Chapter XII: Pamela Says "yes." (2)

Another kind of decorative furnishing very highly prized was the leather work which made such handsome frames for mirrors and was also much used for brackets, and those dark articles formed a very welcome relief to the amount of gilding in vogue during the days of the Third Empire in France, which was copied almost _ad nauseam_ in England. They entailed an amount of attention from duster and feather brush that would drive modern mistresses and maids crazy; but that is a detail.

(_Christ and the Woman of Samaria._)]

The modelling and cutting of leaves, flowers, and berries in leather was really hard work, and required hands endowed with a good deal of muscular strength. The skilled worker was always a student of nature, and found models in some of her loveliest forms. Vine leaves and tendrils, with or without bunches of grapes, oak leaves and acorns, convolvulus blossoms and leaves (see illustration at head of article), passion-flowers and roses, were great favourites. The leather used was tanned sheepskin and cowhide, technically known as basil and skiver; the tools were few, being principally a sharp strong pair of scissors, a stout penknife, a stiletto and a veiner. The best work was often accomplished with the fewest tools, for it is very rarely that the craftsman or artist who can afford to buy every possible accessory turns out anything worth looking at. A large board or old deal table, a basin of water, sponge, wire, tacks, hammer, stain, glue, and varnish, were all needed, and the work was not quite of a kind for the family circle, as it was best pursued in a room with no carpet to spoil, and where no one could be disturbed by the tap-tapping of the hammer. Very good work may be seen from time to time at the various "Arts and Crafts" exhibitions, and leather embossing is a good deal used. Professor Herkomer has some wonderful embossed leather on the dining-room chairs in his House Beautiful at Bushey, and it was all done by a lady. Work in leather cannot therefore be classed altogether among the lost arts; it is being modified, and may some day be revived in all its glory by women who have plenty of leisure and love to have something to show for their handiwork. It must not be forgotten that even in an age that has witnessed such a revival of learning as this there are still girls of active temperament who are neither students nor great readers.

Shell work was accomplished by sticking small shells, chiefly the halves of little pink or white bivalves on to a coloured background with very strong glue. A shallow box was the favourite article, and it was then glazed and used as an ornament much as cases of stuffed birds are. How long it lasted is proved by the specimen photographed, which was worked in 1805.

The wealth of flowers in the present day is quite a modern feature of luxury. Even twenty years ago, except in summer, they were the prerogatives of the wealthy who had gardeners and greenhouses and plenty of artificial heat. Lovers of flowers consequently had wax models of them, and very beautiful they were when natural, though unfortunately they had to be covered with glass shades. The lady who could make them really well was very much thought of, and it was an occupation that could be pursued at any time, except in severely cold weather and a hard frost. The Pantheon in Oxford Street was the great place for obtaining the sheets of wax, shaved off a block with a sharp plane, which was a delicate operation seldom attempted by an amateur. The rose wax was peculiarly thin, almost of the consistence of a real rose petal. The chief tools were small, sharp scissors and a few bone or steel pins with solid glass heads, some dry colours and cotton wool to rub them on with. The worker simply took a rose, snowdrop, violet, or whatever flower she preferred, pulled it carefully to pieces, laid each portion on her sheet of wax and cut out by it as closely as possible, previously wetting her scissors. The petals were moulded in the hollow of the hand with the head of a pin after being coloured, and curled over where desirable, with the steel part wetted like the scissors. The wire stalk was covered by a narrow strip of green wax neatly rolled and rubbed smooth, crooked over at the top and a sort of little wax centre formed on this crook on which the flower was literally built petal by petal. Experience taught which flowers were feasible and which were not. Roses usually turned out well, so did scarlet japonica, apple blossom, snowdrops, and daffodils. Primroses were almost unattainable. Lilies of the valley had each separate blossom made in a tiny mould. All scraps of wax were collected in a stone jar (a strong jam-pot), and, as the great crux was to obtain natural-looking leaves, this wax was carefully melted over or near the fire, well mixed and coloured with indigo and ochre in proportion to the tint of green required. Suppose a few violet leaves were wanted, fresh ones of two or three sizes were gathered and the upper side thoroughly, but not lavishly, moistened with sweet or salad oil. Then a brush was dipped in the liquid green wax and passed over the surface, which was allowed to cool and then a wire stalk was laid on to form the mid-rib of the leaf. Two or three more layers of wax were added, and when quite cold the natural leaf was removed, and a very exact facsimile made its appearance. A well-arranged vase (see illustration on page 309) or basket of wax flowers, closely copied from nature was very pretty and acceptable in the absence of the real blossoms. The wax was rather expensive, though the tools were not, the average price being from one shilling to one shilling and sixpence per dozen small sheets.

Sampler-making was a fine art practised in silk or wool on fine woollen or silk canvas. Its primary use was to teach how to make capital and small letters and figures, which were practically applied to the marking of linen; but occasionally the geography of England was attempted, as shown in the illustration below, and probably no girl who had marked in the outlines and names of the counties ever forgot their respective positions.

All these home occupations had their day and fulfilled their purpose. They added to the household attractions, and made the rooms look as if women lived there and took a pride in them. Very often the nimble fingers worked all the more quickly and efficiently while an interesting book was being read aloud.

We often say that in those days--which, after all, are not so very long ago--girls were delicate and unhealthy, took but little exercise, and were too much given to sedentary occupations. But it was only the foolish (who carry everything to excess) of whom this was true. There was a good deal of running about the house, and the sons and daughters would have known very little of their relations and friends a few miles off, if they had not walked to see them, perhaps to spend the day, or to go one day and return the next. Few families were without sundry poor people in whom they were interested, and if they lived at the other end of the parish, it was an object for a walk to take an old woman a milk pudding, or a little delicacy to a sick child. Houses were more roomy than they are now, certainly the population was not quite so thick on the ground, and in persistent bad weather, when outdoor exercise was impossible for the girls, there were fine games of battledore and shuttlecock in the hall or schoolroom or some half-empty apartment cleared for the purpose. And it was a point of skill, as well as honour, to see who could keep up longest with a skipping-rope, and, though the little ones shared the fun, it was by no means confined to them.

Small daily duties well done, and the change of work that is as good as play, made life satisfactory as well as pleasant. Amusements were rare and costly; they are not invariably cheap now, but apparently we must have them, whatever may be neglected in consequence. We cannot exactly go back to all the ways of our "foremothers," but we need not despise them, and already there are signs that the finger of common-sense is pointing back to that lost era of domesticity in which so many English virtues grew up and nourished.

E. C.

TEMPERANCE NOTES AND NEWS

By a Leading Temperance Advocate.

THE HON. CONRAD DILLON.]

TEMPERANCE AND THE SOLDIERS.

What a fascinating book might be written about the story of temperance work in the Army! Long before any attempt at organised effort, the gallant Havelock had seen the necessity of inculcating "sober habits" among our brave defenders. Coming to our own times, Miss Sarah Robinson, Mrs. Daniells and her daughter at home, and the Rev. J. Gelson Gregson in India, have laboured with more or less success to bring about a change in the state of affairs. The National Temperance League did a vast amount of pioneer work through its military agent, the late Samuel Sims. The formation of the Army Temperance Association a few years back, gave the movement a position which even the most sanguine of its friends would not have ventured to expect. There can be little doubt that this result is largely due to the far-seeing intelligence which its devoted Honorary Secretary, the Hon. Conrad Dillon, has brought to the work. His sagacious counsels, unfailing tact, and extraordinary power of attracting the sympathetic co-operation of the commanding officers, have combined to place the work upon a footing from which it is scarcely likely to be displaced. At the autumn manœuvres on Salisbury Plain the Army Temperance Association was much in evidence, and a number of most successful meetings were addressed by the Hon. Conrad Dillon and the popular secretary of the Association, Mr. Clare White. The Patron of the Association is the Duke of Cambridge; the President is the Duke of Connaught; the Chairman of the Council is Field-Marshal Lord Roberts, and the Chairman of the Executive Committee is General Sir Martin Dillon, K.C.B. The Association publishes an attractive periodical entitled _On the March_, and its comparatively small subscription list is supplemented by a Government grant of £500. It speaks volumes for the thoroughly satisfactory nature of the work done that the Government actually parts with this little plum annually. The amount might easily be doubled in view of the saving to the nation which the improved stamina of the Army has effected, an improvement most certainly traceable to the efforts of temperance workers.

(_Working the Field Telegraph._)]

VETERAN STANDARD BEARERS.

The close of the year was marked by the death of some notable pioneers of temperance. The Rev. G. H. Kirwood, M.A., was for upwards of fifty years identified with the cause in Hereford, and the Rev. Isaac Doxsey for even a longer period in the metropolis. Charles Pollard, of Kettering, could be credited with sixty years' untiring advocacy; John Faulkner, of Derby, had been an abstainer for fifty-five years; and William Symington, of Market Harborough, had reached the patriarchal age of eighty-nine. Apart altogether from the noble work which these lamented worthies accomplished, their long lives present a concrete argument as to the benefits of total abstinence which it will take a great deal to explain away. May the example of their consistent perseverance prove an incentive to young men to follow in their steps!

AN INTERESTING EXPERIMENT.

The Industrial Farm Colony at Duxhurst, Reigate, which owes its establishment mainly to the self-sacrificing devotion of Lady Henry Somerset, is an experiment which cannot fail to command the sympathy of everyone interested in the reclamation of inebriate women. To take the poor creatures away from their sordid surroundings, and place them in village homes with the attraction of out-door occupation, are the salient features of the work. Floriculture, gardening, bee-keeping, and poultry-keeping, are all engaged in; and, as some of the poor women must perforce bring their very young babies with them, a "Children's Nest" is part of the scheme. Dr. Walters, the medical officer, in a recent report gives some interesting particulars of sixty-four inmates:--

"Forty-eight were married women; sixteen were single.

"Twenty-nine drank spirits alone; fifteen drank beer and malt liquors; eleven drank any form of alcohol; four drank wine and spirits; three drank beer and spirits; one drank beer and wine; one took opium.

"Sufficient time has not yet elapsed to be able to speak with confidence regarding the ultimate cure of the thirty-three cases that are now marked as doing well.

"Regarding the failures:--Ten only stayed the full time: two of these had been in homes previously; one had been in an asylum, four were so broken in health that they were removed by the medical officer as unfit for treatment, seven were removed by their friends before the full period had expired."

The members of the National British Women's Temperance Association raise a considerable sum annually in aid of this beneficent institution, but financial help is much needed if the work is to be maintained with anything like efficiency.

THE PARLIAMENTARY OUTLOOK.

The reassembling of our legislators at St. Stephen's will once again give interest to the legislative aspect of the temperance question. The friends of Sunday closing are lending all their energies to a determined effort to "get something" in the new session of Parliament. We may also expect the usual crop of private members' notices dealing with varied phases of legislative control; and then the Report of the Royal Commission, from which great things are anticipated, will be sufficient to keep all interested parties on the alert. As if this were not enough, Sir Wilfrid Lawson may be counted upon to peg away at his project for bringing the House itself under the operation of the licensing laws; so for the next few months we shall find our morning papers liberally besprinkled with items of interest from a temperance standpoint.

A LITERARY MAN'S TESTIMONY.

As considerable interest has been taken in our recent references to the editor-in-chief of the New English Dictionary, we may remark that Dr. Murray makes no secret of his views. Speaking at a public meeting of teachers held in Oxford in 1894, he said that he claimed to be a teetotaller of more than fifty years' standing; and the great dictionary-maker added:--"I am perfectly convinced that I have been able to do my work in the world to a large extent owing to this fact; and that if I were to take stimulants I should be less able to do my work, and certainly my brain would be less fitted to deal with the complicated and somewhat difficult questions which often puzzle me a good deal."

COMING EVENTS.

Workers may like to make a note of the following important fixtures:--The annual meeting of Miss Weston's Royal Naval Temperance Society, Town Hall, Portsmouth, February 1st; Sunday Closing Demonstration, Birmingham, February 6th; Sunday Closing Mission, Sheffield, February 1st to February 15th; Sunday Closing Mission, Salisbury, February 13th to February 28th; a lecture on "The Scientific Evidence for Total Abstinence," by Dr. William Carter, at Liverpool, February 6th; and the annual meetings of the Church of England Temperance Society, Memorial Hall, Islington (March 13th), Exeter Hall (April 25th), and the People's Palace (May 2nd).

Who can Forbear to Sing?

_Words by_ JOSEPH SWAIN, 1792.

_Music by_ ROLAND ROGERS, MUS. D., OXON.
(_Late Organist of Bangor Cathedral._)

1. Who can forbear to sing,
Who can refuse to praise,
When Zion's high, celestial King
His saving power displays?

2. When sinners at His feet,
By mercy conquer'd, fall;
When grace, and truth, and justice meet,
And peace invites them all.

3. When heaven's opening gates
Invite the pilgrims' feet;
And Jesus, at their entrance, waits
To place them on His seat.

4. Who can forbear to praise
Our high, celestial King,
When sovereign, rich, redeeming grace
Invites our tongues to sing!

INTERNATIONAL SERIES]

With Illustrative Anecdotes and References.

FEBRUARY 19TH--=Christ Feeding the Five Thousand.=

_To read--St. John vi. 1-14. Golden Text--Ver. 35._

Christ and disciples have returned to Galilee. The fame of His miracles and teaching spreads. Multitudes crowd to see and hear Him. The annual Feast of Passover is coming on. Large bodies of pilgrims going up to Jerusalem attract Christ's notice. They are fed and taught.

I. =The Multitude= (1-7). _Their desire for Christ._ Why did they come to Him? Some from _curiosity_--to see this famous Man; or because _sick_, hoping they might be healed; or from _gratitude_--having received benefits from Him. Christ does not court popularity; seeks retirement; goes up a hill with disciples for privacy and rest; there sits down and talks with them. From there sees crowd of pilgrims. Must do something for them.

_Christ's desire for them._ Their _wants_ call out His sympathy--they need food. Their _helplessness_ moves His pity. Whence obtain supplies in wilderness far from home? Their _ignorance_ makes Him long to teach them (St. Matt. ix. 36). What does He do! Tests His disciple Philip of Bethsaida (i. 44), who ought to know the resources of the district. Philip makes mental calculation of cost of feeding them. It will take two hundred pence (about £7, taking the _denarius_ or penny as worth 7d., an ordinary day's wages, Matt. xx. 2). But the Lord knew what He would do.

II. =The Miracle= (8-13). Many points to be noticed. _The lad's offering_--probably the meal provided for Christ and disciples. Five barley-bread loaves and two small fishes. But five thousand to be fed! Man's extremity is God's opportunity.

_Christ's command._ People to rest, sit in rows.

_Giving thanks_ to God Who giveth food to all.

_Distribution_ by disciples, His almoners to the poor.

_Sufficient_ and to spare. None went empty away.

_Gathering up_ fragments to avoid any waste.

III. =The Result= (14). Acceptance of Christ by the multitude as the expected Messiah.

=Lessons.= 1. Blessed is he who considereth the poor.

2. Give thanks unto the God of heaven.

Food Comes from God.

We are in want of food, and we buy a loaf at a baker's shop.
Whence does a baker get the flour to make that loaf? You say at
once--"From the miller"; but how does the miller get the corn
to grind into flour? He buys it of the farmer. But how does the
farmer get it? With infinite pains he prepares the ground with
plough and harrow. Then he sows the seed and--leaves it. He can
do no more. The soil in which it grows, the sunshine to warm it,
the rain to moisten it, and the wind to blow upon it--all these
are God's doing, not man's. So a wonder is seen in thousands
of harvest fields every year. One grain has produced a hundred
grains by the almighty power of God. Christ, the Son of God,
passed over all the intermediate processes, and made one loaf to
be multiplied into many. "He giveth food to all flesh, for His
mercy endureth for ever."

FEBRUARY 26TH.--=Christ at the Feast.=

_To read--St. John vii. 14, 28-37. Golden Text--Ver. 37._

Scene again changes to Jerusalem. Spring Feast of Passover long over, autumn Feast of Tabernacles begun. Christ at first decided (ver. 8) not to attend, but (ver. 14) changed His mind and went up, in the middle of the eight days, quite privately (ver. 10), and began teaching in the Temple.

I. =A Sermon= (28, 29). Christ now preaches openly and proclaims His authority. They by this time know Him well. How? By His miracles, which proclaim Him as sent from God. Had healed the impotent man here at Jerusalem (ch. v. 8), also had been testified to by God at His baptism (St. Matt. iii. 17), and by John the Baptist afterwards as the Son of God (i. 33, 34). They knew not God, and therefore would not receive Him.

II. =An Attempt at Arrest= (30-36). Many believed on Him--mostly common people. Why? Because of His miracles, His loving words, His holy life. But chief priests and Pharisees hated Him. Why? For His increasing popularity, while theirs was becoming less. Also for His so openly rebuking sin. So they sought to take Him prisoner, but failed. Why? Because His time for being tried not yet come.

Christ continued His talk. He is now with them as Teacher and Saviour, but will soon go where they cannot follow, _i.e._ back to God. They who reject Him will then seek Him too late, and not find Him (Prov. i. 26). Christ is believed, accepted, loved by some. Rejected, hated, despised by others. How is it with us?

III. =An Offer= (37). Last day of feast. Great procession to Temple. Water brought from Pool of Siloam and poured out. Isaiah xi. sung by priests and Levites. Christ applies it to Himself. Notice the steps--

_Thirst_, or desire for satisfaction, common to all.

_Coming_ to Christ for free gifts of salvation (Is. lv. 1) follows. This is succeeded by--

_Believing_ or throwing ourselves entirely on Him.

=Lesson.= Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.

A Dry Well.

I once saw a picture in which the artist had represented a
party of travellers in the desert. They had travelled far and
long. The water was spent in their bottles, and their thirst
was maddening. They were tired and footsore, and could scarce
drag themselves along, when lo! joy of joys they descried a
well in the distance. Gathering up their little remaining
strength, they joyfully hastened to it. But, alas! for their
bitter disappointment, when they reached it, there was no water
there! The well was dry! In attitudes of utter despair the
unhappy party laid themselves down beside the deceitful well to
die. Never, oh never, can it be so with Christ. His water will
never fail. He is the well of life. That living stream is from
the throne of God, always full of life and grace for thirsting
souls.--REV. GORDON CALTHROP.

MARCH 5TH.--=Christ Freeing from Sin.=

_To read--St. John viii. 12, 31-36. Golden Text--Ver. 36._

Christ still at Jerusalem. Feast over. Country people gone home. He teaches daily in Temple courts. Tells of the union between His Father and Himself, and of His being lifted up on the cross (ver. 28). Result, that many professed to believe in Him. He tells them first of Himself as the Light of the World and then of their position as God's free children.

I. =Christ the Light of the World.= _The figure._ Light is from God (Gen. i. 3), is bright and shining. Lights up darkness, reveals hidden things, makes all clear.

_The meaning._ Christ came from God, to dispel world's darkness (St. Matt. iv. 16) and ignorance, and to reveal God (ch. xiv. 9).

II. =Christ's People Free= (31-36). _Bondage._ New disciples put to the test. They must do two things--continue in His word, _i.e._ learn more of Him, and act upon the truth in their lives. The result will be that they will break their bondage and be free. The Jews object that they have never been in bondage. What have they forgotten? Their bondage in Egypt for four hundred years (Acts vii. 6); their seventy years' exile in Babylon (Dan. ix. 2); their present submission to the Romans. Christ tells them of a greater bondage than any other--that of sin and Satan. To live a life of sin is to be a slave of sin, which involves expulsion from the house (ver. 35).

_Examples._ Cain the murderer became a wanderer (Gen. iv. 12). Hagar, mocking Sarah, had to leave home (Gen. xvi. 6). Prodigal son went to strange land (St. Luke xv. 13). No rest for the wicked.

_Freedom._ Given to Christ's people. The Son shared Father's home from all eternity--so do His brethren. They are ever with Him, share His home and love (St. Luke xv. 31); they are free from sin (Rom. vi. 22); they cannot wilfully sin, being children of God (1 John iii. 9). Free to serve Him with loving service.

_Examples._ Martha (St. Luke x. 40), Mary (St. John xii. 4), and St. Paul (Phil. iii. 7).

=Lessons.= 1. The wages of sin is death.

2. Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?

Burden of Sin.

We have a picture of the Arabs dragging huge loads for Mr.
Layard, the great explorer, and we can imagine how Pharaoh's
slaves, the Israelites, must have sweated and smarted under
their burdens when in Egypt. And I (writes an eminent preacher)
seemed in my youth to have just such a load behind me, and it
would not stir. My burden of inward sin when I was fifteen was
such that I knew not what to do. I prayed, and it would not
stir. I read my Bible, but it would not move. I cried to God
in my agony; I trusted Him. I looked to the Lamb of God, the
sin-bearer, and lo! the burden was gone. I obtained pardon and
peace through Jesus Christ, "Who bore our sins."

MARCH 12TH.--=Christ Healing the Blind Man.=

_To read--St. John ix. 1-11. Golden Text--Ver. 25._

Three months since conversation in last lesson. Christ one Sabbath, on His way with disciples to or from Temple, sees a man blind from birth, probably asking alms from worshippers.

I. =The Disciples' Question.= _Why this blindness?_ A babe born blind--terrible calamity. Unable to care for self, avoid danger, or work for living. Was it a punishment in advance for some after-sin? Was it because of some sin of parents?

_The answer._ No. Unusual suffering must not be connected with some particular sin. True, if there were no sin there would be no suffering. But all suffering for some good end (Heb. xii. 7. 11). Calls forth pity, love, sympathy, help. Example: Good Samaritan caring for traveller in trouble (St. Luke x. 33). This blind man's misfortune would prove to be for the glory of God.

_Christ's message._ 1. To do works of mercy. Therefore "went about doing good." Proving Himself "sent from God," Who shows love for all--evil and good (St. Matt. v. 45).

2. To be Light of the world. To teach the ignorant, to reveal to men their sin and Himself as Saviour (Heb. i. 2), to show the principles underlying the commandments as He did about observance of the Sabbath (vii. 23).

II. =The Miracle= (6-11). Notice--_The use of means._ Christ could have cured him by a word, as He did the sick of the palsy (St. Matt. ix. 6), but He put clay on his eyes and bade him go and wash--thus teaching use of healing ointment and cleanliness in cure of bodily ailments--but useless without His blessing; also a test of the man's faith, as with Naaman (2 Kings v. 14).

_The neighbours' interest._ Such a wonderful cure seemed incredible, caused discussion--could it be the same man? How were his eyes opened? So the man was questioned and told his story. He believed, obeyed, and was cured.

III. =The Teaching.= A Parable of the Sinner and Saviour.

_The sinner_, born in sin, cannot see the light. Is bidden to wash in the fountain always open. Believes, obeys, and is cleansed.

_The Saviour_, full of compassion, gives light, knowledge, hope, salvation, to those who believe.

=Lesson.= Open Thou mine eyes, that I may see.

Light and Joy.

A poor boy in a coal-mine, whose work it was to close the door
after the coal-waggons had passed, was forced to sit there alone
hour after hour in the dark. He was a dear lad, and when someone
said to him, "Are you not tired of sitting so long in the dark?"
he answered, "Yes, I do get tired, but sometimes when the men
give me a bit of candle I sing." So do we. When we get a light
in our hearts we sing. Glory to God Who is our light as well as
our salvation! We see our sin and our Saviour, and, saved by
grace, we shall one day see the dear face of Him we love, and
behold the land which is far off.

NOTES OF CHRISTIAN LIFE AND WORK.

The Cost of a Bible.

The striking diagram here shown is an attempt to represent the different prices a buyer would have had to pay in times past for an ordinary English Bible which he can get to-day for sixpence! In 1804 such a Bible could not be bought under ten times that sum, and in 1650 the purchaser would have had to pay no less than a sovereign, or, forty times to-day's price, for a similar Bible. In 1450 it could not have been bought, except as a written copy, and would have cost over five pounds, money then, as compared with now, having greater purchasing power, too! So that it is practically impossible to give a true representation of this last case, compared with the former; but the diagram clearly shows that a silver coin which would buy such a Bible to-day would have to be represented by the ten coins to buy the same Bible in 1804, and by the forty coins to buy it in 1650!

THE EARL OF HARROWBY.

(_President of the Bible Society._)]

The Children's Rest.

In the pretty neighbourhood of Roehampton stands a useful Convalescent Home rejoicing in the bright name of Hope Cottage, or The Children's Rest. The Home is intended for girls requiring country air and good food, and once again more than sixty little visitors have passed through the Home in twelve months, and delighted in the love and the sunshine, the treats and the toys, they found awaiting them there. From April 1st to September 30th girls between four and thirteen years of age are received for three weeks; but during the winter months children from hospitals requiring continued care are admitted, also chronic invalids and young servants up to sixteen years of age needing the benefits of the Home, the time of their visit being longer or shorter according to circumstances. Small payments weekly are taken in some cases. Twenty of the children have come from the Ragged School Union's Cripple department, all with some burden of suffering to bear through life; and Miss B. M. Galpin, the lady superintendent, would be glad if a new wheeled chair could be sent by some kind friend to supply the place of the wickerwork hand carriage that has so frequently journeyed up Putney Hill with the afflicted children, and which has lately become very frail. Any number of dolls seem wanted, and Miss Pretty, the matron, looking to stern realities, asks for children's boots. The "paper-soled apologies" that come with the patients too often are reduced to pulp at the first real country jaunt. Wet feet for convalescents do not conduce to recovery. Of course, subscriptions are also required, for though small payments are made by some of the children, yet there are free beds and many cases which have to be met half-way. Miss Galpin would welcome more visitors also, to take an interest in the children; and one lady, Miss M. Pollock (who has left the neighbourhood) has made an afternoon every week pass very quickly in games, while several others have given donations of toys or arranged picnics. Perhaps some others would do likewise.

Korea's Crisis.

January 8th, 1895, was an eventful day for Korea. From a hill in the grounds of the Mulberry Palace at Seoul a vast crowd of men, white-robed, black-hatted, looked down in silence and gravity on a scene which marked a new era in its history. In the presence of his court and the dignitaries of his kingdom, assembled at the most sacred altar in Korea, the king took an oath to reform internal administration, and remedy accumulated abuses. "All thoughts of dependence on China shall be cut away and a firm foundation for independence secured," was the first of fourteen clauses in the Great Charter. There was nothing alarming on the surface of this royal undertaking enforced by Japan. Yet the king was ill with anxiety, and old and serious men had fasted and mourned for two previous days. The king and the officers had probably a very shrewd impression what this action involved. Sprinkled amongst the gorgeous costumes of Korean officers were Japanese policemen in blue ulsters, and newly created Seoul police in a blue European uniform. These and other apparent trifles indicated an incoming wave of Western civilisation which could not fail to sweep away old and cherished institutions. The hermit kingdom of Korea has been roughly dragged out of obscurity. It stands dazzled and faint with the glare. A transition stage has inevitable trials. It was during this crisis in its history that the well-known traveller, Mrs. Bishop, visited the country and had four royal audiences. On one of these occasions the queen, who was shortly afterwards assassinated with great brutality, spoke with admiration of Queen Victoria. "Does she ever in her glory think of poor Korea?" she inquired. "She does so much good in the world; her life is so good. We wish her long life and prosperity." The king added, "England is our best friend." Poor Korea, rich by nature, but ruined by man, with its thirty-four million inhabitants, has a claim on English consideration. Already Chemulpo, the treaty port, is a bustling foreign settlement, open both to the good and evil influence of Western power. Which of the two is to predominate?

(_From a Photograph._)

KOREAN CIVIL OFFICERS.]

Some Miscellaneous Works.

One of the most interesting books of the season is Mr. Richard Kearton's "Wild Life at Home" (Cassell and Co.), in which he treats in a bright and informing manner of many phases of bird, animal, and insect life of the United Kingdom. A special value is given to the work by the numerous unique photographs, taken direct from nature, by Mr. Cherry Kearton, many of which were secured only after hours of patient waiting and by means of most ingenious devices (of which full particulars are given) to overcome the natural shyness and timidity of the "subjects."

From Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton comes a series of short stories by Ian Maclaren, under the title of "Afterwards." The author's abounding sympathy with, and extensive knowledge of, human nature are abundantly manifested throughout the book; but we cannot help expressing a wish that the stories had been, as a whole, less melancholy in character, and more on the lines of "The Right Hand of Samuel Dodson," which is the most interesting of the series. The same publishers are also responsible for a biography of "John Stoughton, D.D.," by his daughter, Mrs. King Lewis. Dr. Stoughton's own "Recollections" were issued a few years before his death and widely read, and consequently this biography is limited in its scope, but all the same it contains much that will be read with interest by the many friends of the late veteran divine. Our contributor, the Rev. Professor Bernard, D.D., has just issued, through Messrs. Hodder and Stoughton, a volume of sermons under the title "Via Domini," more than one of which originally appeared in our pages. It is quite unnecessary to introduce Dr. Bernard to our readers, to whom we heartily commend this helpful and suggestive volume.--"Beneath the Banner" (Cassell and Co.) is a work which ought to be in the hands of every boy and girl, and on the shelf of every young people's library. It consists of a number of interesting and instructive "narratives of noble lives and brave deeds," compiled by Mr. F. J. Cross, and we give a special word of welcome to the new and enlarged edition which has just been issued.--For young men and women no more earnest and stimulating work could be found than the recently published addresses by the late Charles Haddon Spurgeon, which appear under the appropriate title "A Good Start" (Passmore and Alabaster); whilst young people, as well as their elders, will doubtless be specially attracted by the new volume of "Anecdotes, Incidents, and Illustrations," which Mr. D. L. Moody has just issued through Messrs. Morgan and Scott. From the same publishers also comes a volume of graceful and pathetic poems by S. Trevor Francis, entitled "Whence--Whither," and also another of the Rev. F. B. Meyer's popular booklets of daily homilies, the latest of which deals with the Psalms and Canticles.--We have also to acknowledge the receipt of "A Study of the Types of the Bible," by Ada Habershon (Morgan and Scott), and of a new shilling edition of "Cassell's Miniature Cyclopædia," which should have a place in every home, where also Phyllis Browne's new work, "The Dictionary of Dainty Breakfasts" (Cassell and Co.), would be found exceedingly useful by every housewife in search of information respecting new dishes and reliable hints regarding old ones.

(_See "Were Young Folk Wiser Then?"_)]

Were Young Folk Wiser Then?

The sermon of which we have reproduced the dingy title-page seemed worthy of rescue from half a dozen handfuls of booksellers' rubbish. The treatise itself is solid, and a trifle heavy according to our modern ideas, but its existence proves that a solution was found in London nearly two hundred years ago for a difficulty which to-day perplexes ministers of all denominations. Young men would come to church, and were willing to be taught and, even further, to be questioned when they got there. "Consideration" is hardly a subject that would appeal to a youthful audience at the close of the nineteenth century. But there are signs that the strenuous efforts made in every department of the Church are winning back young men to exhortation and worship, though the methods pursued are probably more lively than those adopted with such apparent success by the Rev. Mr. Billingsly of the Old Jewry. That divine, however, had not to cope with the comparative secularisation of Sunday, and with what somebody has cleverly called the "era of cyclisation."

"A Mother's Bible."

In our December number we published some touching lines under the above title, which were sent to us by a correspondent who was unaware of the authorship of the poem. Since their publication we have received several inquiries as to the author's identity, and if any of our readers should be aware of the name of the author, we should be very glad to hear from such, and to pass on the information to the inquirers.

ROLL OF HONOUR FOR SUNDAY-SCHOOL WORKERS.

The =Special Silver Medal= and =Presentation Bible= offered for the longest known Sunday-school service in the county of =Wiltshire= (for which applications were invited up to December 31st, 1898) have been gained by

MR. MATTHEW HENRY TRENT,
Berry Cottage, Holt, near Trowbridge,

who has distinguished himself by =fifty-nine= years' service in Holt Congregational Sunday School.

As already announced, the next territorial county for which claims are invited for the =Silver= Medal is

90 DURHAM,

and applications, on the special form, must be received on or before January 31st, 1899. We may add that =Devonshire= is the following county selected, the date-limit for claims in that case being February 28th, 1899. This county, in its turn, will be followed by the territorial county of =Kent=, for which the date will be one month later--viz. March 30th, 1899.

The full particulars of our League of Peace were published in our last number, and we would impress upon those readers who desire to obtain the distinction of being the first to send in a thousand signatures that such names and addresses should reach us as soon after the 1st of March as possible--or even before. Since the January part went to press we are glad to hear that other movements have been set on foot with the special object of rousing up the nations to a sense of their responsibilities in strengthening the hands of all who desire to secure permanent peace, and we heartily wish "God-speed" to these schemes. But the individual, personal responsibility of every man and woman in this momentous matter must not be overlooked, and for this reason we desire to obtain the signature to our memorial of every interested person. The following is the form in which it has been issued:--

"We, the undersigned, desire to express our earnest sympathy
with the peace proposals contained in the recent Rescript of his
Imperial Majesty the Czar of Russia, and hereby authorise the
attachment of our names to any International Memorial having for
its object the promotion of Universal Peace upon a Christian
basis."

This may be copied at the head of blank sheets of paper, and the signatures placed beneath, but we shall be very pleased to send (post free) any number of printed forms on receipt of an application addressed to the Editor of THE QUIVER, La Belle Sauvage, London, E.C.

The objects of our League have already been endorsed, amongst other prominent men, by the Lord Bishop of London, the Rev. Hugh Price Hughes (President of the Wesleyan Conference), the Rev. Samuel Vincent (President of the Baptist Union of Great Britain and Ireland), and Pastor Thomas Spurgeon of the Metropolitan Tabernacle.

THE QUIVER BIBLE CLASS.

(BASED ON THE INTERNATIONAL SCRIPTURE LESSONS.)

QUESTIONS.

37. Where did the miracle of feeding the five thousand take place?

38. By what name was the Sea of Galilee known in olden times?

39. Why was it our Lord inquired of St. Philip how to obtain food for the multitude?

40. What was one of the great hindrances to the Jews acceptance of Christ?

41. What act of open opposition to Christ did the Jews commit during the Feast of Tabernacles?

42. Why was the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles called "the Great Day"?

43. Why were the Pharisees so offended when Jesus spake of Himself as the "Light of the World"?

44. What expression did our Lord use to signify to the Jews that they would crucify Him?

45. In what way did Jesus escape from the Temple when the Jews sought to stone Him?

46. The disciples said to our Lord, "Who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" What do we infer from this?

47. In what way did our Lord test the faith of the blind man?

48. How did the Jews manifest their displeasure against Christ for healing the blind man on the Sabbath day?

ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS ON PAGE 288.

25. Because there was another place called Cana, situate in Samaria (St. John ii. 1; Josh. xvi. 8 and xix. 28).

26. Because the Jews always washed before partaking of any food, and sometimes three or four times during a meal (St. John ii. 6; St. Mark vii. 3).

27. Five (St. John i. 40-45 and ii. 2).

28. Nicodemus is spoken of as a ruler, and was present when the council met to decide what they should do to Jesus (St. John iii. 1 and vii. 38, 50, 51).

29. St. John iii. 14.

30. The piece of land which Jacob bought of Hamor (St. John iv. 5; Josh. xxiv. 32; Gen. xxxiii. 19).

31. The children of Israel were at one time the inhabitants of Samaria, and though the poor who were left after the Captivity became mixed up with the other inhabitants, they still claimed to be Israelites (St. John iv. 12).

32. St. John iv. 42.

33. When the nobleman (an officer in the king's court) came to Jesus at Cana of Galilee, He refused to go and heal his son, simply telling the nobleman, "Go thy way, thy son liveth" (St. John iv. 50).

34. Neh. iii. 1; St. John v. 2-5.

35. St. John v. 22, 27.

36. Because the Jews thereby understood that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God (St. John v. 17, 18).

OUR CHRISTMAS STOCKING DISTRIBUTION.

It is with great pleasure that we acknowledge the prompt and generous assistance accorded by our readers to our scheme for providing destitute children with a little Christmas cheer, and by their help we were enabled to distribute

=Sixteen Hundred Stockings=

to really deserving cases in all parts of the kingdom. The following letter from Paris is but a sample of the many kindly messages sent to us by those interested in the scheme. The writer says:--

"I have just seen in the Christmas number of THE QUIVER about
your Christmas stockings. Although it is too late to propose
any children, I hope it is not too late for you to make use of
the enclosed towards supplying the 'stockings.' I hope it may
make four children happy, and only regret that I cannot see
their joy. To bring a ray of sunshine to children who have none
in their lives is the work among all others to which I would
lend a willing hand, and do more if I were able.--Praying for
every success and blessing on your work, believe me one of your
faithful readers abroad.--F. L.--Enclosed please find P.O. 4s."

It is quite impossible to reproduce the many letters of acknowledgment, but to all those who contributed to the fund we can only say that they would feel amply repaid for their kindly remembrance of the little ones, could they see the numerous spontaneous expressions of thanks which we have received. We may add that the balance sheet of the fund will be duly published when our various yearly statements are made for the twelve months ending at midsummer next.

THE QUIVER FUNDS.

The following is a list of contributions received from December 1st up to and including December 31st, 1898. Subscriptions received after this date will be acknowledged next month:--

For ="The Quiver" Christmas Stocking Fund=: Anon., Gilford,
Ireland, 1s. 6d.; C. B. Grove, Exmouth, 1s.; J. A. B., Grantham,
2s.; G. B. H., Paddington, 5s.; A Friend, Stalybridge, 2s.;
A. Gadie, Bradford, 3s.; Cyril Manley, Oxford, 1s.; D. R. H.,
Liverpool, 2s.; E. F., Birkenhead, 10s.; A Friend, 1s.; Mrs.
G. Sandeson, Heskington, 2s. 6d.; J. Frazer, Dublin, 1s.; H.
E. F., Forest Gate, 1s.; K. Thomerson, Upper Clapton, 2s.;
Mrs. Grimesthorpe, 10s.: E. Jones, Exmouth, 1s.; A Reader of
THE QUIVER, Stafford, 1s.; Anon., Margate, 3s.; W. Brindley,
Boscombe, 2s.; A Friend, Leytonstone, 1s.; A. H., Glasgow,
1s.; H. S., St. Leonards, 1s.; J. E. H., Henbury, 5s.; B. M.,
Darlington, 3s.; C. Burton, Morpeth, 6s.; A. Bamber, Cheltenham,
5s.; A Friend, Southport, 1s.; Mrs. Tyler, Forest Hill, 2s.;
Winnie, Nellie, and Marie, Clapham, 5s.; E. B. Mitchell, Kensal,
1s.; Marie Louyse, Norwood, £1; J. B., Hayward's Heath, 5s.;
B. Burston, Moreland Court, 1s.; A. H., Ripon, 1s.; Ealing,
1s.; M. Smith, Blackheath, 2s.; An Ayrshire Reader, 3s.; A
Scotch Lassie, 1s.; Mrs. Crossley, Warrington, 5s.: Miss Firth,
Cleckheaton, 2s.; Grace T. H. Sim, 5s.; Miss Lacey, Eastbourne,
£1; A Manx Reader, Ramsey, 2s.; "For Jesu's Sake," 1s. 1d.;
N. Wilke, Leyton, 1s.; T. R. Brockbank, Carlisle, 2s.; W.
Bradfield, Buckingham, 1s. 6d.; Tivia, Glasgow, 3s.; Freddy,
1s.; E. A. G., Barnsley, 2s.; Miss Sharpley, 1s.; Miss Clarke,
Belfast, 2s.; Miss L. Clarke, Belfast, 2s.; Miss E. Marshall,
Brighton, 5s.; E. M. B., Weedon, 2s.; A. Hone, Bristol, 2s.;
Anon., Bristol, 1s.; W. B. J. A. C. and W. J. W. C, 5s.; M. W.
and M. L., Cobham, 2s.; Mrs. Gowlett, Great Caufield, 10s.;
E. L., Grampound Road, 2s.; L. V. D., 1s.; A. W., Lymington,
1s.; Two Lovers of Children, 2s.; Mrs. C. M. Waterfall, Hull,
5s.; M. Ling, Ipswich, 1s.; Memories, Dartford, 1s.; E. E. T.,
South Norwood, 1s.; Hettie and Eva Neirson, Wadhurst, 2s.; Mr.
Catlee, Bristol, 1s.; Anon., Sheffield, 1s.; J. R., Alloi,
2s.; Anon., Ipswich, 1s.; A Reader of THE QUIVER, Hartlepool,
10s.; S. V., Blackheath, 1s.; L. E. B., 2s.; Daisy, Dorothy,
and Edgar, 1s.; M. Moore, Birkdale, 5s.; L. R., Newcastle, 2s.;
Mrs. M. M. Thomas, Rodborough, 5s.; H. M. Matthews, Blaenavon,
1s.; A. B. Scott, Hawick, 1s.; E. A. and A. H., 2s.; A Lover of
Children, Bramin, 1s.; H. L. P., Belfast, 2s.; Douglas, Dorothy,
and Moncrieff, 4s.; Mrs. Turner, Bournemouth, 5s.; Two Sisters
in Stirling, 2s.; E. M. H., Stratford-on-Avon, 5s.; Mrs. M.
Hollis, Newport, 1s.; E. F., Gainsborough, 1s.; B. Bibby, Crouch
End, 2s.; E. Bailey, Ipswich, 1s.; A Reader, Peterborough, 1s.;
H. Reeve, Westminster, 10s.; Mrs. A. W. Arnold, Eastbourne,
10s.; Lettie, Exeter, 2s.; Mrs. T. Barber, 1s.; Miss Tinne,
Aigburth, 5s.; Mother, Ernest, and Baby Kathleen, Lincoln,
3s.; H. B., Balham, 2s.; Mrs. A. M. Braley, Sutton, 1s.; Two
Friends, Tulse Hill, 3s. 6d.; Jessie, Bournemouth, 10s.; Anon.,
Salisbury, 1s.; Winifred and Frankie Mattock, 2s.; Reggy,
Hornsey Rise, 2s.; Mrs. Clark, Dunstable, 2s.; Anon., Grimsby,
1s.; Forest Gate, 1s.; Anon., Bromley, 1s. 6d.; Wabba and
Little Three, 2s.; Anon., Glasgow, 1s.; Miss C. Combes, Clapham
Common, 10s.; Winifred and Ruth, Green Lanes, 1s.; L. E W.,
5s.; H. Peel, Redditch, 2s.; Mrs. T. Barber, Eastwood, 3s.;
Nemo, Leeds, 5s.; Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Shaw, Southport, 2s. 6d.;
Abbey House, Hexham, 1s.; Winifred Berry, Liverpool, 2s.; C.
and L. Clutterbuck, 2s.; Master Macdonald, Northwood, 3s.; B.
A. Watson, Havant, 5s.; In Memory, Leicester, 1s.; N. E. A.,
Stowmarket, 10s.; A Constant Reader, Westmorland, 1s.; M. M.
P., Sydenham Hill, 1s.; C. Stanhope, Darlington, 3s.; Elgie,
Glasgow, 1s.; A. B. J., Gainsboro', 1s.; A. M. Foster, Croydon,
14s. 6d.; W. Day, Pimlico, 10s.; C. B. Ellison, Liscard, 5s.;
Mrs. Travers, Altringham, 3s.; A. S., Stocksfield, 9s.; M. B.
R., 2s.; A Reader of THE QUIVER, Highbury, 2s.; G. Morris,
Windsor, 10s.; Larkie, 3s.; G. S. H., 5s.; J. R. D. G., 5s.;
M. S. B., North Walsham, 2s.; A Well-Wisher, Ulverston, 5s.;
Ada and Gladys, Billingshurst, 5s.; L. G., Falmouth, 1s.; J. G.
Hunter, Bradford, 1s.; A. E. Willis, Edinburgh, 5s.; H. Fife,
East Dulwich, 1s.; Pat Turney, Carrickmacross, 1s.; Aileen
Fleming, 2s. 6d.; M. H. R., 10s.; Sydney, Rochester, 1s.; Ruth
and Mary Beynon, Rock Ferry, 2s.; R. S. J. A. B., Brighton, 2s.
6d.; R. E. Longsight, 5s.; "Inasmuch," Berkeley, 3s.; Walter
and Stanley Hewett, Stroud, 2s.; M. D. and K. C., 2s.; Grannie,
Edinburgh, 1s.; W. P. Thorne, Woburn, 5s.; E. S. S., Empingham,
8s.; F. E., D. M. E., and A. F. E., 4s.; E. Johnston, Essex
Road, 2s.; J. G. H. C., Ventnor, 2s.; T. J. G., Rochester, 3s.;
Lily and Jackie, Dulwich, 2s.; E. J. E. B., 5s.; A Reader of
THE QUIVER, Bristol, 1s.; L. D., Lower Clapton, 4s.; F. L.,
Paris, 4s.; D. Benson, Grenoble, 1s.; Anon., Sunderland, 2s.;
Miss E. Scott, Pateley Bridge, 1s.; Nelloff, Bandon, 2s.; Mrs.
Hall, Miss, and Miss F. Hall, 3s.; E. S., Plymouth, 1s.; B. S.
A., Groombridge, 2s.; A Friend, Fife, 2s.; M. Price, Commercial
Road, 1s.; Maggie Crighton, Turriff, 1s.; Two Little Girls,
Sherborne, 2s.; L. A. Garner, Burton-on-Trent, 1s.; Lovers of
Children, Wolverhampton, 5s.; Two Members, League of Christian
Compassion, 2s.; Mrs. H. F. Hall, Bournemouth, 2s.; H. B.,
Hornsey Rise, 5s.; Mrs. Bashford, jun., Croydon, 1s.; Devonian,
2s.; L. Tilley, Warwick, 5s.; C. Todd, Headingley, 5s.; Anon.,
Lincoln, 9d.; H. J. M., Tunbridge Wells, 2s. 6d.; M. D., 2s.;
Anon., Bournemouth, 3s.; Mrs. Poole, Ealing, 1s.; Mrs. Bonham,
Cleveland, 4s.; M. Hamlin, Sevenoaks, 7s. 6d.; Mrs. H., Hougham,
1s.; Jean Noll, Bristol, 2s.; J. J. Hill, Ashton-under-Lyne, 4s.
6d.; Anon., Stirling, 2s.; F. I. B., Norwich, 2s.; Children's
Friend, Doncaster, 10s.; Anon., Wolverhampton, 2s.; The Sisters
Smith, Guernsey, 2s.; Two Little Girls, Barnsley, 4s.; Three
Friends, Weybridge, 3s.; Help, Berkeley, 2s. 6d.; A. Arnold,
New Malden, 1s.; M. B., Knutsford, 1s.; Jack and Eva, Troon,
2s.; Anon., Tring, 1s.; G. K. Eyre, Boxmoor, 5s.; Admirer, 1s.;
Mrs. Swan, Cullercoats, 5s.; M. S. T., Newcastle, 3s.; Anon.,
Warwick, 1s.; E. M. B., Hythe, 1s.; J. Hepworth, Huddersfield,
2s.; Elsie, Guernsey, 5s.; A Reader of THE QUIVER, 1s.; Mrs. G.
Ireland, Davos Platz, 5s.; Anon., Brightlingsea, 1s.; Mrs. B.,
Gainsboro', 5s.; A Daily Governess, Windsor, 1s.; C. Salt and R.
Heeles, 2s.; Miss Stirling, 3s.; Anon., 2s. 6d.

For "_The Quiver_" _Waifs' Fund_: J. J. E. (133rd donation),
5s.; In Loving Remembrance of a Little One, 10s.; E. F.,
Birkenhead, 10s.; Bill and Joe, 3s.; G. T. Cooper, St. John's
Wood, 5s.; Grace T. H. Sim, 10s.; A Friend, Kilburn, £1; A
Glasgow Mother (103rd donation), 1s.; H. D., 5s.; Maudie,
Brighton, 2s. 6d.; C. B. Ellison, Liscard, 5s.; H. E. H.,
Brockley, 5s.; Mrs. Travers, Altringham, 7s.; M. H. R., £1;
The Misses Richards, 6s.; C. A. Moore, Huntingdon, 2s. 6d.;
A Widow, 5s.; A Lover of Children, 2s. 6d.; Mrs. Rivett, 2s.
6d.; M. H. R., Robertsbridge, 2s.; E. A. Lyne, 1s.; E. G.,
Stourbridge, 5s.; A Thank-Offering, 4s.; W. R., Nottingham, 2s.;
M. A. L., Chiswick, 2s. 6d.; W. W., Glasgow, 2s.; M. S. Canway,
Port Talbot, 2s.; J. Chatterton, Horncastle, 10s. 6d.; N. R.,
Primrose Hill, 3s.; J. W. E., Wells, 2s. 6d.

For _Dr. Barnardo's Homes_: An Irish Girl, £1 6s.; Jennie,
Henry, Albert, and Edna Newby, 4s.; A Thank-Offering, 5s.; G. R.
Nyte, 5s.; E. H., 2s. 6d.; Ranceby, 5s.; Devonian, 2s. 6d.; G.
S. H. and J. R. D. G., 5s.; A. S., £1 0s. 3d.; C. B. Ellison,
10s.; L. E. W., 5s.; A Constant Reader, 4s.; A Swansea Mother,
5s. The following amounts, which we are asked to acknowledge,
were sent direct: M. J. C, 5s.; Dux, 10s.; F. B., 2s.; A. F.,
2s.; M. E. C., 10s.; A South Ayrshire Dairy Farmer £50; X. Y.
Z., 2s. 6d.