The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

The Festivities at Bodnant. The weather on Tuesday morning was not by any means propitious, but shortly after noon, the clouds suddenly vanished, and the sun shone forth ushering in a most glorious afternoon. The guests from Flintshire arrived by special train, and the grounds were soon a busy scene. The gardens, conservatories, and grounds were thrown open to the visitors, who included the following guests The Heir, Mrs Pochin, Mr and Mrs McLaren, Miss Fay, and Miss Elsie McLaren, and younger members, Major-General and Irs (ough, Caer- hun Mr Robert Norton, t'enrhiwarddwr Rev. H. L. Davies, The Vicarage; Messrs Dan Brookes, Prestatyn; Dan Davies, ditto; David Davies, Maesadda Farm; E. E. Davies, Ty Draw; John Davies, Carreglwyd; William Davies, Carnychain; Thos. Dowell, Prestatyn Ilenrv C. Edwards, Nant Mill; David Ellis, Grove Mill Thomas Ellis, ditto; T. Lloyd Ellis, Penisa'rdre; Robert Ellis, Ty ITcliaf; William Ellis, Brynia; John T. Evans, Golden Grove; Richard Evans, Henblas; Robt. Evans, ditto; William Evans, Penisa'rdre T. P. Green, Furnace Farm Thomas Griffiths, Bryn Golen; David Hughes, Talycafn Farm; John Hughes, ditto; John Hughes, Hafotty Farm Robert Hughes, Clwt; Rowland Hughes, Esgair- heulog; Peter Hughes, Brynia; Mrs Grace Jones, Plas; Messrs Davis Jones, Rhedyn Cocli- ion Edward Jones, Old Bodnod George Jones, Nant Park; Isaac Jones, Bodnod Arms; John Jones, Croesau; Richard Jones, Top Pentre; T. Rogers Jones, auctioneer, Talycafn; Rev. Rhys Jones, Wesleyan minister Messrs Thomas Jones, Brynygwynt; Thomas Jones, Garth W. Parry Jones, Gop Farm William Jones, Llan- rwst J. B. Linnell, estate agent, Ilrestatyn G. T. Lyne, ditto Thomas Morgan,Charing Cross Mrs Jane Morris, Moel Cyffylog; Mrs Owen, Marian Mills; Messrs David Owen, Tyddyn Ucha David Owen, Ty'nycoed E'eha Owen Owens, Toppan W. J. Parry, Gwindy Thomas Parry,Tyddyn Uchaf; John Price, Teilia Thos. Price, Ty Draw; T. Price, 'J.'alf'rvii Mrs Jane Roberts, Tanrallt; Messrs David Roberts, Pen- rallt; Edward Roberts, ditto; Elias Roberts, Prestatyn; Elias Roberts, l'enywaen; Evan Roberts, Waenfechan John Roberts, Ty'nycae- au; John Roberts, Tyucha; Robert Roberts, Penisa'rwaen; Robert Roberts, Terfyn; Wm. Roberts, Llwydfaen; J. Saunderson, Bodnant; Edward Taylor, Mid Nant; J. R. Tickle, Top Nant; Evan Williams, Bryn'rodyn; Hugh Williams, Cefnycoed Isa; Richard Williams, Ty'nycoed Isa; Thomas Williams, Terfyn; Elias Wynne, Penllyn Tohn Wynne, Ty Gwyn R. J. Mulholland, R. Williams, and J. S. Ed- wards, of the "Pioneer." During the afternoon the party assembled in front of the hall, and were photographed by Mr McLaren, and just before four o'clock the house party, which included Madame Pochin, Mr and .\Irs C. B. McLaren, Mr H. D. McLaren (the heir), Miss Elsie McLaren, and Miss Fay McLaren received the guests in the hall. At four o'clock the party entered the magnificent ballroom, where the dinner was laid out, the following being the menu — Round of Beef. Roast Mutton. Fillet of Veal. Sirloins of Beef. Ham Tongue. Cold Veal Pies. Pork Pies. Pigeon Pies. Boiled Turkey. Roast Goose. Roast Fowls. Plum Puddings. Brandy Sauce. Mince Pies. Tarts. Creams. Jellies. Cheese. Grapes. Pineapples. Raisins. Oranges. Apples. Punch. Sherry. Port. Beer. Lemonade. Mr McLaren opened the toast list by proposing the health of the Queen. He said they must not forget that Her Majesty had spent part of a night not very far from where they were assem- bled, at a spot which looked up the beautiful Conway Valley, and woke up in full view of the magnificent mountains. Next time the Queen visited Wales he hoped she would make a longer stay—(applause)—as he felt certain that nothing would give greater pleasure to the Principality than to feel that Her Majesty would once again come amongst them in the same manner that she exhibited towards her Irish subjects. If there was one thing that endeared the Queen to her subjects more than another, it was the sympathy she showed towards every popular sentiment. If she felt the nation had suffered, she at once showed her womanly sympathy, and even the humblest individual brought to her notice re- ceived a tribute from her sympathetic heart. Therefore, a sentimental feeling of a sympath- etic race like the Welsh would naturally feel deeply touched by this evidence of the Queen's love for her people, which they read of every day in the newspapers. When they looked back upon her long reign, and thought of the trials and tribulations she had undergone, and the generations that had come and gone since she ascended the throne, when they looked at the moral and material prosperity of the country, how it had grown from what it used to be to what it was at present, they could truly say that it had been vouchsafed to them in their lifetime to see the greatest sovereign that had ever ruled over these realms. (Cheers.) The company stood up to sing "God Save the Queen," but, owing to a misunderstanding, the choir at the other end of the room rendered "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau" instead. THE HOUSE OF COMMONS. Mr J. Roberts, Prestatyn, proposed the next toast, that of the "House of Commons," and coupled with it the name of the worthy member of the Bosworth division of Leicestershire. No doubt, continued the speaker, members of Par- liament just now were on their holidays like many other people. Some had the idea that to be a member of Parliament was an easy job. (Laughter.) But anyone that knew something about the business would admit that to fulfil the duties that devolved upon the office was a very hard task, and he for one was greatly obliged to all the members that represented Wales for ser- ving their country so well. (Ilear, hear.) Inere were many people who were members of the House of Commons who talked too much and worked too little—(laughter)—but from what he had heard of Mr McLaren, and from what he read in the newspapers about him, he was a gentleman who always did his duty in the house and worked well. (Applause.) He supposed members of Parliament nowadays had to be more careful than in the days gone by. The country owing to the cheap newspapers knew ten times more about what members of Parlia- ment really did than formerly. The advance of education had also improved their knowledge in this respect, and now if a member was lax in his duty it was an easy thing for his constituency to get hold of him and demand to know what they had sent him for. (Laughter.) But he believed they had, as a rule, CONSCIENTIOUS MKMBERS IN THE HOUSE, because only the best men were sent there. If they wished to keep the country up to nigh- water mark, the voters must be educated tq know who would represent them best in the House, and vote accordingly. He did not know why the House of Commons should be called com- mon. It was not a common sort of place. It was probably a house for the commons, to which members of the public were sent. He had great pleasure in proposing the toast, and coupling with it the name of Mr C. B. McLaren, M.P. (Applause.) After a glee from the choir, Mr McLaren responded. He acknowledged the courteous remarks made by the proposer of the toast, and only wished there was present another member of the House besides himself to respond. But, as they all knew, they were met together because a certain relationship existed between them, and he did not think it a right thing to ask any political or other persons to take part in that little friendly gathering. He only wished he was a better representative of his constituency. Mr Roberts had been kind enough to say he made a good Parliamentary representative. Well, he hoped his constituents took the same view. Thev had already returned him twice by a big majority, and when the next election came, either this year or next, he hoped to again enter the House as member for that division. (Applause.) He need hardly say that it would be a pleasure to him to represent a Welsh constituency, as he was so CLOSELY CONNECTED WITH WALES. Still, on the other hand, he had great interests in the constituency he represented, and it was not always easy to choose your own path. Cer- tain paths seemed to open out before one, and those paths must be trod for the public advan- tage. There was one reason why he did not think seriously of a Welsh seat. He was quite unable to speak the Welsh language, which was a great drawback. He was glad to see that they had in Wales so many members, who spoke Welsh, not only at home, but in the division lobbies of the House of Commons. There he heard a language that made him think of Bod- nant. He need hardly say it was Welsh. Some- times it would be Mabon, other times it would be some members from these parts, but whoever it was, the language could be heard continu- ously in the lobbies, the dining rooms, and the libraries of the House. It was certainly very interesting, and he hoped it would be long before they lost that sound in Parliament. Coming to the toast, Mr McLaren said the questions of religion and education were two in which Welshmen were deeply interested. He supposed there was no part of the United Kingdom where the religious sentiment was more strongly devel- oped than in Wales. On every hillside, in every valley, and in every homestead, there ex- isted a strong religious sentiment, which found expression in the erection of the numerous HANDSOME CIIURCIIES AND CHAPELS which were to be found in every part of Wales. There were few parts of the country where the laity, men who were not ordained ministers, took more part in religious work and religious ordinances than in Wales. He hoped such a state of things would long continue to exist, because a country that had no religion, a country in which the people did not believe in their hearts in the truths of religion, was not a country that would hold its own in the great race that lay before them. (Applause.) One of the great pillars of the strength of the British nation was the extraordinary tenacity with which the people clung to their early religous training and sentiments, in spite of the many attempts to persuade and lead them into forms and beliefs which did duty in so many countries over what they considered true religion. In certain places the existence of so many different religious sects was regarded with regret. Personally, he thought they afforded a certain amount of stimu- lus, and stimulus of the most healthy kind, be- cause, after all, the main principles were the same. Still, in the face of this multiplicity of sects which prevailed in their country to a great extent, they must not forget that the great secret of practical religion was to CULTIVATE TOLERATION AND CHARITY towards those with whom they had to differ. (Applause.) With regard to educational facili- ties, Wales was particularly well off. They had a splendid university, a university which he had heard their friend Mr W. Jones, who re- presented Carnarvon, enthusiastically describe as the finest in the United Kingdom. Its. breadth, its liberality, the talent of the men who guided its destinies, and the spirit which pervaded it certainly made it a university well worthy of a race like the Welsh. It brought higher education to the reach of the poorest man in the country, but in order to qualify for the university, they must not forget their primary schools. He had always done all he could in Flintshire to popularise this system of education, and raise it to the standard which it must reach in this country, as well as England and Scotland, if they intended to compete with the high educatonal status of Germany and America. Their elementary educational system needed improvement, and he trusted they would not lose sight of anything which would help them to place their boys and girls on a footing of equality with those against whom they would have to compete. He was glad to see Mr Mul- holland present, the schoolmaster of Eglwys. bach, who had taken such a distinguished part in that branch of education-he referred to the continuation classes. There was not a village in Wales which could boast of a larger atten- dance of boys and young women at the continua- tion classes than existed at Eglwysbach, and it spoke a great deal for the civilization and in- telligence of the parish. He hoped such a state of things would long continue. (Applause.} In proposing the toast of "Our RELIGIOUS AND EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS," he had much pleasure in coupling the names of the Rev 11. L. Davies, vicar of Eglwysbach, and tjie Rev. Rhys Jones (Wesleyan minister). The Rev H. L. Davies, in responding to the toast, said he did not altogether believe in unity. If all the religous denominations were united, and content to jog along, he was afraid they would get lazy. (Hear, hear.) Situated as they were, they fought each other in a friendly way, and thus stengthened the cause of religious edu- cation in Wales. Speaking of education, the rev. gentleman said he was pleased to hear Mr McLaren's references to the Eglwysbach school. On their committee they had three Churchmen and three Nonconformists, and they all worked together smoothly and harmoniously. He had never heard a single complaint levied" against the religious instruction imparted in the school, and no one had taken advantage of the conscience clause, a fact which testified to the character of the education. If anyone had a grievance he should be glad to know it. Referring to the universities, the speaker remarked that the edu- cation students received nowadays was very different to that taught forty years ago, and the chances that Welsh boys now had of getting on in the world were wonderful, thanks to the Welsh universities. The Rev Rhys Jones, speaking in the verna- cular, said the combination of religion and edu- cation was a significant sign of the times. There was a time when a relgious man looked upon education as one of the works of the evil one, and when the educated man looked upon reli- gion as a thing beneath his dignity. The re- ligious feeling in Wales played an important part in the welfare of the country, and he was glad to thing that the relations between the Church and Nonconformity were cordial and friendly. With regard to the enterprise of the Welsh people in promoting educational facilities, the working classes entertained a warm feeling towards the colleges. Mr Davies (C.M.), Maesadda, also responded. ARMY, NAVY, AND DEFENSIVE FORCES. Mr T. Lloyd Ellis, l'enisardre, Prestatyn, said this toast required few words from him to com. mend it to their favour. During the past few months the eyes of the whole world had been rivetted upon the British Army, and the deeds of daring our gallant soldiers had accomplished in every part of the field proved that "Tommy Atkins" was still the doughty warrior he was. pictured in the old days. Their soldiers de- served all the more credit from the fact that all their services were purely voluntary. They were not compelled to fight, but their noble and loyal hearts refused to allow them to stand by when the old mother country called for protection. (Cheers.) As to the generals, it was gratifying, to think that they conducted the war in a most humane manner, and the action of Lord Roberts in prolonging the siege of Cronje in order to give him a chance of honourable capitulation when he could have destroyed the whole force in a day, was an action which would never be forgotten. (Cheers.) The Volunteers had proved themselves brave and loyal, and the joining of the Colonial forces showed that it was now an Imperial Army, and not altogether an English Army. It was a grand sight to see all the col- onies supporting the old mother country, and Was an object lesson for enemies of Imperial- ism. Major-General Gough, of Caerhun. responded. The gallant soldier received a warm reception. He said he had never FELT PROUDER OF HIS PROFESSION than he did at the present moment, because it was now history how their gallant soldiers had behaved in the terrible war proceeding in South Africa. The soldiers also had proved themselves true Britons, and the dexterity the bluejackets exhibited on shore when they had only been trained to fight on board ship was, to say the least of it, one of the smartest bits of work ever performed by naval men. If they had not arrived at Ladysmith when our soldiers were hard pressed and their guns outranged, a serious disaster might have resulted. The title of "handy men" could certainly be applied to the gallant "jack tars." So far as their defensive forces were concerned, the Volunteers had already shown steadiness under fire, and the Yeomen had also been engaged in the opera- tions. He could assure them that the Army and Navy and their defensive forces could be relied upon to do all they could for the honour and credit of their country, and from the last letter sent by Lord Roberts, than whom thera 'was no better soldier in the world—(cheers)—h? was sure the war would be brought to a speedy and successful termination. He could only ex. press regret at not being able to go out himself. They could not all be there, and so far it had not pleased the War Office to appoint him to any high command. He was, however, glad to think that many of his relations were there, and that it was his brother who led the Royal Welsh Fusiliers into Ladysmith. (Cheers.)

Presentations to the Heir from Flintshir and Denbighshire Tenants. Mr John Price (Teilia) then proposed the toast of the evening, viz., the health of Mr Henry D. McLaren, in a few brief sentences. He said he had great pleasure, on behalf of the Flintshire tenants, in presenting the heir with a silver leving cup as a token of the esteem in which he was held by them. (Applause.) He had lived [Continnation on Page 8.J