Weekly News. — 1891-12-31 (Blandford, Dorset, England)

ELLICOTT'S MITRE.  At the morning service at Bristol Cathedral cit Christmas Day there was a very large congregation, it having been announced several days before that the Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol would wear, for the first time, the cope and mitre presented to hint some weeks since. The acceptance of these gifts has caused much offence to the Evangelical party in Bristol, and Mr. James Inskip, a prominent member Cl that party, attended the service, and openly expressed his determination to raise a protest in the event of the Bishop putting on the mitre. He did not protest against his Lordship assuming the cope, although he objected to it. Certain changes have been made in the Cathedral since the death of Dean Elliott; a few days after his death candlesticks, with candles and a brass cross, were placed on the Communion-table, and at the Christmas Day service there were flowers in vases on the table. All through Dean Elliott's time nothing of the sort was permitted. Other alterations have also been made in the service lately. The Bishop's resolve to wear the vestments had been freely discussed in the city, and the large attendance betokened the interest excited in the matter. The service commenced at half-past 10 in the choir, the lower part of which was tilled with worshippers. In the procession the Bishop wore the cope and the mitre from the Chapter House along the cloisters as far as the entrance to the nave, when he took it off and carried it in his hand. When he had taken his seat, the Bishop put on the black skull cap which he usually wears in any service in which he takes part,and he did not put on the mitre at any time during the service. Prayers having been asked on behalf of the Ven. Archdeacon Norris, of Bristol, who is seriously ill, the sermon was preached by Canon Robeson. At the conclusion of the service, an offertory was taken on behalf of the Cathedral Improvement Fund. A number of persons remained to witness the celebration of the Communion, but there was no disturbance.  It was stated that at the early Communion * scripture reader attached to one of the parish churches was present, and shouted, referring to the cross and candles, "What would Dean Elliott have said to this?" After the Communion service began in the morning those persona who were standing about in the choir, watching to see if the Bishop put on the mitre, were requested to be seated, or not to stand about the aisle. They walked down the nave, and remained watching the Bishop for some time. Towards the end of the service, there being no probability of the mitre being worn, these gentlemen left the Cathedral, and the service was shortly afterwards concluded. The Bishop wore his skull cap all the time; but on entering the cloisters in the returning procession he put on the mitre. A good deal of comment was made upon the fact that the Bishop took the eastward position. In explanation, it was stated that he first adopted the eastward position in Bristol Cathedral on Sunday, and that he usually took that position in Gloucester Cathedral and in other churches in his diocese.  There is, a Paris correspondent says, a strong presumption that Lieutenant Anastay, who murdered Baroness Dellard, is insane. Robbery, it appears, was the motive of his horrible crime.  A Berlin correspondent says that the city is full ef German soldiers on leave from all parts of the country, so that all uniforms of the army are seen An the streets. Many peasants have also come up tz Berlin from the country to see their relatives in the garrison. Some of these from Rhineland were in the grounds of Sans &mei, when they asked an adjutant, who was with the Emperor, how they nould get to see his Majesty. The Emperor conversed with them, and, after shaking hands with them all, put them in charge of a gardener to ahem them the Palace grounds.  Messrs. Griffith, Farmn, and Co. publish a new edition, in one volume, of Mrs. Hungerford't popular tale, "A Born Coquette." • While in Italy last summer Sir F. Pollock wrote an imginative paper, entitled, "Sir Michael a Hentasy an an Altarpiece of Perugino," which Will shortly be published in ifesenalas a Magazine. Mr. Heinemann is publishing M. Maeterlinck'. two dramas, "The Princess Maleine" and "The Intruder," in one volume, with an introduction by Mg. Hall Caine.