The Chester Courant and Advertiser for North Wales

A horse belonging to Mr. E. W. Gooch, of Spald- ing, has been killed by a haystack, from which it was eating, toppling over on it and suffocating it. CESTRIAN'S WEDDING IN SOUTH AFRICA.—An interesting wedding was cele- brated at Kimberley on the 4th Ootober, the con- tracting parties being Mr. E. Rothery Bowden, the editor of the Cape Mounted! Pol'ce journal "The Bandolier," and second son of Mrs. M. Bowden, Chester, England, and Miss Emmie Rich, second daughter of Mrs. E. Rich, Forres- ter-street, Kimberley. The Ven. Archdeacon Weekes officiated, and the wedding was a pnetty one. The bride was given away by Mr. W. J. H. Hooking, and Mr. J. Morgan acted as best man. Mr. and Mrs. Bowden, who were the recipients of many congratulatory messages and numerous presents, left for Riverton, where the honey- moon was spent. A PUBLICAN'S DIFFICULTIES.—The licensee of the Glynnc Vaults, Pensarn, named William Riddiell, was charged at the Abergele Police Court on Saturday with selling spirits, beer, and tobacco on October 19 without an Ex- cise licence. Mr. Francis D. Drake, supervisor of Inland Revenue, prosecuted, and Mr. E. A. Crabbe defended. The latter contended that as the defendant held a justices' licence he was entitled to sell intoxicating liquors. Early in October the defendant found he could not pay the money for the Excise licence, and consulted the advocate, who called a meeting of creditors. As a result of the meeting the defendant assigned his estate to a trustee for the benefit of his credi- tors, and an attempt was made to get a new tenant. A considerable quantity of fixtures and stock would have to be taken over by the in- going tenant, but none had yet been found, al- though there were several anxious to get the house. There was a large body of creditors be- 'hind the Inland Revenue authorities. The de- fendant was keeping the house going in anticipa- tion of a new tenant being found, and the new tenant would take out the Excise licence. As a .rule the revenue authorities said nothing if the licence was taken out by the middle, of Novem- ber. The Bench, Mr. Oldfield (the chairman) stated, fined the defendant 2s. 6d. and costs, making a total of 33s.

PURVEYORS by ROYAL WARRANTS To His Majesty the King and H.R.B, the Prince of Wales. ELLIS'S DRY j GINGER ALE. CAUTION.—Insist on seeing Label. R. ELLIS & SON, Ruthin, North Wales ESTABUSHXD 1825. Telegrams: II ELLIs. RUTHIN." Tel. No. 1 Ruthin. LOCAL AQINTS J. ROWE DUTTON & SONS, Bridge-st. a

DIARY OF COMING ENGAGEMENTS. Dec. 6, &c. The Life of a Shoicman" at Royalty Theatre. „ 6-8t. Oswald's Sale of Work. tf 6-Col. Cottqn-Jodrell at Church Minshull. „ 7-Caergwrle Petty Sessions. „ 7-Chester Cattle Fair. 7- Col. Cotton-Jodrell at Waverton. 8-Hawarden Board of Guardians. „ 9—Tarvin Board of Guardians. 9-Tarvin Rural Council. 9-Volunteer Prize Distribution. 11-Cheshire Education Committee. ll-Chester Education Committee. 12—Chester Board of Guardians. „ 12-Chester Musical Society's Concert.

THE CRISIS. The political crisis, as it stands to-day, is nothing very exciting, after all. Mr. Balfour had an audience of the King at Buckingham Palace, on Monday afternoon, and tendered his resignation, which his Majesty accepted. A communication was sent thereafter to Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, who waited upon the King yesterday (Tuesday) afternoon, and was entrusted with the formation of a new Ministry, in accordance with anticipation. Mr. Balfour has taken the correct, constitutional course, and it will rest now with Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman how long the appeal to the country is deferred. The probabilities are that it will be some time in the month of January, but, come it late or soon, the Unionist party can face the issue with a clear conscience and a stout heart. Despite all the vain imagin- ings of their opponents, the Unionists are a compact and united party. Their only difference, and it is not vital, is on the question of how far they will go on the road of Tariff Reform. That they will all go so far on that road is unanimously conceded by all members of the party. For the present they have made up their minds to unite upon Mr. Balfour's prudent policy, which does not go the whole way that Mr. Chamberlain advocates. Mr. Chamberlain, however, on his part, is heart and soul with Mr. Balfour, so that there is no real difference in the party. Upon every other question of foreign and domestic policy the Unionists stand absolutely solid to a man. How the Radicalsíhope to carry the country at the next election, in face of their notorious differences and divisions it is difficult to understand. They do not even take the trouble to make a pretence of unity. The horrible ghost of Rome Rule has been dragged out once more, and threatens to scare the sober-minded members of the Radical party out of their wits. The disastrous effects which the late Mr. Gladstone produced by his dalliance with that plaything are still fresh in everybody's memory. It is the fashion with the Radical of to-day to say that Mr. Chamberlain first wrecked the Liberal party, and that he is now bent upon wrecking the Unionist body. Nothing could be wider of the truth. It was Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Gladstone alone who wrecked the late Liberal party, by his mad infatuation with Home Rule and his flirtation with the malevolent forces of Parnellism. All that was patriotic in the then Liberal party fled incontinently, before the shadow of the dis- ruption of the Empire, and to-day the same process is being repeated. Lord Rosebery, perhaps the best representative of Imperialism in the Radical ranks, has flatly refused to serve under the banner of Home Rule, and there are other waverers among the leaders of the party. A desperate effort will be made to patch up some sort of agreement, but how- ever many of the leaders accept a compromise, this much is certain that throughout the country the resurrection of the Home Rule issue will alienate thousands of voters from the Campbell-Bannerman standard. The active disloyalty of many Irish Nationalists during the late Boer War did more than anything else to convince the British elector that the Irish as a nation are not fit to be trusted with self-government. Sir Henry Campbell- Bannerman is now committed beyond recall to Home Rule as the leading plank in his platform, and upon that ancient battle- ground the Unionists will go forth to meet him, taking their courage in both hands, and confident of victory. The splendid record of Unionist administration at home and abroad for a period of nearly twenty years is one that might inspire any political party with high hopes as to the issue of the coming fight. The great body of Unionist electors in the country are oppressed with no craven fears as to the tale the Dolline booths will have to tell, and they are eager for the fray.

"COBDEN'S FOREIGN TEACHER." Mr.. J. W. Welsford, cousin of our neighbour the popular Unionist candidate for Crewe, con- tributes a striking article under this heading to the December number of "The National Review." Cobden's mentor in question was the French economist, Frederic Bastiat, who kept up a close oorrespondenoo with his English protege, and imbued him with some of his maddest ideas. The essential difference between the two poli- ticians; as Mr. Welsford shews, was that whereas Cobden was a cosmopolitan, who cared no more for his cwn country than for any other, Bastiat was a Frenchman first and an economist after- wards. A study of the letters that passed be- tween the two agitators shews poor Cobden in the light of a simple dupe in the hands of the cunning Frenchman. Bastiat was not content with a Free Trade England. He wanted to see, as he professed, a general policy of disarmament, because Franco was groaning under the expense of her military forces. The obvious policy was for France to shew the way in the matter of a reduction of armaments. This. however, would not suit tho book of the patriotic Frenchman, who accordingly urged that England must be the first to make a move by abolishing her Navy, her Army, and her Colonies. Then, he pleaded, Frenchmen would be convinced of England's sin- cerity. The sophistry is amusing, but such was Oobden's miraculous gullibility that he actually adopted this unpatriotio line of action, and preached the disintegration of the Empire, which he described as "that blood-stained fetish, that hydra with three unnatural heads, India, Canada and Australia." The sinister advice of Bastiat on the subject of disarmament reminds us of the modem sermon on the samo text by the Czar of Russia, that arch-destroyer of the peaoo of the world. Some credulous people paid heed to the treacherous doctrines of Bastiat, but happily our fellow-countrymen as a nation kept their heads, and kept their Colonial Empire. A few simple poliftioiajis also swallowed the hypocritical Peace Rescript of the Czar, and proclaimed him as the modern messenger of peace on earth and good- will to men, but tho majority of people in this country, suspecting duplicity, were convinced that tho Emperor was only trying to undermine the atrength of h:s greatest rivals. The fact that Cobden listened for a. moment to the unpatriotic insinuations of Bastiat is an indelible stain on his memory.

The bye-election in St. John's Ward, to be decided to-morrow (Thursday), appears to be go- ing strongly in favour of Mr. Thornhill, who, if any reliance is to be placed on the numerous pledgee in his support, ought to win in a walk. Plodges, however, sometimes are treated like pie- crust, and it behoves Mr. Thornhill's supporters to strain every nerve for his return on polling day. As a retired business man Mr. Thornhill is just the type required for Town Councillors, one who can afford the time to devote to the numer- ous meetings that are involved by efficient service on behalf of the Corporation. He has served more than an apprenticeship in municipal work at. Corjgleton, and had he elected to remain there he would have been Mayor of that borough long ere now. It is amusing to observe, the petulance of the Radical party in the city, when they find themselves faced with stiff opposition. Their organ in the Press complains bitterly of having J. 1 iu ugni, lor tnis sear, and whines about the "ungracious opposition" of the Unionists. If the latter party had been a little less "gracious" in the immediate past, they would have been a stronger body in the Corporation to-day. Last November they "graciously" allowed Mr. Owen Roberts a walk-over in Boughton, and they also "graciously" permitted two Radical members to be returned for St. Oswald's without a contest. Having thus got more len-ency than was good io them, the RadicaJs, like spoilt children, cry when met with opposition. It was certainly "gracious" of the Unionists to make them a present of two seats ;n the other two wards, and it would have baen a reciprocation of "graciousness" had the Radicals given Mr. Thornhill a walk-over now. Still, we do not complain of the fight, because we are not apprehensive of an unfavourable result. —.

Ma.ny of our readers will be gratified to learn that the Welsh Club, recently established in the Metropolis, has now been fairly launched, and that at the inaugural d.nner on Wednesday a. healthy state of affairs was shown. Although the institution was founded so lately as last August, it already boasts a membership of 628. Primarily existing fo,- the sake of Welshmen, the club, like many other of its kind, admits others to membership who are in sympathy with its aims. For example, the club is open to "persons not of Welsh nationality, but who are connected with Wales or Welsh institutions or affairs," truly a catholic spirit to display. Moreover, it affords a common ground upon which Welshmen in London can meet socially without d stinction of party or sect. Should it live up to the spirit of its founders, the club in the future may play a useful part in smoothing over many of the obstacles that exist in the Principality largely through a want of understanding between con- tending factions. Lord Justice Vaughan Williams, responding to the toast of "The Guests," spoke somewhat to this effect, observing that the in- evitable result of Welshmen meeting on neutral ground, as they did at the club, would be to make difficult Welsh questions mere easy of solution. In allusion to the thorny education problem, which at present sets Welshmen by the ears, his loed- ehip suggested the formation of an acting board in Wales for dealing with these local difficulties. The gathering, which was attended by a con- siderable number of distinguished Celts, proved a. great success, and there seems every reason to believe that the club will be a popular rallying point for Welshmen resident in London and visiters there from the Principality.

Sir John Brunner, says our Radical contem- porary, "has a neat method of putting his points." If he has, our contemporary certainly employs a clumsy method of interpreting them. The point in question which evoked the, Radical organ'6 admiration was thus set forth:—"At the great Liberal demonstration at Frodsham, Sir John, in moving a Free Trade resolution, pointed out that since the war we had more people in our prisons, and this year 3,000 more recipients of poor relief than in 1901. 'This,' drily exclaimed the speaker, 'is desoribed as a feather in Mr. Chamberlain's cap.' Now, we are aware that Sir John Brunner is capable of considerable vituperation, when the subject under discussion happens to be Mr. Chamberlain, but we can scarcely bring ourselves to believe that, in his wildest flights of reckless rhetoric, Sir John would have said that the fact of there being more people in our prisons and 3,000 more recipients of poor relief was "a feather in Mr. Chamberlain's cap." It is a distinctly original idea, but its originality is its only merit. His worst enemies would hardly aceuso Mr. Chamberlain of having prided himself upon the increasing populations of our prisons and workhouses. Politicians of a certain school utter many random remarks devoid of point, but there is usually a substratum of sanity in them. In this alleged "neat point" ascribed to Sir John Brunner there is neither rhyme nor reason, and yet our adulatory contemporary founds thereon a leaderette, 'holding up Sir John to the admiration of his fellow-men, because he has given utterance to this nonsensical observation. The only really "neat point" connected with the incident is that Sir John Brunner made no such fatuous remark at all. What he said, as our own report shews, was that the South African war was described as a feather in Mr. Chamber- lain's cap, which is an intelligible comment, coming from a pro-Boer like the Northwich baronet.

The German Ambassador made an important declaration on Saturday, in which he appealed for a better understanding between Britain and Germany. CHESHIRE FARMERS CO-OPERATE.—The first Farmers' Co-operative Society in Cheshire has been formed by Mid.Chesbire farmers. It has been decided to limit the shares to eight hundred, and already three hundred and fifty-five have been allotted, among others to the Hon. Alan de Tatton Egerton, M.P., Mr. Yerburgh, M.P., Mr, Norris Midwood, Mr. Seebohm, and Mr. Alec Beith. DEATH OF MR. GEORGE HORNBY.—We regret to state that on Monday news was received at Nantwich of the death, in South Africa, from enteric fever after a brief illness, of Mr. George Hornby, third son of Mr. A. N. Hornby, of Park- field, Nantwich, the well-known president of the Lancashire County Cricket Club. Mr. George Hornby, on the outbreak of the South African war, volunteered for active service. Given a CORl- mission in the 2nd Cheshire Regiment, he served with it during the war, and during its early stages saw some fighting, and shared the hardships of the campaign. When peace came Mr. Hornby, after a visit to Parkfield, decided to settle at Heidelberg, Cape Colony, where he was married. Mr. Hornby was educated at Harrow, and while there with his brothers was prominently associated with the cricket and football elevens. Like his father and other members of the family he was fond of hunt- ing, and was when at home a regular rider to hounds in Cheshire. Mr. Hornby, who was in his 26th year, was a nephew of Sir William Henry Hornby. M P. for Blackburn. He leaves a widow and one child.

CHESTER CATHEDRAL. SERVICE LIST FOR WKEK COMMENCING DEC. 6. WEDNESDAY, DKCKMIIEK CTII.—Morning, 7.45: Matins and Holy Communion. 10.15: The Litany; hymn 45. Even- ing, 4.15: Service, Barrow in F; anthem, "Rejoice in the Lord alway (Purcell). 8.0: Special Service with Sermon; processional hymn, 53 hymns 226, 463. THURSDAY, DEOBMBER "TII.—Morning, 8.0: Holy Com- munion. 10.15: Service, Feild in C; anthem, Blessed is He" (Gounod). Evening. 4.15: Service. Nares in F; anthem, Hosanna in the highest" (Staincr). FRIDAY, DKCKMUKR 8TH.-Morning-, 7.45 Matins and Holy Communion. 10.15: The Litany; hymn 105. Evening, 4.15: Service, Rogers in A mioor; anthem, "Our conver- sation (Gilbert). SATURDAY, DECEMBER 9TII—Morning, 8.0: Holy Com- munion. 9.45: Service, K«rvey in A flat; anthem, "Sleepers wake" (Mendelssohn). Evening. 4.15 Service, Stainer in E anthem, Awake, awake (Wise). SUNDAY, DECEMBER IOTII (Second Sunday in Advents- Morning, 8.0: Holy Communion. 11.30 Service. Martin in E flat; anthem, It is high time (Barribv); introit, hymn 46; Kyrie and Credo, Clarke-Whitfeld in E; preacher, the Canon in Residence. Evening, 3.30 rService, Walmislev in C anthem. "Behold a Virgin, &c." (Handel); hymn 243. 6.30 Mag-nificat and Nunc Dimittis to Chants processional hymn, 179 hgmns 634, 237. 2U5; preacher, the llev. Sutton Patterson. M.A. (Collection for St. John's School. Leather- head.) Hymn 39s. sung kneeling, before the benediction. MONDAY, DKCKMBKR UTII. —Morning, 8.0: Holy Com- munion. 10.15: Service in Monotone. Evening, 4 15: Service, Wesley in F; anthem, Prepare ye the way" nlse). TUESDAY, DECEMBER ITH.-Morning-. 8.0: Holy Com- munion. 10.15: Service, Hughes in C anthem, "Thus saith the Lord God" (Sawyer). Evening, 4.15: Service. Walmiley in D minor; anthem, "There shall a star" (Mendelssohn).

The Earl of Shrewsbury has gone to Ingestre Hall. The Earl and Countess of Crewe have returned to town from Mentmore, Leighton Buzzard. The Earl of Haddington, who has gone south, will go back to Tyninghame, East Lothian, for the Christmas holidays. The Earl of Haddington and Lady Grisell Baillie. Hamilton are paying a visit to Lord and Lady Binning at Mellerstain, Berwickshire. Mr. Bromley Davenport, M.P., who was in- cluded in Lord Penrhyn's shooting party at Pen- rhyn Castle, Bangor, left on Saturday for town. The Lord-Lieutenant of Anglesey, Sir R. H. Williams-Bulkley, Bart., on Saturday left Baron Hill, Beaumaris, to join the shooting party of the Earl of Lathom, at Lathom Park, Ormskirk. The Duchess of Westminster arrived at South- ampton on Saturday, on board the Kenilworth Castle, and was met by her father, Colonel Corn- wallis-West. Her Grace returned to Eaton on Sunday. The Duke of Westminster is expected to return from South Africa in about three weeks time. Lady Stanley of Alderley, with other ladies, while motoring near Chelford on Saturday, met with a mishap. The motor car collided with a fruiterer's cart coming from the opposite direction. Lady Stanley received some injury and suffered from shock, and had to receive medical aid. The other ladies escaped unharmed. Sir T. B. Royden, was the chief guest on Saturday evening at the annual banquet of the Liverpool Shipbrokers' Benevolent Society, and his health was proposed in cordial terms by the Hon. J. L. Griffith (U S.A. Consul), Mr. William Watson chairman of the Cunard Company, the forthcoming High Sheriff of Cheshire proposed the toast of the Association. A marriage has been arranged, and will shortly take place. between Major R. W. H. Anderson. Highland Light Infantry, younger son of the late Colonel and Mrs. Anderson, of Bourhouse, Dunbar, and Everilda Lucy, youngest daughter of Colonel T. H. Marshall, C.B., and Marshall, of Hart- ford Beach, Cheshire, and Bryn-y-Coed, Bangor, North Wales. The Marquis and Marchioness of Cholmondeley have been entertaining a party at Cholmondeley Castle for pheasant shooting. The home coverts were shot on Friday, good sport being obtained. The guns were: The Marquis of Cholmondeley, the Earl of Enniskillen, Mr. de Knoop, Major Bradford-Atkinson, Mr. Munday, Captain L. H. Jones, and Mr. St. John Charlton. In the course of a speech delivered at Bangor on Saturday, Mr. R. N. Naylor, the Unionist candi- date for the Carnarvon Boroughs, made a friendly reference to the health of his political opponent. Mr. Lloyd-George. He wished Mr. Lloyd-George speedy recovery to health, and he was sure they all, though politically opposed to the sitting member, hoped he would soon be better. To-day (Wednesday) Mr. Yerburgh,M.P., attendsja committee meeting of the Agricultural Organisation Society, and will also speak at a meeting of small farmers and labourers at Moulton, Lincolnshire, on the subject of "Agricultural Co-operation." Next Saturday the member for Chester attends the dinner of the Craven Agricultural Scoioty, at Skipton. The farewell reception to Sir Arthur Law ley, at Pretoria, on Friday, attracted a brilliant represen- tative gathering. The toast of the departing Lieu- tenant-Governor's health was received with tumul- tuous applause. Sir Arthur Lawley made an elo- quent and earnest plea for unity and co-operation between all sections of the community. General Botha, who was among the speakers, said he shared the general regret at Sir Arthur's departure, and assured him he was taking his message to heart. Major G. Carr Glyn, D.S.O., private secretary to Sir A. Lawley, will accompany Sir Arthur to India in the capacity of military secretary. On Wednesday the municipality of Johannes- burg gave a. banquet in. honour of Sir Arthur Lawley, the retiring Lieutenant-Governor. In the course of their speeches, Mr. Quin, the Mayor, and Lord Selbome paid eloquent tributes to Sir Arthur Lawley's services. The High Com- missioner said Sir Arthur was always th-o same- a perfect Knight, without feair and without re- proach, from spur to plume, a star of the tourna- mont. Among the contributions to the Queen's Unemployed Fund received on Tuesday was a sum of B125 from Earl Egerton of Tatton. At the annual meeting of the River Weaver Trust on Thursday, Colonel France-Hayhurat was ro-elected chairman and Dr. Hewitt vioo- ohairxnan. On Tuesday the King enjoyed a day's covert shooting at Houghton Hall with Col. Ralph Vivian and other guns. Houghton Hall is the Marquis of Cholmondoley's seat in Norfolk. We regret to announce the death of Miss Irene Victoria Wall, the eldest daughter of the Mayor of Birkenhead (Mr. W. G. Wall), which occurred on Monday, at the residence of his Worship, 3. Shrewsbury-road, Oxton. Miss Wall was in her nineteenth year, and only last summer completed her education at Malvern. OLD CHESTER MUSTARD POT.—A Oheiiter must-ard-poi never fetched more than one did on Wednesday at Christie's. Not t.hat any huge silver prioo was achieved, but to those interested in th minutiec of the market reccvrds 76s. per oz. will appear a goodly sum for a plain cylindrical pot with glass liner, even if tho article was made by R. Riohardson in 1768. As the tiny thing woighed 5.kJz., Mcssrs. Crichton paid 19 gs. for the prize. which appeared in the collection of Sir Everaird Ca vit-v.- "Dally Telegraph." NATURAL SCIENCE SOCIETY.—On Thurs- day evening, at the Grosvonor Museum, Mr. Charies Oldham lectured befoio the zoological section of the Chester Natural Soienoo Society on the subject of "The Distribution and Dispersal of AiiL:,rueJ, The lecturer pointed out that the solu- tion of the problem of distribution was compatible with the Darwinian theory, and indicated the factoi-s which governed distribution. Mention- ing the characteristic animals of each of the six principal regions, he shewed in an interesting manner the effects of their isolation. CHESTER MAN'S SUDDEN DEATH.- On Friday the police reported to the oity ooroner the ciroumstaincea attending tho death of John William Goodier, aged, 43 yoara, a general labourer, residing at Uhuxch-stroet, Newtown. Deceased returned homo to tea. en Thursday and was seemingly in good health. Hie afterwards returned to his work at the Hydraulic Bngineering Works, where, about sevoni o'clock, he was seized with sudden illness. He was re- moved to his home, where ihe was attended by Dr. Rhodes, who found him unconscious, &nd death ensued some hours later. An inquest was held on Friday by the city coroner. The medical evidence shewed that death was due to hemorrhage of the brain, and a verdict was found accordingly. AN EXCUSE FOR POACHING.—Thomaa Roardon and Edward Hughos ware summoned at the City Polioe Court on Wednesday for being unlawfully in possesion of 31 rabbits and poach- ing imptlements.- P.C. Wakclin said defendtota and another man on Thursday morning were at six o'clock in Handbridge. They had the ra-bbits and the other articles in their possession. -One of the defendants now said they had nothrLng elso to do; they had no work.—Tho Chief Constable said they ttever did anything eLso.—Col. Evans- Lloyd: They arc not unemployed evidently.—The Chief Corlstablo: Not at night.—There wero numerous convictions for poaching against defend- ants, and they were each fined £ 5 and coste or one month. INFIRMARY LEGACIES.-The Secretary of the Chester General Infirmary begs to acknowledge with thanks the receipt of the following legacies 2450 bequeathed by the late Miss S. A. Bryars, and toOO by the late Mr. John Ramsden, per Messrs Birch, Cullimore and Douglas. MRS. BEERHBOHM TREE.-Messrs. Phillip- son and Golder have made arrangements for this distinguished actress to give a dramatic recital at a matinee in Chester Music Hall on Januarv 5th. The engagement is counted as the most important attraction of the season. TRAM RETURNS.-The traffic for last week shews an unusual increase compared with the corresponding week of last year. The passengers carried numbered 37,180, and the receipts amounted to £150. 14s. ) id. In the former, there is an increase of 5,197, and in the latter an increase of £ 14. 7s. o.^d. APPRECIATION OF THE MAYOR.—Sir Horatio Lloyd, the worthy Recorder, on Friday presided over a meeting of citizens called for tbe purpose of considering the desirability of making a presentation to the Mayor, as a sign of appreciation of his public spiritedness in accepting the position of chief magistrate for the third time. It was decided to open a subscription fund, and it is probable that Mr. Lamb will be presented with the honorary freedom of the citv. THE PIERCY CHARITIES.-The following additional grants from the charit:Lhl« "f the late Mr. Benjamin Piercy, of Marchwiel Hall Wrexham, have just been made :—Wrexham Infir- mary, £ 400 Marchwiel National School, £ 200; Wrexham Free Library, £ 100; Marchwiel Work- ingman's Guild, £ 200 the vicar and churchwardens of Marchwiel Parish Church, £ 100 Durley National Schools, 2300; Royal Sardinian Railway Workmen's Relief Fund, 9200; Blind Asylum, Cagliari, Sardinia, Cloo. DRUNKEN PAUPERS.-At Mr. Churton's othce on Monday morning, before Messrs. G. Dick- son and W. Williams, John Brannon and John Dunning, inmates of the Chester Workhouse, were charged with being drunk.—Wm. Dugdale, task- master, said Brannon went out on Saturday and returned drunk. Prisoner was sent to gaol for fourteen days.-The taskmaster said Dunning went with him to the Castle Petty Sessions as a witness. Afterwards he asked permission to see his friends, and witness allowed him to go on condition he kept sober. He returned to the workhouse drunk and assaulted a tramp. Prisoner was sent to gaol for seven days. CHESTER PUBLIC LIBRARY.-The follow- ing is the return of the issue of books for the week ending Dec. 2nd, 1905:—Lending department: Religion and philosophy, 5; sociology, 0; arts, sciences and natural history, 24; history, biography geography and travels, 31; poetry and the drama, 3 prose fiction, 784 miscellaneous literature, 10 juvenile literature, 158 total, 1015. Reference department: Religion and philosophy, 3; sociology, 2; arts. sciences and natural history, 17; history, biography, geography and travels, 24 poetry and the drama, 0; encyclopedias, dictionaries, etc., α U' 186 miscellaneous literature, 3; total, 235; com- bined total, 1,250; daily average (lending depart- ment), 203; daily average (reference department), 3; combined daily average, 242. WELSH YEOMANRY SUCCESS.-The chal- lenge cup, open for competition to teams of eight members of the various Imperial Yeomanry regi- ments in England, Scotland. Ireland, and Wales has this vear been won hv tho tiom ranroumfinrr the Denbighshire Hussars. The members of the winning team were Lieutenant F. J. L. Priestley, Lieutenant H. D. D. Walthall, Lieutenant and Quarter-master J. J. Scott, Squadron Sergt.-Major Williams, D (Liverpool) troop; Sergeant J. Old- field, B (Denbigh) troop; Corporal W. Curtis, A (Wrexham) troop Sergeant R. Roberts, A troop; and Private J, Williams, A troop. The Middlesex team (Duke of Cambridge's Hussars) were second, tive points behind Denbighshire, aud the Karl of Chester s Cheshire Yeomanry team were third, three points behind Middlesex. CHESTER AND NORTH WALES COM- MEKCIAL TRAVELLERS.—The annual meeting of the Chester and North Wales Commercial Travellers' Association was held at Chester on Saturday, Mr. H. R. Thomas presiding. Mr. E. V. Duftield (Chestei) was elected president, for the year, and Mr. Richard Mills vice-president, while Messrs. W. T. Roberts, Wrexham. and H. G. Halsey, Carrog, were elected honorary vice- presidents. Mr. Tom Owen was appointed treasurer, and Mr. Henry Price was re-elected honorary secretary. The hon. solicitor (Mr. W. H. Barnes) and the elections representative (Mr. M. C. Sunter) wore re-appointed, and the following were appointed the committee:—Messrs. W. D. Wear, W. Lawson, D. E. Oliver, J. W. Wardell, C. W. Wilson, and R. C. Watson. LADY HAMILTON AND HAWARDEN.- The "Hawarden Parish Magazine" says:—The paragraph on this subject in our last number has created a good deal of interest, and has been largely quoted in the Press. We have, in consequence, received letters from different parts of the country expressing sympathy with the proposed tablet on the site of the cottage where Emma Lvon lived as a. child, and desiring to bo allowed to join in such » record if decided on. One of those letters waS from the great great grandson of the Dr. Thomas iff whoso house she was employed as nursery maid. We wish to correct one mistalce in the former para- graph. There appears to be no doubt that the house in which Dr. Thomas resided was uot Church House, but the house opposite which Mr. James Murrells now occupies. NEW WELH. ARCHDRUID.—Tlis Gorsedd of the Bards of the Isle of Britain met on Friday at Shrewsbury, and elected an Archdruid to succeed the late Hwfa Mon. Held in the open air, in the face of the sun, the eye of liifht." the pro- ceedings were carried on within a circle marked out by twelve unhewn stones placed a few feet apart, and at each of which surrounding the central Maen Llog in the centre stood a Bard to guard the sacred circle. There were two nomina- tions for the office, and by eight votes against six, given for Cadvan, the high office was conferred on Uyfed, with a subsequent unanimous election. The new Archdruid is a Calvinistic minster of Blaendyfed. who has won many chairs at Welsh Eisteddfodau, and also won the chair at the Eisteddfod at the Chicago Exhibition. The appointment was made till the constitution of the new Gorsedd. The Bards also appointed a com- mittee to consider the whole question of the Gorsedd constitution. TROUBLES OF A MATMAKER.—At the City Police Court, on Wednesday, William Howes, the woll-known matmaker, waa brought up on remand charged with being drunk and disorderly. Pri- soner had been remanded in order that medical information might bo obtained as to his sanity- Mr. Brassey, who represented prisoner, said there was no doubt the man'a behaviour had been for some time somewhat- peculiar, and in the eyes of tho police that peculiarity was probably asso- ciated with his being a trifle out of his mind. He understood that the report of the medical officer at Krtuteford was favourable so far as regarded hili canity. The evidence he had proved that on the night of the offence prisoner was somewhat seriously assaulted. It was true he was living in a disgraceful way in a court, but it was equally true some people went to the hou^e and a.sked for him on soino pretence. When the door was shut they dragged him out and along the street. Prisoner had been four or five days in gaol, and that was quite sufficient punishment for the little offence of being drunk and disorderly. It was true Mr. Howes waa not very popular in Chester. and that the general feeling would be one of relief if he went away. He (Mr. Brascey) sug- gested that the case should be adjourned "sine die" on the understanding that Mr. Howes pledged himself to absent himself from the city- That would save the Benoh some trouble, and would be of ultimate benefit to Mr. Howes him- self.-The Chief Constable: And the city. (Laughter.)—Prisoner said he had suffered most severely. He would leave the city and sign the pledge with Mr. Wright, and never break it.- The Chief Constable said be had no objection to the suggested course.—Mr. Brassey asked prisoner if he would leave the town and not return. Prisoner: Not until you send for me. (Laughter.) —Mr. Brassey: There is no fear of that, I think.— Prisoner then promised to leave the town, and said he would go to his home, Cambridge.—The Bench adjourned the case "sine die," and the Mayor pointed out that if prisoner was convicted he would forfeit the JB50 he had deposited as security for his good behaviour. RAILWAYMEN'S CONCERT.—The fourth annual concert in aid of the Railwav Servants' Orphan Fund took place in the Music Hail on Wednesday night. The attendance was only fair, and certainly not as largo as the programme meritod. or as the ex col lent nature of the con- cert deserved. Mr. Robt. Yerburgh, M.P.. ac- companied by Mrs. Yerburgh, was present. They were quickly noticed on entering and warmlv applauded. Tho proceedings were very enjoy- able, and all the artists received encores. The Cavaliers (Messrs. Brown, W. E. Snelson, A. M. Proctor and C. James) were as usual popular with the audience, and their really cleverly-ananged glees and beautiful harmony scoured them a cordial reception. They sang unaccompanied each time.,Miss Edith Randies was heard at her best, and she was particularly happy in her second song. "Love, the Pedlar," and her t.ear and, oven for a contralto, deep voice was much j enjoyed. Miss Lloyd (soprano) sang sweetly and gracefully, although she has not a strong voice. In addition to the quartettes, the members of tho Cavaliers sang individually. Apart from the glees, the happiest effort was the duet "The Moon has raised," by Messrs. Snelson and Proc- tor. Mr. A. J. Armstrong gave two clever violin, solos, in which he shewed considerable expression and clean fingering. He had one little flaw, which was also noticeable last week. It was on each evening a difficult stopped harmonic on the fifst string, which he completely failed to get. With the exception of this one note, his tone was excellent, and ho played the double-stopping in perfect tunc. Mr. Loui Parry was seen in his best vein of humour, and his new selections evoked enthusiastic applause. His best sketches wore "The Waiter" aaid an encore he entitled a soliloquy, "His Pipe." which seemed to bo a parody on a familiar and liomoly poem, and for Mr. Parry it was unusually sad. The somewhat boisterous humour of Mr. J. Phillips also caused much merriment. The duties of accompanist were performed by Mr. R. Buttorworth with his usual efficiency. If tho concert proves as successful financially as it was musically, tho responsible' committee will have ao cause to grumble.

Rumour never lived up to her reputation as a lying jade better than during the past week in tlio city of Chester, where all sorts of insane re- ports have been spread abroad as to the insolvency of local busineiss firms. The most extravagant statements of the impending collapse of quite a crowd of old-established and prosperous trades- nien have been put in circulation, with the re- grectablo effeofc that some people are sufficiently oi-c-du,lotis to believe them. It ought to be un- Qoooeeary at this time of day to point out the disastrous consequences of the circulation of such ropojls, however absurd they may be. Such a slander has been known to ruin a tradesman, by bringing down all hia creditors upon him at onoe, wliereas, in the. ordinary course of business, he was perfectly solvent and prepared to meet all liabilities. It should be unnecessary also to re- mind the publio that the, spread of these wicked reports is a. highly dangerous proceeding, render- ing the person implicated in tho circulation of the etatcment liable to legal proceedings, and often to heavy damages. In the present case we have authority for stating that if anyone is detected passing on these eruol fabrications, the firms whose reputation is thus tampered with are determined to bring tha offender to book.