The North Wales Times

CAMBRIAN GOSSIP. The proposed sale by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners of the Bishop's Palace and park at Bangor, appears to have fallen through, owing doubtless to the strenuous opposition offered by the dean and chapter. The palace remains empty, the bishop, who is residing in; Upper Bangor, declining to occupy it on account of its alleged un- healthiness. 000 Two sums of Ri,ooo each have already been promised towards the Welsh C.M. Twentieth Century Fund. Both come from North Wales. The Welsh churches in 'Liverpool have decided to raise a sum of X15,000 as their contribution to the fund, and the Rev. John Williams, Princes Road, h.as made a good start by securing promises for £3,000 from two local gentlemen. 000 A Welsh branch of the International Bible Reading Association has been formed, with the Rev. Isaac Jones-Williams as its hon. secretary. Mr. Jones-Williams was exhorted to form the Welsh branch by the late Mr. Thomas E. Ellis, M.P., who was himself a member of the association, and read each day a portion of Scripture in ac cordance with the rules of the association. 000 The Nonconformist churches of England still continue to angle in Wales for promis- ing preachers. Their latest capture appears to be the Rev. E. M. Edmunds, of the Rua- bon Congregational church, who has ac- cepted a call from the Tollington Park Con gregational church, London, to become associate or co-pastor with the Rev. G. Campbell Morgan, with direct charge of the church at Holloway. 00 0 The Chief Bard Positive (Gwilym Cowlyd) has sent a communication to Mr. Chamber lain solemnly informing him of the sanction of the Warranted Institutional Gorsedd of the bards of the Principality of Wales' to the war in South Africa, which the high priest of the Glan Geirionydd brotherhood believes to be waged in a iust and right eous cause.' The Colonial Secretary is now happy, and looks forward to the coming Session with absolute equanimity. 000 Mr. Bryceson Treharne, the newly-ap- pointed professor of the pianoforte at the University of Adelaide, is a native of Merthyr Tydvil. He is now only 23 years of age, and probably is the youngest person who has ever been elected to so distinguish- ed a position. There were 27 applicants for the appointment, attached to which is a stipend of X500 a year. Mr. Treharne is an Erard Scholar and Associate of the Royal College of Music, and since leaving the in- stitution, has acted as pianoforte teacher at the University College, Aberystwyth. He is at present the organist of New Jewin Welsh church, London. 000 An old Penarth boy-Mr. Charles Draper, a younger brother of Mr. Paul Draper, the well-known bandmaster—has had another slice of good luck. He won a three years scholarship at the R.C.M. in 1893, and was so successful as a student that the period was extended for a further two years. During the Queen's recent visit to Balmoral Castle, Draper, with eight other old R.C.M. students, had the honour to play before her, and he was kept there a whole month. Now he has been appointed a member of the Queen's private band, a position which caries with it an annual salary and a pen- sion. Charles attributes all his success to the training he received from his brother Paul,' "sho taught him to play clarionet solos at the early age of nine. 000 The Cambridge University Press has just issued in volume form, under the title of The teaching of geography in Switzerland and Italy,'Jthe report of Miss J. B. Reynolds, the holder of the Gilchrist Travelling Stu dentship in connection with the University of Wales. The studentship is for public school teachers in Wales, and is intended to encourage research abroad with a view to the improvement of educational methods in Wales.' Miss Reynolds, it appears,Ispent the summer holiday of 1897 at Geneva, in preparing for her campaign of the following year, and with such good results, that in the four months from April to August, 1898, she was able to visit 53 schools in Switzerland, and 21 in Italy, besides inspecting various museums and cartographical establish- ments, and interviewing or corresponding with teachers and professors, whose classes she was unable to see actually at work. The result of her work is a valuable and interes- ting report. 000 The Educational Review, writing on the interesting movement which has of late years sprung up in Ireland in favour of pre- serving from extinction the Gaelic language in that country, remarks;—' The movement is exactly paralleled by that in Wales. Until recently there was a distinct tendency in both of the Celtic tongues to die out, but resolute efforts are being made in both countries to prevent this result. We have no word to say against this. It would be a pity, almost a disaster, if the few surviving languages of the Celtic family be allowed to enter the limbo of the dead. Whatever may be our opinion as to the value of cer- tain other of its activities, the Irish nation has in this movement a legitimate field for practical patriotism. So long as English is understood fairly well throughout the British Isles, no one will begrudge the Celtic inhabitants of these islands the right of preserving and even fostering their native tongues.' 000 We all know what a pic-nic means, but are not so clear as to the derivation of the word. Now, Mr. Edwin Davies, the pub- lisher of Theo. Jones' History of Brecon- shire' has made an interesting discovery, which he thinks throws light on the ques- tion. From an old document' (he writes in an interesting note he has forwarded) I I find that a Mrs. Pic Nic flourished at the end of the 18th century. She came to reside at Laugharne, in Wales, in 1799, and died there in 1805. She is said to have been much caressed by all the principall in habitants for her wit and gaiety. Her social winter evening parties were much admired. Those entertainments, consisting of tea, cards, and excellent supper, were en- livened by the choicest songs and recita- tions. Her death is described as being due to a severe shock received by her sudden transition from a more congenial climate to the mountains of Wales. It would be in- teresting to know if the word 'picnic' is derived from the name of this lady. Dr. Brewer, in his 1 Phrase and Fable,' says 'picnic' was'a pic and nick' entertain- ment, in which a number of persons picked out a certain dish which he was willing to contribute, and that the custom dated from 1802. Dr. John Anthony describes the word as being derived from the Italian equivalent for 'a small task,' each person being set a small task towards the general entertainment. But both these descriptions are said to be unsatisfactory as to the, origin of the wvrd. As this is so, would it be un- reasonable to assume that the word picnic comes to us from Mrs. Pic Nic who died at Laugharne ? 000 'A Welsh Clergyman's Reminiscences' in The Churchman, a monthly magazine, of which the Ven. Archdeacon Sinclair is editor, makes racy and attractive reading for local readers. The Rev. John Morgan, rector of Llanilad, Bridgend, who contri- butes a series of articles under this head- ing, is endowed with a wonderfully vivid memory, and writes of events in the reign of William IV. as if they had happened yesterday. The second article in the Janu- ary number describes the Chartist riots at Newport, and the boisterous performances of Rebecca's children in the Western counties. 000 In concluding the second instalment of his reminiscences, the Rev. John Morgan administers a timely rebuke to those Churchmen who would cry down the work of Nonconformity in Wales. 'Nonconfor- mist adherents,' he writes, are still a force to be encountered as being in actual pos- session of a most extensive patrimonial domain, and doing their utmost to retain and enlarge it. If their hold on the higher classes has always been slight, and the gene- ral diffusion of ordained knowledge threa- tens still further to weaken it, it must be admitted that they have lost little, if any, of their old power for attracting and in- fluencing the common people,' and continu- ing, he gratefully records the conviction that the power of Nonconformists has been hitherto most beneficially used for the moral and religious welfare of our common country.'

THE REPRESENTATION OF MERIONETHSHIRE. THE PRESENT SITUATION. Were it not that war news overshadows everything else, we should have heard much more about the parliamentary representa- tion of Merionethshire. Even as it is, public interest in the matter is reviving- as the natural result of persistent efforts being made on behalf of one or other of the possible or probable candidates. For, al. though no official steps have yet been taken in the matter, much id being done to test the feeling of those who will shortly have a determining voice in the selection of Mr. O. M. Edwards' successor. It may be taken as a foregone conclusion that the present member, who has so far withstood the pressure brought to bear upon him to reconsider his decision, has definitely and finally made up his mind not only not to seek re-election, but not to allow his name to be brought forward in that con- nection. This decision, it may be said, is not, as has been suggested, a practical and emphatic protest against the custom, which cannot be too strongly deprecated, of milk- ing members,' but is solely due to the fact that parliamentary dutie3 impose too heavy a tax upon so conscientious a representative and so hard-working a man as Mr. Owen M. Edwards. It is a somewhat remarkable fact that the representation of Merionethshire has been, and still is, so intimately associated with the profession of journalism. Mr. Thomas Ellis, when selected, was on the staff of a daily paper. Mr. Owen M. Edwards has made his mark and is known to his fellow- countrymen chiefly if not entirely as a man of letters. Two working journalists have been pressed to consent to be put in nomi- nation for the coming vacancy, and have been assured of a very strong following- and both have declined. Of the host of candidates still left in the field, the more prominent are or have been, with one or two notable exceptions, intimately associated with the newspaper press of the Princi pality. It may, indeed, be safely predicted that, failing one particular possible candi- date, the selection of Merionethsbire will be a man who is or has been on the office staff of a Welsh newspaper. Of the names which arebeing most persist- ently pressed upon the notice of Merioneth- shire electors, the most prominent just now are Mr. Osmond Williams, of Castell Deu- draeth; Mr. David Edwards, of London Mr. William Evans, of Birmingham; and Mr. Herbert Lewis, the member for the Flint Boroughs. Mr. Osmond Williams is the son of the late Mr. David Williams, of Castell Deudraeth, who once represented the county at St. Stephen's. He is a prominent member of the county council, vice-chairman of quarter sessions, and the only remaining representa- tive of county families who has stuck through storm and stress to the Liberal flag. Mr. David Edwards, of London, is the assis- tant manager of the London Daily News.' He held for some years the position of managing editor to the Welsh National Press Company at Carnarvon. Mr. William Evans, of Birmingham, began life on the office staff of the Carnarvon and Denbigh Herald' at Carnarvon. He is a native of Merionethshire, and closely related to the editor and proprietor of the Goleuad' news- paper published at Dolgelley. In Wales his name has eoma to the front in connection with both the late and the sitting members for the county. It was he who gave the first donation to the Thomas Ellis Memorial Fund, and it was he who offered £100 a year for five years towards the expenses of Mr. O. M. Edwards if that gentleman would consent to retain the seat. In Birmingham he is known as a pro- nounced anti-Chamberlainite, and showed his hoBBility to the uncrowned king of Birming- ham in a very practical manner at the last general election, by undertaking the whole of the election expenses of a Radical candidate opposing a Chamberlain nominee for one of the Midland constituencies. Mr. Herbert Lewis, the popular member for the Flint Boroughs, needs no introduction. If Mr. Lewis consents to nomination, all the others will at once retire in his favour, and it may be confidently predicted that the choice of the association would be unanimous. It is not, however, as yet certain that he will sever his connection with Flint Boroughs. It is certain he will not do so without the full approval of his own present constituency association. It is, however, no betrayal of confidence to say that, did he not feel himself bound to the Flint Boroughs, the nomination for Merionethshire would not be unacceptable to him. Efforts have been made to sound the feelings of the association on the matter, probably, however, without Mr. Lewis's cognisance. The name of one of Mr. Lewis's most prominent and popular local supporters is mentioned as his probable successor if his services are transferred to Merion eths hire. Liverpool Mercury.'

England consumes £ 8,000,000 worth of fish every year. There are certain flowers the'perfume of which is produced by microbes. Berlin women shirtmakers receive only one and threepence a dozen for making fine shirts. A five-year-old boy fell out of a third-storey window in Paris, and his life was saved by his falling on a man wearing a silk hat. The Duke and Duchess of Somerset have placed Berry-Pomeroy House, Totnes, at the disposal of a local committee for invalided and wounded soldiers. What are you looking so glum about!' Ob I was trying to make a man take a £ 5- note.' I You don't mean to say he wouldn't?' Yes You see, he was my tailor, and I owe him twenty ppnndat'

MOBILISATION OF NORTH WALES VOLUNTEERS. A MILITARY TRAIN. On Monday morning, the members of the North Wales Fusilier Volunteer Battalions selected for active service went up to Wrexham for mobilisation. Drafts departed from each town, which is the headquarters of a company (with the exception, it is understood, of Peny. groes, whence none volunteered), and as all from the coast district travelled by the same train, their numbers became large by the time the train reached ( beater. From Portmadoc, Pwllheli, Carnarvon, Holyhead, Bangor, Con. way, Llandudno, Colwyn Bay, Abergele, Rhyl, and Flint the familiar red coats flocked into the carriages, and so numerous were the pas- sengers, military and civil, that the train had to be divided at Llandudno Junction, and sent forward thence in two parts. At every station scenes of enthusiasm were witnessed. Every one of the Volunteers appeared to be delighted at the work and enterprise before him, and practically all of them were sturdy fellows, in the pick of health and the best of spirits. All are first-class riflemen. The general impression gathered from conversing with the men and with the officers and civilians who came to see them off is,that North Wales has special reason to be proud of its citizen soldiers. At every station at which the Volunteers entrained, enthusiastic 'send-offs' were accorded to the troops, in most cases taking the form of some brief ceremony of presentation in appreciation of the local contribution to the British forces. As usual, there was a sprinkling of practical jokers among the detachments and their friends. The Holyhead reserved carriages were labeiled Passengers for Pretoria,' and the Carnarvon coach was understood to be after the manner of an omnibus plying between the Seiont and the capital of the Boer Republic. A coast- guardsman from Llandudno brought out a Union Jack surmounted with a trident. Never in the history of Rhyl have more stir- ring scenes been witnessed than those which took place on the occasion of the departure of volunteers for the front. The public schools were closed, and business was suspended in most of the shops. The men assembled shortly after nine o'clock at the Drill Hall, and were escorted to the station by the rest of the com- pany and by the Rhyl Fire Brigade. The cheering was of a most enthusiastic character, and the road to the station was thickly lined with spectators. After the men had been photographed, the Chairman of the District Council (Mr. A. L. Clews) shook hands with each, and they entered the train amid a scene of indescribable enthusiasm. On the windows were placards Rhyl to Ladysmith and Pre- toria.' At Conway station, four volunteers and one reservist, accompanied by Sergeant Instructor Hunt, who goes to be the company sergeant major and paymaster, joined the train which left at 9.40 a.m. At half-past nine, the Mayor (Dr. M. J. Morgan) made a presentation to the men, including for each a knapsack khaki Bible, printed on India paper, and with the name of the recipient stamped upon it in gold letters a tobacco pouch and supply of tobacco, a pipe, a jack knife, and £4 in gold for contin- gencies. In the course of an appropriate speech, his Worship said that on behalf of the town he wished the men God-speed and a safe return. He was glad such fine fellows were going from Conway to protect the Empire, and the presen- tation he had to make was a small token of the townspeople's appreciation of their loyalty to the Queen. He hoped all of them would reach Pretoria, and would have the privilege of seeing the British flag hoisted there. He also expressed his thanks to Mr. J. W. Post, of the Town Clerk's office, for the energy he had shown in getting up the testimonial. Colour Sergeant Hunt briefly responded, and the train departed amid great enthusiasm on the part of the large crowd which had assembled. A cordial send-off was given to the Llandudno contingent. The railway station was packed with an enthusiastic crowd, who heartily cheered the men as they drew up there previous to their departure. Mr. John Owen. chairman of the Council, addressed the men and wished them God speed and a safe return from the seat of war. Each of the men was presented by the treasurer of the special committes with a purse containing jE3 in gold. Presents of tobacco were also given by Mrs. H. Forrester, Mr. G. Forrester, and Mr. S. Dunphy. Captain Sarson briefly responded on behalf of the men, and thanked the Chairman and the Committee for their kindness to them. The men were eight in number. Mr. John Jones was chairman of the committee which organised the send-off, Major Wheldon secretary, and Mr. A. L. P. Piggott treasurer. At Carnarvon, Mr. J. R Pritchard (chairman of the Carnarvon County Council) met the men at the Drill Hall, and addressed to them a few words of encouragement. Subsequently they marched through the principal streets of the town to the railway station, accompanied by an enormous crowd of people. At the station there was also a large crowd of people, and among others present on the platform were the Mayor (Mr. W. J. Williams), Lord Lieutenant (Mr. J. E. Greaves), Colonel Rees (commanding the 3rd Battalion), Captain Were (adjutant), members of the Town Council, and others. A loud cheer went up as the twelve young fellows made their appearance, some of them being carried shoulder high. The Mayor, addressing the men, expressed his satisfaction that so many of them had volunteered to assist their country in a case of great need. He assured them that a great many hearts had been quickened by their action, and that their fortunes would be watched with kind and anxious feeling. He hoped that peace would be restored before their arrival in South Africa—peace on suih lines as had secured the friendly relations between this country and the colonies (applause). To each man the Mayor then handed a silver-mounted briar pipe, a pouch, and a quantity of tobacco provided out of a town fund, the bulk of which will again be distributed to the men before their embarkation. Councillor R. Thomas, Major Paynter, and Messrs. C. E. Jones and Co., also made similar gifts to the men. Six members of the A (Mold) Company left Mold. The Volunteers were accompanied through the principal streets to the station by other members of the company. Captain T. M. Keene, of Mold, who also proceeded to Wrex- ham. and who will command the Welsh Volun. teer contingent at the front, led the detachment. On the part of Mold and district residents, this officer will, before he embarks, be presented with valuable field-glasses and a telescope. A vast crowd watched the procession. Wrexham was full of excitement, owing to the assembling of the men of the three Volun- teer Battalions of the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, who have been selected for active service, as well as the reserve and waiting men. The Volunteers, to the number oi about 250, para- ded on Wrexham racecourse, and were accom- panied by their commanders, Colonels Wynne Edwards, Roberts, and Rees, and, headed by the regimental band of the first battalion, under Drnm Major Lloyd, they marched through the principal streets of the town to the Hightown barracks, where the men were attested before Colonel Hilton, commanding the 23rd Regimen- tal Dist/ict; the Mayor of Wrexham (Mr. Thomas Jones), the Mayor of Denbigh (Mr. A. Lloyd Jones), and the Mayor of Flint (Mr. E. J. Hughes). The service company, numbering 115, will be quartered in the Wrexham barracks until ordered abroad, and will be in charge of Captain Keene, Mold; Lieutenants Geoffery Jones-Parry, Wrexham, and C. A. Bamford, Ruthin. The officers in charge of the reserve company are Captain H. Meredith Jones, Wrexham and Lieutenants Douglas M. Jones, Wrexham, and Hatherley Jones, Rhyl. The men had a hearty reception as they went through the streets of the town. The events connected with this display in Denbigh and others towns will be found in other columns.

This year famine in India covers 350,000 square miles, and renders miserable 30,000,000 people. To launder' once signified to lavender or perfume clothes with the leaves of this plant be. fore being laid away.

WOMEN'S CHAT. The patriotic spirit is manifesting itself in many ways just now, some of which are very curious. A woman being sued in court 'for a tradesmen's bill amounting to several pounds, said she could not pay it at that time, because her husband, -who was a Reservist, had been sent to the front. The plaintiff thereupon showed some anger, that he was not told of this before, and there and then made a present of the amount, together with his best wishes for her husband's safe return. There is little doubt that other debtors, tak. ing advantage of this example, will feel disposed to test their tradesmen's generosity in a similar manner. But the funniest example of patriotic generosity occurred in London the other day, when the City Volunteers were leaving for the Cape. There was a great crowd, and the pick- pockets were making the most of the occasion, when suddenly one of their number handed a trooper a handsome gold watch, which, as it afterwards turned out, had only just been ac- quired in the usual professional manner. Public attention is so absorbed in the war, that the controversy in the Church of England is, for the time, almost forgotten. Yet, only last Session, this question promised to become one of the chief political issues in Parliament, and, in spite of all appearance, it is not even now any nearer a settlement. Mr. Kensit, it seems, is about to renew his campaign against Ritualism in the Church. For some months past there has been a sort of armistice between him and the Bishops, but it is announced that there is to be no further compromise in the crusade against alleged Romist, practices. While many think that the Bishops have al- ready acted too drastically against this tendency, others are of opinion that they have not done nearly enough. The Duke of Newcastle has undertaken to present to the Archbishop of Canterbury a protest, signed by some 14 000 members of the Church, against the Primates prohibition of the ceremonial use of incense and processional lights. The Duke is of opinion that Disestablishment is bound to come, and that the Bishop's interference in these matters will hasten its coming. The price of coal goes steadily mounting up, in spite of the fact that that we may reasonably hope we are well over the worst half of the winter. It was thought that the advance would tend to check itself by causing the reopening of closed workings. There are numbers of collieries which can only be run at a loss, when the price of coal is low, but which are now being worked for all they are worth at a handsome profit. New shafts are also being sunk, but although great efforts are being made to increase the supplies, we are told that for a long time coal will be at famine rates for domestic purposes. That. if true, would soon tend to alter our methods of using fuel. It would be a great incentive to inventors to search for a new sys- tern of heiting by means of either gas, oil, or electricity, and it would encourage the use of the more economical closed stoves, which are so general in America, Germany, and other countries. Our system of open grates is, of course, the most wasteful method of using fuel, but they have compensating advantages as a means of ventilation. As a people, Americans are peculiarly subject to pneumonia, consump- tion, and kindred diseases, and this, in fact, is due not a little to their system of heating their houses. One of the medical journals seems to regard the House of Commons as a veritable hot bad for the influenza pestilence. In view of the re- assembling of Parliament it warns the authori. ties to look to the ventilation of the Palace of Westminster. But, as a matter of fact, if there is one thing in which the House.of Commons is perfect, it is with regard to its ventilation ar. rangements. Immense sums of money have been spent for this purpose. It is nevertheless remarkable that in former years the influenza haa baen exceptionally prevalent amongst mem- bers of Parliament, and it is this fact which, no doabt, moves the 'British Medical Journal' bo utter its word of warning. There is really no accounting for the vagaries of influenza, and it does not help us much to be told that it is due to a specific organism which depends upon cer. tain climatic conditions for it propagation. These are believed to result from frequent and sudden changes of temperature which cause emanation or exhalations from the ground. Hence the great importance of living in a dry house, and, if possible, one with cellars, or deep excavations beneath it. The Trust Movement, so familiar in America, seems to be spreading in one way and another to all sorts of trades in this country. One after another those interested in the production of sewing thread, woollen goods, calico, dross stuffs, and so on, are laying their heads to- gether with the object cf eliminating competi. tion. Yorkshire and Lancashire are the leading counties in the movement, though it is rapidly finding favour in the hardware and many other manufacturing industries. Amongst the latest combinations announced is that of the lace trade, which will include the makers of Notting- hamshire and Ayrshire in Scotland. Of course, the object of these amalgamations, though not always professed, is to put up the price of the goods to the public, as, in this particular item, those requiring new lace curtains with the Spring cleaning, will, no doubt, find out when purchasing. Londoners have now to pay nearly j62 per ton for the best coal, and though many other circumstances contribute to this high price, it is really due in no small degree to the Trust Movement which, in every direction, seems likely to considerably put up the house. hold expenses. Jet ornaments have long been in disfavour but it seems that, owing to the war, they are likely to come into fashion again this season. From necessity, or choice, numbers of women are discarding brightly coloured dresses, and but few ornaments go well with the mourning and semi-mourning which is also the rule. It is an ill wind which blow no one any good, and it would, therafore, seem that the jet industry, which has long been dwindling, is likely to be revived by the war. We can only hope that it will have a very short lived period of prosper- ity. Under no circumstances can jet be said to be beautiful, and though it may have a brief revival, it has, in fact, come to be regarded as the symbol of faded respectability which is usually described as having seen better days. • • Velvet is in great degree taking the place of fur now on coabs and bodices. There is white velvet spotted with black, and black velvet spotted with white, brown velvet spotted with white, and grey, and brown, corduroy vel- veteens. These, perhaps, are the favourites of the moment. Silks have been exceptionally cheap of late, and it is to be feared that in the excitement of securing a 'blouse length lat considerably under cost price,' many pur. chasers have lost sight of the fact that they possess not a skirt which will live in amity therewith. It is no longer permissible to make a black skirt do duty on many and divera occa- sions. The blouse and skirt must bear some slight relationship to one another nowadays. MADGE.

The human voice can, in a few [cases, utter 296 words a minute. A club for the encouragement of rifle shooting has been formed at Aberystwith,the mayor and the county members being on the committee. A decree of divorce between the well-known actress, Miss Julia Marlowe, and her husband, Mr. Robert Taber, has been granted. Miss Marlowe was the petitioner. Mr. Thomas Spencer has promised to build the nave of Hexham Abbey church, at a cost of £ 15,000; and Mr. James Ball will, at a cost of £ 10,000, rebuild the Lady Chapel, in memory of his mother.