The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-10-09
Y DDAU DELYNWR,
THE KING HARPlSTS
The Boy Plays hornpipe for the Good
Old Vicar Of Llaugynwyd.
JOHN WINS THE COMPETITIVE HARP
His Father Buys Him the Harp Of
Thomas Evans, of NcwtOwn, the
Maid Of Sker's LOver..He Enters
the Roval Academy and Becomes
One Of Its Professors.

Cadrawd, Of the South Wales Daily
News, writes as follows concerning the
Thomas family, the king harpists: AT
the request of that patriotic Welshman
and collector of the noteworthy litera-
ture and traditions of our beloved
country, namely, Mr.. N. Bennett, CLAN
yravon, North Wales, interviewed the
genial old patriarch, Mr.. John Thomas.
the father Of the warm hearted Welsh
men and world-renOwned musicians,
Pencerdd Gwalia and Ap. Thomas. My
remembrance of Mr.. Thomas extends
as far back as the time he first came
to Maestig to follow his trade as tall
or. At this place he spent the last
thirty-two years of his life, figuring as
one of the most active and well-known
characters among the inhabitants OF
"Yr Hen Blwyf."
My first recollection OF him Is at a
kind of a club feast held at the Old
House. e.Llangynwyd, on an Easter Mon
day, many years ago, where he was ac-
cOmpanied by his son, Llewelyn. The
father played a clariOnet, while the son.
a pretty little boy, who was stationed
on the table of the long" or club room.
of the Old House. played the harp.
Their playing gave great pleasure to
the large number Of parsons who had
gathered together to spend merry
day. I was very young lad then, but
] have a clear recollection of many
things that took place that day. The
performance of John Thomas fixed it
self on my mind. since 1t was,l thought.
far above the average. Whenever
met him afterwards the opinion had
formed of him the first time l saw him
was Strengthened. He was of patriar-
chal aspect, careful of his appearance.
and one of the merrieSt OF mortals u
person could meet in a days journey.
Before l commence narrating what I
gathered from him during my last few
interviews with him | feel must relate
an incident which occurred at Liam
gynwyd on the feast day referred to
sometime In the afternoon. 1t 50 hap
pcned that the vicar the late Rev. X. Z.
Lleweyyn, NJ. A.. CHANGED to drop in
amongst the pleasure-seekers in the
long room. He called Mr.. Thomas to
him and, after the usual salutations
had passed. said he understood that he
was the master of ceremonies for that
day.and asked if there was anyone
present that could dance a hornpipe to
the music of the harp. Mr.. Thomas
told the vicar that his wish could be
granted as there was present one of the
hest dancers in GlamOrgan in the per-
son of Bethyn Jones. of Aberavon. and
he was sure that Mr.. Jones would do
all in his power to please Mr.. Llewelyn.
Mr.. Thomas told his son Llewelyn, to
play the Swansea Hornpipe," and Mr.
Jones jumping upon the table went
through his PAGES with the utmost pre-
csion and neatness; in fact, as one Of
the bystanders remarked, his feet went
as If they were playing kettle drum.
The vicar then asked Mr.. Thomas to
play some Welsh airs on the harp for
him, which he did. Mr.. Llewelyn said
he was very pleased, and thanked
them for their kindness.
During my last visit to Mr.. Thomas
] asked the old gentleman if he re-
membered the above incident. He
laughed heartily. and said that he re-