The Birmingham age-herald., 1915-03-08
"Cymiu fo am Byth"
By CHARLES IT. MANDY

Of the nations composing the British Isles each has been honored with a patron saint, namely, St. George of England, St. Andrew of Scotland, St. Patrick of Ire
 land and St. David of Wales. Of the four nations the smallest is Wales. The Welsh have always been proud of their ever the ancient Briton is found they gather together on the first day of March
 in each year to do honor to St. David.
 There is quite a numerous Welsh col ony in the Birmingham district and a more representative body does not exist
 in the country today. They include the college professor and the artisan, the business man and the miner, while all the professions are well represented They ship of which any state might be justly proud. many of them pioneers in the com mercial and industrial development of the
 Birmingham district.
 For number of years past the Welsh people of the state and district have met
 on St. David's day to pay homage to the patron saint. The celebrations have generally been held in Birmingham. There is no nation on earth more devoted to it's ancient traditions than are the welsh, yet
 withal they are loyal to their adopted
 country and are in the main useful and progressive citizens.
 The Welsh are also noted for their love of music and song. They are wonderfully gifted in that most divine of all instru-
 ments, the human voice, and their sing | ing festivals are recognized in musca circles the world over They cherish theil native language, which is rich in song
 and story and embraces the lays of the
 ancient minstrels to the songs of the Welsh bards of later days.
 Naturally at the celebration of St. Da- vid's day. the principal feature is tht
 singing of the Welsh ballads and folk lore songs in the native language and the recital of the deeds of valor per
 formed by the redoubtable Welsh chief | tains who so bravely defended their noun | tain strongholds against soaxon and Nor
 man alike.
 l The celebration of St. Davids day this year was held at the residence of Mrs J. H. Adams at Graymont. There is mol
 a place in the Birmingham district bet ter adapted for occasions of this kind
  grounds and shady trees make it an ideal ! spot for the descendants of those who 1 once erected altars to their gods in the 1 oak groves of Britain 2000 years ago, tc hold their national celebration.
 | On this occasion the ''Metheglin' of old
 did not flow as in days past, a. Bryan ized buffet luncheon being served. The ..bara brith' (currant bread was in
 abundance, an extra large loaf having
 been sent by lady residing in Indiana 1 In the center of the table was a large | doll dressed as a Welsh lady Of 100 years ago, the hostess, Mrs. Adams, having ! purchased 1t during a recent visit to Wales
 | From the chandelier hung extended run 1 ners of yellow and black, the Welsh na- l tional coIors. The place cards were de- signed by a little gilded Welsh harp. Mrs | Elmer Reneal, Mrs. Gwylym Herbert
 Mrs Gould and Mrs. owen assisted in | serving the luncheon. There were about
 150 guests present.
 | An interesting programme was carried out, with Prof. D. M. Lewis as master i of ceremonies. Papers pertaining tc Wales were read by Mrs. Herbert, Mrs h. r. Kent and Mrs. Coburn. Recita- l tions were given by s. Fl. Bedoow of | Wylam Miss Rowland of Birmingham | Mrs Cooper of Graymont. Vocal seec- 1 tions were rendered by Mrs. J. P. Shad-
 dick Mrs. N. A. Davis, Mrs. Arthur Smith and Mrs. Ida Owen. Duets were given by Mrs Beddow and Mrs. Nolan. At the close of the festivities resolu-
 ton of thanks was presented to the host and hostess, and to the Cambrian SO ciety, under whose auspices the affair
 was carried out With the singing of the national anthem of Wales, "The Land of My Fathers" in Welsh and English. the affair was brought to a close. the guests having enjoyed a nevening of delight in "reminiscences and song. with everyone saving, "Cymiu fo am byth.'