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MT.DAVIDS DAY CJiLE-BKATION.

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MT.DAVIDS DAY CJiLE- BKATION. The immortal memory of St David's was cele- brated at Aberystwyth by a banquet given, accord ing to a custom of nearly thirty years' standing, at the Talbot Hotel when the Hostess laid on the tables a record repast as the following menu will lihow :— APTISANS. Anchovy and Salad. SOUP. T Green Pea. Cock-a-Leekie. FISH. Whitebait and Brown Bread and Butter. Boiled Salmon. Hollandise Sauce. Cucumber. ENTREES. Petits Pat6s aux Mauviette. Compbte of Kidneys and Champignons. Snow Potatoes. JOINTS. Fore Quarter of Lamb. Mint Sauce. New Potatoes. French Beans. Roast Sirloin of Beef. Horse-radish Sauce. Boiled Turkey and York Ham. Celery Sauce. Spinach. Asparagus and Clarified Butter. GAME. Roast Pheasants. Chip Potatoes. Wild Ducks. French Salad. SWEETS. Snowdon Puddings. Wine Jellies. Fruit Cream. Trifles. Ice Marange. King David's Pudding. Ancient Briton Sauce. Ice Pudding. SAVORY. Cheese Straws. DESSERT. Pine Apple. Black Grapes. Bananas. Apples. Tangerine Oranges. The chair was ably filled by Mr F. R. Roberts, Penywern, and the vice-chair by Mr T. Kilvington. The chair v.as supported by Major Hughes, Allt- lwyd, Captain Lushington, R.A., Mr J. D. Perrott, National Provincial Bank, and Mr Evan Evans, solicitor, and the vice chair by the Rev J. A. Morris (B) and Mr T. Salmon, chairman of the Assessment Committee. Among others present were Mr Robert Doughton, ex-mayor, Councillors Dr Harries, E. P. Wynne, R. J. Jones, and R. Peake, Mr Edward Ev-<ns, Mr J. Morgan, The Larches Mr Thomas Griffiths, Great Darkgate-street, and Mr lEa c Hopkine, members of the Borough Bench, Mr Hugh Hughes, clerk to Borough Magistrates, Lieut Stevens R.A., Mr D. M. Dtvies, Mr W. J. Watkins, Cartrefie, Mr Geddes Smith, solicitor, Mr T. Powell, grocer, wrrotseu iUjDe:ts, Mr John Richards, Market-street, Mr Richard Mathias, Cardiff, Mr R. J. Rees, North and South Wales Bank, Mr Lewis Mathias, Mr Finchett, Cambrian Railways, Mr Jones, Gra;ggooh, Mr Rufus William, Lion Hotel, Mr Fe;r, Caergog-ferrace, Mr D. C.Owen, Mr Thomas Hopkins, Mr David Hump1 rt=ys Portland-s'reet, Mr Hugh Roberts, Chester, Mr WJlie Morgan, The Larches, Mr E. Humphreys, M. and M., Mr J. L. Thomas, engineer, Mr Beame, Dr Bassett Jones, Mr Roderick Richar(ies,ind Mr Wm. Richardvs, Penglaise, MrIJ. Morgan, Terrace-road, Mr Richard Jenkins, Llan- badarn, Mr Percy Lobb, Mr Randolph Fear, Terrac- -road, Mr Evans Hughes and Mr Cart- wright, C lwyn Bay, Mr Edwards (Howells), Mr Richard Morgan, Mr Tom Davies, Mr }eorg. BearDe, Mr William Thomas, Ttmuous, Mr Frank Wemysa, Mr David Davies (Mr Hugh Hughes' offices), Mr Davies and Mr Parry, N. P. Bank, and others. As 0:1 former occasions, several songs were ex- cellently sung by Mr Evans Hughes, Colwyn Bay. The PRESIDENT, who was cordially received as he rose to commence the t, ast list, proposed the health of the Queen and the nst; of the Royal Family" aid the toaet was received by the si ging of the National Anthem aud "God Bless the Prince of Wales." Mr J. D. PEUROTT proposed the hea th of thf Lord Lieu enant of the County" and said he de- lIervedth.,ir sptc-al respect as the representative of her Majesty in that county. He worthily and thorougnly represente d the opinions of the.people. (Cheers ) The PRESIDENT proceeded to proposed the health of "The Bishops and Clergy of Wales" and regretted seeing so few of "The Cloth" present. They were, however, represented by one gentle man who was a faithful adherent of that old and honoured institution-the Rev J. A. Morris. (Applause.) The clergy they were always glad to see among them and there was no reason why they should not enjoy a good dinner like ordinary mortals. (Laughter and applause.) Song, "Bauer fin Gwlaci," Mr Evan3 Hughes. The Rev J. A. MORRIS, responding, said he had prepared a speech on St David which would have made a sensation, but now found he had to respond to a subject for which he was not pre- pared. In the absence of Archdeacon Protheroe, he found that he not only had to represent the bishop and clergy, but the whole ministry as well He happened to know the Bishop of St. David's and had great respect for him. He was un- doubtedly a very able man and one who had worked his way to the highest position in the Church of his native country. He deserved every respect. (Cheers.) With regard to the clergy of Aberystwyth and of Cardiganshire, he could say he was on friendly terms with them (Cheerp.) He had always found them to be kinri meighbr,urs and sympathetic friends and he and they at" ays felt very happy when they Qiet, especially Archdeacon Protheroe, with whom he was more acquainted than with others. When they met they talked over different authors and of things which came in their way very naturally, and they felt a great deal of interest in each other. It seemed that a commemoration service had been restored at St. David's Cathedral and Archdeacon Protheroe had to preach the sermon. He (Mr Morris) hoped it was a good sermon. (Laughter.) If not and if Archdeacon Protheroe h*d been very busy and had called on him, he should have been most happy to have given him a sermon. (Renewed laughter.) With regard to the work of the clergy and ministers they were most happy co-workers in that neighbourhood. Archdeacon Protheroe and Prebendary Williams were thorough Churchmen-he would not respect them if they were not-and he was a thorough Baptist; but if they wantedat any time to change their views and become his way of thinking, he was quite prepared to immerse them any day. (Laughter). As soon as they got into his hands they would be pretty safe. (Renewed laughter.) As to his brother ministers, he could pay them the highest tribute for character and ability. He thought they almost stood by themselves among the ministers of the Principality, and that they also stood well in the estimation of the country. At the same time he did not say that the clergy did not occupy the eame position. He hop°d the clergy and ministry would have the sympathy of all in the endeavour to do their duty. (Dr Harries "You shall.") It was not an easy thing to stand up in a Pltce like Aberystwyth as he had done for five and twenty years and to preach twice a Sunday and to have among their hearers some of the leading scholars of the Principality. (A Voreig The same old tale" and interruption, during which Mr Morris resumed his seat.") Continuing his remarks after order had been restored, Mr Morris said a friend asked him the other day how he felt in preaching before men like Principal Roberts, for instance. Well, I will tell you," he replied, I look at him from the pulpit exactly as he would look at me from his chair. Principal Rober's would look up to me SB a preacher of the Gospel and I should look up to Principal Roberts as a Greek scholar reading Greek." (Hear, hear.) He believed in division of labour, and every- one who honestly endeavoured to do well in his own sphere of labour was worthy of attention and support. (Applause.) Song, "The Yellow Girl," Mr Cartwright. The PRESIDENT gave the toast of the "Army, Navy, and Reserve Forces," and said that Tommy Atkins, fighting on the Indian frontier, had kept up his reputation of Wellingtonian days. Each part of the auxiliary forces adequately fulfilled re- quirements and when called upon would do all that Was asked of it. (Hear, hear.) He coupled With the toast Captain Lushington and Dr Harries, Whose names were received with musical honours. Song, "The Anchor's Weighed," Mr E\ans Hughes. Captain LUSHINGTON said he felt grateful to the Present Ministry for providing him with something "o talk about in responding to that toast. The Idinistry had gone the right way to Work and were only doing what was right and just to Tommy when they Save him the 3d a day which used to be charged for tea and potatoes. It was not just to profess to give a man a shilling a day and then dock him a quarter for groceries. (Hear, hear.) The Ministry Were also going in for a certain increase in the Arxny-if it could be got. (Laughter.) He trusted It might be got, because at present Great Britain **as trying to fill a quart out of a pint. The *<tnpire had been doubled within the reign of her ■Majesty and yet they had exactly the same-sized army to guard it, while the British soldier to-day earned exactly the same pay as he did when he cfjy^ht for England at Agincourt. (" Shame and I Question.") In the professions and in commercial and-8try ra^es Pay doubled and trebled f ln some cases had been increased a hundred dp an(* therefore thought that Tommy Atkins eserved his increase. (Hear, hear.) But while it Co 8 ?"n honour and a pleasure to defend Queen and jjjj ry andthecommercialinterest8 whichhadmade *isheCdUnKry 80 £ rea,k an<^ powerful, the s;ldier (Hear fou»«y to take an interest in him. naturall r'^ When a man insured his life he he"insur^0°k Pa*ns see office in which insured as- ^aS ? 8a^e one' au<^ whcn the country of the milit»rlt/nvasi?n and aggression by means Tommv f°rces it ought to take an interest crippled f S° when he came back somewhat ■Africa t.nil0m Service for his country in India or found him 6 *n civil life should be efficient arm Britain would never have an Soldiers UQtil it guaranteed employment for AUD cheers T J'NG the 8e.rvice- (Hear, hear, 61,1 plover* if ?J t connection, he thanked the ma^o -^herystwyth for the generous re- tired soldiers ° T*S fo,r employment for the loyaltv of w m tlle fa'ghest opinion fcim in his Xk ,6'8hrn and greatly he«tened Drfl/I (Applause.) was also asked to respond, and in complying, said if Captain Lushington and his army would only stay at home and keep cool, the navy would do all that was necessary. (Laughter.) The navy did not speak of pay. Like him, they were prepared to fight for nothing. (Renewed laughter.) Neither did they talk of insurance. The navy had so strong a sinking fund that they could sink the whole of their enemies. (Laughter.) After referring to a cousin who might have dis- tinguished hirnself on the Indian frontier, and another relative in the navy who was not yet an admiral, Dr Harries wound up by saying that the navy was so efficient that it did not require com- pliments but delivered blows which struck terror into the heart of the whole world. (Laughter.) Song, Marching through Georgia," Captain Lushington. Mr ROBERT DOROHTON proposed the health of Mr Vaughan Davies, the member for the county, who was doing his work right well and was al- ways in the House when wanted. (The toast was drunk with musical honours, and one cheer more for Mrs Davies.) Song, Soldiers of the Queen," Mr Cartwright. Mr EVAN EVASS then rose to propose the toast of the eveding-" The Immortal Memory of St. David." St. David, he said, died on the 1st of March, 1,450 years ago, and to-day, after that long span of years, Welshmen everywhere were doing homage to his life of toil and sacrifice on behalf of his country. Finding so great an admiration for the memory of St. David, an admiration which was growing every year, one might reasonably en- quire for an explanation for the sway of St. David over the hearts cf the Velsh people. There was more than one explanation, but he would confine himself that evening to one, having reference to the past and the other having reference to the future. The toast was closely associated with the past. A prcmiuent feature in Welsh character was reverence for the past. Welshmen loved to think of the past history of their country and especially of the great men «ho had contributed so much to the formation of that history. The history of Wales, as of other nationalities, was the history ofitsgreatmen, and the first of a long line of worthy men produced by Wales was the name of St. David. (Cheers.) George Eliot in one of her poems said :— Our deeds still travel with us from afar And what we have been makes us what we are. (Cheers.) That was true of nations as of individuals. The noble deeds ot a nation ana the best institutions of a nation came to that nation from afar. (Hear, hear.) Many privileges now enjoyed by the Welsh came through many genera- tions from the time of St. David. The present system which now brought education within the teach of every home in Wales as well as other advantages, had its germs in movements in- stituted by St. David and by men like him and that being so, it was but right that the present gen- eration should acknowledge its obligation to the great men of the past. (Hear, hear.) By that means also they secured a continuation of their work in the present as well as in the future. St. David commenced a great work. He did not nor could he finish it. In the natural order of things he left it to be taken up and carried forward by the great men of succeeding generations. (Cheers.) But not alone had Wales her St. David and her noble men of the past. The English people were now beginning to acknowledge the debt they owed to Alfred the Great, the father of the English nation. Mr Frederick Harrison was the first to ,1raw attention to the obligation, and had suggested that the English people should endeavour to dis- charge that obligation. One suggestion was that Alfred should be placed among the canonized saints ;¡f the Roman Church and another that some in- stitution should be founded in which the whole nation could participate. In regard to the first suggestion, Wales was more fortunate, for St. David had long been canonized, and Wales was equally fortunate in regard to the second sug- gestion, for a cathedral had been dedi- cated to St. David. (Cheers.) But it took a long time before St. David was made a Siint and ne would leave it to the company to work out by Rule of Three that if it took 600 years to make St. David a saiut how long would it take the Holy See to make a saint of a comparatively- modern Englishman. (Laughter and cheers.) At any rate, the English people could build and dedi- cate a cathedral to Altred the Great and so hand down his memory to many generations yet unborn. (Applause.) There was also in the life and com- memoration of St David a word for the future. The name of St. David united all Welshmen with- out distincion of language, creed, party, or geographical division. He hoped that was but the beginning of the whole future life and character of the people of Wales. What Welshmen now desired over and above everything else was national unity. (Cheers.) They wanted to be one. They had always wanted to be one. The history of the nation revealed a continuous struggle on the part of their forefathers for unity among themselves be- yond the terrible struggles for freedom from the Saxons and particularly from the more galling yoke of the Normans. That struggle for unity still continued. The people of Wales still earnestly longed to be one and, strange as it might seem to an outsider, it w as impossible to find any adequate reason why the Welsh people, agreeing as they did on main questions, should differ so greatly on minor matters. (Hear, hear.) There was an old triad in North Wales to the effect that there were three things in Wales which were unfathomable- tectarian bigotry, political animosity, and Bala Lake. (Laughter.) It was said that the London County Council were going to fathom Bala Lake and take the waters away to Lon(lon- (" Never ") —but they could not fathom the other two things. At the same time, he believed there were now indications that they were declining and that there was a future before Wales in which differ- ences and distinctions would be entirely removed and when the Welsh people would be a free and united, and intelligent nation and one of those in- dications was the increasingly-enthusiastic way in which the toast to the immortal memory of St. David was received. (Loud cheers.) The loving cup having been passed round, Mr John Morgan, The Larches, sang The Bay of Biscay." The VICE-PRESIDENT, proposing the County and Borough Magistrates," said he had not much to do with them though he had appeared before both—(laughter)—on business, of course. The borough magistrates he had to appear before occa- sionally—(A VOICE One shilling including costs" and laughter)—and found them an honourable body of men who always did their duty impartially. (A laugh.) He coupled with the toast the names of Mr Thomas Griffiths, Mr Wynne, Mr Edward Evans—(Voices Mr Isaac Hopkios and Mr R. J. Jones ")-yes, Mr Hopkins and Mr R. J. Jones and others. He did not remember all of them. (Laughter and a VOICE They are too numerous to remember.") He must not forget, however, to couple Major Hughes's name with the county magis- trates, nor must he forget his old friend, Dr Harries, who was a borough magistrate. He was a very old friend. (A VoicE: We were boys together.") Dear me, he had forgotten Mr John Morgan, his dear old friend. He would propose the toast and couple with it the names of everyone present who was a magistrate. (Laughter and musical honours.) Recitation, "Punch to Wales," Mr W. J. Watkins. Major HUGHES said the county magistrates always did their duty in the best way they could, and with the kind indulgence of the country they would do the same in the future. (Cheers.) Mr THOMAS GRIFFITHS, responding for the Borough Bench, said he had been present at a great many St. David's dinners which were commenced in that room. The Aberystwyth Borough Bench would compare with any Bench in the whole of Great Britain. There were fourteen or fifteen of them and, as Solomon said, In the multitude of counsellors there is wisdom." (Hear hear and a laugh.) As a rule they dealt out justice fairly well-not too harsh-don't do it again. (A Voice "Not guilty, but don't do it again," and laughter.) He believed in that way of doing business. There were a good many offenders. They were all offenders. He was one himself. It was not very often the Bench inflicted a fine, but told the offenders not to do it again and if they had any heart in them at all they did not come again. Though the county magistrates had more honour, the borough magi- strates had more custom—(laughter)—and as a shopkeeper he always liked to have a lot of cus- tomers. (Renewed laughter and cheers.) Song, Good Company," Mr Evans Hughes. Mr W. J. WATKINS, proposing the Mayor and Corporation," said that in a progressive town like Aberystwyth it was essential to have a good mayor and corporation. He thought Aberystwyth had them. He regretted the absence of the Mayor and other members. As Mr Evan Evans, in his excel- lent speech had said, that was the only meeting point of Welshmen of all creeds and parties. It was a pity the Mayor and Corporation did not attend in a body, for if they did there were some good lessons they could learn He coupled with the toast the names of Mr R. J. Jones and Dr Harries and the toast was received with musical honours. Mr Cartwright having sung, Mr R. J. JONES said he would stand aside for Dr Harries to respond to the toast. Dr HARRIES, responding, said he did not join in many movements in connection with the Council, but attended three or four meetings when there was anything very important. He did not join in matters which had to be referred to some com- mittee or other. The atmosphere of the Council was now permeated with an element that did not quite please the innermost chambers of his heart. (Laughter.) There was a certain amount of war fare in the distance. There was near at hand a discussion, a warfare-a matter of law-a matter that might implicate the Council in heavy expense. He had been a member of the Council fcr twenty years and he remembered the time when the old quarry mulcted the Council in some thousands of damages. There was also the Fairy case and he likewise ri collected the time when his old friend, Mr Isaac Hopkins, overthrew the lot ot them. (Laughter.) It seemed to him that the Council's contentious matters had dropped upon them he&vily. There was at present before the Council another contentious matter, which had a certain amount of bearing on another matter. The company would re- collect that years ago he brought a scheme before the Council by which A:5,000 would be speut on the Flats and the only scheme in which he failed was the one which was within the scope of the Council. If it was outside the scope of the Council it would have been successful. When it was proposed to convert the Flats into pleasure grounds and to spend £5,000 on them, the white-chokered gentlemen turned up the celestial beams of their eyes and with Mr Gibson as pioneer objected to the scheme at a meeting at the Town Hall and it was determined not to have it carried out because there was a lic6nce required for Plas Crug. As an alternative, the town was to have a drive up the Flatp, through Mr Hughes's grounds, across the Cambrian, and back to South-terrace. It, however, had not come to pass and never would come to pass. There would be the Devil's Bridge Railway, the East to West Railway, in addition to the Cambrian, to cross and the scheme would never now be carried out. What the white-chokered gentlemen foresaw was another matter and that was the matter of the Gas Wcrks, which was the greatest white elephant that could come before the Corporation of Aberystwyth. It would cost them hundreds a year and involve them in great responsi- bility. With the electric liht coming on and different schemes for improving gas lighting facing them, why should the Corporation take over the Gas Works at a cost of 915,000 or £ 20,000? Their noble pioneers were going to force the Gas Company to take the Gas Works out to Mr Hugh Hughes's field. ("No, no," laughter, cheers, and general uproar.) Dr Harries, referring to interruption by Mr Thomas, engineer, said he knew Mr Thomas's father and that the son confirmed the principle of heredity. The roars of laughter with which this retort was received having ceased, Dr Harries said there was only one motive for taking the Gas Works down Plascrug and that was to destroy the place as plea- sure grounds. He admitted that the opponents of the pleasure grounds scheme were more far-seeing than he was, and the Gas Works would be situated on the route of Mr Peter Jones's drive. (Laughter, cheers, and uproar, during which Dr Harries was heard to say something about a crematorium.) Comic recitation, The Cambrian three p.m. ex- press which rushed past a station about six p.m. at least quite six miles an hour," Lieutenant Stevens. Major HUGHES then rose to propose the Town j and Trade of Aberystwyth," observing that the town during the pasi few years had arrived at almost perfection and deserved prosperity. He coupled with the toast the names of Mr Thomas Griffiths, Mr T. W. Powell, and MrFossett Roberts. (Musical honours.) Mr THOMAS GRIFFITHS said he was pleased that one of the members of the aristocracy had proposed the toast, but he believed that the aristocracy of twenty or thirty years ago did more for Aberyst- wyth than the aristocracy of the present day. (Hear, hear.) He had seen a great change in trade. He remembered when sugar was sold at 6d in- stead of lid and when tea was 5s a pound instead of Is 6d. Trade was as good now as it was thirty years ago in Aberystwyth. (A VOICE Better.") It was as good and there was not a better or safer p'ace than Aberystwyth. Commercial men would not come if trade was not good and safe and there were but very few failures. He would rather lose every penny than not pay any man, and that was Thomas Griffiths for forty years in the same shop. (Cheers and a VOICE And no alterations too" and laughter.) He never was afar-seeing man, but he know the day of the week and believed there was a future before Aberystwyth if the East to West Railway was made. (Cheers.) Mr GEDDES SMITH proposed the Agricultural and Mining Interest. ".As to agriculture, he farmed one acre of land which gave him a great deal of trouble and if time permitted he could give the company some interesting experience. As to min- ing, he was a little bit pessimistic. It was not at its best at present, but when the railway was made it would probably be restored to his pristine glory. (Cheers.) He coupled with the toast the names of Major Hughes and of Mr Roderick Richardes. Major HUGHES rose to respond, but had not got further than the remark that things were looking better for agriculture than he was interrupted by a loud V, ice, "No, they are not," followed by general fizz and uproar in which They never will be," I am a downright Radical," and "Now we are in the thick of it" were distinguishable by some of the company. Mr RODERICK RICHARDES followed on the same line in responding after some amount of quietness had been obtained. He thought there had been some kind of improvement in agriculture, because that day he had seen dealers running away in traps to buy cattle and if an improvement went on in the cattle line other lines went on too. He was sorry that his friend Mr Wynne had forgotten himself. As long as the country had a Conser- vative Government (" Bosh," Shut up," No politics," and general uproar, during which some of the company tried to sit metaphorically on one or two of the more obstreperous and there were a few swear words knocking about). Mr Richardes like Major Hughes having dis continued their remarks and one o'clock in the morning having arrived, thtre was a movement towards breaking up. Mr HUGH HUGHES, however, reduced the room to order by proposing the health of the "President and Vice-president and was fortunate in selecting phrases of compliment with which all agreed, after which peace and goodwill prevailed, and the com- pany joined hands and sung Auld Lang Syne and wound up with a stanza of the "National Anthem."

BRONANT. PL

TALY IjONT.

TREGAROIN.

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PWLLHELT.

PORTMADOC.

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