The Rhondda Leader

Rhondda Pupil Teachers' Centre. Matriculation Successes. At the recent matriculation examina- tion of the University of Wales, the following Rhondda pupil teachers were successful:—James D. Thomas, Ynyswen Boys' School (First Class); John Phillips, Dunraven Boys' School (First Class); Dd. R. Lloyd, Ton Boys' School (First Class); Blodwen Williams, Porth Infants' School (First Class); Mary Margaretta Davies, Porth Girls' School (First Class); Mary Edwards, Ferndale Girls' School (Second Class); Edith Lewis, Duffryn Schools, Ferndale (Second Class). The following pupil teachers were suc- cessful in four subjects, leaving one sub- ject to complete the matriculation exami- nation, viz. :-Thomas George Thomas, Llwynypia, Mixed School (Latin, chemis- try, mathematics, and English language and history); Annie Evans, Ferndale Infants' (French, chemistry, mathematics and English); Gladys Howells, Penygraig (Latin, chemistry, mathematics and Eng- lish) Joseph Jones, Penygraig (Latin, chemistry, mathematics and English); Evan Thomas Davies, Pentre Boys' School (French, English, mathematics and mechanics). The following old students of the Centre completed the matriculation ex- amination, having previously passed in four subjects, viz.:—Jennet A. Davies, Ton Schools; and Maggie Bertha Davies, Y^ofe'l^^J6eIi;y, late- of Blaenrhondda Mixed School and Porth P.T. Centre, has completed his B.A. degree at the Univer- sity College, Aberystwyth, with Second Class Honours in Philosophy.

Our Library Table. "The South Wales Coal Annual." A Budget of Welsh Coal Statistics. The "South Wales Coal Annual" for 1905, a copy of which has been sent us for review, is a most valuable handbook for all interested in the local coal trade. The editor, Mr. Joseph Davies, of the Cardiff Docks, has collected and arranged in a most handy form an immense amount of valuable information and .statistics in relation to production, prices, conveyance, export of steam, bituminous and anthracite coal, coke and patent fuel. The work is accompanied by a coloured map of the district, showing the collieries, railways, and the direction of the mains of the South Wales Electric Power Co., with generating and sub-stations. Among its many interesting features is an article on the original formation and progress of the Powell-Duffryn Steam Coal Company, illustrated by a number of tone blocks from photographs of the company's collieries and buildings. There is a diary of the principal events affecting the South Wales coal trade, from January 1st, 1904, to March 31st, 1905. The main points of difference in the old Sliding Scale agreements with the variation of wages under the Sliding Scale and Con- ciliation Board is clearly tabulated. The full text is given of the wages agreement of 1903, which is to terminate at the end of the present year, with the constitution of the Owners' Association. The rules of the South Wales Miners' Federation are also reproduced, together with details of their receipts and expenditure for 1903 and 1904. Tables are given showing the comparative outputs of coal in South Wales and the other portions of the United Kingdom, showing the number of coal-cutting machines employed in the various mining districts, with descriptions of the motor-power used and the quan- tity of coal obtained by their use, the selling prices of the various coals, freight rates, the exports of coal, coke and patent fuel from each South Wales port to each foreign port, the duties imposed in foreign countries and the Colonies on coal, coke and patent fuel imported from the United Kingdom. We know of no, other work containing in so concise a form so much reliable statistical information on mat- ters connected with the coal trade. The price of the work is five shillings, and is issued by Mr. Joseph Davies, 12, James Street, Cardiff.

Myfyrdod y Cnistson. Pan yn rhodio rhwng y blodeu Sydd yn perarogli'r llawr, Mae fy meddwl yn ehedeg At orseddfa'r Brenin Mawr; O! am deimlo Peraioglau'r hyfryd wlad. Yna daw im' meddwl arall I fy neffro ar fy nhaith— Ymbarto, a, bydd yn barod, Cyn pen hir daw pen y daith; O! am aros Mewn cysondeb yn dy waitli. 0! fy enaid! paid rhoi fyny, Dring i ben Calfaria dwyn Yno gweli flodeuyn Cariad Rhwng y lladron er dy fwyn; Ar ol cyrhaedd, Canmol fydd dy waith am byth. Saron, Trewilliam. T. W. J.

Visit of Mr. Ben Davies and Concept Party to Ton. The Rhondda has long been known for its musical tendencies, especially in choral singing, both male and mixed. It has also produced many a star artiste who shine brightly in the skies of the musical profession to-day. We have become ac- quainted by recent visits of accomplished vocalists with the most refined renderings of classical music, and have cultivated a taste for a certain standard of perform- ance which can hardly be excelled in the industrial districts of Wales. During recent years we have gained a sprinkling of the best talent of the country, inter- mixed with the local favourites; but it is seldom we could boast of engaging the finest concert party of Welsh artistes in the kingdom, some of whom stand in the front rank of vocalists not only in Great Britain, but in the whole world. Such has been the case at Ton; some of the local music-lovers felt the necessity of keeping in touch with what is best, and after a successful correspondence with Mr. Ben Davies, the party's services were acquired. The party consisted of Mr, Ben Davies, the renowned tenor; Madame Eleanor Jones-Hudson, soprano (of the Royal Albert Hall); Miss Florence Hoole, con- tralto (of the Queen's Hall, London); Mr. Emlyn Davies, baritone; and the flautist, Mr. Eli Hudson (of the Crystal Palace and Provincial Festivals); whilst Miss Maggie Evans accompanied on the piano. The above list will at once commend itself to the most exalted musical critic., and their excellent singing form on Thursday even- ing proved that no audience in the Rhondda had been better catered for. The concert opened in splendid style with a flute solo by Mr. Eli Hudson, entitled Remembranza Neapolitane," by Paggi. Very few know the technicalities of this instrument; and the ease with which Mr. Hudson manipulated it went to show what can be done by constant exercise on the most difficult of musical wind instru- ments. His nimble fingers passed over the keyholes and half-tone keys, giving a most sweet rendering and masterly per- formance. The next item was a solo which has been sung at our concerts many a time over, "Angus Macdonald," but not with the same grasping effect as when rendered by Miss Florence Hoole, the famous contralto, who has a remarkable compass and powerful voice. The good tone and sombre production at a very low pitch in her voice gives her an unique position amongst the leading contraltos of the day. Mr. Emlyn Davies, whom we all know so well, and who gained a fine impression through his forcible personal- ity, was quite in tune with the extra- ordinary and superior position of the pro- ceedings, bugled forth one of the old stock which he sings so well, "The Old Bugler." Another great attraction was a sonpr. entitled Lo! hear the gentle Lark (Bishop), by Madame Eleanor Jones- Hudson, accompanied by a flute obligato by Mr. Hudson, the effect of which mes- merised the audience. The value of the flute as accompanist as well as the violin can hardly be more helpful and interest- ing than a piano accompaniment, but there is something fresh and new in the style and finish of the former which appeals to an intelligent audience; such was the case in this duet, which brought down the house. Although the pro- gramme was good so far, yet there was intense desire to hear the champion of tenor vocalists, Mr. Ben Davies, who on his appearance brought forth much cheering, which he deserves as a Welsh genius. He opened with the recit., "D"l:>L\J' a fLxirxa"' .w.tiJL f,-oxu, "Jephtha," which runs into those swift strains of the air, Waft her, Angels." It would require a most refined ear to debeet the least spot in his production, the voice being so clean and well under control, but there was the soul of the singer, which no one could prevent feel- ing as he uttered the first few words in the recit., and when he came to the high register it. became evident, that the falsetto" in the high register was most technical. A "Fantasia in G" by Mr. Hudson on the flute elicited another applause, followed by the traditional and Welsh air, Dafydd y Gareg Wen," well sung by Mr. Emlyn Davies. A duet, entitled" The Venetian Boat Song" (Blumenthal), by Madame Jones-Hudson and Miss Hoole completed the first part of the programme. After a few minutes' interval, part the second was opened with another duet by Madame Jones-Hudson and Mr. Emlyn Davies, "Tell me, gentle stranger" (J. Parry); then Mr. Ben Davies rendered In Sympathy" (F. Leoni), a very appropriate song which kept the audience spellbound. Miss Florence Hoole delighted her hearers next with A Summer Night," composed by a musician who has a Welsh name and we believe of Welsh blood, Goring Thomas. Mr. Emlyn Davies was in his element in Wallace's freebooters' songs, Son of Mine" and The Rebel." Madame Eleanor Jones-Hudson struck another Welsh chord in R. S. Hughes' Llam y Cariadau," which was most thrilling to those who knew the Welsh language. The programme so far had been followed closely, but Mr. Ben Davies made a most appreciable departure when he sang the familiar "Y Fam a'i Baban," which gene- rallv melts the hardest hearts. Mr. Eli Hudson introduced the piccolo in a "Fantasia on a Welsh Air (his own com position), which again was a grand suc- cess. He promises to excel as a composer from what could be judged by his per- formances of some of his own works. After another song by Miss Hoole, "When I awake," the party .sang with beautiful chord and accent Good-night, "Beloved," which terminated the most classical musi- cal undertaking which has ever be-en ven- tured in the district. It is hardly neces- sary to state that all the artistes were heartily encored every time they appeared, each of whom responded most heartily. We congratulate the secretary, Mr. Wm. Stephens, Gelli, who has a keen fore- sight and is an excellent organiser, upon the admirable manner in which he car- ried out the onerous duties which were of necessity devolving upon him. Men- tion should also be made of Mr. E. Hall (Cory Collieries) for his services as chair- man of the working committee. Mr. W. B. Mason acted as treasurer. The pro- ceeds will be devoted to local charities, and we understand that the concert was a success financially as well as musically.

Success of a Pontypridd Organist It is with great pleasure that we hear of the success of our fellow-countryman, Mr. D. W. Davies, F.T.S.C., of Carmel Baptist Church, Pontypridd, who has just received an intimatfoit from the Royal College of Organists that, as a result, of the examination held in July last, he had succeeded in obtaining the diploma of Associateship. At this examination there were 194 candidates, of whom 46 only were successful. Mr. Davies was greatly assisted in preparing for this examination I by the kindness of the English Congrega- tional Church, who granted him the use of their organ for a period preceding the examination.

YANKEE HUMOUR. HOSS AND HOSS. "Bought a gold brick, eh ? roared the short man. "Haw! Haw! Haw!" The tall man was somewhat nettled. "See here," he demanded, "ain't you the man What answered a matrimonial advertisement last week ? "Yes," admitted the short man. "Sent a gal lOOdol. to come on from Spokane, and married her on sight, didn't ye ? "Ye—es." "Then I don't see where you've got any of the laugh on me jest at this stage o the game." —Pittsburg Post. UNCLE ELI, HE SAYS: I've got the greatest trust in mankind, but at the same time I never buy milk pans of a tin peddler without lookin' for holes in the bottom. Thar' is no doubt that Providence takes keer of a man up to a sartin p'int, but when that p'int is reached he is expected to put on steam and outrun the bull. I never filled but one political office. The salary was 50dol. a year, and my expenses were 200dol., and yit a hundred different folks figgerud out that I stole about 500dol. I do love an honest man, but when a naybur wakes me up at midnight to return an old tobacco box he has found at my gate it does seem to me that he is stretchin' the thing a leetle bit too fur. It's all right to argue that the office should seek the man, but you take my word fur it that whenever you find such a case it will be an office whar' the pay is so mighty small and the stealin' so mighty skeerce that it won't pay a hard-workin' man to fule with it. I've traded cows with a church deacon, and I've traded hosses with a reg'lar old sinner, and, to be honest with you, I've found that I had to watch one as closely as the t'other. I have been called a smart man a few times in my life, but, alas it has allus follered that the fellers struck me fur a 5dol. bill jest as I was feelin' might peart over their flattery. It's cheaper to be known as a fule. When a man comes to me and wants to let me in on the ground floor of a good thing, I know that one of two things is goin' to happen. He is either goin' to swindle me or I've got to turn in with him and swindle some- body else, and so I have concluded to hoe corn and depend upon my nateral goodness to meet with its due reward. PUNCTUATION. The Hyphen is a short mark used to separate the name your parents gave you from the one your husband wanted to take away from you. The Dash is a similar mark, only longer, and is used to express a cuss word in pantomime. Brackets are used to segregate the remark you really mean from the one you were forced to write for politeness' sake. The Period is a painful subject. It indicates your finish. IT WAS TOO LATE. When a young man of about twenty-three stopped a solid-looking man of forty on Myrtle-avenue, and asked him where he might find a minister of the gospel, the solid man jumped to a conclusion. "Young man," he said, "you must be contem- plating matrimony." Well "Well, if you are, give me a chance to say a few words to you. Have you considered all the consequences of such a step ? "I think I have, sir." "You are firmly convinced that you are in love, and that there is only one woman who can make you happy ? "Y-e-s." "Young man, don't try to deceive me nor yourself. Matrimony is a serious step-very serious. It means either happiness or misery for years and years, if not for life. Is this girl good-looking r" "Fairly so." "You wouldn't be ashamed of her looks if ?ou fcooi her to a candy-pull ? "Oh, no." "And her temper—is it mild and amiable P" "Tolerably so." "And is she economical and saving, or does she run into extravagance ? If the latter she will throw out of the window all you can bring in through the door. Young man, think well before it is too late. Think- "It is too late, sir, and I'll be much obliged if you'll tell me where to find a preacher." "Young man- "It's just like this, sir," explained the young man. "She has got about two hundred of my love-letters, and is threatening a breach of promise suit, and so I am after a preacher to marry us within two hours. I believe you mean well, sir, and I am much obliged to you, but when a girl is after you with two hundred of your love-letters, each one asking her to be yours, you see "Hanged if I don't!" growled the solid man, as he passed on.-Brooklyn Citizen. WAS ON FORBIDDEN GROUND. "A debating society was formed in one of the counties of my district," said Representative Kehoe, of Kentucky, "and among the first ques- tions debated was: Resolved, That the negroes have more cause for complaint than the Indians. I "It was stipulated the arguments should be confined to the United States. The first dis- putant on the affirmative opened with a speech to sustain his position, every word of which was listened to with close attention by the chairman. "The disputant for the negative made a few remarks in answer, and then turned to the Bible and commenced reading passiges for the purpose of proving that some of the points made by his opponent were not backed up by the good book. "The chairman stopped him with: Halt right where you are, Jim. Don't go any further. You have gone out of the United States for argument.' '-Nashville Banner. THE MILL CREEK PHILOSOPHER. Do not always offer a penny for the thought of your companion. The price may be out of proportion. Truth may be the highest thing that man may reach, but many men carefully avoid wrenching their muscles in attempts to reach it, When the wolf comes to the door, don't whimper. Bat him one between the eyes. Look before you leap, and then pick out the softest spot possible. Cincinnati Commercial- Tribune, HIS DESERT ISLAND. A Hamilton-avenue saloon-keeper who wanted to put the Press on to a good thing gave a reporter a tip that there was a sailor in his place who had been wrecked on a desert island, and the scribe soon hunted out the game and asked for particulars. "Well, sir," began the sailor, after getting away with a schooner of beer, "it was this way. When the brig went down I was drove ashore and went to a first-class hotel." "But I thought it was a desert island," ob- served the scribe. "So it was, sir. I goes to the hotel and registers and takes a parlour room. It was up five flights. It was one of the most gorgeous hotels I ever stopped at, and I could smell broiled lobster and champagne all over the house." "I was told that you had been wrecked on a desert island," said the scribe, with some severity. "And that's the truth, mate, as I'm telling tw' ?,°, u° the hotel in time for dinner. u<-af u been wrecfeed the landlord said I ought to have an extra meal, and they put on chicken, lobster, ice cream, mince-pie, corn- beer, mutton chops, rice pudding, and I can't begin to say what else. I know it took me two hours to get to the last of it, eating as fast as I could all the time. When I had finished with the dinner a nigger brought me in champagne, brandy, and beer, and the best cigar I ever smoked. I'm telling you-" 1 "You said you were wrecked on a desert I island." j "So I wm." "But you are talkins about a finklua betel and wnat you had to eat and drtuk. Do you find hotels on desert islands P "You do, sir." Go on. Whoever heard of the like P "Couldn't it be so, sir?" "Of course not." "Then I beg your pardon. I was telling my shipmate Bill about it, and he said it must havf been a desert island, and I suppose he knew all about it. I'm sorry, sir, and if you will order another schooner I'll tell you how I was cast away on a sandbank in the Indian Ocean and had to go to a boarding-house where they had pie with only one crust, and you had to sweeten your coffee with brown sugar I "-Brooklys Citizen.

Gossip* What is the matter with people? What is all this hue and cry about men, women and children getting lost? The columns of the daily papers are full of exciting tales of man hunting, with bloodhounds and so forth. Is it an epidemic, or is it the newest craze, something like swim- ming the Channel? The story of the unfortunate dis- appearance of Mrs, Davies, the Quaker's Yard postmistress, from her home last week recalls I the anxious search and the pathetic finding of little Willie Llew- ellyn's body at Carn-y-Moesau some two years ago. The difference in both cases was that Mrs, Davies disappeared in the dead of night, while the boy Llewellyn was missed in broad daylight. By the way, no reward was offered by the "Daily Mail" for the finding of Mrs. Davies. -+-+-+-- Revival fervour is again reported from various parts of the Principality. The meetings at Llandrindod Wells, where Evan Roberts has been staying for the past three weeks, have been remarkable for their fervour and enthusiasm. The fire is by no means quenched in these districts either. Several remarkable meetings have taken place up and down the Valley during the past few weeks. Yet the public-houses are again full, and much of their old popularity has been restored. Talking of revival meetings leads me to make a note of the splendid effects which it has made in London, One case in particular I will cite. Mr. W. Price, managing director of the Metropolitan and Great Western Wholesale Milk Supply Ltd., paid a visit, to one of Evan Roberts' meetings at Dowlais, and after the meeting he had an interview with the revivalist. So fired was he when he re- turned to London, that he immediately set, the whole churches aflame. He tra- velled the whole of London-north, south, east and west—calling upon the churches to their sense of duty. Previous to this, he had never spoken a word in public except on money matters. Nor is this all. The first thing he did after he returned from the meeting with Evan Roberts was to give all his em- ployees two shillings a week rise. Then he set out with pony and trap to gather men and women to Sunday School-people who had never seen the interior of a Sunday School before in their lives. If these people were too poor to attend, he would take them to a ready-made clothing shop and clothe them from the crown of the head to the sole of the foot. He has also during the past six months provided Sunday dinners for over 600 poor people, and the drivers he employs act as waiters. This is the practical side of Christianity. Mr. Ben Davies, the famous Welsh tenor, adverting to the visit made by himself and party to the Rhondda. says that the most appreciative and best audience which he has ever entertained was that at the Workmen's Hall, Ton. and contrasted most favourably with his experiences in other mining and indus- trial centres. One of the best features of a Rhondda assembly is the unstinted ex- pression of appreciation which it always gives where it is merited. -+-+--+- Wednesday was eclipse day. On all stations from Treherbert to Pontypridd could be seen little knots of people busily smoking glass to have an easy view of the eclipse. It was just the same in Ponty- pridd. Groups of people in all parts of the town were staring hard in the direc- tion of the orb. In the trains the one topic of discussion was the 'clipse, and more than one person eclipsed himself in trying to have a view of the sun's malady. Coming from Llwynypia Station I met a person who was evidently under the influence of something stronger than water. A friend of mine asked him where had he been. He replied that he had been in the Half Moon gazing at the eclipse on the sun. Such a grouping of astronomical features were soon added to, for he fell down immediately after, and no doubt saw stars." Mr. Tom Evans, Penygraig, has put himself in a perilous position. At the meeting of the Rhondda Evening Con- tinuation Schools Committee he stated that no girl who does not understand the art of home nursing, together with the feeding and care of babies, should get married. There is a lot of common-sense in this—as in everything else that Mr. Evans says-but I should not care to make the same statement myself. If I did. I am sure that visions of infuriated maidens would haunt my dreams at night, and of everything I pray to be protected from the wrath of incompetent marriageable ladies. There was a party of young fellows recently enjoying themselves at the sea side, and as is the custom, they all took advantage, as is usually done, of the splendid exercise of bathing in the early morn, excepting one, who, of course, in this crowd, as in others before and most probable after it, was the exception to the rule. He preferred looking on at the others battling with the waves. One of them shouts out, Twm, dera i'r dwr." Na, na says Twm, ddim nes bod i wedi dysgu nofio." A very good story is said of the Rev, D: Lloyd Jones, Llandinam, and a pro- minent member of the Baptist denomina- tion in North Wales. The rev. gentle- man once presided at a large gathering, and among the speakers for the evening was the prominent Baptist, who, through his natural ability to keep an audience in a. good mood, was kept till the last on the programme to speak. When his turn came, the chairman called upon him to deliver his address, and remarked, with a little sarcasm mixed with humour: "The only difference between us (the Method- ists) and the Baptists is, that thev wish to go to heaven through the water while we wish to go over the bridge." Where- upon the Baptist, after addressing the chairman, said: "Mr. Jones said the truth about the difference between the two sects; but there is yet another dif- ference arising from the one he pointed out to you—that is God made the water, while man built the bridge," Of course, he won the day.