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MR GLADSTONE AND
MR GLADSTONE AND B K A COI* SFIE LD COMP A R K i > ■ Both Lord Beacousfield and Mr Gladstone have now entered uii what if- inevitably the fi al stage of a long eareer. To Lord Beacousfield that ex- perience ib synonymous with an entirely unex pected failure; to Mr Gladstone with an unpre- cedented success. Nothing has been more con- fidently predicted, by all those critics who belong to the class of so-called supeiior persons, during the last few years, than the absolute effacement of Mr Gladstone's influence with his countrymen. He had, we were assured by those, already out- lived his reputation and authority He had be- come a laughing-stock and a byword, and his eloquence was, at the very best, only the furious mouthing of the foiled agitator. The most tolerant of Britons, it was declared, regarded with con- tempt the ludicrous spectacles of Mr Gladstone's tree-fellings at Hawarden, his reception of mechanics in Hawarden Park, his perpetual speeches at railway stations, his general irrepres- sibility, his superabundance 'of emotional en- thusiasm. Now it turns out that whatever opinion the members of aristocratic London clubs might hold ab< >ut the political wisdom or unwisdom of Mr Gladstone's doings, those doings attracted the sympathy of the multitude, and endeared him to the mind of the masses and while Pall Mall has been giving pretty little shrugs of supercilious merriment, the English people have been filled with admiration. The Liberal victory at the polling-booths, the prospect of a Liberal Admini- stration in which Lord Partington will fill the post of Foreign Secretary, are events on which the nation may well be congratulated. But, national as the gain is, it must not be overlooked that the triumph is in a signal degree a personal victory for Mr Gladstone. He has now placed the fact beyond doubt that he is the greatest force in England which has existed during his generation. St. James-street may laugh, but the millions applaud; and Mr Gladstone's passion, eneigy, conviction, and eloquence carry all before them, and diffuse an atmosphere of magnetism around. Mr Gladstone travelled to Scotland via Gran- -tham, York, Newcastle, Berwick. At each one of these places he delivers a little speech—ad- mirably adapted for its special purpose-at the railway stations. The Times and the Telegraph and the West-end Londoners snigger and sneer, and say that Mr Gladstone is making himself ridiculous. But what is the sequel P At each one of the places at which Mr Gladstone speaks a decisive Liberal victory is gained. Lord Beacons- field has devised and dared and done much, but he has never done anything like this and it may be questioned whether any English statesman who has ever lived has achieved such an exploit as has been performed by the Squire of Hawar- den.
THE ELECTIONS IN WALES-
THE ELECTIONS IN WALES- The following letter, from Mr Henry Richard, M.P., appeared in the Daily News of the 27th inst. Sin,—May I call your attention to the part that Wales has played in the recent election? There are 30 members returned by the Principa- lity, and of these only two are Conservatives- Sir: Watkin William Wynn and Lord Emlyn, one for North Wales and one for South Wales- and it is perfectly certain that if the Carmarthen' shire Liberals had had the courage to run a second candidate for that county, he would have been carried easily, us Mr Powell had upwards of a 1000 votes above Lord Emlyn, and nearly all his Totes were plumpers. In that case Sir Watkin "Would have been left in solitary grandeur to represent Welsh Conservatism. Some of the victories won have been of singular significance. In Carnarvonshire the Conservative candidate was the son of Lord Peurhyn, a nobleman who has not only enormous property in the county, but is personally greatly honoured and respected, and yet Mr Watkin Williams gained the seat by a majority of more than 1000 votes. In Mont- gomeryshire, so undisputed was Tory ascendancy thought to be, that from 1832 tbere has been only one contet in the county, that in 1862, when the Liberal candidate was defeated by 311 votes, fcir W. W. Wynn, Earl Powis, and the Marquis of Londonderry, own a large proportion of the county, and theii influence was unsparingly used. But all could not save Mr Charles Wynn, who is a near relative of Sir Watkin, from being beaten by Mr Rendel, though a comparative stranger to the county. In Carmarthenshire the case was hardly less striking. The influence of the great houses of Cawdor and Dynevor, and many of the other 1 ading landowners, was against the Liberals. Yet in spite of tll\t, and the personal popularity of Lord Emlyn, Mr Powell was returned by a majority of 1071 over Lord Emlyn, and of 1389 over Mr John Jones. It is stated that no Liberal has st or Pembrokeshire for 200 years, and now Mr Davies has won the seat by a substantial majority. No less gratifying and decisive were the victories won in Cardiganshire, Breconshire, and Merionethshire, all showing a much larger majority for the Liberals than was ever secured before. What is the explanation? In the first place the Welsh arq a nation of Nonconformists and consequently of Liberals. Some of the Welsh bishops in their charges and other re- presentations of the Welsh Church have been try- ing of late, though in the face of very stubborn facts, to lay the flattering unction to their souls, and to comfort their English friends with the as- surance, that the power of Dissent was declining V1. the Principality, and that the people were riftmg back into the besom of the Church, ilihis. election will very effectually dispel that niusioll. It may b3 confidently stated that, as a with inconsiderable exceptions, the with + £ 8 Church of England went bodily Welsh n° 9°llscrVHfcives. Taen, secondly, the fidence in°li for t,ie ^rst tlme 'lld acquired con- fought bravpl 8ecrecy of tlie ballot- Iu I868 theF several seats, fL und,er the °P(-U v°te, and wrested pay dearly ^ie To™s. But they had to election was over couraSe- For after the farmers and other* ^res of ho est aud industrious ings by Conservativ^V^"3? °ut °f ,their hold" than voting accordingoKeuce the satisfaction of bi h i1"" couscieJuces- I1had little "tyrants of the the conduct of these Commons, and of holding them + +i? of probation of Parliament fc'0 he ^st re' siderable sum of money some help for the victims of To?v PT but when the eh; lion of l87, persecution 1868 were not forgotten, and though had then the protection of the ballot thpTmif servative agents had so effectually imbued them with doubts as to its absolute secrecy th'it i-hi» remembrance of former sufferings, combined with the apathy and Jisc1°1nte.ut11?t ^ffN?nc°nformists, led to a con'siderab.e f ol| m the Liberal strength. At the lata election, however, though some of the older men were still painfully doubt- ful and perplexed, the great bulk of the people had gauied assurance of safety* under the system of secret voting. The D;s enters also A,id forgot- ten or condoned the wrongs and s:i^ts done them by the Liberal Government, and care will, no ;v doubt, be now that similar reasons for alienation and disaffection shall not occur again. Nor must I omit to remark that the farmer bitterly resented the mockery lrac. tised upon them by the Agricultural Holdings Act. Nowhere is there mere crying need for some protection to the fanners against arbitrary evictions tha"- in Wales And when they found that the measure offered to them for that purpose Was one which kopt the wo d of promise to the eat and b oko it to the hope," they were disap- pointed and disgusted in the same proportion. It is to be hoped b:¡t the Liberal Government will take an early opportunity to meet their just ex- pectations iu this respect. I think I may add another reason for the completeness of the victory achieved. The pe plo of Wales are eminently lovers of peace and lietl.-r" uf WitT. I believe I couli appeal to every one of to Liberal candi- c1 tes who contested seats in the Principality whether the sentiment to which the Welshmen most readily responded was not that of utter I horror and detestation of the unrighteous and sanguinary wars in which the Conseivative Govern- ment had involved the country. I had an opp ir- tunity of addressing crowded audiences in five different counties, and nothing struck me so much as the storm of indignation that was always awakened by any reference to scenes of slaughter and havoc inflicted upon the people of Afghanis- tan and Zululand for the offence of defending their country against an unprovoked and un- righteous invasion. The Conservatives are naturally very much chagrined at this insurrection of the Welshmen against their rule, and are driven to all sorts of confused and contradictory ways of accounting for it. Some of them, notably Mr Pennant, the defeated candidate for Carnarvon- shire, have given vent to their mortification in wholesale and caluminous charges against the people. But even in these charges themselves there is implicit confession that the electors re- jected them simply because they did not like them. For if it were true, as the Conservative candidates seem to have been informed by their hireling canvassers, that some of the people did, under the pressure of influence which the names of great landowners and employers of labour could not fail to exercise over them, promise them their votes, and if afterwards they broke the promises and voted against them, is it not wonderful they cannot draw the inevitable inference that this was done because there was in the heart and conscience of the voter a rooted abhorrence of Tory principles, and that if the Conserva- tives had been returned by votes thus extorted from unwilling voters they would not have been the real representatives of the eenti- ments and convictions of the country ? As usual, of course the Nonconformists, and especially the Nonconformist ministers, come in for a large share of detraction. There cannot be a doubt that tue Nonconformist ministers possess great influence;in Wales, nor can it be doubted that they used that influence to the utmost against the Conservative Government and its policy of bluster and blood. But it is scarcely possible to conceive of any in- fluence more perfectly legitimate. It is purely a moral and religious influence-an influence ground- ed on an appeal to truth and conscience. For what on earth can a Nonconformist minister do except use reason and persuation P Will it be said that he may excommunicate a recalcitrant mem- ber? Not a single instance of such a thing has been adduced or can be adduced in the whole elec- toral history of Wales; and what would a Dissent- ing minister gain by that except the loss of those who form part of his congregation and contribute to his siipport ? The clergy of the Church of England were zealous and active on the other side, as they had the best right to be. But why should the Nonconformist minister be branded as an agi- tator and incendiary for doing what the clerics do without rebuke! No doubt some of the Con- servative candidates were deceived, but they were to a large extent self-deceived. Unhappily many of the Welsh gentry are ignorant of the language of the people among whom they live, and seem proud of their ignorance. But they have to pay the penalty. They are separated by a great gulf from the great bulk of the nation, and have to depend as to their impressions of what the people think and feel on representationt conveyed to them by those who have an interest in deceiving them. The meie fact that out of 30 periodicals—weekly and monthly—published in the Welsh language, 26 are Nonconformist aad Liberal and only four belong to the Church and Conservatism, ought to be enough to open their eyes to the prevailing political convictions of the Welsh people. If in the fact of such facts they chosa to wrap them- selves in a fool's paradise created for them by their agents and partisans, it is their own fault. —Yours truly, HENRY KICHABD.
MR HENRY RICHARD, M.P.
MR HENRY RICHARD, M.P. Henry Richard was born at Tregaron, his father being a highly esteemed member of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, a powerful and zealous body in the Principality. He himself relates that when he was a boy, politically speaking, Wales was in a state of great apathy. "I remember," he says, when I was a boy, all the politics of the magazine received in my father's house were compressed into about half a page of most insipid summary at the end." This was true, not only in relation to his own part of the country, but to Wales generally. What he lost, however, in this direction, he more than gained in another, and a higher. No one can have heard him speak of his early days, or have read the descriptions of the religious in. fluences which surrounded him like a healthtul atmosphere, without teeliug that ho had a more precious privilege than those who politically enjoyed greater advantages. The great Welsh preachers whom he was constantly hearing m his boyhood were unrivalled masters of seored eloquence. It would be interesting, especially with Mr Richard as our guide, to linger long over these early days, and to hear him tell of the great open- air gatherings of which he retains a vivid remem- brance, when the whole population of a district for man miles rouud, suspending all business and labour, would flock together bodily. Sometimes the platform was pitched not far from the sea- shore, the softened murmur of the ocean-mingling with, as if it bore burden to, the sound of sacrea song that from the assembled multitude arose like a stream of rich distiled perfume, and stole upon the air. Sometimes it was in an open glade amid rich woodland scenery, a spot being usually chosen where the greensward sloped up gradually from the stage on which the ministers stood, forming a sort of natural gallery. And as the surrounding trees, gently swayed by the wind, bent and rustled, it might almost seem, amid the solemn associations of the scene to the excited feelings of the people, 'As if the forest leaves were stirred with prayei. I It was amidst such kindling associations that, when little more than a youth, Henry Richard himself resolved t.) become a preacher of the Gospel, and to devote his life to the work of winning souls. He was bat eighteen when he entered Highbury College as a student, the Rev Dr Hally then being Principal. Very beautiful in after years was it to notice the affectionate esteem in which each held the other. On the conclusion of his college days Mr Richard accepted the pastoral charge of the church at Marlborough Chapel, London. His ministry was a happy combination of the thought- ful and the ferveut, and he was instrumental in establishing a large and vigorous church fellow- skip. His views upon what is shortly called the Peace Quetion may be said to be the convictions of a lifetime, and as a young minister they were firmly expounded. It was not surprising, there- fore, to find him becoming Secretary of the Peace Society, and relinquishing the pastorate that he might devote undivided attention to the defence and wide diffusion of peace principles. It is on record that during the period of the Russian war he was successful in bringing arbitra- tion before the representatives of the great Powers who were then assembled in Paris to settle the conditions of peace. He succeeded in placing a memorial before the Plenipotentiaries proposing S°me syste,n of international arbitration. The result was satisfactory, Lord Clarendon brought the subject before the assembled Pleni- potentiaries, and they adopted a resolution in v.nch they expressed, in the name of their Governments^ the wish that States between which anj serious misunderstanding might arise, should, beiore appealing to arms, have recourse to the good offices of a friendly power. Mr Gladstone viewed this proposal as being in itself a great triumph, a powerful engine on behalf of civilization and humanity. Mr Richard has counted no trouble too great in the diligent discharge of the duties belonging to his position. He has attended t:te various con- gresses which have licen held at Brussels, Frank- fort, London, Edinburgh, and Manchester, with a view to promote international peace. In company with the late Mr Elihu Burritt, he visited France, Belgium, Holland, and most of the States of Ger- many, with the object of bringing the question of peace uuder the notice of those whose p sitiou gave them power to spread or to hinder the pro- motion of its principles. His labours in this direction brought him into connection with some of the most distinguished men of the age-with men like Joseph Sturge and Richard Cobden. In 1860 he addressed a letter to the directors and supporters of Bible and missionary societies against their invoking any military or naval pro- tection to defend Christian missionaries in foreign lands, or desiring the secular arm to chastise or menace the heathen into submission. Of Mr Richard's well-known Letters upon the Social and Political Condition of Wales' there is no need to speak. In 1868, when he was returned as M.P. for Merthyr, his countrymen were loud in their enthusiasm, and his success in the House ef Commons, where his powers of debate have been of a high order, has'amply justified the choice of his constituents. He has again been elected to fill his seat in the new Parliament. It may be added that Mr Richard has, in the high capacity of chairman, presided over the intereats of the Congregational Union.-The Christian Herald.
THE BISHOP OF BANGOR ON PERSONAL…
THE BISHOP OF BANGOR ON PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY- r- un eunaay, special services were held at St. David's Church, Brownlow-hill, Liverpool, at which the sermons were preached by the Right Rev. Dr. James Colquhoun Campbell, Bishop of Bangor. There was a full congregation in the morning; and his worship the Mayor (Mr Alderman Bernard Hali) attended in state. The Bishop of Bangor, preaching in the morning, took for his text John xvi. 7—" Nevertheless, I tell you the truth it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will. send him unto you." The right reverend preacher, after detailing at length the circumstances under which these words were spoken, addressed the congregation on the necessity of individual effort in spiritual matters, and con- cluded as follows:—What, however, I am most anxious to impress upon you—upon your hearts- to-day is, that we, in God's mercy, have our lot cast under circumstances the most conducive to our souls' good. The Comforter, sent by the Son from the Father, has come-is abidiug with us. The cloven tongues which marked His first descent are seen no more. The. miraculous powers which for a time witnessed to His abiding presence, no longer remain. It is expedient for us that such signs also should pass away. They, like the fiery and the cloudy pillar that giided in its infancy the ancient Church, were withdrawn when their work was done. The witness of Christendom, waxing clearer and brighter, as generations and centuries passed on, was to take their place. Would to God, brethren, that we-that you and f, that all that name the name of Cluist-wvre bearing witness to the power of truth we hold more faithfully. But while what are called the extraordinary gifts of the spirit are withdrawn, leaving us to walk more simply by faith in the unseen, the higher, be infinitely more precious gift remaioeth. The renewal of the heart and affections, tae setting them on things above; the love which, responding to the infinite love of 11 im who bought us with His own blood, embraces all mankind; the purity of heart which sees liod; the righteousness, peace, and joy which are the kingdom of God; all that can raise ard elevate the man, making meet for a heavenly iiilieritince-these invaluable gifts abide for ever. God grant that we may open our hearts to receive them. One word of warning before we close. We must be workers together with God." The Holy Spirit does not so compel us as to do away with personal responsibility. We are not mere passive instruments of the Divine will. To say thnt we are would be utterlv to do away with the distinction between right and wrong. The subject is a deeply mysterious one. This, however, we know. The Spirit first puts into our hearts good desires, and then enables us to bring the same to good effect. Yet we are expressly warned in scripture against resisting," against "grieving," yea, against "quenching"' the Holy Spirit. Ask not how this can be. It is one oi those difficulties which is soiVed by ex- perieiice, the sad experience of life. Too often is the Spirit and also "quenched" among us. With all our blesssd privileges we must not be high-minded but fear." And now, my message to you this morning has been-well- nigh de ivered. On each of you lies the duty, with each of you rests the privilege, of witnessing in the church to the presence of the Comforter. And it 1 may allude for a moment to your peculiar circumstances here, I would say you have to wit- ness fir the church in Wales among a vast popu- lation in the midst of whom you represent it. How is that witness to be borne ? Not by noisy demon- strations or confident self-assertion, but by letting your light shine before men, not only in your acts of united worship, but in all the relations of your daily lives. As I have seid, the Comforter has been sent-is come. How do we know that we have received Him ? By His fruits. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance." If these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." The Bishop of Bangor preached again in the evening in the Welsh 1 nguage.
NORTH AND SOUTH WALES BANK.
NORTH AND SOUTH WALES BANK. The proprietors of the North and South Wales Bank met on Tuesiay afternoon at the Law Asso- ciation Rooms, Cook-street, Liverpool, where an extraordinary general meeting was held for the purpose of confirming a resolution which was passed at the last annual meeting to register the bank as a limited liability company. Mr George Rae presided. The Chairman said that the meet- ing had been called merely to give a legal form to what they had already agreed upon, that was to register the bank as one of limited liability from the 1st July next, on which date their friends and neighbours, the National Provincial Bank, had agreed to do the same. He moved the following resolution That on the first July, 1880, or so soon thereafter as possible, the North and South Wales Bank be registered, under the Companies Acts 1862 to 1879, as a company limited by shares, and that for the purpose of such registration the nominal capital ot the bank, which now consists of £ 600,000, divided into 60,000 shares of £10 each, of which 10,000 shares are at present unissued, be increased to L2,400,000 by increasing the amount of each share to £ 40; and that of such capital the sum of Z30 per share shall not be capable of being called up, except in the event of, and for the pur- pose of, the company being wound up." This resolution, the Chairman continued, dealt with 60,000 shares, which were the total amount of shares authorised by the deed of settlement of the bank. whereas only 50,000 of these had actually been issued, and were held by the proprietors. Upon taking the opinion of counsel upon this and other points relating to the steps which they were now taking, it had been recommended that in dealing with the shares they should deal with the whole in order that if they should see their way at any future time to issue the remaining 10,000 shares the resolution as it had been framed would enable them to do so (hear, hear). It was a great satisfaction to the directors to find that the course which they had recommended had thus far received the unanimous con- sent of the large body of shareholders,— nearly 1600. At all events, up to the present moment they had not received a single dissent from any one of the entire number (hear, hear). It would also give great satisfaction to the meeting to hear that since January last gentlemen of position and influence had joined the bank as shareholders, and many more were prepared to do so whose connection with the bank would be very valuable. The result of our action and of the in. creased demand for the shares of the bank had re- sulted in a rise in the market value of the shares of about £ 4 10s a share from the starting point, so that their intention to register as a limited bmk had already had the effect of increasing the market value of their property by very close upon a quarter of a million of money (applause). The proposal appeared to have been equally well received by the outside public. Since they made the announcement in January they had opened an unusual number of new accounts, and since that date their deposits also showed a larger increase for the period than for any corresponding period upon the average of the last ten years (applause). This, of course, might have arisen from other causes, but they had strong reason to believe that the course which they recommended-namely, to add Y,1,500,000 to their present paid-up capital of Y,500,000, and so to tie up this Y,1,500,000 that it could never be used for the ordinary business of the bank, but must remain intact, under all cir- cumstances, as a permanent guarantee for the security of their depositors-had had a most favourable impression upon the public mind (hear, hear). They had also reason to believe that people who were very well capable of judging were of opinion that the step which they were taking would have the effect of materially strengthening their share list, and thus attracting to the bank a connection and business which would add to its prosperity, and which would have the effect of strengthening, if possible, its permanent stability (applause). The resolution was seconded by Mr William Hind and carried unanimously. The meeting then terminated.
THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY OF…
THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY OF CYMMRODORION- This society held a conversazione on the evening of Thursday last, the 22nd inst, at the Freemason's Tavern, Lincoln's Inn Fields, London. The large hall was decorated with sculpture, paintings, and drawings, whilst tables on either side were covered with valuable old books, pottery, coins, and scientific objects. Amongst the former stood conspicuous the model of the design by l\Ir:.r oseph Edwards for the medal of the society. At the end of the hall a platform was erected for the artistes who were to perform the musical portion of the evening's programme. Soon after the doors were opened the hall was crowded by a fashionable and highly respectable audience. Among the company stood H. H the Prince Louis Lucien Bonaparte, who exhibited Griffith Roberts' unique work, "Athravaeth Gristaogavl." The exhibitors of rare old books were Rev John Davies, M.A., Mr W. D. Jeremy, Mr Brinley Richards, Mr W. H. J. H. Hancock, Dr Isambard Owen, MrQuarritch. In sculpture, Mr Joseph Edwards and Mr William Davies (Mynorydd).. In paintings, Mr R. S. Marks and Mr William Cave Thomas. In pottery, Mr K. Doulfon. In coins and scientific objects, Professor Ruddier, F.G.S. In Photography, Messrs Maull and Fox. Pen and ink sketches in Wales, Mr Thomas Hancock. A valuable auto- graph by Rossiui was shown by Mr Brinley Ri- chards, and of Die Aberdaron, by Mr Howel Thomas. The artistes who contributed the music were Madame Edith Wynne, Miss Mary Davies, Mr John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia), Mr Brinley Ri- chards, and Signor Carlo Melis (Cymro). Gounod's scena, "Far better in his lowly state," was sweetly tendered by Madame Wynne, as also was Brinley Richard's song, "The Harper's Grave," by Miss Mary Davies. Both these acomplished singers won golden opinions from their delighted audience. The playing on the harp by Pencerdd Gwalia, and on the pianoforte by Mr Brinley Ili chards, drew down hearty applause. The grand pianoforte was kindly supplied to the society gratuitously by Messrs Broadwood. At the close of the proceedings a vote of thanks to the artistes and exhibitors was proposed by Mr David Lewie and seconded by Dr Isambard Owen. Among those present we noticed Mr Lewis Morris, Mr Henry Leslie, Mr Stephen Evans, Mr Hugh Owen, Mr Avies Agabeg, Mr John Davies, Mr H. L. Lloyd. There was a large number of ladies, both members and friends. The meeting was one of the most pleasant of the season. The experiment having proved successful, a similar meeting on a much larger scale is in contemplation for a future day.
BALA COLLEGE CONTROVERSY.
BALA COLLEGE CONTROVERSY. THE REPORT OF THE REFEREES. In the end of December of last year the Execu- tive Committee of the Bala Independent College, through the Rev Dr Rees, of Swansea, requested the following gentlemen—S. Morley, Esq., M.P., H. Wright, Esq., J.P., H. Spicer, Esq., Rev Dr Kennedy, and Rev J. G. Rogers, B.A. to in- quire into the painful controversy which had for some time divided the friends of Bala College, and to give their opinion and advice on the sub- ject." These gentlemen have just issued their report, and in it they state that they met in the beginning of January, and deeming it oi great importance that those who were opposed to the Executive Committee should become parties to re- ference, or at least give evidence on the subject, resolved to open communication with them at once. This they did on January 13, in a letter which will be found appended. They asked the Rev M. D. Jones whether he and his friends would consent to regard them as advisers on the ques- tions at issue, or would nominate two or three other gentlemen to act with them, or at least, would lay before them, either by personal depu- tation or in writing, such statements as would en- able them to understand the case. A correspon- dence followed, which the referees remark, left us, much to our regret, without the aid which we might have derived from the personal representa- tions of those who are opposed to the Executive Committee. We did everything in our power to secure the presence of both parties. And we cannot allow that there is any validity in the ground taken by the Rev M. D. Jones and his friends. The one party left themselves absolutely in our hands, to take such course in our inquiry ys we might deem best, and not only consented, bat expressed a desire that theotherparty should appear to state their own case. In addition to what will be found in our correspondence with them, we have only to say that if the Rev M. D. Jones, on receiving our letter of January 13, had suppose I that it was an appeal to him "personally," and that he could not act personally in the matter, we should at once have removed his apprehension. But he acted on the very letter of our appeal, as made to him, not personally, but "in connection with, and after consultation with his friends," and did not hint till six weeks after that there was any defect in the form in which we had addressed him. We cannot help thinking that, had there been any willingness to aid us in our inquiry, the difficulty raised would have been easily set aside. We met again on the 2nd of February and post- poned our inquiry till the 10th of March that Mr M. D. Jones and his friends might have ample time to consider the proposals we made to them on the 13th of January. On the 10th of March accordingly, we met Mr Morley, who had acted with us up to this time, and taken part in our correspondence with the Rev M. D. Jones and his friends, was prevented from attending by cir- cumstances connected with the sudden dissolution of Parliament, but in his involuntary absence we proceeded to the business for which we had met, —our correspondence with the Rev M. D. Jcnes and his friends being of such a character as to furnish no ground for hope that a further adjourn- ment would secure their presence or aid. At this meeting we received a deputation from the Executive Committee. We had, likewise, the ad- vantage of having in our hands a copy of the case submitted to counsel by the Rev M. D. Jones and his friends, with counsel's opinion thereon, and of a circular issued by them, dated Ju< i 1st, 1879." The referees then proceeded to point out the public character of Bala College, the necessity which existed for a change in the college constitu- tion. They affirm, that th-re was p 'wer to PI. this change, and after adveitmg to ther coil to considerations, conclude wttn the ,ema, k ii, in their judgment the new rules are coustitut on J. both as regards their essence and th p r connected with their adoptiou, and it tins op.iitu is a right one, it follows that all the property oi Bala Independent College' belongs to the execu- tive committee, which has been appointed under the new rules, and should be put in trust for the Bala Independent College as governed by these rules, commonly called the new constitution. The reports is duly signed by the Revs Dr Kennedy and J. G. Rogers, and by Messrs Wright and Spicer. Appended is the following memorandum: — "Wood-street, London. April 5tk, 1880.—I regret that imperative duties elsewhere prevented my at. tending the meeting of March 10th, to receive the deputation from the executive committee of Bala College but I have considered the case carefully, and have no hesitation in expressing my concur- rence in the report which was finally adopted on March 13th. (Signed) S. Morley."—The Rev David Rees, secretary to the Old Constitution As- sociation, has, during the current month, been in correspondence with the Rev Dr Kennedy, touch- ing this report. The Doctor, in his answer to Mr Rees, states:—"I may venture to say-and I do it on my own responsibility-that if your party re- pudiates our verdict, it should propose an absolute arbitration, especially with reference to the pro- perty. Such arbitration should be put into the hands of gentlemen who are in no sense committed to an opinion on either side, and all parties should bind themselves to accept the verdict. The arbi- tration should not be hampered by any preliminary understandings or 'recognitions,' but should take the form of a carte blanche-the arbitrators to be at liberty to investigate every point which either party may be pleased to raise. You will observe that I have no authority either from my co-referees, or from the executive committee, to make this sug- gestion. It is purely my own. I see no way out of the property difficulty except by arbitration or by a law-suit." A special and general meeting of the constitu-
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ency of the Bala Independent College under the new constitution was held at Oswestry on Tues- day. The Rev E. Stephen, Tanymarian, chairman for the year, presided. The meeting was numer- ously and influentially attended by ministet s and laymen from all parts of the Principality. Amongst the resolutions passed was a vote of sympathy with the friends and relatives of the late Rev E. Wil- liams, of Dinas Mawddwy, who, as secretary, had rendered faithful service to the college for many years. A resolution of regret was also passed at the death of the Rev R. Thomas, of Bala, Divinity Lecturer, and much regret was expressed that those who had charge of the funeral arrangements did not comply with the request; made to them that the funeral should take place on some other day than that fixed for the present meeting.—In accordance with notices of motion, several amend- ments in the rules of the new constitution were carried.—With regard to Bala College controversy, the executive committee, at their meeting in De- cember last, agreed to refer the whole matter in dispute to the following gentlemen Mr Samuel Morley, AT. P lir H. Wright, J.P., Mr H. Spicer, Rev. Jonn Kennedy, D.D., ana Rev J. Guinness Rogers, B.A. They were asked to enquire into the painful controversy which had for some time divided the friends of Bala College, aid to give their opinion and advice on the subject.—On March 10 a deputation was received from the Executive Committee of Bala College, and the report of the referees, which was finally adopted on March 15, was generally in favour of the new constitution.—The Rev J. Thomas, D.D., of Liverpool, now read. a correspondence between the Rev Dr Kennedy on the one part, and the Rev M. D. Jones, tutor cf the College under the old constitution, and the Rev D. Rees, secretary, under the old constitu- tion, on the other part. In this correspondence Dr Kennedy suggested that if the opponents of the new constitution repudiated the verdict of the referees, they should propose an absolute arbitration. It was now resolved to publish the correspondence in English and Welsh. A resolu- tion was also passed to the effect, that the committee were ready to refer afresh the whole matter to arbitration should be unfettered and final, each party biadiug themselves beforehand to abide by the decision of the arbitrators, and that such offer of arbitration be made without prejudice to the legal rights of the Committee. Arbitrators were named, and the 29th of June was fixed as the ultimate date for accepting or refusing the proposed arbitration.—A vote of thanks to the late officers of the College was passed.
DEATH OF THE REV R. THOMAS…
DEATH OF THE REV R. THOMAS (AP VYCHAN), BALA. We legret toflave to record the death of a well known Congregational minister, the Rev Robert Thomas, familiar to Welshmen under his nom de plume of Ap Vychan, who died at Bala on Friday, April 23, at the age of seventy-one. The reverend gentleman was born at Llanuwchllya, Merionefch- shiie, and was ordained at Dinas Mawddwy, Liverpool being his first char ge. Subsequently lie left this city to take the pastorate of the church at Rhosllanerchrugog, whence he removed to Bangor. He remained in that city upwards of eighteen years, when he resigned, having accepted the pro- fessorship of divinity at Bala College. He was a well-known Welsh writer and poet, and succeeded in carrying off the chair prizes at Rhyl and Chester eisteddfodau. He was twice married, and leaves one son and a daughter, who is married to the Rev G. W. Griffith, rector of Llangurig.
MR JAMES SAUVAGE'S CONCERT-
MR JAMES SAUVAGE'S CONCERT- On Monday evening week, Mr James Sauvage gave his fiist annual concert at the Athenasum, Shepherd's-busli, London, on which occasion he was assisted by the best of artistes, who by their attendance testified to the respect with which this young and rising baritone is held by the members of his profession. The Kensington Neict, referring to the conceit, says: Perhaps it is not generally known by our numerous readers that Mr Sauvage, who now bids fair to become one of our finest baritones, has until lately sung with much success as tenor, his sweet voice and culti- vated style then winning many admirers, but acting on the advice cf Mr Sims lieeves and Sign r Foli, these latter gentlemen Inving always taken a lively interest in his progress, he adopted baritone instead of remaining tenor, and it is in- deed fortunate that his proper course was pointed out to him by such reliable authoiitles in time to save so vain ,ble an acquisition to our oratorio and ballad concerts. And not alone in these parts is he heard to advantage, for only late'y he gave a fine rendering of the part of Vallentine in th, recital of Gounod's Faust, at the Albert Hall. With so lengthy and varied a programme before I us it would be impossible to dwell on the merits and receptioll of each item contained therein, but we may mention amongst the many successes of the evening, Mr Sauvage's Revenge, Timotheus cries (Handel), this florid air being especially well suited to his voice, and in response to a well- merited encore he gave with much humour tt-e ever popular, Friar of orders grey.' His other contribution was A warrior bold,' und he joined Madame Hodsoll in the duett Trovatorc, and Mr Barton McGuckin in 'The Moon hath rsised her lamp Miss Mary Davies, with her usual unaffected delivery, sang. in a charming manner a new song by Brackin, entitled The !'OCt'S S@Dg," and Molloy's: The little match girl,' and in response to a vociferous encore com. plied with Twickenham Ferry.' Miss Alice Fairman's Old, old story,' Mdle. Helene Aniim's 'Timothy's Welcome,' and Madame Frances Ho-1--en's Waiting,' were also well received. Mr B.irtc-n McGuek'n very tiftefully reudered 'The Message,' and Mr iiedfem Hoilins did not fail to make his mark with Richards' Thou art so near,' for which he was deservedly well applauded., j Signor Foli also appeared and sang in his usr.al vigorou, style Diehl s new song, 'Jack to the fore,' and Hybrias the Cretan;' the former would have been gladly reheard by the delighted buthe contented himself in acknowledg- ing toe compliment by bowing twice. For the instrumental part of the programme Her Polonaski aod Mrs J. C. Rogers were responsible, and ac- quitted themselves respectively with the violin and piano with their usual efficiency. The ac- companiments for the various songs were well supplied by Mr Julian Edwards aud Mr J. S. Pudricombe. We should also add that Messre Brinsmead had kindly lent one of their Gjand Sostenenbe pianos for the occasion.
LLANLLYFNI J5CH00L BOARD.
LLANLLYFNI J5CH00L BOARD. THE FINANCIAL CONDITION OF THE BOARD. A meeting of the Llanllyfni School Board was held on Wednesday, the 21st inst when there were present:—Mr O. T. Owen (chairman), the Rev Evan Davies, Rev J. Ceulanydd Williams, Mr John Roberts, Mr O. Rogers, Mr Henry Williams, and Dr Evans. The clerk (Mr J. H. Thomas,Carnarvon), produced his estimate of the receipts and expenditure of the board from the year ending Lady Day, 1881. Whilst doing so, he said he could not be certain about some of the items, as he had only just come into office. However, from all the infor- mation he could derive, he thought that the expected income of the board would amount to little over £1000. Basing the expenditure uVn the amount spent by the board as shown by i%e financial statement for 3 ear, the expendituie would be £ 1500, thus leaving a deficit of X500 to be taken out of the rates. The Clerk also pro- duced the treasurer's books, by which it appeared that there was a sum of £ 853 due to the treastirer at the time the present board took office. The Rev Evan Davies said that he desired to make a few observations before the question of granting the precept was formally discussed by the board. He felt a great deal of indignation that the parish had been kept so long in the dark respecting the financial conditio" of the board. From the financial statement which had been pre- pared for the last audit, it appeared that the pay- ments made from the rates only amounted to S,100, thereby hoodwinking the ratepayers by collecting only a small rate, but leaving a larga balance. This financial statement was as follows — RECEIPTS. Balance in hand of petty cash £ s. d. keeper. 0 17 2 Government grapts 879 0 1 Payments made by rating autho- rities. 100 0 0 Schoolfees. 203 0 7 Income from other sources. 4 17 3 Overdrawn on 30th Sept., 1879.. 1735 11 3 2923 6 4 EXPENDITURE. Balance overdrawn on 30th Sept., 1879 1052 2 11 Salaries of officers of board, re- payment of principal loan, and interest. 366 6 31 Salaries of teachers. 1099 5 2Q Books, stationery, fuel and light, r-pairs of buildings, rates, taxes, and insurance. 69 5 10* Purchase of land for the erection of new buildings. 366 6 1 2923 6 4 It would thus be seen that the board had inherited from its predecessors in office a considerable debt, and they were therefoie obliged to enter upon their duties with a deficiency of L853. The treasurer also demanded a guarantee from them personally befoie he would issue any more cheques. It was only fair that the ratepayers should be in- formed of the true position of the board; and he (Mr Davies) thought it. was a great shame on the part of the former board to plunge into such a debt. The Chairman said he regretted to find that the finances of the board were at such a low ebb; and he strongly urged the members, by keeping strict attention to economy, to make every possible effort to extricate the bo.d from its present diffi- culty. He hoped that before the expiration of their term of office they would be able to present a balance in favour of the ratepayers and not against them, as the old board had done. He fully agreed with the remarks ot Mr Davies. Mr John Roberts proposed, and Mr Henry Wil- liams seconded, that a pteeept be signed upon the overseers for the sum of Y,853 to meet the balance due to the bank It was observed that the rate- payers would understand that in making the next rate the board cleared off the deficiency of their predecessors in office. The rate to meet the cost of administration cif the present board would have to be considered at a future time. The precept was signed and made payable in two instalments, the first to be paid on the 10th of July next, and the second on the 10th of January, 1881. All the members present signed a guarantee for JE500 each to the treasurer. The bo-ml afterwards examined the bills for salaries, &c., and issued cinques for their payment.—It appeared that by the advice of H M. Inspector, the Penygroes school had been divided into three departments, and it was therefore necessary to re-arrange the salary of Mr AVilliams, tho master. After some discussion the board ultimately decided to pay Mr Williams a fixed salary of £ 60 per annum with the school fees and half the rii tile, it grants.
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The courts for thA admission of church- wardens have been fixed as follows :—Arustley deanery at L'anidlncs Church, May 1 deaneries in the county of Anglesey at Llangefni National Schools, M ;:y 7 Lleyn and Eifionydd deaneries at Doiiio Parish Church, May 13; Arfon and Ar- llcchweud deaneries at Bangor Cathedral, May 14 and an adjourned court. at Conway Church on ;Jy 1; Ceaneries of Cefeiliog and Mawddwy at Machynlleth Church, M -y 19; deaneries of Ardu- dwv and Estiuau;er at Do^elley Church* May 20.
THE 'ATALANTA.'
THE 'ATALANTA.' ALLEGED MESSAGE FROM THE SEA. A Warrington correspondent telegraphs—On Wednesday afternoon, James Henshaw, of 7, Thornton s-court, Tickle-street, Manchester, was in company with four other men near Frodsham Score Hatches, at the junction of the river Weaver with the Mersey, when he saw a bottle in the eddy.. He got it out of the water, and noticing a paper iuside broke it open. On tie paper was written in pencil very legibly—" H. At. S. Atalatita, March 16. Fearful hurricane, dismasted, going down fast, off Lizard. II. Smith, boy." The Admiralty have been communicated with. A Portsmouth correspondent telegraphs that some disappointment was caused by the omission on the part of the authorities to give any official confirmation until Wednesday afternoon to the statement published in the morning papers that the Blanche, or another ship of war shortly expected at Halifax, was to cruise about for traces of the Atala/ita. The absence of intelligence from the JVye or the Sa'a,,iis gives rise to the conjecture that the Atalanta has not called at the Azores, and that sIlt" is therefore two months overdue, presuming that she sailed straight from Bermuda homewards. Her Mi-.jetty's ship WYI, which was despatched in search of thu Atalanta, ariived at Plymouth on We lnesdajp, -;It, but brings no intelligence tending to throw light on the fate of the missing v ossel.