Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

Seeds of Gold. That which is not ge.od for swa.m, neither is it good for tiie bee. MARCUS AURELIXJCS. We are wont to complain that life is short; ard indeed, as we look back upon it f'-om neE' its close, years seem but months, and months dwindle into days. But much patience goes to the making of seventy years, sweet, stirmg, consistent, holy. One of the unexpected expediences which comes with advancing years is, I think, tbpt of the changeful ness of life. When v~ e are vonicy we think that we can p edict it all; out .wl.1. they come, our middle years are not what we t.,•»• i -it tbe^ would be; and age creeps on, Tl" irllng jout-h with it in a fashion fur whioh we aie not p-fpn ee. CHARLES EEARD. The more widely knowedge is sL ter..d, the move will they be prized w ose happy lot it is to extend its bounds by discove-ing I'e,. tiutbs to multip-ly its use,, by inventing new moors of applying it in practice Its progiess is i ,e e of liber- .aiityai)d eijl; -it,e,,ecl t"le atiuii, whoso dieadsthese let him tremble; for he mf y be w-11 assured that tneir day ha; at K '°;th conie, aiid must put to sudden fliht. the evil sprits of tyranny and persecution which haunted the long night now gone down in the sky. LORD BROUGHAM. He that e-la-gcs his curiosity after the works of nature, demonstrably multiplies tbe inlets to happi- ness; therefore we should cherish ardour in the pursuit of knowledge, and re inember that a blighted spring makes a barren year, and that the vernal flowers, however beautiiul and gay, are only in- tended by nature as pi eparatives to autumnal fruit. DR. JOHNSON.

■ ♦ Destiny. We shape orrseVe* the joy or fear Of which tlit; coming life is made, And fill our future atmosphere With sunshine or with shade. The tissues of the life to :le We weave with colours r-U our own, And in the field of destiny We reap as we have sown. Still sb.11 the soul around it I The shadows which it gatlie-, ecl hE>re, And, painted on the eternal wall, The past shall re-appear. WHITTIER.

Our Imagined Joys. To lose a joy that has formed the subject of our dreams, to renounce a whole future, is anguish more acute than that caused by the destruction of happi- ness, however great, t;>at hps been actually enjoyed, for is not hope bette- than recollection? The reflections which s'idelenlj' arise out of such a ruin are like a shoreless sea.; we may for a time swim upon its bosom, but in the end our love must drown and perish. And it is a feaiful death; for the feelings a -e the brightest portion u our existence. This partial death produces in certain organisa- tions, whether they be strong- or delicate, fearful havoc, the offspring of disenchantment, of defeated hope and cheated passion. BALZAC. .0

Remembered Happiness. Mankind are always happier for having been .happy so that if you make them happy now, you make them happy twenty years hence by the memory of it. A childhood passed, with a due mixture of rational indulgence under fond and wise parents, diffuses over the whole of life a feeling of cilm pleasure, and in extreme old age, is the very last remembrance which Time can erase from the mind of man. No enjoyment, however inconsider- able, is confined to the present moment. A man is the happier for life, from having made once an agreeeble tour, or lived for any length of time with pleasant people, or enjoyed any considerable in- terval of innocent pleasu'e; and it i,, most proi)al)ly the recollection of their past pleasures which con- tributes to render old men lo inattentive to the scenes before them, and carries them back to a world that is past, and to scones neve: to be renewed. REV. SYDNEY SMITH.

Inbtinct and Immortality. Men have an instinct of jmcnoiialuy. This can hardly be defied. It has been iound m the lowcc savages, aod in the most intellectual races; it re- vealed itself in the nations of antiquity, and it prevails in the modern world, not only wit'oin the limits of Christendom, biu beyond. However men may explain this instinctive sense of immo tally, whatever degree of validity they may attach to it. its existence can hardly be denied. If there be one characteristic common to toe race, a/tor all c eep- tions have been fully allowed for, it is to be found in that pi ophetic sense which suggests to us a life beyond the grave. Very strange, diversified, gro- tesque even, are the manifestations of tnis instinct, but that it e:<sts in the human heart is beyond question. And this instinct we arc bound to respect. Mr. Danvin, rt-ferring to lhe grand intimations of the human mind, makes this obseivation: "But then arises the doubt, can the mind of man, which has, as I fully believe, been developed from a mind as low as that possessed by the lowest animal, be trusted when it draws such giand conclusions'! Now, as 1 have pointed out elsewheie, Mr. Da1 win here does his own theory injustice. Are not the instincts ot the lower creatures on the whole mar- vellously corre.it? The instinct of the bird of passage docs not deceive it in its vast strange migrations. The instinct of the bee does not fail it in the elaboration of its cell, in the gathering of its honey, and in many other ways altogether won- derful. The instinct of tne butterfly and beetle ii not at fault when by a stlange prescience tllq prepare the cradle and food of their offspring whom they shall never see. And, may we not ask with nnfiele-nce, if the instinct of the caterpillar point- ing to the butterfly, if the iostinct of the swallow discerning far beyond the sea a land of sunshine and flowers, if these instincts prove no mockery, why should the instincts of human nature, pointing J a grand perfection in a world above and beyond, prove untrustworthy ? If instinct prove leliable within a narrow area and on lower grounds, why hould we not trust it on higher grounds and within wster horizons ? Surely modern science has elone nothing to discredit the general trustworthines of instinct, and we have, in the light of science, no reason to suspect the highest instincts of all which paint to God and to immortality. REV. W. L. WATKINSON.

A Noble Wish. So each shall mourn, in life's advance, Dear hopes, dear friends untimely killed; Shall grieve for many a forfeit chance And longing passion unfulfilled. Amen 1 whatever fate be sent, Pray God the heart may kindly grow, Although the head with cares be beut, And whitened with the winter snow. Come wealth or want, come good or ill, Let young and old accept their part, And bow before the Awful Will, And bear it with an honest heart, Who misses or who wins the prize. Go, lose or conquer as you can; But if you fail, or if you rise, Be each, pray God, a gentleman. THACKERAY.

Obedience. A butterfly is much more free than a bee; but you honour the bee more, because it is subject to certain laws, which fit it for orderly function in bee society. And, throughout the world, of the two abstract things, liberty and restraint, restraint is always the more honourable. Restraint charac- terises the higher creatures; and from the minis- tering of an archangel to the labour of an insect, from the poising of a planet to the gravitation of a grain of dust, the power and glory of all creatures, and of all matter, consis6 in their obedience, not in their freedom. KCSKIN.

The Dignity of Man. Man is but a reed, and the weakest in nature; but then, he is a thinking reed. There is no occa- sion that the whole universe should arm itself to destroy him; a vapour, a drop of water is sufficient to kill him. But siiould the whole universe con- spire to crush him, he would still be more noble than that which destroys him, because he knows that he dies, while the universe would be insensible of its victory over him. Thus the whole of our dignity consists in thought; it is by this" we arc to elevate ourselves, and not by mere space and dura- tion. Let us, then, labour to think well.—PASCAL.

HOUSE OF COMMONS THURSDAY. PIRACY IN CHINESE WATERS. Replying to Mr. Ascroft (U., Oldham), Mr. BRODERICK (Under Secretary for Foteign Affuhs) said her Majesty's Government had had under coo- sidetationthe inc.ease of piracy in Chinese waters, in the neighbourhood of Hong Kong and in the West River, anel strong representations had been made to the Chinese Government on the subject. A gunboat was now stationed in the West Riv er. BRITISH SUBJECTS AT HANKOW. Mr. BRODERICK informed Mr. Ascrofi". that representations bad been made to the Russian C-overnroent, which had sent instructions to h" representative in China, to suspend definite action in iegard to the intention to refuse to recognise the title of British subjects to property owned by them within the Russian concession. ASCENSION DAY. Mr. J. ELLIS (R., Notts, Rusclielife) asked as to the disparity of practice between the two Houses ;)1 regard to the sittings of Committees on Ascension Day. Why, seeing that the Lovds Committee sat, was it necessary to pass a special motion to exempt Committees from sitting ? Mr. A. J. BALFOUR: I think the Loids do not sit to-day. Mr. J. ELLIS The Committees do. Mr. BALI1 OUR: I should like to enquire into the facts. It seems rather improbable that, if the Lords do not sit, the Committees should. Mr. J. ELLIS: But they sat to-day. Mr. A. J. BALI OUR: I know nothing about the House of Lords Committees. J Mr. J. ELLIS But if it is the practke- The SPEAKER: Order, order. CASE OF BISHOP TUC WELL. Mr. CHAMBERLAIN (Co'onial Scretpry^ answering Sir Wilfrid Lav/son, (R. C'kermouth, CuAi'ie land), said he bad no official ? < to the p-. n.secution of Bishop TUJWK1! ah La->\ s on a C'- ne of criminal libel. I fit wee i.is :tuted by a private person, he clearly had 110 j i ht to inte i xt L ti. MARINE INSURANCE BILL. Mr. BALFOUR 1 old Mi. Ware (U, Liverpool- F't T«»"telh). that he did i, -t anf-Vate t e e any piospect of this Bill being dfta!fc with duriog the p esent session. NORTH SEA FISHERIES. Mr. BALFOUR, in reply to Mr. Ten riant, (R, Berwickshire), said the Co>ne~ence of the Powers on the Noitb Sea Fisheries would meet at Stockholm on June 15. FINANCE. On the motion to go into Committee on this Bill a motion bIT Mr. BUCHANAN R, (Aberdeenshire S.), to divide the Bill into two parts, and to lepott to the House in the first place the portions dealing witu customs, stamps, and Income-, ax, and in the ne\t place that dealing with the National Debt, v, withdrawn, and the House went into Committee. On CJause 1. Mr. BROADHLRST (R., Leice;.ter), moved to leduee the tea duty from fourpence to tb eepc-ce in order that the poorer cla ses might have their share of the increased wealth of the country. Sir M. HICKS-BEACH said this was quite im. possib'e in the present Bill evenic he shatcd the hon. member's N ie-,vs. The cost of the reduction would amount to between one and a half and two millions, which would have to be made up by in- c. eased taxation. The Committee divided arid there voted—For the amendment, 125; against, 246: Government majority, 121. n Sir H. VINCENT (U., Sheffield) moved to con- fine the increased duty on wines to those coming irom foreign countries, as distinct from the Britisii Colonies. Sir MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH said tint when he to the eonciusion that he must res-nt to some fo nt of indirect taxation, he had a chancea" as between certain articles—wine, tobacco, beer and spirits. He choose wine because it was mo e of a luxury than were the other articles, aud par- ticularly because in the case of beer and spbili at h-ast the raw material was very largely produced in this country. He turned to wine, moreover, because vine was a luxury, and because the industry connected with it in this count, y was a distribut.i"g and not a manufacturing one. His prop isa1 had been represented as a sort of attack on the Colonial wine industry, but it should not be fo'gotten that, while we imported 17,500,000 ¡lJ Ions of wine annually from foteign countries, our wine import from the Colonies was only 750,000 gfdJons. So that wJö,-n his policy was ahuded, as it was alluded to tbe other day by Le. 'd Rosebury, as levying tax on Australasiau products for the purpose of a sTD-tll siim -L' money, he was compelled to entirely demu- The sum pained by the Treasury was not, financially, of import- ance. But there unquestionably did a great principle, and on that ground hrt felt compelled to object to the amendment. In the first place, any increased duty on any article of consumption would almost necessarily affect some of on r Colonies more than foreign countries. For ins1 price, any incr? toe in the duty of tea must boar with special weight on the tea industry of India and Ceylon. Aud, similarly, the proportion of coffee, cocoa, <:t.,d sugar imported from the Colonies was greater t'lan that snipped f^om other counties. It was obvious that the general interests of the Colonies would be much more affected by an increase of the duty on any of those articles than by an increase of the duty on wine. For the amendment. 37 Against. 192 1 Government majority 155 HOUSE OF COMMONS.-—FRIDAY NEW WRIT. A new writ was ordered to be issued for South- port in the room of the late Sir H. Naylor-Levaijd. LOCAL BILL. The North Pembrokeshire and Fishguard Rail- way Bill was considered and ordered for third reading. VOLUNTEER MUSKETRY PRACTICE. Mi. WYNDHAM, replying to Major Rasch for Si Howard Vincent, said the amended regulations for the musketry practice of the Volunteer force would be issued with the June Army Orders. He would see that some copies were placed in the Library for the convenience of hon. mcmoers. NEW MEMBER. Sir W. Anson, who was introduced by Mr, Talbot and Mr. Whitmore, took the oath and the seat rendered vacant by the death of Sir John Mowbray. The hon. gentleman had a cordial reception. TITHE RENT CHARGE IN IRELAND, Mr. GERALD BALFOUR asked leave to intro- duce a Bill relating to tithe rent charge in Ireland. The general effect of the changes proposed in the Bill would be an immediate relief to the tithe rent charge payer of about 20 per cent. in his payments and a further relief at the end of 13 years if a further reduction should have taken place in the average of judicial rents. Mr. DILLON opposed the Bill, which he charac- terised as an outrageous and indecent proposition to take money out of the remains of the Irish Church Fund to divide amongst the supporters of the Government. He moved the adjournment of the debate, The SPEAKER said that under the Standing Orders the adjournment of the debate could not be moved. On a division leave was given to introduce the Bill by 205 votes against 113. Mr. BALFOUR then brought in the Bill, which was read a first time. THE FINANCE BILL. The House went again into Committee on the Finance Bill, and proceeded to deal with the pro- posed new clauses. Mr. BARTLEY submitted a clause establishing an accumulating sinking fund, into which should be paid all money received from the repayment of the terminable annuities created under this Bill, any balance that might from time to time remain from the permanent annual charge for the National Debt, and all money received from the Post Office and Trustee Savings Banks not required for current uses of the savings banks. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER admitted the great importance of the question raised and the difficulties of investing the sinking fund owing to the high prices of Consols, but it must be clear that it would be impossible to deal with this question within the limits of this clause. This clause was negatived without a division. Mr. HUBBARD proposed a clause exempting from aggregation and duty provision by insurance or otherwise for payment of the estate duty. The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER agreed that it was wise for the State to encouiage thrift, and he looked carefully into this matter with the object of seeing whether he could not make some proposal in regard to it. There must be a loss of revenue by any scheme of the kind, but a great difficulty in the matter was the im- possibility of making any provision of the kind inalienable (hear, hear). Sir W. HARCOURT said that in 1894 he ex- pressed a desire to meet the case referred to, but was unable to find a solution of the difficulty. Mr. SPICER said he had intense sympathy with the amendment of the hon. friend opposite, and he was extremely glad to hear that the Chancellor of the Exchequer was willing to look into this matter again in the coming time. It seemed to him that the matter had been argued almost entirely looking at it iroin the standpoint of those families who made their property over to their eldest sons. He thought it came with still greater hardship upon those classes of society where the property was usually divided equally amongst the different members of the family. After a long eliscussion the clause was with- drawn. The Committee divided, and there voted-against the clause, 164; for, 1; majority against, 163. Roars of laughter greeted the announcement The aye to the right, one." The House then went into Committee of Ways and Means, and The CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER pro- posed a resolution imposing the surcharge of Is. per gallon on foreign spirits and perfumes imported in bottle. The resolution was agreed to, as was also a resolution with regard to the surcharge in still wines imported in bottle. SUPPLY. The report of Supply was brought up, and on the vote for the Board of Trade, Mr. WEIR moved a reduction by C500 for the purpose of urging that the bye-laws of railway 11 y companies shouldJbe so modified as to afford better protection to passengers.

DOLGELLEY. PASTORAL.—We understand that Mr. Peter Hugh Lewis, Springfield-street, who is a student at the llala-Bangor College, has received a call to undertake the pastoral duties at Samoah, Cemmaes-road. FAIR.—The May Fair (Ffair Calanmai) was held on Thursday. The market was fairly brisk, and the prices good. A good number attended, but it was not so popular as previous years. The young people who were leaving situation and seeking fresh fields and pastures new were present in great numbers. THE CYCLING CLUB.—As we have previously an- nounced tbe Cycling Club arc bus v- makiiiz arrance- mentcs for the coming season. The first run of the season was arranged to Tynygroes on Monday evening, when a good number of young people assembled, and the brisk run was thoroughly enjoyed, A committee meeting of the club was held on Friday evening at the Criterion, when it was decided to hold the annual dinner at the Public Rooms on the 24th inst. After the dinner toasts will be proposed and songs and recitations (illustrated by lime light) will be given by well-know a local talents. It was also resolved to have Athletic Sports on the last Wednesday in August if possible, and further arrange- ments will be made immediately. It is expected that the Cycling Club will have an exceptionally successful season. CILICKET.-As already announced the Cricket Club a; ranged the first match of the season against Towyn on Wednesday last. The match was arranged to commence at 1.30, but owing to a slight mishap which befell the Towyn tes on the way to the coach, they did not arrive till the three train, wnich did not leave sufficient time for the first innings. Dolgelley went first, and alter scoring 74 for six wickets, they retired, and Tow yn went in. Play in the second half was painfully slow, the Towyn members adding one by one to the score. Mr. H. F. Carpenter put a bit of spirit in the game when lie went in, making a three with the first ball. But his stay was short, and when he retired the game again resumed its previous tameness.

LAMPKXER. BUTTER FACTORY.—The first meeting of the special me fbers of the Lampeter Agricultural and D,)-y Co-operative Society was held on Friday last at the Royal Oak Hotel, when Mr. J. C. Harford occupied the chaii. M r. D. Watkins read a number of appli- cations received by him for shares in the Society, several of the applicants bemg present at the meeting. All the applicants were admitted members. Mr. D. Watkins was appointed hon. sec., and Messrs. 1). Jones and Co., Old Bank, were appointed trea- surers. The office of president was conferred on Mr. J. C. Hartorel, and Mr. B. J. Evans, Llanfairfach, and Mr. Samuel Davies, Coedparc, were appointed to act with tne president as committee of manage- ment until the next meeting when iurther appoint- ment will be made. The President announced that lie and his mother, Mrs. Harford, would provide the building for the central factory at Lampeter when the tenant fanners of the district showed they were desirous of having one established in their midst. The conditions were that in addition to the shares subscribed by landlords and the townspeople of Lampeter larinet-s themselves should take shares to ttic value of P,200, and guarantee the milk of at least 200 cows. Immediately that was done they would proceed with the building. Mr. Gerwyn Jones was also prepared to provide the bu;lding for a creamery at Llanfair, when the farmers of that dis- trict showed they were ready to take up shares and to make use of the creamery if established. A number of gentlemen were appointed to canvass and to report at a meeting to be held in three weeks' time. If the offers made by Mr. and Mrs. HarJord aid Mr. Gerwyn .Tones be not then accepted tbey will consider themselves at liberty to withdraw them and only take shares to the value first mentioned by them. INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION.-The union of Lampeter is the only one within the county of Cardigan that does not posses a County School, and the consequence is that the Lampeter Union not only has to contribute towards the Tregaron County School, but also con- tributes n)o,-c than the Tregaron Union does. This sLate of things is the result of over-confidence and want of foresight on the part of those entrusted with the management of the matter at the commence- ment. In different hands the joint school for the counties of Cardigan and Carmarthen would have been secured to Lampeter. Not satisfied with levying the rate under the Intermediate Education Act the County Council lias lately levied a rate upon the whole of this Union (including the borough) under the Technical Instruction Act, the bulk of which goes to the Tregaron School. ASSEMBLY Roons.—The Eisteddfod Committee, who hold about £ 215 towards erecting an Assembly Room, appear to be quite determined to continue the game of dog in the manger. A year ago a freehold site was offered to them for notning, but having critically looked the gift horse in the mouth they refused the offer with—no thanks. They have now another freehold site at their disposal on which the building can be erected, rent free, but this again apparently does not meet with their approval. The vicar and his good lady have for some years been desirous of erecting a parish room which would do very well as Assembly Room, but the moment they moved in the matter up jump the Eisteddfod Com- mittee jingling their Z215 in his face and threatening to build a room at once which will do for them. There are also some persons here quite prepared to build an Assembly Room as a private speculation, but unless the £ 215 of the committee can either be devoted to some other purpose or cast into the sea and the committee dissolved, there seems to be no hopes at present of getting the long-looked-for building erected. POSTAL FACILITIES.—Another concession has lately been made by the Postmaster General to this town. Letters from Aberystwyth and the north which formerly arrived here at 10 a.m. and were delivered at noon now arrive by the last train and are delivered at 8.30 a.m. For this we are indebted to Mr Martin Jones the energetic manager of the London and Provincial Bank. A retrograde step how- ever took place two years ago as to outgoing letters. Formerly letters for first delivery through South Wales could be posted up to 7.45 p.iii,, but now the last mail closes at 3.50 p.m. the bags being conveyed by the 4.23 train the last one for Carmarthen where they remain for nearly byo hours until the arrival of the London mail. This state oc things ought not to be allowed to exist any longer, and if the Town Council does not see its way to move in the matter the good services of Mr. Martiu Jones must, be again enlisted. Were some of the business men of the town outside the town outside the Council only to put their heads together they could soon effect several very necessary important improvements which the members of the Council are quite unable to grapple with. OBITUARY.—The death of Catherine Ellen, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Jones, of Tanbron- deifi, of this town, took place on Sunday, the the 7th instant, after a week's painful illness." The deceased was only eight years of age and was a faith- ful member of Soar Sunday School, and also of the Band of Hope. The funeral took place on Thursday last, and the remains were interred at Llanfair- clydogau churchyard. In tlle."absence of the Rev. Evan Evans, Zoar. the Rev. R. C. Jones, Unitarian minister officiated at the house, and the Rev. J. N. Evans vicar of Llangybi at the grave. There were 11 y 11 many wreaths on the coffin amongst which was one given by the children of the Peterwell Girls' Day School. Much sympathy is felt for the parents. CYCLING.-The second run of the Cycling Club took place on Wednesday of last week when over twenty in number turned out. Leaving Harford Square at 2 p.m., the Captain, Mr, D. J. Bowen, led the company to Abcrayron where a few of the mem- bers took advantage of the visit by .takiii, a swim in the briny ocean. After some hours stay the party started on their return journey and reached Lampeter about 8 p.m., having enjoyed a lovely day's outing. Mr. Walter Jone's "Blue Boy" had the mis- fortune of having a puncture on the road, and had it not been for the foresight of Mr. Anthony of the London and Provincial Bank in possessing a repairing outfit poor Wat would have to be left behind jas out of the whole party of cyclists there was only one that had a repairing outfit in his bag.

BLAENPLWYF. Music.—The music class in connection with the C.M. Chaptl has done very creditable work during the past session, under the care of Mr. M. D. Lloyd. Thirty-four candidates were successful in satisfying the examiner, Mr. Hughes (Alaw Afaon). The fol- lowing is a list of the successes :—Junior, J. D. Jones, Kate James, D. Evans, R. Matthews, Ll. Matthews, 1). 0. Lewis, M. E. Lewis, B. D. James, S. Jones, M. D. Joseph, A. Hughes, J. Hughes, W. J. Hughes, M. Hughes, I). Jones, M. Edwards, A. Morgan, L. Jones, M. Edwards. Elementary—E. Edwards, L. Davies, M. E. Richards, E. M. Jenkins, L. Jones, R. Mathews, H. Matliews, T. Williams, D. O. Lewis, D. Evans, 1)1. Jones, Thomas Morgans. Intermediate—J. G, Lloyd, T. Morgans, L. Davies. It is to be hoped the classes will be equally well attended and successful in the future.

WWHWI— II ■ HI n HnWIIimCT—^—E—MB—— The Elementary Schools 01 Cardiganshire, Merioneth & Montgomeryshire. FACTS AND FIGURES. [BY R. E. BEVAN, EOARD SCHOOLS, LLANARTH.] Elementary Education bas of late c aimed—avr, justly claimed-a good deal of atteiiti,-ii both in tl-ic country generally and in the Houses of Parliament. Elementary Education is far from being in a satis- factory state, progress is slow, but we aie not without hope of considerable improvement in the near future. In view of recent events, it will noi be amiss to make a comparison of the present state of the elementary schools in the counties of Cardi- gan, Merioneth, and Montgomery. The figures have been compiled by Dr. Macnamara from the return of the Eriucation Department for last year, In the highest and lowest English counties the borough towns are not. included. The schools in the three counties will be compared with one another under vat loiil, heads, and with the average results for the whole of Wales, for England, and for Scotland. ,T.AT T DANCE. The percentage of the average attendance for the nun1 ber of scholars on roll for:—■ England and Wales in 1893 81-6 Eiig'an(I alone 81-55 Wales alone 75-86 Scotland alone 84'45 Highest English County: Bedford, 85-61; Lowest English County Cornwall, 77'28. With these results compare the percentage To the above three counties :— Merioneth 7612 Montgomery 74T7 Caidiganshire 72-97 NOTE.-Eact is below the ave»?ge tor Wales. When one knows the little attention paid by School Boa-els and Attendance Committees to attendance, and the reluctance with whic they put, the law of compulsion in motion, togethe r with the fondness of magistrates for dismissing Urs chiss of cases, one ceases to winder at the lo.v figu-es forhese coui)c;cs, Since the government grants are paid on the average attendance, the schools of these counties froiii this in .gleet, lose thousands of pounds every year. Can these counties afford such lo.-s! is, after all, but a temporary loss, which can L'e and should be remedied; but what about the o."3-!oort.h to one-t,iird of the children on the school hooks who are absent eveiy day? Their loss uuu ot be remedied, they must be life-iuig sofit-.rers for Lh," tegligeuce of their the la ity of the School Coa^el and Attendance Com- mittees, and the leniency of the Bench. Will it be believed that theie is a school in b, County of Cardigan witn 8<1 on books, aid whose aveiage attendance was only 39 last year-i.e., 40 per cent.—and yet not a single parent :rom this school was sum moned before the magist ites School boards a »d roagistrat.es have the power to remedy this deploraij'e state of a*' .aiis. When will they e ei-eie power? Compare th: state of thin-s with S.r John Gorst's testimony io the attendance in the schools of Sw.t-er)alid:- I wa real,ing iuquh'es in the autumn in the Upper Engadine, winrve di tances aie greater, toe cli'a^.e is more i'-cleme'it, and the dbficahits vi: getting to s -hoc I i > winter aie greater than in the worst par < s o? rhiscoi ytry. When I as ted whether the child en absented themselves there, they l&ughed. Such a tt'ing is unknown, because, if a child does not turn up in the morning, the parent gets notice that he is fmrd to the amoi- 't of some francs, and if the fails to appear on the next day the fine ;s douoled, and on the third day is quadrupled. The effect of this law—*vhich is liellied into effect-is that the children all come to school. (Sir John Goist, Huuse of Commons, 17th June, 1893.) II.—THE QVATJITY OF THE TEACHING STAFF. There are four classcs of teacheis recognised by the Education D.p" tmrnt:- Cla T Certificated teachers. Class II: E:pupil tecchers. Those, who having been pupil teachers, have not yet become i ertifi- cated. Class III: Pupil teaehel s. Class IV t. 68): These aie females who a, c recognrsed ye.,r 1)3- year as as,> ts. They only requi. e to be over 18 ye. rs old, and to sa.is!y the inspector that ti ey possess knowledge to teach infants and siv xhirds f. and H. Cut of every >00 teachers ef; Ugerde? engaged in England alcee, 48 are ce tifieaied teachers 18 pre e -pupil touchers 21 e pupil tochers 13 e unelei Article 63. Wa'ri alone, 36 & re certirVated teaches 20 are e;- -pupil te^chcs 31 a e pupil teach; rs 13 are under Ar'■>.< le 62. England & Wales, fl.6 é" e csitcScaled teachers. 19 0te •pvrpil teachers 22 are pvpi! teachersj 13 are under Article 68. Menfgcme'.yshi-e. 47 are certificated teache 's 12 pre ex-pup.'i teaclicj > 26 are pupil readies 15 are under Article 68. Mr* Joneth Jike, 43 are cerificated tcacl, s 20 aie e-pLipil tea'.hers 28 H,e pupil t,,ach r; 9 &ve under A L cle 68. Caveliganshire 39 are certificated tcachcs 6 a L'C eir-pupil t^acheis 43 are pupil teachers 12 are under Article 68. Classes I and II maybe called skilled labour; Class III, apprentices and child labour; Class IV,. unskilled, therefore the cheapest labour Montgomeryshire and Merionethshire (n'o e especially Merioneth) come out well in the test, but what a low position Careliganshire takes. It is Cardiganshiio's proud (?j position to hold th 3 rccord for its percentage of pupil teachers—i.e., apprentices—for England and Wales, beating its next lival, Carmarthen, by 9 per cent. There aie only five counties in England and Wales employing a percentage of over 30 pupil teachers. Cardiganshire has the weakest staffed schools in England and Wales, 55 per cent, of its teachers being composed of unskilled teachers and ap- prentices, whilst Anglesey, the next in point of weak staff, has 48 per cent, of its teachers unskilled and apprentices. Montgomery has 41 per cent., and Merioneth only 37 per cent. The result of this is, that the head teacher in Cardiganshire has to bear the biunt of the work, in order to maintain the efficiency of his school, with a result that he is bound to break down sooner or later. One of the most successful schoolmasters has already broken down from over-work, and has been unable to enter his school for the last few months, and it docs not seem likely that he wiT be able to resume duties for many months to come. One of H.M. Inspectors of Schools said some time ago, that under the old system of indh idual examinations, Cardiganshire schools were in the van; but under the present system of inspection, Careliganshire is only marking time, whilst the other counties are rapidly marching past. She will continue to mark time, and eventually fall far into the rear, unless a change takes place in the staffing of her schools.. III.—INCOME AND EXPENDITURE PER SCHOLAR. In this table the County Boroughs are excluded, and the average are for Counties only :— TABLE A.—Average income per scholar in aver- age attendance derived from the rates: England alone, Cl 5s. Id.; Wales alone, 16s. 10(L; Merioneth- shire, £1 8s. Od.; Montgomeryshire, 15s. lid.; Cardiganshire, lis. 7d. TABLE B.-Erpencliture per scholar for salaries in board schools England alone, Z2 3s. 4d.; Wales alone, £ 1 17s. Od.; Merioneth, L2 5s. lOd.; Mont- gomery, zEl 16s. 6d.; Cardiganshire, £ 1 14s. lid. Expenditure per scholar for salaries in voluntary schools :—England alone, El 12s. 9d.; Wales alone, El 13s. 7d.; Merioneth, E2 3s. 6d.; Montgomery, El 15s. 4d.; Cardiganshire, El 15s. 3d. Fiom Table A it will be seen that in Cardigan- shire the education of each child in average attendance costs the ratepayers much less than either Montgomery or Merioneth. The cost per child in this county is the lowest for Wales, and the lowest but one for either England or Wales. She attains this enviable position by:—(a.) Employing cheap child labour (Pupil Teachers) and the lowest paid class of teachers-Art 68's, aDd by overworking the Head Teacher. (b.) Paying lower salaries than either of the other counties named, in fact, the expenditure per head for salaries is less in Cardiganshire than in any other county in Wales, with the exception of Pembroke- shire and Anglesey. The expenditure per head for Radnorshire is E2. It is a peculiar fact that the expenditure per head for Voluntary Schools in Cardiganshire for salaries is higher than in Board Schools. The attendance in each of the counties calls for strong and immediate action, but in Caidigansliire the state of the schools is such that if she is to keep the position she once held in the educational world, the sooner the better the various Boards strengthen their staff by engaging well qualified teachers, and by increasing their salaries. Merionethshire is to be congratulated on her splendid position well staffed school and adequately paid teachers—in being so well to the front with her elementary schools. Can this be attributed to the influence" of the late T. E. Ellis ?

ABERAYRON RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL. ? ——— REPORTS OF THE DISTRICTS. Mr. Jame: Williams presided over a meeting of the Aberayron Rural District Council on Wednes- day in last week, when Dr. Jenkyn Lewis's report on the Llansantffraid distiict, and Dr. Thomas Evans' report on the Llandyssilio district were read and considered. The former contained the statements that 90 children had been born in the district during the year, thus giving a birth rate of 18'9 per 1000 on a population of 4,740. The deaths wel e 83, giving a death rate of 17-5 per 1000. There [ wel e no deaths from infectious disease, although there was one case of scarlatina complicated with diphtheria at Llanon, and three cases of typhoid at Cilcennin. In the month oi' June he leceived notice f. om the inspector that two servant girls with scarlatina had been sent down to the district from Abe:, ystwyth. He had previously had a sim- ilar experience of a case sent down from the same town, followed by an epidemic of scarlatina. These cases weie never notified to the Medical Officer of L Health, in o.-der to protect their trade and families. This sort of conduct was veiy reprehetisible. The two cases lie had quoted were back in Abeiystwyth before they had time to spread the disease. The view he took of the question was that eventually infectious disea. es would be quite as icexcusable as dirty bodily habits, and the fatal c.ses that occurred during epidemics were the sacrifices which nrtu-e claimed for the pivncge of living in dirty surroundings; and it wai neither just nor moral that that dis'.rict should be called upon to give up its innocent daughte 's and cons as offerings to nature for the sanitary delinquencies of Abe: ystwyth or any other town. Dr. Lewis went on to refer to the water supplies of Llanou and Llan- santff aid. The source of the lacter was- in a dis- nsed pait of the river Peris. Pigstyes and cow- sheds drained into the river, and all the cattle of the farms from its origin to its mouth came to it to water. Moreover, the churchyard was within sL-ty yards, and, he had no doubt, drained into it in wet weather. He earnestly hoped they would find their way to supply these people with pure and wholesome water without further delay. With reference to the Llandyssilio dist- ict Dr. Evans stated tnat the bi -th, registered were 99, yielding a bhih rate of 24 per 1000 deaths were 65, or a death rate of 16 per 1000, this being the least death rate of the last nine years. Thee were no deaths from infectious dize. e except tl, fi t-e certified influenza; while 16 died :irum consump- tive eliseases. [With rere.enee to the statement by Dr. Jen kin Lewis as to Aberystwyth eases of infectious dis- eases being sent to Vanvtl, we have the best grounds for stating that the disease was con- tracted at Llanon, and as soon as it was dis- covered at Abe-ystwyth, the ghls suffering were sent back.]

THE HOSTILTIES IN MANILA. AN INTERESTING ACCOUNT. The North China Herald," arriving by the last mail, contains he following narrative from a letter written by all officer living on a steamer charteied by the United States Government, lying in Manila Bay :— Speaking briefly of the hostilities still going on about Manila between the Americans and the Philippine insurgents, from the beginning we have witnessed and heard most oZ the firing, only lately the Americans have driven them so iar back that only the very distant reports of field-pieces can be heard and fires seen in the distant towns, for they are burning up all the bamboo stacks as they go along, and there hs not been a day or night since it first started that onecould not count from one to a dozen fires, and lately there have been several very large ones inside of Manila, mostly set by the insurgents, as they have threatened to lay the whole of Manila in ashes, and I should not be at all surprised. When this first commenced, from about midnight on the 4t fi of February up to dark on the 5th, the roar of the heavy guns of the Menadnoek, Concord, and Charleston was some- thing terrific, as they pumped their shells into the insurgent camps, and from all reports they must have caused havoc, and sent many a nigger to the happy hunting g ounds beyond. Up to date, from official reports, the estimated number killed on the American side is something under one hundred, with between four and five hundr ed wounded, while on the insu gents' side there .o-e no end of different repo ts, but it must be several thousand killed; wounded unknown, and it is uot likely to be ever known. The ones killed on the American side have been mostly picked off by sharp-shooters away from their companies, beieg mostly hid in t'ees, houses, huts, and every out-of- the-way place they could hid in, and, using smoke- lc s powder as they have been doing, it was no easy matter to locate them, I learned this myself, personally, without taking it from someone else the last time I was ashore, first of last week. I was with some of the naval officers, and a friend of theirs in business in Manila invit d us to go out to the lines in his carriage to view the scene of lutlle en the previous day, which was then over some five miles outside the city limits. The scene of warfaie was plainly visible on all sides. Yet for two miles net a soul was visible. Only one of the United S, aLe" hospital waggons parsed us going into Manila with two wou (lea soldiers. We could see the smoke as it whir'ed skyward over the trees and bpsbes ahead of us, and the leports of musketry were plainly heard now, as a fresh attack had just been made, a,cl it was at, this stage of our sight- seeing that things commenced to feel lively, as Mauser bullets were dropping about us like hail- stones in a winter squall. As we reached the trenches nnd peeled over a sight met my eyes that I shall never forget the longest day I live, and the most ghastly one. It is one thing to read of warfare and hear olhers con- verse about it and quite another to witness the effects of it in reality. Here were the forms of what had been human beings, mostly in the prime of life, even if they were only partly civ ilised, lying in all manner of positions, some without any cover- ing at all. others with only a slight covering about their waist, and here and there only parts of what had been human trames, lying piled on top of each other, like so many Jackstiaws, with large holes in the ground here and there and trees torn out by the roots, all caused by the shells from the big guns of the warships and incessant volley after volley of shots from the American troops. The patrol guard that had been detailed to bury the dead had not got thus far, being busy in other parts of the field. During this time bullets were whizzing past our ears with a whiz that really did not make the place at all pleasant or comfortable. As we walked along the tranches we spotted a pai tially destroyed shack— but- made of bamboo, And used mostly by the poorer classes of natives. We were all three ot ns looking for some rehc in the s"<pe of an i^suigeot's rifle, "bolo," or in fact anything that w;i worthy of taking away As we entered at an opening in one side of this hut, which for sove reason had missed being burned down as all others bad been to prevent the natives hiding in them and picking off our men without being seen, one of our party who entered ahead of me exclaimed, Aha got one at last," and at the same time I noticed the butt of a Mauser sticking out from a bamboo mat. But as my companion stooped to pick it up a naked insurgent jumped up and would'have caught him fair on the neck with a long heavy bolo," and no doubt cut his head off, if I hadn't knocked it out of his hand with a blow from a revolver I had in my hand. At the same time both of us pointed our revolvers at his head, and my companion addressed him in Tagalay, his native tongue. He dropped on his knees begging for life as is usual when they get caught. This same would-be friend had been peppering away at .Lr us as well as whatever others came within range, and it was no thanks to him that some of his shots had not lodged in our carcases. The ground about this hut was covered with empty shells, and he must have used the last one just before we entered, for the rifle was still warm from incessant firing. Both of us dragged him out by his long hair, for it was all that we could get hold of, and called to a company of United States soldiers close to. As they came up to us one of the officers asked us what we had got. and after explanations one of them replied, Oh, put some lead into him and chuck him in with the rest of the cowardly curs," but he was turned over to a guard and sent into headquarters as a prisoner, and that was the last I saw of him.

Wales in London. The Bishop of London has preferred the Rev. Morris Roberts to the important living of S. Matthias, Poplar. It will be remembered that Mr. Roberts was for seven years the Assistant Chaplain of St. Benet's Welsh Church, and during that time opened the following prosperous 4Welsh Church Missions: Burdett Road, Hollovvay and Camberwelh He was for five years the secretary of the St. Paul's Welsh Festival. He is also a member of the House Committee of this Welsh school at Asliford. The preferment is worth zE250 nett, a house and an acre and-a-half of ground. Mr. Roberts is a native of Pemhyncoch, and is a brother of the Rector of Plaitford, Hants.

LITERARY MISCELLANY. The life of Edmund Prys, Archdeacon of Meri- oneth, written for the Festiniog National Eisteddfod by (Mr, T. R. Roberts, Carnarvon) is now published in book form. A sixpenny edition of Miss Beatrice Haraden's best work, Ships that pass in the night," has just made its appearance. A tercentenary edition" of Dr. R. F. Horton's Oliver Cromwell: A Study in Personal Religion," has just been published at the price of one shilling. The work is said to have already reached its tenth thousand. The third volume of the "Eversley" Shakspere, edited by Professor C. H. Herford, of the Uni- versity College, Aberystwyth has been published. It contains four plays, Much Ado about Nothing," "All's Well that Ends Well," "Measure for Measure," and Troilus and Cressida," each has an admirable introduction from Professor Herford's pen. Mr. E. R. Davies, Town Clerk, Pwllheli, has brought out a handy little book in Welsh on the burial and marriage laws entitled, Deddfau Ciaddu a Phiiodi." Mr. Davies's object is to make Welsh Nonconformists better acquainted with the concessions granted them under the Acts, and to induce them to take fuller advantage of them than they have hitherto done. The second part of Professor Anwyl's I- Welsh Grammar for Schools," has just been published. This work is one of the Parallel Grammar Series, and is based on the principles and requirements of the Grammatical Society. Part 1. was devoted to Accidence; and Part II. deals with Syntax. The giammar is a work of high merit and ripe scholar- ship.

Welsh Calvinistic Methodist GENERAL ASSEMBLY. The annual Synod or General Assembly of the Calvinistic Methodist Church in Wales. is held during t le week at Liverpool, commencing on Monday evening with a series of public meetings in various parts of the city, and concluding with prblic preaching sei vices on Monday next. The General Assembly meets alternately in North and South Wales, but every third year it has been the custom alttio. t from the formation of this, the Supreme Court of Welsh Calvinistic Methodism, to meet on the banks of the Mersey, Liverpool being legaided as a fair centre both for North and South Wales. This year the place of meeting is at the church in Fitzclarence-street, where the Rev. Dr. Hugh Jones mini iters, and here the Synod have its conferences on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, under the presidency of the Rev. Evan Phillips, Newcastle-Emlyn, who on Tuesday even- ing's conference was formally installed by the retiiing Moderator, the Rev. Evan Jones, of Ca rnarvon. The secretaries are the Rev. J. Glyn Davies, Newport, and the Rev. John Owen, Mold, and the treasurer Mr. J. H. Davie's, of Cwrtmaw-r. The following is the official list of delegates from this district appointed to attend on behalf of the several monthly meetings and p-,esbyteries:- North Cardigan The Revs. J. C. Evans (Borth), T. Jenkins (Taliesin), and J. Williams (Goginan); Messrs. W. Thomas (Aberystwyth), A. T. Joseph (Cwmystwyth), and R. D. Herbert (Lledrod). South Cardigan The Revs. E. Phillips (Emlyn), D. A. Jones (Llangeitho), and Rhys Morgan (Dewibreii) Messrs. J. James (Ffynonhywel). W. Thomas (New Quay), and D. Lewis (Rhydlewis). East Merioneth: The Revs. Hugh Williams (Bala), and J. H. Hugbes (Bala) Messrs. D. Jones (Bala), and H. Hughes (Ruabon). West Merioneth The Revs. D. Evans (Barmouth), D. Jones (Blaenau Festinog), and T. R. Jones (Talsarnau); Messrs. E. Griffith (Dolgelley), R. G. Pritchard (Penrhyn- deudraeth), and E. Rowland (Pennal). Upper Montgomery: The Revs. T. M. Pierce (Llanidloes), and R. W. Jones (Aberangell) Messrs. D. Jones z, (Llawryglyn) and J. Rowlands (Machynlleth). Large and influential deputations were received from other bodies. The Presbyterian Church of England sent a delegation consisting of Dr. Monro Gibson, D,. Thoburn M'Gaw, the Rev. James Melles, of Southport; the Rev. W. E. Shaw, of Caielifi; Sir George B. Bruce, London; and Sir John Gunn, Caidiff. The Presbyterian Church of Ireland sent the Rev. W. Beatty, the moderator; the Rev. W. Clements, Benburb; the Rev. S. Prenter, Dublin Mr. Joseph Llewens, Dalkey and Mr. George Duncan, Dublin; and special interest was attached to their visit, for it marked a renewal of fraternal intercourse between the churches of Wales and Ireland, an intercourse which was abruptly broken off after the Morriston Assembly of eight or nine years ago, when the churches failed to agree on the question of Irish Home Rule. The General Assembly of the Welsh Presbyterian Church of America was represented by the Rev. Dr. J. Roberts, of New York; the Rev. D. J. Davies, Youiivstowii; Mr. T. Solomon Griffiths, Utica; and Mr. J. D. Pugh. Cincinnati. A deputation was received at Tuesday's Conference, the chief feature of which was the address of the letiring Moderator in vacating the chair.

LLANBEDR, Merioneth. DEATH OF AX OLD RESIDENT.—Tuesday the 91 h irst.; Mr. John Evans. Gwyndy House, depart- ed this life, after having been aili )g for some time, at the age of 83. Mr. Evans, was well known in West Merioneth, and a great favourite with the many visitors that frequent the beautiful village of Llanbedr. He and the late Dr. Dale were great friends. He had been a deacon with the Calvin- istic Methodists for upwards of 40 years, and was always faithful to the duties of his office and much respected. His funeral took place on Saturday and was attended by a great number of members and many of his fellow deacons from different parts. Rev. Robert Roberts (Penrhyn), officiated at the grave. Subsequently a meeting was held in the chapel, which was crowded under the presi- dency of Rev. J. Wilson Roberts (pastor), when the following ministers and deacons took part: Revs. Robert Roberts (Dolgelley), H. Roberts (Rhydymain), J. Roberts (Corris), Richard Row- lands (Upper Corris), Richard Evans (Harlech), M1. Humphey Davies (Corris). and Mr. Edward Giiffith (Dolgelley). Mr. Evans leaves to lament the death of a kind and dutiful father Miss Evans, who resided with her father, Mrs. Arthur, wife of Mr. John Arthur, Draper (Llanbedr). Mr. Rees Evans (Llanbedr), and Rev. J, R. Evans (Birming- ham.)

I MACHYNLLETH. AN IMPORTANT EVENT.—The first Welsh Wes- leyan Methodist Assembly will meet in this town Tuesday, Weelnesday and Thursday, the 13th, 14tli and 15th June, and is anticipated with great eager- ness not only by residents in the district but throughout the Principality. The event is unique in the history of Welsh Wesleyan Methodists and preparations worthy of the occasion are being carried out. A deputation representing the other Nonconformist Chapels here will present an address of welcome, and arrangements are being made by the Cambrian Railways Co., to convey delegates and others from all parts at cheap rates by special trains. The Rev. Hugh Price Hughes. M.A., President of the Conference will preside and the other ministers designated to accompany him are the Revs. H. J. Pope. Dr. T. B. Stephenson and John Hornabrook. Additional interest is manifested inasmuch as Mr. R. W. Perks, M.P., the originator of the great Twentieth Century Fund for raising the sum of a million guineas is to address a public meeting on its behalf.

DYFFRYN ARDUDWY. PARISH MEETING.—Held on Friday evening' under the presidency of Mr. Hugh Evans (Hafod* y-bryn Farm).—Mr. Richard Jones, Tyddyndu, was adopted as a candidate for the office of collector of rates for the parish of Llanenddwyn, and it was resolved to recommend him as such to the Board of Guardians at Dolgell-Oii the proposition of Mr. John Davies, seconded by Mr. Robert Jones, it was passed to apply te the County Council for a Parish Council for the Parish of Llanenddwyn. SCHOOL BOARD.—A special meeting was held Thursday evening, under the presidency of Mr. William Lewis (Gwilym Ardudwy). There were also present—Messrs. Robert Jones, John Davies, M. G. Williams, Richard Jones, William Williams' and John Williams, together with Mr. R. Roberts (head-teacher) and Mr. David Jones (clerk).—A number of parents had been summoned to appear before the Board to adduce their reasons for not sending their children more regularly to school. Several were present. It was resolved, on the proposition of Mr. John Davies, seconded by Mr. M. G. Williams, that the Board gmnt. them another fortnight on trial, and should there be no improve- ment in the attendance of the children in the meantime to institute in each case legal proceed- ings.—Leave was granted Evan Evans, ex-pupil teacher, who had not terminated his engagement at Dyffryn, to undertake the duties of an assistant at Pwllheli Board School.—The salaries of Sarah Griffith and Robert Griilith were aelvanced to zE23 per annum.—The annual examination being near at hand the Board declined to conplv with the request of Miss Jones, teacher at Cvvmnautcol Schoal, to leave without due notice.

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