Prestatyn Weekly

VILLAGE LIFE. How it might be made more popular. As one who has spent many liappy years in village life, it would be unbecoming of me to condemn it, even though condemnation were deserved but experience enables one to point out the difficulties that exist, to diagnose, as it were, the prevalent diseases, and to sug- gest how the one may be removed and the t, others remedied. If villagers differ, it is only in degree. As a rule each man goes his own way, and excludes from his sympathy many of his neighbours to the end. The parson and the minister, and perhaps a few benevo- lent inhabitants, chiefly women, delight more or less in being useful to their fellow-creatures, but even among these angels of mercy, there is seldom either bond of union or sympathy, while the dividing line of either politics, social position, or religion stands in the way of the general good. There is. in a word, no combination of all ranks and all classes for seeming the greatest good to the greatest number. There is, however, no reason why village life should not be as perfect as the frail conduct of man can make it in this Wales of ours. In a Welsh village we find the trader and the mechanic- -blacksmith, wheelwright, and juiuor,—the farmer, the labourer, and the landowner. How seldom do we find among these peo- ple any combined effort—nay, any individual ettbrt, for the elevation of their neighbours, those who, it may be, are dependent upon them The busy farmer finds no time to assist in the improvement of village life nor is he a man to assume the role of a leader. He persuades himself that that is the duty of the squire and the parson. The trader takes a similar line, however keenly he may criticise the action oi those who make some attempt for betterment. The mechanic and the labourer wait to be led, if indeed they wait at all, for, those who patronise the alehouse excepted, the completion of a day's labour finds them ready for the sleep of the just. If I am any judge of the requirements of the hour, I believe that the regeneration of village life, upon which so much depends, will be the result of but one national step-- the sinking of class and the union of hearts, regardless ot rank or creed. The terrible diminution in our rural population bodes ill to the master spirit of the country. To make village life popular, therefore, is a duty which every patriot owes to his country and himself, and if for no other reason but the national good it were well if the squire were to descend from his pedestal and if the parson were to abandon the privilege of his position with the one object of meeting the people on equal terms and learning how, by ceasing to rule or to reign, they can command the love of those around them. After all it is better to stoop and be loved than to live the superior life and be feared. The patronage of the poor and the sick may gratify the pride Z, of the patron, but it sears his conscience. It may ensure gratitude but never love. Let those who are able-the superiors of the village—seek to comfort the aged and the sick, counsel the strong, and encourage youth to lead good lives and to yield only to the promptings of a healthy ambition, as man to man or woman to woman, without the exhibition of side or purseproud patronage and then, while helping the individual, they will simultaneously help in the elevation of a whole people. There are indeed few villages in which there is sufficient energy and capital, if both are rightly employed, to establish an institu tion as the source and centre of all good work, with its reading-room, its library, its games, its social gatherings, its technical instruction classes, its co-operative bank, its clothing and coal clubs, its bath and wash- house, and its occasional meetings for men and women, both led by those whose advantages in time and knowledge and whose willingness to make them one with the people fit them as counsellors and fellow- helpers of their brother-men. I have spoken of self-sacrifice, and such there must be not in one but in many cases if success is to be achieved. But what satis- faction is so great as that which results from the devotion of life to principle, of time and money for the benefit of those who are in need of both ? Success in such a cause means the co-operation of the rich with the poor, the learned with the ignorant, the leisured class with the labouring, the employer with the employed, and all with the young, those with characters to build and conduct to form. It is not for the amusements of a people that I plead, but for their moral and intel- lectual and, I would prefer to add, their spiritual education—the preparation of the young for their life-work, the encouragement of self-reliance, manliness, and truth, and the development of those principles which lie at the base of all forms of social success, by which I mean the power to live even on a labourer's wage in comfort and health. There are few villages in which there are no men of education capable of devoting occasional evenings to the instruction of the people in such matters as sanitation and hygiene or of imparting facts relating to the heavens above and the earth below. Already much has been done by the County Council technical instruction classes, but one or more such classes should be com- mon at the village institute, whether it be cookiug or dressmaking, carving or carpen- tering, or, on the other hand, the cultivation, on the basis of scientific teaching, of school garden plots or of quarter-acre allotments and here comes the help of the village school- master, who in the near future should be equipped with practical knowledge of soil and plant culture and thus enabled to take his part as a co-worker in village life. JAMES LONG. o.

THE GAMBLING EVIL. To the Editor of the Prestatyn Weeky." Sir,I did not intend writing further on this pernicious evil, nevertheless two things prompt me to do so. Firstly, many people have (although wrongly) laid to my charge the letter signed, Anti-put-on." Secondly, Mr Inglefield asks for proof that whist-drives are wrong. I will, therefore, endeavour to satisfy him from two standpoints. 1. I have before me a work on English law, in which I read under the heading Gaming This is playing any game of chance—e.g., cards, dice, &c.-for money or money's worth, and is an offence if done pub- licly, and is punishable by fine (maximum sESOO) or by imprisonment (six months)." 2. I turn to Holy-writ, and open at the record of that most glorious of all sermons, as recorded in the 5th, 6th, and 7th chapters of Matthew, and I find that the very same mode of enlargement given by Dr. Townsend to the 8th and 10th commandments was given by our Lord and Saviour to the 6th and 7th; again, we are admonished by the great Paul thus Whatsoever things are true, whatso- things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."—Phil. 4-8 Where is the honesty, loveliness, justness, virtue, etc., in card-playing that we should think on it ? As long as such follies are sanctioned by church leaders it is useless for either them or others to advocate Bible reading and other devotional exercises. If church leaders wish to improve the moral and social tone of the people, they must first act consistently themselves, and not. at one and the same stroke, violate both the Divine and State laws.—Yours, etc., JOHN F. SMITH. Drakelow, Prestatyn.

Pascall & Pratt, King's Buildings, HIGH STREET, PRESTATYN, Stationers, Booksellers, Printers, Music Sellers, and Newsagents. Picture Postcards a Speciality. Circulating ) A Fresh Selection of Circulating | A Fresh Selection of T r Modern Novels every Library J Month. J. Sf B. Dowell, HIGH-CLASS CONFECTIONERS The "Croft Restaurant, HIGH STREET. Fancy Cakes for All kinds of Chocolates and Afternoon Tea. Sweets kept in Stock. Meat Pies a Speciality Try our Home-made Bread. Our Specialities: BROWN BREAD AND BARLEY BREAD. THOS. HUGHES, Grocer, &c., The IhNoted Bread Shop. GKONANT HOUSE (By Post Office).

For Wedding Rings, Engagement Rings, in 0 and all kinds of Jewellery go to O. H. Hughes, WATCHMAKER AND JEWELLER, HIGH STREET, next to Post Office, PRESTATYN. Repairs on the premises. HOPWOOD'S, PRESTATYN. THE CONFECTIONERS I'JIIM JJf AEl 1!<I II' ■ X.L., High Street. Parties Catered for on Reasonable Terms. Wedding and Birthday Cakes. Telephone: Prestatyn 4y-1, Rhyl 2Y8. Post Orders promptly dispatched. — Home-fed Beef, Mutton, Lamb & Veal, Etc., go to DANIEL DAVIES, (Opposite the Vicarage). Telephone 4Y5. J. E. KELLY, SEEDSMAN AND FLORIST, English & Foreign Fruiterer, SEFTON STORES, PRESTATYN. Fresh Vegetables Daily from our own gardens. Choice Cut Flowers a speciality. Private Gardens attended to. W. Davies, I, Railway Terrace PRESTATYN. Practical Boot & Shoe Maker. REPAIRS receive special attention. Good leather, Good workmanship. T. DOWELL & SONS, Wholesale and Retail Meat Purveyors, VICTORIA BUILDINGS, HIGH STREET, A nd MA RINE BUILDINGS, STA nON ROAD. P. S. JENNINGS, PRESTATYN. The Cheapest Draper. The Smartest Clothier. The most Up-to-Date Outfitter IN THE DISTRICT.

RAILWAY TIME TABLE FOR JANUARY. a m'a ma m!a ma ma ma nra ma mp mp mp nip m'p mp mp m'p ma mp mp mp m p mp in p mp mp m'p mp m1 p mp m Chester ;;5 (//>2 166 0|7 55 9 10!l0 5 [11201280! 12401 851 40 2 15!2 55 8 25 4 15 4 42 5 12 5 20 5 80 6 10 6 277 858 40 9 25 11101114 Huiidy^oft |6 108 5 |9 20i 11180 1250 1 50 8 85 4 25 |5 40 6 877 45! 9 85 1120 Queen's Ferry 16 14j8 9 :\d 24j jll84 1254 1 54 8 89 4 29 \5 44 6 41.7 49! 9 40 1125 Conn all's Quay |6 218 10j 9 81! 1141 1 1 2 lj 3 46 4 86 |5 51 6 49 7 57' 9 47 ^1182 Flint 8 8,6 278 22' 9 371022: 1147 1 7-a ^i2 7 3 52 4 401 5 855 57 6 55 8 «: 9 58 §1138 Bagillt 6 348 29 9 44j 1154 1 14 3 g 2 14 3 59! |4 47 6 4 17 2 8 10 10 0 |1145 Holywell 6 398 84 9 49! 1159 1 19 « 2 19 4 4! 4 52 6 9 7 7 8 15i HO 5|1150' Mostyn 6 47:8 42j 9 57| 12 7 1 27 2 27 4 121 15 0 6 17! 17 158 23! jl018|1158 Tulacro 6 528 49; 10 4; 1214 1 84 2 34 4 19j 6 24> |7 228 30| Prestatyn 6 57,8 55; 1010'j 1220 1 40 2 40 |3 28 4 25; 5 9 5 546 306 45 7 288 8619 154023 12 8 Rhyl 3 29 7 59 8> 1018 1047 .12281 10 1 482 102 482 50;3 86 4 83j' 5 16 5 195 466 16 886 557 868 449 281031 12161152 Sundays.—Prestatyn to Rhyl, 10-49 a.m., and 7 p.m. a in a ma ma ma ma ma ma m|a ma mp mp mp mp mp mp m 111 p mp mp mp mp mp m p mp mp mp m • p 111 p in Rhyl Opt. 7 10 7 45|8 46 8 5l|8 36 9 2 9 20 9 56 1047 1121512501 45 2 43 3 0: j4 714 15 5 30 6 5 6 45 8 48- (10 4 Prestatyn 7 17 7 58 it* 479 9j9 27 1054 1222 1 52 2 50: 3 7! 4 225 37 6 12 8 55^ TaJacre 7 24 |9 84 1229 1 59 3 16| 4 29 ^6 19 E g Mostyy 7 30 9 20:9 40 11 5 1235 2 5 3 22j 14 85 5 47 o 6 25 9 6-3! Helv'well 7 38 8 5 ?"« „ 19 3 9 48 1112 1243 2 13 .3 80! 4 43 5 55 ^6 33 9 14H 7 45 10 9 55 1250 2 20 8 37| j 4 50 6 2^ 6 40 9 22^' Flint., 7 49 § eP 5 oj<) U 959 1254, 2 24 8 8 3 41] 5 54 6 6 § 6 44 9 1028 Connah's Quay. :7 57 S g 9 21 10 7 1 2 2 32 3 49; 5 26 14j 6 52| 9 34 Queens Ferry 8 5 |9 38 1012 [1 91 2 39 3 56! 5 96 21 6 59 9 41^ Sandycroft ,8 8 |9 82 1015 il 13} 2 42 4 0| 5 186 25 7 8! 9 45J: Chester 8 21! '8 30 9 20 9 25i9 45 9 5310281035 1136 1 264 30 2 54 8 27i 4 12! 4 42 5 26 6 88 7 16 7 22 .9 58W |l052 Sundays. -Prestatyn to Chester, 7-57 a.m. and 5-28 p.m. NOTE.—While every care is taken to ensure accuracy in this Time Table, the publishers will not be responsible for any error that may occur.

Printing. Annual Reports, Balance Sheets, etc., (English or Welsh) accur- ately and promptly executed. Reasonable charges and satis- factory work. If we have not yet had the pleasure of doing your Printing, place your order with us now: you will not be disappointed. J. T. BURROWS, Prestatyn Weekly" Office. Diaries for 1907 Choice Selection Parlour Games Newest and Best. W. GREY JONES, Plumber, Gas and Electric Bell Fitter, GLAZIER, &c. Residence: LABURNUM COTTAGE, 0 High Street, Prestatyn. All Orders personally and promptly attended to. TELEPHONE No. 9. THOMAS JONES, Builder & Contractor, High Street, Prestatyn, ESTIMATES GIVEN For every description of Work in the Building Trade. J. P. Linnell, CIVIL ENGINEER, Architect and Surveyor, J Land and Estate Agent, WELLINGTON CHAMBERS, RHYL TERMS FOR ADVERTISING IN THE "PRESTATYN WEEKLY." Parliamentary & Board of Trade Notices, Is. per line. Special Paragraph Advertisements, 6d. per line. Long Term Business Advertisments as pvr contract. Continuous Advertisements and special positions as per contract. Concerts, Entertainments, Sales by Auction, and all other Advertisements not specified in the fore- going or following classes, 4d. per line each inser- tion. Business and Entertainment Advertisements displayed 2s 6d. per inch each insertion. Cheap Prepaid Advertisements. Houses, Shops, Apartments, Farms, &c., To Let, Wanted, Articles Lost, Found, or for Private Sale, Servants or Situations, &c., Wanted Once. Three. Not exceeding 24 words.. 10 2 0 36 words.. 16 3 0 and (id. for every additional 12 «'ovd« for first insert and threepence per subsequent insert. Births, Marriages, Deaths—Is for three lines. As no letters addressed to initials at a Post Office are delivered, Advertisers may have replies addressed to our office, three stamps being remitted to cover cost by those residing out of Prestatyn, if wa have to forward such replies. Only bona-tide answers in writing admissible. "Address" or "Apply" to capital letter, number or word, means applicants are not to apply person. ally at the office, but by letter. N.B.—This scale only applies to Prepaid advertise- ments and is not applicable to Announcements from Public Bodies, Educational, Bankruptcy, or Liquid- ation Advertisements, nor to other classes than those above enumerated. Printed and Published by J. T. BURROWS, Higli-st.,Prestatyn, in the County of Flint,