Cheshire Observer

THE SHEEP WOKHYIN? I .POBLEM. I I George Waring, farmer, Ihomton uougii, was summoned at Neston yesterday (Friday) for ill-treating two dogs belonging to Frederick Jsliicoe and Miss Lever. it was alleged that defendant, hearing the dogs were chasing his sheep, took his gun and fired at the intruders. The dogs limped from tue field and died. Defendant denied the allegations and the case was dismissed. ———— ————— I

CHESHIRE HINT. I NEW MASTERS APPOINTED I An important meeting of the Cheshire Huar was held at the Crewe Arms Hotel, Crewe. 0:1 ,W finesday, Colonel Dixoc. presiding over a lirga attendance. The chief business was to receive the reslgnations of Mr. Reginald Corbet (whose por- trait, together with an appreciative notice, we print in our inner pagest. Master of tha South. Cheshire, and the Earl of Ermiskilleu, Master of the North Cheshire. Mr. Reginald Corbet. junr., who has hunted the South Cheshire pack for tha pa.it two seasons, was elected to succeed his father in the Mastership of the South Cheshire, and Mr H. M. Wilson, of the Hermitage, Holmes Chapel near Middiewich, was appointed the new Master of the North Cheshire pack. A suggestion was made that the two packs should combine and hunt the "whole country six days a week, but the sug- gestion did not meet with the approval of th? meeting, and it was decided to continue to the packs separately.—A vote of thauks was parsed to Mr. Reginald Corbet, senr and to th,4 Earl of Enmskillen. for their services Mast-era

DEATH OF MR. P. H. FLETCIIER-1 An old and influential citizen passed awiy on Thursday week in the person of Mr. Philip Heary Fletcher, who resided at Woodbrae. Curzon Park. Mr. Fletcher, who had attained the ripe age of ninety, was a descendant from the youngest sister of Matthew Henry, the famous Bibie COill- mentator, whose memory is cherished with pride in Chester at the present day. and he- was named after another illustrious ancestor. Philip Henry, of Broadoak, near Whitchurch, the father of Matthew Henry. Matthew Henry's younger sister, whose name was Catherine, married a member of a prominent Cheshire family, now extinct, Dr. John Tilston. of Chester Philip Henry was ordained a clergyman of the State Church during the Commonwealth, and held among other livings that of Worthenbury. It is an interesting fact that when the Act of Un_ iformity was passed, on the accession to the throne of Charles II.. Philip Henry was one of the historic two hundred clergymen who refused, for conscience's sake, to conform to the order that they should be re-ordained, and he. in conse- quence was deprived of his living at Worthen- bury. Mr. Fletcher was a native or Liverpool. v. the name of his family was wdely knorrn in commercial circles, his father carrying on bu >in ess in the city. Throughout the active. pir, or hi, lifetime he was engaged 11 the cotton- spinning industry. On his retiremeut a little OYLr thirty years ago the venerable gentleman ca ne to reside in Chester. Old age and increasing iDírmity, together with a natural retiring dis- position, prevented Mr Fletcher from taking a very active or prominent part in public life in Chester. but he was nevertheless keenly interested in the general welfare of the city. He was. w?th ethers, instrumental in the founding of the Chester Natural Science Society For many years he was a guardian of the poor, and regularly attended the meetings of the Board He became a director of the Chester Waterworks Company in 1877, and held the post up to the time of his death, while he was one of the founders of the Hawarden Waterworks company Mr. Fletcher was also for some years a member of the Gros- venor Club. The deceased gentleman was a widower. his wife having pre-decea.sed him ton years ago, and he leaves one son aad daughter.

NESTON CONSERVATIVE I ASSOCIATION. J A meeting of the Conserva! tÎ\e Association Committee wa. held at the Neston To wu Hall on Thursday evening. Mr. Reginald Bushel! pre- sided, and among others present were Messrs. J. Pe-mberton, J. S. Harmood Banaer, T Wood (Willaston), Joseph Conway, T. Griffiths (Raby), Dr. Riddock, J. Woodward, F RusseH (hon. sec.), D. C. Pugh, Major Grundy, Messrs H T. Gill, F. Goodwin. T. Molyneux, W Grundy, W Chrimes, etc. Letters of apology for non- attendance were read from Messrs. W. Congreave (Burton Hali) and T Cooibar fi (Leighton). In opening the proceedings the Chairman re I ferred in feeling terms to the death of the Sovereign, remarking that most of their iives: f had been so bound up in Queer Victoria that they could hardly realise that she had gone from them for ever. In England her ioss was of course a most severely felt, but there was no individual 1 whose loss would be so generally mourned as was that of Queen Victoria, whose reign had been S unexampled not only in length but in prosperity f Referring to the purpose for which they had met, V]s?, to pass a vote of condolence with the family '!?i he late Mr. Duncan Graham, he said every- one knew Mr. Graham as the chairman of the Neston Conservative Association, but most of those present in the room knew hin; as an mti-s mate friend and held him in the greatest regard, he might say affection. After speaking of some of the most notable examples of his munificence. and dwelling upon the calm, far seeing wisdoms he had displayed in the numerous public positions. he had held, he moved the following resolution,! v!?.:—" The members of the Xesto? C,)Uiervttlve Association record their hearty appreciation of M the valuable .services rendered to the A?ociationiH by its first chairman. Mr. Duncan Graham, and U offer to Mrs. Duncan Graham and her family their sincere sympathy in the lost which has H fallen upon the M* n Sir. Pemberton. in seconding, aiso referred to the many generous acts of the deceased, who not only had done so much for Willaston, but also j i contributed largely towards the restoration of a Neston Parish Church, Whan the Local Board B was formed he shewed his support of the measure by generously placing the whole of his property within the Local Board area. He was-one of the most popular Volunteer captains ever known, and 2 among his numerous religious work. ho was an active supporter of the British and Foreign Bible Society. In conclusion, he referred to his ap- proachableness. his calmness, and to the fact that 1: wise decisions were given in such a manner that they never gave the slightest offence. They had indeed sustained an irreparable loss in the death of one so good. so generous and so kind The motion was unanimously carried. Mr. Bushell afterwards referred to the death of Mr. J. G. Churton, who had been a member of the association since its formation m 1885, and who during his long residence among them had been such a good and generous neighbour Mr. Banner, in seconding the proposition that a vote of sympathy be passed with Mrs. Churton, also referred to the many noble characteristics of both Mr. Graham and Mr. Churton, and Mr. Pugh, in seconding a vote of thanks to the chair- man, added a similar tribute. ■

WATERPROOF GOODS-Costs in a large variety of styles a.nd patterns, at BRADLEY'S, Foregate- atreet. 2-ione but guaranteed articles sold. Prices 16/11, 21/11, 37/6, etc. Cycle Capes, Leggings, etc. I 11 all

THE ft SOUTH AFRICAN WAR. I TRAITORS PLEAD GUILTY. I FLAGRANT CASES. I Matjesfontein, Monday. I Troopers Visser and Cioethe of tl!O .zyh.I land Mounted' PoHca pleaded guilty to- Y to openin despatches ?iven them for delivery? and Trooper Basson further admitted informing the enemy of the disposition of the British? troops. Sentence was deferred. I

.BOER RULE AT WOLMARANSTAD.1 I NUMBER OF BURGHERS SHOT. I Kimberley, Tuesday. 1 Five men who have arrived here from Wol- maranstad state that the Boers gave them the option of leaving the town or of standing their trial for high treason. The Boers have established a military court, and have appointed Mr. Rothan, formerly British prosecutor at Klerksdorp, as State Attorney. This court has already sentenced six persons to death, but the sentences have not been carried out. General Liebenberg has had a number of burghers shot at Wolmaranstad. He is chief of the food depot of the Boer forces in the Western TransvaaL

I HOW THE WAR MIGHT BE I ENDED. I I A SUGGESTION FROM MR. LEVER. I Mr. W. H. Lever on Monday night made a suggestion as to how a final settlement could be made in regard to the South African War. Addressing the members of the Birkenhead Women's Liberal Association, he said there would be hopes of a peaceful settlement if the solution of the question was approached in a spirit of fairness and not that of arrogant con- querors. He suggested as terms of surrender that the farms of the Boers should be restocked and rebuilt, a matter which would not cost as much as the continuance of the war for one month. Of course the loyal residents in Natal and Cape Colony would be treated similarly, but such a settlement could never be brought about if the question was considered in the spirit dis- played by some of the London journals. Although it was a just war—and he had always contended that it was a just war-it ought not to result in the extermination of the Boers. These people were made of far too good stuff to be wiped off the earth. Such a proceeding would certainly leave the world poorer. (Ap- plause). He felt confident that some such settlement as he suggested could be made.

I 4TH CHESHIRE CASUALTY. I I 6209 Lance-Corporal D. Reid, 4th Cheshire!! Regiment, is reported to have died of nephritis I at Winburg, on January 18th. t

IA CAPTAIN'S EXCITING EXPERI-I ENCE. I I BOER TRICKERY. I Pretoria, Jan. 17. Captain O'Flaherty, of the Commander-in- Chief's Bodyguard, who was recently captured at Lindley and released at Standerton, states that he was taken prisoner while defending, with eighteen men, a position covering Piet De Wet's farmhouse, which he had been ordered to hold while Piet De Wet brought away his wire. The Boers, knowing that Piet De Wet was visiting his house, made strenuous efforts to break through the guard in order to capture him. The defenders in the consequent fighting had four men killed and five wounded. The Boers made use of trickery in order to get to close quarters. Four of them rode diagonally across the front, dressed in clothing which was an exact counterfeit of that worn by the British mounted infantry. The other Boers, who were on a ridge, poured a hot fire over their heads in order to make the deception complete. Thinking that the men were Yeomanry from Colonel Barker's column, our men reserved their fire. The four Boers passed round a small kopje on the right, and, suddenly opening fire at a distance of 400 yards, shot ten horses. Seeing that Piet De Wet had got away in a cart with his wife and family, Captain O'Flaherty ordered his remaining men to mount and retire. Though the Boers main- tained their hot fire this order was carried out, and all those who had not previously been wounded escaped. Piet De Wet was wounded in the arm. Capt. O'Flaherty's horse being shot, he remained behind. Ten Boers, thinking that all the men were gone, galloped up. Then, seeing the officer, they I fired at him without dismounting and missed. The first Boer fell to Captain O'Flaherty's revolver, whereon the others came up close and threatened to shoot the officer for killing their comrade. They debated the question, however, and eventually decided not to kill him but to take him prisoner. They made him accompany them through the districts of Reitz, Bethlehem, Harrison, and Vrede, and released him in the neighbourhood of Standerton. Captain O'Flaherty says that the Boers in the regions through which he passed have plenty of; everything to eat and plenty of ammunition. They employ their children to act as scouts and to keep watch on the tops of kopjes. The patrols and scouts are all dressed in exact imitation of our mounted infantry. They state that they can go on fighting at little cost for years, :and that they hope to weary out the people of Great Britain, who, they imagine, must be feeling the heavy cost of the war severely. They hope also for the return of the Radicals to power, as they considered that a Radical Ministry would stop the war and acknowledge the independence of the Boer Republics. Captain O'Flaherty, in the course of his experiences as a prisoner, was with five different commandos, he being passed from one to another. He estimates the combined strength of these commandos at 1,500 men.

I THE CALL TO ARMS. I On Thursday, at Chester, ten Imperial Yeomen were finally passed, and they leave to- Iday (Saturday) for Aldershot.

I MOLD'S RESPONSE. I In The further appeal for Volunteers for active service in South Africa has been handsomely responded to in Mold, and the names of the following members of the local Volunteer Company have been forwarded to the head- quarters of the 2nd V.B.R. W.F. at Hawarden :— Sergt. -Instructor W. Whybrow, Privates E. [Parkinson, J. O. Jones, J. E. McHugh, J. Evans, C. Jones, N. McAllister, W. J. Evans, and J. Williams, Corporal L. Jones, Privates B. Wigley, J. Owen, W. Mather and R. Ellis, Corporal W. Barnett, Bugler L. Maddocks, Private J. Bevan. I HAWARDEN. I At a meeting held last week in the Gymnasium,! ,Capt. Swetenham presiding, it was notified thatl tbe services of the volunteers for the war were a?ain invited. In response 13 members of the !'Hawarden Company at once gave in their names. I

I THE DOGS' HOME. 1 I A GRIEVANCE. I I TO THE EDITOR. ■ Sir,-As you have drawn the attention of the public to the Chester Dogs' Home as a nuisance, it is but just that they should be put in possession of the fact? of the case. The Dogs' Home is suffering vicariously for the sins of its neigh- bours, of far older date apparently than its entire existence (quite apart from its residence) in its present situation, and from the wildly inaccurate and unverified charge made by the interested firm of solicitors whom you name, to the effect that "for some year or two one dog now regularly howls from about 11 o'clock at night until 3 or 4 the following morning." Very little enquiry on their part would have sufficed to shew the baseless- ness of this charge against the Home, and would at the same time have thrown light on the guilty quarters. Every possible and watchful care is taken to prevent the Home from being a nuisance to the neighbourhood, and such an experience as above stated is not permitted for even two hours, not to mention two years, when also the Home had barely been one year even in that vicinity. There is plenty of impartial testimony to be had, in support of this statement, by the Watch Com- mittee and any one choosing to seek it, and the Home courts, instead of shirks, all publicit']yy. I It may be stated that over 200 homeless dogs and l cats have been housed there and removed from the streets during last year alone, besides over! 80 boarders sent in for nursing during 1 their owners' absence. It therefore dia mands and deserves every consideration at the hands of the city and authorities.— Yours obediently, |{ I E. F. ROBIN. I

The Cholmondeley coverts were again shot over on Monday by the Marquis of Cholmondeley and a party consisting of Lord George Cholmondeley, the Earl of Enniskillen, Lord Kenyon, Captain Jones, and Mr. St. John Charlton. Birds were plentiful and good bags were made. i 'T ~mr

I CHESTER'S GRIEF. I Loyal Chester, in common with the Empire, nay, the whole world, is bowed down beneath the burden of sorrow. The bitterness of the affliction is not yet realised. We cannot quite believe that our good Queen is no more; 'tis hard te reconcile ourselves with the irreparable loss; and still more difficult is it to grasp the full mean- ing of the end of the Victorian era. The hour of sorrow has dawned, and Cestrians, who have never faltered in their loyalty, mourn her loss as that of a friend. Victoria was more than Queen. She gained the affections of her people by count- less evidences of her own solicitude for their welfare. Never were ruler and ruled more intimately bound up in each other, hence our grief is the more poignant, our sorrow the more intense. We in Chester extracted a ray of hope from the bulletin published in Tuesday morning's papers, but later bulletins received during the day warned us to prepare for the worst, and when the late afternoon message told us the Queen was sinking we silently waited for the crushing blow. A few, perchance, unwilling as yet to utter the farewell prayer, looked for one more rally, but they looked in vain. All too soon the telegraph ticked out the mournful message we would fain never have read-the message which told us that the greatest Sovereign the world has ever known had crossed the bar; the message unlocked the flood-gates of sorrow, and evoked in millions of British breasts emotions no living tongue can describe, no descriptive pen pourtray. The mournful tidings soon passed from the newspaper offices into the streets, but there were many whose first intimation of her Majesty's death was the tolling of the Cathedral and other bells, which struck a chill to the hearts of all. So the news was received, and Chester became part of the sorrowing world. Quickly there were signs of mourning everywhere. There was no waiting for any official request. Mourning shutters were soon conspicuous, blinds were drawn, and here and there a flag was lowered to half-mast. The Mayor of Chester (Alderman H. T. Brown), im- mediately on receipt of the news, despatched the following telegram to Sir Arthur Bigge, at Osborne:—"The city of Chester mourns the loss of the departed Queen." On the following day and since Chester has worn an aspect of mourn- ing. The Royal Standard was hoisted at half- mast in the Town Hall Square, and other flags were to be seen flying at half-mast from the Cathedral, the Castle, the Unionist and other chtbs, the King's School, the Fire Brigade Station, and other public and private buildings. The officers at the Castle are wearing black bands on their arms, while the orderlies at the military headquarters in Watergate-street have one of their tunic buttons covered with crape. In this connection it may be mentioned that the headquarter companies of the 2nd V.B. Cheshire Regiment will parade for attendance at the service to be held in the Cathedral on the day of the funeral of her late Majesty." This memorial service, we understand, may not be held till a week hence. At the morning service at the Cathedral on Wednesday prayers were offered for the King and Queen, the Duke and Duchess of York and the rest of the Royal family, the usual prayer having been altered in accordance with the change of monarchy. The "Dead March" in Saul was played on the Cathedral organ by Mr. J. T. Hughes, the assistant organist, both at the con- clusion of the morning service and after prayers, with profound effect. Public meetings and enter- tainments have been postponed or abandoned, as we mention in detail in another column, and on Wednesday the Theatre was closed. There has been no desire for amusement, and business has been at a standstill. An official request will probably be issued to tradesmen to close their establishments during the whole of the day of the funeral, but such a request is quite unnecessary, for the tradesmen's own feelings will dictate this step as a mark of respect to the memory of a Queen who was beloved by all. As soon as possible Cestrians donned mourning attire, and to-day there are not many among us who have not some scrap of black about their dress. Sombre suits or draperies, and black ties and pairs of gloves tell their own I tale of grief. Even school children wear someI5 emblem. j

ITHE DISTRICT AND THE NEWS. I SORROW AND SYMPATHY. I t SAIGHTON. I On receipt of the news of the death of her Majesty, an entertainment consisting of amateur theatricals, which was to have been given in the schools on Tuesday evening, and which, it is understood, a party from the Towers was to have attended, was promptly I postponed. I SAUGHALL. I I The news reached Saughall on Tuesday even- ing. Though the serious nature of the illness was well known, yet the sad announcement came as a shock to everyone, and grief for her loss is mani- fested on all sides. Certain functions which had t been announced to take place have been postponed indefinitely. I TARVIN. -1 Though the death ot the Queen was expected at almost any hour, yet when it did arrive it was received with expressions of profound sorrow, in which all classes joined, and the sad event is the sole topic of conversation. The bell of the parish church was tolled. A tonic sol-fa class which was lbe,?ng held in the Public Hall was immediately adjourned, the leader (Mr. Jones) saying it was impossible to proceed under such sad circum- Zn. d=dav the flag on the church tower was flying at half-mast, and the blinds at many of the residents' houses were drawn. I TATTENHALL. I  The -ournful event has plunged the village into gloom. Shutters are hoisted and blinds I drawn, while on Wednesday muNed peals were Irung on the church bells. All entertainments are abandoned. I HELSBY. ) I Tlle sad news ot the death of our beloved Queen, which reached Helsby soon after seven o'clock on Tuesday evening, occasioned ex- pressions of profound regret on all hands. On Wednesday the Union Jack at the Telegraph Manufacturing Company's works floated at half-mast, while the manifestations of mourning were general throughout the village. I TARPORLEY. I The news of the Queen s demise was received here a little before eight o'clock on Tuesday evening with the deepest regret and sorrow. The parish church bells were tolled and muffled I peals rung. Social engagements in the neigh- bourhood were immediately postponed, includ- ing the Fire Brigade ball fixed for Thursday, and the new ambulance class for women. Since the lamentable event the shops have been partly shuttered, and muffled peals have been trung on the church bells each evening. I FRODSHAM. I I The news of the Queen's death cast quite a I gloom over this neighbourhood, great grief being manifested. All over the town flags were Hying t half-mast high. The concert in aid of the Athletic Club, which ought to have taken place in the Town Hall on Wednesday night, was postponed indefinitely on account of the sad tidings fromI Osborne. MALPAS. I Ihe sad news of the death of our beloved Queen was heralded throughout the district by the mumed ringing of the Parish Church bells about nine o'clock on Tuesday night, the news being received at Malpas about 8.30. On Wednes- day morning the flag staff on the church steeple wore its signal of mourning, the flag being raised half-mast. The flags of the Jubilee Hall and Mr. J. S. Morgan's were raised half-mast, and on every side the shops and the private residences betoken the deeply-lamented loss of one so universally beloved. The minstrel entertainment that was to have taken place on Wednesday night was postponed, and so are all hunting ap- pointments. TL nl HESWALL. I remaps in tne wnoie ot tne realm no place has shewn its loyalty more than the over-grown village of Heswall, where there are about 3,000 inhabitants. The death of our great and glorious Queen has come as a blow to rich and poor alike. It is interesting to note the number of drawn blinds, and to find many advanced thinkers going ibout in mourning. To say the church bell tolled ind then rang in the welcome to the new King is only to repeat what occurred in nearly every parish in the United Kingdom; but to find all the business places with drawn blinds and shutters up, and most of the inhabitants in deep mourning, is a thing that only a few very old people can remember. Now the Queen is dead the only hope of a people touched to the quick is echoed in the shout, "Long live the King." I HAWARDEN. I I The ld news caused intense feeling inl HL rd., on Tuesday night. The passing bellI was at once tolled at the Parish Church, and the nag h&U-masted on the tower. A general J feeling of profound regret prevailed on Wed-* nesday, and muSed peals were rung on the 1 church bells during the day. i PULFORD. £ [ The news of the Queen s death was received by the Fulford inhabitants with deep regret. A muffled peal of bells was rung in the church beltry, the ringers being as follows :-R. Huxley '(treble), G. Partington (2), J. Mercer (3), U. [Jones (4), W. Thomas (6), James Morgan '(tenor). The ringing was conducted by James [Morgan. I ALDFORD. I l'iews ot this sad event reached the village between seven and eight o'clock on Tuesday evening. The ringers at the time were at l practice on the church bells, but on receipt of Che mournful intelligence the Rector at once gave directions for the ringing of a muffled peal. The minute bell, muffled, was also tolled 0!1 I Wednesday mermne. t I NESTON. I The news reached Neston by telephone, and circulated about the district like wildfire, causing everywhere the most intense regret. On the following morning the whole neighbourhood went into mourning. Flags were placed half-mast on the church tower, and at the Cricket Club, Quoit Ground, Bowling Club, Mostyn House, and numerous private residences. The private houses, without exception, drew their blinds, and the shutters of every business establishment were put up, these symptoms of mourning being continued from day to day up to the time of writing. There has been a general tendency among the older people to recall the various local events which have taken place in connection with the long reign, the local festivities which marked her Majesty's accession being well remembered by many. On Wednesday and Thursday evenings a solemn muffled peal was rung at the belfry, and various social gatherings which had been ar- ranged have all been postponed. It has been stated occasionally that in her infancy the Queen stayed at Parkgate with her mother, the Duchess of Kent, but so far as is known there is no record of such a visit. What was probably the only direct communication her Majesty ever had with Neston took place at the Ladies' Club Festival in the Diamond Jubilee year, when Mrs. Russell, as lady patroness of what is believed to be the oldest female friendly society in existence, telegraphed the congratulations of the members to her Majesty, and received in reply a-lengthy tele- gram expressing in feeling terms the recipient's appreciation of the message. One of the mem- bers of the society possesses the large medal commemorating the Queen's marriage, which were freely distributed at the time and have now become very rare. Master Edward Swift was enrolled as a bugler in the Volunteer corps a few moments prior to the death, and was thus probably the last citizen soldier to enter the service of the Queen. CONNAH'S QUAY. I The sad intelligence reached here about 7.30 on Tuesday evening and was received with the protoundest sorrow. The illness of her Majesty had been followed with the closest interest, and although the end was expected when it came, it caused the most acute grief throughout the district. Flags on public buildings, private residences, business places, and shipping offices, and on every kind oi orait on the river are at half-mast. I WREXHAM. I On Tuesday evening a public meeting announced to be held at the Wrexham Public Hall, at which political addresses were to have been delivered by Mr. Clement Edwards, the Liberal candidate for the Denbigh Boroughs, was postponed owing to the death of the Queen. There was a large gathering present.—The Mayor (Mr. Thomas Jones) proposed the following resolution: I'hat the Liberal and Labour electors of the borough of Wrexham near with heartfelt sorrow of the death of our beloved Queen, whose noble life and splendid reign have shed such a glorious lustre upon the British people, and, believing that under the shadow of such a great national sorrow the voice of party controversy should be hushed, uereby adjourn as a mark of respect and sympathy with the members of the Royal Family."—Mr. Clement Edwards seconded the motion, and Alderman C. K. Benson, one of the leaders ot the Conservative party in Wrexham, having supported it, it was carried in silence. I MOLD. I An adjourned meeting of the Mold School Board was held on Wednesday, when it was unanimously resolved on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by the Rev. E. Bithell, "That we record upon the minutes an expres- sion of our heartfelt sorrow at the death of our beloved Queen and also of gratitude to Almighty God for her long and noble life and her prosperous and beneficial reign, and that we convey to the Royal family an expression ot our condolence with them in their great bereavement." The news of the death of the Queen reached Mold by telephone on Tuesday evening about eight o'clock, and although the various business establishments had closed their doors for the night, even in the darkness of the streets it was apparent that the sad intelligence was every- where received with something akin to consterna- tion. At 9.30 a muffled peal rang out in the frosty night from the bells of the parish eb urch, their dirge -filike tones penetrating the air for miles arouud. i'he muffled peal will, we understand, be continued daily throughout the week. On Wednesday flags hung at half-mast on the parish church, the county buildings, the police- station, and the Bailey Hill. Among the public gatherings postponed owing to the death ot her Majesty are a church entertainment at the National Schools (Tuesday last), Bethesda quarrymen's entertainment (Wednesday last), and Madame Douglas Adams's operatic recital (Monday and Tuesday next). The national bereavement forms the all-absorbing topic of conversation in the town, the principal business establishments wear an aspect of mourning, while throughout Wednesday the Roman Catholic Schools remained closed as a mark of respect to the memory of the dead Monarch. EarJy on Wednesday morning the chairman of the Urban Council (Mr. If. J. Roberts) convened an extraordinary meeting for that evening "to fittingly recognise the solemnity of the occasion; and to pass a vote of condolence with the Royal Family in their dad bereavement by the death of our beloved Quean." There was a large attendance ot members at the meeting. After referring to the loss sustained by the death of her Majesty, and enlarging upon her many virtues, the Chairman moved the following resolution :— W e, che Urban District Council of Mold in Council assembled wish to convey to your Most Gracious Majesty and the Royal Family our sincere and deepest sympathy in your sad bereavement, and at the same time thank Almighty God that so noble and gracious a life was spared to her people and country for so long a period. The resolution was seconded by the vice-chairman (Mr. Robert Morris), and carried in silence. It was decided to issue a circular from the Council to the tradespeople requesting them to close their establishments on the day of her Majesty's obsequies, which will be observed in the town as a day of mourning.

I SIR WATKIN'S SYMPATHY. I Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Lord Lieutenant of Montgomeryshire, having in a telegram to Sir Arthur Bigge, the Queen's private secretary, expressed the deep regret of himself as Lord Lieutenant and of the county of Montgomery at the illness of her Majesty, and expressed hopes for her recovery, on Monday received the following reply :—" Sir Watkin Wynn, Wynnstay, Ruabon. Members of the Royal Family desire me to thank you and county of Montgomery for your kind message.— BIGGE."

I NONCONFORMIST SYMPATHY. I At a special meeting of the Evangelical Non- conformists' Ministerial Association, held on I rhursday forenoon in the vestry of the Presby- terian Church of England, Newgate-street, under the presidency of the Rev. J. Bourne Jones, the following resolution was passed. "This meeting expresses its most sincere sympathy and condolence with all the members of the Royal family in their sad and irreparable loss." The Secretary was instructed to forward the resolution to the King's private secretary.

I COURT MOUtiNING. I 1 A Second Supplement Extraordinary of the "Gazette" was issued on Wednesday with the following — "Lord Chamberlain's Office, Jan. 24, 1901.— Orders for the Court to go into mourning for her late Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, of blessed memory, viz: — The ladies to wear black dresses, trimmed with crape, and black shoes and gloves, black fans, feathers, and ornaments. The gentlemen to wear black Court dress, with black swords and buckles. The mourning to commence from the date of this order. The Court to change the mourning on Wednesday, the 24th July next. viz. The ladies to wear black dresses with coloured ribbons, lfowers, feathers, and ornaments or grey or white dresses with black ribbons, ftowers, feathers, and ornaments. The gentlemen to continue the same mourning. "And on Friday, the 24th January next, the Court to go out of mourning."

GENERAL MOURNING. I A third supplement to the London Gazette Extraordinary, published on Thursday night contains the following College of Arms, Jan. 24, 1901. The Earl Marshal's Order for a General Mourn- ing for her late Most Gracious Majesty, Queen Victoria. g In pursuance of an Order of his Majesty in l Council, 24th day of January, 1901, these are to give public notice, that it is expected that all persons, upon the present occasion of the death of her late Majesty of blessed and glorious [memory, do put themselves into the deepest tMouming. The said Mourning to begin upon i Monday, the 28th day of this instant January. j? J NORFOLK, Earl Marshal. ".ái:oL'if,l'¡-<n':

THE FUNERAL ARRANGE- I MENTS. THE BODY TO PASS THROUGH LONDON I A GREAT STATE CEREMONY. I Everybody who knows anything of Royal cere- momes will understand that from the first indica- tion of what is intended in any given case there grow up a series of further arrangements. So in the case of the funeral of the late Queen there have already been many alterations. It is the ,way to commence with the least amount of state. Then gradually there is an advance. At length the State pomp becomes magnificent. On Thurs- day it was decided merely that the Queen's body should go through London as simply as may be. The King desires that the people of the capital shall participate in the final honour paid to his mother, and desires that in some way London shall be brought into the ceremonies connected with the passing of the late Monarch to her last resting-place. This new scheme will almost cer- tainly become a State pageant of the first order. IThe Queen's body will be conveyed from Ports- mouth by the special train formerly used by the Queen. This train was built for her use only a few years ago, and her particular saloon, which forms the chief feature of it, will be used as the funeral car. It will be draped in purple and black. The special conveying the remains will also convey all the Royal princes, and will run, not to Windsor as originally arranged, but to Victoria Station in London. This change will no doubt give satisfaction to the people of the Metropolis. At Victoria Station another gun- carriage will be ready, and upon it the Royal re- mains will pass through the town from Pimlico to Paddington by a route yet to be settled. It is suspected that Westminster Abbey may yet come into the scheme, but this remains to be seen. A great funeral service in the noble fane which contains all that remains of the other great Queen of England might not be considered in- appropriate in the circumstances. Meantime, the special train will have been sent round from Vic- toria to the Great Western terminus, and on the arrival of the remains the dead Queen will make for the last time the journey she so often made in life between London and Windsor. There again a fine carriage will be in waiting to carry the remains to St. George's Chapel. So far it is under- stood the remains will lie in St. George's Chapel during Friday night, but there is a desire among the Royal household that the body of their late mistress should be brought home, as it were, and the vigil kept in the Waterloo Chamber of Windsor Castle. Whatever may be decided on this point, the actual funeral will take place about two o'clock on Saturday, the 2nd of February. After the service in St. George's Chapel the body will be finally mounted on a gun-carriage and conveyed to Frogmore, its last resting-place. It may be stated that a special pall is being made to cover the coffin. It will be of white silk, of special design, and will take the place of the silk Union Jack usually used. On each corner will be em- blazoned the Royal Arms of Great Britain. [REPRESENTATIVES AT THE FUNERAL!  So far as is at present known, the following! I wiil attend as the representatives of their l respective countries at the funeral of the!I t Queen t GERMANY.—Kaiser Wilhelm II. and the Crown Prince. AusTRrA-HtrNGART.—The Archduke Franz Ferdinand, nephew of the Emperor Francis Joseph and Heir-Presumptive to the Throne. RUSSIA.—The Grand Duke Serge Alexandro- vitch, uncle of the Tsar, and the Grand Duchess, granddaughter of her late Majesty. BELGIUM.—The King of the Belgians. PORTUGAL.—The King of Portugal. ITALY.-The Duke of Aosta, cousin of King Victor Emmanuel III. and Heir Pre- sumptive to the Throne. THE FRENCH REPUBLIC.—Vice-Admiral de la Jaille, General Dubois, and other officers. SWEDEN AND NORWAY.—The Crown Prince. GREECE.—The King of Greece. EGYPT.-Prince Mahomed Ali, brother of the Khedive. THE NETHERLANDS.—Baron von Harden- broek (Grand Chamberlain), Baron von Tuyll von Servoskerken (Chamber- lain), and Count du Monceau. SPAIN.—The Duke of Mandat,, Rbar-Admiral Cervera, and an Army Colonel. DENMARK.—ihe Crown Prince and possibly Prince Christian. I

I "THE GOOD QUEEN." I ISOME OF HER KIND AND GRACIOUS ACTS. Our dead Sovereign will always be known asi "The Good Queen." Never before has a ruler, so combined those Divine qualities of dignity and; graciousness; and the life of Queen Victoria teems1 with instances of her goodness and kindness. How] well known is that story of the young Queen i saving a deserter from death by the gracious ex-j ercise of her Royal prerogative: It was in the ] early days of the Queen's reign. A court-martial] warrant was presented by the Duke of Wellington? to be signed. It was her Majesty's first signature to a death-warrant, and she shrank from the task. "Have you nothing to say on behalf of this man?" she asked, with tears in her eyes. "Nothing; he has deserted three times," replied the Duke. "Oh, your Grace. Think again." "Well, your Majestyl he certainly is a bad soldier; but there was some- body who spoke as to his good character. He may be a good fellow in private life." "Oh,l thank you!" cried the Queen, as she wrote thej word "Pardoned" on the awful parchment, and beneath it her signature. I I THE QUEEN AND JENNY LIND. I ■ There is a pretty story told ot Queen Victoria] and Jenny Lind, which shews how the modesty a of two women, the Queen of England and the, queen of song, caused a momentary awkwanlncse' which the gentle tact of the singer overcame. It? was on a night when Jenny Lind was to sing at Her Majesty's Opera House that the Queen made her first public appearance after the memor- able Chartist day. For the great artiste, too, this was a first appearance, for it was the begin- ning of her season at a place where, the year before, she had won unparalleled fame. It hap- pened that the Queen entered the Royal box at the same moment that the prima donna stepped upon the stage. Instantly a tumult of acclamation burst forth. Jenny Lind modestly retired to the back of the stage, waiting till the demonstration of loyalty to the Sovereign should subside. The Queen, refusing to appropriate to herself that which she imagined to be intended for the artiste,R made no acknowledgment. At length, when the | situation became embarrassing. Jenny Lind, with ready tact, ran forward to the footlights and sang "God Save the Queen," which was caught up at j the end of the solo by the orchestra, chorus and audience. The Queen then came to the front of her box and bowed, and the opera was resumed. j I A BROAD-MINDED CHRISTIAN. I In religious matters the Queen was not only truly devout, but a broad-minded woman who could sympathise with all denominations and Christians, and all shades of belief. Many years ago the Queen was told by the then Bishop of London that two members of the Royal band who worshipped at a Wesleyan chapel had refused to attend Sunday hehearsals. "The men," said the Bishop, have since been dismissed from the service for these scruples." -'What!" said her Majesty, "two of my men dismissed for conscience sake? I shall order that they be immediately reinstated. I will have no more persecution in my service on account of religious belief, and I will have no more Sunday rehearsals." And the Queen carried out her resolution. I HER FAVOURITE HYMNS. I The Queen loved nothing better than to join in the singing of a' well-trained choir, to the accompaniment of a grand organ, when hymns were being rendered in the Royal Chapels. Dr. Faber's beautiful hymn, Oh, come and mourn with me awhile," was her Majesty's favourite. For there had been sorrow and sadness in her life to overbalance the happiness that God had sent her. My God, how wonderful Thou art," is another hymn by the same well-known writer for which the Queen had a special liking; and also the beautiful lines beginning" 0 Paradise! 0 Paradise!" Dr. Horatius Bonar was also one of the Queen's favourite hymn writers. I heard the voice of Jesus say," Thy way, not mine, 0 Lord," and I was a wandering sheep," are the first lines of the hymns in which she often found comfort in the hour of sorrow. | [ A CHARMING LOVE CONFESSION. I I The letter which her Majesty wrote to King Leopold immediately after the important inter- view with the Prince, at which she confessed her love for him, was in the following terms :—" I do feel so guilty. I know not how to begin my letter, but I think the news it will contain will be sufficient to ensure your forgiveness. Albert has completely won my heart, and all was settled between us this morning. I feel certain ihe will make me very happy. I wish I could say I felt as certain of making him happy; but I shall do my best." Some of the incidents of that con- fidential interview were set down by tbp Prince himself in a letter to his grandmother:—"The Queen sent for me to her room, and disclosed to me in a genuine outburst of love and affection that I had gained her whole heart. The joyous openness of manner in which she told me of this quite enchanted me, and I was quite carried away with it." In the following year London was thrilled by the joyous scenes of the wedding—a union of pure love.

I VICTORIA. ] I MAY 24, 1819—J AJS-TJARY 22, 1901. I UEAD and the world feels widowed! Can it be That she who scarce but yesterday upheld The dome of Empire, so the twain seemed one, Whose goodness shone and radiated round The circle of her still expanding Rule, Whose Sceptre was self-sacrifice, whose Throne Only a loftier height from which to scan The purpose of her People, their desires, Thoughts, hopes, fears, needs, joys, sorrows, sad- nesses, Their strength in weal. their comforter in woe,— That this her mortal habitation should Lie cold and tenantless! Alas Alas Too often Life has to be taught by Death The meaning and the pricelessness of Love, Not understood till lost. But She-but She, I Was loved as Monarch ne'er was loved before. From girlhood unto womanhood, and grew, Fresh as the leaf, and fragrant as the lfower, In grace and comeliness until the day Of happy nuptial, glad maternity, More closely wedded to her People's heart, By each fresh tie that knitted Her to Him |j Whose one sole thought was how she still might* be & Helpmate to England England t hen, scarce more, 1 Or bounded by the name of British Realm, 'j But by some native virtue broadening out Into an Empire wider than all names, Till, like some thousand-years out-branching oak, Its mildness overshadowed half the globe With peaceful arms and hospitable leaves. But there came to Her an hour, When nor Sceptre, Throne, nor Power, Chidren's love nor nation's grief Brought oblivion or relief, When the Consort at her side, Worthiest mentor, wisest guide, Was by Heaven's divine decree From her days withdrawn, and She As dethroned by her distress, Veiled her widowed loneliness; And, though longing still to hear Voice so reverenced and dear, All her people understood Sacredness of widowhood. Then when She came amongst them yet once more, She came in Autumn radiance, Summer gone, Leaf still on branch, but fruit upon the bough, Fruit of long years and ripe experience, ) shade of grave bereavement on her brow, "ithal more wise, more pitiful, tender more To others' anguish and necessities, More loved, more reverenced, even than before; Till not alone the dwellers in her Isle, But the adventurous manhood of its loins, In far-off seas and virgin Continents They won and wedded to domestic laws And home's well-ordered household sanctities, Hailed Her as Mother of the Mother Land, Queen, Empress, more than Empress or than Queen, The Lady of the World, on high enthroned By right divine of duties well fulfilled, To be the pattern to all Queens, all Kings, All women, and the consciences of men Who look on duty as man's only right. Nor yet alone to those empowered to be The subjects of her Sceptre, proud to pray "God save our Empress-Queen Victoria!" But those, our kinsmen oversea, that cling, With no less pride, to Kingless government, Honoured and loved her, hailed her Queen of Queens, Peerless among all women in the world. And long and late this happy season wore, This mellow gracious Autumn of her days, This sweet grave Indian Summer, till we grew To deem it limitless, and half forgot Mortality's decree. And now there falls A sudden sadness on our lives, and we Can only bow disconsolate heads and weep, And look out from our lonely hearths and see The homeless drifting of the Winter mist, And hear the requiem of the Winter wind. But from that Otherwhere man's Faith and Hope, And mortal need for immortality Invisibly conceive, I seem to hear A well-remembered voice, august and mild, Rebuking our despondency, and thus Bidding us face the Future, as She faced Anguish and loss, sorrow of life and death, The tearful sadness at the heart of things. "Dry your tears, and cease to weep, Dead I am not, no, asleep, And asleep but to your seeing, Lifted to that land of Being, Lying on life's other shore, Wakeful now for evermore. Looking thence, I still will be, So that you forget not me, All that, more than, I was there, Weighted with my Crown of care. Over you I still will reign, Still will comfort and sustain, Through all welfare, through all ill, I You shall be my People still. I have left you, of my race, Sons of wisdom, wives of grace, Who again have offspring, reared To revere and be revered, Those on mighty Thrones, and these Doomed thereto when Heaven decrees. Chief amongst them all is One, Well you know, my first-born Son, Best and tenderest son to me, Heir of my Authority. He through all my lonelier years Tempered with his smile my tears, And was, in my widowed want, Comforter and confidant. Therefore, trustful, steadfast, brave, Give Him what to Me you gave, Who am watching from Above, Reverence, Loyalty, and Love And these gifts He back will give Long as He shall reign and live." I ALFRED AUSTIN. I

I SOCIAL FUNCTIONS POST- I PONED.  A meeting to be held under the Chester Liberal Association on the 29th inst., has been abandoned. The Freemen's dinner, previously arranged I to take place at the Assembly Rooms, Newgate- street, has been postponed indefinitely. a TARVIN. I !It has been decided to postpone the Harry l Lawton concert on account of the lamented I Ideath of the Queen, until February 6th.

iLONGr LIVE THE KING, I PROCLAMATION IN LONDON. I H At nine o clock on Thursday morning the new Sovereign of these islands was publicly Pro- claimed in London our only lawful and rightful Liege Lord, Edward the Seventh, by the Grace of God, King of the United Kingdom of Great ■ Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, ■ Emperor of India." The pronouncement was read from a parchment scroll by Deputy Garter- King-at-Arras to a picturesque gathering mustered gin the courtyard of St. James's Palace. A blast of trumpets rounded off as it had ushered in the reading, the military band played the National Anthem, and the crowd in the vicinity of the Palace raised with great fervour the cry, God save the King!" Afterwards the gorgeously-attired officials of the Heralds' College took seats in closed carriages and went in procession to Temple Bar, where a B silken thread stopped the way, and the quaint old ceremony of demanding admission to the City was gone through. At the foot of Chancery-lane a the Proclamation was read again, and it was ■ repeated once more at the Royal Exchange. Though the morning was grey and cheerless, and the hour an early one for public ceremonies, there were vast crowds in the streets. The route of the cavalcade was kept by 6,500 troops. The King, who was not present at the cele- bration at St. James's Palace. left Victoria Station for Osborne shortly after eleven on Thursday morning. His Majesty was accom- t [ panied on the journey by the Duke of York, the Duke of Connaught, Prince Christian, the Duchess of Albany, the Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, and Princess Alice of Albany. The King was welcomed on his arrival at Portsmouth by a Royal salute fired from the warships in the harbour in honour of his accession and proclamation. I GOOD WISHES TO THE KING. I iHis Honour Judge Bowen Rowlands, at the opening of the Warrington County Court, on Thursday, paid a graceful tribute to the late Queen. He wished him who now succeeded to this regal inheritance long life, prosperity, and happiness. He could wish him nothing better, fit both for his Majesty personally and for the Empire in General, than that he could carry out the resolve he expressed at the meeting of the Privy Council, that he would make his mother his exemplar of conduct throughout his life. On Thursday well nigh every inhabitant in Northwich responded to the Urban Council chairman's request by wearing mourning. Every- where shutters were raised. Northwich has wired to the King: Twenty thousand Northwich hearts pray God save the King."

ITHE CEREMONY AT I ) CHESTER. I I IMPRESSIVE SCENE. I With fitting impressiveness, and under ci=ta.ceF3 that will live long in the recol- lection of every one who was present, His Majesty King Edward VII. was yesterday (Friday) publicly proclaimed at Chester King of Great Britain and Ireland. The proclamation arrived from London shortly before midnight on Thursday, addressed to the Mayor. Accompanying it was the following communication addressed to Our loving friend, the Mayor of the City of Chester,"which it is interesting to note is worded exactly the same as the notices issued on similar occasions in the period that has elapsed since the time of Oliver Cromwell After our hearty commendations, it having pleased Almighty God to take to His mercy out of this troublesome life our late Sovereign, Lady Queen Victoria of Blessed Memory. and thereupon his Royal Majesty King Edward VII. being here proclaimed according to the tenor of the proclamation signed by us herewith, sent unto you. We do hereby will and require you forthwith to cause the said pro- clamation to be proclaimed and published in the usual places within your jurisdiction with the solemnities and ceremonies accustomed on the like occasion, and so not doubting of your ready complaisance herein, we bid you heartily farewell. From the Council Chamber at St. James's, This 23rd day of January, 1901, Your loviag friends, DEVONSHIRE, ROWTON, HERBERT MAXWELL. II excellent arrangements bad been made for the reading of the proclamation at Chester. The two balconies in the front of the Town Hall and the steps had been effectively draped with black and royal purple studded with white rosettes, while a large wreath of immortelles was attached to the centre of the lower balcony. The Mayor (Alderman H. T. Brown) in his robes of office, took his stand on the lower balcony shortly before noon. The civic sword and mace bearers occupied a position at each end of the balcony, and accompanying his Worship were the Deputy Mayor (Dr. Stolterfoth), the Recorder (Sir Horatio Lloyd), the Sheriff (Mr. Edgar Dutton). ?tbe Mayor's Chaplain (the Rev. J. F. Howson), ?the Town Clerk (Mr. S. Smith), the Chief ?Constable (Mr. J. H. Laybourne), and the j-Clerk of Committees (Mr. W. Peers). A striking | Clerk of Committees (Mr. W. Peers). A striking scene met their eyes. On the Town Hall square, and in the immediate vicinity, a vast concourse of citizens and school children, numbering from twelve to fifteen thousand, had sembl The Mayor, recognising the historical nature of the occasion, had requested the school attendance officer (Mr. G. Avery) to invite the school children of the city to be present at the ceremony. Every elementary school, with the exception of the Cheater Diocesan School, responded to the invita- tion and sent its contingent, as did also the Christleton School. Altogether it was estimated five thousand children were present The following schools were also represented :— B King's, Queen's, Boughton Industrial, Chester Union,Blue Coat, Grosvenor Museum, Technical, Convent, Arnold House, Wirral, and Hyde's School of Commerce. Barricades had been effectively fixed on the Town Hall Square under the supervision of the City Surveyor (Mr. I. Matthews Jones) for the accommoda- tion of the public and school children, and although the gathering was of such large proportions it was gratifying to find there was an absence of crushing. Lady Lettice Grosvenor, the Hon. Mrs. Cecil Parker, and Mrs. Wilford LLoyd were present in the upper part of the Town Hall, while on the Town Hall steps and in a reserved space below were magistrates, members of the Town Council, clergy and ministers, prominent residents, and a large number of ladies. Among this large gathering were the High Sheriff of Cheshire (Mr. B. C. Roberts), Bishop Scott (of North China), Dean Darby, Archdeacon Barber, Archdeacon Goldwyer Lewis, Aldermen George Dutton, G. Dickson, J. J. Cunnah, John Jones (St. Oswald's), Councillors John Roberts, M.D., J. Gooddie Holmes, Roger Jackson, J. G. Frost, J. M. Frost, R. Lamb, Isaac Jones, W. Vernon, Egerton Gilbert J. Lightfoot, S. Coppack, R. Cecil Davies, H. Dodd, A. Mann, M.D., G. H. Haswell and D. L. Hewitt, Judge Wynne Ffoulkes, Major-General Adair, Colonel Evans Lloyd, Mr. J. R. Thomson, Mr. E. Brassey (city coroner), the Rev. Canon Morris (formerly chaplain to the late Duke of Westminster), the Rev. Canon Lynch (St. Wer- burgh's), and the Revs. H. Grantham (St. Mary's, Handbridge), T. P. Dimond Hogg (Saltney), F. Edwards (Boughton), L. M. Farrall (Trinity), A. Radford (St. Michael's), G. C. Briggs (St. Barna- bas'), J. K. Montgomery (Unitarian Church), W. Jones (Handbridge) and F. Barnes (Northgate Congregational), Mr. J. Wynne Ffoulkes, Mr. J. G. Hope, Mr. Potts (Abbey Field, Stamford Bridge), Mr. R. P. Bradbury, Dr. King, Dr. Har- rison, Messrs. A. E. Caldecutt (clerk to the Hoole Urban Council), W. Turnock (clerk to the Chester Board of Guardians), Williams (Assistant Official Receiver) F. J. Beckett (city accountant), G. P. Miln, Joshua Smith (Pulford), G. Grant, J. C. Belton, T. Browne, Harry Jones, &c. Shortly before twelve o'clock the Royal Stan- dard on the Town Hall Square, and the flags on the Cathedral and the King's School were raised from half-mast to the mast head. As the Cathe- dral clock chimed the last stroke of twelve two trumpeters, who stood on each side of the Mayor, sounded a loud fanfare, which commanded im- mediate silence. The Mayor then in a clear voice which penetrated through the vast crowd, read the following proclamation: — Whereas it has pleased Almighty God to call to His mercy our late Sovereign Lady Queen Vic- toria of blessed and glorious memory, by whose decease the Imperial Crown of the United King- dom of Great Britain and Ireland is solely and rightfully come to the high and mighty Prince Albert Edward, we therefore, the lords spiritual and temporal of this realm, being here assisted with these of her late Majesty's Privy Council, with a number of other principal gentlemen of quality, with the Lord Mayor, aldermen, and citizens of London, do now hereby, with one voice and consent of tongue and heart, publish and pro- claim that the high and mighty Prince Albert Edward is now, by the death of our late Sovereign of happy memory, become our only lawful and rightful liege lord Edward VII., by the grace of God King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, Em- peror of India, to whom we do acknowledge all faith and constant obedience, with all hearty and humble affection, beseeching God, by whom kings and queens do reign, to bless the Royal Prince Edward VII. with long and happy years to reign over us. At the conclusion, in stentorian tones, his Worship uttered the pious wish God save the King." The trumpets next sounded another fanfare, and then, led by the Cathedral Choir, the assemblage sang "God Save the King." As the treble voices of the children rang out in pleasing contrast to the deep tones of their seniors, one was sorrowfully reminded of the recent occasion when the little ones assembled in Chester Station and raised their voices in loyal welcome to the great and good Queen who now is no more. The affecting ceremony concluded with hearty cheers for the King.

[NEXT WEEK'S MARKET DAY. I We are authorised to state that if the I I funeral of the late Queen be, as io anticipated, fixed for Saturday, 2nd February, the usual Saturday market will be held on Friday, the day immediately preceding, as it is antici- pated there will be an entire suspension of business on the day of the funeral.

1 THE FLINTSHIRE REGISTER. I I RESULT OF NEW INDUSTRIES. I I The list of Parliamentary voters, county electors, and parochial electors for the county of Flint for the year 1901 has just been issued by the Clerk to the County Council. Regarded as a whole the electorate do not fluctuate greatly, and it is interesting to note that in the last five years the aggregate has only been in- creased by 300 names. Compared with the register of 1900, many of the 29 polling districts remained unchanged, but increased electorates are noted where one would expect to meet with them. The rapidly extending Prestatyn and Rhyl districts for instance shew an increase of 68, while the Queen's Ferry district is augmented by 66 names. The last mentioned increase is due to the flourishing ironworks and other industries estab- lished on the banks of the Dee which, if they continue at their preseht state of development, will threaten to despoil Buckley of the proud boast that that district is able to control the result of a county election. The total number of voters included in the new register is 10,919, an increase of 145 on the number for the previous year.

I LITERARY- NOTICES. I THE LATEST NEW MAGAZINE. "The Lady's Magazine" (C. Arthur Pearson Limited) is the latest addition to our periodical literature, and an excellent sixpenceworth it is. The illustrations are excellent, while the contents generally will appeal strongly to lady readers. An article of more than usual interest appears in the magazine from the pen of the late Mrs. W. E. Gladstone, entitled "Hints from a Mother's Life." Writing of the con- stant change of air necessary to a child, she says. Children are the better for frequent changes of room; they have to spend most of their time in the house; they require short intervals between their meals, with quick transitions from play to rest. The meals should be taken where there is no litter of toys; a quiet room is needed for both work and sleep. Means of getting change of air, and of taking l exercise within doors, or under cover are essential. In town houses, of moderate size, the best place for welcome change is the drawing-room. It is often the largest room, and the infant may well spend some time there. All the children, under supervision, may be familiar visitors. Home life to the youner members of a family, and to the gentler sex, means that by far the largest part of every day must be spent indoors, and half of it-at least for the very young-in the bedroom. No attempt should ever be made to rear children in a single room. More danger lies in this than many mothers imagine. The necessity of pro- viding a full supply of fresh and pure air in youth, when change and gprowth are most active, is obvious." The first weekly part of the century edition of CasselTs Illustrated History ot England will be issued on the 23rd inst. This edition will be brought down to the beginning of the 20th century, will be printed on superior paper, and will contain nearly 2,000 original illustra- tions. The special feature of the century edition will be a series of coloured plates, con- sisting of reproductions, executed in the best style of modern colour printing of paintings by leading artists, representing great events in the history of our country. The plate given with part 1. is from Mr. Ernest Normand's design for the new cartoon in the Royal Exchange, and shews King John granting Magna Charta Among the artists whose paintings will be pro- duced in this edition may be mentioned E. Crofts, R.A., W. F. Yeames, R.A., F. Goodall, R.A., A. C. Gow, R.A., Sir John Gilbert, R.A., Stanhope Forbes, A.R.A., W. L. Wyllie, A.R.A., F. W. W. Topham, R.I., &c., &c.

!When asking for Cocoa, insist on having CADBURY'S- Bold only in Packets and Tina as 10'hor Cocoas are often substituted for the sake OfI, lextra pront. 1 i :.t:f-R.t ?, iI I

CITY POLICE COURT. TUESDA Y.-Before the Mayor (Ald. H. T. Brown) and Mr. J. G. Holmes. A PEDLAR WITHOUT A CERTIFICATE.— John Carringden, a stranger to Chester, was charged with acting as a pedlar without a certificate. Defendant went to the bouse of Mr. I. Matthews Jones (City Surveyor), where he became offensive. He also called at other residences, but a constable took him to the Police Station, when it was found that he bad no certificate.-Carringdon denied the charge, and said he always liked the truth. (Laughter.)- Fined 5s. and costs. WHISKYOVEROARAE T[rM.Tobn Greenall was discharged with a caution on a charge of being drunk in Eastgate-street. P.C. Dutton said he had to lock defendant up for safety.— Greenall said he had a drop of whisky and it overcame him. THURSDAY.—Before the Mayor (Alderman- H. T. Brown), Mr. Roger Jackson and Mr. J. M. Frost. LANGUAGE UNFIT TO HEAR.-Martha Leak, who has appeared in the court sixteen times on previous charges, was fined 20s. and costs for using obscene language in Davis-court on Satur- day. She preferred to go to prison for a month rat h er than pay the fine.- rather than pay the fine.—Kate Greenway, who has been summoned several times, was also fined 20s. and costs, or one calendar month for a similar offence. DAMAGE AND ASSAULT.-Thos. Burke, a private stationed at Chester Castle, was charged with damaging a plate-glass window belonging to Jos. Oultram, who keeps a fish shop at 23, Lower Bridge-street; while a stranger to the city, named John Henry Lockett, pleaded guilty to a charge of assaulting Oultram at the same time the other offence was committed-Wednesday night.— Complainant said Burke came in the shop and asked to be supplied with some chip-potatoes on trust. When witness refused Burke used bad language, rushed outside, and deliberately smashed the front window with his foot. Wit- ness followed the soldier outside and remonstrated with him, when Lockley, who was passing along at the time, struck him a violent blow for no reason whatever. The damage done by Burke would amount to 10s.—Burke was ordered to pay the damage and costs, while Lockley was fined 2s. 6d. and costs. FIGHT BETWEEN GIRLS.—Two girls, named Emily Newman and Mary Gilbert, were each fined 5s. and costs for behaving in an in- sulting manner in Bridge-street at 9.45 p.m. on Sunday.-A constable said he saw defendants pull- ing each other about by the hair of the head. (Laughter.)

I MALPAS. (LITERARY SOCIETY. At the weekly Imeeting on Thursday, Mr. J. M. Compton Burnett, M.A., read a paper on "Cromwell." An interesting discussion followed.

I TARPORLEY. I MUSICAL SUCCESS.-Miss Winkworth, of Haughton, Tarporley, who holds the pro- fessional diploma of the Incorporated Society of Musicians, obtained the diploma of the Royal College of Organists at the examination held in London last week. Miss Winkworth is a pupil of Mr. J. T. Hughes, of Chester.

I KELSALL. TEMPERANCE WORK.—Under the auspices I of the Willington and Kelsall branch of the,, British Women's Christian Temperance Union a short service was held in the Reading-room, Willingtsn, on Thursday afternoon week, when a most helpful and excellent address was given by the Rev. T. J. Evans, vicar of Tarvin, on "Unselfishness, with regard to all work in life."

I TARVIN. SCHOOL TREAT.—On Monday afternoon the teachers and scholars of the Wesleyan Sabbath School had their annual New Year's treat. In the evening a public meeting of a miscellaneous character took place. Addresses were delivered by the Rev. Thistlethwaite and Mr. G. Lea, and recitations by several of the scholars. At the close of the meeting the prizes for good attendance were distributed.

I FRODSHAM. FAREWELL SUPPER. On Wednesday night in the Mission Room, Frodsham Bridge, Miss Hayes entertained several members of the congregation and the Sunday school children at supper as a farewell to the Rev. Wm. Davies, who has been so closely associated with the church as curate for over three years. Subsequently a concert was given. The rev. gentleman, who has received an appointment at Derby, preached his farewell sermons at the Parish and Iron Churches on Sunday morning and evening.

I SHOCKLACH. INTERESTING PRESENTATION. — On Friday evening the inhabitants of Shocklach and district met in the schoolroom to do honour to their late postman, Mr. Wm. Wragg. There was a good attendance, and Mr. Joseph Piggott, who was called to the chair, asked Mr. Wragg to accept a ceuch and illuminated address. The address was as follows:—"To Mr. Wm. Wragg,. Sir,—The inhabitants of Shocklach, Horton and Chorlton, desire to shew their appreciation of your long and faithful service for 26 years as postman in this district, during which time they found you civil and obliging. On this account they have much pleasure in presenting you with this address and couch. They hope you may have good health to spend your well-earned rest in peace and comfort.—Signed on behalf of tke subscribers (46) Joseph Piggott, Joseph Hough, Thomas Nickson, Arthur Evans, Thomas Price, John Evans." Mr. Wragg suitably acknowledged the gifts.

I BARROW. BIBLE SOCIETY.—On Sunday, the Rev. F. Thompson, the Yorkshire District secretary, preached sermons in Barrow Church on behalf of the above society. CONCERT.—A concert promoted by Mrs. and the Misses Okell, Manor House, took place in the Public Hall, on Monday evening. The Rev. H. Arnold, rector of Barrow, presided, and the commodious room was crowded to excess. The artists were:—Miss Okell, Miss Stretch, Miss M. Okell, Miss H. Okell, Mr. H. Gamon, and Mr. G. Martyn. All the songs were well rendered, and Miss Maud Okell deserves special mention for her violin solos. The entertainment concluded with a tableau. At the close the chairman thanked Mrs. and the Misses Okell for providing such a capital entertainment. The proceeds were handed to the rector for parochial purposes.

I HELSBY. SUNDAY SCHOOL TREAT.-On Tuesday evening the members of the United Methodist Free Church Sunday School were given their annual winter treat. After tea a meeting wa held, at which Mr. B. Parker distributed upwards of 50 prizes to the scholars for good attendance, etc. During the evening songs and recitations were given by several children. CHILDREN'S CONCERT.—The concert given annually by the elder scholars of the National Schools took place on Monday evening, and was again most successful. The schoolroom was filled with an appreciative audience, over whom the vicar (the Rev. E. Jermyn) presided. The musical sketch, "The Humanophone," by the boys, caused considerable merriment, H. Tudor, as the showman, being particularly amusing. In the song "Like This" the girls game some capital dramatic illustrations of statuary, for which they were deservedly applauded. The subsequent songs, in character, were well rendered and heartily appreciated. Undoubtedly the most amusing item was the humorous dialogue, "The Doctor's Mistake," the absurdities of which created roars of laughter. The characters were impersonated as follows —The Doctor, Arthur Worrall; Doctors' Boys, J. Blackburn and W. Parker; Patients, Archie Thomas and William Worrall. The boys gave a capital representation of their respective parts, J. Blackburn being per- haps the most conspicuous. In the operetta, "Helsby Fair," by the children, both the singing and acting were decidedly good, and when in the final chorus the children were together on the stage the combination of the various costumes made the scene an exceedingly pretty one. The decorations, stage effects, etc., were capital while great praise is due to Mr. R. W. Hill and his assistants for the excellent training of the children. Mr. Hill also deserves praise for- his accompaniments. Beforo the close the Chairman made touching reference to the Queen's illness, and said that it might probably be the last time the audience would have to sing God gave the- Queen," which was subsequently sung with much, fervour.

LATEST MARKETS AND FAIRS. LIVERPOOL CORN. FRIDAY.—Wheat, moderate business at Tuesday's full rates to id. dearer. No. 1 Californian, 6s. 4d. to 6s. 4d. No. 1 Northern Spring 6s. 3Jd. to 6s. 4d. Beans, Saidi. 30s. 6d. Peas. 5a. 8d. Oats, firm; New white, 2s. 5d. to 2s. 7d. Old, 3s. 4d. to 3s. 6d. Maize, moderate business; Old mixed. 3s. Ilid. to 4s. New, 3a. 10d. to 38. lid. Flour unchanged. CHESTER CATTLE, THURSDAY. There was about an average supply of store and dairy cattle, but a quieter trade and buyers fewer than at last week's fair. Prices were quotably unaltered, but sellers had difficulty in obtaining the rates willingly paid at last fair, and inferior lots were not enquired for. The prices were :-Milch cows, RI.4 to JE21 calvers £ 12 to £ 18; barrens, Cg to £ 12; heifers, 18 to E14 1; and stirks, X5 to R8. LONDON CORN, FRIDAY. Wheat and flour unchanged; barley, oats and maize, quiet; other articles unchanged. American quotations wheat md corn came rather dearer. ■ Printed and published for and on behalf of the Cheshire and North Wales Newspaper Company, Limited, by JAMES ALBERT BIRCHALL, at the Chesh?e ObMrvef ?OBica, 8, Brid--ostreet, in th" City of Chester.—SATrEr?Y, ?January 26, 1901. 1¡r,l.k

HESWALL. I (See also Paqe 3.1 DEATH OF MISS M. MANLOVE LAWTON. —Many of the parishioners will be sorry to hear of the death of Miss Mary Manlove Lawton, which took place at her residence on Tuesday mórning at five o'clock, at the age of 37. The funeral, which was very largely attended, took piace on Thursday at 3.30 o'clock The principal mcurners were Mr. and Mrs. W. Lawton (brother anji sister-in-law), Mr. Harry Lawtou (nephew), Ml.Ss Mary Lawton (niece), and Mr- T. Lawton (nephew). The other mourners were Mr. J. Kitchen, Mr. J. Tilston, Mr. S. Evans, Mr. Evans (Thurstaston), Miss S. M'Cray, Mr. J Totty, Mr. an.3 Mrs. J. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. F. Male, Mrs. H. Smallwocd, Misses M.. J. and E. Smallwood, Miss I Delamere, Mrs. Allcock, Mr. G. Elliion, Mr. G. Barlow, etc.

DEATH 1 OF I THE QUEEN. (See also page 7.) 0 ———