The North Wales Express

*=■ 1ft BRYN ROBERTS, M.P., AT PEKYSEOES. EiTTER ATTACK ON LIBERAL IMPERIALISTS. On Wednesday night Mr J. Bryn Roberta. M-P., addressed a well-attended meeting Liberals at Penygroes. Mr T. W. il 1 lams presi dec!. Rev. H. Williams, B.A., proposed a u- fiftuuoii to the effect that that meot-iig called, upon the Government to do all in its power to bring the war to a speedy ter- nvnation on fa,r and just term-s. hououi- ao|e to both sides. R. R. Williams briefly iseoonded. Mr J. Bryn Roberts, on rising to support the motion, was received with cheers. Ho s&wl that Lord. Rosebery's Chesterfield speech so far as it dealt with the necessity of making, peace by arrangement with the B°^r& and 'in sc» far as it vigorously de- nounced the policy of uncondl.tional sur- render had the support of all anti-wax Liberals, and his lordship's miljx and r^al 'Object, undoubtedly wars to help in making s'ieh 4 pedc £ iii? Jordshi-p favoured the ^Hctivn of a temporary coatd'.on Goi/o'-n- ttient for the .sole purpose of effecting Rilch a peaee, and he t'-iir Bryy 'RoKtIs) would U. Welcome any Govwent formed for the sincere purpose of effecting a termination 01 th-s Ln, 7ultctlus war by a peace honour- able to "ath sides, whether such a course Would heap or injure the interests of the Liberal party, for party interests were as dust com oared with the* interests of Inl- Hi an .ty (applause). If that was tbp hon- orable and patriotic purpose of Lord Rcfiebery it was completely toiled bjf the selfish tonduot oi the Liberal Imperialist intriguers. The chances of the success of the scheme were fiiight under tho most favourable circum- stances, for it required the co-operation of influential Conservatives who hated the war and wished in the interest of the nation to ee it ended &nd who would be willing to jay .aside all party interests in the mt'ion&i interest of peace. It was, therefore, es- sential that the movement should not be identified with any party or any party seo tkitl. All chanv-e of this was destroyed by Air A"quith and Sir Edward Grey and their handful of followers taking possession of Lord Robbery's platform, openly identify- ing Lord Rosebery with their party section, and effusively clasping him to their bosoms "willy-nilly as their leader. The result was that Lord Rosebery's patriotic attempt to lead a non-party peace movement had been frustrated and "they had a case of "as you Were" all round. The reasons why the Liberal Imperialists acted thus were pretty obvious. They had hacked up the war and justified the Government from the first. Tbey found that the country was dis- covering that it had been grievously de- luded and hoodwinked by the war party, and that the best blood had been poured, and two hundred millions had been squan- dered in vain. The Liberal Imperialists saw political ruin staring them in the face, and they hoped to avert their fat- by cling- I ing desperately to Lord Rosebery's coat- ^ails (lp.ughter). The true interpretation of the effusiveness of Sir Henry Fowler, Sir Edward Grey, and Mr Asquith, was that. it was was a frenzied cry of "Lara) save us! or we perish" (Joud laughter). The Imperialist editors had all followed in the same line and frantically called on Lord Rosebery to put himself at the head of the Liberal party, ignoring his definite statement that he would never attempt to lead a divided party. Lord Rosebery knew perfectly well that a leader tainted with Jingoism would never lead a united Liberal party, and he indicated as much In his Chesterfield speech for lie drew at- tention to the discrepancy between the in- vitation to the meeting that. he was aak^l to advise the Liberals, but that in the grave national crisis he would add his ide^s tc Mie common stock—not to the Liberal Svock (hear, hear). It was true be gave some preliminary advice to th? Liberal party, but, as he expressly said, lest they should think he came there on false pretences, but when Lord Posebery caDle to the main purpose of his speech he distinctly said lie wished to avoid party Polemics, that his policy did not run on party lines, that it was not to party that ^e appealed, and that party in the matter be aimed at, namely peace, could avail little or nothing. And now these editors, when they found that Lord Roseberv really meant these things when he said them, were overwhelmed with consternation for they had trusted that it had been Lord Rosebery who should have redeemed the Liberal Imperialists. Theijr were greatly taken aback when they discovered that Lord Rosebery was much too wise to march through the country at the head of that ragg,Kt regiment (loud laughter and ap- plause). But putting aside all these mat- ters which were comparatively trifling ex- cept in to far as they had, frustrated Loird IEL0 efforts for peace, the -speech ai Chesterfield was, after all, of great signi- ficance and an important help to the peace Bioveaiient. J..JOro Rosebery had been a strong supporter of the war policy (hear, hear). He had egged on the war &P^lt approving of Fitzpatrick's hook which had been nubli-s.hed to kindle it, and to hnd him declaring as forcibly for a policy ot con- ciliation a,s against the fatal policy ot un- conditional surrender was indeed beaut (hear, hear). It was an unmustaA- able indication that the country, including weai the war party itself, wa.s utterly sici of t/hc war (cheers). The Boers, after all *rc unspeakable horrors which they had, en- dured. and were enduring, must be still more sick of fit. What was there to prevent Peace being made? When both parties to a combat were utterly tired of a. contest then should be the aowpted time for mediation. The country should make its vctoe unmistakably heard upon this point (hear, heaT). Without that it was useless to expect the Government to move in the direction of peace. They had f"" foolishly committed themselves to a policy of un. conditional surrender that they feel that they cannot wlitb.draw from it without hu- miliation. and he bad been sufficiently long In politics to have learnt that the ordinary party politician would continue to plunge his country intci any calamity, shed <t.s Wood, and pour out its treasure without stint and without hea'tatiion, utterly re- gardless of the ultimate consequences as long as he'xiuld befool the country into do- ing so rather admit himself in the wrong d thereby subject himself and' his party xo humiliation and disaster (cheers). Had at not been for this foolish and criminal poVav of unconditional surrender peaoe would have been established after Paarde- berg, more than a. year and a half ago (hear, t>ur losses in life and treasure since then had .11 ore than doubled, and were ap- paren: ly to go on indefinitely in order to save the faces of the end to avoid the humiliation of thenr having to reverse the policy of unconditional surrender. In order t,) befool the country and keep it up to the fighting mark any suggestion Li of negotiation is scouted as disgraceful and lu an admission of defect: and we were a^ked indignantly whether we were to sue or a discreditable peace. Why, for the victor to negotiate a peace was not to stl, Or peace, nor was a peace so attained dis- creditable (hear, hear). It was the univer- Ral method by which all civilised warfare was terminated (cheers). Did we make a "Creditable peace with France after the 1 battle of Waterloo^ when we entered into negotiations and did not annex that coun- try? Was a discreditable peace negotiated by France after Solferfno. by Bisma-rk after by France after Solferfno. by Bisma-rk after I the Prusso-Danish war, after Sadcwat, end rt "t after Sedan, and by Turkey after the war with Greece? In all these coses the victor entered into negotiations with the van- I-Itislied and offered terms which a brave op- poutsni co'dd honourably cccept (hear, hear). How, then, could it be discreditable in us- to do the same now? Theu .ve are túld that it is for the Boers to approach us. Why, they had done so repeatedly (hear, hear). The Presidents of both Republics sued for peace after Cronje's surrender, and the reply was, uuenditioual surrendor, and the extinction of the Republics aiKi of their I nationhood. They had si-ice repeatedly nvide overturts. Botha did so, and nego- tiated with General 71uller after the relief of Ladvsmith. Buller could have made trrms. but the orders he received from Lord Roberts werj to demand unconditional sur- render. In all, the Boers had endeavoured to negotiate six or seven timef:, and peace had even' time been prevented by the Home (cheers). The motiOP, was unanimously adopted. On the -motion of Mr J. Elias Jones, draper, Penygroes, seconded by Mr Robert IVêy, a vote of confidence in Mr Bryn Ro- berts was passed with acclamation. The Rev D. Cynddelw Williams, B.A., proposed a Vr-olntion in favour of the popular control of education, and Mr Lewis Williams, seconded. The Chairman, in calling upon Mr D. P. Williams (chairman of the Carnarvon County Governing Body) to support. the motion, referred to that gentleman as one who had done more than any other to further the caxise of education in Carnar- vonshire within the last ten years. Mr Williams, who was enthusiastically received, reviewed the history of educa- tion ill the country from the time of the passing of the Act of 1870. He compared the Board and the Voluntary schools, and showed the superiority of the work done tv the. former, and the effect. of recent 7ory legislation upon elementary education in the country. Mr Williams also traced the history of intermediate education in Wales, and especially in Carnarvonshire, where the first county school was built, and he urged the necessity of keeping child- ren in the intermediate schools for at least three years in order that they might receive the full benefits of intermediate education. The resolution having been adopted, Mr Ellis Davies, solicitor, Carnarvon, who succeeds th. late Mr W. J. Williams as secretary of the Eivion Liberal As- sociation, addressed the meeting, emphas- ising the importance of the better housing of working classes. A vote of thanks to Mr Bryn Roberts and other speak "rs and also to the chair- man brought the meeting to a close. —(§>

Anglesey Quarter Sessions A CLEAN SHEET. THE CHAIRMAN ON CRUELTY TO CHILDREN. Tilt- Quarter Sessions for the County of Anglesey were held on Wednesday at flit3 County Hall, Baumaris, Sir Richard Wiiiianis- Euikeiey, Bart., presiding. Sir Richard said there was no business to come before the gl CLüd. jury; the sanctity of tht- hland of Anglesey was proverbiaJ, and it was once, agam ^xwnplitiea oy a ciean (sulendax. lliere two nvtt/t crh to whicli in* flc-— sired to draw the attention of the grand jury. The first was with regard to cruelty to children. Cruelty to children might arise from two causes. It might arise, as unfor- tunately it did now and again, from sneer cruelty. He was happy to say that such cases were very rare. But in the eyes of me law there wits iuiothor species of cruelty which arose from neglect. Now, neglect might arise from sheer carelessness -uid a total want of love, affection, and care which was natural for parents to show to(their children; or it might arisf- from circumstances over winch paierros had but very 1 it-tie control, such as poverty. The Royal Society for the Preven- tion of Crueltv to Children had been active in Lhat part of the country, and he thought it was just as well that lie should draw the grand jury's atteiition to the fact that, aJ- i-hough there were no cases of real crneJtv of the class lie had alluded to, yet there h;id. been a considerable number of a.e.s of negle-ct of children. He wished to draw their attention to the -fact that this society was doing au en- ormous amount of'good all over the country. If any knowledge of bad treatment or neg- led of children came to their notice, they should make use of this society, and place its inspector upon the track of the offenaei s. and by doing that they should be doing their duty. The other matter to which he wished to "direct their attention was in connection with what he might almost call fraudulent ad- vertisements. He thought that simple- minded people shoidd be put. upon their gitard as to a certain class of advertisments. oo-

LOAI, EJSTEDDFODiO. AHKREECH. On Monday night a successful competitive m eeting was held at Abererch. Prize win- i>vr.s :—Challenge solo: Mr R. Edmund JOli and Mr J. E. Priebard equal: choral competition A'x rerch Choir, Mr John Wil- liams, conductor englyn: Mr Humphrey Davies, Broom Hall. Mr W. J. Wilbams, Efuil Newvdd.nd Mr .Trtiij). llis, Pwllheli, were musjeal aujudicatcrs. I PWLLHELI. On Friday night, Mr O. Robyns Owertl presided over a very interesting competi- tive meeting at Salem ChapeL Amongst } those who won prize. were Miss E. Robyns j Owen, Messrs J. Rowlands, G. Williams, Richard Davies, D. O. FV.ans, John Wil- | liams, W. H. Iioberts, R. D. Roberts, and others. Mr J. O. Jones (Arifog) was complimented on his winning a chair at ( Bangor. .< RHOSTRYFAN. The annual Christmas Eisteddfod was held last week. at tho Horeb Calvinistic Meth- odist Chapel, Rhostryfan. The following were the chief awards:—Solo from Han- del: R. R. Thomas, Rhostryfan. Duet H., R Thoma-s, Rhostryfan, and Mrs Hen- derson Jone.s. Talysarn. Trio R. R. Tho- mae, Mrs Henderson Jonsa, and H. E. I Owen, Rho-sgadfan. Male voice choir com- potittoii • Moeltryfan Cboir; choir competition: Rhostryfan Choir. Choral competition: Rhosgadfan Choir. Recita- tion Owen Jones, WaeiifaWr. Dialogue J. R William* ina friends. Mceltryfan. Five minutes' sDeech Owen Jones, Waenfawr. Essay Owt-vi Jones, Rhostryfan. BODVEAN, PWLLHELI: DISGRACE- FUL SCENES. A crowded literary meeting was held at the C.M. Chapel on Christmas night. Mr R, R. J ones, Abergynolwyh, conducted. I Mr Hugh Williams, PwHheii, who was an- nounced to preside, could not attend, but sent a donation of one guinea. Miss Ro- berts, Brynhyfryd, proved an excellent ac- companist. During the proceedings a most disgraceful disturbance took place. Some of those who intended to compete, and who I were outside the chapel at the time, were violently attacked bv a man who was alleged to be drunk. The same person went to the front door of ihe chapel and forced it open, and caused great excitement in the meeting The man became so violent that ne had to be bound with a rope and forcibly removed tja. house. It is very likely that more will be heard of the affair shortly. The follow- ing were the principal winners:—Tenor, W. J. Hughes, Efailncwydd duet, Mess:s Watkin Williams, Pwllheli, and Tom Wil- liams, Pentreuchaf; baritone, Mr John E Priebard, Pwllheli; quartette, Mr T. W; liams and party, Pentreuchaf; englyn, Mr R. E. Williams, Pwllheli; choral sinking, Morfa Nefyn Choir (leader, Mr John Owen) challenge solo, Mr J. E. Pricaard recita- tion, Mr Watkin Williams, Pwllheli. CARNARVON. The annual Baptist Eisteddfod was held at the Guild Hall on Christmas Day. Mr Evan Evans, county surveyor, occupied the chair, and the Rev Dr Owen Davies con- ducted. Mr Richard Prichard (organist of Salem Cba.peL) was the accompanist. The following were the prize-winners —Miss Cissie Bibby, Palace street: Messrs R. Jeffreys, Misses Bled wen Jones, Palace Chambers; Tannette Rowlands, Castle View; Agnes K. Jones, A. J. Williams, M. Ellr-n Jones, SaUte Owen, Mrs Prico Hum- phreys, Misses Elinor Rees, Mabel Roberts, M A. Humphreys, Messrs H. Gwilym chards, T. J. Thomas, G. Elwyn Jones, Miss E J. Williams, Master Charlie Uichards. Mr R. Solomon Williams, and Mr Willie Jones. Pool Side. The best quartette party was that conducted by Mr J. T. Williams. Mr Tsgaer Lewis was the winner of the. chair prize for the best odo, "Arglwya^, pwy yw Ef,-?" and the successful stanza writer was Mr T. O. Jones. Half the priiw was awarded to Mr J. Wynne Parry for an essay dealing with the possibilities of Car- narvon as an industrial and commercial town. A prize of e4 was offered to the party of eight giving the best rendering of "Myfanwy," or "'Ti wyddosfbeth ddywetl fy nghalon." A condition was attached that each party should consist entirely of per- sons employed in the same trade or occupa- tion. Six parties came forward. The ad- judicator gave his decision in favour of the "ironmongers," second honours being awarded to a party of "labourers," but a protest was lodged against the winning party on the ground that one of its number was a clerk and not an ironmonger. The committee were advised to rule the protest ont of order. The adjudicators were Revs J. E. Hughes. M.A., Gwilym Lewis, B.A., Eifionydd, Gwili, Mr Daniel Roes, MrNath. Roberts, Mrs Jonetf (Minafon) and Mr Owen Jones, chemist, Abergele. Mcs-srs J. P. Owen and W. B. Jones acted as ioint secretaries of the festival, Mr R. J. George being the treasurer. BANGOR. The annual eisteddfod promoted by the Penuel Baptist Chapel, Bangor, was held on Christmas Day and the following day and it fully maintained its record of,pas, years both in point of attendance and the number of entries, whilst the adjudicators in the various departments announced that the majority of the compositions sent in and the vocal capabilities of the mu- sical competitors were of unusual merit. The presidents were Mr T. Dudley Mor- gan and Councillor W. P. Matthews, and leganwy, who performed the duties of conductor with conspicuous success kept the audience in the best possible'soirit with his witty remarks ajnd topical anec- dotes. The musical adjudicator was Pro- fessor J. Henry, R.A.M., the eisteddfod accompanist being Mr D. R. Ellis, DQan street, Bangor. The chairman of the exe- cutive committee was Mr W. Thomas, Up- per Bangor, and the vice-chairman Mr D Rowlands. The secretarial duties were efficiently performed by Mr J. P. Jones. 37, Caelleppa, who received a well do served eulogium from the conductor Mr Dudley Morgan, who presided over the opening meeting, referred to the edu- cational value of the eisteddfod, and sa.id that before the era of intermediate and higher education in Wales the work done by eisteddfodau could not be overestima- ted, and it still remained the handmaid of education in preserving the desire for the higher life which the inborn love of music and of poetry had hitherto done. The value of even minor eisteddfodau was great, and he sincerely hoped that in the future, as in the past, his nation and hie. native land would not allow tho institu- tion to pass away (applause). The re- T'l in Welsh national affairs had been such that it was no vain prediction that Wales would in the future play a more important part in the common weifar which had so *rapidly extended (cheers). Her sons were now dist''infniicW,lnP them- selves in the political world, as thev had done in the musical and literary world of the past, (hear, hear). Ho might also make a passing reference to the increased desire I for information as to her past historv, exemplified in the publication of such jyorks as Owen Edwards's "Wales'' and ^radley's -Owen Glyndwr. H$sincerely hoped that- politically ai?d religiously she- would attain to even a prouder enainence tl)^ s^le »t present occupied (hear, hear). .no following: were the chief* awards; — Slipper tops and a chair cushion, Miss Llanbadarn. Solo singing, for: efctdren, '•Bwthyn yr amddifad' (J. ,.f:n1r^)' Miss Dily;, Menai Williams, fVg street; 2, Miss Myfanwy Davies, abernac-le street. Recitative poem, "Y Ldlgjartref" professor EdVards), 1, abernac-le street. Recitative peen) "Y Ldlgjartref" professor EdVards), 1, Miss Myfanwy Davies, Tabernacle street. Stanzas on "Y sarph bres," Anant, Tal- J' ysarD. Solo (any voice), l'Gwlad y delyii" (J. Henry), Mr W, E, Roberts, 10, Pen- rallt, Upper Bangor. Catechism on "j\fa llafur," prizes awarded to Messrs Lloyd Jones, Upper Bangor; Catherine I .Jones, Caelleppa; J. Roberts, Upper Ban- gor; Evans, B. Roberta Jfoster W, John) Thomas, son of Mr W. Grey Thomas, and the Misses Evans, daughters j of the pastor of the chapel. Children's 1 party, "0 am ras i garu'r lc-su" (L J. Ro- berts), prize of 15; awarded to party con- i ducted by Master J. Edward Jones. Es- ftay on "Daniel," the first and second prizes awarded to the Misses Kvans. daughters of the pastor, the third being secured by i Mh* J ones, Upper Baneor. Quart cue, j "Yea, though I walk" (Sullivan), two parties, conducted by Messrs J. Parry and W. Williams respectively, competed, and the adjudicator divided the prize. Dicta- tion and writing, prizes awarded to Miss I Jones, Miss Delyn Roberts, Miss Blanche Maude Williams, Caelleppa; Miss Winter Jones, and Miss Evans. Childivn's choir I competition., "Awr ei cni Ef" (Alaw Ffcs- tin), only one choir, conducted by Mr J. P. Jones, competed and secured 73 marks out of a possible 100. Under the eisteddfod rules, however, they were only entitled to half the prize of £ 2 2s, and the conductor was presented with a handsome set of carvers given by Messrs Lever Brothers, Port Sunlight. Pianoforte solo (two en- tries), 1, Miss Winter Jones. Tenor solo, "Garden of love" (Erie Norman), Mr J. W. Jones, Llanberis, was awarded the prizo after an excellent competition. Bardic item, "Daniel ffau y llewod," prize was divided between Mr R. Abbey Williams, Bettwsycoed, and Ap Huwco,. Cemaes. Male- voice party "Nos ystor- F, om" (J. Henry), Mr J. T. Edwards, Ban- gor, and his party were awarded the prize of £ 2 2s. Essay, Dibejaion aelodaeth. cg- Iwysig," Mr David Rowlands, Hill street, Upper Bangor. Recitation (confined to adults), "Ac ir oedd hi yn nos" (Alafon), Mr J. Rowlands, Portdinorwic, was suc- cessful and was present-ed with t gold centre medal. Baritone solo, "Till death" I (Mascheroni), successful out of many com- I petitors, Mr J. O. Moris, Pefilsa. rwaen Soprano solo, "Y cartref dedwydd fry" (Warhurst), Miss Nanney Williams, Beau- maris, was declared the winner, and re- ceived the prize of :Cl. ls. Pen and ink sketch of the late Mr T. E. Ellis, M.P., winner, Mr O. Roberts, Garth, Bangor. Duett (tenor and bass), "Y bardd a'r eerdd- Duett (tenor and bass), "Y bardd ar cerdd- or" (W. Davies), Messrs J W. Jones and J. O. Morris. Chief essay on "Rhagor- iaeth Cristkmogaeth ar brif gau-grefydd- au'r byd," the Rev D. Williams, Pwll- heli. Hymn tune competition, first and second prizes awarded to Mr T. R Jones, London. Translation, prize divided be- tween Mr Roberts, Pen'rallt T08.' J and Mr Robert Jones, Carnarvon road. Ban- gor. Chief choral competition, "O great is the depth" (Medelssohn), the only en- t.ran was the Penuel Chapel Choir, conducted by Mr W. Williams, and they received half the prize of L7 7s, the con- ductor being the recipient of a metronome given by Messrs E. Rushworth, Liverpool. The chief item on the programme was the chair poem on "Pwy yw y rhai hyn," and the winning bard was declared to be Mr J. p. Jones, Church street, Pwllheli. The chairing song was rendered by Pro- fessor J. Henry. PORTMADOC. Tlui annual eisteddfod in connection with the Tabernacle (C.M.) Chapel was held on Christmas Day and on Boxing Day. Captain Robert Williams (PaUestine) presided on Christmas night, and Mf A. Osmond Williams, M.P., on the following day. Mr W. Morris Jones, solicitor, who has been secretary of the meetings for many years, again carried out- the secretar- ial duties with efficiency and tact. The chairman of the committee was Mr Hughes, Preswylfa, and Mr Robert Williams. treasurer. Mr J. Charles McLean was the accompanist. The following were the ad- judicators:^—Mr David Evans, Mus. Bac., London; Tolo Caernarfon, T. Jones (Cyn- haiarn). Rev J. VP- Job. Miss Anna Row- lands, B.A., Bangor: Mr R. Jones, post- master, and others. Llew Tegid proved himself to be an inimitable conductor. Mr Osmond Williams, M.P., on Thurs- day night, in the course of his remarks dwelt upon the beneficial influences of literary and musical festivals upon the life of a nation. Speaking in particular of the Welsh language, he said that it was tho wish of some people to see the Welsh language entirely extinguished, and the nation completely swallowed up. He be- lieved that, a language with such historic and literary repute as characterised the Welsh language should not be allowed to be annihilated without a struggle (ap- plause). They had heard a great, deal of the prevalence of the Elnglish language in the Principality and that it was spreading through the whole country, but he main- tained that that was quite a different thing from iaykig that English was the language to be spoken in Wales. They were all desirous that their children should have a perfect knowledge of English as well as of Welsh, and they wished to see the Welsh nation a bt-tingual nation, which would undoubtedly be a great ad- vantage. On the authority of Lord A ber- dare and other distinguished who took a deep interest. in education it was said that the children of Wales, Ireland, and the Highlands of Scotland fared at the exa- mination as well as, if not better, than those children who knew only the English language. It was therefore utter non- sense to think that Welsh children suf- fered in consequence of the bi-lingcual ele- ment (applause). A high authority on education once said that a bird could not fly high with only one wing; neither could a man rist, to a high position by means of only vtne language. However, thev should not on any account allow the Welsh lan- guage to become extinct (applause). Some of them would remember the veteran Welsh chieftair.'s replv to Henry IT., who asked him, '-Do you think vourneopie can stand against my army?" The chieftain an- swered, Irlt is possible that your armour and your army may enfeeble and to a certain extent destroy nv people, but. they will mise again, a,nd I know one thine-— fhat there will be no nation except the Welsh nation and no lanuuage Ølt.t the T ï Welsh language answerable for this T)art of the earth ort the groat. day of the last Judgment. That was a significant and a striking reply when it was borne in mind that it, was given seven or eiqrht centuries h (applause). But from the point of view of history they had reasons for main- 1..ullng their language. It was Ruskio who said that the language of a nation was full of the characteristic of that nation. If a nation was brave and worthy of its best lays, its language could not be otfyer than noble. Considering the deep influ- ence which Welsh and Celtic literature had had upon English literature, they might. yet hope for the fulfilment of the pro- Fhecy- Eu Ner a folant er pob gwg a braw Eu hiaitb a gad want hyd y fam a ddaw, Eu l-ir .io gollant ond Gwyilt Walia wen, Ni ehollatib bono byth tro seren yn y nen. (Applause). Competitions: Boys solo, 1, Thomas Williams, Prenteg!; 2, Thomas Griffith, Tremadoc. Recitation (children under 16), 1, Laura Ann Williams, Minft'ordd, -and J. Wil!Is'ms, Clog^rth; 2, "illy* Davies, Bryneirian, and Jennie Jones, Ter- race road. Geographical B., 1, Ellen A. Davies, Bryneirian, and Jennie Jones, Ter- race road. Geographical B., 1, Ellen A. Owen, Cbapel street; 2, Robert E. Owen, High street. Solo singing (for those who had not won 5s before), 1, W. H. Evans, Blaenau Festiniog. Handwriting, 1. Mary E. Owen, New street; 2, Lilian Davies, Brvne'irian. Solo singingf /(girls), 1, Al- bena Williams, Tuhwnti'rbwlch; 2, Mary Roberts, 15, New street. Recitation, 1, Maggie L. Williams, Madoc street; 2, Mary E. Williamsj, Prenteg. Contralto solo, 1, Miss Pattie May Roberts, Bortii- ygest. Writing, 1, George McLean, Bank place; 2, Owen Morris Jones, 15, Bank place. Piano playing, 1, Cadwaladr Wil- liams, Chapel street; 2, Maggie E. Roberts, Chapel House, Tabernacle. Im- promptu speech, 1, G. R. Jones". Borthy- gest. Solo singing (restricted to the Ta bernacle). 1, Miss Jane Ann Roberts, 15, New street: 2, Miss Jennie Morgan, East Avenue. Englyn, 1, R. Abbey Williams, j Bettwsycoed. Children's choir, 1, Tre- madoc (leader, Mr R. Glanrafon Jones). Translation, 1, Thomas Roberts, Borth- ) fechan. Essay, 1, Thomas Lloyd, Tre- madoc; 2, R. Lloyd Jones, Minffordd. Es- sav (women), 1, Ellen A. Owen, Madoc street. Recitation, 1, E. O. Jones and Alun Williams. Translation, 1, O. E. McLean, Bank place. Pitching a tune, 1, John Williams, Horeb. Descriptive song, 1, R. Abbey Williams. Singing a I quartette at first sight, 1, W. Windsor Jones and party. Analysing- a tune, 1, Miss Sallie Jones, 38, High street, Blaen- au-Festiniog. Challenge solo, 1, Mrs Eifion Jones; 2. Miss Pattie May Roberts 3, Miss Mary Roberts, Criccieth. Tenor solo, David Brothen Roberts. Verses on thanksgiving day, R. Abbey Williams; 2, Hugh Roberts, Cwm, Penmachno. Recita- tion, 1, T. H. Jones, Penrhyn, and Edwin Parry. Prenteg. Challenge tenor solo, 1, R. Brothen Jones. Chief essay, 1, Hugh Roberts, Cwm, Penmachno. Bass solo. 1, Alexander Henderson. Pryddest, 1, Try- fanwy. Partsdnging ('12), 1, Mr Griffith Roberts, New street, and party. The annual competitive meeting of Rethel and Penmorfa Literary Union was held at the latter place on Christmas Day. The officers were —Chairman of commit-1 tee, Mr R. W. Joues, Gesail; treasurer, Mr W. T. Williams, schoolmaster; sec- retary, Mr Ricliard Rowlands, Penmorfa. Adjudicators: Tndwal, Rev G. Parry, Mrs Jones, Gesail; Mr J. G. Thomas, G. and L., Cwmyglo, and others. Awards: Re- citation (youths), 1, J. E. Hughes, Ynys- pandy; 2, Jane Parry, Penmorfa, and W. Owen, Golan. Singing (youths), 1, E. J. Rowlands, Railway terrace, Penmorfa; 2, G. W. Evans, IJwynderw. Singing (girls), 1, Maggie Evans, Glanmorfa; 2, Mary Pierce, Tailon. Refutation (under 12), 1, Jane Parry; 2, J. E. Hughes, Beth- el. Pianoforte playing, 1, G. W. Evans. Essay (under 21 years old), 1, Maggie E. Jones, Penmorfa. Ear test, 1, Mary Pierce; 2, W. Jones, Glanmorfa. Sing- ing (youths under 16), 1, G. W. Evans; 2, J. Thomas, Penmorfa. Darning stockings, 1, Mrs Rowlands, Penmorfa. Solo (for those who had not won 5s previously), 1, Mary Pierce. Duet, 1, Eos Alltwen and friend. Essay (wc..i 'l1), 1, Kate A. Owens, Penmorfa. Quartette singing, 1, Bethel Party. Answering questions on general subjects, 1, W. T. Williams, Penmorfa. Alto solo, 1, M. J. Williams, Penmorfa. Recitation, 1, J. E. Hughes, Ynyspandy; 2, G. W. Evans. Tenor solo, 1, R. B. Thorpe, Portmadoc,. Tiranslottion, 1. R. Buckingham, Tremadoc. Soprano solo, I 1, Maggie Evans. Llwynderw. Reading part of an awdl, 1, Maegie E. Jones, Pen- morfa. Duet, 1, E. Owens, Blaenau Festiniog, and R. Tecwjii Jones, Llan- frothen. Bass solo, 1, Hugh Owens, Bryn- kir. Recitation (open), 1, E. Hughes, Nantmor. Part, singing (12), 1. Perunor- fa Party. Chief essay, 1, R. LI. Jones, Minffordd. Choral singing, 1, Bethel Choir. Epitaph after the late Owein Pennant, 1, "0 Barch, who did not reveal his identity. A successful competitive meetng as held at thp M?'TIaial Chapel on Year's Eve. Mr J. Tobias, solicitor, presided, and Mr E. Pieroo conducted. The !'r'ncipal awards were:A, Chairman's model ad- dress: Messrs John Rowlands, pi-tman. and Richard W.lliams, Cloth Hall Vv,ual); tenor solo. Mr R. Barrow Thorpe, .solo, Mr Tom Pierce, Peumorfa, soprano solo': 1, Miss Mary Pierce, Penmorfa 2, Miss M.' Williams, Cloth Hall; soprano solo (open): 1. Miss Jennie Roberts, Percy House; recitation: Mr E. Jones Roberts; poetry Mr Thomas Gardener Jones, Brvn Eirian choral s-nging, ehoir conducted by Mr G. Rob?rts, New street, and one con- ducted by Mr Robert GWrafon Jones, Tremadoc (equal). The adjudicators- were, Mevssrs W. D. Jones, Morfa Bychan; W. Emlyn Jones. Hugh Hughes, Park square, and .others, Mr John Davies being the sec- retary. --t)<r--

Pwllbell Police Court. On Wednesday, before the Pwllheli Police Court, the Rev J- C. Williams Ellis; M.A., presiding, Henry Hughes Ala road, 27 ye. old but a very old offender, was charged witn being diunk and musing to quit the Mitae Inn. eu the 21st ult. Defendant had gone nway to South Wales, but his mother ap- peared for hmi, and said that she had -(")ft-(-n asked the landlord of the Mitre Inn not to suppiv him with drmk because he was lite a. madman when drunk. P.S. Jones and P.C. Pugh gave evidence.—Fined os. <-<>s-ts 8s 6:1, for drunkenness, and lOs, costs 8s Oct for refusing to quit or 14 days for ffCl offence. —Richard Owen, a young man, m- ing at Penrhydiyniog, was charged with b -itig drunk and using obscene language. P.C. Pugh said that, he was using abomm- able languaire. Fined 5s, costs 8s 6d.-PS. Jones, in bis evidence against Wm. Jones, Mitre place, said that he was drunk and using bad language, and that he was the 'vorsr character hi the town. Fined 5s, costs 8s 6d.—Thomas Parry. Court, Sand street, denied that he was drunk on the 24th ult., hut his witness refused to giv evidence. P.S. Jones said that, the accused was drunk and that he wanted to fight. The man had wife and four children. How they lived tHe officer could not say. The Bench took 3. lenient view of the case and fined Pwry Is, costs Ss 6d.— Owen Jones, St. Tudwal's ter- race, pleaded guilty to being drunk on the •Both nit., but denied the charge of boing rutous. p.c. Putrh gave evidence, and P.S. Jonas aithat lli* a.?cused called after the last witness in the streetr Fined 5s, costs Ps 6ff, When the defends- heard that he was find, he sa, >. ht time this year, and alio the (ioud laaghtt.1

King and Queen to Visit Hoiy- head "Truth" announces that the King and Queen, en route to Ireland, will reach Holv- head rarlv on the morning of Monday, April 13th, and will embark on board the Roval yacht "Victoria and Albeit," the new ves- sel. which will convey them to Kingstown. Their Majesties will probably return to Holv- head on Saturday. April 26t,h, and, travelling all night, reach Lwidon early on Sunday, the 27 th.

-(}- Mr Joseph Bennett and the, Eisteddfod I Mr Joseph Bennett, the musical critic, was the chief guest at a banquet held at Dol. gelley on New YeaaV-eve and of the Meirion Eisteddofod, at which he. was to adjudl&ite. Mr Bennett saul he had attended the Men ion Eisteddfod for t.he last sixteen Jl r3. His acquaintance with the National Eistedd- fod went back to the year 1867, when he, in company with another journalist, who .vent to see for the "Times" what it was like visited the great Welsh national meeting at Carmarthen. It rained during the whole week as it could ram in Wales somet-inies (laughter)—and the large audience had their umbrellas open. and umbrellas had to be held over the piano and over the clarionet player (laughter). Yet day after day the people came there and seemed as happy a.s the birds in May. umbrellas or no umbrellas; and it struck him that there roust be some great charm which drew them there. At t.hat time English journalists were in the habit of making sport of the Eisteddfod That was a little way ,iii Englishman hadot when he came across a thing he did not understand, and it was what made him such a favourite on the Continent (laughter). He was very giad to say that the bearing of English journalists towards the Eisteddfod was now altogether different (cheers). He himself was once disposed to Oe amused with what he saw, but now he understood tho meaning ot things which had appeared to him to be ab- surd—the coloured robes of the bards and the ai-elidi-u Id. The Eisteddfod reminded him of a nation going baick to it.5 put, to revive and i>erp>tua.te. all that was good and useful in it, and therefore, with all its forms and ceremonials, he said "Success to the Eis- teddfod" (cheers). Having given some amus- ing rem .iniseenc-,s of a vis-it to Ruthin, when the Eisteddfod was held there. the speaker said that those hings were very pleasant to look back upon. but in the ecurq- of lle thirty-five years a wonderful cliaiige had eome over the. It. crudenes bad disappeared to a large extent, its angu- larities had been rubbed off. the whole, tiling was done in a more businesslike way. and generally there had been an advance all along the line (cheers).

G) "Aladdin' at Anglesey CasUe "Aladdin and his wondeifu lamp," forms the, subject ot the initial pantomime at the Gaiety iiieatre, Anglesey Castle, and the beautiful extravaganza haot eliarmed the aud- iences which nigiitiy assembled at the Mar- quis of Anglesey s compact and weil-appoint- iki private theatiie. All pan tommies are more or less aRke, out "Aladdin" at tiiti Gaiety Theatre turn associated with it grace- tin uauemg, melodious singing, rollicking tun, and spectacular eiiects of a. sensational order. Oil the pietorial side Aladdin is full of beauty and wiicn to this is antde^i 4Jl abundance oi xun, toxical suiigs, and "ca,tchy" choinses, the triumpa JI-i coinpleta paruomudl opens III "The Alaitet t'lace, i'ekin," excel- lent dancing being her introduced. Xhe succeeding scene depicts the "Road to the and the "lntcxior oi the Cave," anct wiiat follows is a most gorgeous spectacle, tho etleet being heightened by a dazziing array of ek-ctrical ami lime lights. By means of a clevei mechanical appliance an instan- kuieous chaaige takes piu je, "The Cave of j Jewels," a scene of much beauty, being dis- closed. During this sctne the Marquis of Anglesey, ciothea iu exqins-ite gaaments, in- tioduces his "Butterfly Ihnce," aud at tile conclusion of this realistic performance loud and prolonged cheers are invariably given. "Oloudland" is a charming scene, and "Alad- din's Palace," with the picturesquely-attired I Chinese courtiers, soldiers, ilud attendants forms a lit ting conclusion to iiii excellent pan- tomime. The pari of Peko! is allotted to t.he Marquis of Anglesey, and his portrayal is admirable. The "Butterfly Dance," grace- fully executed, is exceedingly pretty, and his iusinp makes a decided hit in the song "Ping Pong." In the concluding i?cene his lordsnip appears in white silk attire, covered with a bewildering array of diamonds, rutvies, and other precious stones-, and wears an ex- quisite headgear. In the titular roie Miss Julia Kent makes a spirited and gay prin- cipal boy, her songs including "Jack the handy man," one verse of which might wisely be omitted Miss Ethel Wtyburu makes an ideal Princess Badrouibadour, and her sing- ing is well received. A slwcial feature in the pantomime is the impersonation of Abaua- z.tUix {a rnagican, an important character, though he hasn'i one) by Mr Keith. Mr Keith, who specially wj-ote, arranged, and produced tlw pantomime for the Marquis of Anglesey, possesses a. wealth of original humour, his yarns being a source of great amusement, par- ticulary a diverting ditty concerning his ad- ventures in trying to üiu a railway ticket "to Morrow." Ai.other scene which stirs up men intent is that enacted in Widow Twan- key's bedroom, when; a duel takes place be- tween Widow Twallkev and Abanazaar. the former possessing a formidable weapon in the shape of a candlestick. To the great surpri?^ of the audience both occasionally waltz around the stage, subsequently resuming the com- bat in deadly earnest. As Widow Twankey, Mr E. Lowe achieved considerable success,. being amasing without descending into vul- garity. The part of Yummy YWll. who on the play hill is described as being in love with Pekoe, is admirably filled by Miss Mavis Hope. who, with the Marquis, renders several duetts in an excellent manner. The put of Ske-ming, the Vizier, is played with much success by Mr Horace Wilton, who gave in I truly comic style several ditties, including "I wasn't wanted there." Another successful portrayal was that of the Emperor by Mr W. H. Atkinson, who is endowed with a fine baritone voice, but curiously enough only one song is allotted to h;m, This is Eaton' Fa- ning's patriotic song "Obedient to the call," which he gives with conspicuous success, an encore being vigorously demanded. In the course of the evening, allusions are made to local matters, and inter alia Kyffin square is suggested as the site of Aladdin's Palace, and the Marquis of Anglesey announce* his Ill, tention to travel to Bangor lh his motor car to search for Aladdin's Palace "at the rate of 40 miles an hour." "Take care of Mr Pro- theroe, the Chief Constable," exclaims Abana- zaar. "Oil don't 'bothroe' me," replies the Marquis. In the eave Aladdin exclaims that she sees jewels "enough to make the Mar- quis of Anglesey turn green." The pro- gramme, printed by Messrs Jarvis ana Foster, Bangor, from whom tickets may be obtained for admission to the pantomime, which will be given nightly until further notice, is most unique, being lavishly' adbrned with Chinese characters and is surmounted by the crest of the Anglesey family. On Tuesday mght tho members of the company presented Mr Alex. Keith with a beautiful walking stick and sleeve links.

00 The "Baner" this week lias a leading ar- ticle upon theulse of the Rev J. Bennett Williams. B.A., the minister of two Calvin- istic Methodist country churches near Den- bigh. who it. seceding from that body with the view of taking orders in the Church oi England. Mr Williams ,va.s educated at Aberystwyth College and Bala Theological College. He passed the synodical examina- tion last October, and in due course would have been ordained to the full work of the ministry.

-==. fHEPENRHYN QT:I:FiEJ iJISPUTE¡ ItrOTING (AT IE,'H5:>I)A. arrival O^ y, uJTA.;IY. A demo istiation .1ga.¡n..t the men now at work m the Pen-hyn Qjarrv and their sympathiser^ marked the. (I*ILIAil" l bonis of the old year, a larg number <4 JI.:en paxa.1- the .streets and ul innately hing the windows of the Vj -toria Hjtr the Water- loc Inn, and of f bout. xv, nry-M i houses. Colonel Ruek, Chef-Constable is at BeLb- esda personally \'atch,:ng th..jtus? ofi events and directing pol.f. -i.i.on. On Wednesday he again telegrapher f0r mili- tary assistance, jnd about a Lundred spld- ju Bangor • 'hu^.luy), UiOraing, -Ûo-

CABNAEtON AND iU-TK.CT. That Mrs Ph Hips, of C.i.r-ar,-on, won a. prize for the. chief essay at tin* fviifi Eistddl.. fod on Boxuig- lay? That a nunibe:1 of loafers to have imposed on the Mayor's genei-. 'st. w.k That two or three went from, a. pu to the Mayor > and un- tolded a pitiful tale? That they said that they a out oi work for a long time and i v. ik lIould not be got? That when confronted with Idrg-e thati they had been to a public-b us,, they ad- mitted thu. they had been, oidti thai) they had had noth ng to driM. there? That Air Uoyd George will ,t htutol on, Monday, and will deliver a sj- 'hat is it tue scenes enacted at Birmin^uav' are not. repeated ? That Mr George has asked avor for the loan of !us lobe as a. disgn. ia i, he does not guanuntce it will be td in -its original stat? Tha.t a. slight mistake was i or.e clt the local pipers when it was t .-i,; .t ted that lw>ckey had come to stay in I-, fol the Bangor ladies were beaten o*. t' ir own ground by the Carnarvon lad the 38th ult. Weil done, Carnarvon? That a. townsman spent his V iaas holi- days in .Romd That amongst other places ..ed were the graves of John Gibson, t, f tor..ind the poets Keats <u:.d Shelley? That one is curious to km-v ^her he sought an audience of His II 1 < at the V atica.n? That tho townsman referred t., ot likely to be converted to Roman Cni," c m? That the new steamer "Se. x-longing to the Harbour Trust hrus am That the Christmas mateb." h: the Oi; al were well-attended? That on Boxing Day Carn; encounter- ed Flint in a. friendly match, on by six goals to two? That several old members ed in th home team, namely, J. Hug: t ns, D. S. Jones, W. Morris, D. O. 1-i^ da, J. R. Williams, and KinAey? That Professor Phillips of .r, who de- livered a lecture under the ;,1 ices of the Literary Union at the Guild J on A' on- day night, was givatly disapp d owing to the absence of a lantern to i: ate the lec- ture? That we understand the led lecturer had slides with him? That a ooncc-rt vi-M held at Guild Hall on Boxing night in aid of the arvon Foot- ball Club? That several local singers > were an- nounced to take part were ab- owing to a. misunderstanding? That the concert wam a litt ^orderly ? That one of the Llanberis ft • 11 team had his leg fractured in a football tie at LLu- rwst on Boxing Day?- That the Vicar (the Rev W. Wynne Jones, M.A.) gave some i sting remi- niscences at the National Scl, on Monday, night? That Mr Meurig James, 3 ,1., gave a masterly rendering of the "Thou art passing hence" (Sullivan) le Pendref Chapel on Sunday night ?

BANGOR. AND DIS T That an amusing incident red at ufle Penuel Baptist Eisteddfod la i'k! That out of several competi u II a modu- lator competition the. adjudic decided to award prizes to Nos. 3, 5, au That two fcompetitors da t that they were the fifth to sing and therefore, entitled to priz.es? 2, That it was obvious that- stake hid been made, but no one was o disprove the claims of the four compt*. who each received a Is ? That Anglesey is very fortr.: as regards immunity from crime, there g for the socond tinon in succession a nal<-nrlr.r ar the Quarter Sessions* That. Mr Frank Bcllis has be second time figured at the, bottom e poll in seeking entrance to the Bango; Council? That although defeated he ir • dishearten- ed. and has decided upon mak j. third ;.t tempt, whenever occasion aris That the next Bangor dist te is liJe to be a. very heiavy one? That the new Archdeacon -1 irmarthen is an old Friars boy. thereby oj g another lus-'re to the records of that (id xJ? That Archdeacon Owen 1:i. I'.>: was some years back a minor canon of i'•: £ Cathed- ral, which is still without itf, The-t, judging by the mass er coins, halfpennies in particular, wh i 7ded the offertory plates at the organ i ven last -week by Mr Westlake Morgan. T*. 4thecillal organist, the object for which i, -romotla(i will not, he greatly benefited.. That. considering the socia. s- :• di*.g of tho congregation, this appeal foir H1*¡ is ex- cessively shabbv That the rules adopted by- K verning body of the University College 101 -1 tt Wales bearing upon "amorous sttd -ms" has just been hekl up to ridicule in a N -r Yoik news. paper by Max (YRell, the 'v^o-known lec- turer ? < That his ctvmments arf, nor. o mfret with the approval of thoae who pespon- sible for the fo-mulat on of tb< roh-s That people are asking wity tiu gor, an important pi^cicultural district., l. not yet been, included in the list of places m whch Professor Wliite ? interestinjr jer! ,r *s are to be delivered? That his proposal tliat, ann* '•> of the Kistedrlfod pavilion should 1)( d.vi. d to an exhibition interesting to tho e dt vot« 1 to the piscatorial art. is well worthy of le,atii)u by the commit tee? That the committee ought < some attpntion upon tlh) Welsh h That if Ladv Migdalen 1 .>k the project in hand there wculd N- n, i)f its success and popularity, as i(lerued by the shows she has, in common ,t! other Angle- sey ladies, pioneered at Me -'v. 'That the stimulus thus f to h- me 1D- dusti-ie-« caniK.r be over ertirncfted That the Anglesey mover r,t. for <; mulat- ing work done in Wales ourft to be followed in Carnarvonshire, where th .w is -iru!i scope for its valuable operations? That the prospect of that gv-«tly tilled improved approach to the Bai'.gf;?* ijulvav stiition apry-ars quite as rern.rte as fhat o'f the oft-mooted connection with l/augx-fo? That it is well-nigh time tint Br-tigor bV<l a. railway station worths of its imivomnet, and that the, present. OIUtrf-.1;¡tp s" ruetura wi,q consigned to demolition' That the Rev Ellis Joi.c^. Confirmation! p.'i»stor of Elxjiezer church, v i> ''i* prize for the chief essay at th^ Liver. '-<ry<t Gocd TemplArs Eisteddfod on Box —.— 0§0—-— Mr J. El don Bnnkes pre nesdiy over th-1 Flintshire Quarter ■' uid in his cha.rce to the grand jury -ut the serious liab>lit-i::s to which s -r<s «x- nosed in tho of -vng to servants, and adviser .uatelv to insure themselves a¡1: which miarht in the ra-se of snia t imor ivolve [financial ruin There WiI. •"•ne p isoner for trial.