The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-18
A Welsh ssEisted dfod."
OpsERYhNCE or Am ANcIENT


1t will be gratifying to those who can pro-
nounce the names, TO know that at the recent
Elsteddfod in Wales, the Talhaiarn presided
with great JUNCTION, and that among the vocal
ISIS OF the happy occasion was a young lady who
received reward OF fifty pounds sterling for
her admirable singing of the touching air of
"Llwyn Onn." Another damsel had gratuity
OF two guineas from a ''patroness" living at
Dlanfairynghornwy, who was fond of encourag-
ing native talent.
The place where these things happened was
the Welsh town of Chester-time, September
occasion, the annual gathering of the Welsh
baTds and harpists
From most elaborate reports of the proceed
ings of the Eisteddfod, published in the English
journals, we gather that the meeting was un-
usually large and animated. Mr. Matthew
Arnold's ardent admiration of the Welsh Ian
guage, expressed in his series of papers on that
subject in the Fortnighhy Reoiew, perhaps
aided to attract an uncommon degree of atten-
tion TO Wales and Welshmen, and Welsh Gus.
toms. Mr., Arnold has combated the in Increasing
tendency to abolish the common use OF the
Welsh tongue, insisting that its poetry should
not be permitted TO die out; but he admits that
the small knowledge of English possessed by
the common people of Wales prevents the cir par
ticipation in the everyday benefits OF English
life.
The London Times takes up this latter point,
and passes the following comment upon it:-
~ II measures are taken to preserve Welsh,
the knowledge of English viii decay; and such,
we believe, has already been the effect OF these
Welsh demonstrations. The native language
was giving way but has since taken another
false start, and the people, therefore, have been
so tar thrown back in their civilization. If
Wales and the Welsh are ever thoroughly TO
share in the material prosperity, and in spite
of Alr. Arnold, we will add, the culture and the
morality OF England, they must forget their
isolated language, and learn to speak English
and nothing else. AS for Welsh literature, it
may be left to antiquarians and historians, and
to critics who have nothing more solid to occupy
them. The literature is curious, no doubt, and
interesting in its way but 1t is rather too ABSURD
to send us to Ossian and Taliesln for mental
culture. All that is valuable in the language
belongs TO the past; and the Welsh literature of
the present day is about as original and valuable
as the Latin verses OF public school For all
practical purposes Welsh is a dead language"
The Eisteddfod, this year, however, was unde-
niably success. "Pennillian" singing, harping,
odes, ballads, and several speeches made up the
programme. The proceedings were opened with
q quaint proclamation by the presiding officer
the "Talhaiarn":-
"In the year one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-siX, the sun approaching the autumual
equinox, at the hour OF noon on the fourth day
OF September after due proclamation, this Cor
sedd is opened in Chester, with invitation to all
| who may assemble here, where no weapon is
unsheathed against them, and judgment will be
| pronounced upon all works Of genius submitted
for adjudication in the face OF the sun-the eye
Mr. I. Grufydd (Cerddor Dwyrain), a blind
| harper, performed on the old Welsh harp,
| which is triple-stringed. -Four cholrs competed
| IN q peIIOrInd1Cc Ol u pdTb bOuS duu u
| and the prize of ten guneas as awarded by the
| applause of the audience, was adjudged to the
| Marthyr glee party. A prize OF f5 and silver
| medal was awarded for the best English poem
on any subject, to MORGAN Evans, of Mabus
Hayerfordwest. The subject was The Laborer,
| and among the lines were the tolowing;-
"How gently does the night return again,
The purple hills stand with their nOtched peaks
Sharply defined against the fading igbt
OF the setting sun, whose eentle mellow beams
Tremble in their last glance o'er me world.
The daisy westward turns its half-closed eye,
To catch blessing IN the last fond rays
| A good. night kiss to sleep and dream till morn,
| OF all the glory of the coming daV,
| The beetle huns along in circhng fght,
| And some late warbler chlIrups in the fence.
| All else Is 81 lent, and wearied turn,
To spend, once more, the few short hours of night
In my old shattered cottage"
Mr.. Morgan, who, with Miss Conway Griffith
adjudicated the prize, said he thOught this poeI
was a good answer to the charge that the geniu
of poesy, except as regarded their own language
had left the Welsh.