Cymro a'r Celt Llundain

Gohebiaethau. "AN OLD RELIGION." To the Editor of CYMRO LLUNDAIN A'R CELT." SIR,-In what may pass as an apology for a "review" of my recent work on the ancient Bards, an anonymous scribe in your last issue expresses some crude opinions concerning the value of the work. With these opinions I have no concern. He is welcome to them. But I have a more legitimate ground for complaint. Either your "reviewer" has not read the book with any degree of common intelli- gence, or else he deliberately misrepresents its pur- port and scope. He endeavours to display his superior knowledge of the subject by mentioning a few mythological names of personalities "bearing the unmistakable characteristics of Gods" He might have added to his pantheon some dozens more. And why omit the illustrious name of Arthur ? But what have the mythological "gods" of ancient Britain to do with either the Bards, Bardism, or Bardology ? I leave your scholarly "reviewer" to answer. Then again as to the Mabinogion, consider- able space to these is devoted in the book-not, it is true, to their "connection" with the Bards, for scholars" do not now admit that connection. Your "reviewer" has apparently not yet learned, with all his learning and "literary taste," to distinguish between real Bardism and the monkery of the middle ages. He complains that I have not given a summary of the works of other researchers. Nothing would have been easier. But these have taken their own course; I have taken mine. I have deliberately left them to the even tenour of their way, and have pur- sued the subject along an unbeaten path. The large number of letters that I have received from Keltic scholars and others capable of forming an independent opinion upon such matters, amply testify to the value of the work, and if your reviewer" imagines that his petty sneers will inevitably pre- judice sensible people against what he is forced to admit is an interesting and well-written book." I think he will be pitiably disillusioned. Upon your "reviewer's" puerile gibe of the "lack of scholar- ship and literary taste," thrice reiterated in a column and a half, I can well afford to bestow a charitable and benignant smile.—Faithfully yours, D. DELTA EVANS. To the Editor of CYMRO LLUNDAIN A'R CELT." DEAR SIR,-Your able and trenchant review of Mr. Delta Evans's new book on The Ancient Bards of Britain" must have gratified and delighted and pleased thousands of readers throughout the land. It is indeed a most dangerous book. And it is all the more dangerous because, as you very truly point out, it is an interesting and well-written book, I must confess that when I first read this book I did so with a mixed feeling of pleasure and pain for while in many respects I had to confess to myself that it draws a true picture in many sentences of the religious state of Wales, yet it had the dire effect of consider- ably shaking my faith in some ancient traditions which every true Welshman holds sacred and dears. But your illuminative, scholarly, and truly literary review has reassured me, and has restored to the rightful place in my mind the good old notions con- cerning the teachings of the Druids which somehow or other were imparted to my early life. I feel sure that the ministers and deacons of our churches will all bless you, sir, for your able defence of our national sentiment and traditions, and that your able and brilliant journal will have the recognition it deserves in our chapels. There is no doubt that the author in question, whose sole aims seems to be to upset old and long-established traditions concerning the history and divine mission of our enlightened country, is an agnostic or infidel, or something of that sort in disguise, and it is to be devoutly hoped that the public-spirited step which you have taken to crush this dangerous and insidious literary venture will have the desired effect.- I am, dear Sir, yours truly, JOHN C JONES. Gomer Villa, Park Road, Wandsworth, S.W.

Notes of the Week. The New Education Department. Welsh educational leaders are very reticent in expressing any opinion upon the proposed new move in the Education Department. The details of the scheme are not yet fully made public, and will necessarily be finally arranged in conjunction with the new Secre- tary to the Department. For a time the new staff, of necessity, will be greatly at a dis- advantage, inasmuch as many, if not all, of the Councils in Wales are determined to oppose the present Act, and to make its administration as difficult as possible. Unless the Government is prepared with a scheme to remedy the many defects in the Act of 1902, it will be useless to expect peace within the principality, even if a Welsh Secretary be at the head of affairs. Nonconformists throughout the land are in earnest in their policy of resistance to the present religious arrangements, and nowhere are they more sincere than in Wales, in their opposition to the payment of public money for teaching a Church doctrine, which they have so persistently combated during the past three hundred year. Sermon by an M.P. Welsh miners are particularly fortunate in securing men of moral courage, as well as able labour leaders, to represent them in Parliament. "Mabon," as is well known, is a lay-preacher of no mean repute, and could fill his diary with a number of cyhoedd- iadau" for many years to come were he prepared to book them. In his steps we notice that Mr. Tom Richards nobly follows, and last Sunday delivered a stiring address on Brotherhood to a vast audience at the Wesleyan Church, Blaina. He dwelt upon the bond of brotherhood that should exist in common humanity, and said that each could do his part by realising that all who belonged to the human family were brothers. The truth that the wrong done to the humblest and the weakest was a wrong done to all, the effects of which they could not escape, much as they might neglect the cause, was more and more revealed. To rescue the poor from the toils of the land-grabbers, rackrenters, unprincipled speculators, trust- mongers, and "corner" manipulators, was a work that would bring the bright day of the brotherhood of man nearer. The filthy, insanitary dwellings, the hard, unsympathetic economic conditions, breeding despair and hopelessness in the life of the parents, were sending forth a stream of humanity corrupted from the very source. The liquor traffic was one of the chief barriers obstructing the onward march of brotherhood. The Football Curse. Mr. Richards was justly severe on the present degraded methods as witnessed among the South Wales crowds. Foot- ballers and their supporters were not entitled to make themselves offensive and insulting to other passengers when returing home from matches. They should also try to find some less objectionable method of rejoicing over their victories, than by singing filthy doggerel songs, alternately with the sacred hymns that were associated with some of the most blessed experiences of their parents and friends. Such conduct degraded the young men, and the sport they appeared to enjoy. As to Sunday observance, he thought the bicycle tour and the brake ride, all tended in the same direction, and a Sunday devoted to selfish pleasure and amusement, was a short road to seven days' work for six days' pay for tens of thousands of the poorer classes of the community. Welsh Classes in London. The movement for establishing classes in Welsh in connection with the Evening Con- tinuation Schools in London promises to be quite successful. The Secretary writes that the advertisement in the CELT has been instrumental in bringing a great number of applicants, and arrangements are now being made to commence with a couple of classes- elementary and advanced, at the Hugh Myddelton Schools. Over 70 applicants have intimated their readiness to join, and it is hoped that teachers will be secured in time to commence the classes by March 1st. There is one error, however, in the advertise- ment which should be noted. As the teach- ing of Welsh is regarded as a 'commercial subject' a nominal charge of 2s. 6d. will be made for the session (of three months). Further particulars will be duly noted in the CELT as soon as arrangements are completed." The Welsh Club. A movement is on foot to secure a library for the use of members in this institution. This is a very necessary step too, inasmuch as it is somewhat difficult at the present time to obtain any Welsh books in London. The British Museum is only available for day readers, and the Cymmrodorion collection is reserved for tne use of members only. If the Club will succeed in this movement it will add considerably to its usefulness and become far more attractive to new members and friends.

PEOPLE are economising in every direc- tion these days. The latest argument in favour of cremation is that it is cheaper than ordinary burial. The cremating fee is five guineas, and the cost of a grave and coffin in the London district is much more than that. The average sentiment is, however, opposed to such economy." A YOUNG Bangor cab-driver who is said to have a tenor voice of exceptional quality, has been engaged for a series of concerts next season at Colwyn Bay. THE oldest Sunday school teacher in the world, probably, is Mr. Thomas Williams, Llangorse, Brecon shire. He is 97, and attends chapel and Sunday School every Sunday. THE following item is as written by the Rev. E. W. Lane in his biography of the late Rev. Moses Thomas, Port Talbot :-He catechised schools 400 times and preached 7,000 sermons. MABON'S many friends have read with regret of his illness. It will, it appears, be necessary for him to take a prolonged rest. The very inclement weather, of course, has had additionally adverse influence upon the hon. gentleman's condition, and though during the past day or two he has recovered somewhat, he still remains in an unsatis- factory state of health.

The beautiful gold watch presented to Mr. P. Tierney, of Cardiff Docks, on his departure to the North, was supplied by Mr. Karl Bammert, the well-known watchmaker of Castle Arcade. Mr. Bammert is winning a good reputation for the excellence of his goods. FARGHER'S BALSAM OF MULBERRIES.—This is what Eos Dar" says of the above remedy I- Llwyn-yr-Eos, Maerdy, Glamorganshire, Jan. 31, 1906. Dear Sir, I have tried Fargher's Balsam of Mulberries and iind it a really good remedy for a cold. I also consider it a splendid preparation for strengthening and clearing the voice. Yours very truly, Eos Dar (Penillum Singer). To C. Fargher, Esq., Chemist, Splott. Z3 Bridge, Cardiff-