BANQUET TO SIR JOHN WILLIAMS.

1764

BANQUET TO SIR JOHN WILLIAMS.

METROPOLITAN HOSPITAL SUNDAY FUND. THE wet weather last Sunday has considerably reduced th4 sums which might have been collected and many of th4 clergy have written to us to this effect. In a large numbe of churches it is intended on Sunday next to make ax appeal to those who were absent last Sunday to add thei: contributions to the amount collected on that occasion. N( doubt many will gladly avail themselves of this opportunity The Lord Mayor, in a letter to the press which we publisl this week, has appealed to the clergy to place the situatior before their congregations to-morrow and to invite contribu tions to be sent to themselves or directly to his Lordship, This we are sure-gratefully sure-the majority of the clerg3 will do, although the increased trouble thus entailed UpOI them is very serious. It is too early at present to attempl to forecast what the grand total of the Fund for this year ii likely to be, but the unfavourable weather has, we fear, spoilt all chance of its reaching the much-coveted anc badly-needed f.100, 000. The following are some of th{ chief amounts received at the Mansion House, or notified directly to us as having been collected, on behalf of thE Metropolitan Hospital Sunday Fund up to Wednesday last :St. Paul’s Cathedral..................... St. Michael’s, Chester-square ...............

" In Memoriam, S. L., died May 1, 1895 All Saints’, Ennismore-gardens ............... Theistic Church, Swallow-street Emmanuel Church, Wimbledon St. James’s, Piccadilly .................. Christ Church, Chislehurst St. Michael’s, Paddington St. Nicholas and St. John the Baptist, Chislehurst...... Westminster Abbey ..................... St. Augustine’s, Highbury........, ......... Lemsford Parish Church ..................

.........

...............

...............

...............

..................

St. Mary Boltons

.....................

Mr. J . Morris .......................

Lady

Kortright

,.. ,.. "... Mr. A. Miller......... ..................... Mr. Richard Foster St. John’s Presbyterian Church, Kensington......... Dulwich College Chapel .................. St. Mary’s Parish Church, Merton Crouch-hill Presbyterian Church....., ......... Cuddington Parish Church.................. ...

............

St.Anne’s.Wandsworth .................. St. Mary Magcialene, Enfield Carmelite Church, Kensington ............... ............."

Chiswick Parish Church Camberwell Parish Church........, ......." St. James’s, Camberwell Farm-street Church Messrs. J. H. Vavasseur and Co................

..................

X s. d, 5250 0 ( 1405 0 ( 500 0 ( 460

U

C

280 0 C 203 0 C 174 0 C 162 0 C 151 0 C 137 0 C 134 0 0 117 0 C 112 0 0 110 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 100 0 0 70 0 0 52 0 0 50 0 0 44 0 0 59 00 39 0 0 00 32 0 0 34 0 0

35

32 00 46 0 0 52 00 00 Bromley, Kent, Wesleyan Chapel....., ...... 32 51 0 0 Christ Church, Newgate-street ............... 0 St. James’s, Norlands .................. 4056 0 St. Gabriel’s, Warwick-square 0 0 St. Andrew’s. Watford 5800 St. Mary’s, Shortlands .........., ., 8145 00 U0 Lewisham High-road Congregational Chapel Great Warley Parish Church 560 00 The Oratory, Brompton 65 0 St. George’s, Bloomahury .................. 39 0 0 St. Matthew’s, Sydenham .................. 33 0 0 00 Jessey De Wend ..................... 50 500 0 Miss Druce ..................... ..................

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...............

..................

......

...............

..................

West Wickham Parish Church ............... St. Stephen’s. Ciapham Park ............... St. Mary’s, Lewisham .................. Aldenham Parish Church .................. St. Mildred’s, Lee ..................... All

Souls’, Finchley ..................... St. James’s, Kidbrook .................. St. Andrew’s, Leytunstone St. Alfege, Greenwich, Parish Church ............ .................

St. George’s, Perry Hill .................. St. Matthew’s. Sinclair-road, Kensington .......-Central-hill Baptist Chapel, Upper Norwood......... Church of the Annunciation, Chislehurst ......... Bromley, Kent, Parish Church ............... St. Mary’s, Plaistow ..................... St. Andrew’s, Totteridge .................. St. Luke’s, Hornsey ..................... St. Matthew’s, Brixton Ilford Parish Church and Chapel............... St. Luke’s, Hampstead .................. St. Augustine’s, Queen’s-gate St. John’s. Ealing Dean Magdalen Hospital. Streatham ............... rent Church, Enfield ..................

...............

..................

..................

46

0

0

76 000 66 66 0 0 0 41 0 0 80 0 0 81 0 0 0 60 0 58 0 0 0 83 0 0 00 76 0 0 0 52 0 0 43 0 0 44 0 0 48 0 0 37 0 0 64 0 0 35 0 0 33 0 0 35 0 0

930

510 78 60 0

SIR JOHN WILLIAMS, Bart., K.C.V.O., M.D., F.R.C.P., decided to retire from professional work and to reside in the county of his birth, Carmarthenshire, a large number of leading members of the profession and others who occupy notable positions in Welsh circles resolved to entertain him at a banquet and this was arranged for the evening of June 12th at the Royal Hotel, Cardiff. At the banquet, over which the Mayor of Cardiff (Alderman Thomas, J.P.) presided, amongst those present were :Principal Griffiths and Dr. A. F. Dixon (of the University College), Sir Alfred Thomas, M.P., Dr. Edwards (the doyen of Cardiff practitioners). Dr. Griffiths, Mr. Ebenezer Davies (Swansea), Principal Rhys (Oxford), Judge Gwilym Williams, Mr. J. Lynn Thomas, C.B., Mr. C. Biddle (Merthyr), Mr. Evan N. Davies, J. P. (Penygraig), Mr. Ivor H. Davies (Weston-super-Mare), Dr. M. 0, Davies (Cardiff), Dr. Maurice G. Evans, Dr, P. Rhys Griffiths, Dr. Pritchard, Dr. A. Garrod Thomas, Dr. T. H. Morris, Dr. C. T. Vachell, Dr. W. Williams, Dr. W. Mitchell Stevens, Dr. W. Sheen, Dr. J. J. Buist, Mr. W. F. Brook (Swansea), Mr. E. Tenison Collins, Dr. Herbert Cook, Dr. F. P. S. Cresswell, Mr. H. L. Hughes (Dowlais), Dr. J. D. Jenkins (Pentre), Dr. S. Cromwell Jones (Merthyr Tydvil), Mr. S. Lloyd Jones (London), Dr. J. Howard-Jones (Newport), Dr. Cyril Lewis, Dr. Henry Lewis, Dr. E. J. Maclean, Dr. William Martin, Mr. D. Naunton Morgan (Clydach), Mr. G. Neale, J.P. (Barry), Dr. Donald R. Paterson, Dr. R. Pritchard, Dr. J. H. Rees (Penarth), Mr. J. Robinson (Cardiff), Dr. Scholberg (University College, Cardiff), Mr. T. Stevens, Dr. William Taylor (Cardiff), Dr. W. E. Thomas (Ystrad), Mr. D. J. Thomas (medical officer of health, Merthyr Tydvil), Dr. A. Garrod Thomas (Newport), Dr. Tatham Thompson, Mr. J. Llewellyn Treharne, Dr. A. H. Trowm, Dr. E. Walford, Mr. T. J. Webster, J.P., Mr. C. J. Weichert (Penygraig), Dr. William Williams (medical officer of health of Glamorganshire), Mr. J. H. Williams (Aberavon), and Mr. D. J. Williams (Llanelly). Sir John Williams was received with great enthusiasm. The after-dinner proceedings were characterised -by much animation and appreciative references to the character and record of the guest of the evening. In returning thanks for the toast of "The Services" Colonel QUIRK, C.B., referred to the typhoid-infected blankets, responsibility for which, he said, folk had been trying to saddle upon the army, but now the medical equipe ment had become the object of attack in this connexion. The medical officers ought, it was contended by the critics, to have seen that these coverings were destroyed at the inception of the outbreak, but he was confident that the medical profession would be quite equal to vindicating its own cause and case. The MAYOR then gave the toast of the evening, " six John Williams," and in doing so referred to the profound sentiment of affection which Sir John Williams, in spite of the strain of heavy professional responsibilities and a career of strenuous application, cherished for his native country. This was shown in the peerless collection of Welsh books and manuscripts which he had gathered together and which constituted a really great library. The place which he occupied in the confidence of illustrious circles was indicated by the notable fact that Sir John Williams had been decorated with the Victorian Order by His Majesty the King in person. He (the Mayor) hoped now Sir John Williams had returned again to Wales to live amongst them that these after days would be serene and unclouded and that Wales would be privileged to benefit again by the interest which Sir John Williams felt in the advancement of its progress and general welfare. There was one particular sphere in which Sir John Williams could be an incalculable service to them as Welsh people, and that was in relation to the medical school which it was sought to establish at Cardiff. They were very anxious that this should be the neans of furthering developments of science and study in jhe Principality and he commended to the notice of Sir John Williams the fact that he might come from his Carmarthenihire home to Cardiff and stay in the Welsh metropolis for ihree hours and afterwards go home and be in time for linner. Sir ALFRED THOMAS, M.P., as representative of,the Welsh

having

1765 1 also spoke to the toast and referred with enthusiasm to the perseverance, courage, and integrity whichi had been evidenced by Sir John Williams in the course of a striking career. Sir John Williams had come back to hiss countrymen in the zenith of his fame with a clean bill ofE health, sails all set, dropping anchor in the haven of his oldi home. It was not for him to suggest to Sir John Williamss what he should do now. That would be both a delicate andL a perilous task, and besides a superfluous one, for Sir John Williams knew very well how best to act. But he would join with the Mayor of Cardiff in expressing a deep desire that Sir John Williams should ally himself with the medical school of the University College which, he remarked amid much applause and laughter, he believed to be the best college on earth." The toast was received with prolonged cheering and musical honours, and Sir JOHN WILLIAMS, who appeared moved by the greeting which was accorded to him, To acknowledge such generous rose to reply to the toast. appreciation, he said, was difficult-almost as difficult an ordeal as that which one experienced when lecturing for the first time to that extremely wideawake class He could only thank of critics, the medical students. his friends very warmly and sincerely for their goodwill. Some while ago he had been asked by one of the newspapers which enjoyed a large circulation to give its columns some of his reminiscences. He felt that these were such as could not appear in such circumstances. And so in expressing his gratification at the sentiments which were manifested towards him he must now confine himself to his very sincere acknowledgments. But he was glad to see amongst them so many old friends, and especially glad to see Mr. Ebenezer Davies of Swansea who had given him his start in the medical profession and bestowed upon him much valued advice. Sir John Williams resumed his seat amid renewed

University College,

cheers. Mr. EBENEZER DAVIES, Judge GWILYM WILLIAMS, and Dr. T. D. GRIFFITHS (Swansea) afterwards delivered addresses of hearty welcome to Sir John Williams on his return to the "land of his fathers" ; and it was mentioned incidentally that Swansea intended to give to Sir John Williams

distinction had characterised the career of some of the students of the medical school at the Cardiff College. Vocal and instrumental selections were given during the evening and the whole proceedings were very pleasant and successful, this result being due in a large degree to the admirable arrangements of Mr. Austin Jenkins (the registrar of the University College) and Mr. Lynn Thomas.

VITAL STATISTICS. HEALTH OF ENGLISH TOWNS.

IN 76 of the largest English towns 9343 births and 4022 deaths were registered during the week ending June 13th. The annual rate of mortality in these towns, which had been 15-5, 14-9, and 14per 1000 in the three preceding weeks, further declined to 13-99 per 1000 last week. In London the death-rate was 12 4 per 1000, while it averaged 14-6 per 1000 in the 75 other large towns. The lowest death-rates in these towns were 4’7 in Hornsey, 5’3 in Smethwick, 5’7 in Willesden, 6’4 in Walthamstow, 8’5 in Croydon and in York, 9 0 in Tottenham, and 9’1in Handsworth ; the highest rates were 18’8 in Oldham, 19’3 in Liverpool, 6 in West Brom19-4 in Burnley, 19’ wich and in Preston, 21-5 in Coventry, 22-5 in Middlesbrough, and 25 in Great Yarmouth. The 4022 deaths in these towns last week included 404 which were referred to the principal infectious diseases, against 461, 434, and 397 in the three preceding weeks; of these 404 deaths 124 resulted from measles, 77 from diarrhoea, 76 from whooping-cough, 56 from diphtheria, 39 from scarlet fever, 19 from "fever,"and 13 from small.pox. No death from any of these diseases was registered last week in Brighton,

Bournemouth, Plymouth, Devonport, Handsworth, Smethwick, Wallasey, Barrow-in-Furness, or Tynemouth ; while the death-rates from the principal infectious diseases recorded in Great Yarmouth, Wolverhampton, West Bromwich, Coventry, Oldham, Preston, and Middlesbrough. The greatest proportional mortality from measles occurred in Leyton, Walthamstow, Wolverhampton, Coventry, Wigan, Sheffield, and Middlesbrough; from diphtheria in Great Yarmouth and Coventry ; from whooping-cough in Oldham and Middlesbrough; from " feverin West Bromwich and Middlesbrough ; and from diarrhoea in Great Yarmouth and Hanley. The mortality from scarlet fever showed no marked excess in any of the large towns. Of the 13 fatal cases of small-pox registered during the week three belonged to Liverpool and one each

highest

were

a royal reception in a very little time. GWILYM WILLIAMS remarked that in honouring Sir John Williams the King and Queen had honoured Wales. All Welshmen were proud of a man who from his very student days right on to these meridian hours of life had ever been instinct with the inspiration of hard work and great abilities greatly applied. It was something for them to be glad that when those who professed chill scepticism as to Leicester, Derby, Bootle, Bolton, Manchester, Oldham, to the latent energies and capacities of Welsh people put the Halifax, Bradford, and Sunderland. The number Rochdale, jeering question in a captious spirit, "Where are your Welsh- of small-pox patients under treatment in the Metropolitan men of distinction ? " they were able to point to their guest hospitals which had been 64, 60, and 72 at the end of the evening as one of those who brought to the records Asylums of the three preceding weeks, had declined again to 64 at of Wales a lifetime of service and honour. the end of last week ; nine new cases were admitted during Professor RHYS in replying to the toast of The University the week, against 19, 10, and 24 in the three preceding of Wales" pointed out that it would be of incalculable weeks. The number of scarlet fever cases in these hospitals to and with Wales those connected the promotion and in the London Fever Hospital on Saturday, June advantage 13th, of its educational and social interests if on questions which was numbers increasing from 1662 to 1785 on 1710, against demanded an expert knowledge of medicine and medical the eight preceding Saturdays ; 145 new cases were admitted matters they were able to have the counsel and assistance during the week, against 234, 225, and 210 in the three preof so great an authority as Sir John Williams. weeks. The deaths referred to diseases of the respiraSir JOHN WILLIAMS afterwards proposed " The South ceding in London, which had been 182, 186, and 171 tory organs Wales and Monmouthshire University College " and delivered in the three preceding weeks, further declined last week an address in which he dealt with the Celtic character. to 141 and were 59 below the number in the corresponding He minutely compared Wales with Scotland and predicted, of last year. The causes of 45, or 1’11 per cent., of in spite of the drawbacks which handicapped Welsh period the deaths in the 76 towns last week were not certified students, better things and more substantial results in either by a registered medical practitioner or by a days to come. The dawn was breaking and this was coroner. All the causes of death were duly certified in evidenced by the success of their medical school at Cardiff. West Ham, Bristol, Birmingham, Nottingham, Newcastle-onHalf a century had wrought an immense change in the conTyne, and in 50 other smaller towns ; the largest propordition of the Welsh people. He noted with satisfaction that tions of uncertified deaths were registered in Grimsby, Liverthe South Wales College differed from the other Welsh Manchester, Sheffield, and South Shields. pool, colleges in having a faculty of medicine where the future medical men of Wales would be trained. He hoped that HEALTH OF SCOTCH TOWNS. before long the University of Wales would have powers to The annual rate of mortality in eight of the principal grant degrees in medicine. Principal GRIFFITHS responded and explained that finan- Scotch towns, which had been 17-2, 18-4, and 18-2 per 1000 cially the South Wales and Monmouthshire College could not in the three preceding weeks, further declined to 17- 5 per go on much longer as now, for if help was not forthcoming 1000 during the week ending June 13th, but was 3-6 As for the medical per 1000 in excess of the mean rate during the same the fees would have to be raised. school, he grieved that they were about to lose their valued period in the 76 large English towns. The rates in the eight Scotch towns ranged from 13-7 in Dundee and colleague, Professor Dixon. Professor DIXON also responded and said that considerable 13-8 in Paisley to 18-8in Glasgow and 26-3 in

a

separate and

Judge