The Merthyr Express

'f Antiquarian Column. REPLIES TO QUERIES. In 'reply to a correspondent, the late Mr. William Stephens, chemist, High-street, was a brother to the late Mr. Thomas Stephens, Merthjr. IRONWORKS IN 1725. In the British Museum there is a tract, dated 1725, entitled, "The Interest of Great Britain Supplying Herself wiih Iron Impartially Con- sidered" It gives "A List of the Forges in Eng'anc! and Wales, with an account of the qUfilltity of iron they have annually made And in now make according to the best information we could get." The following particulars anent Breconshire and Glamorgan are quoted therein. There were no forges in Carmarthenshire at that time, but several afe recoicted in Her fordshire. Have Do made ma.ke Tons- Tons. I iSrecnockshire.—Mr Tanner's Forge 100 050 I Glamor g a nahire. -Forrest 200 100 11 Abberavan 150 075 Where were Mr. Tanner's and the Forrest Fores located? INTEBE8TED. i I PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY. j The following may prove interesting to readers of fh-e Antiquarian Column, I have J the original in my possession. — R.J.J. | •:Coed y Cymmer, December 15th, 1807. j We, whose names are subscribed underneath have signed at the above date to make a joint subscription of one guinea each towards pur- chasing such philosophical articles as shall seem most proper by all the subscribers. 1. Ail the articles bo purchased shall be equally the property of all the subscribers col- lectively. 2 All the Philosophical articles belonging to this Society shall be settied to remain as near the centre of the subscribers' habitations as can be determined for their mutual convenience. 5. A box must be provided at the expense of the members for keeping those articles, and preserving them from danger; the key of which to be kept by any member deemed most proper by this Society. 4. That if either of the members should happen to remove frcm the place to a distance of fifteen ^miles and upv&rcis, and would wish withdraw his name, he may provide a sue- cessor, who, if approved of by the Society, may j supply his place; but ir not approved by the I Society, this member cannot demand his eub- scription money, but will stiil be considered a member, and have a right to tho use of the in- struments in their proper place. 5. When a member of the Society dies, Be has a rigir" to appoint his successor, and in case no such su-ceecior is appointed, it shall go by heirship. 6. No less than six members can at any time take out the telescope to any considerable dis. tance from where always remains stationary; nor to koep it lonf-'sr than one day when taken out; and if any damage happens to it when under tbeir care. they will be answerable for the consequences, and liable to pay such fines as shall be deemed reasonable by the Society. '7. No lass than two of the members at any can take the instruments out of the box where they are kept. 3. Tho subscribers individually or collectiveiy shall no* permit any non-snb-criber whatever to view these instruments or be present at our ex- hibicicss without such non-subscriber pays half- a-orown every time he is permitted that favour & *•" SADIES. "W

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RUINS OF CAPKLX-FFOREST. Sir,—Perhaps it will be interesting to know a little more of the history of the above place of worship. I remember the late Mr. William Edmunds, of Prospect House, Merthyr Vale, telling me some years ago that the old chapel was a "chapel-of-ease," built in the time of Queen Elizabeth, the sa-me as "Cape!-y-Fan," on Aberdare Mountain, betwe,en the Taff and Cynon rivers. There is also an old chapel called "Capel Gladys," on the Gellygaer Moun- tain. Mr. Edmunds wrote the history of the Parish of Merthyr Tydfil in the year 1863. This gentleman could trace his family back for thirteen generations in the parish of Mer- thyr, as descendants of tho "Meyrick Family," of Ynysowen. I also remember the late Jvir. Thomas Williams, of the Forest Farm, telling a friend that an endowment of 240 was attach- ed to the old chapel, and that it was taken to Dowlais for some school purposes. I have mentioned the above endowment to many, and have never had it contradicted or confirmed. Now, the Williams family have been at the Forest Farm upwards of 500 years, and their land lies close to the old chapel. The old name of this farm is "Tir Twppa." With reference to the mortar that was used in the building of the chapel, it is of a later period than the fifth century, as the art of making mortar was lost in Wales some time after the Caerphilly Castle was built. Perhaps some of your antiquarians will throw some further light on this interesting subject. j Aberf". B. T. )

A HUMAN OSTRICH! From America, is reported the death of a man who used to wager that he would swallow nails, and similar articles. In an attempt to save the man's life, the doctors removed from his stomach a watch chain, several keys, and a number of iron nails No wonder he died, for such things are not food, nor are they such waste as can be naturally expelled And everything you put into your stomach must either feed and nourish you, or be ex- pelled as waste, by the bowels. In other words, it must be thoroughly digested, or you will be sure to suffer and, in the end, to die But if your stomach is out of order, even plain wholesome food does not digest thoroughly. Then, instead of nourishing you, it actually poisons you and clogs your system. This is the cause of pains after eating; headaches, bilious attacks, constipation, sleep- lessness, low spirits and many other every-day; ailments and the only cure for all such troubles is to restore your stomaoh, liver, and bowels to healthy condition. Mother Seigel's Syrup, the root and herb extract will restore your stomach to working order, make food nourish you, clear your system of the poisonous products of undigested food, and thus keep you in sound bodily health. Mr. W. Ramsdala, Rimpton, near Marston Magna, Somerset, on April 5th, 1905, said:— Some years ago I found myself sinking into a languid, spiritless condition, from which I was unable to arouse myself. Though drowsy during the day, at night I was restless and sleepless, and rose in the morning unrefreshed i and weary. "I tried many things, but got no relief until I used Mother Seigel's Syrup. Now, I am as well as any man of my age could wish." Four years later, on August 6th, 1909, Mr. Ramsdale repeated his praise of Mother Seigel's Syrup, saying he owed his continued good health to this herbal remedy, which both cured him and kept him well. I If you have any form of stomach trouble or liver disorder, Mother Seigel's Syrup will cure you, too, quickly aiid parasaiisiitly. The 2s. 6d. bottle contains three times as much as the Is lid. siae* (

—iiwrrir—i—w—11 imm—inn-iiTi' mm wn ■ CORRESPONDENCE.

THE NAMING OF MERTHYR STREETS. Sir,—Permit me to express the great pleasure I felt at seeing the request made by the Post- master for the renumbering' or the street doors. I thing he might also have added, "and renam- ing ot streets in a rational manner." Take, for instance, what for a great number of years was known Twynyrodyn. From the Tram- road up on the left we have Court-terrace, the first premises a shoemakers' shop, No. 20, and running ap to number 1, a grocer's shop; then come hous's named Newton-ter- race, then a few more called Twynyrodyn, and numbered something between 25 and 30, having the old numbers of years ago. Above the While Horse we have Courtland-crescent, as near like a Crescent a yard stick. Then comes Twyny- rodyn again, followed by Gilfachcvnon, Wil- liams-terrace, Gilfachcynon. Take, again. Tu- dor-terrace and the streets adjoining or in a line with it. Why not call them all Tudor- street, or by the name of anyone of them, And why call one side Tudor-terrace and the other Tudcr-strect? In Brecon-road and Periy- darren the same thing occurs. I would sug- gest that the odd numbers be on one side and the even on the other, and that the Council name all streets, and not leave it to the build- ers to name them haphazard. The names given to small villas M also confusing. Take, us an example, Mr. Thompson. Woodruff House, Mer- thyr. Where wou'd one look for it? And im- agine the difficulties of a postman who has to remember or find 50 or more such names. The Postmaster's suggestion is certainly a good one, and a rational means should be enforced as it would save much trouble and annoyance to all persons having business at these places.—Yours truly, F. TAYLOR.

MUSICAL ADJUDICATORS. Sir,—Anonymous letters, as a rule, deserve no notice, but in the case of letter under the above heading, I am com- pelled to reply, simply bocauso he makes the unwarrantable assertion that I do not practise what I preach. In spite of the sage-like pen- dant to his letter, he has, apparently, not sufficient intelligence to perceive that if one advocates reforms and progress in choral ing, he does not practise his precepts by play- jing an organ! Neither does our Cwmbach friend appreciate the gulf that lies between a choral competition and a miscellaneous con- cert. He appears, moreover, to be lamentably ignorant of what has been, and is being done in the choral world. If he will send me his name and address, I will let him have a list of omplete choral worklassic aud modrn- which I have been privileged to bring to a public hearing during the last fifteen years or so. This record will, I think, convince him that what I have preached about choral sing- ing has been, and is baing, constantly prac- tised, and will show him the folly of his ill- natured assertion. With reference to the four recital items which he quotes, he must know, if he was present, that two of them were not on the printed programme—one being asked for from the audience, and played in lieu of the printed item, and the other being an "encore" piece. Of the remaining two items, the first possesses "Cwmbac'oite's" "quintes- sence," whilst the other, which (in addition to another of the evening's items) was specially asked for by the secretary in arranging his programme, has never been, and probably never will be. played by any other organist. I am not in the least disturbed by the writer's obvious malice and insinuation. Liverpool. HARRY EVANS.

THE HOUSE OF LORDS VERSUS THE COMMONS. Sir,—It is absolutely ridiculous to any reason- able being that we have to go through the process of enlightening a great number of people as to the futility of an institution like the House of Lords, the existence and consti- tution of which is absurd on the face of it. There are still a great number of people who upon a "lord" as an extraordinary being. The lords are careful to nurse and strengthen feeling. This is one reason why they hate Nonconformity, and why they have obstinately blocked all legislation brought in to place Non- conformity upon an equal footing with the Church of England. Nonconformity sets its r3.oe like a flint against monopolies and privi- leges of all descriptions. It stands for justice, quality, and freedom. Our vocabulary fails to express our feelings towards the men who pub- licly assert that there is a fereat steadying virtue in the hereditary principle, and what shall we say about the intelligence of the people who swallow such stuff? And yet this is the great argument of the Tories in support of an hereditary chamber. Lord Hugh Cecil, who is supposed to be an educated man, recently suggested that the new House of Lords should contain four hundred members, fifty to be nominated by the House of Commons, mnd three hundred and fifty to b9 appointed on the ■wore of heredity. This is his proposed reform of the House of Lords. Certainly, the world of this man is a very narrow one, his outlook -mon life is very limited. This illustrates the influence which atmosphere wields in the for- mation of a man's opinions and beliefs. But the country will have none of this "tomfool- Ary." We have no illusions either about the House of Lords or the House of Commons. We do r.ot believe that the House of Commons is the repository of the best brains of the nation. We do not believe that there are greater men in the Commons than are outside. It is thought that to be an M.P is to reach the pinnacle of honour. We do not believe that it ip more honourable to be an M.P. than to be a medical doctor, or a teacher in the daily school, or in the Sunday School, or any other profession, although some foolish people do believe it. We do not believe that the world would come to an end if these two institutions were abolished. There are undoubtedly in the House of Lords men of brains and character- men who have distinguished themselves in the service of their country. The difference be- tween the two houses is that one is a repre- sentative chamber, the other is not. This makes all the difference in tho world. If it had not been for the foolish tactics of the lords in claiming superiority in talents over the Commons, to rule and govern the country, the personal element would not have entered into the controversy. The personal element is re- sponsible for relegating the vital principle at issue into the background. The question at issue is not a question of brains or talents, Stripped of all pretentions, there is very little difference between the House of Lords and the 'House of Commons as regards talents and brains.. Men are not elected to sit in Parlia- ment because they have the most brains. In- deed, many other petty considerations play a more- prominent part in the election or mem- bers of Parliament. The question at issue is, which of these two chambers reflects, as in a mirror, the will of the nation—the will of that great body of people outside Parliament, among whom are the best brains and the mosfc resplen- dent talents of the nation? After all, laws are not made in Parliament only. The laws of the country are made outside of Parliament, by the men and women, who in private life, put into operation that great universal law of Ifuman nature, which is inherent in the soul of every man. The greatest and severest sen- tence that can be pas&ed upon the House of Lords ie that, it has obstructed the progress and march of this great, natural law, and 8$ a result, the flaming sword of retribution is about to descend upon their heads. They have a presentiment of their doom, and are making all haste to set their house in order. It will be observed that Mr. Asquith, in his veto resolutions, does not deal with the here- ditary element of the House of Lords. The Veto resolutions reduce the legislative power of the Lords to a subordinate position to the Commons, but leave the composition of the House of Lords the same as before; the reform to come again in the future, which, I suppose, will be on an elective and democrative basis. It i8 instructive to note that the hereditary principle, as an exclusive principle, has been on every band abandoned. With the exception of Hungary, England is the only State where the hereditary peers command a majority. This is not very complimentary to a country which has been called the home of freedom and the temple of justice. The Tories seem to derive great consolation by insinuating that Mr. Asquith has in this matter been "lassoed by Mr. Redmond and the Irish Party, bitted and bridled, and ridden quite tame around the Parliamentary arena." For our part, we be- lieve Mr. Redmond and the Irish Party have done a great service to the country in saving the Government from falling into the snare set for them by the Tory Party. We all sea now that the course adopted has been the wis- est course, if it were only for the consternation created in the Tory oamp. We are also per- suaded that the Irish Party has in this matter accurately interpreted the mind of the nation. For the rest we can only wish, in the words of the Home Secretary, that the "veto of the House of Lords will pass as painlessly away as hae the veto of the Crown, and we shall move forward in the harmonious development of our national liIe."YoUI8 truly, EVAN MORGAN. 71, Queen-street, Tredegar.

SOCALISM AND ROMAN CATHOLICISM. Sir,—Your correspondent, "A Catholic Social Reformer," it will be observed, makea no at- tempt to controvert the reasons brought forth by me in order to prove that Socialism is not necessarily hostile to religion. He merely urges a few second-hand quotations—quotations whose authenticity are extremely doubtful— from the sayings of Marx, Engels, and Bebel, which proceed to show their "hostility" to- wards religion and their advocacy of "vio- lence." Now, it cannot be denied that this I procedure is illogical; it takes it for granted that if Marx, EngeLs, etc., were, let us eay, "atheists," Socialism is in consequence atheis- tic, which is colossal nonsense! Socialism is not an, inveatdon, but an ideal with ag historic I(_ growth. It is a mission, and missions are not invented, but are called forth (are born) by social needs. Generations have contributed to the making of the present Socialist movement. It is true that Marx and Engels were the first to give the movement scientific shape, but it is not true to urge that Marx is Socialism, and that Socialism is Marx. Your correspondent is guilty of this confusion; he would have us believe that because Marx and Bebel were not enamoured of traditional, religion, all Socialists not, or Socialism is' not, in consequence, enamoured of religion—a method of argument which is transparently ridiculous. While differcing in their views as to final causes, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Haeckel, the Abbe Loisy, and Mr. G. W. Foote are en- tirely at one in their belief in the theory of evolution. Socialism is somewhat an analogous ease. Atheists and Nonconformists, Catholics and Spiritualists, are to be found in the Social- ist movement. They agree upon Socialism, jast as the others agree upon the theory of evolution, although they may differ in their respective transcenden tal outlooks upon the universe. Because Darwin, Spencer, and Hux- ley were agnostics, also the enunoators of the modern theory of evolution, it docs not necessarily follow that the Rev. F. Ballard and bishop Gore, who likewise believe in the thory of evolution, are also agnostics. Such a conclusion, of course, would be absurd. But see the parallel. Because Marx and Engels were materialists in philosophy, also believers in Socialism, it does not necessarily follow that Father Hagerty and myself, who likewise believe in Socialism, are materialists in phil- osophy. Still "A Catholic Social Reformer" persists in arguing like this. Moreover, the so-called materialism of Marx was not the climax of his philosophy, but rather the start- ing point of his inductions in the region of sociology. As a true philosopher, he was con- cerned in resolving social phenomenon to its simple causes, and not in letting prejudice run away with his brains.. In so far as the known universe ie concerned, every scientist is a materialist. A difference in perspective enters only in speculations about the unknown. So with Marx; he also main- tained that protection from hunger and protec- tion from the elements take precedence over every other protection. Further, he maintain- ed that the degree of this material considera- tion determines tho degree of our spiritual consideration. No Catholic will deny that food, clothing, and shelter are material con- siderations; neither will he deny that his first concern in life is with this material question. In this sense we are all materialists. But Marx, says your correspondent, pushed his materialism into the region of morals and re- ligion, which is true. But herein Marx is the philosopher; he is concerned with the origins and the destinies, and not with human society. One need not swallow Marx's philosophy whole- sale to qualify for a, Socialist. Having the materialism of Marx probably in view, your correspondent, "A Catholic Social Reformer," avers that Socialism has taken for its motto the words of a certain "fool" mentioned in Luke: "Take thy rest, eat, drink, and make good cheer." But this is a vulgar and common sophism. The philosophic materialism of Marx has not the remotest connectior with the amount of wine and oysters a man may con- sume, or with the integrity of his life. Marx's idealism is notorious. I might tell your correspondent that I have an "idea" of what the Catholic religion means, and that I have also "considered" whether it is possible for a Catholic to be a Socialist. I mugl- have considered the latter before I would undertake the defence which I did in my first letter. In this case your correspondent has overlooked "consideration"; and the reason why I took the misssioner to task in the columns of a. "Nonconformist paper" was because much, capital had been made of his attack on Father Haggerty by local Catholics, and because no other paper circulates in the locality with cor- respondence columns other than the "Express." Furthermore, your correspondent naively com- plains because I "attacked" the missioner when "that worthy" had gone back to Ireland- I, at the time, did not know this; but by a. parity of reasoning, was it fair for the missioner to at- tack Father Haggerty, and the latter in Phila- delphia? Your correspondent suggests that I gave my "own definition of Socialism." Nothing of the kind. I gave the same definition as will be given by every intelligent Socialist for the asking. There is one definition of Socialism agreed upon by the International Conference, and which is: "The socialisation of all the meam and instruments of production, distribu- tion, and exchange." Definitions which run counter to that are usually the products of anti-Socialists. He says that Marx and En- gels' definition of Socialism is different to the one I gave. Now, I know more about Marx and Engels than does your correspondent, and I will ask him to quote me their definitions, and where they differ from mine. Your cor- respondent says that Marx declared that beyond nature and man there is nothing. Where did Marx say that? Will your correspondent oblige me with the facts? Marx, if your cor- respondent is to bo believed, makes the denial of God and immortality a. necessary prelimin- ary to the advocacy of Socialism. I ask him upon what authority this statement is made? I ask him to quote me from any work of Marx's anything likely to give the above statement the semblance of truth? Will "A Catholic Social Reformer" kindly do so? Again, at the Congress of Hague in 1872, Mars made the following statement: "In most Europ- ean countries, violence must be the lever of our social reform." This quotation emanates from a certain anti-Socialist publication. The quotation is garbled. Marx said: "In all European countries, violence 'has' been the lever of social reform." The omission of "must be" a.nd "our" gives a. different reading. Your correspondent's quotations from Marx, Engels, and Bebel are not taken from their respective works, but from the works of certain Catholio anti-Socialists, They have been im- pugned many times. Cathrein's quotation from Marx is mythical. In any case, if Marx, Engels. Bebel, and Rax were, and are, heretics —and be it remembered that from the Catholic point of view, all those who do not belong to the Church of Rome, are heretics-it does not follow tha.t Catholio Socialists are heretics. UNE SANSCULLOTE.

WHEN IRISH CATHOLICS BEGIN TO THINK. Sir,—The Redemptorist Father who conduc- ted a week's mission at Merthyr Vale had but one object in view—simply to teach the Irish poor not to think outside of the Holy Church. The priest believes that he is the ordained shepherd by Gqd over His Bock. To him the Socialists are dangerous wolves, so from his standpoint he is perfectly right in excommuni- cating them. There is no hiding the fact that a new suggestion upsets an old one. Socialism therefore is the counter-suggestion which sets back the old dogmatic one taught by the Church in a suggestive way to the Irish from their childhood. These creatures of one dog- matic suggestion will be found with their priests in tha last ditch fighting Socialism. They will not surrender to reason, but will die' happy in their ignorance. No one can blame the Czar of Russia. for not allowing revolution- ¡ ary literature to be distributed in his realm. For the same reason, the Church desires that I its votaries shall not study the works of Social- ists. On no account will the Church allow the red flag within its walls. Barons may adorn her altar with the blood-stained banners of their plunder, but the people's flag is no class. In the past there, were men who tried to teach the down-trodden truths that would have made the people free. The people wpfre then ignorant and superstitious, 60 they did not hail these great teachess as friends, but crucified them aa enemies of the human raoo. To-day Socialism is condemned as an evil in every Catholic* Church, yet Socialism is advanc- ing. Socialism need not fe&r this decaying Church. It will, for a while, keep the Irish workers content in the chains of capitalism, I but the time is coming when they will not I think blindly. The old laws of one religion I will not bind them; they will then build up their character with the good from every sug- gestion, just as progress moves on by the I different systems of political economy.—Yours, et°** A SOCIALIST.

MR. KEIR HARDIE'S CWMAMAN SPEECH. Sir,—Kindly favour me with the insertion of the following remarks in your widely read paper. Speaking at Cwmaman, last week, Mr. Keir Hardie prophesied tha.t unless the wo- man's suffrage secured the support and earnest attention of the Liberal Party, they would be left. If we are to understand him to mean that the Suffragettes will leavq, it will give great satisfaction, but if his statement conveys a. wider application, no doubt other prophets will arise to give this questionable statement a contradiction. Last October an article ap- peared in the Socialist organ ('Justice") point- ing out the absurdity of urging forward the woman's franchise, as now enjoyed by men, seeing the average wage earning capacity of women who would be qualified is only 7s. 6d. per week. It would create among the poorer classes a greater injustice than it pretends to remove. Referring to Mid-Glamorgun, Mr. Hardie said that this fight emphasised the fact of the parting of the ways of Liberal and Labour re- presentation. But to me it emphazises an- other fact, that this constituency, like many others, will not have & rampant Socialist dump- ed upon it; one who is out of sympathy with Welsh ideals and aspirations. Well may Mid- Glamorgan crow over this viotory, secured by combined support of Liberal and Labour, and not, as he states, by Liberal and Tory votes. Comparing the figures of the General Election and the bye-election, we find that the differ- ence between the number of votes recorded at both elections is equal to the Tory strength, therefore, the election cannot have been won by the stated alliance. Had Mr. Hartshorn's Socialism not been kept in the back-ground during the contest his defeat would have been more pronounced. Mr. Keir Hardie also stated that he does not wish to retain his seat by the favour of either the Liberal or tho Tory Party. Is he 1ware that his Socialist friends number only i little over seventeen hundred, and that he 'etains his seat on sufferance? Should either ;he Liberals or Labour bring out another can- lidate at the next election, his freedom which M orftvea for wiil be grafted with pleasure. He has yet to learn that national sentiment is deep-rooted in the hearts of his constituents. WELSH NATIONALIST.

TARIFF REFORM. Sir,—I notice you state in your last issue that the "Foreign Free Importers' Union" say: J-he chief menace to Free Trade is ignorance." Tariff Reformers might with greater truth say: '"The chief mainstay of Free Trade is ignor- anoo and selfishness." We are all Free Traders at heart, but unfortunately we cannot get, and never did have it, and apparently never shall have it. You published a letter a few weeks ago from a native of Ebbw Vale, who had gone to a protected country, and who stated that his wages now are treble what they were in Ebbw Vale, including overtime. That is only one of many instances, and thousands are going to the Colonies and the United States of America every week because they cannot succeed here. I hear that one man at Ipswich, who had put by money with which to pay last year's income ta.x, haíS now spent it on his passage to Canada- Pejhaps if we "wait and see," we shall hear of a good many others following his example. Those people who voted for a continuance of our system of free imports at the last general elec- tion were, in a large majority of cases, people who were gulled by the cries of the "BIg and Little Loaf" and "Your food will cost you more." I believe that every patriotic. sensible Britisher is opposqg to the foreigner dumping his manufactures into this country free of cost, whilst the Britisher has to pay the piper both here and abroad. How can a British manufac- turer compete profitably to himself and pay a proper wage under such conditions? In other manufacturing countries, the popu- lation is constantly increasing, and new fac- tories are being built, whilst in this country thousands of our nation emigrate, and works and factories are closed, or bcome warehouses for foreign manufactures. The last election proved that more of the electors were in favour of Tariff Reform than Free Imports, and since Mr. Balfour has stated that he is not in favour of any tax on Coioniai-grown corn, and the black bread, horse-flesh, etc., tales have been exploded, it looks as -,1, the British people will not always rem a: to their best interests. Too many peop- always too ready to swallow any fairy tale L is only shouted persistently enough, and to accept as gospel whatever they may see in print. Although we hear so much talk about Free Food, for the year ending March, 1909, the following revenues were raised :—On tea, £6,046.000; sugar, £3,161,000; currants, etc., £472,000; coffee, £185,000; chicory, £2,3. tobacco, £13,824,000; wine, £1,121,000; spirits, £21,417,000; making a total I of £58,919,330, all of which has to CQme out of I the consumers' pockets. A country that neglects its agricultural pur- suits is on the road to decay. Mr. Adam Smith, in his "Wealth of Nations" (which was written before there were any railways) main- tained that agriculture was the most advan- tageous employment of capital, and that no I equal capital put into motion a greater quan- tity of productive labour than that of the farmer; also that cultivated land is more ad- vantageous than pasture; in 1875, 3.671,704 acres of land in this country produced wheat, II whilst in 1895 there were only 1,794,612 acres similarly cultivated. On the same dates, our imports of wheat were 12,191,000 quarters, I rising to 22,896,000 quarters. To show how the Cobden Club has the welfare of Great Britain at hear, I may state that at the end of 1902 its secretary supplied a list of its members as follows:—"242 foreigners, honorary mem- bers, domiciled abroad; 59 honorary members, many of them foreigners, domiciled ir Eng- land; 174 members." It would be interesting to know how many of the 174 men were real Britons. It is said that in the latter stages of the Reman Empire and of Greece, their agricul- ture was so neglected that most of their corn I was imported. A writer in the "Agricultural and Industrial Magazine" of 1334 prophesied that "when England shall have reached her greatness, her tribulation will be at hand. Our I manufactures will be trimmed down by the re- moval of all Protective duties, which will afford gain and derision to other nations; misery shall hourly increase at home; astonishing non- sense shall be talked touching Free Trade and the theory of exchanges. But after some timo the eyes of the people shall be opened; other rulers will arise who will revert to the maxims of common-sense; they will decide that it is preferable to have the people content, occu- pied, and thriving under the old system to starvation, idleness, and outrage, under the now-fangled philosophy. The nation shall re- joice in renovated strength, but the philoso- phers shall mourn over their lost occupation, and the overthrow of "sound general prin- ciples." The first part of his prophecy has come true. I hope the other part will come to pass before very long.—Yours truly, T. SMITH.

CHURCH OF ENGLAND CLERGYMEN AND THE BREWERS. Sir,—After reading the Rev. R. H. Wells's letter, which purports to be an answer to mine of the 2nd inst., I felt sadly disappointed. I expected a manly, straightforward letter, in which Mr. Wells would at least make an honest attempt to controvert the facts which I gave in my letter to prove how clergymen were work- ing in the last election in alliance with the brewers. Instead of that he loses his temper, and tries to distort and mis-interpret what I had written, in order, as the Rev. C. Lloyd Evans, B.D., Vkar of Melbourne St. Andrews, puts it, to try *'to throw dust" on my argu- ments. After I quoted, in my last letter, from the letter of the Rev. C Lloyd Evans in the "Daily News," it seems that Mr. Wells wrote to him. I ask Mr. Wells to publish the reply ha received from Mr. Evans. I know the rev. gentleman will be quite willing for him to do i Mr Wells more than opoe tries lead your readers to believe that my charge was directed against the clergy of West Monmouthshire. In the few sentences I used at Abercarn re clergymen and brewers, I never mentioned West Monmouthshire nor any of the Mon- mouthshire constituencies. I was speaking of the election in general, and I had chiefly in my mind those constituencies that went against temperance reform, because brewers, landlords, and the Church, who represent three great vest- ed interests, joined together in an unholy alli- ance against the party of progress and reform, and that to the lasting disgrace of the Church. These three, I am sorry to say, are the three great pillars of the Tory Party If you add to them the Jingoes, etc., then you will have the respectable, Imperialistic Conservative Party No wonder Disraeli once said of his own party that they were nothing but "organ- ised hypocrisy." West Mon. did superbly. Of all the splen- did progressive majorities we had West Mon. topped the list. What a contrast between it and those catbedr. towns which deserted the Liberal flag, owing, aa the Prime Minister said in one of his election speeches, to cathedral in- fluenoes. If West Mon. to the same extent, were under cathedral domination, Mr. Tom Richards would not have had a ghost of a chance to get into Parliament. A leading Lib- eral, who ought to know better than anyone else, told me that in one of the largest constit- uencies in Monmouthshire only two of the clergymen were professing to be Liberals, and that in the local election, one of the two did not vote, and the other voted with the Conser- vatives. Is Mr. Wells prepared to say that the clergy of West Mon. aoted differently? I doubt very much, judging from the tone of Mr. Wells's letter, and hia sneers at the "Daily News,"—a paper which stands so high in its ideals, its moderation, and tone—whether Mr. Wells himsalf voted with the Liberals. His ar- guments lead us to believe that he far prefers to see his Church joining with the brewers and the other wings of the Tory Party, than to see it joining with the Liberals, who are commit- ting the unpardonable sin of joining hands with Socialists. Mr. Wells has the auaacity to say that the Church has always been on the side of the poor, the masses, and progress. Let him read the history of Wales. Is it not a fact that the Church in Walss is joining hands with wealthy landlords and brewers against Welsh Nationalism? Joining with the aristo- cracy against democracy? The progressive forces in Wales are stronger than in any of the other countries, because Nonconformists are in the majority and the Church in the mi- nority. It would be well for Mr. Weils to see how the Bishops have voted in the House of Lords during the last hundreds years. Thera are some people who are colour blind, and it seems that Mr. Wells is blind to facta. After I gave him facta, which were substan- tiated by clergymen, M.P.'s, and other leading citizens, he has the audacity to say that I had not produced "one single particle of evidence" to prove my case. No wonder the Rev. C. Lloyd Evans says that he "read hia letter with the greatest astonishment." He is also blind to the fact that when a person votes with the Tories he is helping the brewers. It seems to me that Mr. Wells never reads anything but Tory papers, and so he lives in a kind of a fool s paradise. He says that thousands of total abstainers voted' with the Tories. I say it is time for a to get rid of such abstainers. Men that preach one thing and practice another thing, men that use their voices on the plat- form to advocate the cause of temperance, and turn their votes in the polling booth into weap- ons to fight with the brewers! I say we have had more than enough of this Jesuitical con- sistency. Is r. Wells prepared to say that when a person votes with the Tories he does not vote also with the brewers? As Sir Hy. Qampbell Bannerman told Mr. Balfcur, "Enough of this foolery." Which of the two parties did the brewers work with in the In-fit election? Did they not placard the whole country to influence the working men to vote against the Liberal Party? Did they not UM their public-houses to oanvass for the Tone8 r, Has not Mr. Wells ret,d of the disgraceful tar tics of the trade during the bye-elections of Peckham and Bermoqdsey? Was it not the Tories who passed the "Brewers' Endowmcn: Bill of And did not Mr. Balfour say that he and his party were prepared to accept Mr. Lloyd George's Budget except the land and liquor clauses? Why, but for the tremend- ous power of the drink, it would be hopeless for the Tones to come into power. Because the 1895 election followed soon after the introduc- tion of Sir Wm. Harcourt's Veto Bill, the trade used every means possible to oust the Liberals, and afterwards they claimed that the Conserva- tives had their majority; of 162 through their influence. ■ -== I think I have said enough to prove that by voting with the Tories those abstainers were working with the brewers. And I am sorry that many of them were clergymen in Mon- mouthshire. One instance to prove this. The Vicar of St. Woolos and all his fellow abstain- ers among the clergymen of Newport, signec.1 a manifesto urging their members to put the question of the church schools and disestablish- ment before every other question. That means, of course, that they were urged to vote with the Tories. And, of course, every Churchman's vote was as effective to help the brewers as their own votes and those of the publicans. Is it not sad to see a Church of Christ handi- capped in such a way? After all the eloquent speeches on behalf of the temperance cause, when it comes to a matter of voting, the church must turn its back on temperance, shut its eye; on the miseries caused by the drink, and because of Its vested interests it must join with landlords and brewers This state of affairs makes one feel really sad, and to long for the time when the Church will be free to fight for things that are higher than material interests. It is sad to see the name? of hu-na dreds of clergymen holding shares m breweries, and not only clergymen, but also Canons, Arch" deacons and Bishops. And it is a joy to knovf that there is not a single Nonconformist minis- ter lowering himself by making money out of the misery and wretchedness of his fellow men- Mr. Wells asks me to give the name of the Carnarvon Vicar whose wife went into a shop and told the manager, who 'was a prominent Liberal, "I have instructed over 50 of my hus- band's congregation never to enter your shop again." Well, if he will write to Nfr. H. R, Phillips, manager of a branch of a firm of clothiers in Carnarvon town, I dare say he will furnish him with the vicar's name Mr. Wells, instead of condemning that woman's act, only laughs at it. If Mr. Phillips were deprived of his living through that woman's influence. I suppose he would laugh at him starving be- cause he dared to stand for principle. If space would permit I could give many mors facts to prove what I said. The Vicar of St. Andrews, Mr. Evans, was good enough to write to me after he read my lwt letter: "L can only say that unhappily you have not ex gerated in the least." I also bope that in this letter, which was hurriedly written, I have been fair and just, and that instead of condemB- mg me for writing truths which are very pain* ful for me to write, Mr. Wells and others will open their eyes to the true state of things, and will do their best to stir up their church, so that it will come to use its great power, not on the side of brewers and landlords," but on the side of sobriety, on the side of the poor and the suffering. I shall be glad if you will print the enclosed letter of the Rev C. Lloyd Evans, vicar of Melbourne St. Andrews. Yours trulyi T .„ T, C. DAVIES, LlanhiHeth, Mon.

A VICAR ASTONISHED, I read with the greatest astonishment the Rev. R. Wells' letter in the "Merthyr Express." It is a complete begging of the question. The Rev. T. C. Davies adduced facts, and the Rev. R. Wells' letter in no wise controverts thesa. The Rev. R. Wells talks about the Church, as if the Church of England constituted the whole of Christ's Church. The position of the Church of England in the pasfc was the cause of the genesis of Nonconformity. The Nonconformist in the village stood for freedom in most cases; the clergyman was the hanger-on of the squire. The children were taught in the schools that the squire and pap son represented the betters to whom the chil- dren were to render themselves lowly and reverently The Nonconformists were practic- ally socially and religiously boycotted, and, therefore, Liberalism owes a deep debt of gratitude to Nonconformity. And now, because Nonconformists and Protestant ministers lli the Church of England take, as they should, a prominent part in the discussion of social questions, they are called Socialists and deemed villains of the deepest dye, by the squire and his ally, the parson, while the brewer blessed both. The Church of England has not always been on the side of the masses, and is not now; otherwise, why did not more Bishops follotf the noble example of the Archbishop of York in protesting against the rejection of the Budget? The Roman Church is opposed *° progress, and, alas! the Romanizing of our own Protestant Church has made such rapid stndeSl that we see the clergy in many instances copy* ing their Catholic brothers, and trying to sever the bonds with which an effete aristocracy are endeavouring to bind the people. But, thanfc God, there are many clergy on the side of the people, who pay dearly that our Church may be freed from the fetters of Establishment* and tha* the present system of tlie clergy being1 appointed to their living by a class who IP many cases insist on their nominees eimply. echoing their political opinions. In conclusion, might I ask the Rev. R wello three questions?(1) Does he, in the cause of temperanoe, occupy the platform with his Non- conformist brethren? and is he trying to aid th*m to amend the licensing laws, and to the public houses closed on Sunday, knowing as he must the evils of drink? (2) Does be think that by making his parishioners pa? more for their food, will benefit them? ($ Does he not rather study the welfare of his own class who would be benefited by in the tithe rent-charge by any taxation °a corn? Let him answer those questions fairly» and he will no longer try and throw dust oa the honest arguments of a Nonconformist mitt" ister.—Yours faithfullv, C LLOYD EVANS, B.D. Melbourne St. Andrew's Vicarage, Blandfoid.

MR. JOHN BURNS AND COUNTER- ATTRACTIONS. Sir,rn the important Poor Law debate ip the House of Commons, on 8th, the Presi* (dent of the Local Government Board, Right Hon. Mr. John Burns, dealt among othe* things with the place of drink in the causa- tion of poverty. He referred to the need f counter-attractions to the drink traffic I" doing so he was rendering a service to temp6'* ance advocates* While personally I that this is the speediest and most effectifo method of dealing with intemperance at any, time, it is at the present moment the only method open to reformers who wish to see a greatly reduced consumption of alcohol in the country. The sentiment of counter-attraction* is one thing, and the securing of them another- There has been only one practical scheme pl ed before the country showing the way, that has been fought by temperance themselves. It is true that there are isolatelf instances of successful counter-attractions as that now being carried on at Middle^ brough—a really first-class attempt to the need, but wo don't want only cases; we require a network of count-er-att-rs& tidns all over the country. The minimuS* amount necessary to in any statesmanlike vw tackle such a universal application of the is £ 1,000 for every 10 000 of the population* e.g., the reeds of London could not be without a minimum expenditure of half a lion sterling annually. Neither the Chancelt of the Exchequer nor the Chairman of a nicipal Finance Committee is likely to turn sympathetic ear to the advocates of sucb l0\ creased expenditure. It can't be obtained any long period of time or from philanthropi3** in sufficient amount. We are shut up, tbete4 fore, to taking it out of the profits of the trad* To achieve this we require to get rid of t present licensing system, and to replace it one which would give localities among oths* options, the choice of placing all licences un^0* disinterested management—an option frii!*t\u of the most encouraging Results in Scaadinati* —Yours, etc., J- M. HOGGS T3rae6ide," Acomb-road, York.

GLANDULAR SWELLINGS ENTIRELY CURED IN LESS THAN A FORTNIGHT." Sufferers from Glandular Swellings, AbscliS-; Tumours, Ulcers, Boils, Sores, Eruptions, of any kindred complaint should at once profit M' the experience of Mr. Organ. He writes: "Yon will remember I wrote you some time asking advice as I was suffering from Glandu?*: •Piait«?s rip ih^.n!ck- and y°u told me to Uarke s Blood Mixture a trial. 1 got one of >°?2 Us. case3, and I am pleased to teU you it entirfji cured me in less than a fortnight. I was 10 h?ve tlle glands operated on, buL. am thankful to think I did not go under the OQeIs: tion. a Thanking you for your advice. (Signed) Cjø. DEGAN, 30, Rann Street. Lady wood, Birmingha TfE Clarke's Blood Mixture e^efs' such wonderful cures is because it is the only cine which thoroughly drives out all impurities froo" j BJ?od. Remember, "For the Blood is the and Skin and Blood Diseases, such as Scrofula, Scurvy, Bad Ue^s, Absce»*^ Boils, Pimples, Sores, and Eruptions /If ail kinds, Piles, Blood Poison, Glan('u ^i Swellingra, Rheumatism, Gout, &c.. C!T only be permanently cured by purifying the kl10 4S Clarke s Blood Mixture has stood the test loC>;At years, and the proprietors with confidence s0 sufferers to give it a trial to test its value. A THE nD'Y fur< ,t.L 2/9 per bottle, and in cases containing ?iN the quantity 11/ Of all Chemists and Stores fuse Substitutes), or post free on receipt of Lfitf direct from the proprietors. The Lincoln Midland Counties Druir Co., Linc Printed and published by the Proprietor. a; WOOD BotrTHEY, at Glebeland-street, Met Tydfil, April 23rd, 1910,

besides, he must be introduced by a member by express consent of the Society. The following exceptions will be admitted by this article: Any of the members may introduce one woman each, once a month gratis, or likewise a friend whose place of residence is no less than ten miles dis- I tant from where the instruments are kept, shall be admitted in the manner gratis. 9. AU subjects whatever may be discussed be- fore the Society—Theology and Politics excep- ted. 10. All the Philosophical articles belonging to this Society are not to ba inspected on Sun- day by any of the members, subject to the penalty of forfeiting his subscription money. This article admits of two restrictions: The telescope may be taken out any day to the Beacons, not exceeding three times a year; or it may be used any day, should an annual phenomenon happen on the Sunday, which can- not be seen on the week days. 11 This Society is limited to one hundred and one members. 12. Every matter whatsoever that comss un- der the cognizanoe of this Society must be de- termined by a majority, such majority being sufficient to suspend or annul any of the above articles on particular occasions, or to add new ones, provided those alterations are made when there is a general meeting held in consequence of the members being duly apprised 91 i\. Subscribers' Names. 1. Rees Howell, stone cutter 0 Morgan Morgan, Crown. -iarn Thomas, mason. 4. John Jones, brickman. 5. Morgan Morgan, smith. 6. Benj. Saunders, moulde? 7. John Griffiths. 8. William Williams. 9. William Aubrey. 10. William David Proass" 12. George Smith. 13. Thomas Evans. 14. Mr. Wayne. 15. Henry Morgan, innkeepet 16. Thomas David, collier, 17. Richd. Thomas. 18. Morgan Jones, firer. 19. John Thomas, carpenter. 20. Thomas Williams. 21. Jno. Lewis. 22. Joseph Jonee, shopkeeper. 23. Thomas Samuel Treharne. 24. Jos. Bailey, Esqr. 25. Wm. Howell. 26. Jno. Williams, Angel. 27. Edward Edwards. 28. David Williams, Ppnt yr Un [se« 29. William Gould. 30. Abraham Jonec. 31. Lewis Richards, Greyhounc 32. Jas. Williams, Hsolgerrig, 33. Wm. Williams, „ 34. William Richards, Dowlaia 35. Mr. R. Jenkins, Abervan. 36. Thomas Jenkins. 37. Diavid Edmund., Dowlais. 38. Thomas Francis, „ 39. Wm. Morgan, Esqr. 40. Wm. Jeffreys, mill man. 41. Wm. Thomas, blockweighwr. f 48. Jno. Daviea, druggist. 43. Wm. Jones, ehopkeepet 44. Wm. Thomas, Quarry, 45. Rees Jeffreys — 46. Thos. Jno. William. 47. Dd. Williams, engineer. 48. John Da vies. 49. Henry Kirkhouse. 50. Thos. Llewelyn, roller. 51. Rd. Williams, Aberffrwd. 52. Jos. Coffin. 53. Danl. Jones, farmer. 54. Lewis Williams, miner. 55. Wm. David, brickman (not down). 56. Wm. Williams, organise (hot down). 57. Thos. Williams, stone cutter (not down). 58. Daniel Thomas. 6' 59. Thos. Lewis, officer. (?) 60. John Richards, Bridge Street (not down). 61. Edward Pond (not down). 62. Wm. Da vies, glazier (not down). 63. Charles Mines, Bridgwater (not down). 64. Wm. Morgan, schoolmaster. 65. Thomas Davies, miilman. 66. Mm. Wm. M. Davies, shopkeeper. William Williams Received 59 guineas. 25th June, 18Q8»"-

The Editor wishes it to be distinctly understood that he will not hold hiraspif responsible for the opinions or statements of correspondents, nor under- take to return rejected manuscrip;. 'Correspondents MOST write on one side of the raPT only. Correspondents are requested t., vondense thir re- marks as much as possible as. owing to the very great demands upon our space, WI] cannot undertake to publish letters of great, length. Letters of a personal character will not be inserted. .r" f- ro. r. r'1-