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LANDING OF THE FRENCH NEAR FISHGUARD, FCNPBECEDENTED DISPLAY OF WELSH PATRIOTISM. tORD CAWDOR OBTAINS A BLOODLESS VICTORY. n:M:en's thoughts, in West Wales especially, days revert to the stirring times of a j^atury ago, when Trance and the French jgured large in the eyes of Europe. The •■I'ench Revolution had convulsed the Con- IL elit to its centre, ajut the form of Napoleon for some years ^pjSjtfUred above the political *torizon. In its earijanji Btages the movement hioh culminated in the Involution had won great deal of sympathy in other countries, Vreat Britain among them. When, however, seen that the leaders passed beyond the ^Jndaries of all reason, justice, and humanity sympathy of this country was largely Ienllted, and in a comparatively short time a ~^5ng reaction get in against the Revolutionists *11 their ways. The fate of Louis XVI. cruelties practised by the enemies of *5«uv'liy opened the eyes of Europe to the true attire of the French nPovement, and the jMions iearnt wisdom at the expense of France. oup years from the date of the Revolution j nSland and France were mortal enemies, sworn crush one another. The character of the adopted by Napoleon was early discerned kelson and the British Government, at j '0S6 head stood Pitt, and it became England's (< to thwart the ambitious schemes of the orftcan. The Frenchmen lived in a fool's ^"aditie, and believed that the spirit of discon- and revolt was abroad in this country, and it required but a little effort to fan the tir>'i 3 into an open flame. That such was the Qt~?y Pursued by the French in the last decade iria^i k ^utury is shown by the attempts they is n *° "^pture" the Irish in 179b, amd there «io ° reasonaWe doubt that the Fishguard inva- 5^0 part and parcel of that same policy, ■^hick ^or the raison d'etre of the expedition 8hire 8Uc^ a ru<^6 awakening to Pembroke- a,gQ the adjacent counties a round century Th Iuktd'6?^011 consisted of three frigates and rmnatm' appeared off the Pembrokeshire bear np towT1?1"3' 21- w€ro Qb8*1"^ to presently "act* Fishguard Bay, where they tPoinfe. The or ^°^°r near Carreg Gwastad ships belongs to of having first espied the sea captain, but OJ¡e Thomas Williams, a retired at Tratethixb. 4-t that time a farmer living the coast. The between St. David's and enips of war, ana tS^dog perceived they were f°rnis^*«h his glass could difi- KUsr,' thfey carried ^diers on board. As, 5KT tat colour, hi. fL lis sia-mi- p« n-un/ groused of any foul |k Paction, 00t»%nned on a closer arni. The new* j._ 11G time in giving the Bpeed to St. Davirf' with lightning finked to the nafeiys up tlie vessels sighted Fishgutetf tfce-jEbgrlid* flag honoured by a salute from the fort at that Jlaoe. The visitors immediately lowered the jaglish and hoisted -the French colours, and alii ?°ubts as to the nationality and purport of the vessels were at an end. Messengers were despatch,ed in all directions, and bonfires, as in 'V terr^e days of the Armada, were lit on the of Wales," and thus the newe was wi f6 • ^rcHn county to county in an incredibly ■' tune. Everything of value that could be v 'th*. at- stored away for safe keeping, and animals were driven inland. ^ade i ev^runo Wednesday the French ^omin pa^.a 6 ^or ^an<iing, a number of men follow^ °n ore day and the remainder the VithT1116 morn"ig—in aJ, about 1,400 men, fives'^w°r^fomeil> supposed to have been officers' but an nurnber of boats was serventem, Tie ga overw-eighed with cannon and T he f lon> which made a very bad beginning. *ho Via??- Was- one Tate, an Irishman, ftevr? ?• America, and joined the French *i-er() i}l onary party. Some 600 of the men l?anik ^m€^ soldiers; the remainder were mere Xlrd\and °ut-throats. «6jv an''vhile the authorities bestirred them- th +• lord-lientenant of Pembrokeshire adv ^j116 was Lord Mil ford, but owing to his ^ttafO.0 a^e wor'c devising means of ^ence devolved on Lord Cawdor, who 1ft,r,^1X supported by several officers—Colonel Jv1. Colonel Colby, Major Ackland, Colonel atlS'haJ:i, Colonel James, Colonal George otter an' governor of Fishguard Fort, and The troops consisted of the Caetle itilir1 Yeomanry Cavalry, the Cardiganshire •tati la> Cardiff Militia, whiich was then ^em^ro^e8hire; the Fishguard an<^ a ^ew" sailors under Lieutenants Th8 Perkins, in all about 750 men. 'ifchfvf +t"renc'1 general and his satellites estab- themselves at a neighbouring farm called j leaving the men to go prowling about of ^"ty. Trehowel just then was the scene feast, and the contents of the •slf-T a-n<^ c^'Har proved most to the ooTl^nvited guests. The lawful inmates, of eW^'e in terror, and sought refuge "We may insert the oonfents of a page or 'Old tu1 a diary kept for that year. It is an Moore's Almanac," and belonged to one .i*es Jones, of the parish of St. Marten's,) tow-i and county of Haverfordwest,! disriGrDai1'" The document was only recently j)j^vered, and if of special interest at tho oth^1'f. i'mct uro. The diarist records, amongst 7Tr £ things: — February 22. 1,400 French landed at Ier. nf '231'd, Went with Lord Cawdor's Cavalry, Tart igan ^1 ibtia,Fishguard and Pembroke and about 300 Haverfordwest Volun- ln the whole about 800 armed men, to ^e French, but did not come to battle, fat t coming on. Rendezvoused at Fishguard • 'ig^^ht art nine. 'h. At about two p.m. the French Bur- 41-JJJ ered. prisoners of war and laid down their Goodwick Sands, and marched into "P^Ordwest that night by twelve o'clock. v, A few prisoners, with five officers, an^ maro^ed off for "27h,1' F.iye sent off for^ England. Six hundred and. fifty-eight prisoners at Miliford for England. Mr. J. Thomas Wn and imprisoned for high treason; hope •j* shot if guilty." diarist makes an addendum to his ?Vll'rIn^ 24th: "24th. At the time of tha lati0Q the Frencfe, on a moderate calcu- WC, there were forty-three thousand men, an< °^ildren in and near Fishguard, *^n<j ^iioh there were at least eight thou- 1 ^"ned, viz., two thousand with fire armes, VVea^^r^ with pikes, picks, scythes, and other !?* disjointed thowsrh this information •'ititfo a°out all that is absolutely known of the u?UaI l'10l8e "t^iree days." Imagination, as 8 done its share in filling up the 80 that it is often difficult to draw a ^V°rthv eeri *SW7t "^d fiotdon. The most trust- contairi jCu.oun-t of the invasion, probably, is t ^d in the dispatches of Lord Milford Cawdor to the Duke of Portland, of State for the Home Department. ^°rd n 0ni Fishguard on February 24, 1797, "Al avvcior eays — ?^9rd>—In consequence of having formation on Wednesday night, at ° olook, that three ships of «. •aiali a luW«r anchored in i?a nftT!.Lv roadstead upon the coaat in v .^ediaf i 0Ur?l00d of this town, I proceeded Miiv a detachment of the Cardigan- ^Ueot "a and all the provincial force I could Place. I soon gained positive they had disembarked about 1,200 {?' B ^non. Upon the night setting n whom I found to be second 'n ^h a letter, in coiw»e- j. ^seJva. they determined to surrender Y down ?n.3Qne1'8 of war, and, accordingly, a* ;?1 anna this day at two o'clock. fthJi: this^ m oment infonn yonr Grace the of prisowfc buu beiiftve it to be their whole foroe. It is my intention to march them this night to Haverfordwest, where I shall make the best distribution in my power. The frigates, corvette, and the lugger got under way yesterday evening, and were this morning entirely out of eight. The fatigue we expe- rienced will, I trust, excuse me to your Grace fcr not giving a more particular detal; but iny desire to do justice to the officers and men I had the honour to command will induce me to attend your Grace with &e little delay as possible to state their merits, and at the same time to give you every information in my power on this sub- ject. The spirit and loyalty which has per- vaded all ranks throughout the country is infi- nitely beyond wha.t I can expresa.-I am, &o., CAWDOR." The last sentence in Lord Cawdor's letter is a. volume in itself, and gives us a. glimpse of the intense feeling and unbounded enthusiasm which seized the inhabitants of West Wales on learning the noewa of the invasion. They poured in scores and hundreds from all parts of the joint counties, prepared to fight for King and country. The roads leading towardu Fishguard were literally swarming with mem and women. The sturdy farmers and peasantry of the valleys of the Towy and the Cothi and the Gwen- draeth were there The valley of the Teifi and its tributaries and districts of the Aeron ajidj I GOODWICK SANDS AND TILLAGE. -I the Llethi were drained of their population. All West Wales moved en magse, making for one point-Fialiguard. There was not & flint gun or a fowling pioce, a musket or a firearm of any size or age left at home. Scythes were turned into swords and roaping-hooks into epears on this occasion. The whole com- munity constituted itself into an army to defend its native tiOll. A remarkable feature of the affair was the patriotism displayed by the fair sex. If anything, they displayed greater courage than the men; it is certain they ebowed a stronger desire for revenge. Their behaviour was perfectly Spartanlike, and greatly impressed the invaders. Whether the collapse of the enemy's undertaking was due t.> their appearance at Fishguard is more than one can say with certainty. But the story of the "whittles" adds to too romance of the event, and is indissolubly associated with it in the publio mind. It is about the prettiest anecdote in the history of expeditions, ancient or modern. The latest historian of the invasion puts it in this way: —La.rge numbers of the countrywomen had assembled on a hill com- manding an extensive prospect, including the French outpoet at Carnwnda, desiring, with the curiosity of their sex, to see PA much as possible of what was going forward. Most of the women wore their distinctive shawl, a scarlet whittle, this being the colour appro- priated by the daughters of Pembrokeshire, while their Cardiganshire sisters have adopted the white whittle. All of them at that time wore high black hthbs. Lord Cawdor* as he was riding about inspecting things m general, W»3 struck by the reseafblance of mass of these women to a body of Regulars, and he called upon the daughter's of OwAbris.ta fiM pttof of iheir potatotiien w nurd^ wwtote ti» enemy in i«goUir «r«r: Brt long MtuJdeA dip in the ground rendered them. invisible to the French, at which place, turning into a. side lane, they came again to the back of the hill whence they had started, and renewed their former course. It was done almost in the way in which these effects are managed in a theatre. General Tate acknowledged after- wards that -they had been taken for a regiment of Regulars, and the French troops utterly lost heart. There may be a basis of truth to the story: and some account for it in this way. One uf the most active leaders on the WeMi side was Captain William Davies, though his name is I A Welsh Girl of the Period. I not included with the officers. He was an old solditr who i-ad smelt powder at Bunker's Hill, and he was anxious to dispose the soldiers, as well aa the warriors of the scythes and billhooks, in such a manner as to create the greatest im- pression on tha French, thus inducing them to believe that the W dish force was much more numerous than it really was. A number of other anecdotes have been handed down by tradition, and they help to show that the event had its oomacal as well as its more serious side. The French visited some 30 or 40 houses, but in nearly every case the damage done was confined to the larder, the dairy, and the poultry yard. They displayed a marked fondness for ducks and geese, some of which, it is said, they cooked m butter and cream. A pathetio incident occurred at one farm-house, which supplied the Welsh poet "Ceiriog" with a subject for a very pretty long -"Y Baban Diwrnod Oed"-("The New- born Baby"). At this particular place.-the Cotta-there was a woman who had newly given •birth to a c!.ild. Just as a part)' of j rencn entered the house the husband flsd m terror, leaving his partner to face the enemy, vvnen. the French entered the woman's ohamwr sne held up her new-bom child as if to plead for ber helpless condition, an act which eo touched the marauders that they immediately retired, assuring the poor woman, that they MeOut her no harm. But they did not deal eo kindly as this with every member of the fair sex. A woman of the name of Mary Williams was shockingly maltreated by a number of ruffian*, and on trying to effect her eooape was shot and wounded. This caAe cO« something to the French Government, which was compelled to grant the woman a. pension of jB 40 a year during the remainder of her life- a. period of about 50 years. Where so much bad blood existed, it is strange that so few Iivell were sacrificed. It is not recorded that more than two or three were killed, and these deaiha were due to a private quarrel. How is it that the two sides didn't come to cloee quarters? is a question that is often asked. Various reasons are given for this, but it is impossible to speak with certainty. It must be remembered that the Frenchmen, immediately on landing, were betrayed by their own countrymen. The frigates and the laner sailed away, thus cutting off all escape in that The Royal Oak, Fishguard, WdCawdar a«tf big Offices* held Coypwl of Wo* direction. General Tate and his officers must have been disabused of the folly of thinking that the Welsh would join them in fighting the English. They were not prepared for a pro- longed struggle; had no provisions, aJid were badly supplied with arms and money. It is also olear that the general miscalculated the strength of the foroe at Lord Cawdor's com- mand, and had no confidence in his own men. Unfortunately for the French, they became de- moralised from the first. A few days pre- viously a Portuguese vessel, laden with kegs of wine, had been wrecked off Strumble Head, and in most houses there was wine in plenty, of which the Frenchmen drank until they were helplessly intoxicated. In such oircumstances it is no wonder that Tate propoeed a surrender of his entire foroe, on condition of being shipped at the Government's expense to France. On the other hand. Lord Oawdor was suffi- ciently keen-sighted to perceive the plight in which the foe stood and hesitated not to take advantage of it. "The superiority of the force urder my command, which is hourly increas- ing," wrote his lordship in reply to the French general, "must prevent my treating upon any other terms short of your surrendering your whole force prisoners of war." Prisoners of war they consequently became. The undertaking collapsed with a suddenness which must have been humiliating even to an army largely composed of convicts, suoh as Tate's was. The Frenchmen were distributed, some 700 in Haverfordwest Gaol and 500 in St. Mary's Church, while the remainder were found a place in the Town-hall and different store- houses in the town until they could be more conveniently disposed of. Tate and hie fellow- officers were conveyed to London, a task which appears to have been the moet difficult of any in connection with the whole affair, owing to the state of public feeling at the time The French invasion produced a.t least one love romance, which it is interesting to re-call. A large body of French prisoners in due course were oonsigned to Pembroke Prison, and it was there the episode here referred to occurred. Employed at the prison were two Welsh girls from the town, with whom two of the prisoners fell desperately in love, a passion which the girls seem to have fully reciprocated. These girls at length devised means to facilitate the escape of their lovere, as wet! as a number of other prisoners. They contrived to- supply unobserved their two Romeos with the shin bone of a horse. With this primitive implement the prisoners began to dig under the prison wall. the girls carrying out the burrowed earth in buckets, arousing no more suspicion than if they went on with their daily task. A way of escape waa at length effected, and about a hundred of the prisoners found their way towards the eea, the two faithful girls joining the baud. On the beach they found a. yacht, the possession of the vervm&n thoy had most reason to f «*r—Lord ^Hte'dbr. It w*» a small crafty and could only carry some twenty-five persons and the girls, who thus sailed away. A reward of JB500 was offered for. girls, alive or dead. In a few days portions of the yacht wtre washed ashore,, and it was geaerally believed that all on hoard had perished. This, however, was: not the case. After three days' sailing the escaped prisoners boarded a sloop, compelling the sailors to make for France, and Lord Cawdor's yacht was loft to her fate. Landing on French soil the lovers were married, and j at the restoration of peace one of the girls, with her husband, returned to Wales, and set up at Merthyr, where they opened a large inn. The Eleanor Martin of her maiden days had now beoomo a buxom French lady—Madame Roux.

SURRENDER DAY DEMON- STRATION. SERVICE ON GOODWICK SANDS. ENTHUSIASTIC PROCEED- INGS. For months past arrangements have been in progress for an apprecia- tive celebration of the centenary in July next, wheii the weather is suitable. rhe praise for originating the idea is due to Dr. II. La,wton Swete, a gentleman who has the interest of tiie country at heart, and his ou'din ;;asm has bee i emulated by every inha.bitAtiu ui 41le district. Dr. Swete, together with Dr. Williams and Dr. Owen, called a meeting representative of the various local bodies, and as a result a general committee (with Mr. J. Worthington, Glyn-y-Mel, as chairman, and Mr. J. C. Yorke, Trecwn, high- sheriff, as vice-chairman) and several sub-committees were appointed to carry out the details of an extensive pro- gramme of festivities on Saturday and Mon- day, July 3 and 5. It has been already decided to make July 3 a general holiday, and a grand procession will be made to Carreg Gwastad, in the parish of Llanwnda, where the French landed. A suitably-ansori'bed memorial-stone will be there erected on a cairn, and it is hoped that the Lord-lieu- tenant of the county (Earl Cawdor), the descendant of the Welsh commandant, will be able to be present at the banquet in the evening. The presence of the members of Parliament and the foremost gentlemen of the county is already assured. On Monday, July 5, a grand eisteddfod, suitably organised, will be held in a spacious marquee, and "Mabon" will act as conductor. There will also be a very interesting exhibition of relics of the invasion. Thousands will, undoubtedly, avajl themselves of this favourable oppor- tunity of visiting one of the prettiest spots in picturesque Pembrokeshire, and in order to meet the convenience of the public every effort is being made to influence the Great Western Railway Company to issue cheap four days' tickets from all parts of South Wales. The rugged beautv of the scenery around this Historic spot is as yet comparatively unknown, hot the completion of the North Pembroke- shire and Fishguard Railway extension from Lcttarston to Goodwick will bring it within wach of all, and nothing will give it a better send off" than the enthusiastic public fes- tmtaee of the inhabitants. The original pro- posal of the promoters of the celebrations was r to construct a carriage drive from Penriada to Goodwick, to be called the French Walk, and Mr. Joseph Rowlands, of Birmingham, promised, on behalf of the North Pembroke- shire and Fishguard Railway Coj9jpny> to do the necessary work gratuitousljpSpi far as it affected the property of the company, but, owing to the almost insurmountable opposi- tion of the owner of the other portion, this project was abandoned. The hon. secretaries of the movement are Dr. Swete and Mr. Vincent Johns. July will prove to be the forerunner of very prosperous summer seasons to Fishguard and the locality. WEDNESDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. Wednesday was the hundredth anniversary of the unconditional surrender of the French to Earl Cawdor on Goodwick Sands, and the oommittee wisely determined to commemorate the fact on that day (in a purely local manner) in addition to the general festivities in July. As was feared, the weather was boisterous, and rain fell heavily during the jnorxiing, but it, fortunately, kept off during the afternoon, and the atmospheric conditions were as good as could be expected. The inhabitants had decorated their houses with bunting and gar- lands of evergreens, and in many little ways contrived to enliven the streets with emblems of rejoicing. Between one and two o'clock the Square presented a most animated spec- tacle, nundreds of men, women, and children in holiday attire having assembled in order to take part in the procession. On this spot stands the Royal Oak Inn, where Earl Cawdor and his staff made his headquarters, and whence he dictated to the invading admirals. At two o'clock the choir, organised under the leadership of the Rev. W. Morlais Davies, A.C., Fishguard, sang "The Fishguard Cen- tenary March," the words of which had been composed specially for the occasion bv the Rev. J. D. Symonds, Fishguard, and the music by the Rev. W. Morlais Davies. It is dedicated by the composer to Mr. J. Wor- thington, the squire of Glyn-y-Mel, who is a gentleman who has earned the admiE^tion of the whole neighbourhood by his geniiufty and beneficence. The Welsh version is as fol- lows, the refrain being taken up with much gusto: — "Llawen wyl yw hon i gofio Am y waredigaeth fawr Gadd ein tadau pan y taflodd Llu y French eu harfau 'lawr. Gwvr a gwragedd dewr yr ardal, ckwdor glew a'i fyddin gref, Oedd y rhai a drodd y fantol Dan rhagluniaeth lor y nef, Dan rhagluniaeth lor y nef." 'Following the choir came the intermediate school pupils, marshalled by Mr. W. Rees Carver and Captain Parry; the Fishguard National School girls, by Mr. D. W. Lewis French Troopa WindiftfT Down Goodwick Hill. and Mr. R. C. Burse (Great Western. Hotel) the Fishguard National School boys, by Dr. Swete and Mr. W. L. Williams; the infants' by Mr. Lawrance (excise officer) and Captain Titus Evans; the Henner Board School children,, by the head-master; followed bv the clergy and ministers of all denominations the Fishguard parish councillors, and the general public. It wis surprising 'to see the thousands of happy faces on so unpropitious a day, and it proved conclusively the deep interest that has been aroused in the celebra- tions. One very pleasing feature in the pro- cession was the great prominence given to the good old —the common symbol of the Welsh nation. Distinctive dresses, whittles, and sashes were also worn by several ladies present, and the scene as a whole was unique in its character. SERVICE ON THE SANDS. Having paraded the town, the procession- ists wended their way through West-street to Goodwick Sands, a stretch of lovely beach lying about a nnle beiow Fishguard. It was here that the French surrendered on the 24th of February one hundred yv«rs ago, and, very appropriately so, it was here that the chief portion of the programme was gone through. It was estimated that close upon three thousand people had assembled on the beach. The children having been marshalled on the upper end of the slope, The Rev. Parry Davies, vicar of Punches- ton, conducted the service. The rev. gentle- man said: —Ladies and Gentlemen, dear Friends and eHow-p# tricks, --I wish to say that we are assembled here this afternoon in French Guns aaid Swords. I connection with an event of which we. as a nation, need not be ashamed. We are a large crowd this afternoon on these sands, and many of us have very eager hearts in our bosoms. A hundred years a,go to-day there was a larger crowd upon these sands, with eager hearts in their throats. ("Hear, hear," and loud applause.) Fellow-patriots, it was a hundred years to-day that the French surrendered to Earl Cawdor and his noble band. (Loud applause.) It is Ji remarkable fact that when the French landed on our shores there was a general rush of all peoples, but it was not a rush away from the foe, it was a rush to meet the foe. (Enthusiastia cheering.) The foe came on the 22nd of February, 1797, and on Wednesday, the 24th, they surrendered their arms. Here, on these Goodwick Sands, General Tate surrendered hie sword into the hands of Lord Cawdor, and his 1,450 soldiers threw their arms down in a heap upon the sands. (Applause.) Ladies and gentlemen, a hundred years ago there were brave hearts beating in those people; they were heroee and heroines; and I trust that we, their descendants, are not a whit behind them in patriotism, in love of home and country. (Loud applause.) The sur- render of the French to our noble forefathers reminds mo of the words of Lord Byron: — "Like the leaves of ihe forest, when summer is green, That host with their banner at sunset were seeii;t Like the leaves of the forest, when autumn had blown, That host on the third day lay withered and strewn." (Loud applause.) The following hymns were then sung. the Rev. Morlais Davies, A.C., conducting, j VIEW FROM CARNWNDA, WITH THE CHURCH. _1 namely, "O God, our help in ages past," "Praise,- my soul, the King of Heaven," "Wei, dynia ni ya dod ynghyd," and "U frywau Caersalem ceir gweled." The third hymn is known as Jones Llangan's, and its three verses were sung on Goodwick Sands shortly after the surrender in 1797. The following ministers gave out the hymns, namely, the Rev. Mr. Lloyd, vicar of Fish- guard; the Rev. Mr. James; t £ &&ev. Mr. Owen, vicar of Llajiwnda; and the Rev. Mr. Walters, of Maenclochog. In' the absence of the Rev. Daniel Symonds, his nephew, the Key. J. D. Symonds, offered up an im- pressive prayer of thanksgiving in Welsh. At the close Captain Harris exhibited a bayonet which was used by the French, and attached to it was a medal struck in the year 1797 in commemoration of the surrender. On it is inscribed, "The French Surrender at Fishguard, iwth February, 1797." This con- cluded the proceedings on the sands, and the procession then re-formed, the children lead- ing. On arrival at the square the Welsh National Anthem and "God save the Queen" were heartily sung, after which the children were regaled with a splendid tea. at the Tewpferance-hall, the expcut-e of which had been rlafraveci by local subscriptions. A CENTENARY MEDAL. A large number of commemorative medals have been struck, and they form a good me,menta of the centenary. On one side. encircled by a bunch of leeks, are the words, -s, "1897. Centenary of the last foreign inva- sion of Britain, 1797; in commemoration of the surrender of the French on Carreg Gwastad Point, Pencaer, February 24, 1797. On the other is a representation of Fishguard Bay, showing the French ships off the point, and a group of women, in distinctive cos- tumes, descending the hill, armed with im- provised weapons. Encircling it are the appropriate words, "A laddo a leddir. 1797, Fishguard, 1897." EVENING BANQUET. At 7.30 a representative company of about sixty persons sab down to a well-appointed banquet, provided at the Commercial Hotel. A novel and pleasing feature of the proceed- ings was the' presenoe of ladies, Mr. J. C. Yorke (high sheriff of the county) presided, and was supported by Mrs. Ycrke on his right and Miss James, of Tenby, on his left. There were also present Mrs. Morgan Owen, Mis. T. Thomas (of Ffynnongron), Dr. and Mrs. Swete, Mrs. Owen (of Carna), Miss Anita Williams, Mrs. Bryant, Miss Evans (of Neath), Miss Worse (of Tenby), the Rev. Parry Davies, the Rev. T. Johns, the Rev. Mr. Walters (of Maenolochog), the Rev. Lloyd Lloyd (vicar of Fishguard), Dr. Wil- liams (of Drim), the Rev. C. M. Phelps (of Haverfordwest), Mr. E. Perkins, Mx W. G. James, J.P., Mr. W. Jenkins and Mr. R. H. Harries (of Treffgarne Hall). Over the head table was a Welsh motto tribute to the brave women of 1797. After the repast the Chairman submitted the loyal toasts and that of "The Army and Navy." Mr. Edward Perkins proposed "The Presi- dent of the Centenary Committee. Mr. John Worthington," who, he was happy to say, was much better, and would soon be seen among them again. (Applause.) The toast was enthusiastically honoured. "The Clergy and Ministers" was given by Mr. W. G. James, and replied to in a humorous speech by the Rev. T. Walters. Next came the toast of the evening "The Heroes and Heroines of 1797," which met with an enthusiastic reception when pro- posed from the chair. Mr. Yorke instituted a. very striking comparison between the posi- tion of Great Britain a century ago and at the present time. He said our credit was 50 per cent, lower one hundred years ago than now, and at that time hostile landings were threatened in Ireland and successfully on this coast. The three great fleets of Spain, France, and Italy were leagued against us. Napoleon closed the way against Austria, with the confessed view of forcing England to her knees, and we had just lost the American Colonies, yet we were able to fight onr way up against enormous odds and in the face of the world. (Applause.) That retro- spect gave them still more cause for rejoicing at the present occasion to think of those who showed such a brave spirit of resistance when that landing took place on their coast at such a critical period. (Cheers.) The other toasts were "The Town and Trade," proposed by the Rev. T. Johns, replied to by Mr. Thomas Lewis; "The Ladies," by Mr. R. H. Harries, replied to by Mr. Tombs and Mr. V. Johns; "The Committee of the Day," bv Mr. Bryant, replied to by the Rev. Parry Davies; "The Chairman,' by Dr. Williams; and "The Press," by the Chair- man. There was also a social gathering and dance I TKB HOWEL, HEADQUARTERS OP THE FRENCH. r. J in the National Schoolroom, which wu largely attended. A huge bonfire was lighted out on the cliff between Hishguard and Goodwick, and every house in the town. added its quota to the pretty illuminations.

CAPTURE OF BENIN. EIGHT HOURS' SEVERE FIGHTING. A Reuter's telegram from Brus on Monday eays the Benin pobitivo expedition has taken Benin City, after meeting with a determined I resistance from the enemy. The fighting lasted eight hours. The punitive foroe lost four whites, including Dr. Fyfe, killed, and six- teen whites wounded, including Captain Byrne, Roy^ Marine Light Infantry, severely wounded. All the troops behaved splendidly. In the House of Commons on Monday, Sir J. COLOMB inquired whether the Government had rcosived any information with reference to the Benin expedition. Mr. GOSCHEN was glad to say tha.t news had been received of the successful issue of the expedition and of the taking of Benin City, with little It-as of life. The city was taken on the afternoon of the 18th. after considerable resistance. Seventeen Europeans and 23 natives were either killed. severely wounded, or slightly wounded. Immediate action had been taken to capture the king and Ju Ju men aud to pacify the country. THE CAPT DUE Of OLOGBO. A Central News telegram from Ologbo, wated Fbbruary 13 (via Lagos, Monday), *ays:—The operations against the important position of Ologbo, strcngly held by the enemy, were suc- cessfully completed yesterday, afior some heavy fighting. Colonel Hamilton cc-nimanded the force which actually captured Ologbo. Our losses were trifling. Ologbo is now the base whence the final advance on Benin City will be made almost immediately. HORRIBLE SCENES IN TBLI$ fcSTY. The Press Association states :—The feft lowing telegram, dated Brass, February 22, tae beeu received at the from Roar-Admiral Rawsba: In conflbmafcion of my telegram, the force left Ologbo on February 14, and cap- tured Benin City on the 18th, after sharp fighting. The column, three miles long, was harassed by the enemy during the whole march. There was very great heat. The water supply was carried for the whole force &t. the ratio of two quarts for an officer or man per day for all purposes. v The men were much exhausted on reachaug ammuiutiou and flora up" fOi'ce. Will £ v quiekH aa possible. Tha place stinks of human blood. Sacrifices >»nd corpses are every- where. Casualties :—February 13, one Hous^a wounded; February 14, three Houssas woundecU wounded; February 14, three Houssas woundecU February 15, one Hpijftsa killed,, one nutiW soout, and one n a ii ,%OU6d £ <fc; Feb- ruary 16, one native geotft^fefifed; February 17, Robert Dye A.B., official R.M., A1982, of Malacca, A. E. Targett, gunner, R.M., A3403, of Malacca, T. Samuels, private, R.M. L.I., 5,251, of Malacca; G. Hopper, private, R.M.L.I., 1,426, of Malacca; Henry Grant, second-claes petty othccr, official numl>er 130.990, of St. George, George Green, A.B., official number 131,263, of St. George, slightly wounded; one native carrier dangerously wounded, since dead; one native.scout severely wounded; February 18, Surgeon C. J. Fyfe, of St. George. Sydney Ansell, C.P.O., official number 98,504, of St. George, E. Howlett, A Pembrokeshire Cot. gunner, R.M., 5,254, of Malacca, M. Varndell, private R.M.L.I., 3,193, of Malacca, killed; G. William Johnston, gunner (?) of Philomel, W. Sinister, gunner, 141,856, of St. George, four Houseaa, six native carriers, one native scout, one native interpreter, severely wounded; George A. Smith, A.B., official number 147,654, of St. George, S. Denman, gunner, R.M., 5,249, of Malacca, H. Jones, gunner, R.M., 1,665, of Malacca, E. Palmer, private, R.M.L.I., 5,471, of Malaoea, Tom Sedgwick, A.B., official number 144,273, of St. George, slightly wounded. Casualties atSpaba:—February 11: Besides those previously telegraphed, Arthur Wil- liams C'heverall, A.B., official number 147,439, of Alecto, killed; Richard John Tittv, first-class petty officer, official numlber 137,123, of Alecto, severely wounded; Henry Cook, A.B., official number, 142.525, of Alecto, died; from heat apoplexy; February 17, Thomas Baker, private, Chatham Division, 5,119, of Malacca, died from sunstroke; February 16, further casualty at Guato, William McCarthy. A.B., official number 128,627. of Barrosa, slightly wounded; February 20, enemy again attacked the force near Sapoba; casualties: Frank Stentiford, private, R.M.L.I., Plymouth, 3,774, of Phoebe, killed; John Corcoran, pri- vate, R.M.L.I., Plymouth, 7,214, of Phoebe, William Scott, private. R.M.L.I., Portsmouth, 7,264, of Phoebe, slightly wounded.

A TOWNSHIP DESTROYED. Mail advices just to hand show that the town of Port Darwin, in Australia, was almost destroyed by a hurricane on January 7. After a heavy storm of ra,in the barometer fell to 28'7, and a whirlwind broke over the town. Almost every building was wrecked, and nearly all the boats in the harbour were sunk. Ten deaths occurred ashore, and many people are missing. The tele-^mh lines were all broken, and the telegraph offices unroofed. After the hurricane had passed away it was seen that the township was practically destroyed, all the buildings being either heaps of ruins or very badly damaged. The wet season having set in great efforts were made to repair houses and prevent further losses by rain, and so great waa the demand for carpenters that they were a.ble to demand and get £5 an hour for their work. work. BRIDGWATER TRAGEDY.

A coroner's jury at Bridgwater on Monday evening returned a verdict of "Wilful murder" against Charles Roach, a workman at the Great Western Ra.ilway Works. On the morning of January 12th a milkman entered Roach's house on getting no reply to his knocking, and found Mrs. Roach and her child dead in bed with their tbroate cut, and Roach himself sit- ting up in the same bed bleeding from a. wound ia his throat. Roach wa.s able to sav that he had killed his wife and child, and to add that the woman was not asleep at the time and begged him to spare her life. A Pembrokeshire Cottage.

THE TRAIN MURDER* STILL A MYSTERY. The mystery surrounding the tragic mmxiea of Miss Oamip grows deeper ana de&per m day succeeds day without the discovery of any fresh clue as to the perpetrator of the foul deed. Of course, the police are still indefati- gably pursuing a vigorous and systematic oourt* of inquiry in all lively directions, but up to\» late hour on Monday night they had discovered nothing new to asssist them in their dearoh. As a matter of fact. it would appear that they are almost without any actual in formation upos which to base a. trustworthy theory, And surifc being the case it will be readily understood that their dhances of sucoeas become the more remote with the progress of time. The sugges- tion that the Scotland Yard authorities attack importance to the story of tfue visit of a sus- picious man on the night of the murder to a public-house just outside Wandsworth Railway Station, and that vigilant inquiries artbeing. pursued in the Wandsworth district with a. view to the discovery of this^ individual, has no foundation. It is true that the police have received communications upon such a mat- ter, but they do not appear to attach any great importance to them. r

EXTRAORDINARY SEARCH FOR MYSTERIOUS DOCUMENTS. A correspondent writes to the "Daily Graphic":—The town of Baden, near Vienna, and the Neustadt of the Ao&trian capital, have been excited by an extraordinary charge of le-se majesfce, the proofs being said to be hidden in some portion of the walls of a hand- some btiildmg. Some weeks ago the Vienna police received an anonymous communication, which stated that a. well-known building con- tractor and councillor had hidden in the wall of a mansion which he had built for a wealthy gentleman at Baden documents' containing terrible threats against the Emperor Francis Joseph. A search was instituted by the Court; officials, but without result, as the place where the incriminating documents were concealed could not be discovered. The officials, although the names of those who had signed the mysterious documents had been furnished, could, of course, do nothing furt-ber OitbLout some proof. Some days ago, however, the police received a second ocmnNmication, and another search was made, aJso without result. As all efforts to find the hidin^placa were futile, the criminal authorities ordered the mansion to be demolished. Its occupants were accordingly bidden to quit immediately, and labourers were at ones set to to pull down the. fine building, under the-supermteu-< denoe of the Court officials. Up to the pre- sent nothing has been found. The cost of the proceedings has been so far supported by the State Treasury, and what with damage's to the tenants who were summarily turned out, and the sum paid to the owner of tha mansion, this has been no small matter. It is said that the information was laid by a out, and the sum paid to the owner of tha mansion, this has been no small matter. It is said that the information was laid by a. candidate for a seat in the Reiehsrath, to reveD. ,jc him&eif on his successful rival.

MOTION TO COMMIT AN M.P. The hearing of a motion to commit Mr* eHaufit<ya, M.P., for alleged breach of an under- aS^Wpbt to "buy* ..Aggiqst the plaintiffs, .J^jJflCaat^lonehouse and iSsifeuger. any share* in th6 Lady Hamptoiiyt^onsolidated Gold Mine, Limited, was continued on Tuesday.— la the course of Mr. Graham Hastings's reply on the part of the plaintiffs, Justice Stirling inti- mated that in his opinion. even if what had occurred fell within the terms of the under- taking, there was such an extent of reasonable doubt about it that the proper course would not be to make an order of committal, but to grant a fresh injunction moulded to suit the circum- stances of the case.—Mr. Hastings said ha should be content with an injunction or under- ul taking extended to intermediaries.—Sir Edward Clarke, on the part. of Mr. Houston, and Mr. Ingpen for Hassell, while maintaining the motion was wholly inexcusable, were willing to give an undertaking in that fOTm.-J ustice Stirling said that in his judgment it was not made out that the undertaking had been broken, but as satisfactory undertakings had now been given, it was unnecessary to make any order on the motion, and there would be no order as to costs.

MUNIFICENT GIFT TO THE NATION. The London correspondent of the "Man- chester Guardian" has ascertained the destination of the priceless collection of pictures and other works of art left to Lady Wallace by the late Sir Richard Wallace, and which com-prise the heir- looms of the Hertford family. He has the best reason for believing that under the will of Lady Wallace the whole of these collections will go to the nation. At the very kast their money value must considerably exceed a millionf sterling, and those bost acquainted with the treasures they contain are inclined to value them at a much higher figure. It is too soon to ascertain whether any conditions are attached to this splendid gift, but it is understood that it was the wish of Sir Richard Wallace that the works of art contained in Hertford House. Manchester-square, should remain there, and that the house should serve as a museum for their display. As the correspondent remarks, the collection of pictures should be of special value to the nation, because it is to rich in the works of French painters, in which our national collections are at present so sadly deficient.

SCENE AT HOLLOWAY CHURCH. The Bishop of London (Dr. Creighton) prewhed on Sunday morning to a crowded congregation at St. James's Church, Holloway, in behalf of the church Sunday and day schools. At the cloee of the bishop's sermon, and as ha was descending the pulpit steps, a well-dressed man stand" ng in the end gallery facing the pulpit excitedly shouted, "I protest against the Lord Bishop of London violating the Second Commandment. I protest against this most strongly." All eyes were turned towards the speaker, the congregation apparently being surprised and shocked by this wanton interrup- tion of the service, a propos of nothing the bishop had said in the course of his sermon. Several persons in the vicinity of the interrupter —a stranger to the church—gently removed him outside. As. however, he was leaving he shouted, "Don't support the Church schools. Practise what you preach." The service then proceeded qpietly to the close.

THE FAMOUS CALLIOPE. The Press Association states that the third- class oruiser Calliope, which has not been employed aince her marvellous escape frem the hurricane in Sannoa Harbour, was commissioned at Portsmouth on Tuesday morning by Captain H. P. Routh, to serve as an additional re. cruiting and training ship. She will co- operate with her sister ship Curacoa, and be attached to the ^Northampton. Two years ago the average number of boys entered annually for the Navy was only 2,800, but since the Northampton has been employed the num- ber has more than doubled. The Aginoourt, an old-fashioned battleship, is also to be engaged on similar service as a tender to the Pembroke, and will have fat ilifies for training another 1,000 boys. The Tl* >yal Arthur sailed from Portsmouth on Tutasiay morning with relief crews for the Australian squadron. Sho will, however, put in at Gibraltar for instruo tions, and be available if required for serv -e in the Mediterranean.

POISONED IN A RAILWAY CARRIAGE. On the arrival of the 1.45 train at Euston on Sunday afternoon Mr. Alfred Valentine Ramsey, of Walford, was found in an uncon- scious condition. He was taken to the University College Hospital, where he died during the night. The Central News says that the death of the gentleman who was found in an unconscious condition in a carriage at Euston Station on Sunday is attributed to poison, which the autho- rities state they have little doubt was self ad- ministered. There is nothing to lead to any suspicion of foul play. The deceased's widow and daughters visited the University Hospital, and identified the body