Pontypool Free Press and Herald of the Hills

PONTYPOOL CALEDONIAN ASSO- CIATION. ANNU AL BANQUET. The fourth annual banquet in connection with the Pontvpool Caledonian Association was held at the Clarence Hotel, Pontypool, on Thursday evening week, and fully maintained its popu- larity. The gathering, it is needless to state, is looked forward to for some time in advance with féelins of pleasurable anticipation, not only by natives of the Land < f the Thistie, but oy numerous friends in the iaud of their adoption. Im point of success this year's gathering proved no exception to the general rule. The dining- room had been tastefully decorated with nags, bannerettes, and mottoes, conspicuous among the latter being Bonnie Scotland, I adore thee, land of the brave and the free Welcome to the Presidant," "Success to the Pontypool Caledonian ISociety," Success to the Town and Trade of Po itypool," Welcome to Tisitor, &c., the general effect of the decorations being 1 fifatBe y pleasing. The guests numbered about i Jo. Mr. A. Oliver, Newport, occupied the chair, L supported by the Rev. P. A. Degen, the Bev. H. B. Robinson, F.R.G.S., Surgeon-Capt. B. B. Mason. Capt. D. S. Davies, Mr. W. Sand- brook, Mr. W. H. Davies, Mr. L. E. Webb, Mr. D. Lewis, and Mr. St. Lewis. The vice-chairmen were Messrs. J. Laird alldJ. Roe, Pontypool; and amongst the general company were :— Messrs. A. E. Oliver, Newport; R. G. Oliver, Newport H. Bannerman, Newport; Jas. Stewart, Pontypool; D. Cormack, Pontypool Win. Campbell, Newport Quarter-Master W. B. Pitten, Poiitypoot Lieut. White, Ponty- pool Lieut. Ford, Pontypool Dr. MacPhee, -Abertillery; Messrs. W. J. Kerr, Newport; 'Walter Nichols Cardiff John Fleming, Bristol .John Valentine, Bristol Alfred Dicks, Brad- -^Mrdtv Matthias Whaley, Bradford; W. B.- Taylor, Bryninawr D. Reid, Pontypool; F. J. Phillips, Pontypool; E. Probyn, Pontypool; -C. F. IVobyn, Foniypool; E. R. Jones, Swansea; Geo. Oliver, Newport D. M. Sutherland, New- port A. Moffat, Newport Jdhu W~Gunn, Newport; M. McPhtrson/ Newport ;*1qos. Andrews, Llanhillcth W. Da, iies, Lianhilleth Watson Fogsro, Llanbiiieth: D. J. Loagher, Pontypooi J. Mackenzie, AJaesg^veaay^ W.. n, Pontypool; J. Rosie, Pontypool R. SidmrLos, rontypoal; Thomas Williams, JRyirpajil; jlichaei Scott, Pontypool; E. Owen, •Kntypdol; D. Currie, Edinburgh; George JtcKiniey, Pontypooi; W. -fl. Hughes, Pontv- pool P. Wilson JtafEfcn, Newbridge; Arthur Boytt, Pontypool; Wm. G'unrj, Pontypool; Ja&. Gunn, Pontypool James Flood, Pontypool Henry Fox, Pontypooi; John Mends, Ponty- B>ft; it. J. Meadows, Pontypool; John Gnnn, Yontypool; H. McKay, Pontypool M. jtfcKen&ie, Abergavenny R. T. Davies, Montague, Pontypool; John Richards, Ponty- E>ol; T. Z. Andersou, Pontypool Alexander cGregor, Pontypool James Hardie, Edfc- burgh. A word of praise is dlle to Mr. D. Reid, the fcon sec., for the success of the arrangements for the banquet. As on former occasions, the catering was everything that could be oesifed, the reputation of the hostelry being admirably sustained. The fojtpwiag was the menu Soups. St. Juliem- Scotch Broth. FISH. Tmbot (Shrimp Sauce). Cod (Oyster Sauce). ENTREES. Scotch Sag sis. Stewed Kidneys, Cutlets. Green Peas. Removes. Boast Beef. Roaat and Boiled Mutton. Roast Turkey and Geese. Bailed Tongue. r.. •*# :■ GAME. f- Ju grgj(a Hare and Boast Pheasants. c SWEETS. Plum Paddinofs. Mince Pies. Cabinet Puddings. Fancy Pastries. Custards. Trifles. Vanilla Creams. Lemon & Ginger Creams. Cherry and Orange Jellies. Dessekt. After the repast, the President read le4terdof v apology for absence, which had been received from Mr. T. P. Price, M.P., Mr. A. A. Williams, JJf., OoU- Jaeob (Cwmbran), Mr. 6. H. Daniel (Podiypooi).; Mr, B. J«afesv J.E. (Snatchwood Hotte), Mi-. D. Sutherland (Swansea) Mr, Clank (Oswestry), Mr L Butler, J.P. (Pantec Howe), Mr. T. Watkins (The WernX Mr. W. Pegfer (Pwitypooi), Mr. D. Jones (Belle Vue) .J (Pontymoil), and Mr. Frame (" '). ooàent then saifi that, beinst the f orp- jii ;be land, it was right that t_ie toassef The Queea,r should take precedence o. ti ist. friend of her people -f all apo«J »sn-a,.>hs.ii: >u? £ w,p^;iuofeiew an< £ gracioa» Queen m the iicarts attd affcotioc* cr nor people. UtKi-r iha presestt a ef reigning, they had gnrsr er scanty than i» locks, boits, icd Ikjs, a-raisd ineru-or jite j&i' ^ibeeia, (Hear, h«ar.) Duii^"ner" reijfn the aaaveb of eiyilizatioa had swept away osany abssefi > aad art, and literatuxia had aaade ieuoeBse strides Th^toast Having been heartiirhenoapedv The Vice-chairman (Mr. J, Lawd> aest pro- pMed The Army, iSavr aad Toiunteeesk"" He said he pad very great pleasure ui rising. «o pro- pose the totist.Although their araaywas-befeeewdl,. yet for pluck uad efficiency it wae seconckto--wne in Uji^ v^ritL' (Hear, hear.>" €>wing; to oue insolaf ■' |iO$ition we did not Eequire » larga army. ThDyTlyed in an age of peogressr and the .tactiesand weapons of war wem-ever changing aftd improving. After a referenoe to tbe-Nayy, the speaker concluded by expressing tbolhope that the Toiuviteers wQuld go as- lucreaswglrl imumber-s and «^ £ cianoy,and tint t; Qont., would do mQLt foe tlieia than, thegt bad eswc yet. dQ.;se. (^pplaa^.) SurglecLu Mason returirea. thaaks- for having h ia name coupled with the toasts As Bon-coiabataiit officer he had very little to do- in.< the Hiattir of lighting. At Alderahfi.t they saw-, smarter rt^mieiirs, aud men ot physiquf-, ( perhaps tUn they had in South Wales* but na*, believed that if there was any fightiag to ba; done thev would find the men oi tha Soutli t Wales Bo'rderers to the front. (Cheers^ Capt. D. S. Davies, who also responded,. thought that the Volunteers should better supported by the Government. Ibey wera indebted to outsiders for a good deal oi sup and he tendered them his hearty thanks tor what they did for the company he comsoan'Sect • in the matter oi Christmas pntes. CApplauaa.) laeut. Ford also responded in a neat speech, -frli Vi. Lewis said he felt more than gratified in beVc" perm:tted*to meet at that festive board once a«aiu, witii suca a. large and truly re^re- wRntative body of commercial mea.and of thus. Wim, the opportunity of comparing notea^ntb meh who ^7m^st being actively eagagea la busx- ^'pursuits and in honourable competitwai on« ^fh ^oier. ccxld yet find time and tbougbt toU^ow upon the paramount qacsti^n as^o bow thev were governed, (ileal, near.j rie bad been aske4 to propose the toast of the Monmouthsi.ue County Council, and he did so with considerable pleasure. Prior to the year 1884j, the county business of the United Kingdom «««,nrtiiRtLd entirely by justices of the peace, a nominated und non-elected body. It was felt, however that the extension of popular and repregseii" ive government in other directions, t and its general acceptability had rendered such a body an anomaly, ?n4 an erroi' m point of time, and accor dingly an entirely new v>rder of things was instituted by the Local Government Act of 18S&. U, rder it, the counties arid all the large towiiA now ilect councils for itie traiasac- tion oi public business ou pretty U all-fours, and. lines with municipal corporations. (Hear, hear.) 00 these councila-are entrusted with all Ùlt: afltouiistrativQ duties which had previously devolved upon tby magistrates in quartet-;tssions, and for the first time in the hiry of ebuity government, by the Act of 1888, taxation anu representation now go hand in haiid. (Cheeis.) Men and women voters are also eligiu & to vote for the return of our councillors, and viiatevft might be the political complem* OU of ths views of anyone present, he felt su.o thero a general concensus of opinion obtaining amongst them as to these two elements oi the Bill, and that thvy would agree with him that they were nos only necessary, but absolutely ju^t and wise. (Cheers.) They were all too weii iiifornied to be told what the powers and duties ci their councils were, and if he pre- «mr.n >>;> k^v abou-, thuse matters, he wonSS jriob.iblv be t wilted of traversing over somewhat anci«ir.t history. There were, how- ever, a few tbi-bcg in connection with the new system which might have been forgotten or overlooked by some present, and with their consent he would refer to them. In the original Bill, as it was submitted to Parliament, there were inserted provisions, which were subse- auect?y siraek out in committee it remained, ierefore, for the Local Government Board to act is loco parentis (in the position of a parent), and this authority had by provisional order the light to transfer further instalments of duty and power npon our councils. when it thought fit to do so. Tliese institutions then, without any further legislative changes may become what their pfo:noieis really intended them to be—that iJLto say real county parliaments. (Cheers.)^Bpey may have the power to con- struv.pu*rworks, and aequire land compul- sori.y purine, and they may, too, absorb ^oardar^cU^l bo*ds, and boards of goar- diaiia^ AjS^V^ith^hese powers, it will be seen theto««'»tv(>unly councillor will be one of oomaBdniffdxtvjnt; our councils also will serve aaa liSwntraiiaing agency, and largely relieve a eeogBBted parliament of much of the strain of wacky ao4 tbej ww. also infallibly attract our best men to covet the distinction of member- ship. In a word, the members of our councils may be considered the directors of our county busineep, and their reward consists In the con- fidence and gratitude of those amongst whom fidence and gratitude of those amongst whom they live. In no other undertaking, philan- thropic or commercial, are the returns more speedy, more reactive, or beneficial." The un- worthy man, the unreliable man will in due course be sent about his business but the honest man, the thorough going man will receive that recognition which his integrity demands. (Cheers.) It is a great thing for Monmouthshire that we have so many well-qualified men pre- pared to go forward and do duty on our account. It would be a sorry day in this county, as also for the other counties of the United Kingdom, if our best men were to throw up public work, and go in for money- making and fortune-making exclusively, leaving the care of the commonweal in the hands of men who would make office an opportunity for plunder," or of making a market. There, how- ever, need be no fear on this score. Office will be sought by loyal and patriotic men tor the general good, and not for the patronage it Will; bring, or that it will bestow .and he felt certain that the keen discernment of the constituencies and the common honesty of their representativeg would secure them in the position that mep would be found to go forward in public work with that spirit of self-sacrifice which had made English local government the envy and admirar- tion of the world. (Hear, hear.) He would pass from the general to the local aspect of the ques- tion. He believed it was Macaulay who once said the highest peaks were the first to catch and reflect the dawn of coming light: so it was with their best and brightest intelligences. Those present had been very patient with him. His was the dim, thin light hailing from Abersychan, and it would speedily disappear before the greater and brighter light which wouH irradiate the rich glow of the light burning within their Council chamber—he referred to Mr. Sandbrook.- (Cheers.) The Monmouthshire County Council, like its sister Councils and all young institutions,, had to buy its experience as best it could. Still, in spite of the drawback of feeling its way, it had o far done grand and noble work. Amongst other things, some of its leading members had, been particularly solicitous as to the higher edtreatiwof thfe people of this Eastern Yalley and no single member had been more assiduous or more earnest-than Mr. Sandbrook in endea- vouring to obtain the locale of the West Mon- mouth School fixed: in this busy little town of Pojfrtypool. (Loud cheers.) If it were for this art alone he would be held in grateful remem brance by his constituents. He (Mr. Lewis) hoped ap time went on that Mr. Sandbrook would share the esteem and growing confidence of those by whom he was surrounded and when the day came for him to relinquish his trust, he hoped he would be comforted by the inward conscious- ness that he had at all times done hiS level best to promote the interest of the community which had singled him out to do high duty on its be- half. (Cbeers.) Mr. W. Sandbrook, wno returned tkanks on behalf of the Coimty Council, said the toast had now become an important one. Although* a comparatively young member of the County Council, he could assure then* that the position of a councillor was not altogether a bed-of *es0s. In order to become an efficient member of the Council, it was very necessary to-attend all the meetings, and to pay considerable attention to the work. They migbt think that that was a comparatively easy matter, seeing that the Coun- cil only met once»quarter, but he might say that the Council wow divided into 15 or 16 com- mittees, and most oi the members had to serve on few or five of those committees. Those committees were afterparib èided. irlöo sub- committees,, and he sWould'N*t be faw-oag if he said that they had to, -deltot# s(*ae*Mng like three parts of a day or a whole day on aa average per weekjduriaa the wbele year to the business of tfa0^2bin<s» Many o £ th* members were very able mieri; iiad discussed tlw, various mattocs brought aider their notaee with. considerable ability and forCII The County Council could lay claim tw having made lffonsideuable improve- ments duriqg: the riw*t time they had been in existence..Amongst then might It* mentioned improvement to tha- roafcifr and flocfcatioU- of footpaths al(M}ø' tJae. roadsides, ihe: fixing; of finger-posts, erection 011 cottages Sor the road- men, aud tim provision of wilco-stations, in various places. (Laughter.) ffg doitbt, extenied powem, would sooner oir later bw given) to Couatey Conneils, as a result OÐ which the loeai authori- ties would be absorbed- He again thanked them for thwir kind reception the taastt (Ax^lauaotV MY. J. Yalentiae in ai> amnang; seeeeh sa^d that be had been asked t» propose 'Hh^Towa and Trade of Pontypooli" He- pflrfowned th%, t same duty last year, when he knew nothidg 1 about iA, and he supposed" he bad beem-selecte6 again this year beeaase he bnewi twiua afr little- aeout' tk <Laughte». > brnd-on aiany occasions. been aWe to find uble tO, but not the trade., i (Laughter). He understood the town W& tü Ho i lighted with eleotrieity, an&tlen perhag^ tliiy -woolii have lew diflEfenHy iiv findiag tlps trade <Langfeter.) He that the ti6 works were improving, aDd that L'Øme new pits t were itl ^ur.k.u ciraumstaaee duetto «b.e-enter- -prise ef a Scotch firm. On the (yaijorae j'oad a good deal o £ Imildingrwas gong on. and aigsas of good trade were manifest all- tha way from Dunbeith Palace to BsmtingVcastle^ (Laughter and aipplause.) Mr. W. H. Davies, in response, asud the tin trade,, with which ha. was-Aomecbe*, was sfrifce prtsent time labouring ondell a great disadvan- tage in consequence of the MfKinley tariff.. At the same time, be thoaght the- w-b,&. glema of sunshine observable and if Capital and Labour only worked hand in hand, their tmde would take a lot of snuffing Out.. (AW]ause.) Mb. E. jlOwle" who also responded, saiskMr. Valentine appeared to knew: more about the towa and trade of Pontypool than he did. (Laaghter.> He might say ,-however, thafc, the electric li^it would be an accomplished faci- ina sboxt timo., He did not say it woulotsnuff out the. gas, which would be wanind. for many oiDer paxposes r. but he believed tbe introduction of th& electric ligbt was a step in the sight dtsiec- tiaa. (Bear,, hear.). From the great number of Scotchmen resident in. the tMtJi and. the UUIl- ber of commercial travellers, sailing upon them, he-did not think the trade ai. the town could be in a very bad staie; and he, believed, tb" for a. small town they wete doing; as well as or even better than most of their neighbours. CAp- plausew> The Bev. H. B. Robinson said that in an un- t happy moment last week hit had pnomiasd. one or two Scotchmen that he would propose The Land o' Cakes," and he had been uahappj ever since. He felt somewhat like the: artiBt,. w standing before a block of =a ble, mad, "There's an aageL in that block of marble iS I could only get it out." And so he felt with regard to-the subject before him, that there weae a good many angels in it, but that be ought to be aota to talk Scotch in order to get them ou±. (Laughter.) Like the Scotch, he the Englishman was sufficiently cosmopolitan to admire, anything great and noble in any land wherevet he might L He confessed that as a bey no. people and no literature could stir him bcotcfimen and Scotch stories; and he resolved that the tot long tour he would take would be to Scotland— a wish he had since been able to gratify. Alter a description of Scottish scenery and a refer- ence to Scottish history, tbe speaker said he did not think the old times were better than these. It was better for them as Scotchmen and Eng- lishmen to grasp bands tban to fly at each other s throats. However glorious its past had been, there was a better glony obverin* the land of Scotland to-d»y. Let them consider the men of strong character they had produced—one of the noblest, if least qucSed, being John Hunter, the celebrated surgeon- -Let them consider, too, the men of business ability, the words that had been spoken for the right and truth, the advances that had been made in civil and religious liberty, and compare that with the record of the past, and they would not say that the old times were better than these. (Applause.) In conclusion, he urged them to labour more for the coming of that time when they would more and more recog- mse their commob brotherhood, and measure a man by the honesty of his heart and by the pru-, dence and power of his brain. (Cheers.) Mr. W. Kerr briefly acknowledged the toast. Mr. P. Wilson Wan, who also responded, said Mr. Robinson bad very kindly reterrea to the Scotch quality of thrift as a very valuable quality; but some, perhaps, were apt to say that their natural thrift had degenerated into some- thing they called by another name. There was isometimes a feeling that a Scotchman's soul was in his breeches pocket, and that they could not get at him in any other way. But he said this whilst he admitted that they were to some extent a thrifty, cautious, and prudent people, it was the result of their national environments and their national circumstances. They were what they were because, in a word, they could not be otherwise. Scotland was not a country which was a very fertile country. Taken as a whole, it Was not rich in mineral resourcee. Commonly speaking, it was a poor country, and what the populace nad to do was to make the Kaaf ni the adverse circumstances in which they were placed. it was all very well for tourists to look at their beautiful mountains and lakes and admire them but, after all, they could not cut down mountains and put them into 4-lb. loaves, or turn their lakes into Scotch whiskey, which he dared say would be agreeable to some of his friends. (Laughter.) Tbey had bad to contend with those adverse aircuiQistances, and be said that on the whole the result had been creditable to them II nattek At the same too*, QA repudiated as utter nonsense the idea that the Scotch people were mercenary peopfafc and mer- cenary people only.' They might search i^urope and the world, aud they would find no country in which a man was less esteemed because of mere wealth, if be Lad no other qualities to recommend him, or in which tbe poor man couldh:, ve more esteem and confidence in his honest poverty, than in Scotland. (Hear, hear.) The speaker concluded an eloquent address amid applause. Mr. O. McKiulay then proposed, The Land we Live in." He said I am very pleased to have-such an important toast placed in my hand-. Although deeply sensible of my inability to do it justice, I scarcely know whether to speak of England or Wales. Ecclesiastically we are in the Diocese of Llandaff, but criminally we are in England, which probably accounts for the state- ment made bv Mr. Sandbrook as to the number of police stations they have erected lately. (Laughter.) I can assure you it is very gratify- ing to us, as Scotchmen, to see such a large and representative gathering around this festive board, and I firmiy believe I am only re-echoing the sentiments of everyone here present at seeing so many kind friends present, which goes a long way to dispel the clannishness which is supposed to exist amongst us. My learned friend, whose name I see associated with this toast, will be able to tell you more about the land we live in, but I have a couple of verses bearing on the land we live in:— Now, when we get the electric light (I hope that day will soon appear), Then Pontypool will shine so bright, No fog nor darkness will get near. r, Some pessimists are heard to say, The electric light. will never pay; But pessimists, if any here, W ill see its brilliant light this year. How sweet beneath the summer sky, By lovely park and shady grove For what can more delight mine eye, As round the Folly whilst I rove ? Here, on the borderland of Wales, What varied beauties can we see Through Monmouthshire, thy hills and dales. i And every scene so dear to me. Where nature smiles around so fair, It often fills my heart with joy; "Or What streams and rivers cafh compare, > pa With Usk, the Severn,.and the Wye? Though while my fancies backward roam, Through haunts of youth and days of yore: The land we l^ve in is now my home, j ill;» And still I love it more and more. The land of Wales, a land of song, With jovial friends and hearty cheer, t Around this festive board we meet • iVlAil/ To greet anither guid new year. » t id A guid new year to ane and a, j aitti And mony may ye see, And during a' the years to come, Oh, happy may ye be. (Cbeers.) Mi- L. E. Webb, in responding, regretted bis 'inability to reply in verse. His education: and stud* had taken a more prosaic turn. At the, same time, it was not to be supposed that lawye*» were altogether devoid of imagination. (Laughter.) The land in which tbey lived was a land of which be hoped they were all proud. They had heard sodCh of its loveliness, and from theeounty oiMonmoutb they migbtiudgs of the whole of jEagland and of the United Kingdom. The natural beauties of Scotland bad been referred to by preview speakers. AM that was admitted, and jet he coaild not refsain frosa sayingf that more lovely scenery than that to bft-founcTon tbe banks of the W^e from Bess to Tin tern was not to be found ia the whole world- (Applause.) Be thanked, them foo up his name with the toast, and assured them-was a pleasure to him to be present. He yfis sum Englishmen could learn JIWc-h from tae another. (Applause.) Mr. W. It. Hugbes, in proposing tln-toast of rThe Clesgy and MinisieN, of all Denomina- tions," said they lived-in a district in which they ] ad a body e-f excellent and able ministeys-of the (ros^el. Be did not think they ooudd go to any other town in W altbough Wales was; well blessed with, ministers--and flad, a body of men equalty able to hold their own with those ofthe town of Pontypool. Iu Pontypool also fhey adaimei to■ be afeo the Athens of South Wales;-in ibat they bad a college; for the training sbinistess of the Gospel* He was glad to note tbe amicable relations wharh existed in Porvfcy- pool between the ministerssf all denominations ^Riey had- at the head efi tbe clexgy. of the < £ »*- titiet the aaost excellent sen o £ a most magnificent feiiher. He refemed to tha Vicar oi Tmvethin,. a-i Blaenvron. wae-endeanngibiaaself jail and proving the friead-and indeed ibo^ck- bpw of the reigh 4Nmbood. (Applause.) Sather Deq^e-cs, too, r discharging his- duties t-o-tbe ntis&daor. of people to waom> he uwuisterod and' '■» the 'i sati^iction » £ thp people at lacgB and the, same ceul4 flsp; be- said^of ministers, ia the idistrioi. j Tbe Rev. P. A. Degsn, in rasptndin^ iiaid he wa» a. fRHapaisti: vc rtvanger -icu tia^ <dia^fii»srbift sdinrinythe time he had <been rasitlent- there he hsa tried to de-hic; dutj to she of his ability, 5a#db*firmly believed tbat lae luinipter* oi all :K aomnations- were isying to- do the e. 4JKearr heai.) They did not ilk believe is tha- Kkae truths but whenever he met with a clergyman of any denomination he must feel t&t hottsdbo||e3>convk;tiojs3, andb^ was always, rf(td toiaeet with an honest man. (Applause.) >JEEb wasgjad to have tbat opportunity of being :pcjesentraad to note the Scotchmen were taking kindly to their exile, ftueh gatherings- tended to promote good feeling, and they found that as they came to understand each other better they d love each other move. (Applause.) The Rev. H. B. Robinson, who. also spoke in response, said that he rejoiced that the ministers of all denomiaations were more and rodve working shoulder to shoulder and hand in;band together. (Hear, hear,) He thought Scotch people had a right to place that toast upon their list. They had always been loyal to religion. Perhapa in no country in the world had religion come more thoroughly to, the front than in Sand, and he believed religion to be the backbone of every natiou. (Applause.) He did not pelieve in mere deno- minationalism. He was-as willing: to work out- side bis own borders as within, but, at tbe same time, he felt that religion, from whatever point they viewed it, as they found it based on God's word, was the backbone of all national life. (Applause.) Mr. E. Probyn then proposed The memory of Burns." He said z Permit joe to* express my great pleasure at the honour you have conferred m entrustirig to my cane the toast to the memory of Robert Burns but while I expeess my plea- sure, I would also like- to admit my inability to do justice to it when I Nmemberthe illustrious men that have preceded in contributing their lefty praises to the memory of that bard who stands to-day as the pride- of Scotland. He was a boru poet—not made by education—of stem training. He sang because he could not help it. It was his way of expressing himself. His inclinations led him to it, and tbe Muste had so overshadowed him that at their bidding his poetic soul burst forth in song, for the same reason that the nightingale does. This instinctive knowledge enabled him to. weigh in the balance of judg- ment the worih of meru But his heart was too generous to pass the scathing sentence upon them, even if they weie found wanting, unless their natures-were so narrow that they needed the rebuke to. teach them that lesson which is not always, easy to learn, that there is a more ex- cellent side: to human nature than that which sometimes, appears. There was no artificiality about him but a true lover and child of nature and I think because of this be was the better able to he a poet. You can see his naturalness like a vein running through his life, manners, and observation,, for wherever be went nature was a. living, ministering spirit to him, that nursed him in all his varyingmoods. When his soul was tempest-tossed she breathed a calm upon him; in his melancholy she solaced him with her gentle harmonies. He communed with her and she responded, and he had become so familiar with her that he was as much at ease when her elements were strained and awe-inspiring as he was when the banks of his association silently clothed themselves with their mantles of green. He was essentially the people's poet—he was not above them, he was one of them-their aspirations and trouwiwi were daily read by him-he was conversant wi'h their poverty—he knew the charms of peas'ant life, and bad partaken of their joys and re*?,rses —he was not reared in the lap of fortune, nor fed on the dainties of extravagance, "t felt himself fortunate if he could daily sec ^ure his meagre bowl of porridge. His hand )r.ad been taught to drive the plough, but he was none the less a man for that, for there was e Jrthat ease and elegance of manner about him f.nât at least indicated some of the qualities ttyt help to make the gentleman in spite of vdveres circum- stances. But I do not wish yora to think that the prai se due to this bard b* .s blinded me to bis faults because he has me a captive in admiration* but if there way e faults they were less blameworthy than tiwv are in many who make higher pretenSioaa and if we could more thoroughly understand \be exceptional structure of that mind, the Nothing oi thoughts, tbe battles of will a»d ^.ssion/wie force of oircum stances, hisc^nghw experiences, and the fervent -sorrow that, followed a miscalculated act, we should be topre inclined to sympathise than con- demn, nim* who err4d, it seetts to me, more from a stamge and pressing fatality, that ever seemed Vl be ^tb him, than from deliberate intention ,vw desigm Hia indevemdmoe tronu Mt allQw him to tolerate patronage, and even when in the unrelenting grip of want he made no cringing appeal for Help, preferiing to preserve his irran- hood intact than to be the recipient of preferred charity. His humane heart took into its wide embrace not only his own countrymen, but the far-reaching races of the world,when he said "If I could I would wipe away all tears from all eyes"-tliis is the expression of a heart of true nobility, and deserves to be remembered even if minor utterances are forgotten. I am not surprised that Bobby Burns is the idol of his countrymen, when I think of the immense in- fluence he wields in his songs and poems, for if Scotland to-day owes a debt of gratitude for her position, Bobby Burns would stand as one of her biggest and most generous creditors for having scattered broadcast those fine sentiments that tell on the side of progress sentiments that have the significance in them of words such as independence, patriotism, and liberty, which stand as some of the foundations of a nation's greatness. He was a poet that grasped the intel- lect as well as the imagination and emotion, and as loiig as the blood pulsates in Scotchmen's veins so long will he be remembered as bone of their bone, flesh of their fiesli, blood of their blood* so long will he be remembered kindly, lovingly, and tenderly, and the contribution of Englishmen, shall be in the words of Shakespere, His life was gentle, and the elements so mixed in him that Nature might stand up and say to all the world, this was a man." (.Loud applause.) i Mr. William Gunn in a brief speech, proposed The Commercial Travellers and Visitors." Mr. Dix responded on behalf of the former, and contrived in an amusing speech to extol the praises of buyers and sellers. Mr. T. Williams, Osborne-road, who replied for the visitors, contributed some interesting reminiscences of a visit to Scotland. Mr. Fleming also responded. Mr. W. R. Taylor, in proposing the toast of The Pontypool Caledonian Association," referred to the usefulness of such associations and their influence upon tra<ki. Jtfr. J. Rosie, in response^Said he was afraid Mr. Taylor had referred to what the association should be, rather than to what it was. At the same time, he^eouldlay they were trying to do their best, asdappreciated the com- plimentpaid them. hear.) Mr. Gr. Oliver proposed The Press," which was acknowledged by our)representative and Mr. P. W. Raffan. The remaining toasts wers, 7 The Chairman," (proposed by MV. D. Reid), u The 'Vice-chair- man," and TheHost and Hestess," the latter coining in for a large amount of praise for their capital catering.* '? It The musical part of the program was admira- bly sustained by Messrs. J. Valentine (whose comic singing and impromptu wheezes proved most enjoyable features), Dix, Currie, A. H. Babbidge, tr. McKinlay, and G. Oliver, with selections on the national instrument by Mr. W. Mackenzie, Abergavenny. The gathering ter- minated with the singing of Aujd Lang Syne," and the company separated in the wee sma' hours."