The Cardiff Times

Neu Wreichion Oddiar yr Eingion By CADRA WD. The Pilgrimage to Carhuanawc's Tomb. ( Concluded). Funeral sermons were preached in all parts of the Principality and amongst the Welsh in London. Liverpool, Manchester, &c., from both Anglican and Noncorformist pulpits, for although loyal to his own church he 'freely mingled with good men of all communions. Three of his closest friends were Revs. Dr. Thomas Phillips, Hereford, C.M. minister, J. Hughes, Brecon, Wesleyan minister, and grandfather of the late Rev. Hugh Price Hughes, and D. Rhys Stephens, of Newport, Mori., the eloquent Baptist preacher and author. We are glad to preserve this sacred tradition of brotherly love and Christian charity over his hallowed grave. The majority of the pilgrims were staunch adherents of Carnhu- anawc's church, but the pathetic duty of describing the pilgrimage was very generously left to my Nonconformist self, who with many defects, have one qualification. namely a boundless admiration of the hero of my imper- fect sketch. The inscription on the tomb is in Welsh, and reads as follows :— Coffadwriaeth am y Parchedig Thomas Price (Carnhuanawc), Periglawr Cwmdu am 27ain mlynedd. ac awdwr Hanes Cymru.' Genid ei yn Llanfair vn Muallt. Bu farw Tachwedd v 7fed, yn y flwyddyn 1848, yn LXI. mlwydd oed. Gwclid ef yn ei gorff gwiwlan, Ei wisg Iwvs a'i t'oesalu glan, Ei dalcen mawr ysblenydd, Ei wen rleg, mal buan dydd. Ei eres lygaid eiriau Hylym a dwys mal fllam dan, A'i gerddediad gorddidawr, Nodau mwys ei enaid mawr, Ei lais oedd fel y delyn Synai a denai pob dyn Ffrwyth Hymettus, felus faith, Oedd a'i feres dda araith." The above lines are extracted from the second memorial ode. signed Prudd which appeared in the volume called Gwent- wyson." sef Ymdrechfa y Beirdd, neu Awdlau Galarnadol am yr Anfarwol a'r Bythglodos, y Parch Thomas Price (Carnhuanawc). Cy- hoeddedic gan Evan Jones (Gwrwst), Caer- fyrddin, 1849. It is erroneously attributed to the Rev. J. Jones. M.A. (Tegid), Vicar of Neverri, Pembrokeshire, who only acted as adjudicator fo" Gwrwst. who appears to have offered a prize for the best ode, In Memo- Dam to Carnhuanawc. Another prize was also offered by the same person for the best ode on the" Resurrection (Yr Adgyfodiad), which was gained by Cynddelw, Baptist minister at Sirhovvy, of which Tegid in his adjudication wrote Rhaid i mi yma fynegi a thystiolaethu na ddarllenais i erioed mewn un iaith awdl na chan rhagorach na. hon, nag un gan 'chwaith ar destyn yr Adgyfodiad, i'w chvstadlu a hi. Awen ystrydoledeg a'i cyfansoddodd hi. Henffvch well i ti Cynddelw, pwy bynag wyt. Enwogaist dy hun a'th iaith. Bydd dyawdl fel gem, yn dvsgleiriaw yn y lenyddiaeth Gymreig.—Tegid. The poetry on Carnhuanawc's tomb is written in the arbitrary alliterative Welsh metres. It gives a graphic word painting of the deceased's personal appearance, which indicates his supremacy and greatnes;?. It describes its lofty forehead, penetrating and brilliant eyes, winning smile, glorious as a June morning. Then he emphasises his firm tread and dignified bearing, the very embodiment of culture, and the apostle of sweetness and light." It concludes with a fine description of his clarion voice, strong and yet delicioualy sweet as the melody of a Welsh harp. 111 renovating the tomb it will be necessary to describe his birthplace, more correctly. It was not Builth, but a remote hamlet several miles outside, called Llanfihangel-Brvn- Pabuan. The mistake arose because his widowed mother lived for any years at Builth, whom he frequently visited until her death. It was only natural that strangers should then infer that Builth was his native town. Let no foe or stranger ever desecrate the tomb of this illustrious son of Gwalia. When I think of his learning and genius, his magna- nimity and disinterested kindness, and espe- cially of the way in which he championed his country's cause at a time when Welsh Nationa- alism was not so fashionable a hobby as it is to-day, when we think of all these elements of lofty patriotism which crowned him with un- dying glory, I feel that every ray of gratitude must fade from the hearts of his fellow- countrymen before the name and fame of Carn- huanawc are forgotten in the land of his birth. We soon left Crickhowell behind us once more, and reached Abergavenny just as the shadows of evening began to fall upon our paths. In the old church here I found the renowned Herbert Chapel, with the tombs and effigies of Gwladys, the daughter of Sir David Gam, her second husband, William ap Thomas, of Raglan, and their sons, William Herbert, Earl of Pembroke, and Sir Richard Herbert, of Coldbrook Lewis Glyn Cot hi. the Court bard. has eulogised Gwladys Seren yFenni," and justly praised her for her accurate know- ledge of the two languages, Welsh and Eng- lish. It is said that Carnhuanawc frequently visited the Herbert chapel, and contributed much of the information contained in the standard work upon it by Mr Octavius Morgan. M P., the brother of the first Baron Tredegar. To me, as a humble member of the revived I soeietv, it is a most inspiring recollection that the principal patrons to-day are the off- spring of those illustrious personages who founded the noble house of Yr Harbertiaid," May the new society thrive and flourish. Let the mantle of Carnhuanawc fall upon the pro- moters of the present project. We are looking forward with great confidence to the inaugural Congress. Saxons and Its are one in their desire to-day to promore the welfare of the land we love. Those days of racial wars described so graphically by Carnhuanawc in his stirring pages are over for ever. The strangers within our gates who have no share in our glorious past, and who do not participate in the least degree in our picturesque tradi- tions, stand shoulder to shoulder with us in the halls of the Fenni Cymreigyddion, so as to develop our own ideals in accordance with our own aspirations, and upon our own national lines. Calon wrth Galon," Tra Mor tra Brython," Deffro, mae'n ddydd." (Rev. E. Price. Ebbw Vale). In the second volume of the" Literary Remains" of Carnhuanawc, we read that Carnhuanawc had made an appointment on the very last day of his life with a mason of Cwmdu, named Thomas Prosser, to go with him on the morning to a quarry two miles distance from the village to choose suitable materials there for the construction of a tomb. He also told the mason under an injunction of secrecy that these stones were intended to cover his own remains, and directed that they should be dressed and prepared during the ensuing winter. Mr Price was prevented from going to tbequarry by the arrival that morning of two friends from Llanover. Lady Hall, having heard of his increased illness, charged them to bring him back with them in her darriage. carriage for the benefit of change of air and scene. He received the visitors with cheerful- ness, but wrote a note to Lady Hall saying that he was too ill to accompany his returning friends to Llanover, and promising" to visit Llanover in a few days should he feel better, and to see Sir Benjamin, who was then very ill. At 4 p.m. he conducted his friends to the carriage, and stood to see them drive off. Re- turning to the vicarage he sat down by him- self to tea, the daughter of his housekeeper, whom he had taught to play the harp, playing in the next room his favourite Welsh air, Sir Harn Ddu," over and over again, and she afterwards on entering the room found Mr Price, his head drooping, eyes closed, quite speechless. He died in the presence of two doctors without uttering a single word, at half- past 8 that evening. The tomb over his grave is made of the stones he had selected in his mind and in the style he had mentioned to the local mason. It is everlasting, like the surrounding hills.

GENERAL BOOTH AT PENARTH. At Penarth District Council on Monday evening, the Chairman (Councillor J. Parry) mentioned that General Booth would visit the town on August 22nd, and he hoped that the veteran Salvation Army leader would be given a public reception. On the motion of Coun' eillor S. Thomas, J.P., it was decided to do so, and the chairman and deputy-chairman were appointed as a committee to make the neces- sary arrangements.—Councillor Hallett: Can't we present him with an address ?—Councillor S. Thomas: Yes, at our own expense, and I hope it will be done.

STEEL RAtL TRADE. On Monday it was reported at Wolverhamp- ton that the Shelton Iron and Steel Co., of Stoke, North Staffordshire, had resolved to enter the steel rail trade. Steel rail rolling machinery is to be immediately installed, and all steps taken for going into the business with vigour. The step is an important one, and already there are rumours of other firms fol- lowing their example. Steel rails arc now sell- ing at JE5 5s to £5 7s 6d for heavy sections and JE5 15s to £5 17s 6d for light sections. The new competition is likely to assist lower values.

TWO BOYS DROWNED. On Monday afternoon two boys named Bailey and Carter were bathing in the canal at Higham, near Hinckley, Leicestershire, when one of the lads got into difficulties. The other went to his assistance, but they got out of their depth, and both were drowned before assistance arrived.

POLICt AND FIRE BRIGADE. At a special meeting of the Gelligaer Council on Monday evening at Hengoed, Councillor W. B. Lloyd presiding, a long discussion took place in reference to the fire brigade. For some time past there has been considerable disagreement as to the working of the fire brigade, and some feeling has been manifested between members of the Council and among the members of the various corps. Representatives of all the local corps waited on the Council to state the condition of things in their respective places, and it was invari- ably stated there was lack of appliances. The remarks of the Pontlottyn representative showed tfeere had been some misunderstand- ing between that corps and the captain, Mr Tom Jones, Bargoed. Mr Tom Jones, however, ga.ve an explanation of the whole situation. The Chairman said the matter was full of spleen from beginning to end, and he was sick of it. The matter should be fairly dealt with, as it concerned the ratepayers of the parish of Gelli gaer. Councillor L. P. Edwards moved that the fire brigade be placed under the supervision of the police. Mr Joseph Morgan seconded, and this was carried. On the motion of Councillor D. Hopkins it was decided that the clerk (Mr F. T. James) write to the chief constable asking if the force could take over the fire brigade.

WEALTHY MAJOR'S DEATH. The inquest concerning the death of Major Falkner at Illston on the Hill, Leicester, was resumed at Billesdon on Monay, and ad- journed until July 5th. The Coroner stated that he had not yet re- ceived the report of the result of the analysis in which Dr. Wilcox, the Home Office analyst, was making. Until he got that report it was impossible for him to conclude the inquiry. He proposed to call no evidence that day, but to adjourn until June 28th, by which date Dr. Wilcox hoped to have the report fully com- pleted. It would not be desirable to caM evi- dence until the report was received. Even- tually, July 5th was selected for the resumption.

r A Visit to Old Tretower. THE GATE-HOUSE AT TRETOWER. I i ;—. TRETOWER, THE HOME OF SIR ROGER VAUGHAN.

ROMAN EXCAVATIONS AT CAERLEON. By the courtesy of Sir Arthur Mack worth, Bart., C.B., we are able to reproduce a photo- graph of the base of an angle tower in the south corner of the citv Isca Silurum (Ca-erlcon). This was discovered last week, and during the Roman excavations which are being ctrrcd on near the reputed Round Table of King Arthur. Experts refer to the tower as the best piece of ancient masonry in Gwent. (Photo by W. G. Busby, Newport.)

SCENE OF THE STRMGE OUTRAGE AT SWANSEA. I The actual spot is shown by the cross near the telegraph post. (Photo by Sears, Swansea.) I

SAILOR AND HIS MONEY. At Aberavon on Monday Sarah Smith, married, Morgar-terrace, Pontrhydyfen, was charged with stealing JE15 from Thomas Powell, sailor on the barque Beaucleau, on Thursday last, and Sophia Haskell, married, of the same address, was charged with receiving 14 of the monev from the other defendart. Mr T. H. Hunter defended Smith. Prosecutor, who had his head bandaged, said he was paid off on Tuesday. He met defendants at the Avondale Hotel and treated them to drinks, havirg over il3 in his pocket at the time. Witness and Smith went up the mountain side, and Haskell walked up Cwmavon-road. Near a quarry the woman Smith put her hand into his pocket, took out his purse, emptied the contents, over S13, into her hand, and ran away. In Cwmavon-road he saw her hand some money to Haskell, and he caught hold of the latter. Haskell dropped some sove- reigns and ran away. prisoners pleaded not guilty and were committed to Quarter \Ses- sions and allowed bail.

MOLTEN METAL BLAST. Several Workmen Injured. An explosion of molten metal seriously injured six workmen at Roberts's blast fur- naces, Tipton Green, Wolverhampton, on Monday. While the men were working there suddenly came a mighty roar. a burst of smoke and flame, and a rush of fractured masonry. motten metal, and boiling water. The iron in the bottom of the furnace had apparently made its way into a channel which carries off water discharged from the tuyeres, and the sudden contact of such dangerous elements caused an explosion. About 25 tons of metal escaped, and in its fury demolished an adjacent hovel used by the men. who were burned by the red-hot mass and scalded by boiling water. The men are all in hospital. Some of them were thrown twenty feet and were more or less unconscious when picked up.

LEVUFGOODS SOLD. At Llanelly County CourV on Monday before Judge Bishop, in the case'of John and Eleanor Ryan, Swansea-road, evidence was given by the court bailiffs to the effect that on various dates levies were made under warrants and goods seized. When, however, Mr E. D. Jones, one of the bailiffs, after a few unsuccessful attempts, gained entrance into the house he found that some of the goods levied had been sold. Mrs Ryan told him some of the goods were sold to pay other executions. His Honour (to Mrs Ryan) I must fine you for removing the goods, and you must pay the money. This is a very' serious offence because you have cheated poor people who have one to the expense of issuing an execution. You are fined JE5 and you will have to go to prison unles3 the money is paid very soon.

PORT TALBOT TRESPASSERS. At Aberavon on Monday David Oliver, tin- worker, Tydraw-street, and Rees Evans, Prior- street, Port Talbot. were summoned for tres- passing on the Great Western Railway near Margam-terrace on Sunday night, May 2nd. Mr Rupert Lewis, who prosecuted, said de- fendants arrived at Port Talbot by the mail, and walked along the line at great risk to themselves. One of the defendants was drunk and the other deaf. P.C. Pojon and Inspector Bowen (Great Western Railway) gave evidence, and defendants were fined 10s and costs each.

DRIVER'S TRAGIC DEATH. Fatality near Hirwain. On Sunday night a party of young men were re- turning from Pont Neath Vaughan to Mountain Ash in a brake drawn by a pair of horses in charge of Henry Walter Broom, and when a short distance from Hirwain one of them was taken-ill. Bloom pulled up at a public-house in order to obtain brandy, but this being re- fused he was in the £ \ct of restarting the brake when he was jerked from his seat, and fell to the ground. One of the wheels passed over Bloom's neck. and Dr. Thomas, Hirwain, was sent for, but he pronounced death to have been instantaneous. Broom was 42 years of age, and a widower with one child. He resided at 24, Duffryn- street. Mountain Ash, and was employed by Mr Allen, cab proprietor, Miskin, Mountain Ash.

CALLED FOR THE RENT. At Newport on Monday C. Rossiter, Hewert- son-street, was charged with assaulting James Stevens, auctioneer and house agent, on May 29th. Mr Baker Jones, who prosecuted, said that Mr Stevens called at the house for the rent. Defendant became very abusive, said he would pay when he liked, and struck him in the face. Mr Stevens went away, but de- fendant followed him to another house and abused him. Mr Stevens denied that he had made any imputation about Mrs Rossiter's character. Rossiter was fined 21s.

TENBY BETTING FINES. At Tenby on Monday four defendants', who were arrested at "the raid made upon the premises of Mrs Caroline Browne, High-street, Tenby, on Friday, surrendered to their bail. Mrs Browne, who was charged with permitting a room to be used for the purpose of betting, was firmed £ 5 or one month's imprisonment. Bertie Browne, her son, who was charged with open- ing the room for t-hjc purpose of betting, was fined £ 25 or three months. Fannie tawton and Horace Thomas, the other defendants, were each boynd over in the sum of t50 on their own recognisance for six months.

AERIAL NAVIGATION. The Central News says It is under-, stood that a meeting of the Parliamentary Aerial Navigation Committee will be held at the House of Commons on Wednesday. The meeting is expected to possess some im- portance, and it is anticipated that definite proposals will be put forward with a view to placing this country on terms of greater equality with foreign countries in the matter of dirigible airships. Last year England spent £ 5,COO on aerial navigation, whilst Germany spent £ 400,000.

MORE JUDGES WANTED. In charging the grand jury at Salisbury Assizes 0.1 Monday Mr Justice Phillimore spoke of the influx of business under the law which had created a Court of Criminal Appeal, and said it was obvious that the business of. the country could Dot, be dealt with by the old number of judges. If new judges were not appointed either the work would have to be scamped or it would have to be delayed. He trusted that the Legislature would see that it j was necessary to add to the number of his brethren.

Merthyr's Mansion. CYFARTHFA CASTLE OPENED. The Cyfarthfa Castle and Park, which have been bought by the Merthyr Corporation from Mr W. T. Crawshay for £18,500. were formally opened to the public on Saturday afternoon, and the event was made the occasion for a popular demonstration. The Mayor and Mayoress (Alderman and Mrs Wilson), mem- bers of the Town Council, and a large number* of incited guests assembled at the Town Hall at five o'clock, and some time laterJeft in gaily decorated electric cars for Cyfarthfa Castle. Arrived at the main entrance to the park, where a large crowd had gathered, the Mayoress unlocked the gates amid cheers, the s' Mayor expressing the hope that that beautiful park would be appreciated by the people of Merthyr. A procession was formed, headed by the Cyfarthfa Band (conducted by Mr G. F. Livesey. son of the first conductor, who was appointed by the late Mr Robert Crawshay in 1847), and marched up the principal avenue to the terrace, where a halt was made. The Mayor and Mayoress, accompanied by the Town Clerk (Mr T. A. Rees), the Deputy Town Clerk IMr Biddle), the Mayor of Aber- gavenny (M ijor Williams), and members of the Town Council, mounted the steps of the Castle, and the Mayor called upon Miss Marjorie Jones, sister of Alderman D. W. Jones (who was unavoidably absent) to open the front door of the castle. Miss Jones turned the key and the door was opened amid hearty cheers. Alderman WILSON, Mayor of Merthyr. (Owen, Merthyr.) Addressing the large gathering from the castle steps, the Mayor said that he greatly regretted the absence of Alderman D. W. Jones, who had greatly interested himself in the move- ment to secure the Cyfarthf a Castle and Park for the town. It was during Alderman Jones's year of office as Mayor of the borough that negotiations were started for the purchase of the castle and park. The price paid for the castle and 158 acres of land was £ 18,500. Cer- tain imprdvements had to be carried out, and, with the sanction of the Local Govern- ment Board, a loan had been obtained from the Liverpool Corporation of £ 22,000. It would be the ambition of the Council to make the park one of the most beautiful places in Wales. He did not think the ratepayers would biame them for what they had done. The Council, in his opinion, had done very wisely in purchasing the castle and park. (Applause.) As the education authority, the Council had for a considerable time been con- sidering the question of providing a municipal secondary school for the borough. Such a school would cost the ratepayers something like £ 20,000. But that heavy expenditure could be obviated by converting the castle into a secondary school. A scheme for its conversion had been prepared, and it was proposed to accommodate 500 children—300 girls and 200 boys. (Applause.) Children from the outlying districts would be given every facility to attend the school, and it had been decided that their train and tram fares should be paid. It was possible to concert the castle into a secondary school for P,10,000 or £ 12,000, and the differencs between this sum and E20,000, which a new secondary school would cost, was sufficient to pay one half of the purchase price of the castle and land, which were absolutely free- hold. (Applause). Alderman D. W..TONES, the Ex-Mayor of Merthyr. The Dawn of a New Day. Councillor Sydney Simons remarked that it had been said that the maintenance of the castle and park were not going to cost the ratepayers anything. They were going to cost a good bit; but he thought the money they would have to pay would be money well spent. (Hear, hear.) If the money spent in the town in the past had been spent in as good a way Merthyr would not take the backward position it did to-day among the sister towns of South Wales. (Applause.) Merthyr in the past was a disgraceful Merthyr. It had not been ldfoked after properly it had had nothing to recom- mend it. It had hovels, wretched houses, wretched streets, and no open spaces. He hoped that. the day of old Merthyr had passed, and that the day of new Merthyr was now dawning. (Applause.) He trusted that as time went on the inhabitants would appreciate places like the Cyfarthfa Park, and would learn to be better citizens, better men, and better women. (Hear, hear.) If that took place he was sure the Council would have been well justified in acquiring that property. (Hear, hear.) He had one suggestion to make. In other large towns in England and Wales efforts were made to attract large shows-the Royal Show, the Bath and West of England Show. etc. He saw no reason at all why, in years to come, the Royal Show should not be held in Cyfarthfa Park, and represejitatives of Royalty be there to open it. (Applause.) If they could push forward- a scheme of that kind it would be for the benefit of the town. (Cheers.) The Mayor said that he would not like the ratepayers to go away under any wrong im- pression. The Council had secured the loan of S,22,000 from the Liverpool Corporation at a very reasonable rate of interest. Some of the loans had only been got for a period of five years, and during that- period the total amount of interest would be zEI,010 per annum. After the five years had expired and the small loans were paid off, the interest would be reduced to a little less than £ 900 per annum. Alderman Enoch Morrell, in moving a vote of thanks to the Mayoress and Miss J-ones, said that that was an occasion on which they could reasonably rejoice, as they had realised some of their ambitions. (Hear, hear.) It offered to them in the future an avenue from which perhaps they would be able to realise more fully their ideals of citizenship. That old castle had been the home for a number of years of a family that played a great part in the commercial world. It was hoped to have there a free secondary school, which he trusted would play no small part in equipping the boys and girlfe of the county borough of Mer- Lhyr for not only a commercial life, but for every sphere of activity—(applause)—and would help to build up worthy citizens of the borough. (Cheers.) Dr. Cornelius Biddle (president of the Chamber of Trade), seconded the motion, and remarked that the Council could not have done better than secure that castle and park for the town. He was a heavy ratepayer, but if he got value fot his money he did not com- plain, and he believed that the ratepayers had got value for their money by the purchase of the castle and park. (Hear, hear.) The Mayor of Abergavenny, in supporting the motion, congratulated the people of Merthyr upon having secured so vaiuable a property, and spoke of the benefits that the children would derive from the secondary education that would be given within the walls of the castle. The Mayor and Mayoress afterwards enter- tained the guests to tea in the castle, a pro- gramme of music being meanwhile rendered by' the Cyfarthfa Band. Afterwards the public were admitted into the castle.

TOOK BELLADONNA. At Aberavon on Monday Elizabeth A. Davies, married, of Tymain-street, Cwmavon, was chargad with attemptingdo commit suicide by poison on Friday last. Mr L. M. Thomas de- fended. P.S. Davies said he was called to the house and fonnd the accused unconscious. The woman regained consciousness at, 11, o'clock at night, having been delirious all day. Later on he charged her and in reply she said, She had had toothache all night and had put a. stump of a pipe in her mouth to try and cure it and it made her drunk,' and she then took a belladonna." Dr. R. T. Williams, Cwmavon, said he found the woman delirious and apparently suffering from belladonna poisoning. He gave her an emetic and antidote. The Bench dismissed the charge on a pro- ] mise that accused would n6t repeat the at- tempts

By D. EMLYN EVANS. MINOR TUNES. Recently a public speaker-Ie who knoW! somet,hing about Welsh singing," according to a newspaper report—" declared that it was big mistake so many Welsh should be in the minor key," and that is also a mistake always to sing crying tunes.' Whether the concluding part of the. paragraph which states that the "stronge element in the forming of dispositions an characters was the music of a country," can be unconditionally endorsed is doubtful but the excessive use of lachrymose tunes in our coil gregational music worship, and cyrnanfaoed" canu, has been repeatedly pointed out and e. precated in these columns and others, both In Welsh and English. The stranger among us come to think that this plaintive singing leading characteristic of Welsh music-sacred and secular. Anyone, however, who 1!3 thoroughly acquainted with the subject, that minor tunes form but a comparatively small percentage of our national airs,- while extreme prevalence of this mode in the public service and the singing festival is largely to particular causes such as the person*' idiosyncracier and limited outlook of many 0 the singing leaders—precentors—who are often untaught and illread and the fact that aSS. common rule in framing a gymanfa programiBe is for each section of the associated chorister? to nominate its quota of tunes, the net is a predominance of disheartening mournful' ness. It would be a service to the Englishman to teach him how to sing and appreciate 8J1 occasional pathetic time--it would materially help to relieve his public praise of much of hard earthiness which characterises it so often at present and it would be a service to tbo Welshman, too, if he were taught to that while a flavouring of the former is accept able and commendable, to have minor tuneø throughout a service, and some half a dozen or so in unbroken sequence at a gymanfa gau", is too much of a thing—is bad practice and bad policy. „ In a volume of posthumous Homilies from the pen of the late Rev. R. Ambrose Jones, Emrys ap Iwan —son of the well-known Welsh Nationalist the late Rev. Micluiel Jones, Bala-and in on8 of the most striking of its ably-written con- tents, viz. a sermon entitled Cymru Gel. wyddog (Untiuthful Wales), some references to the character of Welsh singing at once the musician's attention. It is probable» says the author, that the Britons were ,of singing since they became Kymry, '•e'l Since they amalgamated with the Irish t the other original inhabitants of this èountr1; but until they were subdued by the Sa^onS* they sang joyful and heroic songs after subjugation they dare not nor could they sing°f war, therefore they got to sing wailingly of all, then after becoming used to their 18l" very they sang love songs, still in a wailipo tone and this injured their morals. The maJ' rity of our religious tunes were composed í11 the same spirit, and it is in that spirit that ^J sing them in the main and a man has no ne6^ to be much more philosophically minded a Saxon to perceive that long-drawn, plaintive and ecstatic singing softens and intoxicates man, making him as disposed to sin in one,0 two directions as if he took opium or wine. For this reason, Plato, the'greatest of the thinkers, argued that the magistrates sh-uld not permit anyone to sing enervating music io a perfect state, because music of that CIOO would immediately pro re disastrous to I When Napoleon heard that the Germans were raving over Goethe's first, work, The sorrovo of Werther,' and that they were given to songs of that mournful nature, he said, I shall be able to conquer that lot in a very short time,' and conquer them he did. Nev theless, when they devoted themselves to read the healthier works of Schiller, and to singy* manly songs of Arnt and Ruckert, and ner, he also had to retreat before the milb0 warriors who rose up against him." Our author proceeds to confess that he bivy self is Over-fond of Plaintive Tunes, 9 but he "dreads to hear plaintive singio especially to the more fleshly hymns 0 Williams, Pant-y-celyn, at the end of a sund night service, lest that may make some of t\rí1 congregation weaker to withstand the de after going out. It would not be difficult, he thinks, to prove that there is more ness during religious excitement, when much^ this sort of singing goes on than at other time. Who said Cymru Ian. gwlad 1 gan (Pure Wales, land ot song) ? he It is true enough that it is the land of so but, more the pity, it is not a pure (cle*Tf Wales. Her enemies, aye, and many of b friends, too, say that she is an unclean Wales and if that be true, I venture to say that cause she is the land of song, she is, to son' measure, an unclean Wales. The majorlvL sing, or at least vocalise, unintelligently, because they are religious but because they covetous (lust ful)—because they take pleasu^ in intoxicating themselves with luxurio^f sound. It is a pitiful thing that so many people have thought for some period that they can be bards and singers without any effort, and without thing of singing as regards its history rules, and especially without general know, ledge. These undoubtedly are the most etnp"?^ headed and selfish little beings within ^r°Z.y creation. They are unable to listen to sense in a religious gathering, a competiW or any other meeting, if that sense be not io sound. Sense or not,sound is essential for But as regards the man with musical taste^^ well as general knowledge, no one is abler he to appreciate talent in all things whetn^ it be in a tune or in a song, an essay, an dress, or a sermon. As a rule, he is the reader, and he is the best listener. For the £ of Wales's good name, pray for more of tb and fewer of the others." .&. We have quoted from the author at coQS erable length, not by any means because vo are disposed to subscribe to all he ass because it places the question of Welsh Music before us in a new light, or from a new point. It appears to us that he begs the tion more than once, and a mere assumPV* does not prove a case. The remarks upon sr*g> are, indeed, nothing but a lengthy digre^1 inserted without any direct connection wita ^& text proper (,Eph. iv., 25), except fromV^^ author's own point of view. His case is, ever, ably put. We have had, as we have 8^ probably, enough national self-,tdmir-sti among us and this, as already stated, Pre: sents an important subject which closely &o peals to us as a. people in a fresh light' that a little self-examination noweannotprev otherwise than beneficial.

BLACKWOOD MOTOR FATALITY. Mr W. B. Dauncey, deputy coroner, ducted an inquiry at Blackwood on Mo11 into the circumstances of the death o £ Coleman, aged three, son of Mr Peter ^,$4 man, of Gordon-road, Black-,vood, whocVVSJ knocked down by a, motor-car on Sat evening. Mr Peter Coleman said he often seen the Royal mail car going thro Blackwood, and he thought the speed was reckless.—The Coroner What speed you think it was going at Well, about thirty miles an hollt'. ea The Coroner (surprised) Thirty leíØ an hour ?—Witness YeS, perhaps at times.—Sarah Ellen Parry said sb-e the little boy run out of a gully right in I of the car, the wheel of which passed oV cedi head. The car was going at a moderate sp and the driver pulled up within a few The accident was unavoidable. Edith j QeO* Smith, Maud Jones, Florence Stokes, and tí Radford, a postman, corroborated. o> .that the car went at a moderate r .jcot< speed, and that the affair was a pure aCC1^0ut» George Stokes said he heard people SD Whoever could get out of the way °* going at that rate ? He thought the car at 20 miles an.hour. Deceased was his John Harrington, the driver, said he ",as r gX veiling at about seven or eight miles an hour io the time of the accident The little boy T of front of the car almost before he was a a it. About 18 miles an hour was the ro»x rate at which the car could go. In up the Coroner said that they must kee_F ftjl any suspicion of prejudice. They aware there was a great deal of against motor-cars; he therefore as* tfxei* jury to keep out any such feeling ^r0^ranc £ consideration. There was a PreP°n easOD' of evidence that the car was going at a F( ^cCi- able, moderate fpeed. A verdict of be.9 dental death was returned, a -are at added stating that the driver took all .the time and could not avoid The Foreman of the jury remarked vn .-Met car travelled through Blackwood at speed than they thought it ought alarmed the inhabitants, and he y asked the driver to exercise all care in 0^rie* Mr D. Lewis, solicitor, on behalf ot theOot of the car, expressed regret at the a* d0* and sympathy with the parents of peased.

MERTHYR JUSTICE'S BURIAL. T P-» C°^ The funeral of Mr John Morgan. Jr" merchant, Merthyr, took place on ^to' afternoon, and was attended by a 'P0 her of magistrates and public men. 1 was first removed from the residence Thomas-s treet to the Salem j Chapel, where the deceased was a cyed v after an impressive service it was co too the Cefn Cemetery, where the intoi'iti 9U place. At the Police Court on 1. uc- l'cferrcu Mxrchant Williams (the stipendiary gcn3. to Mt- Morgan3 high integrity and g Bfa' anil as a mark of respect the cour journed for an hour.