The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

♦ WREXHAM. CYCLE CARNIVAL.—On Friday night the annual cycle carnival arranged by the Wrex- ham Cycle Club in aid of the funds of the Infirmary took place, and proved a great success. The procession was headed by the Wrexham Prince of Wales Fire Brigade, and several bands took part in the fete. The judges' awards included the following:—Best cyclist in the procession:—Mrs. A. J. Taylor, 14, St. John-street, Whitchurch ("Butterfly Palace"). Cyclist in costume: 1, J. W. Macdonald, Gres- ford ("White Cavalier"). Decorated bicycle: 1, J. E. W. Speed, Whitchurch 3, E. B. Jones, Whitchurch. Lady cyclist in costume and decorated machine: 1, Mrs. H. Deakin, Whit- church (" Butterfly"). Comically dressed cyclist: 1, A. J. Edwards, 18, Crane-street, Chester (" Tramp Cyclist"). Costume collector (lady): 1, Miss Mayes, Whitchurch ("Pet of the Regiment"). Comical conveyance: 2, Davey and Wild, Chester.

DUKE OF WESTMINSTER. « RETURNING HOME. SAILS TO-DAY. We are authoritatively informed that his Grace the Duke of Westminster sails from Cape Town to-day (Wednesday), and hopes to reach England on Friday, the 2nd of November. The announcement will afford great gratification throughout the city and county of Chester and North Wales, and we trust to hear soon of the commencement of preparations for giving the gallant young nobleman a right hearty English welcome upon his return safe and sound from the perils of war and upon his arrival in Cheshire to take up his permanent residence among us.

CRUELTY TO A HESWALL GIRL. + THE SEQUEL. The recent conviction of a Blackburn clergy- man's wife for assaulting her young servant girl, Mary Williams, aged 14, belonging to Heswall, has brought about something like a crisis in the affairs of the local branch of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. Several lady members of the committee resigned before the prosecution took place, and now a special meeting has been called to receive the resignation of the president, Bishop Cramer- Roberts, who also declines any longer to continue his subscription to the society. The majority do not dispute the justice of the prosecution, but object to the society's inac- tion for nearly three months after the case was reported.

SCHOOL ATTENDANCE IN CHESTER. THE EDUCATION OF CANAL BOAT CHILDREN. The School Attendance Committee's annual report to the Town Council shews that the committee met during the year ended June 30th, 39 times. They had issued 17,796 notices to the parents of 21,607 children. The summonses taken out numbered 581, as compared with 891 last year; two children were committed to the Clio," four to the Boughton Industrial Schools, and two to St. Joseph's R.C. Industrial School, Longsight. The fines inflicted numbered 460; 454 persons paid fines and costs amounting to £62 6s. 6d. The number of children on the registers of the 39 public elementary schools in the city on the 30th June was 6,988, an increase of 16. The percentage of average attendance to the number on the books was a little higher than last year, the figures being 82, against 80589. The city children attending private and outside schools numbered 636, while 540 children who resided beyond the borough boundary attended city schools, leaving >7,084 city children receiving instruction. There were 12 half-timers, against 15 last year. In the 39 schools there was accommodation for 8,679 children. The total cost of carrying out the Education Acts for the year was £555 7s. Id., less fines and costs paid JE62 6s. 6d., making the nett costs of carrying out the Elementary Education Acts £493 Os. 7d., a little over d. in the £ on the ratable value in the city. At the last meeting of the com- mittee, Mr. Hales, general manager Shropshire Union Railway and Canal Co., attended for con- ference as to the education of canal boat children. He stated that the company were most anxious that children living on their boats should be educated, and had appointed inspectors all over their system to cause the children to attend school as opportunities arose, and to report to him (Mr. Hales). They had also unuertaken the distribution of school books supplied by the School Attendance Com- mittee for recording when the children attended school, such books being kept on board the boats and opened to inspection of all con- cerned. Mr. Hales further stated that the Company had had a census taken of the families living on their boats, which shewed of late years a considerable decrease in their number; also that there were two reasons why the Company do not prohibit wives and families living on their boats, viz.: (1) considerations of the subject from a moral point of view; and (2) The difficulty in obtaining men to work their boats, the Company having at the present time a number of boats lying idle, because they cannot find men to work them.

HANDBRIDGE AND THE TRAMS. A RATEPAYER'S COMPLAINT. The following letter dated October 15th, has been addressed to the Mayor, and the members of the Town Council:—Gentlemen,—It is with the greatest astonishment and surprise that I read of your decision with regard to the electric trams, and the Handbridge route. Why should not the ratepayers of that locality have the benefit of the trams, as well as the ratepayers of any other part of Chester ? The objection is, that the bridge is not wide enough to run a line that way. That the bridge will have to be widened soon is inevitable, so why should not the Corporation have three or four years profits on the trams (and they would be big profits) by running an iron girder across and cutting a road through the mills (which are their own property), or leave it for three or four years and then be compelled to do so as a matter of necessity P As was stated by a gentleman signing himself A Modern Citizen" in a letter to the Observer" about September last, there is no possible advantage in running a line round the Grosvenor-road because where are the houses on the Grosvenor-road P Again, will it make any difference to the ratepayers of Hough Green, Curzon Park, and Saltney that their brothers the ratepayers of Eaton-road, Queen's Park, and Handbridge shall have the advant- age and the benefit of the rates they pay ? Will it make any material difference to them to go to town via Handbridge P I should think not. I consider that the ratepayers of this part of the city are entitled to as much considera- tion as the ratepayers of any other part. More than Hoole at all events. Where are the repre- sentatives of St. John's and St. Marys Wards ? Are they considering their interests or ours ? Is it too much trouble to put a word in favour of the wards they represent ? At all events it ought not to be. I think, gentlemen, that if you come to consider the matter from this point of view, you will find it would not be dealing quite fairly or honestly with the rate- payers and the residents in Handbridge, etc., if you allow them to pay the rates towards such a grand and such a necessary improve- ment, intending at the same time to deny them the advantages and the benefits of the same, when it might be so easily done, as the widening of the bridge would turn out to be a very simple and inexpensive matter, and as I have said before, it will become an absolute necessity some day, and that very soon. I sincerely hope, gentle- men, that this letter will receive your earnest and deepest consideration, as the matter is of vital importance, and of the greatest interest to the residents in this part of our city, especially to the Handbridge people, and if on further consideration you should decide to adopt this route, you may rely on its being well patronised. I have written this letter in the greatest haste, bunetrust that you will excuse its briefness, and grammatical errors, but I was very desirous of putting in a word on behalf of the ratepayers and the residents of Eaton-road, Queen's-park, and Handbridge before it was too late. Trusting that this will receive your favourable considera- tion, I beg to remain, yours faithfully, A RATEPAYER OF THAT LOCALITY.

WELSH CONGREGATIONAL APPOINTMENTS.— On Monday the Quarterly Association of the Welsh Congregationalists of the Vale of Maclor district was held at Wrexham. Mr. Joseph Griffiths (Caergwrle) was elected presi- dent, and the Rev.R. Peris Williams (Wrexham) secretary. ADVENT OF WINTER.—Winter is well-nigh upon us. The temperature of the air registered at Newton Nurseries during the last few days is as follows:—October 9th, 68 00 maximum, 49'00 minimum; 10th, 59 00, 36 00; 11th, 59 00, 38 00; 12th, 57 00, 47 00; 13th, 59*00, 41-00 14th, 57 00, 38 00; 15th, 56*00, 34 00. On Sunday there were showers of rain and haiL

DENBIGHSHIRE YEOMANRY IN AFRICA. • ■ lBY OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT^ Yeomanry Hospital, Deelfontein, September 22. Since writing my last article I have received no news from Sergt.-Farrier Alletaon as to the movements or whereabouts of the Den- bighs. I am daily expecting informa- tion from him, and cannot understand the delay. I trust nothing serious has happened. In the Bloemfontein Post," August 29, 1 read some very strong statements that have been made by Mrs. R. Chamberlain, re- garding the hospital, No. 1, at Cape Town. Of course one cannot help but pay great attention to what a disinterested party in her position would have to say about hospital management, but I am iuclined to the opinion that her state- ments are VERY EXAGGERATED. To say that the doctors in the Army are an inferior and low class body of men seems to my mind very far from the truth. Since I have been out in South Africa I have come into con- tact with a great nun: ber of Army physicians, and, speaking generally, I hold the opinion that they are a very fine body of men (especially the present civilian doctors). If the statement of Mrs. Chamberlain be true about one nurse hav- ing to attend 175 patients suffering from enteric, such management was bad in the extreme. But still this would have been in the early part of the campaign, before a hospital could nave been properly formed, owing to the difficulty of transport, and I have no doubt great numbers of the medical staff had been sent to the front. However this may be, we must not lose sight of the fact that at most of the hospitals in South Africa the orderlies have been doing all the heavy work in attend- ing cases of enteric, etc., the nurses merely administering the medicine—a very light task. That some of the doctors were seen by Mrs. R. Chamberlain under the influence of drink may be true, although, personally speaking, I have never seen any of the Army doctors in a state of intoxication since I have n in tuis country. In spite of the CRITICISM OF THE HOSPITALS and hospital management in South Africa by W. Burdett Coutts and Mrs. R. Chamberlain, I think that when the war is over, peace declared, and things properly looked into, it will be found that the Army Medical Staff have done splendid work, and that the hospitals on the whole have been thoroughly well organised and managed, and that the criticisms of both these prominent individuals will not be quite so terrible as they may seem at present. Any remarks I have made about hospitals in South Africa do not in any way apply to the Yeomanry Hospital at Deelfontein—this hospital is in every way an ideal one, and I have no hesitation is saying that a better managed hospital could not exUt. Lady Chwsham and her daughter, the Hon. Miss Cavendish, are occupied daily in doing all in their power to brighten the lives of the patients in organising and giving their presence to social teas and concerts, &c„ and they bring round to the different tents and wards the best of English tobacco and cigar- ettes. I have no doubt the perfect manage- ment of things may be attributed in a large measure to their indefatigable exertions. The physicians and surgeons here nearly all come from the big London hospitals, so better men could not be obtained in the world. I am pleased to say they have dispensed with a lot of the RED-TAPEISM which so hampers the different departments of our British Army. In fact, all the important operations are performed by our civilian doctors both here and elsewhere. In reading the evidence before the Hospital Commission at Bloemfontein, I am sorry to say a great deal of friction evidently exists between the R.A.M.C. and the civilian physicians and surgeons. I can state that in the opinion of the patients the civilian doctors are head and shoulders above the former, and there are plenty of nurses and orderlies here, and I must say that were I suffering from enteric or any such dangerous disease, I should rest with implicit faith in the ability and thoroughness of the nursing capa- bilities of the Sisters of the Red Cross to pull me through. The orderlies are the same here vln as in the other hospitals-not believing in over- working themselves. Lady Chesham has encouraged the convalescent patients to beautify their surroundings by the cultivation of pretty little flower gardens and rockeriea round the different tents and wards. In fact, everything is done here not only to make a man better physically, but to elevate and stimulate his imaginative and moral facul- ties by the use of bright and cheerful sur- roundings. The hospital is bordering the base of a large kopje, and is well sheltered from westerly winds; in front of the hospital is an extensive plain, with kopjes in the distance. It would have been very difficult to have chosen a better site for a hospital. I would like to make a few remarks about the BLACK RACES out here. I am firmly of opinion that after we have settled things with our white brothers, we will have to settle accounts with the black races, who to my mind are at present mis- judging things entirely. The recent British people who are at present in South Africa, and who cannot be looked upon as the settlers or the residential population, are in the habit of spoiling the black races by over- indulging them in all manner of ways. The copsequence is, their so-called kindness is neither understood nor appreciated by the native races of this country, who consider the British population out here as fair marks for their cunning and guile. To all people who understand anything about educational matters it will take many hundreds of years before the black races in this country will be able to appreciate the blessings of a higher and greater form of civilisation, and until such time arrives it would be well if the British population here would so conduct themselves that the poor, ignorant, black people may have something tangible to model their lives and conduct upon. I see Lord Roberts, by his last proclamation, is getting very annoyed at the miserable form of warfare being carried on by De Wet and Botha. The most these so-called patriots can do so far as their own country is concerned is to BEGGAR AND PAUPERISE a naturally brave and heroic people who, if they had not such an unprincipled lot of black- guards at the head of affairs, would no doubt be enjoying at this moment the blessings of peace. Much as I admire Lord Roberts I cannot but think that Lord Kitchener is more the type of man the rebels in this country I would have reason to respect and fear, and so long as unprincipled, lying individuals are in the habit of getting at the head of affairs both in this and other countries, so long will we require the type of men of Lord Kitchener to look after them. One cannot help but think there is some BAD MANAGEMENT going on at the front for the war to be so pro- longed. No doubt the great difficulty our generals are at present experiencing is a lack of a thorough knowledge of the country in all its local and geographical features. I have heard competent critics on the subject express their belief in a large scouting party of fmshmen being the best adapted body of men to complete the task that our generals have in hand. However, sooner or later the wily De Wet and his comrades will be hemmed in. It is a very difficult task to surround an enemy who are bent on nothing else but running away, in the vain hope, as Mr. Micawber would express, of something turning up." The spring of the year has arrived, and with it will come excessive heat, dust, and locusts. I can only trust that before I again see summer in South Africa the war will have terminated, and Tommy Atkins and our gallant Volunteer forces, instead of using strong language about heat, thirst, the hard dry biscuit and, bully-beef, will be dining off the good old roast beef of old England, washed down by a pint tankard of beer made from pure malt and hops. If he is married, he will have his wife and children to console and cheer him; if single, he may once again enjoy the embraces and kisses of the girl he left behind. One cannot help, when writing about the soldiers, but get into the above strain, as their thoughts seem to be always over the sea. Rudyard Kipling certainly understood human nature when he called his great poem" The Absent- minded Beggar." A few words about CONSCRIPTION. Sooner or later conscription will, I trust, be adopted throughout Great Britain. So the sooner mothers and fathers regard the just claims of the State in instruoting the youth of the country in the noble art of soldiering the better. Merely singing Soldiers of the Queen" is not sufficient. All lads who have passed the sixth standard in the elementary schools owe a debt of gratitude to their nation, and this debt can only be repaid by boys rendering what services they can from say the age of 15 to 20—a time of life when the charaeter is forming, and therefore requiring proper train- ing. Only such lads would be accepted who were medically fit, and a system of technical instruction could easily be carried on during the five years they were enlisted in the ranks of the army. The whole scheme of conscription worked on proper lines would be the means of giving the nation an enormous army and at the same time fitting the country at large with proficient workmen in every branch of art and science. The same system could be carried on in the navy. I am rather astonished when in conversation with troopers in the Yeomanry to find how few have any intention of settling out here. Of course the impression of a country is not improved by experiencing active service in it. but I did expect to find more of the colonizing spirit in a body of men like the yeomanry. However, things adjust themselves, and I have no doubt that many of our volunteers, when they are once again free from the iron grip of the Army, and have visited their families and friends in the dear old mother country, will spin yarns of the bright blue sky of South Africa, moonlight nights on the veldt, the sunny mountains, the bracing clear atmosphere, the opportunities afforded for enterprise, and end by becoming engaged to the girl of his heart, sail again for South Africa, and make his home there. Such is life-one continual contradiction, meetings, aud partings, deaths, births, and marriages; and any man or woman who imagines for one moment that a magic circle can be described to surround his or her little sphere of action has yet the harder and sterner lessons to learn in this mysterious world of ours. I am pleased to say my foot is much better, and trust soon to be back again with the 29th Company. CHARLES MARSTON.

The Editor is not responsible for the opinions of his correspondents. AU letters must be authenticated by the sender's name and address, not necessarily for publication. Correspondents are particularly requested to write only on one side of the paper.

LIVERPOOL CONsiERVATISM ""AND" CHURCHMANSHIP." Sir,—It cannot, I think, be too well under- stood by the inhabitants of the county palatine of Chester—a county important in its Conservative traditions—that the so-called Conservatism of Liverpool, as recently mani- fested, is in reality a spurious thing; that the Conservative victories" which have lately excited the people of the second city in the Empire" and its neighbourhood, instead of indi- cating a truly Conservative spirit on the part of the voters, have been little or nothing more than echoes of a senseless and unconstitutional cry. The Conservative members returned have all pledged themselves, absolutely or conditionally, to support the revolutionary attempt of the Layman's League to uu-Bishop the Church practically, and to transfer ecclesiastical rule to the man in the street," directed by the chiefs of the Church Association and Layman's League, and kindred combinations, all of which are hostile to episcopal government-to the exercise, that is, of discipline in th4 Church by her Bishops, canouically and constitutionally. Thus, as regards Church matters, Liverpool Conservatism, as now voiced, and Layman's Leagueism, are one and the same thing; and this being the case, Liverpool Conservatism in the House of Commons miftt be really a source of weakness to a Conservative Ministry, such as that of Lord Salisbury or any other Premier desiring that the Church and— Parliament (which, whatever a certain Liverpool arch- deacon may pretend, are not co-ordinate) may each help the other" in its proper work for the well-being of the whole.-people, and the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign and her dominions." This city of Liverpool has one daily Conservative" newspaper, and the Conser- vatism of that journal seems to be merely nominal. The editor is one of the city M.P s who are supporters of the unconstitutional attempt I have referred to, and the paper itself is a ready moutbpiwe..of Layman's League and anti-Bishop opinion. The anti-episcopal character of Liverpool "Conservatism II is due partly-perhaps mainly-to ultra Protestant pulpiteering, archidiaconal and canonical," and pretty largely to popular ignoraucega In no large town in England has so much anti-Bishop seditious nonsense been preached as in Liverpool; in no large centre of population has so much practical encouragement been given to men of the spirit of Mr. John Kensit, and the sacrilegious rabble^of.church brawlers of whom he is the recognised leader, while the religious and ecclestical ignorance of the Liver- pool laity as represented by men who are accounted leading protestant churchmen is pro- verbial throughout the kingdom. Let not the really Conservative churchmen of Cheshire, including their Parliamentary repre- sentatives, reckon the Layman's League Con- servative Ministry for Liverpool to be true supporters of Church and State, but rather regard their Conservatism/' as being, both proverbially and actually,.an enfeebling influ- ence on the Ministerial side of the House of Commons.—Your obedient servant, Liverpool, 11th Oct., 1900. VERAX.

THE HOME-COMING. Sir,—Now that the day is nearing when there is more than a possibility of the early and perhaps unexpected return of our soldiers, including Militia and Volunteers, from South Africa, has not the time arrived when a local committee, comprised of gentlemen both from inside and outside the Town Council, should be appointed to arrange for the city's share in the welcome to be offered to those who went forth at the hour of their country's call? They have done their duty, suffered, and some have died, in defence of the good old flag and good old England, and it will b3 little return for their services to receive them in a kind and gracious manner. If the Duke returns at the same time, the city is doubly under an obligation, and particularly as the attainment to his majority could not be celebrated at the proper time. But if a demonstration to celebrate the home-coming is to be successful, ought not steps to be taken early to make the necessary arrangements, so that a thorough city's reception may be given, and that it be a hearty one, to be participated in by all Chester, irrespective of society, creed or position, to shew our heroes that their sacrifices have not been allowed to slip by unnoticed and to shew those that remain behind in Africa that the citizens of Chester can, and do thank them for their work? Let there be a "Te Deum" at the Cathedral and a public celebration of some kind, and if the Duke can also be remembered, it might be made a red-letter day for all the Sunday and day school children, who might be asked to mareh through the city in procession. It would be a life-long remembrance to them of the time the brave soldier boys came home from Africa when some day they perhaps may find themselves citizens of some great South African town, when the South African Dominion has grown to colossal pro- portions. A thoroughly hearty, old-fashioned English reception might be arranged for, if taken up in time, and let Lord Wolseley's parting advice be well published and acted upon-that there be no treating of the soldiers with intoxicating drinks at their home-coming."—Yours, &c., J. WILLIAMS.

ELLESMERE PORT. CYCL11 CARNIVAL.—On Wednesday evening the committee met under the presidency of Mr. Breckon. The secretary (Mr. Geo. Reid) presented a balance-sheet, shewing that after paying all expenses of 116 18s. 8d. a balance of E29 lis. 2¥i. was left. The committee decided to send 410 each to the Chester Infirmary and Liverpool Eye and Ear Infirmary, and to bank the balance as a nucleus for next year's under- taking.

DBATH OF LORD HAMILTON.—Lord Hamilton of' Dalziell died at his residence, Dalziell, Motherwell, Lanarkshire, on Monday morning. The deceased was born at Marseilles on Nov. 16th, 1829, and was consequently nearly 71 years old. He was a retired captain of the 2nd Life Guards, and was M.P. in the Liberal interest for Falkirk from 1857 to 1859, and for South Lanarkshire from 1868 to 1874, and 1880 to 1886. He had also been a Lord-in-Waiting.

[COPYRIGHT.] POSTS AND POSTMEN. PAST AND PRESENT. 0 — CHESHIRE JOTTINGS ON MATTERS POSTAL. BY ALFRED MOORE. 0 Among those who-in either of the Ser- vices or otherwise—have worn her Majesty's uniform, none, perhaps, are entitled to a more real respect than such as for a lengthy period have had News of all nations lumbering at their back while discharging the humble yet all-important duties of a postman—a weighty task in double sense. At Malpas not long ago an interesting presentation was made to a letter-carrier who for more than a quarter of a century had been upon his rounds upon the Shocklach beat, and who, in the performance of his task had walked a total distance equal to eight times around our globe, or more than sixty times the length of the passage from Liverpool to New York. A report of the matter turned the thoughts of many to things postal, while in certain constituencies the present General Election has brought upon the carpet questions anent Post Office reform, the amendment of in- consistencies, and kindred matters relative to the Department. It has struck us that a few local jottings on posts and postmen of the past and of the present may be just now as seasonable as interesting, and there are many quaint facts connected with posting in Cheshire and its neighbourhood which-not generally known-are well worth the knowing. To a thoughtful mind the very mention of Chester carries one back to the time when Britain was a Roman Province, since no other spot in the kingdom so teems with memorials of the strong old boys From Tiber-mouth who lorded it here in days when Chester was the Roman Deva. And it may be well to mention that even then there was probably some sort of postal communication between the city and other Roman stations throughout Britain. For as early as the reign of the Emperor Augustus an institution not wholly dissimilar to modern posts was established throughout the ltoman Empire, and by the year 350 intercommunication was comparatively easy in our island. The name of posts," by the way; is generally held to be derived from the Latin positus,-placed-because horses and other requisites were "placed" at certain distances to transport letters and travellers. It is interesting to think that the first posts of Britain must have gone along the great highway which ran from Chester London-wards—the old Watling Street. But this in passing. To trace the history of postal matters down through Anglo-Saxon times, and, after the Norman Conquest, through the Middle Ages and onwards until a couple of centuries ago, would require encyclopaedic knowledge on the part of the writer and unlimited space in news- paper or periodical. What we want, too, in the present article, is of a local nature, and there- fore the things postal of the space of time intervening between the departure of the Romans from Chester (soon after the year 400) and the reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714), a period of thirteen centuries, must be summar- ised in a single paragraph. in Anglo-Saxon days there appears to have been nothing in the slightest degree resembling what we now understand by the post," and at, and long after the Norman Conquest com- munications were sent by private messengers. At the end of the twelfth century, when- as old Lewis puts it—there were hotte wars uppon the Marches of W ales "-the sending of correspondence was difficult in the extreme. The beginning of our own postal system seems to date from a statute of Edward the Third, but the reader must not suppose that from then till now it has been a continuous public institution. In many parts of the kingdom post-houses were placed at every twenty miles by command (or Act?) of Edward the Fourth, but the trans- mission of letters was a something extremely precarious for long later than that. especially in the West of England and in Wales. The writer has seen it stated upon good authority that in 1543 a post existed by which letters were carried from London to Edinburgh within four days; but this rate of transportation, so extraordinarily rapid for that period, lasted but a very short time." In 1581, one Thomas Ran- dolph, said to have been of Cheshire or Shrop- shire birth and a man well-skilled to manage anie businesse" was Postmaster-General of England. In the reigns of the Stuarts little postal progress was made, and at the time of the Commonwealth everything of the kind was in confusion. In the reign of William the Third a letter by private messenger from Chester to Edinburgh took sixteen days, its answer occupying nineteen more—a period of exactly five weeks altogether In the reign of Queen Anne (1702-1714), however, the postal arrangements of the kingdom took definite form and remained much the same until Victorian days. Such—stated with extremist brevity-are the leading points to be remembered, and it brings us down to the commencement ot the present reign-to the days of Rowland Hill and the beginnings of the penny post" system. But we must pause a moment, since the years between Queen Anne and Queen Victoria-or, roughly reckoning, the century-and-a-quarter between 1714 and 1837-furnish us with plenty of postal jottings both Cestrian and of Cheshire. Let the writer give a few which he has gleaned. Transit was slow and our forefathers hoped to hasten matters by quaint superscriptions. Here is a specimen from a letter posted at Nantwich. It is addressed" To my very good Ffriend and Kinswoman Mistress Ann Lloyd, dwelling in King Streete, Maidstone, in Countie Kent, these. And haste, poste, haste; as thou lovest thy Soul: haste, I say, haste, haste, haste!" And here another from Chester itself and (apparently) of about 1720. It is addressed simply John Hargreaves, Notary in London," but beneath this is written 11 These, post, deliver at your best. Ride, and spare not spur. Thy beast is less than my businesse, soe haste." And such superscriptions were common till well within the days When George the Third was king when they gradually disappeared. They seem to have been specially dear to the fair sex. A hundred and fifty years ago-in the reign of our second George—a letter from Chester to London took five days on an average, in winter sometimes seven. From Whitchurch (Salop) to Oxford was also five days in 1740; from the same place to Dover eight days. But from Chester to Edinburgh was but four days in 1745, we have somewhere read. Such transit could scarcely have been lusual, however, in those slow-paced days. (And, spite of authori- ties, that "four days from London to Edinburgh" above-mentioned as having been accomplished in 1541. must, we fancy, be taken with a pinch of salt.") Could the reader look through the files of the Chester Courant" (from the day when —more than a hundred and seventy years ago!—it started on its marvellously long and vigorous term of newspaper lite under the title of U Adams's Weekly Courant" in 1730) he would probably remark several accounts and notes anent highwaymen and the robbery of stage-waggons and post coaches and the like. For travelling was no safe or easy thing then- a-days, and the fact that the Chester-and- London stage" carried His Majesty's mails was little or no protection to it. Towards the end of the reign of George the First it is said to have been robbed under peculiar circum- stances only a few miles out of Chester. On nearing Wrexham a man and a very determined woman, each armed to the teeth, came, in broad daylight, suddenly from a dingle by the roadside. Getting in front of the horses they levelled muskets at the heads of the driver and his companion, ordering them to stop. They did so, when the female—who appeared a gentle- woman, and who had very delicate hands and handsomely jewelled fingers-demanded that a certain letter addressed to Shrewsbury should instantly be given her. The man, who seemed an ordinary farm labourer of very powerful build, asked for the modest sum of four guineas. The pair held each a loaded pistol to the ear of coachman and guard until the one had produced the money and the other had searched-for and found the letter, when they at once allowed the mail to proceed without further molestation. Each wore a mask, allowing only the eyes to be seen, and the strange episode was never explained. The dingle by the roadside one supposes to be one of those hollows to the right of the highway beyond Gresford. At another (and later) date a somewhat organised attack upon the mail-coach was made between Overton and Ellesmere, but coachman, guard, and three passengers presented so bold a front that the highwaymen fled. About the middle of the last century a letter from Chester to London cost thirteenpence, to York ninepence, to Dover from eighteenpence to two shillings. Postal charges varied not only with distance but also according to the size and shape of the letters, and it was im- possible to prepay them. Charges were, not very materially lessened at the commencement of the present century, and even as lately as 1830-39 it appears that few letters were carried from London to Chester for less than ten pence or a shilling! I& certain remote districts of North East Cheshire on the one hand, and of the Welsh Border upon the other, there were but two deliveries weekly, and at some villages in the Congleton and Macclesfield district (about the year 1805) letters aro said to have been regu- larly left, stuck behind the mantel-glasses at the village inns. for chance callers. They sometimes lay unclaimed for weeks together, and frequently fell finally into hands other than those for which they were intended! For postal matters were more or less chaotic till sixty years ago. The postman's horn—usually blown be- fore arrival at any house or farmstead for which he had a letter-was a familiar sound "i Jif Cheshire of other days, and many of the old boys who sounded it were celebrities. Of one such I have gathered some amusing par- ticulars, which (together with other anecdotes anent the Posts and Postmen of the past) must be included in a succeeding paper. 13th October, 1900. A. M.

UNSEASONABLE SALMON. -♦ FISHERMEN SMARTLY FINED. On Saturday the County magistrates, by inflicting smart penalties, indicated their determination to co-operate with the Dee Fishery Board in their laudable efforts to protect the salmon fishing industry from the evil effects of unseasonable fishing. The offenders on this occasion were three Chester fishermen, named Thomas Gough and James Banks, of Greenway- street, and John Buckley, of Hawarden Castle Entry, and they were charged before Mr. H. D. Trelawny (chairman), the Hon. C. T. Parker and Dr. Butt, with taking three unseasonable salmon out of the estuary of the River Dee, on the 27th September. Gough and Banks pleaded guilty, and Buckley not guilty. Mr. H. D. Jolliffe prosecuted on behalf of the Board, and, in opening the case, said two bailiffs, named Corlett and Calder, were on duty at Daw- pool and watched the three defendants make four draughts. They were making the fourth draught when the bailiffs went towards them. Banks, who was at the end of the net nearest the boat, espied the bailiffs and took out of the boat a bag containing something heavy and threw it into the water. Calder was, however, able to get the bag before it sank, and in it he found a full-grown salmon and two sea trout. The section of the Act stated that offenders should forfeit any fish, and that they were incurred a penalty of not exceeding £5 in respect of each fish. Thomas Corlett, a bailiff employed by the Board, stationed at Heswall, said he was on duty with Calder on the shore near Dawpool at 8.30 o'clock in the evening, when they saw the three defendants fishing with draught nets. They watched them an hour and a half, or two hours, and saw them make four draughts. They went towards them just as they were landing the fourth draught. One end of the boat was aground. Banks threw a bag over the stern into the water, and he (witness) caught it just as it was going out of sight. He opened it, and found a full-grown salmon, weighing about 161b., and two sea trout, one weighed lb. and the other lib. The de- fendants were all fishing together. He told them they would be reported, and took possossion of the fish and booked their names and addresses. By Buckley He received every civility from the men, and was not hampered in any way. He had known Buckley some time, and had always found him civil and well behaved. In reply to the Magistrates' Clerk (Mr. Churton), Mr. Jolliffe cited the law shewing that sea trout were included as salmon. John Calder, the other bailiff, said he was present when the bag was taken out of the water and saw the three fish in the bag. Gough pleaded that they were not fishing for salmon at all, adding, It was a nasty night, and we were in a little difficulty at home." Buckley made a long statement to the Bench, the gist of which was that they were sea fishing, and not fishing for salmon. Unfortunately, they caught the three salmon. If they had wanted to fish for salmon they could have done so nearer home. He had tried to do his best to benefit the fisheries of the river and not to destroy them. He was a respectable workingman and not a blackguard, and he hoped the magistrates would take that into consideration. He pointed out that salmon and trout were in season to the angler while they were denied to the fishermen and the public. Banks had nothing to say. The magistrates having hinted that they would convict, Mr. Simpson, superintendent to the Board, handed in a list of previous convictions, shewing that Gough had been fined on four separate occasions, and that Banks and Buckley had each been previously fined. Buckley said his previous fine was for a technical offence. Mr. Jolliffe said as far as the Fishery Board were concerned they had for several years been endeavouring to put down poaching, and they had succeeded in narrowing the limits of poaching within a very few hands. They trusted in a. very short time to have no more of it. The Bench retired, and on returning into Court the Chairman said Thomas Gough, who had been before the magistrates on four occasions for that sort of thing, would have to pay a fine of B5 and costs. Banks had also been previously before the Bench, and he would be fined JB5 and costs, and Buckley's penalty was JB2 and costs. The costs would be divided between the three.

LIGHTING-UP TABLE. » All cycles and other vshicles in the Chester district must be lighted up as stated in the following table:— P.M. Wednesday, October 17. 6.11 Thursday, October 18 6.9 Friday, October 19. 6.7 Saturday, October 20 6.4 Sunday, October 21 6.1 Monday, October 22 5.59 Tuesday, October 23 5.57

Birtljs, j&arrtages, anfc IBeatfrg. BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, and DEATHS are charged at the rate of 20 words for Is. (prepaid). If not prepaid, the charge will be 2s. 6d. The announcement must be authenticated by the Signature and Address of the Sender. MARRIAGE. MORRIS—JONES—October 11, at Great Boughton Congre- gational Church, Chester, by the Rev. Ll. Edwards, M.A., assisted by the Rev. Jno. Chater, M.A., and the Rev. Jno. Morgan, Edward H. Morris, eldest son of the late Edward Morris, to Ethel, daughter of the late Richard Jones, Chester. DEATHS. CHADDOCK—October 6, at Congleton Edge, Paul Chad. dock, aged 68 years. CONGREVE-October 15, 1900. at segrwyd, co. Denbigh, Walter Ralph Congreve, youngest son of the late W. W. Congreve, Esq., of Congreve, and Burton Hall, aged 60 years. HAYWooD-October 6, at Hillfield, Alderley Edge, Jane, relict of Benjamin Haywood. PARKER-october 15, at Bolesworth Castle. Harriet Parker, for nearly 30 years the faithful servant of Mr. and Mrs. George Barbour. WILLIAMS-October 6, at the Rectory, Gyffylliog, Den. bighshire, the Rev. William Bees Williams, M.A. (Sydnev), Sussex College, Cambridge, lor 27 years rector of the parish, and formerly principal of the North Wales Training College, Carnarvon, f ged 86 years.

MEMORIALS. AT ALL PRICKS, IN MARBLE, GRANITE, STONE & ALABASTER. On View, and to Order. W. HASWELL & SON. MASONS, KALEYARDS, CHESTER. Estimates and Designs Free on application. Telephone No. 161A. Mr. Kruger, the ex-President of the Trans- vaal, completed his 75th year on Wednesday, having been born on October 10, 1825. QRAWPORD'S K I E L F I N G E R S FOB A FTERNOON T EA.

•A- few days after the announcement of the I'elief of Mafeking the Mayor of Bangor invited Lieutenant-General Baden-Powell to accept the freedom of the city of Bangor. On Saturday the Mayor received a reply from General Baden- owell, who stated that he had great pleasure 111 accepting the honour proposed to be con- ferred upon him by the citizens of Bangor-He hoped to be free soon, and at the first oppor- tunity he would come to England. Second Lieutenant Henry Vernon Venables Kyrke, 1st Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who was reported by Lord Roberts to be dangerously bounded at Dwarsolei on the 9th inst., is, we e glad to learn, progressing favourably. He 18 the son of Mr. Kyrke, of Nant-ffrith, Hope. 1d:r. Kyrke was previously wounded with the Ladysmith Relief Force. He is in his twentieth year, and joined his line regiment from its 3rd Battalion (Denbigh and Flint Militia) twelve Months ago. The Hon. Seymour Fitzroy Ormsby-Gore, who has ousted the Radical representative of Gains- borough, is the youngest surviving son of William, second Baron Harlech. Born in 1863, he was educated at Brasenose College, Oxford, taking the B.A. and M.A. degrees in 1889, and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society. lie was a lieutenant in the 4th Battalion (Militia) of the Oxfordshire Light Infantry from 1886 to 1890, and since February last has been a captain in the 3rd Kent (Royal Arsenal) Volunteer Artillery. The 2nd Lincolnshire Regiment, an old Wool- wich corps, whose commandant was captured at Nitral's Nek and was placed on half-pay a Week after his release by the Boers, has been Notified that an outside officer has been intro- duced to take command. The new chief is Lieutenant-Colonel Hugh Archdale, who has done splendid work in the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, And has been second in command of a battalion of Barton's Union Brigade at the front. He has previously seen active service in the Soudan and Burmah. Lieutenant-Colonel Archdale is a Son-in-law of our neighbours, Captain and Mrs. Griffith-Boscawen, of Trevalyn Hall, Rossett. DIOCESE OF CHESTER.—At a meeting of the beneficed clergy of the Archdeaconry of Chester the Rev. Alfred Maitland Wood, M.A., vicar of Runcorn and honorary canon of Chester Cathedral, and the Rev. William Edward Torr, &.A., vicar of Eastham, were elected proctors to Convocation for the archdeaconry. At a Meeting of the beneficed clergy of the Arch- deaconry of Macclesfield, the Rev. Arthur Gore, D.D., vicar of Bowdon and canon of Chester Cathedral, and the Rev. Sidney Adolphus Boyd, M.A., B.C.L., vicar of St. Michael's, Macclesfield, were elected proctors to Convocation for the archdeaconry. The Duke of Teck has written from South Africa accepting the presidency of the Royal Botanic Society, a pose rendered vacant by the death of his father, the late Duke of Teck. Mr. F. de Pennefather, of Calveley Hall, has made a gallant fight in North Monmouth- shire, and although he has not won the seat, his adverse majority of 1,399 is not discouraging When the returns for previous elections are studied. It is true that on the last election the Radical majority stood at only 762, but in al the preceding contests the Radical vote was simply overwhelming, namely a majority of 1.160 in 1892; 2,304 in 1886; and 2,466 in 1885. Mr. Pennefather will, we hope, live to fight another day. MEISTEB GLEE SINGERS.—The Meister Glee Singers are again to visit Chester. These talented vocalists are advertised to appear at the Music Hall on Friday, October 26th, when they will be assisted by Mrs. Helen Trust (soprano), Miss Nadia Sylva (solo violinist), and Madame Frickenhaus (piano). The occa- sion should prove a success both musically and financially. POLICE PROMOTIONS.—At a recent meeting Of the Watch Committee of Chester Town Council, on the recommendation of the Chief Constable, it was resolved that the following police constables be promoted-James Dryland, No. 22, George Wakelin. No. 10, and Frederick Aostic, No. 19, from the 29s. to the 30s. per week class of constables; Alfred John Woods, No. lit from the 25s. per week to the 26s. per weekclaBsof constables; and George KnowJes, No. 13, from the 24s. per week to the 25s. per Week class of constables. DIOCESE OF CHESTER.—The Bishop of Chester will hold his next ordination on St. Thomas' Day, Friday the 21st December next. Candidates for ordination should communicate with the Rev. Canon Mait- land Wood, The Vicarage, Runcorn, Cheshire, examining chaplain to the Bishop. The examination will commence on Tuesday, the 20th November next, and the papers of accepted can- didates must be sent in to the Bishop's Secretaries, Messrs. Gamon, Farmer, and Co. Cathedral Chambers, Chester, on or before the 20th November next. CYCLE PARADE'S SATISFACTORY RESULT.— At a meeting of the Cycle Parade Committee, held on Thursday evening, the hon. treasurer (Mr. E. Yates) submitted his statement of Accounts, shewing the nett proceeds of the recent carnival to be JE189 17s. 2d., including the balance brought forward from last year. The following amounts were to the Infirmary, JE15 to the Sick Nursing Home, JE15 to the Skin Dispensary,. and a honorarium of £10 to hon. secretary, carrying the balance of £29 17s. 2d. forward. Votes of thanks were Accorded the officers, chief marshal and his Assistants, prize donors, judges, cyclists, bands, collectors, and all who took part in the parade. CHESTER DIOCESAN CONFERENCE. — The annual Diocesan Conference will be held at Altrincham on Wednesday and Thursday, Nov. 7 and 8. On Wednesday morning, after the Bishop's address, a resolution will be moved by Mr. Hatt Cook upon the income of the clergy. In the afternoon there will be a discussion on Church Reform, with special reference to the Draft Bill for the Reform of Convocation, &c. Lord Hugh Cecil will speak on the subject. At A men's meeting in the evening the special speakers will include Lord H. Cecil and Mr. W. H. Richards, M.P. Thursday's business will delude the following .—Report on foreign hussions, with resolutions to be moved by the en. Archdeacon Goldwyer Lewis; Church fission to the deaf and dumb; statement of "Wallasey Church Building Society. SCHOOLBOYS WITH KNIVES. — The Crewe Magistrates had before them on Saturday Thomas Hyde, a schoolboy of 12, charged with ^tabbing a little schoolfellow named Llewelyn Roberts. Both boys were on Thursday in the Playground of their day school in Hightown, Engaged in play. They possessed themselves pocket knives, and presently Roberts cut Hyde's jacket with his knife. Angry passions "ere roused. Roberts ran away into a house, and Hyde followed with the open knife and stabbed him in the chest. Dr. Wilson said the Wound was dangerous. Another quarter of an Inch and the boy would have been killed. It J^A8 Btated also that Hyde struck prosecutor's brother with a knife, cutting his coat. The Magistrates severely condemned the use of nIves by boys. They did not know how to deal with the prisoner. He was eventually bound over. HOSPITAL SUNDAY.—The Secretary of the Chester General Infirmary begs to acknowledge Mth thanks the receipt of the following Church flections:—St. Thomas' Church, £ 14 Is. 5d.; ^Attenhall Parish Church, £ 12 2s. ( £ 10 to the Infirmary and £ 2 2s. to the Parkgate Con- valescent Home) St. John the Baptist Church, jH 0s. 2d.; Upton Church, £ 8 ( £ 4 to the infirmary and £ 4 to the Parkgate Convalescent Olne); Harthill Parish Church, .£6 6s.; < homton-le-Moors Church, .£410s. 4d. (.£3 9s. 4d. ~o the Infirmary and £1 Is. to the Parkgate Convalescent Home); Hargrave and Huxley church, .£4 4s. (£3 3s. to the Infirmary and c.1 Is. to the Parkgate Convalescent Home; jt* John-street Wesleyan Church, £ 3 4B. 3d.; jjjAtthew Henry's (Unitarian) Chapel, £ 3 3s.; Port Church, £ 2 2s.; Presbyterian hnurch, Golftyn, £ 2 2s. ,• St. John's Church, ^Awarden, £ 2 2s.; St. Michael's Church, £ 1 p • 7d.; Delamere Church, £ 1 3s. 7d.; St. pSte^e Church, Ashton-by-Sutton, £ lls. 4d.; 'rook-etreet Mission Hall, 15s. The secretary t So.beg8 to acknowledge with thanks the ceipt of a donation of £ 10 10s. from the \jUesnaere Port Cycle Carnival Committee, per *• Geo. Reid, hon. sec. TENNIS FOR FEVER PATIENTS.—The Public Health Committee have decided to recommend to Chester Town Council that the tender of Dicksons, Limited, to clean, trench, level, and prepare ground adjoining the Isolation Hos- pital, area about 1,800 square yards, including cutting the turf, and laying down the same, and making it suitable for a lawn tennis ground, for the sum of £57 15s., be accepted. FLINTSHIRE'S VETERAN VOTER.—On Satur- day there voted at Worthenbury, Flint- shire, Mr. Henry Richards, who in the course of a few days will attain his 103rd year. Mr. Richards has been voting since the passing of the Reform Bill of 1832. He distinctly remembers the battle of Waterloo, and has had several conversations with the Iron Duke. His descendants now number 11 children, 66 grandchildren, 97 great grandchildren, and eight great great grand- children, making a total of 184. PROPOSED ISOLATION HOSPITAL FOR HOYLAKE AND WEST KIRBY.—The Hoylake and West Kirby District Council approved on Monday night a recommendation of the health com- mittee to reappoint Messrs. Davies, W. A. Jones, Ellison, and the chairman of the council as a sub-committee to consider the proposed increased accommodation at the Wirral Joint Isolation Hospital, and to report as to the advisability of the council providing and main- taining an infectious diseases hospital for the district. S.P.G. BICENTENARY: CHILDREN'S CELEBRA- TION.—A bright and interesting children's service was held in Chester Cathedral on Satur- day afternoon, in furthur celebration of the bicentenary of the Society for the Propogation of the Gospel. Specially-selected hymns were sweetly sung. The Precentor (the Rev. H. H. Wright), and Minor Canon Weeder conducted the service and intoned the prayers, and the lessons were read by the Dean and the canon- in-residence (Canon Feilden). Canon Bellamy preached an appropriate sermon. A collection was afterwards made for the benefit of the Society. To ADVERTISE CHESTER. — The Chester Town Council will be recommended, at its meeting to-day (Wednesday) to authorise a committee to arrange with a Mr. G. W. May for the issue by him of an illustrated booklet for Chester, the letter- press and photographs to be first submitted to, and approved by, the committee. Mr. May, who is acting in concert with the Health Resorts Development Association, proposes to issue the booklet, and to present 500 copies free if it is adopted as the official publication of the Corporation, with a notification to that effect on the front cover. DIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL.—It is the intention of the Bishop of Liverpool to hold an Ordination four times in every year; at Trinity and Advent for candidates for Priest's Orders, and at Lent and Sep- tember for candidates for Deacon's Orders. The next ordination will be of candidates for priest's orders, and will be held on St. Thomas' Day, Friday, the 21st December. A special ordination of candidates for deacon's orders will be held on Sunday, December the 23rd. Intending candidates should, with- out delay, communicate with the Bishop. The examinations will commence on Wednesday. the 21st November, and the papers of accepted candidates must be received by the Bishop's secretaries, Messrs. Gamon, Farmer and Co., 53, Lord-street, Liverpool, on or before the 20th November next. NATIONAL HEALTH SOCIETY.—A meeting of the Chester Branch of this Society was recently held at St. Martin's Room, the Archdeacon of Chester taking the chair in the unavoidable absence of the High Sheriff (Mr. B. C. Roberts). It was proposed by Mrs. B. C. Roberts, and seconded by Mrs. Stolterfoth, that the state- ment of accounts, shewing a balance in hand of seventeen shillings, be adopted, and a hearty vote of thanks accorded to Mr. Walter Conway for his kindness in acting as hon. auditor. Mrs. Keith Douglas proposed, and Mrs. F. E. Roberts seconded, a vote of thanks to the head office for so liberally contributing half the lecturer's salary and charging so low a rate for the examiner's expenses. Mrs. B. C. Roberts pro- posed, and Mrs. King seconded, that an endeavour be made to obtain Miss Curwen's services at the beginning of 1901, and that headquarters be asked to continue their assist- ance. After an interesting discussion, it was decided that a meeting of the general com- mittee be held about the middle of November to discuss possible further operations of the branch. VOLUNTEER CHURCH PARADE.—The members of the Earl of Chester's V.B. Cheshire Regi- ment and the 1st Cheshire and Carnarvonshire Artillery Volunteers attended divine service at Chester Cathedral on Sunday morning. Unfor- tunately the weather was exceedingly wet and boisterous, and consequently prevented a large muster ot the corps. The men assembled at the Drill Hall at 9.15, the muster of the Earl of Chester's being seven officers and 213 rank and file, and the Artillery nine officers and about 200 rank and file. The officers in attendance were: Earl of Chester's—Captains Evans (command- ing), Bromley, and Davidson, Hon. Colonel Fluitt, and Second Lieutenants Churton, Dickson, Hamilton, and Smith. Artillery— Colonel Wilford N. Lloyd (commanding), Hon. Colonel H. T. Brown, Captain C. E. Forrestier- Walker (adjutant), Major Mason, Captains J. B. Hall, F. H. Lloyd, T. H. Wood, and H. F. Taylor, and Lieutenant V. H. Dickson. Headed by their respective bands, the corps marched to the Cathedral. The special service, which was held in the nave at 10.30, was attended by a crowded congregation. The sermon was preached by the Chaplain to the Artillery Volunteers (the Rev. J. F. Howson), and the offertory was in aid of Chester Infirmary. OPPOSING CLERICAL DICTATION.—Mr. Tom Davies, chairman of the Hoylake Polling District Conservative Association, writes as follows:—Herewith I beg to hand you a copy of a resolution which was unanimously carried at a largely attended meeting of the committee of this association on Friday evening, and I shall feel obliged by your insertion of the same in your columns:—" That this meeting of the Hoylake Conservative Committee declares that though it does not deny to all her Majesty's subjects, be they clergy or laity, the right of free thought and action, so long as such action is within the laws, the day has long gone by when the free laity of the Church of England will accept clerical dictation as to the exercise of their votes, and it therefore rejoices at the utter failure of the attempt on the part of the English Church Union to divert the support of Conservative Churchmen from Unionist candi- dates in Wirral and elsewhere. Further, the meeting desires to place on record its opinion that the circular-letter printed in red (the Con- servative colour in Wirral), issued in the names of five clergymen residing in or near the district of Wallasey, stating, in large print, We are unable to support the candidature of Mr. Hoult,' and giving copies of two letters, was a most unwarrantable and unseemly attempt at clerical coercion, though within their legal rights."