Welsh Journals

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I do not remember the name of the big ship that had been chosen to be the first through the gate I think it was the Esmeralda -whether it was or not that name will answer the purpose of this little incident. Not far from the gate, the coaster Lion of 60 tons register (Skipper Stephen James) rode at anchor, so small and insignificant midst that galaxy of shipping that she was hardly noticed, her mainsail hoisted with the peak of the gaff dropped, the sail flapping as if drying in the gentle breeze, the skipper and his young mate lounging idly about the deck watching the scene. Then came the appointed time for the opening. As the gate slowly swung open, Stephen and his mate were roused into action, both ran to the windlass, up and down they worked it until the anchor was fairly clear of the mud, a few hurried orders to the mate to hoist the foresail and gib while he himself hurried to the peak halyard of the gaff which he raised and made fast then he rushed to the tiller, manoeuvring the Lion' to make the most of the slight breeze that blew. All eyes were on the Esmeralda,' beflagged from stem to stern, with a band aboard to liven the proceedings. As she approached the gate it was noticed that the Lion' was also there and to the amusement of the vast crowd and the lurid voc- abulary of the officials concerned the Lion with the Union Jack at the masthead and Capt. Stephen James at the tiller was first through the gate. The little fleet has passed on towards the setting sun. The spirit of the stalwarts that sailed it lives on, for the call of the sea is as strong as ever in the blood of the generations that follow them and finds expression in every part of the seven seas. Cardigan. D. J. Rotie. ST. DAVID'S COLLEGE, LAMPETER, AND THE PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE, CARMARTHEN. As an old Lampeterian I am naturally proud of the great educational work which St. David's College has for so long done and of the distinction which it has conferred on my native town. I also feel very grateful to Professor W. H. Harris for his very interesting address delivered at Lampeter last October on the origins and beginnings of the College. Nevertheless, in the interest of historical accuracy, I cannot but question the validity of the claim of priority contained in the following paragraph- In the annals of higher education in Wales, a pioneer and peculiar position is occupied by St. David's College, Lampeter, possessing, as it does, the distinct- ion of being the oldest college of university character in the Principality.' I take it that university character' applied to an educational institution refers either to (1) a particular standard of education or (2) to the power to grant degrees or (3) to both of these characteristics. According to most scholars who have examined carefully the work and status of the old Dissenting Academies established after the passing of the Act of Uniformity (1662) the place of honour appropriated by Professor Harris to Lampeter College should certainly have been assigned to the Carmarthen Academy now represented by the Presbyterian College. There is extant ample documentary evidence of the 18th century of the high standard of education required of its students by the Presbyterian Fund Board, the Governors of the College.