Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1869-01-14

in allegory. thus, to great extent, de-
stroying its value as material for his
tory.
For various reasons the Eisteddfod
gradually fell into disuse; but in the
year 1919 it was revived under favora-
BILE auspices, and has been in flourish
ing condition ever since. In Wales the
rules connected with it are very strict,
and any infraction of them is resented
with spirit by the poets. Of late years
however, some of the ancient barriers
have been swept away by the advanc'
ing spirit of liberty. What are known
distinctively as Welsh meters are the
most narrow and con6ning in the
world, requiring a great number oi
alterations in their composition
What may be termed the old school
of poets adhere to them with the ut
most pertinacity, but the young men Of
to-day have to great extent'cast them
away, and adopt style more nearly
assimifating to the English meters.
The primary object of the Eistedd-
fod, as now carried on, is mental i'm
provement, development of the facul-
ties, encouraging new aspirauts for lit
erary fame, and rewarding merit in
those found to possess it. 1t has lost
its exclusively poetical character, and
prose and song now stand side by side.
1t is customary to offer prizes in mon
ey for the best compositions in prose.
poetry, and music, and the judges, W ho
are always mer of eminence in the va
rious classes, announce their decisions
at the Eisteddfod. when those who mer-
it them receive their reward. But the
man who completes for an Eisteddfod
prize seldom does so for the sake of
the money to be received; the main OBJ
ject is to be announced as the winner
before large assembly of his country
men, and published as such to the
Welsh world through the medium OF
their newspapers.
1t was unfortunate for the Eistedd-
fod held to-day, that it stormed furi-
ously; but this did not diminish the
ardor of the people, for they came to
the meetings not only from the city and
the surrounding country. but many
were also present from other States.-
There were three sessions held-morn-
ing, afternoon, and evening. and it was
anticipated that the exercises would be
more than usually interesting. 1t was
known before hand that large number
of competitors were in the field, and
the Committee had secured the services
of some very excellent musical talent
for the occasion. Not much is expect
ed generally from the morning meeting
it is looked upon as preparatory to
the balance of the day, but the hall was
well filled in the forenoon and the ex-
ercises were carried on with spirit
These consisted of speaking, singing,
reading for prizes, and the adjudica-
tions of the judges on portions of the
subjects given out The President of
the day was the Rev. r. Herbert,
of Fair Haven, Vt. 1t would be
well to inform the reader here that the
exercises are carried on in the Welsh
language. English being tabooed for
the day, though most of the people un-
derstand it. AT some of the Eistedd-
fods that we have attended heretofore,
the speaking has been confined almost
exclusively to species of self-glorifca-
ton, but the gentlemen who addressed
The audience this morning were remark
ably free from this trait, and endeavor
ed to impress upon their hearers the
duty of self-culture and mental i'm
Among the prizes award
ed was one for the best sonnets on the
Fiery Furnace" and one for the best
National Ode" The best composer
If duet and the best essay writer were
ilso announced. There were two COM
oetitive readings, and, taken altogether,
he reading was the best we have heard
1t any Eisteddfod in this city. But the
interest of the meeting centered in the
music, which was of high order of
merit
In the afternoon the hall was packed |
o its utmost capacity. The programme
vas long and the exercises were similar
n character to those of the morning
Several clergymen delivered short and
pointed addresses, one of them elo-
luently urging the Welsh people to
cherish their native tongue and keep it
llive in this country. Many will dis
sent from the gentleman's views, but
past events prove that the use of the
Welsh language here is not incompati-
Die with the truest loyalty to their
adopted country. Among the interest
ng occurrences of the afternoon meet
ng was the ceremony of inducting a
gentleman into the Bardie order. An
lrm. chair covered with evergreens had
been prepared for this purpose, and the
competitor in a poem on
Columbus" was led to it by Mr.. Lew
S w. Lewis, who is styled Crowned
Bard of Wales. This is the first time
his ceremony has been performed here,
md the event created the widest en-
husiasm. Several others were reward
ID for proficiency as poets, essaylsts,
eaders, and vocalists.
The evening meeting was, in man
er, a repetition of the one in the after
Don. We had the same jam in the
all, vocal and instrumental music, re-
yarding of merit, short addresses
mong others one in English from the
Ion. Ellis II. Roberts, who was re-
eiyed with the most unbounded enthu-
iasm--reading, and competitive speak
lg.
The most noticeable feature connect
d with the Eisteddfod is the fact that
0 many people could be brought to-
ether through such a storm, and man.
est unabated interest in purely liter
ry entertainment for an entire day.
E A sister of General Grant,
1rs. Mary Grant Cramer, is the vile
t our Consul at Leipzig; she is also
n ameteur artist; and used to pains