The North Wales Express

LIBERAL MEETING AT FLINT. Contrary to the expectation, there is to be a contest for the representation of the Flintshire Boroughs. Mr John Roberts, M.P., who was elected two years ago to the seat rendered vacant > by the decease of Mr P. Ellis Eyton, is to meet his old opponent, Captain P. Pennant Pennant, of Nantlys, wham he defeated on that occasion by 125 votes. The decision on the part of the Con- servatives to contest the seat was only arrived at a day or two ago, but immediately on receipt of the fact a meeting of the Liberal Association of' the Flint District Boroughs was called by Mr R. Mus- pratt, the chairman of the association, and was held on Wednesday afternoon, in the Town Hall, Flint. Mr Ruberts arrived at Flint from London on Wednesday and was met by several prominent Liberals of the district. The delegates attending the meeting from the contributory boroughs num- bered about fifty and drove into Flint in the vehicles which are somewhat peculiar to the dis- trict. ffiach of the delegates wore the Liberal colours, and as they alighted at the Liberal head- quarters they were received with cheers. The Liberals seemed in high spirits, and were quite enthusiastic at another contest, and confident of victory. The circumstances of the last election are still so fresh in the minds of the youthful portion of the population, that at the sight of the Liberal colours they commenced to sing a strain which was very popular at the last contest, John Roberts is the man." Captain Pennant, the Con- servative candidate, was in Flint during the after- noon, and was also well received by his friends. After the meeting of Liberal delegates Captain Pennant met Mr Roberts at the railway station, and they cordially shook hands. In the absence of Mr Richard Muspratt, Mr J. L. Muspratt pre- sided at the meeting of delegates, and amongst those present were Dr Butterton, Rhyl; the Rev. B. Hughes, St. Asaph the Rev. M. Jones, and the Rev. D. Lantrow; Messrs Ormiston, St. Asaph Adam Eyton, Lianerchymor; E. P. Ed- wards, Mold; H. Roberts, Mold; William Davies, Holywell P. M. Evans, Holywell E. P. Jones, Bagillt; J. S. Williams, Caerwys; E. Wheldon, Mold; Joseph Eaton, Mold; H. Machno Williams, Greenfield J. Hall, Flint; J. Williams, Rhudd- lan, &c. The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, said that for his own part he could only say that Mr Roberts was a most excellent and useful member for the Boroughs (hear, hear). He was very glad to have had the opportunity of telling Mr Roberts in the lobby of the Housejof Commons, on Tues- day night, that not only would he be very glad to nominate him at the ensuing election, but that whatever support his family could give would also be given (cheers). Mr Wm. Eyton, Llanerchymor, moved-" That this meeting desires to accord to Mr John Roberts, M.P., its best and warmest thanks for the very able and satisfactory manner in which he has discharged his duties as member for the Flint- shire Boroughs, and has much pleasure in adopting Mr Roberts as the Liberal candidate for the ensuing election, and pledging itself to use every legitimate measure to secure his return by a triumphant majority" (cheers). They all knew, he remarked, that Mr Roberts was a very able representative of the Boroughs, and a better man they could not well select (cheers). Mr John Williams, Phoenix Works, seconded the resolution. Mr Edward Thompson, Mold, supported it, and referred to Mr Roberts as having been for the last eighteen or twenty months during which he had represented those constituencies a most able, industrious, and useful member (cheers). He believed Mr Roberts had done more real Parliamentary work in those eighteen months than any member 'before him who has re- presented them for the last eighteen years. He trusted that Mr Roberts would be returned by a very triumphant majority, and that afterwards the borough would not be again contested during the lifetime of that gentlemen (loud cheers). The resolution was carried with acclammation, after which Mr Roberts entered the room, and was received with loud cheers. The Chairman having informed Mr Roberts of the resolution which had been passed, Mr Roberts, who was again received with cheers, said he thanked them most sincerely for the renewed expression of confidence passed in him, and for their very grateful promise of earnest support on his behalf during the present crisis. Speaking generally of the dissolution, he for one was glad that it had come, because he was sure that all present would agree with him that they had had quite enough of the present Parliament (cheers). With referencp. to the motives for the dissolution, whether it had been a well-planned scheme of the Government, or a sudden de- termination, they knew not, and perhaps never would know. If the Government had intended to dissolve now, they did their be3t to make the people believe that they would not so, and if it was a sudden determination it was hard to account for it, and there was no other reason perhaps except that of the Metropolitan Water Bill. He felt that the meeting was more for business than speechifying, and for himself he could say that he was determined to work hard and to spare neither time nor trouble to make their majority during the coming contest a decisive one. He entered on the contest with very sanguine hopes of a complete and decisive vic- tory (cheers), and he felt grateful for the earnest and cordial offers of support which he had re- ceived from his friends, Messrs Muspratt (cheers). He had the pleasure of seeing Mr Richard Mus- pratt on Tuesday afternoon in London, and they must all regret his absence and the cause; but they had received from him all the support that he could give (cheers). These facts he (Mr Roberts) hoped would be a sufficient refutation of the calumnious and the almost absurd state- ments which had been made that he (Mr Roberts) would only have the half-hearted support of the Muspratt interest. If their Conservative friends had been reckoning upon that in bringing for- ward Mr Pennant, they would find that they had been relying upon a broken reed. There were other circumstances which he thought were favourable to the Liberal cause throughout Flint- shire. He believed that in the Flintshire boroughs the people, like the people throughout the country generally had had sufficient experience of Tory rule, and that they longed again for the good old times of Mr Gladstone and his Government (cheers). In his address he had not thought it necessary to allude to any of his political views, because, as he said in that address, he had during the last two years had the pleasure of addressing his constituents so frequently that his views on every important political topic were well known. That being the case, he would allude only to two matters which had been brought under their atten- tion in Parliament during the last week One of those matters was a bill called by the Govern- ment the Corrupt Practices Prevention Bill, but by the Opposition a bill for encouraging corrupt 91 practices—a bill which would make it hard for a man without great wealth to contest an election, and to put more power into the hands of the Conservative party, who were, he supposed, re- garded, generally speaking, the wealthier party (laughter, and a voice: "Not in Flintshire"). The other measure was that which had been already exposed by Mr Gladstone in the House of Commons, and that was an attempt-a successful attempt-to lay on an additional tax. He (Mr Roberts) believed that it world be over a million of money, although the Chancellor of the Exchequer thought it would be less, by revising, as it was called, the scale of pro- bate duties, which was brought forward under the pretence of relieving the smaller est ites. As a matter of fact it increased the duty on some small estates and the disproportion shown by Mr Gladstone was very great, because an estate of L2,000 would pay at the rate of 3i per cent, whereas a wealthy estate of X350,000 would only pay at the rate of £ 2 13s 6d per cent. A remark had bien made that the Conservative party were not the wealthier party in Flintshire That remark, he supposed, was meant as an allusion to the rather frequent meetings which had been held of late by the Conservative party in order to gal- vauise opposition in the Hint Boroughs. With regard to that he might say that for his own comfort, and the comfort of others, he should have been glad if they had been spared the worry and the turmoil of a contested election, but after all he preferred that than the suspense,. and felt much more comfortable now that he knew he had to fight than he did before (cheers). Perhaps it was all the better that they were to have a contest, because there were circumstances which militated against them at the last election, and perhaps the rather narrow majority he received then had encouraged the present attack but he hoped that the majority would be so increased at this election that they would not venture to make another attack (cheers). One thing which he wished to impress upon them was that this contest was in a measure forced upon them; it was not got up by the people of the Boroughs themselves, but to a very large extent by gentlemen outside the Boroughs (hear, hear), who by hook or by crook had subscribed a large amount of money some of which, it was said, was obtained from a g.reat distance, in order to involve the rSorougns in a contest, and if they succeeded their representative would not be a representative of the people of the Boroughs, but the representative of the money which had been gathered together from all quarters (cheers). He had heard that the other side hoped to make capital out of the bill which he (Mr Roberts), in conjunction with Mr Richard, Mr Holland, Mr Osborne Morgan, and Mr Hussey Vivian, had introduced for Sunday closing in Wales. He need hardly teil them that was not a party measure, neither did he desire to make it a party question; but if those who were in favour of it would vote for him, and those who were not would vote for his opponent, he should be well satisfied (hear, hear). He asked them not to allow this to be made a party question quietly in the back slums, and to be shelved in other places such as St. Asaph, where their opponents figured as members of the Church Temperance Association. If they were to be opposed on that ground let it be so, but let them not be supported in one place and opposed in another because of it. With regard to the bill, he had not brought it forward with the view of indulging in crochets, but simply because he believed it to be the wish of the majority of the Welsh people. He had brought it forward, not in opposition to the publican, but on behalf of the publican, who, he thought, was wrongfully deprived of his Sabbath Day's rest; for, in the present state of the law, the publican could not enjoy his Sab- bath Day's rest without subjecting himself to disadvantage when compared with his neigh- bours. That this was the desire of the great majority of the Flintshire electors was evidenced by the statistics that were given to him before he moved the bill. Out of 204: electors at Rhuddlan, 203 were for it, including nearly all the publicans eight in favour and only one against. In St. Asaph there were 300 odd for and 20 against. In Holywell the numbers were proportionate. In Bagillt the majority was enormous; and in Flint, as far as the canvass was taken it was also very large. The majority of the publicans throughout the Boroughs had themselves signed papers with a desire to have their houses closed on the Sabbath Day. That being the state of the case, he hoped they would let people clearly understand^ ttlat it was from no hostility to the publicans, or from any desire to curtail the rights of the working man, but to give effect to the wishes of the majority of the Welsh peop e, that he consented, in con- junction with his hon. friend, to take charge of the measure. He might add that he believed it had received the support of every Welsh member (hear, hear). The Hon. Douglas Pennant, why was contesting Carnarvonshire in the Conservative interest, had stated publicly in his address that he was in favour of the Sunday Closing Bill (cheers). It seemed very strange thatjwhat was declared to be im'favour of the Conservative candidate for Carnarvonshire should be brought forward as an objection in the Boroughs. He would not occupy their time with the various subjects of importance that occupied the attention of the last Parliament, or the subjects of very much greater importance that would occupy the attention of the next Parliament; but if elected (" Yes") he would give his sympathy to them, and it would be his desire to aid every Liberal measure (cheers). While doing nothing to hinder the interests of any class, he would do everything in his power to promote the interests of all (cheers). He had now only to ask them to work earnestly and arduously, not for victory alone, but for such a victory as would restore the prestige of those Boroughs, and'prove that it had been useless for their opponents to make the attack, however much money had been collected (cheers). His colleague Lord RichardGrosvenor had expressed to him his regret that domestic circumstances had prevented his being present, but he hoped in the event of a contest to be with them, and give them his valuable assistance. Lord Richard Grosvenor thought last week that his seat was also going to be atacked, but their opponents had evidently thought better of it (hear, hear). He and his friends, however, were still prepared to meet any attack that might be made in this direction (cheers). Mr Ormiston moved a vote of thanks to the chairman, which was seconded by Dr Butterton, and carried unanimously. The Chairman, in replying, said he felt it a sort of personal grievance that Mr Roberts was going to be opposed, because he had hoped that all his (the chairman's) efforts might be devoted to the contest in South-West Lancashire. However, he should do all he could in support- ing and in carrying Mr Roberts by a larger majority than they did last time (cheers). The delegates then met privately to make arrangements for the contest. To-night Mr Roberts will address a meeting of the electors in the T6wn Hall, Flint. In reference to the announcement that Mr Pennant, Conservative, had consented to con- test the seat with the sitting member, Mr John Roberts, it was stated on Wednesday that a very large contribution to the Tory election fund had been received from Sir Andrew B. Walker. The amount of Sir Andrew's donation was by well-informed persons declared to be £1,000; while others fixed the sum at £ 2,000.

NOTES ON THE FLINT BOROUGHS ELECTION. BY AP GOSSIP. A CONTEST IS DECIDED UPON After many days of indecision, the Conservatives have agreed to oppose the return of Mr John Roberts, who has so well and thoroughly repre- sented the Flint Boroughs in Parliament for the last two years. The final decision was come to at a meeting held at Chester on Tuesday last. Of course, the candidate, who is to consolidate the co-operation" of the electors of these boroughs, is Mr P. P. Pennant, who is the only man of Con- servative principles who can command a res- pectable minority. HOW IT WAS DONE! For a long time before a Dissolution was anti- cipated, the Tories of these boroughs were under- stood to be buckling on their armour eager for the fray. They could be heard screeching,-U We were only beaten by 125 last time, but wait till next time, and we'll' give you a licking." Then there was the. Tory showman, whose parents in a moment of mental aberration christened him Saint,"—going about the boroughs and in every penny reading or six-penny tea-fight exhibiting Capt. Pennant. This was all very comfortable and sounded very brave, when suddenly the Dis- solution is upon us,—the Government who rode to power on a beer barrel have, come to grief in a rain tub,—the party who paddled up to St. Stephen's in "strong diink" have gone adrift in "pure water." Of course, say you, the Tories were quite prepared, and were in the field at once ? Not they No shouting, no singing, no bragging for the moment; but Oh such sighing. They have no coin Pennant won't stand; we've no funds!" That was the cause of the sighing. But the "rich party" went a-begging. Meetings were held daily in different parts of the boroughs and in Chester, at which the invariable announce- ment was made,— A collection in aid of the funds will be made at the close." By great per- severance in taking the hat round," the funds were raised, and Capt. Pennant was induced by the Conservatives to become an Aunt Sally," to be knocked down a second time by the electors of Flintshire. That is just how the thing was managed. NOT A BAD MOVE, EITHER. A few days ago we were treated to the follow ing bit of intelligence :—" The name of Sir A. B. Walker is frequently mentioned as the Conser- vative candidate for the Flintshire Boroughs." Discrediting this, I spoke on the matter to a Conservative gentleman intimate at head. quarters, and he said, We don't want Walker; he'd have no chance,"—here he reduced his voice to a whisper,—" but we want his money, and if we can get that, Pennant is our man." He was right. Judging by its success, it was not a bad move. Next week, among other election items, I will endeavour to give a forecast of the result of the present contest.

[PUNCH.] THE ARTIFICIAL PRODUCTION OF DIAMONDS.— Abortive. THE ONE AFFECTION IN WHICH THE IRISH ARE DEFICIE-.NT.-Pa(y)rental. LOCAL C)PTION.-(As deduced from Sir Wilfrid's meeting at Cambridge.) Leaving the Guildhall, or having one's head punched by irate publicans. FLATTERY.—Facetious Drover: "Buy two or three nice little 'uns for the park, squire ?" [To: the delight of little Binks, who was taking a turn through the market. He travelled for Shortreel and Co., of Manchester.] PUNCJtS E PITAPH FOR THE PRESENT PARLIA- MENT. BY SIR W. LAWSON. (Apropos of J/r Cross's Water Bill.) HBRB REPOSES a Parliament Of Conservative tastes, which, BRED upon BBBR Endeavoured to support its Constitution by an appeal to BRITISH SPIRIT and IMPERIAL MEASURES, and in its Seventh Year took to WATER, and IDIED [FUN.]

THE CANDIDATE'S CATECHISM. The near approach of the general election renders it advisable for future candidates to hold themselves ready for any emergency. Those, therefore, who purpose canvassing a constituency would do well to be prepared with answers to the following list of questions:— What is your name? Where do you come from ? What do you call yourself ? What do other people call you? Have you ever changed your politics, and, if so, where are they ? Can you define" Imperial interests ? Will you disestablish the Church at once if elected ? Are you a Dissenter, and, if so, where would you like to be buried ? Did you ever see a contented Irishman, and what is your explanation of Home Rule ? What will you take to drink ? Do you suffer from corns, and will you buy all your medicines from the retail chemist ? Will you become a subscriber, and will you induce all your friends to subscribe to our local institution ? Have you a skeleton in your cupboard ? What is going to happen next? Do you apprc-ve of the income tax, and have you ever sent conscience money to the Chancellor of the Exchf quer ? Are you under the influence of your female relations, and will you further the extention of women's rights ? Can you say when the national debt will be paid off Are you ready to take the pledge ? State your opinion as to the rise, progress, and future of Parliamentary obstruction ? If returned by one party, will you ever side with the other ? Will you obey the dictations of a Caucus ? Have you any fads concerning foreign policy or domestic legislation ? Have j ou any reason to suppose yourself a bet- ter man than your opponent ? Would you refuse the office of Prime Minister ? How much willlyoti give for a vote ?

[JUDY.] HOW ARE THE MIGHTY FALLEN — Mistress (haughtiy) Has the General returned yet?" Page (with ill-concealed glee, Oh, m'm please, cook says she's just seen him slip down on a bit ol horange peel." THE USE AND ABVSE OF TOB&cco.-Young lady (to young Gentleman, who evidently wants be her fellow traveller, and is holding the door for her): "Is this the smoking compartment F" Young Gentleman: "Oh, no!" Young Lady: "Thank you." [Passes on, and gets into smoking compartment.]

Prof. Smith, whose Biblical article in the Encyclopedia BritannictS excited so much hostility in certain theological circles in Scotland, and wao ij at present travelling in the East, will have no fewer than three lengthy articles in the eleventh volume of the Encyclopsedia, on the Prophet Haggai, the Hebrew Language and Literature, and the Epistl«*to the Hebrews respectively. An Armenian library and reading room was established at Smyrna in 1869, and has flourished so that there are now 2,000 volumes. Lord Selborne and Mr F. J. Bramwell, chairman respectively of the council and executive committee of the City and Guilds of London In- stitute, have addressed a letter to the Prince of Wales, as President of the Commissioners for the 1851 Exhibition, proposing to build a college for advanced technical education, at a cost of £ 50,000 and upwards, at South Kensington, and to main- tain the same at an annual charge of at least X5000 per annum above the amount of the fees received. It is stated that the executive com- mittee of the 1851 Commissioners recommend the acceptance of these proposals. The Cambridge Antiquarian Society has been increasing rapidly in number of members and in general importance lately, under Professor Hughes's presidency. It is likely to have a museum furnished for it ultimately by the Uni- versity.' At the last meeting Professor Hughes and Mr Jenkinson gave a preliminary report on some recent explorations at Great Chesterford, a well-known Roman station. A society for the promotion of Jewish studies has just been founded in Paris under the presidencol Baron James de Rothschild. The Yorkshire Fine Art Society, the 1 headquarters of which are at Leeds, will open a loan exhibition of pictures on May 1st next. Sir Frederick Leighton has finished his large fresco of The Arts of War," in one of the large lunetts of what is known as the South Gal- lery at the South Kensington Museum. The death of a son of Mendelssohn is an- nounced from Germany. He was a well-known man, though his work lay in a different field from that cultivated by the author of Elijah. M. Paul Mendelssohn was one of the largest manufacturers of chemicals in Germany. Among the approaching novelties in the London theatrical world, is a one-act play to be performed at the Gaiety, entitled "Shakespeare on the Brain." The author, who is to perform the principal part, is a gentleman well-known in literary circles, and the son of one of our most eminent living poets. He assumes the nom do guerre, George Lancaster. We wish Mr L. (who is himself a poet and journalist) all success in the new career he has chosen. Messrs Hodder and Stoughton have just published a new and revised edition, completing the hundredth thousand, of a spirited and well- timed pamphlet by "Nemesis," entitled "Five Years of Tory Rule." The same firm has issued a pamphlet by the Rev J. T. Walters, of St. John's Coll., Cambridge, entitled "Tory or Liberal: for Which shall I Vote? Mr Bright writes of this pamphlet: "I have read it with great inter- est and pleasure, and am very glad you have I written it. It must do good, and the wider the circulation the more good it will do."

We do not necessarily identify ourselves with the sentiments of our correspondents.

THE WATER SUPPLY OF HENLLAN. SUt,_U An Oponent of Envy," &c., in your last insertion, seems to have had his equilibrium disturbed by the few words I have said on the water debate in the last meeting of the Denbigh Council. It pleases me to fancy the happy grip, that brightened his otherwise melan- cholic face when he found that I was so deficient in my grammatical knowledge. Possibly that what I said did not suit his taste, or he would not have left the latter part of my sentence out, as well as inserting a word in instead of the one I said, which will account for the ridiculous way he has inserted it. In answer to his appeal for par- ticulars of what was the amount subscribed, and what was done with the money, if he will kindly send me his address on a stamped envelope, I shall, with pleasure, give him the information re- quired. I should feel glad to know what 1 am to do with the money, as neither committee nor friends seem to take the least interest in them here.— Yours truly, Bryn Henllan. W. J. FOULKES.

"SALUS IN URBE." Si.Allow me, through the medium of your valuable paper, to draw the attention of the Car- narvon authorities to the quantity of orange-peel which, more especially on Saturdays, one finds liberally strewn on the pavements. Taking into consideration how very dangerous it is to tread on a piece of orange-peel and with what sad result such a fall, on a hard pavement, is often attended, I trust the authorities will remedy this evil,—instructing the police, or offering a small reward for the apprehension of anyone so endanger- ing the public safety, so that the speech of a London Correspondent on another occasion may not apply to them, That an alderman would have to be hurt before anything would be done." Trusting you will insert thi" protest in your next valuable issue.—I am, sir, your obedient Servant, Carnarvon, March 17th, 1880. C. J. D.

HOLYWELL SCHOOL BOARD. SIR,-In answer to Mr Daniel Pierce's letter in your issue of last week, I have only to say, that his so-called explanation, is altogether untrue- (but he may be one of those deluded creatures who believe in doing evil, that good may come; or that the end justifies the means.) The simple facts are these:—That Mr Daniel Pierce has induced several children to leave the Infant School to attend his school (although under age) by promising to entertain them to tea at his house. I still maintain, that at least one boy was asked at the Wesleyan Chapel, on a Sunday to attend his school. I cannot think that it matters much on what day it occurred such conduct is not only contrary to the regulation8 of the Board, but every right-minded person will see the mean- ness which is characteristic of the man, in his endeavours to augment the number of his scholars by an attempt to diminish that of another teacher. Mr Daniel Pierce may try to evade the question by pleading absence on a certain Sun- day, but one can understand a drowning man catching at a straw."—I am, yours, EMMA PARRY. Infant Board School, Spring Gardens, Holywell. P.S.—I do not intend writing further on this matter.

Already the Conservative party have dis- counted their gains, and, having secured, as they assume, their return to power, the next question asked by the Sphinx is, What will he do with it P" A rumour haw-gone round the clubs, which I am unable to trace to any reli- able source, that, having got his majority and his second term of office, Lord Beaconsfield means to make his bow and retire like a well- graced actor. Already all the possible combina- tions are talked of, and, as, for some reason, Lord Salisbury is supposed to be in failiig health, it is taken for granted that we shall have a Coalition, with Lord Derby at its head. For my part I do not believe a word of it. Dr Parker has come forward as a Liberal Candidate on his own hook for the City of London. March is the month of mad hares as well as "the roaring moon of crocus and daffodil," as Tennyson more poetically styles it. I suppose all kinds of whims are, therefore, permissible in March but this candidature of the pastor of the City Temple is too good for a joke and not good enough for a "goak." He took the Hall of the Cannon-street Hotel the other afternoon, and preached up Gladstone and preached down Beaconsfield to the great amusement of City clerks, who came to chaff the heated pulpiteer. Altogether, it was a performance in which the comic element was uppermost. The Metropolitan Boroughs will have to be on the look-out for wolves in sheep's clothing. The Ballot leaves room for a good deal of dirty practice in electioneering. It is believed, on good grounds, that Conservatives have treacherously made their way into Radical Associations, and, under the guise of Liberal- ism, are deliberately promoting disunion in the ranks of their enemies. Mr Bright believed that the candidature of Mr Shipton at Southwark was a Conservative dodge to devide the Liberal votes. There is more reason for believing that such tactics are being pursued in other boroughs. Be that as it may, refractory aspirants will appear in the field to perplex and annoy Liberal Committees. In spite of Mr Gladstone, Mr Hyndeman persists in coming forward for Marylebone, and, as he is a man of considerable influence, the conse- quences to his party may be awkward. In Lambeth Mr Labouchere comes forward as a third Liberal candidate, and he is a formidable man to have in the field; for the retailer of aristocratic gossip in Truth-strange to say-is quite a favourite with the working man. Whether Parliament has been water—to repeat Mr Gladstone's j oke-1 Jf Mr Cross's measure has been an unfo1:j. thing far London Conservatism. The covered with placards referring to the ilHn ø1 measure, and Metropolitan cl Liberalise reckon on the votes of those who love Wstd well as of those who hate beer. -Ujl Before leaving London on a visit to the and Duchess of Connaught the Prime had an interview with Mr Brand, the Sp and ascertained his intentions as to The result, however, of Lord ^jj visit was to induce Mr Brand to intended retirement, so that there will & election of a new Speaker with the neW liament. Considering the determination jj House to deal vigorously with obstructiOOI was a wise decision to induce Mr Brand tO tain the Speakership for at least another 810, It would be an exceedingly difficult task fOr « inexperienced man to undertake the workill, out of the new standing order designed tO down obstruction. And the very fact that & Brand is a Liberal gives greater weight to authority in assisting the Government to P\ down the Irish nuisance. Mr Raikes would), doubt, like to obtain the chair, and if the C-M servatives should remain in power, very he will have his desire; but the change is or, thing but desirable, j The knighthood of Mr Charley is looked 011- an EI Ji i ;)- T i -7Lnceuvre of the Prenliet 5 by which he till,) ) commend the Consent tive member for Salford to his constitu^ much after the manner of the creation of 0, Majesty into an Empress of India to bar I progress of the Russians in Central Asia. A' matter of fact, however, Mr Charley has wa^j longer than most Common-.Serjeants bef°y receiving the honour of Knighthood. He i* j lucky young man in more ways than one; fO if he has served his country in no other waV)™ has at least afforded an excellent argud6^ towards the continuance of the ancient privil^ of the pit to choose its own judges. To the sorrow of ambitious young Peers. dissolution has deferred the arrangem^ which were expected to have been made accordance with the recommendations in Lords committee on Parliamentary Reportiflft, Some day, however, we may hope to have a and exact record of every platitude which^j uttered by our hereditary legislation. Tb^!? may be persons besides the Peers themsel who may be anxious for this happy cons. tion but most people are of opinion that present system has Hansard well enough. Some of the High-church organs are sc^ dalized at the elections being held in Eas^ week; but what will they say to the Qu«^j travelling in Passion Week, and actual being on the rail on her way to Germany Good Friday ? There is to be a meeting Baden, it is said, not only of the Queen anab^ daughter the Imperial Princess, who is to through Baden on her return from Pegli, btt also the old Emperor and |Einpress talk of trip to Baden, to pay the Queen a complimell" tary visit. Great preparations are making Ot Baden-Baden to give her Majesty a right roY jØ reception. But I hear that, after all, it uncttain whether the Queen may not postpO^S her trip till yafter the elections, if not put it altogether. The Ministers by no means feel & certain of a majority as to feel quite safe letting the Queen go off to Germany in view eventualties which might compel her to make hasty return journey. The rumour was propagated, not to say vented, last week by a Society journal tbft* Prince Leopold Was about to marry 30 Maynard, an heiressj and toast in the coiiuty of Essex. It is impossible for a bachelot Prince to pay the most trifling attentions to young lady without the fact being published the world and probably rumours of this kÏtl are not wholly displeasing to the lady, howev^ annoying they may be to her admirer. The gossips are as much cGO-' I cerned that Prince Leopold should fa^ I in love with someone and marry as though there were any danger of a failure in the suC' cession. Luckily, there are too many desceff' dants of Queen Victoria alive and healthy to make it necessary for Parliament solemnly to request a Prince of the blood to marry, as it di in the case of the son of George the Third. Queen Victoria herself may be said to have beO- born at the national request. If Prince Leopold should prefer an English to a German bride, and unite himself, as his sister the princes8 Louise has done, with a Commoner, the county would be all the better pleased. And if it lal with the society journals to make a selection for him, they could not make a better choice ths-a the young lady who has been so unceremoll- iously put down" for him. Miss Maynard iØ the representative of the Viscount Maynard, 4 long descended family. She is only nineteen a distinguished beauty, and exceedingly weaitny. There is, undoubtedly, considerable ill-feeling in China against the Russians, who have lately countenanced, if not directly instigated, the disaffection which exists upon the borders of the Celestial Empire. The beheadal of the Ambasador, who negotiated the recent Russian Treaty, may turn out to be a fable. But though such a punishment would shock our delicate notions of political propriety, I ;fancy it would excite little surprise at Pekin. The primitive Empire of the West beheading is to a mandarin what accepting the Chiltern Hundreds is to an English Member of Parliament. Probably ? general massacre amongst them would most nearly correspond to a dissolution amongst us. Afternoon performances are now quite the thing at our theatres. The Crystal Palace led the way, and now the Imperial (formerly the Aquarium) has produced As you like it with a powerful cast. The Lyceum afternoon per- formances of The Merchant of Venice are a treat for those who can secure a seat, but for weeks places are bespoken, and still there are no signs of interest flagging at all. The day- light route," as we may call those afternoon performances, are largely patronised by the- clergy and country cousins, who run up to town for a day, under the excuse of shopping, and who go in for a morning in Regent-street, winding up with an afternoon at Mr Irving's or Miss Litton's favourite revival of Shake- speare.

Sporting. SIR W. W. WYNN'S HOUNDS MEET ON Friday, March 19 Llynclys Station, at 11.45 Saturday, March 20 Ightfield Each day at 10.30. THE FLINT AND DENBIGH HOUNDS MEET ON Saturday, March 20 The Kennels At 10.30. Printed and Published at the CARNARVON PBTNTINO WORKS, NEW HARBOUR, CARNARVON, in the County of Carnarvon, by ROBERT WILLIAMS, for the Car- narvon Newspaper & Printing Co. Limited. Published also at the Establishments of Mr Ellis Roberts, Four- crosses, Festiniog, in the County of Merioneth; at the Establishment of Mrs Ellen Willliams, Llangefni* m the County of Anglesey; at the Estabishment oi Mr Robert Lloyd, Ruthin, the County of Denbigh* and at the Establishment of Mr J. Kerfoot Evanei Hierh-street, Holywell, in the County of Flint. 0. FRIDAY, MARCH th, 18 o.

[Continuation from seventh page.] A large and enthusiastic meeting of the sup- porters of the candidature of Sir Robert Cunliffe was held in the Public Hall, Wrexham, on Mon- day evening. Although the Conservatives say that Wrexham is their stronghold in the boroughs, they must admit that the re eption accorded to Sir Robert last evening was quite equal in warmth to that given to his political opponent on Thursday last. The chair was occupied by Mr Charles Hughes, and the numerous speakers in- cluded Sir Robert Cunliffe, Mr Lowe, J.P., Mr W. H. Darby, Mr W. Thomas, Mr Lewis Ashworth, and others. A vote pledging the meeting to do its utmost to secure the return of the hon. baronet to Parliament was carried amidst great applause.- We learn on good authority that the outlook of the party in these boroughs is most encouraging. A canvass in the Rbosddu district resulted in pro- mises of nine to one in favour of the Liberals. It is computed that the voting in Wrexham will be about the same on both sides, and that Denbigh, Ruthin, Holt, and other places will turn the scale greatly in the Liberal interest. The Hon. G. T. Kenyon's supporters held an enthusiastic meeting at the Assembly-Rooms, Denbigh, on Monday evening. The chair was taken by Dr A. E. Tumour, J.P., and the room was crowded. Mr Kenyon, who was received with loud cheers, criticised the address of Sir Robert Cunliffe, the Liberal candidate. There will be a hard contest in the Denbigh boroughs. Sir Robert Cunliffe is the Liberal can- didate, and the Hon. George Kenyon will fight for the Conservative colours. The Liberals held their committee meetings at the Crown Hotel, and the Tories assemble at the Bull. Both parties are working very hard, and predict the success of their respective candidates. Mr Kenyon addressed a large meeting of his supporters (many of whom were women) on Monday night. He avowed him- self a Churchman ready to extend the hand of fellowship to all denominations of religionists. He criticised Mr Cunliffe's address, and spoke at great length in favour of the foreign policy of the Government. He also said that if returned he would urge in Parliament the claims of Wales to a Government grant for higher education. Further, he was in favour of a measure for giving compen- sation to railway servants injured in the perform- ance of their duty. On Tuesday night Sir Robert Cunliffe arrived at Denbigh, and was escorted in a torchlight procession to the Crown Hotel, from one of the upper windows of which he addressed about 5000 person, urging his supporters the importance of polling every vote so that he might go to Parliament with a. commanding majority. Both candidates have personally canvassed Wrex- ham and Denbigh alc)ng with their wives, and are very hopeful as to th result. MERIONETHSHIRE. Mr Dunlop, of Tan-y-bwlch, Festiniog, has consented to contest this county in the Conserva- tive interest against Mr Holland, the present mem- ber. His address appears in another column. MONTGOMERYSHIRE. Mr Stuart Rendel has issued a vigorous address, in which he says:—"Lord Beaconsfield invites from you the verdict he can no longer escape. I ask you to pronounce him guilty-guilty of a wil- ful lethargy at home and a perverse restlessness abroad guilty of purchasing sham victories at the price of impossible obligations guilty of playing fast and loose with Turkey to her destruction, and with Greece to our discredit; guilty of swag- gering in circulars and cringing- in conventions guilty of wasting our resources and perplexing our industry; guilty of shiftiness in evading the debts which he recklessly incurred; guilty to the last iR his pretence that his ascendency is neces- sary to preserve the nation which he strives to ex- hibit to the world as rent by internal dissensions." Mr Rendel promises to assert the claims of Non- conformists, not merely to the free use of the national burial grounds, but also to complete re- ligious equality throughout the Principality. He declares himself in favour of an amendment of the law relating to game, to distress, to settlement and entail, and of the remedy of all proved inequalities in local taxation, and in the comparative incidence of taxes and rates. Mr Rendel arrived from Italy on Friday night. Great excitement prevails throughout the whole constituency, and every effort is being made on both sides. Around Llansantffraid only sixteen voters polled last election, but we believe the Liberals will poll very strongly in that quarter. In the district around Welshpool the Conservatives are supposed to be the strongest, but we believe this is entirely fallacious. MONTGOMERY BOROUGHS. It is said that there is a split in the Conserva- tive camp with respect to the candidature of Mr Pryce Jones, and that an effort is being made to induce that gentleman to retire in favour of the Hon. Mr Herbert, brother of Lord Powis. FLINTSHIRE. Lord Richard Grosvenor has telegraphed to Mold a flat contradiction of the report that he is leaving Flintshire for West Cheshire, so indus- triously circulated by Conservative agents. THE FLINTSHIRE NONCONFORMISTS AND THE GENERAL ELECTION. The first annual meeting of the Flintshire English Congregational Union was held on Mon- day at Rhyl. The Rev D. B. Hooke, of Mold, chair- man of the Union, presided, and gave his inaugural address, in which he traced the progress of the Union. He spoke of the work before them, and urged greater use of lay agency, in order to fully cope with the requirements of the time. In concluding, he touched on the present political crieis, quoted Mr Gladstone's remarks at South- wark relative to Wales, and urged them to prove them true. At the close it was moved by Mr Mostyn Williams, seconded by the Rev Professor Oliver, and carried by a standing vote: "That this assembly, composed of Protestant Noncon- formists, whose history in the past has been one emphatic protest against the evils of unjust Government, feels constrained to express its en- tire disapproval of the course pursued by the present Ministry during the last six years, and would urge the members of the Churches every- where as true patriots and consistent Christians to use all proper influence to secure at the approaching general election the return of a Parliament opposed to the policy of unjust wars and aggression abroad, and pledged. to further the religious and political equality and the sobriety and moral development of the people." The resolution was supported by the Rev Aaron Francis, and also by English Wealeyan and Baptists ministers of Rhyl who were attending the conference as visitors. ♦