Weekly Mail

SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. L. L. DILLWYN, M.P. e: TRAGIC SCENE AT A LIBERAL MEETING. THE VETERAN DIES IN HARNESS. Politicians of all shades of opinion through- out South Wales will hear with unfeigned regret, not unmingled with astonishment, of the sudden and tragic death of Mr. L. LI. Dill- wyn, the veteran Liberal membor for Swansea Town Division, which occurred on Sunday, after the first itcttve preparationa for his election on the i-"I.'l V\F.å long PavliamentHry and public life of the veteran member bus been, on the w hole, so consistent, and his demeanour towards his friends and neigh- bours so courteous and kindly, that throughout his constituency there is but 01.10 uote at the pad and unexpected occmrence-one of deep lamentation. The tur- moil of 1 lie Swansea e'ection, which was bljo ginning to" grow in magnitude daily, had suddtniy :cased. For, after all Mr. Dillwyn has passed through physically of hite year. and his triumphant Appearance in what was, apparently, quite his oid standard of health, notwithstanding the burden of hia years, for this election, the occurrence was completely unex- pected. Ou Sunday Lije news got abroad like wild- fire, and it was as though a bombshell had burst in the Liberal camp. In a couple of hours after his death—away from home and fi iends, but, happily, amid the hospitable surroundings of one of the best hotels in Swansea—the occurrence was pretty generally known throughout the town, and groups at the street coiners discussed it by the light of such details as they had managed to obtain posses- sion of. Mr. Dillwyn eleven years ago was thrown from his horse whilst reviewing his Volunteer troops in the Victoria Park, and lingered on for some weeks in a dangerous state, but his constitu- tion, even at the age of some 70 odd yenrs, triumphed, and lie resumed that Parliamentary career which was absolutely his second nature. A.t the beginning of last year the veteran was again laid low, but he once more managed to pull through, and at the time of this election he took the field once more in ail personal confidence, and with the full support of his political adherents. His medical attendant, Dr. Griffiths, of Swansea, doubtless was the only person who felt the full responsibility incurred by Mr. Dillwyn in again involving himself in a political conflict, but the rank and file of the party felt that lie was qjile equal to the task, nnd in this they were, of course, supported chiefly by the assurance* of the hon. gentleman himsulf, who was as full of Parlia- mentary vigour and ambition as a. young man, y The occurrences leading up to the last scene of all, ending the caretr of the member for Swansea, centre in Saturday's proceedings. Saturday was an unuf-ualiy busy and fatiguing day for a man of Mr. Diilwyu's age, but it ii but. just to his sup- porters to i-ay that it was his own mvinciblo deter- mination which led to his beim; over-worked on that day. Mr. Dillwyn attended the meeting at the Liberal Club, Swansea, on Saturday afternoon to inaugurate Mr. Randall's candidature for the Gower constituency, a.nd, a3 will bo seen by a r.port in another column, he therj delivered a f?p»<ch supporting Mr. Hand l's claims on tho Liberal elfcctorate.Tliismeotiny was a prolonged one, It wau held in a room crowde-d to suffocation. Scarcely ever have I attended a meet- ing in which the air was to hI t, poisonous, and stining—whiist the scene was undoubtedly ono of considerable politlCltl excite- ment into the bargain. It appeals t'lat hter on in the evening a committee meeting in 811pport of Mr. Dillwyu's candidature was fixed to be held at the Unitarian Schoolroom, HigL-s robt. The object was to inaugurate the canvass, to give out the Ciiivassing books, a.nd transact the incidental business but here, again, Radical oratory prolonged the proceedings to all alarming extent. Mr. Dillwyn was advised by his friends not to overburden himself by attending this meeting, but he insjeit-d 011 doing so. The result was that a painful and tragic scene occurred. At about half-past eight, ufler several speeches had been delivered, I learn from one who was present that a hueh suddenly fell ovor the assembly, and the attention of those engaged in conversation was immediately turned to the corner of the toom in which Mr. Dillwyn had been sitting. It was evident that the gentleman had fainted. He was supported in the arms of Mr. Edward Roberts and those sitting nearest to him. and his appearance gave rise to the utmost alarm amongst his supporters, many of whom felt that the end had at last come. The hon. gentleman was deathly pate, his jaw had dropped, and an ominous rattle ;1 was heard in his throat. As quickly as possible messengers were despatched for assistance, Dr. Roberts being the first to arrive, but was quickly followed by Dr. T. D. Griffiths, Mr. Diilwyu's medical adviser. It was at once seen that the patient was in a dangerous state—as he had failed to recover consciousness. By the advice of Dr. Griffiths he was. after a couple of hours, removed to the Royal Hotel, nearly opposite the chapel-an invalid chair being used to convey him across the road. Already the occurrence had become noised abroad, and a large crowd gathered in High-street. Mr. Chester Row, the host, made every poasib'e preparation for Mr. Dillwyn's reception, and he was soon com- fortably bfstowed in a large bedroom at the hotel. Then those present. with him state that he marvellously recovered himself. He said he should be all right, and (strange vagary of human nature !) actually epoks of his determination to proceed to the RlioncMa on Monday to speak on behalf of "Mabon" in that division. The doctors iefr, him fairly COin. fortable, On Sundiy morning he was reported 10 callers at the hotel to be progressing very fuvourab'y. He had ttik-,tn nourishment, and was expected to recover. He received the greatest care from Dr. Griffiths, and Mr. Thomas Phillips, senr., was one of those who cabled and spoke wltill the dying man. Shortly before Doon a sudden change occurred. The nurse (an able lady belong-1 ing to the Swansea Nursing Institute) rang the bell violently and summoned assistance. Mr. Dillwyn's valet went for his medical attendant, and for Mr. C. H. Ptrkins, a promiueut Liberal, and in the pre'enc? cf three gentlemen, in- in the pre'enc? of three gentlemen, in- cluding Dr. Griffiths, Mr. Dillwyn breathed his 1 ist about noon. Mr. Dillwyn had intended to return to London on Sunday evening. Miss Dillwyn, the only unmarried child, wag in London, and the other two daughters (Mrs. Nicholl, Merthyr Mawr, Bridgend and Mrs. Craven) were, of course, not in the neighbourhood. Mr. Dillwyn, therefore, died without seeing any rela- tives or immediate connections. Messengers were despatched at once to Penllergare for Sir J. T. D. Llewelyn, the nephew of Mr. Dillwyn, and to Merthyr Mawr, and bofnre the day was over, representatives of the family a!hvnd at the hotel to give orders as to the disposal of the body. Dr. Griffiths afcribes danth to syncope-a railure of the heart's action, brought on by exhaustion and excitement. On all hands 't is felt that, tragic as was his end, it was a suit- able and, iu some respect", a beautiful one to a life of long and faithful and patriotic representa- tion of his native borough, and although he died with the chief object of his Parliamentary career -that of diaestabiishmeot—nnfu)nHed, yet tie died "iu harness"—girding on his armour at the ad- vanced Age of 78 for one more fight for a hold on that Parliamentary life which formed the very esseuce of his bainjf. REMOVAL OF THK BODY. I Sir John T. D. Llewelyn arrived in Swausea from Penllergare at aLout half-past three, and pro- ceeded to the residence of Dr. T. D. Griffiths. Shortly after nine o'clock they proceeded to the Royal Hotel. The body was lying in a front room on the top floor, and had been enclosed iu a light shell by the undertaker. Amongst those grouped m the corridor to show respectful sympathy were Messrs. C. B. Perkins, S. P. Wdls, Dr. W. Morgar, John Grilfith., Thomas Phillips, jun., W. V. Blewitt, &c. A large crowd gathered outside the principal door of the hotel as the hearse drove up, and a little before ten o'clock the body was borne to the door and placed in the vehicle. Sir John Llewelyn, tfoe nephew, aud Mr. Lewis D. Nicholl, the grandson of the deceased member, were the representatives of the family present. The hearse was followed by a couple of private carriagefl, and the representatives of the Liberal Associat ion, above mentioned.walked behind, ncoompanying the body to the end of Walter-roa on its way to Hendrefoilan. MARKS OF RESPECT. During Sunday demonstrations of respect were shown all over the town. The on both political clubs in Wind-street and ctiur public institutions were placed at half-mast. References were made to the sad occurrence at several places of worship in the evening. In some cases the organs played the "Dead March." MEETING OF RADICALS. An informal gathering was held at the Liberal Club in the evening for the purpose of considering what was most advisable in regard to the arrangement for a public funeral, and afterwards a number of the tea. ting Liberals proceeded to the Royal Hotel at the time the body was to be removed. MR. DILLWYN'S ELECTION ADDRESS. Mr. Dillwyn, in spite ot his physical dtc>iy (for there can be no doubt that old age and failure of the powers was virtually the cause of detth), showed a great deal of vitali'y in preparing for his eioction. His address was only i-sued on Satur- day night, and is posted in a number of places in the town. It is dated from the House of Commons, June 15, and, being penned by his own hand in time, as he described it, to catch a post, it acquires special significance as a description of bis political feelings at the time of his death. BIOGRAPHICAL SEhTCH. The career of the hon. member for Swansea who has jlnt parsed from our uiidel, must bo OTIC of almost unique interest to the people of the borough. Mr. Dillwyn was bnrn amongst them, rose mpirlly to local positions of honour in their midst, and, after representing them in the nation's Parliament for no 0 a than 37 years, br. athed his lalll. within their borough. GenCially reviewing Mr. Dillwyn's career from the standpoint rather of a revering critic then of an opposing politician, one cannot but admit that the deceased member was one of whom any constituency might well have been proud, and the general esteem in which he was held by his constituents, of whatever shade of politics, showed that they fully esteemed his many good qualities. While subject, lihenthors, to continual fault-finding, lie was, fortunateljr for liiin, backed up by the universal respect. His advanced views were regretted by many Conservatives, and his remarkable inability to make a coherent spetch proved a stumbling-block to numbers of Liberals, But all admitted his usefulness and his energy as a member, and everyoue.of late years Sl cmed proud of the respectable position to which he had attained in the eyes of his brother senatsrs. Mr. Dillwyn wis, cf a truth, brimming over with that energy which is supposed to be in a very large dsgreo the peculiar property of the Anglo-Saxon. His uuweaiisd journeys weekly to London and back again to his Welsh home, his constant atten- dance at the House and attention to the multi- farious duties of a mi-mber, his careful devotion to the affairs of the Great Western Railway directo- rate, and, lastly, that "constant service" so much demanded ard so willingly given w i (ti iii liisbotougli proved clearly that lie was abeliever in Ruskin's fine theory, "To diaw hard breath o'er ploughshare and spade, to lead and to think tiie.se are the tilings which make a man happy." Another excellent trait in Mr. Diliwyn's character was his unfailing urbanity and courtesy. Mr. Dillwyn believed that ineivilify is its own Nemesis, and (hut in every act of courtesy there is an acknow- ledgment of tho c:aims of others on our attention and respect which makes a virtue of the thins itself. ThecO were the "strong p )ints" in Mr. Dillwyn's character, and that they tire most impor- tant elements in a man's success is not to be denied. Mif. DILLWYN'S ANCESTOHS. To le.id up to Mr. Dillwyn's own career, it will, per! aps, be interesting to state that his grandfather, William Dillwyn, was born ond lived during the larly pan of his life in Pennsylvania, where, in conjunction with Anthony Beneret, he first a^itateU tho question of the abolition of the slave trade. Iking himself a member of the Society of Friends, lie was instrumental iu inducing that body to energetically tike tip the humane subject. He afterwards came over to reside in England, and lived for the remainder of liia life at Hi^hham Lodge, near Wnltlmmstow. Mr. Diliwjn's father, L :wis Weston Diliwyn, was the eld-'St son of William, and when a young man went clown to Swansea, w) Cte he mariied the daughter and heiress of John Llewelyn, of Penllergare. Mr. Ltwis Weston Dillwyn for some years carried on a china and earthen- ware manufactory at Swansea, producing the weil-known '• Swansoi chma." This gentle nan was a n&turaiiit, and published several works on botany, entoiiiol'gy, a ad cot.ci.ol ogy. lie wa> M.P. fur llw county of Glamorgan from 1832 to 1837. The subject of this sk< tch was the youngest of his three sons. The r hJe^t, who took the name of Llewelyn, inherited tiie Penllergare propertT, but tiie so. ond died before lie attoinod his majority. IJH EARLY CAREKR. Mr. Lew if Llewelyn Dili wyn, the subject of our sketch, was born on May 19, 1814, at Swansea. He was originally educated at a well-known seminary at bath, remaining there for some years. His name was entered for Oriel College, Oxford, but he did not go to that uiuveisity, having be come associated whh business at an early ttfjo of his career, Mr. Dillwyu con- ducting the lotloi,y at Swansea which his father, Mr. LeAis Weston Dillwyn, had left him. In 1837 Mr. Dillwyn was made a magistrate for Glamorganshire, btiog ttien but 22 yiarsof age, and he became afterwards a member both of the town council and the harbour trust, in the affairs of which he has always since taken a deep interest. MR. DILLWYN'S MARHIAOK. His marriage took place in 1838 io Elizabeth, daughter and heiress of Sir Henry de la liuche. iiy her he had a family, one of his sons being Mr. Harry B. Dillwyn, who for some years was a barriater-at-lnw on the South Wales Circuit find chairman of the rural sanitary authority, but. recently passed away iu the prime of life. Mrs. Dillwyn died in 1866. THH RliBECCA nIOTS, Mr. Dillwjn, whilst a. eon firmed Radical, showed himself on several occasions to be more on tiie side of law and or 'er than of violent popular movements. As an instance in point, wo may mention the yellr 1842, when the historical Rebecca- Riots took place. These were principally confine d :o the western counties of South Wales, but when they extended to the western borders of Glamor- ganshire Mr. Dillwyn, acting with his brother, Mr. Diilwvn Llewelyn, took active steps to pre- vent them from cx^errtdng into tho county of Glamorgan. Upon the memos able occasion of the rioters—numbering some hundreds—attacking ana destroying the Pontardul.-ns gate and toll- house the subject of our sketch, with Mr. Llewelyn (both magistrates), also with his brother-in-law, Mr. Moggridge, Captain Napier (chief-constable of Glamorganshire), and seven policemen, surprised and dispersed them, capturing three of their num- ber. Thtse men were subsf-qupnily tried, con- victed, and sentenced to tr.ui^p >rtation at. a special ass'ze held at Cardiff in the autumn of that yetlr. MAYOR OF SWANSEA. Six years Lter Mr. Dillwyn became a. Vt'ry pro- minent fi^uri! amongst his fePow-townsinen. In that year (1848) the British Association visited Swansea, and considering Mr. Dillwyn's family connection, so to speak, with those objects which the association had at heart, he was elected mayor of Swinsea. frr the occasion. He presided, not only with dignity, but with eclat. and many thought he would have been knighted, especially when his patriotic servicea were tnken into account at the Charti-it rising in 1842, six years previously. The late Sir Thomas Piliil ps had been knighted for similar services in another porlioo of the Piincipality. HIS PAHLIAMKNTARY LIFE. We now come to the period when Mr. Dillwyn first, sought Parliamentary honours. Upon the death of Mr. J. H. Vivian, who, since tho Reform Bill of 1832, had represented Swansea and the con- tributory boroughs of Neath, Loughor, Aberavon, and Ken fig in Parliament, Mr. Dillwyn was elected to succeed hitr. This was in the year 1855, and tho honourable gentleman has sa.t for the borough uninterruptedly ever since that date to the present. In 1874 the seat Wag contested in the Conservative interest by Mr. Charles Botth, of Ffynone. Mr. Dillwyn was, however, returned by a large majority, the figures being—Dillwyn, 5,215, and Bath. 2,708 giving the subject of this biography a majority of 2,507 votes. Mr. Bath, however, was a very popular townsman of Swansea. In 1885 Mr. Dillwyn's seat was again attacked. The borough had been divided into two parts bV the Redist, ibution of Seats Bill, and in the election which took place Mr. Dillwvll obtained 3,660 votes and Mr. W. H. Meredyth 2,620 votet. Mr. Meredyth WHS a young and untried man, and his success proves what it great ineren,e of Con- servative feeling has lately been observed in the borough. At the election in the following year Mr. A. J. Lambert took up the Conservative cause, but, through the hurried preparation for the elec- tion, the result was mora [aVOttL Swansea's "grnnd old man.' t 1,1400 lart 0 time received 3,040 votes, and Mr. Lam^° j# An episode of considerable interest m gentleman's life was his support of Mr- Reform Bill in 1867. Mr. Dillwyn attu* the introduction of the measure caxisei-f.,l6att% able dissatisfaction amongst his consul joining with 47 oilier disaffected fjiil was called the Tea-room Cabal- t cabul, fearing the dissolution ot mentby tiie Prime Minister (Mr. Disw1' but forcibly,represented to Mr. GUusW J(F "half a loaf was belter than no bread, ilg they would turn the measure to accoui* than face a dissolution. The attitude Liberals was sufficient to induce Mr. G&p give way, i\pd the measure was pasS L w Dillvryn had taken considerable interest' present Reform Bill, and spoke at sever." tion" meetings in ils favour. Mr. ill way 8 a consistent and advanced Liberal- -if a Radical while others were only gradually ing or, perhaps, degeuerating isto In the House, while not a great spetch-i0 made his voice heard as often aa tiie members, and his remarks, while short, to the point. He has been accused ot. ft ambitions in the direction of statcsiQ»nS^p«# sometimes of noglccting locsl t'er ggfri interests. Uis great ambition of hteyeaJS It øP" to be to assist in diststablisliing the ¡.burc his patient watching of opportunities for 80 ducing his ill-fated and unsaturate tn»tio° ft> subject is a matter of general notori^ work of disestablishing the Church, one which he was apparently not, (Jt's t-uccced in, even moderately, as his introduce his motion were always unaV»J'1F~F' seemed to have no prospects of bitter Dillwyn's views as a Radical wero cxpreSf J period before his death aa folliwsf^ tended for the equal rights of all me0^&i privileges of ciiizenship. Liberals neve* the rights of others^ but this thay JcE questioned the validity of what 'j? claimed to be their lights. They did<fft any such thing as the privileged # & did not go in for confiscation or robberf' admitted the t-riticiplo of c,-irvtpinsaloo such privileges as were valid ka.t f Liberals would not continue to < such thing as the privilege oE the over-ride the wishes and the will of During his Parii imentaty career Mr. J$, claimed to haVeUmd a baud in gaining lb* sion of the Jews into Pa'-tiaaaent, ia ^glj household suffrage, iu the disestab.'ishiB^^r Irish Church, and other so-called reforms. a strong supporter of Free Trade, and bis ing di.soussion of thi# matter with Mr. YnivSpenliwch, recently will be v.ell rSna"; He always declared "fair tr^da" tube*: mj name for reciprocity or protection, that since the introduction of Fiea commerce of the country had increased cent. He was in favour of Lccal Option, 0 opposed to tho licensing power remaining hands of magistrate*. lia did not that compensation should be granted io$ of abolished licenccf, because they vl;00,, granted from year to year. Mr. Dillwftr»3(» was strongly in favour of miking harbour ofrofugc. With regard to the diate Education Bill of the Liberals ha appear to agree with soma of which, he thought, tended to phce the of the people in the hands of wrong prrs0 believed the measure, with certain al should be accepted. HIS LABOUITS AMONGST HIS CONSTITCKl^j)^ When not engaged in London the hon. man was in great request in the town, a?*1 never at a loss for employment; He was of the Chamber of Commerce, of the if. Teachers' Training College, of the Hofpital, and of the Royil Institution 0 Wr.lcs. During the preset, year he h<i<3 several meetings, amongst them leing tba Cyvfj of commerce annual banquet and the great j f meeting, at which he was selected to stall more in the Liberal interest for the OOIOûgtl- MR. DILLWYN'S VOLONTHKR Mr, Lhilwyn's civil career having followed, it now only remains to say, military services hava been j;r-:«t aho. \eavs lie was connected with the 3rd Gl1 R fle Volunteers, lie being the lieutenant commandant of that body. It was wb* ing at the annual inspection of theaa troo?3*K had ju it concluded their week's traiaing f command, that he met with the accident have already referred to. Ha waa count#1*$9 the Volunteer movement from the very P. Mr. Talbot, Mr. (now Sii) Huss y Vivian, G. T. Clark. In 1859 at Swansea he and raised separate corps, and th. rt) was a eonl between the two as to the priority of thai* J Mr. Dillwyn, however, by simply a Pc& '[A fir-it in transmitting the number to f'XeK lieutenant, and thus his corps was r Glamorgan, while Mr. Vivian's had to f following number. The lord-lieutfcusi' gr corps, raised at Margam, had pieviaua** named the 1st, and Mr. Clark's ihe 2-itf. £ r. ing Mr. Dillwyn was captain of hL* corp-4,? t0 V J. Crow Richardaon, who hod auccefl^cJ f' command, was lieutenant. Subsequ £ nt-jri Dillwyn was rondo majar-C'immandanWK lieutenant-colon* and about four y coloncl. During the Prince ot WaWS r, Swansea Colonel Diilwyn's cor p*< I guards of honour, and his Royal sented to become honorary oriouuelot A.11 tho other Glamorganshire co;jixueT1 £ 3_ V 'lunteor8 have now lonr, ths ir origintfl Ei$ i() this remains the 3rd, and has the potiitioa ¡If¡J1 one of tha two consolidated r«giaieuM kingdom. i HIS PUBLIC APPOORRAOSNTS. Mr. Dillwyn was conc- rncd in the Anaer1' General Mortgage, Ice.. Corporation,, (director), Glamorganshire Banking (chairman), Great Western Railway (director), West London Extensa rainy (ez-ojicio director), Hofcraft II, iK Limited (oirector), Mercantile j4 General Trust Company, Limited Mexican Southern Railway (director)', ft1 Siates and South American Company, Limited (trustee).