The London Welshman

Notes from South Wales. (From our Special Correspondent.) The Wearing of the Leek. The South Wales Daily Post commenting on the fact that the shamrock was much more extensively worn in Swansea on St. Patrick's Day- than was the leek in the same town on St. David's Day, explains the incident by re- marking that Welshmen do not feel it necessary to wear the leek so much at home as they would were they resident in another country. .Some Comments Thereon. I beg to differ with the Daily Post view. Why, if what our contemporary says is correct, do Welshmen living in London, Birmingham, Liverpool, and America, for example, sport the leek even less on St. David's Day, than Welshmen living in Wales do ? I have been in London on many a St. David's Day, and I found that the number of Welshmen wearing leeks was exceedingly small And I am told by a South Walian who spent some years in the United States, that leeks are very little in evidence on St. David's Day amongst Welshmen in the land of the stars and stripes. The Reason Why. The real reason, in my opinion, why leeks are so little worn on St. David's Day in Wales, as compared with the shamrock on St. Patrick's Day, is because there are still large numbers of Welshmen, despite the fact that Welsh Nationalism has made so much progress during the last twenty years, who are still loth to declare their nationality to the world. Welsh Nationalism is still a weak bantling as compared with the strong and virile Irish brand. Improving Nevertheless. Nevertheless, the leek is worn more on St. David's Day at present in Wales than was the case twelve or even eight years ago. And there is no doubt that in another twenty years it will be quite as conspicuous ,as the shamrock is to-day. The decision of the South Wales University College governors to make St. David's Day an annual holiday in future, and the decision of the education committees to close the elementary schools for half a day on the same occasion, will do much to encourage the wearing of the leek on future anniversary days. Up=to=Date. American journals are not the only ones with smart advertising ideas. A South Wales weekly paper thus invites tradesmen to advertise in its columns ::— Oh, tradesman, in thine hour of eee, If on this paper you should ccc, Take our advice and now be yyy, Go straight ahead and advertiii You'll find the project of some uuu, Neglect can offer no exqqq Be wise at once, prolong your daaa, A silent business soon dkkkk. Momentous Events. The past week, or so, has witnessed momentous events. Seldom does one find so many of them happening within such a short period of time in South Wales. First, there was the great fire near Abergavenny when a mansion was burnt down, and damage done to the extent of some jQ 12,000. Then followed the burning of Carmarthen Union Workhouse, representing

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SOUTH WALES BUSINESS NOTES. [In this column it is our intention to bring before the notice of our numerous readers the features of various businesses calculated to prove of use and assistance to them. Proprietors of shops, hotels, &lc., desirous of such publicity should cOllllllunicate with us.] PHRENOLOGICAL. — Clergy, ministers, pro- fessional men, and tradesmen testify to the wonderfully accurate delineations of Madame Elvira, F.C.S., Queen Street Arcade, Cardiff. SURGICAL APPLIANCES.—Artificial legs, arms, hands, eyes, &c. Abdominal belts for ladies. Illustrated lists post free from manufacturer, Allen Pearce, 23, Charles Street, Cardiff. CLEVER CHARACTER REAPING AT CARDIFF.—Mr. Alfred Proctor, 17, Wharton Street, Cardiff, whose portrait we append, is a character reader of rare merit. Parents who desire to know what their children are best suited for, will find in Mr. Proctor an invaluable counsellor and guide. BOOKS.—Second-hand books. Thousands to select from. All subjects. Eggar's, 71, Bridge Street, Cardiff. Write or call for particulars. SPECTACLES.—Thousands of Welshmen are wearing spectacles supplied by Ernest R. Scott, Optician, 37, Castle Arcade, Cardiff. They are beautifully clear and cool. Customers' eyesight tested free. SCHOLASTIC.—In the Cardiff School of Com- merce, Wales now possesses an excellently equipped and up-to-date commercial school. Prospectus on application. PERSONAL.—When wanting books relating to Welsh music, poetry, history, and literature generally, write Miles, Bookseller, Queen Street Arcade, Cardiff.

Easter Holidays. WHERE TO STAY IN WALES. LLANDUDNO.—St. George's Hotel. LLANGOLLEN.—Edwards' Hand Hotel.

some _ioooo damage. The historic Welsh National Educational Conference at Cardiff was another theme that aroused general attention. Then followed Lord Alverstone, the Lord Chief Justice's lecture on Music in the Rhondda Valley, and the startling hews that Judge Gwilym Williams, a most popular Welshman, was dead. In fact, it has been a period of most startling events. People who believe in omens and signs will, probably, deduct some conclusions from these series of prominent simultaneous occurrences.. Lord Alverstone in the Rhondda. The visit of Lord Alverstone, the Lord Chief Justice, to the Rhondda Valley, on Saturday, to deliver a lecture on Music, under the auspices of the Rhondda Cymmrodorion Society was a great success. His lordship had a splendid and enthusiastic audience. His eulogistic refer- ences to Welsh music, and his expression of admiration for that well-known song, "Y Fwyalchen (The Blackbird), as a specimen of melodious Welsh musical composition, evoked much applause. Lord Alverstone seemed to thoroughly enjoy his visit, and he listened most attentively to the audience's singing of the evergreen Crugybar and" Aberystwyth." The Rhondda Cymmrodorion Society's enter- prise in securing so many prominent Britishers to give lectures under its auspices is highly commendable, and shows that it possesses great public spiritedness and tact. The Late Judge Gwilym Williams. Genuine sorrow prevailed in South Wales at the intelligence of Judge Gwilym Williams' death. The judge was devoted to Wales, and proud of his nationality. Movements for the advancement of Welsh interests always found in Judge Gwilym Williams a most earnest supporter. He was a great wit, and his humorous remarks and jokes during the hearing of actions in the South Wales County Courts over which he presided, greatly relieved the monotony of the dull halls, in which those courts are invariably held. He spoke straight, and to the point, to friend and foe alike, but, although he was most emphatic in his observations, he treated everyone courteously, and the poor and downtrodden always found in him a friend. Judge Williams was brought up with the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists, his father, the late Alaw Goch, being one of the founders of that well-known Welsh Calvinistic Methodist Chapel, Bethania, Aberdare. National Educational Conference. The recent conference at Cardiff to consider the need and necessity of a Welsh National Educational Council was truly unique. There were representatives of all religious denominations and educational authorities in Wales, and the practical unanimity of the proceedings was noteworthy. True, there was some little criticism, but this vented itself upon matters of detail rather than opposition to the formation of a national council. It was a notable step forward, not only in the educational progress of Wales, but in reference to Welsh unity as well. It was pleasant to see men of so many shades of political and religious thought meeting on a common platform. There has been far too much political and sectarian animosity in the past in Wales, and it is about time that a greater spirit of brotherhood and fraternity should pre- vail. That the recent conference at Cardiff is a stepping stone towards the consummation of this noble end is an indisputable fact, and in that light, every true Welshman will thank Mr. Lloyd-George for initiating it, and the Lord Mayor of Cardiff for his very able co-operation.