Evening Express

METEOROLOGICAL NOTES. SOUTH WALES TIDE TABLE I I » I t- j II j ILL o z S I TTvjriov CMornm' 4 45 3 34 4 28 3 43 3 45 W vq-1 Evenin' 5 8 3 5S :.2 4 6 4 10 ° ^iBeisht '30 4 27 11 30 6 30 11 19 6 Satnr- fMonaiig 5 30 4 20 5 14 4 W 4 32 da)". < E Vfiuing 5 53 45 5 37 4 51 4 56 Nov. 30 (.Heisriic | 31 10 29 0 132 0 31 8 20 7 f Moniin? 6 9 5 5 5 59 5 13 T> Evouius 6 31 o 26 6 20 5 35 — 32 11 29 7 32 8 32 4 /'Moral's 6 49 5 s7 6 <H b r6 .V outlay j 7 13 6 8 7 2 6 17 — Dec- (.Hei?"ur, 33 9 30 2 33 8 32 10 ,r ( Morai'j' l 7 30 1 6 29 1 7231 0 38 7 C5 6 50 7 44 6 58 Uce. o (_Hei,,hs 34 3 3Q 5 34 4 33 0 AVediies r 2ol 8 8 -1 8 311 19 Wednes I'Alorm'g l88|7 9|83|7 19 day < Eunn; j S ;5 7 JC 8 24 7 40 — Dec. 4 (.Heiirht. 34 0 30 5 34 6 32 10 Thurs- filor'liisr i S 49 | 7 50 8 44 ) 8 1 ) day ■< Evenin' 917 81M 9 5| 8 23 I Dec. 5 Heiz 30 0 34 0 32 II R acn asm fEast nil ULIU. SDOCI; Sid

BARC METRICAL I NDICATIO XS. Appended is a chart of tun barometrical readings for the 48 hoars ended Tlnr saay midnight, as repis- tered at ttie Wascarn Jfail OBice, Cardiix. Tiie instrument is above sea level.

YeSTERHHT'S FOKHCiRT. YESTFftrur'* W«»TR*K, South-easterly "breezes, South-easterly winds, wet, moderate or light I cloudy; tillsettledj rain I at times. I The forecoRt of Hie weather thronaijout the West of Emriand and South Wales for to-dov (Fridnv) is «s and sovth-westevhj Kinds; un- settled and showery, bat improving. I TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL. DATE. I_ £ ^>ATCBK- jMax. Mm. | iVXean |RAIKFAI.I. Saturday 123 62 40 51'0 0'04 Sunday 24 62 25 48'5 O'OO Monday 25 62 36 49'0 O'0'J Tuesday ,.j26 62 30 46'0 0.00 Weiinesday ^7 62 2> 44 0 0'0> Thursdav 123 62 30 460 0'13 Friday. 129 62 30 46'0 0'38 Friday. 129 I 62 30 46'0 0'38 Th Temperature represents extreme reading of the thermometer for 24 uours ended 9 a.m., taken iu the shade at Cwrt-y-Vil, Feuarth. The Rainfall registered at Cwrt-y Vil, Penarth, for the 24 hours ended 9 a.m.

-?-- H UN TING APPOINTMENTS FOXHOUNDS. CARMAKTHEMSHIRE.—Friday, November 29, Shop Newydd Tues'1-)", December 3, Trelech Church; Friday, December 6, Bronwydd Å rms-ll. CHEPSTOW. — Friday, November 29, Dinham Monday, December 2, Bridge Inn, Llangwm Thurs- day, December 5, Tintern-10.45. November 29, Rhyd Llafa Crossroads; Mondaj', December 2, Keeper's Lodge, Ewenny V/'ednesday, December 4, Courtyrala Lodge Friday, December 6, Fonmon Castle—10.45. Loan TREDEGAR'S.—Friday November 29, Coed- kernew-, 1. LLAXGIBBT.—Saturday, November30, Cross Ceilog; Tuesday, December 3, Bridge Inn, LhngwllI; Friday, December 6, Penycaemawr, Ma. SEYMOUR ALL November 29, Henltan Lodge Tuesday, Deaeinber 3, Villiaiuston Quarries; Friday, December 6, Marrows Church, Fend me Tuesday, December 10, Bosheston Fri- day, December 1.3, Molestou Crossroads-ll. PEM BKOKt.SHir.v,—Monday, December 2, Neyland Thursday, December r, a.m. December 2, Troedyraur Friday, December 6, Llechrvd—10.45. YSTRAK.—Friday, November 29, King's Arms, Caerphilly—10 a.m. HARRIERS. CRif KKOWELL.—Frida.y, November29, Llangunyder; Wednesday, December 4, Hen bant, Llambeder Saturday, December 7, Cwmdu—11.

.MIMI L-- -?-? LLANDAFF CATHEDRAL SERVICES. Friday, November 29.-Rogers in D; hymn, 403. Saturday (St Andrew), November 30.—Holy Com- munion at 8.30a.m.; Srainer iu A; anthem, "The Souls of the righteous' (Nares). ill II ■ linn II— nil ilBIW III lllll^MBIW——

TO DAY'S EVENTS. CARDIFF. Gl;>morjar.slnre Assizes Public Works Committee 11.0 ??-

Telephone, Nafienaf. 502; Post-office, 95. Telegrams, "Es|ncs8," Cardilf.

NOTE S. BY "OBSERVER" CARDIFF, Friday Morinng. It is perhaps one of the firmest bases of the Throne that, despite her widnwed wE. tude. her Majesty has never failed to keep in touch with the various classes and con- ditions of her subjects. Whilst those in high circles have, naturally enough, the pri- vilege of appearing more or less frequently in 'ÍJe Royal pre ence, the Queen has .ever lo.-t an opportunity of discovering the taients that lie amongst the humbler classes of society. The visit which the Treorky Cboir is pay- ing t > Winds >r this evening is but one of countless instances where the sweet singers of tli3 people have been summoned to delight the Royal ear; but, for all that, it is nothing- but natural that many hearts in the Valley should be stirred by the event. The Moon looks down on many brooks, The brooks see but one Moon; and, though performers of all kinds are con- stantly entertained and entertaining in this way. it seldom falls to the lot of any green individuals, say, like the honest colliers of Treorky, to sing before the Queen. Yes. there is much excitement in the Vallev to-day; many a young bard is oiling up his englvaion, and many a young orator who before tow has dropped mysterious hints about sweeping away the tinsel of state and has gained the rough applause of his hearers for his brave words, is eating his heart out for envy that he cannot be with William Thomas and his gallant band of vocalists to-day. Of one thing these colliers may tie sure: that they will receive the most gracious kindness, and that they 'l be listened to by perhaps the most critical ear in Engla.nd. for since her childhood her Majesty has lyen known for her refined and cultivated musical taste. That John Jones and the rest of them—lions as they are in the presence of danger in the mine—may feel a. bit awkward and nervous, I don't doubt for a moment; but that they will acquit themselves melodiously I have equally no doubt, or that they will leave on the Royal mind another pleasant memory of loyal, gallant little Wales. Sir,—Will you kindly allow me once aeain to iHr*orm a generous public, through your columns, that, with its help. 1 intend to invite for the twenty-first time, my pjorest parishioners, without distinction, to a substan- tial. old-fashioned dinner of roast beef and plum padding this coming Christmas time? Last Christmas 839 poor folk were supplied with such a, meal. We provide over 7001b. of beef, and make between 60 and 70 plum pud- dings.—I am, &c., C. J. TllOAii'lSON. The Vicarage, Cardiff, Nov. 28. In speaking of "Darkest Cardiff" yesterday, Mr Councillor Hughes touches on an important tpomt. He said lie was sure the people living in those districts did not deserve all the hard name- used hy people who had 80 much to say in reference to the matter, and said that. in doing justice to the town by taking active measures for a better state of things, they must also do justice to the people living there. There is much truth in this. As I pointed out lately in my notes, the surest way to elevate ai man is to improve and refine his surround- ings. To be virtuous in Mary Ann-street ii surely a moral feat; and yet, 1 should be sorry to doubt its actual performance. But at what; cost is it achieved! Ir, is a rather a pity that, now at the be- ginidng of our career as a great town (for really Cardiff is only in its infancy), we cannot take steps to avoid confusion in our street names. The matter was before the public works committee yesterday, when the post- master, in a letter to the town-clerk, stated that considerable confusion was caused in con- scci fence of new streets at the top of Cath dral- road heing named the same as some previously existing, viz., Eangor-road, Chester-street, and Glamorgan-street. The borough engineer stated that the new streets referred to were outside the borough, aaid the town-clerk was' t instructed to write to the postmaster to that effect. But what a pity there is no means of compelling tha adoption OIf a thoroughly distinctive name system throughout the dis- trict. Surely, the English and Welsh lan- guages offer abundant scope im this particular. Here's a way of rhyming with Gloucester can some one cup it, with a quatriun about Cardiff ? An old couple living in Gloucester Had a beautiful girl, but they loueester; She fell from a yacht, But never the spacht Could they iind where the wild waves h?.d toucester. Time was in the iiistory of this planei when the Christmas numbers made their appearance contemporaneously with the cakes and the ale, with the roast beef and the pudding of Yule. But all that is now altered. We are a go-ahead people, and nowadays folk have scaroely mopped the midsummer perspiration off their faces than, hey presto, come the Christinas mmibers. Whether this kind of procedure is calculated to enhance the joys of the "menie season'' remains to be explained; however, there is the fact—let us make the best or the \\orst of it. Here, then, are the Christmas numbers, let us take a, peep at each. The "Qufen" gives two finely executed pictorial supplements, which ca-niot but please; the number, too, is a very full and satisfying one. The "Gentlewoman" has a pictorial supple- merit on satin, and a series of tales each written after the style of a well-known author. "Snow- fiakes, the Christmas number of the "Lady," has a coloured plate, and a number of short stories from Baring Gould, Grant Allen, eand other well-known pens. The "Graphic" lias some excellent coloured plate-, and other illustrations and the usual array of fiction. "Black and White" has a iiuo eolouml picture, "Comrades," that is certain to please, and will be found on thou- sands of walss from, shall we say. the cottage to the palace. "Holly-Leaves"' (" Sporting and Draicatio") is only less warlike in its main illus- tration, and with this we may class the plate given with Yulet-ide," which is sure of a v;.V7 popular reception. The "Illustrated London News" (an old favourite) lias some nice pictures and readme matter, and is well ip to the good old standard all round. "Pears' Annual ""has some very good platen, and an illustrated re- print of Dickens's "Haunted Man. Other Christmas numbers to i-Ve thdM> '6? "the Pall Mall Maga/ine" (a, strong number, both in pictures and reading matter, worthy of its high reputation) Boy*" and Giris' Own t'aper, "Good Words, 'i i iday a' Home," Christian Globe." and "Golden Penny, and a.11 ar-3 excellent in their respo.'tisphctfs. I This is the kind of weather when one looks This is the kind of weather when one looks rcund for a nice cheerful subject on which to write. Here is one from the "Westminster," "Dp, Public Libraries Spread Disease?" and which opens the ball after this portentous fashion "The question whether or not chsease is disseminated by the books in public libraries is continually cropping tip, and a renewed ii,- terest has just been piven to the subject by the announcement that a librarian ha.,4 died of tuberculosis contracted from books which had oeen infected by consumptive patients." Now, it must be admitted this is a capital start, and braces one up for a wrestle with the treasures of our big institution on the Hayes! The W c-stminster man himself doesn't believe the librarian story; i-either do 1. The official in question may have had a consumptive taint- at any rate, my good friend Mr. Pallinger cioesn t look much as though the books under Ids care were eating him a.v.ay' Ru:Ö t'le "Westminister" man goes on to tell a really distressing tale of a lady who got scarlet fever through reading a. library-book. "Some six months before"" the bedroom v here the operation was per- formed had been a nursery, m which three children had been ioid up with scarlet fev- r. The room had been thoroughly fumigated, dis- infected, and re-papered. But in these neoe-s- fc"ar-Y processes the little cupboard had been entirely forgotten. It had never been cleared out, and the rubbish it contained, together with the novel, had been placed in it when (he scarlet-fever patient.? had became sufficiently oDiivalescenfc to be removed. Thus thp rubbish find the hook, contaminated with the con- tagion. had been left undistrubed until the iHirso in the above operation case, some month-' afterwards, abstracted the novei for the patient- to read." TI.MS, however, is, if anything, an argument in favour of the Cardiff Library system of keeping the books cn the move. No borrower nan rctam a work worc, than a fortnight without showing cause," to use a legal expression. Moreover, tner" is a medical safeguard, the local health office and the library being in. communication, and any outbreak of fever or other infection or contagion, in any part of tho town is at once notified, and precautions

INTERMEDIATE EDUCATION MEETING- OF THE CAEMAETHEU GOVERNING BODY. A meeting of the Carmarthenshire County- Governing Body was held at Curn arthen on Thursday, Mr. Gwilym Evans (Lhuielly) pre- siding.—The consideration of an application from the Whitland local managing bidy to in- crease the. grant towards the lwilding fund of the Whitland School was adjourned.—For t'rie post of headmistress of the Llandovtry Girls' School (the salary being £ 120 a year, and Cl per head capitation fee), Miss Beatrice M. Oaklev, M.A. (Lond.), Wille-den; Miss Jess!3 Auld, B.Sc. (Math. Hon.), M.Sc. (Vic- toria University), Blackburn; Miss Mary IbweJJs, B.A. (Lond.), Brynffin, Ammanford, and Miss Dora Lewis, B.A. (Lond.), Streat- hairi. S.W., were sehcted to meet the governors on the lith pros., when the final appointment w.il be made.—The finance committte reported a balance in hand of £ 5.020 2s. 2d. on the build- ing aind and L2,533 7s. on the maintenance aeoouat, and that the Charity Commissioners had approve i of the sale for £ 1.750 of the Car- marthen School property in Hall-street.—Prin- cipal T. F Roberts, < f the University College, Abarystwith, forwarded a detailed report en the examinations held in July last, and Pro- fessors Ainsworth Davis and Edward Edwards, also of Aberystwith College, submitted a de- I tailed joint rejjort on the work of the higher grade departments established in Accordance with tha Amman Valley sub-district scholar- ships scheme. 1 -?-?.

A destructive timber conflagration broke out late on Thursday night on the extensive pre- mises of Messrs. M'Gaw and Co.'s W ocd jvioulding Works, York-road, Lambeth. The south-eastern district of London was lighted ti^ for milw, and, although over I \<?ntv steamers were assembled, the entire t ding was liopeles&ly destroyed. -?- ? ELSH VOCALISTS BEFORE THE QUEEN. ?: -??. THE THEORKY MALE VOICE CEIOIR.. "I — "■ .nrvi^ l .■■■■!» i. i. ■, — il in.—II -l mi n i

THE VISIT OF TREORKY CHOIR TO WINDSOR. TO-NIGHT'S PROCEEDINGS. PREPARATIONS FOR THE TRIP. PORTRAITS OF THE CHOIIf INTERVIEW WITH THE ORGANISING SECRETARY. (BY OUR PONTYPRIDD REPORTER.) Intense excitement prevails in the Rhondda jver the visit which, the celebrated Treorky Male I Mr. W. THOMAS, Conductor. Voice Choir is to-day (Friday) pay- ing to her Majesty the Queen at Windsor Castle. The choir held its final prac- tica at Treorky on Thursday night, when the necessary instructions as to the arrange- ments for the visit were communicated to the member*. The choir, numbering about 80, will leave Treorky by the second down train to-dav in comfortable saloon carriages, speciallv provided by the Great Western Rail- way Company. They are timed to leave Cardiff at 12.10 p.m., and arrive at Windsor at about half-past four o'clock, and to sing in the Castle before her Majesty at 9.45 p.m. It is interesting to note that all the members of this choir of Welsh workmen have been invited to take tea and supper at Windsor Castle, and the preparations made for their reception are on a Rcval scale. Thanks to the kind offices of the Eurl and Co'mtess of Dunraven, the path of negotiation has been made as smooth and perfect as possible, and the communications which have passed between Lord Edward Pelhiam Clinton, the Queen's sec- retary, and Mr. W. P. Thomas, the cecretary of the choir, by letter and tele- gram. have been numerous. At the close of the visit to the Castle th9 mem- bers of the choir will remain in the Royal borough for the night, and, in order to facilitate the securing of suitable su?_ lodging accommodation, a member of the choir left Treorky for London on Thursday, it having been found difficult to conclude arrangements by wire for so many. Then. on Saturday morning at nine o'clock they will take train for London, arriving at Paddington at about 9.30 a.m. There the London Welshmen, who are ever ready to welcome their fellow-country- men, will take them in hand, finding accom- modation for them until Tuesday next, and providing guides to take them to see the sights of the Metropolis. On Sunday they will sing in CHstle-strcei Welsh Chapel, and on Tues- day, as we hava stated, return home to the valWy M)d the mine. On Thursday the secre- tary received a telegram asking them to sing in the Queen's-hall on Sunday afternoon, and numerous other offers have reached them, but, in all probability, etiquette will prevent them from appearing in public to sing on the present occasion, and, with the exception of the chapel I singing, the visit to Royalty will be their only public engagement. The choir will be accompanied by Dr. Parry, three of whose compositions have been approved of by her Majesty to appear o.n the programme of the Royal concert, and the choir will consist of the following members; — First Tenor.Sam Rees, William Jones, David Walters, Isaac Francombe, D. Hv. Davies, W. Todd Jones, E. Salathiel. Al'f. Jenkins. E. J. Jones. Evan Williams, David Davies, William Thomas, John Morris, Tom Rees, Harry Lewis, and Tom J. Thomas. Second Tenor.—Jack Davies, John ltees, Arthur Davies, George Thomas. E. Snook, J. W. Evans. David Powell, Isaac Jones, Edward Morgan, W. J. Morris, Evan Davies, Gwilym Bowen, Evan John. James Rees, David White, Albert Powell. and M. Samuel. First Bass.—John Devonald, John Be'-b, E. J. Price, John Hughes, David Morris, Aneurin Edwards, Edward Mills, Gwilym Evans, David T. Jones, J. T. Edwards, David Nicholas. Hy. Thomas, Dan Edwards, Evan Davies, Joseph John, Tom Thomas, David Lewis, and Sam Morgan. Second Bass.—Tom Edwards. Tom Thomas, William Bebb. John George, Ben Bebli, Wil- I liam Howelix, G. P. Williams. Tom George, William George, David Davies, John Thomas, Torn Will iam», Thomas Jones, Wm. Thomas, D. J. T iiomas, Richard Morgan, Idris James, Evan Davies. G. Ithel Thomas, G. Svmonds. D. Watkins, W. D. Lloyd, "Llew Rhondda," and Tom Bebb. Conductor. Mr. W. Thomas; accompanist, Mr. J. T. Jonec*; secretary, Mr. W. P. Thomas. In order to avoid misapprehension as to the intentions of the ohoir, it may be as well to state that the men will not be attired in dress suits, those who are most competent to advise having informed them that her Majesty does not expect to see a lcrt of "West-end swells," but Welsh workmea, attired naturally, and so they will simply go in their "Sunday best." A mere rumour having got afloat that some of the men intended turning out in silk top- hats, there was some tats, of stopping all the collieries of the Ocean Company to-day, in order to see the mining choristers in box- hats. INTERVIEW WITH THE SECRETARY. In an interview which I had with Mr W. P. Thomas, the secretary, on Thursday after- noon 1 elicited some interesting information as to the remarkable progress made by the choir since its formation, in 1885. "The choir,' lie said, "when formed con- sisted almost entirely of Ocean Colliery wurk- (rr en, and its numerical strength was about 40 1 to 50. Many of them were raw chaps who had never sung mtheir lives before, and great was ithe fun of some people at the notion that they could sing in public." How many members of the original ohoir are with you now?" A hour, ten of the original members, and filer's are only three who have been through all the wars and shared in all the victories, and he musingly muttered, Shoni George, Will Rev, and Shoni Rees. What are their proper names?" I inquired. Oh." was the laughing reply. they would never be known by their proper names—they are too popular for that." "And what are they?" "Three colliers, working in the Dare Pit." You have won many prizes—could you give iue a list of the principal victories?"' "Yes, the first com pet: tion was for a £ 10 prize at St. Pagan's, on 'Comrades in Arms.' The first prize of £ 25 ever offered in South Wales, that at the Brecon Eisteddfod, was won by us, a-s well as the first prize of £ 30 for the performance of the 'Destruction of Gaza," at Maes teg Eisteddfod. Then the first £ 50 wa.s at Neath, and we won. and then, in view of the position attained by both Rhondda Choirs since then, it is worth mentioning that the .Rhondda Glee Society, led by Mr. Tom Stephens, won the second prize. And, by the bye, the adjudicator was Mr. George Riseley, the conductor of the famous Bristol Glee Society, who. like ourselves, are to appear before the Queen this month. "Any more victories?" "Yes, at Llanelly, where you know what Si;r Joseph Barnby taid. 'the finest specimen of singing 1 have ever heard.' "i es, i remember; and I suppose the Earl and Countess of Dunraven have acted as inter- mediaries between you a.nd her Majesty the Queen ?" "The members of the choir are enthusiastic in their gratitude to the earl and countess tor the intense interest they have taken in us. You know we have been at Dunraven Castle on three separate occasions, and as to arrangements for going to Windsor they have not only facilitated them, but taken an active inteVest- in every detail, and we can never be too thankful to them bath." "You have a. very good record—there's no doubt about that." I remarked, to which Mr. Thomas replied, with his usual energy; — "We have a better record than any male choir in Wales. We have never been further back than a good second in any com- petition, whereas other choirs' have at times been at the tail as well as at other times at the hpad." "But you have an advantage in having prac- tically the same choir from year to year, and all in touch with your able and genial con- ductor, Mr. William Thomas?" "iNo, there you are wrong, entirely wrong, for even at Llanelly out of the 80 there were I no fewer than 45 new voices, and, considering the numerous changes, it is surprising we have sang so well. But we have won more prizes I than any other choir." THE CONDUCTOR. Mr. W. Thomas, the conductor, is now Cffi- ployed as a school attendance officer under the Ystradyfodwg School Board. He was born at Mountain Ash, and comes of a musical family. As a boy he had a remarkably sweet voice, and had a passion for "conduct- ing" when a mere lad. The first test piece he tackled was the—at one time—popular "Na if y Mynydd," cuie of the opposing choirs m that contest being led by the faircius glee writer, "Gwilym Gwent." Before attaining his eighteenth year lie succeeded in winning a chair, which was offered, with a sum of money, in a com- petition, in which six choirs took part. For many years he acted in the capacity of con- ductor of the juvenile and mixed choirs at Hhos, Mountain Ash, and upon the occasion of his departure for Treorky, about twenty years ago, the choirs and his numerous friends presented him with a handsome iei 'imonial. Ho was a member of "Caradog's choir, which took part in the Crystal Palace competition, and a secretary of one section. He flso acted as "Car.Mlog's deputy in the rehearsing cf the oratorio "Elijah." Some ten years ago the Treorky Male Voice Choir was formed, and Mr. Thomas elected its conductor, and his successes since then are bound up with those of the marvello.is choir which lie has moulded' out of the 'at one time unpromising raw material of the Treorky workers. THE SECRETARY. Mr. \V. P. Thomas, the secretary of the Treorky Choir, was born at Treorky in the year 1852, and entered the Ocean Coal Com- pany's offices 22 years ago. About a dozen years ago he became private secretary to Mr. W. Jenkin, J.P., the agent of the Ocean Com- pany, and during that time he lias taken an active interest, in every' puFolic 'movement, musical and literary, in the district, the secre- tarial duties, in most oa's. falling to his lot, so that he may be regarded as a sort of per- manent official of eisteddfoclau. Ke became chairman of this choir about eight years ago, and, since its business concerns have grown, he has developed into a secretary and organising agent-. SOME OF THE SOLOISTS OF THE CHOIR. Mr. G. P. Williams, who will sing the bari- tone solo in Dr. Parry's ''Pilgrims' Chorus," is a Treorky lad. now keeping a grocer's shop in Treherbert. He made a record as a reciter before lie became a singer, and, having an artistic' style, has now become, an excellent soloist. Mr. Sam Rees ("Ap Rhys') has, probably, won a greater variety of prizes than any other soloist in Wales, and his house is practically filled with prize teapots, clocks, watches, and other articles. On one occasion he won a pair I of trousers at an oisteddfod. Mr. W. T. Jones, who has a beautiful tenor voice, is the man who created such a capital impression at the Panopticon. Mr. Tom Thomas, of Ynyshir, has a rich baritone voice, and, with training, will make a grand singer. Jack Devonald," ancnther baritone, is a pupil of Dr. Parry, and is destined to achieve many musical conquests. The "wit" of the choir ifi "Jack" Davies, I who tan sine a solo or crack a joke, and is immensely popular with the choir. He one of the original members, and ooea-sioually acta as deputy-conductor. OTHER MEMBERS. The first treasurer of the e'hoir was the Rev. V Morris, F.R.G.S., Baiptist minister, at whose chapel the conductor,. Mr. W. Thomas, leads the congregational singing. The a co -mpanist, Mr. J. T. Jones, ia a ¡ son of Mr. Thrmas Jones, an old Ocean work- man, and is engaged' at the Ocean ottices. He I is a young man about eighteen years of age, and commenced his career as accompanist with this choir. He has played for them in all the recent important competitions. ROYALTY AND WELSH MUSIC. I The Queen, who to-day once more honours Welsh singing and singers, has been inttrtsted in the music of the Principality from her early years. She is a capable judge of matter* musical, and her appreciation of the music of the Principality is very high. As a girl. she Was brought very closely into touch with Wales and the Welsh, for when she was but thirteen years of age she spent some time in Anglesey wit-h the Duchess of Kent. On the occasion cf this visit, in 1832, the duchess and her daughter travelled from Kensington, via. Shrewsbury, with a fairly large staff of atten- dants, and manifested much appreciation of the beautiful scanery between this point and the Mgnai Straits. But there was something else for the Royal tourists to marvel at duriug their prolonged stay in Anglesey, and that was the exquisite singing they had an opportunity ri "I I of hearing, and which to the musical mind of the young Princess was one of the most de- lightful features of the visit. The Eisteddfod was held that year in the island, and the Prin- cess attended and distributed tin prizes to the successful competitors. Si.nce th:.t time htr Majesty has always evinced an interest in Wales and I'er music. The harp, the distinc- tive feature about old-time Wel-h music, has found much favour in Royal circles, as is evinced by the numerous commands made for "Ap Thomas to perform before her Majesty, and the great interest taken in the instrument, undsT the Queen's harpist's instructions, by the Prince of Wales. It was, in all probability, this love1 for the stringed instrument of old ? Cymry th.t led to a special display of harp playing upon the occasion of the Queen's more recent visit to North Wales, in August, 1389. Upon that occasion Ellis Roberts, upon whom the mantle of his tutor, "Ap Thomas," has fallen pretty heavily in the matter of classical music, gatl ered together members of his family, to the Number of eight, and formed a hwd of hr rp. who played before the Queen, to her great pleasure. Another special feature of that visit to Wales was the performance upon the triple harp. Her Majesty, upon the occa- sion of this visit, also bad some opportunities of hearing specimens of Welsh massed singing. When the enthusiastic pubife recep- tion of her Majesty was taking place at Wrexham, a choir of 500 presented themselves before her and thrilled the listeners with "The March of the Men of Harlech," the National Anthem, and "Hen Wlad fy Nhadau. But what, perhaps, pleased the Royal visitor the most was when, upon the second evening of her stay at Pali, the Llan- dderfel village choir were brought up to the mansion, and, under the conductorship of Air. W. T. Jones, sang some of the best-known Welsh airs. The Que°n was so delighted that, though her stay was but a short one, she insisted on having them at the house the next Mr. W. P. THOMAS, Secretary. evening, when they again sang. To show her pleasure she ordered that the choir should bo photographed, that she might present each member with a copy, whilst she presented the honoured conductor with a silver-mounted baton. Many of those who had no .flea of the great interest the Queen of Great Britain and Empress of India has for her little Principality in the West were much astonished at ,Jl/19 incident, of that 1889 visit. Before she lefc Lh-nderfel, and as a slight memento of her visit, the Queen was asked by a representative of the village to accept of a hazel stick, cut from the woods close by. Her Majesty grace- fully accepted it, and then startled the assembly by saying, "Diolch yn vawr iawn i chwi" (" I am very much obliged, indeed, to you "). Among distinguished Welsh- men who have basked in the sunshine of Hoval favour is our popular Ben Davies. Coming down to quite recent, times, we find that the honour gained by the Welsh Ladies' Choir at Chicago (|uiekened the interest of Royalty in the music of Wales, and the Royal command at length came for the ladies to visit Osborne. This was in February of last vear, and the command created quite a flutter among tha young ladies. They donned their new Welsh costumes and travelled, via Soutliampton, to Cowes, where they were met bv and driven to Osborne. A matter %i-ii Icli made them extremely nervous was that it was known only to Sir Menrv Ponsonbv and the QU"'E'1l precisely what the programme wa,s to be. Upon, the occasion, however, the genial Sir Henry I onsonby was called a.way by family bereave- ment, and was tJius prevented from hearing the choir. His recent death has precluded the Treorkv singers who appear before ner Majesty to-night of having all interview with and being entertained by one of the most interesting personages of those who have surrounded the Queen. The pro- zremme chosen by her Majesty for perfor- mance by Madame Clara Novello Davies's choir^was as follows;—Patriotic song, "Cymru Fydd"; air, "Clychau Aberdyfi"; song 'Mitt Jeiikin?, "Gyda.'r Wd.wr" choral, lhe Holy City,' Miss Annie Bowen and choir: air, Y Gwenith Gwyn" duet, "The Hawthorn Hedge," Miss Beanie Evans and Miss Annie Jenkins: chorus, "Spanish Gipsy"; song, "Darby a.nd Joan," Miss Dot Prosser; ai',r' Vre,'yri Pur"; song, "Sleep, my Love, Sleep, Ming Bticsio Evans; air, 4VHen Wlad fv Nhadau, and "God Save the Queen." The Oi een wan delighted with the sieging, and much touched by the rendering of the National Anthem. The memory of the visit will re- main in the minds of the members of the choir for the remainder of their lives. Since then the sens of Wales have come in for Royal favours. The journey of the Treorky Choir to Edinburgh, at the invitation of General Rowlands, to sing before his Royal Highnws the Duke of Cambridge is, of course, recent history, and since that time ali who have anv )uterest in elsh male voice singing ■ ha.ve been on the tiptoe of expectancy as to tho anticipated Royal command to appear before her Majesty. The Countess of Dunraven, ever a warm friend of Mr.. Thomas's famous boys, has much interested herself over the visit, and Lord Dunraven himself has vouch- safed a large portion of the expenses, of the visit. ) -?_?--

ALLEGED EMBEZZLEMENT. At Merthyr Police-court on Thursday Wm. Pallas was charged with embezzling various sums of money belonging to his employer, Augustus Roth, skin dealer, Cardiff.—Mr. W W. Meredith prosecuted Mr. Beddoe defended. -The prisoner managed a branch business at Merthyr, and it was alleged that he failed to account for two sums ofel 3s. 4rl. each received from Mr. Robothom, and for £2 Os. 6d. roceived from Mr. James Davies. It was also alleged that he credited his account with his employer with two sums of 7s. 3,1, and £ 2 4s. 8Jd. as having been paid to Mrs. Wm. Griffiths, whereas no such payments had been made.— The prisoner was committed for trial at the next quarter sessions. MHMBMnMHOaEMBaHnKi .??-?_

BEDWELLTY "UNION. At the fortnightly meeting of tilie Bedweilty Board of Guardians on Thursday Mr. Bircham drew attention to the amount expeneled for outdoor relief, and said that the last fortnight had been JB20 in excess of the amount for tho same period last year. The expenditure for the year was £ 10,000, or a rate of lOd. in the L. ?.;&¡.?

A Central News telegram from New York says;—The death was announced on Thurs- day of General Thomas Jordan, -?-?-?-

FORTHCOMING PRESENTATION. At the la-st meeting of the house committee of the Carmarthenshire Infirmary it was announced that a further donation of £ 100 had b?.en received from Mr. Henry Studt, the web-known public; caterer. The total of his benefactions to that institution now exoeeds £ 250.—It was unanimously decided by the members of the committee that an illuminated address be subscribed for and presented to Mr. Studt in token of their appreciation of his munificence. Arrangements are being made to present the address on the occasion of a public dinner, at which Mr. Studo wiK be entertained at Carmarthen on Thursday. December 12. ..a.

Charles William Oldham, 31, described as a journalist, was remanded in custody at Cler- kenwell on Thursday charged -a ith maliciously shooting his wife, who is in a precarious eotuli- tion. Mi-s. Oldham, when the dex-tor arrived ou the scene on Wednesday night, exclaimed, "It was my fault; it was an accident." LIVEll COMPLAINTS.— Dr. King's Dandelion and Quinine Liver Pills, without Mercury, are a potent remedy; removes all Liver and Stomach COnl-, plaints. Biliousness, Headache, Sickness, Shoulder Paint, Heartburn, Indigestion, C'ousWvatigo.

I SIR C. DILKE AT TONYPANDY. Sir Charles Dilke, speaking to a gathering of colliers at Tonypandy on Thursday, and refer- ring to the Wesleyan deputation which waited upon Lord Salisbury regarding voluntary schools, declared that he had noticed one Tory contemporary statement io the effect that they approached the Premier in a spirit of bigotry. There were many criticisms which could be addressed to the deputation, but certainly not to their bigotry. (Applause.) In the same paper bt read on Wednesday that voluntary schools were meant to be nurseries for teaching the principles of the State Church, and, surely, if there was any bigotry at all, it should fairly be addressed to the other side.

A TRAVELLER DROWNED. A telegram has been received in Hamburg from Auckland, New Zealand, stating tha-t Hen- Otto Ehlers, the African traveller has been drowned while on an expedition across British New Guinea.

-?- '?" The sisters of Nazareth House drér2 to ex- press their thanks for the sum of Lb 16s. 4d.. which they have received from Messrs. Donovan and Radmilovic, the proceeds from the charity sports recently held at Cardiff.

f OVERLOADING AT SWANSEA. At Sua tisea Police-court on Thursday (before Mr. J. C. Fowler, stipendiary, and Mr. F. R<xxe) Captain H. E. Valentine, of the steam- R<xxe) Captain H. E. Valentine, of the steam- I ship Navigation, wais fined £ 5 for a breach of the Merchant Shipping Act bv overloading his steamer with coai and patent fuel in the North Dock, Swansea, on October 6. Mr. Strick appeared to prosecute, on behalf of the Board of Trade.—The defence of the captain wu H-hat lie was ill at the time. ??'II

FAMOUS FOOTBALLERS. The first eight numbers of "Famous Foot- ballers" have gained the highest praise, and the sale had been tremendous. Footballer# and followers of the game should all possess this work, which in years to come will be in- valuable to them when they happen to be telling tales of the past. No. 9 is now ready. Orders should be given in early, and while ordering one m>>nber tell your newsagent to supply you with the lot. -?--?.

At Cardiff Police-court on Thursday morn- ing James Boyle, 42, was sent to )Ianl, with hard labour, for six weeks for stealing a pair of slippers, value 5s. lid., from the, Iio;), No. 60. James-street, the property of Joseph James Ames, ou the 27th inst. «