The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-06-19 00:00:00

SECOND DAY.-YESI ERDAY.

The enthusiasm of Wednesday w-asthrsdai considerably
augmented both, as we thought, amongst the bards, harpers
and speakers,--and the public. The latter were, indeed,
gratified by the performances they had heard, and doubtless
carried a favourable report home to their friends. The former
(the actors on the occasion) were, we may assume, inspired
by the warm and kindly reception they had met with from
the intelligent inhabitants of what the bards have justly cele-
brated, on this ccmsion, as " the modern Tyre."
The house yesterday was much more numerously attended
than on Wednesday, and the assemblage of rank, beauty, and
fashion was evidently ~reater. The boxes presented a beau-
tiful and throng array of ladies, intermixed with their " noble
lords." The pit was tilled, and the galleries in some parts
crammed. Indeed, it was all but a bumper house, and the
speeches, singing, and other performances of the day, were
more varied and more interesting.
The President and Committee and their friends took their
places on the platform soon after eleven o'clock. Nearly all
the gentlemen who were present on the previous day were
again at their posts of honour, and there were many others
which had not before had an opportunity of attending. The
house was decorated as before, and had throughout a most
cheerful and animated appearance.
. . . .

The Ist prize was for the best Welsh Poetical Composition
on " Youthful Reminiscences"—A Medal, value £3, and a
Premium of £2.

There were eighteen competitors. The pieces possessed
generally much merit. The medal was awarded to Mr.
Robert Williams, of New Borough, Anglesea. The Premium

was awaried to Stephen Davies, of DySerth, in Flintshire.
2—For the best English Essay, " Showing the necessity

and propriety of appointing Welshmen to the. Bishoprics in
Wales"—A Premium of £5, and a medal of the same value,

given by Hrs. T. B. Horslall, Liverpool.
There were four competitors, but as it was considered that
none of thMn came up to the standard laid down by the com-
mittee, no award took place.
3.—For the best English Essay, showing that there is

sufficient Went and piety in the native clergy of the princi-
pality to ill. the episcopal bench.—Deferred.
The Rev. Archdeacon WILLIAms delivered a very cloqueDt

and argutntntative address on subjects arising out of the
establistmtett of the eisteddfod, and the Welsh language as
original, &c., but we regret that our reporter had not an op-
portunity of hearing it.
The Rev. Mr.. .TAMES, of Kirkdale, being called upon,
spoke at cons.derable length, and with great eloquence, in
favour of the 3iiteddfod, but we are unable to supply only an
outline of his address, which was most enthusiastically re-
ceived. He commenced by claiming the indulgence of the
chairman and the meeting, whilst he explained the objects of
the bardic ineAings, for the information of those who were
not present to hear the explanations given yesterday. The
eisteddfod had two grand, and, he conceived, important ob-
jects, which were accompanied by others of a minor but
beneficial kind. These objects were the promoting of the
revival of ancient British literature, and the cultivation and
encouragement of modern genius among the sons of Cam-
brim. Under the first head he took a view of those disas-

trees occurrences by which many valuable Welsh manu-
scripts had been for ever lost to mankind. Many were
destroyed in the Tower of London, by a wretch named
Scolan, in the reign of Edward 11., which belonged to
the principal chieftains of the Principality then confined
in that place of strength and durance. Many others were
destroyed in later years, through the conflagration of Covent
Garden Theatre, which spread to the house of a bookbinder,
to whom they were sent from Wynnstay for the purpose of
being bound. Many were also similarly destroyed at Havod
in Cardigiganshire, when that noble mansion was, not many
years ago burnt down. But notwithstanding these disasters,.
there were yet in existence immense numbers of manuscripts
of great and undoubted antiquity ; valuable for maxims of
law, precepts of morality, historical notices, and other points
highly interesting to the antiquarian and philosopher. To
bring these to light, and prepare them for the press, so that
they might be rescued from destruction, and made available
for the benefit of the general community, was one of the
principal objects of meetings such as these. Mr. James
then proceeded to reply to the objections made in the pre-
sent day to the cultivation of the Welsh language, and showed
in a masterly manner thatlthe liakuage of unintelligent peo-
ple could not be changed, under any circumstances, without
compelling that people to descend from the high ground of
civilization on which they were, and to retrogade to bar-
barous life. Thus pushed down from the proud eminence
they had before maintained, they would again be compelled
laboriously to mount the bill, by the cultivation of an alien
language. He showed that whilst a nation employed. only
one language, it was the duty of all who had the power to
supply that nation with literary works in that language, for
their instruction and improvement,—to afford them, in fine,
the same information and delight derived by Englishmen who
had an opportunity of perusing works of merit in their own
tongue. He concluded by stating that these meetings called
for the exercise of native talent, and roused genius into action
that would otherwise lie dormant. They thus gave a genial
impulse to the cultivation of arts and sciencies, in connexion
with their own language, which would produce the happiest
results throughout the principality. (Mr. James was heard
with much attention throughout his address, of which this is
but a faint outline, and sat down amidst loud and reiterated
plaudits.)
4.—For the best Set of Variations to the Air called
" MaCk Nightingales."—A Medal, value £5, and a Premium
of 3.

There were two competitors, both of great merit, Miss

Georgiana Wyatt; and Mr. John Hughes, of Wrexham.
The subject had been referred to Mr. Parry, the celebrated
composer, and a letter was read from him, in which he re-
commended, in high terms, Miss Wyatt's production, ad-
mitting, however, the superiority in some parts of the
variations of Mr. Hughes. The award was, accordingly—to
Mr. Hughes. the medal—to Miss Wyatt the premium.
5. For the best original Welsh Air, adapted to the style of
singing in the Principality, a medal, value £3, and a premium
of £3. There were twenty-three competitors. The prize
was awarded to Mr. Richard Mills, of Llanidloes.
Mr. RICHARD WILLIAMS, of King's College, Cambridge,
a young gentleman, addressed the meeting at great length,
and, we must add, with a degree of eloquence, and an exhi-
bition of historical lore and patriotic feeling, equally honour-
able to his head and his heart. He dwelt in a peculiarly happy
manner on the necessity of administering to the pleasures of
man by refinement in literature and art, without a portion of
which we might return to the condition of uncultivated
savages. He considered that the cultivation of the affections,
through poetry and music, frequently opened the before closed
fountains of the heart, and was often a delightful and inno-
cent relief from the cares of business, or the calamities of
life. Need he tell them of the celebrated Roscoe, who, after
numerous trials, found a solace in the decline of life in litera-
ture which he pursued to the last. Poetry, above all, he
considered ought to be cultivated, as leading to a high and
ennobling degree of feeling, far above the sordid pursuits
of enduring life, whether it:appeared in the stately epic, or in
the ever-varying drama. - In bringing their congress of
bards into England, he might remark -that that country
had no possible cause to be jealous of them. She
could boast of Shakspeare, her Locke, her Newton, and
a hundred other worthies, and could well afford to al-
low them the emulation they could bring forward. He
alluded in forcible terms to that • modern engine of intelli-
gence, the press; the rapidity with which it disseminated
information, and its effect in bringing into closer bonds of
unity, England and Wales. The desire of the society
was the promotion of mutual good. He reminded the
meeting of several of the noblest sons of Cambria, who
had done honour to their country ' • and trusted that the
feeling of mutual kindness which had that day been
manifested, would continue to increase. He retired amidst
loud applause. -31
Miss Jones was here introduced to the meeting by the
Rev. Mr. Price, who pronounced an eulogium on the quali-
ties of the harp, and thought it could not be in better hands.
Miss Jones played an air with peat precision and effect, and
was much applauded.
GRAND CONTEST FOR THE PRIZE HARP AND THE
SILVER HARP.

Probably the most interesting contest of the Eisteddfod
now took place, for the following prize :-
6. To the best Performer on the Triple Harp, (I'r Telynor
yoreu ar y Delyn Deir-rhes) ;tile Silver Harp together with
a new Triple Harp, value £2l.—To be called the Gordovig
Royal Harp, (Telya Cadair Gordofiy.)
7. To the best Performer on the Triple Harp, (I'r Telynor
yoreu ar y Delyn.Deir-rhes) the Silver Harp together with
a new Triple Harp, value £2l.—To be called the Gordovig
Royal Harp, (Telyn Catlair Gordofig.)
It was announced that the Committee at first intended that
these two prizes should be separately contended for ; but it
was afterwards thought advisable as, from the rules, the
sil-
ver harp (the greatest in point of honour) might possibly fall
to a second-rate performer, excluded by gaining the other,—
to award both to the same successful candidate.
The players performed one after the other as under, and
the most intense interest, and we may add delight, was ma-
nifested throughout. Indeed, it was such a treat as can but
rarely be enjoyed by the lovers of that elegant instrument,
or the general admirers of genuine music
First.—Mr. Ellis Roberts, originally from Dolgelley, a
young man, and now, we learned, residing here. A Welsh
air, with variations. The player exhibited much musical
taste, and great powers of execution. The variety of in o-
nation, and transitions from piano to forte, were beautiful.
Ile, in fact, had such command of his instrument, that in
his hands it was all but a band of music. He was loudly ap
plauded.
Second.—Mr. Reece Jones, of Llanrwst. Air—
Rhaw," an elderly gentleman—
" His fingers strayed the chords along,
'Till all his soul seemed wrapped in song."
He was deservedly much applauded.
Third.—Mr. Henry Green, of Shrewsbury, a young man
Air—" Sweet Richard." Exceedingly clear, beautifulll
varied in intonation, and a peculiar power of throwing out
bursts of lower notes like a dream. Very great applause.
Fourth—Mr. Benjamin Rogers, of Liverpool. A bold and
masculine player, and master of the delicacies as well as the
strength of the instrument. Loud applause.
Fifth—Mr. Richard Pugh, of Corwen, who wore a medal
won in a former contest. Good execution and considerable
taste—also applauded.
Sixth—Mr. John Robinson, of Bangor. Air, " Sweet
Richard." Exceedingly clever, with astonishing powers of
rapid and distinct execution. Greatly cheered.
Seventh—Mr. Robert Edwards, of Llangollen, quite a
youth. Fine sweet flute-like tone, and rapid execution.
Loudly applauded.
Eighth—Mr. Thos. Griffith, of Monmouthshire. " Sweet
Richard," with variations. Clear and bold—with much in-
tricate and fine execution. Great applause.
Ninth—Mr. Edwd. Jones. Same air. He wore a medal.
Very powerful in bass notes, and rapid and strong in execu-
tion. He trade his harp sound like two instruments.
Tenth--Mr.'Wm. Jones, of Beaumaris, a blind old gen-
tleman, then essayed his powers and acquitted himself much
to the satisfaction of the audience, who loudly applauded him.
The Rev. Mr. PARRY, one of the secretaries, explained
to the meeting, that the air of " Sweet Richard," which had
been played four times during the contest by as many com-
petitors, was composed by a bard of Carnarvon, on the death
of Richard 11. It had outlived several dynasties. It had
outlived the House of York, the House of Lancaster, the
Tudors, and the Stewarts ; and it was now running parallel
with the House of Brunswick, which he hoped would, like
that air, endure as long as the mountain of Snowdon itself.
Dr. HUGHES remarked that the variations to Sweet
Richard were by Richard Roberts, the celebrated blind harp-
player, who was then present. (Cheers.)
• The venerable Mr. Roberts,: decorated with a large gold
harp, another of silver, and a number of medals, was seated on
the stage, and was greeted by the audience.
The judges having now made a selection of three of the
best performers for this prize, requested them to perform
again singly.
1, Ellis Roberts; 2, Henry. Green; 3, John Robinson,—
each played successively beautiful airs, with variations, which
were received with, if possible, increased applause.
The Rev. Mr. PRICE, announced that the decision of the
judges was in favour of Ellis Roberts. (Loud cheers and
clapping of hands.)
The handsome prize harp, value 20 guineas, was then
brought on the stage. It is a beautiful instrument, highly
finished, and with the Royal Arms, the Liverpool Arms, the
Prince of Wales's Feather, and gilded on the front, on a crim-
son ground.
The successful candidate, Mr. E. Roberts, was then in-
vested with the silver harp, by Miss Williams, the fair sister
of Mr. Williams, of King's College, whose eloquent address
we before noticed. He then received the valuable prize
harp.
Sir LOVE PARRY remarked that the successful candidate
had won the first prize at the last Esteddfod in Liverpool,
had won the first prize on the present occasion,—and that he
was the pupil of Richard Roberts, the celebrated blind harper
of Carnarvon.
The old harper (Mr. Roberts) smiled as in triumph. We
could almost say his eyes glistened with honest delight.
Some verses by the successful candidate for the extempore
lines in honour of the chairman were then read by the author
with good emphasis, and elicited much applause.
Six harpers, including the elite of those noticed, then came
on front of the stage. Mr. Roberts having as his instrument
the prize harp which lie so honourably won. They played
" God save the Queen" in fine style, in which they were
joined by the singers. The company stood during the per-
formance, and after repeated cheers at the close, the highly
gratified assemblage left the house.
The performances and addresses of this day (the last of
the eisteddfod) will, we are assured, be even more interest-
ing than those that have preceded them, and a strong at-
tendance is anticipated.

." Pen

THE MODEL OF THE BATTLE OF WATERLOO.—We
were last night favoured with a view of this truly national
work by Captain Siborn, which we contemplated with the
greater interest on the anniversary of the great triumph which
it is designed to celebrate. We were highly delighted with
the lucid and eloquent explanations with which Mr. Thomas
favoured his audience. Owing to the press of other matter
we are precluded from enterity, into a detailed description of
this magnificent work of art. In our next we shall endeavour
to do it justice. In the meantime we recommend our readers
to pay an early visit to the Union Rooms, where, we venture
to say, they will enjoy .a treat which has rarely been equalled.

THEATRE-ROYAL, LIVERPOOL.

The LAST NIGHT of JACK SHEPPARD.
FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. YATES,

AND THE LAST NIGHT OF
Mr. YATES, Mr. and Mrs. KEELEY, and Mr. PAUL
BEDFORD.

THIS pesent FRIDAY,June 19, 1840, the Entertain-
ments will commence with the Local Burletta, founded
on the admired Papers by " Boz," called
NICHOLAS NICKLEBY' •
Or, DOINGS AT DO-THE-BOYS HALL.
Monsieur Mr. Yates,
As originally performed by him in London.
John Brodie.... Mr. Keeley. Squeers.... Mr. Baker.
Smike.. Mrs. 'Pellet. Mrs. Squeers.. Mrs. Clarke.
After which, a Selection from Mr. Yates' celebrated Enter•
tainment, called
YATES AT HOME ; on, TEN MINUTES' TABLE TALK,
Consisting of Anecdotes and Imitations.