Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1912-08-01
(By Herbert Templel


 London, July 27.-OXford is at last tired With feasting, with nageante and processions in honor of it's reach ing the ripe old age of 1000 years. 1 For two whole Weeks the venerable old town has been, in a state of delir- ious excitement which attracted yjs- itors from the whole country and among these hundreds Of Americans.
 Most of these came 10 the metrv- making old town with the idea that it was the Oxford of the university l that was celebrating, but this was not so, it was the city of Oxford which began it's career many years before the scholars came to begin the contest between town and gown" and for this reason it was arranged to celebrate the jubilee in the month of July, when the under graduate may not, except by special permission, appear in Oxford. and he had no part in the festival for the city is thousand years old and the university is mere baby in compari- son.
 It is not true that the university was founded by Alfred the Great. But it seems true that the city was there set down as a place of, some importance in A. D. 912. For Oxford has it's documehtry evidence in the English Chronicle; Died Aeltber- ed Eardorman of the Musicians. and King Eadweard took to himself Lun- denbyrg and OXnaford and all the lands that were obedient thereto.o l Oxford City cannot forget that it has history apart from the llniver- slty which has always tried to over- shadow it; that the students from the continent first came thither because Oxford could defend itself against pikestaffs and longbows; that it has given hospitality to Parliament when King Charles was hard pressed i it gave refuge in it's castle-you may still see the. jagged teeth of ito Matilda, whom the King was besieg- ing-Matilda who, while the bridge which Oxford had built was guarded. draped herself in white, and stole un- observed across the frozen and snow bound river; that it has been there as village, town, a city for at least thousand years, and that it has a right to the celebration after which it is now resting.
 An extraordinary state of affairs exists at the little Somerset village of Holton.
 The aged rectorS position as cler- gyman in charge passes unrecogniz- ed amongst his tparishioners, and of ten he has to conduct service in the parish church with empty pews as congregation.
 The village has population of 200, and the old fashioned church has accommodation for 120 The church. yard, instead of having the well-kept appearance sc familiar with village church is scene of utter desola- tion. .-t tfe..
 The church is practically bOycotted by the villagers, and in consequence of this there are no funds for the upkeep. The Rev Joseph Sorrell, the rector, began his incumbency in Holton III years ago. The village churchgoers developed dislike for. the incumbent, and after a time none of the villagers attended his services and at the present time, after all these years, there. are occasions when months, perhaps, intervene and not soul attends the church. 44s
 Sometimes, not very frequently, strangers find their, way into the village and attend the church. On these occasions the rector conducts the full service with solemn i'm pressiveness, even though the cohgre- gation may consist of one person. He delivers his sermon as though the church was full of worshippers, and for the hymns he has to start a tune, there being no organist.
 No less than 21 services are held in the church each week, and at least twice each day, as there is no one else to do it, the rector himself rings the bell, announcing to the unheeding parishioners that service is about to be held. Whether or not any one put in an appearance the service is held.
 Entrance to the churchyard is gain ed through a wooden gate, which is fast rotting, and is held closely by means of piece of rope. The grave yard is very neglected, because there is no one to attend to it. Vegetation has now reached such a height that
 
 The rector, who is over 80 years of age, resides in the rectory abso- lutely alone. s'-'
 
 The recent announcement of Lady Marjorie Manners engagement to the Marquis of Anglesey has set tongues wagging about Prince Arthur of Connaught, who is said to have long resisted the state marriage the Royal Family have desired. for him with a Russian Princess, and resisted it be- cause he had lost his heart to this beautiful daughter of the Duke of Rutland.
 Prince Arthur is said to have vowed that he would remain single if he could not marry Lady Marjorie. But with the unattanable definitely re- moved, he may become more tractable to his Royal relatives, who are anx- ious that he shall make marriage which will pave the way for his pro- motion one day as VicerOy of India.