Omaha daily bee., 1886-11-12
WELSH JUBILEE.
Preparing for the Celebration of the
Great Druid Rites.
fCopuight 1886 bu James Gordon Bennctl

tCopuigM 1886 bu James Gordon Bennctl
LONDON, Nov IL, 4 a. m.--New York Her
aid Cable Special to the BEE. The many
Welsh readers of the Herald have already
been told by 1t that the Nateorial Eisteddford
of Wales for the year of the queens jubilee
is to be held in London. They also know
that no such gathering can lawfully take
place unless IL has been previously pro-
claimed in GorScad of Bards of the Isle of
Britain convened in the place where the
Esteddford is 10 be held. This preliminary
ceremony of proclamation was this after
noon performed in the gardens of the inner
temple. There upon the green sward, circle
thirty yards in diameter was marked
out by twelve unhewn stones, upon one of
which the Arch Druid, David Griffith, ven
erable Wclshman eighty.six years of age,
known among his compatriots hy his bardc
name "Awyafardd," took his stand. a
bard was also placed at each OF the twelve
stones to guard the sacred circle, the others
remaining within the circle TO take part in
the ceremony. Around the ring 600 visitors,
principally Welshmen, resident in London,
gathered to witness the proceedings, which
were conducted in the midst of a steady
downpour of rain. At o'clock the Arch
Druid entered the circle, accompanied by the
harpst, John Roberts. They were attended
by twcnty-three bards, four Of whom bear
the name of DaviesS, four the name of Will
liams with several Joneses and Roberts. All
these were distinguished by green or blue
rosettes. The harpisf wore what is supposed
to be the Druidic costume, a flowing robe and
a cap. with green cloak, and a red girdle.
The Arch Druid ascended the Logan stone
holding out sword upon which all the bards
laid hands. He thrice demanded: "A, des
heddwch?' Us it peaceD to which the Welsh
portion of the assembly replied, "lleddwch," )"
(lt is peace.) The harpist was, physically
speaking, the beau ideal of a bard, His elo-
quent eyes of blush grey were set off with
flowing gray beard. Then the rain
came down faster and he lost
dignity in the eyes of the profane by having
recourse to an umbrella, while his antique
harp, an instrument of quaint form,
was mutiled when not in use in an oil-skin
case. The Arch Druid presented a strange
and touching picture as he stood, like King
Lear, but with all his wits about him, bare
headed to the peltng, pitiless storm. Some
kind Druid, in respectful pity, held an
umbrella over the brave old man, but he never
noticed the courtesy or seemed aware of the
shelter. 1t is true that his white locks were
abundant, waving freely over the aged brow,
and covering every part OF the head thus
covered.
Next the Arch Drued decended from the
stone and gave place to Rev. Rowland
Williams who offered the ancient Gorsedd
prayer. The Garscdd was then declared open
and the Arch Druid read, in Welsh, a procla-
nation beginning thus:
son the day oil the full moon, in the month
of the falling leaves in the winter solstice of
1885, be it known, that when the age of Christ
is 1857, a Gorsedd and Esteddfod will be held
in the chief city of Lud for all who seek priv
ilege and license in the arts, poesy and song
shall have the right of access: and no weapon
shall be uusheathed against them"
After the proclamation OF the EiSteddfOd
a number of bArds mounted the stone in
succession and recited their political compo-
sitions, in eulogy of the history, language and
literature of their native land. Among them
was the Rev. Il. Parry the second Oldest
Welsh bard. who has attained the age of
eighty-two. He reiterated poetic effuision.
at the close OF which the bards again gathered
around the Arch Druid and placed their
hands upon the sword. The question, rs
it ttheirsT' having been repeated thrice and
thrice answered in the affirmative, the
Gorsedd was declared to be at an end,