The Barmouth and County Advertiser and District Weekly News

REVIEW. I "The War and Democracy." By R. W. Seton-Watson and Others. (London Macmillan & Co. 2s. net). This excellent volume of incalculable value at this terrible European crisis should be read and pondered by all classes of readers. It shows clearly the various causes of the war and the great questions it will settle. As the authors state in the Preface the work has been written as a guide to the study of the underlying causes and issues of the war. It does not pretend to cover the whole of so vast a field, and it will have at- tained its aim if it provides the basis for future discussion." There is a Germany and a Germany,. and Alfred E. Zim- mern's masterly essay will enable the reader to form an idea of the Germany with which England, France and Russia will be reconciled after the war is fin- ished. What the world needs at pre- sent, as J. Dover Wilson says, is more nationalism and more democracy. And it is only after these two great nine- teenth century movements have worked themlelves out to the full, at least on the continent of Europe, that mankind will be able safely to make experiments towards the realisation of the third and crowning principle of a European com- monwealth. The book will repay well for careful study, and we cordially com- I for careful our rcaders., mend It to our readers.

BLWYDDYN, Y PLANT." (" THE CHILDREN'S YEAR.") For the sake of those who intend to be present at the performance of the above Dramatic Cantata next Thursday evening, &prii 15th, a synopsis of the work is here given. First of all we have an instrumental introduction depicting the death of the old year. PART I. The New Year enters with sound of bells, and the children give it their wel- come, not without a slight touch of sad- ness. The chorus is founded on the old Welsh Air, Nos Galan," this sweet old tune being used in the major and minor keys, Then one of the children, in looking forward to the new year and its responsibilities, introduces us to the school and its work. The infants march to the sound of the pianoforte, and go through an action song. The older scholars then sing the glories of their school and teachers. PART II. This part is introduced by a duet be- tween Shon and Shan—a representation of the weather-glass which is so common in our houses. The old woman praises the sunshine, whilst the old man stands up for the storm, but at last they agree that both are necessary for the spring and the flowers. Now the children sing their welcome to the spring in a chorus full of life and spirit. One of the boys sings of the birds be has seen and heard and a girl praises the flowers that have appeared But in the midst of all this joy, a sick child is heard in the distance singing a mournful solo. This touches the heart of the cl)ildren;and they learn a lesson of sympathy—thinking of others even in spring-time and all its pleasures. PART III. Summer is coming, and one of the children welcomes it, using the old Welsh Air, "Llwyn Onn," joined in before the end by all the boys and girls who greet summer as the bringer of holidays. The school breaks up, and the scholars are in high glee. Following this we have a dialogue between two girls—Where tc spend the holidays—by the sea or in the country? A girl praises the sea and its charms in a solo, followed by a trio describing sunset from the shore. Then a boy comes for- ward to sing about the country, and the children join in a chorus showing the fun of haymaking. PART IV. Autumn is introduced by a dance played by the orchestra—a harvest dance. In the distance you bear the autumn winds-a humming chorus. A boy and a girl sing about the fruits found on the trees—though the leaves fall in the autumn, yet fruit is given to us. A recitation follows describing a withered leaf, and this scene ends with a mournful chorus-" N atul'e's dirge. PART V. Winter has arrived, and a girl asks how to spend it. The best way is to sit by the fire and talk over the old customs of our country. Now we are introduced to a fire-side gathering in an old kitchen, where the harp is played and two girls sing old and new penillion with it, on the sweet old Welsh Air, Dwr G Ian.' Quite a new feature will be the singing of the last verse by the two singers, each having a separate melody. Christ- mas is now near. The first sign is a post- man heavily laden, standing by a letter box, and singing of bis wcrk. Santa Claus joins him, and this stirs up the children to sing the glories of Christmas —its presents and its privileges. But suddenly a choir of angels is heard in the distance singing of Bethlehem, tbo first Christmas, the Saviour and His sacrifice, and the Cantata ends with the children singing heartily the wish that the Christ- mas song may fill the whole earth and heaven. The studying of the above synopsis | will help all intending hearers thebetter to appreciate the performance. The singing, the instruments, and the scen- ery will all help the effect—the whole being an attempt at describing the course of the year from a child's point of view.

SHOCKING MOTOR ACCIDENT NEAR OSWESTRY. TWO KILLED AND OTHERS I SERIOUSLY INJURED. A shocking accident befel a motoring party on Good Friday morning on the main Holybead road midway between Oswestry and Shrewsbury, resulting in the deaths of the chauffeur and owner of the car, and serious injuries to other occupants of the car. The party were Mr George Thomas Crump, the licensee of the Ship Hotel, Bala, his two sons, George Owen Crump and Griffith Gordon Crump, his brothor- in-law, Mr Griffith Jones, and the chauff- eur, Mr Gordon Wheeler. Mr Crump and his family are well known in Barmouth, having for many years been the licensee of the Royal Hotel. Also Mr Jones is well known in Barmouth, having been in the employ of Mr Richard Roberts, Ivy House. They were proceeding to Hereford on an Easter visit to some friends. The car was running on a level and straight stretch of road between Wolf's Head and Post House, when one of the tyres burst with a loud report. The car, a large and heavy one, turned a complete somersault. Mr G. T. Crump and the driver were pinned underneath, and the other three passengers were thrown into the roadway. Mr Crump and his son, Mr George Owen Crump, sustained fractured skulls and other injuries, and the chauffeur's legs were both fractured. Mr Griffith Jones was bruised about the face and Mr Griffith Gordon Crump escaped with a few scratches, but both suffered severely from the effects of shock. An Oswestry shop assistant, who' happened to be motor cycling along the road, was one of the first on the scene, and medical aid was summoned. Dr. Mortis, of Kinnerley, rendered first aid to the seriously injured, and Dr. C. W. O'Connor and other Oswestry doctors arrived soon afterwards. Later P. Sergts Pearce and Jones motored to the spot with stretchers, and on these the injured motorists were conveyed to the Oswestry Cottage Hospital. Valuable assistance was given the police by Mr Charles Southwath, of the Llandudno Motor Garage Co., Mr Jobson, of Ellis's gararge, Oswestry, Mr Seth Brown, Oswestry, and others. On being brought to the hospital, the three patients were attended to by Drs. Girdlestone and Croftbn, and were found to be in a very critical condition. The hospital staff worked splendidly in preparation for the reception of the casualities and for the serious operations which were rendered immediately necessary. Shortly after 3'ciock the chauffeur succumbed to his terrible injuries, and later in the day Mr G. T. Crump died from his wounds. An inquiry inio the circumstances of the death of the chauffeur and Mr Crump was held last Saturday afternoon ■ by Coroner Aylmer Lewis. The accident caused a painful and widespread sensation in the Oswestry district, and large numbers visited the scene of the smash. They found the motor car an absolute wreck. The tyre- burst must have caused it first to wobble tremendously and then to over- topple completely. Mr James Baird, of Oswestry, a friend of the Crump family, gave the'un- hurt motorists evey assistance after their arrival in the town. Mrs Crump was sent for from Bala, and reached the hospital during the day.