The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1896-07-18
THE GORSEDD
IN GWYLLT WALIA
The Leading Organs Severe on ths
English Nature Of the EisteddfOd.
A MODERN MUSICAL ADJUDICATION
The Adiudicators at the National Els.
teddfod Agree on u Higher Standard
Of Criticism and Award Prizes on
that Line.

| Of Criticism and Award Prizes on
| that Line.
| The Cardiff Times, i'm speaking OF
| Wales and her institutions. says they
have been brought very prominently
before the world by the coincidence OF
three important events falling very
! closely after each other. Two weeks
| ago there was a memora BILE gathering
in the pretty little town of Aberyst-
| wyth, the home of the first university
| college. and, fittingly enough. the town
! in which the first public gathering was
| held in connection with the newly
| formed University Of Wales. 1t Is not
| idle boast TO write of the installation
! ceremony OF the Prince OF Wales as
| chancellor OF the university and set 1t
down as the most brilliant gathering
, ever held I'm Wales In modern times.
| Many journalists who have been 3ccus-
TONED to attend all kinds of meetings
| called for many different purposes IN
| various parts of the country were un-
animous in voting that brilliant as
| sembly IN the marquee ut Aberystwyth
the brightest and most striking they
had seen in connection with u royal
visit. We take II as very happy au
gury for the success of the university
that 1t appeared so well and 80 success
| fully for the first time in the public
gaze OF all sorts and conditions of men
and women. Ii was indeed memor-
able gathering, for all classes were re-
presented, including royalists. the aris-
| tocracy, the Commoners-with Mr..
Gladstone as the greatest Commoner OF
the century--literature. medicine,
music and law. the naval and military
forces. and the governing bodies, from
the member Of parliament to the chair
man of parish council. 1t was very
fitting that it should be so. for the Uni
versity Of Wales will fail signally If 1t
does not appeal TO and assist all classes
of the people of Wales. The meeting
and processioning formed brilliant
and a successful "God-speed" to the
latest and greatest of our institutions
for the advancement of the Welsh peo-
pie. On the following day the cere-
mony was of u different character, but
still the institution brought into promi-
nent notice was an educational one, and
an institution of which any town might
we'll be proud. The new and extended
Free Library and reading room which
the prince opened at Cardiff Is one of
largest ard most important of the kind
in the country. There are only few
similar institutions which will bear
comparison with it, and very few that
are better.
The library had just been enriched
hty aId pf nn1 vallln hln
Welsh books and manuscripts by the
generosity of few subscribers and
friends of the institution, but apart
from that the whole of the magnificent
building and the principal part of its
contents have been secured out Of the
public taxes. The peoples money has
built up a really fine public institution
for the special use of the people. Many
striking improvements have been wit
messed in the rapidly progressive town
Of Cardiff, but none have been more
remarkable in Il business town than the
advancement in its educational insti-
tutions. and principally in the free
library. During very brief stay the
Prince of Wales received the freedom
of the town of Cardiff, visited the ex-
hibition, and opened the free library
amid display of bunting and loyalty
which very fittingly marked the
princes first visit to the principal town
Of Wales. The other institution, the
Times refers to. is the National Els
teddfod which held its meetings this
year at Llaududno. The gatherings We're
of the usual successful character. and q
note Of reform has been sounded in the
addresses and in the papers read be-
fore the meetings Of the Cymrodorion
section If the old institution is to
maintain it's position in the hearts OF
the people it must be so reformed as to
bring 1t in complete harmony with the
progressive fortunes, educational at
tainments and ideas of the Welsh
people. The careful observer of events
cannot fail to notice that Wales Is on
a transition period of a very marked
character, which will try many old GUS
toms and institutions, and in order that
the eisteddfod may not step back we
trust that moderate and well-consid-
cred reforms will be adopted so as to
keep 1t in its old position. and that
Is foremost in the hearts of the people.
MUSICAL ADJUDICATION
of the chief choral prize at the National
Eisteddfod. The remarks of the ad-
judica tors should be thoughtfully con-
sidered by choir conductors in this
country Mr. Cowen. the principal
conductor spoke as follows: AS the
following adjudication and remarks
bint hot fnOptbpp
co-adjudcators and myself. embody
everything that we could wish to say
on so important an occasion, there is
no need for me to say any more than
simply read the notes to you. We are
of opinion that this has been mag
nificent contest. and the finest since the
London Eisteddfod in 1887. At the same
time there can be no doubt as to the
winning choir. Now. that the choirs Of
Wales have improved 50 much in the
more obvious and readily appreciable
qualities. It becomes necessary to turn
our attention to those qualities that be-
long to a higher standard. BY those
we have shaped our opinion. and We
feel convinced that our course adopted
on the present occasion is one which
should govern all adjudication of a
similar character. Hence II is not body
of tone, violent effort or tricky reading
which have determining Influence. but
singing that embodies high artistic
qualities refinement, accurate concep-
tion of the composers intentions. and so
forth. The chances Of certain Of the
choirs were materially diminished by
the adoption of the wrong tempt. Then
In, nthEr in,