Welsh Journals

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July, 1885. BYE-GONES. 255 thought that his father should try and do something for the family. The Lord Chancellor—It was a rehearsal of the case. The Witness—Yes. His father had made a little money, and his uncle thought that he ought to take some step in the matter. He did not write down the story bis uncle told him at the time. By Lord Blackburn—He had not been told which way his ancestor Alexander Eraser came by sea in a fishing boat from Scotland to Wales, whether round the north of Scotland or round the coast of Esgland by the Land's End. By Lord Redesdale—The reason given for Alexander going to Wales instead of to England was that he knew Lord Powis in Wales, and that they were both supporters of the Pretender. Lord Bramwell—I do not think the matter is of much importance, but as a matter of fact Lord Powis's Castle is in North Wales, and it is not very accessible from the sea. By the Lord Chancellor—There was no tradition in his family that Alexander was a Roman Catholic. He understood that he came from a Protestant branch of the family. Examination continued—He had been told that Alex¬ ander and his brother Simon fought in the same battle for the Pretender, and that Thomas of Beaufort, their father, was arrested, and that Alexander then fled to Wales. Mr Napoleon Simon Frasersaid that he was 51 years of age, and was the son of SimoD, the son of John,the grand¬ son of Alexander. His father had told him that his great grandfather was Alexander the eldest son of Thomas of Beaufoit in Scotland, and that Alexander had fled to Wales for killing a piper for playing a slur on his father. The reason given for Alexander going to Wales was be¬ cause he and Lord Powis had bsen fugitives together in Scotland. He went to work in the mines because Lord Powis told him that if he was found in his castle it would be dangerous for them both. He was told that Alexander married a physician's daughter named Elizabeth Edwards, that he discovered the Parys copper mine, and that he was called Lord Lovat in Wales. His father also told him that Alexander's younger brother Simon was executed for treason. His father told him that Alexander had written to Simon stating that he wa3 coming to claim the Lovat estates, and that Simon had answered that if he did he would hand him over to justice for killing the piper. Eventually, on the application of Mr Morgan Lloyd, the further hearing of the case was adjourned until Wednesday. JULY 1, 1885. NOTES. MRS. SIDDONS A NATIVE OF BRECON.- In his History of Brecknockshire, Theophilus Jones says :— " In this street, (the High-street, Brecknock,) at a public- house, the Shoulder of Muttcn, was born Mrp. Siddons. I know not whether I may or may not, without offence, state her age; but presuming that there is no impropriety in my insertion of the copy of the regisler of her baptism, I take the liberty of stating that it was on the 14th of July, 1755, though her father is therein erroneously called George Keinble, a comedian, instead of Roger Kemble. I am informed that Hereford has been considered as the place of her birth, but the fact is beyond controversy otherwise, as might have been proved a very few years ago, by a woman now dead, who was present at Mrs S.'s birth, and perhaps even now it may not be difficult to establish the circumstance if necessary." Oswestry. Vebax. THE LADIES OF LLANGOLLEN (June 24, 1885).—I have met with the following record of the manner in which the Ladies of Llangollen celebrated the Coronation of George the Fourth, on July 19, 1821 :—" At Plasnewydd, Llangollen. the warmth of patriotic feeling which has at all times characterized Lady Eleanor Butler and Miss Ponsonby, was, on this joyful occasion, nobly evinced by a grand illumination at their delightful residence. At the gate leading to their beautiful gardsn was a fine transparency of Britannia, accompanied by appropriate allegorical em¬ blems. In the lower windows were also two elegant transparencies; the one ' G.R.' surmounted with a crown, entwined with laurel, and a ribbon below, ' God Save the King ;' the other a most superb crown, surrounded with wreaths, &c, of oak leaves, beautifully executed, having underneath, on a ribbon, ' Decus et Tutamen.' The beautiful stained-glass windows above,were also brilliantly illuminated, and our correspondent adds, that it is im¬ possible for anyone to form an adequate idea of the strik¬ ing and grand effect produced, unless they had previously had the pleasure of visiting and admiring the beauties of the interior and exterior of this delightful residence." [Oswestry Herald), July 31, 1821. Q. ROYAL OAK FRIENDLY SOCIETY.—Records of old Friendly Societies are always interesting, and the following, relating to one formerly existing in Oswestry, will, no doubt, be acceptable. The members of this society having had some disputes the matter was laid be¬ fore the borough magistrates, and the following record appears in the Quarter Sessions Book of 17 July, 1812 :— "We whose names are hereunto subscribed being two of the justices . . having on Saturday the 11th inst. heard and considered the different proofs and allegations of the disputes animosities and differences which have recently arose in and amongst the me mbt rs of the Friendly Society held at the Royal Oak in the said town of Oswestry upon the complaint of Henry Hughes one of the members of the said Society— " Do hereby order and determine that the said society shall be held and kept at the Royal Oak aforesaid . . agreeable to the vote or majority at the Club night the fourth instant. And that the members attend at the said Club house on Saturday next the eighteenth instant, being the Feast Day (agreeable to the articles) at the hour of nine in the forenoon of the same day in order to pay up and clear all their arrears and elect new stewards and other officers to carry into effect the business of this Society for the succeeding year and that every or any member who shall not attend at the time and place afore¬ said and omits sending his contribution money and all fines forfeitures and so forth which has occurred during the last year and likewise two shillings and sixpence for his dinner and the equal allowance for ale shall attend at the next club night following to pay the same. And every or any member refusing or omitting to come with or send their money in full at the said next club night after the Feast day as aforesaid shall be expelled this society. And also we do further order and determine that the Box or funds of this Society shall not be removed or removable (or the Treasurer displaced out of his office) unless at a General Club night of this Society, and notice thereof in writing signed by the Secretary of this Society sent to all and every of the members of this Society, who shall then sur¬ vive, nor unless three-fourths of the members at such