The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-03-26

The following interesting History ol
the Eisteddfod" was printed in the
official programme of the Lehigh Val
ley festival at Allentown on Monday
and will serve to enlighten many peo-
pie who are in the dark as to what an
eisteddfod really is:
An cistcddtod pronounced as if il were spelled
as.tctl.vodc) is TO the native Wclshmau what the
Sacngerfcst is to the German; more than Other
custom it is representative OF his country end
arouScs his national pride. The Welsh claim de
scent from Conner, the grandson OF Noah. They
were the Cimncrii of antiquity, Tie Cmbr oi
the carly Roman period, and they are the Cym,y
Of today.
The etstcddfcd is the Oldest OF their national
Institutions. II dates back to the prehistoric PC.
rod Tradition teaches us that royal oistcdd-
fod was held under the auspices of Prydiln ah
Aedd Mawr who ruled in Britain about 1000 b. G..
The first historical reference TO cistrddfod CO.
ours in Caesars Commentaries. lie wrot, that
the Galhc Drnds assembled at fixed period cf
the year in a consecratcu place, and all who had
disputes came and submitted to the DEGREES and
determinations
The historic period Of tho cistcddfod dated from
$40 \. D., wien an csteddfod was held at Con'yy,
at which Macgwyn Gwynedd presided. From
that date to 1i6S. the esteddfod was held ut
regular intervals, when circumstances permitted.
The most notable were those Of $50, llTG, l3C0,
1865, 1i61 and 1923. After the sovereignty passed
out of the hands Of the Wclsh The cistcddfod lost
its authority but suffered no loss OF influence in
literary matters.
UNDER ROYAL COMMISSION.
Those held under royal commission exercised
authority in some things, notably that OF ljGs
when the Welsh We're commanded to adopt sur.
names. The strictly modern cistcddfod dates
from I'LL. National ciScddfods have been held
in Wales annually for thirty years or more and
local meetings have been held wherever Welsh.
man may be found, even in Australia South
Africa and Patagonia.
The most notable cistcddpi held on American
soil was that which convened at Chicago during
the Worlds fair. The eisteddfod in the United
States has been devoted chiefly 10 choral and part
singing, but literature, oratory, and sculpture
have not been entirely ignored. II has thus un-
dergonc great changes, but not without leaving
its impress upon the civilization of today, which
is distnctvely British.
The primitive cisteddfod was a tribal institu-
tlon, and was the visible government, church and
college of the early Cymric tribes. II thus be.
came the cradle of law, learning and liberty. Its
patrons and promoters always upheld the doctrine
OF equality, and cultivated individuality, the
most noted characteristic OF the Celt.
These influences, acting for ages, gave to the
world the modern doctrine Of personal liberty
SO admirably expressed by jefferson, and adoptad
by all progressive peoples. The most perfect OF
the governments OF today are modelled after the
ancient eisteddiod. In the language OF noted
writer the oisteddfod is to this very hour the
roof and archetypc OF our Political system
NOTICES OF THE EISTEDDFoD.
The notices are those of the eisteddfod and
the five "chairs" OF Bardic Provinces into which
Wales was in ancient times divided. "Gwir yn
erbyn q Byd'-"Truth against the word"-s
~ hn aIs sipII nl ll ~, srl,
as whole ''Duw a phop Daioni'"God and
all that is Goods the motto OF the Dardic
Province of Glamorgan; "Calon with Gallon
'licart to Ileart"-as that OF the Province Of
Dyfcd Southwest Wales). ''lcsu mad Glmwuth"
--'',Icsus forbid iniustce"-is that OF Gwynedd
Northern Walcs), and "A laddo leddir'-"IIe
that Says shall be slan''-is that OF the Powys
Central Wales). "Dan Nawdd Duw al Dangnef'
Under the protection of God and His peace
is the motto of the Chair, instituted at Caerlon,
according to tradition, by King Arthur and
Knights of the Round Table. and it was to the
province OF this Chair that the old City OF ION
don was attached.
Aside from its purpose to instruct, interest and
please, the eisteddfod has a definite mission. It is
10 foster worthy ambition in music. in the arts,
and in litorature to ian to enduring fame the
faint spark OF embryonic genius; TO encourage
struggling mcdiocrity in its pathetic and appar,
entity hopeless huiieting OF the waves OF adverse
circumstances and condtions-in a word TO up
lift to promote, 10 cherish. How many sterling
artists there be upon the boards OF the British
metropolis ard elsewhere today who point with
pride and gratitude to the eisteddfod their
Alma Mater! And even in our own land the
beneAcence OF this nestor OF music and litega.
ture has been attested in many instances.
Let us theE lend our best energies 10 the main
tenanCe Of tins noble institution and the further
ing of objects which comprise its treason to be-"