The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-12-21
AT HALF PRICE.

burgh, but I am now called the Duke
of Saxe-Coburg." His royal highness
! then made some highly complimentary
remarks about the character Of the
singing. Another interesting incident
occurred in the presence of Mr.. Thom-
as. While her majesty was praising
the singing the Pincess Beatrice, bend
ing to her royal mother. said to her,
you like Welsh music:" The queen
replied. II think 1t is most charming" :"
Il think so. too." added the royal
daughter At the close all stood up.
except her majesty. who remained
seated. and the choir sang the loyal
prayer, God Save the Queen" We
were intensely loyal while witnessing
the white head OF Queen Victoria. now
| aged. seated before US, one thought Of
the long period of nearly fifty-eight
years she has presided with marvellous
skill over the affairs of the British
Empire. The Hindu attendant again
appeared, and we all rose to our feet.
The queen rose. we all bowed, and the
august lady graciously acknowledged
it. Then, passing slowly on the left Of
tiC Suc SIIiiCo CT thCih, 1hu was
heard to say. "The singing was glor-
iOus." Then the Princess Beatrice. ad-
dressing her brother, the duke Of Sake
Coburg, said, THE singing was love-
ly." The duke. nodding to the choir
| as he passed, echoed the words of his
royal sister, saying, Lovely. lovely"
Then, as they disappeared. they were
heard to say, you do not hear any
thing like that in London" Prince
Henry, of Battenberg. came along, and
| so heartily pleased was he that he
seemed as II he would like to shake
hands with the boys all round. Sew
| eral of the cOurtiers stayed behind the
royal party to chat with Mr.. Thomas
and others. After the concert the en-
tire choir were entertained at supper,
the royal servants waiting upon them.
While engaged at supper, the earl Of
| Pembroke, as II to prove that blood
was thicker than water, came to con-
gratulate Mr.. Thomas and his choir.
With him were Lord Edward Pelham
Clinton, and the Hon. Alex Yorke. This
brought to close one of the most
stirring Incidents in the history of
modern Wales. 1t is certain that this
| choir has made a very remarkable i'm
| preston In the highest quarters. and
Mr.. Thomas and his choir and, indeed,
the inhabitants Of South Wales. are
to he congratulated. The choir behaved
with the dignity of trained gentlemen.
The Great Mcrthyr Choir Collapsed
Maelgwyn. in the Cardiff Times, saws
the great Merthyr choir has collapsed,
and In less than three years. residence
in town Of $4,000 or 10000 Inhabitants
Mr.. Dan Davis has failed to get togeth-
| er q body of one hundred and fifty sing
ers to carry out the programme to
which he has committed himself. The
reason for this surprising turn in the
wheel Of fortune is not far to seek.
That astounding balance sheet which
was issued to the choir Just after the
Llanelly eisteddfod has had the effect
Of scattering really fine body of vocal
ists-a choir that contained the finest
bassos ever heard in Wales. And no
| wonder, when people find out that they
have had to pay more than five hundred
dollars for accompanies; one hundred
| and fifty-five dollars for the good will''
Of hall. for which they paid one hum
dred and fifty dollars for rent. that the
hire Of rehearsal rooms had cost them
between ten and twelve dollars a week.
that in short q revenue Of S2.e25 has
been reduced to only about $3.50. When
such astounding figures stare at them
| from the middle of q formidable bal
ance sheet, they must be more or less
| than human II they did not revolt, And