  In the first part of this contribution the observed velocity dispersions in
Galactic halo dwarf spheroidal (dSph) galaxies are reviewed, and the
consequences for dark matter content outlined. The results are suggestive of a
dSph dark matter mass of ~2x10^7 solar masses, independent of the luminosity of
the dSph. Alternatives to the dark matter interpretation are also briefly
discussed. In the second part of the contribution the emphasis is on the
stellar populations of Galactic dSphs. Recent results for the ages of the
oldest populations are presented. These data, together with similar recent
results for Galactic halo and LMC globular clusters, indicate that regardless
of the subsequent star formation history, the initial epoch of star formation
was well synchronized throughout the entire proto-Galactic halo. The
implications of the first high dispersion studies of element abundance ratios
in Galactic dSph red giants are also discussed. For the Sagittarius dSph in
particular, the observed abundance ratios show good agreement with expectations
for an episodic star formation history, and such a history is in fact deduced
from colour-magnitude diagrams studies.
