Llangollen Advertiser Denbighshire Merionethshire and North Wales Journal

AN INDEPENDENT LIBERAL, Mr. Alderman John Jones, was on Wednesday returned unopposed for the vacancy in the parliamentary representa- tion of the Carmarthen Boroughs. WE UNDERSTAND that the Right Hon. W. E. Gladstone has consented, subject to the state of public business, to preside on one of the four days of the eisteddfod to be held in Denbigh Castle on the 22nd, 23rd, 24th, and 25th, of August next. A DEPUTATION OF TURKISH NOTABLES OF CYPRUS waited upon Sir 11. Biddulph at Nicosia on the last day of the old year, and expressed great satisfaction with the way the affairs of the island had been administered since the British occupation. They also expressed a confident hope that, whatever alteration might be made in the constitution, complete equality would always be preserved between Christian and Mussulman communities. ACCOUNTS from various sources of the attack upon the Jewish residents in Warsaw agree that the riot had all the appearance of having been pre-arranged. The alarm of fire was raised at the same moment in four Warsaw churches, though it was only at the Church of the Holy Cross that a panic ensued. It has also transpired that the riot commenced in the suburbs of War- saw not after but simultaneously with the panic in the church. A letter from Warsaw states that about a thousand Jewish families, previously in good circumstances, have been totally ruined by the destruction or plunder of their property by the rioters. A MOST DESPERATE ATTACK on the life of his mother was made on Thursday afternoon by a man named William Griffiths, who lives with his parents in Farndon-street, Wrexham. Screams of murder were heard to issue from the house, and on a forcible entry being effected, the door being locked, Griffiths was found kneeling on his mother, who was on the floor, and hacking away at her. face with a table knife. He turned on those who had interrupted him in his murderous work, but the knife was taken from him and he was prevented from doing -further mischief. Medical assistance being procured, it was found that the poor woman had received several cuts on her face and hands, the most serious being just over one eye and across one cheek. The would-be matricide was taken into custody by Sergeant Hugh Jones, brought before the Borough magistrates on Friday, and again on Monday, and remanded. THE MILDNESS OF THE BEGINNING OF WINTER had been generally anticipated by those who had given attention to the physical phenomena of 1881. The abnormal severity of last January has been followed by a reaction, and anything more unlike the first month of the year and the last, it would be difficult to imagine. Some of these December days were indeed more like May, and were even warmer than the early days of June. What power remained in the oblique rays of the sun was fully given to the earth before it entered upon another January in which the cold will scarcely be so terrible in its intensity as was experienced last winter. It is noteworthy that when the winter is a mild one, there is a manifest increase in the violence of the tempests which sweep the Atlantic. While the icebergs, by the severity of last winter's frost, have been chained up in their own gloomy regions and thus prevented from cooling the warmer waters of the southern ocean, the winds have been unloosed, and any- thing like the hurricanes in this stormiest of seas has not often been equalled, and certainly never surpassed. The graphic descriptions of the Atlantic tempests, which have been lately given in the newspapers to the public, excite surprise that any power exercised by man could prevail against them. THE PREMIER completed his 72nd birthday on Thursday week. Many members of the Cabinet sent the Prime Minister congratulations. Lord Cairns sent an exquisite bouquet. Three years ago the movement originated among the working men of Chester to honour Mr. Gladstone's anni- versary as the Colston anniversary was celebrated at Bristol. The affair, however, passed out of the hands of its founders, and in its stead a banquet at a guinea a head was established. This was held on Thursday week in the Chester Town Hall. Mr. Jas. Tomkinson, of "The Willing- tons," Chester, the Liberal candidate for West Cheshire at the last election, presided, and he was supported by Mr. Rathbone, M.P., Mr. John Roberts, M.P., Mr. Samuel Holland, M.P., Major Cornwallis West, and the leading Liberals of Chester and Flintshire. The Chairman gave the toast of the evening, The health of Mr. Glad- stone," the mention of whose name was received with loud cheers. Other speeches followed. THE CUSTOM HOUSE AND POLICE AUTHORITIES in Carnarvon were last week on the alert, news having arrived that late on Saturday night a suspicious steamer was seen off Portdinllaen. From the statement of a mounted messenger from Nevin, who came to Carnarvon at an early hour on the Sunday morning, it appeared that a strange vessel was observed standing off the coast of Nevin on Saturday night. As it was blowing hard at the time, the lifeboat stationed at Port- dinllaen went out, the crew being under the impression that the vessel was in distress. On approaching the vessel, the crew found that she was a large steamer, with apparently no-one on board. Having got alongside, a man was observed to be on deck, but no reply could be elicited as to whether assistance was required. To all appearance, the steamer was nameless. Shortly after the arrival of the lifeboat, the vessel steamed away in a northerly course, and went out of sight, but re-appeared on the following day, only to remain for a short time. Rumours were general as to the character of the steamer, some being of opinion that she was loaded with a cargo of arms for the Irish. A strict look-out was kept on the coast. MESSRS. BRIGHT AND CITAMBERLAIN| addressed their constituents at the Birmingham Town Hall on Tuesday night. Mr. Bright, in replying to a vote of confidence in the Government and the representatives of the town, said if the Govern- ment was in need of defence, it had been already made by his colleagues. The Government was charged with being unallied and isolated. He maintained that there never was a greater accord with other nations. The Irish policy of the Government, he urged, had been'pursued not in a spirit of tyranny, but for the purpose of restoring law and order. A year ago it would have been impossible for the Government to have acted otherwise than they did. He did not pretend to be a democrat, but he was in favour of as much freedom as would give security to freedom. Ireland could not complain of the manner in which she had been treated by the Union as regar4 parlia- mentary representation, for she had, in regard to her population, a larger number of members than either England, Scotland, or Wales. We pro- vided for Ireland the best markets to buy and sell, and she had the advantage of being allied to the country which had the greatest capital of the world and, notwithstanding present troubles, he believed the effect of the great measures passed would be to make Ireland as tranquil and loyal as any other part of the Queen's dominions. THE year which has just closed brings us face to face with the fact that the second half of the Victorian reign has proved extremely fatal to our eminent men. Moreover, each successive loss only tends to make more distinct the blank which has been created. Apropos to the lamented death of Mr. Street, take the list of distinguished architects removed from our midst in a little over twenty years. Sir Charles Barry and his son, Mr. E. M. Barry, Mr. A. Welby Pugin and his son, Mr. E. Welby Pugin, Sir George Gilbert Scott and Mr. Street-here are six names in a splendid profession whose obliteration from the ranks of the living makes it very difficult indeed for the survivors to supply. Again, in literature, in the same space of time, we have lost Macaulay, Thackeray, Dickens, George Eliot, and Carlyle. It is not possible easily to name five such intellects that still remain amongst us. Once more, from the list of our statesmen have been removed Lord Palmerston, Earl Russell, and the late Earl of Derby, Sir George Cornewall Lewis, Mr. Sidney Herbert, Sir James Graham, Mr. Cobden, the Duke of Newcastle, the Earl of Aberdeen, and the Earl of Clarendon. The lossses amongst our eminent judges in the same time have included Lord Campbell, Lord West- bury, Lord Justice Knight-Bruce, Sir Alexander Cockburn, Lord Chelmsford, Lord Hatherley, and Lord Justice Lush. And in the like period we have witnessed the deaths of such artists as David Cox, Clarkson, Stanfield, Sir Charles East-lake, Sir Edwin Landseer, and Sir Francis Grant. The grave is richer, by reason of the mighty intellects that mingle with the dust, than the world from which those intellects have been taken; but just as Nature provides a constant succession in every department of her kingdom, so are giants of the intellectual world replaced by i younger race of men who attain a distinction 3qual to that of their predecessors.

LOCAL & DISTRICT NEWS. LLANGOLLEN. MILD WEATHER.—As a proof of the mildness of the weather at the close of last year in the district, mushrooms have been gathered on the hills, and primroses in full bloom were on Saturday picked up on the side of the railway, while, as another sign, the crows are busy with their nests. THE VACANT SEAT ON THE BoARD.—We are sorry to inform our readers that our respected Post- master (Mr. W. H. Davies) has declined to accept of the seat offered him on the Local Board, lately vacated by Capt. Parry, owing to a desire on Mr. Davies's part not to connect himself in any way with local matters for the present. We must say we much regret this decision, for his services would have been much appreciated by the rate- payers in particular and the town in general. RELIGIOUS SERVICES AND PREACHERS FOR NEXT SUNDAY.—^At the Parish Church, Matins at 10 30 a.m., Litany and children's service at 3 15 p.m., and Evensong at 6 p.m.; and at St. John's(Welsh) Church (Abbey-road), sermons at 10 30a.m. and 6 p.m.; clergymen, Rev. E. R. James, B.D., vicar, the Rev. R. Bowcott, B.A., and the Rev. Th. LI. Williams, M.A., curates.—English Baptist Chapel (Penybryn): sermons at 10 30 a.m. and 6 p.m., by the Rev. James Williams, pastor.—English Wesleyan Chapel (Market- street): sermons at 11 15 a.m. and 6 p.m., by the Rev. W. Powell, Llangollen.—-Welsh Wesleyan Chapel: School Meeting, at 10 a.m., and 2 p.m., and the Rev. W. Thomas, Llangollen, will preach at 6 p.m.-Congregational Chapel (Church-street): sermons at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. by Mr. Johns, of Ruthin.- Welsh Baptist Chapel: the Rev. D. Williams, pastor, will preach at 9 30 a.m. and 6 p.m.-Calvinistic Methodist Chapel: sermons at 9 30 a.m. and 6 p.m., by the Rev. Evan Lloyd, Holywell.-Penllyn Mission Room: sermons at 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. BUCHDRAETH Y PARCH. JOHN MILLS (Crown I 8vo, cloth, gilt lettered, price 3s. 6d., Mills and Lynch, printers, Aberdare).—This handsome Welsh book of nearly 300 pages has been com- piled by Mr. Richard Mills and the Rev. N. C. Jones, both of Llanidloes, the first named being a brother of the rev. gentleman whose biography is given in the book before us. The work appears to have been well and carefully done, and we are sure it will meet with a very cordial reception from thousands of Welsh readers in various parts of the world. The Rev. John Mills was born at Llanidloes, in the year 1812, and died in London, in 1873. He started life in humble circumstances, and while educating himself was a diligent teacher of others both by tongue and pen. FAIR.-The usual monthly fair was held on Tuesday last, and a rather large number of people from the district around attended, notwithstand- ing the everchanging weather which prevailed at the time, and which has been the rule for several weeks. There was at the Smithfield an excep- tionally good and extensive stock of pigs, but sheep were not numerous, both kinds, however, realizing good prices. Of cattle, also, there was a good supply, but of horses there were none I shown. THE VOLUNTEER RETURNS.-The Returns for the Volunteer Forces for the year ending Oct. 31st, 1881, have now been made up, and we understand (says the Volunteer Service Gazette) that they give an increase of 1,600 in the enrolled strength, and 3,223 in the efficient strength, over that of the previous year-the total enrolled strength for 1880-1 being 208,137, and the number of efficients 200,161. These figures, if correct, as they probably are substantially, thc-ngh they have not been finally checked, show not only some increase in the enrolled numbers, bat I a very considerable reduction in the proportio-u of "non-efficients." j THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF DENBIGHSHIRE AND » THE OF PROPPRTV TM XXTTRR, M V Cornwallis West (Lord Lieutenant of Denbigh- shire) has written to the Lord Mayor as follows: I regret, in common with many moderate men of both parties, that the Metropolitan Press has endeavoured to misinterpret your action for the Defence of Property in Ireland into a party manoeuvre, and that, notwithstanding the recent correspondence on the subject, many are still unconvinced that the Mansion House meeting was not a demonstration hostile to Mr. Gladstone's Government. I am not, and never have been, of that opinion, and I shall be glad, as a supporter of Her Majesty's Ministers, to elicit public support in the county of Denbigh for the objects and functions undertaken by the Association in Ireland, and which are notoriously such as cannot properly be performed by the Executive Government." POST OFFICE.-The number of Christmas and New Year cards posted this season was unprece- dentedly large, especially on the night before Christmas Day, and, owing to the late arrival of the mail train on Christmas morning, the work was considerably interfered with, but, much to the credit of the Postmaster and his staff (which was augmented on Christmas eve and the following morning by the addition of several hands), the work was successfully accomplished without a single hitch, and, as far as we know, without one complaint. THE POLLUTION OF THE KIVER DEE.—Mr. Horatio Lloyd, the Chester County Court judge, gave judgment on Monday in the action heard a fortnight ago at the instance of the Chester Corporation, who sought to have Messrs. Samuel and John Fielding, of Manchester, owners of the Queen's Park property, restrained from polluting the river Dee with the sewage of the houses on that property. His Honour said that the principal contention of the defendants was that the Dee, at the point where the sewage flowed into it, was a tidal water, and that, therefore, they were within the provisions of the Act. Judgment for defendants, each party to pay their own costs. Leave to appeal was granted. SUCCESS.—The affiliation of St. David's College, Lampeter, to the University of Oxford, has already produced some tangible fruit. Mr. John Holding, son of Mr. Holding, Berwyn-street, who in June last graduated at Lampeter with second-class honours in mathematics, has just obtained, as an affiliated student and without any previous residence, third-class honours in Mathematical Moderations at Oxford. A begin- ning has thus been made in connection with a system which will, it is hoped, in due time yield considerable and beneficial results. Several other students of St. David's College are reading with a view to affiliation, and higher success may be expected to attend upon the more direct and appro- priate training which the college board has now been able to organize.—Oswestry Advertizer. THE CHRISTMAS TREES.—The annual fancy fair was held in the National Schoolrooms, on Friday and Saturday last, and, as usual, has turned out a complete success. The attendance on Friday was very good and pretty much as usual, but Saturday showed a marked decrease in the number of visitors as compared with previous years. The sale was conducted by the same ladies as last year, and we feel sure they deserve much praise for the way in which they. performed the various duties, to. which they must now be getting quite accustomed. There was an ample supply of articles for sale. We might suggest, however, that the managers should procure in future a larger number of sixpenny and shilling articles. In these hard times it is not every one who goes to the Christmas trees does so with the intention of spending five or ten shillings. We may mention that the numerous and valuable donations included some very handsome presents sent by Mrs. and Misses Aird, of Llantysilio Hall, which is another instance of their unbounded liberality. NEW YEAR'S EVE.-The closing hours of last year, judging by the number of carol singers, were of more importance than usual, which fact we cannot account for unless it was in recognition of the failure of Mother Shipton's most important prophecy. The Volunteer Band also encouraged I the dying year with music, its strains being heard in various parts of the town. As usual, our church bells did their duty recognising the worth of the departing year with a loud peal, which eventually decreased into a knell as the year 1881 waned away, while the new year was received with a merry peal. THE NEW ESTABLISHMENT.—These splendid business premises in Bridge-street have now been opened, and we cannot but congratulate Mr. Thomas Jones on his entering his spacious drapery establishment. It is certainly a credit to Llangollen, and as regards its commodious construction is second to none in the town When Mr. Jones will have visited the markets it will be replete with all kinds of drapery goods. CLERICAL.—We are given to understand that the Rev. D. Edwards, Green Bank, this town, by means of a commissary issued by the Bishop of St. David's, now on the Continent, has recently been instituted to the rectory of Nash Cum Upton, Pembrokeshire. The Vicar of Llangollen was the Commissioner appointed by the Bishop. Mr. Edwards will shortly commence residence. SPECIAL SESSIONS, Monday, January 2nd.-Before Captain Best and G. LI. Dickin, Esq. Theft.-Pat Ribbon was brought up on remand charged with breaking into a warehouse at Pontfadog, and stealing therefrom a quantity of flour, the property of Mr. J. Rowlands, grocer, Llangollen.—Mr. John Mills said he was return- ing home from his work on the morning of the 27th of Dec. when he met the prisoner with a sack tontaining flour on his back. When witness (harged him with having stolen it from Mr. Rowlands's warehouse, defendant admitted having taken it because he was out of work. He was then given into custody.-P.C. Morgan proved having searched the prisoner and found several things upon him.-The prisoner was then remanded to be tried at the Quarter Sessions. SUCCESS OF THE LLANGOLLEN CHORAL SOCIETY AT THE DOLGELLEY EISTEDDFOD. We are proud to be able to chronicle this week in our columns the grand success achieved by our local choir at the above eisteddfod, which was held on Monday last. Of all the eisteddfodau held in Dolgelley for several years past this one may, no doubt, for several reasons, be ranked as the most important and successful. The greatest amount of interest was, as usual, centred in the grand choral competition, a prize of 230 being offered to the choir which would best render the well-known chorus "The Heavens are Telling," from" Haydn's Creation." For this prize, four large choirs, viz., Llangollen, Aberystwyth, Corris, and Corwen, numbering in the aggregate about 500 singers, had entered, the adjudicators being Mr. D. Jenkins, Mus. Bac., Eos Morlais, and Mr. Lucas Williams, London. Lots having been drawn as to the order in which the choirs should sing, they were called upon the platform as follows:—Corris choir, 150 singers—conductor, Mr. Humphrey LI. Jones; Aberystwyth choir, 130-conductor, Mr. J. Jones; Llangollen choir, 97—conductor, Mr. Wm. Williams; Corwen choir, 96-conductor, Mr. G. Humphreys. On account of the over-crowded state of the hall in which the eisteddfod was held, this competition occupied at least about an hour and a half of the afternoon meeting, and upwards of an hour had elapsed after the competition before Mr. Jenkins ascended the platform to deliver his adjudication. In making the award, this gentle- man entered minutely into detail as to the merits and demerits of the performances of the several choirs, his remarks evidently showing his thorough aptitude for the work he had undertaken to perform. With the exception of the trio, which the adjudicators said was not worthy of such an excellent choir, his remarks upon the perlürmance 01 no Diauguwcu uuutr w wy cnuso of unmixed praise and satisfaction. The following critical remarks of Mr. Jenkins will, we trust, be found to be accurate:- 1. Corris Choir. Commenced too strongly, as compared with the foi-te which was to follow. The trio good in point of time; the tenor far excelled the bass and soprano, the latter rather lacking in the C sharp. The choir came in better in the allegro movement, but not sufficiently clear and decided. The last subject of the chorus was taken up admirably the C sharp was, however, unequal to the te. The expressions of the bass were excel- lent, being powerful and effective. The intonation of this choir was weak, and there was too much forcing on the last page. The glory of this choir was its splendid bass this voice sang excellently from beginning to end. 2. Aberystwyth. This choir started in better time, not so lively. The trio started very well, but they took up the subject of the chorus in a sluggish, lazy manner. They were not so clear and decided when the fah crossed the soh. The tempo was too quick, and the pitt allegro too slow. The alto and bass were good, but the same could not be said of the tenor. The C sharp was very correct. The last page was taken much too slowly, consequently the effect was entirely lost. 3. Llangollen. A good beginning, the time being excellent. They entered well into the trio, but there was a marked defect in the voices here. In the chorus the voices were good, clear, and blended well together; the sopranos were good. Thepiu allegro was capitally done. In the crescendo the voices were full and smooth. The attacks in the several parts were clearly discernible, and the most difficult passages were sung with a natural ease, and with the correctness of an instrument, so that one felt as if he were listening to a congrega- tional tune. The A in the tenor was done with force and clearness, while in the other choirs it was more like shouting. The tenor in C sharp was also well done. 4. oorwen. A good beginning, but the singing throughout was a kind of violent jerking, which was specially noticeable in the word wonder." The trio was very fairly done, but the tenor came in too forcibly m the middle of it. The pin allegro was commenced well, but it was sung with too much violence, while the various movements were clum- sily taken up. In the latter part the intonation was bad, the voices getting out of tune. It was extremely satisfactory to him and his co-adjudicators to be able to say that they unanimously agreed as to the superiority of one of the choirs over the others, and they unhesita- tingly awarded the prize to the Llangollen choir. He highly complimented the conductor upon the admirable manner in which he had performed his, work, and said that the excellent playing of Miss. Jennie Davies, as accompanist, was deserving of the highest praise. This was without doubt the- most important musical competition that had taken place in North Wales during the past twelve months, and the committee ought to feel proud of the high character of the singing they had just listened to. In addition to this signal and well-merited success achieved by the choir, we are glad to be able to note that our young rising pianist, Master Frank H. Dodd, obtained a prize of 10s. in the competition on the pianoforte playing of a Welsh air, while Mr. Win. Jones, draper, Regent-street, was awarded a prize of e S? ^ie ^est Essay on Archdeacon Prys, of Merioneth." As might be anticipated, the reception of the news of the victory of the choir was received in Llangollen with unbounded satisfaction. On the receipt of the telegram at our office, about half-past five, a general cheer was set up, and the whole town seemed delighted with the intelligence, various means of expressing their joy being resorted to by the more enthusiastic of the admirers of the choir. On the arrival of the train about midnight, an immense crowd, which had been patiently waiting in and around the station, gave free vent to their feelings in hearty out-burst of cheers, while Mr. W. Williams, the conductor, was borne aloft in an arm chair on the shoulders of some stalwart men, and carried along Castle-street, the crowd finally halting in Victoria Place, a similar ovation being also given to Mr. William Jones and Master F. H. Dodd. The heavy down-pour of rain, which prevailed at the time seemed iu no way to damp the ardour and enthusiasm of the crowd. While public feeling is thus once more being aroused with regard to the success of our choir, perhaps a short summary of its history since its formation may at the present juncture possess some interest. It was, we believe, in the beginning of the year 1879 that Mr. Williams assumed the leader- ship. The first competition entered upon was in the Llangollen eisteddfod, held April. 1879, when the choir carried off the prizes of Y,5 -tnd £ 3 for the best rendering of YVylwn" and Yr Haf" respectively, the other competing choirs being Acrefair and Pentredwr; and the adjudicator—Mr. Griffith (Eryr Eryri). At the Glyndyfrdwy Musical Festival, held June 2nd of the same year. the choir carried off the prize of t7 offered for singing "Bendigedig," when the Acrefair and Glyndyfrdwy choirs also competed, Mr. Parry, Birkenhead, being adjudicator. At Corwen eisteddfod, held July 28th, of the same year, two prizes of the value respectively of £10 and Y,2 2s. were awarded to the choir by Mr. Stephens (Tanymarian), for singing" Worthy is the Lamb and I lawr meddai'r miloedd," the Corwen and Bettws choirs being then defeated. On New Year's Day, 1880, the prize of £20 was awarded this choir by Mr. Brinley Richards, at Dolgelley, for the best rendering of "Rise, up arise," when the Corwen choir suffered another defeat. At the Llangollen eisteddfod, held March 29th, 1880, the choir took the two choral prizes of Y.7 and 12 respectively, the pieces sung being "CyfodedDuw" and" Y Blodeuyn Olaf." About this time, the choir was greatly augmented in numbers, and it was resolved to enter upon the ambitious project of competing at the Carnarvon National eisteddfod for a prize of £150, Though the choir came out of that contest with extreme credit to itself, the prize was, however, snatched by the Birkenhead Cambrian Choral Society. After this, the choir did not enter any competition until August of last year, when out of five choirs competing at the Rhyl Musical Festival, Dr. Parry divided the prize of £25 between Llan- gollen and Denbigh. Since that time the choir have given two successful concerts, mostly of sacred music, and studied the piece set down for competition at Dolgelley. It will thus be seen that the choir have been successful in seven out of eight competitions, and have obtained prizes amounting in the aggregate to £99 2s. In connection with this event, we are sorry that a number of raw youths who were allowed to loiter about the Corwen platform committed the cowardly offence of deliberately throwing handfuls of stones, gravel and mud into the faces of several of the Llangollenites just as the train was leaving the platform on the return journey. Surely the railway officials who were on the spot might have done something to check this violent dverflow of disappointed rage on the part of these young demagogues. THE LODGE. TEA PARTY AND CONCERT.—The Welsh Calvinistic Methodists' annual tea meeting and concert took place on Monday, Dec. '26th. It was held in the Quinta Schoolroom (kindly lent by Mr. Barnes). The attendance at the tea tables was larger than usual. The following ladies presided-Mrs. Jones, Vron Issa, Mrs. E. Roberts, The Lodge, Mrs. Hughes, Forge, Mrs. T. Roberts, The Lodge, Mrs. Jones, Pentrenewydd, Miss Davies, Brookside, Mrs. Matthews, Hengoed, Mrs. Roberts, Daywell, Miss Edwards, Rhos Cottage, and Miss Davies, Pontfaen. The management was in the hands of Miss Edwards, Pennant, Miss Matthews, Hengoed, and Miss Edwards, Chirk, and was carried out very creditably. The concert passed off in the most satisfactory manner. Messrs. Hiram Davies and J. H. Davies, Llangollen, Miss Harrison, Black Park, Messrs. C. Pierce and E. T. Edwards, and Hughes and party, The Lodge, took part in the concert. They were highly applauded, and the room was crowded. The whole concert was a grand success. RHYL. DEATH OF MRS. WILLIAMS.—The death of Mrs. Williams, wife of the Rev. J. Williams, Calvin- istic Methodist minister, which took place on Thursday, Dec. 29th, is deeply regretted. Her mortal remains were buried at the town cemetery on Monday, with a nonconforming service. Besides being attended by several hundreds of the townspeople, many ministers from all parts of North Wales were at the funeral, and also about 100 workpeople from the Phoenix Iron Foundry. The Revs. J. Ogwen Jones, D. C. Evans, and others, officiated. BARMOUTH. CHORAL SINGING.-The Barmouth choir was successful in carrying away the prize of five pounds at the Meirion Eisteddfod. The choir is under the able leadership of Mr. Joseph Thomas, schoolmaster. ANNIVERSARY.—'The Congregationalists held their anniversary on Sunday and Monday last. The Revs. —. Thomas, Swansea, E. James, Nevin, and Dr. Rees, Chester, officiated. There were very large congregations, and the preaching throughout was very effective. HAWARDEN. THE PREMIER. — The Premier spent Christmas at Hawarden Castle, all the members of the family being at home for the occasion. On Tuesday evening the right honourable gentle- man, with Mrs. and the Misses Gladstone, and the Rev. Stephen Gladstone, rector of Hawarden, were present at some amateur theatricals given in the Hawarden boys' schoolroom by the local gentry in aid of Shotton Reading Rooms. The right honourable gentleman thoroughly enjoyed the entertainment. SHREWSBURY. A LUNATIC CHOKED BY AN ORANGE.-On Tuesday evening, December 27th, an inquest was held on the body of Harriet Buttery, who died in the Asylum on Monday. The deceased was admitted from near Wellington, and was 53 years of age. On Monday she was seen to be choking, and the doctor was at once sent for. He found that a piece of orange had stuck in her throat. The doctor removed the orange, and endeavoured to restore respiration, but his efforts were fruit- less. The deceased, it appeared, with the other inmates, received an orange on Christmas Day. A verdict of "Accidentally suffocated" was returned. d 'I. I JOHNSTOWN. AN ENTERTAINMENT.—On Monday last, a tea meeting was held in the English Chapel here. After tea a very interesting entertainment was given under the presidency of Mr. Francis, King's Mill, Wrexham, when the choir sang two anthems, and the Rev. J. H. Hughes (leuan o Leyn) delivered his popular lecture on "The Western Indies, and what I saw there." Miss —— sang with great effect "He wipes the tears," and, also as an encore, sang Home she brought her warrior dead." Mr. J. Williams and Miss Marian Hughes acted as accompanists. GLYNCEIRIOG. THE LAVAR UNION FRIENDLY SOCIETY.—The annual meeting of the above society was held in the evening of the 24th ult., at the New Inn, Llansantffraid. There was considerable excite- ment, owing to its being the occasion for electing different officers for the ensuing year. The election of medical officer brought forward four candidates, namely, Messrs. Drinkwater and Jones, Llangollen, Williams, Glynceiriog, and Lloyd of Chirk. Owing to Messrs. Drinkwater and Lloyd not being proposed, the election was confined between Mr. Jones (the previous medical officer) and Mr. Williams, of Glyn. The result was that Mr. Jones was appointed, the numbers being Jones 96, Williams a The society ia in a flourishing state financially. -Correspondent. i WREXHAM. THE VICAR.—The Rev. D. Howell, B.D., has decided not to accept the valuable living offered to him in the Diocese of Lichfield by Mrs. Heywood Lonsdale, of Gredington. When it became known that there was a probability of losing Mr. Howell, a petition, numerously signed by his parishioners, was presented to the rev. gentleman expressing their desire that he should remain with them. OPENING OF THE WELSH BAPTIST CHAPEL.— The opening services in connection with this chapel, which issituatedin Garden-road,Rhosddu., took place on Sunday and Monday last. The preachers were the Revs. W. E. Watkins, Pembrey, South Wales Isaac James, Ruthin; Charles Davies, Liverpool; D. Roberts, aud H. Barrow Williams, Wrexham. On Sunday afternoon, an English sermon was preached by the Rev. D. Rbys Jenkins. On Tuesday eveningt in the same chapel, the Rev. D. Rhys Jenkins delivered a lecture in Welsh, entitled "That which man did, man can do." The chair was taken by Mr. J. E. Powell. FINAL CLOSING OF THE FREE SCHOOLS FOR WANT OF FUNDS.-The Wrexham Free Schools, carried on for many years under the name of the Wrex- ham Ragged Schools, have closed their doorfl this Christmas, never to be opened again under the same regime. An adjournment of the annual meeting was held on Friday, when the report presented by the Hon. Secretary (Mr. J. Oswell Bury) contained the following resolution unani- mously passed at a meeting of the committee:- That having regard to the present unsatisfactory financial position of the Free Schools, and the impossibility of obtaining the necessary funds to meet the annual expenditure of the schools, arising in a great measure from the apathy of the public, it will be imperative that the schools shall be closed at the expiration of the current year." A good deal of discussion took place, and many regrets were expressed at the prospect of being compelled to close the schools. Ultimately, Dr. Williams, who is vice-chairman of the School Board, said it was most painful to him to move the adoption of the report, which really meant the closing of the Free Schools, which had done so much good in the parish of Wrexham. After a long pause, the resolution was seconded by Mr. A. W. Edwards, and carried unanimously. AN ASSISTANT OVERSEER CHARGED WITII EMBEZZLEMENT.—On Monday, Edwin Humphreys Williams, until recently assistant overseer for Wrexham Abbot, was summoned on a charge Of embezzling Y,266, a portion of the rates levied in 1880. Defendant asked that the case might be adjourned for a week, as he was only served with the summons on Friday at noon. Mr. Cartwright opposed the application, contending that, unless there was to be some special protection thrown round Mr. Williams, the case ought not to be adjourned. The prosecution were ready to go oQi the defendant had admitted in writing embezzling the money, and he thought it would be a monstrous thing to grant the adjournment. The bench considered the defendant's application a reasonable one, and granted it, the defendant being admitted to bail. IMPORTANT CHURCH MEETING.-On Friday afternoon, a chapter meeting of the clergy and laity of the Wrexham deanery was held at Wrexham, to discuss a proposal for the formation of a new deanery by the division of the WrexhatO deanery. The Rev.G.H.M'Gill(Bangor-is-y-coea) proposed a resolution respectfully requesting the Lord Bishop of St. Asaph to divide the present rural deanery of Wrexham, and to constitute those parishes in the hundred of Maelor wbica were transferred from the see of Chester in 1849 into a separate deanery, under the title of the deanery of Maelor. This proposition was seconde by the Rev. J. G. Howson (Overton), a son Of the Dean of Chester.—As an amendment to tbi J Mr. jonn Lewis Wrexham) moved, "That chapter, having had the scheme for the sub- division and re-arrangement of the archdeaconry and rural deanery of the diocese under consider- ation, and not being at present in possession o sufficient information to recommend matters o detail, respectfully solicits the Lord Bishop to make no order upon the subject until the chapter has had an opportunity of fully considering and expressing their opinion upon the matter- Mr. Thomas Clayton (Brynmally) seconded. Considerable discussion followed, and eventually the Rev. Mr. M'Gill consented to withdraw hIS proposition in favour of a motion submitted by Mr. Trevor Parkins (Rossett, honorary secretary to the Deanery Association), to the effect that, in the opinion of the meeting, it is desirable to form the parishes in the hundred of Maelor whic were transferred from Chester in 1849 into d separate deanery, and that the new deanery and the deanery of Wrexham should remain portion of the same archdeaconry. This resolution wa seconded by the Rev. T. V. Wickham (liosset and carried by a large majority. The parishhe which will form the proposed new deanery inclu Holt, Overton, Hanmer, Bangor-is -Y -coed, Worthenbury, Rossett, and one or two other adjoining parishes.. WEEK OF PRAYER.—The Nonconformists o this town are devoting an hour every day tpi week for united prayer. The meetings, w^lCi are well attended, are held at noon in the schoo of the English Presbyterian Chapel, Hill-stree • The ministers who preside and deliver sho addresses are the Revs. A. Johnson, H. J. Haffer, D. R. Jenkins, R. Percival, D. Roberts, Jerman, E. Evans, W. Tiller, G. Owen, ¡ Margetts, H. B. Williams, and J. H. Hughes. TEA MEETING.—The members of the Congre^ gational church at Penybryn had their annua tea meeting last Monday afternoon, when a large number of friends assembled together for to occasion. In the evening a sale of articles le from the late bazaar took place, when Mrs. JoneS, Mrs. Tiller, Mrs. Cross, and Mrs. v assisted by other ladies, presided at the differe, stalls. It seems that the sale realised upwar of forty pounds. SALVATION ARMY.—Last Monday was a high-, day here with the Salvation Army. ln a morning and afternoon they had services, ^als° tea meeting in the Congregational ^aP^ Chester-street; and in the evening in the Presbyterian Chapel, Regent-street. -1 J meeting in the evening was densely crowded a was addressed by several persons besides captains. ABERGELE. 's CHRISTMAS GIFTS AT KINMEL.—As usual at tn festive season of the year, two large and we fed oxen were by order of H. R. Hughes, ^4'' distributed to upwards of 200 families, consisting of the tradesmeu and labourers on the estate a the poor people in the neighbourhood, for their Christmas dinner. The distribution took place at the home farm on the 23rd ult., in the Presefpf of the Lady Florentia Hughes, who from her kind and generous manner, so characteristic of h ladyship, gave much pleasure to all, and t recipients returned to their respective hot» evidently very grateful for their substantial tre» In the afternoon of the same day the old in and around the village of St. George's and 1° of children were treated to tea in the lar» schoolroom. TOWYN. MARRIAGE.—A Lead City (Dr.) paper records the marriage of a son of Mrs. Williams, Cwrt, Abergynolwyn,, who 0 years ago left England for America:—At parsonage of the M. E. Church, of this citV» the evening of Sept. 16th, 18 -*1, at nine o'clo » by the Rev. W. D. Philer, Mr. Thos. Jones Mary Evans, both of Lead City. After a s.00^ hour enjoyed by a congenial company of ^rie^0 and guests, the newly-wedded couple repaireCl their home on Prospect Hill, there to commence the responsible business of house-keeping;1

THE PEERST ESTIMONIAL FUND. LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS UP TO THE 3RD DAY OF JANUARY, 1882. W. Cornwallis West, Esq., Lord Lieutenant oftDenbighshire. 220 Mrs. Cornwallis West 220 The Right Honourable Lord Trevor 2 2 0 Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., M.P 2 2 0 Lady Williams Wynn. 220 Miss Williams Wynn 220 Miss N. Williams Wynn 220 Oliver Barton, Esq., High Sheriff of Denbighshire. 2 2 0 The Right Hon.GeorgeOsborneMorgan,M.P. 220 The Honourable Sir Watkin Williams 2 2 0 Captain Griffith-Boscawen, Chairman of Quarter Sessions 220 W. D.Wynne Griffith,Esq.,Deputy-Chairman 220 His Worshipful the Mayor of Ruthin 2 2 0 The Rev. the Warden of Ruthin 2 2 0 C. Williams Wynn, Esq. 220 J. R. Heaton, Esq., J.P., Plas Heaton, Rhyl 220 J. Hassall Ffoulkes,Esq.,J.P.,Gresford Place 220 P. H. Chambres, Esq., J.P., Llysmeirchion 220 Mrs. Chambres, Llysmeirchion 2 2 0 W. Chambres, Esq., J.P., Dolben 2 2 0 Robert Blezard, Esq., J.P., Pool Park 2 2 0 J. F. Jesse, Esq., J.P., Caefron 2 2 0 Mrs. Jesse, Caefron 220 Miss Jesse, Caefron 110 R. G. Johnson, Esq., J.P., Llanrhydd House 220 Dr. Pierce, J.P., Denbigh. 220 Thos. Chilton, Esq., J.P., The Elms,Gresford 220 Clement Higgins, Esq., 4, Elm Court,Temple 220 H. R. Sandbach, Esq., J.P., Hafod Unos. 220 Henry Barber, Esq., solicitor, Bangor 2 2 0 Wm. Jones, Esq. (Gwrgant), 81, Greenwich Road, London. 2 2 0 W. L. Ffoulkes, Esq., 5, Poplar Buildings, Temple. 220 Rev. R. H. Howard, Wigfair, St. Asaph. 220 Captain Mesham, J.P,, Pontryffydd 2 2 0 John James, Esq., J.P., The Priory,Wrexham 220 Philip S. Humberston, Esq., J.P., Glanywern 220 J. Carstairs Jones, Esq., J.P., Hartsheath. 2 2 0 H.WarterMeredith,Esq.,J.P.,Pentrebychan 2 2 0 Edward Evans, Esq., J.P., Bronwylfa 2 2 0 Dr. J. R. Jenkins, Colomendy 2 2 0 Mrs. J. R. Jenkins, Colomendy 2 2 0 Thomas Bury, Esq., solicitor, Wrexham 2 2 0 J. Richardson Barnes, Esq., J.P., Brookside 2 2 0 E. Lewis Ashworth, Esq., J.P., Boothfield House. 2 2 0 T. B. Acton, Esq., Regent Street, Wrexham 2 2 0 Edmund Peel, Esq., J.P., Brynypys 2 2 0 Messrs. Parry Jones and Son, sol., Denbigh 2 2 0- B, Cunliffe, Esq., J.P., Bathafarn 2 2 0 Brownlow Wynn Wynn,Esq., J.P.,Garthewin 220 T. Gold Edwards, Esq., solicitor, Denbigh. 2 2 0 J. Lloyd Wynne, Esq., J.P., Coed Coch 2 2 0 Captain Best, J.P., Plasynvivod 2 2 0 L. G. Thomas, Esq., Castle Street, Ruthin. 2 2 0 Mrs. L. G. Thomas, do. 1 1 0 Col. Naylor Leyland, J.P., Nantclwyd Hall 2 2 0 Major Jocelyn Ffoulkes, J.P., Eriviatt 2 2 0 G. Lloyd Dickin, Esq., J.P., Ty'ndwr 2 2 0 R. F. Birch, Esq., J.P., Maes Elwy 2 2 0 Messrs. Lewis and Son, solicitor, Wrexham 2 2 0 H. R. Hughes, Esq., J.P., Ystrad, Denbigh 2 2 0 W. T. Roberts, Esq., Coed Du, Mold 2 2 0 R. Lloyd Williams, Esq., Denbigh 2 2 0 H. G. Roberts, Esq., Mold. 2 2 0: W. Lloyd, Esq., solicitor, Ruthin 2 2 0 General Townshend, J.P., Trevallyn 2 2 0 F. Elkington, Esq.,Greville House, Leaming- ton 2 2 0 Mrs. F. Elkington, do. 330 James Goodrich, Esq., J.P., Eyarth House, Ruthin 220 J. Jenkins, Esq., Plasissa. 220 Thomas Jones, Esq., Rhydycilgwyn 2 2 0 Francis Henry Barker, Esq., J.P., Llyndir, Wrexham 2 2 0 Llewelyn Adams, Esq., Tymawr 2 2 0 Mrs. Adams do. 220 W. Trevor Parkins, Esq., Glasfryn, Gresford 2 2 0 Thomas Jenkins, Esq., Plasyward 2 2 0 Mr. Edward Edwards, ironmonger, Ruthin 2 2 0 Miss Roberts, Penybont, Ruthin 2 2 0 Mrs. Roberts, do. 2 2 0 Mrs. Hawkins, do, 2 2 0 Messrs. D. and C. E. Jones, Ruthin 2 2 0 Mr. W. T. Rouw, chemist, Ruthin 2 2 0 Mr. R. Williams, butcher, Ruthin 220 C. Swetenham, Esq., J.P., Cam-yr-alyn 200 Sir Richard Brooke. 2 0 0 Henry Potts, Esq., J.P., The Watergate, Chester 2 0 0 Joseph Coltart, Esq., Rhyd-y-bill 110 Rev. W. Venables Williams, Llandrillo 1 1 0 Owen S. Wynne, Esq., J.P., Plasnewydd 1 1 0 Col. H. M. Jones Mortimer, J.P 110 J. Allington Hughes, Esq., solicitor, Wrexham 110 Henry Humphreys, Esq., solicitor,Wrexham 110 J. A. Hammonds, Esq., solicitor, Llanrwst. 110 John Jones, Esq., solicitor, Wrexham 110 Captain Cole, J.P., Cerrigllwydion, Denbigh 110 G. G. Ellis, Esq., Plasnewydd, Ruthin 110 S. G. Ellis, Esq., do. 1 1 0 Evan Morris, Esq., solicitor,. Wrexham 110 J. Devereux Pugh, Esq., solicitor, Wrexham 110 E. O. V. Lloyd, Esq., Berth 110 LI. F. Heaton, Esq., Bryn Polyn, St. Asaph 110 Rev. J. P. Evans, Llangar Rectory 1 1 0 John Jones, Esq., Oaklands 110 J. J. Bancroft, Esq., Ruthin 110 Rev. F. G. Tipping. 110 J. Davies, Esq., solicitor, Denbigh 110 Messrs. Sisson & George, solicitors, Rhyl 1 1 0 Thomas Gee, Esq., Denbigh. 110 Mr. H. Jones, Advertiser Office, Llangollen 110 Messrs. Evans & Co., Carnarvon 1 1 0 Mr. George Bradley, Advertiser Office, Wrexham 110 Edward Humphreys, Esq., Castle Street, 110 John Humphreys Jones, Esq., solicitor, Portmadoc 110 J. Robinson, Esq., Denbigh 110 Mr. John Jones, draper, Ruthin 110 Mrs. Tayleur, Brynffynnon, Ruthin 1 1 0 Mr. F. E. Roe, Wrexham 1 1 0 Richard Jones, Esq., Glanaber, Oswestry 110 Superintendent Hammonds, Llanrwst., 110 Miss Roberts, Record Street, Ruthin 1 1 0 Mr. William Morris, butcher, Ruthin 1 1 0 Mr. Hugh Edwards, Ruthin 0 10 6 Mr. W. Lloyd, draper, Ruthin 0 10 6 Mr. Charles Jones, Prior Street, Ruthin. 0 10 6 Mr. Reynolds, 2, Berner's Street, London. 0 10 0 Mrs. Reynolds (late Miss Prytberch), do. 0 10 0 Mr. D. Griffith, Bron Eyarth, Ruthin 0 10 6 Mrs. Ewing, Glandwr, Ruthin 0 10 6 Subscriptions will be received by the treasurer, the North and South Wales Bank, Ruthin, or by the undersigned, LL. ADAMS, Hon. Secretary, 5, Castle Street, Ruthin.