The Glamorgan Gazette

THE OFFICIALS. The adjudicators were Messrs J C Venables (London), J A Birch, (London), and Dan Davies (Merthyr), music J 0 Shepherd (Liver- pool), brass bands; and the Rev J Gwilym Jones, Mr Tom John, and Mr W G Richards, recitations. Mr J E Deacon, of Cardiff, was the eisteddfod accompanist, and also adjudicated upon the pianoforte playing competitions; whilst Mr W T Davies, and Miss Blanche Moore, of Bridgend, assisted at the preliminary tests adjudications. Considerable praise is also due to Mr J G Jenkins, secretary; Mr W McGaul, financial secretary.Mr FrankMoon,the treasurer; and Mr S H Stockwood, the vice- chairman of committee.

THE PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. Mr T. G. Smith, chairman of the committee presided in the absence of Lord Dunraven. He said: By the kindly expressed wish of my colleagues of the committee, it is my duty to appear before you in the chair in the place of our noble President, the Earl of Dunraven. I am sure it is a great disappointment to us all that circumstances prevent his lordship from appearing amongst us. The Earl of Dunraven has been such a generous patron of the eisteddfod, and also so kind a friend to the institution to which our surplus funds are devoted, the Cottage Hospital, as well as to many religious and educational projects in the town and district that we would have been glad to give him a hearty welcome this morning if it had been possible but a man of his lordship's legislative and social position has many calls upon his time, and much as we regret it we must do without his presence here, and you must be content with the humble individual now before you. I would wish now to say a word or two on behalf oT the Mm- mittee, and I think I may add the town generally, to express our great grief at the terrible disaster at Cilfynydd, and our deep sympathy with the families and relations of the victims. It is simply appalling to think of men following their ordinary calling, a calling on which our trade and comfort so much depend, of men who are J expecting nothing less than that in a few short hours they will again see the surface of God's beautiful earth, and the faces of those they love, being snatched away in a moment, or after a brief but sharp struggle for life. And it is hard indeed to find adequate words to give due expression to one's feelings. I think, however, it is fitting that words such as these, imperfect though they are, should be uttered on this platform for we are conscious how much our eisteddfod owes to the favour it had found with

THE PEOPLE OF THE EHONDDA. AND TAFF valleys, and indeed with the coal mining popu- lation of Glamorgan generally. We owe it to them that while they come here to take a share in our festival, we on our part should feel for them in their seasons of sorrow and mourning, and while we condole with the widow and fatherless, and sorrowing relatives, we, at the same time, wonder at, and applaud the heroic courage and self-denial of those who press on to the succour and, if it may be possible, to the rescue of their brethren. But so varied are the phases of human life that it will not be out of place if I say a sentence or two on a matter of rejoicing, The eisteddfod as I understand it is a great nurse and cherisher of ancient customs and institutions, and prominent among these ancient institutions stands the throne I am sure that every true eisteddfodwr takes a great interest in anything that concerns it, and especially its present occupant, our Gracious Queen. She has so often shown that she fee's deeply all that concerns her people that they cannot fail to rejoice with her when events occur which give her pleasure, and we cannot doubt that it is a great joy to her to have been spared to see her great grandson in direct succession—a j grandson of our Prince of Wales—Wyr Tywysog Cymru. In the mother of the infant Prince we in Bridgend take a lively interest; she has passed along our streets: she has worshipped in our midst; she has listened to Welsh music in our Town Hall. But beside this personal feeling we must all be thankful as citizens that humanly speaking the quiet succession to the Throne of these realms is secured for many years to come. We have just seen a great nation, whose institutions are not so stable as our own, deprived suddenly and wickedly of the head of the State, and thus exposed to dangers and uncer- tainties which happily have on this occasion been avoided, but which were not the less possible and in the air from risks of this kind we are fortunately safe, and it is not the least of the blessings Providence has bestowed on our favoured land. There is another duty I would wish to discharge, and that is publicly to say how much the committee are obliged to the lady who is owner of these beautiful grounds for her kind permission to pitch our tents within her boundaries. I am sure much of your pleasure in the day will be due to the fact that we are enabled to receive you amongst such verdant and picturesque surroundings, and I am sure I can trust that you will all take every caie that no harm shall come to the beautiful timber and shrubberies which adorn this pleasant place. And now standing as we do on the threshold of the Seventh Bridgend Annual Eisteddfod, I feel it an arduous task to say anything appropriate to the occasion which shall have anything of the merit of freshness in it. Fortunately it is not necessary at this time of day to justify the eisteddfod as an Institution. I consider that the eisteddfod justifies itself. It is not likely that it would have lived through the centuries, and appear as it does before us with enhanced vitality, for I think no one can have failed to notice what a revival there has been both in the importance and number of the meetings, and the interest taken in them, unless it had satisfied some decided national want, and was rooted and grounded in the hearts of the people. Formerly no doubt it had to a great extent an educational and teaching function; in an un- lettered age when bards and poets and chroniclers were gathered together it is reasonable to suppose that they spoke with authority to the people generally, and did what they could to refine and instruct them, but in this modern age, with the facilities for elementary, intermediate, and higher education, which are spread almost lavishly over the laud, I apprehend the teaching attribute has passed away and disappeared, and that now the function mainly exercised is that of examination. It is only natural that when people are earnestly engaged in any study, be it art or science, and are deeply interested in it, that they should desire to measure their proficiency and progress from time to time against that of their tellow-students. To be content to go on in isolation and ignorance would only foster a spirit of self-sufficiency and vain- glory, the perpetuation of faults, and the decline of skill, and there is great value therefore in the opportunities for competition and comparison which these gatherings of ours afford, especially in that great art of choral singing, which has taken such hold on our people and his become such a national characteristic. That it has been brought to such perfection-a perfection which is freely acknow- ledged by competent English authorities- is due, I believe, largely to the incentive of the eisteddfod. And in other less ambitious classes of music the same thing holds good. I was struck lately in reading the names of prize-winners at the Royal Academy of Music to see how Wales had-I may almost say— taken possession of that Institution,and I doubt not many attendants there have been incited and encouraged by the emulation of the eisteddfod. I am aware, of course, that there are other rewards besides honour to be won on these platforms—we do not confine ourselves merely to crowns of laurel or bay, but I apprehend that when the num- bers engaged and the time for preparation are taken into consideration it will be conceded that mer- cenary motives have but little weight. It must be remembered, however, that thid process of testing and examination is, after all, limited; it is national rather than international-provincial rather than imperial; it is practically confined:to those within your own borders, and to those of your own race. And herein is a danger, for it offers the opportunity for a charge which those .who are not favourable to the eisteddfod, and it would be unwise to shut our eyes to the fact that there are such, are not slow to bring against it—the charge that it fosters a spirit of exclusiveness and that it narrows rather than widens the sympathies and aspirations of its supporters. It is said that there have been occasions when a party of explorers or travellers penetrating into comparatively unknown regions have been received by the natives not exactly with open arms, but with arms of offence, not with the primitive weapons of the bow and spear, but with those, not perhaps of precision, but which are o died trade muskets, and the stranger have found ultimately that the guns with which they were opposed have borne a Birmingham stamp, and that therefore their own countrymen have placed weapons in the adversaries' hands. Do not let us act or this principle-do not let us forge weapons for our opponents. I should hope that one result of the study and practice of music of such a sound and classic character as that in which so many of you are interested would be to refine and elevate your conduct and feelings, and I would fain hope that another effect would be that it would pre- vent any tendency to a prescribed and unintelligent patriotism. As I have said, Welsh people are attaining great eminence and repute in vocal music, and there is no reason why they should not do the same in all other walks of life they have done so in the past. In the Tudor period Welshmen attained to high posts in the State and to seats on the episcopal and judicial benches, and though perhaps our countrymen were under something of an eclipse in lateryears yetWaleshasneverbeen withont great sons to represent her. And in the future, when we remember the educational advantages which are now freely offered, we may hope to see an increasing list of names.on the scroll of Fame. Only, to do this, we must renember, that we are citizens of a great Empire and not only of a small-if ancient—Prin- cipality we must assert our rights in the imperial partnership and make every use of the predominant partner, both collectively and individually be ready to learn from him and employ him take care to raise no barriers of jealousy or prejudice, and, while cherishing the proper pride of an old and historic race, avoid the snare of an unenlightened particularism. And now, I will not stand longer between you and the business of the day. I am about to retire in favour of the competitors, and of those gentlemen who have undertaken a difficult task, a serious res- ponsibility,and I am afraid I may say a thankless office —I mean the adjudicators; we have every confidence in their skill, and are sure that they will do right according to their knowledge and judgment. We shall have, I am persuaded, the opportunity of listening to grand music mated to grand words, well rendered, and I trust that so listening we may feel lifted for a time above the ordinary level of our lives, with their cares and troubles, and when we do return to our daily toil may take with us the con- sciousness of a day well spent and pleasant memories of the Seventh Bridgend Eisteddfod. (Applause.)

THE COMPETITIONS. Appended are the results of the competitions- PIANOFORTE SOLO. The programme of the eisteddfod contnined three competitirns for pianoforte players and the one for juvenile performers was first taken. The prize was one guinea, and the test piece an Allegro in G,' by Handel. There were 29 competitors, but only two survived the ordeal of the preliminary test. Mr J. E. Deacon, Cardiff, was the adjudicator, and, in making the award, spoke very highly of the per- formance of both competitors, finally awarding the prize to Miss Maggie Jones, Swansea. Mr Deacon said he was sorry there was not a second, prize, of which the other was well worthy.

MALE VOICE DUET. A prize of three guineas was offered to the tenor and bass who would best render the duet, 'The moon hath raised.' Of the eleven parties who bad entered two only were selected to sing before the audience in the marquee. Mr Yenables said it was plain to all which party had excelled. The voices of the second party had blended much better than those of the first. The bass was very good and so was the tenon) although not so resotirut as that of the first part. The winners were Messrs Wiu. Rees and Jenkin Jones, both of Kenfig RilL

TENOR SOLO COMPETITION. The beautiful solo, Then shall the righteous shine forth,' from Elijah, was the test for tenor siuger, and there were no fewer than 29 of them. The prize was two guineas, and Mr Birch, who shared the duties of adjudicator with Mr Venables gave the award in favour of Mr David Howells, Gwynalaw, Ferndale, whose soulful rendering was highly commended.

CONTEALTO BOLO COMPETITION. In marked contrast the real test which was afforded the sopranos by the selection of Hear ye, Israel,' the contraltos had to show what they could do with such a poor theme as Marzial's song, 4 The River of 1 ears, a good-enough concert song, but a very poor eisteddfod piece. The prize was two guineas, and the number of competitors was 29. Three only were chosen to sing before the audience. Mr Venables, in making th3 award, said that it was somewhat disadvantageous to have all the candi- dates for the prize in the room, or marquee, when the competition was being decided, because such a thing had a tendency to bring about a sameness of interpretation. In that song they had not got much variety. The first singer had the advantage in the lower notes, and, after careful consideration, in had been decided to award her the prize. The winner was Miss Annie Williams, Cardiff.

MAESTEG DETACHMENT. ORDERS. There will be parades on Monday and Wednes- day, at 7 p.m., and on Saturday at 6 p.m. during next week to practice guard mounting. All those members who intend going to camp are requested to attend these drills. Class-firing as follows :-Third-class on Saturday. 7th, from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. second-class on Monday, 9th, at 3.30 p.m. till 6fp.m. J. G. MORRIS, Captain, Commanding Detachment. Headquarters, Maesteg, July 4th, 1894.

The bridge will not be open to the public until the 9th July instant. The illustrations (by kind permission of the Smi editor), will give the readers of the Glamorgan Gazette an idea of this grand structure, and, as seeing is believing, they should not fail when visiting London next to make a careful inspection for themselves of the latest wonder of the Metropolis. In this. sketch may be seen representations of the engineer, Mr J. Wolfe Barry, C.B., and the chairman of the Bridge House Estate Com- mittee, Sir Albert J. Altman.

COWBRIDGE. POLICE COURT.—At the Borough Police-court on Tuesday before the Mayor (Mr T. J. Parsons) and Mr J. Llewellyn, William Isaacs was fined 10s and 4s 6d costs for being drunk and disorderly in High-street.—Police-constable Canton proved the case.—Charlotte Holmes was charged with a similar offence.-Catherine Meredith said the de- fendant came into the Mason's Arms about three o'clock on the previous day very drunk, using very bad language and very abusive. Witness re- quested her to leave but she refused and a police- man was sent for.—Police-constable Evans stated that about three p.m., he was called to the Mason's Arms where he saw the defendant, who was very drunk and abusive. She refused to leave and witness was obliged to put her out. She refused to go away and had to be locked up.- Sentenced to 14 days' hard labour. TAKF VALE RAILWAY SPORTS.- These sports annually held by the employes of the Taff Vale Railway were held this year at Cowbridge. They came off on Monday-" Mabon's" Day-and proved a great attraction. Mrs Rees distributed the prizes.

SOPRANO SOLO COMPETITION. The beautiful but difficult solo, Hear ye, Israel,' from Elijah, was the test piece for soprano soloists, and the prize was two guineas. There were 13 competitors, of whom three were selected to sing before the audience. Mr L. C. Venables. the principal adjudicator for the day, said the test piece was regarded as one of the best soprano solos ever written. The winner was Mrs John Thomas, Llanelly-the Miss S. A. Morris of a few years ago, and an acknowledged brilliant singer.

PIANO SOLO COMPETITION. The senior piano test piece was a Polonaise in C sharp minor by Chopin. There were 17 candidates for the prize of a guinea. Mr Venables said there were three points of which notice had been taken, viz independence of hands, marks of expression, and natural feeling, which was so characteristic of Chopin's works. The one who had displayed this feeling most markedly was Miss Maud Simmonds, Pencoed, a pupil of Miss Hughes, Maesteg.

ENGLISH RECITATION. Tennyson's poem on The Revenge' was the test piece for English reciters, and there were 24 candi- dates for a prize of one guinea. Two only were selected to recite before the audience. The Rev J. Gwilym Jones, in giving the adjudication, said he must congratulate the eisteddfod committee on the admirable selection of a test piece. With the sole exception of The Charge of the Light Brigade,' there was nothing in Tennyson that was so well calculated to test the powers of an elocutionist. The winner was a little fellow named Richard Thomas, of Morriston, who must be complimented on giving one of the most finished and withal vigorous interpretations of the poem he had ever heard. Mr Tom John spoke upon the importance of including recitations in eisteddfodic contests, and announced that in addition to the prize a bound copy of Tennyson would be awarded to the youthful victor.

VIOLIN SOLO COMPETITION. In this competition the test piece was Schubert's Bagatelle,' and the prize was one guinea. Of the twelve competitors whose names bad come to hand two only were selected to play before the audience. Mr Venables was again the spokesman for the adjudicators, and he awarded the price to Mr Wm. Rees, Maesteg.

WELSH RECITATION. Telynog's Y mor yn ceisio dianc o'i wely' was the subject of the Welsh recitation competition, and there were no fewer than 37 aspirants for victory and the prize of one guinea. Three candi- dates only survived the preliminary competition. Mr W. Richards said the adjudicators had no alternative but to divide the prize between Miss Eleanor Anne Jones, Merthyr, and Mr James Rees, Maesteg.

GLEE COMPETITION. At half-past two, the hour advertised for the beginning of the glee competition, Y Gwanwyn' ('Gwilym Gwent'), the large pavillion had been comfortably filled, there being present about 7,000 people, while a couple of thousand more lounged about the field listening to the brass band competi- tion, which had been proceeding ever since the early morn. A considerable time was taken in the pre- paration of the glee competition, and some delay occasioned by the non-arrival in time of the Treorky Minstrels. The nine choirs sang in the following order :-I, Treorky MiDstrels, 2, Garw Glee Society 3, Mardy Choir 4, Briton Ferry United 5, Noddfa, Pontycymmer; (i, Pontyrhyl Music Lovers; 7, Ferndale Music Lovers 8, Mid-Rhondda Harmonic; and 9, Cardiff Music Lovers; Mr Vftnables, in delivering his adjudication, said that the Treorky Choir had received a considerable amount of training, but was not very refined. The precision was beyond praise and the phrasing neat and compact. The sopranos of the Garw Glee Society were rather shrill, while they had another fault—still more common—the altos were rather hard and forced and the staccato rather pronounced. The Mardy Choir showed considerable improvement, both in the natural quality of voice and blending qualities. The first movement was good, especially the soprano. The p' 8 were well sustained, and the expression especially good. The Pontyrhyl Choir w< re weak in tapeiing off the phrasesj neatly. The altos were young and full of energy, the voices being prominent and forced. In all the parts a few individual voices did not blend. With regard to the Ferndale Music Lovers, the sopranos were flat in the opening, the male voices good, and the altos flat in the Tra-la-la-la-' The intonation was generally faulty. This was also the case with regard to the Mid-Rhondda Choir. The intonation of the Briton Ferry Choir was better than most others, the soprano full and good. This choir was almost the first to pay strict attention to the movement, and the f' 8 were more fully sustained, but the choir were perhaps too much loud and soft at the end. The Cardiff Choir was distinguished for the beautiful quality of its voices. The sopranos were strong and telling, but the males were not so good as some of the other choirs. The bass was not resonant, and the 6-8 time was rather unsteady. The three choirs which had especially distinguished themselves were Briton Ferry, Cardiff, and Noddfa, Pontycymmer, but the first was undoubtedly the winner, and the conductor, Mr Evan Morris, G.T.S.C, was invested with the prize of JE20 and a gold medal amid hearty cheering.

THE CILFYNYDD DISASTER. At this juncture the Chairman rose to move the following vote of condolence with the relatives of victims of the Cilfynydd disaster:— 'That this gathering of the seventh annual Bridgend Eisteddfod desires to express its sorrow for the great loss of life caused by the explosion at the Albion Colliery, and its sincere sympathy with the widows and orphans and other relatives of the victims.' Mr Tom John seconded in a brief speech, and the vote was passed Jby the whole audience, numbering fully 10,000 people, rising in their seats and singing with thrilling effect, that beautiful old Welsh hymn tune, Aberystwyth,' to the following words :— Beth sydd imi yn y byd Ond gorthrymder mawr o hyd Gelyn ar ol gelyn sydd Yn fy nghlwyfo nos a dydd.

CHIEF CHORAL COMPETITION. This competition, which began at half-past four, lasted for nearly two hours, and very con- siderable interest was manifested in the perfor- mances of each choir, the spacious marquee being crowded to its utmost extent, there being probably 10,000 people present. Five choirs entered upon the competition, the test being Ye Nations,' from the Hymn ol.Priise and the |>i<i/e, which was presented by the EV^l' of "Dunraven, Was £100, supplemented by a gold nUedal, presented by Mr Beha, jeweller, Bridgend. Tfcc ehoirs took the,Y* places in the following order -(t) Treorky Choral Society, led by Mr W. Thomas (2) Tydfil Choral Society conducted by Mr W. Morgan, A.C.; (3) Maesteg Music Lovers, trained by Baton- wielder W. Williams ('Gwilym Taf'); (4) Llanelly Glee Society, conductor, Mr John Tnomas and (5) the Abergwynfi Choral Society, which had been trained by MrJenkins. Mr Dan Davies, Merthyr, gave a general adjudi- cation in Welsh relative to the singing of the various choirs, and said that three or four of them had sung excellently, but cue suffered under a disadvantage in a lack of good material, but, taking this into consideration, they had sung remarkably well. Of the other choirs two had given excellent renderings, and considerable difficulty had been experienced in arriving at a decision, but after careful considera- tion the adjudicators had agreed as to the relative merits of each choir. Mr Verables followed with a more complete detailed adjudication, said some of the conductors seemed to have been trying their utmost to sing higher and higher. One started with a foi te which was rather loud, but as he got on he became for- tissimo, and wanted to go higher still (laughter). The Treorky Choral Society gave an exceedingly good rendering, and the choir was such that any conductor might Jeel pre* 1 of, but once or twice the phrasing was at variance, and they had not a perfect olendiug. The sopranos, however, were brilliant, and their high notes well sustained, and the tenors were excellent. In the Merthyr choir the voices were forced and the tone too loud generally. The blending of the voices was not good. With regard to the Maesteg Choir the blending of the parts was excellent, and if one part excelled it was the bass, who were as solid as a rock. The sopranos were good-brilliant in fact—but there seemed to be one or two among them who failed to reach the top notes. The Llanelly Choir had an excellent volume, and their balance of time was excellent; but the Abergwynfi Choir seemed to be conducted at fever- heat, and as a result the voices were 'metallic, yet there was a good deal to commend in the conductor's reading of the piece, and the choir, with practice, bade fair to become a good one. The Treorky and Llanelly Choirs came very close, indeed, but the latter adopted a much slower rate for the first movement than they were entitled to, and rather jeopardised the result, but after a very careful con- sideration of the excellence of the Llanelly and Treorky Choirs, they were unaimous in their decision to give Llanelly the prize. The result was received with loud and continued cheering, which was continued until the leader, Mr John Thomas, had been invested, after which he was shouldered and carried round the field, amid a scene of the wildest enthusiasm, such as none but Llanelly people can show.

BRASS BAND COMPETITION. While most of the competitions above dealt with were taking place at the great marquee, the brass band competition was being decided at the upper end of the field, and was closely followed by a large number of enthusiasts, who lustily cheered their respective favourites. The competition was announced to begin at half-past 11 o'clock, and so protracted was it that the result was not announced from the eisteddfod platform until about half-past four. Out of the IS bands that had entered, only two failed to put in an appearance. The remaining 16 competed in the following order, viz,: — Aber- tillery Town Band, Bethauy Temperance Band (Aberavon), Temperance Naval Hrigade (Aberavon), Abertillery Temperance Band, Tillery Colliery Band, Vochriw (Dowlais) Baud, Tonyrefail, Cwmbran Subscription Band. Dowlais Town, Pontardawe Brass Band, Pontycymmer Excelsior Band, Merthyr Vale Band. Cymmer, Glyncorrwg, Ystaly- iera, Abercanaid (Merthyr), Ton Ystrad Tem- perance Band. Mr Shepherd, in a few words, stated that the detailed adjudication would, in accordance with custom, be published in the Press-. The first prize of £ 12 and a gold medal was awarded to the Bethanv Temperance Band, conducted by Mr T. Griffiths the second, consisting of £ 8 and a silver medal, to the Vochriw Band and the third, £5.. to the Abertillery Town Band. The first and second prize winners played before the audience in the marquee.

COENEr SOLO. The cornet solo competition for a prize of £:1 Is, w".s declared in favour of Mr John Treharne, Ton Pentre, Rhondda. There were It competitors, and the test piece was Sullivan's Lost Chord.'

BASS SOLO- COMPETITION. There were 33 competitors for the prize of two guineas offered for the best interpretation of 1 0 ruddier than the cherry,' and after a splendid strug- gle the prize was divided between Mr J. Williams, Briton Ferry, and Mr W. H. Phillips, Merthyr.

THE MALE VOICE COMPETITION. This was the last item on the programme, and, though eight parties entered the arena, the marquee was not so crowded as during the previous com- petition. The test piece was Mr David Jenkins's Hail, David, Hail,' the first prize being £ 20 and a gold medal. the second £10, and the third JC.). The parties took up their positions in the following order: — 1, Ferndale Male Voice Party; 2, Ogmore Vale Harmonic Society 3, Porth and Cymmer Male Voice Party 4, Gilfach Harmonic Society; 5, < Yr Hen Feibion Harmonic Society 6, Aber- gwynfi Glee Society: 7, Nantymoel Male Voice Party; and 8, Rhondda Music Lovers. The prizes were awarded as follows: -1st prize, Porth and Cymmer (leader, Mr Rees Evans) 2nd, Tynewydd, Ogmore Valley 3rd, Ferndale. This competition brought the proceedings to a close.

LOCAL VOLUNTEER IN- TELLIGENCE. 2ND V.B. WELSH REGIMENT. BRIDGEND DETACHMENT. ORDERS. Drills and class-firing for next week will be as under:— Tuesday. Wednesday, and Friday-Guard mount- ing parade in the Drill Hall at 8 p.m., in private clothes. All members intending to go to camp should make an effort to attend these parades. Wednesday and Saturday, class-firing (third and second class) commencing at 2.30 p.m. All mem- bers are requested to do their class-firing as soon as possible. Monday and Thursday, class of instruction for non-commissioned officers in the Drill Hall at 8.30 p.m. By order, (Signed,) D. R. DAVID, Major, Commanding Detachment. July 6th, 1894.

COWBRIDGE AND PONTYCLUN DETACHMEFTS. ORDERS. Drills will be as under for the week ending July 14th: — At Cowbridge—Company drills in drill order on Monday and Wednesday, at 7.30 p.m. These drills will count two points for Christmas shooting. At Lanley-Company drills in drill order on Tues- day at 7.15 p.m. and on Saturday ac 6 p.m. These drills will count two points for Christmas shooting. Squad and recruit drills in private clothes, with waistbelts, on Thursday and Friday at 7.15 p.m. Corporal Thomas Jenkins has been permitted to revert to the ranks at his own request from this date. J. C. COATH, Captain, Commanding Detachment. July 3rd, 1824,

No 8 COMPANY, 2ND G.V.A. ORDERS FOR WEEK ENDING JULY 14TH. Monday and Wednesday—Gun and recruits' drill at 8 p.m. Friday—Adjutant's parade in marching order; parade at the Drill Hall at 7 p.m. sharp in marching order. Band to wear marching order kits, except great coats. As this parade is a rehearsal for the annual inspection, which takes place on the Thurs- day following, it is essential that every member should attend. Refreshments will be issued after parade. W. S. STALLYBBASS, Captain. Com, Nc 8 Co. t

OPENING OF THE TOWER BRIDGE BY H.R.H. THE PRINCE OF WALES ON BEHALF OF HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN. [BY AX OLD BRTTCEND Boy.1 Saturday, the :30th June, 1S94, will long be remembered as a red letter day in the annals of London and its history. In brilliant Queen's weather, with business suspended, and London en fete, on holiday bent, the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Duke of York, and Princess Victoria of Wales, and heralded by a Captain's escort of Life Guards, proceeded from Marlborough House to open the latest monument of engineering skill this country can boast of, viz: the Tower Bridge. Passing along Pall Mall, the Strand, Cheap- side, 'the Royal party received a most loyal and hearty reception, arriving at the Mansion House shortly before noon., where, halting awhile, the Lord Mayor addressed a few words of welcome to their Royal Highnesses on behalf of the Corporation. Preceded by the Civic dignataries, the procession passed on to the northern approach to the Bridge, where several other members of the Royal Family had previously arrived. This spot was the centre of attraction, a pavilion 400 yards in length tastefully decorated, with the Royal dais in the centre having been erected. Through the kind- ness of one of the aldermen the writer was favoured with an order to that portion of the pavilion facing the Royal party where the ceremony of the day was to be performed. APPROACH TO THE BRIDGE AT EITHER END

Noon having been fixed as the hour for opening the bridge, the pavilion, long before that time, presented a brilliant appearance with its mixture of military, naval and civic uniforms, and the endless hues of the ladies' costumes. Prominent amongst the distinguished visitors on the dais were Lord Spencer, the Home Secretary, the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishops of London and Rochester, surrounded by many high civic personages, near at hand being the provincial Mayors in their chains of office. The scene within the pavilion was one not soon to be forgotten but what of the view presented on the Thames between London and .the Tower Bridge in the pool r Lying several deep on either side were steamers and crafts of all sizes gaily decked with bunting, and heavily freighted with humanity, i'.very coin of vantage had been taken up, even to the masts and riggings of ships, and the battlements of the historic pile of the Tower Buildings. Punctually at noon the strains of the National Anthem intimated that the Royal party had arrived at the Bridge, and were being received by the Bridge House Estates Committee, into whose hands the construction of the Tower Bridge bad been entrusted. Passing through the pavilion, headed by the engineer to the Tower Bridge (Mr J. Wolfe Barry), were the Chairman to the Bridge House Estates Committee (Mr A. J. Altman), the Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, and the members of the Royal Family. The Prince of Wales, with the amiable Princess, drove across the bridge to the Surrey side. As soon as the multitude on the river and its surroundings caught sight of the procession crossing the bridge, a. mighty shout, accom- panied by tha din of steam whistles, foghorns, and sirens, rent the air, making day for the moment hideous. Returning to the pavilion, the Royal and Civic Party alighted, the Prince of Wales having on his right the Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of Connaught, Princess Henry of Battenburgh, the Duke of York, the Duchess of Teck, &c., and on his left the Prin- cess of Wales, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duchess of Connaught, the Duke of Cambridge, the Duchess of Albany, &c., &e. In front of the Prince of Wales was the stand in which was enclosed the apparatus for raisiug the bascules of the bridge. After the reading of an address by the Recorder, and its acknowledgment by the Prince of Wales, His Royal Highness declared the bridge open for local traffic. Then, directed by the engineer, the Prince touched the lever, and instantly the huge bascules of the bridge, which a few minutes before had formed the ponderous roadway, commenced to rise, and an open way presented itself to the flotilla of steamers waiting to pass under the bridge. This took place to the accompaniment of salvoes of artillery from the Tower, a second edition of steam whistles from all sorts of crafts, the ringing of Church bells, and the hurrah; of a grateful populace. After presenting the Prince of Wales with a silver device of the Tower Bridge, and the Princess with a diamond momento, the Royal party took leave of the Lord Mayor and Corporation, and proceeded by water on the return journey as far as Westminster, receiving en route a most enthusiastic welcome from the citizens of London. And now a word as to the bridge itself. Taking eight years to construct, it stands to- day an everlasting monument to the Corpora- tion of London. It has cost a million pounds sterling, the total weight of iron and steel used l being 1.200 tons. A significant feature about the bridge is that the total cost has been de- frayed by the Bridge House Estates Committee, without the charge of one penny on the rates. Foot passengers will be able to cross at all times. When the centre bascules are raised to allow of steamers to pass under, foot passengers will be conveyed in lifts to the top spans, and, having crossed, will be taken down in lifts on the other side, or, if preferred, the stairs on either end can be made use of. The system of working is thus described by the engineer. J SIR ALBERT JOSEPH ALTMAN, CHAIHMANU

A vessel wishing to pass the bridge will signal to the engineers, who will be on duty night and day, by flag in the daytime and by lights at night. The engineers will at once n gi raise the bascules, or two central gangways, and in this way automatically close the lower roadway to traffic. In two or three minutes the vessel will have steamed past, and these gangways will have been lowered. He has even gone so far as to calculate how often in a day the bridge will have to be opened, and he has come to the conclusion, from close observation, that at most it will not have to be opened more than 22 times each day and that at the longest, supposing several vessels to be in procession, the bridge will never be closed for more than 20 minutes at a time. This of course, will only te for vehicle traffic. Foot passengers will enter the large lifts on either side, by which they will be conveyed to the upper roadway, and will s,!) cross the bridge without any delay whatever. Thus ended a function second only to the jubilee of Her Majesty's reign, and one which will long remain fixed in the memory of those who witnessed it. If there was one thing more clearly demonstrated than another, it was that the members of the Royal Family of England have a warm place in the affections of the people of this country. The Prince of Wales and the Duke of York must have been struck with the special warmth of their reception on Saturday. MR. WOLFE-BARRY, C.B., ENGINEER.

HOUSEHOLD ACCIDENTS. These are occurring hourly. Either a child is burnt or scalded, its linger cut or bruised, perhaps bitten by a dog, scratched by puss, or it may be a tall, a strain, or one of the thousand vexatious troubles cropping up in the home, in the business, the stable, the hunting lield, barracks, on ship- board, the playground, and in the spoi ling world— from cycle to steeplechase. It is then that IIOMOCKA shines. Apply in all eases Ireely, and in a very short time ail pain is allayed and healing begins. Any night baby may have an attack ot croup, and just a quarter teaspoonful given internally acts like a charm.; also for rubbing the throat and chest IIOMOOK.V is usefixjf. Again, what father or mother does not know what it is to be awakened by a child crying with earache or toothache. Fill the ear with HOMOCKA, or rub the gums, and if the tooth, is decayed, put HOMOCEA in, and the business is done. Mr. J. W. C. FKGAN, Writing from "The Boys' ¡ Home," 95, Southwark Street, London,$.! £ Says "I know no preparation like Homooea for e-enera) usefulness 111 an institmio;; like this. I have thoroughly tested it by personal application, and amongst uur boys, for all kinds of pain and accident- IT DOES ALL that it is guaranteed to ero, and we would no £ be w:lhout it here OIl any It is not only a w^Merful lubri- cant, but strongly antiseptic, and relieves inflammation and pain almost instantaneously. Personally I cannot express my thankfulness for it. I have 11,(1 it fur all kinds 01 ailments during the eight years here, and at sea, and in Canada. For stifthess, sprains, mllscular rheumatism, sore throat, mosquito bites, &c., it is a boon, and Ill) praise can be too high for it. No one need be afraid to V use it for even tho most tender part, or even on raw flesh. I have frequently used it for my oy-esight with much Ii benefit. I have .ways kept 'HIPPACEA' r (the veterinary preparation) for stable use. For sore backs, r, broken heels, izc., it is a grand specific." fifftemember that HOMOCEA subdues inflammation Ad allays irritation almost as soon as applied for it W "TOUCHES THE SPOT." /KA.11 wholesale houses stock IIOMOCKA. It can be I Obtained from Chemists and others at Is. 1 Jad. or 9d. per IK>X, or will U- sent by post for Is. 3d. 4 \>8. from the whoV.ule a0'eu(;y, 21, Hamilton

WIT AND WJMOra, A TEMPERANCE lecturer said that the popular M liquor question is: Well, whac'U you have,old boy. A WBOCER usually has a winning weigh with him, and a blacksmith is always blowing about his work. LARGE license is aocorded to beauty. Every woman can venture to be sauoy if she pleases, but not if she displeases. WHEN a burglar breaks into a house he generally steals upstairs and everything else he can lay hit hands on. SOULFUI youth, languidly: "Do you sing I Foa wver and ever? She, practically; No, I stoj for meals." "KATHLEEN 'UIAVOTTENEEJT Loans" are those of aa uncertain kind, that may be for years and may Us for ever." AT least the passing of the "Execution by Elec- tricity Bill" in America will be a relief to criminals from suspense. IF everyone had to do his own fighting- instead of getting it done for him, the world would be one great peace society. CHARLES: "She's pretty, but she doesn't know anything." Evelyn: "Oh, yes she does; she knows she's pretty," WitAT difference is there between a bantam cock And a dirty housemaid ?-The one is a domestic fowl, the other a foul domestic. PAPA will never consent, John." I'm sorry. So am I." You're an angel." You're k goose." Then let's fly." IF you would find a great many faults, be on teis look out. If you would find them in still greater abundance, be on the look-in. SOMEONE says—" Wisdom comes with age." Ik does not always stay with it. When an old man wants to be silly, wisdom cut* and runs. Mns. RILEY Are yea on callin' term wid our oeighbour." Mrs. Murphy: "Ave coorse I am. Shi- called me a thafe, an' 1 called her another." HE is," said a man who was recommending a candidate to a constituency,. the best fellow who ever lilted a hat to a- lady or a boot to a black- guard." SERVAZTT "The mistress- says, mum, that she is not at home. Who shall I say called?" Caller: i ou may say that a lady called: who didn't bring her name." IF you want to see an expression, of severe sim- plicity and childlike innocence in.a man' 3 face, watch aim when he gets half-a-crown change out of a two- ihilling piece. FAXNY and I were the only two- at the funeral, 1Jamma, who did not cry." Didn't you feel lias trying r" "Oh, yes, but couldn't;. we had no, aandkerchiefs. "A GOOD cook throws away nothing," Bays a writer on culinary affairs. Probably that's the only :ca.sou the family gets anything after she provides fe,r her relations. AND are you really so badly broke, my friend ?" no said, ashe tendered the tramp a penny. "Broke?" was the bitter reply. I'm as badly broken as tho ten commandments." MES. X.—" How does your new servant girl suit rou r Mrs. Y.—" She is a perfect jewel—polite, handy, never breaks any dishes, and, better than, ill, homely as a. hedge." THE man who tries to talk with. half, a- dozen of ivhiskies under his belt laughs ai the, woman, who Hies. to talk with half a dozen clothes pins in her liouth. It is a queer world. "WHAT makes it tftin, papaP" "To make the vegetables grow, my child, and nice fruit you like so Inuch." Well, then, papa, what makes it rain on ;he streets ?" Despair of papa. WHES a boy is ordered against his wilHo take the seal scuttle downstairs and fill it, it is astonishing :he number of articles he will accidentally strike with the, scuttle before getting back, LTHKL, weeping "I am so disappointed in bin^. £ am sure he was tipsy last night,—he threatened to iiss me May: Well, there's no knowing, what men won't do when they're drunk HUSBAXD, sadly: You are not what you ■ used to be, Fannie." Wife, sharply: Of course ilim not. L used to be your best girl, but now- I'm your wiftt, and it makes a great deal of difference." LITTLE DOT Is this all tile pie 1. cam. hawe-P.' Mamma: "Indeed it is. This is a very, large piec» for such a little girl as you. Then, mamma, please cut it into two pieoes, and give me one at & time." YOUNG WUSBAND, meeting his wife at1 the railway etatioa: Oidn' t I telegraph you not to bring yoar rlu mother with you Young wife I know\ That's what she hta oome to see you about. She read tha telegram." .cos 1 iccough, hold the breath," writes » gentleman who pretends An know what to do when other people don't. Will the gentleman please tell us how to let go of the hiccough long enough to get & firm grip on the breath. AND why are you so anxious to learn French, Bobby r" inquired Featherly, who was making an evening call. "Because when ma and sister Clara talk about you they always speak in French, and I want to know what they say." Ex-STREAM HONESTY.—Plucky Pat.-Oi pulled yez out av the wather, sorr, an' ye gav' me tuppinoe for a pint av beer. Oi'm an honnest man, sorr. Take a pinny back, av ye plaze—a half .a .pint's yer price. You've overvalued yersilf. A CLERGYMAN wishing to say to his people, all know what it is to have a half-formed wish in our hearts," announced, much to his congregation's amusoineut, that they all knew what it was to. have a half-u.:anned fish." in their hearts. DON'T yon believe the milk I sell you is pure P" asked, the milkman of a customer who complained. that the lacteal iluid looked rather blue. "1 won't tell you what I believe," replied the customer, but I know your milk makes my mouth water." Mits. DyjjA CREME, wearily "I know every- thing we eat is adulterated but what can we do, Reginald? We must trust our grocer?" Mr* Reginald Creme, drearily: "Ah, yes, Della very true and if—oh, if-our grocer would only trust us 1" WOSE, deah, tell me-did you make a mezaow- anduiu of the-ah-wemark I made to you when 1 was here befoahf" "No, Charlie, I didn't," That's dreadful, 'cause, don't yer know, I cawn'fc, wecollect myself whether I pwoposed to you or Clawa." Mja. Di-RKiNOEK (who has a weakness for pretty nurse girls)—"What a pretty baby (snapping hia. fingers at the baby and boldly eyeing the girl ,° and. such an elegant carnage. Whose baby ia it?'* 9 Protty nurse—" It's is yours, sir. Mrs. Dkrriuger- engaged me this morning." DELIGHTS OF SHOPPING.—Dubious lady customer: "Iain afraid it will not wash!" Conscientious- draper's assistant: I think, madam,, you need b» under no apprehension on that account. I ctil, all, least, assure you that it comes direct from a manu- facturer in course of liquidation." PIG WIDGEON TAKEN WORSE.—FOGG (Pointing across the street.) I say, those ladies with tks aew-fashioned long-handled sunshades lock awfully stylish, don't they ? PIGWIDGEON "VerjmucU in, indeed. Why, Parasol-omon, in all his glory" was not arrayed like one of these [Left at bay. DUDELY, who is not as big a fool as he looks Did you—ah—give my card to, Mith Bondelip- per?" Servant: "Yes, sir." Dudeley: "What did she say ?" Servant: She told me to tell you sir, that she was sorry she was not in." Dudely Indeed Please tell your mithress that I said I was glad I didn't call." WIFE: "What time did you get in last night. Johnf" Husband: "Two o.'clocktmy dear." Wife: Where were you, John f" Husband "At work at the office, my dear." Wife "That's right, John, never tell a lie." (To the servant): Mary, take Mr. Brown's shoos off the mantlepiece and g"\1t his latch- key out of the clock and put it in his pocket." HATMOSFHERIC PHENOMENON.—Everyone has heard of a capful of wind; but the latest atmospheria novelty is a wind full of hats." It happened, of course, across the Hatlantic. A perfect shower of' straw hats was rained down at Medfield, Norfolk County, U.S.A., they having been" cycloned: l'rom a manufactory ten miles off. A wind that fetches along its own hats must be a head one, t rely. GREAT are the wonders of the telephone. A physician reports that he was saved a two-mile riclr through a driving storm the other night by havins the patient, a child, brought to the instrument and held there until it coughed. He diagnceed falw croup, presoribed two grains of turp«th miners- .Aid turned in for an undisturbed sleep during mainder of the night. He found the patient morning deiojf aiceiy—nude* the 6MW « £ another iooior.- "0. PRINTED AND PUBLISHED (for the Proprietors) by J oux EVAX8, Glamorgan Gazette Offices, Wyn<?ham Street, and Queen Street,Bridgend. FRIDAY, JULY 6, 1894*