Welsh Journals

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Mar, 3, 1897. BYE-GONES. 37 wliat had been said from the chair that afternoon. The llev O. M. FEILDEN seconded the mo¬ tion, which was carried. The Ven. Archdeacon MAUDE, in moving a vote of thanks to Lord Kenyon for presiding, said the best thanks they could give him would be by some of them becoming members, and taking a deeoer interest in the affairs of the Society. He hrd lately entered into possession of a house which had some historical connection bound up with it- Swan Hill House. There was a curious building called the oratory put up by Archdeacon Owen, who scorned to have been a great archaeologist, and liked to have specimens of different churches ,n the archdeaconry, and he used to bring home with him a few fonts—(laughter)—old specimen-; of stone work, which wore now lying in the speaker's garden. (Laughter.) lie was sorry to say an archaeologist of some renown had told him he 'iad got his eye on a key-stone of the old English Bridge, which was said to be associated with a cer¬ tain St Winifred's chapel. He had entered into possession with some anxiety, because he was told that this stone had no business to be where it was, and ought to be in tho Museum. (Laughter.) He had got a good watch-dog—(loud laughter)—which would protect the stone for some time, and he should be pleased if anyone would interpret the meaning of the stone to him. (Applause.) The Rev T. PELHAM seconded the motion, which was carried with applause, and the CHAIRMAN briefly responded. Mr D. H. S. CRANAGE then gave an inter¬ esting lecture, which was illustrated by means of limelight views, on a mediaeval abbey, with special reference to Shropshire Religious Houses. In the course of his lecture Mr Cranage explained the plan of the arrangement of the mediaeval religions houses, and gave an amusing and interesting des¬ cription of the different modes of life. Inciden¬ tal reference was made to various Shropshire ab¬ beys, and by means of the screen he pointed cut the different points of interest in the ruins cf Haughmond, Wenlock, and other ancient religious houses. The pulpit in the Abbey at Shrewsbury is one of the old frater pulpits, from which one monk would read from "the Holy Fathers" while the others partook of their frugal meal. The lecturer had no doubt that the tombs recently dis¬ covered in Abbey Foregate, near the Abbey, were on the site of the Abbey cemetery outside the ma;n buildings. (Applause.) The Ven. Archdeacon BATHER, in proposing a vote of thanks to the lecturer, said he thought many of them felt that the rule of St Benedict was better to listen to than to adopt—(laughter)— and not even the most mediaeval mind among them—not even Father Ignatius—would wish to return to it with all its strictness. They xelt, however, that the men who built those old build¬ ings had their hearts in the right place, and taught them lessons which they had never come up to yet, as to what was due to the dignity of the worship of Almighty Hod. (Hear, hear.) The Rev T. AUDEN seconded the motion, which was carried with acclamation, and Mc CRANAGE suitably responded. Tea and coffee were then partaken of, and 'he proceedings closed. MARCH 3, 1697. NOTES, THE MAKING OF THE MAYOR.-An old resident at Maesbury Marsh, a village near Oswestry,relating to me the story of the Wakes at that place some sixty years ago,saidtheboisterous merry-making closed with "the making of the Mayor." Thefestival began on the eve of the Sun¬ day,and was kept up to Wednesday or Thursday. The man who held out longest drinking and treating at the public houses of the place was the person chosen for the Mayor. Patches of paint were put on his face, he was given some comical head gear, and placed in a wheelbarrow comfort¬ ably lined with straw. A long clay pipe with a supply of tobacco was then given him, and a large can of beer placed between his legs, when,smoking and drinking, and accompanied by a crowd of the villagers, he was bowled round the district, all the farm houses being visited, where the men were regaled with beer, and the can re¬ plenished. The wife of my informant said she remembered the same thing at Holt Wakes fifty years ago, the revellers there always finishing at Eaton Hall, where they had great feasting. W.M. SHROPSHIRE BEAUTIES AT OSWESTRY RACES IN 1803.—The following is from the Sporting Magazine for November, 1S03. It will be seen that in those days all the ladies were lovely, or at least amiable and sprightly :— PARTICULARS OF THE LATE OSWESTRY RACES. Our races, which ended on Wednesday last, were never better attended; the assemblage of the neighbouring nobility and gentry was crowded beyond all example, and their expectations gratified by a display of beauty, wit, and elegance; by a profusion of delicacies, and an exhibition of amusements, such as few countries, few tables, and few races can boast. The sport on the two first days was good, and on the last was of superior excellence. If the well contested rivalry of the noble animals, if the joyous hearts of a collected multitude, and the splendid display of brilliant equipage, could add to the magnificence of resplendent days, and extensive prospects, then might it be said that the gladdened face of nature had condescended to seek embellishment from the vicinity of Oswestry. Our elegant lady patroness, Miss Charlotte YVilliams Wynne, shone with peculiar lustre, and diffused a spirit of gaiety that was caught and confirmed by the concordant feel¬ ings of the whole company. There might one see love and beauty co-mingling in the mystic dance to brighten every eye and gladden every heart. It is difficult to avoid the language of bombast, in using terms that are barely adequate to the splendour of the spectacle and the festivity of the meeting. Among the numerous contributors to this constellation of wit and beauty, we noticed the lovely and bewitching Lady Dungannon, and her festive lord, the amiable and sprightly Misses