The Cambrian

OPENING OF THE NEW LAW COURTS BY I THE QUEEN. The Law Courts, which from January next will contain within its spacious area the departments of the law hitherto inadequately housed and widely scattered, were declared open by the Queen on Monday last. The architectural features of the buil ling are mainly Gothic, and were designed by the late Mr. Street. R.A., about 16 years ago, although the excavations were not actually commenced until February, 1874, when Messrs. Bull and Son, ol Southampton, tendered for the work. The estimate of ^700,000 framed by this firm was ac- cepted, and from that time until the present the work has been in course of execution. The cost of the fit- tings, furniture, ironwork, masonic and wood carving, whTch were not included in the builders' specification, will no doubt be rather heavy, and thus add consider- ably to the sum named in the tender. Many of the courts with their fittings of unstained and unvarnished oak are, perhaps, doomed to early dinginess, but the facilities provided lor members of the bar, the press, and the public are far superior to those which have been afforded in Westminster-hall and in the city of London from the earliest time. The Queen's proverbial good fortune in respect to the weather did not forsake her Majesty on Monday. The atmosphere was clear and genial, and the sun shone brightly. From an e irly hour the work of de- cornting the streets and buildings was resumed, and everywhere men were busily engaged in putting the finishing touches to what in some cases were very ar- tistic combinations of colour. The work of marshalling the police force along the route-a force numbering over 4,500 men—commenced at nine o'clock; and be- sides these 100 mounted police were on duty, some keeping the line, others escorting the Lord Chancel- lor's procession. The judges and law officers of the Crown assembled at the House of Lords at the early hour of half-past nine, their lordships being set down at the Peers en. trance and proceeding with the Lord Chancellor to the Peers' dining-room within the House, where they were entertained by his lordship at breaklast. The j^ges afterwards met in the Princes' chamber and proceeded by the lobbies and through Westminster Hall in the following order :— The Lord Chancellor. The Lord Chief Justice of England. The Master of the Rolls. Lord Justice Brett Lord Justice Baggallay. Lord Justice Lindley Lord Justice Cotton Vice Chancellor Bacon Lord Justice Bowen Sir. R. Phillimore Sir James Hannen Mr. Justice Denman Mr. Justice Grove Mr. Justice Field. Mr. Baron Pollock Mr Justice Manisty Mr. Baron Huddleston Mr. Justice Lopes Mr. Justice Hawkins Mr. Justice Stephen Mr. Justice Fry All.. Justice Matthew Mr. Justice Williams Mr. Justice Chitty Mr. Justice Cave Mr. Justice North Mr. Justice Kay. Mr. Justice Pearson Mr. Justice Day The Solicitor-General. The Attorney-General. The Lord Chancellor, the Master of the Rolls, and Judges of Appeal wore their heavily-embroidered gold robes, as did also Vice-Chancellor Bacon now the sole remaining representative ot Ins order, Ihe Queen's Bench Division, headed by the Lord Chief Justice of England, being in scarlet and ermine, and Lhetwo Probate and Admiralty judges appearing in black robes. Tue procession advanced through West- minster Hall in the presence of numbers of people, and reached the Royal Courts by way of Parliament-street ind the Strand at half-past eleven o'clock. The Queen left Windsor Castle at 10 55, and, travel- ling by the Great West rn Railway, arrived at Pad- dington at 11.30. The station, which was temporarily closed to the public, was tastefully decorated, and the platform covered with crimson cloth. Her Majesty was accompanied by Princess Beatrice and Princes- Christian, and attended by the great officers and the household in waiting. Accompanied by the usual field officer's escort, the Queen drove along in an open carriage and incessantly bowed her acknowledgements of the"plaudits of the multitude. The Royal procession was marshalled I,, the following order FIRST CARRIAGE. itile Queen. Her Royal Highness the Princess Christian of Schleswig- Holstein. Her Royal Highness the Princess Beatrice. SECOND CARRIAGE. The Mistress of the Robes. The Master of the Horse. The Lord Steward. The Lord Chamberlain. THIRD CARRIAGE. The Lord in Waiting. The Lady in Waiting. The Gold Stick in Waiting. FOURTH CARRIAGE. The Maid of Honour in Waiting. The Lady in Waiting to the Princess Christian. The Woman of the Bedchamber in Waiting. The Keeper of her Majesty's Privy Purse. FIFTH CARRIAGE. The Lady in Waiting to the Princess Beatrice, The Maid of Honour in Waiting. The Groom in Waiting. The Equerry in Waiting. The Oxford and Cimbiidge, University Club, the Army and Navy Club, and the Junior Carlton were all tastefully draped. At the Reform, the Athanseum, and the Carlton Clubs there was an "ovlitiorl" and again while passing the National G tilery and the Church of St. Martin, which was surrounded hV crim- son-eovered tiers of seats, there were universal signs of loyal welcome. In the great quadrangle, which is entered by the central gateway, provision had been made for a large number of spectators. The steps leading from the hall had been carpeted with great taste, and a pretty effect was made by a lofty red and white awning, which was the only attempt at decoration. A raised platform ran along the further end of the quadrangle, and was con- tinued down the eastern side. Privileged spectators began to arrive at a comparatively early hour, and by eleven o'clock the platlorms were almost filled A large portion of the space had been set aside for barristers and their friends, the former appearing in wig and gown. Only a few Court suits were visible in the quadrangle. THE OPENING CEREMONY. Shortly after half-past eleven a blare of trumpets in the street heralded the arrival of the Lord Mayor and civic dignitaries, who were shown to their allotted places by the officials in waiting. Then the judges began to arrive, amongst the first of whom were the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice, who in their splendid robes approached the Royal dais, which was sentinelled by Yeomen of the Guard in their quaint uniform and leaning upon their ancient halberts. The Archbishop of York had already taken his place at the foot of the throne, when the Bishop of London, dressed simply in black, carne in and took his seat in the body of the hall The hour of noon had scarcely struck when „ flourish of trumpets announc- d the arrival of the 'X ot the chief entrance, where her Majes'y was Queen at the hCf prince of Wales (who over his Field A?'1" halN uniform wore the Benchers' gown) and other Marshal s un ton tfae following membeis b the Judges and high dig- process.on was formed J q( nitar.es of Srate who h d nj q{ the Palace of Just ice a architect, walked slowly up • Hall to the dais, which was carpeted in crimson Builders. Architects.. The Attorney General. The Solicitor General. Her Majesty's Judges. The Lord Chancellor. The Secretary of the Office of Works carrying the Key of the Building. The First Commissioner of Works. The Chancellor of the Exchequer. The Lord Steward. The Lord Chamberlain. THE QUEEN. THE ROYAL FAMILY. The Secretary of State for the Home Department. The Master of the Horse. The Mistress of the Robes. Her Maiesty's Household in Waiting. Attendants on the Royal Family. Her Maipsty ascended th, steps of the d is, and took V. a'f.nd bv the Chair of State, on her left, being the Prince of W«bf, the Duke of Connaught, the Duke of Albany, and the Duke ot Teck, and on her riaht the Princess Beatrice, Princess Christian, ai d Princess Mary of C imbridge, the Lords Justices, and several members of the Ministry, amongst whom were the Premier and the Rome Secretary, forming an outer circle around the Royal per^onag ^s. A hush came over the company, who rose and bowed to her Majesty, whereupon Mr. Shaw-Lefevreadvanced, and, addressing the Queen, said Miv it please your Majesty—Your Commissioners of Works and Public Buildings have been charged with the erection of this building during the last eight years. It is now complete. It falls upon me to announce to your Majesty that it is ready to be con- stituted by your Royal command as the certain place in which, in accordance with the ancient laws of your kingdom, justice shall be administered in the future of your Majesty's Courts. The First Commissioner then knelt and presented the key to her Majesty, who passed it to the Home Secretary, who handed it to the Lord Chancellor. Her Majesty then in a clear and distinct voice addressed Lord Selborne in the following terms My Lord Chancellor-I deliver into your charge with this key the care of these Courts of Law. I trust that the uniting together in one place of the various branches of Judicature in this my Supreme Court will conduce to the more efficient and speedy administration of justice to my subjects, and I have all confidence that the independence and learning ot the judges, supported by the integrity and ability of the other members of the profession of the law, will prove in the future, as they have been in times past, a chief security for the rights of my Crown and the liberties of my people." The Lord Chancellor, in reply, spoke as follows May it please your Majesty In the name and on behalf of the assembled judges of your Majesty's Supreme Courts of Judicature, I accept tbe charge which your Majesty has been pleased to lay upon me; and I ask permission to offer to your Majesty the humble expression of our loyal devotion to your Majesty's person and throne, and of our gratitude for the part which your Majesty has been graciously- pleased to tlke in the solemnity of this day. This building, now complete, was authorized by your Maje-ty, with the concurrence of Parliament, in the year 1865, and it has been in progress for more than eight yeare under the bands of a great architect, to whom it has not been permitted to see this day. It will remain, as we trust, to a remote posterity, one of the most magnificent public works of the time in which we live. These Royal Courts of Justice, stately enough to satisfy even those who are most accustomed to Westminster-hall, will not, like Westminster-hall, recal the memories of Norman or Plantagenet of Tudor or Stuart kings but they will be for ever associated with the name of your Majesty, and with the glories of a reign, happy beyond all which have pre- ceded it, in those qualities of the Sovereign which have caused your Maj sty to be so universally beloved and revered, in the advancement of all the arts of civilisation and in the general peace and prosperity of the British people." Among the legislative improvements which have distinguished your Majesty's reign not the least has been the consolidation and union ot the sever il branches of the Supreme Judicature, which formerly exercised divided jurisdiction. To give full effect to that great change it was necessary that the different courts and offices should be brought together in one edifice fit for the duties which they have to perform. This has at last, been done; and your Majesty, by your gracious presence here to-day, has given a signal proof of your care for that justice which will here be administered in your name. It was, indeed, fitting and Worthy of your Majesty that these Royal Courts should be dedicated to their future use by the Sovereign of these realms, whose noblest prerogatives are justice and mercy, and from whom all jurisdiction within the British dominions is derived." I Your Majesty's judges are deeply sensible of their own shortcomings and of their need of that assistance which they have constantly received from the bar of England and from other members of the legal profes- sion. But, encouraged by your Majesty's gracious approval, and having before them the examples of a long line of illustrious predecessors, they have en- deavoured, and will always endeavour, to fulfil the great duties entrusted to them, with fidelity to your Majesty, with zeal for the public service with firmness, impartiality, and integrity, in the fear of God and with- out fear of man. That they and their successors may be enabled truly to do justice within these walls as long as the British name shall endure, that the blessing of the Almighty may rest upon ttieir labours, that the law which they administer may ever be a terror to evildoers an/1 a strength and support to those who have right on their side, and that your Majesty may bej preserved for many future years still to shed fresh lustre upon a throne founded on law, sustained by justice and established in the hearts of your Majesty's people, is the fervent prayer of all the judges of your Majesty's Supreme Court of Judicature for whom on this august occasion it has been my privilege to address your Majesty." Tue Archbishop of York then offered up a special prayer, and tha Queen declared the building open. A flourish of trumpets hailed this announcement at the close of which the Attorney-General asked her Majesty's permission that the proceedings of the day be pi .ced upon the record, and the Queen having inti- mated her permission through the Lord Chancellor, her Majesty. attended by the members of her family and suite, took her departure through a private en- trance, the company standing, and the band playing the National Anthem. The ceremony closed shortly before a quarter to one o'clock. After the opening, the Benchers of the Middle Temple did honour to the occasion by extending hos- pitality to some 2000 guests. The first on the list was the Prince of Wales, who delighted his legal brethren by descending from his carriage within the Temple precincts, wearing his barrister's gown over a Field Marshal's uniform. Accompanying his R >yal High" ness came the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Christian, the Duke and Duchess of Teck, the Lord Chancellor, Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone, Lord Roseberry, Mr Shaw Lefevre, the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and a most dis- tinguished company. The occasion was not one for long sitting or speech-making, but the Prince of Wales did more to kindle the enthusiasm of the guests than would have been possible by a speech only heard in his own immediate vicinity, by determining on making a progress through the immense gathering of bis bretn ren of the Bar, not only in the hall, but it, the large marquee, and making his exit at the Thames Embankment in- stead of at Fleet-street. This happy idea was carried out after a very brief sojourn at table, and an im- promptu procession w >s formed, led by the Treasure"* of the Middle Temple, Mr. Roxburgh, who gave his arm to the Duchess of Teck. Then came the Prince of Wales leading Miss Roxburgh, the Duke of Cambridge, Prince Christian, and the Duke of Teck, the Turkish Ambassador and Miss Musurus, the L ;rd Chancellor and Lady Selbaurne, Mr. Gladstone in the robes as a Judge, with Mrs. Gladstone, the Lord Mayor and the entourage of distinguished persons, making an impres- sive procession. Their passage was a perfect ovation, the guests rising in their places and cheering to the echo. On their way to the marquee, the distinguished party passed down a long canvas corridor opeifon one side to spectators having the entrie of the Temple. Here the reception was of the most hearty and cordial character, its warmth undergoing no diminution as the Royal and distinguished persons passed into the marquee. Bowing in acknowledgment of the enthu- siasm displayed, the procession passed on without stopping between the rows of tables, at which a large proportion of the guests were ladies, and made their exit at the lower end on to the Embankment, where a guard of bonour of the Inns of Court Rifles, with their band, gave a Royal salute as the Prince of* Wales and the other Royal persons, together with the Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor, entered their car- riages, and, amid a large oncourse of people, made their way by the Embankment to Westminster on their way home.

It is stated that the delay in gazetting the Duke of Edinburgh as Colonel in Chief of the Royal Marines has been occasioned by a question of rank and precedence; and that it has now been decided to appoint his Royal Highness a full General in the Army with precedence over all general officers on tha active list of the Royal Marines.

DEATH OF THE ARCHBISHOP OF CANTERBURY. (From the Times.) Early in the morning of Sunday, Advent Snnday, after a restless night, the Archbishop of Canterbury fell into a quiet sleep, and, sleeping, died. The story of the last few days of his illness, is not one of severe suffering; it seemed at last rather that the sands of life had run out than as if death were the result of absolute disease. On Thursday night he was not materially worse, but early on Friday morning the nurse, seeing a change, called up Dr. Carpenter, who was sleeping in the house. The Archbishop was very restless, and his powers were beginning to fail. He said he thought he was dying, and, as he became colder, the doctor once or twice found the pnlse cease. All the family were summoned to the bedside, but the pulse oame back again, and the Archbishop, though in a state of great prostration, was able to talk and took leave of his children. They were all round him, and some prayers were said. He then went into a sleep. Dr. Carpenter remained beside him, and about eight o'clock he again seemed to be dying. The state of extreme exhaustion continued for about an hour or two. Then the circula- tion rccoverad itself and he passed through the after- noon of Friday, very prostrate, but sufficiently re- covered to see the Marchioness of Ely and to make some communication in reply to the gracious message sent by the Queen. On Friday evening he was quiet, but very weak, the weakness very gradually and slowly coming on. He suffered a good deal on Friday after- noon, the pain being of a gene-ral character, but mostly in the back, spinal apparently. While this state con- tinued the Archbishop said, "If this is death, it is not so bad after all." When asked where thepain was more particularly, he replied, Oh, it is not pain," and that was always his answer after Friday evening, when now and again he cried out and would say, God have mercy on me When lie had slept for half-an-hour, perhaps, he would wake up restless, and try to turn on his side and gently say, Oh when shall I be at rest ? God relieve me and let me go." At such moments of restlessness if one of his daughters or his son-in-law, Mr. Davidson, or the Bishop of Dover asked if they should say a prayer, he would say, Yes," and as soon as one began to pray he became quiet. The repetition of a hymn, again, had a quieting effect and he would join in the saying of the hymn. On Saturday morning about 8 o'clock, he once more seemed to be going, but two hours later there was a restoration, the hands re- gaining colour and warmth. From Friday night he took very little. On that night he had taken a little milk and a little wine and water, but afterwards he could not swallow and pushed away anything that was offered him. Swallowing seemed painful. On S iturday the Archbishop fell into a state of semi-sleep, rousing now and then, apparently knowing everything that was going on around him, but unable to speak. At 11 o'clock at night he had one of his con- vulsive attacks. He told the doctor the spirin was coming. It lasted a few seconds; not a minute alto- gether, and after this he seemed more himself and to have regained power. He was now able to swallow a li:tle soothing medicine and a little wine and water which he iisked for. Then he refused to t -ke anything more, and had nothing more at all. The slight con- vulsive movement in the arms returned once or twice, but there was no great change until 7 o'clock on Sun- day inornintr, when he fell asleep, his breathing be- coming slower and slower, until a quarter past 7, when he drew his last breath, and died without any suffering. All the members of the family were present when the end came, including his eldest iter Charlotte, Lidy Wilke, now in her 82nd year, and by whom (his mother having died soon after his birth) the Archbishop is stated to have been brought up. Canon Knollys was also present. The remarkable vitality of the Archbishop's consti- tution was shown in the slowness of his passing away, a gradual reduction of temperature going on the whole of the time on Friday morning until Sunday. The pulse from 130 beats a minute gradually came down to 80, very feeble, occasionally quickening a beat, and then reverting to the slower movement, while for the laot 24 hours there was but a thin thread of a pulse. With one exception, every function of the organs was performed to the last, the heart and lungs having won- derfully recovered themselves and his brain retaining its powers in a striking manner. He would join in the little services. When on Friday he felt that he was dying, he said, What day is it 1" Some one answered, The 1st of December." The Archbishop remarked, "The very day poor Catherine died," referring to his wife who died on that day four years ago. We shall soon meet." It is, however, noteworthy as evi- dence of something more than a coincidence of dates that he never looked on the anniversary of her death as the 1st of December, but as Advent Sunday. Al- most his last connected sentence showed his thought- fulness for others. He thanked Dr. Carpenter for his care and kindness, and added, I am so sorry not to have put your old coachman into the Whitgift College. I did hope to put him there "—this being an institution founded by Archbishop Whitgift partly for his ser- vants and partly for some of the inhabitants of Croydon. At the commencement of his illness the spirit of devo- tion to bis duty, which was a marked characteristic of his life impelled him to go to Osborne to confirm the sons of the Prince of Wales in August last, against thf strongly expressed opinion of his medical adviser. It is the last thing I shall do for the Queen," he said, and I mean to do it." He caught cold, and the at- tack of inflammation of the lungs which came on was the beginning of his last illness. The Archbishop is understood to have left a will made shortly after the death of his only son, the Rev. Craufurd Tait, in 1878, and to have made his s,n-in-Iaw (the Rev. R. T. Davidson) and Mr. Hassard his trustees and executors. The Queen telegraphed a message of sympathy and inquiry for the family. A similar telegram was also sent by the Prince and Princess of Wales. On Satur- day, Princess Mary, Duchess of Teck, sent a lady to make inquiry and to express sympathy. The Dean of Westminster has offered the Abbey as a place of burial. The matter, we believe, is yet under consideration by the family. Mrs. Tait and the Rev. Craufurd Tait were buried at Addington. The funeral of the late Archbishop of Canterbury is fixed for Friday (to-day), at Addington churchyard, where the bodies of the late Primate's wife and son Crauford already lie. The family have declined respect- fully the offer of a tomb in Westminster Abbey, in deference to the wishes of his Once. An immense number of telegrams were received at Addington-park on Monday, from England and abroad, expressing sympathy with the family of the late Arch- bishop. There will be no lying in state. In a lengthy memoir of the late Archbishop, the Times says :—A story is told, we believe on the authority of the late Dean of Westminster, that when young Tait first went up to Balliol and called on Dr. Jenkyns, at that time Master of the college, the Master said to him, Well, Mr. Tait, what have you come to Oxford for ?'" "To improve myself, Sir, and to make friends," was the reply of the future Archbishop of Canterbury. The answer was prophetic, for Tait's career at Oxford was a brilliant one, and many of his Oxford friendships lasted throughout his life, and retained a singular warmth of affection on both sides. Tait was a man who always rose to the requirement of the post he occupied. In the old diys of Oxford, when a gentle- man and a good Churchman was considered fully qualified for any academical post, it was something of an experiment to appoint a young Scotchman of Presbyterian extraction to the tutorship of an important college He had not then acquired that bland geniality of address and demeanour which gave him in later life so strong a hold on all persons with whom he was brought into contact, and his Scottish stiffness placed him at some disadvantage in comparison with older tutors who were certainly his inferiors in intellect and attainments At Rugby, again, he had to follow Arnold, and neither bis colleagues nor his pupils were disposed at first to regard him as the equal of his great predecessor. But both at Oxford and Rugby Tait succeeded, in spite of such disadvantages, by dint of earnestness and industry, by straightforwardness and good sense, and by his national habit early acquired and never abandoned of doing to the utmost all that he bad to do. It was not merely at Oxford, but throughout his whole life tnat he strove to improve himself and to make friends." At Oxford, Rugby, Carlisle, London, and Canterbury he was also improving himself, always advancing to the height of the positions he was succes- sively called upon to occupy and he never lost the friends whom he had made throughout, each portion of his career. In the spring of 1841 the name of Mr. Tait,, who at that time had become Senior Tutor of Balliol, was brought somewhat prominently before the world as one of the "Four Tutors" who publicly pro- tested against the principles of interpretation of the Thirty-nine Articles laid down by John Henry New- man, in his celebrated "Tract for the Times," No. 90, and so threw down the gauntlet to the Tractarian party, then just at the zenitb of its power and popu- larity at Oxford. The publication of Tract 90 marked the crisis of the Oxford movement." It created a storm in the Church and the nation at large the like of which has not been witnessed since, and though the movement itself was one which strove, as its leader avowed, to stem the tide of Liberalism," it may be doubted whether a stroke more powerful in its indi- rect and ultimate results was ever struck in favour of freedom of thought than the publication of Tract 90. Dr. Newman's object was to show that the Thirty-nine Articles were susceptible of a Roman or quasi-Roman interpretation in many points he was successful, in others his subtle dialectical skill overshot the mark. But the net result of the whole controversy has been to bring to light and by stress upon the historical fact that the Thirty-nine Articles are, and were origin- ally meant to be, articles of peace, conciliation, and inclusion rather than a dogmatic and exclusive state- ment of the differences between England and Rome. At Rugby Dr. Tait was an intensely hard worker, so hard, indeed, that before he had been there more than six or seven years his work began to tell seriously on his health, and brought on a dangerous attack of rheu- matic fever, from the constitutional effects of which he never entirely recovered. In 1850 he accepted from the Government of Lord John Russell the Deanery of Carlisle, a post which it was thought and hoped would afford him some rest and respite after his labours at Rugby. But rest and indolence were not to the taste of Dr. Tait. No sooner had the northern city wel- comed him than its people became aware that a real worker had come to it. For six years he remained at Carlisle; and there he lost within a few weeks five of his young children from ecalet fever, the infection of which he was supposed to have carried to the Deanery from the bedside of some sick man or woman whom he was visiting. From the Deanery of Carlisle to the Bishopric of London was a great st jp. But the pro- moti in had not been unearned. While holding his deanery, Dr. Tait had taken an active part in the pro- ceedings of the first Oxford University Commission, and it is well known that nf xl. to the late Bishop of Peterborough (Dr. Jeune) he had the largest hand in the preparation of the Commissioners' Report. In the summer of 1856 Dr. Blomfield obtained leave to resign the see of London, and a Royal conge d'elire was issued recommendiug the Very Rev. Archibald Ca iipbell Tait as a fit and proper person to be elected by the Chapter in his room. The offer of the see was conveyed to Dr. Tait by Lord Palmerston, who was Prime Minister at the time but it is understood that the appointment was made at the direct sugge-tion of the Q ieen. In 18G8 Archbishop Longley died and the Bishop of London wis appointed his successor. It is probable that the Queen's personal preference was again exer- cised in favour of Dr. Tait. In any case, Mr. Disraeli made a good choice, as the career of the Archbishop has abundantly proved. The first measure of impor- tance on which, after his installation as Archbishop of Canterbury, the new Primate had to give counsel was the disestablishment of the Irish Church—a measure of which he reluctantly acknowledged the political necessity, and in respect of which he accordingly strove to act as mediator between the two parties, though he considered that it was not politic to oppose it. Abasty visit to Scotland, where the first Scottish-born Arch- bishop of Canterbury received a hearty welcome, and a sudden and sharp illness were notable incidents in the first year of his archiepiscopal life. In 1870 the Arch- bishop was relieved of some portion of his heaviest duties by the appointment of a Suffragan Bishop of Dover, in the person of Archdedcon Parry and a winter spent in the North of Italy contributed largely to the re-establishment of his health. The rest of the career of the Archbishop, though his lot was cast in troublous times of controversy, was, for the most part, uneventful. Its historyiarecordedin his three quad- rennial charges, the last of which was delivered in 1880. In his place in the House of Lords or in Convocation he was always the same consistent advocate of all necessary toleration in lesser matters, the same censurer of harsh and irritating measures, whether against Roman Catholics or Nonconformists, and the constant counsellor of charity and peace. When the religious world was convul-ed by the appointment of Dr. Temple to the S-e of Exeter, the Archbishop used all his influence to calm the storm which arose. It will also be remembered to the credit of his goodness of heart that, much as he disapproved of the semi-Romanism of the ultra-Ritualistic school, he did his best to promote legislaticn which would give a loophole of escape to Mr. Green during his durance in Lancaster gaol. One of the latest acts of the Arch- bishop before his illness was to send, through his chap- lain, a small contribution to the Salvation Army, whose services he was probably all the more anxious to utilise, in the cause of the poor, on account of the great support which he felt that they gave to the Temperance cause, which he had deeply at heart. To these broad and tolerant principles Dr. Tait was true from first to last through his archiepiscopal career, and in a well known work he speaks with affectionate remembrance of his life-long intimacy with two of the Tractarian converts to Romanism. The truth is that under a singularly cold and stern exterior, the Archbishop wore a very warm and affectionate heart, and this fact was known and appreciated by all who knew him, from the Queen on the Throne down to the humblest of the curates in his diocese. Strong as were his convictions against the Romish Church and all Romish and even Komeward tendencies, he never erred against Christian charity in their practical application and a future age will respect him as no unworthy successor of those who have eat in the chair of St. Augustine befoce him. The death of his son, the Rev. Craufurd Tait, not many months after his appointment to the vicarage of Notting-hill, and after- wards of Mrs. Tait, who had been for more than a quarter of a century the partner of all his cares, and, it may be said, of half his lab lurs, told terribly on the health of the affectionate and home-loving man, whose heart beat so warmly and tenderly under the archi- episcopal purple. He never recovered the blow, and during his last illness, which he bore with patience and composure, as be had borne the heavy trials of his life, he more than once expressed his weariness of life and his perfect readiness to obey the final summons. Dr. Tait was the 92nd occupant of the See of Canterbury, reckoning from the first arrival of St. Augustine, and the 23rd in succession from the first Protestant Arch- bishop. The see is generally said to be valued in the King's books at X2816 a year but in the good old days, before the Ecclesiastical Commission, the income was probably ten times that amount, though it varied from year to year. It is now fixed at iC15,000, with the Palaces of Addington and Lambeth.

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS FOR THE CHURCH AND THE HOME. Decorating either a church or house depends much upon the taste of the decorators, as well as style of the church, for the architecture needs much to be studied if you would be successful in your undertaking therefore, those with the most artistic taste should decorate the principal parts, such as altar, font, pulpit, &c., leaving the willing but inexperienced hands to form the founda- tion of crosses, kc., for the more artistic to put the finishing touch to. Often the decorations of a church at Christmastide have a more impressive effect than any sermon, the beautiful evergreens, holly with its bright scarlet berries, the suggestive crosses, wreaths, and other emblems stimulating the senses and refreshing the spiritual nature. Suitable texts shall form the first subject. Holly naturally comes to us as the principal decoration, next to which the beautiful laurel, fir, clinging ivy, laurestinus, yew, and such green leaves as are associated with winter, while berries cannot be too plentifully used, as they give such a bright and pretty effect. Window-frames should have sprays of ivy arranged on them, and the wide window-sills filled with evergreens, or better still, beautiful moss, on which place a cross or wreath of holly with its bright red berries. Two triangles locked one in another look well if one be made of leaves and the other entirely of berries, or both can be made of holly leaves, the one being plain and the other frosted by gumming the leaves and dusting over frosting powder. Crosses of holly leaves with the letters IHS" of berries, or else a scroll with a text, such as "Prince of Peace," are easily- made; so also are the Maltese crosses of variegated holly or ivy leaves; while I have also made an ancuor, forming a cross at top, out of holly leaves with holly berries threaded into a chain and twisted round Two triangles of holly leaves, looped one into the other, across which is a Maltese cross entirely composed of holly berries, is most effective, so also are shields of white ever- lasting flowers, across which is a cross or anchor of Lolly berries. An anchor forming a cross at top, or a Latin cross, can be prettily arranged out of moss, the edge being entirely done round with scarlet berries. Care must be taken not to crowd the-cchurch with decorations, or the effect is bad but everything should be got as forward as possible-in fact, all finished previous to Christmas Day, with the exception of the-font, where real flowers are employed therefore as they are generally forced this time of year and quickly fade, this part of the decoration must be finished on Christmas Morn, so that it may be fresh and beautiful. Hyacinths, deutzias, Christmas roses, primulas, poinsettias, and such-like, to- gether with moss and maiden-hair, should be employed, as the font is generally most beautiful with decorations. Yery great taste can be displayed upon decorating the font, particularly when it is of carved white stone. A. tray made to tit into its basin should be provided, from the centre of which a snow cross fourteen inches in height should rise. This cross is made by wrapping jewellers' cotton or wadding very thickly round a piece of shaped wood until a thickness of two inches on either side is attained the wool must then be pulled out with judgment to give an uneven ap- pearance and also the lightness of snow to the cross. Texts made of rice, or even tapioca, are particularly effec- tive for decorations, the foundation of the letters being cardb-.ard covered with strong guin and then thickly sprinkled with rice or tapioca. These letters which imi- tate white coral when the rice is used in its natural state, can be fastened on to a red cloth, merino, or velvet background or if the grains are dyed scarlet with Jud- son's dyes, they resemble red coral, and should therefore have a white background. Crosses made of white or dyed rice are very effective but the most beautiful de- corittion I ever saw was a rugged rock formed from card- board covered with calico, on which was thickly sprinkled tapioca, then an anchor formed or cardboard covered with rice dyed scarlet, with rope formed of holly berries threaded on wire and twisted round one another in cable form, was placed slanting on the rock, and stood on a wide window filled with moss; and the effect of the beautiful soft green moss with the imitation of white and red coral was blight aod chaste. Letters cut out of card- board and covered with wadding are effective, and even more so when the wadding is pulled out to give an appearance and the lightness of snow, while to frost it, touch here and there with white gum, and dust with frosting powder, price Is. Hd. the oz., post free; or letters formed of crystalised Epsom salts are effective. Wadding dyed scarlet by the aid of Judson's dyes, then fashioned into crosses, wreaths, or letters for texts, and dotted or bordered with white everlastingflowers, is pretty and simple so also are crosses of pure white wadding, over which spread sprays of maiden-hair. Alum texts are always used, and to make them first cut out the letters desired, and gum on pure white wadding, which do over with white gum, and powder with alum. When making wreaths, crosses, and such like, either wood, or strong wire, or cane should be used for the foundation, which must be thickly covered with moss, then the flowers wired on as fancy may dictate while those to be covered with leaves can be of cardboard, which permits the leaves being sewn on. For home decoration the pic- tures can be framed with holly or evergreens, while wreaths and stars of holly and green leaves can be ar- ranged for hanging over doors and between pictures. Large branches of laurel and holly should be clustered over the door, looking-glass, and sideboard, and those burning candles should encircle them with a holly wreath. The table should be likewise decorated, as flowers and ferns serve to impart an exceptional flavour to the feast, although too much decoration is not required, unless it is the aim of the hostess to distract the atten- tion of the guests from the poverty of the repast; but this is not the case just now, as on Christmas Day all families provide an extra feast, and for table decoration useful hints will be gained from Ferns for home deco- ration." Every home, where it is possible, should be made gay and attractive at Christmas, although I know in some homes sickness or even a death, will prevent a thought for the festive time still, all young people feel a pride and pleasure in making their homes and churches most attractive, reviving the old custom with a fresh spirit of Peace and goodwill," so that at least some hearts may have "A Merry Christmas. Weldon's Ladies' Journal.

PROROGATION" OF PARLIAMENT. THE QUEEN'S SPEECH. HOUSE OF LORDS—SAT CRD AY. Their lordships met at four o'clock for the purpose of proroguing Parliament by Royal Commission. There were but few peers present, and only a sm-Ill number of strangers. The Lords Commissioners were the L 'rd Chancellor, Earl Granville, the Eirl of Kimberley, Lord Carinuton, and Lord Monson. Among the other peers present were Lord Stratheden, the Earl of Rosp- bery, the Etrl of Limerick, Lord Sydney, and Lord Lvttelton. Prayers were said by the Lord Chancellor, who im- mediately afterwards read to the House a letter he had received from General Wolseley, dated the 1st Nov., in answer to the communication forwarded to him by direction of their lordships, conveying the thanks passed by their lordships' House to that gallant officer and the troops under his command. Sir General Wolself'y said 'I humbly acknowledge the receipt of your lordship-letter of the 27th ult., enclosing the vote or thanks passed by the House of Lords as to the recent naval and military operations in Egypt, and I beg to acquaint your lordship that it has afforded me the greatest sntisfac'ion to convey the same in accord- ance with the resolution of your lordships' House to the gallant military officers specially mentioned, and also to the officers and men who served under my com- mand in the recent campaign." The Usher of the Black Rod was then directed to summon the House of Commons, and a few minutes afterwards, on the arrival of the Speaker and a number of hon. members, among whom was Mr. G adstone, who accompanied him to the bar, the L)rd Chancellor read the Queen's Speech, as follows :— My LORDS AND GENTLEMEN— After a session of remarkable duration I am at length enabled to bring your labours to a close. "I continue to hold relations of cordial amity with all foreign Powers. "The commercial negotiations with France which were proceeding in the month of February did not result in the conclusion of a treaty but the Government and Legislature of that country have pursued an en- lightened policy, and there has not in consequence been any general falling off in the dealings between the two countries, which at once promote their material well-being and strengthen the bonds of friendship now happily uniting them. "The operations in Egypt, both naval and military, which a wise liberality enabled me to conduct upon an adequate scale, and which were prosecuted with such energy and fidelity in all 'he department, were brought to an early and successful issue. "I take this opportunity or phcing upon record my gratitude to the able officers who commlllded by s a and land, and to the victorious forc-s, of which my Indian Arinv supplied a distinguished part. "The recent events in E-iypt have enhanced my obligations in regard to its affairs, of which I spoke to you at the b ginning of your protracted session. "I shall study to discharge my duties in such a manner as to maintain intern itional engagements, to uphold and consolidate the privileges which have been succesfully acquired, to promote the happiness of the people and the prudent development of their institu- tions,' and to avoid any measure which might tend towards disturbing the tranqu Ility of the East; and I feel confident that mv aims and the result of my coun- sels will commend themselves to the approval of the Powers, my allies, in their several relations to that interesting region. "GENTLEMEN OF THE HOU-E OF COMMONS— I thank you for the supplies which you have granted me to meet the various and extended wants of the public service. MY LORDS AND GENTLFMEN— "After a succession of unfavourable seasons in the greater portion of the United Kingdom, th,' produce of the land has during the present year been for the most part abundant and trade is moderately active. The growth of the revenue, however, is sensibly retarded by a cause which must in itself be comtemplated with satisfaction. I refer to the diminution in the receipts of the Exchequer from the duties on intoxicating liquors. "In some parts of Ireland I am compelled to anti. cipate distress during the aproaching winter. I have also to record with de?p pain that the hor- rible crime of assassination has been rife in the metro- politan city of Dublin, and there is a special call of duty upon the Executive Authority to exercise with fidelity and firmness the powers with which it has been entrusted. In the social condition of the country at large, however, I have the satisfaction of noting that, there has been a marked improvement, and the law has acted with renewed vigour under the provisions you have devised. I have an earnest hope that this improvement will be maintained and extended. "Iam indebted to your wisdom for having passed the measures which I deemed indispensable for restoring the supremacy of the law in Ireland and for removing impediments to the wide and progressively enlargtd action of the Land Act of 1881. You have also passed a variety of measures from which, in their several spheres of operation, I anticipate much advantage to my people. I could indeed hav^ desired to congratulate you at the present time on you having been able to meet, the wants of the country for practical and effective legislation on many well-known and weighty subjects of high interest to large portions of the community, some of which I commended to your notice at the opening of the session. "After the recess you will resume your labours under circumstances which I trust may prove more favourable to their accomplishment than those of the current year, and I rely with confidence on your energy and wisdom for the discharge under the Divine blessing of the arduous responsibilities which must ever attach to the Parliament of mv Empire." The Lird Chancellor then announced that Parlia- ment was prorogued to Thursday, the 15th February, 1883.

TESTIMONIAL TO A DOMINION LINE CAPTAIN.—The following address, beautifully illuminated and placed in a handsome gilt frame, was presented to Captain Lindall, by the saloon passengers per the Dominion line steamer Sarnia, on the last voyage to Quebec:—"To Captain Lindall, master of the steamship Sarnia. Dear Sir,- We have now arrived at the end of our voyage across the proverbially stormy Atlantic,' and we are about to dis- perse to our respective homes; but we cannot separate without collectively giving expression to our sense of thankfulness for the constant care you have exercised for our comfort and safety. We have had what we be- lieve may be accounted a very stormy passage, even for this stormy time of the year, but we have one and all had full confidence that, under Divine providence, you would bring us safely to the haven where we would be. We congratulate you upon the confidence the Mississippi and Dominion Steamship Company has shown it places in you, by giving you the command of this noble vessel, which we are just leaving. We do not doubt that in the ensuing season of travel, the Sarnia will rank as one of the most popular passenger steamers on the Atlantic and we are sure that your genial conduct will help to make it so. With gratitude to the Almighty Father who ruleth wind and waves, we now part, wishing vou every Rood in your voyage through life." (Signed bv all the saloon passengers.) Captain Lindail also received a gratifying testimonial signed by all the intermediate and steerage passengers,—Liverpool Courier

According to a Reuter telegram from Sydney, splendid rains, amounting to over seven inches, have fallen throughout New South Wales, with very beneficial results. HARBOURS, DOCKS, AND PIERS ASSOCIATION. — At a conference of the chairmen and principal officers of the harbours, docks, and piers authorities of the United Kingdom, held at the Westminster Palace Hotel on Wed- ncsday, November 1, 1882, after long previous notice, Colonel Lyne in the chair, it was resolved that an associa- tion should then and there be formed, styled, The Har- bours, Docks, and Piers Association," the object of the association being to consider all matters affecting the interests of the harbours, docks, and piers of the United Kingdom, either seperately or collectively, to watch all bills brought before Parliament in connection therewith, and to take such action relative to all the above matterg as may be deemed advisable. A sub-committee was formed, consisting of Messrs. R. Capper, general superin- tendent Swansea Harbour E. K. Garbett, secretary Hull Dock Company F. B. Girdlestone, secretary Bristol Docks Committee W. T. Lewis, agent and general manager to the Marquis of Bute, Bute Docks, Cardiff and R. G. Underdown, general manager, Man- chester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway Company. JEAN LUIE AND HIS SOLICITOR.—Mr. Sewell, solicitor, applied to Mr. Hosack, at Clerkenwell, on Tuesday, on behalf of Jean Luie, late steward of the Osprey, and a witness in the Tichborne case, for a summons against a solicitor, whose name he mentioned, for obtaining a sum of 1;5 by false pretences. Mr. Sewell stated that his client, Jean Luie, had important documents with respect to the Tichborne case, which the Treasury kept, and wishing to obtain them again he applied to the solicitor, and on the understanding that proceedings should be at once insti. tuted against the Treasury, he gave the solicitor £ 5. The false pretence urged was that no proceedings had been taken against the Treasury. Mr. Hosack said that he could not see that there was any pretence shown. Mr. Sewell said his client parted with his money on the un- derstanding that proceedings should at once be instituted, and when applied to he would not return the money. Mr. Hosack said there was no false pretence. The money was parted with on a promise that something should be done. The best thing that could be done was to bring an action in the County Court. THE ROYAL REVIEW, NOV. 18TH, 18S2,-The perfec- tionist Rhymesters do not share the Jingo feeling which was displayed by the English from royalty downward* at the recent review at Whitehall, as witness the follow- ing lines Should we not rather offer up our tears, Than thus retard with martial vanity The onward progress of humanity ? ) Have we no scruples, no intruding fears, That all which now so glorious appears May be iniquity ? What was it for, 1 This desolating, questionable war, That it should rouse the ecstasy of cheers ? We but exult at fallen liberty, And show no pity for a country's woes Whilst any honour in this pageantry Is fiftyfold the righteous due of those Who saw their fatherland's calamity, And stood between their country and her foes.