Wrexham Guardian

PROCLAIMING THE EISTEDDVOD OF 1876 IN WREXHAM. GREAT GORSE DD DEMONSTRATION. I The ceremony of proclaiming the Eisteddvod, which has been fixed to be held in Wrexham next year, went off with immense success, and-to quote from bardic authority—"with much magnificence." The custom of holding a Gorsedd "ayear and a day in advance of the national gathering is a very old fashioned one, but it has not fallen to the lot of any living bard to see so large a concourse of people collected together on such an occasion as that which made "Wrexham put on a festive appearance on Monday last. The day and the cere- monies were looked forward to with much pleasure by the whole population that surrounds Wrexham, and as 41 Queen's weather" favoured Whit Monday, there was nothing to prevent pleasure-seekers making an early visit to the town. Long before the hour announced for the starting of the procession the streets were thronged with pleasure-seekers, and as time rolled on, their number increased to large dimensions. In obedience to the behests of the committee, the trades- men were prompt in exhibiting the best bunting they could lay bold of, some having made special devices apropos to the Eisteddvod. High-street, Hope-street, and other thoroughfares, through which the bards and literati, &c., intended passing, presented a gay appear- ance, whilst in the outskirts townsmen gave proof of their sympathy for the Eisteddvod movement by dis- playing their flags. To add to the festivities of the day the bell3 of the parish church rang out merry peals at intervals during the day. According to the ar- rangements of the committee—which, we may say, had been well considered—the day's proceedings were to con- sist of a grand procession, the Gorsedd ceremony, a public luncheon, and a lecture by Mr Brinley Richards. To undertake the management of these required much labour on the part of some persons, and to those must be attributed the complete success which attended the carry- ing out of each part of the programme. The general secretary, Mr K Williams, had devoted his time most assiduously to perfect the arrangements, and all will agree with us that his efforts were not in vain.' To take the first order of the day we may say that it had been fixed to start THE PROCESSION From the Guildhall about 11 o'clock. As the public bodies joining it were numerous and strong, the various contingents were notified to assemble as follows:—The committee in the sessions room, the mayor, corporation, and borough officials in the surveyors office the bards and literati in the council chamber, the borough justices in the entrance hall, the invited guests in the court yard, the militia, volunteers, &c., in Hill-street. The marshalling of the procession occupied about half an hour, and was effected without the slightest hitch. Sergeant-Major Kenny rendered valuable assistance in arranging the military forces, whilst Mr Smith, borough surveyor, who has had seme experience in these matters, directed the corporation, and gave other useful aid to the secretary. Precisely at the hour ap- pointed the cortege moved in the following order, the band playing the old national air, "Men of Harlech :"— Volunteer Band, led by Bandmaster Jennings. Corporation Banner. Utile Volunteers (about 70), under the command of Lieutenant Evan Morris. Yeomanry Cavalry, in charge of Sergeant-Major Walsh. Militia Staff, in charge of Sergeant-Major Kenny, Fire Brigade, in charge of Captain Turner. Inhabitants (two abreast). Borough Justices, including Messrs T. C. Jones, W. Low, J. Pryce-Jones, T. T. Griffith, (j. Hughes, W. Overton, J. Bury, and E. Williams. Vice-Presidents and Committee. Mayor, Corporation, and Bo rough Official*, including Mr R. Lloyd (mayor), Aldermen T. Jones, J. Beirne, and J. C. Owen, and Councillors J. O. Bury, E. Smith, R. J. Williams, T. Roberts, J. Ingham, W. Sherratt, and J. M. JOnes; the Mace-Bearer (Mr David Higgins). the Town Clerk (Mr John James), in the robes of their i espective offices. Druids, Bards, and Ovates. In this order the procession proceeded along Hill-street, Hope-street, Qaeen-street, Lampbit-street, Chester- Street, up High-street, and along Hope-street to the Race- course. The whole route was lined with spectators who conducted themselves in a becoming manner, and the windows of the upper rooms of the various business establishments were thronged with spectators. When the processionists reached the Catholic Church, they were met by a large number of Shepherds who had just arrived by tram from Birkenhead, and were decorated in full regaiia, accompanied by their band and banners. The bards and several of the committee carried white wands. The Shepherds filed on either side, and, having allowed the procession to pass, fell in at the rear. Every- thing had been done that was necessary to give eclat to THE GORSEDD CEREMONY, and when the procession reached the Racecourse so well-devised were the arrangements that the various portions fell into their allotted places without the slightest difficulty. The police had stationed themselves around the druidical circle, and owing to their care the vast assembly could witness the proceedings without encountering that rough element which usually mars the enjoyment of on-lookers. For the benefit of those who desired a full view of the vast assembly the committee had secured the Grand Stand, the admission to which was made only upon payment. The 40) or 500 who thus sought admission had a capital view of the proceedings, which lasted about two hours. To the uninitiated we may say that the area in which the bards were to perform the ceremony was encircled by twelve stones, the circumference being about 60 yards The following plan will illustrate the position of' .the stones tw the centre is the maen llog (or the stone of the covenant) upon which stood the worthy chief who con- ducted the proceedings. The twelve stones represented the zodiac, and they are termed cylc cyngrair (or the circle of federation); to the east, outside of these were three other stones placed at equal distances from the centre. The three stones, we need scarcely say, gave the crigin of the mystic II which is inseparable from Eisteddvodau. The first duty of the literati was to walk three times round the circle, and this having been duly certified as done, by the presiding druid (Estyn), that gentleman led his brethren in robes—Andreas o Von, Iolo Trevaldwyn, Ceiriog, Corvanydd, Gwalch- mai, Harri Machno, Mvllin, Cletwr, &c. They then took up their position at the stones, Estyn, the presiding Druid, with staff of privilege in hand, and in Druidic blue robe, &c., ascended the Maen Llog, and having given out a Welsh verse, to the tune of the Old Hundred, to be sung by the assembly, said the Gorsedd prayer of Taliesin :— Dyro, Dduw, Dy nawdd Ac yn nawdu. nerth; Ac yn nerth, ddeall; Ac yn neall, wybod; Ac yn wybod, wybod y cyviawn. Ac yn wybod y cyviawn, ei garu; Ac o garu, garu pob lianvod; Ac yn caru pob hanvod, garu Duw- Duw a phob daioni. The translation into English of which is I Accord us, 0 God. Thy protection; And in Thy protection, strength; And in that strength, knowledge And in that knowledge, comprehension; And in that comprehension to comprehend the right; And in comprehending the right, to love it And in loving it, to love every portion of it; And in so loring it entirely, to love God— God and every good. Estyn then cried 0, Iesu! 0, Iesu! 0, Iesu n'ad gamwaith Then was sung the hymn :— Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Estyn explained that the first ceremony would be the unsheathing of the sword, an old fashioned war instru- ment which had been carried in the procession by Idris Vychan, who made a good sword-bearer. The un- sheathing" was performed in this wise :-The full- graduated bards stood near the maen llog, looking east- ward. On the sword being raised overhead, Iolo Tre- valdwyn asked, in Welsh, "if there was peace," and having received a unanimous answer in the affirmative, assisted in laying it gently on the stons, and then Estyn placed his foot on it. lolo Trevaldwyn having taken the place of Estyn, proceeded to proclaim the Eisteddvod, the usual flourish of trumpet preceding the announcement. The proclama- tion was first read in Welsh, and afterwards in English, of which the following is the text Gwaedd uwch adwaedd." 11 A laddo a leddir." Gwir yu erbyn y byd." ,Dau fann Lleuad ar ol gwyl yr Alban Hevin, 187.5. Bydded yn hyspys-Pan y bydd oed Crist yn 1876, a chyv- nod Beirdd Ynys Prydain yn ngwyl a gwledd yr Alban Sired, sef cyvnod cyhydedd Haul a Mesuryd, ar ol y gwys a'r gwitiutivdd byn i Gymru oil, gan Goru Gwlad (trumpet) o'r amiwg yngolwg (trawpet) yn nghlyw Gwlad a Theyrned (.trumpet), dan ostf'g a rhybudd nil dydd a blwy- ddyn, cynhi lir Eisteddvod a Gorsedd wrth gerdd yn Ngwrec- sam, vn Nhalaith Powys, actawl i bawb a geisiont vi-aint a thrwydded wrth gerdd, davawd, a larddoniaeth, a gwybod, i gyrehu y lie hwn, yn awr cyntevin anterth, a chynal gan Haul; lie ni bydd noeth arv yn en Ivrbyn, ac yma yu erwyn- ebol y Tri chyntevigicn Beirdd Yuy" Prydain, nid amgen Plennycld, Ala n, a Gwron, a chyiia nhwy (here follow the list of B. rds), a Invynt oil yn Veirdc a Turwyddedigion wrth vraint a devawd Beirdd Ynys Pryd-un; ac yno cynal Barn Cadair, a Gorsedd ar Gerdu a Barddoni a Gwybod, ac arbawb parth Awen a Gwybod a Buchedd, a geisiont Yraint ac Urdd- as a Thrwyddvdogaeth, yn nawdd Cadair Powys a braint gwialen yr Orsedd hon, "ac wrth Yraint a Devawd Beirdd Ynys Prydain Yng ngwyneb Haul, Jlygad Goleuni. Liavar bid lavlir." Gwir yn erbyn y Byd' A laddo a leddir. In English — Proclamation of Proclamations; k;o -Isiyeth shall bf sla;n; Truth again, t the world. 1875.- Upon the second moon after the feast of Alban Hevin. TAKE NOTICE.—When the age of Christ is isrfi, and the reckoniiig- of Bards of the Isle of Britain in the vigit and least of Alban Elved, to wit, the autumnal quarter after this summons and invitation to all Wales, by sound of trumpet, openly and audibly in the hearing of country and King, by notice of a year and a day, an Eisteddvod and Gorsedd of craft will be held in the town of Wrexham, in the province of Powy, with freedom to all who seek privilege and degree in tongue, craft, and learning, and poetry, to frequent that town, where no weapon shall be bared against them, and there present shall be the three primary Bards of the Isle of Britain, to wit, Plennydd, A'awn, and Gwron, and with them Andreas o Von Ceiriog, Elallawg, andotners, being bards anil graduates by privilege and custom of the BanIa of tn hIe of Britain, ana there shall be held judgment of chair and Gorsedd upon craft, literature, and poetry, and on all concerning talent, and conduct, aid learning, who seek privilege, and honour, and degree, under protection of the chair of Puwys, and according to the privileges and u-age of the Bards of the Isie of Britain, and under the rod of this Gorsedd. In the face of the sun, the eye of light, Let him who hath anything to say now speak." Whoso slayeth shall be lain. Truth against the world. Englvnion were then delivered by the bards, including Iolo Trevaldwyn, Ceiriog, Gwalcbmai, loan Clwyd, Idris Vychan, loan Machno, Rhuddfryn, Thalamus, Taliesin o Esvion, &c. We were not able to obtain copies of all the effusions, but the following may be^taken as specimens:— of all the effusions, but the following may be..takeu as specimens Dwfr O?I" yn Nyfrdwy yrir yn wefrdan, Y byd a rwyfa urwy ei beilryfan Y nef a rwygir fel lien frau, egwan, Y hoer a wywa, tywyllu 'r huun Cyn pal:u o Gymru gan-a"r mor draw, Gall terwi "n donawg wna farwnad anian. TALIESIN o EIVIOX. Yr hynaf, a'r fwya 'i rhinwedd-ydyw Ein godidog orse^d; D: hidia brid hyawdledd, Yn awe clywch, 'r ol gwaunio 'r cledd. THALAMUS. Hen orsedd yw lion'sy'n arswyd—i'r gau, o du 'r gwir fe li lluniwyd Er gwyr rhaglarn, ni ddarniwyd Ei bui-Lidawl lais, na 'i grudd lwyd. Wele 'r Nef yn d'weud tangnefedd "—a'r haul Yn siiioli 'n Gorsedd A hen Bowys—hysbys mewn hedd—H croesawu, A heddyw 'n gwenu ar teirddion Gwynedd. IDRIS VVCHAN. Some good penillion singing was given by Taliesin o Eivion and Idris Vychan, Mr Roberts accompanying on the harp. The Rey. T. R. Lloyd J (Estyn) then] said: As I am called upon for a short address, I shttli follow my usual custom, and preface my observations with a text. And as my address must be a seculiar one, I shall preface it with a secular text. My text shall be an extract from the speech of the Right Hon. William Ewart Gladstone, delivered at the Moid Eisteddvod in 1873 (applause). His words were these-" There is no greater folly cir- culating upon the earth, than a disposition to undervalue the past." I wish those words were written in letters of gold-I was going to say—over every British mantle- piece but I will go further and say I wish they were engraved indelibly upon the tablets of .every British heart—" There is no greater folly circulating upon the earth than a disposition tu undervalue the past." Now, I quote these words because they not only express a sentiment eminently in union with the idea which underlies cur gathering here to-day, but because they seem to me to grasp and express the basis upon which, and the conditions under which all real progress and advancement is alone possible among men. The earnest- ness with which Mr Gladstone spoke these words-the terse, epigrammatical turn of his sentence—a sentence striking in structure and easy of recollection, convinced me, when I heard it, that he intended them to convey a lesson of the truest and highest statemanship. And they do contain at once a lesson and a warning, not unneeded by us Englishmen and Welshmen of the present day. Oar Welsh reverence for the past—our peraistent respect for the institution and customs and ceremonies of our forefathers—the sentiment, for instance, which to-day sees us congregated around these old stones —to behold and uphold an ancient institut:on and privilege and customs of the bards of the Isle of Britain, and to listen, as it were, with the ears.of our, hearts to inarticulate voices careering around this circle and seem- ing to say—" Oh God, we have heard with our ears, and our fathers have declared to us, the noble works which Thou didst in their days and in the old time before them" -all this may appear to shallow thinkers and thoughtless observers a very empty and useless proceed- ing, something pre-eminently childish and unnecessary. lt What is all this rubbish of old stones and antiquated ceremony ? such people will ask. Why this childish waste of time and means ? But they may ask the very same question every day, in every dock in Liverpool. Have you ever seen them pouring ballast into a ship in Liverpool ? Have you ever noticed what that ballasting consists of ? If not, I will tell yeu. It consists of ruboish and old stones. And do you know why thev require rubbish and old stones in the hold of their ships ? Why, for this reason. It would not be safe to hoist sail upon the mast-top unless and until there is a counter- balancing dead weight of ballast in the hold of the ship. I can picture to myself an impulsive thinker, standing beside such a ship in Liverpool or elsewhere and exclaiming—Why don't these people start to sea ? Why all this waste of time ? Why all this expenditure of means ? To what purpose this burden of stone? And the answer which I should make to such a reasoner should be the reply which I would give in reference to these old Gorsedd stones here to-day—"These stones, sir, are valuable, and their weight of the greatest consequence, as being to the master mariner the measure of the quantity of sail which it will be safe to raise upon the mast-head of the ship" (applause). You can have no progress if you have no ballast. No stones no sails. Now, reverence for the past is he: great ballasting of nations. It gives that steadiness to peoples which make progress among them possible. When Mr Glad- stone said There is no greater folly circulating upon the earth than a disposition to undervalue the past," I felt that he was impressing upon us Welshmen a lesson of the purest and truest statesmanship, for no master mariner dare to raise one shred of sail upon the mast- head of the ship of State, until he feels satisfied that he has in the constancy, the firmness, the steadiness, and the stability of the people, a dead weight to counter- balance the head weight of his canvas. A people who are not given to change, simply because it is change, prove themselves to be a people not only capable but deserving of no small measure of freedom and self- government (applause). No large modicum of freedom is. possible among fickle nations—among a nation, for instance, of which we have read that a sojourner among them used to bid his servant inform him every morning, when he called him, "What point the wind was blowing from, and also what form of government had been decreed for the day in the last night's assembly" (laughter), and whom Dennis would awake with some such form as "Six o'clock, and, please, sir, the wind is due east. And the form of government, under which we are living to-day, is a Military Republic" (loud laughter). I think I can safely repeat that anecdote in a Welsh Gorsedd without hurting any man's susceptibilities. If I were asked whether instability was the characteristic trait of a Welshman's idisynocracy, I would reply certainly not. You can safely trust Welshmen with any amount of liberty and self-government. They will not run after strange gods. Where is Wales to-day ? At Wrexham, holding a Gorsedd. What is Gorsedd ? Well, nobody knows when it began. But they are holding one at Wrexham according to the rites and institutes of Prydain ap Aedd Mawr, who flourished somewhere about the time of King David (laughter and applause). Can such a people be trusted with novelty ? With advance and progress, and freedom, and reform ? Yes. Any amount of it. Their loyalty to the past proves that they are not likely to run riot over the new. If there is one thing we Welshmen have a right to pride ourselves in more than another, it is this-that we are not an unstable, fickle, changeable people. And it is this feeling of stability —this consciousness that we have ballast in our ship-it is this feeling which nerves us as a people to undertake willingly and boldly all absolutely necessary measures of progress and reform. We may be pardoned if we feel that we deserved to be trusted with new institutions if reaily necessary, when we are able to show how persistently true we have been to the old. And, indeed, this old Welsh Gorsedd is still worthy of our un- divided allegianco and respect. In the first place, it is a memento and a memorial of the original institution of the right of public meeting-a right most dear to every British heart (applause). It dates back to a period antecedent to any written record—to a time when the only emblems and instruments of power and authority were a stone and a stick. Again, the Gorsedd is un- questionably the origin of that right of public speech which now has its impersonation in the powers and privileges of the Speaker in the House of Commons. One of its oldest mottoes is "Llavar bid lavar," or, Let him who has anything to speak, here speak it." And that motto, which is the root alike .of the Britishfword Parlavarment" (or Parliament), and of the African word li Pa-lavar," ought to be carved upon the chair of the Speaker of the House of Commons, to cheer him with a sense of his rights, and to remind him of the source fr n which they came. Again this Gorsedd is undoubti^f ? the origin of that dearest of every right-a man's rifiJw° he tried by a jury of his own countrymen (hear, i It was here, in Gorsedd, that all criminals were cry^t). led, and every criminal had a right to "Rhaith gwlad," or a jury of his fellows. Here also degrees were accorded to such literati as had deserved well at the lit.'rary competitions in Eiateddvod, whence f the degrees and honours of our universities are copied and derived. Now, is the memory of the institution of trial by jury worth preserving ? Is a memorial of tho origin of the right of public meeting and of freedom of speech in Parliament and at Assize worth retaining ? If so, then this Gorsedd JS worthy of every Briton's reverence and respect. Loyalty to the memory, of ancient institutions, and honest, sincere reverence for the past, are worthy of all honour and encouragement, because such loyalty and such reverence argue a constant and stable people, and afford an index to a nation's heart (applause). It may well gladden a statesman's heait— may the sight of a past-loving people. They are ballasted for any amount of sail, and therefore for any measure of progress or reform; .vhile a fickle, change- able, inconstant people are like a full-rigged ship, which is without an ounce of ballast in her, fit only for a. voyage-not across—but to the bottom of the Atlantic. There is no greater folly cilculating upon the earth, thau a disposition to undervalue the past" (loud applause). The installation of candidates to the order of Ovates was the last feature of the Gorsedd. Having been approved of previously, the following were conducted to the presiding bard (Estyn), and baptised uuder the various titles attached to their names :— OVATES. t Dr E. Williams (Iorwerth Eurwedd), Mr Hugh Davies, (Derwin). Mr John Jones, solicitor, Wrexham (loan 01 wyn), Mr George Bradley (Arvan), Mr Garratt-Jones (Morlan), Mr James Linaop (Iago Eurgain), Mr J. F. Edisbury (Iago Celvydd), Mr G. Bradley Jones (Hirwyn), Mr E\'an Jones, Ruabo i (Evanus Vedayg), the Rev G. Williams, Bwlchgwyn (Gwynvryn), Mr J. M. Edwards, Liverpool (Avon), Mr Rr. Williams, Wrexham (Hirlwyd), Mr T H Coleman, Wrexham (Gywlain), Mr Griffith Evan Jones (Ivan Evrais), Mr R. Lloyd, Mayor of Wrexham (Y Maenwr), Mr R.Lloyd Jones, Llangurig, Llanidloes (Llwydmor), Mr Isaac Shone, Wrexham Daearegwr), Mr Robert Roberts, VB, Wrexham (Marchwyth), Mr Evan Williams, Ruabon National "Schools (Ieuan Ceredig), Mr Fred Owen (Organydd), Mr Evan Morris, solicitor, Wrexham (Rheithiwr), Mr J. D. Junes (Mon Alaw), Mr D. Higgins (Gwiliedydd). BARDS. Mr Morgan, Brymbo (Calongadarn), Mr D. H. Owen, Oswestry (Aimavou), Mr Joseph Luto i, Mold (Alarch Alun), Mr R. Reece, Flint (Morgrugyn Cadeitr), Mr W. Lloyd-Jones (Morsynwr). In presenting the various candidates, Ceiriog said fin Welsh) :— I, Ceriog, being a bard according to the rites and privileges of the Bards of the Isle of Britain, do prssent to the notice of him w110 this day holds the staff of privilege of this Gorsedd (name of canuidaU-) to be received and iustalled to the degree of bard among the bards, under the name of (bardic title), as I believe on word and conscience he is worthy of that dignity. Estyn, in conferring the dignity, said :— I, Estyn, being a bard according to the rites and privileges of the Bard9 01 the 1,-1 e 01 Bntam, lU the face 01 the sun, and undel1 the rod of this Gor.;edd, do receive to the degree of ovate, under the name and abjure him in all concerning talent, and knowledge, and conduct, to walk worthy of his calling. On the conclusion of this ceremony, Estyn formally adjourned the Gorsedd to 1870, when it will be re- opened in connection with the Eisteddvod. Just as Estyn got down from the stone, the sergeant-at-mace of the corporation was marched along to the stone. Hut it was too late, the Gorsedd had been adjourned, and thpugh Estyn re-ascended htS post, he deceived the candidate, and, indeed, the Englishmen present generally, by some cabalistic words burlesquing the proper form. Ceiriog (Mr J. Ceiriog Hughes, Caersws), then stepped forward and delivered an address on the Vord Gron. He said I wish to state very briefly the objects and aims of the "Vord Gron," and what are the reasons which induced Myself and others to join it. First of all I must express my deep regret that several of my fellow comrades have not been able to attend this Gorsedd to-day, especially Mynyddog, who would have been more able to address you on this subject. The Vord Gron is a fraternity of men who love the Eisteddvod and Gorsedd, and deiire to turn these national gatherings to better account. We feel perfectly sure that if three or four hundred of the leading platform men, and literati of our country were to join this order, the Eisteddvod m the course of a few years would contribute very largely and handsomely towards the education and elevation of our country. We may have mysteries and secrets as well as freemasons, odd-fellows, and other united brotherhoods; bat our objects and aims are no secrets, and in this Gorsedd, to-day, in the face of the sun and the eye of light, I beg to state that our first endeavours will be to concentrate the Eisteddvod into a well-regulated institu- tion; and secondly, to extend the fraternity among Welshmen, wherever they exist (applause). After establishing our own constitution and repute we intend to give substantial encouragement to literary meetings, the fine arts, sciences, designs, and manufactures. We mean at Eisteddvodau to give prizes for examinations in English, Welsh, and other languages, prizes in Cambrian history, Cambrian biography, British antiquity, and other branches of useful education not introduced into the Eisteddvod pro- gramme. We have before us the publication MSS., or papers in any language relating to Wales or the Marches, and a Vord Gron journal of the nature of the Brython or old Gwladgarwr to contribute to, as well as to assist in, the publication of all works of a national character (ap- plause). I wish to explain to you why we chose to be an order or a fraternity rather than an ordinary society or a club. Rightly or wrongly there exists among Welsh- men and Eistedivod.goers throughout the kingdom a very strong desire to fraternise closer and nearer to each other in matters relating to our common country and nationality, and, strange to say, even to this day there exists a super- stitious reverence for the memory of our first Christian King and the order of bis Round Table. I could read you letters we have received during the last month or two from several places in America, Australia, and the West Incies, from Welshmen or their descendants begging of us to let them know at once how could theyjestablish vordsor lodges in their iespective countries. The editor of an American Welsh paper (the Drych) writes on the Sth of December last as follows:—"We receive scares and scores of letters at this office from correspondents in all parts of the States, desiring to know the objects and aims of the Vord Gron and the rules relating to the frateraity, but we are unable to furnish them with the information they require in the absence of details from you. There are in the United States fully three hundred thousand people speaking Welsh who desire to fraternise (dal cymundeb) with their fellow countrymen in all parts of the globe. Such an order as the Vord Gron would be a great boon in this country, and the want of it is much felt." Since the Vord Gron was first mooted at the Mold Eisteddvod in 1874, and originated at Bangor last August, we have had too much en- couragement from substantial supporters and men of discretion and position to allow the scheme to rest. Respecting our countrymen abroad, you can scarcely imagine the intensity of their desire to join a brotherhood commemorating to them their native land, their old traditions of early Britain, and the legends of tho Round Table (applau e). Andreas o Von gave notice that at the Gorsedd of 1876, he would move That this meeting hails with satisfaction any steps taken by the Government to pro- mote university education in Wales." The procession then re-formed, and returned to town, accompanying the mayor and corporation to the Guild- hall. Dr Williams briefly thanked the Volunteer?, Yeomanry, Militia Staff, and Fire Brigade for their attendance. Amongst the thousands present at the Gorsedd were Sir R. A. Cunliffe, Mr Watkin Williams, M.P., Mr John Owen (Owain Alaw), Mr Brinley Rich? .is, Dr Jones, Ruabon; Rev. D. Edwards, Beise; J. Williams, Mmera Rev H. T. Edwards, vicar of Carnarvon the Rev Robert Jones, vicar of All Saints. Rotherhithe; Rev James Dixon, Mr J. C. Edwards, Rev. G. H. McGill, Mr J. Broughton, Mr Conran, Mr Snape, Mr Peter Walker, Rev T. Kirk, M.A., Rev T. F. Nathan, Josephus, Mynyddwr, Eidiol Mon, Rhodwy, J, Hughes, Liverpool, &c. Mr W. C. Davies represented the University College. Mr J. H. Puleston, M.P., was unavoidably prevented from attending, as was also the Hun. G. T. Kenyon. THE VORD GRON. At the Guildhall, at five p.m., a Vord Gron meeting of the leading literati and Eisteddvod-lovers was held as announced. After entering fully into the objects of the order, and the way it is intended to bring its influence to bear upon future Eisteddvodau and Gorseddau, the scheme of the brotherhood was highly approved of. The door was then thrown open for all the gentlemen present to go out. The office of Usher was taken by Andreas o Von outside the entrance to the Vord, and that of Host inside the room by Mr Ceiriog Hughes. Having ex- changed grips, passwords, and countersigns, all again returned to the room (32 in number) and took their seats around the mystic circle. The Vord was then opened with the usual formality and solemnity of the round table euchology. The prayer was read by Yr Estyn, the rector of Llanfynydd and the f; charge" by the Rev. Robert Jones, M.A., the Rector of All Saints, Rotherhithe. Owing to the banquet having detained some of the gentlemen who intended joining the fraternity until about seven o'clock, a second Vord was held. THE LUNCHEON. At two o'clock in the afternoon, some 160 ladies and gentlemen sat down to a cold collation in the Assembly- room of the Wynnstay Arms Hotel, of which we will say no more than that it was a very excellent repast for the money (2s 6d), and reflected great credit on the catering of the landlord, Mr J. B. Murless. Dr. Williams presided, having as his right and left hand supporters the Worshipful the Mayor (Mr R. Lloyd), Rev. T. R. Lloyd (" Estyn"), Mr Watkin Williams, Q.C., M.P.; Mr Osborne Morgan. Q.C., M.P.; Rev Robert Jones, rector of All Saints, Rotherhithe Sir Roben Cunliffe, Bart.; Rev. David Howell, vicar of Wrexham; Mr W. Low, Roseneath Mr Brinley Richards, Rev. H. T. Edwards, vicar of Carnarvon Rev. G. H. M'Gill, rector of Bangor; Mr John Owen, 'Owain Alaw," Chester; and among the general company were Mr John James, town clerk, and members of the Corpora- j tion who had accompanied the procession,, &c., &c. Grace having been said by the Vicu, The Chairman, in proposing the first toast, that of The Queen," said it was one which took precedence of all others in this realm, and which at ail times com- manded a nght royal reception. He hoped her Majesty might long be spared to exercise that beneficent and wholesome influence upon society which is so marked a feature of the present reign (applause). The toast having been honoured with the usual de- monstrations of loyalty, accompanied by the singing of I the National Anthem, The Chairman rose to give the next toast, The Prince and Princess of Wales and the rest of the Royal Family." He considered that they might well drink this toast when they considered that from their own country the Prince of Wales derives his title. It was no smull compliment to them that the heir apparent to the throne of this great empire derived his first title from the Principality. It is generally expected that he is on the eve ol visiting her Majesty's Indian possessions to extend his knowledge ana experience by travel, and also, they hoped, to derive benefit to h.mself at the same time that he benefitted and gratified our fellow subjects in the distant East. They sincerely hoped that he might enjoy his tour and return in safety. The toast was duly honoured, and "God bless the Prince of Wales'' having been sung, the chairman pro- posed three cheers for the composer of that popular melody (Mr Brinley Richards; aud the author of the words, Owen Alw," both of whom were then present. It need hardly be addftd that the proposition was received with enthusiasm, and both gentlemen received quite aa ovation, which must have been the more gratifying to them because it could not have been anticipated. The Chairman then proposed The]Bishop and C'jrgy and Ministers of all Denominations." In no country in the world could we find a body of Christian ministers who devoteu themselves-more zealously to the duties of their sacred office than in our own, and this gave them the strongest claim upon us for our sympathy and. good wishes (applause;. Two hundred years ago nowhere did our Church flourish more than in the Principality of Wales but its prosperity was damped by the injudicious election of English bishops to the Welsh sees; and from the beginning of the 18th century a Welshman was never appointed to either of them in the vain hope of thereby extinguishing uur language, and, as if by force, changing our customs and our sympathies. This condition of things has now happily passed away, and, thanks to that illustrious statesman the ex-Premier (hear, hear, ahd applause), we had now a Welsh bishep in the see of St. Asaph, of whom we might indeed be pioud, full of zeal in the discharge of the high functions of his holy office, devout, eloquent, and painstaking in lemedying the mistakes of the past; and we in Wrexham at the present moment have much reason to feel grateful to him for the selection he has made of a gentleman to take charge of this large and important parish, whose credentials for the office reached us through private sources and the public points, and our short experience of him confirmed the opinion we had formed. He was therefore much pleased to think that those who are primarily iaterested in the appointment are so perfectly satisfied, and he took advantage of that the first opportunity of offering to the Rev. David Howell on the part of Limself and his fellow parishioners a most cordial welcome to WTrexham (applause). He was glad that the present Premier had followed the example of his piedecessor, and appointed a learned Welshman in the person of Dr Basil Jones to another see—(applause)—than which a better appoint- ment could not have been made. The clergy and ministers of all denominations had every claim upon us for help and sympathy and when we recognised the high and holy functions of their office and the zeal with which they discharged their duties we could not but feel and express our unbounded obligations, and, in the fullest and highest meaning of the word, wish them God speed (applause). The Vicar, in responding, said ha felt it would be unpardonable on his part if he were to repay their very kind reception of this toast by inflicting on them any- thing in the shape of a lengthy speech. The toast for which he had the honour to respond he need hardly tell them was not one of those usually regarded as one relat- ing to the business of the day, but simply one of those usually given at public gatherings of this sort by the kind favour of all loyal Englishmen and Welshmen too (hear, hear). Bssides, there was a brilliant array of speakers to follow him, some of whose names appear on the toast-list, speakers distinguished for their eloquence, and he was perfectly certain they were all most anxious to enjoy that eloquence, and no one more so than himself. He would therefore say little more than just return them his very hearty thanks for their reception of this toast, and also to say he was sure it must be most gratifying to the bishop and clergy of this diocefie to find that they bad so many earnest well-wishers among the friends and supporters of the National Eisteddvod (hear, hear). Of the bishop he need hardly tell them, after what had fallen from the lips of the chairman, that he was not only a Welsh bishop in name and office, but in heart and tongue and sympathies too. He was simply stating a matter of fact when he said that the organisation, of the principle of which he was the living embodiment, that was the appointment of Welsh clergymen to the chief offices of the Church in Wales, was due in no small degree to the frequent advocacy of this question by the late lamented Dr James and others on the eisteddvod platform some years ago. He hardly knew whether he need say a single word on behalf of the clergy of this diocese but if he might, with all humility and deference, act as their representative for only just one moment, it was merely to say that ho thanked them with all his neart for their expression of wishes which he was sure were as sincere on their part as they were deeply grateful to his trathrm. Let him say only one thing in con- connection with this toast—and it was the only thing that fell in hssway to say—and it was simply this, that he regarded the eisteddvod as most valuable, among many other grounds, for this reason, that it is the common ground on which the clergy of the Church of England and ministers of other denominations may meet and fraternise without the slightest compromise of conviction or principle (hear, hear). Others might value it on the ground of its great antiquity, as being the oldest literary institution in the world in active existence, and which had been handed down to us fragrant with the traditions and associations of they knew not how many centuries. He had no doubt there were others, again, who would defend it on the ground that it is the oldest peace society in existence for let him SilY that notwithstanding the mild pugnacity of modern Welsh bards—(laughter)—our eisteddvod is essentially pacific and peaceable. He was prevented by indisposition from being present on the field, otherwise he should have seen his friend the pre- siding druid, the assemblage, the sheathing of the sword, and also the proclaiming of the gorsedd in the well- known form. Possibly there were others who would speak of the eisteddvod in its results, that was to say in the stimulus it had given to the .cultivation of Welsh music, manufactures, arcbasology, and antiquities—all, indirect results of the eisteddvod in the Principality. But as he should not touch on any one of these points, he wasjprepared to contend for the eisteddvod on the simple ground that it was almost the only common platform left them on which Churchmen and Nonconformists, Radicals and Tories—(laughter)—might meet without any compromise of any kind whatever. He submitted that an institution that harmonises such discordant elements is surely one which answers some useful purpose. He need not go further to say that if it were not for the Eisteddvod he hardly knew how some of the leading men in the Principality would have any personal acquaintance at all. The result of such estrangement would be at least a mutual ignorance of each other's good qualities (laughter). As they were brought together that day, they were made to see and feel and know that they had a great deal, after all,. in common, and that notwithstanding their differences, there was a large lump of human nature in every one of them (applause). Per- haps he might be allowed to mention something he heard a few years ago, respecting the late Bishop of St. David's, the lilus'rious Dr. Thirwell. A very little after his appointment to the see, he was called to visit and re-open a church in a very obscure and remote corner of his diocese, where a live bishop had never been seen not only within the recollection of the oldest inhabitant," but even within the traditions of the parish. When the great day arrived, there was an immense con- course of the people of the district who were not so much interested in the ceremony as influenced by an intense curiosity to feast their eyes, once for all, upon an actual, live bishop. When his lordship camo to the gate of the churchyard, and stepping out of his carriage, walked with his usual dignity to the church, it is said that one cf the rustics exclaimed with wonder and amazement, Well, well, there never was anything so like a man" (loud laughter). The Vicar concluded by again thanking the companyfcfor their hearty reception of the toast. The Chairman then submitted The Army, Navy, and Auxiliary Forces "—a power which in forire: days has made its force felt, and which, no doubt, in future years, if ever they are called upon, will acquit them- selves with that gallantry which is so characteristic of our nation. Hoping the day may be far in the future when they may be called upon to unsheath their swords in war, still we desirred to be prepared for all emergencies, so that if that dread day ever arrives we may feel the assured confidence that the same valour, endurance, and British pluck which distinguished our ancestors, and ever led to victory, will be equally conspicuous in the soldiers of our times. There if one interesting circumstance connected with our navy which, if authentic, is worth alluding to. It is reported that the first national victory obtained by Englishmen was in the year 875. just a thousand years ago, when the Danish rovers were defeated by Alfred and this forcibly recalled those stirring lines of Camp- bell— The flag that's braved a thousand years The battle aad the breeze and gave to them a literal and forcible meaning in this year 1875 (applause). He coupled with* the toast the names of Sir R. A. Cunliffe and Lieutenant Morris. Sir Robert Cunliffe first returned thanks. Speaking to a great many who lived in Wrexham and its neighbour- hood, and who had therefore heard the sound of the bugles and band of the Denbigh Militia very regularly during the last month—he hoped they had not heard them too often (a laugh) — he would only ask them to allow bun fA that occasion to refer for a moment to the conduct of the men whom he had the honour to command. He might, perhaps, t be permitted to do so because during the last training their conduct had been particularly good, and the police authorities had written to him a very gratify- ing letter upon the subject. Of course he was saying this not on behalf of himself, but on behalf of the men. If the Denbigh militia had obtained in past years, and held now as much as ever. a high character, it was owing to the zeal and the efficient way in which those who commanded the regiment had been supported by I the officers and by the staff of the regiment; but while ) giving all credit to them, let it not be forgotten that it is to the individual conduct of the men themselves tt at its high character stood higher now, he thought, than it ever did before. The Deputy Chief Constable wrote him before the training was over a letter in which he stated that not a single case had called for the inter- ference of the civil police; and when they bore in mind that 600 men had been quartered here for a month, he thought they would agree w:t\1 him that that was a fact which redounded to the credit of the regiment. He had the honour to submit that letter to Col. Cooper, and his re- mark was that there were very few regiments of which such could be said. He thought it only fair to the men in the ranks of the Denbigh militia that this fact should be made known. He believed the regiment was now in that position that the county and the town mi ht look upon it with pride and gratification. He believed these auxiliary forces were really a valu- able help to the defensive power of the country, and he trusted they would give them their support in influencing public opinion in their favour, and though the day might be far distant when they would be called upon to do active service, he trusted" they would respond to their duties and be an effective assistance to the country (applause). Lieutenant Evan Morris, 1st D.R.V.. said that after whatahad fallen from Sir Robert Cunliffe he did not think he could say much more except to say, on behalf of that branch of the auxiliary forces to which he belonged, the volunteers, that they were much gratified in being associated with the toast. The volunteers Were looked upon as a civil furce; and though they had volunteered their services to the country, he hoped the time was far distant when they would be called into active operation, and that their services would be merely in requisition, as they had been that day, in Ifelping to keep order at a Gorsedd—(near, hear)—or at other meetings of a similarly peaceful character. The motto of the volunteers was Defence not defiance," and he believed it was that motto which had made the volun- teer force so very popular, and in this district, which was not a large one, he was glad to say they had a battalion numbering nearly 600 men (applause). On behalf of the volunteers, he begged to return thanks; and he trusted that as they had witnessed the ceremony of that day, which had been somewhat novel to them, thev might also assist when the Eisteddvod of 1876 took place, offering their services again, and doing every- thing they could to make the celebration succcssful (applause). The Chairman next proposed "The Gorsedd, Eisteddvod, and musical festival of 18i6." He said: I cannot but approach the subject of my next toast with considerable diffidence and diffi- culty, and I only wish it had fallen into abler and better hands for its own sake, for yours, and in all truth, for my own. But the demonstrations of to-day prove beyond all doubt how strongly knit this institution is in the hearts and affections ot the people, and I rejoice to think that to-day's Gorsedd, when the Eisteddvod of 1876 was duly proclaimed, as by the bardic laws, one year and a day before the time of holding it, was all that the most ardent bard or druid could possibly desire and as I suppose this proclamation may be con- sidered the inaugural ceremony of the Eisteddvod, we are justified in concluding that the unprece dented success of to-day is a foreshadowing of the brilliancy afld magnitude of the great festival we are all looking forward to with such great pleasure. It would be presumption in me to attempt any description or explanation of what passed before our eyes this morning in the mystic circle when I see around me such an array of gentlemen versed in ancient lore, and so much more conversant in the laws and customs of bardism but I cannot refrain from expressing the respect and reverence I entertain for the customs and symbolisms of a people whom we represent, and who have handed down to us a glorious history of which we may well be proud, and who, as historians tell us, prepared the way for the civil and religious liberty which we enjoy and rejoice ia, and laid the foundation of some of the noblest institutions which Great Britain can boast of. The function of the Gorsedd, which we witnessed this morning, partook of the character of a university—and we witnessed the conferring of degrees which antiquaries tell us had its origin far anterior to the Christian era, when the congress of bards was held, not in marble halls,, but within a druidical circle composed of twelve unhewn stones, with the Maen Llog" in the centre as a rostrum, under the broad canopy of Heaven-Yn wyneb haul a llygad yoleuni, "in the face of the sun, and in the eye of light." Such then was the primitive tribune of the bards of the Isle of Britain. So the Eisteddvod is a con- gress of bards and literati assembled for a competitive tournament in poetry, music, and fine arts, and let it be observed this is chiefly supported and promoted by the peasantry of Wales, and may be called their national pastime; and, I may ask, where in the wide world is there a people to be found whose national pastime is so noble, so refined, and so intellectual? Still there to be found amongst English journalists those who deprecate and cast ridicule upon this institution happily they are becoming fewer as they are becoming better informed upon the subject, and we trust that ere long their censure will be turned into praise. Nothing can ever eradicate the love of his language from the heart of a Welshman, whose motto is Oes g byd Vr iaith Gymraegand the natural love of his country is not less real, and this also is so well expressed in the fine old Welsh patriotic motto, Gas dyn na y wlad macco." "Hateful is the man that loves not the land that bred him." But let it not be supposed for a moment thab while we revere and cultivate the Welsh we do not recognise the importance of teaching every boy and girl in the Principality the knowledge of English, which is so essential to their success in life, but which is in no degree impaired by a knowledge of the Welsh, for the more languages we know in these days of rapid intercommunication the better. The French and German and other Continental tongues are so fre- quently met with in our own literature that familiarity with them has become a necessity; and as Providence has endowed man with the capacity of knowing more than one language, why not in- dulge that faculty, and thereby enhance our happi- ness. If it had been otherwise, and man was limited to one language, I should then freely say, by all means let that be the English, and never let it be supposed that while we love and cherish our language we have the remotest idea or wish of indulging in any cry so insane as Wales for the Welsh. We are proud to be united to that great people, and to form an integral part of the Eng- lish, nation, and to share with our fellow-country- men the glories of a history unsullied and unsur- passed. If, gentlemen, the institution we have this morning inaugurated has for its object the encouragement of learning, the cultivation of poetry, music, and the fine arts, obedience to the laws, and loyalty to the Sovereign, and always and everywhere truth as set forth in our never dying maxim, "A gwir yn erbyn y byd." The truth against the world." I have no hesitation, but on the other hand, I am proud to ask you to drink success to the National Eisteddvod of 1876. With the Gorsedd and Eisteddvod I come to the name of Estyn, and with the musical department the name of Mr Brinley Richards, which he so well represents (applause), Estyn, in responding, said Mr Chairman and gentle- men, I am treated so kindly whenever I go to an Eisteddvod or Gorsedd that I begin to think I have a prescriptive right to your kindness. 1 am very like the old man who lived in Worcester who was in the habit of receiving a pint of milk every day at the parsonage. He died lately and left a will, bequeathing the pint of milk daily to his brother (laughter). And when I die, if search be made among my papers, you will no doubt find that I have bequeathed the kindness of the Welsh people to those who come after me in promoting Eis- teddvodau (hear). The sight we had this morning im- pressed upon my mind as a certain fact that the snccess of the Eisteddvod meeting of 1876 will be a great one. I think I can apply to the Eisteddvod the words a Welshman applied to me when he said" Estyn, you never was looking better than 1 ever shall see you before (loud laughter). But I hope that our Eistedd- vod of 1876 will be an Eisteddvod that will do some work. I hope it will be a success, not in numbers, but in a superior class of composition. I hope the composi- tions sent in to the Eisteddvod of 1876 will not be like the compositions of one party of whom a brother bard of mine said the best thing he ever Slow in those compositions was a mutton pie (laughter). Now not to detain you one moment longer, but to come to one bit of serious business there is one point connected with our coming Eisteddvod which I would like to mention. It is the necessity whit Ja exists for an improvement in the standard of our adjudi- cations. May I beg of my brother bards never to ad- judicate upon any subject in which they are not ex- ceptionally well up. We shall never acquire a high standard of competition until we secwe a high standard V of criticism. It is the adjudicators who must create the barda, and not the bards who will create the judges. It is the schoolmaster who must Take the scholars, and not the scholars who will create the master. We want more good judges—men of a critical turn of mind men who can build up as well as pull down. I have heard an adjudi- cator upon poetry, for instance, assign a prize without, that I could see, assigning any real, intelligible reasoa for his decision. I have almost been induced to ask such an adjudicator, at tho close of his criticism, if indeed ha has thought it worth his while to treat us to any criticism whatever—And pray, sir, what is poetry, according to your conception of the article? You have pointed oat a lot of clerical eirors, but I do not see that you have given us one good, ,olld suggestion that will improve us aud elevate our standard in the future." Now, lest I should be chuged with committing the sauie offence which I blame in others, permit, me to state what I take true poetry to be. "Poetry," I take it, is the art of describing one obiect by painting some other object which will suggest it." Thus poetry would paint a "brave man" under the similitude of of an eagle or a lion," and describe a" beautiful woman'' by painting a violet, or a lily, or a rose. It is the province of prose to call a spade a spade. True poetry should do her work by paint- ing the similitudes of objec s rather than by pourtra/ing the objects themselves. I hope these remarks of mine will be kindly taken by gentlemen who sometimes thoughtlessly undertake, and carelessly perform, the duties of adjudicators at our Eisteddvods. If we would aim at an improvement in the standard of our Eisteddvod compositions we must aim at an improvement in tha standard of our adjudicators (applause). Mr Brinley Richards, who on rising was greeted with the heartiest applause, said he felt he laboured under a very great disadvantage in coming after anyone having such a felicitous way of expressing his thoughts as his friend Estyn. He must thank them^or the manner in wLicii they had received the mention of his name, and had been associated with the musical branch of the Eisteddvod, he ventured to offer a few remarks with reference more especially to music. One had described chool music as the back-bone of the Eisteddvod. They had had choral music in Wales from a period which it was difficult to bring into the immediate present. That morning Estyn referred to events in cocnxtion with the Eisteddvod as far back as the time of Kaug David. It reminded him of the genealogical tiee of the Welsh clergyman, about halfway down which was the note, "About this time the world was created" (laughter). That was antiquity enough to satisfy the most outrageous Welshman, but with regard to thv Eisteddvod, he was glad to find the committee had offered such splendid prizes for their Eisteddvod of 1876. He hoped the result would be to brir g up some of those famous choirs from the county of GIallo gaa (heir, hear). He hoped it was not too much to hot e they might have even a London choir down here. He shoull certainly like to see the Wrexham Eisteddvod a red mark in the history of the Welsh people, mak ng their festival of 1876 tho greatest choral testivai ihe; had ever had in Wales. He thought with such prizes and n so trees as their committee could command he was just ded in anticipating that result. He hoped the commi tee would avoid a blunder which had been repeated more than once at Eisteddvodau. He would do everything in his power to urge the com- mittee to promote musical education in Wales, and especially choral music, not only because of its great importance in the worsh p of 0 ir churches and chapels, but as a very pure and social element, among the popu- lation. He aid not think thjy .had yet realised its great social influence. No one would deny the fact of its influence, because it was connected with the puret and most elevat ng sources of our human nature. Now, choral music is a pleas ng art common to nearly every man and woman, whetaer they live in a palace'or in a cottage, on a mountara or in a valley. God had endowed his countrymen with great musical feeling, which gave expression til itself in the great meeting held in the Crystal Palace in 1873. When such an effect was produced in a country by means of popular singing they ought to do something to promote and encourage choral music. In North Wales, he was sorry to say, they were behind the South. Welshmen in North Wales had quite as fine voices as they had; but in this part of the country the population was scattered over a very large surface, whereas in Glamorganshire large bodies of men. and women were contained within a very small area, by means of which at great rehearsals they could attain great effects. It was impossible that he could sit down without alluding to one other subject. He hoped to impiess upon the committee that on more than one occassion there seemed to be an attempt to make their ancient national festival a poor imitation of an English choral festival. A greater blunder they never made. He maintained that an Eisteadvod which was not national was an absurdity (hear, hear). They had no right to call it an Eisteddvod rather call it an English festival. He would be the last to stop what might be called an exhibition of Welsh choral music bu° as a Welshman, he must be logical. He could not think it light to Call it an Eisteddvod and yet do away with all its national characteristics. Some people thought some mischief lurked in the word nationality." He hoped such a feeling did not exist there. Look at another portion of her Majesty's dominions where ther; was an English-speaking people, shrewd, hard-heaced, the most practic 1 men over the globe. Were they kss national ? Then, he said, if nationality was not a source of mischief in Scotlind, why should they be afraid of it in Wales Y English festivals were magnificent exhibitions of art in the highest forms; but they were not national. Most English festivals included men and women of all countries. The object of the gathering was to promote art, nat nationality. He maintained their Eisteddvodau included nationality and art, and the moment they attempted to rival the English iestival they put themselves into a false position, threw away a great deal cf money, and made themselves ridituljus. He hoped, if they lived to see the forthcoming E.steddvod at Wrexham, they should have the pleasure of hearing penillion singing. Let them have the Welsh harp; the Scotchmen were fond of their bagpipes, but he had a prefereLce for the harp. In conclusion, 14: Brinley Ricnarts thanked the committee for having p emitted him to Witness that day what he hoped n ight be the prelude or overture to the greatest national meeting of the 19th century lkui applause). Mr Watkin Williams next proposed" The University College of Wales." The hon. gentleman remarked on the importance to Welshmen of the University College of Aberystwith; and said although he had not the good fortune to be one of those who were the first to give a start of that institution, he was proud to say that at an early period he gave his voice and assistance towards its establishment. He thought they would agree with him that it was one of the most important of the existing institutions that were on the point of becoming great in this country. He differed in opinion from a great number of persons whose opinions were entitled to great weight and attention, but who doubted the advisability of it, and at this moment continued to do so, because, as they said, it was apt to establish a rival institution to the universities of Oxford and Cambridge. For that reason many had opposed it, but he differed in toto from that conclusion, and as a practical illustration to the contrary, he appealed to Scotland. This college was not intended to rival those of Oxford and Cambridge, but it might well stand side by side, and might supplement and assist other colleges. They had noticed the in- valuable effects to the Scotch people of these colleges and universities spread over the country; and he said this college of Aberystwith might be made of esti- mable value to Welshmen, especially to those who could not afford the great expenditure which must necessarily be involved in going to Oxford and Cambridge. He propesed, therefore, to them, not by way of drinking the health of it, but as a resolution and as a sentiment, that this meeting of bards and literati and friends of society cordially approves of this University of Aberystwith, and that they will do what they can to endeavour here- after to get material funds for the establishing of scholarships (applause). The Rev. Robert Jones, Vicar of All Saints, Rother- hithe, said he heartily wished that the important toast now befoie them had fallen into more able hands. He had. however, been connected with the movement for a very long period, and had witnessed its sunshine and its shadows, and almost its wreck on a lee shore. But the University was now an established fact, and, if they would know who it was that in the hour of its peril took the tiller in hand and rescued it from the breakers, and had now steered it into the bright open sea, it was Mr. Hugh Owen, of London. It had now a working staff of professors, men of the first water, as was witnessed by that masterly production, the address of the Principal, at the close of the last term. It would have done honour to any University in the world. The council were determined that the education given should be the best of its kind, and as their friend Estyn had told them what poetry was, he wouid use it to describe the educa- tion they had in view: it was to be solid as the hills around them, elevating as their mountain peaks, clear as their crystal streams, and bright, lustrous, and sparkling as the beautiful eyes of Cambria's beautiful daughters. Speaking of the University in conjunction with the Eisteddvod. at the risk of being unfaithful as a member of the council, he hoped the Eisteddvod Com- mittee would devote their surplus profits, not to the use of the University in general, but determinedly to the establishment of a better chair. He (the speaker) was anxious for the preservation of the old language of their love. Despite some disadvantages, the benefits to thoae who spoke it were immense. It was well known that the average English peasant had about 500 words in his vocabulary, and there were parishes in England where 300 would constitute the sum of it. Now it was well known that the Bible contained some 8,000 or 9,000. How was the peasant of 300, or even 500 words, to understand that book with its thousands ? The Welsh peasant, on the other hand, understood almost every word of his Welsh Bible, Who could not, therefore, but be anxious for the preservation of a language in which such mighty interests twined. It was also valuable on other accounts. His friend Ceiriog had lately given him to read his last love'poem, and it was & production worthy of any age or poet. Such prQ- ductions belonged to the language, and he hoped the day was far distant when it would cease to be spoken. In the language of Taliesan that morning at the Gor- sedd, he hoped that when the sun was darkening, and the moon growing pale, old ocean, with its last waves, would only then be roaring its requiem. The speaker, in conclusion, said I love Wales, its language and its 1 men. In Londou wherefw we are ooogregated, and