The North Wales Express

FLINT BOROUGHS. Great activity has been shown by the rival 1 parties in these boroughs, the Conservatives strain- ing every nerve to make np for the time lost in raising the necessary fuuds tq induce Capt Pennant to come forward. The Liberals are, however, re- ported to be in much better fighting form than on the last occasion, and very little doubt is enter- tained of their being able not only to hold thpir own but to have strengthened their position Mr John Roberts, M.P., is going over the borouehs, and has been most enthusiastically received every- where. MR JOHN ROBERTS, M.P., AT ST. ASAPH. On Saturday afternoon last a zretit Liberal meeting was held at St. Asfiph, presided over by Dr Butterton, of Rhyl. After an appropriate opening speech by the chairman, Mr Leibig Muspratt proposed a resolution approving of Mr Roberts' past services, and pledging further con- fidence in him. The resolution was seconded by Dr Davies, and Rev Duncan M'Gregor supported it, and created much amusement by remarking that if he was in Parliament he would bring in a ''burials bill" and bury all the Tories, and a water bill" to give them a right-down good sub- merging, so that they might see public questions better and clearer. The motion was unanimously carried. Mr John Roberts, who on rising was enthusias- tically received, excused himself from a long address, inasmuch as he had to address a meeting at Bagillt that evening, and to travel over 200 miles that night. He accepted the proposition laiti dawn by his opponent that that contest should be fought on the broad issue of whether the people were satisfied with the Government or not. He hsped no side issues would be introduced -though he did not fear them—because most of his opponents he thoroughly respected, as he did most sincerely Captain Pennant, and if the people really wished to support a Tory Government they could not well have a better representative than Captain Pennant. He believed, however, that the people felt that the Berlin treaty and the doings of the Government in Europe were not such as entitled the Ministry to further confidence. He did not directly blame the Government for the Zulu war, for it was no doubt caused by Sir Bartle Frere, but he only followed the example that the Government had set him, and embarked in an undertaking that proved most disastrous, and cost the country £ 11.0 (0,000 of money. He con- demned the Afghan war, and said the present frontier would expose thein more than ever to danger from Russia. Domestic legislation had been a failure, thousli one good little measure, the Summary Jurisdiction Act, had been passed. He at length criticised and condemned the Government as an extravagant one. Dealing with the Sunday Closing Bill for Wales, he said on that point he and Captain Pennant agreed, for the latter had always consistently advocated it, though some of his supporters were now using the speaker's advocacy of that measure against Mr Roberts' return. A Mr Stanley, of Rhyl, a Conservative, said he wished to bear testimony to the calm and moderate statement of Mr Roberts, which, he said, had borne contrast with some of the rash and reck- less statements made by one or two of the other anoa 1ra,.a Ðl'A.IJ. CROWDED MEETING AT BAGILLT. On Saturday evening a meeting of the friends and supporters of Mr Roberts was held in the Cocoa Rooms, Bagillt. Mr Richard Gratton (chairman of the school board) occupied the chair, and there were also on the platform Mr J. L. Mus- pratt, J.P.; Mr William Jackson, J.P.; Mr J. Kerfoot Evans, and several other gentlemen. After an opening speech by the chairman, Mr James Rees proposed the following resolution:- That this meeting records a vote of censure on the Government of Lord Beaconsfield, on account of their sinful foreign policy and utter disregard and inattention to home affairs."—Mr Rees ad- dressed the audience in Welsh.—Mr Joseph Jones seconded the resolution. Mr J. Leibig Muspratt, in supporting the reso- lution, referred to the reckless foreign policy of the Government, which, he said, had alienated even their own Foreign Secretary, Lord Derby (cheers for Lord Derby.) He also referred to the manner in which the country had been dragged into the Zulu war by the conduct of their representative, Sir Bartle Frere. Mr Roberts then spoke as followsI have again to thank you for the cordial reception accorded me in the town of Bagillt. I feel, too, that when the election takes place I shall be elected as member by a larger majority than you accorded to me at the last election. I am glad to find that my hon- ourable opponent and friend, Mr Pennant, is at one with me upon the question which is submitted to the electors for decision in this contest. Mr Pennant said in his speech at Flint that the ques- tion was whether the present Government should continue in power or not. I consider the wars undertaken by the present Government had been very disastrous to the best interests of the country. Having commented on the barrenness of the home policy of the Government-the most prominent feature of which was, he pointed out, the malad- I ministration of its finances-Mr Roberts con- cluded by addressing a few words to the meeting in Welsh.. The resolution was passed unanimously. Mr T. D. Owen (honorary secretary of the Bagillt Liberal Association) moved a vote of con. fidence in Mr Roberts, which was seconded by Mr William Jackson, J.P., and unanimously adopted. The Liberal majority in Bagillt is expected to be much greater than it was at the last election. GREAT MEETING AT HOLYWELL. Great enthusiasm prevailed among the Liberals of Holywell on Wednesday, owing to the visit to that town of Mr John Roberts, Liberal candidate for Flintshire boroughs. The working men of Holy- well gathered at the Welsh flannel factory yard, and preceeded by a band of music, marched through the town with colours flying, singing election songs in praise of Mr John Roberts. Holywell Board Schools were crowded to their utmost capacity, many being unable to gain admission. Mr J. Liebig Muspratt, of Flint, was called to the chair. Lord Richard Grosvenor referred at some length to the finance of the present Government, who, he said reminded him of the advice given by Sheridan to his son—" My boy, always live within your income, even if you have to borrow to do it with (laughter and cheers). Dealing with the domestic policy of the Government, he spoke of the way in which they had treated Mr Osborne Morgan's Burials Bill, introducing in its place what they called sanitary measure, which would have cost the country £ 2,500,000 only to with- draw it afterwards, and to replace it in an under- hand way#by Mr Martin's bill, which would also be productive of enormous expenditure. The only hope they had of seeing this question pro- perly dealt with lay in returning a Liberal Govern- ment to power (cheers). Explaining his vote aeainst local option, he said he did so not because he did not see the enormous evils occasioned by drink but because he thought it would bind succeeding governments as they ought not to be Wd and interfere with proposals of which he in'favour, namely, of placing the control of Rinses in the hands of partly-elected county Wds, which would give the ratepayers a fair degree of influence with respect to licenses (cheer). „ oa/i .-A 111- Mr James Kerfoot Evans propu^u, *uu mr David Williams seconded, a resolution supporting Mr Roberts; and the Rev E. Lloyd Jones, of Rhyl, supported it in an admirable speech which caused great euthusiasm.. Mr John Roberts, who was received with pro- longed cheering, spoke of the kind reception he had met with in canvassing Holywell, wh ch he trusted would never forfeit the position it held as a &ber*l constituency which had not returned a Conservative for a great many years. Had the Conservative Government lo™ Mythmg to >lake tfcem change their minds ? (Cries of No. ) A Liverpool Tory paper had recommended the men of Flintshire not to return him, because he had been a servile supporter of Mr Gladstone (laughter). He should not like to be a servile supporter of any man, but if he was to hold that position with regard to any one, he would choose that it should be Mr Gladstone (cheers). With respect to the Permissive Bill, he had not voted for it, because he considered it aif impracticable measure but he voted for the local option resolu- tion, to mark his sense that some reform was needed in the licensing system. With regard to Sunday closing, he found Mr Pennant on the same side as himself, that gentlemen having signed a petition in favour of it from Bodfari, which he (Mr Roberts) had himself presented to Parliament (cheers). MR PENNANT AT HOLYWELL. A CARNARVON ENTHUSIAST FROM HOME." It is a singular feature in connection with the present contest that this is the first occasion on j which the Tories have had the courage to hold a public meeting at Holywell. True, on former oc- < casions, they have held scratch meetings in the I front of public houses, and also meetings of the workmen of Messrs Newton, Keates, and Co., at the National Schoolroom, Greenfield, but they have never been sanguine enough to convene a public meeting of the electors of Holywell in a public building until the present occasion, and judging by the success of the enterprize we con- fidently predict they will not make a second venture." The meeting of Mr Pennant's "friends and supporters was convened for Monday even- ing at the Board Schools, and supreme efforts were made to render the meeting a decided success-in fact, this was to be the crowning meeting of the campaign. The chair was taken by Mr Saint John Charlton, who was supported on the platform by a number of gentlemen, and in the body of the room by a number of policemen. The upper half of the board school was crowded to excess, but the lower half was almost empty. It also became pretty apparent as the meeting advanced that unanimity was out of the question. On the whole, Mr Pennant's remarks were pretty well listened to, although he was occasionally interrupted by cheers for Gladstone, Bright, and Mr Roberts, but the other speakers were not so fortunate, as their observations were inaudible a few yards from the platform;—in fact, the meet- ing was about equally dividedin its sympathies, and was a failure from beginning to end, notwithstand- ing that the whole of the employees of Messrs Newton, Keates, and Co., were brought up for the occasion. But by far the most amusing por- tion of the proceedings washe reception given to one Mr Humphreys, printer, &c., of Carnarvon. who was,introduced as a Wesleyan local preacher. This gentleman was interrupted by cries of "Won't they listen to you in Carnarvon?" But he was not to be put down. He condemned preachers and ministers for supporting the Liberal candidate-they should not meddle with politics at all. Here the speaker was asked if he was not a preacher, when he replied he was a lay preacher," but it was the ministers he condemned —men who meddled with politics for personal gain. The speaker was here asked How much will you get for coming here from Camarvou?" He replied that he got nothing, and wanted nothing, because he worked on principle. This was greeted with cries of That's an old tale; you told that tale in Liverpool." Mr Humphreys was now getting warm on the subject. What (he asked) was the commission given by Christ to his apostles? Go ye into all the world, and At this j uncture he was again interrupted, a person in the audience finishing the quotation as follows:— "and preach the election to every creature." Of course, this caused great laughter and interrup- tion, which continued more or less to the end of the meeting. After the proceedings terminated, a large number of persons who were present formed themselves into a procession and walked through the town singing "John Roberts is the man." Their numbers were greatly augmented as they proceeded, and the enthusiasm continued for nearly an hour, notwithstanding the provoking efforts of some of the police to cause a breach of the peace.

ELECTION ITEMS. We stated in our last issue that the Ron G. S. Douglas Pennant had not contributed a penny towards the University College of Wales. We arc now informed by Mr J. Henry Thomas, of this town, that during the period he (Mr Thomas) was local secretary of the movement he received from Mr Pennant the sum of £ 25 towards that institution. Owing to the disgraceful attacks which have been made upon Mr Watkin Williams at Bethesda, and on Mr Pennant at Ebenezer, Major Clayton, the Chief Constable, has determined to keep a vigilant watch with a view of bringing the rioters to justice. We are informed that one man has been arrested and several others summoned, and their cases will be heard on Saturday at Carnarvon. Messrs Mundella and Waddy, the sitting mem- bers for Sheffield, attempted to hold a meeting in Paradise-square on Saturday afternoon, but the supporters of Mr Wortley erected rival platforms, and gave rival speeches. The consequence was so great an uproar that the members failed to obtain a hearing, but a resolution in their favour was declared by the chairman to have been car- ried by a majority of two to one. It is calcu- lated that there were from 12,000 to 16,000 persons present. Lord R. Grosvenor, the Liberal member for Flintshire county, has issued his address. He says he is opposed to the foreign policy of the Govern- ment, and that he is not less jealous of the honour of the country than the Conservatives pretend to be. He thinks that the result of the financial measures of the Government is one which will hardly commend itself to the interests of the work- ing or any other class in the country. He will support such measures as the assimilation of the county to the borough franchise, reforms in the land laws and licensing, expansion of local self- government. The Denbighshire Congregationalists on Friday held a series of conferences at Wrexham. The Rev H. Hughes, of Cefn Mawr, presided, and amongst the resolutions passed was the following, on the motion of Mr Charles Rocke, seconded by Mr Wilson Edwards, J.P.:—" That the delegates representing the churches of this association record their emphatic condemnation of the foreign policy of the present Government. They are of opinion that it has been as feeble as it has been fussy and as wicked as it has been cowardly. Major Cornwallis West, the Liberal candidate for West Cheshire, addressed a meeting of tenant farmers in Birkenkead on Tuesday, and was most cordially received. Later in the day he spoke at Chester, and was again enthusiastically welcomed. Meetings have been held throughout the division, and great confidence is felt by the party.

gprtixtQ. SIR W. W. WYNN'S HOUNDS MEET ON Saturday, March 27. Whitchurch At 10.30. THE FLINT AND DENBIGH HOUNDS MEET ON Saturday, March 27 Coed JCoch At 10.30.

Mr Parnell arrived at Queenstown on Saturday. Addresses were presented to him on behalf of the Irish Land League, the Home Rule League, the Cork Farmers' club, the Butt Committee, Limerick, and the students of Queen's College at Cork. A marriage is arranged between Mr John Scott Bankes, of Soughton Hall, Flintshire, and Miss Amyatt Burney, only daughter of the Rev E. Burney. of the Bay House, Alverstoke, near Gosport. The happy event will take place in June next.

[PUNCH.] THE RELIGION OF NATURE.—In spring-Budd- hism. OUT OF THE Foa (where Lord B. must have got it)—' The Man of Light and Leading.'—The Linkman. Definition by a serious M.P. (not Mr Gladstone) Dissolution: 'A return to your original constitu- ents. ALL IN THE DAY'S WORK.—'Oh—a—James You can take the dog out for a walk.' If you please, ma'am, the dog won't follow me Then you must follow the dog, James HAPPY THOUGHT Let us all have a voice in the matter.—Noble Breeder of Shorthorns: 'Well, you are a splendid fellow, and no mistake!' Prize Bull: So would you be, my Lord, if you could )nly have chosen your pa and ma as caretully ana judiciously as you chose mine!' THE CARDINAL VIRTUEs,-Old Parson (who had once been curate in the parish): How do you man- age to get on in these bad timei, Mr Johnson ?' Farmer Well, sir, about as bad as can be! Last year we lived on faith this year we're a-livin' in hope and next year I'm afraid we shall have to depend on charity REGIMEN.—Old Lady (to eminent physician) Tell me, doctor, what do you consider the most important rule of all for health ?" Doctor (whose ideas run much on the hygienic properties of soils and air, &c ): My dear madam-always live on gravel.' Old Lady (whose thoughts take a more gastronomic turn): Oh, doctor, I'm sure I couldn't digest it —————-———_——————

[JUDY.] A HORSE MARINE.—'General Steam.' The only club in London which can never be squared is the Circle.' QUERY ?-Is it really better for a man to die without a will than against it ? AT MORTLAKB.-Jones says the boat he backed did not win because the wind-confound it!—blew anything but the right blue. 'Is LIFE WORTH LIVING?'—Well, when .you have to get up by candlelight to go and meet your betrothed on the stupid towpath, it hardly is. AT THE PALLIs.On ordinary days the Crystal Palace is warmed, as everyone know-i, by hot air. On Good Friday, though, it is (s)warmed by ever so many thousands.

[FUN.] CURT COMMENTS. In the Prime Ministerial manifesto anent the Dizzi-lution occurs a reference to men of "light and leading," which same phrase was used by Mr Disraeli in 1846; consequently it may rightly be spoken of as an Earl-y utterance. Sir Wilfrid Lawson's meeting at Cambridge, on the Local Option question, which was put a stop to by the yellings of the undergraduates, was certainly calculated to make the worthy baronet use anything but temperate language, for he might justly have called them howling cads." A man at Birmingham has been sentenced to two months' imprisonment for throwing a cabbage at anjactress. Possibly this was his rough way of laying his heart at her feet. The determination of the University crews to row their race at the hour of 7. 45, and so avail themselves of the Jlood tide, has caused almost ebbery one to growl. A FLUID EPIGRAM. There is no doubt expressed in political circles that the sudden dissolution has been precipitated by the general chorus of disappproval which has followed the introduction of Mr Cross's Water Bill.-baily Paper. On the eve of the battle this much is quite clear Should the Lib'rals their enemies slaughter, A Government, then, which was brought in by Will have to go out, thanks to water! [beer

Jfitarg antr j áttdifir. So accustomed are we to look at maps of our own country that we cannot imagine a new feature could be brought into relief by any ingenuity, yet we are bound to admit that Letts's Popular Atlas, in its second part, has added several new lights to an old subject. We can see, literally at a glance, how densely populated are the manufacturing districts of both Scotland and the north and centre of England, how thinly the agricultural of Ireland and the English eastern counties; we can form a shrewd idea as to the fairness of our parliamentary representation by a rapid glance at the blue and red lines on the map we can see and admire how foresight has provided our shores with lighthouses, and note how our steamers plough the seas from port to port, and the miles between each. County towns are shown by colour, and so are county boundaries, but not by the old style of glaring contrasts, which tended to dazzle and confuse. Altogether we consider Messrs Letts are amply keeping faith with their clients, which, however, was no more than we had a right to expect. The Rev. J. Stevenson is preparing for publication a very interesting memoir by Nau, the secretary of Mary Queen of Scots. It may be regarded as containing in substance the Queen's account of her life, and especially of those parts of it which have been the subject of so much controversy. The lierman Publishers Journal has issued statistics concerning the number of periodical publications published in the world. According to them the total number is about 23,000, of which Germany boasts the greatest number, viz., 3,778; England, 2,509; France, 2,000; Italy, 1,226; Austria, 1,200; Russia, 500. Asia produces 387; Africa, 50; America, 9,129; and Australia, 100. The engineers appointed by M. de Lesseps have finished their survey of the Panama isthmus, to which we referred a short time back. The trustees of the British Museum have resolved upon permanently adopting the Siemens system of lighting by electricity which has been in temporary use in the reading room for some months. Mr Millais is painting a portrait of Mr John Bright. A new theatre on an extensive scale is to be erected in Liverpool. Plans for it have been made by a firm of local architects. It is probable that, owing to the meeting of the new Parliament, the opening of the India Museum will be posponed until the middle of May. Prof. Montagu Burrows is engaged in writing a work upon the foreign policy of Great Britain during the reign of George III. The book will be published by Messrs Cassell and Co., under the title of "Imperial England." A popular edition of the Life of Gladstone," by Mr Barnett Smith, will be issued in a few days by the same firm. Some hitherto unpublished letters and documents connected with Oliver Cromwell's movements in Ireland, together with an orginal contemporary narrative of his proceedings there, will, we understand, appear in the course of the present month iu the second volume of the "History of Affairs in Ireland, 1641-1652," edited by Mr J. T. Gilbert, F.S.A., the Irish Archaeolog- ical and Celtic Society.

Mr Theodore Martin, C.B., arrived at Windsor Castle on Saturday afternoon, and being introduced to her Majesty's presence by Lieut.- General Sir Henry Pensonby, K.C.B., received the honour of knighthood, and was invested by the Queen with the insignia of a Knight Com- mander of the Bath. Their Royal Highnesses the Princess Beatrice and Prince Leopold were pre- sent.

4 &r. I The Young Ladies' Journal (April Part) will be naturally looked forward to with keen interest by the ladies, in this bright and stirring Spring for its illustrations of the New Parisian Fashions, of which there are scores, coloured and uncoloured. Indeed, this magazine seems to be ever expanding, for we note that both sides of its large Sup- plements are covered, and.that on the one on which the full-size pattern appears as usual, are engravings both of Costume and Fancy-work. There is a very beautiful Berlin-wool pattern, and the sixth'Supplement of the New Letter Writer. A number of illustrated and well-written stories, long and short; careful replies to the thousand and one questions of "correspondents; music, poetry, articles on Etiquette, and excellent cookery recipes will be found in this useful serial. Myra's Journal of Dress and Fashion, for April, is likely to prove attractive. From an advance sheet of the Paris letter we extract the following: —There are, in the new materials for the spring, such a variety of colours, and tints, that among a collectionlof plain cashmeres the other day, seventy- two different shades were reckoned; all the violets, mauves, and heliotrope shades have returned to favour. Poppy colour which has been for some time eclipsed by caroubier. is again conspicuous. In greens, olive, and oak, are the most recherche. All shades of grey are in favour, and biscuit, almond, and self-colours, quite as much so. Walking costumes for the spring are trimmed with surah, eolienne, satin antique, and some won- derful new oriental materials which are only just beginning to appear. Satin, for which there is quite a rage at present, will be worn all through the spring, especially when combined withlndian cashmere. A good model is a costume of prune satin and Indian cashmere; the satin skirt is pleated and gathered in front from the waist, with three narrow pleated coquilles at the edge. Cross- ing the satin skirt are three scarfs of cashmere bordered with satin and arranged in draperies the coat bodice of cashmere is open and cut off at the sides to show the pleated and gathered waistcoat of prune satin. The bodice and scarfs of Indian cashmere are bordered with satin braid embroidered with Bohemian beads in prune and old gold. Furs will be worn late in the season, especially the fashionable fur, which is nothing more uncommon than grey rabbit skin.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—FRIDAY. After protests from Lords Kimberley and Den- man, the Corrupt Practices Bill, which legalises the use of cabs at elections, was read a second time. In reply to a ques- tion by Lord Dorchester, the Indian Secretary declared that there was no lack of recruits for our Indian Army, and there was no intention on the part of the authorities to enroll the pensioners to supply the places of those engaged on active ser- vice. Our forces in Afghanistan, he declared, were in a thoroughly efficient condition, and, if called upon again, were in a state to give a satis- factory account of themselves. The House ad- journed until Monday.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.—FRIDAY. Mr E. Jenkins repeated his question as to whether it was intended to ask Parlia- ment for grant of money for the Prin- cess Frederica of Hanover, upon the occ ision of her marriage. The Chancellor of the Exchequer declared in reply that no such request would be made. It was then moved by Sir Stafford North- cote, and agreed to, that the House, on its rising, should be adjourned until Wednesday, when it will be prorogued and afterwards dissolved. The Chancellor also announced that the writs would not be issued before Wednesday. On the House being summoned to the Lords to hear the Royal assent to certain bills, Sir George Bowyer pointed out that the Black Rod had "required" the attendance of the Commons instead of having "desired" it. The Speaker said he had not noticed what the Black Rod said, bat that de- sired was the usual word. The House then proceeded to what was virtually the last business of the present Parliament, and, singular to say, it was a motion of censure by the O'Gorman Mahon upon Lord Beaconsfield for having in his manifesto flagrantly misrepresented the loyal efforts of the Home Rule party to extend the blessings of con- stitutional government to Ireland." The motion was seconded by Mr A. H. Sullivan, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer, instead of justify. ing the Premier's language, indulged in a sharp attack upon Home Rule. the demand for which he described as mast obj ectionable, and which he and his friends, whether in office or out of office, could never consider admissible. Mr Mitchell Henry rose to address the House, but immediately the business of the Ninth Parliament of Queen Victoria was ended by a count out.

HOUSE OF LORDS.—MONDAY. Amongst the measures which passed the final stage was the Parliamentary and Corrupt Prac- tices Bill, Lord Kimberley and other members of the Opposition making a fruitless attempt to have it rejected. The Duke of Rutland called attention to the depressed state of trade and agriculture, with the object of showing that it was the result of free trade. Lord aconsfield replied at some length, asserting that the depression was due to a succession of disastrous harvests, and not to the rate of the customs tariffs or the pressure of local taxation. In reply to Lord Dunraven, Lord Cran- brook said it would be inopportune in the present position of affairs in Afghanistan to make any definite statement as to the frontier line that would be ultimately adopted. There was no un- derstanding with Russia as to Herat, nor was there any arrangement with Persia on the subject. He did not think the possession of Herat was of so much importance as many seemed to sups, pose, and it would be of less importance if we retained possession of Candahar and the passes.

THE DISSOLUTION OF PAR- LIAMENT. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. The seventh session of the Ninth Parliament of her Majesty Queen Victoria was brought to a close on Wednesday, when Parliament was prorogued by Royal Commission, prior to the issue of the Royal Proclamation dissolving the Parliament. The Queen's Speech was read by the Lord Chan- cellor as follows:— Mr LORDS AND GENTLEMEN, As the time assigned by law for the termination of the present Parliament is now at hand, I am induced by considerations of public policy and convenience to select this period of the session for releasing you from your legislative duties, with a view to an immediate dissolution and the issue of writs for a general election. I cannot part from you without expressing my deep sense of the zeal and ability which, during more than six years, you have consistently dis- played in exercising your important functions, nor without tendering to you my warm acknowledg- ments for the useful measures which you have submitted for my acceptance, and especially for the manner in which you have upheld a policy the object of which was at once to defend my empire and to secure the general peace. My relations with foreign Powers are friendly, and favourable to the maintenance of the tran- quility in Europe. I entertain the confident hope that the measures adopted in Afghanistan will lead to a speedy settlement of that country. I have had much satisfaction in assenting to the Acts you have passed for the relief of the distress unhappily prevalent in parts of Ireland, and, trust. ing that these measures will be accepted by my Irish subjects as a proof of the ready sympathy of the Imperial Parliament, I look forward with con- fidence to the renewed prosperity of their country. I rejoice to observe the indications of a general improvement in trade, and that the commercial depression which I have had to lament appears to be passing away. I have witnessed with the greatest sympathy the heavy losses sustained by the various classes connected with the cultivation of the soil, and have viewed with admiration the patience and high spirit with which they have contended against an almost unprecedented series of disastrous seasons. I trust that with the blessing of Providence a more favourable harvest may be looked for, and that from the Commission which I issued to inquire into the causes of agricultural depression suggestions may come which will lead to the more profitable use of agricultural land, and to a higher development of this branch of national industry. The electors of the United Kingdom will be called upon forthwith to choose their representatives in Parliament, and I fervently pray that the blessing of Almighty God may guide them to promote the object of my constant solicitude, the happiness of my people. Parliament was then prorogued in the cus tomary form, the date named being the 13th April.

carrtsp crub tuft. We do not necessarily identify ourselves with the sentiments of our correspondents.

THE CONSERVATIVE PARTY AND THE NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. SIR,-At a meeting of electors held at Bethesda on Thursday evening, the 19th inst Mr Watkin Williams, Q.C., the Liberal candidate, is reported to have expressed himself in the following terms with regard to the attitude of the Conservatives towards the Eisteddfod:—" Wales has been sadly neglected. The Conservatives snubbed and slighted them they laughed at their Eisteddfodau, and had no sympathy with them." It is not quite clear whether Mr Williams meant that Conserva- tives in general had no sympathy with Eistedd- fodau, or that the Conservatives of this county laughed at Eisteddfodau, and had no sympathy with them." In either case I believe Mr Williams will find that such a statement is scarcely accurate. In the history of past Eisteddfodau it is gratify- ing to find that Conservatives and Liberals have worked shoulder to shoulder for the maintenance of the Welsh people's only national institution. With reference to the National Eisteddfodau held in past years in this county the Conservatives have unquestionably contributed to the funds with praiseworthy liberality. Lord Penrhyn contributed the handsome sum of t,100 tothe funds of the National Eisteddfod of 1862, held in this town a donation of similar amount enriched the treasury of the Carnarvon Eisteddfod of 1877, when his lordship presided at one of the morning meetings. In connection with the forthcoming National Eisteddfod, his lordship (in a letter addressed to CanonJEvans, D.D.) has not only been pleased to accept the presidency of the movement; but has expressed his willingness to preside over one of the meetings-unless prevented by circum- stances-and his intention to subscribe to the funds. Similar acts of generosity on the part of Conservative gentlemen of this county are by no means rare. Indeed, it would be a pleasant and easy task to submit a formidable list of names of Conservatives who have, on every occasion, been the liberal patrons of the Eisteddfod. On the Executive Committee of this year's National Eis- teddfod it is delightful to find men of all shades of political opinion heartily co-operating for the success of an institution on the platform of which politics find no place. As a rule our Eisteddfodau are rendered successful by the untiring and un- divided labour, and cheerful sacrifice of time and money of Conservatives and Liberals, Churchmen and Dissenters. I have been induced to make these observations in the belief that Mr Williams would not for one moment wittingly withhold from his political opponents that credit to which their generosity fairly entitle them.—Yours, &c. D. RHYS, Secretary to the National Eisteddfod of Wales. Carnarvon, March 22.

On Monday afternoon, a number of cler- gymen held a prayer meeting in the grand jury room, St George's Hall, for the new diocese and the bishop to be appointed to the see.

A7% @ur Stw'omi (fcr^iroriDenL Ardently as the General Election was looked for, we are now beginning to wish it were over. It will be fully three weeks before the issue is fully known, and during that time nothing else will be thought of. The singular circumstance is, that both sides are equally confident of success, and lists are handed round which assure Liberals or Conservatives, as the case may be, of a majority. As for Mr Gladstone, he is working with his usual tremendous energy; but fears are already felt that he has overshot the mark. He has furgotten, if he ever remembered, that moderation is the certain mark of strength. No good end is gained by running down the Austro-German Alliance, and it leads the Continental press to wish well to the Conservative cause. Already fancy lists are handed round of the Liberal Ministry of the future. Mr Gladstone, it is said, will not take office at all, or perhaps only hold the Chancellorship of the Exchequer to band it on to Mr Goschen. Mr Forster is to succeed Mr Cross, and Shaw-Lefevre to go to Ireland vice Jack Lowther, and Mr Bright is to have the Presidency of the Local Board. As to the Coalition Ministry, with Lord Derby at the Foreign Office, nothing more is now heard of it, and, indeed, it has disappeared into the limbo nf forgotten vanities. I t". sell on spirits served out in Imperial measure, and died at last of water —this is the neatest epitaph I have seen of the now defunct Parliament. But the publicans begin to see that the charm cannot be repeated, and that to cast a solid vote a second time in favour of harassed interests will not do. Already in Southwark as in Birmingham there are licensed victuallers who are opening their houses as Committee Rooms for the Liberal candidate. As for Mr Muntz, he has almost gone in as the publican's friend in Birmingham. Having hopelessly offended the Good Templars, he is wise in his generation to make friends of an interest which the Templars and teetotallers would describe as the unrighteous mammon." Lord Beaconsfield did not let the curtain fall on a dying Parliament without making one more appeal to the tenant farmers to induce them to stand to their old colours. The Duke of Rutland in his strong protectionist speech gave the opportunity desired, and the Premier closed with it by throwing overboard protec- tion, and at once offering instead large hopes of dealing with the Land Laws if farmers will only trust their old friend once more. But I should say that once bit, twice shy will be their rule this time Mr Herbert Gladstone's first speech to the Middlesex electors was a success. Though not strikingly like his father in appearance, there is something in his appearance and manner which shows him to be a true chip off the old block. And there was a Gladstonian ring about some of his sentences. Skilful financing is not the end of a good Government, but it is the measura. of it," is a sentiment which might well have proceeded from the lips of his illustrious parent, to whom, by the way, the young candidate alluded not as "my father," but as "Glad- stone; a mode of reference which immensely pleased his audience. Mr Herbert Gladstone is twenty-six years of age. He took an ex- cellent degree at Oxford, and has been recently engaged as lecturer in history at Keble College. His association with the High Church College proves that he entertains the ecclesiastical senti- ments of his f-ather and his parson brother, the Rev Stephen Gladstone. His denunciation of the Public Worship Regulation Bill came well from a Keble man, but will lose him as many votes as it will win in the county of Middlesex. How to use the Press without appearing to do so,—to pull the wires, and all the while keep in the backgrounds—this is a branch of states- craft in which Mr Gladstone is a bungler and his great rival a proficent. It has come to my knowledge that the firm of Cassell, Petter, and Galpin have for some time been trying tQ work the country Press in the Conservative interest by sending round a gratuitous supply of leaders, written, however, in such a thin and flashy style that they betray the hand of the political back from whom they come. As for the provincial Press that could accept such contributions, the literary market is n6t so un- derstocked that they have to fall back on such sorry stuff. Are they intended to commend one or two officials of this firm, among the rest a London Clergyman who has recently been made a Queen's Chaplain, to the notice of those who have preferment to bestow ? Certainly they are not written with a view to promote the political success of Mr William Peter, one of the firm, who is wooing Liberal votes at Barn- staple. Barnstaple Liberals ought to be sup- plied with a few specimens of the Conservative leaders sent gratuitously with Messrs Cassell, Petter, and Galpin's compliments to country newspapers. The following will suffice for an extract:—"Elections in different parts of the kingdom testify to the growing confidence which it has been sought to destroy, and show that the Government is by no means without popular confidence. It is needless to repeat the moral of the Sheffield and Liverpool Elections. But while the actual result at Bamstaple leaves the strength of the parties as it was, it shows a great advance in Conservative principles in that, borough since the last election." This beauti- ful article closes with the following fine perora- tion "Liberal leaders are gompletely mistakeu in the estimate they have formed of popular feeling, and points to a future which ministers may await with confidence when the country shall be called on for its verdict at the end of the session A Ladies' Club being formed which will probably be more successful than other attempts which have been made in the same direction, because it will be founded upon a political and literary as well as a social basis. The scheme includes the provision of a hall for public lectures and discussions, reading and writing rooms, and other conveniences. No ladies will be admitted who are not sound on the Woman's Rights question; but otherwise the club will be open to all ranks and conditions on payment a subscription of five shillings. It is expected that a thousand members will come forward at once, and as soon as that number of subscrip- tions is received the Somerville Club will be opened. j a

The case of A. B. Anderson's bankruptcy" was heard at the London Bankruptcy Court, on Monday, when it was decided that the trustee is entitled to the materials of the Coedmadoc S'ate Quarry, and ordered the Sheriff to with- draw from possession, making the ini unction ab- solute. Printed and Published at the CARNARVON PBumNd WORKS, NEW HAEBOUR, CABNABVON, in the County of Carnarvon, by ROBERT WILLIAMS, for the Car- narvon Newspaper & Printing Co. Limited. Published also at the Establishments of Mr Ellis Roberts, Four- crosses, Festiniog, in the County of Merioneth; at the Establishment of Mrs Ellen Willliams, Llangefnj in the County of Anglesey; at the Estabisbment Mr Robert Lloyd, Ruthiu, the County of Denbigh, and at the Establishment of Mr J. K erfo otEvana, High-street, Holywell, in the County of Flint, oa FRIDAY, MARCH 26th, 18 0.