Papurau Newydd Cymru

Chwiliwch 15 miliwn o erthyglau papurau newydd Cymru

Cuddio Rhestr Erthyglau

5 erthygl ar y dudalen hon

Advertising

CAMBRIAN GOSSIP.j ..........-.....

Newyddion
Dyfynnu
Rhannu

CAMBRIAN GOSSIP. The name of the new chief inspector of elementary schools in Wales, Mr. Legard, is pronounced Lej-ard, and not Le-gard (with a hard 'g') as seems to have been assumed. .0 London Welshmen are not a whit behind their kinsmen in Wales in their zeal for the Eisteddvod. No fewer than six Eistedd- vodau will be held in the Metropolis during the next two months. f» The Welsh colonists of Patagonia are making arrangements to be represented by several of their number, under the leader- ship of Justice Hugh Griffith (Ap Gutyn Ebrill), at the Festiniog National Eisteddvod in 1898. « • • Dr. Simon, a Carmarthenshire Welshman of high academical distinction, who for many years has been principal of the York- shire Congregational College at Leeds, is mentioned as a probable candidate for the principalship of Brecon. • The vacant See of St. David's (says Truth) is worth £ 4,500 a year, with one of the most delightful episcopal residences in Great Britain. The Bishop is patron of 132 livings, of four archdeaconries, of the Deanery of St. David's Cathedral, and of the four resi- dentiary canonries. ■» The second chief choral contest at the Welsh National Eisteddvod is more or less neglected, and it is seldom indeed that a good competition is heard. Why should this be so I As a rule the choirs that enter are, according to the Cerddor, of a third rate or a fourth-rate character. Possibly we may witness better things at Newport. At any rate, we hear that a choir from Bristol is preparinglfor the fray, so that possibly we may this year have a stiff' international contest. # Mr. Justice Grantham, while presiding over the Merionethshire Assizes last week, made a bold attempt to pronounce the sweet and euphemistic name of .'Llanfihangel- genau'r Glyn.' But he couldn't, and, turn- ing to his chaplain in despair, he asked, 'Is it one or half a dozen words ?' One, my Lord,' replied the chaplain, whereupon the Judge exclaimed, with a deep drawn sigh, Then I pity you Welshmen.' Many thanks, my Lord, but the sympathy is sadly mis- placed. « • An analysis of the statistics of the Welsh Nonconformist denominations for 1896shows that the Independents are the strongest in Cardiganshire, and Glamorganshire, the Baptists in Pembrokeshire and Monmouth- shire, and the Calvinistic Methodists in all the counties of North Wales, in Radn rshire and Breconshire in the South, and in the English towns. The total membership is given of 147,20'7 for the Methodists, 136,792 for the Independents, and 101,791 for the Baptists. m # The Drych, the organ of the Welsh people in the United States, reports that three American Welshmen Messrs. Fred L. Jones, J. Mills Davies, and Arthur Bray- have just been on a visit to the counties of Santa Barbara and San Louis Obispo, Cali- fornia, with the object of selecting suitable plots of land for establishing a Welsh colony for quarrymen and it is understood that they, in conjunction with the Hon. G. J. Griffiths and other prominent Welshmen in the States, are holding meetings so as to make the necessary preparations for taking practical steps in the matter. » Owen Glyndwr's character and achieve- ments are sketched in an admirable article in the current number of the Llenor. The writer says that several English historians are investigating the history of this great Welshman, and that they have gradually learned to wonder how so splendid a charac- ter has remained in obscurity so long. In his opinion Owen Glyndwr is one of the two most interesting characters of the fifteenth century—the other being Peter di Luna, better known as Benedictus. The opinion is expressed that his grave is probably in the Dee Valley, perhaps in Corwen Church- yard. • • • Some professors are not above taking good advice even from a policeman. This was de- monstrated very happily on the occasion of the recent synodical examination of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists at Tregaron. Among the candidates was Professor Young Evans, M.A., of Trefecca College, and ac- cording to the London Kelt, the village con- stable, who happened to be in the room, was fairly staggered when he saw the pile of papers which the professor had filled during the first day. The policeman thought he had better interfere. My boy,' said he, in a fatherly tone, tapping the professor familiarly on the shoulder, were I in your place, I would write my answers briefly and to the point!' • The well-known Welsh bard and littera- teur, the venerable Gwalchmai (the Rev. Richard Parry, of Llandudno), on Wednes- day, attained his 94th birthday. Gwalchmai, who is the oldest living Welsh bard, and the oldest Congregational minister in the Prin- cipality (having been ordained in the year 1832), received a great number of congratu- latory messages. It may not be generally known that there are at the present time only two now living of those who took part in the ceremony of 'chairing the successful bard, Caledfryn (the late Rev. W. C. Wil- liams, of Groeswen), at the National Eis teddvod of Wales in the year 1832 at Beau- maris, namely, her Majesty the Queen (then Princess Victoria) and Gwalchmai. Although Mr. Parry is not able to go out of doors he is in splendid health, and he was greatly touched by the kind congratulations he re- ceived from all parts of the country. » ♦ The volume on Welsh Folklore, by the Rev. Elias Owen, F.S.A., which has just been published, is a fascinating and a bewitch- ing production in more senses than one. Tales of witches, conjurors, omen-seeking, spiritualism, and foresight, and also the folklore of Welsh birds and beasts, find place in Mr. Elias Owen's remarkable compilation; all are interesting, many are amusing. Here is an extract:—Dick Spot was a conjuror, and he knew how to punish exorbitant charges. Late one evening he turned into a wayside inn at Henllan (near Denbigh) and called for a glass of beer, bread and cheese. For this he paid lOd. Dick paid, but when the serving maid had gone out of the room he took a scrap of paper from his pocket, and writing a spell upon it, left it under the flap of the table. Soon after the host and his wife went to bed (thinking no doubt they had done well over their late visitor), and the girl stayed to clear away; but no sooner did she get into the room than she took to dancing and singing at the top of her voice:— Six and four are ten, Count it oe'r again. The landlord hastened down to stop thc noise, and his wife looked from above to see what had taken the crazy girl, when to her horror she heard her husband joining in the dance and song. Away she rushed to silence the row herself, and as she entered the en- chanted room, gave a hop in the air, and waltzed round the table, singing as gaily as the others. The noise was soon heard by the neighbours, and some of them, remem- bering they had seen Dick there, and know- ing that he sojourned hard by, ran to find him. Well pleased with the news of the success of his spell, Dick entered the 'dan- cing room,' quietly removed the paper from beneath the flap of the table, burnt it, and down sank the dancers, hoarse and exhaus- ted. Never again did the innkeeper at Henllan charge a traveller lOd. for bread and cheese and a glass of ale. lO>r-

MEETING OF THE IRISH PARTY.

WELSH TITHES ASSESSMENT TO…

--.-----------------------.------_--------CORW…