Wrexham Guardian

NOTICE TO CORRESPONDENTS. We cannot undertake to return rejected communica- tions. We cannot take notice of anonymous communi- cations. Whatever is intended for insertion must be authenticated by the name and address of the writer not necessarily for publication, but as a. guarantee of good faith. The Scout."—The subjecf of your criticism is cer- tainly very puerile, but it would be contrary to our rules to insert your letter. "Cecil."—Received too late for publication this week.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRESS. A voluminous Blue Book just issued by the Education Department has many facts and figures that cannot fail to interest all engaged in the work of stimulating education. The reports of my lords were, a few years ago, exceedingly unattractive, and not easy of digestion. They contained either dry tables of statistics or wearisome details of every elementary school in the kingdom. In more recent times, the heads of the Education Office have made them a medium for communicating to the outer world what is only known to the members of the Privy Council. The statistical information has been accompanied by a careful review of the position and prospects of ele- mentary education, and a slight indication of the intentions and policy of Her Majesty's advisers. The report for 1875, though some- what cheering, is not of an entirely gratifying character. It directs particular attention to the condition of affairs in 1869, and the sub- sequent progress made. Of course, the chii object of the Education Department has been to secure ample accommodation for the children who ought to be under tuition, for it would be useless to enforce attendance in districts where the schools were already over-crowded, or where the buildings were unsuited for the purposes of education. There has been no stinting in this direction. In 1869, school accommodation existed for 1,765,944 children, or 8'34 per cent of the whole population, whilst last year there were buildings for 3,146,424 children, or 1313 of the estimated population. The increase during the five years has, there- fore, been 1,380,480; the school boards pro- vided for 386,400 children, and voluntary effort for 994,080 children. This increase in school accommodation has, of course, been effected by a large outlay of public money, which would have been increased by something like £1,190,401 if the purely secular and school board system had been made universal. Voluntary contributions to that extent have been made, and whilst the completion of 1,011 denominational schools, which afford accommo- dation for 255,037, only cost the country £286,597, given as building grants by the Education Department, the school boards availed themselves of the powers of borrowing from the Public Loan Commissioners to the extent of £5,825,639, to erect schools for 491,854 scholars. Ihese statistics are con- clusive evidence of the expensive machinery which school boards have called to our aid. We have, however, something to show for our money and the result of our educational zeal, in the way of imposing buildings, but we must not mistake the grandeur of the schools for the progress of popular enlighten- ment. The number of children under tuition is still very luw, and the results by no means satisfactory. The average attendance of chil- dren at schools increased by 600,000 during the five years, and there were on the school-rolls last year 2,774,300 names of day scholars, of whom 983,295 were under the age of seven. In average attendance there were 1,885,562, whilst only 1,141,892 qualified by attendance for the examination of the Government In- spector. There is still further disappointment in the numbers. 973,583 appeared before the examiners, but of these only 572,781 passed in the three It's "—the most rudimentary ex- amination. Though last year our elementary schools were capable of accomodating 3,146,424, the instruction and discipline of the teachers failed to secure the success of more than 572,781 scholars at the examinations. There is, therefore, not much cause for rejoicing over the progress made. The average attainments of the children attending our elementary schools is low, notwithstanding the efforts made to raise the standard. Educationally, the scholars are in arrear of their age, for the report tells us that out of 973,583 scholars inspected as many as 291,276 over ten years' of age were presented in "standards suited for children of seven, eight, and nine years of age in fact, not more than 38 per cent of those above ten were presented for examination in classes to which their age properly assigned them. In extenuation, it is necessary to bear in mind that the disproportionate number of older scholars who were presented in low standards, is to some degree accounted for in the fact that compulsory attendance has driven into aided schoels many hitherto un- cared-for children. The general results are, as we have said, far from satisfactory. They show that there is a vast amount of work to be done before many thousands of the juvenile population now under no instruction whatever are placed under the educational care of recognised public teachers. Lord Sandon's Act will undoubtedly do much to accomplish this desirable object by creating in every parish a local authority to enforce attendance, and to see that those who are sent to the elementary schools attend with some. thing like regularity. "No education—no employment," will, a few years hence, be the watchword, and if this fact is now strongly impressed upon the minds of thoughtless parents, it will prove a strong incentive to the educating of their offspring. The Education Department anticipates a large increase in the attendance, and is devoting attemtion to the supply of qualified teachers. Practically, the Department can regulate the supply as it, in its wisdom, sees fit. By striking out conditions of admission to the scholastic profession, it opens the doors to many who would not undergo the usual examinations and delay for teaching certificates. By such means a very consider- able increase has been made in the teaching power since 1869. In that year there were 12,842 pupil teachers, 1,236 assistant teachers, and 12,027 certificated teachers at work in schools under inspection. These numbers, by the 31st December, 1875, had increased to 29,138 pupil teachers, 2,421 assistants, and 21,952 certificated teachers. The pupil teachers —the future certificated teachers-in the first of the five years of their service increased from 3,392 in 1869 to 6,278 in 1875. The colleges are computed to turn out annually about 1,500 qualified teachers, and this supply is said to be sufficient to fi l up the waste in a staff of 25,000 teachers. The Committee of Council, however, are un-willing to risk the chances of colleges meeting the demand. It < is assumed that very shortly there will be some- thing like 27,000 separate departments for which certificated teachers must be obtained. Anticipating such circumstances, it was deemed advisable to grant certificates upon examina- tion for actual services, and without college training. Since the 1st of May, 1871, certifi- cates of this nature have been granted to 829 male and 1,027 female teachers of thirty-five years' of age and upwards, on whose schools the inspector reported favourably. Provisional certificates-which hold good till the teacher completes his or her twenty-fifth year—have been granted to 259 male and 1,303 female ex- pupil teachers, qualifying them to take charge of small schools with less than sixty children in average attendance throughout the year. The large number of pupil teachers who yearly complete their engagement satisfactorily, and cannot be admitted to training colleges for want of room, furnish a valuable* supply of teachers for these small schools, and the Department show that many of them have given proof of their efficiency, for out of the 1,562 who have received professional certifi- cates, 572 have since obtained ordinary certifi- cates after examination. Looking at the large number of qualified candidates for certificates, who yearly enter the profession through other channels recognised by the Code, "my lords see no reason to doubt that the supply of teachers will, before long, be found fully sum- cient to meet the requirements of the country. This is, of course,! very encouraging, for it would place the country in an awkward posi- tion if, after all the legislation for the educa- tion of the masses, we found there was an in- adequacy or inefficiency in the most important department of the school—the teaching power.

NOTES OF THE WEEK. An intimation was made to the Wrexham Town Council, on Tuesday, that there is every prospect of the next municipal election taking place in Wards. tIt would not have redounded to the credit of the Corporation had the proposed arrangement been shelved, because a few members feel shaky as to their chauces of re-election. With wards there are likely to be fairer and more seemly contests, aud the composition of the Council will be of a more satisfactory nature. The town is desirous that the proposed distribution of seats should take place, and we are therefore glad to learn that it is not to be disappointed. According to the annual report of Mr Hullah, who it the Examiner accredited by the Government to hold examinations in music at the various training colleges in Great Britain, that art has made much progress during the past year. The greatest improvement is said to have been made in what is commonly called H aingiug at sight," which brings out the power of facility of reading freih music. Mr Hullah reports that a fair number underwent the ear tests" satisfactorily. He found that, as a rule, students could either tell sounds played or sung to them readily and certain- ly, or not at all. This might suggest the con- clusion that the power of doing so is a natural gift. That it largely depends on race aud family he thinks certain, because among certain races aDd in certain families music has long been cultivated. Among varieties even of the most musical races with whom this has not been the case musical aptitude will, he says, be found to die out. For instance, the Celts of Wales are, perhaps, the most musically apt of any people in Great Britain; on the other hand, those of the Highlands of Scotland are the least so. Mr Hullah says he has never met a Welsh student with what is called a defective ear. He has taken the utmost pains to get a Highland student to imitate even approximately the simplest succession of musical sounds but quite un successfully. The test has been made in half-a- dozen consecutive instances with similar results. And the c.tuse, ho believes, is not far to seek. Music is an imitation art, and Mr Hullah explains the aptitude of the Welsh in this wise. From time immemorial the Welsh ear has been formed, consciously or unconsciously, by the harp, an in- strument not merely refined in its quality, but an instrument of harmony, and, therefore, of neces- sity tuned on the system which, with Europeans, use has made into second nature. The Highland ear has been formed on the coarsest variety of one of the most imperfect even of monodic instruments —the bagpipes. Mr Hullah is an authority on music, and his opinion on this point is therefore worthy of every consideration. It is interesting to Welshmen to know, upon the authority of an eminent English musician, that the people of Wales owe their u musical ear" to the use of the harp. The Premier, last week, in a brief and touching address, took leave of the constituency of Bucking- hamshire, which he so faithfully and worthily represented for nearly thirty years. The Earl of Beaconsfield reminded his county supporters that the period has been one of trying occasions and memorable evente," but his modesty forbade him stating with what perseverance he had passed through it almost unscathed. The nobte Earl proudly points out that throughout his public life he has aimed at two chief ft.sults.. Not insensible' he says, I to the principle of progress, I have endeavoured to reconcile change with that respect for tradition which is one of the main elements of our social strength and in external affairs, I have endeavoured to develop and strengthen our Empire believing that combination of achievement aud responsibility elevates the character and condition of a people." The traducers of Mr Disraeli's political character have raked up all kinds of stories to prove that his principles now are not in accordance with those of his earlier life. It was in 18-37 that Mr Disraeli—then in his 32nd year- successfully contested one of the seats for Maid- stone, and entered Parliament for the first time. A local paper, dated July 4th, 1837, in commend- ing him to the constituency has these remarks "Mr Disraeli is recommended by the highest qualifications an English gentleman can boast. To respectability of family and the possession of large property he adds the claims of business-like habits, of exemplary service to his country as a magistrate, and the possession of talent which has already contributed a valuable addition to English literature, and which eminently fits him for a seat in the Legislature." Mr Disraeli's address to the Maidstone electors, previous to his first return to Parliament, will ever prove interesting to those who study his remarkable career in politics. It was to the following effect 1 solicit your suffrages as an uncompromising adherent of that ancient Constitution which once was the boast of our fathers, and is still the blessing of their children. I xitsh to see the Crown enjoy its pre- rogatives, both Houses of Parliament their equal privileges, and the great body of the nation that unrivalled and hereJita. freedom which has been the noble consequence of our finely-balanced scheme of legislative power. Convinced that the reformed ruilgiou as by law established in this country is, at the same time, the best guarantee for its duration and orthodox purity, I feel it my duty to uphold the rights of our National Church —that illustrious institution to which we are not less indebted for our civil than ior our spiritual liberties. Resident in an agricultural county, and deeply interested in the land, I will on all occasions watch with vigilant solicitude over the fortunes of the British farmer, because I sincerely believe that his welfare is the surest and most permanent basis of general prosperity." Addres- ing a public meeting, Mr Disraeli also said "If you ask me what the great cause is which I champion, I will tell you in a sentence It is the cause of the English Constitution the cause of British liberty." And concluding, he remarked I speak with con- fidence only because of my confidence in our principles-principles which 1 am convinced are the only solid basis of national prosperity and the social welfare—principles which insure the free- dom of the subject, the just prerogatives of the Sovereign, the integrity of the realm, the safety of the Constitution, and the happiness of the people." There is nothing in these addresses in- consistent with the whole career of Mr Disraeli. He has remained faithful to the Constitution, and a staunch supporter of the Church.

ilocal WcU)«3. THE COBDEN MILL, with all the adjoining build- ings, is advertised to be sold by public auction on the 14 th inst, at Liverpool. LOCAL COMMISSION.—1st Flintshire Engineers Honorary Cuaplain the Rev Hugh Jones, B.A., resigns his appointment; the Kev John Michael Evans, B.A., to be acting chaplain. LEGAL APPOINTMENT.—Mr Thomas Bury, of the firm of Messrs Acton and Bury, solicitors, Chester- street, has been appointed by the Lord Chancellor to be a Commissioner to administer oaths in the Supreme Court of Judicature in England. ACTION ON A BILL OF EXCHANGE.—At Holywell County Court, last week, John Holmes, Holywell, sued Richard Ellis, of Rnosnessney, Wrexham, and formerly of Hoiy well, to recover the sum of £ 5 Is 6d upon a bill of exchange. The defendant did not appear, and evidence having been given of defend- ant having signed the bill, judgment was given for the amount claimed. MORS JANUA VIT-;E.Sir Noel Paton's cele- brated picture, which has been on view at the Conservative Reading Room, Caxton Buildings, Hope-street, during the past fortnight, and was inspected by large numbers who came to the Eisteddvod, leaves Wrexbam this week. Though not a large picture, it is a marvel of art; and would have been a valuable addition to the Art Treasures Exhibition if it had been possible to lend it for a short time to that valuable collection. WALES V. SCOTLAND.—In commemoration of this celebrated football match in which Wales was defeated, a number of silver medals have been supplied to that association for distribution amongst its members. The medals are neat in appearance, and artistic in workmanship. On the one side is represented the Red Dragon of Wales, resting his paw on a football, around the emblem being Football Association of Wales, 1876." On the reverse side is the Prince's plume, surrounded by the leek and thistle, bearing Wales v. Scot- land." They were supplied by Mr Pierce, jeweller, of Henblas-street. W-RIIXHAII BOARD OF GUARDIANS.—The ordinary meeting of the board was held on Thursday, when there were present-Captain Griffith-Boscawen, chairman; Mr A. W. Edwards, vice-chairman; Rev R. O. Burton Messrs E. Rowland, J. Burton, C. W. Parsonage, J. Bennion, M. Hughes, J. D. Beard, E B. Samuel, E. Evans (Broughton), D. Owen, H. Lees, A. Sutton, H. Whalley, and Lieut.- Colonel White. A report was read from Mr Hugh Davies calling attention to a case at Cerney Broughton, where a woman named Harriet Jones and six children, from 5 to 13 years of age, were living in a house not fit for human habition. The children were suffering from scarlet fever, and mother and children all slept together in one room containing only 567 cubic feet of air, giving but 81 cubic feet to the mother and each of the children. He suggested that some extra relief should be afforded to the woman while sickness continued in her house.—The Chairman said a great deal of what Mr Davies had said was a matter for the sanitary authority to enquire into. With regard to the relief, he suggested that it be referred to the medical officer to report whether under the circum- stances he thought the board should allow the mother more relief.—The number in the house was 213 as against 217 last year and 209 last week; the number of vagrants relieved had been 58. Imbeciles or idiots in the house, 35. Workhouse schools—boys 19, girls 24—total 43. Receiving in- dustrial training-boya 8, girls 9-total 17. OXFORD LOCAL EXAMINATION.—The division lists showing the results of the last Oxford Local Examination, w hich took place in May, have been issued. There were altogether 2,090 candidates examined—1,481 juniors and 609 seniors—against 1,843 last year. In the appended list we give the succcsaful candidates in Wrexham. The italics denote that the candidates passed in the second division of the same sections. The asterisk (*) indicates that the candidates satisfied the examiners in the rudiments of faith and religion :— SENIORS (ASSOCIATES IN ARTS). SECOND DIVISION. b c *Sisson, A. J., Grove Park School, Wrexham, J. Pryce- Jones. THIRD DIVISION (ALPHABEriCAL). c Alcock, W. J., Grove Park School, Wrexham. .Burton, J. T., Grove Park School, Wrexham. *Groom, E .Grove Park School, Wrexham. .Higgins, D. J., Grove Park School, Wrexham. .Holding, J., Ruabon Grammar School, Rev A. L. Taylor. *Hutton, J., Grove Park School, Wrexham. Scott, W. F., Grove Park School, Wrexham. c *Wilkinson, T. H., Ruabon Gra.mmar School. ( Williims, E. R., Grove Park School, Wrexham. I JUNIORS. I FIRST DIVISION. .Giles, 0., Oswestry Grammar School, M. S. Forater. SECOND DIVISION (ALPHABETICAL). *Alcock, J. E., Grove Park School, Wrexham. ♦Morton, A. E., Grove Park School, Wrexham. Orme, N., Beaumaris Grammar School, S. D. Orme." *Sutton, R. Y., Grove Park School, Wrexham. THIRD DIVISION (ALPHABETICAL). ♦Bayley, T. H., Wrexham Grammar School, Rev T. Kirk, ♦Davies, A. J., Grove Park School, Wrexham. Davies, R. 0., Kuabon Grammar school. *Jones, E. M. B., Oswestry Grammar School. ♦Laycock, H., Ruabon Grammar School. Lewis, W. H., Oswestry Grammar School, Roberts, J. LI., Llanrwst Grammar School, Rev J. L. Farr. Taylor, A. G., Ruabon, private tuition. Thomas, G. P., Grove Park School, Wrexham. Thomas, R. E., The Academy, Towyn, E. JoLeu. ♦Whitfield, D., Ruabon Grammar School, -4 TREAT TO WORK Peter Walker brewer, of Wrexham, has treated the whole of his employees to a gratuitous examinarioH uf the Art Treasures Exhibition. permitting each person to be accompanied by a friend, -ueh generoisi;y as this is highly commendable, and the example here set before the other employers of labour in the town deserves imitation. SEASIDE EXCURSIONS.—The Great Western Rail- way Company announce that their last excursion, tl:is season, to Weymouth and the Channel Islands will be run on Saturday next, Septembei 9th. The fares are exceedingly low, and excursionists have the privilege of staying in the south 17, or a less Dumber of days. Passengers may also book with the same train, at low rates, to Portsmouth and Southampton. GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.—It is officially announced that the Great Western Railway dividend for the half year ending 30th June, will be at the rate of 3,! per cent. per annum, which is the same as at the corresponding period of last year. There will be no alterations in the train service on the great Western Railway for the month of September, and the present timebills will remain in force. THE WELSHWOMAN'S HAT.—We are asked to state the epigram to a Welshwoman's hat. written by Mrs J. R. Hughes, Grore Piaoe, Denbigh, and which took the prize at the Eisteddvod, was not correctly produced in the papers. It may be accounted for in the fact that the adjudicator recited it from memory. It should have read thus:— Though around your heads be rolled, Tresses ark or coils of gold, Cambrian maids believe me that, Your crowning beauty is your hat! A correspondent writes The poetical value of the word Cambrian" in the third line, is two syllables, hence the line is to the eye a syllable shorter than the others are. It would be correct if the i in Cambrian were long. The truth of my remark may be tested by adding a syllable to the line, which then at once sounds correct, viz:— To Cambrian maids believe me that. The word emerald is similarly valued, usually in poetry, as a word of two syllables only. If, there- fore, the poetess was correctly reported, she was not a good representation of English bards before the Welsh harpers. Would not the following sugges.. tion be at once more correct And more polite ? °° While other maids th-ir heads enfold In tresses dark, on coil- o gold Let Cambrian girls believe me that Their charms are injured by the hat. NARROW ESCAPE.—On Thursday evening, about twenty-five minutes past six o'clock, a wagonette to which were attached a pair of splendid chesnut horses, was standing outside the Great Western Railway station. '1 he driver left them, and they started off, going at a furious pace along Recent- street and Hope-street, and dashing past the Town Hall they ran direct to the gates of the Parish Church where they stopped, singular to say, with- out doing the least damage.' Fortunately owin^ to to the inclement weather the market people had nearly all left the town, and the streets were clear of traffic, so that the affrighted team did no injury to any individuals. When they stopped thev were taken charge of by a police officer, and Serjeant Lindsay was soon on the spot. After the lapse of a few minutes, the coachman came (lown on the box of a cab; but he was intoxicated and certainly not in a fit state to have the care of the horses. A number of gentlemen protested against the man being allowed to proceed; but after a while a gentleman got on the box and drove towards the railway station. Whilst on the way. the owner of the turn-out—a gentleman from Manchester, who was going to Llanarmouon a shooting expcdition- met it, and seeing the condition of his coachman put the man inside the vehicle and, mounting the driving box, drove away, feeling agreeably dis- appointed that no hurt was done to anything." ROYAL BRITISH BOWMEN.—By the kind per- mission of Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart., M.P., the members of this society held their second target day this season at the Central Ground, W ynnstay Park, on Thursday week. Three pairs of targets were pitched, and, as usual, the competitors shot at one distance—sixty yards. The shooters were Mr and Mrs Beck, Mr Crump, Mr Carew, Miss Frost, Mr Green, Mr and Mrs Mathews Hughes Mr Hudleston, Mr and Miss Lewis, Mr C. Mortimer, Miss Perrott, Miss Pryce, Miss C. Pryce, Mr and Miss Pardoe, Mr W. Porter, Mr and Mrs R. Trevor- Roper, Mr Dacre Trevor-Roper, Mr Hugh Trevor- Roper, Miss Southey, Mr and Miss Scott, Mr A. Seacombe, Mr Walford, and Captain Walcott. Mrs Carew was Lady Paramount. Shooting was sus- pended about two o'clock, when a cold r-Jiution was served in a large marquee, the vice-president (the Rev Mathews Hugnes) taking the chair- After the toast of "The Queen" had°been loyally drunk, that of The Prince of Wales and rest of the Royal Family" was enthusiastically responded to, the chairman expressing a hope that the day was not far distant when a member of the Royal British Bowmen would be Prime Minister of England, and restore to the society a royal prize. The healths of the Lady Paramount, the president, and the secretary, were duly drunk, and shooting was resumed at four o'clock, and terminated at six, when the following prizes were announcedLadies: first score, "Mrs Beck, 213, a biscuit case; second ditto, Miss C. Bryce, 212, necklace; best gold, Mrs tuchard Trevor-Roper, umbrella and belt An extra prize, an elegant rosewood toilet case, containing six scent bottles, was presented by the Lady Paramount, and awarded for the greatest number of hits not winning a society's prize. Miss Lewis took the prize with 35 hits. Gentle- men: first score, Mr Green, 343, telescope and case best gold, Mr Scott, liquor case; second best gold, Mr Pardoe, vase on stand. The day was favourable for the pastime, with the exception of a shower or two; and the archers themselves highly pleased with their b,)w meeting at Wynn- stay. ART TREASURES EXHIBITION.—This beautiful and interesting exhibition, as its merits are more widely known, gradually becomes more generally appreciated and more liberally patronised. On some one or two special occasions the number of daily visitors has been below the average, which might have been anticipated until the expiration of the first month of its existence, a fact owing doubtless to the fact that but few exhibitions when opened are nearly complete in every department, and that after the lapse of some three or four weeks arrangements are so far completed as t. render them at that period at their best. Whilst it cannot be denied that when the Wrexham Art Treasures Exhibition was first opened to the public its interior was incomplete, yet it should be known that by the end of the first ten days after that time it was finished, if an exhibition which is constantly undergoing some change like this one can ever be called finished, for scarcely a week passes away without some additions being made to the exhibits. And it may have been noticed by those who fre- quently pay a visit to this place that the articles in the cases are often changed, therefore it will be well to remark that none of them are taken away altogether; the stands are simply re-arranged-a fact which adds materially to the interest of the exhibition-for by careful manipulation in perfect- ingthesechanges to those who are regular attendants the collection is made more interesting, and that monotony which sometimes attaches to those things where week after week the exhibits remain in the same place and position, is wholly relieved. During the Eisteddvod week there was a marked improve- ment in the attendance, the numbers who attended on each day being as follows Monday Ofip Tuesday 4,i4 Wednesday '171 Thursday 6,i01 Friday 36 Saturday l,2vS Total I6,yi3 There have been several beautifully carved pieces of wood-work sent in since our last notice, the one being a couple brace of birds, and the other a bird's next with young ones. represented as having been built on the top of a wall overgrown with ivy. These are much admired and present great artistic taste. A patent battery gun has this week been added, and stands on a carriage at he extreme end of the industrial annexe. There are also several fresh exhibitors of useful and ornamental articles for sale in the annexe, which is now wholly occupied. The daily organ recitals and band performancer, and the evening concerts are as ably carried on as usual, the programmes being choicely selected. An additional feature is to be introduced into the amusements by the delivering of lectures which will be illustrated by the pictures shown. On Monday next, Mr Forbes Robertson, of the London Art Journal, will deliver the first on "The Old Masters of the Continental Schools," and on the following Friday the same gentleman will discourae on The British School of Painting." That these lectures will be largely attended cannot be doubted. Yesterday a head of a very handsome and ancient crosier was received from Mr P. H. Howard, of Corby, together with a rosary of Mary, Qneen of- Scots, in enamel, and a couch of beautifully carved bcxwood with sunken and pierced panels of ivory, of the time of Elizabeth. The attendance during the week has been as follows: Saturday 1,12:; Monday 1,1 :J8 Tuesday 675 Wednesday 645 Thursday 4:17 Total, 4,01b 4 J*