ment of the American government, and had distinguished himself by his military services and patriotism; he therefore brought with him a prestige which placed the Society in a high position at its beginning. These societies are not governed by any fixed laws or formal regulations among themselves other than those which are observed in private life wherein the amenities and courtecies which gentlemen show to each other, we were duly observed. But But when a trust is coupled therewith involving the standing and reputation of others, the obligation becomes more sacred. The general conception in regard to these banquets was perhaps, at one time, and by many persons is now, that the chief attraction in them rested upon the promise of having a good time. Well! I think that is pretty nearly the truth, but not in the sense which those who have never attended them might conceive; there are attractions besides eating and drinking and jollification. In reading over the Charter of the Society I find the following among its objects, which I quote for general information, to wit: "To promote social intercourse among the members of the Society, and those connected with them by the ties of kindred and country." The Society being fully established and in working order gave its especial attention to the annual festivals, that is, the celebration of St. David's Day; extending its courtesies to other societies by inviting to its banquets on the above day, their presidents or representatives, thus placing the St. David's in friendly communication with them, who in return reciprocated the compliment. It was soon made apparent that this part of its duty, although more or less onerous, yet were grateful and pleasant. They tended to bring the members of the different societies into closer communication, and to produce a feeling of mutual respect and regard for one another. In arranging the programme for the annual festivities of the Society, due attention was paid to the standing toasts, which usually takes precedence in the intellectual part of the dinner, the toasts being so arranged as to call forth responses from the invited guests, among whom some were specially invited to reply to particular subjects assigned to them, and for which they were eminently qualified. This has resulted in enabling the Society to invite speakers of high celebrity and standing, both in public and private life. But the good effects of these banquets were particularly manifested in the fact that many new faces were seen at them, including quite a number from the wealthier class of the Welsh residents of the city, thus giving full effect and prominence to that object of the Society which relates to the promotion of social intercourse. These banquets when analyzed in all their bearings and accomplishments present a grand subject for study and contemplation. We be hold in them a picture of men of all classes and callings assembled together as a band of brothers vieing with each other in the noble effort as to who shall contribute most to the harmony and happiness of all present. What grander spectacle can be presented to the human mind for meditation? Here we behold the rich and the poor; the literate and the illiterate mingling together on a parity, throwing aside all prejudices, hates, and distinctions affecting their social standing. Viewed as a whole, such banquets when conducive to good ends in the main, are public benefactors. They may have their drawbacks, but there is nothing infallible save Deity; therefore when good is the ruling motive,charitable allowances should always be liberally made for human frailty. There can be no doubt about one thing, and that is that the banquets of the St. David's Society have been greatly beneficial in their moral, social, and educational influence, by bringing the Welsh people into closer and more friendly relationship with each other. In 1837 the Society gave its regular banquet on St. David's Day, but I can only make a brief allusion to it in this paper for want of space. I will, however, print a few remarks by Gen. Lewis, quoted from the New York "Times:" "Gen. Lewis addressed the meeting in the most eloquent manner. He stated that he was born in New York nearly 85 years ago, the city containing at that time but 10,000 inhabitants, and in the course of his single life he has seen it advance to 300,000. He spoke of the beneficent tenor of our government, and the great motive there was for every citizen, whether native or adopted,. to rally in its support and defence. He alluded in glowing and deeply gratifying terms, to Wales, the country in which his parents were born. It is a source of pride to me,' said the General, 'that I can trace back my origin among that brave and virtuous people on both sides. of my parentage, and without a cross, for perhaps a thousand years.' The General made some other re marks, all of which were received with the most rapturous applause.. He appeared to be in excellent health, and with as firm a voice, and as proud a glance, as if he had passed but half his number of days. "The German Benevolent Society held a festival the same evening at Washington Hall, Broadway, and honored the St. David's Society with a deputation offering the con-. gratulations and friendly courtesies. so peculiarly adapted to the object of their societies, when both had met to rejoice in patriotic and holy emotion. The deputation consisted of Messrs. P. W. Engs, John Leon-ard, and John Reineicke, Esqs., who, through their chairman, Mr. Engs, made an eloquent address, which was replied to on the part of the Society, and a deputation, reciprocating the grateful attention, was appointed to wait on the German Society. After exchanging salutations, and their healths being drank with a heartfelt three times. three, the deputation from the German Society retired." FIELD OF LETTERS "Cwrs y Byd" for January is as strong as usual. It is strictly undenominational, and "goes" for the evils of society. Its contents are as follows: "John Locke, his influence on the Politics of Europe;" "Hush, boy;" "A Biography of Thomas Rees, Llandyssul;" "Winter" (a poem); "Books of the Month;" "How things are run;" Correspondences, poems, &c., &c. In the January number of "Cymru" there is an interesting collection of articles: Cartoon-"The man who takes up the collection;" "The Sailor's Prayer," by the Bishop of Bangor; "History of the Monasteries of Wales;" "The Little England beyond Wales," by the Rev. D. Ambrose Jones, M. A.; "A Day in Leicester," by Ellen Hughes; "A Sunday of Peace;" "Bits about Ieuan Glan Geirionydd," by J. Thomas; "Seashore" by the Rev. J. Owen, M. A.; the "Rev. John Evans (Eglwysbach)" (with portrait) by the Rev. Walter Daniel; "Through the Forest" by R. Morgan; Poems and Book Notices, &c. A leading feature of the February Harper's Magazine is the first part of an article by George du Maurier, entitled "Social Pictorial Satire," which deals with the great satirists of "Punch." The illustrations are from drawings by John Leech, one of which, "Mr. and Mrs. Caudle," is reproduced in color as the frontispiece. The "Drysorfa" for January appears with no change in its character. The frontispiece is a portrait of the retiring editor, the Rev. N. Cynhafal Jones, D. D., Colwyn Bay, with sketch of his life, by the Rev. Wm. Jones, Portdinor wig; "The Church" by the Rev. Evan Phillips; "The Doctrine of Perfection and the Book of Psalms" by the Rev. D. Roberts, Rhiw; "The Work of the New Year" by the Rev. W. Evans, M. A., Pembroke Dock; "Groeswen and the Calvinistic Methodists;" "The Llandudno Association;" Monthly Notes, Sunday School Lessons; Obituaries, &c., &c. "The Living Age" is a weekly magazine, is issued every Saturday, and contains articles of standard and popular interest. It reproduces the ablest articles from the leading British reviews, also translations from French, German, Russian, Spanish, &c. The Living Age Co., Boston, Mass. Contents of "Dysgedydd" for January as follows: "The late Rev. David Morgan, Llanfyllin," by the Rev. Josiah Jones, Machynlleth; "The Function of Death," by the Rev. D. Adams, B. A.; "Michael Faraday" (Article III.) by Mr. T. Carno Jones; "Paul in the light of Jesus," by the Rev. W. Williams, Maentwrog; Sunday School Lessons, &c., &c. The appearance of such an article as "Function of Death" in the "Dysgedydd" is decidedly a novelty, and will be read with interest. The "Traethodydd" for January contains a number of interesting articles: "Society and the Individual" by Professor Henry Jones, M. A; "Tom Pedrog, a poet of the Old Regime;" "The Pagan" (a poem); "History of the Liverpool Privateers and an account of the Liverpool Slave Trade" by Eleazer Roberts; "Paul in the light of Christ" by the Rev. E. Keri Evans, M. A., and the Rev. Evan Jones; "A Chapter of Welsh Beatitudes" by the Rev. Rhys J. Huws. "Welsh Beatitudes" prove the superficiality of our national ideals. Our hero is either a singer, a bard or a preacher. Our ideal man is not a worker, but a dreamer. This interesting paper deserves especial notice. "Seren Gomer" is a Baptist monthly, editor Professor Silas Morris, M. A., Bangor, and is published by Evans & Short, printers, Tonypandy, South Wales. The January number contains several interesting articles, among which are the following: "David Owen (Brutus)" by the Rev. T. Lewis, Newport; "Pastoral Visiting" by the Rev. C. Davis, Cardiff; "God's Grace and its Natural Channels," by the Rev. David Evans, Blaencenin; "Morgan John Rhys" by J. T. Griffith, Lansford, Pa.; "The Court of Conscience" by the Rev. W. Roderick, Rhyl, North Wales; "Immanuel Kant" by the Rev. Isaac Lloyd, Swansea; with Literary Notes, &c. "Harper's Round Table" for February contains, besides liberal installments of the two serials, "Four for a Fortune" by Albert Lee, and "The Adventurers," by H. B. Marriott Watson; the following short stories: "The Carrier-Pigeon's Message," a detective story by Lamar Beaumont; "The House of the Prodigal Sons," by Harold Martin; "Max, the Night City Boy," by Thomas W. Lamonte, and "A Warm Corner in Sooloo," by Owen Hall. There are also papers on "Baits, and Where to Find Them," by Samuel Sidney Hale; "Book-making in the Middle Ages," by G. T. Ferris; and a fully illustrated description, by Dudley D. F. Parker, of how a boy can build a "Knockabout" for cruising in shoal water. "Young Wales" for January is truly interesting, and cannot fail to please Welsh readers. We cannot too highly recommend this number to the readers of the "Cambrian." "The Cymric Ele ment in the English People" by T. Darlington, M. A., H. M. P., is an excellent paper, entertaining and instructive; "Wales in 1897," a recapitulation of the events of the year, is full of interest to Welshmen; "Dan's Wedding Day," by S. M. S. is pretty, and truly enjoyable; "The History and growth of Welsh Fiction" by M. H. Jones, which deals with the spirit of romance among the Welsh; · Parliamentary Impressions and a Moral" by Artemas Jones; "Elementary Schools" by Walter Brockington, B. A.; and "Our Sunday Note Book" by William George, wherein he discusses the introduction of skepticism into Welsh theology. This number also contains portraits of the literary staff of "Young Wales." .. "Harper's Weekly" of January 29th contains the first of a very important series of articles by Franklin Matthews, who on behalf of that paper has been making a tour through the States of the Middie West. His investigation has been sincere and thorough. As he says in his first paper on Kansas: "One can form a correct opinion of Kansas and its people better by going to the State, and by speaking with its farmers, its storekeepers, its business men, its officials, and its professional men, than in any other way. It was for this purpose that in December last I visited the State, and in this and other articles to follow, the exact truth about Kansas and other Western States is to be told, as it was learned after diligent investigation." The title of this first article is "Bright Skies in the West. Kansas Debts and Debt-payers." "Cymru'r Plant" is beautiful and tasty as usual, with interesting short pieces, and several illustrations. It contains "Tales of Rome;" "The Rocks of Holyhead;" "Brides of the Colony;" &c., &c. The January number of the "Llenor" contains selections from the poetical works of the celebrated Glasynys, and the task will be completed in another number. This also contains a brief sketch of his life. It is intended to devote the profits to the erection of a tomb over his grave. 0:0 A NEW WELSH GRAMMAR. Professor Anwyl's Welsh grammar completes that admirable series of parallel grammars issued by Messrs. Swan, Sonnenschein and Co., under the general editorship of Professor Sonnenschein. The work will be published in two parts. Part I., which has just appeared, contains the accidence, and Part II., which will shortly appear, will contain the syntax. The renewed and enlarged interest taken in the Welsh language in the university colleges, and the recently established intermediate schools has created a demand for a text book that will meet the requirements of both teacher and pupil. Professor Anwyl's grammar is the only book extant that will satisfy the want of both alike. It will not, of course, supersede larger and more exhaustive works ..ke that of Rowlands, but it will supply a want long felt, and will prove an invaluable boon for class work in school and college, inasmuch as it is at once simple and sufficient. There is no padding, and nothing essential is sacrificed. The book is carefully planned, and its print and rangement are excellent. Considerable attention is given to Welsh phonology and pronunciations. Professor wyl's wide and intimate knowledge of the Celtic language has enabled him to produce a work that will bear the tests of the ripest scholarship of the present day. :0: ar An A correspondent in the "Oswestry Advertiser" says:-"In looking over some old numbers of 'Y Drysorfa,' I The Year Book now for the first time published by the Welsh Calvinistic deparMethodists is a distinctly new ture in Wales, and it requires no gift of prophecy to predict that the excellent example thus set will soon be followed by the other denominations. The new Year Book is an elaborate and comprehensive production, consisting of close upon 150 pages of interesting matter, and it will long remain a marvel how a work of this character can be sold, as it is, for the modest threepence. The publication of the Year Book relieves the Connexional Diary of many of its customary features, and enables the leaders of the denomination to place within reach of the churches a mass of instructive and interesting matter, which previously was obtainable only by the privileged few. The Rev. Joseph Evans, of Denbigh, who was entrusted with the editorship, has done his work carefully and judiciously, and has attained a high standard which it will be difficult to surpass. The period covered in the present Year Book is from June, 1896, to June, 1897. In future it will, it is to be hoped, be possible to improve upon this, either by publishing the Year Book early in autumn, or if the publication is to be delayed till Christmas, by letting the period dealt with be altered so as to end in September. This, of course, cannot apply to the statistics, for the tables here given relate not merely to the associations or counties, but to the individual churches, of each of which full and separate details are given. |