The Pontypridd Chronicle and Workman's News

'All Riff hit Reserved.) WRITTEN IN FIRE;" OR. THE WITNESS IN THE DARK. BY FLORENCE MARRYAT, ACTHOR OF Love a Contlict, Fighting the Air," "Her Father's Name," &c., to., dec. ..f CHAPTER XVL TRUE TO HIS OATH. In Java," repeated Pere Raoul. Are yon very maeh surprised, my children, to hear that I, a hard working priest of Brusca, with scarcely time enough to accomplish the duties that await me here, should have a monetary interest in a remote foreign colony, s" far removed from the scene of my own labours? Well, then, I can assare you that I possess a large circle of acquaintances in Java, and many personal friends with whom I maintain an active correspondence. Fabian, did you never hear me speak of my sister, Madame Van Hoost?" "I mast have done so as a child, mon pere. The name is familiar to me, though I cannot have heard it for so many years. And I knew that yoa founi woik somewhere in the colonies for your boys from the Criche, though I was not quite certain where." Jmt so. 1 have been the means of sending many boys out to Satavia—not only my poor foundling*, but the seas of rich parents. It is so difficult to find wo-k for all the young men springing up around as wnw-a-days. And my sister, Madame Van tiooat, has been my agent, my right hart i. I could have done nothing without the help of Louise-nothing what. ever." The priest paused a moment, as though some- thing in tru, remembrance of Louise had power to touch him, then continued in a brisker voice— My parents had only two ohildren, Liaise and my- self. They were 2food people; my fathei and mother wished to do their duty in this world, and they dedi. cated both their ciiiidre.,i-th,! dearest things tUey hai—to the Church. I took to my vocation, my sister did not. Sh3 had not been let oat of her conve,it for three months, on the probationary year's freedom, which all novices are counselled to take before adopt- ing the v,il, when she married M. Van Hoost, a Dutch merchant on a visit to Brusca. It disappointed he parrnts greatly, but I am sure it was for the best. L <uise is too light-hearted and merry, and fund of gaiety, to have been happy as a nun. And if she had been unhappy it wauld have broken my heart You loved her very dearly, then, mon pertsaid Fabian, softly. Very dearly, Fabian A man's natural aSeotions do not die because be is a priest. My sister was the bet-t thing in the world to me, and so she will oontinue t" be till I die. But Heaven saw fit to separate m. She married, and went out to Batavia with her bus. band. My parents died, and I am left alone in Brusca.1* Has Madame Vaa Hoost never re-visited her home. moii pere P No, nor do I think she ever will. She has been aettied in Java now for many years, and has become naturalised to the country. Bat she has always been a brisk correspondent, and her letters seem to have made me almost aa familiar with Batavia and the na. t ves as she is herself.After she had been there awhilo the began to tell me how much European labour was reeded out there, and what a field of speculation the iet md might prove to her own countrymen. This set me thinking, naturally, and the first friendless lad I shipped out to the care of my sister's husband, Van Roost, proved such a success that I had eoon more applications for employment than I could possibly entertain.The difficulty has been in getting my protege, transported there. The passage ts a long and expen- sive one,and their necessary outfits have been serious items. However, some have had their passages paid through the kindness of frienda "—Pere Raoul did not stop to say how many times be had paid that passage out of his own pocket—" others have been taken free by the Christian charity ef owners of vessels and a few have borrowed the money, and repaid it from the proceeds of their labour. Altogether, from my own creche alone, seventeen lads have found a perma- nent home in Java, and are deing well there and Inpporting themselves. Nine out of that number have ma ried native women, and hare a cabin full of brown babies, so that I feel quite like a grandfather when I think of them, and often wish,fshould circumstances permit, that I might run over there myself some day for a holiday and have a look at my little oolony." ''And gentlemen find work there too?" inquired Fabian. 44 Certainly; which brings me to my point. My sister, who was in the habit of receiving all my hoys on their arrival in the country, had the misfortune, about a oouple of years since, to become a widow. Her husband, who owned a large farm and coffee estate in Batavia, died suddenly, leaving the entire manage- men: of affairs in her hands. Louise contrived won* derfully well at first. She had been accustomed to take an interest in the business, and bad picked up a con- siderable knowledge of it. But a woman cannot do everything by herself. The bailiff whom she engaged to manage the coffee plantation proved di#hone-.t and ro d her. Th n I seat her out another from Brnaca—a good fellow, wnom I had known for j ears, and they got on w. nde'tuily well togetker^ B it- !a*t. m9,.th br night Tie the aad news of his death from fever, and Ma la ue Van H xut begi ma, if poixiole, to. find her an .agellt to supply his plaod- a noting man who would not be too oroud to act under h r directions. N >w, this is the appointment that I am thinking would sait M msieur -Hiyes. lis must not be frightened by the idea of the lever. There is no greater risk o! it in Java than in other hot eliuiates, a id I am afraid my poor young friend was not as careful of his health as he ought to have been. Mv sister requires a, English clerk also for the busi. ne»s office in the town but the overseer's situation is the one to suit your cousin^who has been used to a cou try life, and has a knowledge of farming." "I thi.<k it would be awfully jolly. What do you say, Fabian?" inquired Andy. "There's nothing I should like better than to g" to the other side of the world and see lots of life, eh ?" I should like it also," replied his cousin, "and I believe Java is a beautiful island, and the society very pleasant." The European society is chiefly Dutch, or half- bred Dutch and Batavian, said Pere Raoul. "Mon. Il8Ut H.). wuuid see the but; .of it from my Mater's home, and would live in great comfort himeell. I ean answer for that. The salary tleo which she offers is liberal. But he must Dot upeot; it to be all sunshine, Fabian. The climate in pleaaant enough at times, but it has its ineonveniences. What do you say to a deluge caused by heavy rains that pour down continuously for seventeen days and nights without stopping a single moment ? Daring the last, flood in Java my sister wrote me word that mine of the house roofs were actually worn away and (ell in from the sction of the water; that the tramway rait. were all washed out of plaoe, and the high read was like so m4ny deep ruta where the water had made its way from the canal." What a description, mon pere/ Are life-belta a teeeesttrypttrtof the outfit for Batavia ?" They would appear to be to, for once Batavia Itself Was under water for two days, when a passage ;nto the town was impossible, and my sister and her friend* paid visits to each other in boats. Whole bouses were swept away by the rains on that occasion md the place was thronged by natives begging for ihelter, Pianos, horses, and carriages, and all sorts )f valuable articles were seen floating in the streets. [t was a terrible visitation, and when the floods had ibated and fine weafehar returned, the stench of the nud and the drowned corpses devastated the island with cholera." I say, Fabian, I'm beginning to alter my mind ibout Java .1 don't think it would be so awfully jolly low said Andy. "I am telling you the worst I know, for fear of nisleading yoa," oontinued Pere Raoul, "bnt the European residents in the colony give it high praise. rhe natives, however, are a treacherous race, and vou iannot be too careful in your dealings with them. Directly a Javanese is offended, he mixed poison with rour food. Nambera of people-Europeans included -have been killed by that means. They will draw heir knives and stab the person who insults them on ;he spot, and they have been known to murder a whole Family for the offence of one member of it. Revenge Umu deepest pmm, nd thej matealy indole* in it. The principles of the Christian faith are a sealer book to them." Whieh will you choose, Andy ?" said Fabian jesfr ingly "to be poilvned-iltabbed-drowned in th floodll-or carried off by cholera? I don't see any ch&noe of escaping all fonr." They had better not try any of their cowardly trieks upon me," replied his oousin, with mo:e iierious. ness in his voice than Fabian had used, or they may find I am beforehand with them. I'm not quite up to the poisoning dodge yet, but I fancy, if ever I have an opportunity of testing our mutual prowess,that Master Javanese will find I can draw a knife as quicklj and use it as effectually as himself." As the young man was speaking the priest regarded him earnestly, and when he had finished the sentence he looked grave. Do not let us jest on sneh subjects, my children,' he said, they are too serious. May Heaven preserve you from ever meeting such a fate The cholera would be nothing to it. It is better to fall into the hands of God than the hands of man At this juncture old Marguerite entered the room to say that she had secured two bed. for the young men for the night. "That is well," continued PereRaoul, "and now I would advise you to retire and seek a long and refresh- ing rest. We can renew this subject to-morrow and although my sister in anxious to get her new bailiff out as soon as possible, there is no need for Monsieu r Hayes to give me his decision for some days to come. You must both think and talk it over together. Good- night, my children I shall expect you to breakfast in the morning." And the young men. having accepted the cordial invitation, found themselves presently on the pavement of the Grande Plaoe of Biusoi. What a lovely night," exclaimed Fabian. If you are not very tired, Andy, let us take a turn or two round the Place before going to bed, and have a talk over Pere Raoul's wonderful proposition. What do you think of it? Does the prospect pleaie you ?" "Well, yefl, I think so," replied Andy, though rather dubiously. Of course it will have its disadvantages, a-i yoor friend says—and it's a long way off bu t beggars can't be choosers." I see what it is, you're thinking of me, Andy, and what may feel aboat it. Bat You mustn't think ot me, old fellow-you must think only of yourself, and wh it is best for both of us. Of course it's best for you that I should get into hiri;*ss as soon as possible '• No, Andy, I wasn't thinking of it in tha.t light —I was thinking of your becoming independent as soon as possible, and being able to marry Rosie." Andy here gave vent to an expletive concerning his betrothed that startled Fabian. Let's leave Rosie out of the question," he went on, she's got nothing to do with my going out to Java. I think it would be jolly for some things, but I am disappointed at the idea of leaving Brusca so scon. I have been looking torward so much to my visit here." So have I," said Fabian aorrowfully, "and there is no reason we should not enjoy ourselves here for a few months, excepting that Madame Van Hoost seems in a hurry to get a new bailiff. And it would never do, if yoa are thinking of Java at all, to miss that appointment, Andy. Pire Raoul say a the salary is a very liberal one, and you would live at hia sister's house, and-" Yon seem iu a precioua hurry to get rid of me," in- terpoaed Andy sullenly. "What!" cried Fabian, wheeling round upon the pavement and confronting him. a Well, it's only natural, of course, and the aoouer I can support myself the b etter and I mean to do it too," replied the other; "only I thought you'd be more sorry to part with me, Fabian." "You are ape aking in riddles to me," said h:s cousin. "Dv you imagine I intend to let you go to Java alone?" Of course I do! What should you come for?" Why, to take the clerk's place in Madame Van Hoost's house of business. Didn't you hear Pere Raoul say she required a Euro pean clerk as well as a bailiff ?" He mentioned it, I know, but I'm sure he never connected the fact with you. If you remember, he apoke of nothing definitely but the bailiff's place, and directed all his information concerning it towards my- self." "And you could think-you, Andy, that I meant toMtd you to the other side of the world alone- without a frieud-pennileu-not speaking the lan- guage. 0 Andy, what have you taken me for ?" oried Fabian in a tone of reproach. Well, I know you're awfully good, old fellow, but after all, I've got no elaim upon yon." "JVo claim You have every claim—the nearest and best of claiml You are my fftther, Andy." The priest doesn't think you mean it, I know." He shall think it, then,with the first light of morn- ing. I will aee him before you do, and explain every- thing. If I cannot go to Java with you, Andy, you will never get my consent to going there at all. We have thrown in our lota together for weal or woe, and we must aink or swi in on the same tide. If I had not made 10 sure that the dear fathernnderttood this, I would have set him right at once. Bat 1 took hia dis- course as addressed to both of no, and did not dream he thought of dividing our intereata." It all looka very different now," aid Andy glee, fully. I shall enjoy Java. and the niggers, and the floods, and the cholera, and everything, like old boots. I wonder if we shall settle out there, and marry, and never take the trouble to eome home agiin I shouldn't wonder, Fabian, if we did. It must be a lovely lasy life when you're aocuatomed to it, and unfit you for English habita and eustoms altogether You can't marry out there, at all events, rejoined Fabian hastilv, not while you are engaged to ROlie, Andy." I shall have to send home for her, then, for if I grow rich I shall want a wife to look after my be. longings. But you are free, Fabian, to marry whom you choose. You will be able to take up with a Bata- vian princess—if there is such a thing-or a Dutch heiress, or something grand. I shouldn't wonder if that pretty face of yours stood you in good stead amongst the ladies of Java." "I've no fancy for brown and yellow beauties, so don't talk nonsense-and let's be off to 9!i," said Fabian, laughing, as he led the way to the apartments that had beeu engaged for them by Marguerite. With the earliest dawn Fabian was out of bed, and wr aid the priest as he was returning home from m; > 8. 11 Ai'n-npere," he ormmenoed, I want to correot an error into which I may have inadvertently led you, last night. Did you suppose I intended my cousin to 40 out to Batavia by himself ?" li Did I suppose you intended your cousin to go out to Batavia by himself ? repeat ed the priest in a voice of astonishment. Do you mean me, then, to infer that you have any intention of accompanying him ?" "Certainly, yes—I cannot part from Andy! I have made a vow to my own heart to share all I have with him, down to the last farthing." "Very geoo, my child. It is a pious vow, that will meet its own reward. But this does not necessi- tate your journeying with Monsieur Hayee wherever he may go. There is a reason for his emigration, because be is a penniless man. There is none for your-, because you possess an income of your own." You do not understand me. Andy is no more pen- niless than I am. Until he has an assured salary, it is my pleasure, no leae than my duty, to share mine equally with him." We will grant that, Fabian. You are each, then, in the possf-ssion of about one hundred pounds a year. But you cannot live on one hundred pounds— you must work to increase it. I see no work fat Monsieur Hayes in Brusca; I told you as much last night. But for yourself it ia different. You have a talent which you can put to use. You are surrounded by friends you are, so to speak, in your native ooun try. I counsel you, therefore, to remain in Brusca. And since you are generous enough to divide your little fortune with your cousin, be my son, Fabian, as I offered you of old; and trust to me that you shall never know the want either of money or affection." This proposal—so full of love and confidence- touched Fabian to the quick. All his former burning desire to live in Brusca returned upon him, and he longed to accept it. It was a sore temptation-but he put it from him resolutely. •' Mon pire, you could have asked me to do nothing more in consonance with my own wishes and feelin gs. But money is not all I owe to Andy. Pray list, to me patiently. When I first went to England I was very unhappy. My uncle is a man of a m'st savage and brutal temperament. I could not tell you half the truth about him before hia son last evening. He used me and hia own rife and children oruelly, and there was only one creature who dared to staid between us and his fury-that poor, dehoate, shrinking woman you saw on the occasion of your visit to Mord j ha-y Am" zawy.=r clear dftd la*ec*f uufoxxou ten aister. She used to brave her husband's anger for xnysake to take the blame he would have visited on me, to take the blows. Good heavens, how my blood boils when I remember the blows that brute used to shower on her tender frame-they could hardly have done me more injury than they did hentelE! Well.wiun pire, she died,and mvbelief is that ill-treatment killed her. She was very glad to die, poor thing. She told me so,and there was only ece thought that troubled her —how her boy, whom she loved devotedly, would get on with his father when she was gone. S.ie foresaw how their fiery natures would clash against each other, and all the trouble that would ensue. And I promised her-onlya few hours before her dear,h —that 1 would be a brother to Andy and Milly and abare all their difficulties and troubles, and so long aa I had a shilling they should never be in need of one 1 I swore it to her, mon pire," said Fabian, lifting his hat from his head and looking up to the glorious canopy of blue that overshadowed them, in the name of the love she had shewn me-iu the name of my dead father-in the name of the God Who has him in His holy care. And I must keep my YOW," he concluded, placing hia hat up.m his head again and my cousin Andy must not go to Java alone." Pere Raoul glanced at his young companion with a look that was almost reverential. "Fabian," he said,in a gently tremulous voice, I shall be the last person to aak you to break it. Keep your vow, my dear son,, as religiously as your hear t dictates to you, and I thank God that your father'a noble spirit breathes so freely in your breast. He would have been proud of you this day, Fabian—aye, as proad as I am." Putting this little matter completely on one aide, though,' continued Fabian, whose buoyant spirii% could not long bear the strain of sentiment, there is no need that Andy and I should decide about Java within the next tew days, ia there, mon pire ? We should like to talk with you a little further respecting the duties that will be required of us, and the amount of freedom we should be allowed, and so forth. If you consider I am capable of filling it, I shuuld like to apply fur the situation of clerk in Madame Van Iluoat's office, which I believe you said was also vacant," The overseer's is the boitt plaoe of the two, Fabian." Never mind which is the best! I am sure Andy is more fitted for the farm work,as I am for the de.k. Not that I can boast much knowledge of either, but Mr. button took care my general education was not neglected whilst I was ia Norwich." I will look out all my sister's letters on the sub. ject, and let you see theia," said PereRaoul "mean while, here comes M ,nlileur Hayes, and I see old Mar. gueiite on the doorstep in an agony of fear lest the eggs should be hard-boiled *nd the pitfolet burned black in the OYdD. Come, Fabian,and let us have oojr brtakfast." (To be continued.)

RUNNING THE RAPIDS. Besides the general features, which vary much ac- cording to the geological formations,a rapid is full of important details. Every hidden rock marks the surface in a way that shews the depth of water and the velocity of the current. A rock in a deep slow current figures the quiet surface with delicate lilies and small eddies. In water a little swifter, it makes a round smooth hood of water over its head and small ripples below. In a rapid strong current it makes a foaming crested wave and an eddy setting up stream, and in a steep descent it throws the water into high tumultuous seas. Thus you estimate the nature of the water by signs, forms, and colours of waves and eddies that are quite reli- able guides. But the high wind to-day changes everything. On still waters it rolls up waves that belong to a deep swift channel; on swift clear shoots it makes white capped waves that indicate largo rock" on rocky cour-es it tumbles up the water in cotn;)ete contusion. The rocks thus seem to move ab..ut the stream like sunken monsters seeking piey. So the course is full of surprises. I suddenly lind a huge boulder right ahead, where I believed thtre was clear water. I lie back in imagined safety while running down a uniform shoot, but all at once find a huge rock close to my side. Nevertheless the eye soon becomes accustomed to the change of signs, and estimates the colours and forms on a new scale. But at last I am near the end of the Horse Race. t have not approached the last swift rush of water in the right place in avoiding some heavy seas in mid- channel, I kept too near a large eddy setting-up stream below a rock, and the upward current striking the bow turned the canoe almost about, and so took her out of the course. A glance at the tumultuous breakers and high swells ahead reveals one narrow passage between two boulders. I strike quick and hard, and with the help of good luck dart into the main channel. Here the rush almost takes my breath. For a moment destruction seems perfectly certain. The current is a mass of foaming waves over rocks. But the water is deeper than I thought from its broken and discoloured surface. We rush on through swelia that roll the canoe from one side to the other, wash her decks,and toss us about in the most startling manner. The race was swift, though shprt, and we glide out at last on the still pool below with the elation and gratitude of victors.—Scribner's Monthly.

BITS FROM BOOKS. WHAT A LITTLE THING IS MAN A painstaking German has made the following Ingenious calculation, which shews at once th<? ex- tent of what the Gtlrmans sometimes fondly call "Das Deutsche Meer," and the insignificance, so far as bulk is concerned, of the whole human race at pre- sent alive upon our planet. A German mile contains 25,856 feet (Wurtemburg), consequently a square German mile 6681 million square feet. The superficial area of the Lake of Constance, being 8J, German square miles, contains therefore 5,682 million square feet. There are living upon the surface of our globe, in round numbers, about 1,430 million human beings. Let every man, woman, and child have four square feet of standing room allotted to him, and if the lake were frozen over the whole human family might be assembled on its surface. Should the weight prove too great, and collective humanity be submerged, it would only raise the level of the lake six inches.- The shores and ities of the Boden See. By Samuel James Capper. A VERSATILE INDIVIDUAL. Our host himself was a local celebrity, who, in addi- tion to the business of the tavern, officiated all auctioneer at all sales in the neighbourhood. Once he had been a driver of a stage coach, then a dealer in dry goods, and then a pedlar. Not all his anecdotes are repeatable, but one of them is worth telling for the light it throws upon his versatility. lie wished to purchase a team of horses from one Dean Woodbury, at S and a friend who was with him introduced him as Elder Dawley, to which he was about to object, when his companion whispered to him, "Be quiet, you'll get the team for 20dol. less as a parson than as a layman and, indeed, the deacon was so devoutly considerate of the Church that the purchase was effected on very easy terms. At dinner, however, the elder was called upon foa grace before meat, and although unfamiliar with de- votions of any kind, he was unwilling to expose the fraud to which he had lent himself and he returned thanks with an unction that put him high in the deacon's esteem. It became known that a minister was in the village, and he was invited to console a sick old man, which he did, as he says, to the entire satisfaction of all the relatives. On the following day a, lawyer having failed to appear for him he conducted a case of his own in court; and in the afternoon weilded the hammer at an auction. Later in the evening the fiddler was missing from a dance and he offered himself as a substitute. While he was poring over the music with great attentivene.ss, though he could not read a note, a child of yesterday's invalid happened to look in, and was struck at the sight she saw. Why, ma," she cried as soon as she reached home, "would you believe it?-that old minister who was here yesterday, is a-fiddling away like all-possesed at the d"nce !Harper's Monthly Magazine. APISH DOMESTICITY. Monkeys are born in almost as helpless a condition as are human beings. For the first fortnight after birth, they pass their time in being nursed, in sleeping, and looking about them. At the end of the first fortnight, the little one begins to get about by itself, but always under its mother's watchful care. She frequency attempts to teach it to do for' itself but never forgets her solicitude for its safety, and at the earliest intimation of danger,seizes it in her arms and seeks a place of refuge. When about six weeks old, the baby begins to need more substantial nutriment than milk, and is taught to provide for itself. Its powers are speedily developed; and in a few weeks its agility is most surpris- ing. The mother's fondness for her offspring continues; she devotes all her care to its comfort and education; and should it meet with an untimely end,her grief is so intense as frequently to cause her own death. The care which the females bestow upon their offspring," says Duvancel, is so tender and even refined, that one would be almost tempted to attribute the sentiment to a rational rather than an instinctive process. It is a curious and inter- esting spectacle, which a little precaution has some- times enabled me to witness, to see these females carry their young to the river, wash their faces in spite of their childish outcries, and altogether bestow upon their cleanliness a time and attention that in many cases the children of our own species might igell envy." M. d'Osbonville states that the parents ex- ercise their parental authority over their children in a sort of judicial and strictly impartial form. "The young ones were seen to sport and gambol with (De another in the presence of their mother, who sat ready to give judgment, and punish misdemeanours. When anyone was found guilty of foul-play or mali- cious conduct towards another of the family,thf parent interfered by seizing the young criminal by the tail, which she held fast with one of her paws till she boxed his ears with the other. "-Chambers's Journal. j ASTONISHING THE NATIVES. Signor D'Albertio, the Italian explorer, in his work describing his researches in New Guinea, relates ho.7, having been robbed by the Papuans, he succeeded without bloodshed in so thoroughly frightening the natives that they were glad to make peace with him on any terms. He hoisted a black flag over his house, issued a proclamation that while it was flying no one should approach on pain of death, laid Orsini bombs in every direction, and fired at everyone who passed that way, until they were in a state of complete terror. Two of the leaders, Naimi Kupe and Parama, made overtures of peace and brought to Signor D'Al. bertio a number of the stolen articles. He thus describes the interview: "To impres8 more firmly on their minds how much they bad to fear from me, I treated them to several spectacles. The first was to drive three balls in succession into the trunk of a tree 100metres distant; the second was to let off an Orsini bomb; and the third, after having induced them to break their lances on a blade of iron, to send it to pieces with a ball from my fowling-piece. But the last spectacle was the finest. After having kept the three for some time seated on a great rock in front of the house, I led them to a distance, went into the house, and set fire to a train ot powder connected with a mine bored under the rock on which they had been seated; then I joined them and directed their attention to the spot; while they were looking, the mine exploded. Needless to say how frightened they were; they had neither legs to run away, nor feet to stand, and were hardly able to pray me not to destroy them, and they would recover for me all that I had lost. When they grew calm I conducted them to see the effect of the mine. The rock was broken in a thousand fragments, and scattered great distances, and insteal of the rock on which they had sat they found only a fosse. They looked at each other tremblingly, and again entreated me not to kill them. Naimi asked permission to take away a bit of the fractured iron to frighten his people into a restitution of the stolen good?, and as they de- scended the hill they gathered fragments of the rock." RESULTS OF MISSIONARY WORK IN FIJI. I often wish that some of the cavillers who are for ever sneering at Christian missions could see some- thing of their results in these isles. But first they would have to recall the Fiji of ten years ago, when every man's hand was against his neighbour; and the land had no rest,from barbarous intertribal wars, in which the foe, without respect of age or sex, were looked upon only in the light of so much teef; the prisoners deliberately fattened for the slaughter; dead bodies dug up that had been buried 10 or 12 days, and could only be cooked in the form of pud- dings limbs cut off from living men and women, and tooked and eaten in presence of the victim, who had previously been compelled to dig the oven and cut the firewood for the purpose; and this not only in time of war, when such atrocity might be deemed less inexcusable, but in time of peace, to gratify the caprice or appetite of the moment. Think of the sick buried alive the array of widows who were delibe- rately strangled on the death of any great man; the living victims who were buried beside every post of a chief's new house, and must needs stand clasping it, While the earth was gradually heaped over their devoted heads; or those who were bound hand and foot, and laid on the ground to act as rollers, when a chief launched a new canoe, and thus doomed to a death of excruciating agony;—a time when there was not the slightest security for life or property, and no man knew how quickly his own hour of doom might come; when whole villages were depopulated siuiply to supply their neighbours with fresh me^t! Just think of all this, and of the change that has been wrought, and then just imagine white men who can sneer at missionary work in the way they do. Now you may pass from isle to isle, certain everywhere to find the same cordial reception by kindly men and women. Every village on the 80 inhabited isles has built for itself a tidy church, and a good house for its teacher or native minister, for whom the village also provides food and clothing. Can you realise that there are 900 Wesleyan churches in Ftii, at every one of which the frequent services are crowded by devout congregations; that the schools are well attended and that the first sound which greets your ear at dawn, and the last at night, is that of hymn-singing and most fervent worship, rising from each dwelling at the hour of family prayer What these people may become after much contact with the common run of white men we cannot, of course, tell, though we may unhappily guess. At present they are a body of simple and devout Christians, full of deepest reverence for their teachers and the message they bring, and only anxious to yield all obedience.-At Home in Fiji. By C. F. Gordon Cumming.

Neighbour Jones," said a rigid Church-member, I have been informed that yon often drive your team and even go a-fishing or a hunting on the Sab- bath." "True," replied Jones, "but then on those occasions I always whistle psalm tunes." An exchange says We have received a story entitled, 'A Dark Deed,' which is respectfully declined. The first chapter opens with, 'It is mid- night.' This is all right. It is often midnight-at le;i.st seven times a week—but the author forgot to add, and silence brooded over the city.' This is a fatal oversight. Silence always broods over a city when ic is midnight in works of fiction-but nowhere else. We can't print a story in which silenM doesn't brood at midnight."

B DA VIES, Steam Printer, &c., 23 & 24, MILL STREET, PONTYPRILDD. Printing neatly and promptly executed at the Mill Street Steam Printing Works, PONTYPRIDD. FOR POSTERS oF ALL SIZES, TN ONK, Two. J. Olt MOBK COLOURS, go to Duvies's Mill Street Steam Printing Works, 2:3 and 24, Mill Stieet, Pontypridd. HANDBILLS AND CIRCULARS IBADESMEN and others, in large or small numbers expeclitiously and cheaply done at Davies's Mill Street Steam Printing Works, 23 an-1 24, Mill Street, Pontypridd. Bill, invoice, memorandum and NOTE HEADINGS, promptly and taste- fully printed at Davies's Mill Street Steam Printing Works, 23 and 24, Mill Street, Pontypridd. BANKRUPTCY FORMS, NOTICES of Credi- U tors' Meetings, and all kinds of Solicitors' printing executed at Davies's Mill Street Steam Printing Works, 23 and 24, Mill Street, Pontypridd. A UCTIONEERS' BILLS, CATALOGUES, and A other announcements at Davies's Mill Street Steam Printing Works, 23 and 24, Mill Street, Pontypridd. pONCERT, EISTEDDFOD, LECTURE TEA, c PAR I Y, and other TICKETS. Orders for these should be taken or sent to Davies's Mill Stieet Steam Printing Works, 23 and U, Mill Street, Pontypridd. BUSINESS AND SHOW CARDS in Gor.D and -U SILVER, COLOURED or BLACK INKS, on plain or enamelled Cards, may be obtain d at Davies's Mill Street Steam Printing Works, 23 and 24, Mill Street, Pontypridd. ° HERMIT, INVOICE, TIME BOOKS, CHT-QUB 1 BOOKS, Pa,y Bills, Wagon Tickets, &c., for Collieries and other Works, at Davies's Mill Street Steam Printing Works, 23 and 24, Mill Street, Pontypridd. BOOKS, PAMPHLETS, REPORTS, STATE- MENTS, Club and Colliery Rules, &c., in English, Welsh or Duoglott, got up at Davies's Mill Street Steam Printing Works, 23 and 24, Mill Street, Pontypridd PAPER BAGS, TEA PAPERS (PLAIN OR -L ILLUSTRATED), and all Shop requisites sup- plied at BRISTOL PRICES at Davies's Mill Street Steam Printing Works, 23 and 24 Mill Street, Pontypridd. THE ONLY STEAM PRINTING WORKS within a radius of Twelve Miles. B. DAYIES, Steam Printer, &c., 2 3 & 24, MILL STTT E J5 T PONTYPRIDD. ESTABLISHED 1839. THE CELEBRATED CAMBRIAN MEDICINE. JONES' (TREMADOC) APERIENT & ANTIBILIOUS PILLS. A PRACTICAL trial of Forty-three years by the afflicted Public, has now established the reputation of these PILLS. Composed of the most rare and EXTENSIVE VEGETABLE PKEPAEATIONS of the British Pharmacopaea, combined with a valuable SNOWDONIAN HERB, forming a MILD, LAXATIVE, TONIC REMEDY, admitted by those who have tried them to be superior to all other similar preparations, as a Preventive and Cure for all disorders resulting from a disordered state of the Stomach and Liver, and impurity of the Blood &c Sold by all the wholesale Houses, and at the Cambrian Pill Depot, Tremadoc, North Wales. Retailed by all respectable Medicine Vendors in Town and Country, in Boxes at Is lid, 2s 6d 'and ""Ch' ate" MVi,lg l»>ge GST Should you fail to obtain the Pills in your neighbourhood. send 14 postage stamps for the 2 Is lid Box, 33 for the 2s 6d, or 57 for the 4s tid to the Casibkian PILL DEPOT, Tremadoc, NORTH WALES, and the Pills will be sent by return of post, free. Beware of Fraud. See that the signature of Robt. 1. Jones be on the Government Stamp round each box No less than a whole box of the genuine Pills sola. FRESH STOCK OF JONES' TREMADOC Pills sent regularly to these districts, and genuine testi. monials to be had from the Agents. IMPORTANT TO SINGERS,$-c. JONES' (TREMADOC) AROMATIC VOICE GLOBULES, For Restoring and Clearing the Voice, removing Hoarseness, Sfc. Instantaneous and certain in their effect. Prepared only by R. I JONES, Cambrian Pill Depdfc Tremadoc, N.W. In Boxes, Is lid and 2s 9d each. Sold by all the Wholesale and Retail Droggists and may be had direct by return of Post from Tre. madoc, on receipt of Is 2d, or 3s in Stamps. STRENOTH ™ ™ Wit The attention of the feeble, and those in failing health, is particularly called to one of the. greatest discoveries of modern times, known as LIFWS CHEMICAL FOOD. Oil WINE OF PUOSPHATES, A. Nutritious and Invigorating Essence, highly recommended by the most eminent of the Medical Profession for the Cure of Nervous Head and Mind Complaints, Coughs, Asthma and Incipient Con- mmptien, Nerroueness, Weakness and Exhaustion, Dimness of Sight, Shortness of breath, Headache, Depression, palpitation of the Heart, Drowsiness, Indigestion, Singing noises in the Head and Ears, Trembling, Loss of Memory, Want of Appetite, Neuralgia, Pains aad Aches, Wasting Diseases, Loss of Energy, Impaired Nutrition, Inactivity of bhe Brain, with dulness of perception and delusions .00 all other low states of the system indicating (he presence of disease, which if net attended to in time may become serious. Testimonial from Sir CHARLES LOCOCK. Physician to the Queen I have for some years recommended LIEBIG'S CHEMICAL FOOD in cases of general ill- health with the most beneficial results. I find it to be a. very pure preparation, containing "amongst other things free and unoxydized "Phosphorus highly diffused, and when per- severed with has always seemed to give fresh life to the languid and exhausted, and health, strength, and energy. By its use the dull, the sluggish, the lazy and languid arise in the morning well and refreshed, with an appetite "for food, and fit for study, society or business. CHARLES LOCOCK, M.D." LIEBIlfSCIIEIIDE FOOD Is the true strength-giver and health-restorer, nourishing both body and brain, supplying men- tal and physical power, and nerve and brain food. It is not all like medicine, being entirely different to anything ever before introduced to the public, and tastes like some balmy, fragrant, and deli- cious nectar. LIEBIG'S CHEMICAL FOOD Purifies and enriches the blood, thereby rendering the skin clear and transparent, sharpens th. intellect, strengthens the constitution, re-esta- blishes the health, thoroughly re-vitalises the system, and is the one unfailing remedy for de. bility from whatever cause arising. LIEBIG'S CHEMICAL FOOD Will also be found highly beneficial in a disease of the Heart, Chest, Liver, Lungs, Kidneys, Sto- mach, and Bowels, and there is searcely a disease but what will be benefited by it, and in all probability cured. While all other preparations of Phosphorus are 110. and uncertain in their aqtion, taking days and sometimes weeks to produce an effect, this CHEMICAL FOOD (Wine of Phosphates) acts at onoe and gives strength in one hour, and has been known to restore health in less than a weeh, "ven after the failure of the usual remedies. This remarkable preparation not only contains all the materials necessary for the foundation of a new constitution and for preventing or curing diseaae, bnt also evolves everything required for terming rich, pure, and healthy blood, jauacle, flesh lone, brain, &c., and contains the very elements tf LIFE. I hia wine is perfectly free from alcohol, ant .estores to the system whatever it requires, thf absence ff which of!en causes debility. Thi iecreticMs are all brought to their natural health) !onditiba, and physical decay arrested. Thit vine is as certain in its action as that watei quenches thirst and its benefits are lasting. OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. Far superior to beef-tea, port wine, and all cnia medicines."—Lancet. A medicine alike suited to young and old, thai annot harm the most delicate, and very streng- ,hening." -Practitioner. "Nervous Debility, caused by the constitution laving been injured in early life, can be cured by ihis remedy if taken judiciously."—Medical Timet. The nearest approach to a cure for con- mmption that bis yet been discovered."—British Medical Journal. Particularly adapted to the female system." -New York Journal of Medteine and Swrgery. Seems to be a specific for every form of weak- ness and cures most diseases."—Dublin Medical Press. "A mild remedy of universal application, and It good family medicine.M-onthty Journal oj Pharmacy. Lays the foundation of health in the young, And soon builds up a strong constitution." Druitt's Surgeons' Vade-Mecum. Will save ten times its cost in doctors' bills."— American Pharmaceutical Journal. It is one of the few preparations that can be depended, upon, and must, in course of time, en. tirely supersede quinine, iron, cod liver oil, tonioe bitters, and the thousand and one fashionable, dear, and doubtful remedies," -Ohemiri Druggist Sold in Bottles, at 28 9d., 4a 6d., and lis., and also in 33s. and £5 Cases. Any Chemist not having it in Stock will nroAiirn it; x to order; and there is a great saving m buyiag the larger sizes. To prevent confusion when you ask fox LIEBIG'S CHEMICAL FOOD see that yoo get it, as our Agents sell all our Nutritives and Preparations which are numerous. ifemember that LIEBIG'S CHEMICAL FOOD is b medicine sold in bottles and bearing the Govern- ment Staraip. London Agents: Barclay and Sons, 94, Far- ringdon Street; Edwards and Sons, 167, Queeit Victoria Street Newbery and Sons, 37, Newgate Street; Millard and Sons, 40 Charterhouse Square; Banger and Sons, 150 and 252, Oxford Street; Hovenden and Sons, 5, Great Marlborough Street! W., and P3 and 95, City Road; Sutton and Co., 10,. Bow Churchyard; Butler and Crispe, 4, Cheapside 5 Maw, Son, and Thompson, 7 to 12, Aldersgate Street; Lynch and Co., 171A. and 171B, Aldersgate Street; William Mather, Farringdon Road; and J. C. Thompson, 121, New North Road. ORDER OF ANY CHEMIST. LIE BIG & CO, WANDSWORTH ROAD, LONDOM.S W Chemists are oautjoned against tanking or offering lor snle preparations and calling them Chemical Food," As it was decided in th. case of Liebie v Bonily, that we were the originators of the name and had the sole righe to use it. and all persoi a ilelli-ig other articles by this name not only rendet themoetvea liable to an Hction for damayes but adat: to Chancery proceedhfi-a. SHORTHAND, or "MANUAL OF ALETHOGrRAPHY," now ready, price 9d. per pob* SHORTHAND can be easily acquired through this ftlannal, without the aid of a teacher. REVIEWS. "The most suggestive book ever eeen on Shorthand.4 Phonograph** for 18 i/ears. "The longest words can be written with a few dashes of the pen.B. "Superior to any system yet invented.Stipend iary Magistrate. "This improved system of Shorthand ia the result of years of laboriouH study. T. t\iHtain8,Eiq.t Q. C., M. P., London, The Trade supplied by Motors. E. fcTocK", or TBUBNEE, LOKDOK; or MB. J. HBYWOOD, MANCHESTEB or nmy be had by return of post, on enclosing 9d. in stamps to the Author, Rev. James Williams, Albert Place, Pontypridd, Glam. Orders may also be given to any local Bookseller. Method for beginners 6d. The Shorthand Reader 4d. The Reporters Staff 6d. Welsh Edition 9d. To be had of any Bookseller, or direct from the Author. Abstinence, character, distant, standard, want, Prot«>tant,writ<ir. sk !• ^*1! .saJ-0 v» of- »- v -"«m a child, rent, cheats, hat, achieved, yacht, chant, wit. £ &* L 6 I < + li J Z' Cf Im- Ptinted and published by B. Davies, 23 and 24, Mill Street, Pontypridd, in the county of Glamorgan* SATURDAY, May 21, 1881.

It is not always good policy to take some things as read. In a hairdresser's shop at the East-end of London, a bill was exhibited in the window recom- mending a certain patent medicine, with the very dubious headinp Try one box—no other medicine will ever be taken.In a certain apothecary's shop the following printed notice used to be displayed All sorts of dying stuffs sold here." In olden days the burgesses of Grimsby were wont to decide which among them should be mayor, by a very odd process. Having chosen three of their num- her as eligible for the position, they blindfolded them, tied bunches of hay at their backs, and conducted thpII' to the common pound where a calf awaited their coming. He whose bunch of hay was first eaten by the calf was pronounced most worthy of the mayoralty, and installed into oftice accordingly. On the 16th July, 1878, says the Daily Srews, Sir George Balfour asked the Under-Secretary for Foreign Atfairs to explain whether there were any grounds for rumours about changes in the Mahometan territo- ries of Tunis and Tripoli, as respects their transfer to Italy and France. Mr. Bourke replied, No, sir, we have he;.rd no such rumours." It will be observed that this answer was given some time after Lord Salisbury had suggested to M. Waddirgton the assumption by France of authority in Tunis, and had a-sured him that England would view such a pro- ceediug without any jealousy. Dama.ge to the amount of about £30,000 has been caused by a fire which destroyed a large portion of the extensive premises of Messrs. M'Master, Hodgson and Co., druggists and general merchants, Dublin. Tl e inflammable nature of the goods caused the fire, which originated in the rear of the premises, to spread with great rapidity. At one time no less than five of the auj Jniog houses were on fire. Two tons of castor oil had been stored in the top of the building, and the ignition of a portion gave great impetus to the flames and soon brought down the roof with a tremendous crash. A Calcutta telegram states that the Waziri expedi. bion is now closed. Colonel Kennedy's column has arrived at Tank and Colonel Gordon's at Bunny.. The force will be broken up without delay. Nothing of much importance happened during the last few days of the campaign. A few shots were occasionally interchanged with small bodies of tribesmen md one or two sepoys were killed. The principal c1 efs have submitted. The Mahsud country has en surveyed and mapped, and it is hoped that the dis ay of (strength which was made will have the effect of keeping the Waziris quiet for some time. All opposition to the bill authorising the construc- tion by a company of conduits frcm Lancing, on the Sussex coast, to London, for supplying the Metropolis and the intervening districts with sea water has been withdrawn. The period allowed by the bill for the completion of the undertaking is seven years. The principal Metropolitan termini of the pipes will at St. John's-hill, Battersea ;Maclise-road, Hammersmith; and Victoria-street, Westminster. The maximum rate to be charged for the sea water to the owners or occupiers of private houses connecting with the company's mains will be 10s. per 1,000 gallons. It will be remembered, observes a contemporary, that when the Relief of Distress Bill was passed last session, an animated discussion took place on the proposal to schedule various railways that might bene- tit by the Act. It now appears that only a single line of railway is capable of coming under the pro- visions of the Act. This is the Clara and Banagher Railway, a short line running through King's County. An application is now made for a loan of £60,000 on behalf of this railway, but, owing to certain condi- tions in the Act, it is impossible that any other railway undertaken now or hereafter can benefit by this much-debated piece of legislation. A deputation, representing butchers/graziers, and farmers throughout the kingdom, presented a memorial to Earl Spencer on Saturday praying for a relaxation of the present restrictions against the removal of live stock from the Metropolitan Meat Market, so that all onsold cattle could be sent alive into country markets for disposal. Without pledging himself to details, Earl Spencer admitted the desirability of altering the regu- lations, and, under proper licences and regulations, permitting the taking of healthy fat stock from Lon. don to slaughter-houses in other places. The restric' tions should be removed by the 31st inst, The hearing of the case of Joyce v. the Metro- politan Board of Works, in which the plaintiff sought compensation for the improper consumption of wines and spirits by men in the fire brigade, after the fire at the Duke's Theatre, Holborn, London, has just been concluded in the Queen's Bench Division. The jury agreed that the destruction and injury of the soods were caused by felonious acts of men of the brigade, and a majority of them considered that there was negligence on the part of the officers in not check- ing the men. Thia verdict it was agreed to accept, and IndwMBt z. eatmd fa tta^akuktfL