Welsh Journals

always available for farmers who wish for advice on more general questions. No charge is made for advice to farmers in the College area, and, no doubt, full advantage will be taken of these facilities by agriculturists in North Wales. Mural In July, 1912, two mural paintings Paintings at by Mr. Murray Urquhart were Machynlleth, unveiled at the Owain Glyndwr Institute, Machynlleth, and on 1 1 th February, 1914, two further paintings, to complete the series of four, were disclosed to the public. On entering the reading room of the Institute, the first panel represents a Welsh bard addressing a number of soldiers. He is pointing to a comet, which appeared at this time, and which was regarded as an omen of success for Glyndwr's Arms. The two central panels form one picture and re- present an assault upon a castle. Glyndwr is seen on horse-back, giving orders to his men, and the complete picture depends for its main action upon the strug- gling forms of the men who are bringing up a scaling ladder. On the left, and on another plane, some figures are seen raising a ladder against the castle wall, which entirely fills the back-ground. The figures are so grouped as to give a sense of vigour and animation. The fourth and last panel represents Glyndwr rallying his troops on Mynydd Hyddgant. We publish a photograph of one of the panels painted by the artist, from which it will be seen that Mr. Urquhart has kept within the limits of decoration, and has avoided a confused composition and dis- tracting details, which are only permissible in book illustration. He has above all striven after that simplicity and lucidity of design which is essential for mural work. The following appreciation which appeared in the Westminster Gazette of 2nd February is testimony to the quality of the work The work is so good that, but for the tourists, it would seem almost a pity to hide it in what in these days is little more than a village. The painter has thoroughly understood the demand that was made upon him, and has combined the requisite breadth of treatment with fine drawing and a real sense of style. The Parliament House of Machynlleth will be all the more worth visiting for his pictures." We heartily share the appreciation of the very high quality of Mr. Urquhart's work, but we dissent strongly from the opinion that any work of this kind can be too good even for a country town I These four panels suggest the glory of Glyndwr's career, the vigour of the movement which he inspired and led, and the manly qualities which were his. They bring a breath of the past and will, we hope, serve as an inspiration for the present. Glyndwr's lofty spirit is needed in every age. It is the spirit of courageous, persistent, intelligent service of the country he loved. An Judging from the experience of opportunity certain County Councils in Wales, for Welsh there is at least one profession which Boys. is not overcrowded. Some time ago one Council issued twenty-one advertise- ments for a qualified school dentist, the salary offered being £ 250, with travelling expenses. Notification of the appointment appeared in the British Dental Journal while the dental hospitals of Birmingham, Manchester and Liverpool, together with the National Hospital, London, were communi- cated with. These efforts resulted in only fifteen applications being submitted. Of the applicants, three only were under 30 years of age, five between 30 and 40, the remaining seven being over 40, while of the total number but two had Welsh names, and it is by no means certain that these were Welsh speaking. We understand that this experience has been shared by other Councils in the Principality, and it indicates that students of dentistry, who have recently qualified, can earn more than £ 250 a year, with travelling expenses, in private practice, and in consequence they are not likely to leave such practice for service under municipal or county authorities. Moreover, it shows that at present, the supply is hardly equal to the demand, and, in view of the likelihood of the demand for school dentists increasing in the future, it points to a widening of the area of choice for Welsh parents, when determining careers for their boys. Those who decide to give their sons a training in dental surgery are likely to be rewarded. Should any parents desire advice upon this matter, we shall be pleased to give it. A Welsh During the last month an interesting Artist exhibition of pictures by Miss Margaret Lindsay Williams has been held at the New Galleries, Cardiff. It is but two