Lord Svdney, as Lord Steward, brought down the reply of the Queen to the Address of their lordships' House for the erection of a monument to Lord Beaconsfield. Her Majesty said she would give direc- tions in accordance with the prayer of the Address— Lord Middleton callej attention to the condition of Ire- .and, described the reign of terror brought about by ;he League, and asked what the Govern- ment. intended to do.—The Dukd of Marlborough jomplained that the Government had not swept off a arger number of the offenders into connnemet t.— Lord Spencer confessed to disappr ntment that their Hopes for the maintenance of ordo. HS a consequence )f recent legislation had not been nlised. But ti.ey were doing all they could to reme v the existing s'.ite )f things. The number of persons iu custody unuer ;he Coercion Act was 72.—The Inland Revenue Buildings Bill and the Municipal Franchise (Scot- And) Bill were read a third time. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—FRIDAY. Mr. Labouchere appealed to Sir W. Lawson and Mr. Gladstone in reference to the Bradlaugh case, pointing out to the member for Carlisle that to perse- vere with his motion to rescind the resolution of April !6 would not assist Mr. Bradlaugh in taking his seat ind informing the Premier that the people of North- impton were v.,illing to wait for the Oaths Bill till the [rish Land Bill was passed.—Sir W. Lawn on there- ipon consented to postpone his resolution, intimating ;hat he would bring '.t on whenever the progress of ;he Oaths Bill was, in his view, obstructed.—Lord R. Chnrchiil declared that Mr. Bradlaugh and his col- .ea^ues acted under the inspiration of Mr. Gladstone, but this assertion having been indignantly denied by :he right hon. gentleman, his lordship withdrew it.- Mr. Gladstone then stated that under the circum- 'tances he would not attempt to proceed further with ;he Oaths Bill till the Land Bill was substantially lispo^edof.—On the order for suppl Sir Massey Lones !N<<ved»a resolution in favour of establishing a distinct Del)artmerit of Agticulture and Commerce, pre- "ri d over Ly are sponsible Minister of the Crown.- Mr. Gladstone gave the assent of the Government ;o the gen-rat principle of the motion. He re- itricted his assent to the proposition that there ihould be a responsible department of State ready io take uV, as far as possible, all functions that were oeces-ary to be assumed in connection with com- merce and agriculture. The Government were ready :o act upon that by continuing gradually to concen- crate all the various duties connected with these two subjects into one department under the President of ;he Board of Trade.—Mr. Chamberlain said if agricul- lure and commerce were placed under one bead, iifficulties would arise from the Minister, though acquainted with one subject, being igiiormit of the ither. As the Premier had accepted the terms of the motion, he hoped the Honse would put in practice the principle to which his right hon. friend had Msented.—Ultimately the resolution was agreed to. HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY. Lord Galloway moved an address to the Crown to reconsider the proposal to substitute novel territorial titles for the present numerical and other distinctions in regiments of the line and militia.—Lord Morley defended the proposed change.—Lord Bury believed the object could have been gained without adopting the territorial system.—After some observations from Lord Northbrook. Lord Airey, and Lord Chelmsford, the motion was withdrawn, and their lordships ad- jonrned. HOUSE OF COMMONS.—MONDAY. Mr. Guest having asked whether 1 he Government would recognise the treaty between France and Tunis, Sir C. Dilke said the papers would be pro- duced in a few -lays, and suggested that the dis- cussion should be postponed until then. Mr. Guest moved the adjournment of the House, and insisted that the Government ought to pro- test against the high-handed proceedings of France. — Mr. Gladstone urged that justice, policy an 1 even decency required that the discussion on the conduct of a country which had been our close and friendly ally for more than a generation should not be continued in the absence of adequate informa- tion. With regard to the conduct of the British Government, a large portion of the papers would be found to relate to the late as well as to the present Government.—Eventually the motion for adjournment was withdrawn.-The adjourned debate on the second reading of the Irish Land Bill was resumed by Mr. Gladstone. Dealing with the criticisms that had been brought against the bill, he pointed out that neither the increased value of a hold- ing due to improvements made by the tenant, nor its excessive value by consequence of competition owing to the scarcity of land, were elements of value be- longing to the landlord. These constituted what the tenant had to sell, and the question of fair rent would have to be considered indepen- dently of them. The only radical proposal in the bill was the introduction of a judicial authority to settle differences between man and man in the matter of agricultural holdings. This was justified by the circumstances of the country, and had been recommended by Mr. Disraeli in 1870, and by the two commissioners. In the Opposition, exaggerated denuciation of the bill he saw the first effect of the death of Lord Beaconsfield, who, if he had lived, he felt convinced would have taken the same wise course as on the Irish Church Bill and the Land Bill of 1870. Was there a man on the other side who believed that the question could be Rettled by a smaller biil than this ? Were the Opposition to take the place of the Government, they would have to pass not a smaller but a larger bill. The Government would use every effort to pass the bill speedily and in an effective form.-Colonel Stanley said he should oppose the bill, and complained that its main pro- visions were still as unintelligible after Mr. Glad- stone's spe ch as before.—Mr. T. P. O'Connor also announced that he would vote against the second read. ing b cause the bill did nothing for the relief of the tenants who were in arrear and debt.-On the motion of Mr. Chaplin, the debate was adjourned.

Two men digging a drain near Lissycaaey, between Killush and Ennis, came across an iron-clasped chest of very larte dimensions, and lying on it was a large sword, with the word Ii O'Neill" engraved upon it. The men assumed that it was a coffin, and oonveyed the intelligence of their discovery to the polioe at Lissycasey police-station. The box was opened by the poiice, and to their surprise they found it to be full of gold coins of ancient date. The men claimed the treasure trove, but the police removed the box and sword to Ennis station. The Rev. H. Blagden, vicar of Hughenden, and Mrs. Blagden,have paid a visit to the Queen at Wind- sor Castle, returning to Hughenden after luncheon. Thomas Ambler, a miner, of Churwell, near Leeds, has made desperate attempts to murder his wife. He locked the doors of his house, and deli- berately, and appar-ntiy without provocation, seized his wife's neck with both handa, and tried to strangle her. Not succeeding, he knocked her about with a fender, and then attempted to stab her with a knife, but by this time a constable had arrived. Ambler made repeated efforts to stab both his wife and the officer, but the latter at length succeeded in disa ming him, and conveying him to the station. The magistrates committed Ambler for trial, and ordered the bravery otthe officer to be reported to the authorities. I'