Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

DOLGELLEY FREE LIBRARY. L THE public spirit of Dolgelley on the ques- tion of providing a free library for the town is at a very low ebb. It is incredible that the county town of Merioneth is without a public library when almost every village in the county can boast of such an institution, —and it is certainly a reproach to Dolgelley that it is without one at this time of day. No public-spirited community should rest satisfied until it possesses a treasure house of human knowledge, in a collection of freely accessible books. It is too late in the day to dwell upon the great boon of public libraries. That fact is firmly established by experience, and no reasonable man will dispute it. That the lack of one at Dolgelley is a great drawback to the com- munity is also, by this time, generally admitted; but still, in spite of all this, those in authority do not seem to feel the weight of their obligations in the least degree. Our schools are throwing out intelligent readers in increasing numbers from year to year, and books have become a necessity in the lives of many who are unable to buy them. Free libraries wisely furnished afford rational and healthy recreation and the means of serious study nd self-improve- meat, and what is more important from a ] public point of view, they are potent factors in the making of good citizens. Minor matters, such as the provision of billiard' tables, should not be allowed to thwart a great movement: of this kind. But then, on the other hand, it is idle to hope to see the movement ever carried to a successful issue unless the members of the committee gird themselves to the work, and make a serious and sustained effort, instead of the spasmodic attempts which have characterised their proceedings in the past.

THE NEW EDUCATION CODE. THE Conference which Ir. DARLINGTON, H.M.I.S., held with the head teachers of the elementary schools in this district, at the Board School, Aberystwyth, on Saturday last, was very opportune and interesting. The Conference had been arranged in order to have Ir. DARLINGTON'S exposition of the Education Code recently published by the Board of Education. It is a healthy state of affairs when inspectors and teachers are found prepared to meet each other in conference to discuss matters relating to the education of the country. fr. DARLINGTON has always been most ready to confer with the teachers over whom he. is placed, and the guidance that he has been able to give them in our own district has been greatly appreciated. The meeting on Saturday was a notable instance of the excellent relations existing between the inspector and the head teachers of North Cardiganshire. The conference was marked by the freedom and frankness with which the teachers addressed their questions to the Inspector, and the openness and geniality with which they were replied to by the- Inspector. The Inspector was no superior being living among the celestials, but a man touched with a feeling towards the difficulties of teachers; approachable, genial, frank, and in every way sympathetic. Mr DARLINGTON'S elucidation of the distinctive features of the New Code was interesting and easy to follow. According to him, the two most salient points of the Code are the introduction of the block grant, and the definition, for the first time, of the term Elementary Education. One serious defect of the old code was this, that it attempted to classify instruction; it had the enormous disadvantage of cutting up too much into bits the teachers' activity and sphere of work the work was divided into too many departments. There was a money grant for this, and a money grant for that. Now under the new code a great deal of this disappears. By the introduction of the block grant, the school in future will be looked upon as a whole, and will be judged accordingly. Again, for the first time, the Board of Education-for so we must in future call what was formerly known as The Department-defines what is meant by elementary education. It is now laid down that elementary education for every citizen of our country shall comprise the three R's, together with the knowledge of at leasth is native land, and of the lands with which his country comes most in contact with; a rudimentary knowledge of its history; as well as a certain training of his mental faculties, and particularly of his faculty of observation. fr. DARLINGTON was very interesting in his remarks upon the schemes which the Board of Education has published for the guidance of teachers. One peculiarity of the Code is that head teachers' will have great freedom in drawing up schemes of curricula for their schools, and adapt these for the different circumstances and con- ditions in which their schools may be placed. In this respect, the Code follows somewhat closely the schemes drawn up by the Central Welsh Board for the curricula of County Schools. This new plan, which has great advantages, will give our elementary system of education a large amount of elasticity. But head-teachers must not assume that they can use this elastic system in any way they please. The Inspec- tors will, no doubt, like the authorities of the Central Welsh Board, keep a sharp look-out that the schemes offered to the inspectors for their approval are of the necessary degree of value and standard. We do not think that for a long time to come, teachers will take much advantage of the option to adopt the curriculum to what is usually called the special conditions of the districts in which the schools are situated. An elementary school in a mining district in Cardiganshire will hardly yet be able to go in for technical instruction in mining nor can we expect a village school on the sea border to teach the elements of navigation. There are very many school- masters of the opinion that the chief duty of the elementary school is to train up intelligent boys and girls, well versed in the three R's, and grounded with a good knowledge of the United Kingdom and the Colonies, their growth and history, and I taught to make a good use of their mental I faculties. There are many interesting points which Mr. DARLINGTON discussed on which we cannot now dilate. We shall, for the present, postpone the consideration of these. At the Conference, on Saturday, we are glad to find that the University, Collegiate, Intermediate, and Elementary stages of our education system were represented-an outward and visible sign of the inter-dependence of the several parts of the Welsh system of education, of which we are, as natives, justly proud.

HOW TO GET CHILDREN TO SCHOOL. AT the Board of Education the other day, the Duke of DEVONSHIRE, with Sir JOHN GoRST and Sir GEORGE KEKEWICH, received a deputation from the National Union of Teachers, who drew attention to the serious irregularity of attendance in public ele- mentary schools. fr. MARSHALL JACKMAN pointed out that about 15 per cent. of the children were "regular irregulars," and he suggested that inspectors should be appointed t,9 to see that local authorities did their duty. Dr.. T. J. MACNAMARA said that, roughly speaking, one-fifth of the pupils attended atrociously, and he thought compulsion should be concentrated on thriftless, drunken parents, whose children, who needed the schools most, and for whom they were intended, got the least benefit from them. The Duke said the proportion of children who stayed away from school for avoidable causes was one in 16. The Bill now before the House proposed some alterations in the direction recommended by the deputation, and he trusted that nothing would prevent that Bill being passed into law. The Department would also urge its inspectors to do all in their power to impress upon the authorities-school attendance committees, magistrates, and others—that the law should be more carefully and strictly administered than it appeared to have been in the past. He trusted that the publicity given to the question would stimulate the interest, not only of com- mittees and magistrates,, but also of the parents. The children who were sytematic- ally irregular were not the only sufferers. Their school-fellows suffered from the impaired discipline and efficiency of the schools. When children who had been absent did come to school, the masters were unwilling to send them into a lower class- which was what he thought they ought to do-from dread of the active hostility of parents, who did not like the children retarded in their progress towards the standard admitting of exemption from compulsory attendance. So the regular attendants at school were kept waiting until the irregular attendants caught up to them, and therefore the parents of the former were among the sufferers. A great many small offences against the law-pretty thefts, larcenies, rowdyism, etc.—were kept in eheck far more by the influence of public opinion than by the action of policemen and magistrates. Respectable people perceived that they themselves were interested in discountenancing and suppressing the wrong-doing. But the parent who sent his children regularly to school, remarked, when he saw that his neighbour was doing the reverse, Well, it is his affair and has nothing to do with me." That was a great mistake. The conscientious parent was directly interested, and it was most desirable he should realise that, because he could in many ways bring to bear an influence which would directly diminish irregular attendance, and strengthan the hands of the authorities whose duty it was to check it. It is to be hoped that one effect of the deputation and the Duke's remarks will be to stimulate the interest, not only of magistrates and school attendance Committees, but of the parents themselves in this important question. {

DISSOLUTION OF PARLIAMENT. DISSOLUTION is in the air, and speculations as to its probable date are rife. When the House of Commons rose on Monday for the Whitsuntide recess there were many signs of iinminent dissolution. It would be highly advantageous for the Government to bring on a General Election this summer. They have everything to gain by an appeal to the country at the earlist possible moment after the final and crowning victory of the British arms in (the Transvaal. Events are now ¡. marching so fast in that region that a few weeks may see the end of the war, and many are already counting on the possibility of an appeal to the country before the end of the normal session. But everything turns upon the news that may come from South Africa during the Whitsuntide recess. The question of the hour at present is "Whether the general election will take place in July or in October." Ministers, of course, say nothing, and the Government cannot say with definiteness they can only hope that things will turn out so favourably that they can appeal to the country while the glamour of the success in the war is in their favour. It is rumoured that Mr. CHAMBERLAIN and his supporters will spring a general election on the country in the height of the war fever,, and that LORD SALISBURY'S more straightforward policy will be set aside. The Unionist rank and file are in favour of a dissolution in autumn -but then Mr. CHAMBERLAIN has to be reckoned with,, and he, as all the world knows, is tactful and pushful. He knows that Parliaments are long and popularity is fleeting, and he is not the man to stake, his chances.

NOTES AND COMMENTS. 0 Lord Herbert Vane-Tempest returned from the United States last week. Captain Howell, of Lodge Park, brother of Mrs. Pryse Pryse, rejoined his regiment last week. Lord Lansdowne stated in the House of Lords on Friday night that eleven thousand more soldiers would be sent to South Africa next month. Mr. Ritchie has promised to add one year to the Board of Trade requirement of a three years' apprenticeship for marine engineers. A correspondent complains that the water supply at Llanilar is in a deplorable state. The village is in a worse plight than it has ever been before. Who is responsible ? The Montgomeryshire Volunteers will go into [camp on Salisbury Plain for fourteen days, beginning July 20 and terminating August 3. The early potato crops in the Fen district of Lincolnshire have suffered severely from the recent frosts. Some of the earlv varieties are usually on the London and provincial markets in June, but this year they will be later. Crops which were valued at S20 an acre before the frost are now only worth X10 an acre. In this district the eclipse on Monday was excellently observed. The sky was mostly clear, but light clouds somewhat enabled the sun to be observed even without the usual piece of glass which, however, was also largely in requisition. At twenty-two minutes past three two-thirds of the sun's disc was obscured, and a distinct dimness was perceptible, accompanied by a change of colour in objects. Speaking at a temperance meeting at Maidstone on Monday night the Archbishop of Canterbury said, in order to suppress the curse of intemperance they desired the aid of the moderate drinker. They had to overcome the hereditary taint of centuries, and they wanted to make the public recognise the weight of the opinion of medical science. The quantity of liquor which a man could healthily consume was very much less than the great body of moderate drinkers consumed. Marie Christensen is only a Danish servant girl, but she has succeeded in making herself famous. She it is who organised the women servants of Copen- hagen into a union, which sent delegates to the principal countries of Europe and America. The Copenhagen Servants' Union has 1,500 members. It demands a nine hours day, overtime to be paid for extra, one room to each servant, the same food as used by the family, and leisure time to be used according to their own pleasure. Many families have quietly submitted to the demands. Marie Christensen 'herself is employed in a Copenhagen family, and is considered a model servant. The death took place suddenly last week, at Shrewsbury, of Mrs Wynne, the wife of Mr Owen Slaney Wynne, of Dolrhyd, Dolgelley. In her death, the Primrose League of Merionethshire loses its most prominent and active member. Mrs Wynne was a member of an ancient Welsh family- the Owens of Garthangharad—who claim descent from Meurig, Prince of Dyfed. She took deep interest in everything apper- taining to the history of Wales, and was a cultured and graceful speaker of the language af her native land. Mr Slaney Wynne has bhe sincerest sympathy of a wide neighbour- hood in his sudden bereavement. I The Mayoress of Cardigan, Mrs Morgan- Richardson, has offered to erect an ornamental pavilion on the Netpool Promenade, in order to mark the Mavor's third year of office. Mrs. Gladstone is lying seriously ill at Hawarden. Her condition is so critical that her strength can hardly be expected to hold out for more th;m a few days. She is paralysed on the right- side, and the pulse becomes very weak at times. The Hon. irs W. H. Gladstone and Mr. Herbert Gladstone have been summoned. At a meeting of quarry proprietors held at Portmadoc on Monday, considerable dis- cussion took place upon the question of how best to cope with the competition in the slate market caused by the importation of French and American slate. Some employers advocated a reduction in wages, but con- siderable opposition was offered to this, and the idea was dropped. It was eventually resolved to knock off the five per cent. premium on all sizes and qualities, and make a further reduction of five per cent. in mediums and in all seconds. It is not at present proposed to make any alteration in the price of Carnarvon slates. The Penrhyn lock-out is generally considered to be the root of this evil. The public mind at Aberdovey is con- siderably agitated by the action of Messrs. Solomon Andrews and Son in closing the Common. The fencing which Alessrs. Andrews erected a short time ago was pulled down recently during the night. The fencing, together with notice boards, is being put up once more, and the ultimate issue of the battle of the fences gives rise to a good deal of local speculation, and is awaited with intense interest. Aberdovey Common has been the scene of many similar battles in days gone by. Years ago the public successfully contested the claims of Mr Savin and it is said that they are at the present time in no mood to forego or compromise what they deem to be their inalienable right from of old. A touching little story from Capel Dewi. goes far to explain the high esteem in which Major Hugh Bonsall is held in that neigh- bourhood, and the general expressions of regret at his removal from Peithyll. Major Bonsall often expressed his appreciation of the singing at the little Methodist Chapel in the village, and he once casually remarked] to one of the deacons that it would be greatly improved by an accompaniment. The result of that brief interview was a. spontaneous and substantial contribution from the Major, which enabled the church to get an excellent American organ. It ia not surprising, therefore, to learn that the people of Capel Dewi availed themselves the other day of the occasion of the Major's removal to Lluest to show their gratituda for his generosity in a tangible manner. Miss Flora Annie Steel, whose last new book, Voices in the Night," has just been issued, probably owes .her success (says the Daily Chroniele)- as a novelist to her intense thoroughness — a characteristic somewhat rare among her sex. When she was writing On the Face of the Waters," although she had lived for many years in India she re- visited the country in order to learn all she could of the native reminiscences of the Indian Mutiny, and thus be as accurate as possible in her details. Though the native is not communicative as a rule she overcame the difficulty by making her temporary home in one of their villages and one of their houses, with neither companion nor servant, and in a short time she had won the confidence of her neighbours. Mrs. Steel a few years ago wrote a very practical work on Anglo-Indian housekeeping. She is said to be receiving about the highest price for her literary work that has ever been paid to a woman writer. The Morning Leader says: The little bill dealing with volunteering, of which Lord Lansdowne moved the second reading the other day is a not insignificant sign of the trend of events. It is not that wholesale reconstruction of our entire military system which the country has been taught to expect. Indeed it barely gives an indication of the lines which the coming reorganisation will follow. But none the less it is a step, and a not unimportant step, in that transforma- tion which, Lord Salisbury tells us, will gradually convert us into an armed nation," apt for aggression and ready in the last resort for a desperate defence. The Volunteer Force, which owed its existence to the fear of Napoleonic invasion, must be adapted to other uses. Lord Lansdowne seeks authority to embody the Volunteers not merely in case of invasion as before, but in the event of any national emergency. But the Bill contains another provision even more objectionable. Volunteers, in addition to this novel liability, are to be invited to place their names on special lists for service at any time abroad. Men, in short, are to be asked to undertake, in advance and in the dark, tasks which they should only assume when the emergency arises. Those who enlist on these terms will be, as Lord Kimberley put it, to all intents and purposes a part of the regular army. It is a change which marks a further stage in the evolution of the Volunteers from a self-supporting citizen army into a subsidised auxiliary force. Mr. George Lynch, writing in the Westminster Gazette, says: We are coming back to England in a ship laden with the human wreckage of war—the wounded, the maimed, the sick, who to their graves will carry the maiming of their sickness. There are, amongst these men, those who will crawl about the world lop-sided, incomplete cripples, or those who will be perpetually victims to intermittent or chronic disease but there is a worse than any of these disasters to the victim. The man without a leg can get along with a crutch. The man who loses his sight from the earth-scattering shell can at worst carry a label to tell that he was blinded in the war, and his charitable fellow-countrymen will give him enough to keep him enjoying life through the channels of the four other senses, and he will still admit that it is good to be alive. Blindness is bad, but war deals worse blows than in the eyes. It deals blows under which the reason itself staggers and is maimed. The lunatic asylum is worst than the hospital. We are carrying back nine men who have lost their reason at Magersfontein and other 1 j J 1 ..L oatues, two have been mercifully treated and have lost it completely—the padded cell must mean a certain unconsciousness but the greatest, deepest pity of which the human heart is capable is called forth by those who are maimed in mind. Long lucid intervals of perfect sanity give them time to learn the meaning of the locks and bars. Yes, I know I went off my head after Magersfontein,' one poor fellow tells you; another repeatedly asks, £ Will they put me into an asylum when I go home' What a home-coming! Sure enough it is to the asylum they are going. They will be lost to what friends or relatives they have in that oblivion of a living grave."