oaths in legal causes. He says they habitually committed acts of plunder, theft and robbery, not only against foreigners but against their own countrymen. They were addicted to trespassing and the removal of landmarks, and there were continual disputes between brothers.-"The Welsh People."

The following description appeared in a book called "Wallography or the Briton Described," about the year 1682. "The Welsh gibberish is usually pratled throughout the whole Taphydome, except in their market towns, whose inhabitants, being a little rais'd, and (as it were) pufft up into bubbles above the ordinary scum, do begin to despise it. Some of these having been elevated above the common level, and perhaps refin'd into the quality of having two suits, are apt to fancy themselves above their tongue, and when in their t'other cloaths are quite asham'd on' 't. Tis usually cashier'd out of gentlemen's houses, there being scarcely to be heard even one single Welch tone in many families; their children are instructed in the Anglican Ideom, and their schools are Paedagogu'd with professors of the same; so that (if the stars prove lucky) there may be some glimmering hopes that the British lingua may be quite extinct, and may be English'd out of Wales, as Latin was barbarously Goth'd out of Italy."

Welshmen were much to the fore in the early days of railways. We have already said how Trevethick's engine at Penydarren preceded George Stephenson's by ten years. Here is another quotation from the "British Magazine" for March, 1804, which is singularly interesting:-"Iron railways are now so common that a description of them s scarcely necessary; yet, we may just say that they are formed by two parallel rails of iron, on which wagons

with four low iron wheels move; and each rail has a rib on one edge to prevent the wheels from running. The rails being flat prevent obstructions by stones and dirt lodging on them, and the rib from the friction excited, retards the motion of the wagons. These evils have been obviated by a very ingenious contrivance of Mr. Benjamin Wyatt, of Lime Grove, near Bangor, who planned a railway which, instead of being flat, was convex, and the wheels of the wagons were made with a concave rim suitable to the convexity of the railway. Thus dirt and gravel may be easily cleared from the railway if it should rest upon it, which cannot be the case without great neglect, and there is little or no friction. This kind of railway is used from Lord Penrhyn's slate quarries in Carnarvonshire to Port Penrhyn, on which two horses will draw 24 wagons one stage six times a day, carrying each time 24 tons, or a 144 tons a day. The railway is six miles and a quarter in length, divided into five stages."

The demon of sectarianism is busy among Druids as well as Christians. We have different cults represented by "Gwilym Cowlyd," "Hwfa Mon," and the Rocking Stone, Pontypridd. Some⚫ years ago a curious cult was organized in North Wales by "Tudno," W. Cadwaladr Davies, and "Alfardd," and was called "yr Urdd Gocosaidd" (the Order of the Cockles). They appointed themselves the "Three Primitive Bards." A witless bard, called "Bardd Cocos," was made archfardd, who presented himself on every eisteddfod platform for recognition. "Proclamations" were issued, and every poetaster they could find they admitted into the order. The order died after a few months, having, by ridicule, accomplished a much-needed reformation of the eisteddfod.

On the occasion of her departure for this country in 1881, the numerous friends of Mrs. Thomas decided to recognize the valuable services she had rcndered in the past by presenting her a testimonial. A large and representative audience, emblematic of the esteem in which she was held, congregated on the occasion. The various speakers referred to the almost irreparable loss the community would sustain in the much-regretted departure of their fellow-townswoman, characterizing their loss as an almost invaluable gain to their American cousins. The testimonial, which lack of space alone prevents its publication in this article, was handsomely printed and framed, and is highly prized by Mrs. Thomas.

Upon her arrival in America, the subject of our sketch, whose reputation as a songstress and instructor had preceded her, allied herself first with the Welsh Congregational church choir at Wilkesbarre, Pa. So elated were the members of this church over such an addition as Mrs. Thomas to their musical resources, that it was decided to arrange a concert, in the nature of a welcome and also as a means of introducing her to the Welsh residents of the Wyoming Valley. The venture proved an unbounded success, Mrs. Thomas winning a hearty reception by her indisputable ability as a concert singer.

Being an ardent admirer of the Curwen notation, commonly known as the "Tonic Solfa," and having had considerable experience and success as an instructor of same in Wales, Mrs. Thomas immediately organized a class in her new American home. The greatest success attended her efforts, and her scholars increased in numbers as to exceed even her most sanguine expectations. In this respect no one has done more to uplift the standard of music throughout that section of the country than has Mrs. Thomas. While

making a specialty of Tonic Solfa, she is equally proficient in the staff notation, and many are the readers of music who owe their knowledge to the careful tuition of this lady. In addition to her teaching, Mrs. Thomas finds time to participate in concert and oratorio work, and the high encomiums she has won by her artistic work is proof positive of her ability.

As a church singer she has had a long and varied experience. For fifteen years she was a source of pleasure to the worshippers of St. Stephens' Church, Wilkesbarre, Pa., where her pure voice and artistic style won for her many admirers. Mrs. Thomas resigned that position for a more lucrative one at the First Presbyterian Church, which she held for two years. At present she is engaged in two churches; singing in the Jewish synagogue on Saturday, and in the Lutheran Grace Church on the Sabbath, holding a strong place in the affections of her many auditors.

Possibly, it is as a conductress that Mrs. Thomas is best known, outside the principality in which she resides. At the World's Fair Eisteddfod in 1893, she directed the ladies' chorus which proved such a worthy and formidable antagonist to the Royal Welsh Ladies' Choir, led by the celebrated Clara Novello Davies, winning high praise from the adjudicators for the excellent interpretation of the two selections in competition. She was awarded a handsome gold medal for her efficient work, while the organization received second prize. Mrs. Thomas is at present directress of the Neilsons, a ladies' chorus numbering 35 voices, which organization has done excellent work under her instruction. Again, at the recent Eisteddfod held at Atlantic City, Mrs. Thomas was honored by being selected to direct the combined ladies' choruses in the rendering of the competitive selection. Newspaper reports referred to this number as the most satisfactory

and pleasing to the vast audience assembled, which manifested its appre ciation in vociferous applause.

Mrs. Thomas enjoys an enviable reputation as a vocal teacher of the highest order, as is attested by the fact that, despite her many other arduous professional duties, she gives private lessons in the art of singing to twentyseven pupils.

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas are the happy parents of ten children-four boys and six girls-all of whom are following in the footsteps of their gifted mother. The eldest son, Tudor, is at present organist of St. Clement's Church, while the three younger brothers are members of the boy choir of the same church.

Mrs. Thomas has earned a spotless reputation in the pursuit of her art and the performance of her arduous duties, and it is our hope that long may she be allowed to enjoy the laurels which now rest so easily on her brow.

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November 7, one of the leading WelshAmericans of the town of Youngstown, O., died at his home of heart failure, I viz., Squire Thomas Thomas (y Gareg Wen), after an illness of two weeks. The funeral service took place the following Friday at the Elm Street Church, where the Rev. J. B. Davies and D. J. Nicholas officiated in the presence of a great number of neighbors and friends. Mr. Thomas was a native of the parish of Llangiwc, S. W., and was the son of David and Sarah Thomas. He immigrated to the vicinity of Youngstown 34 years ago, and was fairly successful in life. He worked a. his trade of shoemaker for some time, but entered into business, and some years ago was elected squire, which office he filled satisfactorily. Mr. Thomas was a selfmade man, having never enjoyed the advantages of even common education. He was a man of fine physique, noble appearance, was goodnatured, of a so

cial and jovial turn of mind, and possessed of much natural ability and talent. He was a thorough Welshman in fact and in spirit, and had taken deep interest in every local Welsh movement since his advent to the country. The Welsh of Youngstown felt real sorrow at his death. He was married to Miss Jane Harris of his native village in Wales, who departed this life in 1887, to whom six children was born; three of whom have preceded, and three remain.

Saturday, October 27, 1900, Gomer D. Jones, son of Prof. and Mrs. John P. Jones, 254 W. Congress St., Chicago, Ill., met a serious accident, from the effects of which he passed away the next morning. His body was taken to Racine for burial. Religious services were held at his parents' home and in Hebron, in Chicago, when the Revs. John C. Jones, and R. Henry Jones officiated, Prof. Apmadoc spoke in English, and the choir sang several times under the directorship of Wm. R. Jones. A solo was sweetly rendered by Mrs. Grace Jones Taylor, and a quartet by Ben Phillips, Wm. R. Jones, R. Lloyd Owen and John E. Pugh. The bearerswere Wm. S. Owen, R. T. Roberts, R. Lloyd Owen, W. R. Jones, O. R. Williams and J. H. Jones (Alderman), S. Chicago. Mr. Jones was a popular Welsh-American and a musician of note. He had devoted his life to the theory and practice of music, and had studied under some of the best masters of the art in this country, and was making preparation to take a musical course at Paris.

October 24, 1900, in his 84th year, passed away David M. Jones, a son of the Rev. Morris Jones (The Old Prophet), Jerusalem, Bethesda, N. W. Mr. Jones was a pioneer settler of Bangor, Pa., and the vicinity. He, wife and child came to this country in 1846, and settled for a while at Rock Hill, and

Portage Prairie, Wis., whence he returned to Slatington, Pa. Subsequently he went to Chapmansville, Pa., where he was joined by his brother Robert M.. just returned from the war. The site of Bangor of to-day was at that time a veritable wilderness. The place was first called New Village, and D. M. Jones's wife was the first pioneer Welshwoman, and his family the first Welsh family. He bought the ground whereon some of the best residences of the town stand on to-day. Moses M. Jones, another son of the Old Prophet, is the only member of the family surviving. D. M. Jones was a character possessed of considerable humor, and even in his last days entirely forgetful C1 death. When he heard of the death of an old friend, he would say, "Now that's bad luck!" Seeing himself getting old, he would playfully remark that he expected to live until he would be 150 years old.

They

A song recital of a kind not common in New York concert halls was given recently in Mendelssohn Hall, New York City, by Mr. Evan Williams, tenor, and Mr. Gwilym Miles, barytone. sang singly and in duets, and gave a programme which, while it was not altogether satisfactory in its compositions, had upon it a number of extremely interesting items. Chief among these were the six old Welsh songs which the concert givers, both Welshmen, sang in their native tongue with absolute conviction and a glowing fervor. The songs themselves are extremely beautiful, with the deeply serious note, the haunting melancholy, that belong to so many of the Welsh folk songs. Another delightful number of the programme was the cycle "To the Distant Beloved," of Beethoven's, which it takes a peculiarly finished art and a close sympathy with the composer's moods to make effective. That Mr. Williams succeeded so far as

he did was another added to the many evidences he has given of his power and insight as an artist.

There is a fine old-time flavor to Parson Price's new song, "The Cloth of Gold," which he composed in October for his pupil Miss Julia Marlowe, who will introduce it in her new play "When Knighthood was in Flower." The author of the book has already been paid $40,000 in royalties on his work. The song is on the well-known lines which the author places on the opening page of the book, and Mr. Price has caught the spirit of the text and enhanced it with the wedding of his melody, which is well suited to the fine mezzo soprano of the actress, who had four years' vocal training under the maestro before entering upon her stage career, and who brushes up her voice under his guidance every year before the opening of the season, in order to keep up the quality of her tones.

A notable triumph was achieved by two young Welsh musicians at the Promenade Concert in London. Mr. Philip Lewis and Mr. Purcell Jones successfully surmounted all the difficulties of the violin and violincello party in Brahms' great double concerto a work very seldom heard-and were rewarded by a rapturous double encore. Mr. Lewis is one of the cleverest and most promising young fiddlers of the day. He entered the Royal College of Music in 1896, with a three-years' scholarship, won in open competition, and has made such conspicuous progress in his studies-first under Gompertz and afterwards under Rivarde-that his scholarship has been twice extended by the governing body. He is now the leader of the college orchestra, and both Sir Hubert Parry and Professor Villiers Stanford, the leader of the institution, have a very high opinion of his musical ability.