Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

TO CORRESPONDENTS, &c. Our Bardic Editor is the Rev. J. H. Hughes (" Ieuan o Leyn "), Gardden House, Ruabon. The bards will, therefore, send their productions to his address.

IT is sometimes forgotten what a work building societies are doing in the United Kingdom in the distribution of property. The fact comes home clearly, however, when it is recognised that there ii-e 2281 building societies in this realm. The to,Qe,iptA vC tfXW of t4tíLQ are wore thau tweuty millions-an average of 10,000 apiece. Their liabilities are more than fifty millions, and the assets of 446 of them are 53 millions. There are only five of them in Scotland, and only forty-four in Ireland but the English and Welsh societies have a membership of hardly fewer than 600,000 men. Considering that this means that houses are being acquired by their occupiers in nearly every English parish, it seems remarkable that so little is made of the building society. THE long drought which bad dried up streams, canals, reservoirs, and even rivers, has at length passed away, and in place of the magnificent summer days, the atmosphere has become much colder, and day after day witnesses the fall of heavy showers, accompanied occasionally by fitful high winds. The parched condition of the country showed that rain was greatly needed, so that the marked change that we are experiencing has made glad the hearts of British agriculturists generally. Yet in several parts of Wales harvest operations have only just commenced, and conse- quently less rain would be more acceptable. The unsettled weather will tell mostly, however, on Welsh summer resorts, both along the coast and inland. Visitors are already taking their flight homeward, and the season threatens to terminate prematurely. ONCE more we hear that an attempt is to be made to establish a standard of Welsh ortho- made to establish a standard of Welsh ortho- graphy. The project was much talked of at the Carnarvon Eisteddfod last year; then allowed to go to sleep for twelve months, to be again revived in connection with the recent London Eisteddfod. Many have been the attempts to deal with this difficult, though apparently simple matter, from time to time, only to end in talk and nothing more. Now, however, another committee has been selected, consisting of six representatives from North and six from South Wales, namely, Clwydfardd, Hwfa Mon, Gwalchmai, Tudno, Elis Wyn o Wyrfai, Pedr Mostyn, the Rev. Dr. Roberts, Pontypridd Dafydd Morganwg, Beriah Gwynfe Evans, Professor Rowlands, Brecon; Professor Rowlands, Cardiff; and the Rev. J. Owen, warden of Llandovery College. That such a reform is much needed is well known to everyone acquainted with Welsh literature and the whimsical variety that characterises the present practice of spelling Welsh. Let us hope that some practical good will come of the present movement. THE outrage committed on a young lady in a railway carriage near Shrewsbury has once more revived the question of the desirability of pro- viding separate carriages for females in each train, and among those who have taken the matter up most eagerly is Baron de Worms. But he seems not to be aware of the fact, writes a London correspondent, that the system was tried on the Metropolitan Railway and found to be an utter failure. The ladies positively refused to go into the ladies' compartments. They preferred going into the smoking compartments. The attempt to separate the sexes broke down utterly. Morning after morning, one saw the ladies' carriages empty, while those who should have entered them were overcrowding the other compartments of the train. Even on long journeys there is an indisposition on the part of English womankind to aggregate together. They, feel safer, apparently, in the companionship of men, and have a holy horror of being left alone. Before, therefore, the Board of Trade insists upon the adoption of the continental system it would seem to be necessary that the experiment should be carefully tried. THE football season has commenced, but the cricket season has not yet come to a final close, and the latter game has been up to the present attracting the greatest attention. It is satisfactory to know that this essentially British sport has lost none of its interest for the people. Indeed, in no recent year has so much genuine excitement in connection wibli i-fe Ibccri £ c-lt-. The cvtfccEkclanaoo vu some days at the Oval has more than equalled that of the famous occasions when the Australian teams met the representatives of the old country. This undoubtedly was chiefly owing to the cir- cumstance that for the first time for a long period the honour of being the leading county was likely to fall to one of the clubs connected with the metropolis. For many weeks the fate of Surrey was trembling in the balance, but its saving the game with Kent, and later Yorkshire's defeat of Lancashire, practically decided the premiership of the shires in its favour, before the return match with Sussex was played. There can be no champion county this year, for championship honours can only be taken by an unbeaten county, but in the proportion of wins to matches Surrey undoubt- edly stands the premier county. Shrewsbury certainly heads the list in batting averages, and at present may justly be claimed as the finest batsman in the world. The veteran W. G. Grace, however, has shown some of his old form, and has a magnificent record for the season. WE have before us the report of Mr. Bridge upon the recent anti-tithe riots in Wales. It is a very lengthy document, and Mr. Bridge has been kind enough to spare us the trouble of reading it all through by condensing the pith of it into three lines. He says, The persons who are to blame for the injuries received at Mochdre are those who induced the crowds to assemble." No better report could have been made to his employers. It answers their purpose admirably, and Mr. Bridge shows that he thoroughly under- stood the work he was sent to do. The history which he writes is interesting, and may be taken to be correctly stated in substance. A very different complexion might have been given to the incidents by a writer on the other side, but the facts he sets forth are quite sufficient. Refer- ring for a moment to "ancient history," we may be allowed to give an illustration. Long ago, in times preceding the Reform Bill, there was a great gathering on the field of Peterloo, Man- chester. The "authorities" then, as now, opposed the object of the meeting, and the local magistrates brought the yeomanry, who charged the people with drawn swords, and loss of life was the result. Applying Mr. Bridge's principle to this event, it may be said that those responsible for fhe deaths on that occasion were those who induced the crowd to assemble. But "there has been the advantage of half a century and more of consideration on the subject of that Peterloo meeting, and everyone is now agreed that the Reform Bill which the callers of that meeting demanded has been of immense benefit to the country, and that, Radicals as they were, they achieved, on that occasion, truly Conservative work for the nation, If this principle, that people who call assemblies in protest against unjust and inequitable laws are to be responsible for the misdeeds of those in authority, should prevail, we shall be delivered over to the tender mercies of many "big" men who are to be found in little places, devoid of tact and judgment. As to Mr. Bridge's views on the tithe question, they are not worthy of discussion. He would not have ven- tured to insert them in his report had they been at variance with those of his employers, and as his views and the Home Secretary's are in accord, it is to be taken for granted that they are erroneous. Mr. Bridge is said to have done during the inquiry his utmost to impress Welsh- men that the tithes are a legal charge upon the land, and that they come out of the landlord's pocket ultimately. This may be so but whether out of the landlord's pocket ultimately or not, the tithe-payer objects, and will continue to object that the fruit of his labour shall go to the support of an alien Church whose officials too often exhibit hostility to him and his interests. The tithes may be a legal charge, as is contended and, of course, any charge established by law is a legal one, but that does not alter the fact that this law-estab- lished charge is utterly obnoxious, is unjustly applied, and is levied inequitably. For years Wales Uas endeavoured to obtain ttte repeal of a law which Welshmen regard as unjust and oppres- sive, but all efforts have been unavailing, and now that resort has been made to the extreme measure of making no payments except through distraints, such attention has been drawn to the matter as to lead even the Conservative Govern- ment to devise what they consider a remedy. This resort to an extreme is, therefore, justified by the action of Conservative Ministers themselves and in condemning it, Mr. Bridges condemns the judgment of the Government. We have argued and agitated continuously for the removal of this grievance, and not a bit of heed has been paid to us until we resorted to the method of absolutely refusing payment; and the fact that refusal has brought even the suggestion of a remedy from the Conservative Ministry is full justification of our action. What is now to be done is to continue in the course which has been profitable. Quiet agitation does not bring any remedy. Refusal to pay is the only way in which to gain an alteration of the law. We must perforce continue the practice which Mr. Bridge condemns and against his condemnation of those who induce crowds to assemble, we put the proof that our present method gains for us the assistance of the Conser- vative Government, and that we may be ere long able to get rid of the tithes, not in the way the Government purposes, but by the application of the fund thus raised to some national purpose. It must not be allowed to go to the landlords' pocket-it must be secured, for public uses.

LOCAL & DISTRICT NEWS. LLANGOLLEN. THE NORTH WALES POOR LAW CONFERENCE.— We are informed that the annual conference, which this year was to have been held at Welshpool at the end of September, has been unavoidably postponed. SAFE ARRIVAL.-The steamship Duke of Devonshire, which sailed from London on July 13th, bound for Australia, with 391 passengers on board, including some twenty Welsh people from Festiniog and district, and among whom was Thomas Jones, Hall-street, this town, arrived at Cooktown, Queensland, on Mon- day last, and, having discharged her quota of passen- gers and cargo, proceeded jfor Brisbane, her point of destination. THE SLATE-SPLITTING COMPETITION at the Edeyrnion Agricultural Show-In our last we should have stated that the winners of the prizes in this competition (in the Society's district), viz., Robert Barnett, 1st prize; H. H. Roberts, 2nd prize, and W. H. Pritchard, 3rd prize, are workmen employed at the Foel Faen Slate Quarries. This omission was caused by the men, not giving full particulars to the secretary. DENBIGHSHIRE HUSSARS.—ANNUAL CARBINE COMPETITION.—The annual shooting match of the regiment was held on Saturday, on the Voryd Volun- teer Range, Rhyl. Major Howard, the adjutant, superintended the firing, and during the day Colonel Mesham, Colonel Barnes, Capt. Blezard, and others visited the ground. The winners were the follow- ing :-The Omcers' Cup Private W. Bellis, A Troop, 28 points out of a possible 25. The Colonel's Prizes 1, Private Bailey, A Troop, 22 points 2, Private Harrison,. A, 21 points 3, Sergeant Owen, B, 20 points. The Mayor's Prizes 1, Pte. J. W. Thomas, A Troop, 21 points; 2, Corporal Stephenson, B, 20 points 3. Private J. Parry, A, 20 pointa. Colonel Barnes's Prizes (for recruits) 1, Private J. W. Ellis, D Troop, 18 points 2, Private J. Alien, D, 17 points 3, Private E. Jones, B, 15 points 4, Private Baker, B, 12 points. SWINE FEVER.—STOPPAGE OF FAXES.—Con- siderable consternation was created in this town on Monday (fair day), by the issue of a notice prohibit- ing the exposure or sale of any swine in any market, fair, or public auction. The order being dated the 2nd of September, and the notices having been received by the local police only on the pre- ceding day (Sunday), it was impossible to publish the prohibition before the morning of the fair day. operation until the 3rd of November next. This stringent regulation naturally had a most preju- dicial effect upon the business done at the last fair, and the Smithfield assumed a half-deserted appearance.-Of cattle there were only a few, and none ready for the knife. Cows and calves sold readily. There was also a scarcity of sheep of good quality, and trade in these was very slow. RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND PREACHERS. -The order of the services and the preachers at the various places of worship for next Sunday (14th Sunday after Trinity) are as follow Parish (St. Collen's) Church Holy Communion at 8 a.m. Matins at 10 30 a.m. Litany and children's service at 3 0 p.m. Evensong at 6 p.m. Rev. Enoch Rhys James, B.D., vicar; Rev. D. Carrog Jones, B A., curate. St. John's (Welsh) Church (Abbey-road) sermons at 10 30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Llantysilio Church English services the first Sunday in the month at 10 30 a.m. and 3 15 p.m., other Sundays 3 15 p.m. Welsh services at 10 30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Rev. J. S Jones, B.A., vicar. English Baptist Chapel (Penybryn): sermons at 1030 a.m. and 6 p.m. by Mr. E. Jones Davies, Chester. Rehoboth Calvinistic Methodist Chapel: sermons at9 30 a.m and 6 p.m. by the Rev. John Hughes, Carneddau. English Wesleyan Chapel (Market-street): sermons at 11 15 a.m. and 6 p.m. by Mr. Goodwin, Chester. Welsh Baptist Chapel: sermons at 9 30 a.m. and 6 p.m. by the Rev. D Williams, pastor. Welsh Wesleyan Chapel: sermon at 10 a.m. by Mr. R. Jones, Llangollen, and at 6 p .m. by the Rev. W. Davies, pastor. Congregational Chapel (Church-street): sermons at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. by the Rev. D. Davies, Widnes. Mission Room (Brook-street) sermons at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m by the Rev. R. Williams, M.A., Corwen. THE LLANDUDNO EISTEDDFOD.—The grand Chair Eisteddfod and Musical Festival which is to be held at Llandudno on Tuesday and Wednesday next, the 13th and Uth instant, is attracting a considerable share of attention among musical and bardic circles throughout the Principality. Up- wards of £, 180 are offered as prizes in the several departments, which include poetry, prose, music, and art. The arrangements are under the manage- ment of a large and influential committee, of which Mr. John Jones, Central Buildings, is the chairman, the Rev. John Morgan, B.A., vicar of the parish, vice-chairman, Mr. A. Foulkes, Mostyn Estate Offices, treasurer, and Mr. T. W. Griffith, Green- field House, secretary. The handsome sum of £70 and a gold cup to the choir for the best rendering of two selected pieces has elicited a most hearty response, as no less than five choirs have entered this competition. To us in Llangollen this contest has a special interest and significance, inasmuch as our local Choral Society, under the conductorship of Mr. William Williams (Pencerdd Berwyn), have decided to compete, and have, as is now generally known, been engaged for some months in a close study of the selected subjects with a result that is highly gratifying, their performance, no doubt, having attained that high standard of proficiency which evidently shows that they are determined to give a good account of themselves against all comers. The other competing choirs under this head are the-Holyhead, Gyrn Castle, Tanygrisiau, and Llwyn-y-Pandy (Mold). In the Male Voice competition, Festiniog and Nantlle Vale have entered, while Trefriw, Llanberis, and Llanrwst will compete for the prizes of 10 guineas and 5 guineas, respectively offered for Juvenile Choirs. Several vocalists from Llangollen have also entered in the solo contests. In the department of poetry, the great feature of interest will be the chairing of the successful bard for the best poem, the subject being And it was night," (John xiii. -30,) there being six competitors. The meetings, which will extend over two days, will be held in the handsome and spacious Pier Pavilion, Mons. Riviere's re- nowned orchestra of 36 instrumentalists having been engaged. In addition to all these attractions, the following artistes will take part in the meetings and concerts each day-Miss Mary Davies, Miss Annie Hope, Mr. James Sauvage, Mr. Maldwyn Humphreys, and Telynor Seiriol. It will thus be seen that the prospects of this Festival are of the most encouraging character. We understand that arrangements have been made with the railway companies for the issue of cheap tickets from Llangollen to Llandudno on Wednesday next, the day on which the chief chorol competition is to take place, and no doubt in addition to the choir large numbers from this district will avail them- selves of this opportunity of paying a visit to the Queen of Watering Places under such favourable ,r Qiroum&tauues, j THE MUSHROOM CROP.—The protracted drought and accompanying heat, followed by heavy rains, are said to be especially favourable to the develop- ment of the mushroom, and since the rains the crop on the North Wales pastures has been remark- able. Truck loads of the esculents have been consigned to London and the large provincial towns, and the mushroom harvest promises to be the most plentiful that has been known for many years. In Cheshire, too, the yield is very large, and the prices in the markets correspondingly low. LOCAL BOARD.-The ordinary monthly meeting of the Board was held on Thursday, Sept. 1st, there being present Messrs. Wm. Jones, Rt. Hughes, James Jones, Ellis Evans, L. Lloyd John (deputy clerk), and T. K. Jones (surveyor). In the absence of Capt. Best, Mr. Wm. Jones was voted to the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The Drain from Fine View.—The Clerk reported that the agent of the property from Manchester had, in company with the surveyor, inspected the drainage from Fine View, Geraint, and promised to remedy the defect, and prevent the nuisance arising therefrom. As yet, however, nothing had been done. It was now quite clear that the owners of the property were responsible, and it was expected that the work will be done forthwith. The Clerk reported that the Works Committee had met on the 18th August, and had instructed the Surveyor to order the necessary quantity of mettling for the roads. The Sanitary Committee had been also convened, but as only Mr. R. LI. Baker attended nothing had been done. The Lighting of the Town.—The Chairman said that great complaints were being made that the public lamps had not been lit earlier in the season, as there had been a great number of visitors in the town, and the nights had been very dark. It was a matter of regret that the Board had not made the usual arrangements with the Gas Com- pany, as some delay may yet arise before these arrangements could be completed.—The Clerk admitted that the matter ought to have been taken up in the last Works Committee.—On the motion of Mr. Robt. Hughes, seconded by Mr. Wm. Jones, it was resolved that the clerk communicate with the Gas Company forthwith, with a view of having the streets lighted the following Monday. The Aeeess to the River near the Bridge.—The Chairman called attention to the impossibility of going down to the river by means of the steps opposite Mr. Wm. Edwards's smithy, and as a con- sequence the people went over his wall near the mill. He, therefore, suggested that the matter be referred to the Works Committee for consideration. This was accordingly agreed to. The Weighing of Cattle Act.-The Clerk drew attention to an order which had been received directing the Board to provide suitable facilities for carrying out the provision of the new Act in relation to the weighing of cattle at fairs. This would necessitate the providing of scales, placed in a suitable building at a considerable outlay of money. The act would come into operation in January next, so that there would be ample time to comply with its provisions. The matter was referred to the Works Committee. Swroeyofs Report.—The following report of the Surveyor was read :— I have the honour of submitting the following report for the past month:—On highway? we have repaired oil the Dinbren and Erw Wen roads. We have also repaired on the road leading up from the Bachau lioad to the Badi.—We have also done some guttering on town streets, and commenced the kerbing of Berwyn-street.—I have made proof as to the drainage of the cottage at Brynffynon, and find that they are drained into the ditch in the field opposite, and, consequently, so as to form a nuisance. The ditch has been cleaned out, and, by the help of the rains, the nuisance has been considerably abated for the present.—I have to report moneys collected during the month as follows:—Tiling £1 14s. Od.; materials, 14s. 2d.; rates, Jill; total, £113 8s. 2d. Cheques were signed for the payment of several accounts. The Clerk reported that the audit of the accounts had taken place on the previous Tuesday, and an abstract would appear in the local paper. THE PUBLIC LIBRARY. SiR THEODORE MARTIN, K.C.B., has this week poems, by Bret Harte The Leavenworth Case," a Lawyer's Story, by Anna Katharine Green. The honourable gentleman has also kindly consented to preside at a concert, to be held in the Assembly Room, on Thursday, the 6th of October, for the purpose of raising a fund to add new books to the Library. CONSERVATIVE FETE AT TREVOR HALL. SIR THEODORE MARTIN ON THE SITUATION. The second annual fete in connection with the Llangollen Constitutional Club and the Primrose League was (through the kindness of Mr. J. C. Edwards) held at Trevor Hall on Saturday after- noon, in most inauspicious weather. Intermittent showers prevailed throughout the day, and during the progress of the fete rain fell in torrents. The attendance under these circumstances was, of course, smaller than last year, though the spacious marquee, which had been erected in the grounds, was crowded at tea-time. Bouquets of flowers adorned the tables, and, notwithstanding the storms without, the interior of the tent presented 'a gay and animated appearance. The following ladies presided at the tea tables Mrs. Best, Mrs. Edwards, Trevor Hall, Mrs. Hughes, Minffordd, Mrs. Smith, Llangollen- Fechan, Mrs. Watkin Richards, Mrs. Edwd. Morris, Miss Pugh, Eagles Hotel, Miss Tanqueray, and Miss Hughes, Derwen Hall. The Llangollen Volunteer Band, the Penybont Works Band, and the Llan- gollen Drum and Fife Band were in attendance and played several selections of music. After tea, the assembly was addressed from the terrace in front of Trevor Hall. Captain John C. Best, R.N., presided, and was supported by Mrs. Best, Sir Theodore Martin, K.C.B., Mr. and Mrs. Thorpe, Kettering, Mr. and Mrs. Edwards, Trevor Hall, Mrs. Owen Slaney Wynne, Plas Newydd, Ruabon, Col. Bond, Birmingham, Mr. Geo. Thomson, Penybryn Hall, Mr. Lloyd Edwards, Mr. J. Coster Edwards, and the Misses Edwards, Trevor Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Graesser, Argoed Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Spencer, &c. Captain Best, in opening the proceedings, said he much regretted to have to inform them that the Honourable George Kenyon, who was announced to speak, was unable to attend their gathering that day. Owing to the urgency of parliamentary business he was not allowed to leave London on any con- dition. He (the president) would not attempt to make a speech, for there were gentleman present who would lay before them the whole state of political matters in a most lucid and able manner. He would, therefore, call upon Colonel Bond, of Birmingham, the district agent of the Primrose League, to address them. (Cheers.) Colonel Bond, in the course of a lengthy address, upheld the policy of the Government in proclaiming the National League, which he said had been the cause of murder and violence of every description. lie was a resident magistrate in Ireland when the two great Secretaries were murdered in Phoenix Park, and he had seen much of the working of the Land League. The fact was, the people of Ireland were compelled to become members of the League or they would be shot in detail. The three articles of belief of the Primrose League were-pure religion, a pure constitution (as we have it now), and the supremacy and unity of this great Empire. (Cheers.) He urged them all to stand firmly and unitedly together in defence of those principles. Referring to the Welsh tithe agitation, he said it was not a Church question, but a land question. For many years there had been a great wave of agricultural depression passing over the land, and tenant farmers had had great difficulty in getting both ends to meet. (Hear, hear.) They had ap- pealed to the landlords to reduce their rents, and this had been done from year to year, and still matters were very serious. Foreign competition was very keen, and the British farmer was beaten out of the market. Something must be done to relieve him. He urged that all unfair burdens should be taken from the land. The sanitary tax, the school board rate, and the highway rate must all come off. (Cheers.) It was a matter of deep concern that the Tithe Rent Charge Bill brought into the House of Lords by Lord Salisbury had not been passed. He (Colonel Bond) thought it was one of the most splendid pieces of legislation he had seen for many years. He was glad, however, to find that the measure was to be again introduced to Parliament early next session. (Cheers.) Sir Theodore Martin next addressed the gathering, and was greeted with prolonged cheering. He said :—Ladies and Gentlemen,-It gives me great pleasure to meet you again at this the second public gathering of our two local societies, and to be able to congratulate you on the fact that neither are our numbers diminished, nor has the strength of the enthusiasm abated which led to their forma- tion. (Cheers.) Nor is this to be wondered at; for our societies were founded, not to support any merely local or ephemeral interests, but upon principles which apply at all times and in all cir- cumstances, and which the events of the time make it important to uphold with no uncertain voice. The first of these principles I hold to be—country, not party, measures, not men (Cheers.) In the word country I include not only Great Britain and Ireland, but also our colonies and dependencies, won for us by the courage and enterprise of our forefathers, and peopled by men of our own race. And I also include in it that constitution which has been moulded and justified by the experience of centuries,-which secures to us the greatest amount of personal freedom ever enjoyed by any nation, and under which, to use Milton's words, "This Britannic Empire has been built up to a glorious and enviable height.' (Cheers.) By measures I understand such changes in our laws and institu- tions as are necessary to meet the altered circum- stances and special wants of our time, such changes as shall be deliberately adopted by a Parliament fairly representing the voice of the nation, and with a due regard to the well-being of every member of the body politic,-no matter by what administration these measures may be introduced. It is only by keeping these principles steadily in view that our societies can hope to flourish. But while they do so keep them, our local influence, small relatively as it may be, is still an item of strength to the great body of our countrymen, who are maintaining the struggle against the theories of Socialism and Revolution, and the attacks, veiled and unveiled, of traitors to the State. (Cheers.) We can well afford to laugh at the argument in justification of the hateful system of Irish boycot- ting, which you know has been drawn from the alleged doings of some members of the Primrose League. I am sure I may safely say for you as well as for myself, that if any member of the League adopts exclusive dealing against manu- facturer, tradesman, farmer, artizan or labourer, on account of his political opinions, he is a traitor to the principles of the league, and of the great states- man in whose honour the league was founded. Throughout his career Mr. Disraeli maintained that no ban or barrier should be set up against any citizen who obeyed the law, because of the views political, social, or religious which he might hold. So it is with our league. Our desire is to bring men together to discuss public and social questions, not with the intemperate heat of pre-determined an- tagonism, but upon grounds of reason and common sense. (Hear, hear.) To set class against class, as some do, is against all our principles. No We know that every class in the state is in a certain degree dependent upon every ocher class. To reconcile their various interests, not to encourage them into angry and selfish antagonism, will, I hope. always be a main effort of the workers in our league. To inculcate unity in purpose and in action in our foreign and colonial policy, to show that, if this country is to maintain its pre-eminence among the nations, all classes must work together in trying to find the solution of the problem which is now pressing upon us so imperiously,-how to retain our share of the markets of the world, and so to feed the yearly augmenting multitudes of our working classes ;-these are the aims which our league must keep prominently in view. (Hear, hear.) Nor is it less important that we should do our utmost to awaken the attention of the people to the imminent danger which we are incurring by failing to provide efficient means of defence for our ports, and also for our long lines of vulnerable coast. (Hear, hear.) Above all, we have to uphold the doctrine,—alas! that it should be necessary to up- hold it-that the union of the Kingdoms of England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, must be maintained inviolate against every assault, whether from within or without. There is enough and more than enough for Constitutional Societies and Primrose Leagues to do in calling attention to sound views have no wish but their country s welfare, and the freedom and security of every honest citizen. (Hear, hear.) Their work is to be done, and it will be done, in open day, and by frank and sincere speaking, not by the terror that walketh by night, the terror of masked maimers and assassins, nor by the pestilence of lying speech that wasteth by noon-day. Every man shall feel safe by his fire- side, every labourer be free to carry his labour where he pleases, no man shall go in fear that his footsteps are dogged by spies to report to a secret and vindicative tribunal, whose friendly hand he has shaken, or whose hunger or suffering he has relieved. Not by such intolerable tyranny, not by such cruel and cowardly coercion does our harmless league seek to propagate its views. (Cheers.) That is boycotting indeed and we detest it as a return to the resources of savagery,-a defiance to the resources of civilization." We prize our own freedom too dearly, the freedom our ancestors purchased for us by their sufferings and their blood, to dream of ever encroaching upon the freedom of other men. (Hear, hear.) We stand for law and order and right, for security to those who possess property, for a fair field to those who are ambitious to acquire it, for justice and a reasonable hope of better things to all. These blessings we, believe me, shall best preserve by joining heart and hand with our countrymen of all ranks in upholding the consti- tution, by linking together and consolidating all our possessions at home and abroad by the ties of brotherly amity, and by showing to the nations who covet our possessions that the hands that hold are able to protect and to retain them. (Loud cheers.) All these we from our fathers had in trust, And to our children will transmit or die, This is our maxim, this our piety, And God and Nature say that it is just!" (Loud applause.) Captain Best then called for three cheers for Sir Theodore Martin, which were given amid much enthusiasm, and were followed by three hearty cheers for Lady Martin. Sports were afterwards enjoyed in the Grounds, and selections'of music were given by the bands. The following were the officers of the course :— Judges, Messrs. E. Lloyd Edwards and R. 6. Richards; starter, Mr. J. C. Edwards, junr.; clerk of the course, Mr. E. Evans; manager, Mr. H. F. Cope. Mrs. Edwards, Trevor Hall, kindly presented the prizes at the close of the sports.

CHIRK. APPOINTMENT.—The G-ooermnent Gazette, pub- lished at Bombay, August 4th (Marine Department), announced that Mr. A. B. Edwards, eldest son of Mr. J. Edwards, Pentre House, Chirk, Assistant Conservator of the Port, has been appointed provisional member of the Board of Examiners for the Port of Bombay, for granting certificates of competency to masters and mates.

MOLD. THE ALYN TIN PLATE WORKS.—We are authorised by the proprietors to state "that these works will be re-opened next week, and we are certain the announcement will be read with pleasure by many readers. A number of the men who left Mold for South Wales when the works stopped, some months ago, are now returning. MR. GLADSTONE'S FAMILY PICNIC AT MOEL FAMMAU.—Mr. W. E. Gladstone, M.P., and several members of his family, who are at present staying at Hawarden Castle, passed through Mold on Monday last, on their way to and from Moel Fammau, where a family picnic was held. Cheers were given for the ex-premier as he passed through New-street, and the right honourable gentleman acknowledged the compliment. A DOG SMOKING IN HIGH-STREET !—Not many days ago a lady and gentleman were going down High-street, followed by a particular dog, which it is said has more wit about him than most of his kind. The gentleman happened to be smoking a cigar, which attracted the inquisitiveness of the quadruped, which made signs of his delight for the narcotic leaf. The cigar becoming a stump, was thrown down, whereupon the eager dog jumped to it but alas if it was not too short" for the old smoker certainly it was too hot", for the learner, especially so when he got the wrong end in his mouth i We need hardly say the dog left it behind also for the uczt picket up.

LLANSANTFFRAID, CORWEN. MR. GODFREY PARRY, Llansantffraid. was, we are pleased to state, successful in carrying off the first and second prizes for Welsh sheep at the Royal Show at Manchester, last week.

DOLGELLEY. SERIOUS ACCIDENT.—Mr. Richard Jones, New Shop, met with a serious accident about noon on Thursday. It appears that he went to see Ty'ny- coed buildings, which are being erected. As he was talking with some of the men, he somehow fell head foremost between the joists into the cellar, and was very badly injured. He was quite unconscious for some time, but ultimately came to himself. Doctors were sent for, and he was conveyed in a 'bus. Much sympathy is felt with Mr. Jones, whose narrow escape is regarded as almost miraculous.

CORWEN. BREWSTER SESSIONS.—On Friday, August 26th, before the Hon. C. H. Wynn, Capt. Best, Major Tottenham, and Dr. Walker, all the licences in the Petty Sessional Division of Edeyrnion were renewed, there being no objections.—Wm. Williams, Pen-y- Bryn, a very old offender, was fined 10s. and costs for drunkenness, or one month's imprisonment in default. One month's time was allowed the defen- dant to pay.—John Salisbury had to pay a fine of Is. and 8s. 6d. costs for assaulting his wife by striking her on the face on Monday night, Aug. 1st. The defendant strongly denied having touched her, but the evidence of his daughter, who was sent for, corroborated her mother's evidence.-There was no other business.

BANGOR. LIVERPOOL RUNAWAYS.—Two lads named John Liddell and R. Aspinall, living at Seacombe-street, Liverpool, were on Monday brought to the Bangor police-station. The lads, who were respectably clad, were found wandering about Hirael, and being unable to give a satisfactory account of themselves, came under the attention of the police. Enquiries directed by Inspector Roberts showed that they slipped away from Liverpool on Saturday afternoon by the steamer, and had been wandering about in quest of a person with whom Aspinall claims relationship. The Liverpool police were communicated with, and instructions were received by wire to re-book Liddell, whose parents had deposited his fare, by the afternoon steamer. Aspinall's relative was subsequently found, and he was taken charge of by her.

RUABON. I CHURCH BELLS.-On Sunday the new set of ringers commenced to ring for the services. As the men, who are under the direction of Mr. J. Crewe, are now more or less proficient in their work, this change, from the monotonous tingling of the chimer to the full peal gives the greatest satisfaction, not only to the inhabitants but to all who come within hearing of the bells. FLOWER SHOW.—The annual snow in connection with the Ruabon and Rhosllanerchrugog Horti- cultural and Industrial Society was held in Wynn- -Lay Park, on Monday. Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., is president of the society, and Lady Williams Wynn presented the prizes to the successful competitors. The exhibition was held in a number of marquees erected in the grounds adjacent to Wynnstay Mansion, and there was an excellent show of flowers, fruit, vegetables, cage birds, poultry, carv- ings, modellings, needlework, and cottagers' indus- tries. The gardens in Wynnstay Park were also open to the public. There was a procession of children from the various day and Sunday schools in Ruabon, Cefn, Rhosymedre, Acrefair, Penycae, and Rhosllanerchrugog. The children from Lady Williams Wynn's school also joined the procession, which was headed by two bands. Sports were afterwards held, and there was a display of fire- works in the evening.

LLANDUDNO. LARCENY.—At the Conway Sessions, on Monday j before Mr. Hazledine and other magistrates William Wynn Williams, late an accountant at Llandudno, a married man with five children, was T charged with stealing rope, value 39s., the property of Mr. T. W. Griffith, ironmonger. The prisoner, I who is a native of Dolgelley, and very respectably » connected, was seen carrying away the rope from the prosecutor's warehouse on the morning or Aug. 30th. It was traced by P.C. Rees to the possession of Edward Hughes and William Jones, to whom he had sold it much below value. There was a further charge against the prisoner of having stolen four buckets and other articles from the same premises in January. These were disposed of to Mrs. Martin, Wellington Hotel, under the representation that he had been authorised by the prosecutor to sell them. The prisoner, who pleaded guilty, stated that he had not been sober for the last seven or eight weeks, and had only once or twice slept in a bed during that period. Superintendent Williams said that the prisoner had been previously convicted of embezzling money belonging to Mr. Owen, and bound over to appear for judgment when required. The prisoner was committed for twelve weeks, with hard labour.

DENBIGH. ACCIDENT TO THE CASTLE KEEPER'S CHILD.- The castle keeper's little girl, aged six, well known to frequenters of the old ruins, met with a serious accident last week. She was at play in the Red Tower, and fell from the table upon which she had climbed. She sustained severe injuries to her head and back, remaining in a state of unconsciousness for two days. Under the skilled attendance of Dr. Griffith Roberts she has much improved. POACHERS HEAVILY FINED.—On Friday, David Roberts and Isaac Roberts, brothers, Henllan-street, Denbigh, were charged with poaching with other men not in custody. These were two of the men upon whom heavy sentences of imprisonment were passed for an attack on keepers on Gwrych Castle estate some time ago. After a chase by Police- constable Jones one man was caught near Gwayny- nog, and seven net pegs and one snare found upon him, and the footprints of the others were tracked, and ten rabbits and some poaching tackle, which he had hidden, were found. They were fined 45 and costs each, and in delault two months' hard labour.—David Roberts was also charged along with Owen Williams for another offence, when Sergeant Evans found on Williams seven raobits, one large net, and pegs, and on Roberts rabbits, nets, and some bulky atones, these latter, Supt. Vaughan said, this class of poachers secured in order to keep off the keepers and others, and they had used them to defend themselves, and terribly assaulted the keepers at Gwrych Castle and other places. They were fined £ 5 each, or two months, making in the case of Roberts a fine of zelo, or four months.

LLANRWST. AN INTERESTING FIND.—On Tuesday week, at Llandudno Junction, a gentleman was inquiring as to the meaning of a sort of medal he had picked up on the road up the valley. It was not precious metal, but was oval-shaped and had a loop, showing it had been used as a pendant. On one side, in a circle, were the Welsh words, Nis gwyr namyn diwyd Dderwyddon." In the centre were oak leaves and mistletoe berries. On the obverse side was a long-bearded Druid encircled by oak leaves and mistletoe. Loss OF A DIAMOND RING.-Some weeks ago, a London gentleman, a Llandudno visitor, went up the Vale of Conway on a tour. He was at the time wearing a scarf ring. The ring was lost, supposedly, between Bettwsycoed and Llanrwst. The owner of the ring reported his loss to the police, and Superintendent Hammond was told the piece of jewellery was supposed to have been lost somewhere in front of the Victoria Hotel, Llanrwst. Superintendent Hammond himself and his men went diligently in search of the missing ring, but the police obtained no clue. A week afterwards, they learned that one Thomas Davies, servant at Penybont, Llanrwst, had picked up something in front of the Victoria Hotel on the day the ring was lost, and that Thomas Davies showed it to John Owen (alias "Jack Fireman"). It appears that "Fireman," when shown the ring, snatched it from the hands of Thomas Davies, who took no more concern about the affair till told there was a reward offered for the recovery of the ring. Superintendent Hammond got to know about the circumstances and taxed Thomas Davies and John Owen with being responsible for the ring. John Owen stated he had given it away. Under the circumstances, it was decided that John Owen ("Jack Fireman") should be taken into custody for stealing a ring from Thomas Davies. The prisoner was on Tuesday brought before Captain. Hordera anq