Among the grand and beautiful cenery for which Wales is noted, Snowdon, with its lofty peaks rising towards the clouds, is ore of the most interesting. It attracts hundreds of admiring visitors, annually, from all parts of the world. Several attem Lave been made by men of et genius and of strong poetic magination to describe the sunrise as spears from its lofty summits. One of the most vivid and interesting descriptions that we have seen is the lowing by the Rev. Newman Hall - Gray Evans, Princeton Semi

Among many risings of the sun which I have watched from mountainsummits, there is one which will ever remain impressed on my memory with peculiar distinctness. The night before, from the top of the Snowdon, wonderful and mysterious was the scene. Many prilgrims arrived during the night. There are few summer evenings when some persons do not climb the mountain to see the sunrise; but mists so frequently prevail, that there are few mornings in the year which are thoroughly favorable. This was evidently to be one of those few, and tourists from different directions had set forth, bound to this lofty observatory as the common point of interest. And the people of the neighborhood came up also the sons and daughters of toil dwelling within the shadow of Snowdon-mechanics, miners, quarymen, who walked from Caernarvor, and Bangor, and Penrhyn, so that at length upwards of one hundred and fifty persons had gathered on that narrow peak, of whom

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at least a hundred were working people of the district. They came by different paths, some up the zig-zags out of Cwm Glas-lyn; some up the steep side of the pass of Llanberis ; some over the breezy moors and across the narrow saddle from Beidgelert. They came singing on the way, and throughout the night that pinnacle of God's great temple was vocal with songs of praise in the expressive speech and melting minor harmonics of the ancient Cymry. At about three o'clock was seen the first faint blush of morning, purpling the

east.

All now gathered on the rocky peak to watch a scene, which every minute was varying and increasing in interest. What transformation of color! The purple flushed into pink, the pink became amber, melted into green. One by one the stars faded and disappeared before the superior lustre of the approaching monarch of day. The moon paled her gentle fire, and thongh still visible, ceased to draw attention to herself, but seemed to say, Behold the dawn! Suddenly, amidst the glowing light of the eastern horizon, a star blazed forth. Sometimes it faded, then it burst forth with fresh radiance, changing its hues and twinkling with an energy which seemed to demand attention. It was

the day star.' Herald of the sun, it proclaimed his advent. Now, rays of light were seen darting athwart the sky. Now one or two small fleecy cloudlets began to burn with glory. Then, with quiet majesty, the sun slowly rose, flinging his level rays across the vast expanse, and claiming it for his own.

What had been ob

scure was now sparkling in the morning ray. The various paths up the mountain were clearly traceable. Anglesea lay beneath us as a map, the shadow of our mountain extending to its furthest boundary, but rapidly traveling towards us, clearly defined as the sun rose higher. Beyond, we saw the ocean as far as the Isle of Man, and Wicklow mountains. In the opposite direction we looked over a wild confusion of mountain peaks to Caderdi. 1 Plenlimmon Turning from a momentary glimpse of this Extended scene, we watched the mighty orb which revealed it, as majestically it climbed the sky, until we were glad to screen our eyes from its blaze. Just as it cleared the horizon and the day had really dawned, the Welsh people burst forth in one of their wild thrilling mountain anthems, in praise of Him who gave that sun his radiance. Then, sermon-lovers as they are, they asked a Christian minister, who happened to be there, to preach to them. But his heart was too full for his lips to utter words to man. Speech seemed an impertinence when nature was so eloquently addressing herself to all who had an ear to listen, an eye to see, a heart to feel. But prayer was offered to God; and there, with uncovered heads, standing together on that topmost stone of the altar of that grand cathedral, we poured out united petitions that the Sun of Righteousness would arise. in our hearts with healing beneath His wings,—that He would drive from us all the shadows of ignorance and sin, that, as the mountain tops around, which were glowing in the morning sun, we might lift up our souls to catch His rays and reflect His glory. Many a Learty 'Amen' responded to the petitions offered, and many a tear bore witness to the feelings of the heart. All seemed impressed and subdued by the grand

BY MISS A. EDWARDS.

At no time, perhaps, has the position of women received the same amount or the same kind of attention as during the last twenty years in England; and the interest in questions concerning their capacities and privileges is likely to last for some time yet to come. Whatever other benefits may be derived from the present agitation, the exact position which women ought to occupy in relation ta the other portion of the community will be better understood when the other important questions shall have been decided.

Meanwhile it will be interesting, if not instructive, to us Welshmen to enquire how our fore-fathers and mothers looked upon the matter more than two hundred years ago, especially since they seem to have been in advance of some of their descendants who live in the present enlightened age.

The principal source from which we derive our information concerning their opinions and usages is the old Welsh triads, which, probably, were the medium used for communicating the instructious of the wise and the good to the people, as well as for prese.ving them for future generations.

We infer from these triads, first, that woman was not debased to the position of man's slave and drudge, as is the case in barbarous countries, where it is a rule for the stronger to oppress the weaker. On the contrary,

her duties were lighter than those of the men, and it is distinctly shown that it was considered the duty of men to treat women with the greatest consideration always. Second, that she was not looked upon as a mere plaything wherewith men should amuse themselves. Although beauty is always mentioned as a quality belonging especially to women, yet a woman who prides herself on her beauty and is wanting in common sense, is considered most despicable. Third, she was not put aside as being of no account in the world further than as she was able to render some

service to man. Her power for good or evil was fully appreciated; we would almost say that more importance was attached to her influence than to that of man.

Were we to quote all the triads which refer to women we should require many pages for that alone: therefore we must content ourselves with giving a few of those which bear more directly upon the points mentioned. First, those which relate to the work which woman was expected to do:

"Three things which delight a miser: dishonest booty, his wife leading his oxen, and his children dying." "Three homely arts' in which a girl should be trained: cooking, weaving, and sewing."

"Three things which are not of much use unless they are in the house: the cat, the chimney, and the wife."

"The three marks of gentleness: tenderness, as shown towards women; instruction, as shown towards children; and respect, as shown towards the clever, brave, and wise "

Second, those which show that the more lasting attractions of women were thought to be quite as indispensable as beauty and wit:

"Three things for which a woman

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is loved: beauty, cheerfulness, and order in her house."

"Three things for which a woman is praised: a beautiful face, sensible speech, and good habits."

"Three similar things: a fine granary without grain, a beautiful cup without drink, and a beautiful woman without virtues."

"Three things which become a very good woman: innocent mirth, beauty in dress, and an honest amiability of speech."

Third, those which show that it was considered necessary for the wellbeing of humanity that woman should take her part faithfully and well

"Three things which every man holding property ought to keep: a wife, a man carrying arms when he does not himself, and a tutor in his family."

"Three miserable things: a house without a wife, a cup-board without food, and a constitution without health."

"Three things which turn the world upside down: a governing wife, an impudent young woman, and an ignorant young man."

"Three things in a wife which will gain respect for her husband: her actions good, her words sparing, and her knowledge abundant.'

Regarding the question of "woman's rights," nothing much is said, as there wrongs" were not so grievous as to make it necessary that much fuss should be made about

righting them. In one place the rights of the genuine Welshman are enumerated, those rights including gifts of free-land and carrying arms

for defence, and there it is said that when they say a Welshman they also mean a Welshwoman. A wife was not to be put in any office of the state, or to be sent to war, because her husband had a claim upon her, therefore no lord had a right to deprive him of

her. Thus it seems that woman was not debarred from any civil rights or honors, excepting so far as her participating in them would deprive the community in general of her services elsewhere, and in this she was classed with teachers, both religious and secular.

Considering the limited nature of knowledge at the time, the standard of the education given to women seems to have been very high. No mention is made of a women being forbidden the study of any knowledge or art, but it is expressly stated the "son of a villain " was not to study poetry, literature, or mechanical arts without permission of his lord.

According to the woman's triads, the accomplishments becoming the daughters of a common man were the politeness of the Welsh nobility, to understand Welsh thoroughly and read it correctly, and vocal music. The accomplishments of a gentle man's daughter, poetry, medicine, and scholarship. We must bear in mind that the study of poetry in Wales at that time was by no means an easy task, and whatever state the knowledge of medicine was in then, it was a science, as it was always classed with navigation, merchandise, &c.

In case the moral of all this may not be apparent to all, we shall add it here: Welshwomen would do well to bestir themselves that they may not fall short of the dignity of their great-grandmothers of old; and, whenever they may feel determined to raise themselves, let it be for the good of the whole nation, men and women, and not for the sake of obtaining their own rights.

A. E.

A PROPHETIC DREAM. BY MR. W. P. EDWARDS, NEW YORK CITY.

"Dreams prove contrary,"-not always, to say the least. Twenty years

ago there resided in Liverpool, England, a young man, a native of Anglesea. He was, and had been for some time, out of employment—a sad and discouraging plight for a young man to be in, especially when reflecting on the fact that non-employment was not the result of misfortune or general inactivity of trade, but the natural and just consequence of a loosely spent life and failure to improve upon honorable confidence, but recently his.

The forced illness brought in its trail sighs and lamentations, and sufferings. It also compelled the young man, for shame's sake, to make his appearance very rarely at his relatives and friends' houses-in fact to leave them altogether, with a few pence in his pocket, and face the music of poverty, loneliness and an outraged conscience.

A

Darkness followed the adventure of the first day with awful forebodings-where was he to sleep? Weariness, weeping and the jingling of the few coins, suggested an application for shelter at a model lodging house on Islington. There he went, paid his four pence in advance, and was shown into his room-a pen-similar in size, (if anything, smaller,) to a stall where horses are placed on deck during transit on an ocean voyage. And the bed (?) small, and al ve! sleep was obtained in spite of adverse circumstances, and when daylight dawned, he speedily arose, dressed himself, and went out into the street to purchase a morsel to eat. Three successive days and nights witnessed the repetition of the same miserable conveniences. On the third night, after partaking of a slim supper, and the depositing of the very last penny for shelter, he turned in, and after praying to God as he never prayed before, went to bed, and slept-and such a sleep! The possibilities of the

future appeared as in a panorama before his mind's eye-a strange city, empty pockets, hunger, death and damnation! Sweat, and night-mare, and terror, combined to crush out his very existence, and, sooner the better, he thought, when all of a sudden he became tranqil in the arms of a dream that promised deliverance, and rescue, and extension of life. He saw in the dream, his oldest brother from Sir Fon, and a distant relative from the city, standing at the main entrance of the general post-office, in earnest conversation, and throwing to the surroundings anxious glances.

On awakening, he felt to his horror and dismay that it was but a dream! Walking down Islington to Lime street, hungry and desperate, passing a relative's house as if it were an enemy's, he stood still for a mement gazing at St. George's Hall on the one side and Sir William Brown's Library on the other. Knowing the latter to be free to all for the perusal of news and knowledge, he entered in, and while apparently reading a morning newspaper, but really meditating up on how to honestly satisfy an empty and craving stomach, a thought struck him, with the force and suddeness of a thunderboldt, to walk as far as the general post office and test the truth and possible blessings of the dream's disclosures.

*

A twenty minutes brisk walk brought him to the memorable spot,· and true as gospel, who was there but the brother, and the distant relative, with smiles on their faces, and welcome and love in their bosoms. Following this wonderful meeting, prompted on one side by a providential and prophetic dream, and on the other by misgivings of trouble, anxiety, and efficacy of prayer, came a revival of drooping spirits, a visit to his native land and to his mother, a belief in

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dreams, but especially a belief in God's existence, God's forgiveness, and God's love!

COMPOSERS OF SONGS FOR THE PEOPLE.

BY MISS ELLA EVANS, MILWAUKEE, WIS. In ancient times, a class of people called the Mime-singers, and also another class called the Troubadours, were distinguished for composing songs for the people.

Mime-singer is the distinctive name of a peculiar class of poets who flourished in Germany, from the middle of the twelfth to the close of the thirteenth century.

It is not known how these people attained the art. It seems as if the religious fervor excited by the crusades, together with the chivalric sentiments of the times, had inspired the whole knight-erranty with a poetic frenzy. The most remarkable feature of their productions is that, although these knights, generally, were uneducated, many of them not able even to read or write, yet their poems are distinguished by a surprising elaboration of poetical form.

They improvised the poetry and the music at the same time. Generally the song was composed for the knight's lady-love to whom it was sent, not on paper but through the agency of the knight's attendant-a man of good voice and quick memory to whom the knight sang his song until it could be repeated by heart. Then he was despatched to sing his master's song to his special lady-love.

Thus the Mime songs were passed from mouth to mouth until about the close of the thirteenth century. About that time Johann Hadloub, one of the sweetest of the Mimesingers, wrote down all the Mime songs he could find. The results of