The North Wales Times

CAMBRIAN GOSSIP. _r"l The authorities of the Baptist Union of W a" es have selected Bangor as the place for next year's annual meetings, and have fixed the dates for the third week in September. I 000 Kissing under the mistletoe dates, from the Druids. According to tradition, the I mail who is not kissed beneath the mis tletoe at Chnstmasgoea husbandless another year. o o o The oldest Workhouse master in Wales has iust passed away in Mr. Thos. Hughes, of the Holywell Workhouse. He was 80 yedrs of age, and bad held the position for the long period of 52 years. o o o Mr. Bryceson Treharne, the well known Welsh organist, of London, has accepted an appointment at the Adelaide University College, worth £ 500 per annum. There were 27 candidates for the post. 000 According to the Welsh Dyddiadur yr Anaibynwyr, the churches of that deno- mination in Wales number 1,068; members, 143,423 Sunday-school members, 194,977 hearers, 141,664. The total collections for 1898 were £ 138,199. 000 Miss 01 wen Rowlands, the youngest 1 daughter of the Rev. Daniel Rowlands.M A, Bangor, has just passed the examination of the Royal Academy of Music, and is now a licientiate of the Royal Academy. She is a, student in the Royal College of Music, London. 000 The official diary of the Calvinistic Meth- odists now issued shows that the member- ship is 153,712, an increase of 1,830; churches, 1,330; Sunday-school members, I 202,464, an increase of 1,152; hearers, 316,053, an increase of 3,864. The total collections for the year amounted to X246,365, an increase of £8725. 000 It is related that when Lord Swansea was alive, a brass band from peutrechwyth played for two solid hours outside the Singleton stables on Christmas night in blissful ignorance of the nature of the building. 'Peace on earth' wasn't the motto they expressed themselves in when they tumbled to the horrible truth. 000 Two, at least, of the Welsh members of Parliament spent their Christmas in foreign climes. Mr. Pritchard Morgan, the junior member for Merthyr, spent his in China, where he proceeded some months ago in connection with an important commercial enterprise. Mr. Herbert Roberts spent his Chriscmas on the Mediterranean, where he has been for some weeks past on a pleasure cruise. 000 The Welsh Nonconformists of London have just completed the arrangements for the great preaching festival to be held in the London City Temple on St. David's Eve, February 28th next. The special preachers will be the Revs. C. Davies (Baptist), Car- diff, and O. Prys (Calvinistic Methodist), the Principal of the Trevecca Theological Col- lege. Two other ministers, one representing the Congregationalists and one representing the Wesleyan Methodists, will also take part in the service. 000 A Merthyr Tydfil man, Mr. Martin Evans, 19, Tudor Terrace, has been awarded in this week's Tit Bits' the guinea prize for the best description of a Welshman, Com- petitors sent in their contributions on post- cards. After referring in rhyme to the I' good qualities of his subject, Mr. Evans says, He is full of Christian feelinglove8 his I God with fervent awe. And he revels in a language which would break an English jaw,' and concludes that, though for fishing he has no liking, he is very fond of Wales. 000 At a dinner given by Mrs. Principal Pro- bert to the students and professors of Bala- Bangor College to close the winter term, two important statements were made bear- ing upon the welfare of the institution. It was said that the London Congregational I' Fund Board had voted R50 towards to col- lege and that, in addition to the numerous successes at the Senatus Academicus and Welsh University examinations last summer, eight or ten of the students are expected to pass their final B.A. examination next year. This will undoubtedly be a record in the history of the Congregational Colleges of Wales. 000 Of particular interest to those Welsh guardians who object to beer on the pau- per's table of Christmas Day is the follow- ing incident. At Warrington on Tuesday five women were committed to prison for absconding from the Warrington Workhouse with clothing the property of the Union. On Monday night the women escaped by scaling the Workhouse wall. When arrested they a said they had had some beer given to them I at the Christmas dinner, and it had got into their heads. An official stated that only half a piut of beer was supplied to each inmate. If there is any more of it, that beer should be analysed. 000 Mr. Thomas' Parry, J.P., of Mold, the chairman of the Flintshire County Council, has undertaken the joint secretaryship of the Daniel Owen Memorial Fund, with the Rev. J. Austin Jenkins, B A., of Cardiff, in the place of the late Mr. Llewelyn Eaton, who recently died. The monument in memory of Daniel Owen is to be erected in a conspicuous place in the town of Mold shortly, but another £ 100, in addition to the £ 300 already raised, is required to pay for the materials. The late Duke of West- minster gave the stones which are to form { the basement of the. brass figure of the novelist, made by Mr. Goscombe John, who nas executed this work free of charge. nas executed this work free of charge. 000 Patti is staying in London for a little time with her husband, who is undergoing a course of medical treatment. The diva her- self is in excellent health and voice, and looking as youthful as ever. Craig-y-nos Castle (declares M.A.P.'),without its bright- eyed chatelaine, is. a dreary place enough, and the r.aighbours will be delighted to have her ^aL & more delightful hostess than her ^aL more delightful hostess than it would be difficult to im- ai, a^no gK-id she makes everybody gay and .about her, being herself so full of nd enjoyment. After dinner she will warble some nigger melody — .,earnk when in New York, such, olden slippers,' or 'Keep de V>' and invite her friougl,, to aiversjmea of C £ f"r,d and Oam- igenerally found? that Welshmen i English literatrtta and cotnpoai- ] „nd the same is true in. the main <e students of Welsh Intermediate 1 ols. While literature however appears a a congenial subject the inspectors ) that many of the pupils seemed to i re ogidise no difference between the collo- quial and liteiary forms. Many good essays, it is reported, were defaced by such vague colloquialisms as luriny,' dote up," te,. rildv annoyed, 'nice,' '& good deal,' 'a lot,' EMz ii-oth was cross/and the like. The examiners surest that the avoidance of I sii rig,' the ordering of paragraphs, the dis- position of sentences, and the consequent lucid development of the theme sbouLt not he beyond the powers of any carefully in- structed student. 000 Mr T. Darlington, M.A in the December number o> 'Y"un Wales,' argues that Welsh nationality is n real thing, with a I ciear and definite meaning; that the na- tional language is an essential element in that nationality and that if Wales aban- dons her national language she will merge her separate existpnce in that of her English neighbour, and har special work for man- kind will never be fully accomplished. And Mr. Darlington, be it noted by the Dic- Shon Dafyddion, is an Englishman who has made a thorough study of Welih nationality and has acquired a knowledge of the lan- guage. o • o Patti has two wonderful parrots, one of which talks all day long, and imitates its mistress's tfilla and stacatti in an amazing fashion, and who (believe me for I have beard him) can even compose the most elaborate melodies. The other parrot- Jumbo by name—is an oddity. Patti bought him for S200 in New York; where he was repuced to be the finest talking parrot alive. Once in her possession, he became dumb. In vain they tried to coax him to converse. Months went by, until one morning the prima donna awoke with a bad sore throat. 'Send for the doctor!' nbe crie,ji, 'for I have to sing to night.' The doctor duly arrived As he entered the room the parrot uttered his first and last words. Oh, doctor he exclaimed, in a strong Yankee accent, 'I'm so sick And since that day, now several years ago, he has not uttered a word

WREXHAM. PRESENTATION TO THE MAYOR. On Wednesday evening the members of the church and congregation of the Queen Street Congregational chapel, Wrexham, presented Mr Thomas Jones, J.P., the Mayor of Wrexham, with an illuminated address and his portrait in mayoral robes, in recognition of his worship's services as secretary of the church for over 30 years, and as deacon for over 20 years. Mr. Jones (the Mayor), in acknowledging, was cordially received. He gave a summary of the work done by the church during the last 30 years, the efforts to pay the chapel debt, and the hearty co operation which had characterised all their doings. He felt very grateful to the church and congrega- tion for their kindness, and had great pleasure in presenting to the church the handsome new pulpit recently erected in the chapel, but which had not been paid for (cheers). The Mayor then handed to Mr. John Rowlands, the treasurer of the church, a cheque to pay for the pulpit.

-> SUGGESTED SCHEME S IT FOR PUPIL TEACHERS' INSTRUCTION The following is the draft scheme drawn out by the committee appointed for the purpose at the County Education Confer- ence held at Rhyl, on the 28th of October last. If approved of, the scheme will apply to the whole of the County of Denbigh 1. Selected candidates for pupil teacher- ship shall attend at the County School till they attain a minimum age of 16; by which time, it is presumed, they will, in ordinary cases, have obtained the Junior Certificate of the Central Welsh Board. 2. The Elementary School Authorities shall pay the fees of selected candidates, and bear the cost, if any, of books and school stationery as at present. Travelling expenses of pupils living at 3 miles or over from the County School shall be paid by the local County School Authorities, 3. No such payment of fees, travelling expenses, or other costs, shall prevent a candidate from enjoying all the benefits of any scholarship and such scholarship shall be reserved until the candidate enters a training college. (This clause has been submitted to the Charity Commissioners) 4. Before being accepted asSpupil teacher probationers, all candidates must present a medical certificate, showing that they are in sound health, and have no tendency to any hereditary or constitutional disease. 5. The parent, guardian, or surety of each pupil teacher probationer shall sign an agreement to refund to the Elementary School Authorities all monies expended by them in such tuition or training- l:t the County Schcol, whether in tuition f:3es or otherwis8,in case he or she should abandon the course of instruction, or not enter their service as pupil teachers. 6. At the end of each term at the County School, the managers of the Elementary School shall consider the report of the Head Master of the County School as to the conduct and progress of each pupil teacher probationer, and ahould the report be unsatisfactory, either through failure at examinations or any other cause, the ma- nagers may cancel their agreement with the P. T. Probationer. 7. That after the age of 16, the candi- dates shall be articled at an Elementary School as pupil teachers for a shortened period of two years, and that the County School shall be responsible for their in- struction for not less than seven hours a week, in mathematics, geography, history, English Grammar and literature, languages, domestic economy, and elementary science and that the Elementary Schools be respon- sible for the remaining subjects. The ar- rangement as to times of instruction to be made between the authorities of the Ele- mentary and County School. 8. That all grants earm-d by such pupils at their annual-Queen's scholarship exami- nations, bo handed over to, the County School Authorities, in lieu of fees. 9. Winners of scholarships and others at- tending the County School shall be eligible to apply for a pupil teachership in any Elementary School, commeneung as 2nd and 3rd year P.T.'s provided they have followed the course mentioned in Section I., and that Section III. is satisfactory. If appointed, they will receive the same privileges and bentifita as other pupil teachers. (Signed), J. E. POWELL, v Chairman of the Committee.

A woman who refuses to divulge a secret is called a mean, stingy thing by other women. The greatest average height in any European iirmy is found in the Norwegian, 69in.; the laast in the Italian, 65in. About the greatest drawback to man's hap- 3i7i«S3 is himself. Wh^t some people don't believe they are ilwg, talking about. All ilesh may be grass, but the lawn-mower will never supplant the carving knife.

T LOOKING FORWARD. v. (From the Reformed Church Minister at St. Asaph to a friend). Reformia. 55, Denbigh Road, St. Asaph, July 7th, 1967, My dear friend, We have at last completed our church here; for some months it has been build- ing, and now it is quite complete. I dare- say you will like to know the fa a of the whole case, so I will give them 7" extenso. When the present Bishop was appointed, it was at once seen from his appointments and his actions gone-rally, that he was no friend to evangelicisrn and in fact, matters went on till at last things came to a crisis. More than half of the Cathedral congre- gation sent a letter to the Bishrp protes- tiug against many innervations in the Cathedral itself, including its services, and the teaching given therein. This drew forth the reply from his Lordship, that the clergy were the prescribes of all church-cere- monies and not the people. To this the petitioners replied, and received no reply. At the same time, the Parish Church choir —objecting to innovations in their services, 4 struck.' A private meeting was convened, presi- ded over by the ax-churchwarden of the Parish Church, and it was then decided to hold a public meeting to protest against all Romish innovations. The public meeting was held, a crowded audience was present, and two resolutions were carried unanimously, viz:— 1. That this meeting of bonafide Church- men and women of St. Asaph, views with alarm the number of innovations which have of late been introduced into the Cathedral of St. Asaph and its services; that it also expresses regret that the Bishop has not aean fit to meet the wishes of the parishioners in any way, and that it deems the time has come when aRefoimed church shall be introduced into St. Asapb.' 2. 'That this meeting considers that it is necessary that a site for a church be fixed on and purchased at once; and it also desires that a committee be appointed to take the whole matter in hand.' Funds were then raised, a site was ob- tained near the Union Workhouse, and the chapel was begun. I was appointed its first minister-as you know—and now I am settled down nicely at St Asaph. The Church of the Saviour (the name we have given it), ia built to seat 500 it has a nave, wood aisles, and a vestry, but no chancel. We have only furnished the church with necessities. We have a veritable communion table of wood, un-covered, and moveable; two gas- iliers over it for the real purpose of giving light; a font, a pulpit, and a small organ. We have no windows for the purposes of giving no real light—ours let in the glorious beams of the sun by day, and the softer one of the moon by night. We have texts painted on the walls here and there, such as God is !ove,' Thy word j is very pure, therfore thy servant loveth it,' 'Bleseed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth,' &0. There is no surpliced choir, indeed we have laid it down in our permanent rules that no innovations of any sort shall be introduced without the consent of the con- gregation. The members of the congrega- tion love singing, but they prefer to be the choir themselves rather than listen to the achievements of a trained one. Everything indeed is vested in the con- gregation, who supply all funds for church needs. This, I am convinced, is the better way for ourselves and for future genera- tions. Indeed, if congregations had- bad a voice in church matters ere this, things ecclesiastical would not have got into such a state as they are in at present. We use the Prayer Book, for we love its beautiful prayers and services, yet we miss those parts of it which we do not believe to be necessary for our salvation,' for we bear in mind that this same Prayer Book was the work of human minds only. I do not preach Baptismal Regeneration, nor The Sacrifice of the mass-these things are not required of us. I simply give my congre- gation the pure and homely doctrines taught by our Lord himself, Blessed are I the poor in spirit,' not Blessed are the rich,' not 'Blessed are they who despise ¡ them.' Very often we join with all the Nonconformists (except Wesleyans, who I' have advanced towards the Church of Eng- land of late), in one service, which we hold on a large piece of ornamental ground called the Common Park.' Last Sunday we had a very large meet- ing indeed—many come to these who never attend any places of worship. I have many societies connected with the church, and they are all at present in a fairlyj flourish- ing condition. Besides my district visitors, I have a band of ladies and gentlemen who make it a rule to visit the aged, infirm, sick, and helpless, not les^ than once a week, for the purpose of reading with them, or brightening them ifup in some way or other. In this way we help many a lonely soul. Then again we have a band of workers who ma.ke it their business to teach those of the young who have left school, and have nowhere to spend their evenings. I I have also a men's meeting once a month, L, at which we have addresses and music. These ate very well attended. Yours affectionately, EVAN EDWAKDS. (To be continued).

MR. MAEGHANT WILLIAMS. The appointment of Mr. Marchapt William:? I to the atipendiaryship of Swansea was some- what unwisely, because prematurely,annonnced by some of the daily papers. I he post is a valuable one, the last holder of the office, Mr. Fowler, having enjoyed a salary of £ 750 a year} There is little or no opposition to the appoint- ment of Mr. Marchant Wiliiames in itself, but only to the manner in which it has been made. The appointment rests with the Home Secre- tary, but the appointment itself can only be legally made after application has been made by the Corporation. In the present instance, the application had noo been made when the appointment was announced, although the authorities at Swansea were taking the preli- minary steps necessary for that purpose.- The premature announcement of the appointment not only took them by surprise, but touched their dignity, and they now threaten to abstain from making the applieation ab all-noti as a reflection upon Mr. Marchant Williams, but as a practical censure upon the methods of the Home Secretary. If they adhere to this reso- lution, Mr. Marchant Williams will be in the unpleasant position—through no fault of his own-of being a king without a throne, or a stipendiary with neither stipend nor bench.

Tommy,' who was Joan of Arc?' asked the teacher. Noah's wife,' was Tommy's answer. Customer—■' Waiter, bow do you account for this egg b'so old?' Waiter—- Well, sir, I expect an old hen laid it.' And I suppose like a brave soldier you fol. lowed your colours ?' Yes; whenever there was a battle I noticed that the colours were flying, so I fled, too.'

w 0 M E CIIAT. 'J,J'J' The year just closed, the last of the eighteen hundreds, has been notable for the death of a large-number of distinguished people, including among the women, Lady Salisbury, the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough, the Duchess of Rutland, Lady Rookwood, Lady Matthew Whibe-Ridley, besides many others. The year has also been remarkable for the large number of rich estates which have passed through the hands of the Government. The wills of no fewer than seven millionaires h-ive been re- ported, of which those of Mr. John Gretton, and Mr. Richard Ratcliff of Bass's Brewery alone dispose of £ 4,000:000 between them. --0- There seenls nothing like beer for making money, and it will be surprising if the Govern- ment doea not; have to come down on the brewers next April to help pay for the war. Whiskey is represented in the year's estates by the will of the iabe Mr. Andrew Usher, which was proved for £ 612,716- The will of Mr. John M. Keiller of Dundee, was proved for £435.368, which shows that something is made out of confectionery and marmalade. The total value of the estate of the late Duke of Westminster is probably something between twelve and fifteen millions sterling, though the amount assessed to duty, which will come into next year's list, will be very much less. -0- Sir Redvers Buller is one of our wealthiest generals, owning large eststes in Devonshire. His wife Lady Audrey Buller has taken care that no difference should be made on account of the absence of her husband at the front, and has had the usual distribution of season- able gifts made on the estate, and in the neighbourhood of Credit-on. Lady White, the wife of the British Commander at Ladysmith, also comes from the West Country. She is a native of Pembrokshire, being the daughter of Mr. Stephen Lewis of Llanfyrnach. Sir George White is well known in the neighbourhood, and it is said to be largely due to his popularity in the district that more men have jomed the army in Pembrokshire than in any other country in Wales. -0- One of the penalties of greatness, is the re- ceipt of innumerable letters, of which the ob- ject is to obtain the great one's autograph. Such, Miss Dora Hecht tells as, was the ex- perience of Johannes Brahms. The distin- guished composer had known what it was to have his music either hissed in the concert room, or at least received with icy coldness, but when he became famous, people vied with each other in tricks to secure his signature. One man wrote Four order for ten dozen rapiers, genuine Solingen make, will be des- a patched in a day or two.' Brahms took no notice of the letter, and heard no more of the ten dozen rapiers. At another time, a German woman at Capetown wrote to request him to send to her one of his far-famed Vienese piano- fortes.' -0- Speaking of Brahms, Madam Albani tells an inbareating story of the great composer. 'A few years ago,' she say3, I when on a profes- sional visit to Vienna., it struck me that Brahms might like to hear me in his own com- position. So I went to his home. such a simple one, and befitting the man. I positively trem- bled as I advanced to the piano, but I think I sang my best. And when it was over, he shook me by the hand, and betrayed bis emo- tion as he thanked me again and again for in- terpreting his music as he himself could have wished. Brahms told me that in the first in- stance he composed the Requiem merely for a chorus. Then it was sail to lack something. JUlIt at that time his mother died, and it oc- curred to him to add a soprano solo. The voice is sppposed to be the voice of that mother breathing peace and consolation to his wounded heart. —o— The outbreak of war has baen the cause of many inconveniences, ana has been charged with many others for which its responsibility is not quite clear. One result, about which there appears to be no doubt, is the serious de- pression in the concert business, and so marked are sthe signs kin this direction, that Mr. Edward Lloyd has been compelled to postptne his farewell tour. The arrangements to sing in the smaller towns will, it is understood be cancelled, and the tour of the larger towns* and cities will not begin until Octobsr. —o— According to an account iu the Bookmin' the Rev. Fredrick Buickis one of the very few people, now jiving, who have seen Sir Walter Scott. He has been minister of the Presby- terian Church at Ahoghill for the extraordinary period of sixty-five years, and remembers having seen Sir Walter, in hia schooldays at Edgowarthstown. Few, if any ministers can have been longer in active service than the Rev. F. Buick. The oldest clergyman, and the longest in the Hervice of the Church of England, amon those still officiating, is supposed to be the Rev. George D. Grundy, of the parish of Hey, near Oldham, He hai just entered upon the sixty-second year of his pa«toraL,e, and though ninety-three years of age, is still in good health. As a curate, he conducted a service at Harewood Parish Church, in 1832, in the presence of the Duchess of Kent and her daughter Princess Victoria. The fact having come to the notice of the Queen, Her Majesty recently wrote to Mr. Grundy, congratulating him on his long and useful life, and expressing the hope that it may yet be continued for many years to come. -c;- Sleeves are still worn very long, and many of the newest lace specimens have slender silk loops sewn to the poiub falling over the back of the hand, which slipover the lingers, aud are hidden among rings. This arrrangement does away with the necessity for gloves, forming as it does a kind of mitten, Possesors of beautiful rings are likely to patronise the idea extensively. -0- White arophane -s in great favour at the present moment, especially among those who are in mourning, Its light, soft crape-like ape pearance renders it an ideal fabric in this con- nection, and brimmed with rich jet, the effect is all one could desire. In pale pinks, blues, yellow, etc, areophane frocks are best kept in the one tone, and not much trimmed otherwise there is an overdone appearance about them, fcitogether undesirable. —o— o For young girls' evening dresses, white alpaca is well to the fore, usually untrimmed. Also, caina silk, nsoussline, and spotted net, trim. med with rows of white chenilie, intermixed with twisted satin ribbon. Skirts for the uraall people are worn longer than formerly, and the sleeves are almost always built long enough to reach to the elbow. Regarding the neck, this is sometimes arranged high, at others ,ut low, and yet again cut low, and filled in with some airy fairy fabric, according to th* little wearers capacity for taking chiils p/ud the patents' desires. J —o— The following calculations appear to be simple, but not everyone will give the correct answers at the first trial..(1) If ag003e weigha lbs and half its own weight, how much does it weigh (l.) If a dog and a cat cost £ 2 log., and the do, costs £2 more than the cat, what did the cao cost? Many people will jump at trie conclusion that the goose weighs 61 lis, and still more will probably declare that the cat cost lOa., but the correct answers are 31bs.. and 5s. respectively. Madges

Yes-I gave him up,' sighed the young wo. man. o 'Did he prove unworthy of your affection r mqmred her sympathetic friend. I He-he became a spelling reformer,' replied the other, with a shudder, I and signed his name 4 Jorj.' It took all the poetry and romance out of the name, and so we parted.'