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SWANSEA HOSPITAL.
SWANSEA HOSPITAL. DR. DAVIDSON AND THE COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the Board of Management of the Swansea Hospital was held yesterday. There were present: Dr. Ebenezer Davies (in the chair). Mrs. Ebenezer Davies, Miss Lind-ay, Mrs. Travers Wood, Drs. R. Nelson Jones, N. F. Brook. J. Kynaston Couch, E. Le Cronier Lancaster, and Jabez Thomas; the Rev. R. T. Williams (Argyle), Principal Salmon, Messrs. Howel Watkins, T. F. Jones. S. Goldberg, LI. Thomas, and the secretary (Mr. W. D. Hughes). DR. DAVIDSON WITHDRAWS HIS RESIGNATION. —A PARLIAMENTARY LETTER. The following letter was read from Dr. Alex. D. Davidson, withdrawing his resignation of the post of opthalmic surgeon "October 17th, 1893. "DEAR MB. HUGHES,—AS the difficulty about the out-patients ba come to an end, by the retreat of their officers with men, women and children to their old quarters, alld also as the minute of the House Committee referring to my colleague has been ex- punged as being out of order, I shall be very pleased to comply with the request of the Management Com- mittee of the Hospital, and withdraw my resignation. 8incelely tilisting that now nil bitter feelillgs and harsb words may be at an end, I don't think we can do better tban follow the example of St. Patrick, who, in the days of old,' gave the frogs and toads a twist and banished them for ever.'—Yours very truly, "ALEX. DXAS DAVIDSON. W. D. Hughes, Esq., Secretary." Miss Lindsay Who are the'frogs and toads P Mr. Howel Watkins The committee, I suppose. (Laughter.) Miss Lindsay: Is that parliamentary language ? (Laughter.) Dr. Nelson Jones thought it well that the controversy was over. He would be the last to encourage any difficulty between the staffs of the Hospital; but he wished it to be understood that the whole thing was not a staff question. It was hardly fair to think that. It was entirely a question for the Board of Management whether or not they had full control over the ophthalmic department. That was the whole sum of the difficulty and it was a question which they had to settle sooner or later. The Rev. R. T. Williams suggested that the withdrawal should be accepted, with the expres- sion on the part of the committee of a certam amount cf disapproval of the tone in which the letter accepted the proposition of the Board of Management. Dr. Lancaster thought the letter should not be put in the minutes. Both Dr. Davidson and the Committee would be sorry in future if it were. Dr. Nelson Jones moved that the letter be accepted. The Hospital could not afford to lose the services of Dr. Davidson. The whole incident should then be allowed to drop. Mr. Howel Watkins said he was very glad to know that Dr. Davidson had withdrawn his resignation, bnt he was very sorry for the tone of the letter. What he objected to in the letter was the reference to the minute of the House Committee as having been expunged as out of order. It was not expunged for that reason, but because of the conciliatory tone taken at the meeting in order to prevent any further discord at the Hospital. He regretted that that tone had not been reciprocated in the letter. It did not seem to him at all like Dr. Davidson. (Hear, hear.) Dr. Nelson Jones moved that the letter of withdrawal be accepted. Dr. W. F. Brook moved as an amendment that the Board accept with pleasure the withdrawal of Dr. Davidson's resignation, but wishes it to be understood that in similar circumstances they will act in the same way as they have done." He did not think they should allow it to go out to the public that the Boa.rd had practically resigned-as the letter implied—all responsibility for the conduct of the Eye Depart- ment. The Chairman moved the amendment out of order. There was already a resolution of the Board affirming the right to use the Eye Hospital when such an emergeney as they lately experienced arose. After Mr. Howel Watkins's remarks they should let the whole matter drop. He was sorry Dr. Davidson had so decorated his letter. (Laughter.) He was disappointed, and it would Tive the Board an idea of the spirit with which they were met and had to deal. (Hear, 6The proposition to accept the withdrawal was then agreed to. VOTE OF THANKS TO THE EX-MAYORESS. Mr. Howel Watkins moved a vote of thanks to the ex-Mavoress, Mrs. Aeron Thomas, for the kind interest she had taken in the Hospital. During the year the Mayoress had devoted a good deal of time to the affairs of the Hospital, and they would benefit to a very large extent. Mr. Watkins referred to the Mayoress's efforts in connection with the eisteddfod, by which a sum InsHtutio OUld be realised for the benefit of the ,Jhe ^airman seconded, and said they could ADO easTIly measure their indebtedness to Mrs. eron homas The vote of thanks was passed unanimously. COL. MORGAN. Mr. Turtle brought up the question of Mr. Howel°Watkina fell Jn w'tb SeVugge.tion. be'tter^ that could fill the position Dr. Nelson Jones supported, and JMr Turtle's proposition was unanimously agreed to This was all the business.
[No title]
RHYDDINGS HALL.—A tea and concert recentlv took place at the above chapel. The chair was filled by Mrs. Augustus Lewis, and the following artistes took partMrs.Harriett Williams, Mrs H. Symonds, Mrs. Arthurs Jame=, Williams, R.C.M.; Miss Clara Novello Evans (niece of the Hon. D. T. Phillips, American Consul for Cardiff, and daughter of the late Mr. Reuben Evans). The proceedings were brought to a close by the singing of Hen Wlad fy Nha. dau bv Mr. T. E. Powell—the audience heartily UD the chorus. The tea and concert were a great success, and enjoyed by all. THE LORD MAYOR'S SHOW.-The crowd- in +he streets of the city of London on Wednesday were larger than usual on the occasion of the Lord Mayor's Show, this being, no doubt, due to the fact that the weather was warm and dry The procession, though designed m some respect to stimulate patriotic feeing, was considered deficient as a military display. Detachments ot the 1st Dragoon Guards and various military and volunteer bands, including the band ot the Gren- adier Guards, lately returned from the Soudan, made up the military element. Of the cars, those illustrating the extension of British enter- prise from Cairo to Cape Town, and the union of English-speaking: races in various parts of the world, evoked enthusiastic applause.
-------SWANSEA THROUGH "CAMBRIAN"…
SWANSEA THROUGH "CAMBRIAN" SPECTACLES. (BY HISTORICUS JUNIOR. [ARTICLE LXXIV.] THEATRICAL TASTE IN THE 'THIRTIES. The prominent place which the theatre has occupied in the social annals of Swansea deserves at least that we should take an occasional j glimpse at the tastes of our forefathers. In the 'thirties the condition of the dramatic art was not by any means high. The patrons of the theatre, if we may judge from the play-bills, did not possess any definite tastes. They went to the theatre—as too many people go to the theatre to-day—not so much out of love for the art as in order to be amused. And so they were provided with hotch-potch programmes of a length greater than their merit justified. The quality of their tastes may be slightly gauged from the fact that Byron's "Werner" was one of their favourites, and that was probably valued by the audience, not on account of its artistic merits-which were ml-but because it was the work of a personality more romantic than any other in the literary history of their period. Not long since, Byron's corpse came over the sea from Greece, to be denied a place in the Abbey to which his genius entitled him, and to be interred in simple state by his mother's side. And then public opinion, fickle alike in the poet's life and death, softened towards him. People began to love the shapely mouth, the delicately' chiselled features and the brown curls that clustered on his brow in death's repose. They began to understand the egotistical spirit that flashed in sombre-brilliant music from the harassed mind. With Shelley, they acclaimed him a "pilgrim of eternity." Continentalists discovered—and how proud Mazzini was of the I discovery!—that Bryon, like Goethe, sang the final hymn of the aristocratic idea; that the two singers stood side by side as the poetica1 expression of the age of the individual which had died away. To the people of the 'thirties Byron was still a man; not merely, as Macaulay predicted he would be to the generations of the future, a writer. And they saw Byron through his work. His men were all of one type, and, as often as not, that single type found its origin in the poet himself, so much so that it was necessary for him to dissuade his dearest friends from the belief that the religious opinions of "Werner" were identical with his own. His women folk, too, belonged to a single type-the type that played a part in shaping his own romantic destiny. It would, perhaps, be wrong to judge his ¡ individuality from Werner." The drama was a plagiarism, pure and simple. He never intended it for the stage. But, by a strange perversity, it was the only one of his plays that was successfully produced. Neither were the Swansea audiences given an opportunity to see at its best the character that gave a clue to Byron's other heroes and to Byron's self, for Ulric," we are told, was badly conceived and feebly executed; the text was imperfect and the costume anything but what it ought to have been' And after all, some will say, was not this only what the drama deserved? Byron, at best, was poor theatrical fare. He had little or no dramatic faculty but in an era of mediocre plays it was natural that this should be overlooked and tha the very theatricality of his nature should over- shadow the defects of his theatrical genius. I The ill-conceived and feeble Ulric" was not the only indignity which Byron's drama suffered at the hands of the Swansea theatre and its audience. It was not sufficient for people to go to the theatre and see his tragedy. Tragedy and entertainment were, apparently, distinct things- It was necessary for a player of Othello" to apologise in a prologue and to seek inspiration before the curtain—as the lines ran :— To look around me in this unknown place, To look on you, my judges, face to face, To arm myself with confidence and power, And inspiration for the trying honr; Yea, inspiration for—I do not err— Nothing so much the slumbering soul can stir As Beauty, without which we vainly strive From women's eyes this doctrine I derive, They sparkle still the right Promethien fire.' And then he promised prayers in return for applause—prayers that the audience should be free from the troubles of "Othello." It was necessary for Byron's "Werner to be followed by an entertainment, that somebody should sing "Norab, the pride of Kildare," afbr the woeful tragedy, with a harshness of effect thai, shows at once the taste of the audience; that Mr. Hughes should sing a comia song that the Mesdemoiselles Eloise and Juliette should dance the pas de schal from the Ballet of the Bayadere • and that the evening should wind up with the musical entertainment of -The Poor Soldier Such were the conditions in which Swansea people could take theatrical measure of Byron. In the same way, it was not sufficient thai "The Lady of Lyons" should be staged dfc its own merits as an evening's performance. It was but one item in an extensive programme, the arrangement of which was, no doubt, similar to the unique experience of Max Beerbohm in an American theatre, where the author of a success" tul tragedy, on the first night, spoke a few words of thanks after the first act; delivered an emotional autobiographical address after the second; and after the third, spoke on local politics, and wound up by calling for three cheers for the Mayor, who sat in a stage-box. The production of the "Lady of Lyons for the first time in Swansea was the most notable event of the theatrical season of 1838. The occasion was the benefit of Mrs. Woulds, the wife of the lessee of the theatre, and the per- formance was under the patronage of the Honourable Lady Morris. In the hotch-potch programme" The Lady of Lyons" came first, with Mr. Mude as Claude and Miss Ellis as Pauline." The characters, we learn, were judiciously apportioned to the talents of the ladies and gentlemen who personated them, and excited much interest. The acting was generally good, and the play would have given complete satisfaction but for an untoward incident, of which the critic wrote, in high dudgeon: The play was very considerably marred in one scene by somebody being imperfect in the dialogue, which threw it into confusion, and a most pain- ful pause ensued. We cannot point out the identical individual at fault, but we must take leave to tell that individual that we think it a gross neglect of duty, and an insult to the house and author." Poor actor These were the old stock-company days, when the demands upon the actor's memory were larger and more trying than they are to-day. It was not then the continuous run for a week or more of one play only but changes of programme were freqnent-even nightly The Lady of Lyons" was followed by a laughable interlude, called "A Pleasant Neighbour," and the whole performance—an oddly-arranged mosaic—concluded with a new musical drama, Wanted a Brigand." In both of these Mrs. Woulds appeared—it was necessary that she should appear on her benefit night. The performance was considered a great com- pliment to Mrs. Woulds. It was not only under the patronage of the Honourable Lady Morris but the boxes were graced bv the families of rank and fashion, and the theatre was filled to the very ceiling. It was before such a house that Lytton's play was produced and that the players were discomfited. But the players were not the only uffermg ones. There was an exciting diver- sion in the dress seats, told in the following letter from Robert Crutchley to Morgan T. Davies, Esq., solicitor, Swansea to protectAM^«Wp the theatre last night to protect Mrs. Crutchley and her friend from the unmanly insult and abuse which you pre- sumed to address to them, I take the earliest opportunity of informing you that your conduct shall not be passed over without such concession on your part as may m some measure atone for the ruffianly and unprovoked outrage you thought proper to commit. I understand that you not only dared to order those ladies to quit the places I to which they were entitled, as you may ascertain by reference to the box-book, but accompanied the insult with language of the grossest descrip- tion, which I will allow no man to use to my wife with impunity, she being as respectable as your own lady, or any other in Swansea. Do you think, sir, because you choose to get inebriated, you are at liberty to offer such insults to any female, especially one whose lawful protector was unavoidably absent? Do not suppose because I am a tradesman that I am devoid of the feelings of a gentleman therefore I call upon you, as you claim pretension to the latter title, to make such an apology as your conduct in common practice demands. Some of your words were of a nature too gross for me to repeat here and be assured that, as a husband and a man, I will not look them over.—I am, sir, yours, &c., "ROBEBT CRUTCHLEY." Morgan Thos. Davies, Esq., adopted the only course open to him. He apologised for his" rude and inexcusable conduct," for his "scandalous and injurious words"—used when he was terribly excited because he thought the ladies were in his seats Had the times been more romantic—as romantic as the play—nothing bnt cold steel or warm lead would have satisfied the irate husband.
,— "ST. ILLTYD'S CHURCH, PEMBREY,"
,— "ST. ILLTYD'S CHURCH, PEMBREY," AND WHO WAS ST. ILLTYD? [BY ALFRED CHAS. JONAS, F.S.A. (SCOT.) Every student of ancient history has been, at one time or another, disconcerted, upset and worried over the many contradictions, misleading and altogether erroneous statements to be found in so-called history books. The conclusion such a student comes to is, how much better it would have been for the good name of the author if he had simply given his own impression and opinion as such, and not have stated as facts what he was unable to prove, and which the studious of succeeding generations have had to demonstrate as being gross inaccuracies. What an enormous deal of trouble, what almost endless research, what incalculable waste of time would have beon saved latter-day students. Surely it will be admitted that the wish of those who aim to write history in the present day, who endeavour to add to past history in the shape of recent dis- coveries, or to reproduce ancient records, is to avoid everything which will in the smallest degree add to the future student or reader s difficulties. There may be an unfortunate element of evil in the method still in practice in many schools and educational establishments, of perpetuating what is known to be historically incorrect, by teaching the young that which, when they come to the age of discretion, or the time at which they study these subjects for themselves, they find to be wrong. What, then, is to be expected from those who arrive at the discretion point, but are never students of the subject? This may in a measure be accountable for the rather slipshod method adopted by not a few writers of the day. Another potent factor which presents itself to a writer is the naturally ardent desire to present a case in such a manner as to impress his readers with the accuracy and feasibility of his theory, and to convince all with the absolute correctness of his deductions. The wish is father to the thought" in most of us, but we cannot escape from the responsibility for what we do or say which influences others. It is undoubtedly much to the credit of the Editor that he produces in The Cambrian matter so interesting as to arrest the attention of and call forth a communication from such a reader as Mr. Fred Baker. Although this gentleman disclaims any knowledge of the history of the church in question, he gives ample proof of his reading," general and particular, on the points upon which he touches. With respect to his lucid and correct explanation of the fact that "Almery" must not be confuted with ,'AlIDOnry> the writers of "St. Illtyd's Church, Pembrey," have, probably unconsciously, given expression to what Dr. Brewer has, in his" phrase and Fable," when he writes Ambry, a corruption of almonry, the niche or recess cut in the wall, &c., where alms were deposited and out-door relief was distributed, &c., &c." The Doctor's j very useful and instructive book is, like many more, not an infallible guide, nor jan it, in my opinion, always be relied upon. In the present day, in certain parts of Scotland, tbe word Amby, Aumry or Amry is used to denote a press, closet or chest. The word bas been in common use for hundreds of years, and can be found in "Ancient Scottish Poems," by Sir Richard Maitland (written between 1420 and 1586). > As to the "Lady Chapels," there is no manner j of doubt but that they were dedicated to the Virgin Mary, except when otherwise-specially stated. Both churches and chapels in them, named "The Lidy," were very common in the middle ages chapels were not invariably in the church. In the case, for instance, of St. Mary s Church, Shrewsbury, the Chapel of the Virgin Mary, was a separate erection altogether. Although connected on the south side of the chancel, the chapel of the Virgin Mary in Olney: Church, Bucks, was in the churchyard in Tewkesbury Abbey, the "Chapel of our Lady stood at the east end with a door connecting it with the main building. St. Mary's Church, in Leicester, is afterwards referred to as "The Church of our Lady," while it is on record, the bones of Dubritius were laid before the altar of Our Lady" in Llandaff. "The Rood" is an interesting subject, from more than one view. 1 venture only to refer to one, which the word worshippers in Mr. Baker's note reminds me of. I have not any doubt but that that gentle- man holds an historically correct view on the subject, but I am not so sure as to the general reader, and, personally, I do not think that our ancestors understood the word worship in at least its nineteenth century significance. I am not so sure that our ancestors ever offered any. thing which could be called worship to the Cross. There has been, so far at least as tny reading goes, a very apparent difference, or at least distinction, with regard to the word, such as respect, honour, reverence, adoration, &c Among the Saxons the most learned were con sidered worthy of worship, according to degree and this will be better understood when viewed from the circumstance that in 1075 William allowed Lady Eadgith to be brought with great worship to Westminster." Worship here IS evidently no more and no less than respect honour, &c. Why, to-day, when speaking to one of the judges or kindred persons, we address them as your worship." It is a little strange or a coincidence, that at the very time just mentioned, all the Welsh who had been at the bridal feast of Earl Ralph," who was Welsh on his mother's side, were blinded or banished The article printed in The Cambrian, and to which I now refer rather briefly, may it be said tells us that S. Illtyd was an Amorican saint, it is worth a passing comment how one gets into a rut when on historical, or, for the matter of that most subjects and discussions. Now, "Amoriea'' is used by many persons as if its people, at the period in question, were of a distinctly marked foreign race but if I am not very far wrong, the inhabitants of Cornwall at least and the Amoricans were not much, if any, different from the rest of the ancient British or Welsh. I find the following old verse:— Vicit Aremorieas anlmosa. Brittania gentes, Et detit imposito, nomina pris.e jugo." which being interpreted— Gaul Amorack, the Britains overcame, And to the conquered province gave their name." I confess it appears to me that really ancient his-ory, connected with and belonging to our own country and that of other nations, is at best im- perfectly known, taught, or attempted to be un- derstood, in this land of ours. The article under consideration cannot be well considered an ade- quate account of the person or life of Illtyd, and seeing that he is certainly an important figure in the picture, all that is known of him, which could should have been given. Now a Saint is one sanctified, one blessed of Heaven, or at least one canonised. Of course, so-called Saints, of the period in which Illtyd lived, were common enough very possibly numbers of the.e were not possessed of any of the qualifications mentioned. Well, who was Illtyd? So far as historical evi- dence goes, he was a knight, or soldier, or both, a teacher, and an introducer of improvements in agricultural implements, such as the plough. With respect to the first, it seems to be necessary here to turn to the origin of these knights. Well, it was in the persecution raised against the Church in 260, one Paulus, born in Egypt, retired into a cave and to this is attributed the rise: of Monks and Monastical life those of a religious j order being, in English, Friars. Basil, it is said, first built -Monasteries, Augustine followed; he was born in 350, and was thirty of age when he built the first. We [are told in the interesting account of S. Illtyd's Church, Pembrey, that its foundation by, or dedication to S. Illtyd, is an admitted fact." Leaving out tbe ambiguity of the sentence, "fact" remains. It is admitted that facts are stubborn things," and cannot be well disputed; but which is the fact ? One might almost be pardoned if he said, "you pay your money and take your choice but I am sure no such thought entered the minds of the writers. It is only another illustration, if needed, of how one writes and another reads." The quotation from Landavenses, to my thinking, is a most un- fortunate one whatever it points to, it certainly does not prove that the Church at Pembrey was S. Illtyd's. Why is it stated that about 1066, Gwrhai, a Doctor of Llanilltyd, officiated as Priest at Pembrey? Why was it not at S. Illtyd's, Pembrey? (To be continued.)
" THE CIRCUS GIRL" AT SWANSEA.
THE CIRCUS GIRL" AT SWANSEA. GRAND CHARITY PERFORMANCE. The" first night" of The Circus Girl in Swansea possessed all the brilliance of a Metro- politan first night. The performance itself was certainly equal to a high London standard, and the audience which it so delighted was represen- tative of the best local families. The occasion Was a special performance in aid of the funds of the Swansea Hospital, the proprietors of the Grand Theatre-and of the Circus Girl company, by the way—Messrs. Morell and Mouillot, having kindly promised the Mayoress (Mrs. Aeron Thomas) half the gross receipts of the evening. The Mayoress, with the tact and energy which has characterized her throughout a conspicuous Year of office, appealed to Swansea people for support, and she received it in no half-hearted manner. The magnificent audience was at once a manifestation of good will towards our greatest local charity, towards the enterprising proprietors of the theatre, and, more than all, we imagine, towards one of the most charming ladies who has ever graced a Mayoralty. THE AUDIENCE.-THE LADIES' DRESSES. The charity performance, the arrangements for which devolved upon the Mayoress, was; writes our lady correspondent, a fitting close to an exceptionally brilliant and eventful year. The dress circle presented a scene which— Well, which it ought always to present when such a performance as that of Monday is given. Nearly every seat was booked, and the fashionable costumes and coiffures of the ladies made a Wonderfully pretty spectacle. For half-an-bour before the rise of the curtain carriage after carriage, with liveried coachmen and prancing pairs, rolled up to the box entrance, and a constant stream of ladies and gentlemen took their seats in the comfortable circle. The ladies, of course, wore beautiful opera cloaks, but once seated many of these were discarded, disclosing a delightful variety of costume and colour. The Mayor and Mayoress occupied the box to the left of the stage—the Mayoress wearing heliotrope brocade with pearl trimming, and diamond ornaments, and carrying a lovely shower bouquet of orchids, &c., presented to her during the evening by Miss Dixon, Hendrefoilan. The opposite box was occupied by Miss Dillwyn, Dr. T. D. Griffiths and Mr. and Mrs. J. Corfield. Miss Dillwyn wore a dress of crimson silk trimmed with cream lace. The Hon. Violet Vivian, who came with her uncle Mr. Graham Vivian, occupied a seat in the front row of the circle. She looked charm- ing in a plain blick net bodice, and she wore a chain pendant. Sir John and Ltdy Llewelyn and Miss Gladys Llewelyn were on the opposite side of the same row. Lady Llewelyn wore a handsome gown of black brocade, with real lace collarette, and her daughter looked very pretty in a cream dress with lace trimming and coloured sh. Sir John and Lady Jenkins occupied seats in the middle of the circle; her ladyship in black | satin trimmed with seqnin and jet, her coiffure being done up with aigrettes. Mrs. Picton Turberville, one of the most con- stant patrons of the theatre, was, of course, present. She was accompanied by Miss Dixon, and chaperoned the Misses Potter (Bishopstone). Mrs. Tuberville wore black and heliotrope, and Miss Dixoiii who during the evening presented the Mayoress with a lovely bouquet, wore black and white; whilst the young ladies were dressed in cream silk trimmed with lace. Mrs. H. J. Bath wore black relieved with cream. Mr. C. H. Glascodine wore black brocade trimmed with handsome black lace and a pink chiffon front. i Mrs. C. L. Bath wore pale blue, trimmed with white lace. Mrs. T. W. James wore grey brocade with lace and chiffon fichu. Mrs. T. P. Richards was handsomely gowned in black brocade. Mrs. Eaton wore black silk with net sleeves. Miss Lindsay wore a green bodice, veiled in black sequin. Her party included Miss Booker, who wore a black velvet bodice with bertha of real lace. Mrs Felix H. Webber s bodice was black sequin with net sleeves. Miss Webber wore a white bodice, veilej with black fancy net. Mrs. Fred. Bradford wore pink silk, with lace and pearl trimming, and her daughter wore a pink silk frock. Mrs Jenkin Jones wore black silk trimmed with velvet and steel ornaments. Miss Jones was handsomely gowned in black silk trimmed with black sequin Miss Amy Jones wore a pretty bodice of eau de nil and heliotrope velvet; and Miss Lilian Jones was in cream nun's veiling- TT.„. Mrs. Morgan (Fern Hill), wore black net bodice with net sleeves and sequin. She was accompanied by Mrs- Bevan who wore black and white. Mrs. Sant wore black brocade, and Miss Kath* Ileen Sant a bodice of heliotrope pleated chiffon, Mrs. John White wore black brocade sequin net bodice. Mrs. Morton Hedley wore black satin coloured passementerie. Mrs. Vr. Reid wore black silk trimmed with jet and scarlet chiffon. Madame Follet wore black brocade; Miss Follet black and pink; and Miss Camie Follet, yellow gjjjj trimmed with black bebe ribbon. Mrs. W. Cox wore green silk with frills of white chiffon. Mrs. Richards (West-cross) wore black silk trimmed with lace and jet, and Miss Richards wore a smoked-grey bodice with pink silk sleeves Mrs. T. D. Griffiths wore a magnificent gown of heliotrope brocade, with revers of green satin and veiled with black lace. She was accompa- nied by ber youngest daughter, Miss Mabel Griffiths, whose dress of cream was prettily fin- ished off with turquoise blue velvet trimmings. Mrs. Nelson Jones wore a pink satin bodice. Mrs. Morgan B. Williams was gowned in pale grey silk trimmed with black veiling, bebe rib- bon s and la.ce. Miss Watkins (Ashleigh) wore a heliotrope silk bodice trimmed with black velvet ribbons. Miss Edith Watkins wore black and white trimmed with blue ribbons. Mrs. Fisher was dressed in trimmed with green. Miss Richards wore black !l crimson with cream lace. Mrs. Robson chaperoned two of isr daughters, Miss Alice Robson wearing pink sslk and white net. Miss Morgan (Bryn-road) wore black silk canvas trimmed with jet. Mrs. Dr. Turpin, who came with Mrs. E. Le Cronier Lancaster, wore a black velvet bodice trimmed with white chiffon, and Mrs. Lancaster wore black net trimmed with white lace and pink ribbons. Mrs. Austin Williams wore shot silk and chiffon. Mrs. Horatio Watkins looked very handsome n cream and white lace, with net sleeves. Mrs. Dd. Arthur Davies wore black silki trimmed with lace of the same colour. Mrs. J. R. Richards (Brynymor) wore black silk trimmed with white passementerie. Mrs. J. R. Wright wore a lovely gown of black relieved with pink, and Miss Wright's dress was of white silk trimmed with lace. Mrs. Thomas (Duffryn Vicarage) wore a turquoise silk dress, trimmed with black. Mrs. D. Morgan wore a black gown with a grey waistcoat. Mrs. Salmon wore black and pink, and Miss Mary Salmon white with pink sash. Mrs. Towers wore grey brocade trimmed with white bebe ribbons and capucin chiffon fichu. Mrs. H. H. Hopton wore b!ack silk trimmed with sequin and old rose chiffon. Miss Thomas (Cilwendeg) wore white satin with black sequin net bodice and sleeves Miss Lena Thomas wore yellow silk, and Miss Mabel Thomas cream silk. Mrs. Herschel Jones wore black brocade with beige lace and green ribbon, and sequin net sleeves. Mrs. Robert Nash wore crushed-strawberry, and her youngest daughter, Miss Elsie Nash, was dressed in cream chine silk. Mrs. Morgan W. Davies wore pale pink silk. Mrs. Dd. Jenkins wore black satin trimmed jst. Mrs. W. M. Davies was attired in black merveilleux trimmed with steel passementerie. Mrs. Thomas Yorath wore black brocade, trimmed with sequin net, and her daughter's gown of yellow silk with pearl passementerie trimming was very becoming. They were accompanied by Mrs. Cook Jenkins, who wore black and cream. Mrs. Goldberg (Walter-road) wore pink silk brocade with pearl trimming, and Miss Brown, who accompanied her, was dressed in blue nun's veiling with cream lace. Many of the beautiful dresses were supplied by Messrs. Ben Evans and Co., Ltd. THE PERFORMANCE. Never look a gift horse in the mouth," says an old adage. But it was not the occasion that disarmed criticism of the performance; it was the performance itself. You can rail as much as you like against the taste which brought in musical comedy to disturb the love for opera pure and simple you can denounce two-thirds of the musical c)medies as vulgar rubbish, aud every- body will agree with you you can set down the majority, without fear of contradiction, as neither musical nor comic but you can find nothing but praise for The Circus Girl. It has a rich fund of humour, and throughout a brightness and genial- ity that place it in the forefront of its class. The music of Ivan Caryll and Lionel Monckton has long been a favourite in the ball-room on the stage it is even more engaging. The various numbers have been conceived with an eye to effect, and there is scarcely a song without a captivating lilt and a sequent dance of wonderful prettiness. The book is from the facetious pen of Messrs. J. T. Tanner and W. Palings, and the lyrics of Messrs. Harry Greenbank and Adrian Ross are all very appropriate, with many clever little tricks of rhyming that send off the audience in hearty bursts of laughter. The I orchestration too, such as it is, must be praised, and, m the hands of Mr. W. F. Hulley's band this was no inconsiderable part of the perform- ance. The story of the play opens in the Boulevards in Paris, outside the Cafe de la Regence, where the varying and amusing amours of a number of very amusing people are explained. Sir Titus and Lady Wemyss" have destined that their daughter" Dora" should marry the Hon. Reginald Gower but the young people have different matrimonial intentions. "Dora," a very charming young lady, with the blush of the convent still on her cheek, has developed an affection for" Dick Capel," a young gentleman of means, who won his way into the lady's innocent heart by a circus performance under- taken in one of his devil-may-care moods. The meeting of the two in Paris is a surprise. "Dick's" efforts to explain that he is not a Cannon King," but a gentleman, are futile as well as amusing. The young lady will never believe that he has been a veritable—N B. Veritable not used in its literal sense—De Rougemont. The Hon. Reginald Gower has also an affection for a circus artiste, the famous La Favourita," and the course of their affections runs tolerably smooth, save for the interference of Sir Titus" who, himself enamoured of "La Favourita," explains that the Hon. Reginald is engaged to his daughter, with consequent estrangement. Sir Titus" is an amusing old gentleman who has never been in Paris before, but who intends to come again." Drivelli's circus arrives on the scene, with Mr. and Mrs. Drivelli in their normal state of connubial bliss, with the Cannon Kmg in a temper and unwilling to enter the ring, and, on the other side of the account, with a challenge from the diminutive" Biglrs," the waiter, to wrestle with" Toothick Pasha, the Terrible Turk, in the forlorn hope, on his part, of winning enough money to marry "Lucille," another member of the circus troupe. "Dick Capel" steps into the gap caused by the Cannon King, and everything promises well for the opening performance, which forms the subject of the second act. Here the fun is fast and furious. All the characters arrive on the scene Biggs," with his courage evaporating at the very sight of his tremendous opponent; La Favourita," with the charming song of the circus girl: "Dora" and her mother, in the charge of the Hon. Reginald, the former with a very pretty song Mrs. Drivelli, with a song for which four or five encores are demanded and finally the giddy SirTitus," who is supposed to be engaged on dip- lomatic business, and who, catching sight of his wife, takes refuge in the huge cannon. The closing incidents sre ludicrous in the extreme. "Biggs," after dosing the" Terrible Turk" with copious draughts of champagne, stands over the prostrate body of his opponent; and Dick Capel fires off the cannon, with an unrehearsed and unexpected incident—"Sir Titus'' flying through mid-air The next scene is in the Bureau of the Commiss- aire of the Police, teeming with humour 3.nd the last scene is the Artist's Bail,—a display of gorgeous scenery and costume—where every- thing is properly adjusted. The story is told in sparkling dialogue and humorous incident and in capital songs, whilst the by-play introduced is very clever. Mes-rs. Morell and Mouillot's company include the pick of the talent at the disposal of the firm, and many of the artistes have been in Swansea on previous occasions. Mr. Chas J. Kitts ("Dick Capel") will be remembered as "Charlie Appleby" in the Shop Girl and the naturalness of his acting, together with his good sones and dances—the umbrella dance in par- ticular—make him a favourite in the piece. Miss Ethel Netherton makes a very charming Dora." If we mistake not, the young lady made her debut at the last Swansea pantomime as the fairy, when she won high encomiums for her beautiful singing. Her voice has lo-t none of its exquisite charm and, moreover, Miss Netherton has acquired confidence and, more important than all, an attractive style ot singing and acting. Miss Ada Clare was a favourite with Swansea audiences as "Ada Smith" in The Shop Girl; as Mrs. Drivelli she is a still greater favourite. The encores to her songs-thoroug-h ly deserved threaten sometimes to prolong the performance beyond midnight. Mr. Ellis Ogilvie as the Hon. Reginald Gower is admirable, his dancing being e-pecially pood. Miss Florence Schuberth as "La Favourita" sings some very pretty songs in a most creditable manner. For downright good humour we have seen nothing so good in musical comedy as Mr. Kennedy Allen's "Biggs." His nationality is plainly Welsh, and he may not be what the programme describes him, "an American waiter"; but he knows the value of local "hits" and up-to-date references, and with these he keeps the house in continuous roars of laughter in the scene in the police office. With Miss Chamberlain, as Lucille," he contributes some good business songs—the matinee hat incident evoking roars of laughter; and their duet aud dance is among the prettiest and most novel items in the programme. Mr. Daiton Somer's Drivelli is cHiotuer liiiQiorous p0rforn?ur]ce and the same may be said of Mr. A. E. Good's I "Sir Titus." There is not a character in inadequate hands, and the performance of the Circus Girl, under the able baton of Mr. W. Devin, must be included amongst the most pleas- ing of local theatrical events. ing of local theatrical events. THE PROCEEDS. During an interval on Monday evening, Mr. J? rank iioyce, the courteous manager ot the theatre, appeared before the curtain and announced that the receipts amounted to ilOO, halt of which, that was E50, would, in accordance with the arrangement with his principals, be handed over to the Hospital. That sum would be augmented by the saie of programmes, which had been so energetically and so nicelv carried out by the charming Hospital nurses in their charming costumes. (Loud applause.) The Mayor, speaking from his box, said he had pleasure in announcing that if in tuture it was the desire of the people of Swansea that the proprietors of that theatre should repeat each year what they bad done that evening, Mr. Mouillot had just informed him that they would be very pleased to do so. (Applause.) The .lLla.yoress (applau if-)-Ii%d taken a keen interest in the success of that performance, and he wished to most sincerely thank them on her behalf for their attendance, and for the support they had given her upon that and on many other occasions during his Mayoralty. He observed above the stage the words, not quite accurately pelt-(laugh ter)-" Chwarenf^vrdd yw y Bydd." The English translation would be, he supposed, All the world's a stage," and he could not help thinking that the proprietors of the cheatre, in placing the house and the company at the service of a noble institution as the hospital, and ail those present in assisting to make the evening a success, were playing their part upon the stage in a way that would find its due reward when the day of reckoning came. (Applause.) Some people might think otherwise out there was a sense of real satisfaction in the knowledge that in coming there to spend a pleasant and profitable evening-for there was profit in enjoyment—they were doing something at the same time to advance the interests of one of the best institutions of the town. (Applause.) Sir John Llewelyn, speaking from the circle, proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayoress for the manner in which she had promoted the entertain- ment. The Mayor himself had very properly stated that they owed a great deal to the managers of the theatre for the way they placed that beautiful piece on the stage. They felt that the evening would not pass away rightly without a vote of thanks to the Mayoress for the very admirable way she had put her shoulder to the wheel and collected together such a very full house. He trusted that the year 1898 would be memorable for the manner in which the Mayor had conducted his duties, and for the very grace- ful way in whice he bad been backed up by the Mayoress. (Cheers.) 'the vote of thanks was accorded with accla- mation, and the Mayoress gracefully bowed her acknowledgement. At the conclusion of an excellent performance, Mr. Morton Hedley proposed a vote of thanks to the proprietors of the theatre, referring in high terms to the entertainment that had ju-.t con- u e J' J "e vote of thanks was very heartily w>?^n hL ^0U^'0t received an ovation when he appeared before the curtains to acknow- ledgei it. He thanked the Mayor and Mayoress tor the kindness they had shown to the theatre throughout their year of office, and especially at a time when certain attacks were made by a small section in the town through a criticism in London. The past year bad been a successful one in Swan- sea from the theatrical point of view. He and his partner were most distinctly satisfied and as the theatre grew in confidence and as the con- fidence of the public grew in the theatre, so would the booking of good companies be more frequent. They hoped in time to bring even better com- panies than they had in the past. (Applause.) Then the curtain went down for the last time on a function whose brilliance harmonised with the Mayoralty of Mr. Aeron Thomas.
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Our columns are open to the intelligent discussion of all questiont of an important public naturo. but, of course it is understood that we do not necessarily endorse the views of our Correspondents. We cannot insert letters which have appeared ihewhert, nor do we undertake to return rejected manuscripts.
DRIFTING INTO DANGER!
DRIFTING INTO DANGER! SWANSEA'S PRESENT COUNCIL. CLIQUEISM, PAROCHIALISM, FADDISM. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,- You have expressed the opinion that the results of the Swansea Municipal Elections are highly discouraging. They certainly reveal a lamentable condition of affairs. Civic patriotism seems to be entirely foreign to the average Swansea ratepayer. His indifference to the town's welfare, and his apparent ignorance of civic responsibilities are only equalled by his gullibility. By the widening of the franchise bringing the voting power down to the masses of the population, and by the concurrent narrowing of electoral districts, the splitting up of constituencies into wards, the powers of our local governing bodies are entrusted to an ever lowering stratum of social life. All the more need, therefore, that we should take care that the tone of our local government does not deteriorate, and that its aims do not become vitiated as well as vulgarised. There is more danger of cliqueism and jobbery and class selfishness on the side of the working man and the small tradesmen than on the side of the merchant and the man of position. Our municipal and corporate life is a great heirloom. Our boards of health and sanitary authorities and commissioners of works have done wonders in the way of improving the conditions of daily life in the cities and towns. And there remains much for them still to do. What has been attempted is but the earnest of what may be achieved. But we must remember that at the present moment almost all the great municipalities of the Kingdom, including Swansea, are in a state of great indebtedness. Their rates are heavily mortgaged, and their future is z, 11 necessarily somewhat handicapped thereby. Is it not important, therefore, that great care should be taken in selecting representatives to conduct municipal affairs. Unfortunately, that care has not been exercised in Swansea of late years. The Council is deteriorating in quality. The majority of its members could easily be replaced by men far their superiors in ability and patriotism. Too many of the members have a tendency to ride their own hobby horses, to trot out their own petty personalities, to subordinate the general public weal to the advancement of fads and favourite foibles. Indeed, cliqueism paro- chialism and faddism are on the increase. We are drifting into a serious danger Within the past ten years or so we hav^ Tost the services of gentlemen like Air. Albert Mason, Mr. R. S. Lindley, Mr. Lawrence Tullocb, the late Alderman Naysmith, Mr. H. A. Chapman,Mr. Geo. Nancarrow, Mr. E.Rice Daniel-a type of men fit to assist in the administration of the affairs of any town. To that list we must now add the names of Mr. W. H. Edwards and Mr. F. Rocke. Who have succeeded them ? Their successors for the most part loom large in lengthy discussions on the promotion of a police constable, the appointment of a tap inspector, or the request of an official for a paltry increase in salary. When questions of vital importance are under consideration they maintain a discreet silence the only discretion they show. The fact is they are unable to crrasp large municipal questions. They are seen at their best in party intrigues, in spiteful cliques- in attempts to make mountains out of ward mole-hills. A most dano-erous clique has recently been formed m the Council—not a clique animated with the desire to advance the interests of the town, but a clique keenly, vindictively anxious to get into power. It remains with those members outside the clique to spare no effort to frustrate its sinister designs. But one panacea can be prescribed for this regrettable state of things, but the process of applying it must be stayed for another twelve months. The panacea is the election of our best men to the Corporation, not necessarily men of wealth or position, but men of wide views and earnest power and self-restraint. If only the ratepayers would sift the candidates who offer themselves, if only they would reject the subtle self-seeker, and the" parish pump" type of public representative, and choose the wiser and the worthier men of all ¡ -n- -J l grades to sit in. the Council Chamber, we should not fear the future. At present we are drirting into a ery serious danger, which can only be averted bv the application of the panacea referred t.Yours, iLc., Civic PATRIOT. Swansea, Nov. 10th, 1S98.
MR. JOHN HOPKIXS AND THE PARISH…
MR. JOHN HOPKIXS AND THE PARISH CH CRCH. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CAMBRIAN." SIR,-Your facetious correspondent, Mr. John Hopkins, appears to me to have pointed out a most reasonable course for defraying- the cost of the new parish church. We don't know where these diabolical modern notions of dis- establishment and disendowment will lead us And as for John Wesley, why it is absurd for the Rev. Mr. Rawlings—it would be absurd for,Mr. Wesley himself-to say that he did not intend the people to go to the Established Church. John Wesley, sir, was a sensibls man. So is Mr. John Hopkins. He ought to have lived in the days when good churchmanship was pushed down peoples' throats at the end of a sword, and when people were toasted into "good churchmen" or, as a pleasureable alternative, roasted into eternity to find out for themselves what "good churchmanship" really leads to. But I am wandering, like Mr. Hopkins wandered for two or three weeks in your columns, into the wilderness of Wesleyanism —alas that civilized England should have mis- understood Mr. Wesley But that is neither here nor there. I want to support Mr. Hopkins's proposal that the Corporation of Swansea should endow the new Parish Church, especially in these days of Nonconformist Mayors, who really should make some apology for having the impudence to enter public life at all. But the only thing I am doubtful about is whether there can be any religious and social trust left in the Corporation. At any rate, I am afraid there never has been enough to deserve a lasting memorial. To the principle of the thing, I am tolerably certain that no reasonable Nonconformist will object. And the ratepayers of a wealthy, enter- prising, lightly-burdened town like Swansea will only be too glad to fork out a 3d. rate. They would bless the ecclesiastical rate-collector as a father-confessor come to absolve the town of Swansea for its misdeeds in the past, and to inaugurate a new era of Ciric Corporme dutif we and juslhi done "to the glory of Uod." Just fancy the magnificent moral effect of paying rates" to the glory of God But I will go further than Mr. Hopkins. Let the Church of England, in Wales or anywhere else, remain by law established-and endowed, of course. But let the Church of Swansea be endowed by the Corporation and taken over by them as a going concern, the profits-I beg pardon, the offertories-to be devoted to a reduction of the rates. A Municipal Church would be so much more convenient and tractable than a State Church. It would be a valuable remunerative asset, too; only I should pity Mr. Hopton, the Borough Accountant, when he came to balance his accounts. "To material disburse- ments, so and so," would appear on one side; and on the other such items, no doubt, as To consecrated footpath, constructed by Alderman Spring "to sanctimonious smile by Alderman Tutton" to two ditto by Alderman Leeder to spiritual guidance on the Trinity schema" "to divine afflatus that per- vaded the meeting of November 9th "to ditto for disinfecting Council Chamber after break in the spiritual harmony," to "scruples which induced Aldermen Aeron Thomas and Viner Leeder to forsake the profession of the law," and so on. I have no doubt that Mr. Hopkins will agree with my scheme, and if the Nonconformists object, well, by and bye we shall be able to buy up the chapeis as well. Chancellor Smith is doin"- it, and we can appoint him agent for the Cor- porate estate-at least, for the spiritual part of it. —Yours enthusiastically, "GOOD CHURCHMAN. Swansea, Nov. 8th, 1898. "Furtherr Corespondence trill be found on Paj-e 3.1
THE TRADE OF THE PORT AND…
THE TRADE OF THE PORT AND DISTRICT. SPECIAL REPORT BY OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. SWANSEA, THURSDAY. With a full supply of tonnage the trade of the port during the week has been more than usually active, and there is a substantial increase in the exports over the corresponding week of last year. The entries of shipping in ballast amount to 31, 823 tons, as against 25,873 itons the previous week, and 31,388 tons the corresponding week last year, The imports include from France, pitwood and potatoes, Portugal, pitwood, Bilbao, iron ore, Antwerp and Rotterdam, general cargo, Canada, timber, Newfoundland, copper ore. New York' general cargo, and Port Nolloth, copper ore. The coal trade has been exceptionallv busy shipments including for France. 15,665 tons' Germany, 6,350 tons, Sweden, 3.305 tons Italy' 1,600 tons, Denmark, 1,880 tons, Brazil. 2,357 tons, Monte Video, 4,090 tons, and United States (bunkers), 4.620 tons. Patent fuel: France, 340 tons, Italy, 2,500 tons Greece. 2,300 tons, and Brazil, 2,535 tons. Imports 12,567 tons, and exports foreign 53,714 tons, compared with 14,151 tons and 45.399 tons respectively last year. The clearances of tinplate and general goods, which amount to 3,755 tons, include for France, 410 tons, Rotterdam and Antwerp, 250 tons. New Fairwater and Dantzic, 200 tons, Huelva, 95 tons, Batoum, 2,200 tons, and New York, 600 tons. IMPO RTS-COASTW ISE .-Pig-iron, 482 tons scrap iron, 20 tons copper ore, 88 tons arsenic, 85 tons grain. 459 tons: flour, 120 tons; potatoes. 229 tons sundries, 1,590 tons. IMPORTS—FOREIGN.—France potatoes, 109 tons: pitwood, 220 tons chestnuts, 3 tons. Portugal: pitwood, 490 tons: spelter, 20 tons. Antwerp and Rotterdam, general, 200 tons. Bilbao: iron ore, 1,550 tons. Ita. y: calamine, 1,700 tons. Canada: deals, 1.275 loads. New- foundland copper ore, 463 tons. New York general, 175 tons. Port Nolloth copper ore, 3,289 tons. EXPORTS FOREIGN.—Coal, 42,284 tons; patent fuel, 7,675 tons: and tinplates and general goods, 3,755. TRADE DURING THE MONTH OF OCT., 1897 AND 1898. IMPORTS-COASTWISE AND FOREIGN. 1897. 1898. Tons. Tons. Tar and Pitch 1,779 1.834 Gas Coal — 1 645 Copper, Silver, Lead, Tin," with their ores and 13,381 13,291 Zmc Ore and alloys 1,086 4,533 IronOre. 11,392 8.335 Iron, Steel, Pig Iron &nd Casting. 7,309 10,549 Deals, Battens and Boards 4,956 3,066 Timber (Sawn and Hewn) 831 Pit,A-ood 2.887 5,993 Bricks, Slates, <fcc. ••• 3,129 2,131 Sulphur Ore, Pyrites, bait and Chemicals 2,098 5.946 Flour, Grain, Potatoes, &c. 8,278 6^92 Sugar 541 ••• 540 Oils, Bark, Wool. &c. 12 n General Merchandise (aver- age for 1897) 7,799 General Merchandise (estim- ate for 1898) 6,460 65,478 71,026 Total imports. Coastwise and Foreign, for 10 months, 1898, 666,830 tons, and for a correspond- ing period in 1897, 665,588 tons. EXPORTS—COASTWISE AND FOREJGN. 1897. 1898. Tons, i^ns Coal and Coke 188.453 189 054 Patent Fuel 22:885 34.'959 Copper, Copper Ore, Spelter, <fcc. 37 29 Iron, Steel Bails, Castings. &c. 784. 238 Tin, Terne and Black Plates 8.353 10,759 Timber 100 25 Bricks and Fire Clay. 339 470 Alkali, Superphosphate' Arsenic, &c. 1 866 1.C48 Flour, Grain. Potatoes. &c. 1.317 320 Oils, Bark. Wool. &c. 47 — General Merchandise (aver- age for 1897) 10,953 — General Merchandise (estim- ate for 1898) 11,000 235,217 247,902 Total Tmnnrfq slnd 318.928 For 10 months in 1898 total exports amounted to 2,220.448 tons corresponding 10 months in 1897. 2,165.564 tons. Total imports and exports. 10 months. 1898 2,887,278 tons: 10 months. 1897, 2.831,352tons.
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LOCAL MUSICAL SUCCESSES.—At the Inter- national College of Music examination held at Swansea, on Tuesday, Miss Martha Oyns Mitchell, and Miss Beatrice Richards. Gerald street, Hafod, passed in the junior honours with high marks and Mi-s L.zzie Hodge. Mauselton, gained 95 marks in the junior division Master Gilbert Henry Jones, Brynymor-creseent, also gained 95 marks in the primary division. Dr. E., M. Lott was the examiner, and he highlv compli- mented Miss Howells, Cert. R.A.M., I of St. John's, Hafod, on the success of her pupils.
NOTES & NOTIONS. *
he has already been Mayor, and was on Wednes- day elected an Alderman. In addition he is a Corporation Harbour Trustee. Mr. Watkins is a clear-headed, conscientious public man, and he deserves the honours which have been conferred upon him Mr. Spring did not offer himself for the Aldermanic vacancies. As we stated last week. he has been hoist on his own petard. He has been taught a lesson which it is hoped he will take to heart. Volunteers are in a state of suppressed excitement over the extensive military and naval preparations which the Government has taken in hand. Up to the present no intimation has been given to the volunteers that they will be mobilised; but the headquarters of the various corps are busily engaged at present in supplying the War Office with details regarding the transport and victualling arrangements in the Various districts. The War Office, we gather, have gone into infinite detail as to the equipment of the corps, and there can be no question that the Government is bent upon having every amt in the national armaments in a state of absolute I preparedness for war. A mobilisation' order would not come as a surprise to volunteers. With Mr. Albert Mason, we hope the volunteers will be mobilised, if only as a test of their capabilities. The members of the Third G.V.R. are natur- ally proud of the appointment of Col. Patton to the command of the land section of the Plymouth Fortress, and the only regret is that it may involve his removal from the command of the Severn Brigade, to which the Third G.V.R is attached. Brigadier Patton is a splendid soldier, and he possesses the advantage unhappily rare amongst officers of the volunteer force—of inspiring the men in his command with confidence and devotion. His new command is one of the results of recent military activity—more pro- nounced in the Western District than anywhere else. The camps of the Third G.V.R. at Alder- shot and Porthcawl were made doubly-pleasant by so kindly a Brigadier. Mr. G. Hemmeas severed his connection with the Mumbles Railway—of which he has been the manager—on Monday. The vacancy thus created will not be filled up, except by the appointment of a line-inspector. To this position Mr. G. H. Davies has been promoted, Mr. J. Webborn being appointed station-master at the Swansea station, a position occupied by Mr. Davies for some years. There should be a crowded attendance at the Albert Hall on Friday, Nov. 25th. Mr. Frederic Villiers, F.E.G.S., the celebrated war artist and correspondent, will deliver a lecture, illustrated by lime-light views, on The War in the Soudan: Capture of Khartoum." Funds in Bnpporfc of University Extension Lectures in Swansea are much needed, and those desirous of assisting a very excellent educational and intellectual movement should at once secure tickets. We understand tickets are already being rapidly disposed of. Mr. W. Tarr intends placing his services at the disposal of the Fast Ward electors. Other can- didates are mentioned, but it remains to be seen how many will take the field. Mr. Tarr is young, but that should not go against him. We believe he is imbued with the true civic spirit, and that if elected he would be found on the side of the intelligent progressives. The Rev. Chancellor Smith (Vicar of Swansea) is at present in residence at St. David's Cathe- dral, where he will remain until January. Mr. T. Freeman strongly resents the action of the Council in ignoring Landore Ward over the aldermanic appointments. He is of opinion that an arrangement could have been made whereby the number of aldermen would not be increased or decreased, and the Landore Ward awarded aldermanio representation. A few wards possess two aldermen. Why not have given Landore one of them? Thus Mr. Freema*. Landore is the largest ward in the borough, in area and population. Its population its 2,180, followed by St. John's with 2,094, Morriston, 1,971, East Ward, 1,795, Ffynone, 1,757, St. Helen's, 1,654, Brynmelyn, 1,451, Alexandra, 1,238, Victoria, :1,106, and the Castle Ward. with 662. In the circumstances, therefore, and having in view the fact that a couple of wards possess two alder- men each, Mr. Freeman thinks the Council might have shown a more concilia.tory spirit and re- sponded to his appeal. He did not wish to be an alderman himself—for he has gone through all the chairs—but he contends that Landore Ward should not have been deprived of aldermanic representation while smaller wards were doubly 80 represented. As the result of what Mr. Freeman apparently considers the unfair action of his colleagues, he announced his intention on Wednesday of resign- ing his seat on the Corporation. We hope he will be prevailed upon to relinquish such an in- tention. He is an experienced, capable and zealous public man he has rendered the town usefcl service, and he enjoys the confidence of the ratepayers generally. It would be unfortu- nate, to say the least of it, were he to retire because of the slight which he feels has been cast upon Landore Ward. And besides, he can ill be spared just now. As chairman of the Water and Sewers Committee he has played an important part in the engineering of the great Cray Water Scheme. We feel sure that his colleagues in the Counoil Chamber would regret his retire- ment, if only on account of the services he is a e render in connection with that scheme.. se eme. The Council was loyal on Wednesday, in spite of prognostications to the contrary. It adhered to'the aldermanic selections made in private on Tuesday. It was well that such was the case, otherwise the public might have been treated to a pretty wrangle. Promises made in private should, as far as possible, be kept in public. A vote accorded behind closed doors should be as binding as a vote cast in public. Circumstances occasionally arise which alter the situation, and which make a change of vote justifiable. Between Tuesday and Wednesday no fresh circumstances arose. The situation remained unaltered. A change in the aldermanic selections, therefore, would not only have been regrettable, but dis- honourable. Why are aldermen appointed? To ensure the presence in our Council Chamber of gentlemen thoroughly experienced in all the intricacies of municipal government. Long service is not the only qualification for alder- -manic honours, any more than it is for the mayoralty. The members honoured should be men of business ability and experience, of some social position, and who, by the evidence of inte- grity and independence, win the confidence of not only their colleagues, but of the town generally. So long as aldermanic appointments are thus influenced and made, so long may we be sure of one fourth of the Council being composed of useful and capable member in wbose hands the affairs of the town my with safety be entrusted. The late Mr. Llewelyn Couch must, indeed, have been a most estimable young feUow to win such tributes as were paid his memory at Tues- day's meeting at the Guildhall, presided over bv the then worshipful Mayor (Mr. J. A Thomas) Aid. J.Viner Leeder, who laboured under intense "emotion, under which he almost broke down delivered a graceful little speech about one who who filled a large place in his heart, and one whom he was .proud to own as a friend. Dr. Latimer, Mr. Tarr, Mr. J. Lean, Mr. D.Williams (Board of Trade), Mr. H. G. Solomon, Mr. Aeron Thomas, Mr. Harris (Dry Dock), and others 'spoke of his many sterling qualities. Mr. Coach was a trae Briton, a thorough British seaman. lle gave up his life-a life rich with good promise so that others might be saved. Keep cool, Jaa., and we tlhalhave the women and children." These were the last words he was heard to utter, and they alone will keep his memory green. His body was found without a life-belt. He gave his to a lady—an act of heroism not uncommon, we are proud to say, among our seamen. Peace has its heroes as well as war. Llewelyn Couch's name will be carved in the long and honourable list of Britain's Peace heroes. We feel sure that Swansea will not neglect the opportunity at hand to pay suitable tribute to one of her heroes. At Tuesday's meeting it was decided to start a public subscription. A report appears in our inside columns. There is no need for us to remind Swansea people of their duty. It was well that the Board of Guardians yesterday fell back upon the course which we pointed out to them a few weeks ago as being the best and most popular conception of their public duty. Their first impulse was to get up a case, and straightway employ eminent counsel to oppose the Corporation in the Government enquiry into the proposal for the unification of the parishes. Yesterday they very properly decided that their Committee should first of all discuss the question with representatives of the Corporation, albeit that conference will lose much of its educative value from the absence of the erstwhile chairman of the Corporation Finance Committee, Mr. Fred Rocke. The dis- cussion at yesterday's meeting was a fairly good indication that the Board of Guardians could do with a little more consideration of the subject. Mr. W. H. Mill has so far been the only member to contribute an intelligent opinion upon the details of this important question. Whether the mem- bers have a full grasp of it appears doubtful, and in deciding to adopt or oppose a policy which may be the means of saving a large sum to the rate- payers, the members of the Board should be fully informed on both sides of the question. We see no reason why Mr. Mill, having such a confidence in the case he so ably supports, should feel dissatisfied with the decision of his colleagues that the Committee of the Guard- ians should conferwith the Corporation.It was only reasonable, and whatever the result of the conference may be, the town will, at any rate, be spared the absurd spectacle of two public bodies appearing as rivals at the Government Enquiry without first of all discussing the question jointly.