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-------NOTES & NOTIONS. .
NOTES & NOTIONS. TO NATURE. Reveal thyself in all thy love and sweetness, 0 mother mine, reveal thyself to me; Vouchsafe to bless me with thy wondrous pre-ence, Grant that my eyes thy lovelinens may see. Earth, sky, and sea are but the gloriaus vesture Or the grand temple of thy spirit blest; Help me to love all tilings I see around me, Then will my troubled soul in thee nnd rest. I shall in truth be one with- thee, great Nature, When I have learnt to read thy mighty scroll, And I have drank the wine of life thou givest To all who love thee with their heart and soul. H. P. W. Mr. Graham Vivian entertained at dinner, at his residence in Belgr ave-square, on the 12th inst., the Earl and Countess of Albemarle, the Countess of Leicester and Lady Mabel Coke, the Earl of Northbrook, the Countess De La Warr, Lord and Lady Barnard, Lady Conyers, Honble. A. Hood, Mr. H. and Lady Maude Vivian, Sir Francis and Mrs. Montefiore, Mrs. Murray, offoionaise. Mr. Petre, Mr.A. Farquhar, and the Honorable Odo Vivian. And on the 13th inst., The Dnchess of Roxburghe and Lady Sybil Janes Kerr, the Marchioness of Blandford, the Mar- chioness of Headfort, Isabella Countess of Wilton, Viscount Newport, Lord and Lady Brougham, Lord Suffield, Lady Vivian and Honble. Violet Vivian, Lord Vivian, Mr. G. Cavendish Bentinek, Captain Vandeleur and Honble. Odo Vivian. It is becoming more and more impossible to regard France as a civilised country. French- men, with the modesty that becomes them so well, still imagine that everyone shares their de- lusion that Paris is the Athens of the modern world, and that France is the home of refined taste and refined sentiment. We have learnt something in the last year or two of their sense of justice, toleration, and humanity. The latest mews gives fresh evidence that these are not the only virtues they have lost. We have our riots from time to time in other countries than France, but the stripping of a woman stark naked by rioters is eminently characteristic of a land where -the worship of lubricity has become the national cult, and shows that the "Loire marriages" would be perfectly possible if a new revolution were to occur to-day. And what is to be said of the disgusting spectacle to which the well-dressed flocked from all parts the other day and paid .high prices to witness—a wild beast contest such as the world fondly believed t had been for ever delivered from a good many centuries ago. When fine French ladies step down into the arena and clamour for the blood of a lion which had not shown the sport expected of him, it; o evident that the most degraded and rotten period of the dying Empire of Rome offers the only parallel to modern Franoe. It is sad to see a people, that was once great, giving so startling an exhibition -of profligate brutality. The German Emperor never oses an opportu- nity of trying to show friendliness to France, and -the telegram he sent the other day to President Loubet was assuredly an olive-branch of very generous proportions. A laudation of the French Navy was a safer thing to venture upon than any praise of its army, especially since France is just now by way of setting a good deal of store by her fighting strength on the sea. The Kaiser is a distinguished practitioner of the art of concilia- "tion by telegram—only occasionally the messages get sent to the wrong address. This time, how- ever, all is well, although it may be doubted whether even his latest wire" will make it quite possible for him to pay that visit to next year's Paris Exhibition which he is understood •to be anxious for. It is, no doubt, nearly a gene- ration sin 3e the events of 1870-71; but we fancy .quite another generation will be necessary before the official presence of a German Emperor will be possible in the French capital-short, of course, of some great European convulsion productive of alliances which at present seem impossible. The Times special report on the present con- dition of British crops for the year should be of great interest, not only to farmers, but to the whole British public. For, after all, agriculture remains our largest industry, and its prosperity or the reverse must react upon all other branches of the national trade. Unfortunately, the infor- mation contained in the report is far from cheer- ing as far as the immediate present is soncerned, though we are assured that considerable modifi- eations may still result from the weather of the next two or three months. At present, however, .all three of the cere il crops compare unfavour- ably with this lime last year, and this applies to every section of the island. Of the three crops wheat is nearest the normal, but even that is con- siderably in arrear, only eight counties being up to the average as against Z7 this time last year. Mr. A. J. Oborn, of the Swansea Borough Engineer's office, is amongst the few candidates selected for a personal interview ror an ap- pointment in the office of the Waterworks Engineer to the Liverpool Corporation. .The announcement that Mr. Philip Richard intends to sink collieiies in j the neighbourhood of Clyne Valley has excited considerable local interest. When the Light Railways Commission, presided over by Lord Jersey, visited Swansea in 1897 to deal with the application for powers to construct the much-talked of light railway into Gower, Mr. John Roberts gave evidence which might well be re-called just now. It was intended to run this railway through Clyne Valley, and along North Gower. According to Mr. Roberts the first six miles ran over the coal measures proper; the next mile or so over the carboni. ferious limestone the next two miles over old sandstone, and the remainder of the line over carboniferous limestone. For a distance of four miles the line would run parallel to the strike of the measures, and along the outcrops of several valuable seams of coal. The whole of the lower ironstone of Aberdare series of stone would be available to the proposed line." Mr. Roberts estimated a workable thickness of 33 feet, and a total available reserve of coal amounting to twenty-eight million tons. The quality of the coal would be bituminous, and well suited to the requirements of the various manufactories of the district, notably for gas producing, cooking, and other purposes. The area and quantity of lime- stone available to the line was enormous, and it ought to find a ready market, either as a fiux for blast furnaces, or for lime burning, and subse- quent use for agricultural and building purposes. The proposed line would afford the facilities so long needed for conveying anthracite coal to the lime-producing country, as well as for bringing the lime away for distribution to the various markets available to it. He was of opinion that for mining purposes the situation of the line would serve Gower throughout, and would, in faet, prove a great boon to the district. It would serve to open up an industry in mining, lime burning, and brick making, which would other- wise be neglected owing to the non-accessibility of the coal seams and other minerals available to the proposed liue." The Metropolitan Bank of England and Wales have recently 1st the contract for their new Wind-street Branch Bank to Messrs. J. and F. Weaver. The new premises will adjoin Messrs. Lloyd's Bank. This new building will form another improvement of architectural merit to Wind-street. On the ground floor will be a spacious banking chamber with strong room and manager's room adjoining with lavatories, etc., for the use of clerks. All these rooms will be fitted up with mahogany doors, windows, and dado, the floors being of mosaic and wood block flooring. On the first and second floor will be well-lighted offices with lavatories, etc., for their special use. The exterior will be built of stone and brick. The building has been designed by Messrs. Wilson and Moxham, architects, Swansea. In next week's issue of "Madame" there will appear the opening chapters of a new serial story by Ouida. It is a tale of Italian life, and the author thinks it one of her best Among the list of new magistrates for the county is the name of Mr. C. L. Bath, Swansea.. The copper statistics issued on Monday evening revealed an interesting change, for while the stocks showed an increase of 673 tons a fortnight ago, on Tuesday they indicated a decrease of 1,139 tons. During the fortnight the price of the metal has risen from £ 76 15s. per ton to JE77, which compares with L49 15s. a year ago. The total stocks on Saturday last stood at 28,515 tons compared with 29,004 tons at the end of June, and 29,281 tons a month ago. As the rise in the price of metal was only 5s. per ton in the fort- night despite the decrease in the supply, it is pretty clear that the American combine is not powerful enough to control the output and the price. No one who read in the early news from Manchester on Monday that Quaife, Fry, Ranji, and Maclaren ;vere out for 47, dared to hope for such a score as 372 for England. The credit is, of course, chiefly due to Hayward's superb innings of 130—the first century scored in a test match on the English side this year. He and Mr. Jackson were so successful in knocking the Australian bowlers off their length that the bats- men who followed were able to make invaluable additions to the total. No doubt the drying up of the dew on the grass made the ball come along a bit truer after the first hour's play. Young and Bradley, for the last wicket, knocked up 35 runs in 15 minutes. The Essex professional again showed that he is a batsman not to be altogether despised, and it is likely enough that in a year or two he will be a very fine all-round cricketer. At present he has no great wealth of stroke but he is clever on the leg-side and hits hard. I To-morrow (Saturday) week, July 29fch, an excursion will be made to Weobly, Gower, under the auspices of the Swansea Scientific Society. Brakes will leave the Royal Institution of South Wales at 1.30 p.m. The guides will be, archaeological, Col. Morgan and Mr. A. G. Moffat botanical, Rev. R. Jackett. This promises to be one of the most delightful excursions of the season, and those who intend taking part in it would do well to secure tickets at once. Application should be made to the hon. secretary, Mr. W. Terrill, St. George's-terrace, or to Mr. Evan Lewis at the Royal Institution. The present season and the forthcoming winter session of the Swansea Scientific Society promise to be hisrhly successful. The member- ship is being well mqintained, and the interest in the active work of the Society seems to be increasing. With the very valuable assistance of the zealous hon. secretary, Mr. W. Terrill, the committee have suggested several important alterations in, and additions to, the rules. When adopted-as no doubt they will be—they will allow of students joining the Society upon pay- ment of 2s. 6d. per annnm. It is to be hoped that, the students of Swansea and district will take full advantage of this rule, which we believe will have an important bearing upon the future of the Society. For the coming winter session a very attractive programme of short lectures is in course of preparation. Will those who feel disposed to prepare lectures—which must be brief-on archaeology, philology, geology, natural history, &c.. communicate at once with the hon. secretary, Mr. W. Terrill. To-morrow (Saturday) the second annual picnic of the South Wales and Monmouthshire Com- mercial Travellers' Association, will be held at Llantwit Major. The old church and monuments will be inspected under the guidance of the Rev. W. Wentworth Scott; Mr. Thomas Jones will give a brief historical sketch of the ancient hall and places of interest in the district the old castle of St. Donat's, the Colburgh Valley, the old ruins and tide-washed caverns, &c., will also be visited. Several prominent members of the Cambrian Archaeological Association are expected to accompany the party as guides. The programme is an attractive and ambitious one, and given fine weather a most enjoyable day should be spent. The arrangements are complete, and reflect credit upon the hon. secretaries, Mr. T. Edgar John, The Promenade, Swansea, and Mr. Hatton Evans, 20, Hickman-rcad. Penarth The Swansea section will lpave High-street (G.W.R.) at 9.40 a.m., and the Card:ff section will leave Riverside Station (Barry Railway) at 11.5. The refusal of the Home Secretary to recom- mend the Queen to commute the death sentence passed upon Mary Ansell will serve to dispel a popular illusion. So seldom is the extreme penalty of the law enforced in the case of female culprits that it has come to be accepted as an axiom that capital punishment has ceased in this country, so far as the weaker sex is concerned. The fate of Ansell is a reminder that this assumption is an unwarrantable one, and that both in theory and in practice the law is no respecter of persons. There is little doubt that the Royal clemency has been, over and over again, exercised to save an intended victim from the gallows, mainly, if not solely, on account of sex and the sentiment of the nation has generally approved the act of mercy. In the case of the wretched woman, however, to whom this boon was denied-if boon it be to exchange death for penal servitude for life—there does nof appear to have been the slightest ground upon which interference with the due course of the law would have been justified. An attempt was made, after the trial, to obtain for Mary Ansell a reprieve, on the score o insanity, but it utterly collapsed and that plea having gone we fail to see how the Home Secretary could have acted otherwise than he has done, so long as capital punishment remains on the Statute Book of the realm. His duty is not to make but to enforce the law. It is, perhaps, not a matter for surprise that, as a result of Sir Mathew White Ridley's decision in this case, there should be an outcry in some quarters against the execution of women under any circumstances, no matter how diabolical the crime of which they are proved guilty. We cannot believe, however, that the abolition of the death penalty, if and when it comes, will take any snch partial form as that. To have any hope of success, the would-be reformers must base their appeal upon higher grounds than the dis- tinction between the sexes, for Mary Ansell's case supplies abundant evidence, if such were needed, that an equally strong deterrent to the commis- sion of the gravest crime known to the law is necessary for some women as it unfortunately is for some members of the sterner sex. The decision of the Corporation not to "keep alive" the license of the Green Dragon public- house is very proper and dignified. We hold that no great governing authority should traffic in licenses, or even attempt to make profit out of one when that opportunity occurs, as it has oocurred by the acquirement of the premises on the Strand by the Cold Storage Company. There are too many houses of the "Green Dragon type in our midst, and the town would be the healthier and the stronger for their total extinction. The Corporation would cover itself with shame were it to assist in the maintenance of the present number of licenses for the sake of a few hundred pounds. Such a proceeding would be in direct opposition to the spirit of the licensing laws, and we are glad, therefore, that Dr. Rawlings and his friends carried their point at W edneaday 'a Council meeting. The Oystermouth Tennis Club is firmly established, and the hon. secretary (Mr. Smale) and hon. treasurer (Mr. Smith) are to bi congratulated upon its present position. Two very excellent court 8, in the charming grounds of the Langland Bay Hotel Company, have been rented for the season, and every evening several fames are played.
SWANSEA'S NEW LAW COURTS.
SWANSEA'S NEW LAW COURTS. SHALL THEY BE PLACED IN A BACK STREET ? i IMPORTANT STATEMENTS. T cannot but think it an evil sign of a people when their houses are built to last for one generation only. This is no slight, no consequeticless evil it is ominous, in. fectious, and fecund of other fault. and misfortune."— RUSKIN. He would take the most central site, sweep avjay old buildings, and put up such a handsome pile of buildings which the town in ten years ivould fully justify."—MAYOR OF SWANSEA. A handsome new hotel has been erected in Wind-street—the Hotel Metropole the Post Office authorities are building fine new offices in Wind-street; the Metropolitan Bank Company are about to erect new con- spicuous edifices in the same thoroughfare Mr. Solomon Andrews has commenced operations in Goat-street and Temple-street —all the best new buildings are being placed in the centre of the town. The next five years will unquestionably see a great architectural improvement in this part of Swansea. Yet the Corporation proposes to build new law courts in a mean back street! The blunder will not be allowed, however, without a great effort being made to prevent it. The intelligence and the patriotism of the town are strongly opposed to it. There exist differ- encea of opinion, of course, but we claim we are right in stating that the great majority of the more thoughtful and intelligent burgesses object to Alexandra-road for the law courts. Below we publish some inter- esting and significant expressions of :1 opinion :— MB. C. H. GLASCODINE, BARRISTER-AT-LAW. Mr. C. H. Glascodine is not in favour of the Alexandra-road site. If the members of the Council," he adds, want to show our visitors the ugliest part of the town, Greenhill would have been better." Mr. Glascodine advo- cates the erection of law courts, municipal offices, etc., on a large, central site. This is what I advocated 20 years ago, he says, when I wrote a pamphlet on the subject, pro- testing against frittering away money on patch- ing up and mending, and alterations and addi- tions, and the little schemes of little-minded men." Further, Mr. Glascodine thinks the Cor- poration should erect buildings worthy of the town. "In my opinion the rights of property ought not to be deemed to include the right to put up buildings that offend the eye any more than to make smells that offend the nose. And the public authorities should lead the way in putting up buildings that add to the beauty of the town and improve the public taste." MR. D. LLEUFER THOMAS, BARRISTER-AT- LAW. Ordinarily, I do not like to see a public body reversing its judgment almost immediately after arriving at its decision. But if a mistake has been made, such a reversal is unquestionably the better policy. There is certainly a possibility—almost amount- ing to a probability—that if Law Courts were built on the Alexandra Road site, they might suffer from exactly the same disadvantages as the present courts, namely, noise and inadequate ventilation. And should that prove the case, Swansea might very well lose the Assizes, even after a large expenditure of money had been in- curred, but on an unsuitable site. At all costs, the site selected should enjoy a comparative im- munity from noise, and be such that the buildings erected on it could be most thoroughly ventilated in the hottest days of summer, for it is at the end of July and the beginning of August that the Assizss are usually held in the town. It seems to me that the safest site to select, as well as the most suitable from every point of view, would be that ayproved by his Honour Judge Gwilym Williams, namely at the Laurels. As to your other two questions, I cannot ex- press myself too strongly in favour of bringing together all the municipal offices, and housing them in close proximity to it, if not in part of the same building as the proposed Law Courts, and also in favour of making such buildings architecturally handsome and imposing. When viewing" bouses for the purpose of a residence in Swansea, some two years ago, I had personal experience of the wearisome and aggra- vating inconvenience of having to hunt up Cor- poration officials in separate buildings, and even in different streets, so as to obtain information as to the rateable value, water supply, sanitary condition, &c., of various houses I had previously viewed. I wasted much time and more patience in the hunt. For the Corporation itself such a chaotic disorder involves a perpetual waste- like a gas or water leakage. It is high time to put an end to it! Since settling in the town (the above were pre- liminary obstacles) I have been painfully struck with the deprecatory and apologetic tone in which residents are in the habit of referring to their public institutions, with perhaps one or two ex- ceptions, Imposing Law Courts and Municipal Offices, would, I think, tend to create among Swanseaites what I may call a public and corpo- rate sense of self-respect, which is now almost entirely wanting, and would also go a long way to foster a healthy and stimulating pride in their town, whcso unity and solidarity would then be always conoretetely represented to them by a handsome building of artistic design and com- manding elevation. If the members of the Corporation have any faith in the future of their town, they will re- cognise, even at the eleventh hour, the wisdom of providing for that future by means of an ambi- tious and comprehensive scheme. If they regard Swansea as a sort of decaying village-well, anything will do—or, still better, nothing need be done." COL. MORGAN favours Alexandra-road, provided the Victoria site is rejected." He is opposed to the erection of law courts, municipal offices, etc., and adds "The big town improvement we want is to reduce the rates so that capitalists will invest their money in the place but the public buildings should be worthy of the town." MR. J. R. RICHARDS, SOLICITOR, is opposed to Alexandra-road. It would be far better," he says, to continue to improve and use the Town Hall for the purposes of law courts than build law courts in Alexandra-road. It is one of the most unsuitable places in the town. I am in favour of the Corporation erect- ing suitable public edifices when and where necessary. I certainly think it will be wiser to acquire a central site, large enough to accommo- date law courts, municipal offices, and a central fire brigade and police station." MR. C. L. BATH, J.P., thinks the centre of the town is the proper place for public buildings, and especially for law courts, municipal offices," etc., but they should not be built until the town can afford it." MR. T. R. W. MASON. Thoroughly disapproves of Alexandra-road. He would like to see courts built in Victoria Park, because as well as being free from noises it would save a tremendous expense in buying old houses and other properties. The Park is also accessible by the L. & N. Railway, the trams, and the motor cars. It would not do, of course, to erect the municipal offices and the fire brigade station there, became it would be rather an out-of-the- way plaoe for the headquarters of the police and other officials. MR. ALBERT MASON, J.P. Favours the Alexandra-road site. His idea is to build on the south side of the road, attached to the Free Library, and if Pleasant-street and all those oldfeottages on the Pleasant-street side, next to the Trinity Church Schoolroom, were pulled down, there would be plenty of room for municipal offices of all kinds. (MR. JOHN BBADER, WIND STREET.) The law courts should be placed in a central posi- tion. The Castle Hotel site is Mr. Brader's favour- ite. The opportunity should be seized to effect a great town improvement. Caer-street and St. Mary-street are a disgrace to the town. If courts were placed on the Castle Hotel site, lock-up shops could be built, which would bring in a large income. He agrees with The Cambrian that the Corporation should erect handsome edifices-worthy of the town, and as an evidence of our faith in the future. The approaches to Alexandra Road are by no means attractive, I and the site chosen is in a street through which heavy traffic and large numbers of cattle pass. He believes that if Sir Johu Llewelyn were ap- proached he would do his best to assist the town. It would certainly be wiser and more economical to build law courts, municipal offices and a cen- tral fire brigade and police station on one site. The present proposal of the Corporation is of the ¡ penny wise and pound foolish type. (MR. PARRY, OXFORD STREET). Mr. Parry, the well-known printer and sta- ioner, favours Victoria Park. The municipal offices might well remain where they are. (MR. TAYLOR-MESSRS. TAYLOR & Co). It would be a great mistake to build law courts in Alexandra Road. In all probability Victoria Park would, in a few years, be as central a place as could be found. With the development of the electrical railways, Gower, Mumbles, and the whole of that district, Swansea was bound to grow that way. Of course, some might say that it was a public park, set aside for the pur- poses of recreation, but he does not see why that point need be raised. The neighbourhood of Swansea abounds with commons, the air of which is acknowledged to be very healthy, the scenery charming, and probably few persons are aware of an act of Parliament which, if the Swansea Cor- poration took advantage of it, might place these common s under their control for recreation pur- poses. If the Open Spaces Committee were to consult the Town Clerk with the view of finding out their exact position with regard to all com- mons within five or six miles of Swansea, they would probably be surprised at the result. It would be very desirable to get the law courts, municipal offices, fire brigade stations, &c., all in one large block of buildings. (MR. WAY, BOOKSELLER), Wind Street, disapproves of the Alexandra-road, site, and is greatly in favour of the Council erecting in a more central position law courts and all the public offices combined. I believe," said Mr. Way, "in an enlightened and progressive policy, and would rather pay a little more to have a building worthy of the town and of its increa- sing importance." MR. JENNINGS, CLOTHIER, &C., Castle Bailey-street, is of opinion that the best is the Castle Hotel site. In the event of the town being unable to acquire it, the second best was the Alexandra Road site. It would, he says, be very much better if the courts, municipal offices, fire brigade station, &c., were all in one building. MR. T. YORATH, HIGH STREET Favours the Alexandra Road site because it is Corporation property, and also because it is one of the most central spots in Swansea, being the main thoroughfare from the Great Western Rail- wa Station to Walter-road—one of the most handsome and finest streets in the Principality- and Sketty. The Law Courts should be placed opposite the Public Library, and the whole of the municipal offices built on the triangular piece of ground adjoining, thus supplying a great need, centralising the whole municipal offices and law courts, and utilising the Corporation's own freehold ground. By doing this we should also effect a decided town improvement. Mr. Yorath adds that in advocating the Alexandra Road site he was perfectly disinterested as to business or property benefit whatseover. MR. PHILIP JENKINS, CASTLE SQUARE. One of the worst sites the Council could pick upon not a redeeming feature in it, as far as I can see." Such are the views of Mr. Jenkins with regard to the Alexandra Road site. He is also strongly of opinion that to build the Courts in Alexandra Road would be a waste of public money. The neighbourhood is more noisy," than the present, because when the Judges sit at the Guildhall the traffic is stopped and bark laid upon the road, and the only noises are those from the harbour whereas in Alexandra-road the trams run continually, and cattle on the way to the slaughter house make much noise. It is not at all a desirable situation for law courts, and the approaches to it are certainly not good. The most suitable site in his opinion is in Goat- street, and all the public offices and law courts should be in one large building. It would be better to carry out the scheme properly while we are about it, and let offices around the building. MR. WEBBER, JEWELLER, OXFORD STREET, also has a poor opinion of the Alexandra site but the great point, he says, would be the altera- tion of the venue of business. If we build law courts in Alexandra-road, the business at present done in Wind-street and Oxford-street would be removed to Alexandra-road. Now most of the offices are situated in Wind-street and its neighbourhood but if the law courts are erected in Alexandra-road, people would take offices in that vicinity. It is time we settled where the courts were to be placed, because the present ones are a disgrace to the town, and caused great inconvenience to those who had bu- siness there. MR. JENKINS (MESSRS. JENKINS & Co.,) OXFORD STREET, also disapproves of the Alexandra-road site. He thinks it would be more economical in the long run for the Corporation to acquire a central site, and to erect law courts, municipal offices, central fire brigade staton, &c., all in one large and up- to-date building. MR. D. C. JONES, CASTLE SQUARE, Does not favour the erection of law courts in Alexandra-road. It would be a, waste of money. He prefers the Castle Hotel site, and has doubt that the owners of the land, were they approached, would assist the Corpora- tion. Sir John Llewelyn had always taken a great interest in Swansea, and if approached he would be quite willing to render all the help he possibly could.
[No title]
SERIOUS CYCLING ACCIDENT IN GOWER — A serious bicycling accident occurred near Port Eynon on Sunday. Mr. Gordon Langdon, the son of Major Langdon, wat riding into Swansea after attending a cyclist's church parade at Port Eynon, with several friends, and shortly after leaving the village Mr. Langdon was thrown off his bicycle and rendered uncon- scious. His friends came back and rendered every assistance possible, conveying Mr. Langdon to the residence of Lieuts. Alfred Thomas and Herschel Jones. Here he received great kindness at the bands of Mr. Thomas and his sister, Mrs. Towers, and Major and Mrs. Langdon were immediately apprised of the accident by Mr. Norman Bell, who covered the distance of about 20 miles to Swansea, in a, little more than an hour. Medical aid was fortu- nately, near at hand, and although the accident was at first thought to be fatal, Mr. Langdon, we are glad to hear, is now progressing favour- ably. Major Langdon wishes to express his gratitude to Mrs. Towers, Mr. Alf. Thomas and Mr. Herschel Jones, for their kindness, as well as to the members of the 3rd G.R.V. ard 1st G.V.A. Cyclist Corps, who rendered valuable first aid.
WELSH NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD.
WELSH NATIONAL EISTEDDFOD. GREAT GATHERINGS AT CARDIFF. COMPETITIONS—RESULTS- SPEECHES. (BY OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT). The Welsh National Eitsteddfod opened at Cardiff, on Tuesday. The Gorsedd cere- monial on Cathays Park fulfilled the most sanguine expectations. Great things had been anticipated, and now when the opening ceremonies connected with the quaint and ancient institution of the Beirdd of Ynys Prydain come to te looked back upon, it has to be conceded that they provided a display at once the most imposing and impressive of all the spec- tacular events ever witnessed in Cardiff. The weather was that of an ideal summer morning, and about 8 o'clock it was estimated that a crowd of 5,000 to 6,000 persons had assembled in the vicinity of the Logan Stone. The procession was marshalled by Dr. W. Williams and Mr. Tom John (Ffagan), chairman and hon. secretary respectively of the Gorsedd Committee, at the back of the Town Hall. In this onerous duty they were greatly assisted by Head Constable McKenzie and a posse of mounted police. There were two processions, the first being the ordinary one of the bards and local officials, and the second consisting entirely of the visitors from Brittany. The picturesque effect of the procession appealed to all. The Druids in their robes of white, the bards attired in blue, and the ovates in green were the cynosure of all eyes en route. The banner of the Gorsedd, the gift of Sir Arthur Stepney, was a conspicuous feature; more especially in that it was escorted, in the capacity of standard bearers, by two ladies j attractively attired in Gorseddol robes, and by | representatives of the Breion and Highland delegations in their national costumes. These were Miss Ap Caledfryn, of Llandrindod, and Miss Griffiths, Newport. The Gorsedd sword, a formidable weapon five feet high, the gift of Pro- fessor Herkomer, R.A., was borne aloft by Coch- farf, the Gorsedd sword-bearer, who walked im- mediately preceding an open carriage containing Lord Windsor, the president of the Eisteddfod. Seated with his lordship in the carriage was Mr. A. W. Moore, the Speaker of the House of Keys, Isle of Man, and Lord Castletown of Upper Ossory, president of the Irish Pan-Celtic Con- gress Committee. The Hirlas Horn, the gift of Lord Tredegar to the Gorsedd, was placed on a hand carriage covered with embroidered cloth, and conveyed in the procession by a body of Commissionaires. Several open landaus fol- lowed, in one of which sat Hwfa M6n, the Arch- druid, resplendent in his white robes of office, silver sandals, a breast-plate of beaten gold, and a chaplet of oak leaves encircling his massive brow. OPENING OF THE GORSEDD. The procession entered Cathays Park by the North-road entrance, and following the south margin of the park entered within the circle by the eastern gate. Hwfa Mon at once took his stand on the Logan Stone, with Eifionydd, the Gorsedd recorder, Cochfarf, the sword-bearer, and Principal Edwards, attired as a Druid, sup- porting him on the east side. The robed bards, Druids, and ovates at once took up their res- pective positions by the stones, among their number being Elvet, Watcyn Wyn, Morien, Creidiol, Bowen Jones, Brynfab, Dyfed, Ceitho, Gwili, Vincent, Cadfan, Gjmer (otherwise known as Professor Herkomer), Crumlin, Elphin, Pedrog, Arlunydd Penysrarn, Bethel, Idriswyn, Tra- baiarn of Hen Blwyf, Esgair Gawr, Treasserth, Eos Dar (the penillion singer), R. Mon Evans, Onfel, Ffacan, Jacob Davies, Gwenllian Gwynedd (the Hon. Mrs. Bulkeley Hughes), Penar, Tawel- fryn, and others. The "Corn Gwlad," having been sounded on the trumpet, Principal Edwards, D.D., opened with the customary Gorsedi prayer. Then came the ancient ceremonial of unsheathing the Gor- sedd sword, and for this purpose the handsomely- designed and bejewelled weapon presented by Professor Herkomer was introduced for the first time. The Archdruid now held the sword ver- tically with the point resting on the Logan Stone at his feet. In response to the Archdruid's in- vitation the robed bards left their respective stations and surrounded the Archdruid on the Maen Llcg. Then was heard the Archdruid's stentorian challenge, Y Gwir yn erbyny Byd- A oes HeddwchP" (The truth against the world-is there pelce P") Then the sword was held vertically aloft by the bards, who simul- taneously responded in a mighty about, Hedd- wch." "Llais uwch adlais," again cried the Archdruid, A oes heddwch." Once more the sword appeared on high, and once again came the response, now in a volume of sound in which 15,000 people jained-" Heddwch." Upon this, the Archdruid drew the blade from its scabbard, and held it aloft where for one brief moment it glittered in the sun. Gwaedd uwch adwaedd," challenged the presiding Druid for the third and lart time. A OES HEDDWCH," Once more came that response in the affirmative still more emphatic, the bards meanwhile grasp- ing the bare blade and assisting the Archdruid to return it to the scabbard. Having thus been assured beyond all question that p-ace reigned supreme, the Archdruid handed back the weapon to Cochfarf, its custodian, and proceeded to observe the remaining Gorsedd rites. It should be observed that in the conduct of the sword- sheathing ceremony Professor Herkomer himself stood by the side of the Archdruid and directed the operation. Hwfa acknowledged this and the other services of the eminent R.A. in a npat little speech, in which he referred to the professor as able to speak, read, and write Welsh, and as being married to a lady of Wales. Pennillion singing to harp accompaniment is always a fascinating feature of the Gorsedd, and so it proved on this occasion. Eos Dar was the vocalist, and his rendering of toDical verses to the accompaniment of Mr. Fred Barker was received with rapturous applause. The Rev. Elfed Lewis at this juncture ascended the Maen Llog, and addressed the assembly in Welsh. Next came the PRESENTATION OF THE HIRLAS HORN by Lord Tredegar. This handsome gift of his Lordship, designed by Mr. Gnscombe John, A.R.A., was placed in the cantre or the circle in front of the Logan Stone. The Hirlas. filled with mead—a drink distilled from honey-formed ages ago an important part of the ceremonies of the Gorsedd of the Bard-3. Miss Griffith, Newport, attired as a Druidpss, conveyed the horn, with its cup of mead, to Lord Tredegar, who thereupon ascended the Maen Llog, and handed the gitt to the Arcbdruid. Lord Tredegar asked the Archdruid to accept, from him the eift of the Hirlas Horn, to be used as part of the Gorsedd ceremonial regalia and to be kept in the same place with the banner and the sword. Mr. T. H. Thomas (Arlunydd Penygarn) expressed also in English the thanks of the Gorsedd to his Lordship for his magnificent and generous gift. Cochfarf seconded in an appropriate Welsh speech, and then came englynion (stanzas) of thanks from the bards. The Archdruid exclaimed:— Ifor heddyw a dclvrebafwn-i gyd A'i Gorn Hirlas godwn; Yma'n awr, ar y maen hwn, IforHael anfarwolwn. I Ifor Hael, am ei haeledd—ini Cydunwn o'r Orsedd; I'r nef roi, mewn tangnefedd, I Ifor Hael, for o hedd. Dyfed was the next, his englynion being- Cledd hwya'n byd, cledd awen bér-cledd beirdd Clfdd i bwynt cyfiawnder Ar ei byd, yn danllyd der, Mae lliw gemau Haw Gomer. Cledd dielyn, cledd dwylath-cledd y gwir, Cledd o gelf amryfath; 0 flaen llu ni fu ei fath Gyr lewyg ar Oliath. Costus na welwyd cystal-cledd brodyr, Nid cledd bradnn dyfal O daw i flysiad dial Trown ias ei fin i'r Transvaal The suggestion that Professor Herkomer's artistic sword should, if the occasion arose, be sent to the Transvaal elicited of course, an out- burst of laughter. Watcyn Wyn's poetic tribute read as follows :— Wedi gwylio cad galed-i Gibwrn Pa gebyst i'w yfed, Yn yr wyl pa wlybwr red, I iacbus dor'i syched. IforHael wych, i'r fawr w!edd-cslynai Stened iawn i'r Orsedd Hwn a gawn i ddigonedd, Y Corn mawr, yn croni medd. Cadfan, a bard of many crowns, exclaimed:— Gloywddwr ddwg hedd i'n gv% leddoedd-a gaw,-om Ac eisoes rbydd miloedd Gwalia Wen, (yw, lawen, floedd, I'r Horkomer o'r Cymoedd. Oth-r addregsec; were given by Morien, Bethel, Brynfab, and Athro. At th's juncture the sound of distant music was heard, and presently were reco-ni,ed the weird strains of the Breton binouiste and the Fcottieb bagpipe plavers le.1ding the men of Brittany,lScotland, Ireland, and Manxland across the park to pay homage to the Archdruid and the Bards of the Isle of Britain. I The Irish deputation entered the inner circle, | and were duly presented to the Archdruid. First 1 came Lord Castletown of Upper Ossory, who as I president; of ehe Ir.sh Pan-Celtic Congress, was I received with great cordiality. He was supported by Mr. John McKay, of Hereford, and Mr. A. I W. Moore, the Speaker of the Manx House of Keys. Lord Castletown, ascending the Maen Llog, read an address in Gaelic, of which the following is an English version:— To the Archdruid and the Gorsedd of the Bards I of the Isle of Britain. We, the men of Ireland, of the Highlands of Scotland, and of Manxland, desire to place this our request before you. We know that in olden times your fathers and our fathers weie brethren, children of one mother. Eight hundred years ago the King of Wales invi-ted our bards and musicians to cross the sea to the Isle of Baitain to meet your bards and musicians, and the rules of poesy and music were determined at that meeting, so we have heard. "Now we, the men of Ireland, of the High- lands, and of the islands inhabited by our people, desire to place our prayer and request before you in virtue of oar relationship, and in virtue of the laws in which we have participated, to cross the sea to Ireland, within a year, a month, and a day from this date to assist us in establishing ru'es of barddas as our bards and musicians came over to assist yoa in similar manner, as already intimated. This is the petition of the Gaelic men." In conclusion Lord Cattletown said:—Rev. Archdruid, I have been permitted to read in the ancient language of the Gaels of Ireland, of Scotland, and the Isle of Man, an invitation ask- in? you to come to our Pan-Celtic Congress to be held in Dublin in 1900. The address, which waf inscribed on vellum, was formally handed to the Archdruid, and afterwards Mr. E. E. Fournier d'Albe read a copy of the address in Welsh. The Archdruid, in response, returned the thanks of the Gorsedd, and said the invitation would be considered by the bards, and a reply given at the Gorsedd on Friday (to-day). The Hon. Mrs. Bulkely-Owen, of North Wales, the mother of Lord Kenyon, arrayed in the dress of an ovate, next presented the Archdruid with a bouquet of flowers. M. Jaffrennou said :—Anrhydeddus Archdder- wydd,Dywedaf ond un gair i chwr. Diolch yn fawr i chwi yn fy enw ac yn enw ty nghydwlad- wyr aID eich dei byniad tywysogaidd yn y ddinas hon. Yr ydvm wedi dod i ymuno a'n brodyr cydwaed o Gymru, o'r Iwerddon, ac o'r Alban, i ymuno i ddiffennu ein gwledydd a'n iaith teg. Ar ol yr undeb bwn bydd i'n ieithoedd barhau am byth, tra bydd y mor yn rhuo ar ein broydd. THE HIGHLANDERS OF SCOTLAND, preceded by a band of six pipers, then marched around the circle in the orthodox Scotch fashion. The Speaker of the House of Keys (Mr. A. W. Moore) was next received as representing the Isle of Man. Cornwall even was not forgotton, for a small deputation, consisting of Mr. J. Hobson Matthews and Mr. Higham, conveyed to the Archdruid the greetings of the Cornish Celts. HONORARY DEGREES. The Gorsedd next proceeded to confer its honorary degrees on distinguished visitors. Lord Windsor was initiated as Druid, and will hence- forth be known amongst the Celts as "Ifor Bach," in reference to his distinguished ancestor of that name. Sir Alma Tadema, R.A., who is engaged at the Eisteddfod as adjudicator in the art section, received the ovate degroe with the name of "Tadema," while his colleague, Mr. Goscombe John, A.R.A., was similarly honoured. Mrs. Herkomer was next admitted among the ovates with the nom-de-plumc of "Cymraes." Professor Barbier, the French professor at the University College of South Wales, introduced the Bretons selected for Gorseddic honours and they were formally admitted and had given to them bardic designations. Lord Castletown, of Upper Ossory, had con- ferred upon him the bardic title of Arweinydd y Celtiad (The Leader of the Celts.) MORNING PROCEEDINGS. LORD WINDSOR ON HUMANITY AND PEACE. The first day's proceedings in the Pavilion commenced about 11 o'clock. The conductor was the ev. Dr. Edwards, Cardiff, who declared that all were glad to see two noble Lords present, viz., Lord Tredegar representing Gwent, and Lord I Windsor Morganwg. The Eistedd-od song, Cymru Fydd," was sung with great spirit by Mr. W. Trevor Evans, whose effort was loudly applauded. An ode to the Eisteddfod by the Archdruid was then followed by the presidential address, delivered by Lord Wind-or. The conductor expressed a hope that when the National Eisteddfod would be next held in Cardiff Lord Windsor would be able to address the gathering in Welsh. (Laughter and hear, hear.) THE AWARDS. The following are awards in the competitions :— Laundry Work.—Gentleman's shirt—no com- petition. Two collars and two pairs of cuffs- Domesticated." An Afternoon Tea Cloth, fringed forget-me- not."—Mi-s Kitty Jones, Gelly Fad, Blackmill. A Child's Muslin Pinafore—No competition. A piece of Flannel-No competition. Miscellaneous—A smocked cashmere frock prize given by Lady Constance Grosvenor Mary, of Birmingham—T. Christy Redfern. Piece of Hand-woven Welsh Serge, given by Mrs. Mackintosh, of Mackintosh-Gvendrapth. Piece of Hand-woven Welsh Flannel, given by the same-St. David. Hand Quilting, Bed Quilt or Portiere, original design, given by Mrs. Crawshay, of Cyfarthfa- Dorcas. Gentleman's Hand-knitted Stockings, with fancy tops. given by Lady Eva Wyndham-Quin— Gwendraeth. Adjudication on the Collection of Dried Plants from any county in Wales properly classified and mounted by the competitor-Mr. D. Morgan, Board School, Llandilo. Genlogy-Collection of Fossils in Wnles—Mr. D. Roberts, Llangollen, to whom £3 instead of £5 was awarded. National Hi-tory-Collection of Petrological and Mineral Specimens in Wales-Mr. J. A. W. Churchill, Victoria-street. Blaenau. Pianoforto Solo for children und<»r 12 years of age, Bach's Prelude and Fughetta in C Minor No. 4—Three appeared on the platform out of 49 competitors, and the prize was awarded to Miss Marian Draper, pupil of Miss Mander. Mr. Aylwin delivered the adjudication. Descriptive Poem (English), not to exceed 2CO lines. Batfle of St Fagan's.The winner was Dr. James Mull-n, J.P., of Cardiff, who desired that in the event of there being anv financial deficiency or any surplus the money should go to the committee in the former event and to the Cardiff Infirmary in the latter. Collection of Popular Welsh Idioms, given by Mr. J. E. George, Cardiff-Not one worthy of the prize. Soprano solo, "Hear ye, Israel.—In this con- t,i-t there were no fewer than 77 entries. Mr. Ben Dalies, in giving his adjudication, said the voice of the winner was really magnificent. She was what was called a great natural singer. No one could teach her to sina: like that. It was a great natural srift. He firmly believed that the winner would become one of the greatest sine-rs that Wain" had produced. (Loud applan-e.) The winner tnrned out to be Miss Amy Evans, of Tonypandy. n. young lady of 15, and pupil of Mr. David Lloyd, Tonypandy. The s-conl priz" was won by Miss Gertie Wed- lake, Cardiff, to whom an extra prize of E2 was sriven bv a gentleman in the audience. Miss Wedlake is a pupil of Madame Clara N Davies. Satirical poem. The Disappointed Com- petitor."—"Rev. T. Dennis Jones, Llanarefni, and Mr. D. C. Evans, St. Clear's Carmarthen, divide the pize. Violin solo, to those under 16, Romance in F (Beethoven).—Miss Pauline Mtrian Drarer, Penarth, a talented member of a talented family. won the prize. Mrs. Herbert. Llanover, whom the audience loudJv cheered, gave a second prize of a gninea to a little lad named Robert Evans, Ab-rtillery, who was second best. Chanting competition for choirq, 25 to 30 voices (a), Oh, snlt'e; me swift" (Calcott). (b) a glee to be selected by the adjudicators and Runir at sight. First prize, £ 21; second. f,10.-Tvvo partite sang, viz., the Mid-Rhondda Gle° ftocipty and Ebenezpr (Swansea) Glee Sooiety. The first prize was awarded to the Mid-Rhondda Glee Society, and the second to Ebenezer (Swansea). ADJUDICATION ON GLEE SINGING. Dr. Roarers, in giving the adjudication, said they had had in that competition almost a now experience, namelv a glee sung at sipht. Mid- Rhondda excelled, as alsn it did in tH« siffht sinsring. To them wouM be awarded the first prize. (Aoplsi iige.) The Mid-Rhondda con- ductors. vií, Mr. Reps Jones. Tonvpandv, and Mr. David Rep, (the latter conducting the cight- s'nging), were tli-n invested by Lord Tredegar. The second prize was awarded to Ebenezer (Swansea), conducted by Mr. Tbm Morris. -u_ AFTERNOON PROCEEDINGS. Lord Windsor, in the con-Fe of his presidential addrpss, in the afternoon, sa:d he held in his hand a programme of an Eisteddfod recently held in Witwater-'rand. (Applause.) It wa< on a big scale and in every respect a typically Welsh <rathe in?. Might they not at Cardiff that after- noon look upon that Eistediifod so recntly held in the Transvaal, where at present the horizon was so stormy, as a messago of pe. ce to t"em? (Lotii gpplau-e.) Might they not send back to the Transvoal. u, poing they asked them as the Archdrird did that mominsr. A oes heddwch ?" a unanim^na chorua of "Heddweh" in reply? (Load applause.) COMPETITION RESULTS. Three parties had entered for the string1 quartette competition on Mendelssohn, No 2 the prize being £ 5, but only one appeared on the stage, the quartette consisting of four young ladies hailing from Newport. The adjudicators were Sir Frederick Bridge, Dr. Rogers and Mr. Emlyn Evans. Dr. Rogers, referring to the performance^ of the party, said that such fine, delicate music was very ineffective in an extensive building of that kind. They had every reason to praise the performance. It was very well balanced, and special credit was due to the first violin. They were quite worthy of the prize whatever it was. (Applause.) Miss Daisy White, the first violin of the party, was invested by Alderman Jones, of Newport. The other members of the party were Miss Winifred Ingram (second violin), Miss Agnes Thompson (viola) and Miss Jessie White (pianoforte.) Cynonfardd announced the following successes, the competitions being confined to students under 17 years of age:-freehand drawing, Master Thomas Stephens, Cardiff, prize Cl model drawing, Miss Mary Hettich, Cardiff, Ll a sheet of flower sketches from nature, Master E. W. Iristram, Carmarthen, Zell who also won a similar amount for the best figure drawing from life. The adjudicators were Sir L. Alma Tadema and Mr. W. Goscombe John. A prize of £1 for a sheet of landscape sketches from nature brought no competitors.. ° Six entries had been received in the flute solo competition on German's suite," second and third movement, a prize of two guineas being offered. The accompaniments were played by Mr. G. G. Beale. The successful competitor was Mr. Charles Bielski, Cardiff. CULTIVATION OF INSTRUMENTAL MUSIC. In giving the adjudication in the flute solo competition Dr. Rogers observed that it was a matter of sincere congratulation that the entries in the instrumental section were so numerous. If the standard set by the number of flautists in the preliminary competition that morning was sustained throughout the week the instrumental section would assuredly be equal to the choral. (Hear, hear.) That was a thing no one had been able to say at any previous Eisteddfod. (Cheers.) Great ability had been shown by the whole of the player*, but the best of the two on the platform had phrased beautifully and kept well in tune. (Applause.) THE CHIEF ESSAY. The committee offered the substantial prize of E120 for the best original work, in English or Welsh, in some branch of Welsh history or literature, not less than a fourth of the work to be submitted for adjudication, with a full outline ot the remainder. The adjudicators were Professor Kuno Meyer, M.A., Liverpool; Mr. Gwenogfryn Evans, M.A., Oxford; Professor J. R. Lloyd, M.A., Bangor; and Mr. Llywarch Reynolds, M.A., Merthyr. Six essays had been received. The adjudication was delivered by Professor Lloyd, Bangor, who observed that it was a matter of satisfaction that the Eisteddfod Committee had been placed in a position to offer so large a prize for an original work on some question connected with Welsh history or literature. It was not so satisfactory, however, that the adjudicators had to announce what he was afraid was growing to be a little monotonous- that they were unable to make any award. Mueh industry had been shown, but the adjudicators had to bear in mind the amount of the prize and the fact that distinct originality was asked for in the contribution. Whilst making this announcement Professor Lloyd thought it was his duty to add that in the opinion of two of the adjudicators the essay sent in by Rhys ap Gruffydd" stood on a very different footing to that of the other five competitors, and further that it did not fall so far short of the standard as the others. There were, however, faults of arrangement and want of literary form which prevented the adjudicators from saying that if completed in the form sent in it would be worth the prize. Being unable to say that, they were unanimous that under the conditions of the competition the prize could not be awarded. HISTORICAL ESSAY. A prize of zC25 was offered by the National Eisteddfod Association for the best historical essay in English or Welsh on South Wales in the Time of the Stuarts and the Commonwealth," or Wales under the Normans." Eight essays had been received, and the decision of the adjudicators Professor York Powel, M.A., Oxford; Mr. O. M. Edwards, M.A., M.P.. Oxford; and Mr. Henry Owen. M.A., Withy- bush, Pem.-was read by Mr. E. Vincent Evans, London. The adjudicators stated that three of the competitors had selected Wales under the Stuarts as their subject, and the remainder Wales under he Normans." Of the first lot the essay marked "Fe Dal am Daro" was considered the best of all, and those marked Wallensis" and Meirionydd" of the last lot deserved special remark, as well as that marked A.H. which showed usefnl and praiseworthy work among the unpublished records of his locality. The one signed Dan loan Dynevor was alio favourably mentioned. The essays showed considerable industry, some power of grouping facts, and only occasionally any critical ability, but with the exception of the first and last two named there was not much evidence of orig nality or special research, and the writers were too content to compile from authors many of whom were not trustworthy. The first prize would be awarded to Fe Dal am Daro," and the othei-s in order of merit were Dan loan Dynevor," "A.H. "Meirionydd," and" Wal- lensis." The winner transpired to be the Rev. E. J. Newall, the College, Porthcawl. OTHER COMPETITIONS. The Rev. J. Morgan Jones, Cardiff, delivered the adjudication of Llawdden and himself on the Welsh Handbook giving a concise History of Religious Revivals in Wales." Only two com- positions had been received, and the rev. gentleman remarked that neither of the two com- petitors added anything of note to Welsh litera- ture. The prize of L5 5s. was therefore withheld. Baritone solo-The competition for baritones on the recitative and solo, "Oh, Star of Eve" (" Tannhauser "), attracted much interest, and efforts of t'ie three competitors who sang on the stage elicit?d much cheering. The prize was £ 223., and the adjudicators Sir Frederick Bridge and Messrs. Daniel Price and Ben Davies. The winner was Mr. G. T. Llewelyn, Port Talbot, whose victory was very popular. Recitation-There were 26 elocutionists in the competition for the best recitation of Islwyn's Ystorom Fellt," in Welsh, a prize of one guinea being offered. Cynonfardd and the Rev. O. Waldo James acted as adjudicators. David Samuel Owen, Abergele, North Wales, aged 12, won the first prize. Triple Harp Solo—Although seven names had been sent in only one competitor,!who was dressed in the national Welsh costume, appeared. Dr. Parry delivered the adjudication, and the prize was awarded to Miss Maggie Jones, of Pont- newdd, Monmouthshire. The Rev. Pedr Williams (Pedr Hir) delivered a brief adjudication by himself and the Rev. T. Levi (Aberystwyth) on the nine essays sent in for a prize of 10 eu neas on the comprehensive sub- ject, Welsh Rural Life-the changes during the last 50 years in food, clothing, dwellings, edu- cation, language customs, industries," etc. They divided the compositions into two classes, two being placed in the first, and five in the second class. The competition lay between "Alun Dabon," and "Gwladgarwr," and if some of the other essays were in the hands of a capable editor they wonld enrich the literature of the Principalitv. Gwladgarwr," who proved to be Mr. T. R. Jones, BlaeDau Festiniog, was awarded the prize. Ins'rumental Trio—A trio of pianoforte, violin and violoncello was in the list of cimpetitions, and provoked seven entries, the test being Gade in F, a prize of three guineas being offered. The prize was awarded to the trio composed of Miss Phillips, Miss Winifred Ineram. and Mr. Willey. Sets of plans to one-eighth scale for a row of workmen's cottages suitable for a Welsh col- liery district, prize of S3 (giren by Mr. J. A. Sant', Mr. Evan Roberts, Oldham; set of plans to oie-eight scale for a pair of serai-cetached middle-class residences, at a cost not exceeding £ 400 ecb, and with a frontage of 25ft., X5 prize. Mr. Reginald Longden, Bu'slera; set of measured drawings of an ancient building in Wales. not later than the Tudor period, £ 5 prize, Mr. C. B Fowler, Cardiff. The name of the winner of £ 3 for the best set of plans to half-inch scale for cabm°n'3 shelter, not exceeding a cost of X200 di not transpire. Mr. Richard Robert". Bethesda, won the first prize for the best, penillion singing. Composition for the best part-song for ladies- Prize withheld. Composition for the best part-song for male voice choirs.—Prize divided between Mr. George Marks Evans, Wilkes)-&Tre, Penn.. and Adare." Duett (soprano and tenor), "Now when the night so fair doth show (Dvorak).—Two parties sangr, viz., Miss M. C Williams and Gulvr Eifiion, Carnarvon, and Miss Annie Bell, Cardiff, and Mr. E I gar Probert, Mr. D. Emlyn Evans said the adjudicators divided the prize between the two parties. ART COMPETITIONS. Sir L. Alma Tadømtt, R. A. and Mr. W. Gos- combe John, A.R A., forwarded the results in the six competitions upon art subjects, which were announced. For the oil paint'ng of any subject fir-t prize of X40 wfis awarded in this competi- tion to Edgar H. Thomas, Cardiff, the subject of whose painting was. The Birth of Light." Mrs. Beatrice M. NAn". Cardiff, secured the second prize of zElO, both these competitors being in- veste 1 am d applaus- b Lord Tredpgar. Parker Hegarty, R.C.A., Cardiff, and F. T. Clough, Cardiff, sec ired the first and second prizes of X15 and £ 6 r -p^ctively for the best landscape in oils. In the next section for the best water- cnlnur painting of any subject, S. Towers, Llan- dudno, and George Cochran, Anglesey, were awarded the prizes of £ 25 and £ 7; and R. E. Bush, Brietol, ud W. Stephenson, Conwil, were J adjudged first and second in the competition for the beat six sketches in Wales, the prizes being £6 and JE3 respectively. R. E. Bnsh also secured the c5 prixe for the best study from life, M. Nance, Cardiff, being awarded £ 2 as the second prize. F. F. Bush, Cardiff, was awarded the only prize of E, 7 for the best original etching of Welsh landscape proof printed on Japanese paper. Portrait bust (from nature), Mr. Samuol Nicholas Babb, Cardiff ( £ 10). Fireplace frieze modelled in clay, Mr. H. Price, (X5). Celtic monumental cross, Mr. E. D. ihornsby, Cardiff (£10); highly commended Celt." Carved oak bardic chair, J. H. Johnston, Man- chester (£10). Carved section of mantelpiece in wood-prize withheld. CHIEF CORAL COMPETITION. The chief choral contest was reached about 4.15 p.m. The chosen pieces were" Blest Pair of Sirens" (Sir Hubert Parry) and "Why rage fiercely the Heathen 'i" (Mendelssohn), the latter being unaccompanied by any instrumental music. The first prize amounted to zEI50, with C5 worth of music to the conductor the second prize being £ 50, while L5 5s was awarded to the con- ductor of each of the unsuccessful choirs. The several choirs sang in the following order 1. Newport Choral Union, conducted by Mr. Jones. 2. Carmarthen Choral Society, Mr. A. J. Silver, F.R.C.O., conductor. 3. Cardiff Choral Society, Mr. D. C. Davies. 4. Pontypridd United Choir, Mr. W. Thompson. The contest closed about 20 past six o'clockr and the ceremony of receiving deputations from neighbouring countries took place before the adjudication was given. Tlie adjudication was delivered by Sir Frederick Bridge, his co-adjudi- cators (Dr. Parry, Dr. Rodgers, Mr. D. Emlyn Evans, and Mr. Aylward) standing behind him on the dais. Sir Frederick said he felt sure that the audience would agree with their decision, as they (the adjudicators) were perfectly agreed. They had done their best—more they could not do. So, too, had the choirs. Proceeding, he observed that they had listened to two extremely fine and very effective works. Dr. Hubert Parry's work was a magnificent piece of writing, which was well and, as a rule. admirably rendered that day. (Hear, hear). Mendelssohn's psalm, too, required good singing. With regard to the first piece, Blest Pair of Sirens," he might say that almost without exception the rendering is not what it should have been. It was begun in & bold strenuous manner, instead of creeping up quietly and beautifully: indeed, blest" sounded almost like "blast." (Laughter). After dealing in detail with some of the choirs, Sir Frederick said the adjudicators bad agreed to divide the second prize. At this stage Sir Frederick was interrupted by low cries of "No, no from some of his co-adjudicators and atter turning round for a few seconds he went on to say that the first prize went without any question to No. 3-Car- diff. The announcement was followed by an out- burst of leb oering. THE PAN-CELTIC VISITORS. Undoubtedly the most picturesque feature of the Eisteddfod proceedings was the public recep- tion on the Pavillion platform to the Celtic depu- tations and the quaint and unusual ceremony described as joining the divided sword. This took place after the choirs had sung in the chief competition and before the award was given thereon. Mr. John Mackay, representing the Highland Mod, was introduced, and said he wished to convey to the people of Wales the most grateful thanks of those whom he represented for the very geat encouragement they had received from the Welab Eisteddfod. Mr. Moore, Speaker of the House of Keys, Isle of Man, who represented the Manx Language Society; Lord Castletown, president of the Pan-Celtic Congress Mr. Brendon Rogers and Captain FitzGibbon Count Plunkett, repre- senting the Irish Language Society and the National Literary Sbeiety Mr. Pearse, a young man representing the Gaelic League and the Oireachtas, and others were introduced and tnade short speeches. Mrs. Needham, referred to by Dr. Edwards as cne of the greatest musical composers in Ireland, was also introduced, amid much cheering, to the assembly, and she gracefully bowed her acknowledgements. Mr. Fournier, whose name is becoming so well known in connection with the Irish Feis Ceoil, was the last to be received. A WELSH CONCERT. In the evening the first of a series of concerts was held. The audience was large and the music good, vocal and instrumental alike. The event was especially popular with lovers of Welsh music, for the programme was practically restricted to the works of Welsh composers. A long programme was gone through to the great acceptauce of the audience. A number cf charming selections were given by the Royal Welsh Ladies' Choir, under the leadership of Madame Clara Novello Davies. The principal artistes were Miss Gertrude Drinkwater, Miss Jennie Ffoulkes, Mr. Ben Davies, Mr. Trevor Evans and Mr. Daniel Price, and all were in excellent voice. Pleasing features of the concert were the selections given by a band of harpists under the leadership of Miss Annie T. Jones. FOR WEDNESDAY'S AND THURSDAY'S PROCEEDINGS SEE PAGE 8.]
WATER POLO.
WATER POLO. SWANSEA v. PENARTH LADIES' TEAMS, The Swansea Ladies' Polo Team travelled up to Penarth last Tuesday evening to meet be Penarth ladies in water polo. There was a fairly large attendance of spectators, of the gentle sex only, and the game was of a most interesting character. This is the first inter-town match which the Swansea ladies have played, and a great deal of interest was centered in the event. The teams faoed each other in the water as follow SWANSEA.—Goal, Miss Thomas; backs, Mrs. Eady and Miss Daisy Chapman half-back, Mrs. C. L. Bath (captain) forwards, Miss Fraccis, Miss Wyrill, and Miss Essie Jones. PENARTH.-Goal. Miss Smith; backs, Miss C. Court (captain), and Miss M. Lee; half-back, Miss Ferris forwards, Miss G. Williams, Miss F. Nealc, and Miss F. Court. The referee was Mr. J. Wallace (Penarth), and Mr. Ivor Evans (Swansea) was goal judge. In the first half the Swansea ladies, playing, a good game, finished with a lead of two goals to one, Miss Wyrill, a clever young swimmer, being re- sponsible for each point. On change of ends, the Penarth captain adopted the strategy of chang- ing the position of her players, and for a time the Swansea ladies, accustomed to recognising their opponents by the face, were confused, and Miss Milburn was able to register two more goals for Penarth. Towards the end, the Swansea ladies, who seemed to possess greater staying powersthan their opponents, played up with great vigour and looked very like scoring when time was called, leaving Penarth winners by 3 goals to 2. Where all the ladies played so well it would be unfair to single out any for special mention but it must be said that Mrs. Bath captained the team admir- ably, and that the two goals scored by Miss Wyrill were the results of some clever play. If they continue to practice there is no reason why they should not win the return match at Swansea on August 9th. The Swansea ladies wore blue costumes with club badges. SWANSEA v. CARDIFF.—LAST NIGHT. The Swansea Swimming Club played their 3rd match of the season at the Swsnsea Baths last evening, when they met Cardiff. The teams were as follow: SWANSEA.-Goal. Harold Mills; backs, D. Sutherland and Goff Jones half-back, J. Rowan; forwards, Doherty, T. Francis, and D. Morgan, CARDIFF.—Goal, H. T. Coppock; backs, R. White and J. Evans; half-back, J. G. Coppock; forwards, J. M. Smith, E. W. Bennett, and F. S. Coppock. Referee, Mr. R. Y. Sketch. Swansea bad far the best of the game, and won by four goals to one, the scorers being Doherty (3) and Rowan for Swansea, and Coppock for Cardiff.
EDUCATIONAL
EDUCATIONAL SWANSEA INTERMEDIATE AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION. UNIVERSITY OF LONDON MATRICULA- TION EXAMINATION, JUNE, 1899. The following boys from the Swansea Inter- mediate and Technical School have been successful at the recent examination for the University of London Matriculation, viz., First Class Trevor Matthews, H. E. Quick, 1. E. Williams, W. H. Shaw Second Class: J. H. Jones. There was only one unsuccessful candidate from the school. This success is most gratifying, and Dr. Turpin and his staff are to be congratulated. COLLEGE OF VIOLINISTS. The summer examination of the College of Violinists was held at the Shaftesbury Hall, Swansea, on the 10th inst. The following is a list of the successful candidates :—F.C.V., Miss Hannah Rees Jones, honours; L.C.V., Mr. Willie Robert*, honours (Mr. Tomlinson); A.C.V., Miss Gertrude Webb, honours (Mr. Hancock, Pembroke Dock); and Mr. Ivor Edder- shaw (Mr. Tomlinson). Graduate, Miss E. Bevan, honours (Mr. Tomlinson). Third Grade —Master Robert Saunders, honours (Mr. W. Roberts); Ma ter G. H. Lnxton, honours Miss Annie Rees (Mr. Tomlinson); Miss Gwladys David, hononrs (Mr. A. Hooper, Aberavon); Mr. T. E. James (Mr. Tomlinson). Second Grade Miss Winifred Wakefield, honours (Mr. Geo. Dorrell); Master F. B. Last (Mr. Tomlinson). First Grade -.—Miss Gwladys Nicholas, honours; Master Edward O. Jones, honours Miss Edith Tuck (Mr. A. Hooper, Aberavon).