Welsh Journals

July 8, 1892. THE WELSH WEEKLY. exceedingly worthy and a conscientious man. But he has committed the fault he speaks against in another, " that of making an unhappy comparison " between President Davies and Mr. Hughes ; and, if we are not mistaken, there comes the "cloven foot" to view. Why this narrow-minded jealousy of a real good man, that attempts honestly to bless his age and generation by a practical work for God. The writer evidently endeavours mildly to hint that Mr. Hughes's object in writing is to vilify President Davies's character and excellencies. He evidently has not known much of Mr. Hughes's character or work. Mr. Hughes is a man of daring faith, a consecrated man of God, and who has been signally honoured of God in all he has undertaken, notwithstanding the many insults he receives from men unable to take the stand he does for God and humanity. Is it likely that Stanley, Marianne Farningham, De Winton, the Maclaren family, Dr. Roberts (Pontypridd), Dr. Gethin Davie3 (Bangor), and a host of friends experienced in African life, would have helped and sup¬ ported him as they have done if he is the character "A Baptist" want us to believe he is ? Those that have known him from childhood, and have lovingly watched the development of his life's work, have the highest possible opinion of him. To know him is to love him, and there are thousands throughout Wales ready to testify, in¬ telligently and lovingly, in a practical manner, their faith in him and in his work. Wickliffe. THE LATE S. P. TREGELLIS. To the Editor of the Welsh Weekly. Sib,—Since noticing the enquiry of my friend Witton Davies, in the Welsh Weekly, I have communicated with a modern "friend," residing at Neath, and make the following extract from his reply:— "My first-cousin, S. P. Tregellis, was a young man employed for a short time in the works of the Neath Abbey Iron Company, but from what those who knew him there have told me I should think that his mind was much more occupied in literary matters, and at that time he learnt Welsh, being especially helped in it by a man whom I knew, named David Jones, who kept the Star public-house. S. P. T. thoroughly mastered Welsh, and in his mature l'fe would preach in that language when visiting his mother, who lived for many years at Neath Abbey. " It is stated that on being introduced in Rome to Car¬ dinal Antonelli, he addressed the Cardinal in Welsh, and was much surprised at a prompt reply in the same lan¬ guage." As regards learning the language, the example of S. P. T. might well be followed by many English residents in Wales, or if they cannot learn themselves, they might engage Welsh nurses for their children, instead of allowing them to grow up ignorant of and, in a great measure, apart from the national life. S. P. Tregellis was an acquaintance, and I believe an admirer, of Eben Fardd. It is painful to have to record his espousal of principles of a less spiritual character than those connected with the profession of his early life; but I suspect, as is generally the case, he was never quite at home in any other. I might say much the same about the father of the late member for Swansea, whose uncle George was an eminent minister in the Society of Friends in his day, and travelled repeatedly in this country in Gospel service. He died in Burlington, New Jersey, 1820. Unlike his. nephew, Lewis George was not a successful man of business, though never, I suppose, a poor man. In fact, I do not recall a single instance of an acceptable and. largely-gifted minister in the Society being at the fame time head of a large concern; generally it has been in quite a medium or small way, and in those days the plain language, without complements, and the plain dress, were hedges against seeking much greatness in the work. These were crosses which George, after some deviation, conscientiously bowed to in the days of his youth. Undoubtedly the political career of the late L. LI. Dilhvyn was moulded by after-irjfluences of Quaker origin. Witness again the refusal of his daughter to don mourn¬ ing ; and the writer happens to know that in bis capacity as Director of the Great Western Railway Company he stood by one of the Company's porters who had got him¬ self into disfavour through following his convictions as a Quaker, and refusing to doff his hat in the presence of his superiors. The late R. N. Fowler, M.P., though of an opposite side iu politics, was another instance of the preservation of traces of Quaker influence in public life. Personally I prefer to see it in its native rigid simplicity, without mixture. John S. Southall. Dock Street, Newport, Mon. June 2, 1892. POLITICS ON SUNDAY. To the Editor of the Welsh Weekly. Deab Sib,—Some time ago a correspondent wrote to your columns on the theme " Not ashamed to be called a Welsh¬ man." With much enthusiasm I heartily re-echo his sentiments, but unless some change takes place before long in the political warfare of some South Wales constituencies; I shall feel profoundly ashamed of my nationality. Would you credit this fact, Mr. Editor, unless you were obliged to ? On June 19, which was a Sunday, Messrs. Pritchard Morgan, M.P., and D. A. Thomas, M.P., addressed great political meetings in the Merthyr district. Of course, we are now in the thick of a general election, but when Welshmen desecrate the Sabbath with political strife it is time to protest. Wales is being honoured for her religious spirit, for her devotedness to the Lord's Day; and for her adherence to the teachings of Christ. Yet, in spite of all this, two prominent members of Parliament, who are supposed to represent Wales and the Welsh, venture to claim the hearing of their constituencies on Sunday, and thereby show the greatest possible disregard for the religious conviction of the people. No one can deny the claim politics has on the Christian citizen, but surely it has no claim whatever on the Christian Sabbath. A very few years ago Wales celebrated the centenary of her Sunday Schools. Shall she now surrender them to political warfare ? The voters of South Wales must answer. The Welsh people yearn for religious equality and many other just measures, but I, for one, strongly believe that they prefer the tyranny of an alien church, or the coercion of cruel land laws, rather than submit to have their Sabbath slain as a victim to Mammon. But it is not necessary to submit to either course. Let a suitable candidate be brought before the electors—one who represents not only their political opinions, but also their religious opinions on fundamental and essential matters—and no doubt he will receive their suffrage. At all events, no true and patriotic Welshman, and above all no Christian, will support those who trample on the sanctity of the Sabbath. To whatever extent the political aspira¬ tions of Messrs. Pritchard and Thomas coincide with those of their constituencies, this one great difference should be enough to convince the electors that more suit¬ able men can be found to represent them in Parliament, —men who, while endeavouring to realise the hopes of Wales, will not dare to discuss Home Rule or any other political topic oh the day the Almighty has commanded to be kept holy and sacred. I hope that the Liberalism of South Wales will be represented in other men than Messrs. Pritchard Morgan and Thomas. Yours very sincerely, R. E. I. THE WESLEYAN PRESIDENCY. To the Editor of the Welsh Weekly. Dear Sib,—Referring'to your notes on the election of a President for the Welsh Conference, which, it is hoped, will be held in Cardiff in 1893, allow me to say, as my name has been mentioned by you, doubtless with a feeling of kindness, that it is my earnest desire that none of my Welsh friends will record their votes in my favour. I must request not to be placed in a false position. Yours respectfully, Jno. Evans. 47, Lonsdale Square, London, N. THE LADIES' COLUMN. Blonde.—Have your skirt made with aslittle fulness round the waist as possible ; that is the chief character¬ istic of present day skirts. Wear with it a Bussian blouse of pale blue washing silk, and the effect will be very pretty. A hat of black lace, trimmed with ribbons and wild flowers, such as daisies, clover, cowslips, and buttercups, would be suitable to wear at a garden party. Silk gloves would be far better in warm weather. Bronwen.—(1) Have you not seen Cymru for May and June ? If not, try to do so; you will find a better description of the Welsh cawl in those parts than any that we can possibly give you. (2) To make lemonade for invalids try the following :—Pare off the rind of one lemon thinly ; cut it into two or three thin slices, and remove as much as possible of the white outside pith and all the pips. Put the slices of lemon, the peel, and lump sugar to taste, into a jug; pour over boiling water, cover it closely, and in two hours it will be fit to drink. It should either be strained or poured off from the sediment. (3) Strawberries and cream:— Pick the stalks from the fruit, place it on a glass dish, sprinkle over it pounded sugar and slightly stir the strawberries, that they may all be equally sweetened ; pour the cream over the top and serve. Devonshire cream, when it can be obtained, is exceedingly deli- cious for this dish, and, if very thick indeed, may be diluted with a little thin cream or milk. Pitt.—William Pitt the younger entered Parlia¬ ment at the age of 21, was made Chancellor of the Exchequer at 24, and shortly afterwards First Lord of the Treasury. He was the second son of the great Earl of Chatham. Jane Hopkin.—(1) Eider down is got from the eider duck, of which there are three British varieties. You will find their natural history interesting. The Fames, off Northumberland, is a celebrated rendez¬ vous, their nests lying thick on the ground. As the number of eggs insreases, the bird covers them with feathers from the breast until they are completely hidden. This is the down that fills eider down quilts. (2) If the affection you complain of arises from decayed teeth, great cleanliness of the mouth and the use of charcoal tooth-powder will remove it; but if the cause is stomach derangement you had better consult a medical man. Barmaid.—Your question in your position is a delicate one. We have heard "men of the world " say emphatically that no virtuous woman can stand behind a bar and listen to the conversation that goes on there. We also know a lady who was induced to take a situation at the bar of a first-class hotel, but was compelled to relinquish it for that very reason. Consult the minister of your church. Young Politician.—(1) Yes, it is true that Mr. Gladstone first came out as a Tory, just as Mr. Disraeli came out as a Whig. In 1839, when Mr. Gladstone was M.P. for Newark, Lord Macaulay wrote, criticising his work on Church and State :—" The author of this volume is a young man of unblemished character and of distinguished parliamentary talents, the rising hope of stern, unbending Tories. It would not be at all strange if Mr. Gladstone were one of the most unpopular men in England." (2) Certainly, there is no man in Wales that can write and speak Welsh belter than Mr. T. E. Ellis, M.P. for Merionethshire; he is about 32 years of age. Coffee.—Cafe au lait is merely very strong coffee added to a large proportio n of good hot milk. Cafe noir is handed round after dinner ; it should be made very strong, well sweetened, never mixed with milk or cream, and served in small cups. * A Bachelor.—(1) We are sorry that we cannot help you, but we are obliged to decline to have any¬ thing to do with the match-making business. If you are too busy to look for a wife yourself we are afraid you must do without one. After all, you are not so badly off; some married men complain that they have buttonless shirts as well as you. (2) You ought to buy the Million every week; you will be told, in Mr. T. P. O'Connor's charming manner, all you want to know about the House of Commons. Tennyson.—The quotation is from Shelley's " Revolt of Islam," and is as follows :— " And such is nature's law divine, that those Who grow together cannot choose but love, If faith or custom do not interpose." The other is from "Cowper's Grave," by Mrs. Browning:— " He testified this solemn truth, Though frenzy desolated, Nor man nor nature satisfies Whom only God created.'' All communications to the " Ladies' Column " to be addressed to GWYNETH, Office of the Welsh Weekly, 19, Moira Terrace, Cardiff. Thou mayst be sure that he who will in private tell thee of thy faults is thy friend, for he adventures thy dislike, and doth hazard tby hatred ; for there are few men that can endure it, every man for the most part delighting in self-praise, which is one of the most universal follies that bewitcheth mankind.—Sir Walter Raleigh.