The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-01-05
THE WELSH WINNERS.
Awards Of Prizes for Essays at
the Eisteddfod.
SOME IMPARTIAL CRITICISMS.
Professor Evans Decides on the Merits
Of the Literary Producfions-Mrs.
fuckers Ode to the Chinook.


decision on each competition, freely criti-
cising the essays and giving the reason for
his authorizations. The text Of his de-
cisi0ns follows:
Essay-aThe Influence of Higher Education
on Morality" Prize. $50.
"seven essays have been received on this
subject, from Phil Agogee,' .Hywel Alb
Owen Gwynedd,' Cymraes,' 4Garmon,
sDiwygiwr,, Horatio' and Chinook Five
Of them, namely 'Cymraes,' Chinook,
sGarmon,' sDiwygiwr' and sHoratio' have
written their essays in Welsh. 'Hywel Alb
Owen and Phil Agogee' have. written in
English.
ton, and it stands lowest in the list. Some
Of his ideas are coarse and uncouthly ex-
pressed, and some of his illustrations en-
Hreiy erroneous.
AS q literary composition, 'Horatio's'
essay belongs to higher order than that
Of Chinook, but instead of writing on the
influence OF higher education on morality,
he has written thesis on education as a
means Of social elevation and intellectual
development.
"sCymraes' is, undoubtedly, as the
name indicates, woman. She is, evil
IDENTIFY, well educated woman, and writes
IN pure and chaste Welsh. Like Horatio,
however, sCymraes' has adopted strange
nnbject, the theme of her essay being The
Object Of Education 1t is strong and
earnest plea for the education Of the
masses for the promotion of morality.
'Diwygiwr has also drifted wide Of the
mark. He deals with the rules, methods
and objects of teaching and not with the
Influence of higher education on morality
Like some others in the competition, he is
opposed to a strictly secular education.
sHywel Alb Owen Gwynedd' furnishes a
scholarly defense of higher education as
moral factor and discusses the evolution
Of the Christian faith Nine closely..writ-
ten pages are occupied in determining
what the Eisteddfod committee really
meant when it selected the subject of this
competition, and this is the way he settles
Il: The question, then, bccomes-Does
higher education tend to strengthen or
weaken essential Christianity? and to
what extent does the overthrow of Chris
6anity endangcr the moral convictions of
men7 l believe shall fulfill the inten-
lions of the Eisteddfod committee if look
u the subject in this light This is set
ting the matter with q vengeance. The
committee furnished a subject so plainly
expressed that no one ought TO have mis-
taken it. The duty of every competitor
was to deal with that subject only as best
he could, and from light and knowledge he
possessed. If higher education has any
influence on morality, what is itg How is
4 cxerfed? What are the results? How
are they manifested? The theme is broad
enough and clear enough for any ones un-
derstanding, and there was no reason why
It should have been befogged, nor any ne
cessity for the invention of a new one.
'Hywei Alb Owen Gwynedd' is indebted to
no one but himself for being ruled out of
this competition.
There remain, therefore, but two Others
n hn px,Sn
mon.' Both arc ambitious productions.
Both have been written with considerable
Literary skill. sPhilagogee is man of
wide reading on educational and theoIog-
teal subjects. 'Garmon is a powerful To-
gician, concise and forcible in his reason
ang. .p,u,
higher education on morality is that it will
DO bad unless such form of mental cul-
ture Is accompanied with religious instruc-
ton, and that instruction in the tenets of
the Protestant faith. sPhilagogec' is.
therefore, sectarian. He is strong and
incorporating anti-Romanist and sees
nothing but evil in tho teachings of that
faith. II may be hars4 to say SO, but il is
nevertheless true that he is bigot. Re
iigious faith or creed should cut no figure
IN the consideration of this subject. 1t
would be absurd to characterize such in
ntitutions of higher education as are con-
uucted under the auspices of and supported
by the Roman Catholic church as schools
Of immorality. The subject of this com
pletion is entitled to consideration in
more liberal spirit and upon broader
und higher plane of thought. But Phil
asogee's essay Is more of an advocacy of
religious training than ii is considera-
ti0n Of the influence of higher education
on morality and as such, the author has
Apown an immense amount of Jealous in
duStry in his search for data and authori
ticsbcaring on that subject.
Garmon's essay is quite different pro-
duction. He Is the only one in the com
petition who has aimed at correct con-
ceeption OF the subject. and he has handled
1t In a mastery manner. He has written
In the purest Welsh. He is clear. concise
ana forcibie In expression, and convincing
IN his argument. He is not, however. en-.
tlrciy free from criticism. So much, for in
stance, as relates 10 the early training of n
cilld, while receiving primary instruction.
- sufplusage and entirely irrelevant. His
estimate OF ~ influence OF athletics is
also at fault; and he is in error in limiting
the operation OF the moral code TO the
christian faith. But these are minor
hiemishes, easily of correction, or elimina-
ton, and Notwithstanding their presence
In IT, the essay is well worthy the nrize
and 10 Garsnon' ii is consequently awarded
Harmon was the assumed name of
Mr.. William Evans, lilo South Mechanic
street, Emporia, Kan.
Essay-"fnvcstigation as a Factor I'm uur,sn
advancement" Prize, $50
aEssays have been received from two
competitors only, 'Emrys' and Sir Hugh
Evans
.Emrys' discusses the subject theolori.
caily. His treatise might be very pronerl,,
entitled an Essay on the Spiritual neyef-
opment of Man. Sir Hugh Evans has
treated the subject superncially al best
and his essay has no special literary merit
IN my judgment neither essay is worthy
OF the prize, and il is, therefore, withheIdS,
Essay-"The Elevation of Woman Prize sie
Il have read with great care and Interest
the seven essays ON The Elevation III
Woman submitted for adjudication
These essays have been written by limo
thc0s. snlnah Morris. Budding. No.
icai.' A'''0-
'.The treatise by .Timotheus' is a
thoughtfui, earnest, intelligent and com.
ptehehsiVe review of the condition of
woman, written in graceful stvle in the
pest OF Welsh. The social rights and
grievances are temperately discussed. The
inunence Christianity and education ara
exerting III the advancement of woman.
intellectually, socially aud politically Is
clearly presented. Some features Of the
sanlect considered are of controversial
sharacter, bat 'amotheus' deals with thern
~ lar and dlspaSsionate manner. His
essay Is 50 far superior 10 all Others in the
competition that / have no hesitancv in
ntohounelng II the best and awarding him
~. .l,s ps,ze, 10 which he is Justly entitled.
, asshosneGs Is the assumed name of Mr..
sSssn Lewis, Twenty-seven.h ward,
ssanzas TO the Chinook Winds" Prize $40
Seven competitors, NAB VT Hsf' Re-
Nefka Hill r..,lfnr.A. - As.....A--