The Weekly News and Visitors' Chronicle for Colwyn Bay Colwyn Llandrillo Conway Deganwy and Neighbourhood

CONWAY. Parish Church (Sunday Services): 8.0 a.m. Celebration of the Holy Communion. 9.45 a.m. Welsh service. 11.15 a.m. English service. 6.0 p.m. Welsh service. 10.30 a.m. daily, Matins. St. Agnes 6.0 p.m. English service. Wesleyan Methodist Chapel.- (En glits h Services).— Next Sunday: Morning 11.0, evening 6.30, Mr R. Robinson, Conway. A GOOD PLACE FOR BOOTS.—For the best and cheapest of all classes of Boots and Shoes go to Joseph Jones, Berry Street, Conway. Best Shop for repairing. adv. IOq- THE REV OWEN EVANS AT THE WESLEYAN SUNDAY SCHOOL CONFERENCE.—At a Sunday School Conference held at Rhyl, on Thursday, April loth, by the Welsh Wesleyans of North Wales, the Rev. Owen Evans (of Conway) read a paper on "Preparatory study as an essential to the success of the Sunday School." He agreed that both teacher and scholar should study, as the scholar would not be able to ap- preciate the fruits of the labour of the teacher unless he also had laboured. What was study? (i), To fill the mind with the subject under notice. (2), Meditation. This was as necessary to the mind as digestion was to the body. It was not that which was eaten that nourished, but that which was digested. (3) .Systematic attention to the Bible; a careless reading of it did no good. The Bible had suffered more in this direction than any other book. It was a few who attempted to study in chronological order the events that marked the life of Christ. In what way ought the Bible to be studied? (I), It should be ap- proached with an open mind. (2), It should not studied with any theological prejudicies. (3), The Bible itself should be studied; expositors being regarded as helps only. (4), An endeavour should be made to reajise the object of each book, and (5), The Bible should be approached in a devotional spirit.—The dicussion which followed was opened by Mr William Williams, Dolgelley, and participated in by Mr Pierce, Holywell, and others, and Mr Evans was heartily thanked for his paper. CHESHIRE AND LANCASHIRE VOLUNTEERS EN- CAMPING THIS YEAR WITHIN THE BOROUGH.— The Quartermaster-General (Sir Evelyn Wood) has just announced that a number of arrangements for the encampment of Lancashire and Cheshire Volunteer corps this year have been approved, included in these being the following camps with- in the boundaries of the Borough of Conway:— 2nd Lancashire Volunteer Artillery, at Deganwy, May 23rd to 30th; 5th ditto, Deganwy, August 22nd to 29th; 6th ditto, Deganwy, August 1st to 7th; Cheshire and Lancashire Volunteer Infantry Brigade, at Conway, May 23rd to 30th; Mersey Brigade (1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, and 7th V.B.Liverpool and 1st V.B.Cheshier), at Conway, August 1st to 8th. NORTH WALES BOTTLE PROTECTION SOCIETY. -At the fourth annual meeting, held, on Friday afternoon, April 17th, at the Blue Bell Hotel, Conway, the President (Mr Stephen Dunphy) in the chair, Messrs Stephen Dunphy and William Hill (both of Llandudno) were unanimously re- elected President and Sscretary-Treasurer res- pectively. The retiring members of the Council —Messrs D. T. Edwards (Carnarvon), William Beetham (Llanrwst), James Hughes (Liverpool), and H. A. Steer (Rhyl),—were re-elected. The report and financial statement were received, adopted, and pronounced very satisfactory. There was an excellent attendance, including in addition to those already mentioned, Messrs J. C. Smallwood, Conway; E. H. Davies, Colwyn Bay; Thomas Smith, W. Mobley, and W. W. Walton, all of Llandudno etc. Six new candidates were proposed for membership, and Mr James Hughes (Liverpool) was re-elected delegate to represent the Society at the National Alliance (Mineral Water) Trade Protection Society. Other business (principally routine) was transacted, and the meeting closed with a cordial vote of thanks to the President and Secretary, for the services they had rendered throughout the year. EARL AND COUNTESS CARRINGTON IN CONWAY. —On Friday afternoon, April 17th, Earl and Countess Carrington and a small party drove from Gwydyr Castle to Conway, where they lunched at the Castle Hotel. EISTEDDFODIC SUCCESSES.—At an Eisteddfod held at Prestatyn, on Thursday, April 16th, Mr Robert Jones ("Gwespyr"), of Conway, was awarded the prizes for the best englyn on Pres- tatyn Station," and for the best poem on The Manna." CHILDREN'S CONCERT AT LLANGWSTENIN.— Last week, under the presidency of Capt F. W. Stubbs, a concert was given in the Pensarn Schoolroom by the children of the parish, the majority of the performers being members of the National School. The following was the pro- gramme :-School song, Sunny Hours," School Children song, La Pepita," Edith Rogers song, "The Wanderers," four Boys duett, Mistress Mary," G. Wood and E. Davies; song (with chorus), "The Funny Clown," E. Oliver; song, "What are Babies for?" three Girls; song, The Tin Gee-gee," Gwyn Davies song, Who killed Cock Robin?" six Girls reading, What is the News?" Enid Davies song, "He, She, and It" M. Jones and H. Shakespeare; nigger song, So early in the Morning," ten Boys school song, The pretty wayside well," School Children duett, Juanita." M. V. Owen and F. Oliver; song, "Pickles," seven Girls; song, Poor old Joe," Gwyn Davies recitation, Dolly Town," A. Foulkes song, Merry little Milkmaids," eight Girls; song, "Ten little Nig- ger Boys," ten Boys Welsh song, The land of our Fathers," M. V. Owen; song, "The worst girl in School," E. Rogers song, Topsy's song (uncle Tom's Cabin), L. Lunn song, The Emperor Napoleon," ten Boys school song, Some Folks," School Children finale, God Save the Queen."—The groups of school- children rendered their songs very successfully the same applies to Miss Edith Rogers, Bodhyfryd, who shows promise of a really good voice. The duett Mistress Mary was well given and well received Miss Gladys Wood, of Pabo Hall, as Mistress Mary" looked very pretty with her watering-can and basket of wild flowers while Miss Enid Davies, of the Rectory, distinguished herself, both in this piece and in her reading of "What is the News," by the clearness of her voice and the calmness of her demeanour. The Funny Clown," given by Miss Edie Oliver, is dis- tinctly worthy of mention the singer, for so young a child, possesses a remarkable strong and clear voice. The six girls who rendered The Death of Cock Robin," took two verses each, the chorus being sung by the school Chil- dren this was certainly worthy of the encore it received. "He, She, and It," was both enter- taining and amusing to the wee mites who sang it great credit is due It espectally did its part well The duett "Juanita," was very sweetly sung." The audience was then treated to a laughable piece called Merry little Milk- maids," the performers which came to the stage with pails, stools and baskets, and in the course of the song went through the pantomime of milk- ing, churning, and carrying the butter to market, the actions being all good. Last but nut least, we were amused by Nigger-Boys first in the song So early in the Morning then in the old- established piece Ten little Niggers boys," in which the little darkies die off in the approved fashion and lastly in "The Emperor Napoleon," the words dropping oft one by one and nods taking their place, until the last verse is all nods and no words, to the intense amusement of the audience. The accompanists were Mrs Davies. the Rectory Miss Etta Wood, Pabo Hall; Miss Higgins, River View; and Mr Rogers, Bodhyfryd. Before the close of the performance with the National Anthem, the Rector proposed a vote of thanks to those ladies and gentlemen who had so kindly given up their time and services in training the young children, and he also congratulated the performers for the way in which they had gone through the programme. Mr Wood of

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CHOICE DULCEMONA TEA CHOICE DULCEMONA TEA CHOICE DULCEMONA TEA Young. Fresh. Invigorating. 1/6 to 3/- per lb., in Packets and Tins. Of all Grocers. Sold by T. GARLAND, The Stores, Conway.

CHOICE DULCEMONA TEA I CHOICE DULCEMONA TEA CHOICE DULCEMONA TEA Young. Fresh. Invigorating. 1/6 to 3/- per lb., in Packets and Tins. Of all Grocers. Sold by T. GAELAND, The Stores, Conway. Printed and Published by R. E. Jones & Brothers, at their Printing Works, 3, Rose Hill Street, Conway, and Published at the Central Library, Colwyn Bay. y A

dessert-knives; Mr and Mrs Wakem, case of silver spoons, etc Miss Wakem, glove-sachet Messrs Brown and Son, cake-knife and fork Mr and Mrs Huke, card-dish Rev Cooper Scott, History of St John Major R. C. Drury, silver butter-dish Mrs Henshaw, silver sugar-tongs Mr Cotgreave, standard lamp Mrs Brierly, linen and parasol Miss Gerrard, photo-frame Miss Edwards, vase Mr and Mrs D. W. Davies, fish- knives and forks Miss Wilson, pin-cushion Mr Gerald Moore, silver button-hook Mr James Parry (The Lache), large dinner-gong Mrs Werlitz, worked afternon-tea-cloth The Misses Marsden, saxony china vase Miss Lily Clough, muff; Mrs Gallaway, painted doyleys Mr Nor- man Clough, umbrella china handle. FROM THE LINKS: COLWYN BAY. A symphony in green :-the woods along The verdant hill burst into colour-song Here the wild-cherrry strikes its accidental, And there the larch's louder note is strong. A harmony in blue:—the azure bay Meets the cerulean ot the April day; On the still surface,streaked with milkycurrents, A steamer marks for miles its furrowed day. Turn eastward :neat h Llanddulas sharp-defined The idle sails of boats await the wind The curving coast fades softlv into distance, And Rhyl lies hidden in the haze behind. Look to the left, and mark each mirrored form, Where Rhos lies sleeping in the sunshine warm, And, rising bold above its own reflection, The undulation of the Little Orme. Turn inland :-g-aze across the Vale, and lo, The mountains rise in a majestic row From Tal-y-Fan right up to Moel Siabod, And proud Llewelyn wears his cap of snow. Let him still brood on Winter, drear and gray,— For us the birds and bees and lambs at play The spiky gorse aflame with yellow blossoms Lights with a touch of gold our onward way. So, going back to city din and grime, We leave our tribute in this wreath of rime Ours is the dower of all who follow Beauty, And seek her in her chosen place and time. JOHN GAMBRIL NICHOLSON. Bryn Goleu, Colwyn Bay, April 21st, 1896. THE COLWYN BAY GAS COMPANY.—Dr. W. M. Venables-Williams, J.P., has been elected a Director of the Colwyn Bay Gas Company. THE NORTH WALES ENGLISH CONGREGATIONAL UNION'S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE.— Messrs J. Jones and J. Lewis (both ot Colwyn Bay) were on Wednesday elected members of the Executive Committee of the English Congregational Union of North Wales. THE COLWYN CHORAL SOCIETY'S FIRST CONCERT. The first grand concert of this newly-formed Choral Society was held, at the Assembly Rooms, Colwyn, on Wednesday evening, April 22nd, when the prize-winners at the recent Abergele Eistedd- fod took part. In the unavoidable absence of the Rev J. Griffiths, the presidential chair was occupied by Mr M. Evans (Board School), the accompanist being Miss Nellie Lloyd. The programme was opened, at 7.30. with a piano- forte duett, "The Huntsman's Chorus," the performers being Miss Evans (Brynygwynt) and Miss Nellie Roberts (Mona House). The song Mother's Letter was effectively rendered by Miss Bessie Wynne (Colwyn Bay), who was successful in obtaining a special prize for the rendering of this song. The Colwyn Juvenile Choir (conductor, Mr E. T. Davies) then gave an able rendering of the anthem" Cyssegrwn flaen- ffrwyth ddyddiau'n hoes," and were warmly applauded. Messrs Llew Jones and E. C. Evans sang Y Lili a'r Rhosyn in capital style, they having obtained the prize for this piece at Colwyn Bay. Mr Edward Davies (Colwyn) gave a fine rendering of The White Squall," and was warmly applauded. The song" Aldiberiontiphos- cophorinochronolronlothologus took well. Miss Mattie Lloyd was well received in "A bird in hand," her rendering being most effective. Mr W. B. Jones's Party gave a nicely balanced rendering of "The Schoolchildren's Quartette," and received the warm congratulations of the audience. Mr Llewelyn Jones sang Llewelyn's Gra-e," in truly artistic style. The part-song, -I- Call John," by Mr Henry Williams's Party, was rendered in such a manner as to secure an encore. The Children's Choir again appeared, and rendered "Teach me thy Statutes" with capital expression, and the enthusiastic applause of the audience terminated the first part of the pro- gramme, the second part opening with Isalaw's anthem, Enaid cu," by the Choral Society, followed by the under 16 successful solo at Abergele, namely, Deio Bach," by Miss Bessie Wynne, who obtained the prize out of 13 candi- dates,-the piece was sung with marked careful attention throughout. Messrs Llew Jones and E. C. Evans again rendered the duett Bydd bur i Gymru fad," with most commendable effect, a re- mark which applies also to Mr Ed. Davies's rendi- tion of Pwy fel fy Mam." Mr J. H. Williams's Party gave a capital rendering of the male-voice chorus, Longing," and were warmly applauded. Miss Mattie Lloyd gave a most competent render- ing of The Holy City." The Colwyn Juvenile Choir again rendered the ever-popular Welsh Air "The Bells of Aberdovey," and were well received (as they always are). Mr E. Colwynian Evans sang Y Milwr Clwyfedig," and was warmly applauded.—At this point, the President arose, and said that he had a pleasing duty to perform on behalf of the Colwyn Choral Society, and that was to present Mr Evans (the conductor of the Society) with a silver-mounted rehearsal-baton of ebony, as a recognition of his indefatigable energy with the Choir.—Mr Evans, in responding, thanked the Choir for thus showing their kindly feelings towards him, —by presenting him with so acceptable a testimonial of the good feelings which exist between the Choir and its Conductor. -Mr W. Brookes Jones's Party gave a capital rendering of the quartette Profundo Basso," which was capitally depicted, and was, without doubt, one of the best renderings of a humorous quartette we have heard for many a long year an encore naturally resulted. After the usual vote of thanks, the Colwyn Choral Society, under the new baton, sang Coi-mei-nai-ro," and were vociferously applauded.—The first concert of the Society proved quite a success, and was brought to a close with the singing of the Welsh National Anthem. AN URGENT APPEAL BY THE REV. CANON ROBERTS. We have received from the Rev Canon Hugh Roberts, Vicar of St Paul's, Colwyn Bay, the subjoined appeal, which is deserving of immediate consideration by our readers AN APPEAL. Dear Sir,—Two years ago the Ecclesiastical Commissioners made a Grant of £ 1.000 towards building a Vicarage for this Parish, and a few weeks ago they have again made a further Grant of £500 towards the same purpose, on condition that another £500 be raised by the 1st of May next to meet it, so as to turn over another Li,ooo, making in all £ ,2,000 towards our New Vicarage Building Fund. This will about cover the cost of building the house and walls. This is my first and only appeal in the matter to the locality, but, as there is not a week to raise the remainder of the £500, I beg respectfully to appeal in this way for contributions towards the deficit of £ 180, feeling that such an offer ought not to slip. Contributions towards this urgent object, will be thankfully received at the N. & P. Bank, Colwyn Bay, or by yours faithfully, The Vicarage, HUGH ROBERTS. Colwyn Bay, April 22nd, 1896.

Pabo Hall, seconded, and hoped that the children would often give the audience equally enjoyable evenings in the future. A vote of thanks to the Chairman, and a few words of encouragement from him to the children, brought the eveninng to a close. THE PENRHYNSIDE EISTEDDFOD.On Monday evening, April 20th, an Eisteddfod was held at Penrhynside. The proceedings were a great success, there being a great number of entries in the several competitions, and a crowded gather- ing present at the meeting. Councillor R. J. Williams, Llandudno, was the President; and the Rev. R. Peris Williams, performed the duties of Conductor. In the chief poetical competition for the best poem on "Y Gwanwyn," the prize was won by Mr. Walter Morgan, "Murmurydd," of Ystrad Rhondda. The prize in the Male Voice Choir Competition was awarded to the Penrhyn Choir, conducted by Mr. J. Owen. In the Chief Choral Competition the prize was divided between the Choirs conducted by Messrs. R. Owen and J. 0" ell. The musical Adjudicators were Messrs. W. Lloyd Marks, "GwilymTachwedd," Rhymney. and T. T. Marks, "Ap Myrddin," Llandudno; poetry and prose, the Revs. W. E. Jones ("Pen- llyn,") J. Thomas (Glanwydden), J. Evans (Colwyn Bay), and T. D. Jones (Conway). ST. JOHN AMBULANCE CLASS.—On Monday evening, April 20th, at the Guild Hall, Conway, twelve members ot the Ambulance Class instruc- ted during the past winter by Councillor Dr. R. Arthur-Prichard, sat for examination by Dr. W. Duncan Fraser, of Colwyn Bay, who, at the con- clusion of the examination intimated that he had great pleasure in congratulating the candidates upon the excellence of their work, and in stating that he had not found it necessary to pluck any of their number. CONWAY CRICKET CLUB.—A meeting of the above-named Club was held at the Boys' School, on Friday, April 17th, for the purpose of electing officers.' It was decided to ask Mr Albert Wood to act as President (a position which he has since kindly accepted), and the following were chosen as Vice-Presidents :—Alderman the Hon. H. Lloyd Mostyn, Councillor Humphrey Lewis (Mayor of Conway), Councillor Dr. R. Arthur- Prichard, Councillor Dr. M. J. Morgan, the Rev. J. P. Lewis (Vicar), Rev. J. Harries, Colonel Gough, Mr E. E. Edwards, Mr T. B. Farrington, Mr James Porter, Mr W. M. Sever, Mr F. Hadley, Mr John Lees, Mr O. Rowland, Mr Joseph Williams, Mr T. E. Parry, Mr Woodhead, Mr J. Pollitt, and Mr E. Wood. It was also decided to ask Mr F. Woodhead to be Captain. Mr Llewelyn Jones was elected Captain Mr Griffiths, Treasurer; and Mr T. B. Farrington (jun.), Hon. Sec. As committeemen there were elected Messrs Post, Abram, C. Farrington, and J. Jones, and R. Roberts, it being decided to hold a committee meeting this (Friday) night, at 8.30, for general business. DEATH OF MR J. H ELIAS.-We announce with regret the death, on Monday, April 20th, at Llanbedr, of Mr J. H. Elias, son of the late Mr Edward Elias, of Gorswen, Caer- hun. The deceased, who was born in August 1852, was in 1889 elected in the Conservative interest the first County-Councillor for the Caerhun Division, defeating Mr Hugh Owen (Snottyn) by one vote, and he also for some time represented Caerhun parish upon the Conway Board of Guardians doing good public service in both positions. He leaves a widow (formerly Miss Griffiths of Llican) to mourn his loss. The funeral was announced to take place yesterday (Thursday) afternoon, at Caerhun Churchyard. THE REV. D. GRIMALDI DAVIES.It is announced that the Rev. D. Grimaldi Davies, R. D., Vicar of Welshpool and formerly curate of Conway, has been appointed Welsh Examining Chaplain to the Bishop of St. Asaph, in succes- sion to the late Canon Ellis Roberts, of Llangwm. THE QUEEN'S SCHOLARSHIP EXAMINATION.—In the list ot those successful at the recent examina- tion for these scholarships, we are glad to find the name af Mr A. S. Allan, who intends entering the North Wales College in September. We believe that he will be the tenth Queens Scholar from the Conway Boy's School during the time of the present Head Master ph William Allan), a period of nearly twenty-five years. WELSH CONGREGATIONAL LITERARY AND DE- BATING SOCIETY.—The above-named Society held a soiree on Thursday, April 16th, for the purpose of drawing the season's entertainments to a close. There was a large gathering of members of the Church, and the tabies were most ably served by lady-members of the congregation. An attractive programme was gone through. The hymn-tune Blaen-y-cefn was sung to the accompaniment of the harmonium and three violins. Mr E. C. Williams took the prize for an extempore speech on Light." Mr Spruce was well recited by Mr J. Williams (Metropolitan Bank), and Master R. T. Jones took the prize in the Welsh spelling- bee. After a few remarks, explaining the object ot the entertainment, and thanking those who had helped, by the Rev. T. D. Jones (Pastor), the programme was brought to a close with the singing of the hymn-tune Coetmor." THE CARNARVONSHIRE CONGREGATIONAL PREACHING CYMANFA.—The Congregationalists of the various County Unions of North Wales have just completed their arrangements for this year's Preachmg-Cymanvaoedd. The Carnar- narvonshire Cymanfa will be held at Conway. It has been fixed for the 2nd and 3rd of June. The special preachers are the Revs. W. J. Nicholson (Portmadoc), O. Jones (Mountain Ash), O. R. Owen (Glandwr), N. Ivor Jones (Portmadoc), and Principal Herber Evans (Bangor). THE "CREATION" AT CONWAY. The Conway Philharmonic Society secured a goodly audience at the Boys' Schoolroom, on Wednesday evening, April 22nd, when Haydn's oratorio The Creation was performed under the able conductorship of Dr. Roland Rogers, the chair being occupied by Mr Albert Wood, J.P., D. L., President of the Society. The chorus con- sisted of seventy voices, and the trying work for the principals was allocated between Mr W. Trevor Evans, tenor Miss A. J. Williams (Bangor), soprano and Mr Owen Price (Bangor), bass. Mr Trevor Evans performed his exacting tasks with freshness and spirit, and was particu- larly successful with In Native Worth." Miss A. J. Williams greatly pleased the audience, both in her solos and in the other numbers in which she took part, especially in The Heavens are telling," a chorus and trio in which all concerned were heard to the best advantage. Mr Owen Price, whose voice was mellow and powerful, also favourably impressed the audience, particularly in the recitative "And God made the Firma- ment." In the chorus, Dr. Rogers had a band of vocalists responsive to the slightest movement of baton, and displaying intelligent study through- out. The second part of the programme was rendered as follows, the only encore permitted by Dr. Rogers, on account of exigencies of time, being that accorded to the first item, the succeed- ing vocal selections being also well received song, "Hen ga iait- freichiau ardderchog fy mam," Mr W. Trevor Evans song, Bionda," Miss A. J. Williams march, Hail, bright abode" (from Tannhduser), the Choir song, The Bay of Biscay," Mr W. Trevor Evans song, Mascheroni's "The Soldier's song," Mr Owen Price; finale, "God save the Queen."— All arrangements for the concert were excellently made by the Society's Committee, of which Mr J. Davies-Williams and Mr E. Brown-Jones were joint hon. sees. The Challenge Cup for Cyclist Volunteers. It has been decided that the challenge cup which the Commander-in-Chiet has recently 1( given for a competition in riding and shooting by cyclist sections of Volunteer corps shall be con- tested for the first time at Bisley on Saturday, May 2nd, the day of the marching and firing competition of the Regulars, Militia, and Volun- teers of the Home District at the same place. Each cyclist team is to consist of eight men under an officer, starting from Thames Ditton, and following routes which will make the men cover 44 miles in getting to the firing point, the ride being in marching order and military formation. At the range they will fire ten volleys at 600 yards and five at 500, after which each man will fire five rounds independently. Book Review. BATTLEMENT AND TOWER. By Owen Rhoscoinyl, and published—from American plates (Query,—Why?)—by Messrs Longmans, Green & Co., of London, New York and Bombay,—with frontispiece by R. Caton Woodville. 403 pages. There is sufficient evidence in this work to convince the most precise and exacting reader that Mr Owen Rhoscomyl has bestowed great pains on a great subject, and that he has had at command ample materials for the elucidation of the story. To do justice to such a work, it is absolutely necessary that a writer, even of the highest ability and sagacity, should devote two or three years hard reading and research to it and a considerable amount of time to the careful accumulation ot all sorts of direct and necessary inforiiiatiol"- ill sifting and separating evidence, and in becoming gradually possessed of all facts essential to the subject. The cleverest cram- ming will never supply the want of a thorough imbuing or saturation of an author's mind with every detail of his subject. The story moves in stirring times, and the circumstances are given partly by means of well-imagined scenes, and partly by easy and vigorous narration. It is written in an animated and graceful style, easy and fluent, and possesses a certain kind of elastic buoyancy, which carries a reader imperceptibly through the pages. The descriptions are very spirited,—neither dull, dry, nor heavy. The preface explains how the work came to be written. The introduction briefly explains a few particulars respecting the chief characters of the story, and in a P.S. to the introduction we are asked not to waste any ink in any attempt to put the author right, should we discover anything at variance with the accepted dicla,-as he is tully aware of inaccuracies and further, we are told that the writer of the appendix has said our say on that point. Well, we take exception to this, and shall exercise our right, as reviewers of a work sent to us for that purpose, to say our own say, more especially when we find that the writer of the said appendix begins with a misstatement, --but of this, more hereafter. The scene of the story is Coiiway,-The Castle, the Walls, and Plas Mawr, all figure conspicu- ously throughout the work. The period of the story is about the end of the reign of Charles the First,-1645- The story opens with the almost dramatic des- cription of the death of Idwal of Twrynys, who with his last words handed to his youngest son Howell the sword of his ancestors, saying "Take this my son,—the sword of John ap Evan, ap Rhys Gethin, with which he went to Bosworth.— From his day to this, from his hand to mine, it has come down to the grandson of his grandson, and never one of us but has carved his name deep with it upon some stubborn field." For thy first step, follow the waters of Llyn Conwy to where they meet the tide under the walls of Aberconwy. There my cousin John, Archbishop of York, sometime keeper of the Great Seal, now keeps that town for the King. Tell him of what place and lineage thou art, and he will be quick enough to call thee nephew, for he will not forget that he is cousin to me, and therefore uncle to thee." And thus it came that our hero, Howel Ap Idwal of Twrynys, with his trusty and doughty henchman Ynyr Saethau, or Ynyr of the Arrows, find themselves after various trials and adventures in Plas Mawr, Conwy, where Howel receives the welcome of his uncle Archbishop Williams and Sir Thomas Wyn he is also welcomed by his cousins Captain David Wyn and the heroines of the piece, Morva and Barbara, who, with the unfaithful French waiting- maid of Morva, are resident in Plas Mawr. Morva had been for some time a maid-of-honour to the Queen (a French princess), but the dis- turbed condition of the country had so disorganised the arrangements of the Court that many of the ladies attached thereto had left for their various homes; and Morva, with her maid, left for her home in Wales, escorted by the Sieurded Pol (the villain of the story), who is thus at present in Plas Mawr. In estimating the character of Archbishop Wil- liams from anything which appears in this volume, we find nothing to change the opinion previously received, that he was without an equal, nobly disinterested, kind-hearted, an ardent lover of his country, unsuspecting, simple in manners, and upright in intentions. To him, a King was something above humanity. At this period, irrepairable dissension was caused in the town with the arrival of Sir John Owen of Clennenau, who, on announcing himself to Archbishop Williams, was desired to follow him. Sir John replied Not so, my lord Arch- bishop, I am Governor of this town and Castle by the warrant of Prince Rupert" "And I," replied the Archbishop sternly, "am Governor of this same town and Castle by virtue of prior appoint- ment under the hand and seal of Rupert's master, King Charles himself, as well you wot, Sir John Therefore I command you to follow with the others." Sir John leads off his troops where he es- tablishes himself in another part of the town, and, being assisted by the Sieur de St Pol, who taking advantage of this state of things to gain his own nefarious ends, endeavours to play into the hands of both parties, and by a very cleverly arranged plot, they draw the garrison (under the command of Sir Griffith Williams) out of the Castle, and thus obtain possession of that strong hold, refu- sing to yield when challenged, or to give up pos- session of the valuables therein. The Archbishop then set a leaguer round the Castle and held Clen- nenau responsible. During the fight at Plas Mawr, which had been arranged to draw Sir Griffith from the Castle, St Pol made an atrocious attempt to carry off Morva, and, being hard pressed, just succeded in escaping, by a window, to a boat in waiting, and so to France for the time being. This condition of things rendered it necessary that the King should be communicated-with, and so Archbishop Williams prepared a petition which was entrusted to Col. Martin for conveyance to His Majesty. By an adventurous and hazardous movement, Howel, with Ynyr and a boy (Dickon), succeeded in capturing from the walls of the Castle overlooking the river, an officer of Sir John Owen, who was at once conveyed to Plas Mawr, and from him it was learned that Sir John Owen had sent a petition to Prince Rupert. It was considered important to prevent the delivery of this petition, and Howel was deputed to follow the messenger, and obtain possession of the document. Howel was ready and made instant start, after taking leave of Barbara, to whom he was betrothed. He was accompanied by Ynyr and Dickon, and, after many adventures and hair-breadth escapes, succeeded in his errand. He also found Col. Martin laying wounded at an Inn, who entrusted him with the Archbishop's petition to the King. Howel went forward, and came into the presence of Charles, but a reply was difficult to obtain. Howel, and his follow- ers, eventually returned to Conway, and found the town still in the same disturbed state. His cousin David was pressing his suit with Morva, but she, being under some mysterious influence of St Pol, would neither explain nor consent. The story goes on to relate the re-appearance of the Lord St Pol upon the scene, who has sworn to become possessed of Morva, by fair means or by foul and, in disguise, at night, with the help of the unfaithful Marie, he steals his way into Plas Mawr, and into the presence of Morva, whom he informs that the Queen has sent him for her. Morva is in some doubt about this, and St Pol, by various machinations, contrives to bring about serious disturbances between the two con- tending parties, and, by his cunning leads Morva to believe that she alone is the cause of it by not consenting to marry St Pol, to whom in some mysterious manner an engagement had been made during her residence in France. St Pol threatened that, if she did not yield, Plas Mawr should be stormed by Cannon. This so worked upon her feeling, and, in consideration for the safety of her relative whom she loved so well, she left Plas Mawr at night with Marie, after leaving

a note in her room stating where she had gone. This was shortly found by Barbara, who com- municated the intelligence to Howel and David they at once rushed for the Castle, and, after surmounting innumerable difficulties, succeeded in reaching the room high up in the tower over- looking the water, where Morva was preparing to be married to St Pol. Her cousins implored her to return to Plas Mawr she hysterically refused, and screamed for St Pol to be sent-for, but David had by this time succeeded in wrenchng the bar from the window, and sprang into the room, followed by Howel and Ynyr, just as the soldiers were rushing in at the door, a fierce fight at once ensues, and by superhuman efforts the soldiers were driven back, and the door shut and barred, when Morva is carried through the window and down to the boat in waiting and Plas Mawr is at last reached in safety. Eventually St Pol's treachery is discovered, and David has sworn to meet him to the death. The Castle is again approached, and having gained the walls, a fierce fight begins the attack is so terrible that, before the swords of Howel and David the Soldiers fall fast. Eventually, they beat the enemy and the treacherous St Pol is dis- covered in a hiding-place down which David, although severely wounded, jumps, and, tearing the villain's sword from his grasp, a hand-to- hand fight begins in the dark, St Pol in the end having the life choked out of him in the death grasp of David. David is lifted from the place, and it is at once seen that his end is near. He is at once conveyed to Plas Mawr, and is laid upon his bed in the lantern-room, when Morva and Barbara are at once in attendance at his request, Barbara leaves the room, and, re-entering shortly after with the good old Archbishop and Sir Thomas Wyn, they are both found dead. The novel tell us David and Morva were buried in the same grave together. Barbara chose the spot in the Churchyard, and at the earnest appeal of the wounded Archbishop, prompted to it by Howel, Sir Thomas yielded his consent Thus you shall not find the stone of David amongst the carven tombs of his race in the chancel of the Church. It stands by the north-east corner of the sacred fane, divided from it only by the path, and cushioned with a wreath of quiet ivy about its base. Time and unchristian hands have dealt rudely with it but though the edges are chipped away till the names they bore are utterly gone, yet you may still discern the cross fteury carven upon it, though nothing else remains to witness that they lived and loved." Barbara and Howe) were married and lived ever happily, with Ynyr, and his wife, and Dickon, as retainers of old in their service. We have now told the story as far as our space will allow, but we are tempted by the postscript to the introduction, to say that, if the author is aware of anything which might be questioned, why does he allc/w such to remain. We are told that Howel threw the candlestick at the head ot the intruder, and, after groping about, found and re-lit the candle,-The question is, what with ? There were no matches in those days,- there was no fire in the room,-it does not say that he went out,—and tinder-boxes were not kept in every room. Again, when going by the river to the Castle, he says that the tide was nearly futi.-running i with mill-race speed we all know in Conway, that, when the tide is nearly full, it flows in very gently. Again our friend who wrote the appendix and has already said our say 111 the matter, begins by saying The earliest date about the place is 1576 on the window head outside Queen Eliza- beth's Room, the one in which David and Howel first dined together." This is an error, for there is no date whatever there. It is in fact on the window-head of the room above that one. In closing our brief and incomplete review, we must say that the small matters just referred-to, do not in the least interfere with the pleasant reading of the book. It would be difficult to find many readers who would not be interested in the really well-written and entertaining volume. We believe there is not a more favourite subject in the story-reading world than that of the adventures of the gallant champions and their heroic and devoted ad- herents during the Civil Wars. We can com- mend this book as pleasant and profitable and calculated to suit the taste of both old and young; and, in reading Mr Rhoscomyi s stirring narrative, it is impossible not to be struck with the change -the improvement in the times whilst every proof of improvement should be an incentive to still further progress. The Llandudno National Eisteddfod. The first official entry for the great choral competition has been received by the Llandudno Eisteddfod Committee, and it is known that many other Choirs are entering. The first entrance is the magnificent Merthyr Tydvil Choral Society, which has never yet been beaten, though it could only make a draw with the famous Rhymney Choir at last year's Eisteddfod at Llanelly. The booking of seats for the Eisteddfod has already commenced, an English lady from Cheshire the other day booking five gnineas' worth. A special meeting of the Executive was held on Friday night, April 17th, when it was reported that the Musical Committee, at a meeting held the previous evening, had passed a resolution deem- ing it expedient, in the face of the large number of Brass Bands entered, that the competition should take place on the Saturday, thereby lengthening the Eisteddfod by a day. A Choir from Cumberland was entered for all the princi- pal choral competitions throughout the week. Dr. Herber Evans on "The Welsh Language." In the course of his presidential address to the English Congregational Union of North Wales, on April 22nd, the Rev E. Herber Evans, D. D., said that he did not believe that the Welsh language was going to die. [Hear, hear]. It could not be said of the Welsh tongue what Mr Hall Caine said of his deservedly much-loved Manx language-" In another five-and-twenty years the Manx language will be as dead as a Manx herring." And he (Mr Hall Caine) gave as the one great reason why it died—that the Manx tongue was felt to be an impediment to intercourse with the English people. The great English immigration set in, and the Isle of Man became a holiday resort. That was "The Doomster of the Manx language." [Hear, hear]. And, as an Englishman, he could truly sympathise with Mr Hall Caine when he added, That it is a fine red tongue, rich and musical, full of meaning and expression." I know that it is at least forcible, and loud and deep in sound. I will engage two Manxmen quarreling in Manx to make more noice than any other two human brethren in Christendom—[Laughter.] not except- ing two Irishmen. [Laughter.] I regret the death of the Manx tongue on grounds of sentiment. In this old tongue our fathers played as children, bought and sold as men, prayed and preached, gossiped, quarrelled, and "made love." Now, although there was much intercourse with the English people, and Wales had become a popular holiday resort, still in Wales they were teaching Welsh to the English rather than dropping the ancient language of the Cymry. [Hear, hear.] Even their aristocratic families were engaging tutors to teach Welsh to their children. [Hear, hear.] Thus the Welsh language, they might rest assured, was not going to die. [Hear, hear.] The opinion that it was doomed to oblivion was far more prevalent thirty years ago, even in Wales, than it was at the present day. And many, he regretted to say, wished it to be blotted out of existence but, as was well known, if people desired old relatives to die, they never would realise the hope, but lived on as a kind of rirotest against the selfishness of such a wish. Laughter and cries of Hear, hear."]

The Development of Wales. A HARBOUR-OF-REFUGE MUCH NEEDED. In Parliament on April 14th, Mr J. Herbert Lewis moved That in the opinion of this House in the interests of trade and communication by sea between places on the coast of Wales and with a view to the protection and development of sea fisheries and the safety of the persons engaged in them, it is desirable that a Depart- mental Committee be appointed to enquire in what way and to what extent the existing pro- vision ot Piers and Harbours on the Coast of Wales should be improved." In the course of a lengthy speech, he said that the need of a Harbour-of-Refuge somewhere between Holyhead and the Wild Roads had been felt tor many years, and the existing harbour at Voryd, near Rhyl, possessed many natural advantages for the formation of a Harbour-ol-Retuge. For ab. ut halt-a-mile in a seaward direction from the harbour into which the River Clwyd ran, the channel had been dredged to a depth of nine feet at low-water mark. This dredging had been done by way of private enterprise, for the sake of raising gravel for making concrete, and a con- siderable part of the work of making it a Harbour- of-Refuge had, therefore, been actually accom- plished. For the last two or three years some dredging had been done in a seaward direction, and tor that privilege the Board of Trade had received £ 50 a yotar, but, apparently, they had not spent a penny of that money upon the im- provement of the navigation between the channel of the Dee and the Voryd Harbour. What was urgently required was the continuation of the dredging to the sea by cutting through the bar of the Estuary, which was dry at low water on ordinary tides, thus enabling vessels of ten to fifteen feet draught of water to get in at the earliest stage of the tides, and steamers o light draught of water to get in and out at all times. It was most important that something should he done, and done quickly, for the development of the natural advantages of this Harbour. From 150 to 200 trading vessels, varying from too to 1000 tons burden visited the Hal bour annually, and were often exposed to much danger, and occasionally sustained serious damage. A large number of vessels loaded limestone at the unpro- tected Llanddulas stages, and when a storm suddenly came on, with the wind blowing from the north or north-west, as they had no harbour of refuge nearer than the Wild Roads, vessels were lost every year because they were unable to run into Voryd Harbour. The local fishermen at Voryd had made several attempts to carry 0.1 their occupation outside the Bar, but they had found it too dangerous, as there was not enough water on the Bar to enable them to run into harbour when they were caught in rough weather outside. Many a shipwreck had been caused on the Rhyl Banks through the inability of these and other vessels, under stress of weather, to reach Wild Roads, or to cross the bar of the Clwyd into the harbour at Voryd. The expense of making Rhyl into a useful Harbour-of-Reluge for vessels drawing up to fifteen feet of water, and tor small steamers, fishing boats and yachts, would be comparatively small, and part of the work would be actually remunerative in itself. Those who now carried 011 dredging work paid the owner of the soil .£ 100 a year, and the Board of Trade £50 a year, for the privilege of dredging for gravel. But the provision of a Harbour-of-Refuge at Rhyl was something more than a local question, and the town could not be expected to bear an expense which would be for the benefit of the cost between Holyhead and the Mersey. In any event there was a case for lull enquiry on the part of the Board of Trade, in the interests of the safety of life and shipping property on the coast of North Wales. Such a harbour as the one he had indicated would prevent the loss ot vessels every year it would develop the fishing industry, it would cheapen the transit of goods from Liverpool to Rhyl, and to the places of which Rhyl formed the centre, and incidentally it would give a great impetus to the tourist traffic between Lancashire and places on the coast of North Wales. That coast was one of gieat natural beauty; and it would be easily accessible from the crowded populous centres of Lancashire and the Midlands, if they only had such facilities for landing passengers as would encourage Shipping Companies to run lines of steamers along the coast. He could speak from personal experience of the enormous advantage which a landing-place with a daily service of steamers conferred, not merely upon the immedi- ate vicinity of the landing-place, but also upon the whole of the surrounding country for many miles. A steamer seemed to bring life into the dullest places. He had been asked why lie desired this motion to apply to the coast of Wales alone, to which he replied that he was best acquainted with the Welsh coast line, and that Wales was a maritime country, ten out of her thirteen counties being maritime counties. The conformation of the coast, broken up as it was into creeks and bays, lent itself easily to the developmeni of intercommunication by steamer, and rendered the construction of harbours easier. It did not present a blank front of chalk ciiffs, or a flat expanse with a shallow approach. It was not a wild, rock-bound, inaccessible coast, and with the exception of a part of the coast on the Bristol Channel it had not those great trades and industries which made the expense of improving communication a comparatively small matter in richer portions of the country. It was impossible for private enterprise, however widely extended it might be, to consider a scheme of this kind as a whole. The motion was seconded by Mr Lloyd George, and was negatived on the vote by a majority of 53. A Novel Idea for Horticulturalists. The popular son of one of our best-known statesmen (says the Gentlewoman) has hit upon a charming idea. In his garden he has had laid out a bed of friendship." Of every friend he possesses he has asked a plant. The bed is a large one, and is already a-growing and a-blow- ing with a variety of lovely plants which have reached him from every part ot England and the Continent. The Rural Postmen's Case in Parliament. Mr Tudor Howell, M.P. for the Denbigh Boroughs, has again brought before the Govern- ment the case of the rural postmen, many of whom are employed in his constituency. Speaking in the House, on the Post Office vote, Mr Tudor Howell said that he wished to direct attention to the case of the rural postmen, especially in remote districts. It was matter of common knowledge that, as a rule, these men discharged their duties efficiently and honestly. It was very rare that any man among them was found to be neglectful or dishonest: As to the arduousness of the duties they had to discharge there could be no doubt. They had to start 111 the morning for long distances, and very often did not get home again until late in the day. Their duties, moreover, were not confined to the delivery of letters; on < the return journey they had to collect letters and parcels, to register letters, and sell stamps. The case of those men was certainly a very strong and urgent one for the consideration of the department, especially when it was born in mind that they were the worst paid and worst clothed branch in the service of the Post Office. [Hear, hear]. He earnestly hoped that attention would be given to the appeal of those men, and that at the same time some steps might be taken with a view to shorten the hours of labour now imposed upon them. [Hear, hear.]