Welsh Journals

78 BYE-GONES. June, 1884. secretary to Lord Bacon. The Aberystwyth coins are to be known by the mark, an open book, stamped thereon. Specimens of the copper tokens issued from the Paris Mine and known as "Druid's pence" were also exhibited, as were a number of the " Wood's half-pence " which caused a commotion in Ii eland at the beginning of the last century. Canon Harford, M.A., and Mr. Love Jones Parry, M.P., sent some interesting Celtic and other antiquities. Mr. J. Milo Griffith sent some of his success¬ ful productions in the plastic art, and Mr. Wm. Davies (Mynorydd) exhibited a number of busts including those of Miss Mary Davies, the Rev. D. Charles Davies, the late Sir Hugh Owen, &c. Other exhibits in this depart¬ ments were made by Mr. D. Davies and Mr. F. Calcott. Mr. W,Cave Thomas sent a drawing of Homer,Pythagoras, and Appelles, being a part of the designs approved by the late Mr. Foley for the decoration of the Flaxman Hall, University College, and Mr. B. S. Marks, and Mr. T. Marcbant Williams exhibited several interesting paintings and photographs. The evening's entertainment was not thought to be complete without a concert. Music, in fact, appears to have usurped the highest place in this particular annual meeting of the Cymmrodorion Society. The programme wa=> an excellent one from an artistic point of view, but Welsh music was all but ignored. Miss Mary Davies, Miss Jones More wood, Madame Edith Wynne, Mr. Hirwen Jones, Mr. Athley Thomas, and Mr. Lucas Williams were the vocalists. The Cambrian Vocal Union, conducted by Mr. Benjamin James, assisted, Mr. Walter Hughes accompanied, and Mr. John Thomas (Pencerdd Gwalia), contributed some very charm¬ ing harp solos. JUNE 4, 1884. NOTES. MARTIAL SHROPSHIRE. (May 14, 1884). At the close of 1802 the country was again quiet, but it was a lull before a storm. Soon the existing regiments be¬ gan to arm again, and on His Majesty's biithday, June 4, 1803, the "North Shropshire Yeomanry, under the com¬ mand of Major John Hill, and the Drayton Cavalry, headed by Captain Jervis," pretty well expressed the popular feeling. They met at Tern Hill, where, in a tent brought specially from Hawkstone—drill and dinner being over—"the whole company seemed to unite as one man in the fixed determinacion to lose the last drop of their blood in defence of their King and country (should it be necessary to do so) in order to humble the pride of the Corsican Usurper, and to check Gallic Insolence ! " The cause of this renewed commotion was the renewal of hosti¬ lities on the part of Napoleon, who declared war on May 18th, 1S03. On the 13th July following there was a gen¬ eral meeting of Lieutenancy at Shrewsbury, at which the county of Salop was arranged in five divisions,for the pur¬ pose of inaugurating military forces. The Commissioners of Lieutenancy for these divisions were:—North, John Kynaston Powell, Esq.; East, John Cotes, Esq.; West, John Oakley, Esq. ; South, Thomas Whitmore, Esq.; Centre, John Corbet, Esq. Offers of service in the shape of coaches, chairs, cars, waggons, and carts, as well as of men, were invited, and the resolutions passed were sub¬ mitted to Prince William of Gloucester,who was the Lieut. - General {of His Majesty's forces in the North West dis¬ trict. The result was a speedy and hearty response all over the county, and before the month of July was out Prince William paid the county a visit, and his presence seems to have infused life and animation everywhere. The fol¬ lowing thanks of Parliament to the Yeomanry has been preserved amongst the papers of the existing regiment:— House of Commons, 10th August, 1803. My Lord and Gentlemen,—By command of the House of Commons, I have the honour of transmitting to you their unanimous vote of thanks to the several Volun¬ teer and Yeomanry Corps of the United Kingdom for the promptitude and zeal with which, at a crisis the most momentous to their country, they 1 ave associated for its defence, accompanied with an order that a return be pre¬ pared to be laid before the House in the next Session of Parliament, of all Volunteer and Yeomanry Corps whose services shall have been then accepted by His Majesty, describing each Corps : in order that such return may be entered on tha Journals of the House and the Patriotic example of such Voluntary exertions transmitted to posterity. In communicating this resolution and order I have the greatest satisfaction at the same time in bear¬ ing testimony to the confidence with which the House is impressed, that the same spirit and exemplary zeal will be exerted throughout the present contest until with the blessing of Providence it shall be brought to a glorious issue.—I have the honor to be my Lord and Gentlemen your most obedient Humble Servant, Charles Abbott, Speaker. To His Majsts. Acting Dty. Lieuts, ,of the county of Salop. RESOLUTIONS. Resolved.—That the thanks of this House be given to the several Volunteer and Yeomanry Corps of the United Kingdom for the promptitude and zeal with which at a crisis the most momentous to their country, they have associated for its defence. Ordered.—That a return be prepared to be laid before this House in the next Session of Parliament of all Volunteer and Yeomanry Corps whose services shall have been then accepted by His Majesty, describing each corps, in order that such return may be entered on the Journals of this House, and the patriotic example of such voluntary exertions transmitted to posterity. Ordered.—That Mr. Speaker do signify the said resolu¬ tion and order by letter to His Majesty's Lieuts. of each County, Riding and place in Great Britain, and to his Excellency the Lord Lieutenant of Ire'and. J. Ley. CI. D. Dom. Com. We purpose, when our historical sketch is completed, to give the names of the various companies formed in the county at this time, with the lists of officers, &c, Mr. John Hill, jun., commanded two troops, and the annexed letter will show that he applied to head quarters for per¬ mission for that of Drayton and a new troop to join him. These companies, we may remark, formed the nucleus of the "North Shropshire Yeomanry " regiment, which for years delighted the youth of various towns with its May visit! Augt 20th, 1803, Hardwick, nr. Shrewsbury. My Lord,—The Two Troops of Shrop. Yeo. Cav. under my immediate command, and the Drayton Troop under the command of Captain Jervis, having exercised together and been lately reviewed together by H.R. Highness Prince Wm. Frederick, with his Majesty's approbation to form one corps under my command, should the present Establishment of the Troops, with the addition of a Troop now raised by my uucle, Sir Richard Hill, agree¬ able to your Lordship's lett-r of the 3rd inst., and of which he makes an offer to bis Majesty, entitle the officers to any advance in Rank and likewise to an Adjutant, they hope to obtain it from His Majesty.—I have the honor to remain, your Lordship's most obe't. humble ser't. John Hill, Major Comd. Shrop. Yeo. Cav.