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THE FAMOUS WELSH "LOURDES"

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THE FAMOUS WELSH "LOURDES" HOLYWELL STILL CROWDED, CURES REPORTED DAILY AT THE WELL SUNDAY PILGRIMAGE TO HOLYWELL. The interest taken in St. Winefride's Well is increasing, and this is evidenced by the large number of persons who arrive daily in the town. It was supposed when the rush of visitors first set in that the excitement caused by the reported miracles was simply of an evanescent character, and would soon pass away. Experience has falsified this expectation. Instead of decreasing, the fame of the Well has spread far and wida. with a rasult that from all parts of the country pilgrims and visitors are flocking to Holywell. Special articles appear in influential journals detailing the remarkable scenes to be witnessed daily at the shrine of St. Winefride; descriptions, more or less accurate, accompanied by illustrations, are given of Holy- well, and its famous Well, and the leading English medical journal devotes an article to the subject, which we reproduce this week, Beyond doubt St. Winefride's Well has made a stir in the world, and a stir that will not subside as quickly as was at first imagined. The town is now full of visitors, and the crypt at the Well is crowded at each mid-day service. On Sunday a remarkable scene was presented in St. Winefride's Chapel. The congregation over- flowed the Chapel, and crowded the steps, and roadway. This was caused not only by the immense number of strangers staying in the town, but also by the fact that the members of the Catholic Ohurch of Our Lady, at Buokley, that day made a pilgrimage to Holywell. They arrived in the town in brakes, accompanied by the Rev. Father A. Chauvin, S.J., and other priests from St. David's College, Mold. At eleven o'clock solemn High Mass was celobratod at St. Winefride's Church, and a brief address was given by Father Chauvin. Shortly after noon the pilgrims proceeded to the Well, where a devotional service was hold, and an address given by the Rev. Father Beauclerk, the priest in charge, after which all present devoutly kissed the relic of St. Winefride. In the afternoon, the party proceeded to Pontasaph, and mado Itil inspection of the famous monastery and monastic church of St. David, and also the stations of the oross, Benediction was performed for the pilgrims by the Capuchin Fathers. A STRIKING INSTANCE OF HEALING. INTERVIEW WITH A PROTESTANT. One of the most remarkable of cures that have taken place at the Well within the past few weeks occurred on Monday morning last, when a young woman named Rebecca Gibson, experienced what she herself described as a wonderful cure. From the aooount she gave in the oourse of an interview by a representative, she said she lived with her motherat 1,52, Simm's Square, Higher Gullet, Aspull, near Wigan. She was eighteen years of age and two years last July, whilst working onthe pit-brow she strained herself by carrying a weight beyond her strength. She was ill after it and from that time until tho present she had been under the treatment of Dr. Cooke, of Aspull. The injury she received caused fits whioh left her in a weak state and during which ehe was totally unconscious. The internal injury also affected her eyes, and she had to wear glasses. On Saturday last she came with her mother to Holywell and stayed at Assisi House, Well-street. On Monday morning she went down to the Well and bathed, and afterwards kissed the relio of St. Winefride. "Almost," to use the girl's own words, the moment I kissed the relio I felt a kiud of buzzing in my side and a sense of relief; the constant pain I had felt there disappeared and strength seemed to come to me." The question was put Do you think it is permanent or is it a relief caused by mere excitement"? "0 no," she said, "I did sot feel excited and I feel so very different now that since it happened at the Well I am altogether different." She was next asked In what spirit did you go there ? How did you come to know of the Well f "I saw the accounts of the cures in the papers and it struck me that I should be cured. I came here firmly believing that it would cure me. I had no doubt about it." "What is the effect on your eyes?" Much stronger, and I have taken the glasses off. My eyes are now quite easy, and mother has thrown the remains of my medicine, which I have been taking regularly, away." What Church do ycu attend P I am nob a Catholic, I attend the Parish Church at Haigh, near our place, and I was in Holywell Church last night. I am leaving Holywell to-night but Isba II come back shortly." The mother of the girl said she had had a deal of trouble with her for two years. She bad been unfit for anything being so weak and suffering. The change that bad come over her since her visit to Holywell was remarkable, and she could not express her joy at tho alteration in her child. THE LOCAL BOARD AND THE CROWDED TOWN. At a meeting of the Holywell Looal Board, on Monday, Dr. James Williams referred the Board to the regulations for street traffic and the accommoda- tion for visitors. There was a great influx of strangers into the town, and they were little pre. pared to received them and the consequence was a great deal of inconvenience- He had every reason to believe that the influx would go on. Ho considered it was the duty of the Board to attend to the matter. There bad been an article published in the St. James' Gnzette on tho subject. Mr. Lambert: It give a picture of a state of things that doos not exist. Dr. Williams There is a certain amount of truth in it. Mr. Lambert: I do not think it fairly represents Holywell. It is most unfair to run away with a wrong impression. Dr. Williams: It does not find fault. It is written in good spirit and tasto. Mr. Lambert: The writer pities. Dr. Williams: 0, the writer is sorry for some things. If you will listen to this part you will see the spirit of it. Nrys Lambert: 0, yes that ia so. Wo cannot be a bit surprised if the peopleare inconvenienced. We pretty well feel the pulse of the town and know how it is. Wa have had such a rush this year as we naverr before remember. The only wonder to me is that we bavo not had some serious accident. There requires some thorough regulation of the traffic. Mr. Bromley thought if some of the facts in tho article were correct it was a state of things that should be prevented. It must be taken hold of and looked at fairly. He was-glad to see people coming into the town. The oommittee should seo that the people do not lodge, in a sense, as to interfere with the health of the people. Some peoplo did not care how they placed thorn so long as they could make a penny by them. Then if the Board introduced any stringent regulations they would drivo the people out of Holywell. Dr. Williftnt- We should see that thsy arc pro- perly housed an far as we are able to do it. Mr. Lambert: I am not aware that they have gone to the extent of sleeping in bathing machines as they have done at Rhyl before now. The Clerk said they could not register the houses unless they were common lodging houses. The Board had no discretion they might try to assist to accommodate the strangers and it would be a good suggestion that the Sanitary Committee should see what can be done, and if they could assist the lodg- ing house keepers and the strangers it would be a good thing. Mr. Bromley Show a disposition to make thorn comfortable. Dr, Williams It is a poetical article and it is worth the while of the people of Holywell to im- prove the character of the place in view of what will come, THE WELL TWO HUNDRED AND FIFTY YEAFS AGO. John Taylor, the W.~ ter-Poet, in describing a journey he marie in 1G53 says -'I Stturday. the last of July, I left Flint-, and went three miles to Holy-Well, of which place I must speak somewhat materially. About the length of a fllilong, down a I very steep Hill, is a Well full of wonder and admiration; it comes from a Spring not far from Rudland Castle it is and hath been many hundred yearos knowne by the name of Holy-Well, but it is more commonly and of most antiquity called Saint Winifrid's Well, in memory of the pious and eh a to Virgin Winifrid, who was thero beheaded for I refusing to yield her Chastity to the furious lust of a Pagan Fringe. In that very p!?ce where her bloud was shod, this Spring sprang cp from it doth issue go forceible a stream, that vitain a hundred yards of it it drives certain Mils, an i eome do say that nine Corn Mils and Falling Mils are driven with the stream of that Spring. It hath a fair Chappell erected over it called Saint Winifrid's Ohappell, which is now much defaced by the injury of these late Ware. The Well is compassed about with a fine wall of free stone the wall hath eight angles or corners, and at every angle is a fair stone piller, whereon the west end of the Chappell is supported, In two several! places of the wall there are neat stones staires to go into the water that corner from the Well, for it is to bo noted that fche Well itselfe doth continually work and bubble with extream violence, like a boiling cauldron or furnace, and within the wall or into the well very few do enter. The water is christalline, sweet Itnd medicinable it is frequented daily by many people of rich and poore, of all diseases, amongst which great store of folkes are cured, divers arG eased, but none made the worse. The hill descending is plentifully furnished (on both sides of the way) with beggars of all ages, sexes, conditions, sorts and sizes many of them are impotent, but all are impudont, and richly embrodered all over with such hexameter poudred ermins (or vermin) as are cal'ed lice in England." COMPLETED CURES. A visit was on Tuesday paid to the shop of Mr. William Sephton, newsagent, St. Helena function, who, it was reported, had derived much benefit by his visit to Holywell, by a press correspondent, who was informed that Mr. Sephton, who is over sixty years of age, had suffered from Perious defects'in bis eyes for about eight years. Prior to that time his sight had been failing, and for about three years he was totally blind. An operation performed by Dr. Little, a specsalibt, of Manchester, was partially successful, and Mr. Sephton could distinguish very largo type by the aid of powerful glasses. He was recommended to vi-vit Holywell, and oa Monday week he did so. He bathed and drank the water, a:id Mr. Sephton, who is a Catholic, declares that as he left the Well he could see the white stone steps, and also the face of the nun in attendance. Mr. Sephton returned to St. Helens the same day, and although he has nut wholly recovered his sight, he can see much better than before. Mr. Sephton intends to pay a three days' visit to Holywell shortly, in the hope of a complete recovery. Mr. Joseph Egan, whose case wa s reported six weeks since, stated that his cure was comple. e and that he has suffered ne pain and no inconvenience since he left off his truss, two days after returning from Hoiywell. lie had worn trusses for nearly fifty years. A MEDICAL VIEW OF THE CURES. If any prooess be discovered which tends to the relief of suffering, something (says the Lancet) has been gained by the science and art of healing, some- thing akin to them, and which cannot in the order of nature — which is also super-naturo-be either discordant or adverse. Therefore we do not altogether repudiate as absurd the "miracles" which in all times and places, from ancient Egypt to St. Winefride's Weil, have exeroieod the faith and the feeling of mankiud. We would, nevertheless, in the very interest of truth, be forward in seeking the explanation of these phenomena, which is as well within the rightful province of human intelligence as the most unquestioned results of bygone investi- gations. Acoording to the published accounts of them, the "miraoulous cures" reported to have reoently taken place at St. Winefride's Well, in Flintshire, conform for the most part, and probably altogether, to the typo of those in which the healthy change in diseased parts is due to nervous agency. The deaf, the blind, the cripple-these are the marvels of recovery. It is in further accord with scientific explanation that the "cure "does not appear to have been in every case complete. A blind man, for example, returned seeing with one eye in other words, this organ retained in temporary abeyance (casual details are not given) the power of vision, which was onergiaed probably by a timely return of the central nerve force. A cripple on approaching the spring dived into it and forthwith abandoned her crutches. Thero is here a strong presumption of arthritic stiffening or of merely functional paralysis. It would be much more satisfactory on every ground to have as full details as possible of the history and course of such cases rather than the meagre and one- sided statements published. Natural causes, we feel confident, would then be found to coincide exactly with the so-called super-natural in affecting the result. We are pleased to see that among the Roman Catholic olergy, who have interested themselves in the reputed virtues of this Well. some belief is placed in the curative force of a ra-awakened will. A REMARKABLE CURE. Mr William James Chard, of 4, Beatrice-street, Stanlev- road, Bootle, whose evidence is confirmed by his brother, Mr J Chard, Stoucycroft, bears testimony to his astonishing cure at the Well. Mr Chard, who is a Protestant, had been spending his holidays in Anglesey, and last week in retnrning home, he called at Holywell to visit the scene of so many re- ported miracles. Mr Chard was suffering from a contraction of the muscles of both hands, and while at the Well a quantity of the water was poured upon his hands. To the astonishment of the many onlookers, Mr Chard was able to distend the fingers of one hand and to place the palm of his hand flat down, an act which he said he could not previously have done for a thousand pounds A singular fact is that whilst the contraction in one hand was released the de- formity remained in the other hand HOW SOME OF THE CURED ARE PROGRESSING. A most interesting letter has been received from a fister of Miss Duffy, of Howden-Ic-Weir, whose cure attracted widespread attention She states that the railway station was crowded with people when her sister returned home, and they were astonished to see the confirmed cripple for seven vears walking unaided from the train Dr Williamson, of Witton Park, has examined the case, and he states that the cure is wonderful No doctor could have effected it, and it must have been wrought by the hand of God "Crowds of people come to seo her," concludes the writer, "and a great many are getting ready to go to Holywell The Sisters of the Convent at Deal, whose cures were reported last week, report that their cures are fally maintaind —Mrs Tobin, 8t Helens-road, Bedford, Leigh, states that her son Thomas, who had been ruptured from birth, has been perfectly cured at the Well SLOW BUT SURE Miss Mary -Tameson, of Liverpool, in December, 1892, fell and injured her knee so severely that she became a perfect cripple She WILS attended to by Dr A Bligh, of fthaw-street, and was afterwards able t ) get about a little on crutches In June last she came to Holywell, bathed in the Well, and before leaving was able to add one crutch to the many in the Well that testify to the virtue of St Winefride's water Re- turning again in July, she was so relieved that she was able to dispense with the crutch and go about with two sticks On paying a thiid visit in August, one of the sticks was laid aside, and Miss Jameson states that she hopes with her next visit to be able to dispense with the use of both crutches and sticks for ever EXCEUA CURED A case of obstinate excema has been cured after the patient had suffered from this unpleasmt affection for five years The person upon whom this was wrought was Miss Hopkmson, of Nelson, who visited the Well in August last Writing on Saturday last, Miss Hopkinson says she is now quite cured, and no mark is left of th# eruptions Previously she could only use tho softest linen towel, but now she can use one of the roughest surface RESTORED TO HER WORK Miss Ann Ratcliffe, of Coppall, near Chorley, who had lost the use of her feet, which necessitated her giving up her employment, gives testimony to tha good effects of bathing in the Well, stating that she not only recovered the use of her feet, but is now able to walk some miles with ease and comfort FACTS The number of visitors to Holywell is increasing rather thau diminishing, and among them are a very great number of cripples This tide of visitors promises to increase even as autumn advances—some declaring that they will attend the Well were there snow upon the ground The feast of St Winefride takes place on the lth of Nov- ember next, when Holywell will present a scene which has probably never before been witnessed in its history The mid-day services in the crypt of the Well still con- tinue. and also the Sunday evening services We are desired to state that there is no intention of holding regular Wednes- day evening services at the Well A concert is announced (sue advertisement), in aid of the °J ^'JW Hai'' which Miss Edith Lane, who has br"» arranglI1.g for the whole of the of that some 80 in number-to pay an early visit to the Well

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