Part 6

Offa's Dyke was formerly a great mound and ditch erected by King Offa somewhere in the year 900 or thereabouts, as a boundary between Wales and England, and it ran from the mouth of the Wye to Chepstow. We seldom hear of an Eisteddfod taking place on the other side of the dyke. It is true there are the great Choral Festivals, but those are festivals held in the grand Cathedrals, at which very grand company assemble, and where some of the most celebrated singers sing; they are not competitive in any sense. Here we have competitions, not so much for the prizes as for the honour of the thing, for the honour of the Welsh nation, and for the advancement of music and art in Wales.

_Risca, October 5th, 1896._

TREDEGAR HOUSE.

Tredegar House is generally believed to have been designed by Inigo Jones, but it was not built until after that architect's death. It was built by William Morgan, and finished about 1672. A residence formerly stood on the spot, which Leland mentioned as "a fair place of stone." Owen Glendower, when he ravaged Wentloog, and destroyed houses, churches and Newport Castle, probably destroyed Tredegar House. On an inquisition being taken after this period of the value of the lordship, the return was _nil_.

_Cambrian Association Meeting, August 28th, 1885._

A LITTLE FAMILY HISTORY.

As far as I have been able to read the family history, I have made the discovery that the Morgans were never remarkable for very great talent; but for many generations we have lived in much the same spot, and it has been our motto to make life happy to those around us, and to assist those with whom we come in contact. I believe my family have lived for this object. There are many days in the history of the family that are much treasured by us, but there will be no one day more honoured than the memory of this one. When I hand these addresses to Lady Tredegar, and express to her the kind sentiments everyone has made use of as to the memory of the late Lord Tredegar, we shall one and all be thankful, and the memory of this day will live long in the heart of every member of the Tredegar family.

_Tredegar Memorial Corn Exchange, Newport, September 4th, 1878._

The Mayor has spoken of the commercial spirit which, he stated, has recently been evinced by the Tredegar family. His Worship in that respect erred a little, for several hundred years ago there was a gentleman who called himself Merchant Morgan. He sailed on the Spanish Main, and brought back with him a great deal of money which he had made in trade--or otherwise. From that day to this, the Morgans have been very well off. Later, there were ironworks in Tredegar Park, carried on by Sir William Morgan. Those works paid also, and when he had money enough Sir William Morgan removed them away, restored the green fields, and left other people to attend to the works.

_Mayoral Banquet, Newport, December 15th, 1881._

Sir Henry Morgan played an important part in the stirring drama of Empire-building. His name has become a household word, and his daring exploits on the Spanish Main in the 17th century rival in song and story the heroic adventures of Drake, Frobisher, and Hawkins. It is mainly to him that we own the island of Jamaica, the most wealthy of our West Indian possessions. He was not a plaster saint, it is true; but it is incorrect to call him a pirate, for there is no gainsaying the fact that all his actions were justified by instructions he received from time to time from his Monarch, Charles II, who countenanced every movement of his, and even empowered him to commission whatever persons he thought fit, to be partakers with him and his Majesty in his various expeditions and enterprises. He was cruel in the ordinary sense of cruelty exercised in warfare, no doubt, but only when in arms against the blood-thirsty Spaniards. As a leader of men he was never surpassed by any captain of the seas, and in his glorious conquest of Panama--which the great Sir Francis Drake in 1569 had failed to take with 4,000 men when the city was but poorly fortified--Sir Henry ransacked it in 1670 when it had become doubly fortified, having with him only 1,200 men, and without the aid of any pikemen or horsemen.

The charges of cruelty and rapacity levelled against him are beneath contempt and criticism. The Spaniards tortured and murdered wholesale, and who can wonder that the heroic Welshman made just reprisals, and carried out the Biblical adjuration "an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth," when punishing the apostles of the Inquisition and assassination.

It is due to one John Esquemeling, the author of the first account of buccaneers, "The History of the Buccaneers of America," first published in 1684, that Sir Henry was designated a "pirate." Esquemeling had served under Morgan, and, being dissatisfied with the share of prize money allotted to him after the expedition at Panama, nursed his revenge until his return to Holland some years after. Sir Henry took action against him, and claimed to obtain substantial damages from Esquemeling for his malicious and misleading statement.

THE LATE COLONEL MORGAN.

The death of my brother, Colonel Morgan, has plunged us into grief, and all the neighbourhood felt the death of one whom they all loved, almost as much as I did myself. I feel that life can never be the same to me again.

_Servants' Ball, January 11th, 1910._

THE MONMOUTHSHIRE TRIBUTE.

Some 50 years ago two Statesmen were discussing the merits of Mr. Pitt and Mr. Fox. The first statesman said the oratory of Mr. Pitt was remarkable because he was never at a loss for a word. The other statesman replied, "Yes, but Mr. Fox was never at a loss for the right word." I, this afternoon, cannot find the right word. I can hardly find any word at all to express adequately to you what I feel on this occasion. I have put this question to myself many times in the last month or so--"What does it all mean? What have I ever done to deserve this great tribute?" I thought that my duty was to go back over my past life, and I began very early, a very long time ago. I went back to the Chartist Riots. I don't suppose there are any of you here who know much about them except by hearsay. I was a very little boy at the time, spending my holidays at Ruperra Castle, and I was just going with my little terrier to hunt a rabbit that had got into the cabbage garden, when the post-boy, who had been sent to Newport to bring out the letters, rode in, pale and quivering, and flung himself from his pony and said that the Chartists were in Newport--"they are lying dead all over the street, and the streets were running with blood. He passed through a lot of people with swords and pikes, but whether they were coming on to Ruperra he did not know." What he effectively did was to pose as a great hero among the maid-servants, and I remember afterwards going up to the post-boy, saying, "Bother your Chartists; come out and help me to catch this rabbit."

That was my first beginning in sport--my first excitement. Then I thought a little bit more. I have a distant recollection that very soon after, I was gazetted as a Viscount. I saw in a newspaper which does not hold the same opinions as I do, the question, "What on earth is Lord Tredegar made a Viscount for?" and the answer was, "I suppose because he has been Master of the Tredegar Hounds for 30 years." I thought, therefore, that I had better leave sport alone for this occasion. For some time I have had running in my mind a stanza written by one who may be called the Australian bush poet, Mr. L. Gordon, a gallant man, who spent most of his time roughing it in the bush. The lines are as follows:--

I've had my share of pastime, I've had my share of toil, It is useless now to trouble. This I know; I'd live the same life over if I had the chance again And the chances are I'd go where most men go.

Mr. Gordon thought he knew where most men go; I don't. I don't pretend to know, but I had thought, until lately, that I would not wish to live the same life over again. But now, when I am here this afternoon, and have received from the hands of so many of my greatest friends these magnificent testimonials of their opinion of me, I can hardly go wrong if I say I would live the same life over if I had to live again.

Well, when I went on with my early history, I found that very, very soon I got among tombstones and family vaults, and I thought that the less I called to mind those among whom I spent my early life the happier it would be for me, certainly on this occasion. But still I wonder what it is that I have done, that has caused so many of my friends and neighbours to gather together to present me with this great tribute of their affection and respect.

It is true that I have had more than my share of this world's goods. There is one thing that has always comforted me when this has been thrown in my teeth, and that is that it was a young man who went away sorrowfully because he had great possessions. I believe I have tried, more or less successfully, to help those in difficulties, and to give to many comfort and happiness who otherwise would have been in much distress and suffering; but I am quite sure that there is no person in this hall who would not have done exactly the same under the same circumstances. I have no doubt that I shall be able to find a place in Tredegar House for this picture. It will, I hope, be a monument in Tredegar House to help those who come after me to try and do some good in their generation with the wealth which may be at their disposal. I thank you from the very bottom of my heart for this great tribute you have paid me.

_This Speech was made in December, 1907, in acknowledgment of Monmouthshire's tribute to Lord Tredegar, which took the form of an oil painting of himself, a gold cup, an album, and £2,000, which his Lordship handed over to various Hospitals._

THE JUBILEE OF QUEEN VICTORIA.

We are about to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee, not so much because Her Majesty has merely reigned fifty years, but because she has reigned 50 years in the hearts of her people.

_County Meeting with reference to Queen Victoria's Jubilee, Newport, February 9th, 1887._

THE LATE QUEEN VICTORIA.

The expression of the country's appreciation of the character of her late Majesty has been done grandly and well. Statesmen on both political sides have told of their experience of her, not merely their opinion, but the result of the interviews they have had with her. All classes have borne testimony to her goodness and greatness. We, as humble subjects of Her Majesty, knew her sympathetic qualities. Everybody present has benefitted in some way directly or indirectly through her. I think of the line which says--"One touch of nature makes the whole world kin." It was the touch of nature in her character, and her sympathizing feelings, which have made the whole of the civilized world, and much of the uncivilized world, mourn on this occasion.

_Monmouthshire County Council, February 6th, 1901._

THE LATE KING EDWARD.

It has been well said by a poet that "Fierce is the light that beats upon the throne." Since those words were written the light beating upon the throne has become ten times more powerful, but in the case of King Edward that fact has only tended to emphasise His Majesty's charm of life and of personality, and the power of his will, which have benefitted not only this country but the whole civilised world.

_Usk Quarter Sessions, June 22nd, 1910--in moving a Vote of Condolence on the death of King Edward._

THE PENNY WHISTLE OF REPUBLICANISM.

There never was a time when the country was more loyal. The penny whistle of republicanism which tried to blow its notes some time ago has, I believe, burst itself, for it found no sympathetic echo in the heart of the nation. I believe there is no harder worked man in the United Kingdom than the Prince of Wales. From morning to night he is at the beck and call of somebody or other, and we always find him ready to respond to the calls made upon him.

_Tredegar Show, December 16th, 1875._

ON PRETORIA DAY.

We have done our best to publicly recognise the success that has been achieved in the occupation of Pretoria, and to do honour to Lord Roberts and his gallant army. You can tell the kind of man Lord Roberts is by his despatches. You can depend on it that whenever you read a despatch from Lord Roberts you are reading what is true, complete and accurate. I hope we shall soon see Lord Roberts, who is an old and good friend of mine, in Newport again.

_Pretoria Day, June 7th, 1900._

ADMIRATION FOR AMERICAN SAILORS.

I have a great admiration for American sailors and the American people generally. When the Crimean War broke out, in the summer of 1854, the first soldiers sent out of England were the cavalry regiments, and I went with them. At that time England had been at peace for 40 years, and when war commenced the authorities knew little about the transport of cavalry. We did not go out as a whole regiment in a large liner, and arrive at our destination without the loss of a horse, as would be the case now. We were sent out in troops of 40 or 50 at a time, in small sailing vessels of 500 tons. In the ship in which I sailed the horses were packed in the hold, and when they got to the Bay of Biscay a violent gale sprang up. In a few hours half a dozen horses broke loose and struggled about in the hold. There was only one American sailor among the crew, and he went down and "calculated" and uttered dreadful oaths. But he had not been down in the hold half an hour before he had all the horses tied up again. Ever since then I have had the greatest respect for American sailors.

_Cardiff Eisteddfod, August 4th, 1902._

IMPROVEMENTS IN THE ARMY.

I always feel some diffidence in returning thanks for the Army, since I am no longer in it; but I may add that I am proud to have belonged to it. No gentleman who has been in Her Majesty's Service can look back with other than happy feelings to that time. When I first joined the Army, it was not in its present state. Many things connected with that Service have improved. Among others, the social condition of the soldier has been improved. I feel that no individual in this country, however high his position may be, need be ashamed of his connection with the Army.

At one time, the people of Newport knew more about soldiers than now. Some time ago I asked the Duke of Cambridge to send a regiment, or part of a regiment, to Newport, and his Grace said, in answer to me, that the people would be obliged to stir up a riot in the county if they wished to secure the presence of soldiers! I hope such a contingency will not arise, living as I do in the county. However, his Grace promised to do his best in the matter, and I hope we shall soon again have the advantage of a regiment in Newport.

_Dinner to Lord Tredegar and Alexandra Dock Directors, July 27th, 1865._

THE BOY SCOUT MOVEMENT.

The Boy Scout movement instructs the boy just at the time when he is between school and a trade, when it would perhaps be better if he stayed a bit longer at school, for the time hangs heavy on his hands; and that is the time when you catch hold of these boys and give them an interest in their country, and an interest in the necessity of having somebody to protect the country. The Scouts that I have had any experience of are all boys who seem to have improved in their manners, their ways, and their education very soon after they have joined the Boy Scouts.

_Meeting in Newport in connection with the Boy Scout Movement, March 14th, 1911._

NOT KNOWN HERE.

When the ironworks were started here they received the name of Tredegar, and the town itself was also called Tredegar. It is rather disagreeable to me at times. I have letters addressed, "Lord Tredegar, Tredegar, Monmouthshire." They are sent to Tredegar, where they are marked by the postal officials: "Not known here; try Tredegar Park."

LIFE'S TRAGEDY AND COMEDY.

Life is said to be a comedy to those who think and a tragedy to those who feel, and as we all feel and think we must meet with a good deal of comedy and a good deal of tragedy. I hope you all have more comedy than tragedy.

_Presentation to Lord Tredegar of Miner's Lamp and Silver Medal at Risca Eisteddfod, October 5th, 1896._

NEWPORT A SECOND LIVERPOOL

I hope the day is not far distant when Newport will be a second Liverpool, and Maindee a second Birkenhead.

_Tredegar Show, December 13th, 1864._

OXFORD AND CAMBRIDGE.

I have read somewhere that an Oxford man walks about looking as if Oxford and the rest of the world belong to him. A Cambridge man, on the other hand, walks as if he does not care a--well, does not care two straws who the place belongs to.

_Seventy-fifth Anniversary of St. David's College, Lampeter, October 9th, 1902._

DOCTORS-OLD STYLE AND NEW.

The owning of a hospital is not a very lively proceeding, but I cannot help giving a few of my reminiscences in connection with doctors. I can go back to the real old-style of doctor; not the present-day smart young gentleman with the radium light in his pocket, but the old-fashioned gentleman who first of all pulled out a watch as big as a warming-pan, and who felt the pulse and asked the patient to put out his tongue, and ended up by saying "Haw!" That meant a tremendous lot, for he did not tell any more.

I well remember a medical friend of mine saying once that he lived in a land flowing with rhubarb, magnesia, and black draughts. That was the way we were treated as children, and which possibly enabled us to live a long life.

_Opening of a Hospital at Abertysswg, October 3rd, 1910._

ALL SORTS AND CONDITIONS.

I am one of those who like mixing with all sorts and conditions of men. I can dine with lords and ladies whenever I like, but I cannot always dine with an assembly of working men.

_May Horse Show Dinner, May 4th, 1893._

A CONTRAST IN CORRESPONDENCE.

I have a great deal of correspondence of one sort and another. I keep no secretary, and my correspondence is with all sorts and conditions of men. Only this morning, in the hurried moment before I left, I wrote two letters, one to a descendant of Warwick the Kingmaker, and the other to a little boy living in the back slums of Newport about a football match. That is the sort of correspondence I like, for I like to mix with all sorts and conditions of men and do what I can for them.

_Foundation-Stone Laying, Presbyterian Church, Newport, August 27th, 1895._

DREAMS AND TEARS.

I never remember to have had a dream that was merry. I never remember to have awakened from a dream with a smile or a laugh; but many times have I done so with tears on my cheeks.

_Bazaar at Ystrad Mynach, September 9th, 1909._

THE PRECIPICE OF MATRIMONY.

You have heard things said about Matrimony. It is an annual occurrence at this dinner, until I have become like a man who can walk along the verge of a precipice and look down without falling over. I have looked so long without a desire to plunge, that I am able now to look over without any danger of falling.

_The Tredegar Show, December 17th, 1867._

HOW TO LIVE FOR EVER.

People who regularly study the newspapers come across advertisements of many things calculated to make them doubt whether there is any need for a cottage hospital at all. In fact, as far as I can see, judging by these advertisements, there is no reason why anybody should die.

_Pontypridd Cottage Hospital, May 5th, 1910._

PUNCTUALITY "THE THIEF OF TIME."

As an old military man, I fully appreciate the value of punctuality. Undoubtedly punctuality is the first great duty in this world if we wish to carry on business satisfactorily. There are those who say punctuality is a great mistake, because a deal of time has to be spent in waiting for other people. That is a very pleasant way of looking at an unpunctual individual.

_Intermediate School Prize Distribution, October 19th, 1898._

NO KNOWLEDGE OF KISSES.

There is no prize worth much that does not take some trouble to gain. I have heard that kisses, when taken without much trouble, are not worth having. Of course I do not know anything about that sort of thing. My brother and I had a fine looking animal. We used to smoke our cigars as we gazed at it, and think there was nothing like it in the world. We thought we would send it to Birmingham; and then, if any good, to Smithfield. It was of no use, however. It reminded me of a celebrated trainer who used to come into this county, who said: "Oh, you've nothing at home to try him with. You think your horse goes very fast past trees." I expect it was very much the same thing with our ox. It looked very good alongside the cattle trough.

A SMART RETORT.

When I had the pleasure of presenting Bedwellty Park to this town (Tredegar) one of my critics asked: "Are you quite sure, Lord Tredegar, that you have not given the Tredegar people a white elephant?" That simile did not trouble me, for I told them I was quite sure in a few months the park would be as black as the rest of Tredegar.

_Bazaar at Tredegar, May 23rd, 1902._

THE BUSHRANGER'S METHOD.

Just as I came into the hall, I encountered an individual dressed in a rather extraordinary garb. I looked him up and down, and saw that he was well armed. It reminded me of the case of a minister in the backwoods calling on a bushranger to go round with the hat. The latter did so, and the first young man he came to dropped in two or three cents. The bushranger looked at him in a peculiar way, cocked his pistol in a significant manner, and said, "Young man, this is a two dollar show." The young man at once dropped in two dollars. I think that perhaps my friend might come round with me presently, we might frighten some of the gentlemen who have come here with full purses.

_Congregational Church Bazaar, Newport, October 22nd, 1896._

MAKING THE WAIST PLACES GLAD.

I have a little advice to give to you in conclusion. A school-boy was being examined in Scripture knowledge, and was asked the meaning of the words, "Make the waste places glad." He answered, "Put your arm around a lady's waist and make her glad." That, I think, is a very good hint for the young men present, and I advise them to make the evening as pleasant as they can for the ladies. To the ladies I would say this--"Don't put too much faith in the promise of love that may be whispered in your ears before the close of the ball."

_Servants' Ball, January 4th, 1899._

AS OTHERS SEE US.

A celebrated philosopher has said there are three different personalities about a man. First, there is what God thinks about him; secondly, what his friends think about him; and, thirdly, what he thinks of himself.... There is another personality to be thought of, and that is the opinion of newspapers. It is very difficult to arrange those different personalities, because one's own opinion is entirely different from other people's. I like a gentleman who proposes my health to lay it on thick, as some of it is sure to stick, whether I deserve it or not.

_Opening of the New Hospital, Abergavenny, October 6th, 1902._