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Birthday Honours.

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Birthday Honours. I THREE WELSHMEN DISTINGUISHED. The publication of the King's Birthday Honours List was awaited with a great deal of interest this year. It was the first" Liberal" list that had for many years been placed for our Sovereign's approval, and when the names of favoured personages were announced last Friday it was noticed that the list was more notable, for those omitted than for the names that it con- tained. Rumours had been pretty consistent for some time past that Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman intended rewarding a host of faithful followers, and that an unusual large number would be sent to the House of Lords in order to see fair play to the Education Bill and other Radical measures; but all such rumours were found to be much exaggerated, and by the creation of only six peers the Liberal ranks in the Upper Chamber will gain but very moderately in voting power. As far as Wales is concerned, only two names have been selected for "these political marks of favour," while a third, in the person of the Lord Mayor of London, is honoured mainly owing to his civic elevation and the important works carried out by him within the city of London. Sir John Jones Jenkins, who is created a lord, is undoubtedly deserving of such distinction, as he is one of the most remarkable Welshmen of our time. A man once engaged in manual labour in the tin-plate trade, by dint of industry, intelligence, "and self-culture, raising himself to be not only the leader of commerce in his district, but to what is far more striking—a very popular figure in London society-is surely one of the most remarkable instances known in modern times. Sir John Jones Jenkins is a self-made man, but a born gentleman, with the instincts of a courtier. He was born in 1835, at Morriston. He was a studious youth, and when earning his living as a tin-workerwas constantly endeavouringto improve his fellow-workers. He has been a zealous supporter of Friendly Societies and local literary societies. He has always shown a moderate amount of ambition, and as he emerged from a humble position to that of a master, he turned his attention to the public affairs of his native borough. He became principal proprietor of several works, and went to reside at The Grange -a beautiful seat between Swansea and the Mumbles—where he afterwards entertained the present King and Queen on the occasion of the opening of the Prince of Wales' Dock in 1881. That was the event upon which Sir John looks back with greatest pride in his career, and the one which gave him his knighthood and introduced him to the position of prominence he has ever since occupied. Sir John, in commemoration of the visit, had medals specially struck with a suitable super- scription, and distributed throughout the town. The erstwhile tin-worker bore his honours with grace and dignity, and it is a saying wherever Sir John is known that he was one of the few self- moulded men who are able to pass as gentlemen, whilst never forgetting the rock from which they were hewn. In Parliament In 1880 he contested the Carmarthen Boroughs as a Liberal, but was defeated by another Liberal, Mr. B. T.Williams,Q.C. When, a year afterwards, Mr. Williams was appointed County Court Judge, Sir John was returned unopposed for the same constituency. At the next general election (1885) he was opposed, however, by Mr. J. S. Tregoning, whom he defeated by a large majority. Sir John in 1886 followed Lord Hartington, Mr. Bright, Mr. Chamberlain, and other prominent Liberals out of the Liberal camp, and became a Liberal Unionist. But he never lost courage, and after contesting the seat unsuccessfully against Major Jones, he managed to win it back in 1895, after a nine years' estrangement. While in the House,' Sir John was always listened to with the respect which was due to a man of his wide experience and extensive knowledge of the workers, indus- tries, and commerce of this country. As a political candidate, Sir John enjoyed a popularity which was unique, and as a canvasser was a decided success. At Llanelly there was not a woman or child who did not back Sir John, and had he remained a Liberal, he would have had a permanent seat in the Carmarthen Boroughs. Alderman W. Vaughan Morgan, who is created a Baronet, is the second Welshman within recent years who has filled the ancient and dignified office of Lord Mayor of London. He is a native of Breconshire, having been born at Glasbury in 1831, and is the sixth son of the late Mr. Thomas Morgan and Marianne, daughter of the late Mr. William Vaughan, of Brecon. He is an ardent Welshman, and during the next few days will entertain large numbers of his countrymen in London at his official residence • -the Mansion House. He takes keen interest in every movement affecting the Principality, and often pays a visit to his native county. During the Eisteddfod Week, in September, he intends being at Car- A fr". ( Alderman W. VAUGHAN MORGAN. narvon, and will preside over one of the chief gatherings and of his many public engagements from now to the end of the term of his Mayoralty, several will be in connection with some notable gatherings of his fellow-countrymen. Mr. David Brynmor Jones, K.C., M.P., who has been knighted, is the eldest son of the late Rev. Thomas Jones, Swansea. He thus comes of a family which has played a prominent and eminently useful part in the intellectual and religious life of Wales. His father was one of the most distinguished preachers of his time—a man of wonderful personal charm and deep poetic feeling, who came to be known as the poet-preacher of Wales. His brother, Viriamu Jones, the late principal of Cardiff University College, was an inspiring force, all too brief, unhappily, in the life of Wales. Another brother, Mr. Liefchild Jones, is, like Sir Brynmor, a member of the present Parliament. Sir David Brynmor Jones is a hard worker wherever the interests of Wales are concerned. Indeed, it is difficult to think of anyone who has done more useful work on behalf of education in Wales. He drafted the charter of the Welsh University; he has played a prominent and practical part in all Welsh national movements. Born in 1852, he is 54 years of age, and, therefore in the prime of life. When 22 he graduated LL.B. at the London University, with hononrs in civil law and jurisprudence, and two years later he joined the South Wales Circuit. He sat on the Welsh Land Commission, he was chairman of the County Court Departmental Committee, and is one of the Commissioners inquiring into the conduct of the Metropolitan Police. He has written many essays, edited his father's sermons, and collaborated with Principal Rhys in a history of the Welsh people. He is fond of travel, and in moments of recreation finds pleasure in sculling and tennis. His services to Wales in many directions have been distinguished, for he is a great lover of his country, and the honour conferred upon him will be approved by his countrymen as well-deserved. A Moderate List. Of the Englishmen honoured there is one name that will be noted by Welshmen, that of Sir Albert Spicer, who is favoured with a baronetcy. At one time he represented Mon- mouth Boroughs in Parliament, and at present sits for Central Hackney Division. He is fifty- nine years of age, and is very prominent in Nonconformist circles, and, like his brother, Mr. Evan Spicer, the Chairman of the London County Council, has worked for years on behalf of social reforms. The total list includes the Order of Merit conferred on the Earl of Cromer, six new peers, fifteen baronets, and thirty knights, besides a number of lesser distinctions for service men. At best, it can only be classed a moderate list, and the numerous names suggested by out- siders as likely to be included are, no doubt, reserved for future lists.

LONDON WELSH UNIONISTS AND…

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