Cheshire Observer

I EASTERTIDE. I GOOD FRIDAY. Eastertide opened auspiciously, for which II of us, whatever our plans, could have desired a j more perfect day than Good Friday? For the nonce the wind, to which we had during the last I two months grown accustomed in its boisterous strength, gave place to serener conditions, and the contrast was delightful. The ser- vices at the Cathedral commenced at eight o'clock with Litany and Holy Communion, while from 12 to 3 there was the I customary '"three-hours"' service, at which the preacher was the Rev. F. C. N. Hicks, M.A. In the afternoon the chorale 0 Thou whose head" tEach) way sung, and in the evening a special service was held, at which the Rev. J. M. New was the preacher. While within the sacred edifices the great event in the history of Christendom was being observed with impressive ordinance, there were entering the city by the principal routes thousands of visitors from the neighbouring great cities and centres i of industry, who, tired of th,3 drudgery of oihee, warehouse or shop, sought a brief respite a.mid more genial surroundings. By far the larger number of the strangers who thronged our streets arrived by road. Their dusty garments told of journeys by cyclo or motor-car. And what a glorious spin tney must have had: Did the country ever seem so beautiful? Verily, it was a perfecto spring day, and well !| fmight the toilers of the bjisy towns hasten to the 'countryside, and, forgetting daily cares, revel amid brighter and freshet scenes. The tinkle of • the cycle bell, the "pip-pi R of the motor-car, and, j at rare intervals, the toong of the coach's horn, broke in upon the rural cjiiietude, and caused the faimer in h?s fields and the cottager in his garden to pan e and gaze upon the town dwellers in their hot pursuit of pleasure. And so they came, these J cyclists and motorists, into Chester, leaving be- hind them hedgerows white with dust. Once within the city, their cycles and cars 3afely stored, and themselves refreshed, they commenced to work out their own enjoyment in that free and vigorous way which characterises the visits of our Lancashire and other Easter visitors. The "Clarion" badge was much in evi- dence, and this was due to the fact that the "Clarion" Cycle Club held their national meet at Chester for the purpose of supporting a highly- interesting exhibition in th? Newgate Assembly Rooms, under the auspices of the "Clarion Guild of Handicraft." By noon it was ascertained that the muster of Clarionettes exceeded the number who were prcsont at the last year's gathering, and in the end it was found that this year's was a record reunion. Among other visitors were small detachments of the 1st Cadet Battalion from Liverpool, by March route from Eastham. On their return march on Mon- day they were joined by a detachment Of the battalion proceeding from Liverpool on that morning, and participated in some good work bearing on the Liverpool Volunteer Cyclists' operations. It was an ideal day for the opening of the boat- ing season, and the scene in the Groves was an animated one. Steamers were crowded, and the smaller boats were in great demand, although the river traffic was not nearly so busy as on some previous Good Fridays. The happiest thing of all is that there was not a single mishap to mar the opening of the season on our much- libelled but increasingly popular boating stream. A favourite pastime of both trippers and resi- dents was tram rides. An enormous number of people patronised the new system, and frequently the cars were unable to carry all who desired to board them. Mr. Gardner (the tramway manager) and his staff are to be congratulated on the smart way in which they dealt with the excessive traffic. There was not a single hitch, and that, in view of the fact that the system is only a week old, is a remarkable testimony to the soundness of the work of construction and the capable management of the service. The figures are interesting. Alto- gether there were nine trams running, and the passengers and receipts were as follow:- Passengers 12,358 Penny Fares 9,525 Twopenny Fa-rps 2.833 Total receipts £ 63 5s. lid. The football tnatch between Chester and Wrex-I hani-a, Combination fixture--was witnessed by a very large crowd- LIVERPOOL CADETS' VISIT. 1 On Good Friday, about fifty members of the 1st Cadet Battalion of the King's Liverpool Regi- ment, under the command of Major Leslie, visited this city. They pat up at the Diill Hall, and until Monday, when they returned, they were fully occupied with military labours. AT THE CHURCHES. I THE CATHEDRAL. I Large congregations attended the various ser- vices at the Cathedral on Ea?er Day. The :,r- v.ces commenced with Holy Communion at 7.45 a.m. and a choral celebration of Holy Communion at the 10.30 a.m. service, when the Dean of Chester preacha. In the evening tJie Bishop of Chester dehnred an doouent sermon on the Rc?,tirr?.t".n to a crowded congregation, ajid at the conclusion of tho service the "Hallelujah Chorus" was well rendered by the choir. The Cathedral was taste- fully decorated on Easter Day by the following ladms: --The Misses Cummings, the screen; the Misses Darby, the Bishop's throne, the lectern and the puipit; and the Misses Payne, the altari ST. MARY'S PARISH CHURCH. The services on Good Friday and Easter Day wore largely attended by attentive congregations, who seemed to fully appreciate the opportunrtice afforded them of spsndrng the solemn houra of Good Friday and the joyous services of Easter in this beau tit ul parish church. Last year Gaul's "Passion" oratorio was rendered, an it was re- peated again this year by special request. The solos were taken by Mis" Onsie, Aleiars 0. Huinpnreys, A. Dryland. A. Orine and B. Giles I Griffith. The soprano items were taken by T. VV right and F. Davies. Tne rector, as usual, con- ducted his excellent choir, and Mr. T. D. Huxley presided at the organ in an efficient manner. The ooUeotions on Good Friday were for the Diocesan House of Mercy. On faster Day the services commenced at b.45 a.m., and were continued throughout the day. Joyousness was the keynote of the peal of bells whwh ushered m the &ster morn. The rector preached at the morning ser- vice from the text "Why seek ye the living among ¡ the dead?" In the evening the Rev. Jelinger E. Symons occupied the pulpit. The deooratrons were effectively carried out in white and yellow dowers. These had been s?nt by generous donors in IMgo quantities, consequently the effect pro- duoed was most beautiful and worthy of both the church and its services. The decorations were carried out by the following ladies: —Miss Mill, the altar; Miss Porter, the font; Miss May Roberts, the leotern; the Misses Radcliffe, the clergy stalls; Mus Orma and Miss Benyon, the I altar, rails; Miss Thompson, the pulpit; Miss I Edith May, the choir aad transept; and Miss Grantham, the windows. J BANK HOLIDAY. According to the calendar Bank Holiday was Easter Monday, but no extraordinary -effort was required to imagine that it was Boxing Day When the majority of Cost nans arose from their beds in the morning it waa to find that there had been a heavy downfall of snow and hail However, the sun. as if to compensate for the clerk of the weather's mismanagement, made its appearance about nine o'olock, and soon thawed the white covering. Sharp bad storms occurred at intervals during the day, and there was a piercingly cold wind but the enthusiastic holiday-seekers refused to be intimidated, and the number of visitors to the city was apparently undiminished. The motor-car invasion was as marked as on Good Friday, and cyclists innumerable battled bravely with the wind. Comparatively few people hired rowing boats on the river, but the steamers were fairly well patronised. Luge audiences attended the Crown Eisteddfod in the Music Hall, and many weat to the Royalty Theatre to have a good laugh at Mr. Arthur Roberts, in view of th" cold weather it was not surprising that tho trams did not do quite uch a good business as on Good Friday, but tho takings reached the .satisfactory total of £ til. [ Til r CROWN EISTEDDFOD. Thero seems to be only one opinion ot the Crown Eisteddfod at the Music. Hall. Chester on Monday. It WdS a splendid succa-.s. even surpassing its two predoces ois. Much could be written of the good of these eisteddfod ru. They attract Welsh visitors to the city an strengthen the international bond by friendly and educative rivalry. Hence the citiens of Chester welcome a half-yearly invasion of the city by their cross-border neighbours, whereas history tells us that in days of yore they resisted so strenuously invasions of a very different, kind. Verily, these arc times of better understand- ing, and who shall calculate the- inliuonce of eisteddfodau in preserving thi- internal, anal con- cord? Prosperity, then, to the eisteddfod move- ment, whioh is never likely to lack symp3thetic sup- port in Chester! The Easter meeting is of com- L hre-,? yc-ar.,l; ago it was paratively reoent origin. years ago it was organised in o»nnoet on with the Queen-street Welsh Weeleyan Chapel, and its development is largely duo to the energetic work of the promo- te,r Monday's entertainment was held under wide and distinguished patronage. It was a full, perhaps overcrowded, programme, but the patience of the audience was never once taxed, for there were a keenness and merit about the competitions which enforced interest, the speeches were happily brief and to the po nt, while tha efforts of the specially engaged artists never failed to delight. The chief choral competition for male voices stands forth one of the finest vocal contests ever heard in Chester. Of the professional artists, Me. D. Ffrangoou-Vaviès, the renowned baritone, was a special attraction. Dr. Roland Rogers, of Bangor, was the musical adjudicator,; and his awards gave general sat.sfaction, whila Hi» critical observatrons were most interesting and instruc- tive. Mr. John Owens, of Chester, had a great deal to do as conductor of the proceedings, but he discharged the duties with etnciency all tact. The president tor the afternoon waa the Alayor of Flint (Mr. T. W. Hughes), a gentleman who has the true advancement of Wales at heatt. Mr. John Owens, the conductor, briefly introduced his worship, who was cordially received. Mr. Hugiies said ho was very glad mdeed to b» present to shew his appreciation in some way of the value of eisteddfoduu. In Wales such gatherings were a national pastime. (Hear, hear.) On that day almost every village and town in Wales were taking their entertainment irr that way. And what better way was there? (Hear, hear.) Opinions differed as to the value of eisteddfodau, and many suggestions were made for their im- provement. For all that, he thought the Welh people knew the value of them in encouraging stucy of art and liteiaturo. He was very lllllCil surprised to see. from a discussion that had taken place at Carnarvon on Saturday, that the parents at Carnarvon were indifferent in the matter of getting their children to take up the study of the vVolsh language. (Hear, hear.) Wales had taken the lead in intermediate education, and England was taking a leaf from the Welsh book and rollow- ing Wales in that respect. The intermediate schools gave every advantage and every facility tor tne teaching oi the Wersn language. It was unfortunate that in a place like Carnarvon so little interest was apparently taken in the matter of having the children taught W elsh. One thing eisteddiodau did was to encourage the teaching of the native tongue. If the Welsh language ever ceased to exist, he was afraid the ersteddiodau wouid go, too. Ho hoped that in tho decentrali- sation of education, ana now that the county councils were taking it up, there would be greater opportunities for children to be educated in the Welsh language, and that the Welsh people wouid take tho advantages offered and sea tnat their children were well versed in the language of their country. (Applause.) Preliminary tests in all the solo and recitation oom.petit.ona had been conducted in tho morning, and the worthiest candrdates selecte d for final adjudication in the a.iternoon. In the pianoiorto solo competition for candidates under 1D year., of age there were twelve entries. Three competi- tors—■■"Douglas, "Bertie" and "Edith"—were selected to appear in tho afternoon. The pieco was von rnrergia u v inueni. tuiu euuu Ul the trio played w th skill. Tne prizo was awarded to "Ednh," otherwise Edith Darbyshire, of Bir- kenhead, who, the adjudicator said, had a brilliant touch and took the piece at a good pace. She used the loud pedal very judiciously and correctly. "'Bertie' has a liquid touch,, and gave a sym- pathetic and expressi ve, rendering. i-lo, however, d.d not use the loud pedal quite according to copy. -,Douglm was heavier in touch and not quita so sympathetic as the other two'. Dr. Rogers men- tioned that "Gwladys" had played extremely well in the preliminary test, and was only one poiat behind tho three who appeared in tho afternoon. There were 20 entries for the baritone solo prize, but only six sang before the adjudicator, and those were reduced to two-"Croniivell and "Manod"-for the afternoon, contest. "'Neath the Rolling Tide" (W. H. Jude) was the title of tme solo, and both vocaLsts treated it with taoOO. The adjudicator commented upon iaults of pronuncia- tion by each, and said taken altogether the render- ings were about equal. Ho awaided the prize to "Cromwell" (Mr. Vaughan Davies, Carnarvon),on the strength of his havrng a superior voice. The Welsh recitation is always an interesting feature of the eisteddfodau at Chester, and on this occa- sion it proved per haps more interesting tnan usual. The Mayor ot Chester (a notable Welsh- man) and the Rev. D. Gwynfryn J one's were the adjudicators, and out of an entry of 14 three finally competed for the guinea, priz2. They bore V the names of "Jeffries,' "Via Dolorosa' and "Madge." Ea.ch recited the piece, "Oridu r Bore" (Ceiriog), with dramatic effect, the vigorous gesture and expressive rendering of "Jeffrres," a little chap, evoking loud applause. The Mayor of Che--t,-r, in making known their decision, men- tioned that out of eleven who competed four were | selected to recite before the audience, but one had not come forward. The prize was won by "Madge" (Maggie Lizzie Jones, of Ysbyttyfan), but he was very anxious to encourage the little boy, "Jeffries" (Thomas Henry Jones, of Rhyl), and he would give him a special prize of half-a- guinea. (Applause.) Out of twelve who entered for the soprano solo honour two, "S. E. W." and I-T. R. B now sang. The eolo was happily chosen, for Gounod's "Entreat me not to leave th('o" is a favourite song, and a gcod test piece. The vocalists, however, were not of a very high standard, and Dr. Roland Rogers had to confess that the competition was not very satisfactory. The first singer ("T. R. B."), had a fairly strong voice, but there was a want of sympathy in her singing. "S. E. W." had not a strong voice, but she sang well in tune, and altogether her rendering was very nice, and much superior to that of her competitor. The prize was therefore awarded to "S. E. W. otherwisa Miss Watkins, Earlestown. The principal attraction, of course, was the choral competition for male voices, only choirs of over 40 voices being eligible to compete. The prize was 220, with a solid silver crown for the conductor, while the conductor of each unsuccess- ful choir reoeived £ 1. Nine choirs had entered, and the only absentees wete Talko iliale Voice Prize Choir. The first choir to ascend the plat- form was the Crewe Mill-st| eet Primitive Appolo Choir (conductor, Mr. Jcsepji Stnbb3). The other choirs and their conductors if ere: Hanley Gicemcn (Mr. Arthur Weston), Wigan Harmonic Male Voice Choir tMr. A. Knighfc A.R.C.O.), Moehvyn Male Voice Choir (Mr. OadWaladr Roberts), Wedg- wood Male Voice Choir. Crewe (Mr. G. Timms), Manohester Onpheus Glee Society (Mr. W. S. Nes- bitt), Runcorn- Male Voice Choir (Mr. Harry Berrey), Southport Vocal Union Male Choir (Mr. J. Chas. Clarke, F.R.CO., L.R.A.M.). The test piece was "Martyrs of the Arena." (Rille). The singing of each choir aroused an outburst of ap- plause, for each rendering seemed perfect to most of the audience. Dr. Roland Rogers, however, noted demerits, and these he detailed at consider- able length at the conclusion of tho competition. He confessed to disappointment on first seeing the name of trie test piece. "Martyrs of the Arena" had nearly been done to death. (Laughter.) Some of tho choirs had sung it many times, and they could not feel the same freshness and vitalicy about a piece they had been singing for years and years. He knew when he saw the names of the cho is that there wouict be tremendously Keen j competition, and he regretted he had not written to the committee to ask that each choir should have sung a piece of their own selection. That would have made his task easier, because "Mar- tyrs of the Arena" did not altogether represent what some of tbe,hoirs could do, It was really I more suited to Welsh choirs than English, be. cause Welsh choirs did not cultivate the alto voice so much as tiie Engl sh. After treating of each choir's merits and demerits, he said tho contest really lav between Manchester and Southport. These choirs were far in front of the other choirs, a.nd the only blemish he could find with the Man- j Chester choir was that they wero not quite in tune in the quartet. Otherwise they sang the whole piece with dignity and expressiveness. Southport had grand vo.ces, but seemed to be a little over- cirivon both in time and tune. Despite Man- Chester's fault, in the quartet, he felt he must award them the prize. (Applause.) The number of marks gained by each choir out of a maximum of 24 were as follow:—Manchester 22, Southport 21, Wigan 19, H&ntev 17, Crewe (Wedgwood) 17, Crewe Prjmitives) lo Modwyn 16, H.uncorn 15 Not tho least pleasing item was th-Ilc, choir; competition, the entr.es being: Holywell Board School (Mr. H. G. Morris, conductor), \Yinsford Children's Choir (Mr. J. Hoi ford), Jerusalem Juvenile Choir, Rhos (Mr. John Daviei), Chester; and Hoole United Juvenile Choir (Mr. Thomas Jones), Ffynnongroew (Mr. Thos. Jones), Trefh- wnvdd (Mr. Arthur Williams). The test piece was "The Month of May," and the prize was 55., with a silver-mounted baton for the conductor, 10s. being given to the conductor of each unsuccess- ful choir. Success fell to the Rhos einiaren, whose rendering of the piece was particularly sweet and soft. Tho Sheriff of Chester (Mr. Henry Dodd) pro- posed a vote of thanks to the Mayor of Flint for .1 -1 I- 11.r 1.1.. J.. pre-ndine, and oxpressed the aengnt an xeit 1111> presence" (Hear, hear.) Mr. Hughes had alluded to eisteddfodau a.. practically the national pastime of Wales. He agreed with Mr. Hughes, but he would p.ace eisteddfodau on a higher platform. He believed they were part of the national educa- tion of Wales. Mr. John Griffiths seconded, and the vote was heartily accorded. The Mayor of Flint, in acknowledging the com- pliment, remarked that in the days of Owen Glendower it was not safe for a Welshman to como into Chester. The Mayor of Chester at one time actually issued a proclamation that if any Welshmen, particularly of Flint and tb adjoining counties, were found in Chester on certain days they would receive capital punishment. (Laughter.) The evening performance was very attractive, and the Mayor of Chester had the pleasure of presiding over a very large audience, which filied the Music Hall. His Worship, who was heartily received, congratulated the commrcteo oa the excellent programme and praised them for the work they had undertaken for the success of the Eisteddfod. The great tendency of the age seMncd to be summed up in three words—tom- petitition, amu'ement and rcrcaticn. He know of nc institution which embodies those thre so thoroughly as the eisteddfcdau. (Hear, hear.) Ho had :M so noted the reported mditierencs or J Carnarvon parents regarding the language of the Welsh nation, and he hoped that state of things would soon be altered. (AI)plau-,e.)-" Leap" (R. S. Hugies) wa. the test piece in the i tenor solo competition. "Llewellyn" and "J. M. J." were selected for the final stage, and the honours fell to "Llewellyn". (Mr. Llewellyn Jones, Old Colwyn). The male voice prize choir cf tho afternoon contributed a couple of glees— "Beloagured" and "Tho Long Day Closes"—with much taste. Then came the picturesque crown- ing ceremony. The conductor of the successful male voice choir, Mr. W. S. Nesbitt, bent to receive the honour, and the crown was raised and placed upon his head by the Mayoress of Chester (Miss Hobcr"). The ceremony was witnessed with interest, a-id closed amid cheers from all parts of the hall. The Rev. Alfred S. Sharp and Mr. J. T. Partington were the judges in ,the Engli-h recitation competition. Nineteen entries had been received, but eight of tho aspirants did not appear. The competitors were reduced to two ("Arthur" and "Tom Kenny") at the pre- liminary hearing. Mr. Sharp, in announcing the l i ni. ,iiai arp, I award, said most of the competitors failed to gra-p the spirt of the picce, Carlyle's ''Death- bed scene of Louis XV." Arthur excelled "Tom Kenny," particularly in enunciation. The prize therefore went to "Arthur"—Mr. A. T. Evans, Hoole. (Loud applause.) There was another choral oompetition; this time for mixed choirs. The five competitive choirs out of nine entries were: Salford Select Choir (conductor, Mr. Btlacon, F.I.U.M., A.R.C.O.),- Crewe Trinity Wesleyan Choir (Mr. H. Hough, A.R.C.O., L.L.C.M.), Crewe Mill-street Primitives (Mr. Joseph Stubbs), Chester Choral Society (Mr. Henry Dodd, A.T.8.C:), Crewo Wedgwood Choir (Mr. G. Timms). Handel's "'Worthy is the Lamb" was the test piece, and-the prize was 210 10s. and a silver cup for the conductor, £1 be;ng given to the conductor of each unsuccessful ohoir. Dr. Roland Rogers said that the finest male choir singing and the finest female choir singing did not equal mixed choir singing, and he hoped the m.xed choirs competition would always figure as the chief choral ocntest at that Eisteddfod. (Applause.) He severely criticised the Salford choir, who be described as "namby-pamby" and fanciful." Crewe Trinity had displayed a good, full and stately tone. Their tenors, however, were slightly d sposed to run off on two occasions. Crewe Primitives had given a bright yet massive rendering. Their tone was net quite so good as the preceding choir. Unfortunately, the Chester Choral Society did net get the initial chord into their ears. In the first lino they were sharp, and having got in the sharp pitch they never seemed to leave it. Ho fancied they were used to singing wih an organ or orchestral accompaniment; he did not think they heard the piano. They were a bit sharpor than the piano all the way through, otherwise they wero bright and effective. The Crewe Wedgwocd Choir sang with a splendid tone, and altogether their performance was very fine. The marks trained bv the- were: -Sa: ford 17, Crewo Trinity 21, Crewe Mill- street 22, Chester 19, Crewe Wedgwood 23. Crewe Wedgwood Choir therefore recei ved the prize, The committee are to bo congratulated on their croioe of special artists. Miss May John, R.A.M. (double medallist) was in particularly sweet voice, and won great favour. Her best numbers were "The Children's Ilomo" and "Hen Gadair Freiohiau fy Mam." Miss Edith Randies, cf Douglas and Liverpool concerts, displayed a cultured voice which pleased all. Among -her songs were "The Better Land" and "Angus Macdonald. Both ladies sang in the afternoon and evening. Mr. D. Ffrangcon-Davies was a treat. Ilig wonderfully clear voice of splendid register was heard to advantage in (a) "A Ballad of Trees and the Master" (Chadwick) and (b) "There is a. Green Hill" (Gounod). He gave as an encore to "The Bay of Biscay" (Davy), "Simon the CeJaror" with much expression. In Mr W. Pierce Williams, A.N.C.M., the vocalists had a very able accompanist. The officials who deserve tbank3 are the Rev. D. Gwynfryn Jones Presi- dent of committee). Messrs. J. Evans. T. Lewi s and D. Thomas (vice-presidents). Mr. H. L. Jones (hon. treasurer), and Messrs. Joseph Bonn, C. Everett Le-wis and S. T. Matthews Ihon. secre- taries). On the motion of the Rev. D Gwvnfrvn Jones seconded by Mr. W. H. Lloyd, the Major and Mayoress wero accorded warm votei of thanks, and the Mayor responded in a hapnyJ speech. rrr, HE\ VY R.AILWA Y TRAFFIC. I ,e rramc to from both the railway stations, heavy dun the 'hoHday has ten exceptionally heavy during the'holidays 8.nce\.edne?y t?- oif?.d. at the Go"oml Ra;l-- w? St?on have been busily employed dealing I with a hoavy passenger traffic, principally on the l Holvhead lino. On Mondav the number cf ex- euraiomsts was exceedingly large, both to the North Wales Co.ast and from Liverpool and Man- chester and the Lancashire townci. Undfr the able superintendence of Mr. W. G. Marrs (the stationmaster) tho task of dealing with the increased number of waci s,fel- carried through without any hitch At the Northgate Station a much heavier traffic than on previous holiday periods is also recorded. Numerous excursions arrived from Liverpool, Southport, Manchester and district and Wrexham, while several parties arrive*! from Grimsby and Sheffield. Many peonlo journeyed from Cluster to Delamere, Seacombe, Neston Hawarden. and Manchester, and Mr Mitchell and his staff are to be congratulated on the way the work was carried out. Had the weather been milder on Monday, no doubt a still larger increase would hare been recorded. I THE DISTRICT. ECCLESTON. °d r'dajlnatins ere said at 9.30 at the parish Church. At 11 c/clock the service consisted of the Litany and I Aute-oornraunion service, fol- lowed by a meditation on tho last words from the Cross, Father, into Thy hands I commend My s ;rt. Evciis?on vi a ?iu; r"L VCT°SS said^fc 7'30- with a sermon by the P Re}-. J. R. fuller. On Easter Day a large congregat.on assembled at 8 a.m. for the first celebration of tho Holy Communion. Tlio hymn "Jesus Christ is risen to-day" was sung as a mo- cessional at the usual morning service, and the usual Easter hymns wore also sung with great heartmess. The preacher was the rector (the Rev. G, A. Hobins), who took for his text St. Luke xxiv., 5, 6. In tho evening the preaoher was the Rev. j. R. Fuller, who discoursed from the words wore the disciples giad when they saw the Lord," St. John xx., 20. Mr. A. H. Robinson, F.R.C.O., presided at the or,-an. Tho decorations were of a simple character, consisting of palms and arum lilies arranged on either side of the i altar. TARVIN. i-iie great testai day was celebrated at the vari- ous places of worship on Sunday. At St. Andrew's Church there were celebrations of the Holy Com- munion at 7, 8 and 10.30 a.m., The vicar offlci^t^d throughout the day. The Easter offering for the vicar from tho parish amounted to £ 24. The church was decorated by Mrs. Evans, A-Irs. Potts, i Mrs. McClure, Miss Ankers, the Misses Howcroft, the Misses Wright, Miss Smith, the Misses Lea. Miss Bull, Mrs. Gunnry and Miss M. A. Davies. On Go-ad l,ridty the services in St. Andrew's Church wero well attended. In the afternoon the annual tea meeting tbok place at the Methodist New Connexion Chapd, Oscroft.. and in the even- i ing a publio meeting as held, being presided over 1 by Mr. Frank Dodd (Oscroft Hall). wero delivered by thje circuit ministers, and an entertainment given by mcmb2fs of the choir and other.. During the ?y a continuous stream of holiday seekers passef- through the village, many hundreds being on bicycles, while motor oars and motor-cycles were seen in greatly increased num- I bers. I KELSALL. I As tne weather was exceedingly fine, a good many people visited the village for the holidays, and the number of cyclist; passing through was unprecedented. Three services were held in St. Philip's Church, all of which were well attended. On Sunday there were celebrations of tho Holy Eucharist at 7 o'clock, 8 o'clock and after matins, i At the evening service the choir gave a good ren- denng of tho anthem, "incy have taken away my Lord" (Stainer). The offertories during the diy amounted to £ 5 12s., and were presented to the vicar as an Easter offering. The church was taste- fully decorated by ladic-s of the congregation. I AUDLEM. All through Holy Week, services were held, Good Friday being very specially observed. There were four services. The preaoher, both morning and evening, was the Vice-Principal of the Train- ing College. A portion of the three hours' eer- vice was taken by the Rev. Stapleton Cotton, vicar. The congregations throughout the day wero remarkably good. Easter Day was ushered in by a celebration at 7.15, repeated again at 8.15 and mid-day, the communicants numbering 1S3. The vicar preached in the morning from the con- cluding words of the Nicene Creed, and in the evening on the appearance of the risen Saviour to Mary Magdalene. UnusuaHy largo congregations attended at all services. The church was beauti- fully decorated with a profusion of spring flowers. The choir sang their Easter anthem with much reverence. The custom of Easter offerings was again observed- MA LP AS. The services at Malpas Parish Church on Sunday wero of a bright and hearty nature. There wero three celebrations of the Holy Communion, the first being at 7 o'clock, the second at 8 a.m., and the customary one after the morning servico, and at each there was a largo number of communi- cants, the total during the day being the largest upon Easter Sunday for the last five. years. The rector (the Rev. the Hon. A. R. Parker) preached in the morning, and tho Rov. L. R. Armitstead in the evening. The anthem, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" was sung with telling effect by the choir at both the morning and even- ing services. The offertories for the day r,mounted I to tjlz .LV", waluzi Will DO nancierr to the rector, who purposes devoting the money to some charitable object or objects in the"parish. The church was prottilv decorated daffodils, narcissi and primroses., being the predominant flowers utilised, whilo choice palms and arum lilies, adorned the east end, as well as the front of the pulpit.- Mrs. GreenshioJds was responsible for the adorn- ment of tho east end, while the Mi ses Sandbach embellished the pulpit, the choir staJls and prayer- desks being undertalwn by the Misses Cox and Miss Weaver, and the font by M ss Parker. There now stands near the font. on a base of ornamental marble, a handsome bra -s water ewer, presented by four young ladies who were confirmed quite recently, and bearing the initials of Miss D. Godsal. Miss M. Grcenshields. Miss K. Sandbach j and Miss H. Sandbach. FRODSHAM. I The usual excursions were run into Frodsham Ion Good Friday and Easter Monday, and the town ) was full of trippers from various local.ties. Oil Good Friday large numbers visited the Overton Hills. Cyclists and motorists were greatly in evi- dence. Bank Holiday turned out a very olilld day, with an cast wind blowing and alternate squalls of hail, sleet and snow. Still the number of trip- pers was nearly up to the average. The usual Eastertide services were held in the Parish and Iron Churches. On Good Friday and Easter Sun- day earlf celebrations took place at both churches, In tho afternoon the Rev. E. R. Hutchinson, vicar of Dunham Hill, conducted a. two hours' sen-ice I in the Iron Church, and gave excellent addresses on the seven last words from the Cross, and at the evening servico in tho same church the vicar preached. The services in the parish church on Easter Sunday were fully choral, and largo oon- grogations attended. The usual Ea'ter hymns were heartily sung, the To Deum, Nunc Dimittis and Kyrie being taken to settings composed by the organist (Mr. Hibbertt). The anthem, "Awak e up my glory" (Barnbv). was creditably rendered. The vicar preached both morning and evening. The usual, Easter gift to the vicar. amounted to £ 32, which was in excess of the past year. On Good Friday evening Stainer's "Crucifixion" was given by the united choir, of the Free Cnurches in the Trinity Chapel, Frodsham. The soio parts, wore taken by Mr. Worrall (tenor) and Mr. Shaw (bassI, of Runcorn, while the excellence of the choruses testified to the care bestowed in tho re- hearsals by Mr. P. Eaiiam. Mr. G. S. Frith pre- sided at the organ. GRESFORD. Quite a large number of holiday-seekers came, I on Thursday to stay in this district for the Easter Holidays. The services at the parish church on Good Friday were well attended. The officiating clergyman at the three-hours' service was the I Archdeacon of Wrexham. The church was taste- fully decorated for Easter Ssnday. The anthem was taken from Revelations x., 12., and was ad- mirably rendered, Mr. Reginald J ames taking the l solo part.. Th? preacher at both services was the. vicar (the Rev. E. A. Fi&hboumc), while Dr. I Mulee read the lessons. ROSSETT. I Tho weather on Good Friday was simply de- lightful, and a large number of cyclists visited the d strict. illo services at tho parish church were largely On Easter Sunday the anthem, "King of Kings," was well rendered by the choir, the services being conducted by tho vicar (the ROT, Frank James). On Bank Holiday compara- tively few tourists visited the village. HAWARDEN. I Tho services at tho pinsn church on Good Friday were well attended. Four services were held, as folJow&7.30 a.m.. meditation; 10.30, matins. Litany, Anto-communion; 12.30, the throe-houri' devotion; 7 p m., evensong. The rector of Pulford (tho Rev, H. S. Branscombe) oonducted the throe-hours' service. The rector (the Rev. Stephen Gladstone) preached at the evening servico. Tiio service,s throughout the day were entirely plain, there being no music at all with the exception of tho hymns. The Easter- festival began on Saturday with festal evensong at 7. with a profession. On Easter Day there were oelebratiomi of tho Holy Communion at 6, 7, 8 and 11.45. Tho 8 a.m. celebration was fully ohoral, the sorv ce being sung to Merbecke. The rector was celebrant and there was a very large congregation Tho processional was "Jesus chriat ig rin to-day." At the morning service at 11, 6mart m r was sung to the le Deum, and at the evoning wnico the- "Hallelujah Chorus" from the "Messiah" was sung as the anthem. The rector proached both morning and evening. The ohurch was beautifully decorated.

THE EASTER WEATHER. 1 BY ONE WHO WAS IN IT. Speaking locally, the vagaries of an English climate wero never moro exhibited than in the Easter weather for 1903. Good Friday was gener- ally admitted to bo a perfect day, the like of which one would often welcome in the height of summer. Gardens were gay and odorous with dancing daffo- d;13 and other narcissi, with tulips, hyacinths and old-fashioned wall flowers. Eocleston, oalm and poaoeiul,_ I thought never looked so well as on G-aod Friday. It is impossible to vi it this model village without, somehow feeling tho better for it and infected by its refinement. Wherever the eye rests it is pleased-the model houses and cot- tages, the carefully kept gardens, tho fine trees and quiet landscapes, and, abovo all, the noblo aiicl otat.)or,%w enur,ti! iiic, linest views ot the edifice are perhaps from the Eaton-road, just be- fore erjiering the village from Chester, and again from tho read leading dawn the hill by the post- office. Many quiet visitors there were. and none of them seemed to leave the village without paying a respectful visit to the place in the old ohurchyard -JIl aglow with choicest flowei-E-where an elaborately carved stonestands in munary of the late Duke. Near the post-office could be seen a couple of lilacsn-rone white and pink— com ng well out in broom, while a bit of hawthorn blossom actually shewed its white petals in the hedge just before turning the -corner from the Eaton-road Wliat a pity romo of the bicycle riders are not more considerate to pedestrians! Surely when they see themselves behind anybody on foot thy might ring or otherwise give warning of their approach. Otherwise all your pleasure at Eccleiton may be upset for if you happen to in- cline to tho right or left, just as the cyclists are trying to cut it fine past you, the result is too pain- ful and undignified to dwell upon. Nor is the careless cyclist always of the sterner sex. Profit- ing by experience, I have long ago almost entirely given up "The Drive'' as an old, familiar and once delightful walk. Saturday found the weather de- o dedly changed for the worse. Those who went through that little Switzerland, the Loot, or to the top of Moel Fammau, were fortunate if they es- caped without a wetting. Alas, the primroses al.6 b,o(,n i are becoming fewer every year! But the pure, invigorating mountain air still remains and sharpens the appetite for the eatables—"all home- made" is the welcome boast—which are to be found at to a time in the hostclries about the foot of the? mountain. There are even home-made jams for the youngsters, fried ham and eggs for the ciders, and all at a pr co so reasonable that it must not bo told in Gath or published in the streets of Askelon. Nevertheless, go not on a Bank Holiday. "And Easter Sunday gleamed upon the sky-" Thero were more lilacb--piik and whits—flowering in the Grosvenor Park; there wa.s even a rhododendron thero in full blossom. "The l third day came a frost-a killing frost"-mnd all these unprecedented and too oarly flowers were covered with snow on Monday morning, brought by the north-west winds.

FATALITY AT TIPTON ASYLUM I ATTEMPTED ESCAPE. I An inmate of Upton Asylum met with a fatal acci- dent on Friday afternoon while apparently attempt- ing to escape. Percy Charles Kelly, a clerk from Egremont, had been an inmate of the Asylum about a month. He seems to have attempted to make hiB escape through a window, and to have slipped from the ledge, falling about 1G feet, and fracturing his skull. The unfortunate man died on Saturday morning. The windows at the Asylum are usually kept locked, but this one had I been opened a little at the top for ventilation pur- poses, and the poor man seems to havo espied his opportunity and surreptitiously climbed up to it with the unfortunate result already described. Ou Tuesday Mr. J. U. Bate, coroner, held an inquiist on the body.—Evidence of identification having been given by William Anthony Kelly, 52, Faulkner-road, Heaconiue (decease(t'i father), John Smith, an asylum attendant, said he was on duty in the ward above that in which the deceased was con- fined. While going to dinner on Good Friday, he saw deceased sitting on the stairs, and took him back to his ward, the door of which he found to be unlocked. On going up the staircase later, about two o'clock in the afteruoon he saw the legs of a man just disappearing through a window about twenty feet from tho ground. Tho window was opened at the top, and from the position in which he saw the man's legs, he judged that he had fallen head first from the top part of the window. Witness I then found that the dour of deceased's ward was again unlocked. He immediately went outside the building, and found the deceased lying near the door steps underneath the window unconscious and bleeding. The man had evidently fallen upon the steps on his head. He was at once j removed to the hospital.—John Swainson, an ) attendant in charge oi deceased's ward, said there were b'2 patients in the ward, and it was impossible ¡' I to see them all at the same time. The door leading on to the staircase was not locked, and ho did not I know who had left it unlocked. He had had deceased under his care about three weeks. He was j not a. dangerous patient, and had not tried to escape before to his knowledge.—Another attendant named Lane, who was also in charge of the same ward, deposed to seeing Smith bringing deceased into the ward from thestairoat.a on Friday morning, and locking tho door of the ward afterwards. He could not account for the door liavlng been unlocked. Dr. J. R. Ambler, assistant medical officer, said the I patient died on Saturday morning from a fracture of the skull. It was against the rules of the iiisti- tution to keep doors of wards unlocked.—Dr. Lawrence, the medical superintendent, pointed out that none of the windows in tha asylum could open more than seven-and-a-half inches at the top and six inches at the bottom, but he thought that space was too largo for the safe keeping of the inmates, as it was quite possible for a HiuaM man to get through the top of the window when open. Patients had even attempted to jump through panes of glass. The question of the windows was at present under the consideration of the Asylum Committee.—A verdict of "Death from misadventure" was I returned.

CHESTER AN LIVEltPOOL. People suffer alike from kidney disease and backache, but the statement Pel- confirms our belief that there is a remedy being successfully used near home:- A letter from Mrs. Wright, of 9, Bowdon- ?l -1 ?  street, ianacre-roaa, ljitneriaca, JLaverpooi, ciatea 26th March, 1901:—" Gentlemen,—It was at least two years ago that my back first troubled nie. It used to ache dreadtuily, and there were also pains in my hips. Day by day my .totlble in- creased, and I suffered lrom severe headaches besides. So bad was my back that at night I was unable to turn in bed, or lie on my side, and often- times I was kept awake with tho pains. When I had occasion to stoop I found great difficulty in straightening myself again. 1 d.d not know, unril I road one of your back- ache booklets, that my trouble was brought about j by kidney complaint. I had been using piasters, but the relief they gave me was pureiy temporary. As time went on,. my trouble got worse and worse, and I knew that I should have to got some i-pecial medicine for it. My husband sent direct to your oiffces for a box ot Doan's Backache Kidney Phis, and after t I had tried them I obtained a further supply from Boots', the chemists here, because the first box had done me- so much good. Now that I have finished the fourth box I can say that I am in better health than I have been for years. I also gave come of the Pills to my little boy, who suffered with weak kidneys, with equally good results. Having proved the value of Doan's Pills, I take a great plea.-ure in speaking about them to mv friends. I know them to be an honest medicine, and worthy of anyone's recommenda- tion.—Yours faithfully, (Signed) (Mrs.) H. Wright." What Mrs. Wright says a year afto, Although it was twelve months ago that Dean's Backache Kidney Pills cured mo of serious kidney trouole, I am «rill well to-day. So thorough was the cure by this splendid, medicine that it has stood the test of twelve month; I am far from sorry that I ga vo the testimonial for the Pills, because I know I am recoin.-nending a medicine wh;ch wïl cum, to stay cured, and one for which ctr sufferers who try it will be grateful for my recommendation. If vou arc ill. write and tell us your symptoms. We shall be pleased to give lCU the best advice in, our power, free of charge. Y-ur letter will be treated in strictest confidence. Doan's Backache Kidney Pills are two shillings and nino pence a box (fix boxes for thirteen shillings and nine- pence). Of all chemists and drug stores, or posted froe on receipt of price bv the proprietors— Foster-McClellan Co., 8, Woils-street, Oxford- street, London, W.

uo- ] Raincoats, smart goods, 25/6, 27/6, ?,Of- to 45/— Bradleys, Faregate-streefc (corner of Seller-street). I

ARTS AND CRAFTS. I I CLARION EXHIBITION AT CHESTER. 1 In the multitude of visitors to Chester on Friday the Socialistic element formed a conspicuous feature, the raison d'etre being the annual "Clarion" Easter "meet," the prinoipal attraction of which is the second annual exhibition of the Clarion" Guilds of Handicraft. During Thursday evening and Friday morning memben of tho various Clarion oycling clubs, hailing from all parts of tho country, arrived in the city, to the number of about one thousand, taking tho Queen's Head Hotel, Foregate-street, as their headquarters. The muster proved to bo a record one, which was no doubt accounted for by the excellent weather that favoured the whoelmen. Their visit extended over Monday, and an iu- teresting programme had been arranged, in- eluding smoking ooncerts, river picmo3 and other social gatherings, in addition to business meet- ings. The exhibition was opened on Friday after- noon in tho Assembly Rooms, Newgate-street, in the presence of a crowded gathering, and remained open for three days. Some disappointment was occasioned by tire unavoidable absence of Mr. Walter Crane, the eminent artist, who had in- tended to perform the opening ceremony. Tu« exhibition, which was probably a unique event in the provinces comprised nearly a thousand beautiful objects, including jeweiiory, enamels, furniture, weaving, embroidery, silks, tapestry, oarvrngs and cabinet work, many ofüe best art workers in the country having sent, specimens of their work. That the guilds have been able to produce such an oxcehont display after barely two years of existence is a IJKiL encouraging augury for their future work. Though still in its imancy, the movement for tne cultivation of arts and crafts among the Soo.alist community has developed in a wonderful way. The cause is probab.y to be found in their recog- nition of the evils of machinery and the hard- ships of factory life, and their belief in the dignity of hand labour as opposed to tho indignity of machine labour. Being thu3 only a means to an end, those exhibitions have for their object the development of home industries and arts, in which people can take a pride and a pleasure in their craftsmanship. As already stated the exhibition represented some of the most skilful work in the country. Among the more notable objects may be men- tioned some beautiful specimens of wali papers, printed cretonne, and original designs of p.cture books, exhibited by Mr. Walter Crane; em- broideries by Miss Anne Maobeth (Glasgow) and Miss Mary Nowall (Birmingham) motat work by Mr. R. L. B. Rathbone (London); jewellery and enamels by Mrs. Gaskin (Birmillgham); architectural drawings by Messrs. Barry Parker I m:d Raymond Uiiwm (Buxton), and Harold J. Cooper; woodwork, embroidery and old furni- ture by the NNcigh Industries Association; book bindings by Mr. Alfred De Sauty; pottery by the Delia Robia Pottery Company, Birkenhead, and the Ruskin Pottery (Leadless Glaze), Bir- mingham; tapestries, altar cloths, eto., by the iidnrundsbury Weaving Works; metal work, illuminating and bookbinding by the London County Council School of Art4 and Cra'ts; pottery, metal work and designs for book illustrating by the recently formed Mercian Guild of Handicraft (Hanley); ahield in leather and gesso, sinking panels in embossed and ¡ coloured leather, panels in needlework and framed in leather, artistic photographs, oil- paintings, water-colour drawings, and specimens of wood staining by Mr. Robert W. Gray, Egre- mont; water-colour drawings by Mr. H. Coope; deoorations of embossed copper grrlles and stencilled frieze decoration designed for the smoking-room of an hotel, and beautiful embossed leather work by Mr. J. Hanmer Hutehings, of Chester; metal work and specimens of flower making by the Duchess of Sutherland's Cripp.es' Guild; rugJ. hand-woven linens and embroidery by the Hazlemere Industries; copper work by the Res- wiok Industries Association; and other miscel- laneous work by tho Birmingham and Broiiis- grove GuiJds of Handicraft. The Clarion Handi- oraft Guilds which also supplied exhibits were those of Liverpool, Bristol, Leeds, Eccles, Wilms- low, West Bromwich, Newoastle, Birmingham and Chester. Tho Chester Guild had a number ot excellent exhibits, including an overmantel with copper canopy, fireplaoe and fittings designed by Mr. H. J. Osborne, applique embroidery executed by Mrs. Osborne, woodwork executed by Mr. William Vernon, copper fender, two dining-room chairs and wail cabinets of composite woodwork, designed by Mr. Osborne and executed by the members of the guild, beaten copper hinges, copper coffee set, pair of oopper hinges and finger platü, executed by Mr. Frederick Perry, finger plate designed and executed by Mr, Joseph Crowe, copper fire- placo oanop.es designed and executed by Mr Osborno, and tapestry panel by Mrs. Randall Koberts. Objects of interest were a hand-loom and spmnmg-wheeJ, with which working demon- strations were given by Miss Jone*, of Hooton. The exhibition was organised by Mrs. Julia Dawson, Liverpool, a well-known" Clarion" con- tribulor, to whom every credit is duo for the success which crowned her laborious efforts. The exhibitn was opened on Saturday after- noon by Mr, ) Clan the well known artist, wwThro ? atoned forms unavoidable ?seneo on the previous day. There was a largo attendance. Mr. Crano, in tho course of an interesting ad- dross, said the revival of the arts and crafts move- ment in England was a very remarkable thing- perhaps as remarkable in its development as any modern movement, coming as it did upon the top of a century of machine production and the fao- tory system. It was a kind of protest a.gainst that system on behalf of human nature, and an ex- pression ot the individual feelings of the worker There were days when it was thought that the new and wonderful machines worked by steam power would do everything that could possibly ba re- i quired, and it was rather a pride and delight when those machines could do what was generally called artistic work. They had machines appLed to the; output of works of art. including decorations in I embroidery and lace. The maohine had no doubt a, very important part to play in tha saving of labour, but in the province of art, where it was a matter of individual preference of taste and selec- tion, .t was certainly of no use. Individual work alone could produce designs. It was in conse- qucnce of the growth of this feeling that they had been sent back more or lews to the primitive con- j nations of handwork. It was that fa.ct which had given tho movement so much vitalitv. There 1 was a tendency in tho human organisations to crystallise, to run into certain stereotyped form. and ho thought that condition was what the in- dustrial arts suffered from until tho new move- ment came in and began to operate. There wero certain stereotyped methods of designing which wore followed by tho workmen who had little choice in the matter, and but little opportunity for the display of thoir individuality. The handi- craft movement had not solved the labour ques- tion, but lie thought it might oertainly claim to have created a now class of artistic craftsmen and an appreciative public. Many people were always ready to ttrow stones at the amateur, but he thought a. great deal was due to tbo amateur, j They must all be amateurs when they took up a new art or craft. The complaint age ins t. the! amateur was that his work wa.8 not thorough, j however mm h he mghr, love it, and that it d d not compare in accomplishment and competency with the work of the trained workmaq., That might be perfectly true, but it was hardly fair to expect that extraordinary expert finish which the trained worker might bo able to put upon it; but there again we had been greatly misled, for the finish we got was not really tho thoughtful finish of the really accomplished craftsman, but was rather the mechanical, or what was called the "trade*" finish. The work passed through many hands, and the final polish to make it look attrac- tive was put on by ono who had no conoeption of tho work as a whole. Ho thought wo had got rather tired of that sort of ifnish and some of them preferred even a. certain degree of rudeness if a work shewed individual thought and care. Until recent years we had been dominated by the id?a, that the arts were lim too to a few, and that the fino arts wcrp paiting and sculpture principally. That was a far too-limited view to take. Painting i and sculpture had maintained their superior vitality because there wero certain well-subs,dised authorities like the Royal Academy for tho foster- ing of those particular arto, whereas the other art- lilco metal work and embroidery had declined be- cause they had fallen into tho hands of the ordln- ary lines of commercial production, whereas in the middle agwi there were special guilds organised for the maintenance of standard work in these arts and crafts, and we. suffered, no doubt from the absence of such working guilds to-day. He hoped in future they would in e;y. h several art get back to the working guild, whioh would perform a similar office in maintaining a standard of work and taste, and not letting anything go out. which was not really a well-finished piece of work. We were at present rather experimental, and the range of choice was so very large when we gathered de- signs from the whole world and workmanship from every country under the sun, that the artist, who ought to be kept quiet, became oonfusrd and de- tracted by the numberless source! of inspiration, and the result was that a really satisfactory and tasteful piœ:> of work was apt to be exceedingly rare. In arts and crafts at the present time taste in design was perhaps a more important quality to cultivate than anything else. It was easy to put in a great many tbin? but much more diffi- cldt t) leav(? out and '.it;ct exactly the right c?le- ments to produce an artistic c-ff -ct. In design there was a curious analogy to literary work. It was very necessary to choose exactly the right word to express a certain meaning Forms, colours and malerals in tho art- and craf ts were simply i the words in design, and it rested with the worker to choose the appropriate expression to make his work t il- To produce the h ghest workmanship it was necessary to cultivate that sense of selection which we meant when we sa'd a thing wai in good taste. He thought in these day3 we wore in- clined to go back to nature for our inspiration. England was already regarded as the aourre of a genuine and fresh movement and let us we that wo maintained a high standard in this movement, and set an example to the wo: id at large. (Ap- nJausc.) On tbp proposition of Mr. Crouch (Birmingham), Mr. Crano was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. SPEECH BY TIIE EARL OF WARWICK, On Bank Holiday the opening ceremony was performed by the Earl of Warwick, in tho abscnoe I through indisposition of the Countess of Warw ok. There was I a crowded attendance. Mr. John j Suroliffe (Manchester) presided, and in briefly j introducing his lordship, said although that was his first appearance among "Clarionet' Lady Warwick was too well known to them to need an introduction. The Earl of Warwick said tho Countess had for many years taken an p.criee and earnest part in everything connected with the wel'^re of the jj working classes of this country. (Hear, hear.) It was entirely owing to the hard WOIK wrnch she had undergone for some time past that her health had somewhat broken down and obliged her to be abroad at the present time. lie was glad to say, however, that the complete rest which was ordered her had done her a great deal of good. (Ap- plause.) His lordship ptooeeded to rend a letter whica had been addressed by Lady Warwick to- Mrs. Worrail (the organiser of the exhibition), iu which her ladyship expressed a hope tnat on a future occasion she would be allowed to atone for her misfortune by taking part with tneiu in what, must be an ever-growing work of interest to "Clarioneites." She knew the labour which the- exhibition must have entaiied, and felt that ail of them who wore common workers in a oommon cause would support this grand eitort with ail choir heart, never satisfied until tney attained to the best a.nd higheoct in ideal and in workmanship. Might; the exhibition at Cnester be fore- runner of many successful gatherings. (Ap- plause.) Proceeding, his iordslup punted out tha. the exhibition was successfully inaugurated about two years ago under the aagis of the "Ciaricn," but last year's exhibition at Stafford had been eclipsed by this one both in point of numbers and quality. The work exhibited was that of men who had taken up the pleasant occupation of art in their leisure hours. He believed they would share with him the feeling that wo in England were not going backward in ai t or handicraft. (Hear, hear.) We heard much of the work abroad, particularly in Germany, and it was quite poss'ble that for a time the foreigner might have got somewhat ahead of us. But he believed that, owing to our technical schools an d the great ettorc that was being made trrougnout tne country at the present time, we were more than holding our own, and would be ahead of our com- petitors as we used to be in olden times. Beng somewhat of a craftsman himself, he thought the work shewn thai afternoon was excellent both in design and workmanship. Excellence oou.'d not be atiained without a great deai of pains and experience. Mentioning that he wa3 going- to visit Ireland, hi, lordship said he trusted and hoped that the effort which was now being made to bring some happiness and peaoo to Ireland might bo successful. (Hear, hear.) The pee pIe- would perhaps have to put their hand3 in their pockets to acquire that desirable result, but he believed it would bo absolutely criminal on our part if we lostt thi? chance of doing what he believed wouid help materially to re-store the friendship of Ireland with this oountry. (Ap- plause.) A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the Ea.rl of Warwick on the proposition of the Chair- man, seconded by Mrs. Worrall. (A portion of the above appeared in our lost Saturday Evening Edition)

THE LATE MR. J. P. CARTWRIGHT. « THE FUNERAL. The funeral ceremony took place at the Chester Cemetery, on Saturday afternoon, when the Rev. F. Anderson, vicar of All Saints', Hoole, officiated. The mourners were Messrs. F and T. C. Cartwright (son.-), Miss Cartwright and the Misses Charlotte, May, Rose, and Lily Cart- wright, and Mrs. Henderson (daughters), the Mayor (Dr. Roberts), Dr. Dobie, Dr. Taylor, Mr. W. H. Churton, Mr. A. C. Lockwood, Mr. T. B. Richardson. Mr. A. Watts, Mr. D. H. F Matthews (K. M. Ins. of Mines for the North Wales district). Mr. H Crowder, and Mr. 1. Brew (chief clerk). Beautiful floral tributes were sent by the family (a wreath and cross), Mr. Louis Cart- wright and family, Miss Lucy Brown. Major and Mrs. Fountain, Mrs, Matthews, Francis and Eugene Dalton. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. J. Beckett and Co.

COUNTY POLICE COURT. SATURDAY.—Before Mr. Horace D. Trelawny (chairman), Mr. B. C. Roberts, Mr. John Thompson, Colonel Evans-Lloyd and Mr. J. Paver. ALLEGED FALSE PRETENCES.—John Marshall, a man of respectable appearance, was charged in custody with attempting to obtain money by false pretences from Emma Watkins, Rose Cottage, Upton, on Tuesday.—Superin- tendent Hicks said there was another charge against the prisoner, who had stated that he lived in a oommon lodging-house in Liverpool. He (tho superintendent) had communicated with the Liverpool police, and prisoner was not known there. He now asked for a remand that further enquiries might be inado.-E-,iinia Watkins, wife of David Watkins, said tho prisoner called at Rose Cottage, Upton, and asked her to assist him. He stated that he was a married man and had four or ftvo children. He also stated that he had been ill himself, and had not been able to get work. Asked where he lived, he Raid that he resided at Walker's Cottages, Upton, and that his name was Davies. Witness refused to give him anything. On the following day her husband and she met Constable Arman. and pointed out prisoner.—P.C. Allnian said prisoner was not a resident in tho village.—Prisoner was remanded. A BABY SI-FFOCATED.—The police have been informed of the sad circumstances attending the death of the one month old baby of William Dobson, of In gram-street. On Satur- day morning, Mrs. Dobson got up to get her husband's breakfast. Afterwards she hung his shirt before the fire, and retired to bed again. The shirt took fire and it is supposed that the baby was suffocated by the fumes.—The. inquest was held op Saturday afternoon by Mr. F. Turner, deputy city coroner —The jury returned a verdict of Death from suffocation." •'IRISH RAILWAY SMASH.—At Ballymoc, county Galway, on Friday night, the night mail from Dublin to the West.* on the Midland and Great Western Railway of Ireland, ran into two bogie wheels and a piece of tho body of a truck, which are believed by the railway officers and police to have bee-n placed on the line maliciously. The. mail train was derailed. Mr. Milling, a dentist, of Dublin, is reported killed and eight other passengers injured. Tire VALF, ROYAL DTSPCTK. A meeting of the ratepayers of Hartford was held on Thursday night to consider the proposed appeal by the Northwich Rural Council in the Vate Royal road dispute. It was unanimously resolved that the Northwich Council, having tested the question before a judge and jury, should now allow the matter to drop and not embark on further litigation, which might be,ye the effect of depriving the public of privileges which Lord Delamere. notv.-it.hstsinrl in<r the verdict in his favour, was prepared to concede. lr.AM COLLISION AT SHEFFIELD.—A very serious electric tram-car accident was narrowly averted at Sheffield on Friday evening. Part of the line to \voodseats is carried along a road cut in the side of the hill with a drop on the low side of 35 feet. A car, laden with passengers, ran past the loop points, and was struck with great violence by a car going in the opposite direction. The laden car was forced back through the hedge, and came into collision with a massive telegraph post which sup- ported it from toppling over and falling into the valley below. The fronts of the cam were smashed and the passengers were much shaken and alarmed. Only one lady and the driver were injured. SHODDY AND AXTHHAX.—Owing to the out- break of anthrax in the district of Kidder- minster. the Board of Agriculture have sent Mr. Fnlford. superintendent inspector, to make inquiries into the subject. On Fndav afternoon h? met the farmers of the dialect, and went, into the subject with them. Persian wool was,blamed for the outbreaks. It was stated that the shoddy from it was used bv the farmers aa manure thus causing tho mischief. Mr. Fulford said they would have to make out a, strong case before they could interfere with a great industry by stopping the importation of raw material be- cause the by-products from it caused loss in cer- tain d rections. The remedy was in the hands of those who use d the material complained of bv ceasing to use it. W r:j.s:r v. ENGLISH (FIOIRS. -Speaking at the Llangollen Eisteddfod on Friday even- ing, Mr. Joseph Nanson, who presided, said that while Welsh choirs admittedly excelled in the heavy Handelian compositions" requiring a great volume of vocal expression, they ba.d failed when meeting the sustained enthusiasm and expressiveness of English choirs. This was the secret of the Celtic defeats in the immediate past. The defeats might be turned into glorious victories, however, if the splendid Welsh voices were trained in combination so as to gain strength at the present points of weakness on tho lines followed by English competitors. Regularity at practice and insistence upon a high standard of excellence in conductors would lead to W elsh choirs regaining their lost laurels. THE BOATING SEASON. The report of Mr. Richard Ellis, Shrewsbury, on the result of his examination of boats previous to their being licensed, was presented to a recent meeting of tha Watch Committee. It was resolved "That licence; be granted in respect of those which are reported to be in a satisfactory con- (Iltloll." It was reported that extnyrts from Mr. EiLs's report had been sent to the boat proprietors in those cases where it is intended to reduce the number of persons for which the boats will be licensed. The comm tteo havo re olvod to recom- mend the Council to accept the Dee Boatmg Com- pany s tender of £ 55 to place a suitable electric launch at the service ot the Corporation on every S&turiday. Sunday, Bank Holiday, Regatta day. and public holiday, inclusive of tho service of the necessary skilled attendant oar attendants. DEE SALMON' FISIIEKV. — Though it has been open but a few days, the salmon fishing on the Dee already gives evidence of much improvement, both as regards the rod-and- line, the coracle nets and the draft nets. The rod- aird 1 uo have up to the present time been respon- sible far about twelve fish, which have been caught, between Llangollen and Baaigor Isycoed. The coracle nets have killed a splendid lot of fish, and it a doubtful if the Chester fi hermen have had better Iud: in the Deo for marry years. It is a somewhat phenomena! feature that a largo number of the fish have bean caught in single draughts. On Wednesday five salmon were caught in ono draught opposite the Hoodoo. On Thursday no fewer than thirteen wer? caught in a single draught, by a Chester fisherman, and this is b- Ikved to be a record single draught catch on tho D0e in so early a period of the "CU30n. On Good Friday seven fish were landed by one net in two draughts, 'l/ho salmon aro in except onally good condition, and arc of good weight, six having scaled over twenty pounds ca. h. If the fishing continues to bo favoured with these prolific catches—and wo understand is every pros- pect of a bountiful "eason—tho prices will reach a lower minimum than they havo for many past. Already they have fallen appreciably m Chester since the commencement of the nshing, and are ruling from 2s. 8d. to 3s. per lb. (The abevp article nvr>ef>ed in onr last Saturday Evening Edition.)