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COMING OF AGE. --

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COMING OF AGE. CELEBRATIONS AT LYDSTEP. PRESENTATIONS FROM TENANTRY. GREAT GATHERING OF COUNTY PEOPLE. PUBLIC LUNCHEON. [BY OUR OWN REPORTER.] The coming of age of the Hon. Colwyn Erasmus Arnold Philipps, the eldest son of Lord and Lady St. Davids, of Lydstep Haven, which happy event fell on Saturday last (De- cember 11th), has been marked by nearly a WEEK OF CELEBRATION and festivity, which commenced on Saturday, the natal day, with presentations from the tenantry and others, a public luncheon which was attended by several hundred guests, a supper to the employees, and other functions. In spite of the wretched climatic conditions, which might have been expected to put a damper on the SUCCESS OF THE AUSPICIOUS EVENT, everything connected with Saturday's pro- ceedings passed off with the utmost eclat. From a comparatively early hour on Saturday visitors began to arrive at the picturesquely- situated Pembrokeshire seat of Lord and Lady St. Davids, which stands only a few yards from the waters of the Haven itself in fact, only a narrow roadway separates the garden wall from the pebble ridge, and when storms rage the front windows of the house are wet with spume-drift. Lydstep House occupies A POSITION OF SPLENDID ISOLATION, being to all intents and purposes the only dwelling in the rock guarded bay, all the land abutting on which practically belongs to Lord St. Davids. The visitors who made their way to Lydstep on Saturday were representative of of every class, and they came in larger numbers than the peaceful little Haven has ever wit- nessed in its history before. In motor cars, in vehicles of all kinds, on horseback, and on foot they came streaming down by the two roads which lead to the house, one on the Pembroke and the other on the Tenby side of the grounds. At the main entrance the guests were CORDIALLY RECEIVED BY LORD ST. DAVIDS, and further on within the charming house Lady St. Davids bid them welcome. County people, farmers, tradesmen in fact, all classes of the community mingled together in the corridors and rooms of Lydstep House, and all were given a welcome which was at once hearty and spontaneous. The first event on the programme of the day's proceedings was the presentation of tributes from tenants to the heir, which in- teresting function took place shortly before noon IN THE BILLIARD ROOM, where were assembled the members of the family and the various deputations. At the head of the room stood Lord and Lady St. Davids, while the Hon. Colwyn Philipps, the central figure of the day's events, stood to the right of his mother, while to the left were Sir THE HON. COLWYN ERASMUS ARNOLD PHILIPPS, Lieutenant Royal Horse Guards. Photo-Lafayette. ] James Erasmus Philipps and the Hon. Lady Philipps, the father and mother of Lord St. Davids. In the open space in the centre were the tables on which artistically arranged were the collection of CHOICE AND BEAUTIFUL PRESENTS. The first deputation to present their tribute of esteem and respect was that representing the tenants of'Lord St. Davids' Ty'r Abbot Estate, which includes fifteen farms situated near Llan- wrtyd Wells. This deputation consisted of twenty-eight tenants half of them were men and half women, who had travelled down the day previously and spent the night at Manor- bier. With them they brought a SILVER MOUNTED HUNTING CUP AND WHIP, together with a pair of silver spurs. Their spokesman was Mr William Evans, of Caerau, who, in a few felicitous words, duly made the presentation. He was followed by Mr William Price, of Glandulais, who on behalf of a num- ber of friends at Llanwrtyd Wells, presented a pair of coursing slips. Acknowledging these gifts, the Hon. Colwyn Philipps expressed his keen appreciation of their kindness, and spoke of the warm hospitality he had received at the hands of the inhabitants of Ty'r Abbot when coming there some weeks ago. A DEPUTATION FROM PENALLY followed. They were representative of the in- habitants of this little village, and consisted of Messrs. J. W. Griffiths, Thomas Beynon, J. J. Cadwallader, and J. Pierce Griffiths. They presented an illuminated album and cirgarette casket. Mr Cadwallader acted as spokesman, and in making the presentation expressed the I pride which the people of the district felt in having Lord and Lady St. David's living in their midst they were pioneers of everything in the direction of reform, not only socially, but MORALLY AND INTELLECTUALLY. Mr Tollow, the butler at Lydstep, then made the presentation on behalf of the Lydstep indoor servants, which consisted of a silver inkstand. The heir acknowledged the gift in a humorous speech, saying, amid laughter, that if he were a servant he would dislike most of all people in the world the man who rang the bell. On be- half of the Lydstep tenants and outside servants, Mr Isaac Davies made a presentation of a hand- some silver cup, in acknowledgment of which the Hon. Colwyn Philipps said NOTHING HAD GRATIFIED HIM MORE than this presentation, because it was those who lived on the spot and saw people under all con- ditions who knew the worst as well as the best side of them. Yet another presentation was from the inhabitants of Manorbier, which was headed by Mr J. W. John, of Sunny Hill, and Mr Thomas Davies, of Manorbier, the presents consisting of a silver clock, silver mounted racing whip, and a pair of silver spurs. The presents given by the MEMBERS OF THE FAMILY included from Lord St. Davids, a four-year-old thoroughbred horse, "Lacken," a beautiful animal. Lady St. Davids gave a tie pin of tor- quoise set in diamonds, together with several books, which included the works of John Stuart Mill, "Pilgrim's Progress," Shelley's poems, and "Sartor Resartus." The Rev. James Philipps gave an antique silver inkstand, while Lady Philipps presented her grandson with a WATER-COLOUR PAINTING DONE BY HERSELF during the present year. Sir Owen and Lady Philipps's present consisted of a set of waist- coat buttons, while a gold watch came from Colonel and Mrs Ivor Philipps. The presenta- tions.beiilg over, the party adjourned to lun- cheon, which was served to several hundred guests in a large and spacious hall specially BUILT FOR THE OCCASION. This building was qnite a model of its kind, being erected at and attached to the pine-end of the new wing of Lydstep House. The floor was boarded throughout, the outside walls were of wood, and the roof of canvas, but so artisti- cally were the interior decorations carried out that the structure had the appearance of being of more substantial fabric, for no rain pene- trated. Illumination was provided from a series of artistic candelabra fitted with long wax can- dles, which shed a SOFT TINTED LIGHT over flower decked tables. The dominating tone of colour was pale green, subdued yellow, and white. The size of this banqueting hall may be appreciated when it is stated that it provided ample accommodation for between 500 and 600 guests. There were four long, narrow tables, over which Lord St. Davids, Lady St. Davids, Sir Erasmus Philipps, Bart., and Sir Owen Philipps, K.C.M.G., M.P., presided re- spectively. During the luncheon, which had been catered for by Messrs. Georges, Limited, of Cheltenham. MR. RICHARD WILLIAMS, L.R.A.M., of Tenby, and his party of singers rendered a number of tuneful glees, which were much appreciated by the delighted guests. Natu- rally, the after-lunch speeches were of a con- gratulatory character, but they were thoroughly representative of the sentiments of the county of Pembroke, from all parts of which the visitors had foregathered. The luncheon pro- ceedings commenced shortly after o'clock, and were carried on UNTIL WELL INTO THE AFTERNOON. A capital lunch having been done every justice to, Lord St. Davids, whose rising was the signal for an outburst of enthusiastic cheering, proposed the toast of His Majesty the King." In Wales, said his Lordship, they all agreed to differ about almost everything, but they all agreed that at the head of this country there was a great Sovereign, one of whom they were proud of, and in whose judgment they had the utmost confidence. The toast having been patriotically received, SIR OWEN SCOURFIELD, BART., gave the toast of the day, "The health of the Hon. Colwyn Philipps." In a happy speech, Sir Owen said that the word "Philipps" was derived from two Greek words which meant a lover of horses. Mr Colwyn Philipps had always been a good performer on a horse, and now he had devoted his riding abilities to the service of his country by joining the Horse Guards Blue. If this regiment should ever be called upon to serve, the speaker felt sure that Mr Philipps would prove A CREDIT TO HIS COUNTRY, his regiment and his family, a statement which was received with enthusiastic cheers by the company present. Even the elements, con- tinued the worthy baronet, seemed to have conspired in favour of Mr Philipps, because they had been so unpleasant lately that it seemed to have driven them all into the Blues, a sally which aroused great laughter and cheers. The toast was ably spoken to by Mr Seymour Allen, the popular Master of Hounds, who said he had had the pleasure of knowing Mr Colwyn Philipps since he was a child. It took many things to- ensure good sport in hunting, good foxes, good scent, a good pack of hounds, and good country. It also. took many things to ensure FINE CHARACTER IN A MAN, and pluck was one of these characteristics. He had seen Mr Philipps riding with plenty of pluck and he had seen him have an awkward fall, but he showed more pluck by getting up again and going hard at it in the saddle after- wards. Lady Lloyd, continued the popular Master of Hounds, had told him that the first regiment as regards fashion was the Blues. It had been said that they were ALL DUKES IN THAT REGIMENT, but all those the speaker had seen had looked just like princes. Lord and Lady St. Davids mights-well feel gratified by the number of good wishes which had been expressed on behalf of the young heir that day. Some young men seemed to forget their old friends, but that was not the case with Mr Philipps, and he hoped he would never forget that the OLD ROOT-TREE OF HIS RACE was in Pembrokeshire. Colonel A. W. Massy, of Cuffern, also added a few congratulatory words, and was followed by the Rev. D. M. Morris, M.A., vicar of Penally, who said he had watched the Hon. Colwyn Philipps's career with affectionate interest, and that day to him (the speaker) had been one of great joy and intense gratification. He felt sure that in the days to come Mr Philipps would prove himself a GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT TO HIS COUNTRY. The Rev. E. Kinloch Jones, M.A., formerly Vicar of Manorbier, also spoke to the toast, alluding in eulogistic terms to the sglendid gift which Mr Philipps possessed of making friends. The Rev. James Erasmus Philipps, Bart., expressed the great pleasure which it gave him to come amongst them that day on the occasion of his grandson's coming of age, because although he (the speaker) had never lived in Wales he was of very Welsh descent. He was especially glad to meet Pembrokeshire people. Pembroke was sometimes CALLED THE PREMIER COUNTY, and his family had very much to do with it in former days. Now he had three sons who had come to reside in the county, a fact which he ventured to think showed their very good taste, and he congratulated them upon having done so, because he knew they had been ex- tremely well received by the people of South Wales. He had been thinking the best wish he could wish his grandson on that day, and had come to the conclusion that he should call to mind a text from Scripture of which he was very fond. It was by St. Paul, and WAS SAID OF DAVID, the sweet Psalmist, and the words were "David, having served his generation, fell on sleep." That was the best wish that he could wish his grandson, to serve his generation, that was to do all he possibly could to serve the men and women amongst whom he was known. There were works of charity and many other ways, for happily Christianity taught them not to think of themselves so much as others. The toast was then drunk and "FOR HE'S A JOLLY GOOD FELLOW" sang with much heartiness. Rising to respond, the Hon. Colwyn Philipps was accorded an en- thusiastic ovation. He expressed his deep gratitude for the manner in which his health had been proposed and honoured. He was in the fortunate position that day of having been praised for doing what he liked doing best, as his favourite occupation far and away was riding. He did not feel that he had come of age, but at the same time he was very glad he had. He was beginning to think that it was a VERY CREDITABLE PERFORMANCE on his part, but it had cost him no effort what- ever. It seemed to him a week ago that there was nothing in this world that he wanted he had, he thought, everything that he desired, yet during the last week he had had a hundred and fifty things given him, and he now felt he could not do without one of them. It wa. not his fault that he had come of age, but he was beginning to realize the fact that it was a very nice and pleasaut event in life. The Rev. Kinloch Jones had spoken of him as a man yesterday he was boy to-day he was a man, rather funny, wasn't it? Yet he felt exactly the same. He felt very grateful to that LARGE AND REPRESENTATIVE GATHERING for their kindness, and he only wished that it was possible to come of age every year. The massive birthday cake was then cut and handed round. During the evening the em- ployes of the Lydstep Estate were entertained to a supper and excellent concert, the talent for which was provided from Lord and Lady St. Davids' house party, which consisted of Sir James and the Hon. Lady Philipps, Miss Mirehouse, Mr Walter Roch, MEMBER FOR PEMBROKESHIRE, Major Simpson, Miss Marshall, Captain and Miss Best, Captain and Mrs Hunter, Mr and Mra Roch (Maesgwynne), Captain Veal, Mrs Burnett, Mrs and Miss Smallpiece, Mr Blood, Mrs Wright, Miss Murdoch, Miss Whitmore- Smith, Mr Arthur Penlly, Mr Gerald Grove, Mr Charles Lascelles, Mr Burroughs, Mr Charles Lewis, Mr and Mrs Austin, and Mr Barrett. A private dinner party was given on Saturday night by Lord and Lady St. Davids, but the chief event from the point of view of the tenantry was the great BONFIRE ON LYDSTEP HEAD. For weeks past loads of wood had been col- lected there and piled around a huge tar barrel, and at a given hour the villagers of Manorbier and Penally climbed the headland and applied the match which caused it to leap into flame. The lurid glare of the mammoth pile spread over land and sea, illuminating the rocky crannies with weird effects and driving the mist into magnificent auroral tints. The festi- vities were continued on Monday, the pro- gramme included an excellent concert by Miss Dilys Jones and party, and a GRAND BALL IN THE EVENING. Dancing commenced at half-past ten the music was provided by Mr Robert's orchestra from Cardiff, the musicians being accommodated in the large music gallery of the library. Ani- mated and beautiful in the extreme was the scene when the dancing was in progress, the dainty toilettes of the ladies harmonising most effectively with the artistic decorations which had been carried out in the library and billiard room by Mr Jensen, the head gardener. The GENERAL SCHEME OF DECORATION was of yellow chrysanthemums and ferns with occasional touches of white in the form of Roman hyacinths, etc. The guests present at the ball were :—Lady Scourfield, Mrs Herbert Lewis, Hean Castle Mr H. Seymour Allen, M.F.H., Cresselly Mr and Mrs Massy, Cuffern Mr Hugh Allen, Cresselly Mr and F. Summers, Colonel Ivor Philipps, D.S.O, M.P., Sir James and the Hon. Lady Philipps, General and Mrs Curteis, Tenby Mrs and Miss Mirehouse, Angle THE HON. COLWYN PHILIPPS, Mrs and Miss Philipps, Cosheston the Hon. Roland Philipps, Colonel and Mrs Laurie, Colonel and Mrs Taylor, Colonel and Mrs Trower, Tenby Colonel and Mrs Frank Allen, Colonel and Mrs Harries, Colonel and Mrs Voyle, Tenby Mrs and Miss Denne, Tenby Colonel Lloyd Lindsay, Major Simpson, D.S.O., MAYOR OF BATH Major Cass, Miss Marshall, Major Glascott, Saunderefoot; Major and Mrs Corbett, Captain and Mrs Henderson, Tenby Captain and Mrs Kent, Tenby Captain and Mrs Jordan, Tenby Captain and Mrs Mundy, Mr P. Mundy, Cap- tain and Mrs Hunter, Captain Veal, Captain Forster, Captain Mathias, Mr and Mrs T. D. S. Cuninghame and Miss Cuninghame, Penally Abbey Mr, Mrs and Miss Bowen Summers, Mrs W. F. Roch, Bridell; Mr Lewis Bowen, the Rev. N. Chetwode Ram, M.A,, RECTOR OF TENBY Mr, Mrs and Miss Gilbert Harries, Mr, Mrs and the Misses Harvey, Saundersfoot; Mr and Mrs Deline-Davies-Evans, Mr and Mrs Harries,- Mrs Wright, Mrs and Miss Smallpiece, Mrs Burnett, Mr and Miss Godsal, Mr Barrett, Mr Arthur Pelly, Mr Gerald Grove, Mr Charles Lascelles, Mr C. Lewis, Stradey Castle Mr Burroughs, Lieutenant Vaughan, R.N. the Rev. D. M. Morris, M.A., vicar of Penally, and Miss Clifcon, the Rev. W. Heaver, M.A., Rector of Manorbier, and Mrs Heaver, the Rev. G. C. Rowe, M.A., St. Andrews, Tenby, and Miss Rowe, MR. CLEMENT J. WILLIAMS, Mr and Mrs Austin, Mr and Mrs Summers, Mrs Mathias, Penally Mrs and Miss Rayner Wood, Tenby Dr., and Mrs C. Mathias, Tenby; Mrs Stokes, the Misses Mathias, Mr and Mrs M. Mathias-Thomas, Tenby Mr Loftus Adams, Miss Allen, Miss Choate, Mr W. Eaton Evans, Haverfordwest Mr and Mss F. Gillett, Mrs and the Misses Gower, Mr J. Harries, Mrs and Miss Leader, Tenby Mr F. E. L. Mathias-Thomas, Tenby; Mr Hugh Thomas, MAYOR OF HAVERFORDWEST, Mrs Hugh Thomas, Captain Leader, Tenby Mr and Mrs Robert Lock, Tenby Mrs and Miss Massy, Tenby Mr, Mrs and the Misses Penn, Camrose Mr Griffith Lock and Miss Lock, Tenby; Mr and Mrs George Roch, Mr J. Penn, Camrose Miss Philipps, Mr and Mrs Yorke, Mr H. M. Harries, Mr Kelly, Mr C. Barclay, Manorbier Mr and Mrs David Harrisun, Tenby; Dr., and Mrs J. B. Hamil- ton, Tenby Mr and Mrs W. H. O. M. Bryant, Manorbier Dr., Mrs and Miss Knowling, Tenby Dr., Mrs and Miss Saunders, Penally Miss Milward, Tenby; Mrs and Miss Jones, Dr. and Mrs Williams, Pembroke. Dancing was kept up with spirit until the EARLY HOURS OF TUESDAY MORNING. The celebrations were continued on Tuesday, when the weather changed for the better, blue sky and golden sunshine being strikingly in evidence. The chief events in the programme were the presentation of an illuminated address from the tradesmen of Tenby, and a luncheon in the large dining hall, which considerably over two hundred guests attended. The Tenby presentation was made in the library by the Mayor, and the Hon. Colwyn Philipps in accepting it said that it would be one of HIS MOST VALUED POSSESSIONS. A presentation from the inhabitants of St. Florence followed, and consisted of a silver cigar case. At the luncheon, to which Lady St. Davids was taken in by the Mayor of Tenby in the absence of the Mayor of Pembroke, the tables were presided over by Lord St. Davids, Lady St. Davids, the Rev. James Erasmus Philipps, the Hon. Lady Philipps, and the Hon. Roland Philipps. Among the Tenby visitors present were Colonel and Mrs Laurie, Mr and Mrs J. Brychan Rees, Mr and Mrs Arthur Squibbs, Mr and Mrs F. Billing, Mr and Mrs E. Palmer, Mr and Mrs T. P. Hugbes, Mrs Atkins, Mr and Mrs Edwin Lloyd, Miss Tucker, Mr and Mrs J. B. Francis, Mr F. B. Mason, Miss Gwenfra Mason, Mr and Mrs H. Mortimer Allen, Mrs Parrott, Mr Alfred Live- sey, Mr E. J. Head, PRINCIPAL TENBY ART CLASS, Mr and Mrs George Lord, Mr and Mrs J. P. Raynes, Mr and Mrs J. <Truscott, Mr and Miss Hodges, Mr and Mrs W. H. Philipps, Mr and Mrs Wilfred Rees, Mr and Mrs George Davies (Pembroke Villas), Mr and Mrs Albert Peer- less, Mr and Mrs Hermann Thomas, Mr and Mrs G. Ace. Mr and Mrs J. James, Mr and Mrs W. Morris, Mr and Mrs C. S. Smith, Mr and Mrs J. E. Arnett, Mrs Lloyd Williams, the Revs. Benjamin Lewis, G. C. Clarke, and T. L. Evans, Mr J. D. Gwyther, the Misses May, Mr and Mrs B. Beynon, the Misses Evans, etc. After lunch some time was devoted to speech- making. Lord St. Davids, in submitting the toast of "The King," opid it seemed to embody the whole history of the nation and the UNITY OF THE EMPIRE, a sentiment which was received with ringing cheers. The young heir's health was proposed by Mr William Davies, of Pembroke, who referred in eulogistic terms to the many charac- teristics of Lord St. Davids and the members of the family. The toast was supported by Mr Edwin Lloyd, of Tenby, who hoped that it would be many long years before the Hon. Colwyn Philipps was called upon to take up the headship of the family but when the time did arrive the speaker had no doubt, however, that the heir would profit by the noble example set by his parents and continue the good work in which through their lives they had been engaged, THE SERVICE OF HUMANITY. Mr Beynon, Holloway Farm; the Rev. W. Jenkins, Manorbier; the Rev. J. Harrington, Manorbeir; and Mr F. W. Merriman, of Pem- broke-Dock, having also added their congratu- lations, the Rev. T. Lodwig Evans, of Tenby, said that in the history of the Philipps' family they found in the direct line of descent, as well as in collateral lines, a goodly number of illustrious names. The Rev. Benjamin Lewis, of Tenby, referred to the great esteem in which Lord St. Davids was held at Tenby and said it was the earnest wish of them all that the Hon. Colwyn Philipps might be WORTHY OF THE NOBLE NAME he bore, and that the memories of his great ancesters would prove an inspiration to him. Mr F. B. Mason, in adding his congratulations, humorously abserved that he felt it was a bit rough on a young fellow of twenty-one to expect him to do so many great things, and he felt like offering some words of sympathy. The Mayor hoped Mr Philipps would have a great career as a soldier and finish up with a field marshal's baton. The health of the Hon. Colwyn Philipps and his brother, Mr Roland Philipps was enthusiastically drunk. In res- ponding, the young heir said it seemed to him very nice of them all and he felt very grateful for their kind words. The trouble was that he seemed to be expected to do so much, and in this particular he much appreciated Mr Mason's kind words of sympathy. He had got to make roads and decorate Tenby, to be a politician, to become a field marshal, and a few other little things, and it would be a great pleasure to him to try and accomplish a few of them IN HIS SPARE TIME. He had been talking about himself for the past three days, and he now felt it was time his brother should have a go. Mr Roland Philipps humorously observed that it bad been his good fortune to know his brother as long, or longer, than anybody else present, and he could assure them that at the age of two he was wonderful to behold. He started hunting at the age of four. He knew this to be the case, because when he was three he had a large elephant given him, but he could never play with it because his brother COLWYN WAS ALWAYS RIDING IT. The singing of the National Authem closed the proceedings, after which the visitors adjourued to the library, where a reception and concert were given to the members of the Village So- cieties of Manorbier, Penally, and St. Florence.

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