Cylchgronau Cymru

Vol.1. No. 9.] TRIMULGHERRY, DECCAN, INDIA—NOV. 14TH, 1893. lPriee Anna* 3- vvli XiJll X Mt Page Editor's Letter ... 101 Regimental Notes ... 102 Miscellaneous ... ... 104 Sporting Notes ... ... 109 Original Poetry... ... 112 letters to Editor ... 113 Notices to Correspondents ... 113 Advertisements ... 114 BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS. Births. White :—On the 10th October 1893, at Trimulgherry, the wife of Color-Sergeant W. White, "A" Company, of a daughter (Esmee Lillian Maud.) Lalor:—On the 21st October 1893, at Wellington Depot, the wife of Sergeant James Lalor, " H " Company, of a son. Griffiths :—On the 31st October 1893, at Trimulgherry, the wife of Sergeant John Griffiths, of a son (John Hugh.) Marriages. Fowler—Wray :—On the 24th October 1893, at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Poonamallee, Sergeant Edwin Fowler, 2nd Welsh Regiment to Clara Wray. Williams—O'Driscoll :—On the 12th October 1893, at the Roman Catholic Chapel Entrenchment, Trimulgherry, Sergt. Drum¬ mer Ed. Williams to Byral O'Driscoll. Death. Croxton :—On the 13th October 1893, at the South Station Hospital, Trimulgherry, No. 1445 Lance-Corporal George Croxton, " G " Company, aged 32 years of Enteric Fever. EDITOR'S LETTER. WE have often been asked " Who was Ap Shenkin?" and we regret to be obliged to confess that our reply has been somewhat evasive. ' Oh ! one of those old Welsh fellows, don't you know, supposed to have been the founder of the family of Jenkins, a poet and harper probably :' and the enquirer has said, " Oh yes, of course, I ought to have known, how stupid of me!" and gone away contented, but we have always retained a wish to know something about this mysterious gentleman who always comes to the front when we march past. And quite lately in a book of Welsh Songs we have come across the following de¬ lightful ballad set to our " Marching Past tune" in of course different time. Ap Shenkin. (Ap Siencyn.) A rustic bachelor once there lived, As blythe as a lark on his father's estate; Despite the arrows of Cupid's bow, He never was tempted to seek a mate. His horses, kine, his fields and purse, Were sought by many, as I've been told, But still he thought things might be worse, If wed to one who'd be bought with gold. Thus lived Ap Shenkin far from strife, He shared his purse with all the poor; What though he left nor child nor wife ! His name shall live while the chords endure. He loved his oats, he loved his wheat, His horses and kine could cheer his life; No bride who sought his gold he'd take, To cloud his peaceful days with strife. He journeyed thus thro' life alone, Until he slept his last long sleep Upon his face a smile there shone Nor wife nor child were left to weep. Thus lived Ap Shenkin far from strife, He shared his purse with all the poor What tho' he left nor child nor wife ! His name shall live while the chords endure. So he was not a poet or harper apparently, just a simple country squire with no interests beyond his own village, a poor opinion of women¬ folk, and mistaken ideas about his duties as a citizen. He founded no family and yet as the song says "His name shall live while the chords endure."