The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1891-02-20

-Four or five young men competed for
the prize, but all were tripped up on
one point, where they did not get on
TO the proper punctuation.
Tenorydd Roberts, of Chicago, sang
a solo, the subject of which being
translated means "Wales, Welshmen
and Welsh He exhibited such fine
talent that he took the audience by
storm, and was recalled TO the stage.
singing 1.-THE Mother and Her Baby, !"
lullaby.
Prof. ApmadoX stated the adjudica-
tion on epigrams to the Gopher" III
lengthy address, in which he read
several of the pieces and created much
laughter. I'll. @. Roberts secured the
first prize and Jas. D. Price second.
A competitive trio, Nor fwyn yw'r
awelon, . followed. The first was COM
posed of II. FL. Jones, D. Y. Jones and
Miss Lizzie Ellis; the second of ii. D.
Hughes. Evan Hughes and Mrs. d. 4.
Jones. The renditions were both so
good that the prize was divided be-
tween the two trios.
1 Jno. Thomas, of Minneapolis, was
awarded the prize on the competitive
impr0mptu reading. A young Lad
from Cambria secured the second prize.
sOver the Sea" was sung by several
gentlemen who competed for the prize
as the best tenor solo. VIM. jeffrey, 5
of St. Paul. secured the prize.
The Cambrian Glee Club rendered
s'The Tar Song"
Another choral competition between
Mankato and Minneapolis took place,
the subject of the song being The
Swan. The Mankato choir was the
first to sing. Not over half Of the
Minneapolis choir participated.
A competitive recitation on the sub
ject Carlo and the Child" next oc-
Cured. A lady and two gentlemen
entered this contest. Mrs. Thomas,
of Minneapolis, easily captured the
first prize, and Evan Price, Of Cambria,
secured second prize.
Miss Clara Williams, Of Minneap-
oils, sang ''Carina" in so acceptable a
manner that she was recalled.
Prof. Apmadoc stated that the Ma
tional Eisteddfod Of the principally
of Wales would be invited TO join in
holding the worlds Eisteddfod at Chi
cago in 1893, where plenty Of room will
be given for several Welsh days, and
he hoped that they would prove a
great success.
A motion was carried that it was
the sense of the meeting that this be
carried out.
CHAIRING THE BARD.
Prof. Apmadoc stated the adjudica-
tion of poems, on the subject OF 1.-The
Lake Pepin Disaster" The prize was
SO and chair awarded by G. E. Davis
of Lake Crystal, valued at s15. There
were five competitors. Jas. d. Price
secured the prize, and the ceremony Of
''chairing the poet" was performed
according TO ancient custom. Very
few had ever witnessed this interest
ing ceremony, as it had never before
been performed in the Northwest. 1t
is an annual custom in Wales.
L The chairing of the bard was the
most unique incident of yesterday s
program. This custom is nearly six
centuries old, and is the bardic climax
of the National Eisteddfod. The
winner of the prize in these chair con-
tests must exhibit much merit before
he can receive the high honor of being
! proclaimed the ''Chaired Poet" The
ceremony consists in reading the deci-
sion of the Adjudication, then the lucky
bard is called upon TO reveal himself
/ TO the anxious audience. When he
/ does. he receives an ovation. He is
lead to the stage by committee OF
two to the accompaniment Of bugle,
and is babe to stand before the chair,
facing the audience. The master OF
ceremonies reads the bardic proclama-
tion. then he draws the sword from its
scabbard and challenges the assemb-
! lage thrice with the question: rs
there peace?" and thrice comes The
answer peace" in laundering tones
from the sonorous thrOats Of the Welsh
thousands. After this the conductor
commands the poetic brethren to lay
their hands on the head Of the poet.
and repeats the famous Evglyn-there
is no English equivalent for this metre
name
-'CredaUcl1 c1aUi feiif CeT1dlUen--fTyd acael
No fradychquyd G1Uen;
/ CddeiYiaUgd netDn coed deY9Ue7l
Y bGrdd q farnauyd ya ben.
which translated means: Believe, We
high-souled Sons of Poesy-that the
muse is not betrayed; in the oaken
bardic chair shall the poet be seated.
who is adjudged the master Of all.
Then the poet is seated, and all the
people shall say 'Amen." The other
poets present pour out their effusions
in praise of the chaired one, and TIE