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Notes from South Wales.
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Notes from South Wales. (From our Special Correspondent). The Battle of the Sites. It was generally anticipated that the real competition for the location of the National Library and Museum would lie between Cardiff and Aberystwyth. Swansea, however, has now entered the lists, and Sir J. T. D. Llewellyn is vigorously championing Abertawe. There is a consensus of opinion, however, that Aberystwyth will secure the National Library, and that either Cardiff or Swansea will secure the National Museum. Veteran Welsh Actor. The number of Welshmen who have become prominent on the stage are very few. Perhaps, Mr. Lewis Ball, who died at Teignmouth, the other day, was the only one who attained to anything approaching success during the last decade. Mr. Ball was born at the picturesque little town of Builth Wells, in Breconshire, in October, 1820. He made his first appearance on the stage when he was only three years of age. He acted, as a child, with Mme. Celeste and Ira Aldridge, the black tragedian. In subsequent years he played with Miss Faucit (Lady Martin) and G. V. Brooke, and in the year 1852, he joined Samuel Phelps at Sadler's Wells, and as a Shakesperian clown he attained quite a reputation. In 1881, he joined Mr. Edward Compton's Comedy Company, and for seventeen years played old men in old English Comedy. Mr. Ball retired from the stage seven years ago, and died at Teignmouth as just stated. Prince Llewellyn. We are getting very enthusiastic in Wales in reference to the proposed National Library and Museum. This is most laudable and satis- factory. At the same time it is to be regretted that our patriotism has not yet been strong enough to ensure the erection of a suitable memorial to gallant Prince Llewellyn. It is, indeed, a reflection upon us as a nation that such a memorial has not been erected. I am glad to notice that the reference to the subject made in these notes some weeks ago, has given rise to a coirespondence in the LONDON WELSH- MAN, and it is to be hoped that some practical scheme will be evolved as a result. The North Wales Welsh Conservative paper, Gwalia, com- menting in its leading notes on the correspon- dence, observes :—" Mac Cenedlaetholdeb yn swnio'n dda ar Iwyfan, ond rhyfedd mor ddieffaith ydyw i gynyrchu haelfrydedd hyd yn nod at amcanion teilwng." There is much truth, alas in that observation. Still, I cannot see why we cannot do something to ensure the erection of a memorial to the last real Prince of Wales. Of course, I admit that we have in Wales a class of people who will not raise one finger in a patriotic cause unless they can be the ceffyl blaen, but surely it is not always necessary to consult the recognised leaders." This is a matter which could well be taken up by Young Wales. We have plenty of young Welshmen who would get a memorial erected, if once they can be induced to make a start in the matter. Would it not be possible to have a monument to the dead Prince erected at Llanwrtyd, in the vicinity of which place Prince Llewellyn made his last stand for national independence ? There are thousands of Welshmen visiting Llanwrtyd every summer. Why not arrange to hold a meeting there next July or August, and start a subscription list at once. From my intimate knowledge of Llanwrtyd I am confident that
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WELSH FOLK IN THE WEST.
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WELSH FOLK IN THE WEST. THE Welsh residents of the "Three Towns" of Devonport, Stonehouse, and Plymouth, met recently to consider the steps to be taken for observing St. David's Day in the West Country After some discussion it was resolved that instead of the dinner which has been held in previous years, the celebration this year should consist of a social evening and concert, and the following committee was appointed to carry out the arrangements :—The Rev. Maurice Jones, S.C.F. (chairman), the Rev. Rhys Harries, Dr. Hunter Richards, Councillor Stroud, and Messrs. E. Lewis and Afanfryn Hill, with Mr. S. R. John, 258, Beaumont-road, Plymouth, as Hon. Secretary. The Rev. Rhys Harries said, that since he had been in Plymouth he had received many requests that Welsh services should occasionally be held in some place accessible from all parts of the Three Towns. He felt sure that if that meeting could take some steps in that direction its action would be appreciated by large numbers of Welsh folk. On the motion of Dr. Hunter Richards, seconded by the Rev. Thomas Davies, it was resolved that the committee be desired to take steps for carrying the suggestion into effect.
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Notes from South Wales.
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there would be no difficulty in getting a site there. It would, indeed, be an inspiration to Welsh people visiting Llanwrtyd each summer to see such a monument, surrounded, as it would be, by the beautiful mountains that inspired brave Prince Llewellyn, like they have inspired many other Welshmen since those romantic days. Arise, Young Wales, and do your duty in this matter B Snobs and the Welsh Language. There was an interesting discussion at the last meeting of the Joint Standing Committee of the Breconshire County Council. Mr. Cobb moved a resolution to the effect "that recruits and officers imported into the County Police Force must be able to speak and write Welsh." Mr. Jones-Parry seconded, but the resolution was lost by ten votes to five. As the most important districts of the county, viz. :— Brynmawr, Beaufort, Dukestown, Hirwain, and Ystradgynlais, are typically Welsh districts, the resolution of Mr. Cobb was perfectly justified. Without wishing in any way to make political capital out of this resolution it is very instructive to point out, nevertheless, that all the Con- servatives on the committee (which included one Lord, one Anglican clergyman, and three army colonels) voted against the resolution, whilst the five who voted for the resolution are Liberals. So much for Breconshire snobbery Worthy of Emulation. Many Englishmen and Englishwomen who come to Wales display considerable interest in the Welsh language, and eventually acquire a knowledge of it. The other day, for example, Mrs. Crawley-Boevey, who distributed the prizes at the Earl of Lisburne's school at Llanafan, Cardiganshire, gave a short address in Welsh, to the keen delight of the children, who cheered the lady vigorously. Mrs. Crawley-Boevey, who only commenced learning the language a com- paratively short time ago, promises at no distant date to become quite an able Welsh speaker. I may also add that after the prizes had been distributed, the children sang, Hen Wlad fy Nhadau," in which Mrs. Crawley-Boevey joined. It is pleasant to chronicle incidents such as these, and the tribe of Die Shon Dafyddion who are still to be found in our little nation ought to hide their heads in a sack for shame when they find English men and English women taking such kindly interest in our language, and thereby giving the aforesaid D.S.D.'s a much needed rebuke. A Picturesque Bazaar. There was an exceedingly pretty bazaar in connection with one of the Nonconformist churches at Abercarn, the other day. All the lady stall-holders were dressed in Welsh costume, whilst the officials wore leek buttonholes. The effect was decidedly pretty, and all who attended were delighted. By the way, it is several years since I saw a Welsh woman attired in the native costume. The last one I saw was at Carmarthen market. The tall hat gave Guildhall Square quite a picturesque appearance. Football Mems. The Welsh Football Union have just voted jQioo towards the funds of the London Welsh Football Club. Mr. Jack Jones, late of Pontypool, is now playing for Guy's Hospital. The football critics state that he did exceed- ingly well against the Estade Francais. By the way, the French team in question will visit South Wales shortly, to play Swansea and Cardiff. Gwyn Nicholls, the famous international, an ex-captain of the Cardiff Football Club, has again decided to take an active part in the game. Simmons, the Swansea lad who played so well for the Welsh schoolboys in their match against the English schoolboys last winter, has left for London. .Simmons is a promising athlete, and has already won many prizes in athletic sports. The international match, Wales v. Ireland, at Swansea, is arousing keen interest. All the grand stand tickets have already been sold. The many South Wales friends of A.. F. Harding, London Welsh, are glad to hear that he is recovering from the effects of his injuries at Inverleith. Titled Lady Bookseller. Lady Wimborne, who is well known in South Wales owing to her family's close connection with the great Dowlais Ironworks, has, I notice, become a bookseller. Her shop is called "The Church of England Book Store," and is located at 8, Dover Street, Piccadilly. Its primary object, I understand, is to provide literature of moderate and sound Church views, but all sorts of books will also be supplied. "A new feature of the shop," said her ladyship to a pressman, is a saloon, tastefully fitted and furnished with chairs and tables for reading, so that a customer may sit down and glance through a book he or she thinks of purchasing." Lady Wimborne was present at Mr. Evan Roberts' Revival meetings in Dowlais, and had a long and interesting inter- view with the Welsh Revivalist. The Rev. William James. One of the most highly respected and scholarly Welsh Calvinistic Methodists is the Rev. William James, pastor of Bethania Chapel, Aberdare, and it need hardly be said that the news of his continued illness has evoked sympathy through- out Wales generally. Owing to his illness Mr. James tendeied his resignation, but the members of the chapel declined to accept it, declaring that be Mr. James's future career long or short he should go down to his grave by the name he is popularly known, viz., "William James, of Bethania." It is interesting to note that Mr. James has held the pastorate since he left college 35 years ago.