Cymro a'r Celt Llundain

Notes and News. BLWYDDYN newydd dda i bawb THE Watchnight service is being abol- ished in many places in Wales owing to the fact that it has degenerated into a noisy collection of youths and girls assembled for "a bit of fun." THE year now opening in front of us will probably witness a general election, increased educational autonomy for Wales, and a general revival of trade. THE Welsh mountains looked particularly beautiful in their garb of snow on Monday. ALL London was turned into a White Ciiy during this week. THE New Year commenced its career with a cold storm. May its remaining days, how- ever, be warm and peaceful. A LARGE number of London holiday folk experienced great difficulty in returning to town early this week. Railway traffic was greatly disorganised throughout the country. WELSH football is still, like Welsh mutton, the best in the world. Even the Australians must admit the fact, too, by this time. THE REV. H. ELVET LEWIS, M.A. THE REV. H. ELFET LEWIS'S New Year's address will be found on another page, and is an inspiring message for our young people. No one knows the needs of Wales more thoroughly than the pastor of the Welsh Tabernacle, whose preaching engagements calls him to nearly every hamlet within the principality. THERE is a large number of would-be parliamentary candidates in Wales just now. It is amusing to watch the wirepulling. EXCEPTING Cardiff, Swansea, and Barry, Aberystwyth has developed more within the last 10 years than any other town in Wales. WELSH names for private houses are becom- ing increasingly popular in Wales. There is not, unfortunately, a similar increase in Welsh street names. THE old plygain service is on the decrease in Wales, unfortunately. Aberystwyth and North Cardiganshire people in many climes have pleasant memories of the beautiful plygani at Llangorwen church. But it is now, alas one of the things of the past. SOME of the Labour Leaders of South Wales are making a very fine living. In fact the position of Labour Leader is now a lucrative profession for aspiring boys. SOMEHOW or other Welsh nationalism does not thrive at Aberystwyth. The local Welsh Society seems to be at a low ebb. It is in striking contrast to the real, live, and energetic Cymmrodorion Society of Cardiff for instance. ACCORDING to the extremely interesting biography of Viscount Tredegar, written by Mr. Fred J. Harries, the Viscount feels that Welshmen must crow" themselves up a bit. They must do this, he says, because there are outsiders who are always cavilling at the Welsh character, and we have some of the most scientific and highly intellectual writers belittling the Welsh people. M. Gounod, the well known Frenchman, said The Welsh is a race which has worn itself out by mistaking dreams for realities" whilst Matthew Arnold's dictum was that it was a race devoid of that balance, measure, and patience which are the general condi- tions of high success." ONE of the most successful features of Christmastide entertainments in Wales was the performance of a Welsh comedy by the pupils of Pencader Grammar School. It took the audience by storm. This should be encouraged. IT is amusing to notice how many news- papers in Wales give lengthy and glowing references to every and any rubbishy English drama of the Miss de Vere class, whilst absolutely ignoring every attempt to revive Welsh drama of a better class. MANY of our senators have fled to the warm sunny weather of the South of France for their holidays. Among the number is Mr. Lloyd George, who is enjoying a well earned rest at Cannes.