The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

A PROLONGED FIGHT. MALAN CAPTURED. A telegram from Middelburg, Cape Colony, States that, on Tuesday, Commandant Malan, one of the Boer leaders, who with De Wet invaded V-ape Colony eighteen months ago, was mortally wounded and captured, after a prolonged fight with a force of the Jansenville District Mounted Horse, under Major Collett. The same party of Boers were subsequently engaged by an armoured train. From Johannesburg, it is stated that on Monday a small party of Boers under Van Wyk attacked Roodepoort, but were easily repulsed.

RESERVIST BEREAVED. Amid all the rejoicings occasioned by the return of the Volunteers, there was sorrow in one warrior's heart. Private Towers, Linenhail- street, who was invalided home from the front, on Sunday lost his wife, who had been ill for some time. The widower is a Militia Reservist, and went out to the front in January, 1900 with a. detachment of 80 who were called up to strengthen the Cheshires. He joined Lord Roberts s force after the capture of Bloemfontein and went up to Johannesburg. He took part in several fights, including Diamond Hill and 13candfort, of which he came out unharmed.

NESTON MAN AT PIETERMARITZ- BURG. AT THE ARMY STORES. INTERESTING LETTER. An interesting letter has been received at Naston from Mr. E. Seymour Evans, who left that town for South Africa about nineteen months ,?in,ce wh*ch time he has been engaged at the Ordnance Office at Pietermaritzburg. He vll L~ The department I am employed in Ps "us3r enough in spite of the peace rumours, a danger to see our storehouses and Biding he would conclude that the war was to continue indefinitely, for we still keep despatch- ccfu^on^- t0n? ofust°res> to the different and ln the Orange River Colony the cWCKU TranSVaaL' Pietermaritzburg being *he chief base depot for this side. Our stores 'vidual effort; still they can get through a great I tMnk, than oouM lifting apparatus here, every item being handled an »^yS' fr°m ai?yth^ to an ox wagon or bulance, and it is most amusing to see ™loaimg a railwar truck* Six of tSem win get round a case, and one will start an impromptu whn'n'A. ? 18 echoed by the others. Then SrJhey g6t Up and they reach the right LWayi ? e°es> all at once, and they nold it above their heads at arms' length, and can carry it in this position for a considerable cistance. It is astonishing what weight they can lift in this manner, but they prefer it to any other way, and never appear to be tired. They invariably set up a chant or chorus when work- ing in a gang, and the more they do the more noise they make." After an amusing description ii Nt i it t?rKS of the c°l°ured population M,r" Evans proceeds:—"You will be surprised to hear, no doubt, that although Natal ij supposed to be the Garden Colony, yet fruit nelriv HarfKnd °ftien "Obtainable, and likewise nearly all those things which are really local produce. Oranges are not less than a penny each, bananas ditto, grapes Is. 6d. per Ib.T cab- bages 4d. each, potatoes 8s. per 100 pounds, and eggs average 4s. 6d. per dozen. Butter Is. Id. per lb., flour 12s. 6d. to 14s. per 1001b. I have these prices, which are retail, from a resident in the town, and these are but a sample. Every- thing is proportionately dear, but wages are much tiigher here, so it works out much about the same as in England."

MESMERISM FOR AMUSEMENT. SERIOUS RESULTS AT BIRKENHEAD. From the foolish practice of utilising the subtle power of mesmerism for mere amusement a most extraordinary affair has occurred. A Birkenhead Postman has studied the art, and he has made a practice of subjecting his colleagues to the influence" for the general amusement. A post- named Jack Griffiths, of Dingle, Liverpool, *no always contended that it was impossible for anyone to mesmerise him, submitted himself to the Powers of his mesmeric colleague, who succeeded in Placing the subject under his influence. The com- of the operator were performed most readily, "lost of the feats were absurd and ludicrous, and the onlookers vied with each other in discovering tasks for the mesmerised man. He whistled ?°r the fire brigade, and assisted mythical firemen Jn their work. After a considerable time Griffiths uncontrollable, aud behaved like a madman. £ r. Wilkinson was sent for and, after calming the ^amsiderabiy, took him to the hospital. Griffith^™? Wa? admJm-stered, and after a sleep Probably KVte0d vr." iffull> -The operator will sufifgeations wliioV. Vlctlm to remove the xom^hich are still working in his brain.

A SPIN-NEIP",S LAMENT. It was the wift> u Gelderd-road, LeedT 6?°^°—Mrs. Thompson, of husband. "For v» ai 6^e was referring to her plaint, dizziness suffered from liver com- also had snasme j^ache and indigestion. He Being a sninnpr a bad attack of jaundice, and he would snv f had to> oa his feet aH day' dinner-time T «' J-.me' 'As soon as gets to be drag mvsplf was ni&ht' for 1 can hardly would com! t°Ut When ni&ht came on be apnetit^ ,j bome utterly fagged out, with no from slftfnl n° lnterest in anything. He suffered Anvtk P eS8ness too> and Pains in the stomach. 1?. ^be nature of confectionery and crino- *W t i bftd the least bit I used to fairly LAAF T knew what it would mean later. At BP Persuaded him to try Chas. Forde's Bile rp, anJ- He got some and went on taking them. ^ew boxes did him pounds of good. Soon »lf r beginning to take them his spasms stopped 'together. Then he ceased having pains after *OeaIs; and as he continued to take the medicine regularly, the tired feeling he had so long com- gained of left him entirely. At the present time he w not like the same man. Bile Beans have done ore for him than we could have hoped for wwt «," *ho in mills, factories, offices, or »iind q P lndoo"> should bear this case in &i»rd £ r„"dfe.1rt time 'r f»™«a11 If you suffer as Mr Tl, are the best euro, him will you hi T"* what curcd lialf-perice or two and nine per box from all chemists, or upon receipt of prices from the Bile Bean Manufacturing Co., 119, London Wall Lon- don, E.C. They are sold only in sealed boxes- never loose or in penny-worths.

SEARCH FOR ANCESTRY.—Mr. Geo. A. Talley, Linwood, Pennsylvania, U.S.A., has issued a few circulars m this country enquiring about his ancestry, and offering £1 reward to the person who finds it. Three men of the family emigrated to America in 1077. He suggests that the name might <*>me from Tallis or Tr.llys, or from the French Le Aulie, or Lc Taille.

R.S.P.C.A. 0 THE CHESTER BRANCH. The annual meeting of the Chester Branch of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was held on Wednesday afternoon, at the Town Hall. In the unavoidable absence of the Mayor (Mr. James G. Frost), Mr. H. T. Brown presided, and a gratifying attendance in- cluded the Mayoress, the Ven. Archdeacon Bar- ber, the Rev. P. A. Miller, the Rev. F. Edwards, the Rev. 0. P. Fisher, Mrs. H. T. Brown, Mrs. B. C. Roberts, Colonel Evans-Lloyd, Mr. W. Den- son, Mr. A. W. Lucas and the hon. secretary (Miss Robin). Apologies for absence were received from the Duchess of Westminster, who had consented to become a patroness of the society, Colonel Wil- ford LLoyd,' Lady Lettic-e Grosvenor, Archdeacon Gore, Miss Dismore, Lady Margaret Ormsby- Gore (president of the Malpas auxiliary), and Canon Willis (Warrington), who had intended to deliver an address. THE ANNUAL REPORT. The report of the work done this year shewed an important advance on that for 1900 in two respects. The appeal, made in the report at the annual meeting, for recognition of the work done by the society's inspector in the country area. of the Eddisbury Division, met with a most prompt and energetic response from Malpas. Under the presidency of the Lady Margaret Ormsby-Gore, and her able hon. secretary, Miss Howard, of Broughton Hall, a flourishing auxiliary was formed within a month, and subscriptions amounting to over £ 17 were sent in to the Chester branch. The work done by the society's inspector in this dis- trict this year comprised six convictions, two admonitions from the chief office, 63 cautions, and, on an average, fortnightly visits throughout the year; needless to say, the vigilance exercised by the local president and hon. secretary largely contributed to the thoroughness of the work. There still remained the Tarporley and Beeston Castle, district unresponsive to the appeal; it is repre- sented by one single subscriber out of a possible 13 at least. The work done by the inspector of the Chester branch in that district for 1901 com- prised three convictions, 43 cautions, and 34 visits, averaging about three a month, and when a second inspector was required, the one from Wrexham was sent by the chief office. The Crewe and Nantwich auxiliaries continued to flourish. The total number of convictions throughout the area of the branch, and outside it, had been all but doubled in 1901, and the 66 convictions were obtained out of 68 cases brought into court, the only two that were dismissed being due to the divided opinion of the magistrates on the bench. No portion of penalties was taken by the society. The branch's remittance to the chief office was £ 160, an advance of £ 10 upon that for 1900. In the middle of March the branch lost the services of its first resident inspector, E. T. Channing, after 2 years' work here, and in his place came In- spector Blake Jones, from the Wrexham branch, who has proved himself a worthy successor. The second important step of the branch had been the taking over of the school essay competition work belonging to its area, which had previously been so indefatigably carried on for thirteen years by Miss Dismore, hon. treasurer of the Wirral branch. This department of the work was now in the able hands of Mrs. Stanley Owen, Uffington House, Chester. Thirty schools competed this year, and the prize scholars received their usual prizes at the hands of the Mayoress (Mrs. H. T. Brown), who with the Mayor kindly entertained them and their teachers at tea in the Town Hall at the close of the proceedings. The committee considered this educational work among the children, coupled with the free distribution of appropriate literature in the clubs, reading-rooms and institutes of the branch, among its most important and fruitful efforts. The Bands of Mercy were growing well, the younger one (in Handbridge) having received a very welcome impetus from the interest given it by the Rev. G. A. and Mrs. Vesey. Ten of the Chester cabmen were presented with waterproof rugs as a recognition by this society of their special care of their horses. The committee thanked the Mayor and Corporation for the frequent use of the Town Hall; the Chief Constables of the county and borough police and their staffs; Mr. W. E. Brown, the hon. auditor; the band of col- lectors and all who have aided and made pleasant their work in any wav. The Inspector, in his report, explained that the increase in the number of convictions was due to the extended area covered by the branch, and the assistance rendered by persons witnessing acts of cruelty. During the year he had done duty at Crewe, Nantwich, Audlem, Beeston, Tarporley, Broxton, Malpas, Tilstone, Overton, Cudding- ton, Winsford and Over, Ellesmere Port, and sur-1 rounding intervening districts; and, as far as possible, the cattle fairs and markets have been patrolled, as also had the canal towing paths, re- sulting in the deteotion of cruelty and prosecution of persons for the same. „ The balance-sheet shewed a balance in hand of B 16 Os. 7d. Ll Miss Robin (the hon. secretary) reported that owing to the resignation of Mr. B. C. Roberts, the Duke of Westminster had consented to be elected president of the branch. With regard to the extra and special prizes offered for the best school essay on "Kindness to Animals," the first prize for girls had been given this year by the Countess Grosvenor and Lady Lettice Grosvenor, and was therefore called the Grosvenor Prize. The Chairman, in moving the adoption of the reports and accounts, commented on the highly satisfactory record of the work of the branch which the report disclosed. Many thought that the value of the society was to be tested almost entirely by the results of the prosecutions and the punishments awarded. He thought, however, that a society of this kind was rightly called a pre- ventive society, and that prosecution was the last extreme to have recourse to in the direction of prevention. He was therefore sorry to see that the prosecutions during the last year had been very largely in excess of those in the previous year. Miss Moore (Crewe) seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr. C. A. Reeks, of London, moved the election of the Duke of Westminster as president of the branch, the re-election of the retiring committee and officers, and a vote of thanks to Mr. B. C. Roberts, the late president, for his many services in the past. In the course of an address, Mr. Reeks said he did not attach so much importance to the prosecuting side of the work as to the pre- ventive side. One of the influences of the society, which had been working for nearly eighty years, was that the example of England was now being followed in all the great towns and cities on the Continent. Archdeacon Barber, in seconding the motion, referred to the cruelty in the slaughtering of birds in order to furnish feathers for the adornment of ladies' headgear. Colonel Evans-Lloyd, in supporting the motion, called attention to the cruelty that was to be witnessed daily at the Watergate in the distress of overloaded horses panting up the hill. The motion was carried. The Chairman moved a vote of congratulation to Lady Lettice Grosvenor upon her approaching marriage to Lord Beauchamp. He remarked that Lady Lettice was well known in the city, and had endeared herself to the hearts of her neigh- bours by her many acts of kindness. Although they could not help but rejoice in her engagement, they would regret very much that that engage- ment must, through force of circumstances, re- move her from their midst. Time after time she had interested herself in all good works in Chester. They wished her every happiness in her married life, and he was sure that Lord Beau- champ would have a most charming helpmate for the rest of his life. (Hear, hear.) The Rev. P. A. Miller, in seconding, referred to the valuable assistance that Lady Lettice Gros- venor had rendered to this society. The motion was carried with acclamation. The Mayoress aftenvards distributed school es essay prizes to the following scholars:- Boys: Gerald Williams (first prize), Eocleston; James Morris (second prize), Chester Wesleyan; Whynne Manley (highly commended), Guilden Sutton; Edgar Beresford, Threapwood, Malpas; J. Humphreys, Worthenbury; Ernest Powell, Grosvenor St. John's; Ernest Parry, Lache, Salt- ney; John Pierce, Holy Trinity; William Meredith, Shocklach, Malpas; Frederick Cox, In- dustrial, Boughton; Harold Harrison, St. Paul's; Edward Ireland, All Saints'; Charles Bath, Bishop Graham; Roy Morris, Christ Church; Herbert Williams, Chester British; James Mullineaux, Christleton. Girls: Nora Watt (first- prize), St. Paul's; Emily Davies (second prize), Grosvenor St. John's; Flora Roberts (highly commended), Blue Girls'; Gertrude Brookes, Over Meadow Bank; Sarah Lloyd, Over St. John's; Agnes Smith, Farndon; Mary Moore, Darnhall, Winsford; Anna Billing- ton, Tarporley; Mary Parker, Pulford; Minnie Gill, Holy Trinity; Eva Lloyd, Christ Church; Agnes Shallcross, Christleton; Annie Powell, Victoria-road British; Margaret Lloyd, Chester Wesleyan; Fanny Baker, Westminster, Hoole; Gracie Johnson, Upton St. Mary's; Ruth Price, St. Thomas's; Eveline Atherton, St. Michael's.

EDUCATION BILL CRITICISED.—At a meeting of the South Cheshire and District Association of Sunday Schools and congregations held in Matthew Henry s Chapel on Thursday, the following resolu- tion, proposed by the Rev. J. K. Montgomery seconded by the Rev. G. A. Payne (Knutsford), was unanimously adopted" That while rejoicing atanv proposal to improve the education of the country and to co-ordinate all its branches under onA authority we are of opinion that the Bill submitted by the Government in its destruction of school boards directly elected by the ratepayers—in its increased support to denominational schools without giving controlling power to those who pay rates and taxes, in its failure to provide proper training schools for teachers of all denominations in the increased power it gives to the clergy, and in its diminution of the powers of the people, is not worthy of support, and should be radically amended or rejected by Parliament." Copies were ordered to be sent to the Government, to the leader of the Opposition, and to the Press.

CORONATION FESTIVITIES. I ——— — CHESTER BUTCHERS CLOSING. The Chester Butchers' Association have decided to close their establishments throughout Coronation Day, and to close at one o'clock the following day. CHESTER MARKET. We understand that the tenants of the Chester Market have under consideration the question of closing the Market at one o'clock on the second day of the Coronation THE ARTILLERY VOLUNTEERS. The 1st Cheshire and Carnarvonshire Royal Garrison Artillery (Volunteers) will have the honour of being represented at the Coronation. The officers chosen are Capt. Bonnalie (Chester), Capt. Whiskin (Carnarvon), Quartermaster-Sergt. Sellar (Chester), and Company Sergt.-Major Roberts, Bangor. Nine men will be supplied by the head- quarter companies at Chester, four by the companies at New Brighton and Egremont, and seven by the Welsh companies. A trumpeter will also go. CORONATION FLOWERS. While people have been arguing regarding the most appropriate flower for this season, Queen Alexandra has, it is stated, decided it shall be the carnation. Her Majesty always wears a bunch of these lovely flowers. How felicitous is the choice—"coronations" for Coronation year, for "coronations" is the old English name for carnations. KING WILL WEAR HIS CROWN. Vanity Fair" hears that the King is going to wear his crown on the way back from the Abbey, which will rejoice the hearts of the people who have never before had an opportunity of seeing a King with his crown on his head. Queen Alexandra's crown is to be worn on a band rest- ing on her hair. The jewellers have strict orders to shew the crowns to nobody, but probably they will be allowed to exhibit them a few days before the Coronation. A GREAT BALL. Great preparations are now being made at the India Office for the Coronation Ball which is to be held there during the coming festivities. No less than £ 11,000 is stated to be the cost which the alterations inside will involve, but as the results will be permanent it is presumed that the place will henceforward be used as the official state ballroom, taking the place of the famous foreign Office salon. The army of workmen Vihicn has invaded the India Office are now en- gaged in knocking down one of the walls in order t:1at the ballroom may extend nearly one whole side of the quadrangle. TEN PEERAGES. It is reported that ten peerages will be given in honour of the coronation. Several of these will be bestowed upon prominent members of the Opposi- tion, and to Lord Rosebery has been assigned the task of selecting the Liberal peers, one of those chosen being Sir Arthur Hayter, who himself has done much for his party, wnile Lady Hayter has shared with Lady Tweedmouth the onerous task of entertaining the Opposition for many years past, and has done it most successfully. The World." CHESHIRE BOROUGHS' PROPOSAL. INSTEAD OF ADDRESSES. The boroughs of Macclesfield, Crewe, Hyde, Stalybridge, Congleton, and Dukinfield having decided to make substantial gifts to the London hospitals in preference to spending money on Coronation addresses to the King, the Town Clerk of Macclesfield asked his Majesty's opinion on the subject. In reply, Sir Francis Knollys writes that the King does not think the Councils can do better than give the amounts to his London Hospital Fund. USE OF THE ROYAL STANDARD As some doubt existed in the public mind as to the flying of the royal standard at the Coronation, a Folkestone gentleman communicated with the Home Office on the subject, and he has received the following reply:Sir --With reference to your letter of the 21st asking whether it will be legal and proper to fly the royal standard at the time of the Coronation of his Majesty the King, I am directed by the Secretary of State to say that the royal standard is the flag of the Sovereign, and that no private person is entitled to use it. His Majesty has, however, been pleased to grant permission for its general use on the occasion of his Coronation, but this permission is limited to the occasion in question, and the subsequent use of the flag will not be proper.—I am, &c., HENRY CUNYNGHAME." REMEMBERS THREE CORONATIONS. At a meeting of the Anglesey Union on Tues- day attention was called to the case of a pauper who is nearly 100 years of age, and has seen three coronation festivities in connection with the accession of George IV., William IV., and Queen Victoria. If spared to the 27th June, he will witness the fourth coronation festivities. The old man's memory was said to be quite fresh. He remembers tea selling at 9d. an ounce, sugar lOd. a pound, and salt 6d. a pound. He had been working for 4d. a day, and had been selling lambs at 3s. each. He brought up five children, and when they were grown up he was free of debt. The Board were asked to treat the case as a special one, and "crown" the old man for the remainder of his life by paying him 5s. a week, and this was agreed to. HOLIDAY FOR RAILWAYMEN. The directors of the London and North-Western Railway have decided to commemorate the Coron- ation by giving the staff a day's holiday on Thurs- day, June 26, without deduction of pay, except where the necessities of business require the staff to be on duty. In those cases an extra day's pay or a day's holiday with pay at some other time when they can be spared will be allowed. The' heads of the departments will decide who are re- quired to be on duty, and will make provision for them to have the alternative of a day's holiday on some other occasion or an extra day's pay. The salaried staff will also be granted a holiday on Cor- onation day, or, if required to be on duty, will be given leave of absence on a future day. TARVIN WORKHOUSE. At a meeting of the Tarvin Board of Guardians on Saturday, under the presidency of Mr. R. O. Orton, it was decided, on the recommendation of the House Committee, to allow extra fare to the inmates of the workhouse on Coronation day. In addition, the old men will be each given two ounces of tobacco and a pipe, each woman two ounces of tea and one .,punce of sugar, and each child a quantity of sweets, BACKFORD. Preparations are being made for a fitting cele- bration of the Coronation in the Backford district. As the results of meetings that have been held, the townships of Backford, Chorlton, Caughall, Moston and Lea-by-Backford have decided to com- bine for the purpose of holding a Coronation festi- val. Tuesday, July 1st, has been selected as the date, while collectors, appointed for each town- ship, have been successful in raising a very satis- factory sum of money. A meeting was held on Monday evening in Backford Schoolroom, there being present a good attendance of representatives of the various townships interested. The Rev. R. J. Fairclough, chairman of the Backford parish meeting, presided, while Mr. A. Hughson, clerk to the parish meeting, acted as secretary. The collectors' reports, etc., shewed that some 250 was assured, including a subscription of £10 from Mr. B. Glegg, Backford Hall; the same gentle- man undertaking to pay for a band. It was an- nounced that the services of the Depot Band at Chester Castle had been engaged, that a marquee had been hired, and a field placed at the services of the Coronation Committee by Mr. R. G. Lewis, Backford. It was resolved that the children on the books of Backford School should all be in- vited to the festival; that they and the other chil- dren living in the district should have a tea and some suitable memento of the occasion; that a knife-and-fork tea should be provided for all the adults in the district that a series of sports for the children and adults should be arranged; and that dancing should be included in the programme for the day. A sports' committee, consisting of Messrs. B. Glegg, W. H. Walker, the Rev. Farrar, Carter, Harding, Dean, Allen and Teare, was electcd,.and the meeting then adjourned for a week. ELLESMERE PORT. In the Church Schoolroom on Wednesday, under the presidency of Mr. Whitridge, the General Com- mittee met. The reports of the various sub-com- mittees were presented and their suggestions sanctioned. For presentation to the children 1,400 mugs were ordered. The procession will take place during the morning. Sports, &c., will be held after tea. The field selected is on Whitby-road, above the railway station. Favoured with suitable weather the undertaking promises to be very successful. MALPAS. A general meeting regarding the Coronation festivities was held in the Jubilee Hall on Wed- nesday night, under the presidency of the rector, the Rev. the Hon. A. R. Parker. There was a capital attendance. The collectors' books were gone through, and it was found that the amounts collected and promised reached a total of £ 104 12s. 6d., which was considered very satisfactory. Among the subscriptions was one of B5, and out of this amount the donor had stipulated that J62 5s. should be distributed in money to the inmates of the two almshouses. It was resolved that Mrs. Williams, Mrs. Taylor and Mr. Hesketh be given the catering, the cost of the tents to be defrayed by the committee. As some difficulty appeared to be experienced in obtaining a sufficient number of tents, Mr. G. H. Aingworth intimated that he had reserved a tent for the committee, which they could have at the same price as the one secured by Mr. Hesketh. Mr. Aingworth was thanked for his offer, which was accepted. It was resolved that tickets to the value of Is. should be distributed by the collectors to those over 60 who would not be able to attend the festivities. It was also unani- mously decided that all subscribers from Is. upwards be given a free tea ticket. The report of the Decoration Committee was presented and con- firmed. It recommended that Lio be allowed to Mr. G. S. Morgan to decorate the front of the Jubilee Hall, the Cross, also three Venetian arches, one in each street. It was decided to ask the resi- dents to beflag their houses. Mr. Wycherley's tender for coloured lamps, at 12s. per grogs, was accepted; it also included 6s. per gross for lights. The Sports Committee reported that the pro- gramme included foot racss for boys and youths, also for girls, cycle races, climbing the pole, fire- men's races, sack races, etc. The prizes for each event were submitted and amended, while in two of the races silver cups would be given by Mr. G. C. Dobell. It was decided that the entries for the various events should be made to Mr. J. Tomlin- son not later than the 21st June. BIRKENHEAD. In connection with Birkenhead's celebration of the Coronation, Sir Elliott Lees is presenting each of the 20,000 day school children of the town with a medal commemorative of the occasion, and bearing a portrait of the King on one side and the arms of the borough on the other. WREXHAM. The committee appointed to arrange a pro- gramme of sports in connection with the Celebra- tion of his Majesty's Coronation at Wrexham have finally approved of a list of sports. In addition to bicycle and foot race handicaps, there will be obstacle, sack, three-legged, and donkey laces (the riders of the latter animals to appear in fancy costumes), a wheelbarrow race for old men over 50 years of age, and an egg-and-spoon race for old women over 50. There will also be a number of other old English sports, such as climbing the greasy poll for purses of money, etc. The foot and bicycle handicaps will be open to competitors residing within a radius of 12 miles of Wrexham, but the other events will be con- fined to the Parliamentary borough of Wrexham. The judges appointed are Messrs. S. R. Johnson and Stanley D. Edisbury, with Mr. A. W. Berkeley as referee. NORTHOP. At Connah's Quay Petty Sessions on Thursday, it was decided, as the date of the next session day at Northop was Coronation Day, to hold the sessions on Thursday, June 19th. HOPE. A SINGULAR ARRANGEMENT. At the Hope Parish Council, on Wednesday, much warmth was exhibited over the question of the Coronation festivities, and at last it was agreed to issue a 1. rate, which would realise £ 75; B30 for the upper ward, £ 20 for the middle ward, and £15 for the lower, each ward to distribute the money at its own discretion. A HAWARDEN GUARDIAN'S PROTESTS. A, TT GOD SAVE THE KING." Mr T^WT L- Board of Guardians, on Thursday, ilcock moved that the resolution passed on the 1st inst. be rescinded, and that the inmates of the workhouse have one day's feast on Cor- onation day, instead of two as passed. He said he brought the proposition forward on account of complaints by the ratepayers in all the parishes. A good many ratepayers had complained about the Board spending their money, when they might avoid spending some of it. They did not objeot to the inmates having one day's feast, but they said they could not see that any other unions were going to give their inmates two days' feast. They said that one day would satisfy the inmates just as well as two days would, and he believed them. The Board ought to use their discretion in spending the ratepayers' money. Many hard- working men, with large families had to strive to pay their way. They were told that it was often tne iauit ot the inmates that they came to the house. hy should they give the inmates more than the outsiders were allowed? Many hard- working men would have only one day's feast, and that was quite sufficient for the inmates. Mr. Hampson seconded. He thought it a mis- take to spend the ratepayers' money in a fooiish and extravagant way. He asked what would the second day's feast cost. The Chairman replied that the cost to the union of the second day's feast would be JB2. Mr. Wil- oock said no other union was giving a two days' feast, but he believed that St. Asaph was giving a two days' feast, but if that was not so, he did not see that it would alter the. position one bit. In his sympathy for the poor in the union he gave the preference to the people in the house. (Hear, hear.) He could not understand Mr. Wilcock re- fusing to give the inmates of the house a two days' feast, and moving at the last meeting that the aLowance it was proposed to give those in receipt ?i °,Uitdoor r should be doubled. Proceeding, the Chairman complained of members who did not attend a meeting where a resolution was carried afterwards moving that the resolution be rescinded. The meeting at which the two days' feast was de- cided upon was a fully representative one. Mr. J. Wright said Mr. Wilcock's proposition for doubling the allowance to the outdoor poor would mean an extra exDenditum nf £ 8. and vet ho objected to the second day's feast, which would cost only £ 2. Mr. W ilcock said as the feeling of the Board was as it was, he would withdraw his resolution. (Hear, hear.) With regard to what the Chairman had said concerning the rescinding of resolutions, the chairman created a precedent by giving notice to rescind his own resolution. The Chairman: That is not so, Mr. Wilcock. Mr. John Jones asked whether Miss Thorn's resolution regarding the glass of beer to be given to the inmates to drink the King's health with, had reference to one day or two. Several Members: Two days. Mr. Ford considered that if the two days' feast were to cost £ 40, the guardians ought to give it. It was their duty to allow the inmates to pay due respect in rejoicing to the head of the state. They ought to be willing to make it a grand day, and give the inmates far more than was proposed. At the subsequent meeting of the Hawarden Rural District Council, Mr. Wilcock moved- "That the resolution of May 1st, to present an address to the King on the occasion of his Cor- onation, be rescinded." He explained that be con- sidered an address unnecessary. The King had himself said that he did not wish anything done for himself, but for the children and the poor people. He thought it was a little bit out of place for the Council to, present an address. If the County Council presented one, it was enough for the county. Mr. Manley seconded, believing that the money could be better spent. Mr. Millington considered it very hard that a man who was not present when the resolution in favour of an address was passed, should come there and ask them to rescind what they had done. Mr. John Jones said the resolution in favour of an address was simply passed by a bare majority. He considered the money would be better spent if they paid the men who worked on the roads a day's wages. The Chairman said if this sort of thing went on, meeting after meeting, and they passed a resolu- tion at one meeting, and at the next notice was given to rescind it, he did not know where they would be. i A Member pointed out that Mr. W7i!cock had lett the room to catch his home train Mr. Sidney Taylor: Let it drop, Mr. Chairman. God save the King! (Applause.) The Council then rose.

PSALMODY FESTIVAL. ♦ MEETING AT CHESTER. The eleventh Psalmody Festival in connection with the English Presbyterian Churches of Flint- shire and Chester districts was held in the Wes- leyan Chapel, City-road, Chester, on Wednesday. The proceedings started with a full rehearsal at two o'clock in the afternoon, and at six o'clock in the evening a public meeting was held. Mr. W. Evans, Liverpool, presided, and was supported by several of the ministers of the dis- trict, including the Revs. J. Roberts, Chester; D. Edwards, Flint (secretary); Richard Jones, Mancott; and Mr. O. W. Jones, Flint (treasurer). Mr. David Evans, Mus. Bac. (Oxon), London, was the conductor, and the organist was Mr. J. T. Prince (Golftyn), Connah's Quay. The programme consisted of some excellent tunes, which were particularly well rendered, and the anthems, "I will sing to the Mercy of the Lord for ever" (Darnton) and "The Lord is my Shepherd" (Parry), were a most pleasing feature in the day's music. During the evening the Rev. D. Edwards an- nounced that four competitors had succeeded in obtaining the elementary certificates of the Tonic Sol-fa College, namely, Wm. Johnson, Marion Crosby, Rhoda Davies and J. H. Conde, all of Caergwrle. He expressed a hope that a large num- ber would sit for the examination another year. He was very glad to inform the congregation present that the collection amounted to JE5 15s. Id. The Rev. John Roberts, Chester, said he was certain that everyone there must have felt greatly privileged by being raised to an exceptionally high spiritual atmosphere by the excellent singing which they had listened to. He proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman. (Applause.) Their thanks were also due to the trustees of that chapel. (Applause.) They regarded them for their kindly, brotherly feeling in placing so fine an edifice at their disposal. Their thanks were again due to the conductors of the various church choirs. (Loud applause.) The greatest victories of the English troops had been won by hard train- ing, and they would not have had such splendid singing had it not been for the energy and efforts of Mr. J. Griffiths, rehearsal conductor, Connah's Quay. (Loud applause.) He could not conclude his thanks without mentioning the ladies who had so kindly and ably prepared tea for them. The Rev. J. H. Davies, Ewloe Green, seconded. Mr. Wm. Evans, Liverpool, in acknowledging, said their thanks were due to the singers, and especially to the conductor, Mr. David Evans. Ho was 6ure they would all agree with him. that he had successfully striven to lead thero into tne spirit of the words they had been singing; Mr. J. T. Prince, the organist, for the delicate and expansive way in which he^ panied the music, and to all of them for the beat tiful manner in which they had carried out the whole of the festival's programme. The Rov. R. Jones, Mancott, spoke of the good effect those festivals had on the congregational singing in the churches. Mr. David Evans, Mus. Bac., expressed his satisfaction with the singing throughout.

A GREAT WAR CORRESPONDENT.—Lord Wolseley, on Saturday, unveiled a memorial tablet to the memory of Mr. Archibald Forbes, the War Correspondent, which has been placed in the crypt of St. Paul's Cathedral. In a brief address, ne bore testimony to the skill, courage, and fearlessness of the deceased, and referred to him t s an old friend, for whom he had a great regard.

A RETROSPECT. fr /I/ (((. OnS^ay in seven^e houseu^s filled -p wi th th^dour^ofh^useating rved I Jl )\ (t, t wIfe x J L worried, {.. -lJth1 m I JjVJTÖ rI, r L.\ (Ù .=- rÍ h }11 UtI. has chan^d|all -that! Y)u\ -An ordinary washing is ddr^itj Wash day is the same as Sunlight Soa You merely rub the soap well oiVa 1 ( J the clothes,roll them up for couple of hours & rinse them out Sunlight SoaJ) |f requires no toiling! ——/ Made of pure materials at Port Sunlight, 'amid pure surroundings. LEVER BRO L.D.

LITERARY NOTICES. «. NEW BOOKS. ENCYCLOPEDIA BRITANNICA. THE NEW VOLUME. Volume II. of the new volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica," being Vol. XXVI. of the completed work, has just been published by "The Times" and Adam and Charles Black. It is introduced by a valuable prefatory essay from the pen of Edward Dicey, C.B., on "A General Survey of Recent Political Progress." In a singularly lucid and well-proportioned paper of some sixteen pages the writer-passes in review the civilised world's progress during the last quarter of the Nineteenth Century. The essay is one that every politician and student of history ought to read. The growth of the Imperialist spirit is sympathetically discussed, Continental jealousy of Great Britain diagnosed, the con- dition of the labouring olasses described, the development of Socialism and Anarchism sum- marised, the dissertation; concluding with a philosophical recital of vanished illusions, from which the following extract well bears quotation —r- Where is now the cult of foreign patriots? If any successor to the mantles of Kossuth, Garibaldi, Schamyl, Ledru, Rollin or Mazzini' were to appear in England, he would be re- ceived with absolute indifference or handed over to the police. If Dr. Bernard were placed upon his trial nowadays, not all the successors of the late Mr. Edwin James at the bar could secure his acquittal by the verdict of a London jury. Where is the amiable belief that self-govern- ment under parliamentary institutions was a sort of universal panacea applicable to all countries at all times? Some words used by the late Prince Consort during the Crimean campaign, to the effect that representative government was on its trial, raised a tre- mendous outcry at the time of their utterance. But the parliamentary system no longer excites the admiration it formerly obtained, and even Englishmen as a body have drifted back towards the belief of their forefathers, that the system works well in England, but not equally well elsewhere. Again, why are we reminded no longer that "the schoolmaster is abroad"? Since 1870 England has had as good a system of universal, compulsory, elementary education as British statesmanship could devise, but the most ardent educationalist would prob- ably not deny that the results of the Board Schools have not fulfilled the expectations entertained at their inauguration. The public at large have ceased to accept the doctrine that mental instruction is the one thing needful to raise the moral, intellectual and material status of the masses. The whole volume contains a remarkable mass of information upon all conceivable subjects. The latest statistical and other information has been utilised in the compilation of geographical and historical articles, which include in this volume Austria Hungary, the Balkan Peninsula, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Cape Colony, Central Africa, chartered companies, and last and best an article on the British Empire, by Miss Flora Shaw. The latter is an excellent study, giving the reader a bird's-eye view of the grand inheri- tance of the British citizen of to-day. Among the other topics treated, mention ought to be made of the papers on "Bacteriology," "The Balance of Trade," Banking," both in Europe and America, "Bimetallism," "Boilers," Bookbinding and Book Plates," with some beautiful illustrations; "Brakes" and other mechanical contrivances, Brewing," shewing the evolution of the brewing industry since 1875; Building," with some remarkably fine illustra- tions; "Canals and Inland Navigation," an ex- haustive treatise on "Chemistry," and a thorough disquisition upon "Charity and Charities." Billiards, chess, and the new game of bridge are described in detail, while, among other lighter features of the volume is an illustrated article upon the art of caricature, especially as typified in English and American journalism. Biography is undoubtedly one of the strong points of the new edition of the encyclopaedia, and with the issue of the second volume the value of this characteristic becomes more ap- parent. Its virtue of omission is no less than that of inclusion, and the student will feel grate- ful to the editorial discretion which has rigor- ously eliminated from mention the crowd of self-advertising nonentities who somehow always manage to find a place in the smaller bio- graphical books of the day. The only interest which these nobodies excite is precisely the feel- ing created by the poetical fly in the amber. Here, however, thanks to discriminating sub- editing, we have nothing but first-rate bio- graphies ot the living as well as ot tne aeaa, ana all written in first-rate style and taste. From the journalistic standpoint the biographies are, in fact, probably the most useful portion of the encyclopaedia. In this new second volume we have, amid a host of less familiar subjects sub- mitted for biographical analysis, an admirable appreciation of the late Lord Beaconsfield, a fine character sketch of Mr. A. J. Balfour, another of Mr. Joseph Chamberlain, the late John Bright, the late Prince Bismarck, the late Arch- bishop Benson, George Bentham, botanist; Robert Browning, General Buller, with his recent South African service; Thomas Carlyle, Professor Bain, the Scottish logician and philosopher; Burne Jones, and numerous other artists. Such is the uniformly high quality of the workmanship embraced in the volume that one is induced to look pleasurably forward to the issue of the re- maining numbers completing the edition. THE JUNE MAGAZINES. [FIRST NOTICE.] "Blackwood's," which has made quite a name for itself as a purveyor of war literature through the sterling letters of "Linesman," etill devotes a considerable portion of space to the absorbing topic of the South African Campaign. The present number, among much other interesting features, contains a further contribution from a I capable writer who has been "On the heels of De Wet" for several months. The following quota- tion is a study of the British soldier at his best: You who have only seen the British soldier at his worst, that is, when he is buttoned into a tunic little removed in design from a strait- waistcoat, or when the freedom of the man has been subordinated to the lick-and-spittle polish of the dummy—you who glory in tin-casing for your Horse Guards, and would hoot the Guards- man bold enough to affect a woollen muffler- would have opened your eyee with amazement if you could have sat on the slopes of the Hou- water drift with the staff of the New Cavalry Brigade and watched the arrival of the co- operating columns to their common camping- ground. First came two squadrons of Scarlet Lancers, forming the nucleus of somebody's mobile column. No on? would have accused them of being Lancers if they had" met them suddenly on the veldt. Helmets they had none. How much time and money and thought has been spent over the service headgear for our men We have seen it adapted for this climate; altered to suit that; a peak here, a bandage I there. But Thomas is the best judge of the helmet in which he prefers to campaign, and you may rest assured that he will choose the most comfortable, if not the most suitable. "Who the h—11 are these fellows?—are they tame Boers?" chirped a subaltern from the 20th, who for the day was galloper to the brigadier. A bearded ruffian, whose only costume was a flannel shirt and a pair of seedy check trousers, but whose eye was as keen as a hawk's, and whose shining "matchlock" had seventeen notches along its stock, caught the subaltern's query. "Yuss," came the answer, "we are tame Boers, the very tamest. My pal 'ere is President Kroojer, this 'ere's Botter, and hi am De—e—Wet!" Cheery fellows; after fifteen months of war there was little of self-preserva- tion that you could have taught them. Lean, sinewy, and bearded kind-they represented the English fighting man at his best. And well might the inexperienced have asked if they were Boers. Lance and pennon were gone. Barely a tunio or regimental button remained to the two squadrons. Their collective headgear would have disgraced a Kaffir location, and their boots were mostly the raw-hide imitations of the country. But they were men. Rags and dirt could not conceal that fact. Theirs was not the dirt of sloth and sluggard. The essentials were bright' and clean. There was not a man of the 150 attempting to represent two service squad- rons who had not at some period balanced his life against his proficiency with the rifle, and who had not realised that on service his firelock was the soldier's best and staunchest friend. Nor were the officers easy to distinguish from the men. A shade cleaner, perhaps; but they, too, were rough-bearded men, hard bitten by long exposure and responsibility. How different from the exquisites of popular fancy! Gone the beauties of effeminate adornment. Gone the studied insolence of puppyhood—that arro- gance of bearing traditional with the British officer in times of peace. These were the men who had been eyes and ears to French's magnifi- cent cavalry, who had ridden unflinchingly to the relief of Kimberley, who had more than held their own against fearsome odds at Diamond Hill. Did you hear that boy give an order? It was a man who spoke, and a man of resolution and understanding, yet judged by a standard in years he should still be iC Sandhurst cadet. In "Good Words" Ftedk. Douglas How con- tinues his interesting biographical sketch of the Marquis of Salisbury. In reviewing the religious and scientific sides of the Premier's life, the writer says: A great deal has been written and said about Lord Salisbury's Churchmanship, chiefly by writers in the extreme Low Church Press, who have made him out to be a narrow-minded par- tizan and supporter of the ritualistic party. No greater mistake could be made. Lord Salisbury is a High Churchman, but of the most wide- minded and charitable kind. He is no friend to tho advanced school of modern ritualism, neither does he fail to appreciate at its full value the piety and learning of "Evangelicals," with whom he may not be in all matters in perfect sympathy. It is only necessary to notice the advice that he has given to the Crown as to the appointments to bishoprics to be assured of the impartiality and wisdom of his views. Lord Salisbury fully believes in the comprehen- sive embrace of our mother, the Church, within whose arms may be found men of widely different views, who are yet one in their love for her and their Master. The "Money Lost by Gamb!ing" is computed by W. Greenwood in the "Sunday Strand." Says the author:— Seven weeks' betting income would defray the annual cost of all missionary enterprise, both home and foreign, throughout the wide world. If we could appropriate only 23 days' revenue, we could maintain all the hospitals in the United Kingdom in a thorough state of efficiency; and the money lost in four days would support for a year all the Bible and Tract Societies which have their headquarters in London. If turf and card gamblers would forego their betting for eleven weeks only, they might allow a pension of five shillings a week for twelve months to all the indigent poor Over the age of sixty-five, who seek official relief, in the United Kingdom; and one sovereign out of every three wasted on cards and racehorses would effectually solve the vexed problem of old-age pensions; for it would provide an inoome of six shillings a week for a whole year to all the aged and deserving poor in Great Britain and Ireland. Cricket naturally bulks largely in the current number of "The Captain," C. B. Fry's article on "Peculiarities of some County Cracks" being full of interest and instruction. Commenting on Robert Abel's prowess with the bat, he says-- Bobby always watches the ball-alwa-va, from start to finish. And this is & very great virtu0. It is no exaggeration to state that the large majority of players only half-watch the ball. They eye it carefully from the time it leaves the bowler's hand till it is well on its flight towards them, then they will leave off looking at it and carry out the stroke they have decided upon. trusting to having already correctly anticipated the line and pitch of the ball. They do not glue their eyes to the ball right up to the bat: from the bowler's hand to the pitch, and from the pitch on to the bat. That is real watching. That is Bobby Abel's watching. And I cannot allow the occasion to pass without thumping down that this full and complete watching of the ball is the foundation secret of Abel's success, and of all great success in batting.

THE KING'S BIRTHDAY. 0 In honour of the King's birthday, which was celebrated throughout the realm on Friday, the picturesque military ceremonial of Trooping the Colour was carried out on the Horse Guards Parade, before a vast and brilliant assemblage of spectators. An interesting incident of the proceedings was the presentation of colours to the 1st Battalion Irish Guards by his Majesty. As is customary, dinners were given ou Friday by members of the Ministry in celebration of the King's birthday. LEWANIKA'S DAY OF DAYS. Reuter's Agency learns that King Lewanika on Thursday sent the following cablegram to Barotse- land :—" To District Commissioner, Victoria Falls.—Message to Leteia (a son of Lewanika): To-day is the day of my life, for with my own eyes have seen and saluted my chief, who, besides being a great King, is a kind man.-(Signed) LKWANIKA."

PARACHUTE PERILS. e' The inquest on the body of Miss Edith Brookes, the lady parachutist who was accidentally killed in a balloon ascent, was resumed on Wednesday. The superintendent of the county police cross-examined witnesses to shew that the balloon was sent up with the ropes of the parachute twisted, and that after Miss Brookes left the balloon she com- menced to twist in mid-air, and was, in fact, turn- ing round when she reached the ground.—Mr. Percy Chavasse, replying to the Coroner on Wed- nesday, said that the ropes were purposely twisted to prevent. Miss Brookes from catching her legs in them. There was no danger at all from the twisting.—The jury returned a verdict of "Acci- dental death."—Both Coroner and the jury con- demned suoh performances. In the House of Commons, on Wednesday, Mr. J. O'Connor asked the Home Secretary whether his attention had been called to the recent fatal accident to a lady parachutist at Sheffield; and whether it was his intention to issue a prohibition against performances by parachutists.—Mr. Ritchie: I have seen an account of this accident, and view with regret public performances involving any suoh risks to human life, but there is no law against them, providing the person engaging in them is over eighteen if a female, and over six- teen if a male. I have no power to issue the suggested prohibition.—Mr. James Hope: Will the right hon. gentleman give the local authorities a discretion in these matters?—Mr. Ritchie: The legislation on the subject is comparatively recent, and if we were to increase the ages to meet cases of this kind strong objections might be raised. I understand that the lady parachutist who met with this accident was twenty-three years old or over, and I question whether Parliament would be willing to consent to legislation which would prevent persons of that mature age from taking part in performances. (Hear, hear.)

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