CAMBRIAN NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18639, 17 December 1928, Page 3

CAMBRIAN NOTES.

Brittany and Wales. When travelling on the Continent, one often, in shop windows, sees this notice: “English spoken here,” and in London, “Ici on parle Francais,” and no doubt the unwary are inveigled into, making purchases thereby, fearing they would not be understood elsewhere, but it is not often that the words “Medrir Cymraeg” catch the eye. At Morlais, in Brittany, these words are to be seen in a little shop, the proprietor being a Breton bookseller, Mons. Francis Gourvil. He was educated at the University of Rennes, and afterwards went to Bethesda, in North Wales, famous for its slate quarries. There he learnt Welsh, and he now speaks, purer W r elsh than ninety-nine per cent of Welsh folk born in Wales. So as to perfect himself in colloquial Welsh, he spent much time in talking to all and sundry, and he attended the Sunday Schools and took part in the discussions there in good Welsh fashion. He was only at Bethesda for two months, and then the war broke out and he had to return to Brittany. He afterwards opened his book-shop at Morlais. It is encouraging to think that a difficult language like Welsh could be mastered in so short a time, but then the Breton language is so akin to Welsh that it may have been easy to Mons. Gourvil. He is an ardent patriot and is saturated in Celtic lore. To him go all kinds of people interested in history, tradition, language and Welsh literature. Last year the late Archdruid of Wales paid him a visit, and many students find their way from Wales to his bookshop. One of his customers is Mademoiselle Foch, a daughter of the celebrated Field-Marshal. Mons. Loucheur, the French Minister of Labour, is another, in fact, he is the great authority on Celtic subjects and a living proof of the present day interest taken in them. He is doing all in his power to encourage the Breton language, which the French are trying to do away with, just as the English tried to Weill the Welsh language years ago. The between Brittany and Wales is a subject in which Mons. Gourvil is greatly interested, and he has suggested that students from Brittany should go to Wales and Welsh students should go to Brittany so as to bring about a closer union of the Celts. For many years boat loads of onion sellers have traded between Brest and Cardiff and Holyhead, and they understand Welsh, and may be seen carrying the onions strung together and slung across their shoulders. Many of the place names of the two countries are alike, and as we all know Cornwall was at one time part of Wales and may have been even part of Brittany before the English Channel divided them, many place names in Cornwall and in Brittany begin with Ire. The Breton for town or lan, plon and ker which resemble the Welsh llan, and caer. We have Llangollen in the Dee Valley. In Brittany there is Llangolen. We have the river Twrch —the Bretons have the Tourch. There is a well Ffynon Elian in Wales, and in Brittany there is one called Eliant. There is also an affinity between the two languages in many words and phrases. Such words as tad, mam, bara, aval, dillad, mil and medi being common to both. Then the words duw and dowe, gorchymnion duw and gourchemen dowe are much alike and mab and map, heol and haul being only a few instances. Perhaps travellers who have visited Wales and Brittany could tell of many more similariNoted Welsh Baritone Killed. Mr Frank Nicholson, of Hyfrydle, near Prestalyn, North Wales, the wellknown baritone, was killed last October in a tragic way. He was employed as a carpenter at Talacre Abbey, and was returning to his home across a field when a stallion attacked him and savaged him to death. A girl summoned help, and three men tried to rescue him, but the horse turned on them, and when, after hurling rocks at him, they managed to beat him off, they found Mr Nicholson was already dead. The horse again rushed at them, and might have killed them, but a Mr Robert Davies, of Gwespyr, came to their rescue, and, tackling the infuriated animal, beat him off. Mr Nicholson had won many prizes at the National Eisteddfods, and was often heard over the wireless. It is astonishing that such an animal should be at large, and that no one had a gun handy. Since then a Welsh paper records that the horse was found shot by some person unknown. A Welsh Quartette. About a year ago four young Welsh miners, discouraged by the lack of work in the collieries, joined forces and went to London. They could all sing well, and approached Sir Oswald Stoll, who, to their surprise, gave them an engagement, then and there, at the Colisseum. Success followed success, and to-day they are acclaimed one of the

finest quartettes in Great Britain. They still wear their miners’ garb, with .i spotted kerchiefs round their necks and their names are Jack Morgan, of Tonypandy, David Walters, of Pontardulais, Tom Evans, of Gorseinon, and Will Davis, of Forestfach - . They practise hard and stud}' much, and, seeking to increase their repertoire, have learnt to sing in Italian, French and Russian, but the audience always likes to hear them sing in Welsh best of all. They have had a successful tour in the provinces, and are looking forward to going to Swansea, where they are sure of a great reception. They have sung at wireless concerts, and have been engaged for some half-dozen gramophone records. A young Welsh girl, whose name is kept a secret, plays their accompaniments and calls herself “ Little Miss Wales.” There is no word yet of the arrival of the celebrated women’s choir of Welsh singers, who were said to be coming to New Zealand with Madame Novello-Davies. The Christmas Tree. Arrangements are now complete for the annual Christmas party, and no doubt the young people are looking forward to December 22. Indeed, it is a happy time for young and old, and plenty of enjoyment is provided for all. Every member who has not a child or children of their own may, on payment of 2s 6d. nominate a little guest, so that everybody has an. interest in the party. The age limit is fourteen. Fancy dress is optional. Friends of members are also welcome. Every year some children reach the age limit, but there are a few new babies to take their place, and special presents are ready for them.