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- DEATH OF MR. DUNCAN! GRAHAM.-I

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DEATH OF MR. DUNCAN GRAHAM. I A REMARKABLE CAREER. It is with feelings of profound sorrow that 1re announce the death of Mr. Duncan Graham, "tllich occurred at his residence, The Lydiate, Willaaton, Wirral, at six o'clock on Sunday 'Evening. Mr. Graham had been in indifferent ealth for some time. He was attended by Drs. Yeoman and Grant, of Neston, and on Monday 1feek Mr. Robert Jones, of Liverpool, was in to perform an operation. This was considered to have been successful, but the Patient gradually became weaker and died, as stated, in the presence of his son, Mr. James •■f&clean Graham, and Dr. Yeoman. He was 16 years of age. Until the last few days a fatal termination te his illness was not apprehended by the local Public. It had long been his custom to walk to and from the railway station, a distance of 4bOut a mile, and for years there was no more iallliliar sight than that of his stately figure as 110 reflectively paced the village streets on 18 way to and from the train. It -as noted that he had aged considerably ? late, and during the last few weeks he has used his carriage, and was no longer seen traversing the Willaston highways. He last -ent to business on the day preceding Christ- 34as Day, and the intimation which came shortly afterwards to the effect that he was Yeasty ill and might not recover came as a great shock. It is almost unnecessary to say that his death has created a feeling of profound 80rrow among all classes of the community,  that throughout the length and breadth of "? county, and particularly of Wirral, the *?dline of this notice will send a thrill of genuine regret that so noble a life, and one Jh»t could so ill be spared has ended. Wi"s- to4 'n Wirral, which had long befriended and "h?i. ch had learned to look upon him with an action similar to that of a child for its ??at, is in tears. He had been so long ??ci&ted with the neighbourhood as to becom *? a.nd parcel of it, and his munificent ?erosity had flowed in such a continuous ?e&m that it was at last taken as a matter of ?°nrse without the thought that it must one ay be terminated, and now deep sorrow is Otorywhere manifested. There is scarcely a Cottage home in Willaston to-day where tears Ve not been shed to his memory and here the inmates have not spoken in broken tones of some past deed long since forgotten by him who is Sone, and, perhaps, in some instances, too readily overlooked by them, but which now Comes back as they talk of him to touch the heart anew. The common- place we never knew how much we loved him until we lost him is heard on every hand, but it is uttered with deep feeling, more frequently than not with a sob. Those who knew him best-who knew his unwavering faith and his unswerving devotion to all that makes for good will not be surprised to learn that he received the intimation of the near approach of death with the utmost serenity, and that his thoughts during the last days were, as they had always been, not for himself but chiefly for those about him. His passing was such as might have been expected of a chivalrous Christian gentleman who, having advanced somewhat beyond the span allotted to humanity, and having fought manfully to the end, heard the Voice calling him home. AS A PARTY MAN. In the death of Mr. Duncan Graham Cheshire has lost one whose conspicuous ability made him tower high above his fellowii, while hits many noble characteristics won for him an Unshared place in the esteem of the general community. He was never known to seek or covet distinction or popularity, yet of him it may surely be said that; at the time of his death he was the moat generally popular figure in the county. Those who knew him mtimately and are most competent to judge freely express the opinion that had he chosen a Parliamentary career he wouid have made his mark upon the times as one of the principal counsellors of the nation but he was content to put away all such aspirations, and to figure in the humbler role of One of those captains of industry, who not less than the statesman in the Council Chamber or the general in the field have combined to build up the Empire. For many Years he was chairman of the Wirral Coneeiva- tive Association, in which position he rendered Valuable services to his party. Such was his Popularity that over a quarter of a century ago the Liberals throughout the Wirral Division oPenly asserted, and to their credit be it forded, that they themselves would support the candidature of the Conservative, Mr. Duncan Graham, if he cared to seek Parliamentary honours, but he chose to efface himself as Regards this matter, and was well content to serve the county independent of politics, while, When occasion required, he was a tower ot strength to the Conservative candidate elect. In the various campaigns in which that party nave taken part his address, so temperate and yet so incisive, so clear and so convincing, was invariably the speech of the evening, and yet, when party feeling ran most high no opponent every dreamed of uttering a resentful word against the most dangerous figure in the enemy's camp. In no place was his keen insight into character and his clear judgment »»ore apparent than on the Bench. The ordinary lawbreaker, who had unwittingly gone astray, or who truly repented of some rash deed that had brought him within the meshes of the police net, found in him ^a. considerate and merciful judge, but in the more cowardly ases where the weak had su?red from the rut8:hty of the strong he could be roused to severity, &Qd the wife-beater and the oppressor of u|^reri frequently bad occasion to I ?, at the words and the penetrating glance t bat met them from the bench. Mr. Sr????'S 13ENEFACTOR.? Mr. Grs.h.u..  ts & ? of the "? James Graham .? of ?G!?? sgow, a South American L=! chant «n^ ?? educated at the Royal InstituHn. ?''P? King's College, London, and on th'(l ?ootinent, becoming an excellent classIcal 8cholar and an accomplished linguist. He mo rr* Miss Maclean, daughter ot Mr. John Maclean, a South American merchant, and on succeeding to his father's business his remark- ble aptitude soon made him a conspicuous figure m Liverpool business circles, and for many years and up to the time of his death he had been the senior partner of Graham, Rowe and Co., of- Mersey Chambers, so well known in the South American trade. Among other important positions he filled with rare ability was that of chairman of the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company, whose head office is in Liverpool. His first connection with Wirral began in 1856, nearly half-a- century ago, when, while staying in the neigh- borhood of the picturesque village of Wïllaston, he took a fancy to Lydiate Farm, and Purchased it for the purpose of erectin g a suitable house on it, the transaction taking place in the half-timbered old inn which is one of the most charming features of the locality. lIe bought a quantity of the adjoining land, and the farmhouse was afterwards transformed into the present beautiful residence, sur- rounded by some twenty-eight acres of park and garden. The township of Willaston soon felt his beneficent presence. When he came to Willaston the late vicar of Neston was putting up a church, and in 1855 the building was consecrated by the late Bishop Graham, and was used as a chapel of ease for about ten years. In 1865, however, Mr. Graham erected a vicarage with two acres of glebe, and endowed the living, Canon Gleadowe at the same time relinquishing a portion of the tithes. Mr. Graham thus became the patron of the living, and appointed the late Rev. C. H. Barlow as the first vicar. The only temple of learning in Willaston at that time was a dame school kept by Mrs. Kitchen, an old lady still resident in the village. The late Mr. Christopher Bushell had taken up his residence at Hinderton same time as Mr. Graham came to Willaston, and the two gentlemen worked like brothers for the advancement of the neighbourhood, and owing to their efforts the present handsome schools were erected. In 1890 the Willaston Village Institute, built by Mr. Graham at his own cost (of about £ 2.000), was opened and has proved a great boon to the villagers. To enumerate all the public bene- factions Willaston owes to Mr. Graham would be to compile a lengthy list, but these are far exceeded in number by his private charities, while most of them known only to the giver and receiver, were, every one is well aware upon the most lavish scale. On the death of Mr. Barlow Mr. Graham, in 1888, appointed the present vicar, the Rev. Walsham Postance, to the living, ? afterwards gave a beautiful reredos to the church and a lychgate to the churchyard. He also built a vestry and provided lighting arrangements for the evening services, which were now introduced, besides putting in a naagnificent stained glass window to his son Walter. During the terrible cattle plague he gave a sheep and lamb to the Villagers for each beast they lost owing to the scourge. Some years ago, when the township suffered from a great scarcity of water lie made arrangements with the olct Neston and Parkgate Local Board for a supply from their works, and at his own cost laid down the necessary mains and pipes to the village. He was for some years captain of the Neston Volunteer company (the old llth Cheshire "), and the valuable Duncan Graham Challenge Cup has ever since been the most coveted trophy connected with the company. In addition he, in company with the late Mr. Christopher Bushell, and after his death with Mr. Reginald Bushell, provided an annual ball for the Volunteers and their friends. 1 he Willas- ton Quoit Ball, to which every house in the village had an invitation, and which was provided regardless of expense, has many times been noted in these columns. Mr. Graham in his younger days was a very proficient athlete, and he had always been an active supporter of outdoor games and the various forms of manly sport. He was an ardent angler, and on several of his excursions to the trout streams of Germany, and particu- larly to those of the Black Forest, he had been accompanied by the present Vicar of Willaston. He leaves a widow and four children-two sons and two daughters. COUNTY COUNCIL WORK. Striking testimony to air. ijuuu-u 'u, Q impartiality and integrity was furnished by his election on February 28th, 1889, as first per- manent chairman of the Cheshire County Council. It was no bed of roses to which he was summoned. Lord Egerton of Tatton, as the present Earl was then known, had been appointed provisional chairman, and at a meet- ing held under his presidency it was evident (hat political feeling ran very high. It was fully recognised that a continuation of partisan- ship would be highly inimical to the best interests of the county, and the members agreed to elect Mr. Duncan Graham to the position of chairman. Consequently at the second meet- ing of the Cheshire Provisional County Council, at Knutsford, his election was proposed by the late Duke of Westminster, seconded by Lord Egerton, supported by Mr. Jos. Beckett, and carried unanimously. In acknowledging the great honour Mr. Graham said he should feel himself bound under exceptionally heavy recognisance to exercise a spirit of the most rigid impartiality. He also thought he might venture to say that he would be a very acute and promising member of the Council who would discover from his action in the chair what his political opinions were. That promise was admirably carried out. Mr. Graham fully attained the high standard which he set him- self, and it is safe to say that no body ever had a more impartial or conscientious chairman. tild conspicuous ability and intelligent grasp of questions relating to local self-government were ot immense value to the Council, and it is no exaggeration to state that the business-like principles inculcated under his guid- ance left a permanent stamp on the work of the Cheshire Parliament. Owing to his increasing duties Mr. Graham on March 9oh, ).893, retired from the position he had filled wife so much ability, and his place was taken by Colonel Dixon. In order to place on record their esteem for their first chairman the members of the Council presented him with an excellent oil-painting of himself by J. F. Nowell. This portrait adorns the walls of the Council Chamber. It bears the following inscription:—" Duncan Graham, Esq., J.P., first chairman of the Cheshire County Council, 1888- 1893. This portrait was subscribed tor by members and chief officials of the County Council in recognition of his great ability in organising and directing the work of the county government conferred upon the Council by the Local GovernmeEt Act of 1888." Mr. Graham for a great number of years was Chairman of the Upton Asylum Committee, in v hich position he rendered valuable service to the county. He was elected a member of this committee in 1861, and in 1882, on the death of Colonel King, he was appointed chairman, a position he retained until 1889. lie retired in March, 1898. He was appointed a magistrate on October 18, 1861, and was chairman for many years of the VVmal Petty Sessional Division. I DIOCESAN WORK. Mr. Graham's anxiety for the welfare of the Church was shewn in many ways. In his own parish, as we have already shewn, he set a noble example, and in the larger questions affecting the diocese as a whole he was a pattern to the rich laity. It is impossible to over-estimate the value of his work as chairman of the Executive Com- mittee of the Chester Diocesan Clergy Sustenta- tion Fund, which was founded in commemoration of the 60th year of her Majesty's reign. iVI r. Graham held strong views regarding the in- adequacy of the stipends paid to many of our clergy, and at the last Diocesan Conference, at, which he was unfortunately unable to be present owing to the state of his health, a characteristic letter was read from him by the Bishop. Mr. Graham wrote: —' 'It is, unfortunately, only too notorious that the average income of the holder of a living is insufficient for the reasonable and decent requirements of himself and his family, and yet out of this income he is often expected to contribute largely towards the cost of the ad- ditional help required as a consequence of the rapid increase in the population of the parish, as compared with what it was when he was inducted, when he required no assistance. In byegone times livings were not, infrequently so bountifully en- dowed that the incumbent might not unfairly be called upon to provide at his own cost that necessary assistance, but those times are gone it may be assumed for good. The remedy lies en- tirely with the laity." He was a liberal con- tributor to the Sustentation Fund; a member of the Pensions' Fund Committee, a representative of the diocese in the House of Laymen, and, in short, an active supporter of all Church societies. We believe we should not be wrong in saying that the Bishop relied very much upon his sound judgment in matters affecting the welfare of the diocese, concerning which the laity are qualified to express an opinion. I REFERENCES AT NESTON. Feeling references were made to the death of Mr. Duncan Graham at a meeting of the Neston and Parkgate District Council on Monday night. Mr. J. Pemberton, the chairman, who spoke with considerable emotion, said the deceased gentleman, many years ago, served as a member of the old Local Board at Neston, and he was always ready to take an active and prominent part in any work for the good of the district. Colonel Lloyd also spoke feelingly of the late Mr. Graham. For over half a century he was a resident in the neighbourhood, and during that time he was one of the most prominent characters. In fact a more useful gentleman could hardly be found. He (the speaker) well remembered being associated with deceased, some 40 years ago, on the committee of the Neston branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society, and afterwards, for 12 years, he served under his captainship in the Neston Rifle Volunteer Corps. A better officer or captain never took command of the company, and he (Colonel Lloyd) would not forget the 12 years he spent under the late Mr. Graham. As they all knew, deceased was the first chairman of the Cheshire Coiwity Council, and he could well re- call the occasion when Mr. Graham expressed his pleasure and gratification at the honour conferred upon him. Deceased filled the position of chairman with oonBpicuous ability, and it was only through old age that he resigned some time ago. In the Hundred of Wirral, Mr. Graham acted as magistrate for over 40 years, and a gentleman of better judg- ment never sat upon a bench. He (the speaker) could refer to numerous cases in which the true character of the deceased gentleman was brought prominently forward. He was always kind and considerate to those who were unfortunate in life. He was sure they would all deeply sympathise with Mrs. Graham and family in their bereavement, and lie moved that a vote of condolence be sent from the Council. Mr. J. C. Thompson seconded the motion, and said the good and well-balanced character of the late Mr. Graham made itself manifest to all who knew him, and the people in Neston and district would suffer an irreparable loss. The motion was carried. Mr. J. Woodward gave instances of Mr. Graham's kindness in various directions, while Mr. E. C. Pugh also spoke of the latter's many sterling qualities. He (Mr. Pugh) was always struck with the careful and conscientious way in which deceased carried out his duties. The late Mr. Graham, he knew, enjoyed a very high reputation in Liverpool, where he was con- sidered to be one of the most upright and level- headed business men to be found. He very warmly endorsed the remarks passed by Col. Lloyd and Mr. Thompson. THE FUNERAL. I The funeral, which took place at the parish church, Willaston, on Wednesday, was one of the most imposing that have ever been witnessed in the locality. In the village itself the silence of sorrow reigned, and there were general manifestations of mourning. There was scarcely a cottage which had not its blinds drawn down, and not a resident who was not painfully conscious of an almost personal loss. He who had filled the r61e of benefactor to this little village had passed away; the kind friend was no more; a familiar figure had been removed, and the residents realised that for them it was indeed a day of sorrow. A black suit of clothes or dress, a deep crepe hat band or a black tie told its own tale of grief and respectful remembrance. The cortege left The Lydiate shortly after two o'clock and wended its way along the snow-mantled road to the village, a distance of about a mile. It was a sorrowful little procession, and was headed by a body of household servants, bearers and others. The chief of the bearers were Messrs. John Mason (coachman), George Harker (butler), George Ashton (footman), James Skyme (head gardener), John Cotterill (under gardener), and James Mason, jun. The coffin in which the remains of the deceased gentleman were encased was of oak, and bore the following inscription :—" Duncan Graham, died January 6th, 1901. Aged 75." Immediately behind the coffin were the mourners, and then came the deceased gentle- man's carriage, the top of which was covered with floral tributes; and other private car- riages sent by Mr. J. H. Dennis, Arrowe Hall, Woodchurch; Mr. C. E. Hope, Burton; Mrs. Tobin, Eastham; Mr. J. G. Churton, Manor House, Neston; and Mr. W. H. Jones, Hooton Grange. The chiet mourners were Mr. Maclean Graham (eldest Bon), Miss Lilian Graham (daughter), and Miss Sybil Graham (grand- daughter). Other mourners included Mr. H. Torr (son-in-law), the Rev. W. E. and Mrs. Torr (Eastham), Mr. 0. Rowe, Mr. V. Rowe, and Mr. A. Rowe, Mr. Charles Bushell (Bromborough), Mr. Reginald Bushell (Hinderton), and Mr. F. Bushell (Hinderton). The procession was joined by many local and other personages along the route. Prior to its arrival at the church, where others had assembled in considerable numbers, the village school children marched from the scho*l to the church. The mournful cortege was met at the lych gate by the vicar (the Rev. W. Postance) and surpliced choir, who led the way into the church. On either bide of the path were drawn up members of the I" (Neston) Com- pany of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Cheshire Regiment, under the command of Captain R. Johnson Houghton. As the mourners tiled into the sacred edifice the Volunteers removed their helmets. The coffin was placed in the chancel on trestles with violet corners, which had been made and presented by Mrs. Postance. The seating accommodation of the little church was quite inadequate for the large number of persons who came from far and near to pay a last tribute of respect to the memory of the departed gentleman; many were obliged to stand in the aisle, and even in the porch, throughout the service, which was of a most impressive character. The windows and chancel had been decorated with choice white flowers by Mrs. Postance and Miss Watson. On the lectern, where Sunday after Sunday for many years the late Mr. Duncan Graham had read the lessons, was hung a beautiful floral cross, bearing the words In ever affectionate remembrance," from the Rev. and Mrs. Wal- sham Postance. A wreath from His little friends Beatrice and Frieda had been placed on the prayer desk, together with another wreath from Miss Dawson, the organist of the church, "in sincere remembrance." The ser- vice opened with the Domine, refugium" (Psalm xc.), sung to Felton's chant. The Vicar read the lesson (1 Cor. xv.), and I continued the first part ot the burial service. The Easter hymn (No. 140) "Jesus lives," was sung. The Rev. C. G. Postance, Vicar of Holy Trinity, Liverpool, played selections from Elijah," including 0, for the wings of a dove." He also played Mendelssohn's 0 rest in the Lord," and at the conclusion of the service, the Dead March" in Saul. The coffin was then borne out of the church to the grave, where the Vicar impressively conducted the remaining portion ot the service. 'Ihe choir here sang one of the deceased's favourite hymns For ever with the Lord." In addition to those already mentioned there were present at the graveside the High Sheriff of Cheshire (Mr. B. C. Roberta), the Lord Bishop of Chester, Colonel Dixon (Chairman of the Cheshire County Council), Colonel Cotton- Jodrell, Mr. Joseph Hoult, M.P., Mr. T. Brocklebank (The Roscote, Heswall), Mr. H. Lyie Smyth (Barrowmore), Dr. Yeoman, Dr. Lewis Grant, Alderman J. Smith, Major Grundy, Col. Lloyd (Neston), the Revs. Canon Turner (Neston), H. S. Sladen (Burton), and T. H. May (Heswall), Dr. Riddock (Little Neston), Messrs. E. H. Harrison (deputy chairman of I the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company), Alexander Eccles, W. H. Clayton, J. S. Smith, and J. H. Higson (directors of the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Com- pany), and F. W. P. Rutter (manager), Mr. C. Graham Rowe, Mr. H. W. Rowe, Mr. T. M. Jones, Mr. H. H. Hammond (manager to Messrs. j Graham, Rowe, and Co.), Mr. Reginald Potts (clerk to the Cheshire County Council), Mr. Hubert Potts, Mr. Duncan, Mrs. and Miss Watson (Leahurst), Miss Morrison, Mr. R. Hodson, Lieut.-Colonel J. Piikington, Mr. A, H. Edwardson (Wirral Agricultural Society), and Messrs. F. E. Roberts (Chester), A. Birketc (secretary of the Wirral Conservative Associa- tion), A. Haughton (West Kirby), J. McLeavy (chairman of the New Ferry Conservative Committee), John Mann (Hans Hall), R. Hawkins, W. Hawkins, T. Clarke (Leahurst Hall), E. L. Chambers, G. H. Argyle, M. Clover (Rose Lea), Hy. Bell (West Kirby), J. Pownall (Windle Hall), J. Bebbington (Gleu Morriston), Fred E. Beckett, R. W. Dean, Jonathan Delamore, T. D. Lingard, S. C. Woodward (Little Sutton), T. Comber (Parkgate), J. W. Aisop, J. K. Catto, R. C. Beazley, U. Mason, J. S. Harrington, H. J. Pollit, J. Beausire, H. Todd (Lydiate Cottage), A. W. Birch, G. B. Eaton, U. ii. Robertson, J. G. Kirkness, B. Finnigan, M. brown, R. Winston, C. E. Sword, R. Thorneley (The Towers), John Hall, A. W. Barlow, J. B. Clarke, G. W. Bird, George Eaton, J. C. hampleasure, R. P. Bates, R. ti. Hyde, Bohlingk, R. Winstanley, Foxwell, E. Dibb, McNeil, Barton, Charles Hendrey, H. R. Rodgers, G. M. Eaton, T. W. Bird, W. Caunce, T. Tickle (Dunstan), G. W. Ward (Wood Park), J. Huntington (Windle Mill), Jacob Pugh, G. W. Kelsey (Willow Brow), Charles Sherlock, J. H. Pugh, John Pugh, A. Hornby (representing the Chester Asylum Committee), J. G. Smyth, J. J. Hyslop, T. Griffith (Raby), E. Maiden, and members of the respective staffs of the London and Lan- cashire Fire Insurance Company, the British and Foreign Marine Insurance Company, and Messrs. Graham, Rowe and Company. The Willaston residents present included J. Pollard, J. Moss, W. Fell, P. Allen, W. Jones, W. Pugh, J. Cotterill, T. Wood, and W. Milling- ton. Neston and Little Neston were repre- sented by Messrs. J. G. Thomson, J. Pemberton (chairman of the Neston Urban Council), W. Pritchard, R. Bridson, J. Parry, W. Maylor, Joseph Cotterill, T. Jones, W. Adamson, Abra- ham Price, John Johnson, George Pritchard, W. Jones, G.- Hunter, T. B. Swift, J. G. Lee, E. Evison, G. H. Ward, &c. The floral tributes were very beautiful. They included:—" With ever loving thought of my father, Rosita;" In affectionate memory of Auld Lang Syne, from his sister, Isabella; Mr. and Mrs. and the Misses Harmood-Banner, Col. and Mrs. Cotton-Jodrell, Miss Morris, Mr. and Mrs. Woods, Mrs. Henry F. Fox, the managers and officials of the London and Lancashire Fire Insurance Company, the office staff of Messrs. Graham, Rowe and Company, Mr. and Mrs. P. Allen, Mr. and Tom and Miss Chilton, Major and Mrs. Octavius Rowe, Mr. and Mrs. J. G. Churton (Manor House), Mr. and Mrs. R. Potts, Mr. and Mrs. Hubert Potts, Mr. and Mrs. Pownall and family, Mr. and Mrs. Rathbone, Miss May Rath bone, the Misses Rodger, Mrs. Duncan, Mrjand Mrs. T. Lonsdale, Mr. G. Eaton and Miss Eaton, Mr. and Mrs. T. Wood (Ash Tree Farm). A TRIBUTE BY A BYSTANDER. I When you have traversed the mighty aisles of St. Paul's Cathedral gazing with quickened pulse and bated breath on the storied urn and animated bust" therein contained, and have felt to the full your own exceeding little- ness, you remember that you have not as yet seen the monument of him who wrought this vast poem in stone, and who spread those stony canopies 'neath which the honoured dead rest so well. Then you are pointed to lines which bid you" if you would see his monument look around." I thought of the words on Wednesday as I stood within the friendly shelter of the lycbgate which forms the portal to the Willaston God's acre, with the snow flakes falling from a leaden sky. You know that old fashion of whitening the chamber into which the presence has entered. The busy hands have grown strangely still, and upon the familiar features-wearing, too, mahap a look more like that of the old days-a "seal" is set. They them- selves have put on sombre attire, but as they move to and fro about the room with noiseless footsteps they drape with' gentle fingers each well-known object with white. Thus, as we stand here waiting, soft invisible fingers spread coverings of white over each familiar landmark. The lychgate has become a piece of marble sculpture, and the graves are folded under spotless coverlids. The church is almost enveloped in the same unsullied robe, and to the right the village street and quaint village roofs make up a winter scene such as the artist loves to transfer to his canvas. The tall mill, too, is snowcapped, and the untrodden fields that lie between are whiter than all. Willaston is transformed-it has covered itself with white as with a gar- ment. It does not seem very long since we were gathered here in somewhat similar weather, and on that occasion, too, we waited the arrival of a party from the big house. But the sun shone out that day, and made the snowy roofs sparkle and the long icicles on the Reaves glisten, until the triumphal arches put up by the villagers looked almost tawdry in comparison. How sweet the bride looked that day. The crowd about the lychgate has begun to thicken, for no one is to be admitted until they have passed through Some of the volunteers who line the churchyard path are superannuated veterans with long ser- vice medals, who are permitted to wear their somewhat faded uniforms now that their march- ing days are over. They were in their prime, picking up odd pounds at the butts at Wimble- don when he was captain. Here come the school children, two and two, mostly in black, and with "awe" written plainly across their childish faces. Some of them will hand down the memory of this afternoon to the latter half of this new century. The crowd grows apace, for the train has set down its freight of city men now. and the 'Change must be almost deserted this afternoon, judging from what we see in the roadway. Whilst we wait we stroll- we are one of the privileged few-into the church and find it decked with flowers whose tints are in keeping with the white world outside. There is the pew wherein he knelt to worship with the humblest cottager or stood to join in his favourite hymn." Shall we be deemed pre- sumptuous if we invade for a moment the chamber where he lay dying and lift for a moment the curtain which hides from our gaze the anctity of home? It can do no harm, and it may do good. After all such men do not belong entirely to their families, and precedent is not wanting. When the worst was known-when it was plainly seen that the messenger was indeed beckoning-that, to use a common but in one sense a most improper phrase, there was no hope," he asked for his favourite hymn- For ever with the Lord. Amen, so let it be. The incident is not much, but it suffices. A momentary flash of light illumines a whole country side. The strong man with the faith of a little child. Everything in the church bespeaks his loving, generous care. The west window? Yes, it is a tine piece of art. He who is named there was perhaps the merriest of them all, as he was certainly not the least beloved of them all. He faded away just eleven years ago yester- day, amid the everlasting spring of Southern France, and the plain glass window of his parish church at home blossomed with all these gorgeous tints. It is a striking group, as may be guessed from the words beneath, Go thy way, thy son liveth." The words probably had a very special meaning for him who caused them to be set there. The surpliced choir waits by the door- way, and an occasional stroke on the bell tells that the procession is in sight. As it rounds the corner of the road it is seen that there is neither hearse nor coaches, nor aught else that savours of manufactured grief. The coffin is borne shoulder high by a group that knew him and loved him—men with whom he had stopped to converse at the quoit ground in the summer evenings as he passed it on his way to town, or who had met him in the early morning at the quiet farm as he discussed with them the simple rural events of the coming day ere he buried him- self amid the hum of the city. Many of them had more than once formed part of that merry village crowd who had so often held high carnival with him on New Year's Eve, and who as the new year broke found him one of the huge circle that sang of Auld Lang Syne." Who would not prefer such bearers to those functionaries who usually officiate on these occasions? I noticed one of them furtively wiping his wet cheek. He need not have been ashamed. The simple choral service was rendered with deep feeling. He must often have thought of this, but it was all just as he would have wished it. 0, rest in the Lord" spake the organ, and as they brought him down the church again with the "Dead March pealing among the rafters, the large panel shewing the raising of Lazarus seemed to have taken on a new meaning. The snowflakes fell throughout the service and floated down most thickly on choir and mourners as with sweet voices they stood beneath the trees over the open grave singing once more that favourite hymn- By death I shall escape from death And life eternal gain. If thou would'st behold his monument look around." The good men do is not interred with their bones. The institute is made to last. It is a worthy successor of the buildings which sur- round it, and which seem to bid defiance to time. Even it must go in time, but the good he had wrought will endure. Strange people may come to the Lydiate, and as generation after generation passes the name of Duncan Graham may in time to come possess little meaning for the new folk that will people Willaston, but the influence of his good example will never die. Whether they will it or not, they must pass it on to their suc- cessors, and many yet unborn will all unwittingly have cause to rejoice that Mr. Duncan Graham lived and died in Willaston.

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