The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-02-15

more famous IN the country at large.
Much of the prominence of our city
as a music center is due to their ef-
forts, which are still increasing in the
advancement of this feature of the
city's growth.
In this issue we present a brief bio
graphical sketch of David Davies. our
resident tenor. who Is native of
Waenfergy Farm, Talsarn. Cardigan
shire. South Wales, where he first saw
the light Of day May 8. 1855. At the age
of II, with his widowed mother and
three other children, all younger than
himself, he came to Cincinnati. and
from that time. while hardly more than
child, became the main support of
the little family. On his arrival in this
country he still spoke his own Welsh
tongue but at once embraced the oppor-
tunity offered him in our public night
schools, of obtaining a good English
education, while he applied himself to
mechanics trade and soon became
well-known as an industrious and
skilled artisan.
He had already developed passion
ate fOndness for music. and was known.
In his small circle of Welsh friends, as
possessing a magnificent voice. He
had as yet acquired no knowledge of
the art and did not until after his twen-
tieth year. when, at me persistent re-
quests of his musical comrades. with
shrinking modesty. he presented HIM
self as pupil to Professor Carl Paltol,
then resident teacher in this city.
The professor. on hearing the promls-
Ing voice, at once exclaimed: Young
man, there is money In your throat"
The ambition of the youthful vocalist
was soon aroused. and In the autumn
or 1877 he returned to his native cOun-
try and entered the University Of
Wales. at Aberystwith where for three
years, with his characteristic assiduity,
he studied the arts of vocalism. har.
mony. counterpoint and composition,
under the celebrated master, Dr. Joseph
Parry. one of Great Britain's foremost
musicians.
During the latter period of his uni
versity course ne first appeared in pub
lie, singing in oratoriO and miscellane-
Gus concerts in London and many
prominent places in the principally
of Wales and returned to the United
states In the summer of 1850. as the
tenor of DR.. Parry's Concert company,
travelling with them through Pennsyl-
vania and Ohio. In the winter OF 1880
Mr.. Davies established himself as
teacher of singing and harmony in Gin
cinnati. He was at once elected direc-
tor of the Cincinnati Welsh Choral
society. and accepted the position as the
tenor in the Plum Street Jewish Syna-
gogue (Which position he still holds),
and also at Trinity church. Covington,
under Professor Bush Foley. where he
remained until Easter, 1884 At that
time. on the organizing OF the surpliced
choir of men and boys at St. Pauls
church, in this city. he was induced to
accept the position OF tenor soloist.
With this choir he is still identified, and
its success has been largely due to his
faithful and intelligent interest. He
has now many engagements in ora
torios and other concerts In this coun-
try. and has received the responsible
appointment as adjudicator of Welsh
competitive eisteddfods in Utica. Pitts
burg and other smaller cities. In the
summer of 1884 again visiting Wales.
he fulfilled an engagement as tenor OF
the Madam Antoinette Sterling Con-
cert troupe. David Davies voice Is a
strictly lyric tenor Of manly. resonant
quality. and the pure ease and even-
ness of his tone. the finish of his phras-
Ing and expression. and his wonderful
clearness Of articulation betray his fin
ished schooling and intelligent concep-
ton and taste. In refinement of mind,
heart and manner he represents the
ideal musician.
The striking modesty and integrity
OF his character. and the kindliness and
faithfulness OF his friendships have won
him unwonted social popularity, while
as a teacher his conscientious interest
In his art and his pupils have ever in
sured him well-merted success.
Owen Giyudwr's Badge
The sale last week at Christy's, for a
paltry seventy pounds, of what Is
known as "Owen Glyndwr's Badge" Is
another argument in favor of a Welsh
National museum to preserve such rel
les of Cymru Flu. AS already reported
in the Western Mail, this badge" is
described as "a pendent of oval form.
with a rock crystal egg In the CENTRE"
and measuring four inches by three
mounted in a silver gilt frame, beau
tifully chased with ornament" This
badge is supposed to have been won
by the great Welsh chieftain, and it is
also stated that owen Glyndwr founded
an Order of Chivalry, of which the egg
IA mystic symbol of bardism--was the
recognized badge. The author of "Owen
Tudor" describes the badge as IAN or
nament which appeared like a large
hens egg Of frosted silver, hanging by
a massive chain of the same metal.
wide enough to compass mans neck"
This opens up a wide field Of con-
lecture, and it would be at once inter-
esting and instructive II further light
could be thrown upon this theory. The
badge which Glyndwr Is said to have
6a'Sh W ni' -, IN VI io'o"SI' m A,o.N
or Penmynydd, Anglesey. ana py MN
handed to his son. Owen Tudor. the
grandfather of Henry VII, Is described
as being SO constructed that, by press
ing a secret spring the silver shell
oa,.;,,. ,,n. h;,aa,, tha hnrosoona rhinh
LN.i'; ..''',. p',,S III
the NeisH inaSrclah whv ,ou,u cah
self cast away for owen Tudor This
nrophecv was written on "a square