Welsh Newspapers

Search 15 million Welsh newspaper articles

Hide Articles List

7 articles on this Page

Advertising

Memorial of the Late Lady…

News
Cite
Share

Memorial of the Late Lady Londonderry. UNVEILING CEREMONY AT MACHYNLLETH. The unveiling of the bronze bust, of the late Lady Londonderry, which has been executed by Countess Gleichen at a- cost of £ 450, took place at Machynlleth on Wednesday afternoon. The bust has been placed on a pedestal which has been erected on the green plot alongside the Cottage Hospital, an institution which was for many years maintained by her ladyship for the benefit of the sick poor. The following in- scription appears on the pedestal:—• MARY CORNELIA, Fifth Marchioness of Londonderry, 1828-1906. This Bust is placed by ,a grateful community and many friends, in whose hearts she is en- shrined, to perpetuate the memory of one who by her wide sympathies, good life and good works, endeared her.self to all in this ancient town. A beautiful wreath composed of heliotrope orchids, lilias, and asparagus ferns, and bear- ing the 'words In loving memory," was seiit by Lord Londonderry. Lady Allendale also sent a lovely wreath of white blooms and violets* Notwithstanding the inclement weather, a large number of people assembled to witness the cere- mony, at which a, contingent of the Fusiliers, under the command of Surgeon-Lieutenant Wil- liams, were OIl duty. Amongst. those present were 'the Lord Bishop and Mrs Williams, Lord Herbert. Vane-Tempest, Col Appleby, Canon Rowlands, Aberdovey, Rev T. LI. Williams, rector, Major and lVIrs, Bonsall. Col E. Pryce- Jones, Mrs Norton, Messrs R. W. Henry, R. Gill-art-, E. Rees, J. Pugh, H. Lewis, E. Mor- gan, E. Gillart and Mrs Gillart, D. Gillart, Dr and Mrs Davies T. Parsons, J. M. Breeze, F. M. Campbell George Pryce, J. O. Sullivan, John Jones, J. 'Evans, J. J. Jenkins and Mrs Jenkins Rev Jcs-iah Jones, R. Rees, Rev D. Cunllo Da.vies, J. H. Roberts, Mrs Port, Mrs Dr Williams and -Mies Williams, Miss Anwyl, Frondeg, Mr A. Gribble and Mrs G-ribble, Rev R J. Morgan, Cemmaes, Mrs Ffoulkes Jones, etc. The proceedings opened with the singing by the male voice choir of "Lead Kindly Light," Mrs Trevor Jones accompanying. Thereafter the Lord Bishop of Bangor ascended the plat- form and performed the unveiling ceremony. His lordship said be had been asked as their Bishop to unveil that memorial of one whom they all dearly loved, and he believed they were all united in one sentiment of respect and af- fection for one who had been kind to them since their boyhood (hear, hear). He was not going to anticipate what those would say who would come .after -him. but he would say that, she was, one who emiphaticalily loved lie-r ineighbonrs (hear, hear). Knowing as she necessarily did by virtue of her high position-, the men and women of all countries, she was however, most at home and most happy in Machynlleth, where she was born, and which she loved so well (hear hear). And next 'to her own- family the people of that town- and district- occupied the warmest- part of :11er heart, and they were glad to come and show their respect and affection for 'her memory. The bust, would serve to remind future "generations of what a- kind friend they all had in the late .Lady Londonderry (hear, hear). The choir next sang The Pilgrims," Mr David Williams taking the solo, after which Mr Edward Rees spoke. He said:—It gives me very great pleasure to say a few words- on the important and interesting occasion of the unveiling of the beautiful and artistic statue in memory of the late Dowager Marchioness of Londonderry, a great -and a true friend to the .inhabitants of Mjac'hynlletn and the neighbour- hood, and to the poor especially. I deem it a privilege and great honour conferred upon me by the committee in inviting me to. t-ake part in these proceedings. I presume that it is to some extent owing to the fact that I happen to be one of the few who remain who are able to go back some distance of time in recollections of the PIas Famil-" and have for over 40 years interested myself in almost all functions con- nected with the noble family. Though I am not .able to remember Colonel Edwards as (suoh, I well remember him as. Sir John Edwards. His name was a household word in Machyn- lleth when I was a boy, and I believe that it is so still to some extent in some, families. Of Lady Edwards the majority present, I should .say, recollect, her presence aiiiong,us, but I lia-ve a clear recollection over fifty years ago of her kindness to and sympathy with a family where the head had been bedridden .for a length of time. She was const-ant in her enquiries, and owing to her generosity, supplies of re- quisites and luxuries for a sick room were not wanting. Lady Londonderry continued the same charitable acts to hundreds of families to the end of her days (hear, hear). Those kindly taicts won for her the grieiat .respect of the in- habitants of the town and neighbourhood. Her kindness was not confined to the town but was extended to the villages and country around. In fact Lady Londonderry was very much be- loved by all classes rich and poor. In the im- mediate proximity we have proofs of her Lady- ship's good -and charitable work. First of all I refer to the Londonderry Cottage Hospital, a most useful and beneficial institution, quite a God-send to the town, where the sick and in- jured are successfully treated and kindly and tenderly .nursed -and attended to (applause). Previous to the building being converted to an hospital, which was a very happy thought of her ladyship, it wa,s tised as a school for infants, founded for the purpose by the Marquis and Marchioness.. The foundation; stone was laid by her ladyship, and erected to, commemorate the birth of their eldest son Lord Gastlereagh, now the Marquis, of Londonderry. In- dependent of the cost of the building, during the 38 of .its existence a-s .a school for in- fants, the cost of maintaining amounted to £ 1,800 in excess of the: reeeipt.s..from the Gov- ernment and other sources—equal to an average ■of a yearly sum of over £ 47, which had been entirely met by the noble Marquis, and Mar- chioness. The late Marquis was a great- favour- ite in Machynlleth and his memory is very much respected to this day, especially by those who had the privilege of coming in contact with him. He took great interest, in our town mat- ters. I may quote the words of the late Mr David Howell on the occasion of the laying of the foundation stone of the memorial tower. He fioid The noble Marquis has be,e-ni fore- most in the performance of every duty, and in the promotion of every ,good work ever since he came to reside among us." I -often heard it said that Lord Londonderry was delighted -with the neighbourhood, and that he generally bene- fited very much through the change from Lon- don fog to the salubrious air of Machynlleth (hear, hear). We have another instance close bv of the good works of the Marquis and Mar- chioness in the almshouses, which were, I be- lieve, erected in 18GS, and which are a picture of comfort an ornament to the to.wn, and a home to the widows. And I may ;add that this beautiful bust is another ornamental addition in this spot to the appearance of our ancient and beautiful town. Further, it expresses the good feelings of the inhabitants of the town and neighbourhood, and the high estimation in which the noble lady was held by them. She had a warm place in the hearts, of all the rich and poor, -and I may say that Lady London- derry was deeply beloved by all who knew her. Machynlleth had during the last half century seen; /the ndble..family several times under heavy clouds and in deep waters, and has had opportunitie.s of expressing their deep sympa- thies. On other occasions when the. skies were derlor in days of sunshine, Machynlleth has not failed in their rejoicing (applause). I may be allowed to quote the words of the late Marquis on a. very auspicious occasion, when he said: This day will never be -effaced from our mem- ory while life lasts, I am equally sure, for we. cannot forget the kindness we have always re- ceived when we live among you. What we have seen to-day will add one more link in the chain of respect- and affection which has now so long bound us together, and for which we must ever feel deeply grateful." I may add that I have no doubt that this interesting me- morial will also prove another link in the chain of kindly feeling which has for so many years existed between the Pl18.s family and the inhabi- tants of the old town and neighbourhood of Machynlleth (applause). The inscription on the pedestal is very appropriate, and well worded. It contains the truth, all the truth, and nothing but the truth, put in a. very small compass. "This bust is placed by a grateful community and many friends in whose hearts ehe is enshrined to perpetuate the memory of one who, by her wide sympathies, .good life, and good works, endeared herself to all in the ancient town." Dywedaf eto "Yr hyn a all-odd hon hi a'i gwnaeth." Y mae yn haeddu e-ael gwneuthur o honom iddi yn goffadwriaeth am ei thiriondeb a'i gweithredoedd da, sydd yn llefaru eto ac a. fvdd yn llefaru am oesau i ddyfod (applause). The Rector .said they had all listened with the very deepest interest to the brief but strik- ingappreciation by the Bishop of the diocese and he supposed if they searched the whole of North Wales they could not find a living per- son who could speak with such authority, ex- perience, and knowledge, arising from years of life-long friendship with Lady Londonderry. In Mr Edward Rees and other speakers they had the conscript fathers of the town, and their tribute would carry weight because of its local knowledge and long experience of her life. Personally he was brought into intimate rela- tionship as rector. He thought he could sin- cerely say that her ladyship was one of the most lovable and beautiful of characters that it had ever been his privilege to know or to co- operate with in social and religious works (hear, he,ar). As he looked round he saw many who like himself were friends of her. They thought z7, of her first and foremost as a true friend, and to enjoy 'her .friendship was indeed a privilege, and not only -so but a liberal education in kind- ness, in courtesy, and in all th-ose amenities which add to the dignity and .sweetness of life (bear, hear). Her kindness and hospitality to friends were equal to if not excelled by her generosity to the poor. In unknown ways and unoistentatiously she did good and befriended all sorts and conditions of people. He was sure there were many hearts there that day in which there was -already an invisible memorial of gratitude and respect.for her. In her later days she told him that one of her greatest plea- sures .was to give pleasure .to others. She lov- ed to be amongst them doing good, especially to the sick -and poor, and he believed it would be no exaggeration to say that the people of Machynlleth and neighbourhood had the high- est place in her heart. She had travellc-ld far and had seen men, cities-, and manners. 8h,e knew in her time half the crowned 'heads of Europe. But in spite of that she loved to dwell amongst them in a. noble endeavour to dis- charge the high responsibilities of her position and. in that endeavour did lasting .good (hear, hear). It was natural for him to think of her as a..Christian lady—a Churchwcanan who em- bodied her Churchmanship in her life and char- acter. Sometimes she prided herself on being a genuine Welshwoman, and .certainly one of the evidences Clf that was the deep religious nature of her character. It was her religion that .gave her such high ideals of life and duty in this place. Although she belonged to the nobility of the world, her consistent Christian character was such that 6he might be said to also belong to the nobility which was not of c: rl ,J..l.H.v V..I.o.L. 'Tis only noble to be good; Kind hearts are more thnn coronets, And simple faith than. Norman blood. (hear, hear). To-day they thought of her as a public benefactress. They had only to look round and they would see monuments of her munificence; in the chu-rdhes which she had built and endowed and continued to beautify and adorn; also in the Londonderry Cottage Hospital, in the almshouses. All these would go oni from geme-ration to generation telling of her good work. They as a committee hoped that bust would tell generations yet to come of the respect and deep admiration which they hod for her life. Many of them in passing that old spot would lift up their eyes and take fresh courage from her beautiful life, and get some inspiration to .make this life- (1, worthy one, and heaven a surer heritage (hear, hear). Those of them who knew her best knew full well there was something so kind, so gracious, and so sympathetic in her personality to which no human words could do justice and pronounce- a proper appreciation of her life. They could only say as the Bishop told them, they all loved her because she- was such a. lovable character; and they all admired because amid all the changes and chances of this mortal life she clung to high ideals, reminding them of those great worcb: "Whatsoever things a,re true, boonest. just, and pure whatsoever things are lovely and of good report, think -of those things." As they rejoiced in- unveiling that bust they all rejoiced in having amongst them her youngest son to dwell ,amongst them in the old ancestral home, striving and striving suc- cessfully to carry on the good name and high traditions of the family. Might he live long amongst them not only to. enjoy the privileges but also to discharge the responsibilities of his high position. To him every one of them would say Look to the rock whence you were hewn, be inspired by the memory of the sacred past, and in the power of inspiration realise more and more ,as his noble mother realised that life is an opportunity for doing good. On this great occasion when all theso indefinable thoughts and jmemories CamfJ crowding on them surely all of them would feel the truth of these words We live in deeds, not years In thought, not breath; In feeling, not with fingers; on the dial. He lives .most who thinks, most, Who feels the moblest and -acts, the best, (cheers) The- Rev J. Jones-, who was introduced by the Rector as the "father of them all," spoke of his respect a-nd admiration for the- Marchioness, ,and dealt with incidents when lie first met her ladyship shortly after he began his pastorate 55 years ago. He was then an a, visit to a woman >c.aP.eIC1, Mary Jones living on the Garshon, and her ladyship came in at the sasne time. He did not know her ladyship at that time, but to .P him that was one of the notes in the anthem of her 'life (applause). Mr John Pugh, chairman of the Urban-Coun- cil, referred to the high position Lady London- derry held and her leaving the glamour and flit- ter of courts to come and live quietly amongst them at Machynlleth. He w'as one of those who was educated in the infant school, now serving as a. hospital, and as it was the only school in the town for infants the town was under a last- ing debt of gratitude to Lady Londonderry. She also put up almshouses, .and it was one of the most beautiful traits in her character that she. was always interested in the sick and poor. Lady Londonderry also took ,& keein interest in the boys and girls of the town and many a one now holding high positions owed them. in a large measure to the kindly iniluences of her 'ladyship (hear, hear). It was an illustration of her ladyship's goodness of heart that notwith- standing the many important calls upon, her time and in other and more exalted directions she always- found time to look after the bovs and girls (applause). Her ladyship also took the keenest, interest in the church of her fathers, and made mainy sacrifices for it. That was one of the duties, they a.Tl owed to the churches. In her caie of the poor her ladyship made it a personal matter which could not be .met by sending help; it was always her desire to make -a personal visit (hear, hear). She also took keen interest in elementary education; and did all she could to help the National school when there was no other school in the town. He thought they were under a great debt of grati- tude to her on that account, They of the pre- sent generation needed no memorial to remind them of the great loss they had sustained, but that bust would serve to .remind posterity of the great and noble woman who once lived in their midst and who had fulfilled her duty to her God and to her neighbours, (applause). Speaking on behalf of the tenants. Mr John Jones, Glanmerin, said Lady Londonderry once told him. that she loved Machynlleth, and al- ways regarded it as her home. When education was made compulsory her ladyship did not put the money spent on her private schools into her pocket, but she at once put the money to keep up the hospital. As tenants they all had the highest respect for Lady Londonderry be- cause she not only knew them personally but she evinced an intelligent interest in agricul- ture which endeared her to them all (applause). Lord Herbert Vane-Tempest -was received with loud applause on rising to reply. He said he felt that after the very impressive and eloquent addresses they had already heard there was very little for him to say. He would like to it-hank the Lord Bishop for his presence that day, a. tribute which they appreciated to the fiddest. He would also like to express his re- gret that his brother, Lord Londonderry, and his sister, Lady Allanda-le. were unable toO at- tend. He could assure them that it was a mat- ter of the most vital importance that had pre- vented them from earning there, otherwise they 'would have made a point of attending. As remarks had been made as to the site, he con- sidered that the committee had done well -in. selecting that spot. It was more than suitable. There t'he bust of his dear mother was sur- rounded by her philanthropic works, facing the church she loved so well and looking down 'upon those who were near and dear to her but who were called away before her, and to'whom there was no more noble devoted wife and mother (hear, hear). He expressed the senti- ment of all present that everyone who knew her would pass that bust with feelings, of the greatest -affection and respect, realising that it was a memorial of one who was always- ready* to extend the hand of charity and friendship to those in need of it, irrespective of their spheres or denominations in life (applause). He could only quote a verse, the lines of which he thought were extremely well adapted for that occasion- Lives of great women all remind us We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us Footprints in the sands of time (applause). The proceedings, closed with the singing of "0 Fynarn Caersalem." The base of the pedestal was prepared by Mr J. 0. Williams.

----+-----,-Mr David Davies'…

[No title]

Advertising

Election of Mayors.)

Personal.