The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-10-01
epeeial COrespOndence Of ne Tri6nnA

Special Correspondence of The Tribune
PoNT Y -PRIDD. S. W., Sept. 49,
TN MY last letter l tried to give
pretty fair idea of what concerto.
ing is like. and must say as we
u go on, night after night, all the
concerts seem to be the same, or very
like each other, at least. We go from
Pont. Y Pridd every day to the town in
which our concsrt is to be held in the
evening, and upon arriving at the hall
we prepare for work, and go through
the programme. or course the audi
ences differ somewhat from each other
and the concert halls are also rather
different in different places. But there
is one thing to be said in favor of the
halls, and that is they are invariably
we'll built, all of good size, some of
them, indeed, being very large, and in
acoustics, perfect 1t is very seldom
that we perform in hall the acoustic
properties of which are bad.
Our audiences, as | said before, are
appreciative and sometimes are reused
to tremendous enthusiasm over bit of
good work. / had heard, before COM
ing over, that the Welsh vera rather
jealous Of other musicians. that is, of
musicians of other nationalities, but l
have found that 1 was very much mis-.
informed for l never met such genial.
generous, large hearted people as |
have over here. They admire our work,
and say so too. and not only talk well
about us, but in their actions as well
they show their generosity and hos
pitality. They have literally opened
their hearts and homes to us, and we
can all traly say that we have been
beautifully entertained.
INTRODUCED TO CARADoG
sunday night We sang the service,
besides two anthems, in st. GATHERINGS.
the English church here and the people
were very cordial in their thanks to US
after the service, and as we really did
sing very well. / suppose they enjoyed
it quite as much as thsy said they did
They have very fine organist there
quite young man, and, like a great
many more progressive Welshmen and
Englishmen, he has the American
fever. He played his organ remark
ably we'll, too
After the service closed, as we were
going out of church, we were all pre-
seuted to that famous Welshman,
Caradog, who with his family was
present. He is wonderful old man
remarkably intelligent, and as enter
tanning as can be. He is very much in
terested in the success Of our company,
and is giving US tho full benefit of his
great influence throughout South
| Wales.
Tuesday evening we sang an engage
ment in Mountain Ash to a very fine
house. We booked return date be-
fore we were out of the house at tho
end of the concert. We sing tonight
at Treharris, where our manager as
sures us full house again. After the
concert last night we held quite little
reception to number Of our Welsh
friends. who came up and congratu.
lated us on our work, afterward escort
ing us down to the station upon our
departure for Pout.y- Pridd. At our
next appearance there they are going
to give us complimentary banquet,
| Whew Just think of IT
| AN OLD SCHOOL CHUM.
Mr.. Evans old London school chum,
EMr. Rhodes. came down today to spend
his vacation with Mr.. Evans. He was
very heartily welcomed by us all, and
when we are all together, with our
two chaperons, Mr.. Tom Stevens and
Caradog. who often give us the pleasure
of their society, you may be sure we
form a very pleasant party. What
wonderful story. tellers theee old
Welshmen are! Why, they can sit
down and talk and talk and talk, for a
half O day at time, without exagger-
alton. about the early Druids and their
customs. dress, history and the like.
One just simply sits and listens, fire.
quently content to let them spin their
delightful yarns uninterrupted. And
then the legends of the battles that
took place here in these very valleys.
between the Welsh and English in
ancient stories, that they tell one of
How interesting they are
As we were bowling along beauti.
full road the other day, one of them
showed us where tradition says Prince
Llewelyn was betrayed into the hands
Of tho English by his blacksmith, into
whose shed he had gone and turned tho
shoes on his horses hoof 10 order to
mislead bis pursuers. The whole land
| is full of such tradition Every little
place has its delightful little bit of his
tory.
| WELSH HOSPITALITY.
Sept. 20-Last night we sang at Tre-
harris to very fine audience. Phet town
hall there Is magnificent auditorium.
and on this occasion was decorated
with the English and American fags
Welsh colors, banners, etc. The stage
was one mass of flowers, in front, and
the rear was occupied by numerous
prominent Welshmen of the Rhondda
valley, one Of whom, Morien, noted
literateur and musical critic. acted as
chairman Of the concert. After we
had finished the programme speeches
followed from these different notabili.
ties, and then we all adjourned to
banquet. spread for us by some OF the
ladies of the town. Ny. how kind they
are 10 usl And what compliments they
give us, and sincere ones, too. They
Eare the biggest' hearted people | ever
L