The Cardiff Times

OETZMANN & CO.t 67, 69, 71, 73, 75, 77, AND 79, HAMPSTEAD ROAD, LONDON, W., Near Tottenham Court-road and Gower-street Station. GREAT CLEARANCE SALE NOW PROCEEDING. Special Illustrated Sale Catalogue, post free. Amongst the Stocks offe/red are— Axminster Pile Carpets (British manufacture), 3 per yard. Original price, 5/11. Best Quality Wilton Pile Carpets, one piece of C, pattern, 3/11 per yard. Original price, 6/b. Best 5-frame. Brussels, 2/11 and- 3/3 per yard. Brussels Carpets, good quality, 1/11; 5-fraim quality, 2/11 per yard. All Carpets made up free of charge. For conditions upon which G1)ods are sent, carriagg, paid, please see Illustrated Catalogue (the besi Illustrated Guide extant) Post Free.

WORKMEN'S TOPICS. BY MR W. ABRAHAM, M.P. (MABON). THE SLIDING-SCALES. $ South Wales v. Dean Forest. Blowing up withthesame strain as we finished JJ' article, we may be allowed to say that *he great and praotioal difference between these scales consists chiefly in the different per- 2?ntage of advance in the wage rate. Why, the orest scale only give 5 per cent, advance the advance in the price of coal, while Welsh scale gves 8% per cent, on the same 01.tnt. And because the Forest scale is want- Ing in the detail of the Welsh scale, the former varies the wages in favour of the workmen ice on a variation of Is in the price, J^ile the latter make eight variations I the same period, thus giving the Welsh collier #IRht chances of having his wages increased to the *w° the Forest collier get. And for the same "'nt of detail in the scale the Forest workmen wi" find that this point has not the merit of ^Hing both ways either, but that it is all in favour °* the Welsh scale. For the Welsh scale, while ttlvlng the workmen under it the privilege of three advances during the time it takes the price to vance sixpence a ton, it gives them also several dances of having the reductions in the same anner and proportions. But the Forest scale gives Ihe workmen nothing until the price reaches the *«ll sixpence per ton, whioh will again take away whole amount the moment the price goes belo" that point. Then comes the enormous difference in the J andard selling price of coal that is con- ^ered equivalent to certain rates of wages in T?1*1 coalfields. At the present moment both j lstricts are paid the same rates of wages, or at the same percentage of advance on their ^al standards. To do this the Forest selling ?*,ce shonld be 9s 6d per ton and under 10.?, and at of South Wales and Monmouthshire 9s 3'43d under 9s 514d per ton—a difference of at f*»t 2%d per ton. But this is not so when you to consider that the price of coal under e Forest scale is taken at the pit bank, and the r?Ce under the Welsh scale taken free on board, nich will give you a difference of another Is 6d £ ton. Adding this Is 6d to the other 2^, "fre you will have a difference in the selling Pr,ce of coal, that give the present rate of wages less than Is 8%d per ton. To make this C'e&r, if the Forest prices were taken f.o.b. instead at the pit bank, the selling price, which is con- equivalent to the present rate of wages ) Y2 per cent. upon the standard- would be lis ton, and not 9s 6d. If the average selling under the Welsh scale were lis pet ton '"stead of being 9s 3-43d and under 9s 5-14d, the *^res of the Welsh miners would be 27% ab°ve standard instead of the 12^ per cent, that ^ey now have, a cdear gain in their favour, of 5 tier cent. To counteract all this the only one fa'nt that we can now discover in favour of the **°rest scale would be that which in any reduc- ^'Ohs of wages going below the 9s and 6d point the H "toiount would be less than that taken under the 'Velf,h scale, to the same proportion as that She Welsh scale gives, more than the other on the upward grade. Here again the Weigh collier has not much to fear, as the Average price of coal in the last downward course *<mld arrive at a point between 9s l-71d and 9s, a per ceT,t. advance upon the standard This to the practical observer is very tisactory and significant. The lower prices in »he eighties only left 2% per cent, in wages upon tlle standard; while those of the nineties left 10 cent, on the standard wage. And it is not "kfcly that the cost of production, which is the "fctural minimum in this connection, will afford Orklng the Welsh collieries much, if any, under Per ton. This point indeed is worthy of reful consideration, and is most im- f!°^tant in determining thejrate of what our Eng- "8l> Wends are pleased to call "a living wage, *hat the Welsh collier will call henceforth, demand, a miniirura rate of wages a 'Oitaum clause in the sliding-scale. While we on this point we may be allowed to say that i *s a most promising and encouraging feature the future relationship between the mining and labour of South Wales, that the *tural and physical resources of the miners -selves will fix for them, and without, we if no unnatural and unneces- hatred and friction is fermented in the Meantime, a moderate minimum wage, hi ^oref?°ing and some others are the »urdened detail which our Forest friends will, we °Pe, live to amend in their own scale and this will undoubtedly do if they will determine I, the taunts of those that believe that know what is best for every itting district in the kingdom—better than those .?ab are living therein. As to ourselves, seeing the Forest friends believe that they have f"0 an honourable and satisfactory settle- ment, we hope thafc they will see their dear to abide honourably by it. if» by-the-bye, they see a chance of ^isine- it in their favour, we hope, for their sakes, as well as for that of this district, the dignity of which the South Wales colliery Otters will not lose sight of when we come to ^afee any future arrangements with them, they *ill not fail to do so. And if we, by voice, or *tter, or the tendering of any information, can them in any way, we shall be most happy to do so. Our Forest friends must not think from thing that we have said that we any way deprecate the arrangement that they &ave made, though we know for certain that k cannot do any good for us here. It was a ^otisand times more important for them at the £ °ment to consider what best they could do themselves than to lose time to consider other listricts and to our mind the great pity was that ey did not all act on the same principle at a Jttch earlier stage, especially seeing that those were out to serve withheld from them their JPport, even when they had in their treasury million and a half of money, and owing the Oresters at the same time a debt, according their own agent, ot some £ 1,700* We °uld not have made the criticism we have had it been for the tendenoy of some gentlemen to tract from everything, and distrust everybody lb*' ^oes anything contrary to the dictates of 3uperior highnesses. Though, as we have said, the agreement Come to is not what k light be under different cipronmstances, still it others that we know of, the best that could Wider the circumstances. It will, ^ros^!?3' be productive of peace, and, probably, prosperity for the Forest for some time to come, i&d °n°Urably adhered to by both parties— sUR hope that there is no pretext for the act balotkfj already made that it will distr" lt Wl11 create confidence in the Forest as of '0t Vvhere merchants can go to with certainty the F'Dg their contracts fulfilled, and thus for *ood °VTSt itselE wil1 be l)roductive of of truth n°P ,nay be said with a great degree the Jv that there is a more hopeful outlook for 'est of Dean now than there has been for Pew mining districts in the United tinuX Can afford to have its trade con- fUl'LU^lnged than the Forest. We are not 'H« bml' °WRh we regret to hear it, that there ^tai *en °«t a spirit of dissatisfaction in with reference to the agreement thfth is ■till more surprising to tniner3> agents—and formerly ^'mittJr hueaP'ng abuse upon the agent and t^toient' certainly deserve much better V^^adft -f Ven 8uPPosing that a mistake has 'OWDF it is Ost unmanly, and without a f^tumelv °Un ation or justification, to cast £ >p*{ thes« men. It is to \^eni"g to tha k For^ m'nersi instead of 10 fa* Sf> <Jutsid«rs, whoso interest it may fcl hLn Ff1restere out of work, v ]lag 1 y condemn the new soheme, fullJ ,nob been tried, nor, "y understood; but as reason- able men will give it fairplay, and if in the end not found satisfactory, let them tender all the aid they can to their agent and committee to have it remedied and improved upon. They may depend upon it that a fair and equitable sliding-scale will serve that district ten thousand times better than the impractical theory of "paralising the trade of the universe," nor the foolish expedient of bigh.water.mark rates of pay at dead low tide. -<

Musical and Eisteddfodic. --=- BY MAELGWYN. The Chicago Eisteddfod. Now that the transports of joy aroused by the continuous successes of our South Wales bards and musicians at the Chicago Eisteddfod have calmed down somewhat, we are enabled to take a general survey of the proceedings at the great international gathering and to compare what was done there with what has been done in our own eisteddfodau. Naturally enough, it is to NE the interest of certain persons to declare the Chicago Eisteddfod the most extraordinarily successful ever held from a competitive point of view, but such was certainly not the case. South Walians expected to bring back some of the prizes, but their success was complete-every prize com- peted for was won. Some of the contests were un- doubtedly keen, but they were made so by the competitors from the old country alone. Thus, in the soprano solo competition, the five who survived the preliminary test were all the members of the Welsh Ladies' Choir. Surely, in the land of Uncle Sam, there ought to have been at least one girl who could make a decent fight with even Miss Emily Francis, although most of us believed that it would be impossible to defeat her. Yet, as I have said, not one of the Americans were deemed good enough to appear in the final round of the competition. The victory of Mr William Morgan in the harp solo competition was fully expected, for those who heard him play felt that it would be impossible for anyone to improve upon his performance of the test piece. About the triumph of Miss May John, I can say nothing, for it is one of the strange things of my eistedd- fodic experience that I have never, so far as I can remember, beard her sing anywhere. South Wales was not interested in the chief choral competition, but Caradog was present, and he has sent home his opinion of it, which is, that it would have been easy for our choirs to defeat those in the States. And even had Caradog never given his opinion the evidence from other quarters would have been conclusive. The only competi- tion that seems to have been worthy of the name —of course, I am referring to the greater contests —was that for Jllale voice choirs, and it was the Welsh choirs alone that made it so. The vic- torious Rhondda Glee Society secured 96 marks, and the Penrhyn Dinorwic Choir got 94. The best of the American choirs got only 76. What is the use of anyone trying to glorify the Chicago Eisteddfod after this ? When I asked Mr Tom Stephens what his choir meant to do in Chicago, he answered, We're 'going to win in spite of Well, never mind whom, and he has kept his word. Bat it is safe to say he is to-day far more proud of having beaten Potitycymmer at Pontypridd than of defeating the six choirs at Chicago. Of the Ladies' Choir it would be ungallant to say any. thing except this—their singing at some of the concerts held last August was certainly not what one would like to rely upon for victory. The choir, too, lost a good deal of sympathy by not competing at Pontypridd. While rejoicing in what all our competitors have done, it should be borne in mind that it was Tom Stephens who went to Chicago with a really high standard—bis victory was one of the things believed in from the first, and it is much to be regretted that his gallant band were not properly supported at home. For the male voice choir, whose perform- ance was perfect, there were no generous friends willing to contribute £100, while in the North Lord Penrhyn subscribed B300 to his local choir. Yet, if ever a choir deserved support it was the Rhondda Glee Society, and It) is not particularly creditable to us as a nation to learn that the gallant upholders of our honour are at present somewhat sorely pressed for money. Looking back upon the Chicago Eisteddfod, as a competitive gathering, I am afraid that impartial judges will place it a degree lower than our own eisteddfodau at Porth and Pontypridd. The Late National Eisteddfod. Finding there was a tremendous deficit to be met, the guaiantors of the late National Eistedd- fod resolved in the first place to hold another eisteddfod in October. Ontsiders saw at once that such an eisteddfod, if held, would but swell the defioit, for at least three of the ohoirs that competed in August would nob be present two months later, and without choirs no eisteddfod can be expected to pay. Eisteddfodwyn in Dowlais asked that the date of the new eisteddfod be changed to December or January next, but no notice was taken of their request, and the idea of holding another eisteddfod now seems to have been abandoned altogether, for a few days ago the guarantors were asked to pay one fourth of the sum guaranteed—this being the first call, which I am afraid IS not likely to be the last. It is much to be regretted that the promoters of the late eisteddfod will not hold another-say next Boxing Day or, better still, Easter Monday. An Easter eisteddfod in the pavilion would, without a doubt, be a great success. Besides the ohoirs that competed last August the Mertbyr and Dowlais Choirs would almost to a certainty be present, and J, conteat between them would be as big a draw as the historic competitions between Dowlais and Llanelly were wont to be. If the guarantors of the recent eisteddfod do not take the matter up it is pretty certain that enterprising gentlemen in other places will. The New Choir at Devylals. Never has a choir been started under more favourable auspices than has the new ow is Philharmonic Society. The general committee „d others in tbe town, »IKI at tlw rary tirst Situi hold tardsom. ft* of »»b«=npt.o«» w», has been noted for its singers, habitants of the place were reputation of the old town wouM not perish^with the departure of Mr Dan Davies. It needed only a competent leader ^f186 • gather once more the old nmncbles into one splendid phalanx, and such a lead has arisen in the person of Mr Harry Evans, son of the veteran Eos Mjnddin. Mr Evans isknown all over Wales as a skilful accompanist, anc1 first appeared in that capacity at an eisteddfod when he was about seven years of age. His father was conducting a competing choir and tbe accom- panist failed to put in a» appe»rance- *"e W stepped into the gap and the prize was won. Mr Harry Evans is one of the few Welshmen who have gained an assooiateship at the College of Organists, London, and in additiea to 1* capable musician in the fullest sense of the word. he is a well-educated young man. The singers of Dowlais have nobly rallied round, him, the attendance at .the very first rehearsal being about a hundred. The first task undertaken by the choir is a performance of Handel's Samson on December 14th.

A CANDID OPINION, Well, my dear child, how do you like Herr von Sauer Kroutmann?" T Oh, unole, he is very nice, and «o clever I did not understand a word he said!

WELSH GLEANINGS. I By Rhydycheinwr. Reviewing the Parliamentary Session. The Welsh papers are now busily engaged in summarising and analysing the Parliamentary Session. Most of them confine themselves for the most part to reviewing the Session in general, and not as it affected Wales in particular. The criticisms of some are made with scrupulous im- partiality; but others simply belabour their adversaries and eulogise their friends, showing that, as Matthew Arnold has pointed out, criticism is often used merely as a means for heaping praise on what they like, and blame on what they dislike. Mr Lloyd George is not guilty of this in his 11 Parliamentary Letter to the Genedl Gymrrvj. He writes with singular moderation, a quality which is often lacking in his speeches, or which used to be lacking. Mr George's letter is, however, disappointing inasmuch as he says little on Welsh topics, on which, as one of the leading actors in the play, he could speak as one having authority, and not as the scribes.. He believes that no Government ever laboured under so many diffi- culties, trade in a state of depression, a small majority, a question of enormous difficulty and importance to be dealt with in the face of a powerful and unscrupulous Opposition, yet it is now stronger than when it was formed. It has committed no mistake to weaken its influence. Obstruction has been conquered, and the Liberal programme is being steadily and surely carried out." The Tyst gives a Parliamentary retrospect for its leading article. Many measures of comparatively small importance have been made law but the grand measure of the Session was the Home Rule Bill, and to carry it through the House of Commons was a prodigious success under the circumstances." The TysVs estimate of the various personalities of the Session is strongly reminiscent of that given by T. P." in the Weekly Sun, and does not differ essentially from that given also in the leading article of Seren Cymru, except in their estimate of Mr Asquith. The Seren considers the Session "in its direct results a barren one, but it will have far-reaching consequences to the people of Ire- land. The Welsh 'members have been faithful and hard-working, and can, on the whole, give a good account of themselves to their constituents." The London correspondent of the Baner enumer- ates the Session's legacy to Wales We have had a Land Commission, a University Charter, a pension for Welsh literature (Mr Gwenogfryn Evans, presumably), and help to education, not to mention numerous small blessings which will quicken national life." He emphasises the fidelity and devotion of the Welsh members to their duties, and calls attention to the splendid record of Mr Thomas Ellis, who was one of the three, out of our 600 odd members, who voted in all the 310 divisions. The GoUuad believes that though but few distinctive Welsh measures have been passed, it Is encouraging that the Government has been influenced by the Welsh members to come to a clear understanding on the great question which affects Wales. Mr Bryn Roberts. Of all the I)ap Roberts has won the most notoriety, if not fame, during the recent Session. His independence in refusing to join the Welsh members in signing the round- robin, to Mr Gladstone, his subsequent explana- tory letter, and his recent correspondence with the Rev. E. Jones, Carnarvon, have attracted universal attention in Wales. The member for Eifion has latterly, indeed, been living in a veritable hornet's nest; hut it seems certain that his position, weakened as it was by his singular conduct and by his manifesto (as Dafydd Dafis termed it), has been immensely strength. ened by his correspondence with the Carnarvon minister, who by his rash and intemperate charges has conferred no benefit on the Liberal party in Carnarvonshire. There are now visions of compromise between the warring sections, and even the Genedl, which has been thundering away at Mr Bryn Roberts for several months past, sounds the note of conciliation this week, strenuously disowning that it has ever wittingly done any injustice to Mr Roberts. Even the Celt has a communication from W. T. Jones." threatening to make some disclosures which will not reflect any credit on the Rev. E. Jones— one of tbe family ,of Meroz," says the Cett—m connection with the first election of Mr Lloyd George. The Celt exults in this little family quarrel among the Calvinistic Methodists but the Goleuad maintains a discreet silence, though it publishes the correspondence between Mr Roberts and Mr Jones in full, as does the Herald Cymraeg. GwaZia strives to make politi- cal capital out of the quarrel, and the Llan rejoices that the mess (y cawl) is boiling over in the Carnarvon district." The Welsh Land Com,misgions- The Welsh Land Commission is constantly growing in favour with the Welch Liberal papers, and it is everywhere hailed with acclamation. It had been dreaded that the commissioners might be apathetic, unsympathetic, or sluggish, or that tenants would, from terror of their landlords, re- frain from coming forward to give their evidence. After the recent sittings in Merionethshire and Carnarvonshire all these fears have vanished. It is acknowledged that the commissioners are admirably qualified for their task, and tenants vied with each other in coming forward with alacrity to give their evidence. Full 'reports of the sittings are continued in the Herald'Cymraeg, the Genedl, the Baner, and the Cymro. The last- mentioned paper expresses great delight with the commission in its leading article this week. It would be difficult to obtain better qualified mem- bers. The chairman especially has a happy com- bination of the majestic dignity of the judge and of the keenness and penetration of a long headed advocate. Some excellence or other pertains to each of the other members. It is possible that the work of the commission would be facilitated were it to divide into two bodies- one for North Wales and one for South Wales. But the present plan is doubtless the wiser of the two, as more importance will naturally be attached to the report of a numerous and united commission." The Tyst says that the tenants bear witness to the need of reforms in the land laws; but the landlords and their agents are equally strenuous in maintaining that the present state of things is satisfactory. ey do everything in theijp power to nullity a» evidence of the tenants and their friends. UnuKe the landlords of South Wales, the North Wales landlords attend the meetings regularly, xney realise that the present is a W'fciQAji them." The Genedl maintains that mdis- putably the great needs of the farmers, as shown lay the evidence, are-a eubstant^l r^uct.on in rent, security of tenure, and compensation for improvements. Most people think that these reforms cannot be cawied out without tte heto of a land court but others hesi tote on this point. The Llan thinks that wh^t W^sh farnieryiave to do is to prove that their posit on m Wales ditIerentiates from that of farmers tD England. This thev have not done as yet. J he Baner xnis tney nave noi. „ perfect success, pronounces the commission F Far more so than had bee:i& those who believed most thoroughly in its appointment." Welsh Successes In Chicago. The remarkable successes of Welsh competitors in the Chicago Eisteddfod have given unbounded satisfaction in Wales, and the Welsh papers give full lists of the Welsh competitors who were successful, both in the musical and the literary competitions. The Tust congratulates Watoyn ism sSfi, rsr i eluding hw National Eisteddfod ones. A Cardiff correspondent !^who W6 some biographical incredible—recently are assured-it eeeins a m»s „ which the laws eent the following Smelted with poetical Wal"Isendby mail that goes daily-letter To my little lady I'm doting, pray, my ditty. „ Give thy serch, dear me ,rated b(j ■nrr i Cardiff should rf».nsider mish inhabita^ts of CW^ p^lic reception on their decision td give "im » his arrival homes, (

Parliamentary History jof Monmouth. [BY W. R. WILLIAMS, SOLICITOR, TALIBONT.] 1813, Dec, Henry (Somerset), Marquis of Worcester, vice his uncle, Lord Charles Somerset, appointed to an office. Eldest son of Henry Charles, sixth Duke of Beaufort, K.G. (see 1788). He was born Feb., 1792, served in the 10th Hussars, and on the staff of the Duke of Wellington in the Peninsular War, and married (1) July, 1814, Georgina Frederica, daughter of the Hon. Henry Fitzroy she died May, 1821, and he married (2) June, 1822, Emily Frances, daughter of Culling Charles Smith, a Commis- sioner of Excise. Lord Worcester, who entered Parliament at the age of 21, was a Lord of the Admiralty May, 1816, to March, 1819; sat for Monmouth from 1813 (when he de- feated John Hodder Moggridere by 90 to 40 votes), till 1831, when he was in his turn defeated by Benjamin Hall, of Llanover, by 168 to 149, but, on petition, was awarded the seat July, 1831. After the passing of the Reform Act of 1832, his lordship again contested the borough, but, on an increased register of 889 voters, was once more defeated by Mr Hall by 393 to 355, but he was elected for West Gloucestershire Jan., 1835, and succeeded his father as 7th Duke of Beaufort Nov., 1835. His grace, who was created a Knight of the Garter 1842, and died Nov., 1853, was, it is said, the most popular sportsman in England and a pre-eminent whip, and he was the founder of the Four.in.Hand Club and the inventor of claret cup. 1831—Benjamin Hall, of Llanover and Abercarn, eldest son of Benjamin Hall, of Hensol Castle, Glamorgan (M.P. for that county 1814-17) and Abercarn. He was born November, 1802, educ. at Westminster and Christ Church, Oxford, and m Dec., 1823, Augusta, dau. and co-heiress of Benjamin Waddington, of Llanover. Having ousted Lord Worcester from the re- presentation of Jthe borough in May, 1831, he was, however, unseated on petition the following July, but in Dec., 1832, again captured from Lord Worcestet the seat, which tbe Somersets had enjoyed without interruption since 1799, and for which a Somerset was never afterwards re- turned. He fought a third contest in 1835, when he defeated Joseph Bailey, junior, of Glanusk (see Breconshire, 1847) by 428 to 424 votes, or a majority of 4 only, on a register of 931 votes, of whom 852 voted and at the next election, on the accession of Queen Victoria, was returned for Ma.-ylebone, where he was a most popular member. He was created a Baronet August, 1838, and a Privy Councillor August, 1854, and held office as President of the Board of Health August, 1854-5, and as First Commissioner of Works and Public Buildings, Aug., 1855, to Feb., 1858, during which time he introduced great improvements in the Royal and public parks. Sir Benjamin sat for Marylebone till June, 1859, when he was raised to the peerage as Lord Llanover, and died at his London residence, after a prolonged and painful illness, April, 1867, when the titles became extinot. He was sheriff of co. Mon., 1826. His widow, the venerable and charitable Lady Llanover, resides at Llanover, where her name is indeed a. house- hold name. Her ladyship is a great grandniece of Mrs Delaney, and has edited her well-kijown Letters." 1837. Reginald James Blewitt, of Llantarnam, who defeated Joseph Bailey, jun., by 440 to 336: on a register of 1,063, of whom 826 voted,fand was re-elected 1841, when the poll was declared Blewitt, 330; Edwards, 0; the register now con- taining 1,260 voters. Mr Edwards was a gentle- man of advanced principles, which, however found no support at Monmouth. Mr Blewitt who was born May, 1799, £ s the second son of Major Edward Blewitt (whose grandfather John Blewitt, had married Maur, dau: and eo-heiress of Edmund, Bray, of Bar- rington,lotKsr-hy his wife, Frances, dau. and co-heiress of Sir Edward Morgan, Bart., of Llantamam (see county, 1680). The Blewitts were originally from Northamptonshire, where they had been settled for centuries. At this time the Tory colour in the borough was light blue, while the Whig was crimson while in the county the Whigs wore crimson and green, a.nd the Tories sported lieht blue. 1852.—Crawshay Bailey, of Aberaman, Gla- morganshire, who obtained a majority of 236 over Mr Lindsay. He was the second son of Joseph Bailey, of Wakefield, and therefore brother to Sir Joseph Bailey, first bart., M.P.,Breconshire, 1847. Was born Oct., 1789, and m. (1), 1820, Miss Crawshay, and (2) Sept.. 1850, Anne, widow of William Bailey, of Lewisham, Kent, and dau. of Joseph Moore, of Mifccbam, Surrey. He was a J.P., co. Mon., where he was sheriff, 1850, J.P., Breconshire (sheriff, 1837), and J.p. aud D.L.i Glamorgan, and was patron of one living. He died 1872. 1868.—Sir John Wm. Ramsden, Bart., of Byrom and Longley Hall, Yorkshire (Ramsden, 1641. Samuel Homfray, J.P., of Glen Usk, 1449), only son of John Charles Ramsden, M.P. of Buckden and Newby Park, Yorkshire (who died v.p., 1836), born Sept. 1831, succ. his grandfather, Sir John Ramsden, as fifth Baronet, July, 1839, was educ. at Eton, and graduated B. A. Trin. 0011., Camb., 1852, and m., Aug., 1865, Lady Helen Gwendolen St. Maur, youngest dau. of Edward, 13th Duke of Somerset, K.G. He had a very varied Parliamentary career, being M.P. Taunton, May, 1853-7; Hythe, 1857.9; West Riding of Yorkshire, 1859-65; Monmouth, 1868-74; Eastern Division W.R. Yorkshire 1880 5, and Osgoldcross of W.R. Yorkshire (East.), Dec., 1885, to July, 1886, when he was defeated. He held office as Under.Secretary of State for War, May, 1857, to March, 1858, and was made J.P. andD.L. (1852), West iding, Yorkshire, where he was Sheriff, 1868. and D.L. for Inver- ness-shire, aud became Hon. Col. 1st Yorkshire (W.R.) Artillery Volunteers, 1862. 1874.—Thomas Cordes, of Biynglas, Newport (Cordes, 2,090; Pochin, 1,442), eldest son of James Jameson Cordes, J.P., of that place, who died 1867. He was born 1826, and is a J.P. and D.L. for Monmouthshire, and served the offica of high sheriff 1871. Mr Cordes, who sat for Monmouth 1874-80, when he was de- feated, was again the unsuccessful candidate in 1885, and is a member of the Carlton, Windham, and Constitutional Clubs. His opponent in 1874, Henry Davis Pochin, J.P., of Bodnant Hall, Conway, was M.P. for Stafford 1868-9, 1880. Edward Hamer Carbutt, of Llanwern House, Newport (Carbutt, 2,258 Cordes, 2,197). He is the youngest son of Francis Carbutt, J.P., of Chapel AHerton, Leeds was born 1838, and married, 1874, Mary, only daughter of John Rhodes, J.P., of Botternewton, Leeds. Mr Oar. butt, who is a member of the Instituteof Mechanical Engineers and an associate member of the Institute of Civil Engineers, was Mayor of Leeds 1878, and sat for Monmouth 1880—6, when he was defeated in his turn. He was created a baronet 1892. The contest in 1885 terminated Carbutt, 2,932; Cordes, 2,922. 1886.—Sir George Eitiot, Bait., of Abferathah Park, Glamorgan, and Houghton Hall, Dur- ham, who defeated Mc:Carbutb by to -2,568. Son öfBâlph Elliot, of Penshaw, Durham born March, 1815; m., 1836, Margaret, d. of George Green, of Rainton, Durham, and from a pit boy row to be a wealthy colliery proprietor and president of the Association of Mining Engineers. He sat for North Durham 1868-74, and being then defeated, unseated his op- ponent on petition, and was re-eloted June, 1874, and sat till 1880, when be was once more unsuccessful, but again regained his seat Septem- ber, 1881, and sat till 1885. In December, 1885, he unsuccessfully contested South-East Durham, and was member for Monmouth, 1886 to 1892, when he again lost his seat. Thus he has fought eight oontested elections and one petition. Ho was created a baronet May, 1874, and is a J.P. for Glamorgan and co. Durham, and a. J.P. and D.L. for 00. Monmouth. 1892, Albert Spicer, of Woodford, Essex, a justice of the peace for that county, who defeated Sir George Elliot by "3.430 to 3,137 votes, is the present member for Monmouth, Newport, and Usk. MrSpioer was born at Woodford in 1847, and married in 1879, Miss Jessie Stewart Dykes, of Grove-hill, Surrey. It is a curious circumstance that the three successive members, Mr Cordee, Mr Carbutt, and Sir George Elliot, should oach bo defeated in their turn. The Monmouth district had, in 1858, on its register, 1,676 electors, which had increased in 1873 to 4,312, and became 6,485 in 1886. -¡:=--

Up in Greenland they serve frozen whiskey in stiokB. Thall would be an easy place for a nan 'who drank to break off;

FARM AND GARDEN. Feeding Dairy Cows. A full ration for a dairy cow in full flow of milk is all the good milk-producing food she can con- sume and digest. The food of support is found to be, by experiment, more than half of this, and sometimes two-thirds. Every reduction in the ration adds to the cost of tho butter. This is not only true in theory but is true in practice, for the very good reason that you can get nothing from the cow without first giving her the equiva- lent in food. When you feed your cow do not be stingy with her. A cow should have as great a variety in her food each day as pos- sible. Her nature craves it, and she will eat more, digest more, and assimi- late it better if she has a variety. Feed her so as to keep bw appetite good. Don't surfeit her. After she comes in feed her sparingly on con- centrated food for a few days, increasing gradually for eight or ten days before getting up to full feed. If she is greedy and inclined to eat more than she can digest, don't give it to her. Never put before her more than she will eat at once, but be sure and give her enough. Here is where it requires great skill and judgment on the part of the feeder. He must be intimately acquainted with his cow and know her capacity. There are three things to watch in feeding a cow. Watch her while ah" eats to see if she eats at once and with good appetite what is put before her watch the excrement to see that she digests her food and watch the milk-pail to see that she pays for it. This, in a few words, tells the whole story. The cow, to producesailk, must have the neces- sary conitituent, i, her food, and these con- stituents, to produce "milk economically, must be in the right proportions. The chemist may help us, but the cow and the practical dairyman are, after all. the one to work out the problem. The results of experiments, and conclusions arrived at, are wonderfully alike and that is, that a cow, l,0001bs. in weight in full flow of milk should have, in a daily ration, to do her best, from. 2lbs. to 2%lbs. of digestible protein, from 12y2lbs. to 14Ibi!. of digestible carbo-hydrates and %Ibs, to 4-5lbs. of fat. Cows rations should be balanced, se that there is a certain ratio bet n the coarse food and the grain food. The bestiroportion, for cows in full flow of milk, is to have the grain or concentrated food about half the weight of 00gree food. If a cow eats about 201bs of hay, she should have about lOlbs of concentrated food. Ensilage should be divtded by about 2% to reduce to dry food. Towards the latter part of the period of lactation, when the quantity of milk drops, the grain feed should be decreased accordingly.-Farm, Field, and Fireside. Flower Garden. There will soon be frosty nights, and it will be necessary to put up any tender plants it may be desired to save. In case of a frost coming suddenly, a slight covering will preserve any tender plants for a night or two till they can be lifted. A mat or a piece of tiffany or old canvas ,will keep off any light autumn frost. Prepare a bea in a cold frame for calceolaria cuttings any time in October will do for these. Take only the young shoots, and do not Orowd in the cutting bed; three inches apart will g've ample space, and secure bushy stuff in spring. Cuttings of green or variegated ivies will root ftow in a shady spot kept moist till rain oomes If the stock of pansiesor vii^as is good cuttings are available now, and win make fine plants for bedding out in spring. More be done with tbS'WNs* pansi^ij'hey are among, the brightest ati»d best material for filling beds and borders either for spring or summer bedding. Plant in autumn for spring blooming, and again in spring for flowering during summer. In dry, porous soils dig some manure rather deep in the beds so that the roots may reach it about the time the plants are getting into full blossom. Evergreen shrubs and trees may be transplanted now. Water in and mulch, and in dry weather, after planting, damp the foliage every afternoon till rain comes. Fruit Garden. Some kinds of apples and pears are ripening earlier than usual this year, so an eye must be kept on the choice fruits, as a bruised pear or an apple will not keep. The American blackberries have not been a success everywhere, perhaps, because they were planted m a wrong position, or on badly prepared ground. They should be in an open position, and the soil should be deeply stirred and, if poor, manured. I saw the otheJ day a wide-spreading Wilson junior black. berry growing on the top of a mound where the soil was very deep and the development was enormous, and I am afraid to hazard a guess at the quantity of large blackberries hanging thereon. I have no doubt our own native black. berries might be improved by cultivation, but the question arises, Is it worth while ? and this each cultivator must settle for himself. The sooner new strawberry beds are made now the better. Plant carefully and fix the plants firmly in the ground. Dead, useless beds ought to have been cleared away long ago, but do not plant new plants on old beds. Vegetable Garden. Keep down weeds by hoeing and hand-weeding. All the seeds sown during the autumn, such as onions, spinach, cabbage, cauliflowers, lettuces, &c., have done well, and only require to be kept iree from weeds to get strong. If the Tripoli omons are thick in the beds, transplant the largest on to vrell-inanured ground. Those transplanted now will be in front of the beds planted in spring, Onion-beds should be rich, and the soil made firm by trading or rolling. Plant in rows one foot apart, and six inches be. tween the plants in the rows, to obtain very large bulbs, Continue to earth up celery, when the soil and plants are dry. Break the earth up with the spade, and press it firmly around the plants, keeping it out of the heart. Ib is better to draw the leaves up loosely with a string of matting before applying the soil. All small growths should be removed from the base. If the weather continues dry give a good soaking of liquid manure the day before earthing up. Late- planted winter greens should be earthed up. In planting cabbages it is best to draw drill with corner of a hoe, and plant in the drills the drill shelters and steadies the plants. Lift all potatoes which are ripe enough to keep; the tubers come out bright anti clean now. Greenhouse. If there is a grape vine in the greenhouse the grapes should be ripe now, and it the bunches are cut with six or eight inches of wood, and the ',XtpW--ig tllmpb in a bot)b)e of water, the grapes will keep as well in a cool room as they would on ihe vines—in fact better, if the house is full of plants. I mention this now, though the grapes heed iiot be bottled just but as soon as the weather comes cold and damp. Grapes will not keep well in a bouse full of plants. It will not be safe to leave tender plants out after this date, even if frost has held off so long. Chrysanthe- mums will be safer inside now; only a few degrees of frost will injure "the flower buds of chrysanthe- mums. It is possible, where many plants are grown, to improvise some temporary shelter to keep the late sorts safe for the present. Frames. It is getting late now for framing violets. Still, if any of the prepared roots are still outside, get them in the fnimes at once. Violets do very well in old inelon bed- the soil levelled down and made firm, and more soil brought in so that the plants come within a foot ot so of the glass. Warm coverings must be used now where tender plants are k in frames. Ventilate freely at all, favourable opportunities, so that the foliage may be sturdy and hard.—Cottage Gardening. The Weather andthe Crops. The last three days of September were mild and showery; just what farmers required. Similar weather throughout October would put the land in excellent state for autumn sowings, but at present it is too dry. The threshing of new English wheat proceeds at a fair irate, and the good quality of samples is making itself felt. New wheat is quite Is dearer than old, besides commanding the readier sale. The average price for English whent for September was 26.. We expect October to show some rally, and but; for the extraordinary accumulation of foreign wheat -sud tout in tie-granary, wa,should anticipate 30s quotation by Christmas. The spring corn trade has been remarkable for the good September business done in new English barley, the sales of which up to date have been quite twice as heavy as usual. Oats in London have made a mean price of 21s 4d, which also is satisfactory. The maize trade may be called steady, 10 markets out of 30 the turn dearer, but 12 rather weak is the record. Good business for linseed at full prices, but rape seed is out of request.

The Household. A Thimble Danger. The sight of the ordinary brass thimble is a familiar one to our eyes. Every working woman of our acquaintance possesses such a one it is either on her finger, or temporarily at rest in her pocket. The feminine sewing world in general has grown up to regard this necessary protection against the needle's point as a friend, and not as a foe but, alas we are now brought face to face with facts, and we learn, with some consternation, that there lurks a danger in the thimble'd brassy depths. One such has lately acted the part of poisoner upon its owner. It appears that the woman had a slight scratch on the finger on which she placed the thimble, and commenced some sewing. Ere night she had succumbed to blood-poisoning. It is fortuna-te that more of the needle-working world have not ere this fallen victims to their thimbles, for the risk thus run of using corroded brass is no slight one. We are very apt not to allow the experiences of others to apply m our own cases, but it would be well if women would bear this tragic death in mind, and would substitute the bone thimble for the more dangerous one of brass. —Hospital. Common Eye Troubles. Blurring of the sight is a symptom which generally causes considerable uneasiness, being regarded as a sign of failing power of the eyes. If a person's sight is at other times good, blurring for a few seconds need not occasion any uneasi- ness. It may generally be assumed as a mere temporary weakness, which will be recovered as soon as the eyes have well rested. This symptom is a frequent complaint of young girls who spend many hours at the piano. The eyes are particularly liable to strain while reading music, because exact vision is required to follow the notes. What has been said in reference to blurring of the eyes may also be said of pain in the eyeball. It generally comes on after over-taxing the eyes. If it dis- appears, or is much less, after they have had a period of rest-as, for instance, after a night's sleep—and the sight is good, then it may be assumed that the pailis the consequence of strain of the eyes through overwork, or using the eyes under improper conditions, such as going without glasses when they are needed, or wearing glasses which are not properly adjusted, or reading in poor light while lying in bed. Hints. A SIMPLE SI-KAMBD PUDDING.—If this puddipg is intended for a mid-day dinner it should be made quite early, as three hours are required for steaming it. The ingredients are: One cupful each of treacle, sweet milk, chopped suet, raisins, and currants, two ElgKS, three and a half cups flour, two teaspoonfuls of baking powder, and spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, to the taste. Mix all well together, and pour it into a buttered tin pudding mould*or a closelyrooyered tin pail. where IIbMe is room for it tavsiprettj*apd keep it boiling steadily for about three hours. LBIOHSTOR PIB.—Take three pounds of pork and cut it intd neit sitae, fat and lean together. Well season with pepper, salt, and powdered sage, put a'layer ofrk and a layer of slioed apples in a pie-dish, cover with hot water/make a plain pie-crust with half a pound ot flour and five ounces of dripping, cover the pie with the paetohafcwl bake in a hot oven two houus. iHJBfe p«n --To fry a slice of ham so that it will be tftokoughly well cooked, without being too dry or scorched, requires a good deal of care. See that the frying-pan is hot. This is a very important matter in trying without deep fat. There must be a sharp heat at first, to cook the surface of the meat and confine the juices. For the first few moments move the meat about in the pan, to prevent sticking, and turn it quickly, until both sides show by the change in colour that they are well cooked on the surface. Then set the pan back, where it will have a moderate heat, cover tt, and give it time to become cooked entirely through fifteen or twenty minutes will not be too much for a moderately thick slice. If the cook is skilful and the ham not too salt, eggs fried in the pan after the ham is taken up will be nicely flavoured, but this needs care, as they are much more liable to stick and break the yolk than when lard or fat free from salt is used. SLIOED EGGS.—Take a slice of butter, some omons and mushrooms cut in slips, and a little garlick. Set them over the fire, and, when the onions begin to be coloured, shake in some flour, and moisten with stock and a glass of white wine. adding salt and pepper. Let the whole boil half an hour, and reduce to the consistence of a sauce. Then put m some eggs boiled hard, the whites cut in pieces and the yokes whole. Let them remain over the fire an tnstant, ^nd then serve.

NAMING A LIMIT. While waiting at the depot I noticed a colonred man look into tbe room several times, and he finally beckoned to the African who had just filled the water-cooler to come outside. The latter took a coupling-pin with him as he left the room, and I strolled out to see what was on the tapis. Look-a-heah, Abraham said the first, as the two came together. I has cum down heah prepar'd to hurt yo' mighty hard." Better look out fur me, sah replied the second as he waved the iron pin. Yes, I has come down prepar'd to hurt yo', but I'zegwine to give yo' a chance. I'ze gwine ter be a gem'len, I is." What sort o' chance I'ze gwine to let yo' 'pologize fursayin' I was a no-account nigger." I'll nebber do it!" Look out, Abraham 1" t Doan' you jump on me The man with the coupling pin was the smaller of the two, and but for being armed with that weapon would have been assaulted at once. The bigger man didn't quite like the look of things, but he folt bound to retire honourably, and, after walking around and finding the other constantly on guard, he said I reckon yo' was mighty busy to-day ?" Tolerable busy." Hain't got much time to study up V No, not much." An' if you was broke all to pieces your family would feel powerful bad ?" Who's gwine to broke me ?" I is de pusson dat could do it, sah, but owin' to my feelins fur dis railroad an' yo' family, coupled wid de fact dat yo' is powerful busy jess now, I'ze gwine to contain myself to some odder accashun. Look me in de eye, boy Now, yo' li-sen yo' either 'pologize to me widin do next fo' y'ars, or I'll giv yo' de moas' powerful battera- shun any nigger eber heard tell of in de State of Souf Carolina Fo' y'ars, sab-not anood,er day beyan' fo' y'ars, and doan' you disreckolect it!"

Properly Rebuked. "Before you go down town, Cyrus," said his wife, you must not forget to leave me fifty cents. I've got to J)uv some things this umrijing." "This abominable'"extravagance of yours, Belinda," replied Mr Kneer, opening, his pocket- book with visible reluctance, is what keeps us poor. Where, I should like to know," he con- tinued, becoming excite "is the fifty cents I gave you last week? What have you done with it ? Fifty cents in clean, cold cash, madame, gone in less than six days, and gone for nothing. What have you got to show for it ? tlDo you think I'm made of money?" demanded Mr Kneer, taking out a Coin and slapping it down on the- table. "Do you-" Don't say anything more, Cyrus exclaimed Mrs Kneer, with tears in her eyes, and putting her hand hurriedly over the money. I'll, not spend any more of it than I'm actually obliged to spend, and I thank you ever so much With a mollified grunt Cyrus put his purse back in his pocket, took his hat, ana went down town and in less than half-an-hour Mrs Kneer, trembling with eagerness, was on the Way to a great drapery shop. For Mr Cyrus Kneer, by the most calamitous and unaccountable blunder of his whole life, had given her a 20 dollar gold piece instead of a half- dollar.

An organ builder was one day asked what was thought of Mr Blank as an organist, "Sir," he said, with mock solemnity, he is a most respect- able man." Yes; I have no doubt of that, but I want to know how he ranks as a performer on the organ." "Sir, he is a most exemplary man, one who plays as though he were also a charitable man." "Now would you mind tolling me what you mean by saying he performs like a charitable man?" Well, if I must be explicit, Mr Blank plays upon the organ as though ho did not let his left hund know what his right hand was doing." An advertisement in an Irish paper lately, setting forth the many conveniences and advan- tages to be derived from metal window-sashos, among other particulars observed that "these sashes would last for ever; and afterwards, if the owner bad no use for them, thpy might be sold, t foroMtton." °.

Andrew Fletcher, ot Saltvon, in a letter to the Marquis of Montrose, wrote I kn»w a very wise man that believed that if a man were permitted to make all the ballads he need not care who should make the laws of the nation."

A VOICE OF COMFORT. Though love be bought and honour sold, The sunset keeps its glow of gold And round the rosy summits cold The white clouds hover, fold on fold. Though over ripe the nations rot. Though right be dead and faith forgot, Though one rlull cloud the heav'ns may blot, The tender leaf delayeth not. Though all the world be sunk in ill. The beauteous autumn's mellow still By virgin sand and sea-worn hill The constant waters ebb and fill. From out the throng and stress of lies. From out the painful noise of sighs, One voice of comfort seems to rise: "It is the meaner part that dies." LEWIS MoBBis.

KEEP RIGHT ON A-TRYIN'. If at fust the game don't drap, Keep right on a-try in'; You'll never catch the orneriest coon By sittin' down and cryin'. The man that cuts the widest swath, And never goes a-beggin'. Is the chap that rolls his shirt sleeves high, And keeps right on a-peggin'. The arm may get a leetle lame, That turns the wheel of Forchin, But the possum allus tastes the best That gets the heftiest scorching The g'loot that's alius settin' on The fence a-philosophizin', Mout 'bout as well throw up his end. Or take a doste of pizen. The sboat eats corn and takes his ease, White the work-hoss sweats all over, But the shoat is pickled in the fall, While the boss is munohin' clover. The blister on the hohny hand Don't count fer style nor beauty, But blisters ain't no wuss nor gout, And gout don't jibe with duty. The worthless loafer, mont his name Be Johnson or McGinty, Can't masticate the fruits of toil, Nor toot the hohn of plenty. I knowed a man that 'lowed the world Was owin' him his keepin', He's bidin' now behind the bars Where the light can sca'cely peep in. So, if at fust the game don't drap, Keep right on a-tryin, The pa'tridge bird am hard to ootch, But makes splendiferous fryin'. American Paper. CHAS. R. Scauppi.

REVIEWS. With the October number Sylvia's Journal oompletes its first volume under the editorship of Mrs Graham R. Thompson, and it has now taken its place as one of the first maga- zines for ladies. It is a well written, well edited, and well illustrated magazine, and quite up to date in everything that has a particular interest for ladies, dress, fiction, cookery, music, art and fancy work. Some excellent new features are g'omised for the new volume, including Jane arlow's new story, Kerrigan's Quality. Messrs Ward, Lock and Bowdon's monthly serials include The Imperial History of Eng- land," part 11, which concludes the Elizabethan period Illustrated History of the World," part 12, bring an interesting and well-illustrated narrative down to early German times Hay- don's Dictionary of Dates," part 12 Phelps' Complete Shakespeare," part 11: part 1 of "Anne of Gierstein," a splendid editioifeof th$, Waverley Novels; The fjBhristian'sf Golden Treasury," part 11; Every Man His Own Mechanic," part 12; and Amateur Work," part,'23 of the re-issue, siiich is a veritiMe library of hints and jnfoqiM^ion for any class of amateur workers. The excellent monthlies issued by the Religious Tract Society-" Leisure Hour," "Sunday at H'.wie." Girls' Own Paper," and thg "Boys' Own Paper'' —each conclude the volume withtne October part, and eaBbjfftSblication is charac- terised by pure fiction, beautiful illustrations, and good literature of an entertaining and instructive character. They are all old favourites. The other monthly publications of this arm are "Friendly Greetings," "Light in the Home and Tract Magazine," "The Cottager and Artisan," "Little Dots," and "Child's Companion." No. 112 of their Penny Biographical Series" is devoted to a sketch of Savonaiola, the Italian martyr. A new volume of Cassell's The Story of Africa and its Explorers" is commenced with part 21 part 33 of Cassell's Storehouse of General Information carries the work down to "Leopardi," and the coloured plates illustrate some British poisonous plants. Cassell's Saturday Journal is a capital budget of miscellaneous reading, and insures the purchaser for £ 1,000. In "Work will be found interest- ing papers on cane and bamboo work, and how to make a mail cart. Among the "how to make" articles is one on the printing press. A biography and portrait of Lord Masham will be interesting at the present juncture. Cottage Gardening is an indispensable companion and guide for any possessor of a patch of ground or a window box, however small. It Ifts the additional advantage of being remarkably cheap, being pub- lished in halfpenny weekly numbers and three- penny monthly parts.

AND SILENCE REIGNED. "0, Harry called out the enthusiastic young woman, as the train rattled over the cross-tracks at Fortieth-street, what is that big building?" "It seems to be a brewery," said Harry, glancing out of the car window in the direction indicated and resuming the reading of his news- paper. "Harry," she exclaimed a few minutes later is that the world's fair over there ? "The world's fair," said the young man, several miles from here." How many miles ? "I don't know. Don't bother me, Clara. She was silent a short time, and then brokeou again. Harry," she asked, does the world's fair cover the whole of Jackson Park ?" I think it does." What does Midway Plaisance mean?" I haven't the slightest idea. I wish you'd let me read." Harry, what's the name of the park we're passing through ?" I don't see any park." You didn't look in time. We've gone through it." I don't think it was a park." I'm suro it was." It was Fifty-fifth street boulevard," said the diffident young man with carroty hair in the next seat, joining in the conversation. Sir said the young woman, taming to him haughtily. I was speaking to my brother I—I beg your pardon, miss," he replied. So was I."

A TYPICAL DEBATE. Pat: Yez may say what yez plaze, gintle- men It's not onywhere ye'll be fomdin' braver men than th' Irish."—Smart tourist: "Get away, Pat, it was only, the other night that I made five of them run."—Pat: Was it long catchin' ye, they were ?'

When Admiral de Horsey, who some years ago had command of the British Fleet in the Pacific, was the Admiral of the North Atlantic Squadron, he was one. evening dining on shore at Port Royal, Jamaica. On returning to his flagship alone after dinner his way to the boab led across the barrack square. A black sentry of one of tho West Indian regiments halted him at the gate with. Who goes dar ?" Great was the admiral's annoyance to find he had neglected to get th password before leaving the ship. That's all right," he said carelessly, hoping to overcome tbe man's scruples by indifference; you know who I am." Dunno nobody, sar," replied the man pompously. "You can't go in *d:iir." "Why, Pm Admiral de Horsey." "Well, you oan't go 48,1 don' caw if you'a Admiral de Donkey."

Welsh Tit-Bits. Neu Wreichion Oddiar yrEingion. (BY CADBAWD.] A Proud Family. The prolific Herbert race first set themselves down in Wales at Wernddu, near Abergavenny. Henry de Herbert, Chamberlain to King Henrv I., is pointed to as being their great ancestor. Of the vast possessions that formerly supported the grandeur of the Herberts, the inheritance of Mr Proger—the last lineal descendent from the elder branch of this family, who Jived in the latter end of the last century, had dwindled down to less than two-hundred a year. Mr Proger having one day met a stranger near his residence, who was inquisitive as to who was the owner of the antique mansion which stood before them, That, sir," answered Mr Proger, £ is Wernddu, a very ancient house for out of it came the Earl of Pembroke of the second line, the lords Herbert of Cherbury, the Herberts of Coldbrook, Rumney, Cardiff, and York; the Morgans, of Acton, the Earl of Hunston, the Jones's, of Treowen and Llanafth, and all the Powells. Out of this house also, by the female line, came the Dukes of Beauford." And pray, sir, who bves hero now?" "I do, sir." Then pardon me, sir, do not loose sight of all these prudent examples, but come out of it your- self, or it will tumble and crush you." Mr Coxe, in his" Historical Tour" (1801), relates an anecdote of the same gentleman's pride of ancestry. There was always a contest for pre- cedence between the houses of Perthir and Wernddu. Mr Proger, in company with a friend returning from Monmouth to his home, were suddenly overtaken by a. violent storm, and unable to proceed, Mr Proger groped his way for refuge to his cousin Powell's at Perthir. The family had retired to rest, but the loud calls of the tempest-beaten travellers soon brought Mr Powell to a window, and a few words informed him of his relation's predicament, requesting a night's lodging. What! is it you, Cousin Proger ? You and your friend shall be instantly admitted, but upon one condition—that you will never dispute with me hereafter upon my being the head of the family." No, sir," returned Mr Proger, "were it to rain swords and daggers I would drive this night to Wernddu, rather than lower myself and the consequence of my family." They parted in the bitterest enmity and the stranger, who had silently waited the issue of the contest, in vain solicited a shelter from thestorm. for he was a friend of Cousin Proger. OLD RELIGIOOS CUSTOMS IN WALES. Of course some of these customs were local, and some extended through the whole of the Prin- cipality. In the majority of our Welsh parishes there is now one, if not more, well named Ffynon Fair- the well of our lady. In olden times the water for baptism was invariably brought from thence, and, after the ceremony was over, old women were very fond of washing their eyes in the water of the font. When christening took place at a house, the water, after the christening, was carefully thrown over the leek bed in the garden, and in absence of a leek bed, over anything green. Pennant tell" us that a custom once prevailed in churches in North Wales, when, at the name of the devil, an universal spitting seized the congre- gation, as if in contempt of the evil spirit, and whenever Judas was mentioned they expressed ir abhpjtence of him by smiting their breasts. 'On the~i5^B of St. John the Baptist it was usual with the Welsh to stick over the door gprigs of John's toort, or, in lieu of it, the common H%'tgwort. The intention was to punfy the house from evil spirits in the same manner as the Druids were wont to do with the Vervaine, the Welsh name of the latter plant being Ca8 gan Gythraul, or the Devil's aversion. Before a funeyaj t ook place it v/jis the custom as the time the corpse was the bouse I and laid upon the bier for tlU next-of-kin, be it widow, mother, sister, or daughter (for it was to be a female) to give over the coffin a quantity of white loaves in a dish made and kept for the purpose. They were very large pewter dishes, and some of them are to be seen in old country houses now, polished up and much valued. In some instances cheese Was also given with a piece of money stuck in it to certain poor persons. After that they presented in the same manner a cup of drink, and required the person to drink a little of it immediately. When that was done they kneeled down, and the minister, if present, said the Lord's Prayer, after which they proceeded with the corpse, and at every cross way between the house and the church they laid down the bier, knelt, and again repeated the Lord's Prayer, and did the same when they first entered the chuicbyard. Psalms were sung on the way, which custom is still alive in Wales, a custom we should not wish to see discontinued. By the beautiful singing we often hear at funerals the stillness of rural life is often broken unto in a manner which cannot help being productive of religious reflections. In hard winters the Vale of Glamorgan is fre- quented by many swans. They always depart when the frost is over. Iolo Morganwg, in his autobiography, says :—" I have some general, but no personal, satire there is too much priestcraft amongst every sect; too much kingcraft in all, even Republican Governments; yet there are many good pnests, and I believe a brace of good kings may be found, at least I will venture on one." The old Welsh bard probably means by the one good king the king of kings—printer's devil. The Book of Baglan. MAROROSK IN GUM. Sir Jon Delaber, K., ma. Annes 3 da. to Sir Paine Turberville. Sir John Delaber had issue: Sir John Delaber, K., Io. of Marcrose, had issue Thomas Delaber, lord of Marcrose, died without issue. William Gamage, Esq., Jo. of Roggiad. in the county of Monmouth, ma. Sara, the 4th da. of Sir j Paine Turberville, lo. of Coittie. Sir Gilbert Gamage ma. the da. and sole b. of Sir John Martall, K. Sir William Gamage, K., lo. of Coittie, ma. th* da, of Sir John Lemor, K. Thomas Gamage, Esq., ma. the da. of Sir Gilbert Denis, Knight. John Gamage, Esq., ma. Ales, the da. of Morgan of Adder. Morgan Gamage ma. Annis, heda. of'Sir Roger Vaughan, Knight. Sir Thomas Gamage, K., ma. Margaret, da. to Sir John St. John, of Bletsow, Knight. Robert Gamage ma, Joan, da. to Sir Pho. Coirpner, Knight. John Gamage, Esq., lo. of Coittie, living 1577, had issue one daughter, married to Sir Robert Sidney, Knight. LLAOTKETHET. William Bassett, Esq., ma. the da-, and sole h. of Adam Sisill, lo. of Bewper. The. JJasset, to. Qf Bewper, died without issue. Šir- E- Bassett, R: lOa.. the da. of írJàhn Delaber, and one of the h. of Thomas Delaber. John Bassett, of Bewper, Esq., had issue. John Bassett, of Bewper. Jgnkin Bassett, Esq., mar. da. to —■ Moj^jfWtij of Penooed. William Bassett, Esqaior, ma, the da. of Wil. liam Flemyn, Esquior. William Bassett, of Bewper, Esquior, ma. one of the daughters of Sir Rees Mansell, of Margam, Knight. LLAXGCA. John Meredith ma. —— da. to of —— and have issue David. I" David John Meredith ma. Catherine, da. to Lewis Jno. Powell Yeban, of Ewias Land, and hade issue 2 sones—James, Lewis, who died without issue, and 3 daughterg- Marjerie, Mar- garet, and Elizabeth. James David ma. Joan, da. to Tho. Prosser Gwatkin, of Cowhill, in the oountie of Heref., and had issue 3 sones and 2 da. (viz.), John, Phe., and Watkin, Alson and Blanche. John James lOa. Marie, the da. to Watkin Williams, of Rothston, and hade issue James, Soibill, Blanche, Marie, and Joan. Phe. James ma. Blanche, da. to William Ja., of Llangna, and had issue Thomas. Watkin Ja. ma. Jonet, da. to Win. ab levan, of Skenfitb, and had issus Phe, Alson ma. David Rie. Thomas, of Rothston, and had issue James and Mathewe and 4 da. Joan. ma. Peter, of Abeygrasedew (t); Sibill, ma. Edraond Brownie, of Bicnor, in ye co. of Gloc. Marie ma. John Price, of Bradley and Eliza, a spinster—1605.

What is that which ooours twice m a'moment

GOSSIPS'CORNER. The invention of the lead pencil is more tha* 500 years old. Childless and unmarr ied men form 75 per cent, of all the criminals of f 'runce. The Shah of Persia c-arefully treasures an heir. loom in the shape of a small cube of gold literallt covered with Oriental Jitters and characters. If is supposed to have fallen from Heaven during" Mahomed a time. The D'Arcy Reeve prize of £20, for the best original essay on a Gr aduated Income Tax, hat, been awarded to Dr. W". H. S. Aubrey, of Croydon, through the Eleusis Caub, Chelsea, in whom the founder of the scheme vested its control. Age cannot stale tho Bishop of Chichester, who has gone off to Switzerland for a holiday with hit nephew, Archdeacon Mount. This is good for a bishop who was six yi iars Mr Gladstone's senior at Eton, and is withi a two years of being as old as the century. Frank Ives, the young American billiard playor whosa reoent defeat John Roberts in the States will add material interest to his next visit to London, is al most as good on the cycle at he is with a cue. He made several records at Hampden Park, Spiringfield, Mass., some years ago. His records for 21 to 25 miles and SO to 60 miles have never been beaten. Since he took lie billiards, however, lives has almost given up cycling. Much activity is being shown by the restoration committee of Peterborough Cathedral to complete the fitting-up of the great Norman Choir by the New Year. The family of the late Dean Augusta* Page Saunders have given a magnificent reredoa of white alabaster, at a cost of £ 1,500, and this M now in course of erection. It is of baldacohimt design, and will be supported by four red marble columns. At the same time five new stalls are being added, and the organ given by an anonymoui donor, at a cost of £4,000, is approaching come pletion. The death of Dr. Crosskey, of Birmingham, deprives the Unitarian body of one of its leading members, and the religious world of a thinker whose mind was superior to all sectarian narrow- ness and bias. Dr. Crosskey's work both at Glasgow and Manchester showed that he possessed a singularly high conception of public duty. It is to the band of high-minded men amongst whom he was conspicuous that Bir* mingbam owes much of its fame for loyal civic administration and a lofty standard of public service. In the last 10 or 12 years, Balliol has suffered heavily from the hand of death. Twelve yeara ago, Professor Green, Professor Henry Smith, Mr Arnold Toynhee, and Mr R. L. Nettleship were all working on the teaching staff of the college. Now, all are gone, and all, strangely, befor6their time. The death of the master thus crowns a series of losses such as can seldom have befallen any college during so short a period. And, in addition to the gaps caused by death, Professor Cheyne and Mr Andrew Bradley, who were also in residence at the time we refer to, have left Oxford to assume other duties. Mr J. Cowasjee Jebanghir, of Malabar Hill, Bombay, has presented 200,000 rupees-some ;013,000-to the Imperial Institute, on condition that the sum shall be applied to the special benefit of India. The governing body tha institute ilave -acce^sd the splendid gift, and propose to devote it to the construotion of an I' Indian conference room, and the building of » great hall in which lectures will be delivered on Indian and Colonial mercantile subjects during each winter session. Mr J. Cowasjee Jehaughir is the nephew and adopted heir of the late Sit Cowasje^ Jehanghir, long famous in; Western Indra for his public charities and for his inde- pendence of character. Mr R. H. Davies's amusing article on Under- graduate Life at Oxford,' in Harper's, of which mention was recently made In this column, spoils by an important omission oneof the best and oldest of University stories. Mr Davies tells the story of the man who said, while showing some ladies round the quadrangle of Balliol, "That is the Master's dining-room, that on the floor above it the Master's study window, and that," he added, picking up a stone from the gravel walk and hurling it through the window, is the Mastet himself." Of course, the missing point of tht story is that the undergraduate waited until tb. irate Master put his head out of the window before pointing him out to his guests. Oneof the most curious cases is reported from the United States. Last week, when the president of the Erie Railway Company opened his mail one morning, he found a letter which ran as follows :—" TwelvA ^ears ago, being completely out of money, and finding it necessary to reach a certain point to secure work, I stole a ride on the cow-catcher, or pilot of one of your company's railway engines. I hav' just entered the ministry, and, although biassed with little money, now enclose a postal order for 3dols. 45 cents to pay for the stolen ride. I do not know what the regular tariff was then, but have figured it at 5 cents a mile, which should cover the first cost and compound interest since then. I earnestly desire the forgiveness of both God and man." The Railway Regulation Act, 1893-that is, the Act limiting the hours of work for railway ser- vants—seems to give great satisfaction to. the railwaymen. Mr Harford, the general secretary, in his report to the Railwayinen's Congress which is to meet to-day at Glasgow, passes one or two criticisms on the measure, but welcomes it as un- doubtedly providing means whereby overwork can be grappled with, and as a "most effective weapon" for ridding the service of excessive hours. He rejoices, too, over the recognition of Trade Union leaders as bona-fide representatives of the men capable of treating on their behalf. And while thankful to Mr Mundella for what he has done, Mr Harford pays warm thanks to M! Asquith for his firmness in regard to the Bm- ployers' Liability Bill. On the whole the railway- men evidently see that they have cause for gratitude to this Government. It has not, as Sit Albert Rollit might put it, played on one string quite all the time, after all. A warning to farmers has been issued by tfct Board of Agriculture against the danger of cattle poisoning from the unusual abundance this season of the crop of acorns, which in the present dearth of herbage, owing to the long drought, are certain tc be eaten by stock with avidity. In the years 1868, 1870, and 1884, which were remarkable fctr a yield of acorns, after a long, dry, aud hOt sumtfcti*. serions losses among young cattle occurred troa: outbreaks of what is known as the acorn dioease, Iftmng cattle up to two years old 8U. severely. Acorn disease is distinguished by gressive wasting, entire loss of appetite, diarrhmk sore places inside the mouth, discharge from tht nostrils and eyes, which are always sunken, givinf to the animal a peculiar haggard expression. No fever is present from first to last, but. on the contrary, the temperature is commonly below tht normal standard. Remedies of various kin*; were tried in the great outbreaks of the diee. but no cure was discovered.

A SATURDAY SERMON. thlt^ I"'3 p^Per'ence inevitably teach at that the W for a wise and noble life have. foundation infinitely deeper than the fiat of any being, God or man, even in the groundwork of ^TTtUre', uhe Wil1 «« tbat wh**o sheddeth man s blood, though by man his blood be not shed, though no man avenge and uo bfcll await, yet every drop shall blister on hissout and eat in the name of the dead. She win teach that whoso takes a love not lawfully his own. gathers a flower with poison on its petals that whoso revenges, strikes with a sword with twc edges—one for his adversary one for bimgelt that who lives to himself is dead, though the ground is not yet on him that who wrong? another clouds his own son and that who sins in secret stands accused and condemned before the ;one Jndge who deals eternal justice—his own aU knowing aelf. OLIVBB SOHRBINER ¿u Story of the African Farm.")