Welsh Gazette and West Wales Advertiser

» ■ Promptitude of Action. Your motto must be Hoc age." Do instantly whatever is to be done, and take the hours of re- flection or recreation after business, and never before it. When a regiment is on the march the rear is often thrown into confusion because the front does not move steadily and without interrup- tion. It is the same with business. If that which is first in hand is not instantly, steadily, and regu- larly despatched, other things accumulate behind, till affairs begin to presss all at once, and no human brain can stand the confusion. SIR WALTER SCOTT.

Cymru Fu. Short, original, and signed communications on antiquarian topographical and kindred subjects pertaining to Cardiganshire will be treated on their merits. Communications to be marked Cymru Fu," NO. VII. 20. WELSH TOKEN (15) REPLY.—Professor Morgan Lewis, M.A., of U.C.W., informs me that 1. Morgan will be found described in an inter- esting Welsh book,—a copy of which is in his library-entitled, Antiquities of Whitland," by Rev William Thomas, published in 1868. Chapter v., p.1 60 bar much information anent Whitland Forge, which seems to have been founded about 1749, by John Morgan, primus, of the Furnace near Caermarthen. Then came Charles Morgan, who allowed it to stand, as it did not pay. An inscribed stone seen by Mr Thomas carries on the proprietor- ship :—" Forge was rebuilt at the expense of John Morgan Esquire, in the year 1788. Oliver Young, Agent." This John Morgan secundum, is the man who struck the halfpenny token described in our last issue. He was father of the late Mrs Yelver- ton, and owned the forge at Blackpool, Pembroke- shire, named on the token, The forge finally stopped about 1809. G.E.E. 21. ABERYSTWYTH BURGESSES (1).—The pre- sentment sheets of the Court Leet contain numer- ous entries of the names of persons who were admitted burgesses for this town and liberty. Such admission carried with it a vote for the member of Parliament, right of trading within the town, and right of pasturage on the Common, or Marsh. In going through these faded and torn lists for other purposes, it strikes me that it may be of interest if from week to week these names are placed on re- cord in this column. Information about any of the persons will be of value, if readers can send such, duly authenticated with references, &c. The date immediately preceding the name is always that of the Court Leet at which the man was pre- sented. 1693. Oct 7.-Griffith Olivei, of Machynlletb, Tanner* —„— Henry Oliver, late of Ceven Maes- more; Gent. —„— John Richard, junr., Evan of Llang'anvelin. —„— Evan David, of Llanbadarn-y- Croytbin.. -Morise Pryse, of Cwm Edwigg; Gent.* Names so marked have the word Swr [sworn] after them. At this Court Leet the Mayor was Price Lloyd, and the jury numbered 23, of whom 13 signed the presentment sheet, affixing their names in admir- able signatures, and sealing them with black :wax, it being the year in which Queen Mary, consort of William III., died. 1703. Oct 16.—Evan Hugh. Woolleman.1 Evan Lloyd, Moley Cerny. James Jones, Gent. —„— David William. Stephen Parry, Rhod Maide, parish of Llanilar. 1 —„— Eleazer Owen. a Thomas Pryse, g*nt, was Mayor, there were 15 jurymen. Hugh Lewis, gent, was the foreman, and all signatures and red wax seals are intact. This Court Leet was held just two months after the Battle of Blenheim. 1708. April 4.-William Richards, Coedyon. John Jones, armiger, was Mayor, and there was a jury of 15 men. The presentment sheet, which was with the others in 1831, is now missing from the bundle. Where is it ? A copy is fortunately extant. This was the year of the Battle of Oudenarde. G.E.E. 22. EMYN RHYFEDD.—Flynyddau yn ol yr oedd yna ddau ben gymeriau o'r enwau Stephen a Neli yn byw yn Wernarw, ger Llanddewibrefi. Cymer- wyd yr hen wraig yn sal iawn a phenderfynwyd galw am gyfarfod gweddi i'r ty, a'r emyn canlynol a roddwyd allan gan un o'r brodyr yn y cyfarfod- Anghysur sy'n y teulu hwn, Yr hen frawd Stephen dan ei bwn, A'r hen wraig Neli sydd yn sal Yn methu yn deg a dod o'i gwal." CRAIGYFOELALLT.

CORRESPONDENCE. All letters must be written on one side of the paper and aceompanied by the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for publication, but as a guarantee of good faith. Correspondents are urgently requested to send their letters to the office as early as possible.

DRINK AND ITS VICTIMS. [To the Editor of the Welsh G"ette.] SIR,-In your admirable article under the above heading last week, you emphasised one aspect of the drink problem which, I venture to think, is too often neglected by temperance reformers-I refer to the question of the allocation of punishment for violating the licensing laws. Experience has taught us I think, in the past, two indisputable facts, that to punish an individual for getting drunk has scarcely any salutary effect on the victim of drink, while convicting the vendor has had a trood effect. Conviction and the fear of conviction may act as a deterrent on the drinker, but I think very seldom. Once the craving is acquired, no fear of conse- quences seems to be considered at all. The reports of police courts make this very evident. To lessen drunkenness it is not enough, therefore, to punish the drunkard. Nor is it enough to try and persuade him. The writer has had several years' experience as a tem- perance worker, and has found that the overwhelm- ing majority of confirmed drunkards will readily admit that they are doing wrong both to themselves and to Society, but they lack the power of will to act up to their resolutions. The man who willingly signs the pledge and quickly breaks it is, for that reason, in my opinion, more to be pitied than de- spised. He has no power within him to enable him to conquer the craving. What, then, are we to do with him? He must be protected by being prevented from getting drunk. The temperance reformer must, in my judgment, deal not only with the drunkard, but also with the man who makes him a drunkard; he must not only seek to punish the victim, but also the publican. You rightly say that to saddle the guilt upon the real culprits would be a dimcult task." That is true. and will be true until we have a law in Britain such as now prevails in some countries on the Continent, and which compels the drunkard to say where he last had drink. But even as the law stands I think very much might be done in this direction. In our town a very great deal has been done by an active Vigilance Com- mittee. I think it is not too much to say that the offences have been reduced to one-third. But of course such a Committee must. have a great deal of public support before it can do much. Much, if not most, however, depends on the Bench. Two publicans at Cardiff were last week fined £10 each and costs, and their licences endorsed for supplying drunken people with drink, the Stipendiary re- marking that selling drink to a drunken person was one of the most serious, if not the most serious offence that could be preferred against a licence- bolder." A few such judgments would help more than all else to lessen drunkenness. Apologising for the length of this epistle, and thanking you for your splendid advocacy of this great cause,—Yours, etc., J. T. Glamorganshire.

PENLLWYN. RAILWAY -The work of constructing the Vale of Rheidol Railway is progressing very favourably. Rails have been laid down as far as Rhiwarthen, and the various gangs employed on the line draw closer to each other every day, so that most of them work in view of one another. The station for the neighbourhood of Penllwyn has been fixed by Rbiwarthen Ucbaf, and the work of constructing it has been commenced since last week. READING ROOM.—This institution wasnotopened this winter owing to lack of support and disorgan- isation. With the balance in hand the Committee decided to buy books, and present them to the library. The books have been purchased and the library has been furnished with them, amongst the most valuable being "Wales" and "Owen Glyndwr." LITERARY SOCIETY.—Though the Reading Room has been closed, the Rev D. Morgan and Mr R. Adams and others not content to allow things to become totally dead, decided to start a literary society. The first meeting of the society was held on Friday evening last at the C.M. Vestry Room, when a good number came together. The object of the society and the best means to carry it on were discussed and eventually decided upon. Mr A. J. Pearce was appointed secretary of the society. It is intended to bold the meetings every week.

GARDEN TVOIUL 0 CONSERVATORY. Well-grown Cinerarias are valuable now. They are not difficult to grow when the condi- tions are suitable, but they will not bear much heat, and if they are permitted to suffer from want of water they are sure to be infested with green fly. Liquid-manure should be given as soon as the flower-buds appear. The plants are not so good nor so well grown as they were forty years ago. Cinerarias are not now though t of sufficient importance to make selections for naming, and they have disappeared from the prize schedules of horticultural societi es in country districts. Good loam two-thirds, one-third two-year-old manure, preference being given to cow-manure, with enough sand to ensue reasonable porosity. combined with firm potting, will grow Cinerarias to perfection. A cold-frame in a shady position for summer, and a low span-roMed house with the frost kept out for winter; occasional fumigation or vaporisation with Tobacco or nicotine always as soon as the first fly is seen— these are conditions which are not difficult to obtain, and will suit Calceolarias and many other things besides Cinerarias. There is often a difficulty in getting seeds of a good strain, a.. d it is disheartening to find when one has lavished a good deal of care on a house of plants to find most of them worthless. As fast as the Chrysan- themums go out of bloom cut them down and re- move them to a cold-house or pit, and wheu the necessary cuttings have been taken many of the plants may be thrown away and the pots will come in tor something else. We generally fill up with late-flowering Narcissus, Rhododen- drons lifted from the open ground, Dielytras, Solomon's Seal, and other uselul decorative subjects which are taken out of the pots and planted out in spring after the growth is made. See that Camellias in the border have sufficient water. Weak soot-water is excellent for these and many other things, including Azaleas, when the buds are swelling. Dead leaves and flowers must be removed daily. Tropaeolum Fireball dangling from the rafters and other points of vantage are bright now. OUTDOOR GARDEN. Always after a frost, when the surface has dried a little, go over beds of Pansies, Carna- tions, or other plants which have been recently set out, and press the soil round them. Many little plants are lost for want of this attention. Those plants which have been set out long enough to get firmly established will not suffer so much from the lifting power of the frost. If it has been necessary to shelter anything with Bracken or mats—and, in some iustauceo, it may be necessary to do this—as soon as the frost has altogether departed remove the eovering, partially, at any rate, to let in the air. We want to give neces- sary protection, but not to weaken by coddling. From force of circumstances I have often been obliged to do work at what is generally con- sidered unseasonable times. There is, I sup- pose, a best time for planting trees and shrubs and laying down new lawns, but with a good supply of water and mulching materials one may take liberties that would not be advisable under less favourable conditions. A good deal depends upon the conditions of the sod at the time of planting. In well broken up land which has been sweetened and aerated by exposure there is not much danger of serious losses aris- ing from plantiug any time between the 1st of September and tiie end of April, or even later in open weather. FRUIT GARDEN. There is always some work of a cleansing nature to do in winter among fruit-trees. Lime and soot, made into a wash and syriuged over the bushes and trees, cleanse and brighten the bark and many insect pests are god rid of. They cost nothing beyond tue labour, and when ulti- mately washed down to the roots benefit the trees. It is very important that the roots of stone fruits especially should have a firm root-run. Digging among the roots of fruit-trees does much harm, though the mischief done is frequently assigned to some other cause. Take advantage ef open weather to train Peaches and Apricots on walls. Old walls full of nail-holes are bad for Peaches, as they are such hiding-places for insects. If the holes cannot be pointed up with mortar, the walls might be thoroughly washed with a strong insecticide. A strong solution of soft-soap and petroleum will make an excellent wasu, is easily applied with a whitewashing-brush, and will save much labour and expense in keeping down insects later in the season but I have never had any difficulty in keeping Peach-trees clean by using Tobacco-powder iu g.oo time before the leaves get curled up. VEGETABLE GARDEN. A special effort should be made to keep up a good supply of Seakale from this onwards as long as possible; and this means that a large number of roots with strong crowns has been provided. This, in fact, is the most important item in Seakale management. Most gardeners, when they lift the roots for forcing, cut off the I thongs, or small roots, which grow from the sides of the main roots. cut them into lengths four inches or so long, aud lay them in sand with a little litter over them, and by March, which is the usual planting season, the root-cuttings will have formed miniature crowns, which, when planted in rows fifteen inches apart and twelve inches apart in the rows, will develop into strong forc- ing crowns during the summer. Seakale roota may be raised from seeds, but root-cuttings make the strongest crowns in the same time. Seakale is easily forced either in the Mushroom-house or in a-iy other dark, close place, with a temperature of sixy-five degs. or so, but very rank manure should not be used in the forcing, or the Kale may have a bad flavour. Trenching and manur- ing is important. work, as upon this to a large extent is based the succesti of the future crops. A ridge of soil drawn up alougside young r^bhai-'es will shelter and hasten the growth. Coleworts form a useful green crop uow, and better still are the small Tom Thumb Savoys, which were planted in August thickly. Raditibes 0 sown now on a hot-bed of leaves and manure will soon germinate. STOVE. Wiuter-flowerlng Begonias are, or should be, a special feature now. There have beeu Begonias flowering in winter for many years, but the hybrid formli of B. socotrana are far in advance of anything we had before, and will no doubt be much Bought after, as everybody with a warm greenhouse may grow them. They are charming in a cut state for filling vases, not to be crowded in with other things, but arranged lightly in separate colours with Maidenhair Fern or some other light foliage. Perhaps one may be permitted to express the hope that we may not he overdone with nume- rous too-much-alike varieties. A night temper- ature of sixty-five degrees will suit most things now. Give no quarter to mealy-bug. If not cleared out now Miere will be little chauoe of doing so later when the busy season comes. Among flowering plants there is nothing brighter than Euphorbia jacqiiinceflora. lo obtain long sprays for cutting, plant it out in a warm-house against a sunny wall. I have bad it cover a wall twelve feet high at the back of a lean-to forcing-house. WINDOW GARDENING. Frequent sponging of the foliage of all foliage plants is very desirable and refreshing to the plants. If there are worms in any pots they may be taken out by turning the plants out of the pots and running a thin wire through the ball. Alady's but-pin is a capital instrument for the purpose. The sweetest plants in flower now for room,; are Roman Hyacinths and Violets in pots. Well-grown Myrtles are charming room plants and if turned out into the garden in summer many of the plants will flower. -Gardening Illustrated.

It ia a popular belief that a holly-bush planted near a dwelling protects the house from lightning.

=- Business Notices. JAMES'S LONDON AND PROVINCIAL Tea, Wine, Spirit and Provision STORES, TERRACE ROAD, ABERYSTWYTH. No connection with any other Shop in the district. SOLE AGENTS in the District for BASS & CD. S Celebrated Burton Ales and Stout, Supplied in 9 and 18 Gallon Casks in Im- perial Pint and Half-pint Bottles. AGENTS FOR W & A. GILBEY'S Wines and Spirits. GLEN-SPEY GLENLIVET SCOTCH WHISKY, JOHN JAMESON & SON'S AND DUNVILLES IRISH WHISKY, In Bottle and on Draught. HENNESSEY'S BRANDY. CROFTS FINE OLD PORT. "KIMMOND'S SCHWEPPE'S & STEETTON HILLS MINERAL WATERS. CROSSE & BLACKWELL'S GOODS IN GREAT iVARIETY. LAZENBY &|SONS' PICKLES. HUNTLEY & PALMER'S AND PEEK FREAN'S BISCUITS AND CAKES. MACKENZIE & MACKENZIEtS j AND JACOB'S BISCUITS. HARRIS'S WILTSHIRE BACON, DEVONSHIRE BUTTER AND I CREAM. Cheddar, Stilton," Gorgon- zola, and American I Cheese. 1w 1.3. Si CO.' S Ccas Are well known for their QUALITY AXD FLAVOUR. I PRICES— I It 6dM 2s. 2a, Cd. 2s. 8dJ and 3s. per lb. on"Nmmw Business Notices. A WORD IX SEASON. j TRY MORGANS f Pectoral Linseed Balsam Certain Cure for Coughs, Colds, Inilugbza, and all affections of the Chest, Throat, and Lungs. HAS CUKED OTHERS. WILL CURE YOU. Prepared only by R. MORGAN, PHARMACEUTICAL CHEMIST, ABERYSTWYTH. Sold in Is. ó: 2s. le. WONDERFUL RESULTS. WORTH A GUINEA A BO c ,Pl v dn L'ISMIS FOR ALL ITFLIOUSF & NERVOUS DISORDERS SICK HEADACHE, CONSTIPATIONS, WEAK STOMACH, WIND, IMPAIRED DIGESTION, DISORDERED LIVER, and FEMALE AILMENTS. :ANNU AL ALE SIX MILLION BOXES. In Boxes, Is lid, and 2s 9d each, with inll directions. The Is lid box contains 56 Pills, Prepared only by the Proprietor- THOMAS BEECHAM. ST HELENS, LAHOASHIKE ROCK FOUNDRY, MACHYNLLETH. [ESTABLISHED 1869]. A DECIDED IMPROVEMENT ON ALL OTHER WATER WHEELS In efficiency, simplicity, compactness, and cheap ness. I solicit an opportunity to confer with parties in want of Turbines or Water Waela. Special design-for Churning, &c. TESTIMONIAL. "The Iron Water Wheels turned out from the Rock Foundry are well-known throughout the Principality and many counties beyond. They are but on the most modern designs, the construction being at the same time light and durable, and giving a larger percentage of power than can be claimed for most Water Wheels."—" The Railway Supplies Journal." Address all communications to B. M. DAVIES, Engineer and Ironfounder, MACHYNLLETH. NOTICE OF REMOVAL (j' :êê,i'f?F ''1 > /1"" .i:-j_,J' ARTIFICIAL TEETIT MR. JAMES REES Seventeen years with Messrs. Murphy and Rowley* 30, ALEXANDRA P OAD, (Late Railway Terrace), ABERYSTWYTH. MiL REES visits TREGARON first and last Tuesday in each Month at Mrs. Williams, Stanley House. Visits Machynlleth the Second and Fourth Wednes- days in each Month at Mrs. R. Jones, Pentai- rhydin Street (opposite Lion Hotel). Corns on the 1st and 3rd Saturday in each month at Mr W. Evans, Grocer, Liverpool House, (opposite Slaters Arms. Visits Lampeter the First and Third Fridays ia eacfr Month, at R. Evans, milliner, 18, Harford Square. CHABGES MODKKATK. SPLENDID BARGAINS, BEES JONES JFMPORIUM, rpREGAROK Now offers for Sale at Low Clearance Prices a fine lot of MEN'S, YOUTH'S, AND BOYS' OVERCOATS. R. DOUGHTON, JBQNMONGER, CHINA JQEALER AND CYCLE A GENT, (OPPOSITB THE TOWN CLOCK). CYCLES FOR SALE AND HIRE. USE THE CRYSTAL PERISCOPIC SPECTACLES TO BE HAD Ar ABOVE ADDRESS. Furniture. Furnitnre. EDWARD ELLIS & SON, Little Darkgate-street, ABERYSTWYTH. Horses, Dogs, Birds, Cattle. 100,000 Owners of Animals IUM Hani ■ agv tiM ELLHU FUST AID BNK ACCIDENTS AND AILMENTS. of Animals can have a Cloth* fcMMd Copy, 176 paces, the complete hook, seat post free upon receipt of One .Shitting and a legible address, or the label amxed for the purpose te the outaMe of the bade of the wrapper of of a as., is. 6d., or 38. 6d. bottle of BENI ROYAL EHBROCATIQI woum swum a co" post free. Owners of Degs or Birds can have family lip Mumma. sz a so"& SW

I NOTICE.—This column is devoted to better thoughts for quiet moments. Can the wiles of Art, the grasp of Power, Snatch the rich relics of a well-spent hour? These, when the trembling spirit wings her flight Pour round her path a stream of living light. ROGERS.

History the True Measure of Events. To those engaged in the controversies of a little circle or sect, it sometimes seems as if all Christen- dom were looking on. or as if some petty ecclesias- tical or political squabble were big with the fate of nations. On the map of history, the molehill that seemed a mountain is left unmarked. A little time elapses, and the loud sounding storm that seemed to shake the world leaves perhaps not the faintest echo on the ear of the succeeding gener- ations. It was, after all, but as the brawling of a petty brook, deafning to the bystander, but, a mile off, lost in the silence of nature. PRINCIPAL CAIRD.

The Present the Fruitage of the Past. The ideas and events of the past, the thoughts which men have thought, the struggles, failures, triumphs, conquests, the whole intellectual and moral history of bygone times, is the material out of which has grown the new life of the present. All that poets have sung, and philosophers taught, and statesmen, heroes, patriots have accomplished all the varied elements that have constituted the characteristic spirit of each family, and nation, and age of the bygone life of humanity—all these are the innumerable threads that are woven into the complex web of the world's present life, the food which the ever-growing organism of humanity has assimilated, and which makes it impossible for it ever again to be what at any former stage of its history it had been. PRINCIPAL CAIRD.

» He Being Dead Yet Speaketh: Who are they who are leading us into war ? Greedy gamblers on the Stock Exchange, idle officers of the army and navy—poor fellows—worn- out mockers of the clubs, desperate purveyors of exciting war-news for the comfortable breakfast- tables of those who have nothing to lose by war, and lastly, in the place of honour, the Tory Rump, that we fools, weary of peace, reason, and justice, chose at the last election to represent us. Shame and double shame if we march under such leader- ship as this in an unjust war against a people who are not our enemies, against Europe, against free- dom, against the hope of the world." WILLIAM MORRIS, 1877.

The World-Makers. Look at them playing in the street. As yet, their thoughts and eyes have but reached the stage of wonderment; their puny bodies are soft, and their little fingers aimless, but in their helplessness lies might, for the dowry of the future awaits them. With speech scarcely formed, and limbs that hardly bear their bodies, behold the world-makers. the new democracy! Theirs are the battles yet to win, theirs is the page of history yet to fill. In all that we have failed shall they triumph; for all that we have wasted shall they demand a reckoning. The fruits of all the ages have ripened for their plucking. In the Halls of Knowledge, where we v pick the crumbs, a glorior.6 feast awaits them; and science, that is our keeper, shall be their hand-servant. Place your ear to the keyboard of Fancy, and al- ready through the years sounds the tramp of untold millions, like the crashing of seas against promon- tories; It is the old order yielding to the new. But, as yet, of all this the tiny world-makers know naught, and care naught. For them the sun shines and the rain falls unheedingly; their hours are un- measured their life is a texture woven of sleep and waking their world is a toy. The way of the world, over which we have travelled so wearily or so blithely, and so far, lies yet untrodden before them, stretching beyond the base of the rainbow. Dear little feet that have so far to go. Meanwhile, the unseen shuttles of Destiny ply unendingly, and in sweet unconsciousness the limbs of the world-makers strengthen, and their thoughts take tangible shape. By and by they snail have grown tall, and their eyes from wonder- ment shall have developed character; their fancies shall have forsaken the fairyland of birds and flowers for the loves and hates that shake the empire of manhood. Meanwhile they hunger, and are satisfied; they frolic, and are tired; they are glad or sad. To-morrow is behind the pearl- studded gateway of sleep, and yesterday is for- gotten. To-day is a season of careless transition. Let the silent shuttles flash and fly; let the web- .spinning be of what pattern it may, the world- makers are only entranced by the coloured threads. Laugh on. 0 world-makers, for to-morrow you wake to understand, and the [drama shall have begun. ANDREW POLLOCK.

♦ Walking is Good. Walking is good. Not stepping from shop to ahop, or from neighbour to neighbour, but stretching out far into the country to the freshest fields, and highest ridges, and quietest lanes. However sullen the imagination may have been amongst its griefs at home here it cheers up and smiles. However listless the limbs may have been when sustaining a too heavy heart, here they are braced,and the lagging gait becomes buoyant again. However perverse the memory may have been in presenting all that Was agonising, and insisting only on- what cannot be retrieved, here it is first disregarded, and then it sleeps and the sleep of the memory is the,day in Paradise to the unhappy. The mere breathing of the cool wind on the face in the commonest highway is rest and comfort, yhich must be felt at such times to be believed. It is disbelieved in the shortest intervals between i ts Masons of enjoyment; and every time the sufferer bas resolution to go forth to meet it, it penetrates to the very heart in glad surprise. The fields are better still. for there is the lark to fill up the hours with mirthful music, or, at worst, the robin and the flocks of fieldfares to showjthat the hardest day has its life and hilarity. But the calmest region is the upland, where human life is spread out beneath the bodily eye-where the eye moves from the peasant's nest to the spiry town, from the schoolhouse to the churchyard, from the diminished team in the patch of fallow, or the fisherman's boat in.the cove, to the viaduct that spans the valley, or the fleet that glides, ghostlike, on the horizon. This is the perah where the spirit plumes its ruffled and drooping wings, and makes ready [to let itself down on any wind that heaven may send. MISS MARTIN EAU.

<* t NATURE NOTES. 1 1902. January 16th. Grey Slug out. „ 18th. Speedwell in flower. „ Henbit „ „ „ Dandelion „ | Alder tt" » Celandine tt „ Chickweed tt M i

RAISING THE £100. Done 1 BY" PHILIP SIDNEY." The audiences-mostly large, always enthusi- astic—which have accomplished the task of raising the sum of one hundred pounds, are to be con- gratulated upon the result of their public- spiritedness, by which divers libraries, reading- rooms, schools and institutes have financially benefited. Now that the task is done, and this series closed, it may not be amiss if the circum- stances are reviewed, some experiences recorded, and possibly some lessons learned to be of use in the future. About two years ago an offer to go wherever an audience would gather itself together to hear him, was made by one to whom the extension and proper equipment of libraries and reading rooms, more especially in rural places and public schools, appeals with growing force. He felt then—and more than ever feels it now-that in these matters, as in all others, there must be not only writing, but personal effort; hard work in addition to theoris- ing. Accordingly, various institutions and county schools were offered to avail themselves of the lec- turer's services; in other words, if they would but help themselves he was willing to help them. From every county school thus communicated with, answers gratefully acknowledging the offer were returned by the managers, excepting from one school, which, for reasons best known to itself, re- ceived its offer, but made no reply. In all, twenty lectures and readings have been given, and at the county schools an address to the staff and scholars on the morning after the lecture has formed part of the scheme, thus bringing the lecturer in more direct and personal contact with his young hearers in their own school halls this portion of the work, be it noted, -has been rich in valued experiences, both to hearer and to lecturer. Where have the twenty audiences assembled ? ABERDOVEY Institute has called for the lecturer three times, twice has it filled the public hall, and once it has crowded out its Institute's large room on the occasion of a reading. The chairmen have been the Rev W. D. Evans, and Mr Eves, and the enthusiasm of Mr Gwilym Wil- liams has been so contagious as to lay hold of all around him-retired captains carrying in benches to seat the comers, veterans taking tickets at doors, and trusty men in uniform only too willing to help —and so build up those financial results which have appeared in the Institute's well ordered accounts. ABERYSTWYTH has availed itself five times of the offer, twice by the County School, once by Holy Trinity Church, once by the English Bap- tist Church, and once by the healthy, life-giving Golf Club. At the County School, the chair has been occu- pied by Mrs Jessy Williams, then president of the governing body and on the last occasion by his Worship the Mayor, Mr R. J. Jones, it being the first occasion for Aberystwyth's chief magistrate to preside at any function in this noble school, duly wearing his golden chain of office. Here scholars and staff have worked with such determination to make hay while shines the sun: that nearly one quarter of the whole sum raised has gone to the coffers of the school library, which was started with the substantial profits of the first lecture. Holy Trinity Church foregathered in Buarth Hall, under the chairmanship of Mr J. D. Perrott, J.P., the treasurer of the Cardiganshire County Council; the large choir of men and boys rendered Christmas music, and the Vicar, Prebendary Williams, M.A., voiced the thanks of the gathering for the reading of the 11 Christmas Carol." The English Baptist Church opened the first year of the twentieth century by inviting the lecturer to take part in the annual social gathering of this well-organised and living congregation. Under the chairmanship of Mr T. Darlington, M.A., his Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools for Wales, a lecture on "Old Welsh Punishments" helped to bring in grist to the mill. This lecture must ever remain a pleasant memory to the lecturer, from the pleasing fact that shortly afterwards a copy of Jackson's Life of Dr Martineau reached him, at the hands of the minister, the Rev Thos. Williams, B.A., ,as a memento from the congregation and deacons of a happy evening. The Golf Club and its many friends met in the Old Assembly Rooms. Mr Perrott again presided. The subject was Old Aberystwyth." Professor Edward Edwards, M.A.—of history a master- added to the pleasure of the gathering, and the treasurer of the club banked the dollars. BARMOUTH hailed the lecturer to come across and help its County School. The Rev J. Gwynoro Da vies, J.P., mayor" of the Urban District Council, presided over a distinguished company, which expressed its thanks in a charming speech by Miss Blanche Atkinson, whose efforts in the cause of anti-vivisection are so well known and deservedly appreciated. To the lecturer,, this visit must be ever memorable for that message he was entrusted with from Miss Power Cobbe to deliver to the school, a message in which said the veteran woman of letters, I would not empty my brains of such little store of knowledge of literature and history as I was able to accumulate in my early life, if I could in exchange fill my pockets with all the diamonds of Golconda!" BORTH owed its lecture on behalf of its reading room to the energies of Miss Daw and her sister, Mrs Watkin, to whom the inception and establish- ment of this reading room and library are largely due. The chair was occupied by Mr A. J. W. James, of Dolybont, and where he is there can be no failure. The thanks to the lecturer were returned by the curate in charge, the Rev Tudor Evans, and the Rev J. C. Evans, Libanus. This was an appreciative adult audience, which had braved the storm in the cause of the village centre of light and literature. CENARTH night must be reckoned as the stormiest in the series, the rain poured, the wind blew great guns, the swollen flood of adjacent Tivy roared out- side the school, still an audience thoroughly repre- sentative of this thinly-populated parish, gathered at the call of its venerable Vicar, the Rev D. H. Davies, to meet the lecturer, whose wet drive on the outside of the coach had prepared him for fewer numbers than were present. CORRIS, through the kindness of the chairman, Mr J. R. Dix, illustrated Across American Prairies with some admirable lantern slides; the elements again lashed the windows in their fury, Cader early in the day had drawn down its blinds and sulked behind them, but nevertheless a balance on the right side was reported to aid Vicar Edwards in his work. LAMPETER saw St. David's College School filled under the presidency of the Rev Principal LI. J. M. Bebb, M.A., who became, as it were, the father of the lectures, this being the first of the scheme; his hearty send off lasted to the end of them, and if, as seems likely, a second set will be called for, then a friendly Lampeter must again have the honour—if honour there be ?—of receiving the first. Good luck came from this 'Varsity town, and it must be again asked for more. LLANDYSSUL County School, successor to its famed Grammar School, gave hearty welcome to perhaps the least of its alumni, but to one whose debt of gratitude is indeed great. Here the Rev William James, B.A., took the chair and his wel- come to the lecturer meant more than need be expressed in this column. In every way it was a time of refreshing. LLANFIHANGEL GICKRUIR GLYN meant business when asking aid from the lecturer and surely deserved the financial results it achieved. Here both the Chairman (the Rev E Evans, vicar of the extensive parish) and the lecturer owned allegiance to the same school at Llandyssnl, and met as only old boys" can, to help one another, for verily was the lecturer helped there. The return drive to Aberystwyth that night in a fierce gale of wind and sleet will long be remembered by a party on board a certain trap, one of whom truly christened it the Night of the Garter-a harness buckle break- ing, a frightened horse, a hedge, a timely garter, a safe ending-added to the zest of that stormy night. LLECHRYD brought an audience which filled the C.M. chapel to the porches, and the book fund for the Board School benefited accordingly. Mr D. S. Jones kept his large audience well in hand, the lecturer made it laugh, and the headmaster, Mr E. T. Thomas, the Rev H. H. Williams, and Mr Thos. Harris, J.P., spoke helpful words. PENLLWYN had its lecture in the C.M. Chapel room, the object being not so mnch a financial one as to excite interest in its young Reading Room. Notwithstanding snow and ice bound roads the audience was one well worth going to address, and the lecturer looks forward to again meeting it at no distant date. 'j TALYBONT had every circumstance save one against the success of its venture. Never surely did heavier rain fall: but Mr James of Dolybont was chairman, and that was enough. His entrance fee put any loss out of the question, the audience was gathered by lusty ringing of the school bell; it came, it remained, and it did its duty to the excellent reading room of this village. TREGARON County School has a library of which it is justly proud, and to aid its fund invoked the lecturer's help. Mr Thomas Jones, vice-chairman of the Governors, presided, and the senior boy, T. H. Davies, and the head girl, Jennie Jones, moved and seconded the vote of thanks. The following morning's address shewed the excellent use made of the school library and brought up a charming tilt of arms anent the writings of one, whose flannelled fools and muddied oafs" have since been given to a reading world. TOWYN found its spacious County School all too small to accommodate the numbers who had bought tickets, so promptly removed its scene of action to the Public Hall, at the doors of which, long before they were opened, a crowd was assembled, at the very time that the bellman was crying the town they were opened, a crowd was assembled, at the very time that the bellman was crying the town to inform all and sundry that the lecturer had arrived! Mr H. Haydn Jones, J.P., took the chair as the clock struck the advertised hour, and Mr G. Edmunds spoke at the close. These County Schools one and all know the art of making library" money! ——— CARDIGAN AND MACHYNLLETH County Schools have accepted lectures, but are not yet able to fix on the actual dates of delivery. When these results are known the sum already raised will be consider- ably augmented. DOLGELLEY Grammar and County Schools, whilst thankfully acknowledging the offers of help, are as yet unable to see their ways to making the ventures financially successful. LLANARTH AND NEWCASTLE-EMLYN Reading Rooms would gladly accept if the lectures were in Welsh. Alas! the lecturer was not born in the Garden of Eden, and is not sufficiently familiar with the language spoken therein to himself con- verse in it, much less to lecture in it. One word in conclusion. The lecturer has not wished to have anything said about his services in this column suffice it to be here recorded that from start to finish he has abstained from receiving any monetary fee whatsoever for such slight services as he has been privileged to render, desiring that every penny made should go, after expenses were paid, towards swelling that sum of L107 which today represents the total nett amount raised by his efforts. His thanks are due and tendered to numerous hosts and hostesses for many kindnesses, and to all who have helped him to help others to help tbemselves- Vale 1 »

IT EM 8 OF I NTE REST. AN ordinary plough-furrow is Sin. wide by 6iu. deep. STICKING-PLASTER usually consists of isin- gluss spread upon silk. IN 1800, the United States had 903 post offices. It now has 75,000. IT costs a shilling u week more to feed a tram lioriie than an omnibus horse. POLO is prolmbly the oldest of athletic sports. It hits been traced to 600 B.C. THE rates oil Government property in the United Kingdom lire £ 400,000 a year. A COUD of wood weighs on an average 2} tons. BY using a microphone, you can hear a fly walk. ONLY one person in 15,000 reaches. the age :Jf 100 years. THE intrinsic value of one penny is less than a farthing. To crush a half-inch cube of granite re- quires a weight of eleven tons. ON an average, 205,000 emigrants leave the United Kingdom in a year. HORSES were first used in agriculture in the reign of Edward the Confessor. IN 1841, Ireland's population was 251 to the square mile now it is 144 only. EUROPE has had altogether 321 monarelis since the Battle of Hastings. THE French penal galleys carried 400 men, of whom 270 were convict rowers. A SHIPYARD at Ominato, Japan, still in opera- tion, was established 1900years ago. ONE of the minor expenses of a locomotive is 100 gallons of lubricating oil a year. LONDON water-rates work out at 13 6-lOths of a penny per ton for the supply. THE oldest known artesian well was sunk lit Lillers, in France, in the twelfth century. BRONCHITIS is Scotland's most deadly disease, consumption next, pneumonia third. OF emigrants by sailing vessels to Australia or South America, about six per 1,000 die on the way. OF 30 million emigrants from Europe during the last century, more than one third were British. SOME Japanese young girls, when they de- sire to look extremely captivating, gild their lips. RUSSIANS use 3oz. only of coffee a head in the year, English people 14oz., and Dutch 322ozs. THE Bank of France can compel its cus- tomers to receive one-fifth of money drawn in gold. SCOTLAND has only 4,707 police Ireland has 12,900, although her population is smaller than that of Scotland. THE British Museum costs the nation E162,000 a year; the National Gallery £ 17,000 the Wal- lace Gallery about £ 6,000. TEN pounds of hay are equal as forage to 221b. of potatoes, 301b. of carrots, or 501b. of green clover. THE Emperor of China and the Viceroy of India, between them, govern more than half the population of the world. WEDGWOOD 120 years ago made 50 copies of the Portland Vase, and sold them at JE25 apiece. These now fetch E200 each. THE telephone which extends over the long- est route is that between Boston and St. Louis, a distance of 1,400 miles. LONDON'S greatest extremes of temperature have been 98 degrees of heat and 42 degrees of sold, a total difference of 108 degrees. THREE thousand and seventy-one motor- ears are registered in Paris alone; 2,445 in the rest of France. FOURTEEN jpillions of acres of cotton are grown in North America out of a world's out- put of 20 million acres. AUSTRALIA'S commerce has increased 78 per sent, in the past 20 years, Canada's 54 per 3ent. HALF a ton of sawdust contains 1901b. of cha*. otLI, 1801b. of acids, 2481b of water, and 1621b. jf tar. THE largest order of merit in the world is the French Legion of Honour, which now has reached half a million members. THE Sandwich Islands resemble Ireland in cheir freedom from snakes. One species only it Known, and that is not common. FRANCE has 170 school children per 1,000 of tier population, Germany 145, Switzerland 210. The United Kingdom has 203. THR Polynesian Islands are scattered over 11 million square miles of sea, but comprise altogether only 170,000 square miles of land. SWEDEN and Denmark are the only countries in which all the Army conscripts can write. In Russia and Servia only 21 per cent. can do 80. PLATE-POWDER is usually made of rouge and prepared ciialk. Plate-powder containing iner- eury puts a splendid polish on silver, but is very injurious. PLIMSOLL'S mark showing the loadlines on ships is a circular disc a foot in diameter, with a line 18in. long drawn through the centre. THic present Pole star is the one called Alpha, in the constellation Ursa Minor. It has been the world's Pole star for nearly 2,000 years. IT is calculated that it would talte one typist 3,700 years of working time to write "Dear Sir and Yours very truly to all the letters, posted and writton in one year. NORWAY is the only country in the world where the hanks hold more coins in their safes than they issue paper. British banks have £70 in lintid per £100 of paper issue. CANADA has a nickel-producing area in On- tario 70 miles long by 40 wide. From this she produces 40 tons out of every 100 used at pre- sent in the world. VICTORIA still holds the world's record in the way of nuggets. No larger lump of gold has ever been found than The Welcome Stranger," weighing 190lbs. THERE is no wild breed of fowl to which the 11 Brahma or Cochin can he traced. j.ne game- 2ock seems to be descended from the Cingalese jungle fowl. s. long ago as 1618, David Ramsey and Thomas Wildgoose took out a patent for on- gines and machinery to plough ground without horses. BUDA PESTH has the largest Jewish popula- tion, proportionate to its size., of any city in the world. 236 per 4,000 of her people are Hebrews. WNLLF. in Europe only 10 in each 1,000 people are living out of their country, in America 137 out of every 1,000 were not born on that conti- nent. THE law against poaching is far more severe an a number of poachers than on one indivi- dual. If five or more go out together the penalty is £ 5 apiece. THB first letter-post was established among the Havise towns of Germany about the year 1270. Posts were first heard of iu England in the reign of Edward 1. THE oak is the heaviest of British timbers. Next comes beech, then ash, apple, maple, sherry, walnut, and pear. Poplar is lightest of all. PLYMOUTH Breakwater is two miles from the Hoe. It. is a mile long, was begun in 1812, took 30 years to build, and coat li millions. UP to 1840 no woodcut of over 48 square inches could he printed properly, the presses not being strong enough. Modern printing lIIachineN Clm easily tackle cuts of 2,000 square inches. THE order of precedence in the men of th. Roval Family is as follows: King, Prince ot Wales, other sons of the King, grand gone of the King, brothers of the King unclei of the Kine. ne"hevve of the King. little ttid (to fcer mamma): "What to AMA Uttsr, pleasef Mothers One that baa beangfoate four father to fOI"- Y.40 JffOW mtmr more times ka" I b tell you Idont want a sab I I want to walk." « AU right, sir; CBtiJWlMiBatfftaai ran behindJ^aelLSkateh."