B r"tNpH IN THE NIGER BASIN.¡|1895-09-21|The Cardiff Times

B r"tNpH IN THE NIGER BASIN.¡

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B r"tNpH IN THE NIGER BASIN. ^ed the French who had eetab. been emselv6s at Yola, on the Bornu, have hirl I. order of the Sultan of Socoto. ^'Rer (i,,„„een conveyed to Porto Novo by the i?tain th„ rnni,ent. The French, however, still inflno. l0n occupied by them at Ghujebo. 8ultan of R°f Che .^venturer Rabah, de facto Kuka. It- ornu» is extending south-west of 'Xplorer d has now transpired that the French 1891, at was murdered in April, "hile en. • *n 'he south-west of Bagirmi, ta>tn the 1? \n an atteniPt to reach Lake Tchad Orders was killed by Rabah's Drisnn 15 of M. Crampel's tirailleurs are rs 1,1 Rabah's hands.—Jteuter.

P ARREST OF SOCIALISTS.

BRITISH STEAMER SUNK.

ALLEGED AMERICAN SPY.

MODERN ROME AND THE POPE.

BUT BURSTING OF A BALLOON.

STRIKE OF TURKISH LIGHTERMEN.

P DARING BANK ROBBERY.

OLD ROMAN TOWN ON FIRE.

GERMANS IN CHINA,

B MEMOIRS OF SEDAN.

!to POPE AND THE COPTS.

FL5L,F,CAT,0N OF TURKISH WATERS'

^ DISTURBED BULGARIA.

EXTRAUROïNARYCHILD MURDER.…

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EXTRAUROïNARYCHILD MURDER. S^'ld m!?l'ri'ues^ay'—^ most remarkable case of I hb w ..came to-day before the assizes here, ."dicijgj ? of a locksmith named Frank was v?ed thrl°r avin" murdered her two children, Tnonths and two years, by suffocating 6 Dosil00^ 8as_ r^he woman was of respect- w?ataober ,n' aQd bore an extremely good k^'feshuY ut had been terribly tried by the k?reditar« in her children of a loathsome fcr constitutional disease which had nearly i ^hed i_ ^er husband, who was devotedly "er> did ail in his power to re8olv t- hub she secretly formed J^d thuse commit suicide with her little ones ? 8hte(j „savo them from the prospect of a the ohIlHlS",ence* ^er P'ans suoceeded so far n concerned, as they were L 0t«d the n timely help arrived and re- •»kr aPDea>-o 80ner '° consciousness, and led to 1»,jracteri««H m court to-day. The trial was fc^ean(j hy deeply aflfecting scenes, the "en otgc.J, a.like being moved to tears, and, ik1110,11 lca' testimony asserted that the J lhe deed in a state of mental N,r'0n8, thf! t was not responsible for her 'Jury promptly and unanimously Ife*? Kreefrrf'<K of Nob Pu''ty«" whioh was g eeted by the public in court.—Central |»M» Het< J.

AN IMPORTANT LETTER, -

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AN IMPORTANT LETTER, Efforts t8 Effect a Race. NEW YORK Saturday.-Lord Dunraven has INRW x OKK, oai- Committee, giving a written a l<-tter tothe rf tQ tbg SL.iS' £ Jy, Vo «"°r ''V°T £ ^°U,^HR THE CUD Committee should make public ,,T«.rof ^pt.X lfch »" Dr""tS- its letter oi p the same time. Mr and Lord Dunraven s^ie would not divulge A. Cass J letter in question till next the contents of the letter^ J nrf wi„ not W6v? 'lette to the committee until he submit the letter to^^ .6 does nQt returns. H y i' attitude in regard to modify Lord is positive that Lord Dunraven would not race on this side again. LATEST OFFICIAL NOTICE. Th„ .N°Y Y°0 yeptambec 14th.—Having filed •,u\j\*rz> nw„mq,:r »«he. reason w y resailed. Before evidence was notorder n f -dor's protest an unsuccessful taken on D for a settlement by mutual endeavour w 'h conte8tant preferred the agreement. oourSe. The protest once filed, protest to tak adjudged, and, the decision they insisted, closed. As regards once rendered thetehventh.rd Regatfca the resaihng that, since the new con* Committees D,mraven demanded were ditions which Committee, therefore the declined by the Ou|> tesal'led under the Committee, N.Y.Y.C." LORD PUNRAVEN AND MR ISELIN. T J Dunraven on Saturday cabled to Mr o i T A Grant, J.PM secretary of the Richard 1. cnuac]ron at Cowes, the corres- Royal Yacht Squadron,^ 'yacht Club pondence wi subject of the recent events in connection with the race for the America Cup, C°HnexDr°essed a desire that it should be published in Eiigland. The following are the letters that passed to Defender, Wednesday. «• near Lord Dunraven.-Although the Regatta have given Defender yesterdays Crm ,nder the circumstances I should much »f'pr calling the race off and re-sailing it to- morrow. X t™« tin. will meet yoor views- If ™Z°<»y '">•> gsa7F5SKS2of "439 South-avenue, Sept. 12th. w n0.r Mr Iselin,—I have received your notem vouexpress a wish that yesterday's race which you P Thafc jS( 0f COurse, a pro- should be re t „»ree. You would uot have I,rotested had you not considered that the Valkyrie had caused a foul by com- T"did she must take the consequences. The Regatta Committee have decided accordn.g to Kr best judgment for reasons which, I confess, e sd fssriSsss: £ £ £ '•»«§" caused it. You consider that Valkyrie ;t M ar.rsfjss "*>3" "DO""™ FAIR FIELD AND NO FAVOUR. The subsequent correspondence very lengthy. Lord Dunraven, in his letter to the New Yoik Yacht Olub, said I hold tbat in any match, fair neldand no favour is a condition precedent to any agreement "'IDS and that, failing thst, any party, has r'right t0 withdraw absolutely or con- ^Pn2fv In my letter of the 10th I had absolutely' withdrawn from the contest, but mv absoiuc y off the raoeg was s0 great that I withdrew conditionally, and suggested steps h T thought would remove the difficulty. ThesS steps were not taken, and I held to my iri,nation o sail no more, and in so acting I emphatically deny that I went back in anyway °n the agreement as to terms. VALKYRIX Ill. PREPARING FOR HOKE. I BANQUET TO LORD DUNRAVEN. NEW YORK, Saturday.-Many generous offers of prizes have been made for further races between the Valkyrie and the Defender, but Mr Maitland Kersey states emphatically that Lord Duuraven has decided not to race again in America The Montreal Royal St. Lawrence E Yacht Club has deoided to give a banquet in Lord Dunraven's honour. Mr Charles Taylor, of the Boston Globe, says that if the Defender will not race in accordance with his offer of yes- terday the same offer is open for a series of matches between the Valkyrie and the Vigilant. -Central News.

Proposed Public Reception…

THE ROAD TO UGANDA,

THE PLAISTOW MATRICIDE.

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THE PLAISTOW MATRICIDE. The trial of ths boy Robert Coombes, charged with murdering his mother at Plaistow, was continued at the Old Bailey on Tuesday. Police- Constable Tivart repeated the conversation he had with the prisoner after his arrest. Prisoner said he stabbed his mother. because she had given his younger brother a hiding and had promised him one also. The man Fox told witness he knew nothing about the affair, although ho bad been in the house a week. The prosecution put in an extraordinary tetter written to a Mr Shaw by Coombes, while he (Coombes) was in Holloway Gaol. Coombes wrote, I will get hung, but I dontb care as long as they give me a good breakfast before they hang ine. If they don't hang me I think I will commit suicide. That will do just as well. I'll strangle myself. I go up on Monday to Old Bailey to be tried. I hope you will be there. I think they will sen- tence me to death, and if they do I will call all the witnesses liars." Coombes, after signing the letter, drew a picture representing three persons approaching a gallows, which he described as Scene one." He also drew up a bogus will leaving the following legacies To Dr. Walker thousand pounds to Mr Hay two thousand to Mr Shaw five thousand to his (Coombes) father, sixty thousand and to each of the warders three hundred pounds." Then followed Scene two, 1 described as the hanging, consisting ot a person suspended from a gallows, the following words being underneath :—"Good boy here hangs nothing," In a postscript Coombes added Excuse the crooked scaffold. I was too heavy, 30 I bent it." This document purported to be signed by Mr Blank, Solicitor to R. Coombes." Evidence was called to show that while pri. soner was a very clever boy at school, he suffered from headaches. The father of the prisoner, called for the defence, said that his late wife was a very excit- able woman. She cried and laughed at the same time. HIs sou had marks on his temples, which he believed were caused by instruments at birth. His son complained of pains in the head at intervals. Questioned by Mr Gill, the father said there was no insanity cn his wife's side. Evidence was adduced by neighbours bearing upon the general behaviour and condition of the accused. Dr. Walker, of Holloway Gaol, said the letter produced strengthened his opinion that Coombes suffered from recurrent mania. He was violent in Holloway, and was once placed in a padded cell. He once told witnesss that he heard on several occasions voices saying to him Kill her, kill her, and runaway." He believed the lad had suffered from recurrent mania for years and was not responsible for his actions. The Judge, in summing up, dealt with the question of the boy's sanity. They could not, he said, infer insanity because a person who had apparently led a blameless life had showed peculiar callousness at a certain period. The jury acquitted Fox, who was charged with being an accessory after the fact, but found the lad guilty, adding they believed him insane at the time he committed the deed. Justice Kennedy made the usual order for the boy's detention as a criminal lunatic.

THE EXECUTION OF MR STOKES

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THE EXECUTION OF MR STOKES BRUSSELS, Saturday.-The Etoil Beige states that the Government of the Congo Free States have sent instructions to the Governor-General to recall Captain Lothaire, in order that that officer may throw full light on the circumstances which led him to have Mr Stokes tried before the court- martial which sentenced him to death.— Beuter. Heavy Claim for Indemnity. Mr Allan B. Stokes, in an interview on Satur- day, confirmed the statement that a heavy claim for indemnity would be made on bebalt of the relatives of Mr Stokes, the English trader, who was recently executed on the Congo. Mr Allan Stokes has reoently received a considerable number of letters and expressions of indignation from France, Germany, and nearly every part of the British Isles. One of these was from an Edinburgh doctor who was some years ago engaged in mission work with the deceased. The first intimation which Mr Stokes received of the death of his brother was from Messrs Dickieson and Stewart, Queen Victoria-street, Lendon, who acted as his agent. They wired stating that he had been killed by a hostile chief. M r Jtyokes is in constant communication with the British Foreign Office, through whom the claim for indemnity will be made. ANTWERP, Tuesday.—The African Steamship Company's steamer Coomassie arrived here from Boma shortly before 12 o'clock last night. The representative of Reuter's Agency at once pro- ceeded on board, and ascertained that Dr, Michaux, whose name has been so frequently mentioned in connection with the execution of Mr Stokes, and whose arrival by the Coomassie had been announced, was not on board. It would appear that as be was about to take ship on board the Coomassie at Boma Dr. Michaux sud- denly changed his mind and decided to remain a few days longer at Boma. Among the persons on board who were questioned as to the execution of Mr Stokes very few appeared able or willing to impart any informa. bi tion on the subject. They however entirely con- firmed the news published a few days ago that Dr. Michaux left Major Lothaire on very bad terms after having tendered his resignation. Further questions as to whether Dr. Michaux had resigned in consequence of the execution of Mr Stokes, only received evasive replies. It was admitted however that the sudden resignation of Dr. Miohaux caused much astonishment at Stanley Falls, whither he at one repaired after leaving Major Lothaire. None of the passengers knew the actual date of Mr Stokes's execution.- Beuter. BRUSSELS, Tuesday.The King, as Sovereign of the independent State, has ordered the Governor to give strict injunctions to all com- mandants of stations not to pass judgment on any white mau, to postpone in every case the carrying out of the capital penalty, and to send the accused to Boma, where judgment will only be^irea after tbe stricetst investigation,—ifeuter, "■ 1

SOUTH WALES NEWS.

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SOUTH WALES NEWS. CARDIFF. FALL FROM A TRAM CAR.—Late on Saturday night, while returning from town to his home at 7, Bromsgrove-street, Grangetown, Abraham Coombes, a labourer, fell from the top of a tram car and sustained severe internal injuries. He was taken to the Grangetown Police Station, and there examined by Dr. Symington, who recommended his removal to the Infirmary, where he is progressing favourably. ACCIDENTS AT THE J)OCIrS.- About midday on Friday an accident befel George Pear- son, a seaman on board the steamship Garton, Roath Basin. Whilst engaged cleaning the steam winch his fingers were caught in the cog. wheel and very severely crushed. He was taken to the Hamadryad Hospital Ship and attended to by Dr. Hughes. Later on in the day Elim Davey, of 63, Splott-road Cardiff, a coal trimmer, employed on board the s.s. City of Bristol in the East Basin, sustained a nasty injury to his back by slipping on deck and falling across an anchor. He was conveyed to his home. KICKED BY A HORBE.-On Tuesday evening Frederick Mickorin (28), of 3, System-street, Roath, was admitted to the local Infirmary suffering from injuries to the head caused by his being kicked by a horse at the tramway stables, Oxford-lane. He was attended to by Dr Lloyd Roberts and detained. NEWPORT. OUTBREAK OF FIRE.—About nine o'clock on Monday morning a fire was discovered in the underground kitchen at 23, Clytha- square, Cardiff-road, Newport, the tenant of which is Mr S. Davies, retired road surveyor. An alarm was given, and the borough police were promptly on the spot, followed by several mem- bers of the Newport Fire Brigade. The fire had made some headway, and burnt through portion of the ceiling into the sitting-room overhead. Furniture, window-blinds, and other light inflammable material suffered badly. The mischief was subdued by buckets of water, and the hose, although ready, was not brought into requisition. SERIOUS ACCIDENT AT THE ALEXANDRA DOCKS. -On Monday afternoon, as a man named Ryan, 39 years of age, residing at Barrack Hill, was following his work at the Alexandra Dock, he fell down the hold of a steamer, and sustained serious injuries. He was conveyed to the Infirmary in an unconscious state, and remained in this condi- tion during the evening. NEATH. A SCALDING CASE. -A five years old daughter of David James, furnaceman, 9, Albert-terrace, Penrhiewtyn, died on Saturday from the effects of a scalding accident which took place three weeks ago. The deceased fell into a pan of boiling water. RURAL DISTRICT COUNCIL.—A special meeting of this Council was held on Tuesday, Mr A. S. Gardner (the chairman) presiding. Mr Isaac Evans drew the attention of the Council to the complaint made by the Resolven Parish Council to the County Council to the effect that the District Council had neglected the water supply of Resolven. The Surveyor (Mr W. E. Thomas) said that unavoidable circumstances had delayed the progress of the work. The clerk was instructed to write to the clerk to the County Council to that effect. MAESTEG. DEATH OF MRS GWENLLIAN GRET.—We regret to state that the death of Mrs Gwenllian Grey, Underhill Villa, Maesteg, has just been announced by wire. Death took place at Parvo in North Italy, where. Mrs Grey had joined her husband, Mr David Grey, in April last. Mrs Grey was the daughter of Mr Rowlands, one of the pioneers of the coal and iron industries of Maesteg. Mr David Grey, her husband, was chairman of the local board for years, agent to the old Llynvi Company, and afterwards manager and part-proprietor of the Lhvydarth Tin plate Works. He now mftiages a tinworks in Parvo, near Milan. BRIDGEND. ADJOURNED LICENSING SESSIONS. — These sessions were held at the Police Court on Satur- day, there being a full bench of magistrates. Mr Scale applied for the confirmation of the licence of the Six Bells, Coity, which had been granted at the first sessions subject to certain alterations in the plans. The existing licence is to be transferred to a new house to be erected on the site of what was formerly the King's Head Inn. The Bench said they were willing to grant the licence subject to some small alterations, which were pointed out to the architect, and which he promised should be carried out.-A billiard licence was granted to John Evans, Coffee Tavern, Pontycymmer. MERTHYR. RAILWAY ACCIDENT.—The 8.15 a.m. Taff Vale Railway train on Saturday from Cardiff met with a serious mishap between Aberdare Junction and Quaker's Yard, when part of the engine collapsed. Luckily no injury to life or limb occurred, but some delay was naturally caused by the accident. It is rumoured that through the strike of the fitters employed by the company great difficulty is experienced in getting the ordinary repairs carried out. BARRY. PUBLIC WORKS COMMITTEE,—Councillor Wm. Thomas presided over the Public Works Com- mittee of the Barry District Council, held on Tuesday at Cadoxton. A discussion took place upon the necessity of improving the footpath leading from Main-street, Cadoxton, to the Com- mon. Eventually it was decided that the surveyor be instructed to prepare a plan, &c., of the most easy gradient. Alderman J. C. Meggitt moved a resolution to the effect that all the present contracts under the Council be inquired into. and that they consider the expediency of establishing a Works Committee for carrying out the require- ments of the Council. This resolution was seconded by Councillor Saunders and carried. ACCIDENT.—On Monday evening a labourner named Evp.n Lewis, residing at 107, Queen-street, Barry, unfortunately slipped and fell into the graving dock, a distance of over 20 feet. He sustained a fracture of the thigh, besides exten- sive wounds about the head and arms. CLYDACH. RUN OVER BY TRAMS.—On Tuesday, while a young man named John Deere was engaged in bringing down a train of trams from Graigola Collieries to Graig-y-ton, it was necessary for him to get down on the line and adjust a coupling chain. In getting down his foot slipped, the trams went over his legs, and it is feared amputa- tion may be necessary.

THE POLICE COURTS .

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THE POLICE COURTS Brutal Assault in the Rhondda, At the Ystrad Police Court on Monday-befoø Mr T. P. Jenkins, Alderman W. Morgan and Mr E. H. Davies—Geo. Davies, collier, 8, Hendry fodwg-street, Tylorstown, was charged witb wounding a married woman named Elizabeth Davies, with whom he had, according to thf evidence, been cohabiting for the past four years. It appeared that on Saturday night last the defendant returned home drunk, and dragged the prosecutrix out of bed by the hair of her heacU He kicked her brutally, inflicting a severe cut ou her forehead. He was sentenoed to one montfei^ imprisonment witb hard labour, Ferocious Assault at Cardiff, On Saturday a man named James Candy wat behaving in a disorderly manner in Cowbridye* road, and Police-constable Smith asked him to go away quietly. Instead of taking the officer's advice Candy turned upon him, and used considerable violence, biting his thumb and tear. ing his trousers with bis teeth. With much diffi- culty prisoner was taken to the Police Station, and he appeared before the Cardiff magistrates on Monday to answer charges of being drunk and disorderly and assaulting the constable. Suptc Hayward stated that he had to nearly ohoke the prisoner to get the officer's thumb cut of his mouth. The Magistrates characterised the assault as a most ferocious one, and sentenced prisoner to two months' imprisonment with bard labour. Immorality at Cardiff. Thomas Walters, 60 years of age, was fined £5 and costs, or one month's imprisonment, for keeping a brothel at 279, Bute-street, on the 14th September. The Bench, in convicting prisoner, had no doubt that the place was carried on under the cloak of a refreshment house for the purposes of which be was now accused. They thought a caution would be sufncient to meet the justice of the case in which Carrie Walters (37) was charged with assisting 10 the management of the house. The case against the male prisoner was proved by P.C.'s John Wootton and Daniel Thomas. Mr Arthur Rees defended. P.C.'s Max- well and Male proved a case against Jenny Haines (29), charged with assisting in the management of a brothel at 15, Gough-street on the 15th inst., and prisoner was mulcted in 1 penalty of £5 and costs, or one month's imprison, ment. a Sweating" Railway Trucks. At Newport on Monday—before Aid. Moses, the ex-Mayor (Alderman F. Phillips), and Mr T. Goldsworthy, magistrates—a youth named John Nelson was charged with stealing a box of tea and a roll of flannel from a truck on the Great Western Railway. Sergt. Nursey arrested the, accused on Saturday morning in King's-parade, and when he took him to the police office prisoner threatened a witness with whom the police con- fronted him. The property is alleged to have been stolen from a truck whilst it was standing on the line near Frederick-street. Deputy Head Constable Brooks applied for a remand for a week, intimating that there wereothers implicated in the alleged robbery. Prisoner was remanded accordingly. Penitence Prevailed. At Newport on Monday, Rachel J. Edmundi and Annie Collier, two middle-aged married women, of Jeddo-street, Newport, were charged with respect to three emaH shawls or turnover! which they had unlawfully converted from the shop of Mr Emanuel Jacobs, pawnbroker, Com- mercial-road. The culpability uf the women was abundantly shown, Mrs Edmunds penitently going to the police office and stating that Mrs Collier had two shawls and she had one shawl. Mrs Jacobs generously asked the magistrates to deal as leniently as they could with the two women, of whose evident penitence the Court got ample proof—they sitting with heads forward in the dock and wailing all the time evidence was being taken.—Aid, Moses told prisoners that they appeared to be very penitent, and as prose- cutrix wished to withdraw the charge the Bench were content with the punishment they had already received in appearing in that dock. They would be allowed to go free. Then, whilst the officer was motioning the women out of the dock. they sobbed hysterically and louder than before Assault with a Poker. At Merthyr on Monday, John Davies was charged with wounding a cabman named Arthur Green at Merthyr on Saturday, Sept. 6th. The prosecutor said that the prisoner's son fetched him to drive his father home. He found the man lying in the road near the Star Hotel, and picked him up and drove him to his house in Gwilym-terrace. When asked for the fare the prisoner denied having been in the cab and fetched a poker with which he dealt witness two severe blows, one on the head and another on the arm. The witness bore a large scar on his head, and Dr. Rhodes said that hit back was also slightly bruised. Mr Beddoe defended, and said that his client was dead drunk on the night iu question. He asked the Bench to reduce the charge, and inflict a fine, but the Stipendiary said that the case must go for trial to the Quarter Sessions. Defendant was committed accordingly. Meant no Harm." At Ystrad on Monday Lewis Rees, farm labourer, about 40 years of age, WM charged with assaulting Miss Bertha Evans, apparently 20 years of age, daughter of Mr Samuel Evans, member of the Pontypridd Board of Guardians, residing at Treferig House, on Sunday evening last. The defendant, who had been employed at the farm about 18 months ago, met the prosecutrix whilst she was on her way to church, aud having accosted her he asked if he should accompany her. A scuffle ensued, and she, shaking herself off, ran home. The defendant was detained bym gentleman who had come from Treferig House to her assistance, and shortly afterwards taken to the lock-up. The defendant told the Bench he meant no harm." He was sentenced to three months' imprisonment with hard labour. Reckless Colliers at Aberdare. Thomas Wm. Russell and David Howell, two young colliers working at the Werfa Colliery, whe were represented by Mr J. W. Evans, solicitor, were summoned at the instance of the owners ol the Werfa Colliery with breach of the 211tb special rule in force at that colliery by unrammina a shot which had missed fire.—Mr C. Kensholc prosecuted, and explained that on the 4th inst. the two men, who were working together, had prepared a bole, and loaded it for tiring. The shotman fired it, but it did not go off. The shotman then bad danger signals put up, and cautioned the men against touching it. He then reported it to the fireman, who again saw the men and cautioned them against attempt- ing to unram it; he also showed them where to bore a new hole, marking it with a bit of chalk. The following day the men again asked tht shotman to come and fire a hole of theirs, inform. ing him it was ready charged. He went to theil heading and found it was the old hole that bad been cleared out and recharged. He fired it and reported to the fireman. There were 500 men it* the pit when the defendants unrammed the hola Before any evidence was called, Mr Evans, fou the defendants, stated that he was going tt plead guilty for Howells, but James had nothing to do with it. He was only working undet Howell. The Bench, however, held that both were equally liable, and after hearing the evidence the maximum fine of £2 each were inflicted.

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so ABERYS-IWYTH BOATING FATALITY.

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OPENING PERFORMANCE,

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OPENING PERFORMANCE, Tinel's h St. Francis," Th was abold resolve on the part of the Executive Council of the Cardiff Triennial Musical Festival to give as the principal work on the opening day so little known and so difficult and ambitious a work as the "St. Francis" of M. Edgar Tinel. Until the festival choir took the oratorio in hand, and had commenced the practices, its name and its composer were alike unknown in Cardiff and South Wales, unknown, at any rate, outside anv but the most limited musical circles. Again the council's resolve was as bold inasmuch as the voung Belgian's masterpiece has never before been performed by a choir composed altogether of non-professional or unpaid choristers. Wherever presented heretofore, on the Continent or in this country, the assistance of other than amateur vocalists has been secured for the chorus. In Cardiff it must be inferred that there is either greater confidence in the powers of such local talent as we already possess, or that a higher ambition leads to the accomplishment of results which might be regarded as beyond the reach of those who sing merely from their love of the art. Be the causes what they may, now that the opening performance of the festival of 1895 is over and the first production of St. Francis in Cardiff can be regarded from the standpoint of realised fact, it is seen that the loftier the aim set before such a society as the festival the nobler is the achievement- While it would be exceeding the limits of literal accuracy to say the performance left little or no room for improvement, it is well within the mark to say that both council and choir have reason only for self-congratulation. Universal interest attached to the presentation of M. Tinel's work, not so much because the composer is comparatively little known in pro- vincial towns, or on account of his having achieved great distinction somewhat suddenly, but because he has been accepted as something of a revolutionist in his art methods, and is known as having a most interesting personality. If St. Francis," though styled an oratorio, approximates towards what its composer would term an oratorio-drama, that is to say, a work in which the restrictions of the older style of sacred compositions have been thrown off, and MONS. EDGAR TINEL. I principles adopted that at one time would have been considered as permissible only in grand opera. M. Tinel's eager and vivacious temperament is plainiy reflected in his work, while his keen appreciation of the dramatic capabilities of his subject has necessitated the introduction — as he himself frankly confesses, nay rather, glories in admitting -of principles which until comparatively recent times were thought hardly compatible with oratorio in the strict sense of the word. As a disciple, either consciously or unconsciously, of Wagnqr and of Rubinstein, M. Tinel has not hesitated to employ the means at his command. In dealing with the life of a saint who flourished in the most romantic and picturesque period of the church's history, he has necessarily made his oratorio rich in colour, in passion, in dramatic ex- pression. It might even be called theatrical. Yet whatever charged of innovation or of departing from established propositions some of his critics may prefer agianst M. Tmel, it cannot be denied that he is at least consistent. He would argue, and not unreasonably, that the saint of Assisi, the founder of the great Franciscan Order, was one whose life was made up of romantic elements, and these being in themselves dramatic, must enter into the treatment of that lite in musical form. Around the saint there clings more of strange legend and tradition, of weird mysticism, of miraculous sanctity, of worldly passion subdued by intense devotion than possibly around that of any other saint in the calendar. To banish all these elements from an oratorio founded upon such a life would, M. Tmel migbtlegimately hold, bean impossibility. To deal with them otherwise than in dramatic form would be equally out of the question. It would, in shorb, be to express conveutionally that which was unconventional to give the man shorn, as it were, of all that surrounds his name with his- torical picturesqueness. „ For was it not the founder of the Friars Minor who, beginning life as a soldier and a military adventurer later, became renowned only for his piety, his poverty, and his self-renunciation ? Was not he the man whom ecclesiastical legend declares received as a mark of celestial favour the stigmata, or five sacred wounds ? Was he not possessed of power to control the beasts of the field and the birds of the air, aye, and even the very fish in the rivers on whose banks he wandered ? Was he not the happy seer of super- natural visions, hence the festival, annually com- memorated by his order, of the Portiuncula ? Such a man's life, it is only fair to assume, if dealt with at all in musical form, must be dealt with dramatically, passionately, and without any suggestion of sameness. All these considerations must have suggested themselves to M. line], hence his oratorio-drama. DESCRIPTION OF THE WORK. The work is divided into three parts. In the first Francis's life in the world and his renuncia- tion are given, and here, after a classic overture a delightful choral recitative commences to tell the story. We soon learn that with Franois and his companions Life is fair and life is easy Here upon our golden path. Carol, dance, and ballad lead up to his conver- sion. Francis is called from his worldly pursuits by a voice from heaven, and the first part concludes with a chorus of angels, sung to an accompaniment of harps in a charmingly tender style. From lighter measures in the second part the oratorio assumes more serious and stately themes, descriptive of St. Francis's monastic life. A glance through the libretto suggests innumerable passages exquisitely sweet and rich in melody. Leading off with a choral recitative, a note of despair is struck—"and vanity o'er all." The theme changes, and the Angel of Hope announces that the early morn is dawning. And Francis brings us comfort." The spirits of Hell let loose their rage and hate, and the Angel of Love contends with the Spirit of Hatred, and the Angel of Peace with the Spirit of War. The orchestration and the BIB ARTHUR SULLIVAN. J choral movements vie with each other in richness I and vivid descriptive power. It is, however, so great ajjontrast after the exhilarating piece of dance music of the first part, that one regrets there is not more of the first and less of the second idea of the composer. By this we do not mean any derogatory comparison against the second part. the music of which is majestic and stately to a degree. It is so successful and impressive as to create an over- powering effect. But, on the other hand, what could be more pleasing and delicate in conception than the chorus of angels and the three hymns of Francis-the "Hymn of Poverty," Hymn of the Sun," and the" Hymn of Love ? The versatility and power of the composer hive been illustrated in a really striking manner in the choral movements and the recitative; but during all this the continuity of his conception of the career of St. Francis has been maintained by charming orches. tral interludes so full of brightness, melody, and intensity of feeling, that the listener really regrets to hear the leading notes which announce a change of movement from these brilliant bits of musical colouring to the choral passages. Wagner had an idea that the successful musical composition would be written by one man, music, libretto, and all. The complete work would be the creation of a genius. Tinel must have bad a very successful librettist, or he succeeded in erasping the spirit and meaning of De Koninck. The first few lines in each part give the cue to the whole. In the third and last part, which describes "The Death and Glorification of Francis," the recitative gives the "key" as it were Low sinks the autumn sun To rest beneath the west. Then follows an impressive Augelus, the death of Francis, a chorus of angelic voices, church music, and au instrumental funeral march. Followed by a chorus of maidens and more angelic voices, this leads to the final chorus, In which the full this leads to the final chorus, m which the full effect and force of all the voioes are gnrgfr with ORGAN »AD ORCHESTRA! JK»Q»PMWMMI the work to a conclusion with a. volume of magnificent choral and instrumental music which is almost of overpowering power and brilliancy. Mons. Tmel in one respect resembles Berlioz. He is a master of skilful, complicated, realistio orchestration. Yet in another respect he differs from Berlioz. He is a melodist of no mean order. Two of the most noticeable features in St. Francis are the amplitude of its melody and the power of its orchestral effects. Yet Mons. Tinel does not strive after complexity or elaboration merely for their own sake. He succeeds m keeping ever in the forefront his theme. — ————————————————————————————— SIR JOSEPH BARNBY. THE PERFORMANCE. Of the performance, which he conducted with the skill of an experienced choirmaster, we can speak in terms of the highest praise. The chief desideratum to the successful rendering of a work of this kind is a well-trained and powerful choir. The present festival chorus shows distinct ad- vances in all that make for good and finished work upon that of 1892, creditable as that one was. The 250 voices have been long and carefully trained, after having in the first instance been selected upon successfully passing a test imposed by Sir Joseph Barnby. The intelligence of each and all is mani- fest, and their hearty interest in their work is not less plainly evident. Wednesday's perform- ance exactly confirmed the opinion which Sir Arthur Sullivan formed as the result of the rehearsal which he conducted on Tuesday-that the choir was well disciplined and well balanced, while its style was refined but it occasionally lacked in power. The attack was good and the capacity for grasping the nicest gradations of tone and colour, while in following the baton of the conductor there was but little room for improvement. As in so many choirs of the kind, so in that of the Cardiff Festival the weak spot was more pro- nounced among the tenors than in the other sections. The quality of the voices was highly satisfactory, and their interpretation was com- mendably true, but the want of greater force and volume declared itself from time to time. What applies to this particular section is in lesser degree true of the others, excepting perhaps the basses. As regards the sopranos and contraltos, a reason- able explanation seems to be in the presence of so large a number of youthful voices. The introduc- tion of a higher percentage of mature or more fully developed voices would, however, easily get over the difficulty. In purity of tone and all-round ability, the choir leaves no scope for criticism. Its rendering of the chorus, "Now Sing we a Carol," and of the unaccompanied chorus in the Argelus, were exhibitions of skill which will bear comparison with the best that any provincial choir can lay claim to while, for sweetness and perfect apprehension of the composer's aim, it is difficult to imagine how the chorus of angelic voices, Glory to God," following the death of the saint), could have been surpassed. This aud the final chorus, Rejoice Rejoice"—the latter a perfectly sublime outburst in imitation of the triumphant entry of the saint into the celestial regions, were features of the performance which could not be listened to with feelings other than those of the deepest emotion, The spirit of the music was caught to a nicety, and the choir infused into it that feeling without which even the closest fidelity to the score would have been unproductive of the desired result. The principals were Madame Medora Henson, who took the parts allotted to the Voice from Heaven, the Angel of Hope, and the Angel of Love; Mr Ben Davies, who took the part of St. Francis Mr Whitney Mcckridge, MADAME ALBANI. I the Angel of Peace and the Angel of Victory Mr D. Ffrangcon Davies, who sustained the dual characters of the Spirit of War and the Host; and Mr Douglas Powell, to whom were assigned the parts of the Watchman and the Spirit of Hatred. Considering the very short time in which she has had to prepare for the festival, Madame Medora Henson's interpretation was in all respects satisfactory. Her voice is flexible in range and fine in quality, while its clearness of tone grives her a peouliar advantage when singing with full orchestral accompaniment. Perhaps her style might have been more sympa- thetic, but her style throughout was marked by undoubted conscientiousness. Mr Ben Davies, in Cardiff as wherever else he is well known, raises great expectations, and in the main they are always fulfilled. Occasional inequalities of merit characterised his performance on Wednesday, but in the main his assumption of the leading part was worthy of his great reputation. The Hymn of Poverty was given with admirable skill, though this was distinctly surpassed by the "Hymn of thejSun," with chorus, and the "Hymn of Love," the second-named being, perhaps, his first and most notable achievement of the day. For tenderness of treatment and richness of voice, it stood prominently forth amid such an abundance of finished vocalisation. More than once in the first part the powerful orchestral accompaniment came dangerously near drowning his voice altogether. His later achievements, however, fitly demonstrated his right to rank as one of the select few really great tenors now before the world. Mr Ffrangcon Davies was never heard in better voice. His dramatic and intensely real style of enunciation fit him with curious aptness for such a position as that which hefilledonWednesday. Tomusicot the order adopted in "St. Francis no one is more compe- tent than he to give the fullest and finesu effect. His work was distinguished by evenness of excellence. Power and warmth of expression are indispensable to the fitting performance of such musio as that of M. Tinel, and these Mr Ffrangcon Davies possesses in no measured degree. Mr Whitney Mockridge, though lackiug in that dramatic intuition which is assumed so lightly by Mr Ffrangcon Davies, rendered the parts as the Angel of Peace and the "Angel of Victory" with dignity and im- pressiveness. Mr Douglas Powell took two parts strangely unlike, the "Watchman" and the "Spirit of Hatred," but he acquitted himself in both with undoubted success. His rendering of the watchman's nocturnal chant, "The streets are silent far and near," realised to the full the solemnity and gloom of the incident. Where the music became more fanciful and rich in imagina- tive fire his style would have gained by an access of warmth. Of tho orchestra, it is a work of supererogation to speak. It was as near perfection as orchestra could be, and from first to last there was not a discordant note or a hitch of any kind. A mag. nificent demonstration of admiration for the man and appreciation of his work was bestowed upon M. Tinel, who, Ufter repeatedly bowing, lef t the stage, but in obedience to the loud and continued applause returned to receive the further homage of the audience. He acknowledged his thanks again and again, and finally retired amid a scene of much enthusiasm. MADAME MEDORA HENSOK. WAGNERIAN SELECTION. Following "St. Francis" came a series of selections from the better known of Wagners works, this forming the third and last part of the morning's proeramme. The Siegfried Idyll was played by the orobestra in masterly style, frniv-na -goo who heard them for the first time strangely weird. Mr Whitney Mockridge then sang the preislied from "Die Meistersinger," and the performance concluded with the prelude and liebestod from "Tristan and Isolde." These selections formed certainly one of the most agreeable items in the day's programme, for it is not often permitted to provincial audiences to hear Wagner rendered as be should be; while it is little short of folly for any but the most experienced and highly trained orchestras, such as that which Mr Alfred Burnett is the leader of, to attempt the great latter- day master's works. Yet the need for familiarising the public ear with the style of one who did so much to revolutionise musical art is nearly as great at the present moment as it has ever been. Of the thousands who speak more or less disparagingly of Wagner and Wagnerian principles how many have any clear and distinct notion of what they are referring to ? By the aid of such educational institutions as the Executive Council of the Cardiff Festival are directing they may in time be enabled to determine.

EVENING PERFORMANCE. -

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EVENING PERFORMANCE. U St. Paul." In the evening the work selected for perform- ance, Mendelssohn's oratorio "St. Paul," was given before an audience which oannot be described otherwise than as disappointing in point of numbers at any rate. Nor was there in the matter of warmth or marks of appreciative interest that compensating element which might not unreason- ably have been looked for. In this connection it is worth while inquiring whether the almost free admission of the public to the final full rehearsals was a course which was altogether expedient. Some recognition of the services of the choir has no doubt to be made, and the distribution of re- hearsal tickets among their relatives is one form which that recognition takes. At the same time it must be discouraging to the council to observe to what an extent that privilege was taken advantage of and now how utterly unworthy of a music-loving community have the attendances so far been in the lower priced portions of the hall. But to return to the eveniug programme. St. Paul," though one of Mendelssohn's best-known oratorios, has never gained that popularity which for so many years has attached to the Elijah." It may not possess the same measure of stateliness Miss CLARA BUTT. J that the more noted work claims, and the subject is one which does not lend itself to the same diversity of method in general treatment. On the other hand, it contains a wealth of impressive choral music, in much of which the composer is heard at his best. It has been urged in its dispraise that it is lacking in distinotiveness and, at times is not without suspicions of monotony. Be this as it may, it cannot be questioned that it is a work which has much to recommend it. From the outset it was noticed in the evening with what an accession of confidence the choir undertook the work. The occasional uncertainty observable amid the intricacies and novel effects of "Sr. Francis" were wholly absent from the choruses of St. Paul." From the opening note to the closing a yerfect balance was maintained, with never so much as a tendency to get from under the control of the conductor. The voices blended more har- moniously than before, while the full significance of the work appeared to be completely grasped. There was a greater boldness of attack, and greater power and volume declared them- selves naturally and without strain in the passages descriptive of the passion of the multitude. Sir Joseph Barnby conducted with his accustomed firmness and precision. The soloists were Madame Albani, Miss Clara Butt, Mr Whitney Mockridge, and Mr Watkin Mills. Madame Albani is an artist who can always be depended upon, and is, perhaps, at her best in oratorio. Certainly her performance last evening must tend towards the contirmation of that opinion. The sweetness, strength, and purity of her voice, more especially in the higher register, commanded immediate recognition. Miss Clara Butt gives promise of a most brilliant future. Hur voice is as sweet and rich a contralto as any on the English stage to-day, and the admirable simplicity axid freedom of her style materially enhance the charm of her sing- ing. The famous aria But the Lord is mindful of His own was awaited with an interest that approached to eagerness. Her rendering of it at the rehearsal was simply exquisite, and it was. therefore, all the more gratifying to note that from the standard of quality then exem- plified she does not depart. All the plaintive tenderness and subdued dignity which the solo admits of she imparted to it. The anticipations of the most exacting in the audience were amply fulfilled. Mr Watkin Mills, a strong and well-trained bass, well known and enjoying an honourable name in Cardiff musical circles, was heard to good advantage. His weakness is towards an insufficiency of expression, but this he successfully guarded against last even- ing, the result of his performance being to create a most favourable impression. Mr Whitney Mockridge diO his work with every indication of devotion to it, and his interpretation of the aria, "Be thou faithful," was one of the finest things in the entire performance. It is, of course, too much to expect that he should throughout have been up to the level of this. He is best in solemn passages. In his upper notes he occasionally shows a tendency in the direction of nasal intonation. He, however, sings at all times with refinement, and if now and then coldly, certainly always conscientiously. SCENE IN THE HALL. In the Park Hall the scene was one of excep- tional brilliance. Beyond the placing of a few palms along the front of the platform and on window ledges, no attempt had been made at decoration. The front of the gallery, however, had a covering of." L white material on which was inscribed the names of the composers of the works which are engaging the attention of the festival. The appearance of Lord Windsor in the president's gallery with Lady Windsor promptly at 11 o'clock was the signal for an outburst of applause, and by this time most of the seats in the balcony and area were occupied. Amongst those present were Lady Barnby and Miss Muriel Barnby, Dr. Villiers Stanford, Mr Joseph Bennet, Mr R. Forrest, Mr O. H. Jones (Fonmon Castle), Mr E. W. M. Corbett, Mr Kemeys-Tynte and party, Mujor-G- neral Lee,Mr and Mrs John Cory and party, Mr Clifford Cory, Mr E. R, Moxey, and the Rev. F. J. Beck. MBBBN DAVIES. I Sir Joseph Barnby, as conductor of the festival, appeared on the rostrum, and the National Anthem was sung by the choir. This gave the audience a foretaste of the full strength of the choir, orchestra, and organ combined. Without any delay M. Edgar Tinel advanced to the con. ductor's position, and the band struck the first chords of the festival musio proper— the dramatic oratorio of *• St. Franois." It was a happy thought to select Tinel's "St. FranCIs" for the first concert of. the festival. A good beginning is half the battle, and having decided upon this remarkable work the next best thing was to bring over the more remarkable composer to conduct. The, council of the festival did both, and the result was a brilliant success and a splendid opening for the festival. Though "St. Francis" has been heard in England before, to-day's performance was the first adequate repre- sentation that it has had in this country. It was also marked by the first visit which Tinel has paid us in a professional character. He wielded the baton for the fftst time yesterday on British soil. The oratorio was first produced at Malines some seven years ago. From the time of its first performance it has been a favourite work in musical circles on the Continent. It is an up to date oratorio, with full, indeed magnificent, orchestral effects, pleasing solos,and fine choruses. The subject of the oratorio is founded on the life of Saint Francis of Assisi, the founder of the famous monastic order. The libretto was written by Do Konink, and put into "English poetry" by John Fenton for representation in this country. The strange career of St. Francis, his love of pleasure, and then his conversion and austere life provide the composer with a splendid range of effective subjects for "descriptive" work. The oratorio is at once secular and sacred, light and fanciful, and majestic and sad. All these themes are taken up by Tinel and worked out in magnifi. cent musical conceptions.) Dances, hymns, ballads, and recitative make a delightful contrast in the movements, which are sonorous, sparkling, passionate, melodious by turns. In a sense Tinel's St. Franois" is representative of the best work of the modern Continental musicians but over all there is Tinel's striking genius. It is a remarkable work, and met with due appreciation yesterday morning, when it 'MBWW* a truly magnificent preeenfeitiea* [BY OUR LADY CORRESPONDENT.] The Festival is with us at last, and there was an enthusiastic audience to listen to St, Francis," and the chorus must have felt fully repaid for their hard twelve months' work by the high compliments paid to their rendering of the work by M. Tine), the composer. The Festival affords an opportunity for ladies to wear smart morning gowns and pretty evening blouses and although there were on Wednesday morning some charming frocks, still these were decidedly in the minority. Lady Windsor wore an elegant gown of white chine silk, patterned with fine MR FFRAJs#ON DAVIES. I black lines and bunches of pink roses a black jet toque with coloured flowers. Lady Augustus Paget was in pale yellow ciepe de chine. Lady Barnby wore a most lovely gown of white silk with rich pink and blue design and a charming toque of bright pink roses. Miss Barnby looked very pretty in an ideal girl's dress of white muslin with rows of insertion of lace and baby ribbon her picturesque large hat was of white with large bows of black and white ribbon and yellow wings. Miss Clara Butt wore a white and black glace silk, the lines being so close together that the effect was grey: the bodice was trimmed with jet, and her large black picture hat was of velvet. Madame Henson, who sang charmingly, wore a rich black satin skirt with a bodice in a lovely shade of pale mauve brocade. The front of the bodice and frills at the edge of the velvet sleeves was of soft accordion pleated chiffon. Aoross the front, and forming a yoke, WAS a deep piece of beautiful passementerie. There were several stylish half-mourning cos- tumes, a white muslin blouse trimmed with fine black lace and insertion being particularly pretty. A smart gown was of pale blue and brown shot glace, with dainty white collar edged with butter- coloured lace; tha hat was yellow straw with an upstanding bunch of mauve poppies at the side. A costume carried out in brown and black, the bodice of striped silk trimmed with jet and chiffon, and the toque of brown velvet, looked very well. The ladies of the chorus in the evening all wore white, the altos wearing yellow flowers, and the sopranos red. The effect was very good, in fact, much better than in the morning, when each lady was allowed her own taste. This, although it might be charming in individual cases, caused the effect at a distance to be a mixture of culour which was not so pleasing to the eye as 10 the evening, when all wote the same. Lady Barnby's evening bodice was a most beautiful bit of colour. The bodice itself was of embroidered lisse, the sleeves were of the richest velvet in a gorgeous shade of yellow, which in the bright gaslight had a pinkish tinge. dhe carried a beautiful shower bouquet of yellow roses. Lady Windsor wore a handsome gown of silver and white brocade, the bodice trimmod with chiffon, relieved with little touches of pink. Madame Albani's gown was of rich pink brocade, with sleeves and fichu of soft white chiffon she also wore some magnificent diamonds. Miss Clara Butt looked to great advantage in a beautiful dress of yellow net, with long ribbons from the bodice. Miss Barnby wore a charming gown of pale blue silk, with soft frills round the open neck, and sleeves of full chiffon she carried a shower bouquet of pale pink roses. Mrs Foriest looked very well in black and white she wore a handsome diamond necklace. Madame Novello Davies was in an effective soarlet and gold brocade, with pearl embroidered epaulette?. A charm- ing gown was of pale heliotrope bro- cade, with a fichu, and deep frills of white chiffon. There were several black evening gowns, and judging from the effect of those present, one cannot help coming to the conclusion that the ordinary Englishwoman looks better in a moderately decoliette black bodice than in many of the glaring and trying colours which are so fashionable. It was noticeable that there were fewer blouses and black skirts worn, most ladies wearing the bodice aud skirt of the same material. MB DOUGLAS POWELL. I

MAYORAL BREAKFAST AND PROCESSION.

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MAYORAL BREAKFAST AND PROCESSION. A SUGGESTION-™^ SIR JOSEPH BARN BY. On Wednesday morning the Mayor and Mayor ess of Cardiff (Alderman and Mrs P. W. Carey) entertained a large company at break- fast in the Town Hail, in celebration of the opening of the second Cardiff Triennial Musical Festival. His Worship presided, and there were present Mrs Carey, members of the Corporation, of the Executive Council and General Cuuncit of the Festival, several of the comnosers whose works are to be produced, the coi tuobjr, and two or three of the principal instrumental and vocal artistes. Amongst others, besides the members of the Corporation, were Sir Joseph Barnby (who was accompanied by his daughter), Mons. Tine), Dr. Stanford, Mr David Jenkins, Mr Plunkett Greene, Mr Watkin Mills, Mr Douglas Powell, and Mr Ernest Gye Messrs T. Edwards, J.P., J. E. Gladstone, F. P. Hanquoil, R. Hooper, J.P., Prinoipal Jones, E. R. Moxey, J.P., H. W. Rice, Edwin Seward, T. H. Stephens, and G. A. Woods, members of the General Council Mr H. M. Thompson, chairman of the Musical Committee Rev. W. A, Downing, chairman of the Finance Committee Mr Walter Scott and Mr E. W. Waite, hon. secretaries Messrs E. Barry, Walter Cook, E. W. M. Corbett, D. W. Evans, Thomas Evans, W. P. James, W. H. S. Johnstone, J. W. Morris, B. Newman, J. Radley, W. Ronnfeldt, F. J. Smith, H. W. Lloyd Tanner, and W. B. C. Treasure (members of the executive council) Messrs T. E. Aylward and Mr Walter Scott, chorus masters, Mr J. E. Deacon, rehearsal accompanist; Mr Alfred Burnett, leader of orchestra and Mr A. C. Toone, registrar. After breakfast the loyal toasts were honoured and the Mayor in proposing aucoef-s to the festival welcomed the event, remarking that the people of Cardiff and Wales generally were fond of music, and had every sympathy with movements of this kind. He pointed also to the favourable way in which the musical programme had been received by the Press throughout the country. In conclusion he offered the congratulations of the Corporation to Sir Joseph Barnby on the honour which he had so deservedly earned, namely, the knighthood conferred upon him by the Queen. (Applause.)—Sir Joseph Barnby, in returning thanks, stated that at the Llanelly Eisteddfod recently he heard such splendid singing which he had never expected to hear as long as he lived. (Applause.) As to male voioe choirs, he could positively say that he knew of no direction m which the art of choral sing could go further than the point reached by the men from the Rhondda Valley. (Applause.) At the same time he was much struck with the fact that, with all this splendid talent and those great musical gifts, there seemed to be no controlling influence in order to bring these to a successful issue. It was surprising that those people should go on singing over parts year after year and go to nothing higher. He should not think it was intended by the establishment of the eisteddfod that they should not hope for and grasp for higher things. (Hear, bear.) They reminded him of the fact that a great steam hammer, while MR WATKIN MILLS. able to mould large masses of iron, could also crack a nut. Well, those singers were engaged in cracking nuts now. (Laughter, and hear, hear.) He did not say anything against the eisteddfod eisteddfodau were a great advantage to the country, and he wished to keep them. He thought nothing could show more courage and devotion than about 20,000 people keeping them- selves together for three days in a place like Llanelly. (Laughter and applause.) Nothing wan store admirable than the eUteddfod, M fat as it went; but they should go further. The proposition he would suggest was that they should have a great festival which should unite all the talent and finest voices in these valleys. They might give a festival with 1,000 voices and an orehestra of 200, which would bring the eyes of the whole musical world on Wales. (Applause.) He saw no reason why that should not be done, as Wales, to his mind, possessed more musical genius and more musical gifts than any other country and therefore he did not see why Wales should not be at the head of music in the whole world. (Applause.) He thought it just possible that they might make a tentative start within 12 months. There was to be a great exhibition at Cardiff next year, and there was a large hall (Rosebery Hall), which he had discovered was the finest for musical performances he had ever known and the idea was that they should get the cream of all the nnest voices, all the finest singers within a radius of twenty miles, bring them together, with a first rate orchestra and have two performances in one day. Thus they could test what the effect might be three years hence. (Applause.) Before sitting down he asked the company to drink the healths of Mons. Tinel, Dr. Stanford. Mr David Jenkins, and the other oomposers, and also of the artistes, a proposition which was cordially responded to. He also proposed the healths of The Mayor and Mayoress," this toast being enthusiastically received and duly honoured.—The Mayor, responding, 3aid the Corporation had not yet given a subsidy towards the festival, but he believed that next time they were approached they would contribute something. He considered that all corporations should subsidise such institutions. (Applause.)—The Corporation and many of the company then formed in proces- sional order at the Town Hall, the Mayor wear. ing his official robes and chain, and marched to the Park Hall to the opening of the festival. MR DAVID JKNKINS, MUS. BAC. The advent of a Welsh conductor of a piece written specially by him for this year's musical festival at Cardiff will be an interesting item in the week's programme, and will confirm the precedent set in 1892 by Dr. Joseph Parry, a precedent which it is hoped may be observed in connection with succeeding functions of the kind. It is pretty generally known throughout the Principality and musical circles elsewhere, that Mr David Jenkins, Mus. Bac. (Cantab.), has written expressly for this festival a cantata entitled A Psalm of Life," for chorus and orchestra, and that he will himself conduct the work when it is produced. Mr Jenkins, who is now professor of music at the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth, has, like other dis- tinguished musicians, had a hard battle to fight, but, on the other hand, he has also had the reward of inborn enthusiasm and genius in the position he has attained, and the general recognition his works have commanded. He was born at Trecastell, Breconshire, in 1849, and as many Welshmen before him, and even of the present day, he is a son of the eisteddfod." In his early years he was a successful competitor as a singer and composer at Welsh eisteddfodau, and after studying music for a year or two was the first to gain the honour and distinction of the A.C. in Wales. He also won prizes at the Tonic Sol-Fa College and at American eisteddfodic meetings, and in 1877 succeeded in gaining the degree of Mus. Bac. at Cambridge. As a com- poser he is in the front rank, and he is also widely and favourably known as a conductor and as an adjudicator. He has written voluminously, and his songs, duets, trios, and male voice choruses are well known. Rarely do we come across an eisteddfod programme that does not include, as a test piece, something written by him. His volume of hymn tunes has been adopted by the English Caivinistic Methodists.

THE QUEEN AND HER PETS.

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THE QUEEN AND HER PETS. Without in any way seconding the alarmist rumours with respect to the Queen's health, to which currency has been given in more than one society paper, there seems little room to doubt the f«ct that a recurrence of the old rheumatic trouble has set in. It has now become quite a w labour for her Majesty to get to her carriage, and she has to be lifted almost the entire way by her gillies. To a lady who is so fond of walking as the Sovereign of these realms, it must be most trying to have her locomotive powers thus limited, One of the Queen's greatesf regrets while at Windso this summer was the fact that she could rot pay her accustomed visit to the Home Park with that diurnal regularity which has for years been her habit. In the Home Park are the kennels of the Queen's dogs, which, although not ROYAL FAVOURITES. very numerous, are extremely rare in quality. First and foremost as a favourite comes Darnley II., a magnificent collie, with a face far more intelligent than many human beings possess. This noble animal seems to know that he is owned by Royalty, judging from the imperial way in which he always carries himself. Marco and Gina are two Pomeranians, which, with an Esquimaux dog called Rolfe, are sometimes permitted to enter the precincts of the Castle, while Carlin, a very pro- nounced bulldog, with remarkable upstanding ears, is even allowed to sit by the side of our monarch in her morning room. There are other beautiful specimens, including some wonderful King Charles's spaniels, to be seen in the park, and some of these latter the Queen takes with her on her various journeys to Bal- moral.

Welsh Newspapers

The Cardiff Times

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