Cr.

PRI OTR01320

09366000

£546 4 3

ANNUAL DINNER

OF THE

Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion.

ON Tuesday night, the 17th of March, 1896, at the Hôtel Métropole, a large and distinguished company of Welshmen assembled in the Whitehall Rooms to do honour to the

Honourable Society of Cymmrodorion. Honour was, of course, done in the first place by enjoying the pleasures of the table, and afterwards, in speech and song, the gallant sons of Gwalia testified their loyalty in true national style. In the absence of the Marquess of Bute (President of the Society), the dinner was presided over by Lord Tredegar.

The

His Lordship likewise received the guests in a hearty manner in the Whitehall Ante-room beforehand. With a leek in his buttonhole, and wearing the smile of a genial presence, Lord Tredegar was as gay and festive as the youngest, and from the first infused a spirit of general bonhomie into the proceedings. On his right sat the guest of the evening, H.R.H. the Duke of York. His Royal Highness, as is customary at banquets of this description, wore the ribbon of the Garter. The broad blue ribbon crossed the emerald-studded shirt from left to right, and was fastened with the customary seal. Violets decorated his dress coat and shed an agreeable perfume around. Duke was attended by his equerry, Sir Charles Cust, Bart., who was prominent in the Windsor uniform. On the other side of the Duke sat Lord Kenyon, between whom the closest friendship appeared to exist. Most animated was the conversation which the two kept up. Lord Tredegar occasionally managed to get in a word, but the tall son of Denbighshire almost monopolised the Royal guest. Lord Penrhyn and Lord Tredegar had, however, much in common. The names of those present will be found included in the following alphabetical list of guests:

Mr. E. Warwick Williams.
Mr. Henry Williams.
Mr. Howell J. Williams.
Sir John Williams, Bart.
Mr. J. Mason Williams.
Mr. Llewellyn Williams.
Mr. Morgan Williams, C.C.
Mr. Richard Williams.

Mr. Stephen W. Williams, F.S.A.

Mr. Thomas Williams, Senr.

Mr. Thomas Williams, Junr.
Mr. T. Marchant Williams, J.P.
Mr. J. Ignatius Williams.
Mr. W. LI. Williams (Star).
Mr. William Williams, of Maes-
Gwernen.

Mr. B. Winstone.

Major W. H. Wyndham-Quin, M.P.

The clock had passed the 7.30 stage when this distinguished gathering sat down at the cross table and the seven tables of lesser length which stood at right angles to it. Ablaze with silver and handsomely decorated with floral trophies, the tables presenteda most attractive aspect, well worthy of the handsomely ornamented room in which the banquet was held. On those tables menus stood out with welcome distinctness. The Menu ran thus:

:

Hors d'Euvres.
Consomme Doris.
Crême Fontange.
Turbot Sauce Crevettes.
Whitebait.

Mousse de Volaille Princesse.
Cotellettes d'Agneau Jardinière.
Punch Romaine.

Filet de Boeuf Richelieu.
Jambon d'York au Champagne.
Haricots Verts Maitre d'Hotel.
Pommes de Terre Chateau.
Caille roti sur Canape.
Salade.

Poires a la Richelieu.
Canape Provençale.

Melon en Surprise.

Biscuit aux Avelines.

Dessert.
Cafe Noir.

Wines-Dry Sherry. Niersteiner, 1886. Duminy & Co., ex. qual. dry, 1883. Louis Roederer, ex. dry, 1889.

Liqueurs:-Chateau Pichon Longueville, Grand Vin, 1889. Hunt Roope's Old Bottled Port.

After this elaborate repast had been discussed with some interest, the more formal part of the proceedings was entered

upon.

Lord Tredegar submitted the toast of "Her Majesty the Queen", and in so doing said that during the past few months the country had passed through a great crisis and a great sorrow. The crisis had shown how the nation was prepared to face its responsibilities; and as to the sorrow, England and her Colonies had expressed in the fullest degree their sympathy with her Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria. Immediately the toast had