The Montgomery County Times and Shropshire and Mid-Wales Advertiser

POWYS j PROVINCIAL EISTEDDFOD. MEETINGS AT OSWESTRY. As was to be expected from the great prepara- tions which were made, the Powys Provincial Eisteddfod meetings, which took place in Oswestry on Thursday and Friday, were perhaps the most successful vet held. The broken weathei of the last few days seemed to clear away as if for the occasion,and t he sun shone ont in brilliant splendour on both da vs. Eisteddfod" is a word to conjure with. For Welshmen it has a peculiar fascination, and brings the labourer from the farm and the shep- herd from the hill. Oswestrvis net a Welsh town. but it contains more Welsh people than many towns in Wales, and it was onl) natural that the eisteddfod should c me to a town whilh is the natural outlet for a great amount of the traffic of North Wales, and to whose market several hundreds of Welsh people come every week. The festival is playing its part in the great Welsh revival which is taking place at the present time. Far from its being modernized, the ceremonies, as witnessed on Thursday aud Friday, were performed with all the rites and customs of ancient times. Science, however, made its appearance at the Gorsedd meeting on Thursday. We caniiot tell how the inrovation would have been received by the bards of a former eri. but one of the bards as he stood on his stone guarding the sacred circle held in hfs hands a Kodak." and while the chief bard was addressing the audience, he was busily engaged taking snap shots." [t has been said that future generations will look back upon these years in the history of Welsh lit;-future as a period in which a new field has been entered upon. The Mabinogion stories are being brought to lig-ht and a cheap popular edition has been called for. We have not heard that it is yet in the press, but all forms of old Welsh literature are being restored, and Principal Rhys, the presi- dent of one of the eisteddfod meetings, is one of the leaders In the mo%,en-iont. --iri speaking of the Mabinogion, Matthew Arnold (as Dr Rhys only recently showed) says that one of the tirst things which strikes one in read- ing the Mabinogion is how evident it is that the mediceva! story-teller is breaking irto an anti- quity of which he does not know the secret. Arnold draws the figure of a peasant building his house upon classic ground, such as Ephesus, out ,of materials knowing nothing of their history, or at least only in the light of rays of traditions stones, says he, not of this building but older, greater, more skilful, majestic. Hence, here there may be a wealthy mine for students of the future to dig deep, and that it will not be from sentiment alone that the Welsh language be preserved, but for the sake of its inherent value, for in it lie valuable treasures. For centuries steady and persistent and successful attempts have been made to use all the forces of religion, administration, education, and legislation to prevent the natural development of Wales. The task of Welsh nationalists, therefore consists in building up anew the national life i godi'r hen wlad yn ei hol," to place the destinies of the country once more in the hands of Welshmen and to entrust the legislation and the education of the people to the people themselves. The enthusiasm displayed at the Eisteddfod meetings is one prominent feature in this new order of things, and the tenacity with which the ancient customs are held only shows that the people are determined to bold up that nationality of which thev are so proud. Space does not allow of our referring to other traits of the Welsh character which are being revived, but the numerous entries in the various Welsh items on the programme testified that the people of Wales have caught the spirit of the re- vival. THE ART LOAN EXHIBITION. This important section of the Eisteddfod was opened by Principal Rhys, Jesus College, Oxford, on Wednesday afternoon. The Victoria Rooms, in which the Exhibition was held, was filled to over- flowing by a large and fashionable audience, a happy augury for the success of the other meetings. Principal Rhys was supported on the platform by the Mayor (Mr. C. E. Williams), Mr. Stanley Leighton, M. P., the Hon. Mrs. Bulkley Owen, Lady Blomfield, Messrs. G. Owen, J. Parry Jones, and G. Lloyd Williams, the Yen. Archdeacon Thomas, Revs. Cecil Hook, T. Redfern, and J. J. Poynter. Amongst those present were Captain, Mrs, and Mr Horace Lovett (Fernhill), Colonel an«\ Miss Lloyd, Captain and Mrs Freeman, Col. Maltbv, Col. and the Misses Fisher (Pentrepant), Mr and Mrs Mostyn-Owen (Woodhoase), Mr Chas. Mostyn- Owen (Erwyn), Rev. T. M. Bulkeley-Owen, Rev. F. B. De la Bere, Rev. D. Davies (Llansilin), Rev. Mr Markham (Whittingtbn), Rev. P. A. H. Birley, Misses Boughey (Derwen), Mr J. and Miss Dovaston (West Felton), Mr and Mrs D. Richards (Oswestry), Mr and Mrs Broughall (Oswestry), Messrs W. J. Hardy, J. Maclardy, G. W. F. Robbins (Oerley Hall), W. H. G. Weaver, W. Fletcher Rogers W. T. Jones, F. G. Buller Swete, E Jones (Glentworth), R. O. Wynne Roberts, etc. The MAYOR, in briefly introducing Principal Rhys, said he had a duty to perform which although short was, he could assure them, a very pleasing one-that was to introduce to them Dr Rhys, principal of Jesus College, Oxford (applause). He was, as they all knew, one of the most distin- guished Welshmen of the present day (hear, hear). They were all exceedingly proud of having him amongst them, and it was very good of him indeed, TW- in? cona^ere(l it an honour to the town that A f p u 001116 f°r the purpose of opening the ■ and also to preside over one of the eisteddfod meetings (loud applause). He was xcee ing y pleased to see him, and had great applause)** lntro(^uc'n £ hrm to the audience (loud Principal RH-ys, who on rising received a warm Sa'd very much°out of place. It occurred to him that he was something like the T anClentLshiP which was sometimes to be seen adorning the rrvi-Q^ garden. He thought S i ° & °°ttage .• i mat someone repre- senting the culture of this part of the mP ht'e, Ofned the exhibition (hear, hear). They had Mr Stanley Leighton present and many others who might have done it very much better than he could do it (applause). He heartily congratulated the committee of the eisteddfod who got up the exhibition in brin<nnsr together such a display of the wealth ,.f ;lrt to be found in this part of the country. lie had always had an idea that there were a great many of the splendid treasures of all kinds of art to be f.mnd in this part of Powvsland. They had here portraits of many of the leading men of Wales, of the town of Oswestry, and pictures on subjects of all kinds and some of them he understood of very great value. One new feature to his mind was wrought iron. He had an idea that they had somewhere in this part of the world remains of the iron chariots of the ancient Britons. He was not sure that they were a work of art, but these things might come in more prominently some other day when they made an archaeological display in this building. He thought the colleges of Oxford and Cambridge had a very good proportion of all rite anCIent, plate of the country, but there seemed to he a great deal of very curious and very artistic plate among their display. It was a little unfair ro 1,im to speak of the exhi'i»it.> with-tit liavr ? (laughter). Someone ought to have taken *him round and described them. However, at present his duty was a short one and he would now declare the exhibition open (loud applause). The adjudications on the competitive works in the Art section were then read out by the hon see., Mr F. H. SHAYLER, as follow, Oil painting, of any cattle in Wale; or the Marches, size not less than 21 inches by 14 inches. First prize, given by the Mayor of Oswestry, £ 3 3s; secoud, £1 10s 1 "Silurian"; 2 Miss Swayne, Llansantffraid. Oil or wacer colour painting of flowers from nature, size 14 inches by 10 inches. First prize, given by Mr Sheldou, El Is; second, given by Mr Arthur Minshall, 10s 6d—1 Miss Amy Leah Oswestry 2 Norma." P,2 n and ink sketch, study of foliage, spray taken from a tree. Prize £1 Is, given by Mrs Halliday, Chirk -Won by "Celt." Fi-eeli LtLd copies of six pag-e" in Xo. 2 (a) of Col tins's series of elementary drawing books, for competitors under fiftoeu. Prize 5s, given by Mrs Jebb-Wou by Mr Owen Roberts, Oswestry. Impromptu pencil drawmg of any animal, for children under tPI1. Priz-1 £ 1 Is, given bv Dr W. Williams-Not adjudicated upon. Drawing of a group of models, shaded in chalk or sepia. First prize, 15s; 2nd, given by Miss Bull, 7s &i.-I National de Pole;" 2 Mr Booth, Park Avenue, Oswestry. Best six photographic views, on half or whole pla" Must tiit; work of tl. exhibitor. Pr^J'°s- sional phorographers ineligible. Restricted to N..rth Wales and six miles round Oswestry. Fi-st prize, given by Mr Maclardy, XI Is; 2nd prize, given hv Mr J R Haggartv, 10s 6d.—1 Uswestria; 2 Fair View." Subsequently O^westria was announced to be Mr Ernest Aston, Oswestry. Ornamental music rack, depth of carving inch. Priz, £2 2s, given by Mrs Barnes—Won by K<r taw am pis." Carved oak panel for the back of the mayor's chair. subject, The borough arms of Oswestry." To be the property of the Corporation. Size, 20 inches by 14 inches. Depth of carving not less than one inch. Tracing may be had from the Secretaries. Prize, given by the ex-mayor of Oswestry, £ 3 3s.-The winlicr was" illariner," who did not answer to his name. Carved oak panel, 12 inches by 10. For com- petitors under 18 years of age. Depth of carving, g-inch. Prize, given by Miss Longueville. £ l Is.—The adjudicators, awarded half the prize (10s 6d) to Learner"—Mr Baker of Oswestry. who was invested bv the Hon Mrs Bulkeley-Oweu. Carved picture frame 10 inches by 8 inches, depth of carving ^-inch. Prize 10s. given by Miss Longneville Won by "Ap Tudor." Kxample of leather work. Prize £ 1 Is. given by Mrs Matthews—Won by Spanish." Modelling in clay for Architectural purposes, not less thnn 3 feet by 2 feet; depth of modelling 11 2 inch. Prize E2 2s given by Mr P. H. Minshall — Won bv Mariner." Needlework, frock for chih. of two years old in white nainsook muslin, tucked and trimmed, hand sown. First prize, 10s sceond prize, 7s 6d (both given bv the Vale Exhibition)—1, No award; 2, Prudence." Specimen of art embroidery in linen, suitable for buck of pianoforte. Prize £1 Is, given by Mrs Barnes-Won by Mrs Hayden. Specimen of art embroidery in silk. Prize Sl Is, given by Mr C. K. Benson—Won by "Dum Spiro Spero." Piece of cliuvch embroidery, to be worked from ancient models, restricted to North Wales and 15 miles round Oswestry. First prize £ 1 Is, given by Mr F. G. Buller Swete; second, 10s 6d, by Mrs Hook.- 2nd, Miss F. C. Bull, Oswestry. The work was not from ancient models, but the adjudicators considered it worthy of second prize. Pair of knitted stockings, prize 5s, given by Mrs Allmand, won by Gwendoline." Pair of knitted gloves, prize 5s, given by Mrs Richard Hughes, won by Amelia." Heavy home-spun tweed (spun and woven in Wales), suitahle for winter wear. to consist of not less than five yards. Prize, £ 1 Is. given by the hon. Mrs. Bulkeley-Owen- Won by Morwyllt." Another pieye of lighter texture, and of the same length, suitable for summer wear. Prize, 11 Is, given by Mr W T Jones Won by "J..J." Striped linsey petticoat, f rize, £1 10s. won by X. V the following being highly commended "Beatrice." "Cambrian," "Betsv Jones." "Arfonia" and Clwydian." Piece of Welsh flannel, first prize. Cl Is. given by Mrs Myddleton Biddulph second 15s 6d. by the same donor 1 Craig-v-Nos," 2 F.P.Y." Mr. GEORGE OWEN then proposed a vote of thanks to Principal Rlivs. Mr. STANLEY LEIGHTON, in seconding the proposi- tion said it gave him the greatest pleasure to do so. They all knew Principal Rhys well by name and fame, although his face was not so familiar to them as they hoped it would be in the future (hear, hear). He thoug-ht it a very great compliment to the town that the head of an Oxford college should come there to co-oper'ate with them in their work. He was sure that this co-operation in intellectual work was of immense benefit to them, and he hoped it was no disadvantage to the great man who sat in the chair (applause). He had great pleasure in second- ing the vote of thanks. The proposition on being put to the meeting was carried with great enthusiasm, and was briefly a/'ki owledged by Principal Rhys. Rev CECIL HOOK proposed a vote of thanks to the exhibitors who very kindly and very generously lent to the committee their works of art and also to the committee, who had been so successful in bringing such a valuable collection together. Ir. J. PARRY-JONES seconded, and in doing so said he wished to thank the Hon. Mrs. Bulkeley- Owen more particularly, as it was mainly through her exertions that the exhibition had been so suc- cessful. Exhibits were kindly lent by Rev T. M. Bulkley- Owen, Mrs Carter, Mr John Clarke, Mrs Baldwyn Childe, Marv Lady Leighton, Prebendary Baldwyn Childe, Sir Robert A. Cunliffe, Mrs Darby, Revs T. Gowan, Cecil Hook, W. C. E. Kynaston, Lord Kenyon, Messrs R. Howell Davies, John Dovaston, George Dudleston, J. Marshall Dugdale, A. P. Hey- wood-Lonsdale, J. Morgan Jones, R. Ll. Kenyon, J. Maclardy, and C. F. K. Mainwaring, Colonel R. T. Lloyd, Miss Maria M. Lutener, the Mayor (Mr Charles E. Williams), Mrs Mostyn Owen, the Ven. Archdeacon Thomas, Rev J. J. Poynter, Messrs Arthur Minshall, A. C. Minshall, A. C. Nicholson, J. Parry Jones, George H. Robertson, Scotcher (Wrexham), J. Whitridge, and E. Woodall, Miss Jessie Williams (Park Hall Farm), the Dowager Lady Wynn, Sir Watkin Williams-Wynn, Bart., the Hon. Mrs Bulkeley Owen, Mr Stanley Leighton, M.P., Mr F. G. Buller Swete pictures by Mr Bolton, Mr Coole, Miss M. W. Minshall, Miss Richards, and Mr Frank H. Shayler. THURSDAY. The morning opened bright, a June sun was shining forth in all its splendour giving indications of a bright and unclouded day. The town was edrly astir and long before the time appointed for the opening procession the streets were crowded with eager sightseers. The shopkeepers had done their best to give the town a holiday appearance, flags and banners fluttered out of almost every window, while at several points in the principal streets flags were stretched right across. At the Bailey Head, where the procession was to start from, strings of flags crossed and re-crossed the open space in front of the Municipal Buildings and the Powis Hall displayed a profusion of decoration which added greatly to the spectacle. Shortly before the appointed time the procession was formed, headed by Supt Langford and the band of the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the King's Shrop- shire Light Infantry, followed by the mace bearers (P.S. Francis and Ex-Seigt Morris). The Mayor (Mr C E Williams), the Recorder (Mr R L Kenyon), and the Town Clerk (Mr. J. Parry Jones) came next. The aldermen followed, arrayed in their civic robes of bright scarlet, and then the Town Councillors, each bearing in their hand the rod of office. The adjudicators and Committee brought up the rear, and as the procession marched through Bailey Street and Church Street to the martial music of the band, the sight was an imposing and picturesque one. Cae Glas having been reached, a circle was formed, and the ancient bardic Gorsedd ceremonies was gone throagh. The Gorsedd of Bards is generally regarded as a relic of the Druidic times, and is named in the Welsh Triads as the highest assembly of the Isle of Britain. It is held in the face of the sun. the eye of light." The proceedings were carried on within a circle marked out by twelve unhewn stones placed a few feet apart. In the centre was a large stone, also unhewn, called the Maen Llog or ( Logan stone," upon which the chief bard Cadavan" stood facing the east. At each of the twelve stones a bard was placed to guard the sacred circle. The Gorsedd prayer Grant ^by protection" having been pronounced in e sh by the chief bard, the ceremony of initiation Performed by all the bards laving hands on a sword \\as gone through according to the ancient custom, n af i ess was afterwards given by Cad van, after u<j, d s°'° in Welsh) was given by Gwylym >c ian (x r W. O. Jones). Addresses in Welsh were then ^ven hy « Alarch Glan Dyfi," Gwilym eirio^, Caswallon." Solos were also given on the harp by Miss Jenny Parry, Telynores, u.Liiiau. cei'«"iony the procession marched back to the PnwU ITIL • V rim is nail, arriving a few minutes before ten. n MORNING MEETING. The Powis Hall in which the meetings were neM. was beautifully decorated. For some weeks previously, workmen had been busy erecting stages and galleries and decorations, and their work had completely metamorphised the building, which had to sav the least of it, become a thing of beauty and certniiily reflected the highest credit on the de- coration committee. Along the front of the plat- form was arranged a double row of beautiful exotic plants, which added greatly to the general effect. When the first meeting opened a small but gradually increasing audience had assembled.' His Worship'the Mayor of Oswestry (Mr C. E.Williams) a presided, and was supported by the Mayoress, Mr R. Lloyd Ken von (Recorder), Cad van (the con- ductor), and tiie Aldermen and Secretaries (Mr William Morris, Mr John Hughes, and Rev Richard Jones). I I Short addresses were given in Welsh by the Bards, after which TH: MAYOR in his opening address said he, like many others remembered Eisteddfod meetings held in the Powis Hall years ago. He particularly remembered Mr Matthew Roberts taking a pro- minent part in them, but certainly never remembered any Eisteddfod meeting being held in Oswestry w hic.h would in any way approach the style and grandeur of the present arrangements (hear, hear, and applause). The Art Exhibition held yesterday was exceedingly well attended, the arrangements were perfect in every way and great credit was due to those who had laboured to bring it to such a successful issue (applause). Last year Mr Davies attended the Eisteddfod meeting at Welsh- pool, and said he had come there to give the Powis Eisteddfod a hearty welcome to Oswestry, and there were many true hearted Welsh people here to make it a success (applause). He thought it only right that he should take the opportunity to contirm that statement. Their friendsin Oswestry had I all along thrown their whole heart and soul into the work, and when the work was done- in that spirit the result was generally very gratifying. These meetings formed an excellent opportunity for young people to display their talents in music, in singing, in recitations, and so forth, and it had often happened that having been awarded a prize at one of these eisteddfod meetings the successful competitor was urged on to Will greater laurels, ultimately ending in a prosperous and happy career in after-life, which took its rise from the first eisteddfod meeting. He would, therefore, impress upon the young people the necessity of following up their success at eisteddfod meetings (applause). From the programme it would be observed there was a great deal of work to be done, but before he would sit down he had to apologise for his inability to address the audience in Welsh. He regretted that his education in that direction had been neglected. The deficiency was made up to some extent, however, by his having a wife who could not only speak Welsh but who was proud of her nationality, and regarded it as one of the fore- most Lations of the world (hear, hear). He would also take the present opportunity, on b-half of the Corporation and the inhabitants of the town, of welcoming the Powys Provincial Eisteddfod for 1896 to the ancient borough of Oswestry (hear, hear). From the success of the Art Exhibition and the manner in which the Gorsedd had been attended, he thought that, in spite of the smallness of the numbers present, it spoke well for the success of the meetings all through, and he felt convinced that the eisteddfod would be crowned with great success (applause). The eisteddfod song was next rendered by Mr. Dyfid Lewys, R. A. M. The adjudication of the translation into Idio- matic Latin Prose of Historical sketch of the military force in England" was next given out. The prize of £ 2 2s. given by Mr. J. J. Lloyd Williams, M. A., was awarded to Casswellannus," Mr. G. Rees Thomas, Glyn Ceiriog. Mr. W. Lloyd Davies, Glyn Ceiriog, was the suc- cessful competitor for the pen and ink sketch. Prize of J61 Is. given by Mrs. Halliday, Chirk. The violin solo for those under 16.was the next competition. Three competitors came forward and the adjudicators Professors Bridge and Jenkins were unanimous in awarding the prize (10s. 6d. given by Dr. Reynolds) to Master A. M. Owen, Oswestry, who we understand is a pupil of Mr. Bertrie Ollerhead, Oswestry. In the essay competition, Welsh characteristics, illustrated by anecdotes," there was only one com- petitor. Mr J. E. Lloyd, M.A., Bangor, one of the adjudicators in awarding the prize said the essay was rather long, occupying no less than 70 foolscap pages. To bring it down to a proper size the whole would have to be re-constructed but the adjudica- tors were of opinion that the competitor should be awarded the prize. The prize of C5 5s was accord- ingly given to Gwalchmai," Mr W. J. Wallace Jones, University College, Aberystwyth. Best set of plans of a row of workmen's cottages, such as could be let at 4s per week, (to be mounted on Imperial mount). Prize, given by Mr A. Myddleton-Biddulph, £ 2 2s. Won by Miss Swayne, Llansantffraid. The adjudicators recommended a second prize of zEl Is to Mr G. Morris, Welshpool. Best original plan of a fastening for farm gate (to be mounted on suitable mount). Prize, given by Mr Edmund Peel, Brynypys, E2 2s. --Won by Mr R. Baker, Racecourse, near Oswestry. The tenor solo was the next competition. T wenty-two competitors entered but were previously weeded down to three. The adjudicators-Pro-. fessors Bridge and Jenkins-had great difficulty in deciding, but the prize of £1 Is, given by Messrs Davies and Edwards, was ultimately given to Mr Tom Edwards, Rhos. Water colour landscape drawing, size not ex- ceeding 20 inches by 14 inches, nor less than 14 by 10. First prize given by Rev. Cecil Hook, C2; second, given by Mr James Darlington, £ 1—1 Oswaldstree;" 2 Penarron." The first prize was very kindly returned by Miss Minshall for the benefit of the eisteddfod. Study from still life, oil or water colours not monochrome. First prize Xl, given by Mrs T. Longueville; second, given by Mr Jones, Bull's Head, 10s—1 Variety 2 Celt." The next competition. was for juvenile choirs, age under 16, for prize of C5, given by Mr J. Parry- JoBes, Beechfield. Two choirs entered-Caer Ogyrfan juvenile singers and Sychtyn Juvenile Ily 11 Choir. The adjudicators, Professors Bridge and Jenkins, were unanimous in awarding the prize to Sychtyn Juvenile Choir. Original pen and ink drawing. Prize JE1 Is, given by Mr N. E. Tidy-Won by Mr W. G. Brazier, Shrewsbury. Drawing of Chirk Castle Gates. Prize, given by Mr G. Cobley, Rl ls-Won by Miss Swayne, Llan- santffraid. Drawing in pencil, from the cast, for boys under eighteen. First prize 7s 6d, given by George Duncombe second 5s—1, Master Hugh Griffiths, Albert Road, Oswestry; 2, H. M. Owen, Fernbank, Oswestry. The soprano and alto duet was the next com- petition for prize of £ 1 Is, given by Mr C. Drew. Four competitors entered, but only two came for- ward, and the adjudicators-Professors Bridge and Jenkins-awarded the prize to Miss Pritchard and Miss Parry, Oswestry. In the Deuddeg o Englynion (12 stauzas Welsh) competition there were two competitors for prize of 92 2s, given by the Hon. Mrs T. M. Bulkeley- Owen. The prize was awarded to "Dyfalydd," Rev. R. Jones, Oswestry. The bass solo competition came next. There were 21 competitors for the prize of JE1 Is, given by Dr O'Toole. Three were allowed to sing before the audience, Brython," Gwilym," and !i J.H.T." The prize was awarded to Mr John H. Thomas, Oswestry. No prize was awarded in the Englyn Saesoneg on The Horse," none of the five competitors being found worthy. The pianoforte solo for those under 16, "Nocturne" (Paderwski), was the next competition. Five com- petitors entered for the prize of 10s 6d, given by Dr Reynolds, and three were allowed to play before the audience: Jennie Griffiths, Kathleen Mackenzie Bull, and Gertrudo Emily Meredith. The competi- tion was a very close one, so close that the adjudi- cators, Professors Bridge, and Jenkins, divided the prize between Jennie Griffiths and Kathleen Mackenzie Bull, Oswestry. In the English recitation, li How they brought the good news from Ghent to Aix," there were nine competitors for the prize of £ 1 Is, given by Mrs Broughall and two were allowed to recite before the audience. So nearly equal were the two com- petitors, that the adjudicators, Rev Cecil Hook and Mr J. Parry Jones decided to give as a second prize a copy of Browning's Works. The tirst prize was given to Ethel," Llansantffraid, and the second prize to Miss Sarah Margaret Higham. Design for a sign outside a building, for a Bank or Assurance Company. Restricted to North Wales and fifteen miles round Oswestry. (To be mounted on cardboard mounts). Prize, given by Mr F. G. Buller Swete, £ 1 Is.—Won by Mr Morris, Welsh- pool. Best original design of an illuminated initial letter, size 7in by 5in (to be mounted on cardboard mount). Prize, given by Mr Arthur Minshall, 10s 6d. --Won by Mr W. J. Brazier, Shrewsbury. The Brass Band contest was the next competition. First prize, £ 20; second prize, P,5, given by Mr Barnes. Two bands entered, the Royal Oakley Silver Band and Oak Alyn C.E.T.S. Brass Band. The adjudicators, Professors Bridge and Jenkins, awarded the first prize to Oak Alyn C.E.T.S. Brass Band. Carved oak bardic chair. The winning chair to become the property of the Committee. (Cadair Dderw Gerfiedig. Yr oreu i fod yn eiddo y Pwyll- gor). Prize, given by Mrs A. Wynne Corrie, X6 6s —Won by Mr rhomas Humphreys, cabinet maker, Carnarvon. This concluded the programme of the morning meeting, and the Ven Archdeacon Thomas proposed a vote of thanks to the Mayor for presiding, and to the Mayoress for so gracefully investing the winners. It was fitting, he said, that the Mayor should preside, for he was the official representa- tive of the antiquity, the modern enterprise, the progress, and the educational associations of Oswes- try (applause). Few towns, he took it, could look back upon a record as early and as complete as Oswestry. For t-ight hundred years or more the Mayor's predecessors had filled similar offices. With all its antiquity, the ancient borough had preserved its character for great commercial progress. When they looked back upon the earliest records they found that one of the great bards of the Middle Ages- Lewis Glyn Cothi-spoke of Oswestry as being the London of Wales, and he took it that this had very much to do with the progress and welfare of the town (applause). It was natural to expect to see such a progressive town under the shadow of the great school of David Holbech (applause). They were gathered together between two great Dykes, where friendly commerce and friendly intercourse took place between the rivals on either side of the dyke. They had Carregybig on the one side-the stone of contention, and Carreg- lwyd on the other—the stone of peace and pros- perity. All such associations combined together and enabled them to more enjoy such an interest- ing gatherings He had great pleasure in proposing a hearty vote of thanks to his worship for presiding. The vote was put to the meeting and carried with acclamation, and the Mayor having suitably replied the meeting terminated. PRINCIPAL RHYS ON POWYSLAND. The afternoon meeting, which commenced shortly after two o'clock, was presided over by Dr Rhys, M.A., Principal of Jesus College, Oxford, who was supported on his right by the Hon Mrs Bulkoley- Owen, who invested the winners. Principal RHYS, who was received with loud cheers, said Ladies and gentlemen, I propose to talk a little bit in a random sort of way about Powys. This is the eisteddfod of Powys, and one naturally asks what is Powys ? To that the answer has been given long, long ago in a poem which I have read in the Red Book of Hergest, the chief treasure of the Welsh College at Oxford, and it is this, Powys, Paradwvs Cymru," that is to say Powys is the Paradise of Wales and the Welsh, and to vouch for the continued correctness of the answer, we have the whole weight of the authority of the County Council of Montgomeryshire. WelÎ, I have not had the advantage of being bred and born in this Paradise of Wales, but among the Gentiles just, outside it. From Plinlimmon and Eisteddfa Gurig we occasionally used to cast wistful eyes on this Paradise; and in days long ago my ancestors, doubtless, knew this country well, as they thought it their duty, from time to time, to interfere to prevent the farmers of Powys from overstocking their land (laughter). In their visits down here they must have often seen those two fine rivers, the Severn and the Wye, but for reasons of their own, or their ancestors' before them, they gave the palm to their own river, the Rheidol, and there is a story which explains that. One fine summer morning three wells of water burst forth on Plyn- limmon to run a race, not to Liverpool or Birming- ham—(laughter)—or any other thirsting homeof the Philistine, but to the sea, the blue sea. So down, down, they sped, over the slopes of the mountain but the Severn and the Wye were so charmed with this Paradise of Wales that they dawdled, listening to the warbling of the birds of Powys, while the Rheidol, more in earnest, like some of the people on her banks, listened to no voice but the harsh music of her own cataracts. The result was that the Rheidol reached the sea three weeks before the others, and we have to this day a couplet which alludes to that great event in the following words: Hafren a Gwy yn hyfryd eu gwedd, A'r Rheidol fawr ei hanrhydedd. Severn and Wve of pleasant mien, And the Rheidol of great renown. I am sorry to say that is all I have ever heard of that epic of the rivers. Clearly it comes from the Aberystwyth side, and there was piobably more of it; for the shepherd who, standing on Plyn- limmon, could rise to the contemplation of the waters setting out for the first time for the cean, must have been a born poec. Under favourable circumstances he might perhaps have competed with Hugh Miller for the uncrowned laureateship of geology but as it was he was fated to remain in the obscurity of many a mute inglorious Milton," born on the other side of the mountains. The portion of Powys that extends to the top of Plinlimmon is named, as you all know, Arwystli, which has been sometimes regarded as so-called after a man named Arwystli. That may be correct but nothing is really known of any such person con- nected with that part of Wales, and possibly another explanation is preferable, namely, that it was conquered from an earlier people and held under hostages by the Powysian victor at any rate the word seems derived from the Welsh gwygtl, a hostage," a word which you may know in Ger- man as geissel, and the Irish have reduced it to giall of the same meaning. In fact, one of the earliest conquests made by the Celts in Ireland was known by the corresponding name of Airgialla or Oirghialla, which has been Anglicised Oriel it embraced at one time the country now represented by the counties of Louth, Armagh, Monaghan, and parts of Tyrone. This conquest is supposed to have taken place in the earlier half of the fourth century, and to have displaced the ancient Scotti, who, in consequence, as I take it, appear for the first time in the history of Roman Britain, joining in an attack which the Picts made on the province in the year 360. Who knows but that long before the Goidels began subjugating a country which they in their own language called Airgialla, the men of Powys of still earlier days were conquering the upper valleys of the Severn aud Wye, and giving the slopes of this side of Plinlimmon the same name in their own way of pronouncing it? This was our Arwystli, and the name still exists not only for antiquarians and the county authori- ties, but for the shepherds of the Cardiganshire slopes; of PlinKminon. trhey call one of the sum- mits of Plinlimmon Arwystli. We reckon two chief summits of Plinlimmon, Pumlumon Fawr, or Great Plinlimmon, which we place in Cardigan- shire and the other the Montgomeryshire top, we call Pumlumon 'Rwsli, or the Plinlimmon of Arwystli. I notice, however, that the ordinary books on geography give the highest point of Plinlimmon as belonging to Montgomeryshire; but they may be very correct as to Central Africa and as inaccurate near home as the guide book, which, in poetic terms, describes the Dee meandering into the sea near Bangor in Carnarvonshire (loud laughter). I have suggested that the earlier men of Powys gave its name to Arwystli to commemorate their conquest of that part of the country, but it is right to say that the later men of Powys allowed it to be wrested from them by the men of Gwynedd, whose southern boundary may at one time have been the Mawddach. At what date these Venedotians pushed their way south, for instance, to the Dovey at Glan Gwynedd, above Machynlleth, and claimed Maen Gwynedd as their landmark on the Berwyn, I cannot say; possibly all that goes back to the time of Maelgwn in the 6th century while the conquest of Arwystli by Gwynedd seems to belong to a far later time, and forms the ex- planation of the ecclesiastical map to this day, which shows Arwystli as part of the See of Bangor, which is par excellence the Diocese of Bangor. 1 am inclined to think that the early men of Powys were the Celtic people of the Ordovices, the name handed down by Roman historians, who showed them to have been in possession of the country comprising not only most of Mid-Wales, but also a large extent of the adjacent tract of what is now reckoned England. In fact, these ancient Ordo- vices were probably the people who brought the Welsh language—an early form of that language of course—into the west of this island, that is to say, into a district where Goidelic, or a language akin to Irish, was the dominant one till then. From Powys we may suppose Brythonic influence and Brythonic speech to have spread north aud south. But it took a long time to silence the lan- guage of the Goidels, and the ancient inscriptions of the country make it probable that a language like Irish was to be heard in parts of the north and of the south of Wales, aud in Devon and Cornwall as late as the seventh century. There is a great scarcity of ancient inscriptions of the post Roman type in Powys, and it has been suggested to me that the men of Powys, though good at the spear and the sword, must have been more illiterate than those of the Goidelic districts. I am not inclined to believe it, and I have an idea that post-Roman inscriptions are rarer here owing to some difference in the burial customs of the country in early times for most of the inscriptions to be expected would relate to the dead. Thus while one race buried in tumuli or barrows, another race may have marked their important dead by setting up a stone near their burial places. It is natural to suppose that those who set up stones may have learnt from the Romans to have those stones inscribed, while there was less inducement in the case of huge mounds of earth to set up a tombstone of any kind. In this connection I have always one question to ask the men of Powys Does anyone know of any cromlechs in Powvs ? Beyond the Mawddach there are plenty as there are also plenty in parts of South Wales and I have noticed a cromlech on the boundary of one of the farms of Jesus College as far north in Herefordshire as the parish of Dorstone in the Golden Valley. If not, this also may possibly prove to represent a difference of burial rites arising from a deep-seated difference of race. But if there is any difference of race have we still any traces of it ? I will not appeal to the bards or musicians; they will tell mo that they can sing better in the north than in the south. Tnat remains to be proved. The question is hard to answer like many others but if the Ordovices, who weie probably Celts of the Brythenic branch, cleared out an earlier popula- tion, or mixed to any great extent with the aborigines, the people of Powys might be expected to be to this day more purely Aryan than those to the north and to the south of them. The pure Aryan type is usually conjectured to have been characterised by light hair, blue eyes, and a very respectable stature. We have no statistics to ■ihow us whether the men of Powys are taller and have lighter hair and bluer eyes than other Welsh- men (laughter.) If, however, they are bigger men, one would, on the whole, expect that they would require more food than a smaller race (laughter) ønd this leads me to touch on a tradition which used to be current in North Cardiganshire that there was a sort of Paradise or Land of Cockayne I and good living somewhere in Powys, and near the borders of England. In that favoured country the people had, it was believed, at least one meal a day more than in the rest of the Principality (laughter.) So when the Land Commission was sitting in those parts I anxiously watched to see if any of those lucky Powysians would come forward and tell us all about their mode of life, and I was not wholly disappointed. We had some account of the extra meal, but one had to be cautious what questions one asked, for I had learned from experience that the Welsh farmer was never very willing to describe his food and drink (laughter). His tonsrue, however, used to be a little loosened if he was asked to describe his neighbour's fare; but I never got an opportunity of asking a little question which I had in my mind, and I do not mind mentioning it to you, why the dinner begins in a certain district in Powys with the pudding, which elsewhere more generally comes towards the end of the meal (laughter). Of course I have the prosaic answer that it was an invention of the hard-hearted farmers to prevent his servants and labourers eating too much meat (laughter). But I heard also a far different explanation, namely, that the people of a certain parish in Powys had once been in the habit of having their pudding like everybody else towards the close of their dinner, but that a strong man among them happening to die before reaching the pudding, tuey were so struck with the pity that ho had- not been able to enjoy the pudding before departing this life, that they vowed for the future one and all to eat their pudding first (laughter). The only serious criticism on this answer is that it looks as if invented in Cardiganshire at a time when as yet the nature cf puddings was not well understood in that be- nighted county; but a wrong theory cannot affect the fact of the precedence given to pudding in Powys (laughter and cheers). Next to the ques- tion of race in this part of the country, the history of the dialects of Welsh still existing in Powys is a very difficult one, but as I have talked on that subject elsewhere not very long ago, I will not try such a tangled subject now. There is another very difficult question connected with Powys, and that is what were the boundaries of Powys from time to time? and nearly allied with that is the question what the name may mean ? Powys is usually talked of as two parts, Powys Fadog and Powys Wenwynwyn, that is to say Madog's Powys and Gwenwynwyn's Powys. What does Madog's Powys, for instance, mean ? It seems to me that it means Madog's Resting- place, Madog's seat or settlement: this is the in- ference I draw from the words related to the vocable Powis, such for instance as Pouisma Deui, the name of a place mentioned in a Book of Llandaff. which was later Powisfa Dewi, David's Resting Place. Powisfa, however, is shortened into pwvsfaand it enters into the compound gorphwysfa, "a lesting place" as for instance in Pen Gorphwysfa which i s the book Welsh for what English- men call the pass of Llanberis, and the natives Pen y Pass. The verbal noun in the former is gorphwys, to rest," from a longer form gor- phowj s, of the same meaning, and unrelated to pwys, weight," but possibly connected with the Latin pausa, cessation or stopping," and the Oreek pauo, I make to rest, cause to stop." So it wonlel seem as though Powys mnst have meant, the seat or resting-place of somebody- I should provisionally say the seat or settlement of the Ordovices. Arwystli as one of the western portions of Powys has been already mentioned; let us now come to where we are. This Oswestry, the key of Wales, or Croes Oswallt, as we call it in Welsh, was a part of Powys and it is still, though reckoned a part of England, more Welsh. I am told, thm! some of the towns within the Principality itself. So, very rightly, Oswestry continues part and parcel of a Welsh diocese, St. Asaph. For a moment, however, let us pay a flying visit to the Maelors, namely, Maelor Gymraeg and Maelor Saesneg, the annals of which have been collected with great skill by Mrs Bulkeley-Owen—(cheers)—and, to some extent, incorporated in the evidence she was good enough to give before the Land Commission. But I just wish to direct your attention to a some- what different question connected with Maelor. Maelor has had its eminent men, and among them we may probably reckon a Gruffudd Maelor, whom history mentions as lord of the two Maelors in the twelveth century. I am, however, not going to study his history, but merely to take his name as an illustration of a point I have in view. The name Gruffudd Maelor means according to Welsh syntax Gruffudd of Maelor that is to say, Maelor, though it is a noun in the genitive case, falls in readily with our common notion of a surname and there are reasons for thinking that in some such a fashion the name Maelor found its way into English as Maleore the surname of a man with whom I should like Welshmen to become better acquainted than they usually seem to be. Now, the man I allude to lived in the 15th century, and he is found called in Latin Mailorius, or rather Thomas Mailorius, which has been made in English into Thomas Maelory. The evidence of this name, which literally means Thomas of Maelor, connects the bearer of it with one of your two Maelora, and that is not all, for Leland tells us that he was a Welshman, and he links his name with Maelor. Whether Thomas Malory had left Wales or not I cannot say, but we are told that the name Malory is found connected with estates in Yorkshire in the 16th century, and with estates in Leicestershire in the 17th and 18th. In any case we claim Malory as a Welshman: whether he ended his days in Wales or in England, and in spite of his having produced one of the most charming works in the English language. I need hardly say that I allude to Malory's Morte D'Arthur," which consists in the main of an exten- sive collection of the romances about Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, translated by Malory from French into a most quaint and enjoy- able English version of the Arthurian legend. It is needless to say that nobody's education in English literature is complete who has not read Malory's story, and who has not been held some time or other spell-bound by its Celtic enchantment and glamour (cheers). Per- haps a future Eisteddfod may do something to make Welshmen more familiar with Malory's name, and perhaps those who have access to the family papers and pedigrees of the gentry of Maelor and neibouring districts may yet discover more of the history and his descendants. The biography of Malory is at present impossible, but we have his work, and we may say of it, in the language of the poet, that it is "a joy for ever." To a Welshman it must always seem most natural that the translation of the romances about the hero of our race should have been undertaken by a Welshman, and we find no difficulty in understand- ing why Malory undertook the task. As to the romances that is too large a question for me to enter on here. Lest you should, however, think that in my references to the story of Arthur I am wandering further and further from Oswestry I will now shew you that it is not so. In a very primitive form of that story as stated in the Welsh triads, we are told that Arthur had not one wife called Gwenhwyfar, or Guinevere, but three wives berring that name in succession. This is probably a part of the myth which has attached itself to the name of Arthur as a real man it is rather like some things in Irish legend, and it was altogether of so primitive an order that it could not enter into the story without spoiling the plot, and, as a matter of fact, it appears nowhere except in the Triads. Now, of the three Gwenhwvfars, one is called daughter of Oguivan the Giant, and you know how the romances describe Gwenhwyfar going astray in the latter part of her married life. But the Welsh tradition, as representsd by the following couplet, is still harder on her. It runs thus — Gwenhwyfar, ferch Ogyrfan Gawr, Drwg yn fechan, gwaeth yn fawr." Guinevere, Giant Ogurvan's daughter, Naughty young, more naughty later." Personally, I am inclined to discount the traditions of the Ancients against women, just as I notice that they hardly ever seem to have given vogue to any saying which has come down to us as a proverb favourable to the fair sex (cheers). That, how- ever is not what I wished to call attention to, but to the designation of the lady as the daughter of Giant Oguryan. Then comes the question who Ogurvan was, and that you can probably answer better than I. For he appears to have been an old Oswestry man, as the Welsh name for Old Oswes- try seems to have been Caer Ogryfan or Ogurvan's Fort. Yesterday I had the pleasure of examining that eminence with its extensive trenches, and other traces of ancient fortification. I tried then to imagine that I saw the Giant's lovely daughter and her maids gracing the scene. I have, however, too little imagination for the task, but some of you visiting the weird spot in the air of the evening might be more successful. The subject deserves to be handled by a genius, and I venture to suggest it to our bards and musicians, who complained of a scarcity of suitable themes for their creative powers (cheers). And if one is found with a genius for the treatment of ancient magic and mysticism, his talents might have some scope in dealing with the character of Gwenhwyfor's father, the giant Ogurvan, whom the Book of Taliesin treats as the originator of letters and writing, and as the owner of a mysterious cauldron, out of which emerge there muses. But I find the story brought down, so to say, to a later time by your esteemed towns- man, Mr Parry Jones, and I will read you a passage from his story of Oswestry Castle. The Norman garrison in Shrewsbury was besieged. William marched to its releif and swept the Welsh border. The French chronicler tells that when William was on his march near the Welsh border he came to a ruined city, of which Mr Wright says, I am inclined to think that it may be Old Oswes- try, where he hears a marvellous story of the giant Geimagog, whose uneasy spirit still ruled the city, and how Pavn Peverel, the proud and courageous knight,'cousin of the King, with his 1 shield shin- ing with gold, on which was a cross of azure indented," took fifteen knights with him in the midst of a tempest of thunder and lighting, and fought the fiend, who carried a great club, and was guarding a treasure of oxen, cows, swans, pea- cocks, horses, and all other animals made of fine gold and there was a golden bull which told the events which were to come.' Whether the treasure still remains buried in Old Oswestry the chronicler fails to tell." Yesterday I had the honour to open your splendid exhibition, and I could not help thinking how very nice it would have been to have some of those golden cattle to show—(laughter) and especially rhe gold bull prophet. We might have set him to the Prime Minister, who, I am sure, is very anxious to know what is going to happen (laughter). I see, however, that I must stop: I merely allude to that fairy world of Ogurvan's to prepare you, so to say, for the Eisteddfod mys- teries by getting, you into the proper mesmeric temper, for the bards and the musicians to oper- ate on you. That reminds me that music is well represented in this district; let us hope that in the near future the vocalists of Powys will be able, like the warriors of ancient, Powys, to go forth conquering North and South on the Eistedd- fod platform, and not resting content to leave that fascinating field in the possession of their more Goidelic neighbours in Gwynedd and Deheubarth. Now I hope that you will consider that I chattered enough, especially as I have called your attention back to an old Oswestry worthy. Ogurvan, the giant, father-in-law to Arthur, and owner for a time of the Celebrated Round Table; but seme Oswestrv Christian will, perhaps, say that hQ does not feel quite comfortable as to his kinship with the old giant, and that I might say a word of some other great man associated with Oswestrv (cheers). Well, I am most willing and happy to do so. I was yesterday shown a most picturesque old house in Oswestry, and as I heard it called the Llwvd Mansion my curiosity was at once roused, and I found that it belonged in ages gone by to the Lloyds of Lla nvorda. Of that family came a great man, a very great man, to wit Edward Llwyd (cheers) who was born in the year 1660, anrt died in 1709 when he was buried it is said in the Welsh aisle of Michael's at Oxford, that is to say in the burial place then reserved for-Jesus College. For Edward Llwyd was undoubtedly one of the greatest men educated at the Welsh College. ) feel an interest in the memory of Edward Llwyd, not only on ac- count of his connection with the Welsh College, but because he was in many respects the greatest Celtic philologist the world has ever seen. It is not too much to say that had Celtic philology walked in the ways of Edward Llwyd, and not of such men as Dr Pughe and Col. Valiancy, it would by this time have reached a far higher ground than it has, and native scholars would have left no room for the meteoric appearance of Zcuss or of the other Germans who have succeeded him in the same field of study. Edward Llwyd was very various in his acquirements, but I have mostly come on his footsteps in Celtic philology and Celtic arohuelogy. It matterR not what it is, [ find that Edward Llwyd has been before me: ) inquire into the old inscriptions of North Whales Llwyd was aware of the only Ogam stone there. I go on the same Rort of errand to the extreme south-west of Ireland. Llwyd had penetrated there before me, and he proves the first in modern times to have called attention to Irish Ogam stones. I must stop, though I could go on for half a day dilating on the genius of Edward Llwyd and his achievements in the field of Celtic philology. But before dis- missing the memory of your illustrious Oswestry man, let me draw a very brief moral: it is this, you Oswestry people must adorn your town with a noble statue of Edward Llwyd. (cheers.) For my own part I can only say that I feel interested as Principal of Jesus College, as Professor of Celtic, and as a Welshman. So I venture to promise that no trivial cause will prevent me from being present at the unveiling of a statue to Edward Llwyd (loud cheers.) The competitions were then proceeded with. For the translation from English to Welsh of Charles Lamb's essay on Dream children A reverie," there were two competitors, the prize of £1 Is going to Mr R. Morris, Oswestry. There was again only one cotnpefciting band (Oak Alyn Band) for the prize of £228 in the quick-step contest, and Dr Bridge stated that it had well earned the prize. Archdeacon Thomas delivered the award on the best essay Border place-names, as illustrative of local history." Three essays were sent in, and the £3 3s prize was divided between Mr Robert Owen, Welshpool and, Ceredig." Much interest was centred in the chairing of the successful bard in the competition of the chair prize Esgyniad y Cymro (" The advance of Wales.") The prize, which consisted of the prize carved oak chair and £10 10s, was given by commercial travellers, and was won by Einion Wyn (Rev J. Williams), of Portmadoc. frem six pryddests sent in. This was Einion seventh chair, and he having been chaired after the orthodox fashion, several of the bards present delivered short addresses of congratu- lation to "Einion Wyn" in the vernacular. The last item on the programme was the village choir competition for choirs of not less than 30 voices. Cystadleauaeth Corau Pentrefi, i gorau heb fod yn llai na 30 o nifer Ar don o fiaen gwyntoedd" (Dr Parry). £15. The choirs sang in the following order :—West Felton Choral Society, conducted by Mr John Morris, Briwfab Weston Rhyn and Bronygarth Choral Society (Mr W. E. Frith), Llan- santffraid Choral Society (Mr Ryder Lewis), Ponv- bont Fawr Choir (Mr T. Richards), Bechan Valley United Choir, Cefn Tonic Sol-fa Choir, and Cor Undebol Bwlchgwyn. DR BRIDGE ON WELSH SINGING. Dr BRIDGE, in making the award, said he knew something about the musical qualities that were to be found in the Welsh nation. He had in his work in London—both at Westminster Abbey and at the Royal College of Music—had the good fortune to come across a great number of Welsh singers, and one of the most valuable members of his choir was Mr. Daniel Price. This was the first time he had had the pleasure of addressing a Welsh audience, and therefore the first time of adjudicat- ing at one of their eisteddfodau. He remembered Mr. Price coming up to the Royal College of Music and competing for one of the' scholarships which had so often been carried off by Welsh men and women (cheers). Mr. Price was successful, and it was a pleasure to say what a development he had made (applause). He had now risen, and was not only one of the most esteemed professors of the College, and one of the best baritone singers that he knew; but he sang very successfully, not only in English and Welsh, but also in German and French and he was also one of his most staunch supporters in Westminster Abbey (cheers). Among his students in the theoretical branches at the Royal College of Music he had two young Welsh- men, and only that day he ought to have been instructing them. They were among the most earnest students he had; but at the last lesson, instead of hiA teaching them counter-point they where endeavouring to teach him Welsh bat he was afraid he did not make much progress (laughter). Music was found amongst the Welsh in great profusion, and he had heard much about Welsh choirs. But it had never been hia lot, except once when a choir from South Wales com- peted at the Crystal Palace when he was adjudicating, to hear them. What he heard that day impressed him (applause). Choral singing not only in Wales but in England had advanced by rapid strides of late. They could hear splendid male voice singingin London, Bristol, and other parts of the provinces, as well as by mixed choirs. He was not going to say that what he had heard that afternoon excelled what he had previously heard but it did not play a bad second fiddle nevertheless (applause). That afternoon's singing was a very good average, for choirs that existed in villages or groups of villages in the Principality, and therefore mauy of them doubtless studied music under great difficulties, perhaps after having worked hard all day. He should like to have given a prize to Peuybont Choir, but in one place they were rather wild, through being too en- thusiastic, and so lost the prize. Nevertheless, their singing did great credit to the trouble taken, and ought to be an encouragement for the future. He hoped that the choirs who came there that day did not keep on practising the same thing all the time; if they rehearsed three or four things it w iuld be better. He had been told it was often the case for cnoirs to meet two or three times a week, and fag at the same piece all the time. To do this was just like practising for a boat-race, with the result that they were likely to get stale, and when they came to the competition they were overdone. Probably that accounted for their, (the adjudicators) coming to a decision so easily. There was one choir superior to the other he had just mentioned. They were not going to "divide" the prize— (laughter); if they could have divided it they would have like to have given some reward to that very deserving choir from Llansantffraid (applause)