Welsh Journals

Dec. 5, 1900. BYE-GONES. 511 owing to an attack of paralysis, from the effects of which he never quite recovered. Mr .John T. King, very generally known as " Dr. King," died last week at his residence, Bod Angharad, Ruthin. In his profession as a patent agent he was widely known, thoroughly trusted and much respected. He was at one time con¬ stantly in the courts as a witness upon technical engineering patents, and a leader in this branch. He was much interested in the shipping of Liverpool, was managing director for years of the Bacon line, and one of the largest share¬ holders of the Houston line. In another depart¬ ment altogether, he was known as a breeder of pedigree cattle and sheep ; the prizes he has taken are almost innumerable, and the stock upon his estate was second to none in the king¬ dom. In politics he was a strong Liberal, although he never took a very active part in them. ^h^ |£aie $r ^oQtt (Ebtoatb*. The death of Dr Roger Edwards, one of the best-known medical practitioners in North Wales, took place at Colwyn Bay last night week. Dr Edwards, who was sixty years of age, was a native of Dolgelley, his uncle being the eminent preacher and journalist, the Rev Roger Edwards of Mold. He studied medicine in London, and acquired wide experience whilst acting as assist¬ ant to leading practitioners in Mold, Liverpool, and Manchester. Amongst the appointments held by him at various periods of his successful career were the following:—House physician at the University College Hospital, London ; senior house surgeon in the Royal Free Hospital, Lon¬ don; resident medical officer at Toxteth Park Workhouse, Liverpool; house physician to Sir Russell Reynolds, and medical officer of health at Bala. He established an extensive private practice in Llanfyllin, and became one of the most prominent public men in the county. He was several times re-elected Mayor of Llanfyllin. He was a member of the County Council and the County Governing Body. His active interest in education and local government affairs made him exceedingly popular, and when (three years ago he left the county he was tbhe re¬ cipient of a public testimonial from the ratepayers of Llanfyllin and district. He then removed to Colwyn Bay, where he had a wide and growing practice. . The funeral took place on Saturday in the churchyard of Llandrillo-yn-Rhos. IN THE FIELDS AND LANES. STRAY NOTES ON BIRDS IN SHROPSHIRE. The mild autumn weather has produced some curious results among the birds. Yesterday (Nov. 22) Mr Frank Poole showed me a Robin's nest with five fresh eggs in it, found under the eaves of an outhouse at the Sytche, Dorrington, Salop. Evidently the robin thought spring had come again. On the 21st there was to be seen, by observant passers-by, a Kingfisher sitting on the osiers beneath the English Bridge, right in the centre of Shrewsbury. It was there nearly all day, preen¬ ing its feathers, etc., but I did not see it catch any fish. A few of these brilliant birds constantly haunt the Severn in the Quarry, Shrewsbury, and towards Underdale. A Pied Hen Blackbird was shot near Shrews¬ bury about 20th Oct. Pied cocks frequently occur, but hens are rare. A fine female Pintail Duck was obtained by Mr Wingfield on the decoy at Onslow, Oct. 25th. Most of the Swallows left about Oct. 9th, but stragglers were to be seen frequently for another fortnight. On Nov. 7th, Mr Cooke, taxidermist, showed me an adult Red-throated Diver, which had been sent to him from Dolgelley for preservation. On Nov. 10th an immature Black-headed Gull was shot near Wem by Capt. Maddocks ; and on the 13th an immature Kittiwake near Oswestry. At this age the Kittiwake has black tips to many of the feathers, and is then an extremely pretty bird. On the 5th of September a male Spotted Crake, in fine plumage, was obtained near Minsterley, and on Oct. 1st a Corncrake was shot by Mr T. R. Hcrton at Harley ; probably induced to linger here so late by the mild weather. Mr Cooke recently showed me a curious Black¬ bird, of a yellowish buff colour all over. It was reared from the n:jst by Mr Solloway, of Llangollen. I saw a small flock of Fieldfares near Shrews¬ bury as early as Sept. 11th, and later they appeared in large numbers. Redwings were scarce till last week, when I observed a good many feeding on hawthorn berries in the hedges.—H. E. Forrest. DFOEMBEH 5, 1900. NOTES. AN OLD RELIC.—I have in my possession a gold rack-lever watch, made in Dublin the be¬ ginning of this century by McMasters and Co. It was given to my father, the late D. O. Davie?, of Trecregin, Llangranog, Cardiganshire, Army Surgeon, by an officer in the army, in return for an act of kindness shown one of his family when in danger. The watch was used at the Siege of Cadiz in 1810, 1811 and 1812, when Mr Davies was acting under Lord Lynedock as Hospital Surgeon. It was in use also at the battle of Barrosa in 1811; also at the eiege of Tarifa, under Major-General Skerret. It then followed the Duke of Wellington during the battles of Vittoria, the Pyrenees, Nivelle, Nive, St. Palais, Orthes, and Toulouse, besides other battles under General Picton. It was also present during the attack on New Orleans, under Major-General Sir Ed. Pakenham in 1815. It also saw hard work in the East and West Indies ; and now, in spite of all dangers and changes of climate, after a hard service of nearly a century, it keeps time as well as ever, and is likely to last another century if properly looked after. If this watch could but speak, what , stirring incidents it could tell in the life of its