Cambro Briton Vol01

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THE

CAMBRO-BRITON.

SEPTEMBER, 1819—AUGUST, 1820.

CYMRU FL, CYMRU FYDD.

TALIESIX.

Vor. I.

LONDON:

PRINTED BY MILLS AND RHYND, SHOE-LANE, FLEET-STREET,

FOR THE EDITOR,

AND PUBLISHED BY J. LIMBIRD, 355, STRAND. , , . ,

1820.,, r':;" " :

to

Sir W. W. WYNN, Bart. M. P.

PRESIDENT

METROPOLITAN CAMBRIAN INSTITUTION.

Sir,—When about to complete the first Volume

of the Cambro-Briton, I was naturally anxious,

that it should appear under the sanction of some

name, which, from its estimation amongst our

countrymen, might confer a value even on this

humble production. And, I hope, I shall not be

suspected of the proverbial sycophancy of dedica

tors, when I declare, that the permission, you have

so kindly given me to make this use of yours, has

satisfied my utmost wishes in this respect. At any

time I should have deemed this a very flattering

distinction, reflecting, as I must have done, on your

hereditary worth, as well as upon that, which is

more emphatically your own. But at the present

moment this permission brings with it a peculiar

and a heightened gratification, since the patriotic

alacrity, with which you have acceded to the

wishes of your country, in assuming the Presidency

of her new Institution, distinguishes you, in a par

ticular manner, as the appropriate Patron of a work

dedicated to a cultivation of the Literature and

Languageof Wales.

OF THE

IT DEDICATION.

Believe me, Sir, it is with no ordinary pride (if

I may be allowed to say it without offence), that I

find myself associated with you in the same national

cause. My efforts, it is true, have necessarily been

constrained by circumstances, which I have wanted

either the ability or the good fortune to surmount.

Yet I can honestly say, that, however deficient I

may have been in the means, I have never, for a

moment, failed in the inclination, to promote the

public ends, for which the Cambro-Briton was

undertaken. The

Hie Amor, heec Patria

of the Poet has never been absent from my

thoughts, while endeavouring to fix in the following

pages the evanescent lustre of ages long departed,

ere it had vanished for ever,—while attempting to

rescue the wisdom and the genius of our ancestors,

before the waters of Oblivion had irrevocably swept

them away. The design was great: the execu

tion, I too sensibly feel, has fallen far below it.

Yet, since my enterprise has experienced your

Patronage, I will venture to hope, with the Shepherd

in Virgil, that

Honos erit huic quoque porno.

To you, Sir, however, I trust, it will essentially

belong, as President of the Institution, so auspi

ciously established in the Metropolis, to secure,

under more favouring circumstances and with

ampler means, the success of that cause, which it

was the aim of this unobtrusive work in some degree

to assist. To you, Sir, and to those distinguished

individual*! who may co-operate with you, I hope

DEDICATION. v

we shall be indebted for the consummation of a

design worthy of your highest honours, and, more

than that, peculiarly worthy of the patriotic virtues,

which have gained you the merited esteem of your

country. We shall then behold the ancient harp of

Cymku restored to her now tuneless vallies, and

shall learn to admire the venerable treasures of those

times, when the mingled strains of philosophy and

of song were heard to animate the solitudes of her

mountains. The vindication of past ages will prove

the instruction of the present; while the literature

of Wales shall no longer be excluded from its legi

timate station in the renown of the world. The

task is a noble one ; and I hope I shall not be

accused of presumption, if, in reference to your

distinguished share in it, 1 adopt the language of

the younger Pliny, and say,—Ejfinge aliquid et

excude, quod sit perpetud tuum- Nam reliqua rerum

tuarutn post te alium atquealiurn dominum sortientur:

hoc nunquam tuum desinet esse, si semel cceperit.

Sincerely wishing that this enviable distinction

may be that of the President of the Metropo

litan Cambrian Institution, I have the

honour to subscribe myself,

Sir,

With every sentiment of respect,

Your very obliged and obedient servant,

THE EDITOR.

London, July 25, 1820.

ADVERTISEMENT.

The Editor cantiot suffer this First Volume of the Cambro-

Briton to go into the world without a public acknowlegement

of his obligation to those Gentlemen, who have so kindly assisted

him in his career, and to whose assistance, he feels, he is essen

tially indebted for whatever success his work may have experi

enced. To particularize all by name, even if it were practi

cable, is more perhaps than he should be justified in doing ;

yet he cannot deny himself the pleasure of mentioning a few.

In the first place he has to thank that eminent Welsh Scholar,

Mr. William Owen Pughe, for many contributions of great

interest, as well as for much other valuable information, -which

has been of material service in various parts of the volume.

He has also to acknowlege the very friendly interest, taken by

this Gentleman in the success of his work, as well as by Mr.

Parry, the writer of the pleasing " Letters on Welsh Music," who

farther demands the Editor's particular thanks for having been

the first to afford encouragement to his enterprise. To the Rev.

Walter Davies, the Rev. P. B. Williams, the Rev. W. J.

Rees, the Rev. Rowland Williams, Mr. Richard Llwyd,

of Chester, and Mr. Thomas Richards, of London, the Editor

begs also to express his grateful acknowlegement of the valuable

aid they have respectively furnished. Nor must he forget Mr.

Thomas Roberts, of Llwynrhudol, to whom he is indebted for

most of the Pennillion, which appear in this volume, and

for many others yet unpublished. To his other Correspondents

he begs generally to express his grateful sense of their co-opera

tion, and at the same time to solicit the farther support of all

in the prosecution of a design, which, whatever may be tin

events to come, it will always be amongst his most gratifying

reflections, that he has, in any degree, contributed to promote.

To such of the Public, as have favoured his humble attempt, he

takes this opportunity of sincerely expressing his obligation,

hoping, at the same time, for the enjoyment hereafter of that

more general patronage, which may justify his perseverance in

a project, that he could not abandon without feelings of the

most lively regret.

London, July 25, 1820.

THE

CAMERO^BRITON,

SEPTEMBER, 1819.

NUIXI QUIDEM MIHI SATIS ERUDITI V1DENTUR, QUIBLS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicero de Lcgibut.

INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS.

THREE months have been brought to a close since my Propo

sals for the establishment of the Cambro-Briton were first made

public. When I embraced this project, it was not only without

any communication with others, but with no fairer prospect of

success than what might be supposed to result from the favourable

spirit, by which our country appears uv length to be animated.

Relying upon so gratifying a change in our national character, I

presumed to hope, that even this attempt might experience the

benefit of it. For I concluded, and I trust rightly, that the general

cause could not, in such a case, be separated from individual

exertion, however humble and unobtrusive. The great ocean is

fed as well by the noiseless stream as by the deep-sounding tor

rent. Nor have my anticipations been wholly unjustified by the

event. The encouragement I have received *, if not an assurance

of complete success, has been at least sufficient to urge me on in

my. career, with Hope still as my companion.

In the Proposals, to which I have above adverted, it was not

my intention, as I there intimated, to give more than a general

outline of my projected work. Since that time a short Prospec

tus has been circulated, communicating more explicitly the main

objects of the undertaking. But, as the work itself may fall into

the hands of those, who have not seen either, it becomes now

my duty to enter into a particular disclosure of my plan, not

withstanding that the present Number may be considered, in

some respects, as a specimen of those to succeed it. Yet, as

• The liberal patronage of the Gwyneddigio!! Society, both collec

tively and individually, deserves on this occasion my most grateful ac-

knowlegemeut.

Vol. I. B

2 THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

this can only be to a partial extent, it is fit that my readers

should be apprized of those fundamental principles, on which

I design that the Cambro-Briton should be conducted. For

upon the quality of the basis must mainly depend the fate of the

superstructure.

My chief aim in this undertaking,—I wish particularly to pre

mise,—is to diffuse amongst strangers a knowlege of the his

tory, the manners, the genius of Wales, and to extend beyond

her mountain-barriers the fame of those literary treasures, which

are now, as it were, covetously hoarded within them. Not in

deed, that there have hitherto been wanting patriotic individuals,

who have generously endeavoured to accomplish this end. Seve

ral valuable publications might be named, having professedly no

other object in view. But of periodical works, obviously the

most desirable channel for the occasion, I am acquainted with no

more than one,—I allude to the Cambrian Register,—in which

the same course has been adopted. The suspension, however, if

not the final relinquishment, of that useful undertaking leaves

the field ope"n to any new adventurer. And, in profiting by this

opportunity, although I shotrW myself fail, I may be the means

of exciting others to the task with higher qualifications for its

achievement. Even then I might be allowed to say, with the

poet,

Est quoddam prodire tends, si Don datur ultra.

Although the Cambrian Register is the only periodical publi

cation, within my knowledge, avowedly devoted to the purpose

already noticed, I must not omit to mention, that a few others,

written in Welsh, have, at different times, been established.

The general aim of these works has been, we may presume, to

preserve from decay our vernacular tongue, by promoting its

cultivation amongst our countrymen,—a design unquestionably

praiseworthy and patriotic. But I hope I may be permitted with

out offence to remark, that our venerable language, QUAM vetat

Musa mori, stands in no very urgent need of such aid. Consecrat

ed, as it has been, by the ennobling genius of our Bards, surviving,

as it still does, in its pristine vigour, the shock of countless ages,

and the wreck of other tongues, it may securely be left to its

own energies for its preservation hereafter. It was under this

impression, that I deemed it advisable to pursue a different

course from the works here alluded to, and to take a wider range.

As soon may our native hills be moved from their position, as

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. I

our language cease to be spoken within their limits. It only re

mains then to make its excellencies known elsewhere, and to pro

mulgate amongst strangers an acquaintance with those produc

tions, which it has assuredly consigned to immortality.

To endeavour to effect this object will be the pecunar province

of the Cambro-Briton ; and not merely this, but likewise to

diffuse a general knowlege of the history, manners, and other

prominent features of our country, from the earliest dawn of

tradition to the present day. Her historical documents, her

bardic effusions, her interesting Triads, in a word, her literary

remains of every description, will, therefore, be, in their turns,

translated, accompanied by such remarks as may be necessary

for their illustration. To these will be added occasional essays,

as well on the general topics just enumerated, as also upon the

language, poetry, and music of Wales,—antiquarian researches,—

statistical descriptions,—biographical sketches, and such miscel

laneous information, as may tend to promote the main design

before explained. It may be proper farther to observe, that

the criticism of works, antient as well as modern, connected with

Wales or its literature, will likewise have its share in the arrange

ment. And truly proud do I feel, that this department com

mences by the Review of such a work as Coll Gwynfa, at once

a new honour to its distinguished author, and a lasting ornament

to his country.

Nor shall the native Awen of Cymru be excluded from these

pages. On the contrary, they will be open not only to a selec

tion of the most celebrated strains of past times, but to such

choice effusions of the present day, a* I may have the good

fortune to obtain. And, with this view, it will be my particular

aim to collect and preserve, as opportunities may present them

selves, those national stanzas, known by the name of Pennill-

ion, which now, like the leaves of the Sybil, are scattered

abroad at the mercy of every accident, or live only in the fleet

ing voice of a few individuals. It was " in these beautiful strains

" peculiar to ourselves, in these instructive morsels " (to borrow

the expressive words of an esteemed friend), " that the moralist

" set his precepts to music, the lover sang his notes of admira-

" tion, and the heroes heard of the tombs of the warriors."

The English Muse will also be a welcome guest, whenever she

may devote her lays to the cause, which the Cambro-Briton has

undertaken to espouse. Such a tribute will be, at all . times, pe

culiarly acceptable.

4 THE CAMBRO-BRITON

Another feature, and by no means the least important, of

this publication, will be its attention to the religious and political

welfare, to the agricultural and commercial relations, and to

the other paramount interests of the Principality. Whenever

these objects may claim any particular notice, I trust the

Cambro-Briton will not be found remiss in evincing either a due

reverence for our Established Church, a loyal attachment to the

excellent Constitution, of which Wales has so long experienced

the benefit, or, above all, that love of country, which impels

the real patriot to seek its good at any price, and to maintain it

through all hazards.

It is now only necessary to intimate, that all transactions of

any moment, and all occurrences of interest, having reference

to Wales, will be punctually recorded. The Cambro-Briton

will, in this point of view, I hope, be found a faithful chronicler

of the most material events of the day, rejecting indeed all mat

ters of mere ephemeral concern, but carefully embodying in its

pages whatever may deserve to be remembered hereafter.

I have thus completed the detail of my proposed plan ; in

which, however, such improvements will, from time to time, be

made, as may be suggested by a. more experienced judgment.

But I wish here to remark, that every Number of the Cambro-

Briton will not necessarily embrace all the comprehensive heads

of which I have spoken. The limited size of the work forbids

this. And it will besides be sufficient, if, in the course of its

career, the several important topics, adverted to, should receive

the attention they merit, consistently with that due regard, which

will be observed, in its different numbers, to the interest and

variety of their contents.

This Address must not conclude without a few words on the

prospect I entertain of the proper accomplishment of my under

taking. Of my own pretensions it would ill become me to speak.

Singly and Unassisted, I have already declared, I should be ex

posed to considerable risk. It has consequently formed one of

my first objects to procure the aid of those patriotic individuals,

whose talents and labours have been so laudably employed in the

cause of Cambrian Literature. And in this, I am proud to add, I

have partially succeeded. Three gentlemen, distinguished in their

respective pursuits, have contributed their aid to the present num

ber, and have thus, no doubt, bestowed upon it a value, which I

could not otherwise have anticipated. To another I am indebted

for the Pennillion, which I rejoice that the Cambro-Briton is

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

enabled to present on its first appearance. Whilst I thus express

my obligation for favours received, I must not omit to solicit

others. On this point, then, I will briefly premise, that all com

munications, calculated to promote the objects of this undertaking,

will be accepted with pride, and acknowleged with gratitude.

Of the typographical execution of the work I may speak less

reservedly, as I may speak without incurring the imputation of

egotism. I hope, then, it will be found, that, in this respect,

the Cambro-Briton needs not shrink from a competition with

any similar publication. A new type has been cast for the occa

sion ; and all possible care will be taken to preserve, in the exterior

appearance of the several numbers, a general regularity both of

form and arrangement, so that, at the expiration of every twelve

months, (if it be not too much presumption to indulge such a

prospect) they may be united in one neat and uniform volume.

For this purpose a general index and title-page will accompany

every twelfth nunjber of the work, as long as it may continue

to merit the support of the public.

All that now remains is to take leave of my readers for the

present as far as I am personally concerned. And, if I cannot

do this with a full confidence in the success of my efforts to gra

tify them, it is not entirely without hope. I should not have

hazarded the undertaking, if I had not, to a certain extent, in

dulged this cheering anticipation. Although I cannot now pre

sume, therefore, to say, with the old Roman actors, vos valets

et plaudite, it shall be my invariable study so to conduct the

Cambro-Briton, as to be justified, to whatever degree, in

adopting this valediction hereafter.

V THE EDITOR.

THE TRIADS.—No. I.

Of all the antient documents of Wales, the Triads, so pecu

liarly national, must be admitted to be the most deserving of our

attention. And those, which are called Historical, or " Triads of

the Isle of Britain," are particularly valuable, as well from their

unquestionable antiquity, as from the interesting events, to which

they relate. The peculiarity of their construction, ignorantly

assumed by some as a ground of objection, is aniongst the most

satisfactory proofs of the venerable authenticity of their origin.

Their very defects too, such as the want of dates and connection,

bear ample testimony to the early ages, which gave them birth.


And, if to these be added the obscurity, or, it may be said, total

inexplicability of the terms, used in some of them, little doubt

can remain as to the remoteness of the era, to which they may

generally be ascribed. Nor will it weaken this conclusion to ob

serve, that in-many of them, as noticed by a learned and inge

nious writer *, are contained doctrines totally at variance with

our divine religion, and which accordingly appropriate such to a

period at least antecedent to the establishment of Christianity in

this island. .

From this general allusion to the authentic character of the

antient Triads, it may be worth our while to turn to a more par

ticular, though to a brief, examination of their acknowleged ori

gin. It is then to the Bardic or Druidical Institution, as it pri

mitively existed in this country, that we must assign their first

introduction. The encouragement of oral tradition, whether by

songs or aphorisms, formed a principal characteristic of that

celebrated order. It was in this manner, that they recorded the

most memorable events of their country; and so it was, that

they preserved for after-times their own rules and doctrines f.

Poetry had thus for ages anticipated the functions of History ;

and in the Triads were embodied whatever might not admit

of diffusion in the strains of the bard. These unwritten records

again, being regularly recited at the bardic assemblies, were

maintained for centuries in their original, or very nearly

their original, purity. The art of memory was thus reduced

to a practical system, and it can not be denied, that the form

of the triad was most happily chosen for the purpose. Its con

ciseness, its simplicity, its general uniformity at once point out

its advantages as the vehicle of traditional knowlege. And it

deserves also to be remembered, that the number Three has,

from the earliest times, been held in peculiar veneration, and, it

may have been, on this very account,—or, as has been justly

observed, because it forms " a kind of limit to the natural power

" of repeated exertion, an idea so far at least founded in nature

" as to have become a favourite with the poets of all ages."

The Sect of Pythagoreans, in particular, with whom the Druids

are presumed by some to have borne a resemblance in more

points than this, regarded the triad as the first perfect number,

* The lute Rev. Peter Roberts, in his " Sketch of the Early History

of the Cymry."

.f- Caesar bears particular testimony to this practice, and ascribes it,

with his usual sagacity, to the proper cause,—" neque eos, qui distant,

" Utleits confisos, minus memoriae studere." Bell. Gall. lib. 6. c. 14.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 7

and gave this as a reason for their triple libations, as well as for

the tripod, from- which were delivered the Oracles of Apollo.

The Triads, thus originating, continued to be in use during a

long succession of ages, until the extinction of Bardism ; vary

ing therefore in their antiquity from the most distant times down

to thpse which are commonly called historical, and even so far

as the twelfth century. And that many of these were ever re

garded of the first authority is evident from the respect, with

which they are noticed by the most antient Welsh Bards, whose

writings still survive, and especially by Taliesin, who wrote in

the sixth century. Such, as have descended to this time, are pre

served in some of our oldest MSS., and were, some of them, thus

collected, it is supposed, as early as the seventh century*.

Although, all that now remain must have borne but a small pro

portion with those once in existence, " their number is sufficient"

(to adopt the words of the estimable author already twice quoted)

" to determine some essential circumstances as to the origin and

" history of the nation, and the real doctrines of the Bards.

" And it is so far a pleasing reflection, that a discovery is made

" of authorities, that point out an origin in conformity with a

" general opinion, buiit Upon the systems and ideas of the histo-

" rians of other nations, without a knowlege of such records

" being possessed by the nation itself f."

These interesting remains may be classed under the various

heads of history,—bardism,—theology,—ethics and jurisprudence,

—exclusively of those, that relate, in a more especial manner, to

language and poetry. Of the historical some are purely so, and

others evidently blended with fable, yet, even -in this view, con

veying much curious tradition. It will be the object of this

portion of the Cambro-Briton to supply translations of the

Triads with reference to the classes above enumerated. The

space, occupied by the foregoing observations, will not allow

a selection, at present, of more than the following, which

are extracted from the historical and ethical Triads. The

originals may be found in the second and third volumes of that

valuable repository of Welsh learning, the " Archaiology of

Wales." %*

* This is stated in E. Llwyd's Archaeologia Britannica, p. 264, as the

opinion of that celebrated antiquary Mr. Vaughan, of Hengwrt. But it

should be observed that the testimony of the old copyists of the Welsh

MSS. does not go higher than the 10th century. The antient Triads how

ever were principally collected during the 12th, 13th, and 14th centuries.

f " Early History of the Cymry." •


TRIADS OF THE ISLE OF BRITAIN.

I, .There were three names imposed on the isle of Britain

from the beginning. Before it was inhabited its denomination

was the Sea-defended Green Spot ; after being inhabited it was

called the Honey Island, and after it was formed into a com

monwealth by Prydain, the son of Aedd Mawr, it was called the

Isle of Prydain. And none have any title therein but the nation

of the Cymry. For they first settled upon it ; and before that

time no men lived therein, but it was full of bears, wolves,

beavers, and bisons.

[In the original the names, translated beavers and bisons, are

Efeinc and Ychain bdnaicg. The description, given of the first

in the Mabinogion and the Poets, answers to the crocodile and

not to the beaver. The literal meaning of the other term is pro

minent oxen, but whether, from their having high horns or hunches,

like the buffalo, or from their great height of body, it does not

appear certain ; most probably the first. A better opportunity

will occur for speaking of these animals in connection with an

antient and extraordinary tradition of the Cymry, as recorded

in the Triads.]

iI. The three primary divisions of the isle of Britain : Cymru,

Lloegr, and Alban, or Wales, England, and Scotland ; and to

each of the three appertained the privilege of royalty. They

are governed under a monarchy and voice of country, according

to the regulation of Prydain, the son of Aedd Mawr ; and to the

nation of the Cymry belongs the establishing of the monarchy, by

the voice of country and people, according to privilege and original

right. And under the protection of such regulation ought royalty

to be in every nation in the isle of Britain, and every royalty

under the protection of the voice of country. Therefore it is saul,

as a proverb, " A country is mightier than a prince."

in. The three privileged ports of the isle of Britain : the port

of Ysgewin, in Gwent ; the port of Gwygyr, in Mon ; and the

port of Gwyddno, in Caredigion.

[The present Newport, on the Uskc^ in Monmouthshire,

was probably the first of these, and Beaumaris the second.

The sea has overflowed the other, and formed the present

Cardigan bay, where extensive remains of embankments are

discernible, which protected a fine tract of level country, the ter

ritory of Gwyddno Garanhir, called Cantrev y Gwaelod, over-.

flowed in the sixth century. A poem, ascribed to Gwyddno,

on this disastrous event is preserved in the Archaiology of Wales,

vol. i. p. 165.]


rv. The three principal rivers of the isle of Britain : Havren, in

Cymru, [the Severn, in Wales ;] Tain, in Lloegr, [the Thames, in

England ;] anil Hymyr, in Deivr and Brynaich, [the Humber, in

Deira and Bernicia, comprising the six northern English counties.]

v. The three primary islands lying off the isle of Britain : Ore,

Manaw, and Gwyth, or Orkney, Man, and Wight ; and after

wards the sea broke the land, so that Anglesey (Mon) became an

island ; and in like manner the isle of Ore was broken, so that

many islands were formed there, and other parts of Wales and

Scotland became islands.

[Nennius, in his " Historia Brittonum," written in the eighth or

ninth century, confirms the account given in this Triad. " Three

considerable islands," he says, " belong to Britain : one on the

south, opposite the Armorican shore, called Guerth ; another be

tween Ireland and Britain, called Eubbnia, or Manau ; and an- *

other directly north, beyond the Picts, named Orch. And hence

it was antiently a proverbial expression in reference to its kings

and rulers,—' He reigned over Britain and its three islands'."]

TRIADS OF WISDOM.

I. There are three branches of wisdom : wisdom towards God,

wisdom with respect to every fellow man, and wisdom with re

spect to one's self.

iI. The three recognitions which produce wisdom : the know-

lege of God, the knowlege of the heart of man, and the know-

lege of one's own heart.

ill. The three indispensibles of wisdom : genius, science, and

discrimination.

iv. The three stabilities of wisdom: what is right, beautiful,

and possible.

v. Three things will be obtained by wisdom : the good (things)

of the world, mental comfort, and the love of God.

vI. In three things wisdom is apparent : genius, science, and

demeanour.

vn. The three exertions of wisdom : to understand nature by

genius, to perceive truth by studying it, and to cultivate love and

peace.

VIII. Three things in a man that make him wise and good :

qualities, science, and power.

IX. Three things with which wisdom can not exist : inordinate

desire, debauchery, and pride.

x. Three things without which there can be no wisdom : gene

rosity, abstinence, and virtue.

vol. t. e


BARDIC PORTRAITS.

TALIESIN.

Among the modern nations of Europe few, if any, can boast

of poetical remains of equal antiquity with those claimed by the

Welsh. And of these the Works of Taliesin may be regarded

in every point of view as the most remarkable. Their many

references, both to historical events, and to the mystical doctrines

of the Druids, place them in a pre-eminent rank as memorials

of the early age, in which their author flourished,—while the

poetical excellence of most, however obscured by the lapse of

time, proves the justice of his claim to the honourable appella

tion, given him in the Triads, of " Chief of the Bards*."

♦There are seventy-eight poems preserved under his name in the

Archaiology of Wales : and besides those, above noticed, of an

historical and mystical character, they comprise others, which

may be described generally as theological, encomiastic, elegiac,

and lyrical. Many of these remains may be proved to be ge

nuine by the reference, which the bard makes in them to himself

' as the author f ; and others by their allusion to occurrences, which •

are known from other sources to have happened in his time, as well

from the concurrent suffrage of later bards as to the fact.

According to these records, and also to the testimony of some

>antient MSS., the life of Taliesin occupied about fifty years,

during the middle of the sixth century. The first incident, which

we learn of it, is similar to that recorded of the infant Moses.

For Taliesin is reported . to have been found, exposed in a

coracle, in a fishing wear, on the coast of Cardigan, belonging

to Elffin, son of Gwyddno Garanhir, king of Gwent, of whom

mention is made in a preceding page of this Number \. He was

received, from that moment, under the protection of Elffin, who

must have continued his patronage for some years, as we find,

that he introduced him afterwards to his father's court, upon

which occasion the young bard (for he is presumed to have been

* The Triad, here alluded to, describes him also as one of the three

chief bards of the Is!e of Britain with Merddin Emrys and Merddin, son

of Morfryn, who was a pupil of Taliesin.—Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 75.

f See Arch, of Wales, vol. i. p. 21, 25, 50, &c.

% It is supposed by some, that the catastrophe, noticed in p: S, ante,

was the means of reducing Gwyddno to the necessity of supporting Elffin,

his only son, by the produce of the wear here alluded to. But the circum

stance is not very material : nor, if it were, cau it be ascertained with any

precision.


then a mere boy) presented to Gwyddno his mystical poem, en-*

titled Taliesin's History (Hanes Taliesin *), and to his patron

that called the Consolation of Elffin (Dyhuddiant Elffin \), both

of them still extant. The latter effusion, which is delicately

written m the character of an exposed orphan, was designed to

console Elffin on the recent failure of his fishery, a circumstance

attributed, it seems, both by himself and others, to the extrava

gance and dissipation of his past life. Taliesin endeavours, with

great ingenuity, to remove his melancholy on this occasion, and,

from the beautiful moral feeling displayed in the poem, we may

conclude, that his effort was not made in vain. A literal transla

tion of this production will be found in a subsequent part of the

present Number.

We find the bard's gratitude towards his patron evinced by

another effusion, entitled the Mead-Song (Canu y MZddi),

written during Elffin's imprisonment in the castle of Deganwy,

where he was confined by his uncle Maelgwn, sovereign of

North Wales, with whom Taliesin was afterwards in particular

favour. And we learn from his pnom on the Sons of Llyr

(Kerdd am Veib Llyr %), as well as from some old Welsh histo

rians, that he succeeded, by the magic of his song, in redeeming

Elffin from his captivity.

How soon his connection with Elffin ceased does not appear;—

but in the maturer part of his life we find him to have been tho

bard of Urien Reged, a Cumbrian chieftain, who is also cele

brated in the poems of Llywarch H£n. Urien, as we are in

formed by the Genealogy of the Saints (Bonedd y Saint,) came

to settle in South Wales, where for some time he distinguished

himself by his military services, but was, towards the close of his

life, numbered amongst the saints of Bangor Catwg, in Glamor

gan ||. Taliesin has addressed several poems to him, in one of

which 5f he describes himself as residing at that period near the

lake Ceirionydd, in Caernarvonshire :

And I also Taliesin

Of the banks of the lake Ceirionydd.

Of the education of this " chief of bards," all, known with

any certainty, is that it was completed under the celebrated

Catwg, surnamed the Wise, at Llanfeithin, in Glamorgan. He

* Arch, of Wales, vol. i. p. 19. f lb. p. 83. J !b. p. 32.

§ lb. p. 67. See also p. 34, where another allusion is made to this event.

" Doidmgf Deganh-xy," &c. || See the " Cambrian Biography."

1 Anrec Urien. Arch, of Wales, vol. i. p. 50.


was the first abbot of Llancarfan, and is distinguished by his ex

cellent collection of antient Welsh maxims, which are published

in the Archaiology *. Taliesin, as a bard, was necessarily initi

ated in the Druidical mysteries, and to which some of his writings,

as before noticed, prove him to have been strongly attached.

He had a son Afaon, who is represented as having renounced

the peaceful pursuits of bardism for the turbulent occupation of

a warrior, in which capacity he fought under Cadwallon, Prince

of North Wales. For this reason he is described, in an antient

Triad, with two others, likewise of bardic parentage, as one of

the " three chief-like bulls " of the isle of Britain. Taliesin is

supposed to have died about the year 570 f.

The variety of the verse, as well as of the topics, embraced

by Taliesin's muse, makes it difficult to ascribe to it any general

character. He not only employed most of the metres then in use,

but even enriched his poetry with others borrowed from the

Greek and Roman writers, before that time unknown to the lan

guage,—but since familiarly used by the bards as far as they

could be adapted to the genius of the Welsh tongue, and the

peculiar character of its poetry.

That Taliesin had profited by the able instruction of Catwg is

clear from several parts of his writings, where the allusions, he

makes, prove the great extent of his learning for the age in

which he lived. But what he seems to have studied with superior

avidity and success was, as already intimated, the mystical lore of

the Druids, with which many of his productions are so deeply

impregnated as to become extremely obscure, if not, for the

most part, unintelligible. The doctrine of metempsychosis, in

^particular, appears to have been a favourite theme. Two or

three of his poems are expressly devoted to it, and afford a sin

gular instance of the effect of that wild notion upon a powerful

and creative imagination. As a repository of the maxims of

Druidism, however, and also as a record of historical facts, the

productions of Taliesin must be admitted to possess an important

* Vol. iii. p. 1 to 99.

f I am not ignorant, that an attempt has been made, by the very intel

ligent author of the " Celtic Researches," and of the *' Mythology and

Rites of the Druids," to throw an air of fable over this account of Taliesin.

But, if this note should meet the eye of that gentleman, he will par

don me, 1 hope, for observing, that there appears, in the instance above

noticed at least, too laboured an effort to subject to a favourite hypothe

sis all antient facts and authorities,—too manifest an anxiety to drag his

tory captive at the triumphal car of mythology.—Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

value. His elegiac and lyrical poems abound in pathetic touches,

as well as in sublime fancy and fine moral thought. And we can

hardly accuse him of an unjustifiable degree of vanity, when we

hear him designate himself as being at once a poet and a man of

erudition *, or even when he claims, for the property of his muse,

the flowing speech of a prophet f.

*

WELSH MUSIC—No. I.

To the Editor of the Cambro-Briton.

Sir,—As the Cambro-Briton is to be devoted to Wale*, her

History, Poetry, and Literature in general, a few observations

on her Music will, I trust, be acceptable to your readers. It •

will be necessary for me to express myself in a manner different

from what I should do, were I addressing persons acquainted with

the science, and to avoid technical pVivases. For few would un

derstand me, were I to say, that, " to modulate from the tonic

to the dominant, a sharp 4th will be required, or to modulate

from the tonic to the sub-dominant, a flat 7th will be necessary,

&c. &c." I feel it incumbent on me to say thus much, lest some

discordant brother might feel disposed to notice my (supposed)

lack of knowlege.

In the course of my professional career, I have had the good

fortune to hear specimens of almost every national music, from

the classic strains of the Italian, to the wild war-song of the rude

Indian.—And to none shall the Welsh yield in point of character !

What can be more characteristic than, Of a noble Race was

Shenkin ? The immortal Handel introduced it, in one of his

Operas ; and Mr. Cramer, the celebrated piano-forte performer,

thus mentions it in his Instruction Book—" This Air is a fine

specimen of the Welsh national music ; originality and boldness

of character are united in the melody."—The Rising of the

Lark is another beautiful air, full of energy and melody. Dr.

Haydn said, that it was one of the finest compositions he had ever

heard. This is a great favourite among the singers in Wales ;

* " Wyf llogell cerdd, wyf lle'enydd." Buarth Beirild. Arch, of

Wales, vol. i. p. 27. Many other similar instances occur in his poems,

f Mydwyf Taliesin

Areith lif Dewin.—Canu y Byd Maxr. Ib. p. 35.


and the stanzas, in praise of the fair maids of Meirionydd, are

sung to it. The celebrated song in the Beggar's Opera of

" Cease your funning" is a Welsh air, (Llwya OnnJ, varied

a little. The song, which I wrote for Mr. Braham, called

" Beauty in Tears," is to the same air. But, in order to give

your readers an idea of the various styles and characters of the

Welsh airs, it will be proper, that I should class them, making

such observations on them, as I may deem proper, and point

those out, which are mostly sung in these days. I have arranged

and published two volumes of the Welsh Music for a military

band ; also a Collection for the piano-fortej flute, and violon

cello; and a Selection of Melodies with appropriate English

words, so that I am not unacquainted with their beauties *.

Wishing every possible success to the Cambro-Briton,

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

July 15, 1819. John Parry.

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER I.

Mr- Edward Llwyd f to Mr. Humphrey Wanley % ; dated

Apleton, February 8th, 1703.

Sir,—Your first letter being at Oxford, I could return no

speedier answer to the last : nor can I indeed yet a satisfactory

one. As for the names of Foermen and Owun, if you find the

Saxons used them, there's no more to be sayd :—but, because you

ask'd me whether they were not British names, I thought you

took it for granted, or at least suspected, they were not Saxon.

* The late Mr. Owen Jones presented me with a book containing thirty

airs, which were collected, among the Harpers in Wales, by a person em

ployed by him for that purpose. Several of these have never been pub

lished.—J. P.

f The well-known author of the Archceologia Britannica, the first volume

only of a comprehensive work, which he designed to publish, on the Lan

guage and Antiquities of Wales,—but which, unfortunately for his coun

try, he 'did not live to complete. He was a native of Cardiganshire, and

studied at Oxford, where he became keeper of the Ashmolean Museum, an

office which he retained until his death, in 1709. He left behind him

many valuable MSS. of Welsh learning, which were purchased by Sir

Thomas Sebright, and continued for a long time in that family. It is to be

feared, however, that they have since been destroyed by fire.—Ed.

| He was librarian to Lord Oxford, and arranged the famous Haileian

Collection of MSS., now in the British Museum.—Ed.


I thank you for your transcript of the barbarous words in the

Cambridge Psalter, some of which I know to be Irish, and conclude

the rest, which I understand not, to be so, because in just the

same hand. The papers enclosed were very acceptable, and are

here returned as you desired. That the Irish received their

alphabet from the Britons is the opinion of a learned and judi

cious author of their own country, Sir James Ware, in his Dis-

qttisitiones de Hiberniu, &c., where he says, " Porro ut Hiberni

" olim utebantur lingua antiqua Britannica, ita etiam a priscis

" Britannis accipiebant alphabetam ceu literas, uti forte Saxones

" postea ab Hibernis, dum ad scholas Hibernicas discendi gratia

" confluerunt." The same we find to be the opinion also of Bol-

landus, for which Flaherty is much displeased with him, in the

third part of his Ogygia. As for letters among the Britans *, you

know (whatsoever they had before the Roman Conquest) all are

agreed, they became partly civilized upon that conquest. But, if

there be any authentique proof, that the Anglo-Saxons (who, you

know, came not in til about 400 years after) had the use of letters

at their coming, 'tis, I must confess, what I am ignorant of.

I communicated a copy of the monument of Prince Kadvan f

(which is a rude stone above the church door at Lhan Gadwaladr,

in Anglesey), to Mr. Hicks, of Trevithic, whom you formerly

mentioned, which he shewing with some others to Dr. Musgrave,

of Exeter, the Dr. beg'd copies of them, and sent them to Dr.

Sloan, who has printed them in the Philosophical Transactions. I

did not, I think, mention in my last, that the monument was dated

anno 607, but onely that Cadvan, whose monument I conclude

that to be, was one of the British commanders at the battle of

Bangor, which, according to the Chron. Sax., was that year.

It's so plain and barbarous, that it contains nothing at all but

" Catamannus Rex Sapientissimus, Opinatissimus Omnium Re-

gum." I knew not at first there was such a word as opinatissi

mus ; but 'tis a classical word, and the same with celeberrimus.

The stone is, perhaps, but a piece of what it was at first.

I thank you heartily for your information concerning the

lections out of Scripture in the MS. NE D. 2.—19; for I had

neglected your having observed (that I now remember) no British

words interlined, which were the maign notes I looked after.

When I have spare time I hope to renew my acquaintance with

* The orthography of the original, in this and other instances, is scru

pulously observed.—Ed.

f Cadfan, sou of Iago, was prince of North Wales in 603. In 613 he

succeeded to the nominal sovereignty of Britain, and died in 630.—Ed.


that valuable monument. I found several British words in

Eute% ; for so the prefacer will have us read that name. He

begins his preface in honomati sumitonantis, &c., which coun

tenances your reading of the small paper sent in your last, which

I now return, being able to adde nothing to your conjecture : nor

could I, indeed, have read so much of it myself. The book is,

no doubt of it, British ;—but, whether you can call it Canibro-

British may be scrupled. However, 'tis but leaving out the

former part of the word, and you are safe.

My Irish vocabulary of obsolete words is but a transcript of

the small one given to the Bodleian Library by Dr. Hyde : but

I have also the old MS. ones, out of which that was printed, as

I guesse. I mean not the same copies, but others antient and on

velom. I have the Irish Catechism, both the Popish and Pro

testant. But the Highland Grammar and Lexicon, which you

say the Duke of Argyle has, is what I never heard of, and shall

therefore be heartily obliged if you can procure me the use of

them, especially the latter.

If you write to Man, I should be glad of a copy of the eleventh

chapter of Leviticus in Bp. Philips's Translation of the Bible ;

which, as I take it, was never printed, but is there in MS. I

never saw any Welsh writing near so old as that you sent me

out of the Lichfield MS., excepting three verses I lately sent to

the Bp. of Hereford, who is so curious in our language and an

tiquities, that I am sure he would be very glad to see the Lich

field MS.

I know not the books you mention in the publique library

written Uteris Hibernicis, unlesse you mean those also in that

language amongst Abp. Laud's. But I am at no great losse as

to the. reading part; but have far to seek for the old language as

well as (I fear me) even all their own nation.

As to the older entries, you know they are all maim'd except

two : nor are they indeed entire. The former I read thus :—

" Ostendit ista conscriptio quod dederunt Rhesus et Hirv

" Brechfa * usque ad Hirfaen Gwydhog f, a solitudine Gelhi J

" Irlath usque ad Camdhwr §. Emolumenta ejus sunt sexa-

" ginta panes et vervex et gworthewyr || butyri. Deus omnipotens

" testis est. Sadyrnwydd, Sacerdos, testis ; Nywys, T. ; Gwrgi,

" T. ; Cwdhwlv, T.—De Laicis Cynwern, T. ; Colhwyn, T. ; Ky-

" hyrged, T. ; Ermin (ceu Ewyn), T.—Qui custodierit benedictus

* Nomen loci. + Columnam saxeam conspicuam. | Sylvx.

§ Nomen fluvii. || Memura bodic ignota.


" erit, et qui franxerit maledietus a Do." The other, though

best preserved, is not intelligible to me. The beginning seems

plain, via. " Surrexit Tydvwlch, filius Tinctoris, et.> Jtmimriug

" Eremita, ut postularent terram Teliavi, qua erat in inanu

"Elevii, filiiGelhiget ."

I am, Sir, your obliged friend and servant,

E. Lhwttd.

LETTER II.

Mr. Richard Gruffydd* to Camden; dated Anglesey,

January f.

Good Mr. Clarenceux,— I have had your kind letters, and

understand from this gentleman your great inquisitive care of my

health and well-doyng, which of your only great curtesy doth

procede and no merit in me, and maketh me so far beholding

unto you, as I shall remain your dettoure.

You say, you will cast about for Amirate upon Tacitus, which,

if you find, I pray you to deliver to this gentleman with a note

of the price, which you shall receave with convenient speed.

The letter I sent you I suspect myself, and yet, as I hear it is

of recorde, I will know the trueth and certify you thereof.

As touching Gwynedd (which you miscalle Gwenith, in Welsh

wheat,) my meaning and the dryfte of my last letter was (not

determining ought myself) to ofifre and represent to your learned

censure, if our Gwynedd, Vannes in Brytain, in Latin called

Veneti, they of the same name ad mare Adriaticum et ad mare

Balticum, where Halmodius doth place the towne of Wynethum,

did participate in idemptitye of name, as I think they do, refer

ring, if they do so, to your exquisite judgment to find out the

cause and reason thereof. They ad mare Balticum, by consent

of wryters, are thought to come of Hencti, in Asia, and their

language is called lingua Henetica, being the Sclavon tongue,

and much commended as copiouse and significant. They ad

mare Adriaticum, passing over particular opinions, are gene-

* Owing to the original MS. being torn, the name of Gruffydd does not

appear in full. The first four letters are, however, legible : and I have

ventured to supply the remainder, as not knowing any other Welsh name,

to which such a beginning is applicable. Perhaps among the readers of

the Cambro-Biuton it may be possible to procure some information of the

writer.—Ed.

+ No year is mentioned.—Ed.

Vol. I. D


rally supposed to have come thither with Antenor from Troy. We

of this country think ourselves to be some remayne of the same,

althoughe I believe we came hither from Gallia. As for Genonia

in Pausanias *, confining with Brigantes, I think they belong

nothing to us. This with some may work a diversity in the name

of us of this country and them of Armorica, that we end in dd

or th, and they in *, whereas, in trueth it proceedeth of the

dialect. We say davad a sheepe, gwlad a country, and huad

a dog ; they and the Cornishe say davas, gulas, hias, or hios,

whereof, as I think, was deduced Hiesus adored in forma

canind.

They of Vannes in Armorica I cannot gesse from whence

they come, otherwise than the rest of the people and nations of

Gallia. Geoffrey used Venedotus, and not Venetus, for the sur

name of Maelgwin, which proceedeth of his ignorance, as he

was an asse, and knew no more what he said there than in the rest

of his booke, that he farsed with infinite lyes and erroures. He,

among his manifold falshodes, defaced the glory of our nacion, I

meane King Arthur, the noblest prince of his tyme comparable

with any in the world, whom learned wryters do highly commend

and lament to have wanted a true trumpet of his own fame.

Geoffrey wryteth no trueth of him, hydeth his noble actes worthy

of all memory, and attributeth to him the things, he never did,

very false and unlykely with respect of the state of the time and

the consent of wryters.

As for Maglocunus and Draco Insularis f, they be names

devized, the first by fantasticke ignorance accompanied with a

vague shew of contrefait skylle, the other by particular passion

breaking out into bitter invective against our countrey prynces.

Moreover I do frankly confesse, that I think Gwynedd to be an

antient name, and, that which is more and may be of some ac-

compted most absurd, I believe, that Lloegr, Wales, and Poys,

with many others yet extant, be antient names, and so antient as

that they were retained before rather the comyng than the de

parture of the Romans. And, as for Deheubarth, it is none

other name of Wales, than is the North and West of England.

* See Camden's Britannia, in the remarks on the Ordovices. Gibson's

Edition, p. 650.—Ed.

f See Edward Ltwyd's observations on these names in Camden's Britan

nia, in his " Additions to Caernarvonshire." Ibid, p. 670.—Ed.

X From the paleness of the ink about twelve lines are here quite ille

gible.—Ed.


1 have said before what I think of Gwynedd, that it is borrowed

of Veneti in Armorica. Concerning Poys, corruptly called

Powys, I think it cometh of the name of Poysi, a town in France,

where there was, near forty year past, a conference for religion.

There was a towne situate six miles west of Salop, destroyed by

Owen Glyndwr, where the castell and a village yet remain,

called Caors, which name I think to be borrowed of Caors, in

France.

I could risk more ; but this sufficeth. I ende this letter from

home, as you may see by the change of my hike and penne. I

pray you write unto me what you think of this my conceit, and

also how Armorica came to be called Britannia ; and I assure

you upon the receipt thereof I will more at large write of this

matter, and also what I think of Britayne. In the mean time I

commyt you to the care of the Almighty. Anglesey, Idib :

Januar.

Totus tuus,

RlCH\RD GRUFFYDD.

hi,. .

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIRS.

OWEN JONES.

The benefactors of mankind are not always to besought in the

high road of popular glory. The senate and the camp teem, it is

true, with renown at once splendid and dazzling. But in the shade

of private life, in the sequestered walks of retirement, we shall

often find public virtue, less ostentatious indeed in its immediate

effects, but more beneficial in its general aim : and for which,

perhaps, posterity shall weave a more unsullied wreath than any,

that has adorned the brows of a conqueror or a statesman.

Of the various methods, by which a private individual may

promote the interests of his country, the encouragement of its

literature must not be esteemed the least efficacious. If the boun

teous hand of charity may command a sublimer influence, the

benefits, that flow from the patronage of learning and science, are

of a more extensive and of a more durable character. If the

tendency of the former be to alleviate the sufferings, and to

supply the necessities, of our nature,—undoubtedly a heavenly

occupation,—it is more peculiarly the province of the latter to

spread abroad the empire of morality and of knowlege. The

protector of literature, therefore, whether by fostering living

so THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

talent, or by rescuing from oblivion the genuis of past ages, has

an indisputable claim to be enrolled amongst the benefactors of

•his fellow-men.

The position here advanced is one, which will be allowed to

apply to all countries and to all times, but with more peculiar

force to such times and countries, as may have been remarkable

for a dearth of public spirit in this respect. The merit, naturally

belonging to this species of patriotism, is thus enhanced by the con

trast, and especially, if it be the disinterested spirit of a humble

individual contrasted with the supineness of affluence and of rank.

Such is the description of worth, which it is the aim of this brief

memoir to record. And the " short and simple annals " of Mr.

Owen Jones are easily filled. He was a younger son of a respect

able family, which had been long in the enjoyment of a pretty con

siderable freehold on the spot, where its descendants are still to

be found. The parish, of which he was a native, is Llanfibangel

Glyn y Myfyr, in the county of Denbigh : in the name of which

may be discovered a sort of prophetic allusion to the character,

by which his future life was to be marked. And, in the title,

which he afterwards assumed, he did not forget, that he had come

from the " Valley of Contemplation*." Of his education no

thing certain is known to the writer of this sketch ; but it may be

presumed, that it was only such as the opportunities of the neigh

bourhood could supply. And those of the country parishes in

Wales are not very enviable. However, even this doubtful

advantage he did not continue long to enjoy : for he was sent

early in lifeJto London, where he was taken into the employment

of Messrs. Kidney and Nutt, furriers, in Thames-street, to whose

business he eventually succeeded. And he continued to carry

on the trade with credit, and a fair portion of success, until the

lime of his death.

The diligence, however, with which he pursued his particular

calling, did not prevent him from devoting a considerable share

of his time to his native country, his attachment to which was at

once ardent and inflexible t- The unmerited neglect, so long

* The literal translation of Glyn y Myfyr is the Valley of the Contem

plative Man. And " Myfyr" was the bardic designation, which, in com

pliance with the custom of his country, Mr. Jones adopted in his literary

undertakings.

•f His national zeal was once evinced in a most singular manner, when,

upon being present at the performance of Shakespear's Henry 5th, and

seeing Fluelin compel Pistol to eat his leek, he clapp'd his hands with a

rapturous exultation, exclaiming at the same time, " That is right, that is

" right !»

THE CAMBRO-BRTTON. •2!

experienced by our national literature, conld not fail to impress

itself deeply on a mind so disposed. And he accordingly resolved

to appropriate to himself the honourable distinction, which had

belonged to the Maecenases and the Leos of other countries. He

became at once the patron of the modern genius of Wales, and

the conservator of her past fame. Thus in the obscure retreat

of a private individual was nourished a spirit, which, in better

times, had been deemed an honour to the mansions of princes.

In the prosecution of this plan he omitted nothing, that might

conduce to its proper accomplishment. His time and his purse

were alike dedicated to the cause ': and the result has been seen

in a very extensive collection of MSS., and in the publication of

the most antient and valuable remains of Welsh literature. He

was likewise the founder of the Gwyneddigion Society, and,

during the remainder of his life, did not cease to contribute h»

pecuniary aid in every way, in which it could be of service, to

wards advancing the laudable objects of that institution *.

The principal works, which he published at his own expence,

were the Poems of Dafydd ab Gwilym, with a Preface from the

pen of Mr. William Owen Pughe ; and, for the use of his country

men in humble life, " Dyhewyd y Cristion," or, " the Christian's

Resolution," a translation from the English by the celebrated Dr.

John Davies. He likewise established a periodical work in Welsh

under the title of " Greal." But what will constitute the proudest

monument to his fame, as long as the Welsh language shall be

known amongst men, is the " Arehaiology of Wales," embrac

ing, in three large octavo volumes f, all the most distinguished

productions of the country from the fifth to the close of the thir

teenth century. These he is represented to have given to theS

world with a conscientious fidelity, and at an expence, in their

collection and publication, somewhat exceeding a thousand

pounds. When it is considered, that by far the greatest portion

of these literary treasures had not before appeared in print,

that many of them were thus, in all probability, saved from

impending destruction,—and when with this is remembered the

reproachful indifference, that generally prevailed with respect to

Welsh learning, making remuneration hopeless,—this act of dis

interested patriotism can not be estimated too highly. '

* See p. 34, post,

\ These were published in the respective years of 1901, and 1807. Mr*

Joues was assisted in the literary superintendance of the work by Mr. W,

O. Pughe and Mr, Edward( Williams, the venerable bard of Glamorgan.


To these public exertions the subject of this memoir added

others, which, although of a private nature, had the same patriotic

object in view, and must not, therefore, be passed without notice.

He was at the additional pains and expence of collecting manu

script copies of the Poetry of Wales from the year 1300, when

the Archaiology concludes, to the time of Elizabeth, comprised

in about fifty quarto volumes, each containing nearly five hundred

pages. This valuable collection is at present, it is believed, in

the penwasipn of his son. . j

Nor must it be forgotten, in this inadequate tribute to the

memory of Mr. Owen Jones, to record, that he united with his

merit as a patriot many amiable private qualities, extending often

to individuals that benevolence, of which his country had so

largely partaken. A single anecdote, for the authenticity of

which the writer of this memoir can vouch, will at once illustrate

the justice of the preceding remark. A few years after the esta

blishment of the Gwyneddigion Society, the author of a cele

brated Welsh Essay, to which one of its prizes was awarded, at

tracted, in consequence, the notice of its generous founder. A

correspondence between them was the necessary result, and in the

course of it our Welsh Rfecenas urged his new friend to give

his talents the benefit of an academical education, using, in his

letter on the occasion, these characteristic words :—" I will bear

" your expences :—draw upon me for any sums of money you

" may be in need of whilst in college. And the condition of the

" obligation is this, that, if, by any reverse of fortune, 1 should

" become poor, and you in a state of affluence, then you must

" maintain me." No stronger proof of his liberal spirit can be

required. It is proper to add, however, that the gentleman, here

alluded to, was only once under the necessity of trespassing on

his patron's munificence ; and he then found him true to his be

nevolent promise. Yet it takes nothing from the merit of his in

tention, that it was not more fully executed. It should also be

remembered, that by his judicious discernment in this instance,

and by his encouraging instigation, he was the means of bringing

into public notice an individual, who has since proved himself a

distinguished proficient in our national literature. He was the

Ulysses,

—— per quern magnus Danais successit Achilles.

After a life, thus signalized by private excellence and by

public zeal, Mr. Owen Jones left the world lamented by many,

respected by all. He died at his house in Thames-street, on the

■


26th of September, 1814, at the age of 73, leaving a widow and

three children to unite their sorrow with that of his country, and

to derive from its sympathy the truest consolation, that can be

experienced for the loss of departed worth *.

* •

CRITICISM.

Coit Gwynfa : or Paradise Lost translated into Wu.su 6y

W. O. Pughe. 8vo. pp. 371. 8s. E. Williams, 1819.

The fame of Milton has long ceased to be at the mercy of

time. It has, for ages, become one of the brightest possessions of

eternity, as far, at least, as that term may be applied to the re

nown of this world. In no language does there exist a nobler

specimen of the union of learning and genius,—of the pomp and

dignity of the former and the luxuriance and sublimity of the

latter,— than is afforded by Paradise Lost. Its very blemishes

result from the exuberance of its author's knowlege ; and its

beauties are such as his towering fancy could alone have created.

It was Milton too, be it remembered, that made the first successful

effort to liberate the English Muse from the bondage of rhyme.

He first taught her to exchange her monkish frippery for a more

sober and a more classical attire f. He also taught his native

language itself to soar to a higher point in the scale of poetical

excellence ; he intermixed with her homely phraseology the po

lished idioms of more cultivated tongues, and engrafted upon her

comparatively naked stock a variety of choice exotics from the

genial climes of Rome and of Athens. To the valuable stores,

* A very appropriate tribute was paid, on this melancholy event, by

the Gwyneddigion Society to the memory of one, whom they had so many

reasons for styling their " Father." All the members appeared in deep

mourning,—their silent harp was covered with black crape, and an affect

ing dirge, composed on the occasion by Mr. John Jones, then bard to the

Society, prepared all present to participate with still deeper emotion in the

mournful solemnity.

f It is not intended by this assertion to insinuate, that Milton was the

first English poet who wrote in blank verse, but only, that he was the first

to make a successful use of it. The earliest English composition of this

nature was a Translation of the second and fourth books of the .Sneis by

Lord Surry, in 1557, See Warton's History of English Poetry, vol. Hi.

r. 21,

THE CAMBR0-6RIT0N.

with which his classical learning thus supplied him, he likewise

added others, which he readily derived from a familiar acquaint

ance with the most admired productions of modern Italy. It was

hence, in all probability, that he learned to give to his verse that

melody ofconstruction, which a poetical ear cannot fail to discover.

Thus, by his adoption of many foreign words, by a new combi

nation in the mechanism of his sentences, and by a more musical

metre, the English language acquired in his hands an accession

both of strength and of ornament, to which it had been before

unaccustomed :

Miraturque novas frondes, et non sua poma.

The few preceding remarks appeared to be in some degree

necessary, to remind the reader of the difficulty, that must natu

rally accompany any attempt to translate a writer so variously

and so learnedly gifted, and of whom it may emphatically be

said, with reference to his greatest work, that, as his theme was

divine, so his song was equal with his theme.

It must not be deemed surprising, however, that, notwithstand

ing these discouraging obstacles, endeavours should have been

made to naturalize the sublime poem of Paradise Lost in most of

the modern languages of Europe. Germany, Holland, Portugal,

France and Italy have alike aimed at this honour. With respect

to the former two, it will readily be imagined, that the harshness

of the Teutonic dialects was found far from being congenial with

the dignity, and, it may even be said, the splendour of the origi

nal. Whatever advantage, therefore, the German and Dutch

translators may have acquired over the English poet in force of

expression, if, indeed, there was a chance of superiority there,

they must have lost in their efforts to emulate the studied harmony

of his metrical cadences, and the classical richness of his style.

The Portuguese language again, so little adapted as it has been

to the higher strains of poetry, may. well be pardoned for having

failed to pourtray, in any remarkable manner, the excellence of

the English epic.

On the French translators it can hardly be requisite to offer '

any remark. From a prudent regard to the infirmity of their

vernacular tongue, so unequal to the bolder flights of imagina

tion, they have not ventured, for the most part, to give their

versions a poetical dress. Conscious of the justice of Voltaire's

satirical observation, that his countrymen wanted an epic head,

they felt, at the same time, that they were also in want of an

epic language.


The Italians alone seem to have succeeded in their attempt* to

seize, in any considerable degree, the spirit of their great pro

totype; and, if they have not equalled him in the diversified

energy of his metrical pauses, they have perhaps surpassed him

in the softness and mellifluence of their verse. But even for this

advantage, if indeed a monotonous sweetness deserve the name,

they must have been indebted more to the musical qualities of

their language than to any superiority of poetical art. The

Italian versions, however, are for the most part pretty accurate

copies of the original both in spirit and metre ; and it may be

noticed, that a certain affinity in the accentuation of the two

languages afforded, in the latter instance, every opportunity for

success *.

From this cursory view of the continental translations it is now

time to turn to that, which has given occasion to the foregoing re

marks ; and to a Cambro-Briton the task can not but be one of

delight and of exultation.

It is certainly a matter of surprise, that, of the numerous Eng

lish classics, and particularly the poets, no one of any eminence

should, until now, have made its appearance in a Welsh dress. It

was reserved for the celebrated author of our national dictionary

to open one path as successfully as he had closed another,—for

him, who had given us a Johnson, to make Milton our own. And

the masterly style, in which he has achieved this last performance,

merits the gratitude, as it must undoubtedly receive the praise, of

his country. For the felicity of the execution will be allowed by

all competent and unprejudiced judges to be in proportion with

the novelty of the design.

Nor does this novelty consist only in the attempt to translate

into Welsh the most sublime and, perhaps, the most difficult of

* The Latin translations of Paradise Lost are here passed without no

tice, not because they possess no merit, but because a comparison between

the living and dead languages can not, in this case, be fairly made. Be

sides, however excellent a Latin or Greek version may be in its way, there is

still such a want of originality, such a servile mimicry of the antient writers

in all modern productions of this description, as can not fail to be unsatis

factory to every person of true poetical feeling. The following is the com

mencement of Dr. Trapp's Translation of Paradise Lost :—

" Primnm hominis lapsum vetitaqne ex arbore fructus

Avulsos, quorum e gustu lethale venenum

Mortem, atque omne malum, quo plectimur, intulit orbi ;

Amissa Edena, donee nos asserat horto

Unus homo major redimens, sedique beats ;

Coelestis cane Musa, -

Vol. I. E


English poems. It embraces moreover an endeavour, most suc

cessfully accomplished, to adapt the Welsh language to the metre

of the original. • It may not be generally known out of Wales,

that the poetry of that country, as far as its metrical harmony is

concerned, is founded on principles exclusively its own. Com

prising, as it does, in its four-and-twenty metres, every variety

of verse known to antient or modern Europe, it still adapts them

to a certain law unknown to all other countries. This, in the

language of Wales, is styled Cynghanedd, which consists in a

certain correspondent alliteration of words with reference to

their rhythmical symphony. Upon a skilful observance of this

principle the beauties of Welsh verse mainly depend. It

was established as a constituent part of it as early as the ninth

century, since which time it has hitherto continued, though

greatly modified and improved, to be considered as indispensible

to its formation.

From what has been above said it will be inferred, that the

English heroic verse is not unknown to the Welsh poets : but,

divested of the peculiarity just noticed, it must be regarded as a

novelty. And, when the disadvantage of writing in a metre,

stripped of its natural aids, is duly considered, the merit of Mr.

Pughe's performance can not fail to be enhanced. Nothing but

the natural vigour and buoyancy of our noble language, and his

masterly management of it, could have raised it superior to such

an obstacle. But this is not all : he has not merely surmounted

this difficulty, but has been most happy in imitating the harmo-

jiious mechanism of the original, as will be evident by a comparison

of many of those passages, in which Milton's great skill in that

respect is most conspicuous. In a word, Mr. Pughe's country

men must feel truly grateful to him for thus proving most satis

factorily, that the Welsh, even when shorn of its own poetical

beams, is not only equal in energy and in majesty to the English,

but is far more expressive and more harmonious. And, it should

farther be observed, that our translator has, with much judg

ment, availed himself of the several dialects of the Welsh

tongue, to give to his work that copiousness and variety, for

which the English bard felt himself obliged to have recourse to

the assistance of foreign languages.

The exordium of Paradise Lost is here selected to prove, in

some degree, the justice of what has been now asserted, not

indeed because it furnishes the best instance that might be

selected, but because, being so well known to all English readers,

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

it will render the transcribing of the original in a great measure

unnecessary.

" Am drosedd Dyn, ac aeron teg y pren

Yn waharddedig, idd y byd ei flas

A ddygai angeu, a phob echrys wae, . -

Gan golli Eden, nes adferer ni, ,—

Trwy un mwy Dyn, a meddu y fro gain,

0 cana Awen nefawl, hon oddiar v, '

Ben Horeb, neu o gwmwl Sinai ddu,

A roddit idd y bugel hwnw ddawty-H .

A ddysgai gyntaf y dewisawl had

1 wybod, yn y dechreu fal y daeth. ; •..

Y byd o Dryblith * dwys : Neu os i ti .'

Tirionach mynydd Sion ac wrth ffrwd ,

Siloa hon a red ger gwyddfa Duw :

Oddiyno anfon nawdd i gan mor hy,

O fryd anturiaw nid ar isel hynt 7

Uwch holl orseddau awenyddion ail f>

Tra synio am newyddion bethau gwiw.: . .

Yn benaf Ti, O Yspryd Gwir, a wyt v

O flaen pob tend yn dewis caloii Ian, . x

Addysga fi, o herwydd gwyddkd wyllj:::

Cynnrychawl odd y cyntaf oeddit Tij [;i

A chan amledu dy adenydd gwrdd, ' , , o

Mai y golomen, ar y dyfnder mawr

Eisteddit, a deorai iddo hil :

Hyn ynnof dywyll sydd yn oleu gwna, • —' - -i

Derchafa hyn sy wael; trwy hawl.mor fawr

Yr honwyf drefn Rhagluniaeth erioed a byth,

A chyfiawnau i ddynion lwybrau Duw."

No one, conversant with the Welsh language, can fail to appre

ciate the merits of this passage, and especially of the last eleven

lines, beginning, in the English, with

" But chiefly thou, O Spirit that dost prefer."

Let us compare Mr. Pughe's version with the Italian translation

by Paolo Rolli of the same lines. It is thus he renders them.

* " Tryblith,']—Chaos, neu Cymysg, ydoedd yr enw gan y Groegiaid

iddy ddaiar, pan oedd afluniaidd, cyn y ctead."

f "Neu, Uwch i orseddfa awenyddion Gryw.}—Baeotia, talaeth o dlr

Gryw, a e'.wid hefyd Aonia, neu wlad yr Awen ; ac yno safai moel Helicon

lie, meddynt, yr ymorseddai yr Aonides neu yr Awenyddion : ac o hyny yr

enwid Aonian Mount yn y ganiad hon."


" Principalmente o tu Spirito, che a tempii

Tutti anteponi un retto e puro cuore,

Istruiscimi tu, perche tu sai,

E dal principio essendo tu presente ;

Giacesti con possenti ale distese

Qual colomba, a covar su'l vasto abisso,

E pregnante il facesti : or tu rischiara

Quanto e d'oscuro in me ; tu quel, ch' £ urm'Ie,

In alto lieva e ve'l sostini, ond' Io,

Al sommo d'un cosi grande argomento,

Possa asserir la Providenza eterna,

E all' Uom le vie giustificar di Dio."

No person, even moderately acquainted with the two languages,

can hesitate where to bestow the preference. The Welsh trans

lator has not only equalled the Italian in the melody of his verse,

but has an abundant advantage in the force and variety of his

cadences. To compare the Welsh with the Italian in melody

may appear a species of arrogance to the admirers of the latter

tongue. But it is a fact beyond dispute, that our native language

is capable of as soft and as eweet a combination as the Italian.

With a far richer store of vocal sounds, it makes a less frequent

use of the dental or hard consonants, as may be fully illustrated

by a comparison of the lines here quoted. Indeed the whole

passage, extracted from Mr. Pughe's Translation, bears testi

mony to the fact. Nothing can be sweeter than the first six

lines :—and of these the fifth and sixth are particularly so. But

the work abounds in examples of this sort, some of which will

be noticed hereafter.

It would be a task of too much time to dwell now on all the

beauties of Coll Gwynfa. It shall be the business, however,

of a future number to enter into a more minute examination of

its most prominent features. All, that has been attempted on

the present occasion, is a survey of its general characteristics;

and, if the language of praise alone has been adopted, it has

been because no other could be conscientiously used. The merit

of the undertaking was of itself sufficient to call for it ; and when

to this are added the judiciousness of the design, and the skill

evinced in the execution, what alternative has a critic, with refer

ence to the general character of the work, but panegyric ?


AWEN CYMRU.

A'th rodd yw athrwydd Awen. Edm. Pry«.

PENNLLLION*

I.

Ni chin cog ddim amser gaua',

Ni chan telyn heb ddim tannau,

Ni chan calon, hawdd i'ch wybod,

Pan fo galar ar ei gwaelod.

II.. .

Cleddwch fi, pan fyddwyf farw,

Yn y coed tan ddail y derw;

Chwi gewch weled llangc pen felyn

Ar fy medd yn canu'r delyn.

ill.

Dyn a garo grwth a thelyn,

Sain cynghanedd, can, ag englyn,

A gar y pethau mwya tirion,

Sy'n y Nef y' mhlith angylion :

Yr un ni charo don a chaniad

Ni chair ynddo naws o gariad ;

Fe welir hwn, tra byddo byw,

Yn gas gan ddyn, a chas gan Dduw.

IV.

Clywais ddadwrdd, clywais ddwndrio,

Clywais ran o 'r byd yn beio ;

Erioed ni chlywais neb yn datgan

Fawr o 'i hynod feiau ei hunan.

v.

Pan fo seren yn rhagori,

Fe fydd pawb a 'i olwg arni,

Pan ddaw unwaith gwmmwl drosti,

Ni bydd mwy o son am dani.

* If any of these Pennillion should have before appeared in print (ag in

deed some have), it is hoped, that their merit will be received as a suffi

cient apology for their republication. An attempt to convey to the English

reader some idea of their peculiar excellence will be found in a subsequent

page : but it is impossible, that any translations should do adequate jus

tice to the sweet simplicity and characteristic expressiveness of the ori

ginals.—Ed.


VI.

Gwell na'r gwin yw 'r medd per hidlaid,

Diod Beridd yr hen Frutaniaid ;

Gwtn a bair ynfydrwydd cynnen,

Ond yn y medd mae dawn yr Awen.

" • *n.

D'accw lwyn o fedw gleision,

D'accw 'r llwyn sy 'n torri 'nghalon ;

Nid am y llwyn yr wy 'n ochneidio,

Ond am y ferch a welais ynddo.i: •.

TRANSLATIONS FROM THE BARDS.

CONSOLATION OF ELFFIN,

BY TAUESIN*.

Fair Elffin, cease to lament !

Let no one be dissatisfied with his own :

To despair will bring no advantage... .,;

No man sees what supports him ; .

The prayer of Cynllo f will not be in vain,

God will not violate his promise.

Never in Gwyddno's wear , .

Was there such good luck as to-night.

Fair Elffin, dry thy cheeks !

To be too sorrowful will profit thee nothing,

Although thou thinkest, thou hast no gain,

Too much grief will bring thee no good.

Nor doubt the miracles of the Almighty:

Although I am but little, I am well-gifted.

From seas and from mountains,

And from the depths of rivers,

God brings wealth to the fortunate man.

Elffin, of lively qualities,

Thy resolution is unmanly ;

... - • Thou must not be too pensive :

Better to trust in God than to forebode ill.. • • ;. . . .

* See page U ante.

f A saint,—native of South Wales,—to whom there are three churches de

dicated ; one in Radnorshire, and two in Cardiganshire.


Weak and small as I am '

On the foaming beach of the ocean,

In the day of trouble I shall be

Of more service to thee than three hundred salmon *.

Elffin, of notable qualities,

Be not displeased at thy misfortune ;

Although reclined, thus weak, in my bag f,

There dwells a virtue in my tongue.

While I continue- thy protector,

Thou hast not much to fear.

Through a remembrance of the names of the Trinity,

None shall be able to harm thee.

ENGLISH POETRY.

THE SOLILOQUY OF A BARD, ON THE SPOT,

After the last Conflict J in Snowdon.

FROM THE WELSH.

Lo ! the heroic heap I see,

My country's sons that once were free ;

They fell a falling land to save,

And grateful Cambria decks the grave.

Insatiate Saxons §—there they lie,

Their spirits dare you from the sky ;

Eternal rivals—fiends despair !

For Vice and Virtue meet not there.

Again I see you point the dart,

Its purpose fell—the patriot heart ;

* Alluding to the failure of his fishery. ' . ' "

f This has reference to the leathern bag, in which he is said to have been

found, when taken up in Elffin's wear.

% The politic Edward well knew, though Llewelyn was dead, that the

country was unsubdued while the recesses of Snowdon were unexplored :

here, therefore, it was, that in a morass (the Thermopylae of Cambria)

these heroes were attacked by the Earl of Warwick, who, after a most san

guinary conflict, by a superiority in numbers and tactics, prevailed over

this intrepid band struggling for the expiring independence of their country,

and who, when they failed to conquer, chose to fall.

Notes to " Beaumaris Bay."

§ The various invaders of England were, and still are, denominated Sae-

son, (Saxons), as in the Levant every European distinction is lost in the

word Frank.


Yet know—this arm no Saxon fears,

Though Cambria's fields are wet with tears.

Again I hear the dire decree,

That bids fair Freedom cease to be ;

The world, that Edward wants, we give—

The good, the brave, disdain to live.

Yet England's sons, in future times,

Shall read in blood their father's crimes ;

Concealed in flowers * I see the spear,

The thorns that shall their vitals tear.

Yes, yes ! the day, that marks their doom,

Again shall see my country bloom—

To Britain—Britain's race restore,

And bid Contention cease to roar.

For me divides yon bursting cloud,

The flash f descends in summons loud ;

I rise to join yon hallow'd host, ,

Nor fall to swell a tyrant's boast. Llwyd.

TRANSLATIONS OF THE PENNILLION.

See pp. 29, and 30, ante.

I.

In winter's cold no cuckoo sings,

Nor sounds the harp without its strings,

Dumb too the heart, as well we know,

When stifling sorrow lurks below.

iI.

In yonder wood, 'neath yon oak-tree,

Lay me, when I'm dead, I crave ;

And soon the minstrel youth you'll see

Tune his wild harp o'er my grave,

in.

The man, to whom the harp is dear,

Who loves the sound of song and ode,

Will cherish all that's cherish'd there,

Where angels hold their blest abode :

* This evidently alludes to the long and destructive war of the roses,

f In antient times, a flash of lightning was the Messenger sent for the

favourites of Heaven.

THE CAMBRO^RITON. 33

But he, who loves not tune or strain,

Nature to him no love has given ;

You'll see him, while his days remain,

Hateful at once to earth and heaven *.

IV.

What noise and scandal fill my ear,

One half the world to censure prone !

Of all the faults, that thus I hear,

None yet have told me of their own.

v.

When a star in splendour blazes,

How each eye in rapture gazes !

Let but a cloud its brilliance cover,

And this wonder is all over.

VI.

Better than wine the flowing mead,

Mead, beloved by bards of yore ;

Let wine to strife and madness lead, '

Mead unlocks the Muse's store f-

* The association of the love of music with the love of virtue is, by no

mean*, uncommon. The poets of Italy, where Terpsichore has ever put on

her most fascinating graces, make frequent allusions to it. And amongst the

English, whose musical taste bears a strong resemblance with that of the

Italians, may be found some fine poetical passages to the same effect. Of

these the well-known lines of Shakespear, beginning

" The man who hath no music in himself,"

and the beautiful exordium of Congreve's " Mourning Bride" are the most

remarkable. Yet to neither of these passages are the stanzas, above

translated, inferior. On the contrary, by viewing the subject, as they do, in

either light, they seem to have an advantage over the English lines. And

there may, moreover, be discovered in them a sort of sympathy with the

serious and plaintive character of the Welsh music. But this is a point, on

which I must not dwell. The subject is already in far abler hands ; aod, no

doubt, ample justice will be done to it by the gentleman, whose introductory

letter on Welsh Music appears in a preceding page.—Ed.

f Literally, " In mead is the gift of poetical genius."—The poets of all

countries have been fond of appropriating this virtue to their favourite be

verage. Amongst the antients Anacreon and Horace have been most profuse

in their panegyrics on the subject. The latter even goes so far as to deny

to water drinkers any claim to poetical inspiration. Thus he says,

" Nulla placere diu, nee vivere carmina possunt,

" Qua3 scribuntur aquae potoribus." EP.—Lib. i. Ep. 19.

Without undertaking to determine this important point, it may safely be

presumed, that the lovers of mead had at least as strong a title to the fai

vours of the Muses as the bibbers of wine. The produce of the honey-comb

must have been, to the full, as pregnant with the gift of song as the juice of

the grape. The Welsh poets abound in the praise of mead: and Taliesin,

as before noticed, has left us a tine eulogium on this bardic beverage,—Ed.

Vol. I. F


* **

VII.

Behold yon birchen grove just by,

It pains my bosom every minute ;

Yet 'tis not for the grove I sigh,

It is for her I saw within it.

WALES.

[Under this head will, in future, be collected all intelligence of moment re

lating to the modern state of Wales, whether of a local nature or not.

The space, unexpectedly occupied by one or two articles, has en

croached, in the present instance, upon that intended to be devoted to

this purpose. In consequence, a few topics of interest are reluctantly

reserved for another opportunity —Ed.]

GWYNEDDIGION SOCIETY.—Of the various means,

adopted to promote any patriotic objects, the establishment of

national societies has ever been found the most effectual. In a

foreign country, in particular, such associations are productive of

peculiar benefit, by concentrating in one point those individual

attachments and interests, which, from a want of this sympathetic

union, are too apt to wither away. And moreover, the scattered

rays, thus condensed, as it were, in a focus, cannot fail to acquire

additional lustre and energy.

For this reason, a brief sketch of the Gwyneddigion Society,

obviously originating in this principle, cannot but be congenial

with the design of the Cambro-Briton. This praiseworthy

institution, at first confined, as the name indicates, to the men of

North Wales, or Gwynedd, was established in London in 1771.

Its founder was the late Mr. Owen Jones, whose benefactions to

his country are shortly commemorated in a former part of this

Number. Several other patriotic individuals united in the under

taking, proposing, as their objects, the illustration of the litera

ture of Wales and the encouragement of her bards.

To promote these liberal views, they have, at different times,

patronised several works connected with the Principality, and,

amongst these, Mr. Parry's Welsh Melodies, Mr. Roberts's Welsh

Geography, and, recently, the Translation of Paradise Lost by

Mr. Pughe. But the chief aim of the Gwyneddigion Society has

been to keep alive that attachment to their national music and

poetry, by which, in days of yore, their country was so highly

distinguished. With this view, they made an attempt, several

years ago, to revive the antient Congresses of the Bards, and


distributed medals amongst the successful candidates. They have

likewise been in the practice, for some years, of rewarding, with

similar prizes, the best Welsh poems on subjects selected annually

for the occasion.

The meetings of the Society take place on the first Monday in

every month, when the sound of the antient harp of Cymru, and

its sweet Pennillion unite to perpetuate those patriotic feelings,

which first gave birth to the institution, and to chasten the hour

of conviviality with the affecting strains of that land, of which, in

the appropriate language of one of its own poets, it may justly

be said,

" Brodir, gnawd ynddi brydydd,

Heb ganu ni bu, ni bydd."

Hail, social land, to thee belong

The bard, and never-failing song. %•

CAERMARTHEN EISTEDDFOD.—It is not possible, on the

present occasion, to do more than give a brief outline of the pro

ceedings of this first general meeting of the Cambrian Society.

A detailed account of the origin and nature of this commendable

institution will appear, it is hoped, in the next number of the

Cambro-Briton, with the aim of whose pages it can not but be

congenial to preserve every important feature of an undertaking

so well calculated, in its design at least, to promote the cultiva-

tion of our national literature.

On Thursday, the 8th of July, in pursuance of a public notice,

given some months before, the first Eisteddfod, or Session, of

the Cambrian Society was holden at the Ivy-Bush Hotel, in the

town of Caermarthen. The Bishop of St. David's, in the ab

sence of Lord Dynevor, President of the Association in Dyfed,

took the chair, the duties of which he discharged with a zeal

and ability worthy of the interesting occasion, as well as of the

active part, which his Lordship had previously taken in forward

ing the success of a cause he had so warmly espoused.

The objects of the Eisteddfod having been stated by the

President in a brief and appropriate manner, and afterwards

more fully detailed in an animated speech by Mr. Edward

Williams, Bard to the Society, the business of the day was

opened with a recital of the prize compositions, which were

adjudged as follows :—

r. An Englyn on the Harp new-strung.—Rey. Walter

Davies, Rector of Manafon, Montgomeryshire.

n. A Cywydd on the Death of Sir Thomas Picton.—Tha

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

in. An Awdl on the Death of the Queen.—Mr. Griffith

Williams, of Llandegai, Caernarvonshire.

IV. An Essay on the distinct Characters and comparative

Advantages of the Bardic Institutions of Caermarthen and

Glamorgan.—Rev. Walter Davies.

V. An Essay on the Language and Learning of Britain under

the Roman Government.—Rev. John Jones, of Llanfair

Isgaer, Caernarvonshire.

In consequence of the extraordinary success of Mr. Walter

Davies on this literary arena, he was placed, by the general voice,

in the bardic chair, and invested with a blue ribbon, intended as

an imitation of the antient insignia of Bardism. The thanks of

the meeting were likewise deservedly voted to him on the occasion.

After some other business of ceremony a letter was read from the

" Royal Society of Antiquarians of France," to the President of

the Cambrian Society, soliciting a correspondence on subjects

connected with their respective associations, and promising, in

that event, to transmit to the Cambrian Society the Memoirs of

the French Institution.

On Friday, the 9th of July, an able contest on the harp took

place between Mr. Thomas Blayney and Mr. Henry Humphreys,

both . from Montgomeryshire, when, after a variety of national

airs, skilfully executed by each competitor, the former was de

clared to be the successful candidate. A silver harp was, accord

ing to antient custom, presented to him as the reward of his

triumph, together with a donation of thirty guineas ; while the

merit of his rival was at the same time acknowleged by a gratuity

of half that sum. Thus terminated all the essential proceedings of

this Eisteddfod. The next, it is said, will be holden at Wrexham,

in Denbighshire, in the course of the ensuing summer. %*

JESUS COLLEGE ASSOCIATION.—It is truly cheering to

see the sunshine of patriotism burst forth at length upon our native

country, over which the cloud of indifference had so long thrown

her -ominous shade. To this favourable revolution must be ascribed

the establishment of the Cambrian Society, and likewise the

Association of Gentlemen, educated at Jesus College, Oxford,

whose first meeting was held at Dollgelley, on the 4th of last

month. It was attended by Sir R. W. Vaughan, Col. Vaughan,

the Principal, and several of the Fellows, of the College, with

many other individuals of the first respectabilisy. Among the

laudable resolutions, adopted on the occasion, it was determined

to establish an annual subscription, by the present and late mem


bers of Jesus College, for the purpose of encouraging, with appro

priate premiums, the cultivation of the Welsh language amongst

the collegians, and especially those destined for the church. An

object, thus uniting a spirit of patriotism with the best interests

of our established religion, can not be too much applauded. It

is, in every way, worthy of the respectable source, from which

it has emanated. All that remains is to hope for a success answer

able to the spirited character of the enterprise. It is rumoured,

that the meetings of this Society are to be held only biennially.

Why not every year ? Individuals, who assemble for so praise

worthy a purpose, cannot assemble too often. %*

MENAI BRIDGE.—Some years have elapsed since the de

sign of erecting a bridge over the Menai-Strait was first contem

plated, for the obvious purpose of facilitating the intercourse be

tween this kingdom and Ireland. In 1810 and 1 81 1 (as appears

from the Parliamentary Report recently published), several plans

of cast-iron bridges were proposed to a Committee of the House

of Commons, and by them approved as adapted to the object in

question, and particularly one of a single arch of 500 feet in the

span, and 100 feet above high water, submitted in 1811 by Mr.

Telford, and the expence of which was estimated at somewhat

more than o£l27,000. The difficulty, however, of " fixing a

" proper centering, owing to the rocky bottom of the channel,

" and the depth and rapidity of the tideway," seems to have

caused this project to be abandoned almost as soon as it was

conceived. And accordingly we find Mr. Telford's plan of the

cast-iron bridge accompanied by the design of one to be con

structed on the principle of suspension. This, in the course of

a few years afterwards, upon being engaged to execute a similar

work over the Mersey at Runcorn, he was enabled to improve

very considerably.

In consequence he laid before a Committee of the House of

Commons last year his new design. According to this, the Iron

Hanging Bridge over the Menai will consist of one opening, of

560 feet, between the points of suspension ; in addition to which

there will be seven arches, four on the coast of Anglesey, and

three on that of Caernarvonshire, each 50 feet in the span, making'

the total length of the bridge 910 feet. The height above the

level of the high-water line will be 100 feet. " The road-way,"

says Mr. Telford, " will embrace two carriage-ways, each 12 feet

" in breadth, with a foot-path of four feet between them. The

" whole is to be suspended from four lines of strong iron cables,

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

" by perpendicular iron rods, placed five feet apart, and these

" rods will support the road-way framing. The suspending

" power is calculated at 2016 tons, and the weight, to be sus-

" pended, exclusive of the cables, is 342 tons, leaving a dis-

" posable power of 1674 tons. The four sides of the road-ways

" will be made of framed iron work, firmly bound together for

" seven feet in height, and there will be a similar work for five

" feet in depth below the cables. The weight of the whole

" bridge, between the points of suspension, will be 489 tons."—

" The abutments will consist of the masonry work, comprising

" the extreme stone work, the two piers, and the seven arches

" before mentioned ; each of the two piers will be 60 feet by

" 40f wide, at high water mark, having a foundation of rock."—

" Upon the summit of the two main piers will be erected a frame

" of cast-iron work, of a pyramidal form, for the purpose of rais-

" ing the cables, from which the bridge is to be suspended."

The probable cost of erecting this stupendous structure Mr.

Telford has estimated at sixty, or, allowing for any unforeseen

charges, at most seventy thousand pounds, about half the cal

culated expence of a cast-iron bridge on the old plan. The spot,

chosen for its scite, is at Ynys y Moch, a little to the westward of

Bangor Ferry, which had been fixed upon for the work first pro

posed, and where the opposite shores seem to offer every advan

tage for the undertaking. The first stone of this national bridge

was laid, without any ceremony, at noon on Tuesday, the 10th

of August, by Mr. Provis, resident engineer, and Messrs. Stra-

phen and Hall, who have contracted for the masonry-work. A

little parade would not have disgraced the occasion.

It is gratifying to be able to add to this short account, in the

words of the Parliamentary Report, that " the uniformly con-

" current evidence of all the witnesses, examined before the

" Commissioners, forms a very satisfactory confirmation of Mr.

" Telford's opinion of the practicability of constructing such a

" bridge, sufficiently strong and safe for all purposes across the

" Menai, and by which the navigation cannot be, in the least

" degree, obstructed." This satisfactory intelligence must, it

is hoped, have allayed the apprehensions of those individuals,

who felt it their duty to present a memorial against the erection

of this bridge, and which was, no doubt, framed under a mis

conception of the precise nature of the design.

The following poetical morceau, with its accompanying notes,

cannot fail to be received as an interesting addition to this article,

notwithstanding its apparent reference to the original project of

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

a cast-iron bridge. The happy variety of anecdote, by which

the verse is illustrated, would at once perhaps have betrayed the

author of " Beaumaris Bay," without the aid of his name.

LINES

ON THE INTENDED BRIDGE OVER THE MENAI, AT BANGOR FERRV.

So shall the Tritons, in their floating shells,

See modern Magic, by her happier spells,

liaise the tall pier, extend the graceful bow,

And smile at dangers that may lurk below,

Pass o'er the tempest, when it rages—roars,

And bid a new Rialto bind the shores. Li.wyd.

At length the predictions of the Bards, the suggesstion of in

tellect, and the wish of ages, and of nations, are likely to bo

accomplished ; and the wonder a few years hence will be, not that

all this is done, but that it was so long undone.—For the wealth

and industry of a country, especially of a commercial one, are in

no way more rationally employed, than in the promotion of it*

intercourse, and the consequent interchange of its produce : and

it has long been the disgrace of a great empire, (whose means,

for every other purpose, have been the effect of a wish,) that the

strait of Menai has, in a stormy day, put a stop to its intercourse,

and the more so, as Nature, by way of atonement for the incon

venience created by the convulsion which tore the island from the

Continent *, has left every inducement for the erection of a bridge.

The first spot for this purpose is evidently the Caeth Wy

(narrow water), Porthaethwy, latterly, Bangor ferry, as most

centrical and best sheltered from the prevailing west winds by

the projecting banks of Tre r borth and Vaenol ; both shores pre

senting the most solid and inviting abutments, with the interme

diate auxiliary of the Islet, called Ynys y moch. In addition to

these advantages it is, as if designedly, on the very line lead

ing from the pass of Nant Franco to Holyhead.

The second is at the Cribiniau (rakes) a ridge of rocks, resem

bling the teeth of that iimplement, dry at low water, and placed

as if to induce the arches that were to " entice the infant to the

parent isle."—Beaumaris Bay.

They are situated below Lord Anglesey's Column, and on the

verge of the vortex called Pwll Cerris, which an ancient poet

roost truly describes, as—

" Y pella o 'i g6v o 'r pylla i gid."

Of all the mad pools the maddest.

* Sec the antient Welsh Triad, p. 9, ante.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

In the year 61 the Roman infanty, under Suetonius, crossed

the Fretum, on a bridge of boats, to Pant yr Ysgraffie, (the inlet

of the boats) under Porthaml ; while the cavalry forded it below

Llanidan. Even so lately as 1475, Robin Leiav says :—

" Av i dir M6n, ef dwr Menai

" Tros y traeth, ond aros trai."

I'll pass into Anglesey at low water,

Notwithstanding the Menai.

Edward the First also crossed it in the same manner at Moel y

don, but suffered severely from an unforeseen attack, on the

return of the tide ; and several of his leading warriors now lie in

the Chapel of the Friery, near Beaumaris.

Rhys Nanmor, a Pembrokeshire Bard, contemplating the

Cribiniau, in 1460, fancied he saw a timber bridge rising from

the rocks, and exclaimed—

" Ac yna

" Coed crai ar Venai vydd."

In 1480, the intelligent Sir David Trevor, Rector of Llanallgo,

in Mon, in his ode to the ferry boat of Porthaethwy, (a series of

similies) is at once amusing and instructing on this subject.

And in 1 500, Davydd Gorllech, in very sweet lines, describes

the manner and time, when the patriotic undertaking should begin.

When this national object is completed, there will then be little

doubt, that the great commercial towns in the northern parts of

England, as well as Liverpool and Chester, will be benefited by

an embankment, and a few arches over the Cynwy.

It is delightful to contemplate the ability contributed by the

different parts of the empire to its general benefit. Scotland im

proves our highways and harbours by the talents of her Telford.

The Hon. and Rev. Mr. Dawson, (uncle to Lord Portarlington),

a few years ago, made repeated tours from Ireland into Snow-

donia, pointing out the neglected pass {of Capel Curig. He was

indefatigable in his endeavours, as he beneficently hoped, for the

common good. The hint was seconded, and acted upon, by that

ornament of his country, the late Lord Penryn. And Cambria

blessed even London itself by the unremitting exertions of Sir .

Hugh Myddleton, Bart, who led into it the New River, in the reign

of James the first. Sir Hugh was one of the younger of nine

sons of David Myddleton, Esq. of Gwaenynog, near Denbigh.

THE

CAMBRO-BRITOM,

OCTOBER^ JLQ19.

NULLI QUIDEM jflHI SATIS ERUDITI VIDENTl'R, QUIBUS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicero (le Legibus.

WELSH LANGUAGE.

PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS.

THE Origin of Language is a subject naturally of so much

obscurity, that no rational hope can be indulged of arriving at

any certain conclusion respecting it. Nor, has the variety of

learning, so ostentatiously lavished upon this question, served to

supply, in any satisfactory manner, the unavoidable deficiency

of historical evidence. On the contrary, the multitude of bold

conjectures and fanciful hypotheses, in which the subject has

been involved, have served rather to encumber it with new doubt

than to remove that, which originally belonged to it. So, it must

still be considered, as it will necessarily ever remain, one of

the most abstruse of human enquiries.

Of one thing, however, we can not reasonably entertain any

doubt, and that is the existence of one language only among

the first inhabitants of the earth. And, that this language was

not of divine origin,—as has been often asserted, more, it may

be presumed, from a pardonable excess of pious zeal than from

any philosophical deductions,—we may safely set down also as an

inference not to be overthrown *. Nor is it one at variance with

the authority of Scripture, the voice of reason, or the testimony

of experience. So far from it, that the sacred volume preserves

an entire silence on the point, reason suggests no argument in

favour of such divine inspiration, and our experience of the

rudest stages of savage society is in direct opposition to the

* This expression has reference only to the instantaneous acquisition of a

perfect language, and, by no means, to that capacity for forming one, as

occasions might gradually demand, with which it is but reasonable to sup

pose the first family to have been supernaturally endowed.

VOL. h G


theory when taken in a more general view. But if, for the

sake of the argument, it were even to be conceded, that lan

guage was, at first, the gift of Heaven, it would add still greater

weight to the position, above advanced, that " the whole earth

" was " originally " of one language and of one speech *."

\ Whether this primitive tongue was the Hebrew or not has

alsljsbeen a subject of learned and zealous controversy : and,

although, it is not absolutely necessary to pronounce any opinion

here upon that part of the question, it may cursorily be observed,

that the current of reasoning and evidence in this contest appears

to be strongly against those, who advocate the claim of the

Hebrew to this honour. A language of a still more simple, more

determinate, in a word, of a more primitive character, even than

that antient and pure tongue, was, in all probability, the first

channel of oral intercourse amongst men f. Yet, if the palm of

precedency in this respect must be denied to the Hebrew, we

are justified by the simplicity of its construction, by its high

antiquity, and by the sacredness of the purpose, to which it ha

been appropriated, in regarding it as one of the immediate dia

lects of the primeval language. If not then itself the first, it can

scarcely be doubted, that it retains the elements of the very first

speech of mankind, and may therefore be considered as an

original tongue with reference to all others, that have descended

to our times J.

* Genesis, ch. xi. v. 1 and 6:

f Dr. Priestly, in his " Lectures on the Theory of Language," has on

this subject the following observation :—"The primitive language, or that

" which was spoken by the first family of the human race, must have been

" very scanty, and insufficient for the purposes of their descendants, in

" their growing acquaintance with the world." This remark cannot apply

to the Hebrew.

J Grotiusisone of those, who are of opinion, that the first language was

entirely lost in the confusion of Babel. It is more probable, however, that it

was partially preserved in all the new dialects, and, amongst these, most per

fectly in the Hebrew. Yet it should not be disguised, that this distinction

has been claimed for the Syriac, the Arabic, the Cophthic, the jEthiopic,

the Armenian, and others, by their respective champions. And even the

Dutch (ritum teneatisf) has found a defender of its title to this high honour

in that most illustrious oracle, Goropius Becanus. Dr. Priestly, in the

Treatise already quoted, observes, that the Hebrew is " probably" (he

might have said certainly,) " one of the most antient languages in the

" world j for we can discover no trace of its derivation from any other

" whatever." But which of all the languages of the East was the mother-

tongue he thinks it " impossible, for want of sufficient historical data,

" to determine." Other writers, however, seem to have set this question

at rest.

J


The Hebrew must then be taken as a criterion of the essential

principles of a language—simplicity, uniformity, and expres

siveness. And, in proportion as other tongues approach this

venerable standard, must we judge also of the antiquity -of their

descent. There is no other rule, by which this claim can be

decided ; and it is, consequently, one, which the/most eminent

writers on the subject have concurred in adopting.

Now, if, with reference to what has been here premised, it

can be shewn, that the language, at this day spoken in Wales,

possesses many features likewise characteristic of the Hebrew ;

that it has an analogy in its radical words, in the formation

of its verbs, and even in its idiom—and all this without a rival

among the other European tongues—it will necessarily follow,

that a pre-eminence over these must be granted to the Welsh, at

least on the score of antiquity. And, accordingly, although it

may not be possible to confirm the hypothesis of those who trace

its origin at once to Babel, we may, without hazard, espouse the

opinion of the celebrated Dr. Davies, who regards it as one of

the maternal languages of Europe, derived immediately from

the East*.

But the antiquity of the Welsh language is not the only point,

for which it is meant to contend. It will likewise be the aim of

this Dissertation, of which these cursory remarks are merely to

be considered as introductory, to establish its superior claim to

copiousness, expressiveness, and poetical flexibility. In these

three qualities the language of the antient Cymry has been

proved by its admirers to shine proudly conspicuous, as also in

the perfection of its grammatical rules. A few writers, foreign

as well as native, have done justice to its enviable distinction in

these respects. And it can only have been owing to the unac

countable neglect, which the Welsh tongue has experienced at

home, and to the contempt to which it has accordingly been

consigned abroad, that this truth has not been universally

acknowleged.

It may appear extraordinary, if not incredible, to those, who

have not made this subject their study, that in a remote corner

of an insulated country should be found a language so highly dis

tinguished f. But, however limited its present dominion, it was,

* See the Preface to his Latin-Welsh Dictionary, and also that to his

Grammar.

i The Welsh is here regarded, and it is presumed with justice, as the

head of that family, of which the Armoric, Cornish, and Gaelic are also

numbers.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

at one time, the common dialect, not merely of this island, but of

the greatest portion of Europe. It was the language of its first

settlers,—of the Cimbri or Cimmerii of antient times, as it is that

of their descendants in these days. For that the Cymry and the

Cimbri were originally the same people would be evident from

the complete identity of the name *, even if there were no histo

rical testimony in support of the fact. But this testimony is not

wanting ; and, among the rest, the antient Triads, translated in

this and the former number of theCAMBRO-BRiTON, rocognise the

Cymry as the aboriginal inhabitants of this island. The modem

Welsh are their lineal progeny, and have been, for centuries,

the faithful depositories of a language, remarkable for many rea

sons, but for none more than for having survived, by its own na

tive energy, the convulsive revolutions of time, scarcely at all

impaired by an ordeal so full of peril.

The examination of this subject, it is therefore hoped, will not

prove wholly uninteresting ; and, as it is one of the leading objects

of this work, a due regard to method will be observed in the

Disquisition, of which this constitutes the preliminary essay. With

this view, an attempt will be made to establish the propositions

already advanced with respect to the general characteristics of

the Welsh tongue, by a discussion of its subordinate peculiari

ties, by an investigation of its more minute excellencies, and by

a comparison of all these with the analagous or correspondent

features of other languages, antient and modern.

* •

THE TRIADS.—No. II.

——)©»-

The following " Triads of the Isle of Britain " are selected as

containing all the notices in those antient documents respecting

the Colonization of this Island. In some instances they will

be found to ascend beyond the date of other written records ;

while, in many, they are confirmed by the concurrent testimony

* Cymry is derived from two words, Cyn and Bro, which signify, in

Welsh, a first or aboriginal people. These component parts, by a combi

nation natural to the language, form the word Cynmro, or Cymro, in its

plural Cymry-, of which the Greeks have made their K/^iKsj/m (an appel

lation as old as the time of Homer), and the Romans, with more accuracy,

their Cimbri. The name of Cambria is comparatively a modern corrup

tion, founded in the fables of Geoffrey of Monmouth.


of the most authentic historians. It may, therefore, reasonably

be inferred, that equal credit is due to such memorials, as seem to

•want this confirmation. These have all the internal evidence in

their favour, that can be derived from the probability of the

several occurrences to which they relate, as well as from that

light, with which the torch of etymology, when skilfully managed,

never fails to illuminate the gloom of antiquity. In the attempts,

therefore, which will be made to illustrate the antient Triads,

recourse will always be had to this criterion, where the occasion

admits. And that this may sometimes be attended with the most

solid advantage to the cause of truth must be evident from a

reference merely to the etymology of the word Cymry, as

given in a note on the last page, which identifies them, beyond

dispute, with the Cimbri and Cimmerit of the Latin and Greek

writers. Our early history has thus been vindicated in a most

important particular: and the reveries of those authors, who

have ascribed the origin of the word to Gomer or Camber, are

effectually dissipated.

This, perhaps, would not be the most proper opportunity,

even if the space allowed of it, to discuss the manner, in which

the earth was first peopled upon the dispersion of the Noachidae,

or immediate descendants of Noah. But it may be briefly pre

mised, with reference to some of the following notices, that the

Colonization of Europe, which necessarily took its rise in the

East, made its progress always and naturally along the course

of large rivers. Thus the western coast of Europe was first

peopled by those wandering tribes, who found their way along

the banks of the Elbe, the Rhine, and the Loire.

* *

TRIADS OF THE ISLE OF BRITAIN*.

vI. The three National Pillars of the Isle of Britain f. First,

Hu Gadarn, [Hu the Mighty], who originally conducted the

nation of the Cymry into the Isle of Britain. They came from

the Summer-Country, which is called DeflVobani, {that is, tfie

place where Constantinople now stands), and it was over the

Hazy Sea %, [the German Ocean], that they came to the Isle of

Britain, and to Llydaw, [Armorica], where they continued.

* Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 57—9. Tr. 4 to 9, inclusive,

f The name in the original is Prydain throughout.

J This epithet is particularly descriptive of the German Ocean, the

haziness of which is well known to mariners.


Second, Prydain, son of Aedd the Great, who first established

government and royalty over the Isle of Britain. And before

that time there was no justice, but what was done through favour ;

nor any law, save that of might. Third, Dyfnwal Moelmud,

who reduced to a system the laws, customs, maxims, and privi

leges appertaining to a country and nation. And for these

reasons were they called the three pillars of the nation of the

Cymry.

[Hu the Mighty, or Hu Gadarn, is frequently mentioned in

the Triads : where he is celebrated not merely for having been

the planter of the first colony in this island, but for the introduc

tion of several useful arts. He is likewise commemorated for

" having made poetry the vehicle of memory and record *," which

is here noticed with reference to what was said on this point in the

last number of the Cambro-Briton. It would exceed the pre

sent limits to enter into all the particulars relating to this remark

able character, as they may be collected from the Triads and

the Bards. Another occasion will, no doubt, occur for doing

justice to the subject. The words, above included in a paren

thesis, with reference to Constantinople, do not belong to the

original Triad. They are the addition of a commentator, as

early, it is thought, as the 12th century, when, it is but reason

able to presume, that many documents, no longer extant, may

have existed in support of the interpretation. However, it must

be acknowleged, that the name of Deffrobani is now involved

in much obscurity. The Summer-Country may without risk be

conjectured to have meant Asia generally; and the late Rev.

Peter Roberts has observed, that " there is a very high degree of

" probability, that the word Deffrobani, or rather Deffrophani,

" is accurate in reference to Constantinople as the district of

" the Phani or Paeonians f." Some ingenious conjectures with

respect to this name may also be seen in Mr. Davies's " Celtic

Researches," p. 165. Taliesin, in his poem entitled " Ymarwar

Lludd Bychan \," has the following lines, which may be regarded

as a partial confirmation of the tradition recorded in this Triad,

" Llwyth lliaws, anuaws eu henwerys,

" Dy gorescynnan Prydain prif fan Ynys,

" Gwyr gwlad yr Asia a gwlad Gafis."

* Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 71. Tr. 99.

f *' Early History of the Cymry," p. 25,

% Arch, of Wales, vol. i. p. 76.'


A numerous race, fierce they were called,

First colonized thee, Britain, chief of Isles,

Men of the country of Asia, and the country of Gafis.

Commentators have been unable to fix upon the precise situation

of Gafis. The most plausible supposition is that of Mr. Peter

Roberts, in the work above cited, who considers it to have meant

the modern Kafla, antiently Panticapes, which, written in the lan

guages of the Cymry, would be Pant y Capes, the Low Coun

try or Valley of the Kapes. Kaffa, the antient capital of Crim

Tartary, is situate on the Black Sea, about 150 miles north

east of Constantinople, and corresponds with the course fol

lowed by the Cimmerii or Cymry in their emigrations from the

East into Europe. Herodotus describes them (Lib. iv.) to have

made an early settlement in Lesser Tartary.—Dyfnwal Moel-

mud, above mentioned, is supposed to have lived about 400

years before the Christian aera. According to the British Chro-

nicles he was the son of Clydno, a Prince of the Cornish Britons.

He is celebrated in three other Triads for the national service

here recorded. When Hywel Dda embodied his famous code of

laws in the 10th century, he made considerable use of the com

pilation, attributed to Dyfnwal.]

vh. The three Social Tribes of the Isle of Britain. The first

was the nation of the Cymry, that came with Hu the Mighty

into the isle of Britain, because he would not possess lands and

dominion by fighting and pursuit, but through justice and in

peace. The second was the tribe of the Lloegrwys [Loegrians],

that came from the land of Gwasgwyn {GasconyJ, being de

scended from the primitive nation of the Cymry. The third were

the Brython, who came from the land of Armorica, having their

descent from the same stock with the Cymry. These were

called the three Tribes of Peace, on account of their coming,

with mutual consent, in peace and tranquillity : and these three

tribes were descended from the original nation of the Cymry, and

were of the same language and speech.

[It appears from this Triad, that there was a distinction be

tween the Lloegrwys and Brython in their affinity to the Cymry.

The former were, indeed, of the same family; but the latter

partook of a more immediate descent with them, no doubt,

through those, who went to Armorica when Hu and his followers

came here *.—The Loegrians may have derived their name from

at one time inhabiting the banks of the Loire, antiently the

* See the former Triad, p. 45.


Liger. And it is not improbable, that they were of the same

stock as the inhabitants of antient Liguria, in the West of Italy *.

The origin of these people has always been considered a matter

of obscurity, some tracing them to the Gauls or Germans, and

others to the Greeks. The name is quite in favour of the sup

position just hazarded, which would, upon the authority of this

Triad, give them a similar origin with the Cymry.—The Brython

may have been so called from their warlike habits, which the term

implies. Had the word been spelt Brithon, it might have had re

ference to the custom of painting the body, common, according

io some writers, to the early inhabitants of this country. The

name is supposed by some to have given birth to that of the

island. An opportunity will hereafter present itself for discussing

this point.—What portion of the country was occupied by these

two colonies can not now be accurately ascertained ; but it is

thought, that the Loegrians settled in the more mountainous

parts f, while the Brython proceeded in a south-eastern direction

towards the neighbourhood of the first settlers.]

vuI. The three Refuge-seeking Tribes, that came into the Isle

of Britain, and who came in peace and by the consent of the

nation of the Cymry, without weapon or violence. The first was

the people of Celyddon [Caledonia], in the North ; the second

was the Gwyddelian [Irish] tribe, who dwell in Alban [the High

lands of Scotland] ; the third were the men of Galedin [probably

Holland], who came in naked vessels to the Isle of Wight, when

their country was drowned, and where they had land assigned to

them by the nation of the Cymry. They had no privilege of

claim in the Isle of Britain ; but land and refuge were granted to

them under restrictions : and it was stipulated, that they were not

to possess the privilege of native Cymry until the end of the

ninth generation.

[Celyddon, literally Coverts or Shades, was the antient name-

of that part of the island, which the Romans, with their general

fidelity of interpretation, called Caledonia. The root of the

word is Cel, a shelter or retreat; whence too the Ceiltiad or

Ceiltwys, in English Celts, had their denomination, as inhabiting

woods and coverts ; a fact noticed both by Caesar J and Tacitus §,

with reference to the Britons and Caledonians, and descriptive

also, perhaps, of the early colonists of all countries. Gwyddel,

to this day the name for an Irishman, has likewise an analogous

* Liguria comprised that portion of the country, of which Genoa was

the capital. f See Triad 9, post.

X Bell. Gall. Lib. v. c. 15. § Vita Agric. c. 26 et 33.


derivation, and implies an inhabitant of woods and wilds. The

radical word is Gwydd, trees or shrubs.]

ix. The three Invading Tribes, that came into the Isle of Bri

tain, and who never departed from it. The first were the Cora-

niaid [Coranians], who came from the country of Pwyl. Se

cond, the Gwyddyl Ffichti [Irish Picts], who came to Alban by

the sea of Llychlyn [Denmark]. Third, the Saeson [Saxons].

The Coranians are situated about the river Humber and the

shore of the German Ocean ; and the Irish Picts are in Alban,

on the shore of the sea of Denmark. The Coranians and the

Saxons united, and brought the Loegrians into confederacy with

them by violence and conquest, and afterwards took the crown

of the monarchy from the nation of the Cymry. And there re

mained none of the Loegrians, that did not become Saxons, ex

cept such as are found in Cernyw [Cornwall], and in the district *

of Carnoban, in Deira and Bernicia. Thus the primitive nation of

the Cymry, who preserved their country and language, lost the

sovereignty of the Isle of Britain, through the treachery of the tribe*

seeking refuge, and the devastation of the three invading tribes.

[The Coraniaid, above mentioned, are probably the same with

the Coritani. In another Triad f they are stated, by an antient

annotator, to have come originally from Asia. They are also

mentioned in two other Triads, in one of which they are said to

have come to Britain in the time of Lludd, son of Beli, and bro

ther of the celebrated Caswallon, or Cassivellaunus. The etymo

logy of the name (if indeed it be originally Welsh) is not very

clear, unless it can be deduced from Cawri, or Cewri, signifying

antiently chieftains or heroes, and, by implication, warriors, or men

of generous habits.—There is also an ambiguity respecting the

term Pwyl. It has been thought to mean Holland ; but, accord

ing to Mr. Edward Llwyd, it was the antient appellation of Po

land.—Llychlyn, above translated Denmark, may mean generally

the North, as the same word does in the poems of Ossian, as well

as in our own bards. Literally it is the Lake of Pools ; a pleonasm

applicable enough to the Baltic.—Alban, now the general name

for Scotland, is literally the Highland only, and was so used

formerly.—Cernyw signifies, most probably, a projecting ridge

or promontory : there is a point of land in Armorica which has

a similar name.]

* There is no English term, by which the original word cammxcd can he

translated. The French commune has a similar meaning.—Ed.

+ Arch, of Walts, vol. ii. p. 79.

TOt. I. H


X. The three Invading Tribes, that came into the Isle of Britain

and departed from it. First, the Men of Llychlyn, after Urb

LIuyddawg had taken the flower of the nation of the Cymry

from this island, in number 61,000, men of war and cavalry, and

the people of Llychlyn were driven across the sea to the coun

try of Almaen [Germany] by the Cymry, at the end of the

third age. Second, the hosts of Ganvel the Gwyddel, [Irish

man], who came to Gwynedd, and were there 29 years, until

they were driven into the sea by Caswallawn, the son of Beli,

son of Mynogan. The third, were the Ceesarians, [Romans],

who, through violence, continued in this island upwards of 400

years, until they went to the country of Rhuvain, [Rome], to

repel the hostile concourse of the Black Invasion, and never

returned to the Isle of Britain. And there remained, of those,

only women, and young children under the age of nine years,

who became a part of the Cymry.

[Urb LIuyddawg, or Urb with the Mighty Host, a Scandina

vian chieftain, is recorded in another Triad as a leader of one

of the " three emigrating hosts of Britain." The people, who

thus accompanied him, are thought to have settled on the con

fines of Greece. Fuller particulars of this occurrence may be

seen, in the account of Urb, in the Cambrian Biography. The

Scandinavians, who came hither with this chief, fixed themselves

on the eastern coast, from whence they were not dislodged till

about a century afterwards.—The Irish invasion, here recorded,

must have happened a short period before that of the Romans.

It may be observed of the latter, that the circumstance comme

morated with respect to the women and children, although not

mentioned by the Roman historians, has every appearance of

probability.]

XI. The three treacherous invasions of the isle of Britain.—

First, the Red Gwyddelians of Ireland, who came into Alban ;

second, the Men of Denmark : and third, the Saxons. For

they came into this island in peace and by the consent of the

nation of the Cymry, under the protection of God and his truth,

and under the protection of the country and nation. And they

made an attack, through treachery and outrage, on the nation

of the Cymry, taking from them what they could of the sove

reign dominion of the Isle of Britain; and they became com

bined with each other in Lloegr and Alban, where they remain

to this hour. This happened in the age of Gwrtheyrn.


[With the exception of the invasion of the Red Gwyddelians,

or Irishmen, so called, probably, from the colour of their hair,

the events, noticed in this Triad, are well known from other

historical sources. The conduct of the Saxons, on the occasion

here alluded to, has given their arrival in this country a sufficient

title to be classed amongst the " treacherous invasions of Bri

tain." Gwrtheyrn, or Vortigern, is commemorated in other

Triads for a disgraceful union of treachery, intemperance, and

other dissolute qualities. Yet he was a prince of ability, to

which cause must perhaps ' be ascribed his re-election to the

throne, after having been once deposed. He died about the

close of the fifth century.]

TRIADS OF WISDOM*.

XI. The three indications of an honest man : silent lips, an

eye without leering, and a countenance void of timidity ; that is,

the three united in one person.

xn. The three indications of a thief: an inquisitive tongue,

a prying eye, and a timid avoiding countenance ; that is, the

three united in one person.

xin. The three supports of wisdom : a self-reasoning heart,

language to describe, and memory to retain.

Xiv. Three occasions for observing what a person may be : in

a thing unknown to him, at a time unknown to him, and in a

place unknown to him.

xv. Three things which ought to be first noticed in a person :

the tongue, habit, and motion ; for they proceed from his nature

and disposition.

xvI. Three things soon manifested in a person : discretion,

love, and hate.

xviI. Three things difficult for a person to conceal in himself:

joy, grief, and mischievous propensity.

xviiI. By three means shall a person be known : by his dis

course, by his behaviour, and by the judgment of his neigh

bours concerning him.

xix. Three things that causa loss of reason : the thwarting of

genius, insufferable oppression, and repulsion of conscience.

xx. The three paths of wisdom : the path of exertion, the

path of knowlege, and the path of conscience.

* Arch, of Wales, vol. Hi. p. 207.


THE WISDOM OF CATWG.

The Seven Questions proposed by Catwg the Wise to

Seven Wise Men * in his College at Llanfeithin, with

THEIR ANSWERS f.

I. What constitutes supreme goodness in a man ? Equity :

Answered by Talhaiarn the Bard.

It. What shews transcendent wisdom in a man ? To [refrain

from injuring another when he has the ability : by St. Teilo.

hI. What is the most headstrong vice in a man ? Inconti

nence : by Arawn, son of Cvnfarch.

iv. Who is the poorest man ? He who has not resolution to

take of his own : by Taliesin, Chief of Bards.

v. Who is the richest man ? He who coveteth nothing belong

ing to another: by Gildas of the Golden Grove.

vI. What is the fairest quality in a man ? Sincerity : by

Cynan, son of Clydno Eiddin.

VII. What is the greatest folly in a man ? The wish to injure

another without having the power to effect it : by Ystyffan the

Bard of Teilo.

WELSH MUSIC—No. II.


Sir,—It is much easier to describe a picture or a poem than a

musical composition. Very explicit illustrations may be given of

a painting, and extracts may be quoted from a poem ; but in

music it requires either vocal or instrumental tones to give a pro

per idea of its good or bad qualities. Consequently, my endea

vour to describe, in writing, the characteristic beauties of the

Welsh Melodies, will fall far short of the specimens given on the

harp or piano-forte.

* The persons, here called " wise men," were not merely scholars, but

i ' associates, most of whom had taken refuge in Catwg'i College after the

loss of their territory in the wars consequent on the incursions of the Saxons.

A brief account of Catwg, who lived in the sixth century, was given in the

Life of Taliesin, in the First Number. His Aphorisms occupy about a

hundred pages in the Welsh Arehaiology, and will be occasionally trans

lated under the title above adopted. The Seven Answers, here given, will,

no doubt, remind the classical reader of the apothegms of the Seven Sages

of Greece : nor will they suffer in the comparison.—Ed.

f Arch, of Wales, vol. iii. p. 38.


" To those, who are in possession of " A Selection of Welsh

Melodies with English Words," it will be gratifying, perhaps, if

I notice the airs, as they occur in that publication.

" Of a noble Race was Shenkin " is a bold, energetic compo

sition, and is one of those characteristic tunes which even a

person, totally unacquainted with music, cannot hear without

being forcibly struck with it. The harpers in Wales generally

play it in e minor, which is too high for ordinary voices. Mr.

E. Jones, in his excellent collection of Welsh Airs, has given it

in C minor, which is certainly better.

It will not, I trust, be considered an improper digression, if I

endeavour to explain what is meant by a minor key, particularly

as I shall be under the necessity of mentioning it often, in the-

course of my correspondence. Of course I do not address those,

who are adepts in the science of music.

In minor keys, the third above the tonic, or key note, isflat ;

i. e. only three semitones higher.—In major keys, the third above

the key note is sharp, orfour semitones higher. Let us suppose

E to be the key note ; if the key be minor, the g (a third above)

will not be sharp, as it necessarily must be, if the key be major.

Some of the most beautiful of the Welsh, Scotch, and Irish airs

are in minor keys. There is something soothing and pleasing in

the minor mode. Asa proof of its effects on the human heart, I

have only to mention, that, let a person be in trouble, or labour

ing under severe distress of mind, if he seek consolation in singing

divine songs, (which is frequently the case) he will invariably

choose those in minor keys. Kent's beautiful anthem of " Hear

my prayer, O Lord," is in E minor.

To my countrymen, who are unacquainted with the science

of music, it may be necessary to say, that " Morfa Rhuddlun,"

and " Dafydd y Garreg Wen *," are in minor keys, and I

appeal to their own feelings, whether, when they hear these

plaintive melodies well performed, they do not experience a most

pleasing, soothing sensation, and whether a tearful eye will not

often bespeak a heart rapt in ecstacy f ?

* Although these airs, as well as the celebrated one previously noticed,

commence and finish in the minor mode,—the melodies modulate into the

relative major, in the second parts, which heightens the effect considerably.

—J. P.

f It may here be noticed, that Dr. Crotch, in his excellent I ectures on

Music, always eulogizes the antient British airs, and performs many of

them in a masterly manner.—J. P.


The bass of the air, under my present consideration, is very

grand and striking ; and, when performed, either in an orchestra,

or on the harp, or piano-forte, must afford great delight. It is

not so easy to execute it on the Welsh, as it is on the pedal,

harp. The Welsh harp having three rows of strings, (the middle

one being the semitones,) the performer is obliged to put his

finger between two of the outer strings, when a casual sharp or

flat occurs * ; whereas on the pedal harp the foot accomplishes it.

By pressing a pedal the note required becomes half a tone

higher, and by unfixing, it is rendered a semitone lower. This

is evidently an improvement; but still the Welsh harp, exclu

sively of its venerable and unadorned appearance, has many

advantages, particularly in passages which run in unison ; and

these occur continually in variations on the different airs.

I shall be able, I hope, to notice several of the Melodies in

my next ; also to specify to which of them the beautiful Pen-

nillion, which may appear, from time to time, in the Cambro-

Briton, are sung.

I shall conclude this article with the words of the late Rev.

G. H. Glasse.—" Whenever," said he, in a conversation I had

with him on the beauties of the Welsh airs, " I hear that mas-

" terly composition, ' Of a noble Race was Shenkin,' my soul

" takes a flight amid the rocky wilds of Cambria, where,

" With lays of romantic story

The halls of our Sires resounded ;

At the call of love or glory,

O'er their native hills they bounded.

" Released from martial duty,

They return'd to their peaceful pleasures ;

• And then, at the feet of beauty,

They woo'd in melting measures :

To the wand'ring poor,

Wide ope'd their door,

And freely dispersed their treasures."

Sept. 6, 1819. John Parry.

* The Harp has been always esteemed the principal musical instrument

among the Welsh. Antiently it was strung with hair, which continued in

use until the commencement of the fifteenth century. Until that period

also it had only a single row of strings; but the performer was able to pro

duce a flat or sharp by a peculiar management of the finger and thumb, an

artifice, it is believed, no longer known,—Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRTTON. 55

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER in.

Mr. Edward Llwyd to the Rev. Dr. Mill*, Principal of

Edmund Hall, Oxford ; dated Swansey, Sept. 14, 1696.

Rev. Sir,—I have here presumed to trouble you with a copy

of an inscription f, which, amongst several others, I met with

this summer in North Wales. The monument, whence I took

it, was a stately pillar of very hard stone, of the lame kind with

our common mill-stones. 'Twas of a cylinder form, above 12

foot in height, seaven in circumference at the basis, where it was

thickest, and about six near the top, where smallest. The pe

destal is a large stone, five foot square and 1 5 inches thick ; in

the midst whereof there's a round hole, wherein the monument

was placed. Within a foot of the top 'tis encompassed with a

round band or girth, resembling a cord, from whence 'tis square

to the top, and each square adorned with a ring, reaching from

this band to the top and meeting at the corners. It was erected

on a small mount, which seems to have been cast up for that

purpose ; but in the late civil warres (or sooner) 'twas thrown

down and broke in several pieces, whence the inscription is so

imperfect

The reason I trouble you with it is, because I remember

amongst Usher's Letters one from Dr. Langbain to him, wherein

he writes to this purpose.—" I have received both the inscrip-

" tions, and shall send you my thoughts of that at Vale Crucis ;

" but for the other I give it over for desperate." Now this I

send you is the inscription at Vale Crucis ; and I doubt not, but

the vale received its name from this very stone, tho' 'twas never

intended for a crosse. The copy Dr. Langbain received was

perhaps taken before the stone was broke, and you may possibly

meet with it among his papers and letters, if you know where

* Dr. John Mill was born at Shap, in Westmoreland, in 1645, and

became Principal of Edmund Hall, in 1685. He died in 1707. He is

celebrated for an Edition of the New Testament, containing about thirty

thousand various readings, which, after a labour of thirty years, was pub

lished about a fortnight before his death.—Ed.

f This inscription, which, from its imperfect state, it would be of very

little use to transcribe here, Mr. Llwyd entitles " An Inscription at Maea

" y Grdes, in the parish of Lhandysilio, in Denbighshire, transcribed

" anno. I696."— Ed,


they are lodged ; or direct me to search for it when I come to

Oxford, which will be a month hence at farthest.

The inscription would be legible enough, were it entire. It

begins—" Concenn filius Catelli, Cattel Alius Brochmali, Broch-

" mal filius Eliseg, Eliseg filius Guoillauc. Concenn, itaque pro-

" nepos Eliseg, edificavit hunc lapidem proavo suo Eliseg, &c."

'Tis remarkable, that, adjoyning to the monument, there's a

township called Eglwysig, which name is corrupted doubtless

from this Eliseg, tho' our greatest critics interpret it 3{'erro

Ecclesiastica. Thus in Caermardhinshire we find this epitaph,

Senator fidei, patria?que semper amator,

Hie Paulinus jacet cultot pieutissimus aequi.

The place, where the stone lies, is called Pant y polion, i. e.

the Vale of Stakes, corruptly for Pant Powlin, Planities Pau-

lini. I find other places denominated from persons buryed at or

near them : whence I gather they were antiently men of great

note, who had inscriptions on tombs, be they never so rude and

homely. But I trouble you too much with trifles ; so shall adde

no more but that I am,

Worthy Sir, your most obliged and humble servant,

Edw. Lhwyd.

LETTER IV.

The Same to the Rev. John Morton, dated Oxford,

Nov. 22, 1703.

Dear Sir,—I received your kind letter, and have altogether

the same reason to make an apology for my neglecting to write.

I have nothing to plead for it, but that I have been busy about

the first tome of my Archaeologia, which is at last got into the

presse, as you'll find by the inclosed. I print about 200 above

the number, that have hitherto subscribed. So, if any friend of

yours should be curious in antiquities of this kind, it's not too

late yet to subscribe ; tho', the subject being so foreign, I am

sensible few, if any, can be expected.

As to your queries I have little to say. Tripontium might

have been as well Latin as British : and, if the latter, rather as

you say from Tre'r bont than Tair pont, except the nature of

the place favours this latter, by its having a confluence of two or

three brooks, which might render three bridges useful]. But it

seems the place is in doubt.


The Romans generally took the names of places they found

in the countreys they conquered, giving them onely a Latin

termination. For in Wales they called Conwy, Kevny and

Wysc, which are mere British words, Conovium, Gobannium and

Vidum, &c. Yet sometimes they may be allowed to give names

themselves; but of this I have hitherto discovered very few in

stances. As l'or the Saxon names, many of them were also half

British with Saxon terminations, some of them translations of

the British and a greaimany their own. I should derive Triago

from Tre Iago, i. e.. Jamesbury or Jameston. Both tre and

town were antiently but single houses, or, at best, but a kind of

fort or rock of defence.

Ardberry may be partly British and partly Saxon, viz. Ard,

Brit. Altus and Berry, Sax. Tumulus. »

The 4th I can say nothing to. When you write next to Mr.

Baxter *, you may put it in. .

I was just going to tell you, I had not heard from Mr. Ray \

for some years. But, just as I was setting pen to paper, I received

a letter from him, wherein he tells me he is preparing his three

Physico-Theological Discourses for the presse. I have but just

time to beg your pardon for my scribble, which comes from,

Worthy Sir, your affectionate friend and humble servant,

Edw. Lhwyk

THE MADOGWYS.

REPLY TO DR. JONES. „

An enquiry of peculiar interest to the natives of Wales has

recently undergone much public discussion. The title, prefixed

to these remarks, will, at once, point out the object of this allu

sion, and must be considered as a more appropriate appellation

* The author of two lexicographical Treatises on Roman and British

Antiquities. He also published editions of Anacveon and Horace. Mr.

Baxter was a native of Shropshire, and died in 1721, in his 73d year.—Et.

f A celebrated English naturalist, and especially distinguished for his

knowlege of botany, on which subject he has left many valuable treatises.

He was also the author of several other works of repute, among which

the one alluded to in this letter deserves a particular notice. He was

born near Braintree, in Kssrx, in 16'2S, and died there in 1704.—Ed.

Vol. I. I


for the descendants of Madog, presumed to exist at this day in

America, than the indefinite term of Welsh Indians, generally

employed. In an investigation of so uncommon a nature it can

not be disguised, that the first impressions of every rational

mind, uninformed by any substantial evidence, must be in oppo

sition to that view of the question, which, after a long and dis

passionate consideration, it has been resolved to espouse in this

work. But, however the scepticism of ignorance may be ex

cused, as it certainly must be in all extraordinary cases, which

admit of positive testimony, no palliation can be offered for an

obstinate incredulity, when opposed to the voice of history, and

an accumulation of evidence almost without a parallel.

The remark, now made, owes its origin to a strange and

intemperate letter, which appears on this subject in the last

number of the Monthly Magazine. It bears the signature of

" John Jones," and is entitled " Dr. Jones's Refutation of

Fables about the Migration of Madog." Presuming from the

writer's name and dignity, that he may be a Welshman and a

person of education, it becomes necessary, but for no other

reason, to say a few words in reply to his very unceremonious

attack, previously to the commencement of this enquiry in any

more formal manner. The conviction, which his vague objec

tions and dogmatical affirmations would never, of themselves,

produce in any one, may possibly be conceded by his admirers

to his personal importance, and to a confidence in talents, which,

in the letter before us, he has delicately refrained from exposing

to more vulgar observation. An answer, not demanded by rea

soning and argument, may therefore be due to the weight of a

name. Or, at all events, it may be proper to discharge the

duty of a pioneer, by removing the rubbish, that might other

wise impede our progress in this interesting investigation.

It does not belong to the design of the Cambro-Briton, nor

would it perhaps be becoming the character it aims to establish,

to descend to a refutation of the calumny*, with which Dr.

Jones has thought fit to preface his remarkable composition.

The task must be left, if at all, to the parties so unjustly and so

ungenerously assailed, if indeed even they can overcome their

* The writer of these remarks feels himself justified, afterseveral minute

enquiries, in applying this term to the charge, made by Dr. Jones against

certain individuals, of obtaining " considerable sums of money" under

the " pretence" of going in quest of the Madogwys.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

contempt for the grossnesS of the aspersion. But, to come to

the more immediate concern of these observations, is the learned

writer really in earnest, when he considers the " tradition of

" Madog's emigration to a distant country " to be " unfounded,"

and credited only by the " uncultivated natives of North

" Wales," and by certain illiterate Methodist and other

" preachers ?" Has he never heard, that two individuals, per

haps the most conversant, of the present day, with the litera

ture and history of Wales, believe in the authenticity of the

fact? If he has not, the Gentleman's Magazine for 1791 will

present him with the .names of Mr. William Owen and Mr.

Edward Williams united in a defence of the presumed existence

of the Madogwys. Other individuals, neither " uncultivated "

nor " illiterate," have since espoused the same cause. The

foundation, therefore, on which Dr. Jones rested this assertion,

seems to have been of the same description with that, on which

he grounded the accusation, already the object of animadver

sion. An attack, thus commencing with misrepresentation, can

hardly be expected to terminate in conviction.

Yet, we find the writer himself was far from thinking thus

meanly of his enterprise. For, in reference to this " unfounded

" tradition," he observes, with a kind of oracular gravity, " I

" consider it to be my duty to prove from the Bardic and Histo-

" rical remains of Wales, that there is no pretence whatever

" for the alleged existence of a colony of Madogion, Mad dogs,

f or Welsh Indians." Passing over the elegant wit at the close

of this passage, it may be noticed as a singular feature of this

very singular letter, that the writer relies upon some of those

same authorities, which have hitherto been adduced in support

of the question, for proving its chimerical character. The esta

blishment of a negative, at all times a, task of some little diffi

culty, must be particularly so, when the means adopted are

those, which favour the reverse of the proposition. And such

is the absurdity of the attempt in this instance, that one would

almost imagine, the learned Doctor had borrowed his logical

principles from the musty pages of some German metaphysician.

But, without waiting to discuss this point, let us proceed to his

redoubtable proofs. And these are—passages from Cynddelw,

Llywarch ab Llewelyn, Gwalchmai and Maredudd ab Rhys

among the Bards, and one from Caradog only amongst the

Historians.

GO THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

With respect to his bardic quotations, none of them have ever

been employed to prove any thing beyond the simple fact, that

Madog left Wales by sea during- the dissensions consequent on

his father's death; and on this point three here cited are explicit,

while the fourth has no reference to the question. As for the

inference to be drawn from Cynddelw's lines, that Madog was

lost at sea, nothing could be more natural than that such an

opinion should have prevailed, after his long absence. And

what infatuation could induce Dr. Jones to admit this opinion

(for it is nothing more) as conclusive evidence on the subject ?

The Bards, it is true, make no mention of any " Western

Continent,"—it would have been truly marvellous if they had

—but Llywarch ab Llewelyn, itf a passage, which our objector

did not find it convenient to quote, expressly mentions, that

Madog had left his country " on the bosom of the great sea in

" his search of a possession easy to be defended, and separated

" from all for the sake of a dwelling-place." And it should

not be forgotten, that Llywarch was a cotemporary Bard, and

might even have heard Madog himself describe the territory,

discovered by him in his first voyage, and to which the poet

seems to allude in the lines here translated.

Our letter-writer afterwards attempts to be facetious at the

cxpence of those, who give credit to the account of Caradog,

because that author is supposed to have died about fifteen years

before Madog's departure. But, why did Dr. Jones conceal,

what he must surely have known, that the account, to which he

alludes, is given by Humphrey Lhvyd and Dr. Powell, in their

continuation of Caradog's history, on the authority of Gutyn

Owain ? It is true, that Humphrey Llwyd supposes, as asserted

in the letter under consideration, that the Madogwys might have

intermixed with the native inhabitants of America, and have be

come at length undistinguishable from them. But by what logic

will the writer shew this to be any proof of an " unfounded tra

dition ?" The historian's opinion might have been, indeed,

without a foundation ; and what has subsequently transpired

seems to have determined this point. But it is any thing rather

than a proof of an " unfounded tradition," with relation to the

departure of Madog. Nor can it even be received as " positive

" testimony against the existence of the Welsh Indians."

If our objector has been unfortunate in the authorities he has

adduced, he has certainly not been remarkably candid in those


he has omitted. Allusion has already been made to this want of

fairness with respect to the lines of Llywarch, on every account

the most important of the Bardic testimonies * ; while Gutyn

Owain and Iefan Brechfaf, two writers who make express

mention of the subject, are not once noticed. Sir Thomas Her

bert \ too, who adopted a decided opinion in favour of the

Madogwys, is passed in silence ; although, by having had access

to the famous Rhaglan Collection of MSS., burnt in the time of

Cromwell, that writer may have formed his conclusions from

documents no longer known. And it may be conjectured, without

much hazard, that he was not, in other respects, either " unculti

vated" or " illiterate." The authority of the Welsh Triad,

which reckons Madog's emigration among the " three disappear

ances by sea from the Isle of Britain," and even describes the

manner of his departure, is also treated with the same bold

contempt.

Thus much for the " Bardic and Historical remains,'' by the

aid of which Dr. Jones has so modestly expressed his " intention

to set this tradition at rest §." What he has quoted, if they de

termine any thipg, prove, that Madog had disappeared by sea :

what he has kindly left to be cited by others extend to the cir

cumstances, and even to the object, of his voluntary exile. These,

united with the facts, which have transpired during the last sixty

years, respecting the settlement of a strange nation on the higher

branches of the Missouri, differing essentially in their habits and

manners from the adjacent tribes, and even speaking the Welsh

* Another singular reference to this event, in the Poems of Llywarch, is

likewise omitted. It occurs in his Ode entitled " An Invocation to the

Ordeal of Hot Iron," in which he exculpates himself from a participa

tion in the murder of Madog, whose disappearance and long absence may

naturally have given birth to such a suspicion.—See Arch, of Wales,

vol. i. p. 289.

+ These two persons were, at once, bards and historians, and lived about

the close of the 14th century. The passages of their works, here adverted

to, must have been written some years before the discovery of America by

Columbus; a circumstance material to be considered in this enquiry.

X Sir Thomas Herbert was one of the Pembroke family, and wrote about

1635.

§ The objections in Dr. Jones's letter, with respect to the population of

North Wales and Madog's " wicker boats," will, perhaps, be abandoned,

upon a more intimate acquaintance with the history of our country. At all

events, in their present shape, as mere assertions, they do not require a re

futation. Nor can they, in any shape, be opposed to positive testimony.


language, can leave little room for scepticism, except to sach as

make scepticism a profession. Yet, all this testimony, derived

from a hundred various sources, and uniting in one focus, is

thrown by our candid objector unceremoniously into the shade.

So strong, however, is the concatenation of evidence thus

produced, as to be considered irresistible by many persons fully

capable of estimating its value. It has not only served as the

torch of truth, but likewise as the touchstone of fable and impo

sition. And it answered this useful purpose at no very distant

period, in detecting an idle fabrication, which appeared in an

evening paper under the signature of " Owen Williams." The

positive tone of that letter, and the high colouring of its narrative,

so inconsistent with all preceding accounts, excited at once a sus

picion as to its genuineness, which a subsequent investigation fully

confirmed. When Dr. Jones condescends to make another attack

on this " unfounded tradition," he will perhaps favour the world

with his opinion of Mr. Owen Williams's " unfounded " report.

And in the mean time it may be a satisfaction to him to learnt

that the forgery has been traced to its author.


REV. PETER ROBERTS*.

Mr. Roberts was born in the parish of Rhiwabon, in the

county of Denbigh, about the year 1760. His father, John

Roberts, was the younger son of a freeholder in that parish, and

descended from a family which had, for many generations, occu

pied their small domain, called Tai'n-y-nant, without any mate

rial change in their circumstances. He was himself by trade a

clock-maker, and established himself in that business, first, at his

native village Rhiwabon, but afterwards removed to Wrexham.

At this latter place, when a rival tradesman, with a view of de-.

predating his rustic opponent, pompously announced himself to

the public, in large characters, as a " clock-maker from JLon-

* The Editor wishes he were at liberty to publish the Dame of the gen

tleman, to whom he is indebted for this interesting Memoir, ^nt some

of the readers of the Cambro-Briton will, no doubt, recognize in it the.

production, which so deservedly obtained the applause of the Cumbriai^

Society at Caeimarthen.—Ed.


don," Roberts ingeniously turned him into ridicule, by exhibiting

a similar board over his own shop-door, and describing himself us

• clock-maker from Ehiwabon." He was an honest and respect

able man ; but, though he enjoyed the means, he inconsiderately

neglected the opportunity, of establishing his family in a state of

comfortable competency. His wife was nearly allied to the an-

tient family of the Middletons of Chirk Castle,

Their son and only child, Peter Roberts, was sent, at a very

early age, to the Grammar School at Wrexham, which was then

in great repute, under the care of the Rev. Mr. Davies, after

wards rector of Llanarmon-dyffryn-Ceiriog. His early profi

ciency was very conspicuous, and gave, even at that time, no

obscure indication of his subsequent celebrity. He employed

leisure hours upon various mechanical curiosities, for which he

displayed a remarkable genius. Of music he continued, at all

times, to be an enthusiastic admirer, and he was enabled, at a

very early age, to enjoy his favourite amusement, by playing

upon a dulcimer of his own construction. He also attempted tar

make a telescope. At this period his mind was in a remarkable

degree tinctured with superstition. Having remained at Wrex

ham until the age of fifteen or sixteen, he removed to the

Grammar School at St. Asaph, as is generally understood, in the

double character of pupil and assistant. The school at St.

Asaph was then in a very flourishing state, under the superintend

ence of the Rev. Peter Williams, afterwards vicar of Bettws

Abergeley, and, besides a great number of pupils from the

neighbouring counties, could boast of several scholars from the

sister kingdom of Ireland. To some of the latter Mr. Roberts

was, naturally enough from his situation in the school, engaged

as a private tutor; and a circumstance happened at this time

which gave a more permanent character to the connection be

tween him and his young pupils.

Dr. Usher, then a Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin, and

afterwards Professor of Astronomy in that University, came over

at this period to North Wales, and resided there for several

months. By some accident now unknown, or perhaps by direct

information from the Irish Scholars, he became acquainted with

Peter Roberts, and, as he highly appreciated his character and

talents, strongly encouraged him to transfer his studies under his

ies to the University of Dublin. With this proposal, which,

s financial difficulties, probably presented the only chance of

an University education, and obviously opened a wide field to

64 THE CAMBRO

his literary ambition, our young student readily complied, and,

entering as a Sizar in that celebrated seat of learning, very soon

attracted the notice, and secured the permanent esteem, of his

superiors in the College. A few months before his decease he

expressed most strongly to one of his friends a deep sense of

gratitude for the kindness, which he had experienced from the

Senior Fellows in his youth. It is understood, that his old pupils

from St. Asaph, as they successively entered the University,

availed themselves of his private tuition. Astronomy and the

Oriental Languages were at this time his favourite studies, and

such was his proficiency in the former, that his patron, Usher,

contemplated him as well qualified to succeed himself in the

Professorship. Mr. Roberts himself had also considered the

Astronomical Chair as the great object of his ambition; but a

different arrangement took place when the vacancy actually hap

pened, and the office was bestowed upon another person, who,

with whatever feelings we may reflect upon the disappointment

of our learned countryman, must be universally admitted to be

well deserving of this high honour. It is believed, that this dis

appointment, the first of a serious nature which he had ever

experienced, was very painful to Mr. Roberts.

About the commencement of the French Revolution he tra

velled in the south-west of France for the benefit of his health,

and remained for some time at the waters of Barreges, near the

Pyrennees. Of this tour he left among his papers a manuscript

journal, which however is not sufficiently interesting, nor indeed

does it appear to have been ever intended, for publication. Re

turning to Ireland, he was employed as private tutor in several

families. He was afterwards engaged to superintend the edu

cation of the present Lord Lanesborough and his cousin, now

Colonel Latouche, of the Militia. These he eventually

accompanied to Eton, where his character became more gene

rally known, and he had an opportunity of acquiring many

valuable friends, among whom he used particularly to enumerate

Bishop Douglas, Mr. Bryant, and Dr. Heath. By these and

other friends he was encouraged to publish his " Harmony of

the Epistles," the preparation of which had occupied many

years of his life ; and, through their interference and recom

mendation, the University of Cambridge printed the work at

their own expence. The high character of this publication, the

most laborious and valuable of all his works, fully justifies the

liberal patronage of the University, and will, unquestionably,

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. f»5

transmit the author's name, as an eminent scholar and divine, to

future ages. When the education of his pupils was completed he

retired to his native country, subsisting upon two annuities, which

he received from his former pupils Lords Lanesborough and

Bolton. His time was now at his own disposal, and this was,

perhaps, the first uninterrupted possession of it, which he had

ever enjoyed. The illustration of his native language, and of ^

the antient history of the Cymry, became now his favourite

pursuits, and he certainly brought to the discussion of these

subjects such powers of mind, united with such multifarious and

general knowlege, as few Welshmen have evinced since the

time of the celebrated Edward Llwyd. His eminent character for

general literature excited an additional interest for the subjects,

of which he treated, and awakened in many instances the curio

sity of those, who would have turned with disgust from the works

of humbler authors, and had esteemed the investigation of the

Welsh history and language as useless as it was certainly then

deemed unfashionable. To the effect of his example and labours

may undoubtedly be traced much of that better taste, which now

prevails in the Principality, and which we may reasonably hope

to see far more widely disseminated under the auspices of the

Cambrian Society.

Hitherto, however, though he had written much and ably

upon professional subjects, none of the dignities or emoluments

of his profession had fallen to his share. Of Bishop Douglas's

favourable intentions towards him there can be no doubt ; but

the death of the Bishop put an end to all expectations of prefer

ment from that quarter. Bishop Horseley also, in common with

others, entertained a very high opinion of his character, and in

answer to a question hesitatingly put, whether he knew a Mr.

Peter Roberts, quickly replied, " To be sure I do, there is but

" one Peter Roberts in the world." But his first preferment

was derived from Bishop Cleaver, who presented him with the

living of Llanarmon,—a living certainly of little value, but

which he had strongly solicited, and perhaps more highly valued,

because it was the preferment of his old master and friend Mr.

Davies. The cold and retired situation of this place rendered it

very unsuitable to his numerous bodily infirmities, and to the

nervous sensibility of his mind, for which the enlivening inter

course of friendly society was now become indispensible. He

therefore spent only a few of the summer months at his living,

but continued to make his regular home in the town of Oswestry,

Vol. I. K


where he was generally respected for his literary talents and pri

vate worth. About four or five years ago Lord Crewe gave him

the living of Madeley, in Shropshire, and at a later period that

distinguished patron of learning, Bishop Burgess, ofTered him

preferment, which was respectfully declined, within the diocese

of St. David's. In December last his income received a most

important addition, and was probably rendered amply commen

surate with all his wants, by the living of Halkyn, which Bishop

Luxmore gave him in exchange for Llanarmon. He removed

to his new preferment in the following February, and, being

unable to procure a curate immediately, entered upon what was

a new employment to him, the active duties of a parish priest.

So little had he been accustomed to parochial duty, that his mini

sterial labours in the course of a few months at Halkyn, exceeded,

by his own account, those of his whole preceding life. In the

pulpit he certainly did not excel; but this will not appear sur

prising, if we reflect upon his physical infirmities at this time,

and that until this late period of his life he had never preached

anj- but a few occasional sermons. But his affability, the native

benevolence of his heart, and charitable attentions to the poor,

rendered him a great favourite with his parishioners.

His labours were now approaching fast to their termination,

and, we trust, also to their reward. He had been accustomed

for many years to complain of his low spirits, his head-achs, and

other infirmities; and his friends had in vain recommended to

him more frequent exercise in the open air, as the best medicine

for his bodily and mental ailments. The exertions, which the

personal discharge of his duties at Halkyn called forth, seemed

to have a favourable effect upon his health, and he represented

himself as more than usually exempt from infirmity in the latter

end of the spring. On Ascension-Day he read the service of

the Church without any particular inconvenience, and, having

returned home, was soon after called to the door by a pauper

who solicited his charity. He was in the act of administering

relief when he was stretched helpless by an apoplectic attack,

and, though he lingered until the following morning, he continued

speechless and apparently insensible until he expired. On his

table were found several letters, one of which, directed to his

patron the Bishop of St. Asaph, was intended to express to him

the happiness he enjoyed in his new situation. So uncertain is

the tenure of human happiness in our present state.

In private life he was in the highest degree amiable. As a


companion he was distinguished by a playful cheerfulness of

manner, an inexhaustible fund of anecdote, and a happy facility

of communicating information to others. As a neighbour he was

remarkably kind, friendly, and charitable. His whole conduct

was stamped by the most unshaken probity, which was rendered

yet more interesting by a certain guileless simplicity peculiar to

himself. His erudition was unquestionable, and, without any dis

paragement to living merit, he may be safely pronounced a more

general and profound scholar than any Welshman of the present

day. He was particularly skilled iti Hebrew and Rabbinical

learning. His " Letters to Volney" are supposed to exhibit

in the most advantageous light the vigour of his reasoning powers

as well as his philological and scientific acquirements. As an

antiquary, it must be admitted, that, in endeavouring to establish

a favourite hypothesis, he was sometimes precipitate and fanciful,

and that his judgment upon such occasions can not be implicitly

depended upon. Even his best friends must concede, that his

" History of the Ancient Britons," and his " British Kings"

display many proofs of inconclusive reasoning, and credulous

weakness. But these are only partial blemishes ; and his singu

lar learning, and the devotion of his great talents to the litera

ture and history of Cambria, will always command the esteem,

and, it may be confidently added, excite the emulation of his

countrymen. ■ i

The following will probably be found a correct List of his

Publications. He frequently spoke of his intention to publish a

Hebrew Lexicon*, and some other works; but none of these

were in a state of any forwardness. And it has been ascertained,

that, with the exception of a translation of the Law Triads, which

he perhaps designed to produce at Carmarthen, he has left be

hind him no manuscript in a state of sufficient preparation to be

committed to the press. His works are these :

Christianity Vindicated, in a Series of Letters to Mr. Volney

—Harmony of the Epistles—An Essay on the Origin of the

Constellations—Art of Universal Correspondence—A Sketch of

the Early History of the Cymry, or Antient Britons—Review of

the Policy and peculiar Doctrines of the Modern Church of Rome

—Manual of Prophecy—Collectanea Cambrica— Letter to Dr.

Milner on the supposed Miracle at St. Winifred's Well—and the

Cambrian Popular Antiquities.

* A specimen of this work, it is believed, was submitted, with a view to

publication, to the University of Oxford, where its merits v. ere highly apt

predated.,—Ed.


AWEN CYMRU.

A'th raid yv> athrwydd Awen. Edm. P*ys.

PENNILLION.

VIII.

Mwyn yw llun, a main ei llais,

Y delyn farnais newydd ;

Haeddai glod am fod yn fwyn,

Hi ydyw llwyn llawenydd :

Fe ddaw 'r adar yn y man,

I diwnio dan ei 'denydd.

IX.

Tros y mor y mae fy nghalon ;

Tros y mor y mae fy 'chneidion :

Tros y mor y mae f'anwylyd,

'n fy meddwl i bob munyd.

X.

Croeso 'r gwanwyn, tawel cynnar;

Croeso 'r gog a 'i llawen llafar :

Croeso 'r t£s i rodio 'r gweinydd,

A gair llonn, ag awr llawenydd.

XI.

Hawdd yw d'wedyd d'accw 'r Wyddfa,

Nid eir drosti ond yn ara' ;

Hawdd i 'r iach, a fo 'n ddiddolur,

Beri 'r claf gymmeryd cyssur.

XII.

D6d dy law, ond wyd yn coelio,

Dan fy mron, a gwilia 'mrifo ;

Ti gei glywed, os gwrandewi,

Swu y galon fach yn torri.

XIII.

A mi 'n rhodio 'monwent eglwys,

Lie 'r oedd amryw gyrff yn gorffwys,

Trawn fy nhroed wrth ftdd fy 'nwylyd,

Clywn fy nghalon yn dymchwelyd.

XIV.

Gwynt ar for a haul ar fynydd,

Cerrig llwydion yn lle coedydd,

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. G9

A gtiylanod yn lie dynion,

Och ! Duw pa fodd na thorrai 'nghalon !

xv.

Ow! fy nghalon, torr, os torri,

Paham yr wyd yn dyfal boeni ;

Ac yn darfod b6b 'n ychydig,

Fal ia glas ar lechwedd llithrig !

XVI.

Mae llawer afal ar frig pren,

A melyn donnen iddo ;

Ni thai y mwydion dan ei groen

Mo 'r cym'ryd poen i ddringo.

Hwnw fydd, cyn diwedd ha',

Debycca a siwra o suro.

[Want of room made it impracticable, in the first Number, to give any fuller

account of the origin and nature of the Pf.nnii.lion than what might be

collected from the glance, which was made at them in the " Introductory

Address." A brief notice of the subject here may, therefore, be neces

sary, or, at least, not inappropriate. The word Pennill is interpreted

by Mr. Pughe, in his Dictionary, to mean generally " a prime division or

part," and, applied to poetry, " a stanza, strophe or epigram." Hence

Pennillion are properly Epigrammatic Stanzas, and owe tbeir birth to the

purest ages of the Bardic Institution, one of whose main objects it was, as

before observed, to encourage the exercise of memory, as well by the re

cital of historical traditions, as by the retention of moral lessons. Whilst

the Triad embodied the more important features of historical and institu

tional lore, the feats of war and the precepts of wisdom anil morality were,

principally, reserved for the Pennillion. And to these, no doubt, Caesar

alludes (Bell. Gall. Lib. vi. e. 13), in speaking of the number of verse*

learnt by those, who became pupils under the Druidical system ; and,

when he adds, that the student was, in some cases, thus occupied for

twenty years, it may supply us with a notion of the extent, to which this

practice was carried. It is not meant to insinuate, that any of these

antient effusions have come down to our day; but, if they had expe

rienced the same attention as the Triads, we might have been able to boast

now of some of the very strains recited in the days of Caesar. However,

many of those, now known to us, have been transmitted from time imme

morial, and owe their preservation mainly to the delicate beauties, in

which they abound. The Pennillion may be shortly characterised as

uniting the simple, the moral, and the pathetic, with a degree of expres

siveness, perhaps unequalled in the epigrammatic productions of other

languages. Indeed, they generally assume a loftier tone than that of an

epigram, according to the common acceptation of the word, and combine

with the terseness of that species of composition all the unassuming

charms, which belong to a spontaneous flow of the tenderest aud best

emotions of the heart and the head. To such qualities as these it is not,

f perhaps, possible for any translator to do full justice ; and the author of

the following versions is too conscious of his failure, to invite a comparison

between them and the originals. It may be interesting to add, that there,


are persons hi Wales, even now, who can recite from memory some hun

dreds of these stanzas, and can thus accompany the harp, as they fre

quently do, through all the transitions and varieties of its tunes, with a

wonderful accuracy *. It is through this practice that so many of these

exquisite effusions have outlived, for centuries, the destructive power of

Time. Some curious particulars on this subject may be seen in Mr.

E. Jones's " Relics of the Bards," p. 60 et seq.] ***

ENGLISH POETRY.T


VIII.

How fair in form, in sound how sweet

The harp I late was slighting ;

It seems a vocal grove, so meet

The charms 'tis thus uniting :

And soon the very birds will greet

Its boughs, with song delighting f.

IX.

O'er the seas hath flown my heart,

O'er the seas my sighs depart ;

And o'er the seas must she be sought,

Who lives yet always in my thought,

x.

Welcome spring's all genial power,

Welcome too the cuckoo's j song :

Welcome then the jocund hour,

As friends in converse stroll along,

XI.

To point to Snowdon's peak sublime

Is easy,—but not so to climb :

* The custom here noticed was at one time very general : but Sectarianism,

in its gloomy progress, has even encroached on the territory of the Muses.

And the periodical meetings, which were once held for the purpose of sing

ing with the harp, have been discontinued, as inconsistent with the pious no

tions of the Dissenters.—Ed.

+ A trivial variation from the original will be perceptible to the Welsh

reader in this translation, and especially in the last couplet. Yet it is

hoped, the sense is preserved in a manner more suitable with English ideas,

and the character of the language.—Ed.

X The Cuckoo appears to have been in great favour with the Bards, and

especially the more antient. Llywarch Hen has a pretty long poem ad

dressed to the " Cuckoo of the Vale of Cuawg."—tEd.


Alike for him, who knows no pain,

To bid the sick man smile again.

XII.

Place on my breast, if still you doubt,

Your hand, but no rough pressure making,

And, if you listen, you'll find out,

How throbs a little heart when breaking.

XIII.

As late I roam'd in silent gloom,

By all the church-yard's dead surrounded,

By chance I struck my dear-one's tomb,

And, oh, my heart sunk all confounded.

XIV. 1

Fierce storms at sea, the sun far-flying,

Brown rocks o'er woodless deserts lying,

And screaming gulls where men should be,

Heaven ! what disheartening misery,

xv.

Then break, my heart, if thou must break ;

Why thus the pang so ling'ring make,

By little and by little going,

As thawing ice down mountains flowing ?

xvI.

Many an apple will you find

In hue and bloom so cheating,

That, search what grows beneath its rind,

It is not worth your eating.

Ere closes summer's sultry hour,

This fruit will be the first to sour.

WALES.

CAMBRIAN SOCIETY.—At this season of peril, when the

signal of revolution is sounded over the land, and sedition and

infidelity, treason and atheism stalk around us in all their naked

deformity,—when rebellion is proclaimed aloud as the only public

virtue, and loyalty is openly denounced as a pestilent evil,^-in

a word, when anarchy and impiety are audaciously advocated

against order and religion,—at such a crisis it can not but be

consolatory to contemplate those enlightened associations, which

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

have, for their peaceful aim, the promotion of literature and of

science. Of this patriotic nature is the Cambrian Society, an

institution evidently founded in those principles, which are, at all

times, the most stable supports of morality and of social order.

A record, therefore, of the origin and views of such an associa

tion would, on this account alone, be desirable, were it not natu

rally demanded in a work dedicated, as this is, to the cultivation

of Welsh learning'.

It was on the 28th of October, 1818, that the first meeting of

the Cambrian Society was held at Carmarthen, under the im

mediate auspices of Lord Dynevor, who presided on the occasion.

That eminent prelate, the Bishop of St. David's, to whose spi

rited exertions the institution owes so much, was likewise present,

with several other individuals of distinguished talents and respec

tability. The main business of the Society, in this meeting, was

to declare the purpose of its establishment, which was accordingly

resolved to be, " the preservation of Antient-British literature,

" poetical, historical, antiquarian, sacred and moral, and the en-

" couragement of the national music."

On the 29th of October an adjourned meeting took place at

the Episcopal Palace at Abergwilly, when a Committee, at the

head of which were the Bishop of St. David's and Lord Dyne

vor, was appointed, and several resolutions provisionally entered

into for consideration at a future meeting of the Committee. Of

these the following are all that had relation to the general design

of the institution :

That one of the first objects of the Society will we be to collect

a complete catalogue of all Welsh manuscripts, to be found

in the several libraries, in the Principality and in England, or

on the Continent, both public and private.

That a literary agent, of competent abilities, be employed by

the Society, as soon as its finances are equal to the charge, to

visit the said several libraries of Welsh manuscripts, of which

they may obtain information, in order to transcribe, with the.

permission of the owners, copies of the said manuscripts.

That a complete collection of the transcripts, so obtained for the"

Society, be deposited in the British Museum, or elsewhere—

after the publication of such of the transcripts as shall be ap

proved by the Committee for that purpose.

That it shall be a special object of the Society to collect all

printed works in the Welsh language, of which there are not

THE CAMBRCJ-BRITON. 73

copies, at, present, in the library, belonging lo the Welsh

School, in Gray's-Inri-Larie; in order to be deposited in that

library;

"That Mr. Edw ard Williams be requested to reside, for a certain

portion of the year, at Carmarthen, to superintend the printing

bf the Society's publications, arid to give instructions to young

students in Welsh poetry and literature.

That Mr. Edward Williams's acceptance of the said appointment

be entered into the minutes of the Society.

That the Prospectus of collections for a new History of Wales,

collected and translated from alicient historical documents in

the Welsh language, by Edward Williams, be printed and

published at the expence of the Society *... .

The first assembly of the Committee, above referred to, was

holdeh at Carmarthen on the 25th of November, when several

additional resolutions were adopted, the most important of which

were, that a Committee should be appointed in London, to con-

list only of Members of the Committees in the four divisions of

the Principality, Dyfed, Gwent, Gwynedd and Powys, and to

communicate with those Committees on subjects connected with

the interests of this Society. In addition, the following Queries

were also framed for circulation with reference to Welsh history

and antiquities ; and they appear to be well calculated to accom

plish the end proposed :

1. What inedited Welsh manuscripts are known to you ?

2; Where are they deposited ?

3. Are you acquainted with any portion, or any whole trans

lation, of the Holy Scriptures, in Welsh, more antient than the

Norman Conquest, or than the art of printing ?

4. Do you know any unpublished Welsh Triads, handed down

by tradition or otherwise ?

5. What Welshmen have left the Principality, since the time

of the Reformation, on account of their religion, or any other

cause, who, you think probable, have conveyed with them any

remains of Welsh poetry and literature ?

6. In what libraries, in England, or any other part of the British

dominions, do you think it likely that some of these remains are

deposited ? J ' '

* The Editor has just been favoured with a copy of the Prospectus,

here alluded to, which shall be noticed iu the nest number.

Vol. I. I-


7. In what continental libraries do you think it probable that

some of them may be found ?

8. What original Welsh books, or what books, relative to

Welsh literature, in any language, do you know to be pub

lished ?

9. Do you know any Pennillion not yet published ?

10. Do you know of any species of Welsh composition, poe

tical or musical, corresponding with that called " Glee " in Eng

lish, or which is known by the name of " Caniad tri," or,

" Caniad pedwar?"

11. Can you exhibit to the Society any old Welsh tunes,

sacred or otherwise, not yet published ?

12. What Welsh books, and books on Welsh literature,

already published, and now become scarce, do you think merit

to be republished ?

The proceedings, above enumerated, with those of the Eistedd

fod noticed in the first number of the Cambro-Briton, embrace

every thing publicly known to have been accomplished by the

Cambrian Society with respect to the paramount objects of the

institution *. But, as the regular establishment of the provincial

meetings is about to take place, a general co-operation throughout

Wales-, in this laudable aim, may now be anticipated. And the

union of rank and talent, comprehended in this Society, affords

the best ground for hoping, that this co-operation will be

effective. *#*

WELSH CHURCH IN LONDON.—As long as the present

salutary connection shall exist in this country between its civil

and ecclesiastical establishments, as long as the security of our

national church shall be deemed essential to the welfare of our

political institutions, the growth of religious schism must be ad

mitted to be an alarming evil. Even in a political light this must

be granted ; but when we view our established church with refer

ence to the unaffected piety of its doctrines, to the sublime lan

guage* in which it inculcates them, and to the generally exem

plary conduct of its professors, it assumes a far stronger claim

* At least tl>is is all, that has come to the Editor's knowlnge. He avails

himself, however, of this opportunity to observe, that any intelligence, re

lating to the Cambrian Society, whether with reference to its general prin

ciples or to itsr particular operations, will always he acceptable to the pages

of the Cambko-Briton.

' J* .


on our protection, combining, as it thus does, with its temporal

blessings the most consolatory earnest of those that shall be

eternal. For these reasons it becomes indispensibly incumbent

on the guardians of our national religion to omit no opportunity

of promoting its cause. Religious dissension has of late yean

been making gigantic strides, and perhaps in no portion of

Great Britain more formidably than in Wales. A variety of un

toward causes have conspired to produce this lamentable result ;

and, among these, the introduction of English Ministers, and

the neglect of the Welsh language by the native clergy, may

be considered the most prominent. But these abuses, of which

a more appropriate notice may be taken hereafter, are confined

to the Principality. The object of this article is to invite the

attention of the higher classes in Wales, and especially of such

as are Members of the Legislature, to a similar evil affecting

their countrymen resident in London,—the want of a Welsh

Church.

Strange indeed must it be considered, that, whilst every

foreign nation of Europe, of every various persuasion, has its

places of worship, in its own language, in this metropolis, the

Welsh alone, professing the same religion and living under the

same laws, should be excluded from such a privilege, Yet this

is literally the fact : and unaccountable is the apathy, that can

witness it and make no exertion to remove the disgrace. The

number of Welsh, resident in London, has b.een estimated, from

a probable calculation, at about fifty thousand. And of these it

is not at all unreasonable to presume, that one-fifth, considering

the fresh accession almost daily received from the country, are

acquainted with no other than their vernacular tongue, at least,

in no degree adequate to the purposes of receiving religion*

edification, What must be the unavoidable consequence, but

that they are absolutely driven either to the meeting-hoiises of

the Dissenters, or else to the deplorable alternative of abandon

ing thejr sacred duties altogether ? But the Welsh are of a pious

disposition : V)d, when they tend to extremes, it is to fanaticism

rather than to irreligion.

Such being the incontrovertible facts, it becomes imperative

upon those, who watch over the religious interests of Wales, to

use their most zealous endeavours to suppress so serious a mis

chief. An excellent opportunity presents itself in the bill re

cently introduced into Parliament for the erection of new

churches. And to no purpose could its operation be so beneli

THE;-CAMPRQ#BR{TON.

cially applied as to this. Nor cpulo) the Legislature, upon a,

proper representation, shrink from the performance of a duty

obviously embracing, in so close an union, the sacred and polii

tical interests of the country. And there can be no doubt, that

the inhabitants of Wales, if required, would contribute theij

liberal aid to the. measure. The best interests of our Established

Church would }hus be served in a most, important instance ; a

rational piety would supply, in the minds of thousands, tho.

place of fanaticism : and the cause of schism, now unopposed

amongst the Welsh inhabitants of the metropolis, would no,

longer triumph in an undisputed ascendancy.

EDUCATION IN WALES.—It would be difficult t« name

any topic more worthy of attention, than the system of education,

adopted in a country. So much of the prosperity of a people in

the aggregate depends on the moral character of its individual

members, that it must be superfluous to insist on the policy of

cultivating the latter with all possible care. And of such import

ance have early impressions ever been esteemed in this view, that

their influence on a man's future life has passed into a proverb in

all languages. Hence the momentous interest of public educa

tion : and it cannot be unbecoming the Cambro-Briton to no

tice this subject as it has relation to Wales..

Of public schools,—such, it is meant, as are dedicated to the

higher branches of education,—there are fewer, perhaps, in the

Principality than in any other equal portion of this kingdom. And

even of inferior schools, that are not under the immediate controul

of the Dissenting interest, the number is proportionably limited.

Indeed the Dissenters have, of late years, evinced a zeal, in this;

respect, which was worthy of emulation elsewhere. And, if the

friends of the Established Church have any desire to attach the

rising generation to their cause, they can not too soon counteract

the influence of the institutions here alluded to by the establish

ment of others on their own principles. Lancaster's system has,

it is believed, been pretty generally adopted ; but it is to be

feared, that in most cases the schools grounded upon it have a

tendency to perpetrate a spirit of hostility to our national

church, if not, indeed, to engender consequences still more inju

rious. For, whatever may be the merits of this system, it cer

tainly wants that of an early direction of the inexperienced

mind to those sound and pure doctrines, which form the acknow-

leged and glorious distinction of our religion. Yet, in some in

THE CAMHRO-BRITON. 7?

stances, it deserves to be noticed, the conductors of the Lancaster

schools in Wales have very laudably supplied this glaring

deficiency. . ■ • f .

Another point, to which it is the object of this article to invite

the public attention, is the defective state of education, both in

the great and inferior schools, as it regards the teaching of the

Welsh language, and the grounding of Welsh children in the

English. The former is neglected, almost without an exception,

even in those institutions, which are appropriated to the education

of such as are designed for the church. Were nothing more to be

considered than the venerable excellencies of our native tongue,

and its general use in Wales, this defect must appear unaccount

able, and especially when the want of proper books for the"pur-

pose can not be made an excuse. But there is a higher view, in

which it must be regarded, and that is its influence on the religious

condition of the country. A transient allusion was made to this

in the preceding article : and the writer has no wish to dwell

longer on the point here, than by expressing a hope that the

laudable example, at length given by Jesus College, Oxford *,

•may be instrumental in removing what must be acknowleged as

a reproach to the Welsh clergy.

With respect to the instruction of Welsh children in the Eng

lish language a most erroneous practice has hitherto prevailed.

The necessity of a knowlege of English to Welshmen of a cer

tain rank in society has been always admitted : the only point for

discussion is the manner, in which the object has been endeavoured

to be accomplished. How is this- done at present? A child,

unacquainted with any other than the Welsh language, is sent to

school. The first thing done is to place in his hand an English

grammar or spelling-book, though for what purpose it would be

difficult to conjecture :—the next is to forbid, under a severe pe

nalty, the utterance of his native tongue, or, in other words, to

conj.nmid a total silence, in classical imitation, no doubt, of a

sirnilar injunction observed, as we read, by a sect of antient phi.

losophers. Thus laudably menaced out of a use of his own lan

guage, and happily defended from the intrusion of any other, he

quits school with no other anxiety than how to regain what he had

then lost. The absurdity of this practice, sufficiently obvious in

itself, may be farther exemplified by supposing an attempt to

teach English to a French child, ignorant of the language, thrpugh

f See No. 1, p. 36.


the medium of English books only. The idea is preposterous ; yet

the instance under consideration is precisely analogous, while the

Temedy in both cases is equally obvious. The French child can

only be taught English through his own language: and why

should we expect a miracle to be wrought in favour of the Welsh

student ? In a word, then, until we have grammars of the Eng

lish tongue written in Welsh, a certain portion of our countrymen

must remain, in a great measure, precluded from the attainment

©f an object so avowedly necessary. %*

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.—The only topics, that seem to

require notice under this head, as being of more than temporary

interest, are the Assize Proceedings, and the Meetings of the

Agricultural and Bible Societies. With reference to the

first subject, it may be gratifying to notice, that the calendars on

the late Circuits do not present, as far as number is concerned, a

very alarming array of offences. Yet, what the aggregate may

have lost in bulk seems to have been counterbalanced by the

atrocity of particular cases. For in the following list, which,

with two exceptions*, embraces an accurate report of the crimi

nals tried in the several counties in Wales, there are six cases of

murder and three of arson, besides several burglaries, and one

charge of a nature too gross to be particularised.

North Wales.

Convictions, Acquittals f. Total.

Anglesey - - - 0 - 0 - None,

Caernarvon - - 3 , I - 4

Denbigh - - 4 . 4 . 8

Flint . , - - *. * - *

Merioneth - - - 1 - 0 - 1

Montgomery 4 - - 6

South Wales.

12 19

Brecon - - . - - 5 - « - 9

Cardigan - - - 1 - 1 - 2

Carmarthen • — 0 - 3 - 3

* These exceptions are the counties of Flint and Radnor, of which the

Editor has not been able to procure any report. f Under " Acquittals"

are comprised those cases also, wherein no bills were found by the Grand

Jury, no prosecutor appeared, or where the criminal was admitted evi

dence for the crown.

THE CAMBRCvBRITON.

• . ;• . Convictions. Acquittals. Total.

Glamorgan - - - 1Q - 2 . 12

Monmouth - - - 19 - 6 - 25

Pembroke - - - a - 2 . 5

Radnor - - * * #

38 18 5G

It appears from this report, that the total number of convic

tions, including those in Monmouth, was 50, to which those of

Radnor and Flint may perhaps add 5 mure. And in this amount,

it is worth noticing, South Wales bears a proportion of more

than three to one to the Northern Division of the Principality.

Anglesey, it will be seen, stands alone, honourably excepted from

this catalogue of crime.—Of Acricultural Societies there

have been the following Meetings during the last two months :—

The Caernarvonshire County Society met at Caernarvon on the

26th of August,—when a new premium was proposed " to the

" acting Surveyor of parish roads, who should make the greatest

" improvements in the same."-^-The Anglesey County Society

assembled on the 7 th of September at Llangefni, when there was

a greater exhibition of stock than on any former occasion. It was

determined, at this meeting, to establish an annual sale for supe

rior stock, amongst farmers and others within the limits of the

Society ; an example worthy of being followed by other Agri

cultural Associations.—The Society of Antient Druids had their

Anniversary Meeting at Beaumaris on the 10th of September,—

which was very respectably attended. This, it is believed, is the

oldest institution of the kind in North Wales, and has the credit

of extending its patriotic views beyond mere agricultural interests.

The philanthropic object of some of its premiums, especially of

that for saving shipwrecked sufferers on the coast of Anglesey,

is a proof of this. And on the present occasion sums of money

were voted for apprenticing poor boys,— and likewise other sums,

to be appropriated to the Caernarvon, Chester, and Liverpool

Infirmaries; to which objects 1200/. had been previously applied.

—The Wynnstay Annual Meeting took place also on the 10th of

September, and was, as usual, very numerously attended by

agriculturists from all parts of the kingdom. In the limited space,

here left, it would be impossible to do justice even to the most

interesting particulars of this meeting. It must therefore suffice

to observe, that the same liberal conduct on the part of the public

spirited host, and the same progress of agricultural improvement

»: THE CAMBFtO-BttlTOft

marked this as had distinguished all former meetings since the

establishment of the first in 1 806. It would be difficult to men

tion any individual, to whom North Wales is so truly indebted"

as to the patriotic proprietor of Wynnstay.—Meetings of the!

Bible Associations have been held, during the months of

August and September, at Caernarvon, Holyhead, Bangor,

Welshpool, Bala and Llonboidy. As the objects of these insti

tutions are well known, it would be superfluous, even if practi

cable, to particularise here the proceedings at each place. Some

interesting reports were read ; and the animated speeches of the

respectable individuals, who attended, evinced in all cases a zeal

correspondent with the importance of the occasion, *1t*

——̂ —

OBITUARY.

August 1st.—David Davies, Esq. aged 59, of Trawsmawr,

Carmarthenshire, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace and

Deputy-Lieutenants for that county : a gentleman distinguished

for his social virtues, unblemished integrity, and active benevo

lence.—2d. Thomas Waters, Esq. of St. Clear's, Carmarthen

shire, who had conferred many important benefits on his country

by his extensive agricultural pursuits, and by the encouragement

he gave to the improvement of cultivation. 13th. Arthur

Vaughan Owen Jones, Esq. aged 39, of Wepre Hall, in the

county of Flint. He was formerly Major in the Flintshire Regi

ment of Militia, and was afterwards called to the Bar. His open

and generous disposition had attached to him a numerous circle

of friends.—14th. James Wasdell, Esq. aged 37, Resident Sur

geon at the Swansea Infirmary. He had distinguished himself

by serving his country with zeal and ability in several parts

of the globe: and the voluntary and numerous attendance

at his funeral bore ample testimony to his private and profes

sional worth.— 19th. Robert Anwyl, Esq. aged 38, of Hengae,

Merionethshire. Sir John Bulkeley, Knight, of Prts .ddf'ed,

Anglesey.—24th. Wythen Evans, Esq. aged 59, of Suckville-

place, near Llandovery : a gentleman highly esteemed as a man

and a christian. %*

ERRATA.

No. 1. Pa. 2, 1. 24. fur " Es.t quoddam". read " Est qtiodam."

— 10, 1 18, after " as well" read V, as."

— 20, I. 1, for " genuis." read " genius."

— 25, I. 5, in the note, for " such" rfad " such."

— 30, Above the second I'ennill, for " vi." read " viju" . ,

— 56, 1. 37, for " Dollgelle>" read " Di.lgelley."

No, 2. Fa. 47, 1. 8, for " languages" read " language."

48, I. 35, for " Ctiltiad" read " Celtiaid."

TttE

CAMBRO-BRITON,

NOVEMBER, 1819.

tWUA (U IDEM Mtttt SATIS ERUDITI VIDESTUR, QUIBUS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicero de I^gtbtu.

WELSH LANGUAGE.

ITS ELEMENTARY CHARACTER*.

It has already been premised, that the language, spoken by

the primeval race of mankind, must have been ef a more simple

and more fixed character than any now known to the world. It

is probable, that it consisted, at first, only of a few elementary

sounds, spontaneously flowing from certain natural principles, and

capable of being multiplied, by the same unerring rule, in pro

portion with the encreasing demands for their use f . For it

would be preposterous to imagine, with some theorists, that a

perfect language was formed by man before there existed a ne-

* The Writer feels it his duty here to mention, that he is indebted for the

suggestions, on which this Essay is founded, to the excellent author of the

Welsh Dictionary, of whom it may so truly be said, with reference to his

illustration of our language and literature, that " nil molitur inepte."

The new light thus thrown on the question has almost, if not entirely,

removed those doubts respecting the Origin of Language, which the Writer

expressed at the commencement of his former Essay. At least Mr. Pughe's

theory is the most rational of any he has seen : and it may be hoped,

that the world will sooner or later receive from bis own pen that ample

illustration of it, with reference to the Welsh tongue, which it so well de

serves. <

f M. De Gebelin, in his admirable Treatise on the Origin of Language

and Writing, has the following appropriate remark on this subject.

" Les mots de la langue primitive etoient necessairement tres bornes: ils

" exprimoient uniquement les sensations et les besoins journaliers, les

" objets les plus familiers, les actions les plus communes. Quelque ex-

" tension, qu'on donne au recueil de ces mots, il sera encore si peu etendu,

" que les monosyllables, en les sons etles intonations, dont est susceptible

l'instrnment vocal, suffiront pour le remplir." Monde Primitif, torn, in,

p. 270,

Vol. I. m


cessity for it,—that the variety of grammatical niceties, since in

troduced, were invented t'o express merely a few simple wants,—

or, in fine, that, in the grand march of the human intellect, the

representatives of ideas took precedence of the ideas themselves.

Such a notion, if it were not absurd on the face of it, would be

discountenanced at once by common experience, and by the

soundest conclusions of the understanding.

Language, then, in its infancy, must have been composed

merely of certain determinate natural sounds, capable, as before

observed, of being multiplied upon a regular and immutable

principle, and likewise capable of numerous simple combinations,

concurring with the progress of society and the consequent aug

mentation of human ideas and exigences. These primitive ele

ments, upon the miraculous Confusion at Babel, to whatever per

fection they had then advanced, were naturally dispersed and frit

tered, as it were, among the various dialects, to which that event

gave birth, and have since formed the basis of all other tongues.

There is no language spoken on earth, in which a certain number,

however few, of these elementary sounds may not be discovered.

AHd those languages, which retain the greatest proportion of

them, must necessarily be allowed the highest claim both to purity

and antiquity. In tracing these elements to the various sources,

where they may now be found, our imagination may paint to us

the ruins of some venerable edifice, partially appropriated to the

structure of several modern buildings, of more imposing magni

ficence perhaps than the ancient pile, but wanting both its sim

plicity and its natural grandeur. And, who shall say, that it

might not even be possible, by a re-union of these scattered

fragments, to restore to the world no very remote semblance of

the edifice, to which they originally belonged ? Let us but once

be satisfied about the identity of these relics, and there is nothing

yery extravagant in the assumption.

But our present inquiry is of a more circumscribed nature :

our immediate concern with these elementary sounds being to

consider them merely as they may substantiate the antiquity of

the Welsh tongue. For it can be proved, that our native lan

guage holds, in this respect, a singular pre-eminence over most

others, and is surpassed by none. Even the Hebrew, as it has

come down to us, is inferior in this view. But, were that ancient

tongue to be now spoken, as the Welsh is, in its pristine purity*,

* The Hebrew ceased to be a living language about 440 years before.

Christ, when the Chaklee, having nearly the same idiom and genius, but


we can hardly doubt, that it would exhibit the strongest evidence

of an elementary character. For, even in the remains, that we

now preserve of it, are contained many extraordinary coincidence*

of this sort with the Welsh language, and such, as, united with

other characteristics of the Hebrew, sufficiently justify the opinion

hazarded in the Preliminary Essay, that " it must be consi-

•' dered an original tongue with reference to all others, that have

" descended to our times."

Tor this reason it has been thought advisable, as suggested in

the preceding number, to institute a comparison between the He

brew and Welsh tongues, as one of the strongest testimonies, that

can be borne to the high antiquity of the latter. But, previously

to this investigation, which must now be reserved for a future

occasion, it may be proper to take a general view of such ele

mentary articulations, as can be distinguished in the Welsh

language, and which are amongst the most genuine marks of its

primitive character. Many of these it shares in common with

other ancient tongues, while it embraces others, that are not

elsewhere to be found, and which are, therefore, a proof of its

own intrinsic merit and independent resources *. Or, they prove

at least, that the foundation, on which this excellence rests, can

be no other than that of the original speech of the world.

To a person, acquainted only with the English language, or

with such others as are reared on a similar basis, with such, in

short, as are not formed from their own native energies, but unite

in their composition a mixture of all other tongues, it would be

scarcely possible to communicate an adequate notion of this

peculiar property of the Welsh. However, the proficients in

Hebrew, and more particularly those, who are also generally

versed in the Oriental dialects, will at once understand what is

meant by these radical sounds. Through the Hebrew, the Arabic,

differing in character, was substituted in its stead. Hence, from that period

the Old Testament is found to have been written only in the last mentioned

tongue. <

* Humphrey Prichard, in his learned Preface to Dr. John David Rhys's

celebrated Welsh Grammar, published in 1.792, does justice to this quality of

onr language in the following passage, which evinces, at the same time, the

accurate view he had taken, to a certain extent, of its elementary character.

" Habet haec lingua vocabula omrtibus mutuatis iequipollentia, quae neo

" obsoleta nec obliterata (mutuatis ademptis) rite ut olim apud majores

" usurpentur, quae nostratibus ingenerata, insistave natura, aut diviuitus

" infusa, adeo sunt propria et distincta, lit a nulla alia lingua derivata esse

" cobpertum sit, ita compta et auribus consona, ut meliora nulli agnos-

« cant."


the Persian, and all that class of languages, they generally pre

vail; and, wherever they are found, they convey the same dis

tinct and immutable signification. " It will be demonstratively

" evident," says Parkhurst in the preface to his Hebrew Lexi

con, " to any one, who will attentively examine the subject, that

" tha Hebrew language is ideal, or, that, from a certain, and that

" ho great, number of primitive and apparently arbitrary words

" or roots, and usually expressive of some idea taken from nature,

" that is, from the external objects around us, or from our own

" constitutions by our senses or feelings, all the other words of

" that tongue are derived, or grammatically formed ; and, that,

" whatever the radicals are, the same leading idea or notion runs

" through all the deflexions of the words, however numerous

" or diversified." This is precisely the case with the Welsh,

which has for its foundation nearly all the possible variety of

simple articulations, that the vocal organ is capable of express

ing. From these it derives that inexhaustible power of com

bination, which has given it all the expressive and energetic

copiousness so particularly characteristic of it, and which is ca

pable of being improved to an endless diversity upon the same

unchangeable principle. Hence too that simple dignity and sym

metrical beauty, which our ancient tongue so remarkably displays

ja its superstructure.

The number of primitive sounds, whether purely vocal or

mixed, which the human voice is capable of articulating, has

been estimated at somewhat less than three hundred. Of these

the Welsh language has retained nearly two hundred and twenty,

about eighty of which number are of absolute and defined accept

ation, about fifty more are employed in the auxiliary functions

of pronouns, articles, conjunctions, and prepositions, while the

remainder are regularly used as prefixes or affixes in composi

tion, augmenting or diminishing, upon one fixed principle, the

force of the words, in which they are thus incorporated *. Even

the very vowels possess attributes unknown to those of other

European languages. They are all pregnant with meaning-, and

have, either in an independent or accessory character, a deter-,

minate part to perform.

It is by a combination of these simple or primary elements,

the seeds, as we may justly call them, of all human languages,

* Mr. Pughe assigns IS to the first class above i described, 5 1 to the

second, and to the last all that remain of '213, which he estimates as the,

whole number of elementary sounds iu our language.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

that those words are formed, to which grammarians have given

the name of roots. M. De Gebelin, in his excellent Treatise

before quoted *, has the following judicious observations on this

point :—cf The union of these sounds," he says, f' forms the

" mass of primitive words, all of them monosyllables, all of them

f embraced in the vocal organ, all of them painting physical

" objects, all of them the source or roots of language, and from

" which they can not be separated. In examining these primitive

f words, which belong to all languages, we may always observe

f them descend in one simple manner : it is these same words,

f slightly varied, that have always been used to designate

" accessory ideas, and different branches of the same subject."

The feature, here alluded to, is strikingly characteristic of the

Welsh tongue : and, had this learned writer been versed in it,

he would, no doubt, have been able to furnish a complete illus

tration of his ingenious hypothesis. The task, he had so ably

begun, would have been satisfactorily accomplished ; and that full

justice would have been done to our native language, which it so

richly rnerits. By analysing even its most complex combinar

tions, he would have been able to discover those radical words,

from which they were formed : while a dissection of these latter

would have exposed to his observation those secret springs,

which he so justly regards as the vital principles of all human

speech f. By suph a process as this the antiquity and purity of

the Welsh tongue may be demonstrated. For " analysis," tq

borrow the words of the same author J, " rests upon two im-,

" moveable bases, upon the vocal organ, the same now as it

" was at the earliest period of time, and upon the mass of

" words, employed, in all tongues, to express ideas common to

" all men."

The next Essay on this subject is designed tp illustrate, by the

analysis here contemplated, the general remarks above offered.

By thus ascending, as it were, to thp yery egg,—however con-

* Monde. Primitif, torn. iii. p. 8.

f M De Gebelin elucidates the principle of elementary articulation,

as applied to language, by the following apposite comparisons :—.

" L'homme trouve dans la nature les eleinens de tout ce dont il s'occupe:

" la musique est fondee s ir son octave, qui ne dependoit jamais de

" I'oreille : la peinture sur des epnleurs piimitivcs, que l'art ne pent creer :

" la geometrie snr les raports et les proportions immuables des corps : la

" medicine sur les proprietes physiques.''—Ibid. torn. iii. p. 72.

{ Ibid. torn. iii. p. 271.

86 THE CAMBRO-BRITON,

trary in some cases to the Horatian rule,—we may be able to

unveil those arcana, which have not hitherto been publicly in

vestigated by any writer on 6ur language *. Not only will the

excellence, for which it is here contended, be effectually proved

by this inquiry ; but it will also appear, that the essences of all

ancient tongues are primarily the same, that their diversities are

merely accidental, and are reducible to those elements, which

nothing can alter, because they have nature itself for their

fountain.

THE TRIADS.—No. III.

TRIADS OF THE ISLE OF BRITAIN f.

XiI. The three Combined Expeditions, that went from the Islo

of Britain.

The first was that, which went with Ur, son of Erin, the Armi-

potent, of Scandinavia. He came into this island in the time of

Cadial, son of Erin, to solicit assistance under the stipulation

that he should obtain from every principal town % no more than

the number he should be able to bring into it. And there came

only to the first town, besides himself, Mathutta Vawr, his ser-i

vant. Thus he procured two from that, and four from the

second town, and from the third town the number became eight,

and from the next sixteen, and thus in like proportion from

every other town ; so that for the last town the number could not

be procured throughout the island. And with him departed three

score and one thousand ; and with more than that number of

able men he could not be supplied in the whole island, as there

remained behind only children and old people. Thus Ur, son

of Erin, the Armipotent was the most complete levyer of a

host that ever lived ; and it was through inadvertence that the

* Mr. Pughe's Dictionary, which is arranged on this principle, should he

noticed as being, in some degree, an exception to this observation, as well as

some excellent remarks of his in the 1st volume of the Cambrian Register.

A systematic dissertation, however, is still a desideratum, and one, perhaps,

which he alone can Satisfactorily supply.

f Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 59—60. Tr. U and IS.

% The word in the oiiginal is Prifgacr, which means a fortress, or for-

tihed town of the first order, not peihaps exactly correspondent wjt.b our

modern idea of town, although tl^ut word is used \u the translation.


nation of the Cymry granted him his demand under an irrevoc

able stipulation. For in consequence thereof the Coranians found

an opportunity to make an invasion of the island. Of these men

there returned none, nor of their line or progeny. They went

on an invasive expedition as far as the sea of Greece, and, there

remaining, in the land of Galas and Afena, to this day, they

have become Greeks.

The second Combined Expedition was conducted by Caswallon,

son of Beli, the son of Manogan, and Gwenwynwyn and Gwa-

nar, the sons of Lliaws, son of Nwyfre, with Ariunrod, the

daughter of Beli, their mother. Their origin was from the bor

der-declivity of Galedin and Essylhvg, [Siluria], and of the

combined tribes of the Byhvennwys ; and their number was

three-score and one thousand. They went with Caswallon, their

uncle, after the Caesarians, [Romans], over the sea to the land of

the Geli Llydaw, [Gauls of Armorica], that were descended from

the original stock of the Cymry. And none of them, or of their

progeny returned to this island, but remained among the Romans

in the country of Gwajsgwyn, [G-ascony], where they are at this

time. And it was in revenge for this expedition that the Romans

first came into this island.

The third Combined Expedition was conducted out of this

island by Elen, the Armipotent, and Cynan, her brother, lord

of Meiriadog, into Armorica, where they obtained land and

dominion and royalty, from Mncsen Wledrg, [the Emperor

Maximus,] for supporting him against the Romans. These

people were originally from the land of Meiriadog, and from the

land of Seisyllwg, and from the land of Gwyr and Gorwennydd;

and none of them returned, but settled in Armorica, and in

Ystre Gyvaelwg, by forming a commonwealth there. By rea

son of this combined expedition (he nation of the Cymry was so

weakened and deficient in armed men, that they fell under the

oppression of the Irish Picts; and therefore Gwrtheyrn Gwr-

thenau, [Vortigern], was compelled to procure the Saxons to

expel that oppression And the Saxons, observing the weakness

of the Cymry, formed an oppression of treachery, by combining

with the Irish Picts, and with traitors, and thus took from the

Cymry their land, and also their privileges and their crown.

These three Combined Expeditions are called the three Mighty

Arrogances of the nation of the Cymry ; also the three Silver

Hosts, because of their taking away out of this island the gold

and the silver, as far as they could obtain it by deceit, and

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

artifice and injustice, as well as by right and consent. And they"

are called the three Unwise Armaments, for weakening there-*

by this island so much, as to give place in consequence to the"

three Mighty Oppressions,—that is, those of the Coranians, the

Romans, and the Saxons.

[Ur, here mentioned, is the same with Urb Lluyddawg, no-•

ticed in Triad x. in the last Number. At what period he arrived

in Britain does not appear very evident ; but it must have been

some time previous to the Roman invasion. Nor is it certain to

what part of Greece or its vicinity, he and his followers emi

grated. Galas may mean Gailatia, or Gallograecia, so called

from a colony of Gauls or Celts, by whom it is supposed to have*

been peopled. When St. Jerome was there, in the fourth cen

tury, he recognized the Celtic tongue, which he had heard

spoken at Treves. That part of Galatia, called Paphlagonia,

was formerly inhabited by the Henefi, from whom originated the

Veneti in Italy, also of Celtic extraction.—With respect to the

expedition of Caswallon, Caesar himself seems, in some degree,

to confirm the account here given, although the amount of the

force, which accompanied him, seems to be over-rated. Caesar's

words are, " In Britanniam proficisci contendit, quod, omnibus

" fere Gallicis bellis, hostibus nostris inde subministrata auxilia

" intelligebat."—{Bell. Gal. Lib. 4, c. 20.) Galedin, men

tioned above and also in Triad vm, may have been a part of

the Netherlands; and Bylwennwys the Boulognese. But these

conjectures are, by no means, offered positively.—The expedi

tion of Cynan took place about the end of the fourth century.

Meiriadog, the place whence he was distinguished, comprised the

north-eastern division of what was antiently Powys. Seisyllwg

was the name of parts of the present Counties of Brecon and

Glamorgan : and Gwyr and Gorwenydd were Gower, and the

adjacent part of Glamorgan. Ystre Gyvaelwg was, most pro

bably, some portion of what is now Normandy : the name

implies a district comprehending a junction of brows or ridges of

hills.—The name of Vortigern, it may be noticed, given to

Gwrtheyrn, mentioned in this and a preceding Triad, belongs to

the Irish dialect, and was first applied to him by Bede, who might

hav,e learned it from his Irish teachers in Iona.]

xm. The three Mighty Oppressions of the Isle of Britain, that

combined together, and therefore became one oppression, which,

deprived the Cymry of their privileges, their crown, and their '

lands. The first was that of the Coranians, who confederated

I

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. S9

with the Romans, so that they became one ; the second, that of

the Romans; and the third, that of the Saxons, who confederated

with the other two against the Cymry. And this came from

God, as a punishment for the three mighty arrogances of the

nation of the Cymry, as their intentions could not have been

founded in justice.

TRIADS OF WISDOM*.

XXI. The three chief actions of wisdom : to look at every thing,

to endure, upon occasion, every tiling, and to keep one's self

free from every thing.

XXII. From three things a correct judgment may be obtained :

from knowing the truth, from discerning necessity, and from ge

nerous love.

xxnI. The three principal instructors of man : sense front

nature, in its discernment, reason from exertion, in its considera

tion, and conscience from impulse, in judging ; and without the

instruction of these three there can be nothing complete or cor

rect in the knowlege of wisdom.

xxiv. Three things, which are but one in their original deriva

tion : truth, justice, and mercy ; that is, from the same love do

these three proceed, for love is the summit of wisdom.

xxv. The three foundations of the understanding : the know

lege of tendency" and counter-tendency, the knowlege of event

and counter-event, and the knowlege of opinion and counter-

opinion. And from these comes the understanding ; for the

understanding is the comprehension of being and counter-being,

according to possibility.

xxvI. Three things, which bind the good to a man ; the doing

of it once himself, the request of it once from another, and

the commendation of it once in another, or, in the hearing of

another.

xxvu. Three ways, by which good may be instilled into a man :

the commendation of good done by him in the hearing of another

good person, the performance of a good action in his presence,

and silence as to a fault he may possess.

xxviii- From three counsels combined one good counsel may

be obtained : from the counsel of a friend, the counsel of a foe,

and the counsel of one's own conscience.

xxix. From three languages may be obtained the language of

* Arch, of Wa'e?, vol. iii. p. 203.

VOL. I. N


truth : from the language of nature, the language of reason, and

the language of conscience.

xxx. The essences of all morality: instruction, reason, and

conscience.

BARDIC TRIADS.—RELATING TO LANGUAGE*.

The three indispensibles of language: purity, copiousness,

and aptness.

The three ways, whereby a language may be rendered copious :

by diversifying synonymous words, by a variety of compounds,

and by a multiformity of expression.

The three qualities, wherein consist the purity of a language :

the intelligible, the pleasurable, and the credible.

The three supports of language : order, strength, and syno

nymy.

- The three correct qualities of a language : correct construc

tion, correct etymology, and correct pronunciation.

The three uses of a language : to relate, to excite, and to

describe.

The three things, that constitute just description : just selection

of words, just construction of language, and just comparison.

The three things appertaining to just selection : the best lan

guage, the best order, and the best object.

The three dialects of the Welsh language : the Ventesian or

Silurian, the Dimetian, and the Venedotian. And it is allowable

in poetry to use all of them indiscriminately, agreeably both with

the opinion and authority of the primitive bards.

THE WISDOM OF CATWGf.

HIS EXCEPTIVE APHORISMS.

There is no truth except that, which it is not possible to vary.

There is no equity but that, which cannot be dispensed with.

There is no good but that, which cannot be improved.

There is no evil but that, which cannot have its worse.

#. These Triads are selected from the number given by Mr. Owen Pughe

in the Preface his Edition of I.lywarch Hen's Poems. On some future

occasion tbe Editor may have it in his power to present his readers with the

whole of the Bardic Triads in in a systematic form.

f Arch, of Wales, vol. iii. p. 14.


There is no worst save that, from which no one good is de

rivable.

There is no fitness but that, which it is not possible to distort.

There is nothing distorted but that, which cannot be fitted.

There is nothing complete but that, wherein a defect is im

possible.

There is no defect save that, from which no one benefit can

be procured.

There is no benefit but where a contrast is not possible.

There can be no contrast except to evil.

There is no contrast to evil but God.

There is no God but he, than whom there can be none better.

There is nothing which cannot have its better, save the best

of all.

There is no best of all except love.

There is no love but God ; God is love.

BARDIC PORTRAITS.

ANEURIN.

Although Aneurin was not a native of that part of the island,

which is now called Wales, still the language in which he wrote,

and the affinity of the stock, from which he was descended, with

that of the Cymry fully entitle him to be numbered amongst their

ancient bards. Accordingly he has ever been claimed by the

Welsh as forming a part of that constellation of genius, which

shed so much lustre on their literary annals during the sixth

century.

Aneurin of Flowing Muse, as he has been called, and whom

the Triads denominate also Monarch of the Bards, was one of the

sons of Caw ab Geraint, a chieftain of the Ottadini, who occupied

that part of the kingdom now called Northumberland,—a people,

as above observed, of kindred extraction and speech with the

Cymry*. Our bard was, most probably, born about the close of

* The Ottadini were perhaps descendants of the Lloegrwys, who, ac

cording to Triads vn. and ix. translated in the last number, settled in

the northern parts of the kingdom. The Welsh name was Gododini, or

f .ododiniaid, implying the inhabitants of a region bordering on the coverts,

whence tfce Romans formed their Ottadini, by rejecting the initial teUtef,

and whence too Aneurin took the name of his poem.


the fifth or the beginning of the sixth century, and was one of a

numerous issue, according to some accounts four and twenty, of

whom the celebrated Gildas was also one, if indeed Gildas and

Aneurin be not, as has been plausibly conjectured, two names

for the same individual *.

Of the early life of Aneurin we have no account ; but, when

arrived, as we may presume, at the age of manhood, we find him

honourably engaged in the defence of his native country against

the incursions ofthe Saxons. He fought, on this occasion, under

the banners of Mynyddog Eiddyn, who commanded the Britons

in the disastrous conflict of Cattraeth f, which, according to the

authority of Aneurin, three only, himself being one, of three hunT

dred and sixty-three British chieftains survived. His own safety

he ascribes, like Horace on a similar occasion, to the sacredness of

his poetical character J. The fatal result of this battle deprived

Caw of his territory, and compelled him, with the small remnant

of his children, to seek a refuge in Wales. Accordingly, he

and a part of his family settled in Anglesey, where lands wera

allotted to them by Maelgwn, at that time Prince of Gwynedd ;

while Aneurin became an inmate of Catwg's college at Llanfei

* This is very reasonably presumed from the similarity of the name?,

one appearing to be merely a translation of the other, and from the still

stronger circumstance of Gildas and Aneurin not being found together in

any of the antient MSS., which enumerate the children of paw. bee the

account of Aneurin in the Cambrian Biography.

+ The force, that accompanied Mynyddog on this occasion, is described

in the Triads as " one of the three pass- protecting clans of the Isle qf

"Britain." Some copies have " fair gosgordd addwyn," (see Arch, of

Wales, vol. ii. p. 69,) but the most probable reading is " Tair gosgordd

" adwy," (lb. p. 8.) which may afford some clue to the particular nature of

the battle of Cattraeth.

J To this he alludes in the following line :

" A minneu o'm guactvreu, guerth vy guenaut."

" And I, whs was saved from the spilling of blood, as the reward ofmy fair

" song."

Mr. Davies, in his translation of the Gododin, (Mythology and Rites of

the Druids, p. 341,) has most strangely perverted the meaning of this line,

which he renders,

" And myself through my streams of blood, the reward of my song ;"

thereby representing Aneurin as wounded, and wholly disregarding the

beautiful poetical feeling, which the bard evinces on the occasion of his

escape. But this is not the only instance, wherein this ingenious writer has

mis-translated the Gododin, apparently, indeed almost avowedly, with a

view to serve his extraordinary hypothesis: in his attachment to which he

has not only overlooked the Triad, alluded to in Hie last note, but the testi

mony of the ancient bards.


thin, apparently the favoured resort of the genius and learning

of that period.

It must have been here, that he formed that intimacy with

Taliesin, to which he makes allusion in his Gododin : an instance

pf which may be seen in the following passage,—

Qf the mead and of the horn,

And of the assembly of Cattraeth,

I, Aneurin, will frame,

What Taliesin knows,

A song of participation,

Which shall be offered by Gododin

Before the dawn of the day of toil *.

Taliesin likewise appears to bear testimony to this connection,

yhen he thus speaks of his brother bard,—

I know the fame of Aneurin,

That celebrated genius,

Even I, Taliesin,

From the banks of the lake Oeirionydd.

It was, most probabjy too, in the propitious retreat of Catwg's

College, that Aneurin wrote his famous Gododin, which has been

described as the most ancient poem in Europe, alter those of

the classical writers f. And, if the genuineness of the effu

sions, ascribed to Ossian, be not satisfactorily proved, tlie Godo

din must be entitled to this distinction. This, and another poem,

called The Odes of the Months, are all that are now admitted to

be extant of the works of this distinguished Bard, and are pre

served under his name in the Archaiology. Aneurin is thought

* The original is as follows :

" O ved o vuelin,

O Gattraeth wnin,

, Mi a na, vi Aneurin,

Ys gwyr Taliesin,

Oveg cyvrenhin,

Neu chenig Ododin ,

C'yn gwawr dydd dilin."

Mr. Davies, whose translation, in this instance also, differs from that given

above, observes upon the passage, that " from it as well as from the gene-

" ral tenour of the work it is evident, that the Gododin was not UHdertaken

" as one single poem with a regular and connected design."—Mythology

and Rites of the Druids, p. 356. Nothing of this kind, however, is evident,

if the version, submitted in the text, be correct.

f Edward Llwyd, in his Arcbasologia, p. 254, gives A. D. 510 at the pro

bable date of this production : buf this appears a htlle too early.


to have spent the remainder of his days at Llanfeithin. The

period of his death has been fixed about A. D. 570, when, ac

cording to two Triads, he was killed by Eidyn, son of Einygan,

by the blow of an axe, which is therefore described as " one of

" the three accursed deeds of the Isle of Britain."

As it is intended to enter hereafter into a critical examination

of the Gododin, a reference to its general characteristics is all

that can be now required. This ancient poem, of which about

nine hundred lines are preserved, is evidently in an imperfect

state ; a circumstance, which, with the peculiarity of its dialect,

the errors of transcribers, and the obscurity occasioned by the

lapse of thirteen hundred years, has necessarily thrown a shade

over some parts of it. Yet, even through all these disadvan-

tages, it is possible to trace many sublime and pathetic features,

as well as that epic character, which, no doubt, originally belonged

to it. And passages may be selected to justify the high estima

tion, in which it was formerly held, at a lime, perhaps, when this

opinion was founded on more accurate copies, and more perfect

remains of this celebrated production.

The greatest portion of what is now preserved is occupied by

elegiac tributes to the memory of the heroes who fell at Cat-

traeth. And an old commentary describes the number of

stanzas to have been equal to that of the. chieftains they were

designed to commemorate, which must have extended the poem

considerably beyond its present length. The metre, in which

the Gododin is written, is a mixture of the lyrical and heroic,

the latter of which bears a strong resemblance with the corres

pondent measure of the Italian poets, and particularly with thai

used by Tasso in his Gicrusalemme Liberata : a circumstance,

which seems to denote a kindred origin in the poetry of the two

nations. In the epic character of the poem, to which allusion

has already been made, an imitation of the Greek and Roman

poets may clearly be traced, from which it may be inferred, that

Ancurin, as well as Taliesin, was well versed in the classical,

literature of that age. Xor will it be too much praise to say,

that, as a scholar and a poet, he formed one of its brightest

ornaments *.

* If his identity wi;h Gihlas could be proved, the propriety of this cu-

logium would be still inure appamnt.


WELSH MUSIC—No. III.


Sir,—Having, in my preceding letters, made such general

observations, as I deemed necessary, I shall, without any farther

preamble, notice a portion of the Welsh Melodies.

" Rhyfelgyrch Gwyr Harlech," or The March of the Men

of Harlech, is an energetic composition, in the ityle oX

" Scots wha ha'e wi' Wallace bled," but with a much greater

variety of modulation. When the Denbighshire Militia were

for many years, during the late wars, from their native county,

their Colonel, the patriotic Sir W. W. Wynn, invariably

ordered his band at all grand reviews, to play this fine martial

air.

" Morfa Rhuddlan*," or The Marsh of Rhuddlan, has been

already mentioned. It is a sweetly plaintive air, in g minor.

Our bards have written many songs to this tune, and some of the

singers chaunt Pennillion to it. The commencement of the second

part in the relative major key, B fla^, bursts upon us, like the

last effort of the unconquered spirit of a d3'ing hero.

" Hela 'r Ysgyfarnog," or Hunting the Hare, is a very

lively air, and often introduced in dramatic pieces. One of

Matthews's best songs, in his " Trip to Paris," was to this tune;

and G. A. Stevens's celebrated song of " Songs of Shepherds"

is adapted to it.

" Ar hyd y N&s," or The livelong Xight.—OC all the Welsh

airs this perhaps is the most popular in England, partly owing

to its own beauty, and partly to the pathetic words, which were

written to it, (by Mrs. Opie I believe) commencing

"JHere beneath a willow sloepeth

Poor Mary Anne."

There is scarcely a composer who has not written variations on

this melody, particularly for the harp. And lately Liston, the

actor, has introduced a comic pferody on it, which he sings, riding

on an Ass, and wherein the simple burthen of the original is

burlesqued into " Ah ! hide your Nose."

* Morfa Rhuddlan, on the banks of the Clwyd in Flintshire, was the

scene of many battles between the Welsh and the Saxons. At the memo

rable conflict of 795 the Welsh were unsuccessful, and tl.cir monarch

Cauadog slain.


In Wales it is considered by the prize-singers as a mere baga

telle, and generally introduced as the last strain at convivial

meetings, when extempore stanzas are sung to it, alternately, by

the company. The words, adapted to this air in the selection

before me, commence thus :

" Sweet the tale of minstrels merry

Ar hyd y nos,

Sweet the rest of herdsmen weary

Ar hyd y nos;

And to hearts opprest with sorrow,

Forced the mask of joy to borrow,

Comfort is there till the morrow,

Ar hyd y nos

" Glan Meddwdod Mwyn," or Good humoured and fairly

tipsy.—It is impossible to give a faithful translation of Glan

meddicdod tmeyn. The air is a very beautiful one, and very

frequently sung in Wales ; as a two-part song it is exceedingly

effective. Many Pennillion on various subjects are chaunted to

this tune, the metre of which is long, consisting of eleven sylla

bles : e. g.

" If friendship and love be not blessings divine,

In life there's no pleasure, no music in song."

" Llwyn Onn," or The Ash Grove.—In my first letter I

stated, that the celebrated song in the Beggar's Opera of" Cease

your Funning " is to this air a little varied. So also is " Beauty

in Tears," sung by Mr. Braham, in Lodoiska. This melody is

a great favourite among the singers with the harp; but it re

quires an extensive compass of voice to do it justice. The

metre of the stanzas, which are sung to it, is long like the one

just mentioned ; yet the professed singer will introduce Pennillion

of different measures and lengths, by allowing the harper to play

a few bars alone, and will contrive to finish, with the nicest pre

cision, with the air. This is a peculiarity belonging to the Welsh-

mode of singing with the harp, which I shall more fully explain,

on another occasion.

I remain, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Oct. 5 1819 John Parry.

* Tie burthen " Ar hyd y nos," which mum literally "during the

night," is introduced with propriety here, as tl.e English reader may per

ceive.


CRITICISM.

Coll Gwynfa : or Paradise Lost translated into Welsh by

W. O. Pughe,F.A.S. 8vo. pp. 371.8s. E. Williams, 1819.

In resuming the gratifying and proud task of comparing our

national version of Paradise Lost with the original little remains

to be done beyond a selection of those passages, in which the

skill of the translator appears to have been most happily exer

cised. It will not be possible indeed, within the necessary limits

of this examination, to supply an adequate notion of the full

extent, to which his command of our language has enabled him

to carry this excellence. But, as there are some parts, upon

which Mr. Pughe seems to have bestowed an extraordinary de

gree of pains, a few of these will be selected to justify the ap

probation, with which the work has already been noticed. Yet,

in offering these, it is not meant to deny, that some of those trivial

blemishes,

Quas hiimana parum cavit natura,

may occasionally be discovered in this, as in every other work of

man. But who would not wish to turn from them to a contempla

tion of those general beauties, by which they are so much over

balanced, if not rendered entirely unimportant*?

The most remarkable feature, perhaps, of Coll Gwynfa is

its literal adherence to the original, not only in the meaning, but

in the very expression and metre. Yet it must not be concluded,

that the translator, in thus following so closely the steps of his

great prototype, has therefore become one of that servile herd

of copyists, who sacrifice to a fidelity of interpretation every

other species of merit. The native faculties of the Welsh lan

guage were sufficient, in Mr. Pughe's hands, to protect him

against such a fate. They have even enabled him to be literal,

without obliging him to be tame : and have naturalized, in

his version, all the beauty and energy of the original, without

suffering either to be diminished, in any material degree, by the

* Among these venial inaccuracies maybe noticed the too frequent sepa

ration, at the end of a line, of articles, pronouns, prepositions, and other

weak auxiliary particles from the nouns, to which they belong ; instances

of which may be seen in the third, seventh, and tenth lines of the extract,

in page 100 post, beginning

'* O ti mewn gorogoniant ."

But even these blemishes may belong more to the eye than the ear.

Vol. I. O


use of a less vigorous metre or a more diffuse diction. This is a

privilege which no other European tongue can enjoy : it belongs

alone to the peculiar pliability and inexhaustible copiousness of

the Welsh.

The first extract, that follows, is a part of Satan's salutation to

his infernal abode upon rising from the fiery lake. As it would

be impracticable, without a sacrifice of more room than can be

spared, in all cases to transcribe Milton's lines, a reference to

them must in general suffice. The passage, here transcribed, is

in the first book of Paradise Lost, l. 249 to 263.

" Meusydd cain

Lie mae llawenydd byth, hanfyddent gwell :

Wi ! ddychryniadau, gethern fyd, a thi

O Uffern ddofn dy gynosb arfollaa ;

Un yw a chanddo fryd nas troa lle

Nac amser chwaith. Ei le ei hun yw bryd,

Ac ynddo ei hun gwna Nef o Uffern, ac

Yn Uffern Nef. Py waeth pa le, os yr

Un fath wyf 15, ac iawn fy mod, ac oil

Ond llai nog efe taranau a wnaent mwy ?

O leiaf yma byddwn rydd : yma er

Cenfigen, yr Hollalluawg ni wnaeth ddim,

Ymaith nis trosa ni : diogel yn

Y fangre hon teyrnaswn, ac yn hyn

O ddewis o deyrnasu tal y cais

Er mai yn Uffern : Gwell tej-rnasu yw

Yn Uffern no gweinyddu yn y Nef."—P. 10—11.

The Welsh reader cannot fail to be struck with the expressive

ness of the foregoing lines, as well as with their exact preservation

of the sense of the original. A comparison of the following lines

will particularly illustrate this :

" Ei le ei hun yw bryd

Ac ynddo ei hun gwna Nef o Uffern, ac

Yn Uffern Nef."

" The mind is its own place, and iu itself

Can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven."

Yet no one can say, that the translation is the least poetical of the

two.

The following delightful simile of the bees swarming to the hive

,(B. L l. 768) is also rendered with great force and spirit, if in

deed the superior beauty of the Welsh language have not even

given it an advantage over the original.


" Mai gwenyn yn y gwanwyn, pan yw haul

Yn rhed y Tarw, yn gyflu £ ddineant

Yn syw fagwyon am y cwch ; yn mhlith

Gwyry wlith a blodau gwibiant hwy, neu ar

Yr astell lefn, y rhaccaer id eu caer

O wellt, a rathid ag eu dail eu hun,

A dadiant eu gorchwylion gwlad."—P. 28—9.

The possible adaptation of the sound to the sense, in poetry, is

likely to continue, as it ever has been, a sort of vcxata queestio

in the critical world. While some contend for many examples

of this singular coincidence in Homer, Virgil, and other epic

poets, others regard them as no more than the visions of those

enthusiasts, who see a connexion in cases, where there is not

naturally any affinity. Dr. Johnson, however, who was, by no

means, a convert to this theory, has admitted Milton's description

of the creaking of hell-gates to give us a strong notion of this

presumed union of sound and sense, or rather of the manner, in

which the former may be employed to illustrate the latter. And

Mr. Pughe must be allowed the credit of having most successfully

imitated this quality of Milton's lines (B. ii. l. 879) in the follow

ing version.

" trwy serth chwim agorynt gan

Chwyrn encil a chan drydar eras y pyrth

Uffernawl, ar eu col o rygnu croch

Daranau, hyd nas crynai isaf sawdd

O Abred."—P. 60.

The words employed in this passage are, to the full, as rough and

jarring as the English ; and, perhaps, the expression of

" ar eu col o rygnu croch

Darannau "

is superior to the correspondent one of

" and on their hinges grate

Harsh thunder."

It may be remarked here, that Abred, used in the preceding lines,

is a word of Welsh origin, implying a state of evil or wretched

ness, and therefore appropriately used for Erebus, while the

similarity of the two names seems to indicate a kindred derivation.

Many instances occur in Coll Gwynfa of genuine Welsh names

being used in cases, where other languages invariably borrow

from the Latin or Greek. Tryblith and Awenyddion, by which

Chaos and Aonides are properly rendered in the extract given


in the first Number of the Cambro-Briton, may be noticed as

being, among others, instances of what is here meant. And the

very name itself of the poem * is a beautiful illustration of this

independent quality of the Welsh tongue, and does, besides, great

credit to the translator's judgment.

Another instance, similar to the one last quoted,-«f the happy

manner, in which Mr. Pughe has caught the spirit of the original,

occurs in his translation of the following lines, describing Satan's

floundering progress through the gloomy region of Chaos, which

also has been considered to exhibit the concurrence of sound and

sense already adverted to.

" So eagerly the Fiend

O'er bog, or steep, through strait, rough, dense or rare,

With head, hands, wings, or feet, pursues his way,

And swims, or sinks, or wades, or creeps, or flies."

** . cymaint awch y Mailt,

Tros gors, tros allt, trwy gul, garw, dwys, neu daen,

Gan ddwylaw, edyn, traed, canlynai ar

Ei hynt, a nofia, sodda, creinia, neu

Eheda."—P. 62.

Many similar passages occur in Milton, whose language, abound

ing in monosyllables, afforded him a peculiar facility in this re

spect. His translator had no such advantages on his side, but,

on the contrary, every thing against him.

Satan's fine address to the Sun, in the fourth Book (l. 32),

is given with great spirit and fidelity. The exordium will be found

particularly worthy of being here transcribed : notwithstanding

the apparent eye-sores adverted to in a preceding note.

" O ti mewn gorogoniant ar dy rwysg

A wclir yn llywiadu megis Duw

Y newydd fyd : oddiwrth dy olwg y

Gorchuddiant yr holl ser eu penau man ;

Neud arnat ti y galwaf, ond nid yw

Lais car, a chan dy enwi di O haul,

Ac i fynegi gased imi dy

Belydron ynt, a ddygant imi gof

* The literal meaning of Coli. Gwynfa is the Loss of the Place of Hap

piness. In this sense Gwynfa has been used by the bards for Paradise.

An instance may be seen in the lines of Cynddelw, adopted by Mr.

Pughe as his motto to this translation. The Welsh term mjust be allowed

to be at least as significant as Paradise, which is retained in all other ver

sions of Miiton.


Fy syrthiad, a gogoneddused uwch

Dy rod yr oeddwn, nes i falchder a

Gorymgais gwaeth fy mwrw i lawr yn Nef

Yn erbyn brenin Nef o gynneu trais."—P. 96—7.

The description of the changes of the fiend's countenance, at

the conclusion of this address, (l. 114,) is also rendered in the

fame happy manner.

ff Mai hyn tra gwedai, pylai y naill nwyd

Dair gwaith ei wedd yn welw, cenfigen, llid,

A dwfn anobaith ; ei echwynawl drem

Anafai hyn, gan ei gyhuddaw ef

Tan rithiad ffug, o sylwa arno neb.

Oddiwrth y fath anwydau bryntion ynt

Nefolion byth yn lan."—P. 99.

The approach of morning, and the waking of Adam, at the

beginning of the fifth book, described by Milton with such ex

quisite spftness, appear to no less advantage in the Welsh.

Indeed, this is one of those passages, in which Mr. Pughe ap

pears to have drawn most copiously from those stores of me

lody which our language contains. Nothing can excel the mel

lifluence of some of his lines. The very commencement may

be selected in justification of this assertion ; unless indeed even

they are surpassed in sweetness by some that follow*.

" Y bore weithion ar ei breilw rawd

O ddwyr yn eddain, heuai ddaiar las

A gleinion, pan ddeffroai Addaf, wrth

Ei arfer, can ysgafned oedd ei gwsg

O ddyli iach ac araul darddion, rnal

Y taenid gan ddain odwrdd chwyf y wawr

Ar ddail a gofer, a ffrill ednaint ar

Bob cainc mewn can o bylgaint."—P. 130.

The following is the Italian translation ef the same beautiful

passage : and it only requires a comparison of it with Mr.

Pughe's version to prove the superiority of the latter. There is

a mellowness in the Welsh lines, to which the others have no

pretension.

" Gia nel sereno clima di Levante,

Avangando il Mattino i rosei passi

Spargea di perle orientali il suolo ;

Quando alia solit', ora Adam svegliossi :

* This observation applies particularly to Adam's address to Eve, when

bt awakens her, and of this to the last four lines.


Lieve com' aria e il sonno suo, cui nutre

Pura digestione e soporiferi

Temperati vapori ; e leggiermente

Disperde il susurrar di fronde e rivi

Al ventilar della novella Aurora,

£ il garruletto matutino canto

Degli augelletti in ogni verde ramo."

The celebrated Morning Hymn of Adam and Eve, in the

game book, is likewise very finely rendered; but, from its

length, cannot, unfortunately, be transplanted into these pages.

Nor can a part be given 'without injustice to the rest.

A space must, however, be allowed for the first fourteen lines

of the beautiful Invocation to Urania, in the commencement of

the seventh book. They will be found in every way worthy of

the original, and are particularly distinguished by those melo

dious sounds, in the selection of which Mr. Pughe, as before

observed, has evinced so much taste and so extraordinary a

felicity.

" Disgyna di o Nef, Nyfedon, ar

Hwn enw iawn os gelwir di, dy lais

Dwyfolaidd o areiliaw goruwch ban

Olympw y dwyreaf, ac uwch hed

Pegasw aden. Nid yr enw ond

Yr ystyr wyf yn galw am ei blaid :

Am mai tydi nid o awenolion naw

Yr wyt, na chwaith ar ben Olympw hen

Y trigi di, ond ganed ti o Nef,

Cyn bod na bryniau na ffynnonau ter,

Ti ymddyddanit a Doethineb oed

Tragwyddawl, yw Doethineb chwaer i ti,

A chyda hi chwareit yn ngwydd y Tad

Hollnerthawl, boddawl o dy nefawl gin."

P. 194—5.

Nyfedon and Pegasw, by which Urania and Pegasus are ren

dered in this passage, afford another instance of the native rich

ness of the Welsh tongue. And Mr. Pughe, in a note on the

words, suggests, that the roots of the latter may be found in

that language. The former is purely Welsh.

The extracts from Coll Gwynfa must now, with whatever

reluctance, be brought to a close. One other only can be ad

mitted, and that is the sublime passage, in which the Almighty is


described on his return to Heaven after the great work of the

Creation :

" Followed with acclamation, and the sound

Symphonious of ten thousand harps, that tun'd

Angelic harmonies."—B. vii. 1. 557, et seq.

They are thus rendered by Mr. Pughe, with a remarkable

union of beauty and dignity, and may be advantageously com

pared with the Welsh translation of some of the same foe ideas

in the 24th psalm.

" I fyny echwai efe gan floedd mawlaad

A chyson sain deg mil telynau per

A leisient eilwy Engyl : daiar gron

Ac awyr a adseinient (mae ar gof

I ti, o glywed) Nefoedd ac achlan

Cyfluoedd ser a ddiaspedent, ar

Eu gorsaf y gwrandawent hwynt y mwth

Blanedau, tra esgynai y gwymp rwysg

Yn orfoleddawl. Chwi dragwyddawl byrth,

Agorwch, cenynt, Ye agorwch, chwi

Y Nefoedd, drysau bywiawl ; doed i mewn

Y Peryf mawr yn ddychweledig oc

Ei waith ardderchawg, ei chwe dydd gwaith, byd ;

Agorwch, a rhag blaen ami ; canys Duw

Teilynga ami ofwyaw yn foddaus

Drigfanau y cyfiawnion, hefyd gan

Gyweithns fynych yr anfona ei

Adeiniawg genadwri nefawl rad."—P. 215.

The passages, that have here been quoted from Coll

Gwynfa, must, it is hoped, have made it unnecessary, as it re

spects the Welsh reader, to dwell longer on the characteristic

merits of this performance. But, in order to induce strangers to

our language to cultivate an acquaintance with it, it may be right

to give a summary view of those particulars, in which its excel

lence mainly consists.

Hitherto, it cannot be denied, even the most celebrated of our

modern prose productions had failed to do full justice to the

remarkable capabilities of our native tongue. There is some

thing in most of them so harsh and inelegant, that the student, it

is feared, has often turned with aversion from those features,

which belonged to the writer rather than to the language. It


reiriained for Mr. Pughe, and perhaps it belonged to him alone,

to vindicate the innate energies of the Welsh tongue, to re-assert

its classical properties, and to unlock those springs of melody,

.which are so emphatically its own. In the prosecution of this

patriotic design, he may be considered by some, to have availed

himself too extensively of his intimate acquaintance with the

literature of past times. Some may think, that he has evinced too

great a partiality for certain words, 'and constructions of speech,

which they may be disposed to regard as antiquated and obsolete.

But such objectors should consider, that, in this view, the Welsh

differs from all modern tongues. It has not been enriching itself,

like them, from the stores of other languages; it has not been con

tinually acquiring new lustre from the polish of foreign idioms :—

but unhappily, on the contrary, it has, in the mouths of the vul

gar and illiterate, been gradually losing, as an oral language,

much of its native richness and purity. It has, in this respect,

undoubtedly been debased from its genuine value. But, it fortu

nately possesses, within itself, a magical faculty of renovation, by

which it may be restored to all the grace and majesty it possessed

a thousand years ago.

This is the great work Mr. Pughe has achieved. He has re-

embodied the expressive dialects of our venerable tongue; he

has displayed it to our view in all its pristine copiousness, and has

united, in his diction, such various combinations of beauty and

energy, as no other Welsh production of modern times has exhi

bited. He has thus rescued our language from a reproach, to

which it had been too long exposed, by expunging those bar

barisms, which had been generated by an ignorant use or a cor

rupt taste. He has borrowed a ray from the genius of past times

to dispel the gloom of the present. Wherever, therefore, he

may appear to be antiquated, he is only the more classically and

the more purely Welsh.

In conclusion, as it has been said by one of the encomiasts of

Milton, with reference to Paradise Lost, that he found in it uni

versal knowlege, so it may be observed, without an hyperbole, of

this translation, that it combines the universal excellence of the

Welsh tongue. It forms an admirable illustration of the Dic

tionary by the same writer : and, whatever may be the cavils or

the prejudices of some, these works are destined to be forgotten

only with the language, which they have so eminently contri

buted to adorn.

• ** I


THE MISCELLANIST.—No. I.

Of all the duties, imposed upon the conductor of a publication

like this, the most difficult, or, at least, the most delicate is that,

which regards a proper selection of the contributions, with which

he is favoured. The fear of sharing the fate of that ill-omened

painter, who, in his endeavours to gratify all, found at length,

' that he had pleased none, must continually haunt his waking and

sleeping hours, with reference to this part of his task. From the

days of the renowned Spectator to the present, this circumstance

has been found to be a serious deduction from the enjoyments of

those important personages, who, as Editors of periodical works,

court the suffrages of the public. Why, therefore, should the

conductor of the Cambro-Briton hope to escape the common lot

of the fraternity ? Thus early, indeed, in his literary career have

these bitters of his employment mixed themselves with its sweets.

Of the many contributions, which have already reached him, he has

felt himself obliged to reject some, choosing rather to incur the

possible enmity of a few, than to forfeit the good opinion of all.

And, as a particular notice of these might, in many cases, be

deemed invidious, he thinks it more prudent thus generally to

observe, that no communication can be admitted into the Cam

bro-Briton, which has not some reference to that main design,

which has been already so fully explained. And, where the in*

tention to promote this is evidently sincere, the Editor promises,

that he will not be fastidiously scrupulous about the means.

There is another point, that requires here a more particular

consideration. Among the contributions, so kindly offered to the

Cambro-Briton, several, however worthy of notice, cannot con

veniently be marshalled under those general heads, which it has

been thought advisable to adopt in the disposition of this work.

These communications may be considered of the same nature as

the velites or light troops, which hover on the flanks of an

army instead of forming a part of its main body. It has, there

fore, occurred to the Editor, to form these irregulars into a

separate body, under the title of the Miscellanist, the first

specimen of which is here offered. And, while this arrangement

cannot be adjudged incompatible with the general aim of the

Cambro-Briton, it may be found, at the same time, a welcome

relief to its more formal or more grave lucubrations.

VOL. I. P


The letter, which follows first in order here, is upon a topic at

once interesting and new. And, if the Editor were disposed to

dissent at all from the opinion of the ingenious writer, it would

be merely by observing, that he does not perceive that nationality

(if he may be allowed the term) in the Welsh character, which

distinguishes that of the other nations alluded to in the letter.

This remark is particularly applicable to the Scotch, whose pecu

liar manners and dialect form the grand charm of all those novels,

which the general voice has ascribed to Scott. However, there

is much merit in T. K.'s suggestion ; and it may be adopted to a

certain extent with considerable advantage. But he would do

well to be cautious in the confidence he reposes in those legends,

which are reputed to be Welsh, as they are, for the most part,

undoubtedly spurious*.


Sir,—It is with no small portion of gratification that I hail, in

the appearance of the Cambro-Briton, a work likely to afford

amusement and information to the sons of Cambria at least, if

not to every admirer of its history and antiquities.

Hitherto, no periodical publication, devoted exclusively to

subjects connected with Welsh literature, (if we except the Cam

brian Register, which, it is to be feared, will never be resumed,

and a work or two written in Welsh) has appeared to gratify the

warm and honest feelings of her people—not, indeed, because

there is a lack of talent in the Welsh, or because there is a de

ficiency of materials—but because no spirited individual has un

dertaken the task, or ventured upon a work adapted to only a

small portion of the inhabitants of the British Isles. The history,

the literature, and the poetry of Wales, both ancient and mo

dern, including, of course, the manners and peculiar customs of

the natives, afford ample scope for interesting dissertation, while

the traditions and legends of the country supply abundant matter

for amusing national tales. Each division of the kingdom has

given birth to tales solely relative to the history of such division

or province. The manners and scenery of Scotland, resembling

so closely those of Wales, have been depicted with a pencil forci

ble, impressive, and not to be excelled. Those of Ireland have

* Since the above was written, the Editor has received two interesting

communications from T. K. on Welsh manners, of which he hopes to make

' use in the next Numbtr of the Cambro-Briton ; and he has no doubt they

will be found an acceptable accession to its conteuts.


been placed before us in the most glowing colours, by the pencils

of Miss Edgeworth and Miss Owenson, now Lady Morgan * ;

while those of England are to be found in our earliest romances

and poems. Why then is Cambria backward in this respect?

The gallant spirit of her mountaineers, their wild and sanguinary

border-feuds, their hospitable and noble feelings will supply the

novelist with plot ; while her rocks and mountains, woods and

torrents, glens and ravines would afford embellishments' for his

narrative. Perhaps the Cambro-Britoiv may excite to emulation

on this subject—a subject replete with interest to all the sons

of Cambria, and one, against which, I trust, its pages will never

be closed.

I have, for some time, been in the habit of noting traditions

and legends relative to my country, and I have found that she is

by no means deficient in " legendary lore" for the composition

of more tales than one. It is my intention, should you deem it

not irrelevant to the plan of your publication, to forward, at some

future period, the legends and traditions I have collected, in the

hope that they may be applied to the purposes above-men

tioned.

I am, Sir, your sincere well-wisher,

London, October 2, 1819. T. R.

The letter of Tudor, which follows next, is of a graver

cast than the preceding, notwithstanding that it comes in the fas

cinating shape of a love-tale, as its chief bearing is upon an

historical point, which it is not very easy to determine. But

Cambrian, or more properly Cimbrian, seems to have been a

general appellation in many places ; and, as the Cimbri or Cymry

crossed Tartary in their progress towards Europe f, this circum

stance may account for the name, to which Tudor refers.


Sir,—In Dr. Jeremy Belknap's Life of the intrepid Captain

John Smith, the founder of Virginia, in North America, who lived

about 1600, the following remarkable passage occurs.— Smith,

it seems, had been sold as a slave to Basha Bogal, who sent him

* By-the-bye, some of the critics attribute the appearance of the Scottish

Hovels to the writings of Lady Morgan, and say, that the author of Wavcr-

ley is an imitator of this lady. If so, how greatly has he excelled his pro

totype !

f See C'AMbRO-BniTox, No. 2. p. 47.—Ed.

108 THE CAMBRO-BR1TON.

as a present to his favourite mistress at Constantinople. The

lady could speak Italian, with which language Smith was

acquainted, and he soon won her affections.—" The connexion

proved so tender," says the writer, " that, to procure him for

herself, and prevent him from being ill used, or sold again, she

sent him to her brother, the Basha of Nalbraitz, in the country

of the Cambrian Tartars, on the borders of the sea of

Asoph."

Can you, or any of your Correspondents, throw a light on the

above interesting subject ?

Your's, respectfully,

Denbigh, October 5, 1819. Tcdor.

The Editor concludes this Number of the Miscellanist with

the latter part of a letter lately received in his official capacity,

as it expresses sentiments, in which, although not apparently

designed for the public eye, he is sure no Cambro-Briton wi^

refuse to concur.


Sir,—Though not deeply read in the literature of my country,

I know sufficient to convince me, that the genius of her sons

is of no common cast. I trust, that, through your laudable

exertions, the attention of the learned will be directed to her

literature,—that the treasures, which have long lain hid in the

ruins of her majestic halls, will be brought forth,—and, that those

individuals, who have been fostered in her luxuriant vales, or have

sprung forth

———" deep in her unprun'd forests

Mid the roar of cataracts,"

will be induced to improve their knowlege of their native lan

guage, which is at once nervous, energetic, and sublime, and,

be yet identified as the descendants of the men, who first gave

dignity to the soil of Britain !

I am, with best wishes for the prosperity of jyur interesting

Magazine,

A Cambro-Briton.

Denmark Hill, Camberwcll,

October 6, 1819.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

AWEN CYMRU.

JPtk rodd yw athrvydd Avon Ebm. P»y«.

PENNILLION.

1 XVII.

Gwyn eu byd yr adar gwylltion,

Hwy gant fyn'd i'r fan y fynon' ;

Weithiau i'r mor, a weithiau i'r mynydd,

A dawpd adref yn ddigerydd.

XVIII.

Trwm y plwm, a thrwm y cerig,

Trom yw calon pob dyn unig,

Trymaf peth tan haul a lleuad,

Canu'n iach, lle byddo carjad.

XIX.

Yn hen, ac yn ieuanc, yn gall, ac yn ffol,

Y merched sy'n gwra, a minnau ar yr ol;

Pa'm y mae'r meibion i'm gweled mor wael,

A minnau gan laned a merched sy'n cael ?

XX.

Blodau 'r flwyddyn yw f' anwylyd,

Ebrill, Mai, Myhefin hefyd ;

Llewyrch haul yn tywynu ar gysgod,

A gwenithen y genethod.

XXI.

Da gan adar man y coedydd ;

Da gan wyn feillionog ddolydd :

Da gan i brydyddu 'r hafddydd

Yn y llwyn, a bod yn llonydd.

XXII.

Hawddfyd i ddydd yr Awen,

Pan oeddwn gynt yn fachgen,

A chyda 'r g6g yn canu'n fwyn,

Yn nghyfor llwyn yn llawen.

A Translation of the Ode on the Death of Sir Thomas

Picton, which follows in page 111,

Gerddorion mwynion a mad,—o tynnwch . ,

O 'ch tannau alarnad ;

Forwynion cenwch farwnad,

Eirian glain arwr ein gw-lad. S. Price.


Dowch er cof i wylofain—ar wyddfa

Yr addfwyn lyw cywrain ;

Ail ni bu i'r cu wr cain,

Er rhyfyg Groeg a Rhufain. W. Williams.

Picton, ei alon wyliodd,—rhag taerni,

Rhwyg teyrnas achubodd ;

Rhyddion holl Ewrop rhoddodd ;

Marw yw 'nawr a mawr y modd ! J. Howell.

Rhodd hyfryd gwir bryd ger bron,—a gludai

I'r gwledydd heddychlon ;

Aeth, 'n ol gorphen dibenion,

I entyrch llewyrch yn lion. S. Price.

Pell edrych, pwy eill adrodd—y nerthol

lawn wyrthiau gyflawnodd ?

Gelyn traws o'i geulan trodd,

Ei gaerau oil a gurodd. W. Williams.

Gwych udgorn clod, nod a wna—o'r gwrthiau,

A'r gwerth nis gwahana ;

Marw wnaeth, yna daeth enw da,

Yn fythol hwn ni fetha. J. Howell.

Llandovery, July 20, 1819.

An Englyn on a Rocr falling down in the Vale of Neath, by

Rhys Morgan John, of Pencraig-Nedd, written about the

beginning of the last century.

Creigydd a gelltyd gwylltion—a dolydd

Ardaloedd Nedd dirion ,

Rhwygwyd a braenwyd eu bron :

Ffwrdd ! unwaith gael ffordd union.

ENGLISH POETRY.

TRANSLATIONS 0.F THE PENNILLION.

f . XVII.

Those wild birds see, how bless'd are they !

Where'er their pleasure leads they roam,

O'er seas and mountains for away,

Nor chidings fear when they come home.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. Ill

XVIII.

Heavy is lead and so is stone,

So is his heart, that lives alone;

But heavier far it is, they tell,

To say to her one loves,—farewell.

XIX.

Both old maids and young ones, the witless and wise

Gain husbands at pleasure, while none will me prute ;

Ah ! why should the swains think so meanly of me,

And I full as comely as any they see !

xx.

My fair one is the blooming year,

April, May, and June beside:

The sun-beam smiles, as she draws near,

Pearl of maidens and the pride.

XXI.

The birds delight upon the spray,

And lambs on clover-meads to play ;

For me, at summer's noon I love

To muse in peace within the grove.

XXII.

Blessings to that hour belong,

When, erst a youth, my merry strain

Join'd the cuckoo's jocund song,

Near to the grove on yonder plain.

* **

ODE on the DEATH of Sir THOMAS PICTON,

BV THE REV. DAVID ROWLAND.

[Although it is contrary to the plan of the Cambro- Briton to admit any mo

dern productions, that have already appeared in other periodical publi

cations, the merit of these lines would alone be sufficient to justify the

exception here made in their favour, even if it had not been required for

the purpose of comparing them with the Welsh translation, inserted in

the two preceding pages,—E».]

O ware the lyre, ye minstrels hoar,

The deep-ton'd strings of sorrow sweep;

For Cambria's hero is no more,

Around his tomb her daughters weep.

Weep on, ye forms angelic,—pour

A flood of tears upon that tomb ;

A mightier warrior ye deplore

Than any son of Greece or Home.


Brave Picton, son of Victory,

His life-blood shed this realm to save^

The arm, that set all Europe free,

Lies nerveless in the clay-cold grave.

He left the world a legacy,

Peace profound and prospects bright ;

His work achieved, his soul burst free,

And wing'd her way to realms of light.

Who can recount each daring deed,

The feats of valour he perform'd :

The hosts he chac'd with eagle-speed,

The battles gain'd, the forts he storm'd ?

His deeds shall swell the trump of fame,

Worth from honour who can sever ?

He died—but left a deathless name,

In glory's blaze 'twill live for ever*.

PARAPHRASE OF THE ENGLYN,

In Page 110.

The massy crag, which tower'd on high,

And seem'd to touch the azure sky,

Exacting, like a monarch proud,

A dewy tribute from each cloud,

Is undermined by swelling frost,

Its fissures wedged, its base is lost :

Detached, it moves in horrid stride,

And tumbles down the mountain-side. .

Surging o'er rocks it brooks no stay,

And crashes through the brakes its way,

Till on Neath's margin one great bound

Imbeds it in the trembling ground.

A fragment thus records a tale

Of fallen grandeur in the vale.

Bath, Sept. 20, 1819. B.

* This Ode was sung at the Carmarthen Eisteddfod, on the 9th of July,

1819, by Miss Bartlett, adapted to the air of Anhawd Ymadaf.l. The

preceding translation is the composition of the three individuals, whose

names are affixed to the several stanzas, and was undertaken by tbem with

the intention of rendering it as close to the original as the strict rules of

Welsh poetry would permit, allowing an Englyn to each English stanza.

Ed.


» »

WALES.

i

CYMMRODORION SOCIETY IN POWYS.—An account

of the Cambrian Society has already appeared in the Cambro-

Briton ; and the laudable objects of that Institution can not but

be gratifying to every native of Wales, having at heart the

prosperity or the fame of his country. The pleasing duty now

devolves on the Editor of recording the establishment of a simi

lar Society in North Wales, for the same patriotic purposes,

and designed to act in concert with the Cambrian Society.

The following is a Report of the interesting proceedings on

this occasion, which has been received from a gentleman, who

attended the meeting, and whose zeal in the cause of his native

country entitles him to her particular gratitude.

On Wednesday, the 6th of October, a Meeting was held at

Wrexham for the purpose of forming a Society in the District

or Province of Powys, comprehending the Counties of Denbigh,

Flint, and Montgomery, in connection with the Cambrian

Society already formed at Carmarthen. On this interesting

occasion Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Sir Edward Pryce

Lloyd, Bart., Sir John Evans, Foster Cunliffe, Esq., Rev.

Mr. Eyton, Rev. George Strong, Rev. Walter Davies, Rev.

Edward Bean, Rev. John Jenkins, Rev. William Jenkins

Rees, Rev. Daniel Hughes, and the Rev. John Jones were

present, and the business commenced with the motion of Sir

E. P. Lloyd, that Sir W. W. Wynn should take the Chair.

It was then resolved, that the persons present should form them

selves into a Society, under the denomination of the Cymmrodo-

rion Society in Powys, for the preservation of the remains of

Ancient British Literature, and the encouragement of the Poetry

and Music of modern Cambria; the term Cymmrodorion being

adopted more particularly out of respect to an ancient Society

of that name, of which this was to be considered a revival. In

the appointment of officers several of the nobility resident in

the district, or connected with it, were nominated Patrons, and, on

the motion of Sir E. P. Lloyd, Sir W. W. Wynn was chosen

President by acclamation. Many distinguished characters were

also chosen Vice-Presidents and Members of a Committee, and

the Rev. John Jones, of St. Asaph, was appointed Secretary, sub

ject to his acceptance of the office. Several Resolutions for con-

VOL. I. Q


ducting the proceedings of the Society were afterwards entered

into, and a meeting of the Committee for the transacting of busi

ness was appointed to take place immediately. The worthy Pre

sident having left the chair, thanks for his attention and ability in

going through the business of the Meeting were moved by F. Cun-

liffe, Esq. and unanimously agreed to.

In commencing the proceedings of the Committee, Sir John

Evans was requested to take the chair, and the several resolutions

of the Society, authorising them to proceed in conducting their

concerns, were read. The subjects for literary competition, and

the premiums for the best compositions, were then agreed upon,

and proposed, viz.

1. A premium of five guineas, or a medal of that value, for

the best Englyn (Epigrammatic stanza) on Pa beth yw Awcn.

(What is poetical Genius ?)

2. A premium of ten guineas, or a medal, for the best Cywvdd

(Poem) on Llesawl effeitliiau undeb Cymru a Lloegr. (The

beneficial effects of the Incorporation of England and Wales).

3. A premium of twenty guineas, or a medal, for the best

Awdl (Ode) on Hiraeth Cymro am ei wlad mevm bro estron-

awl. (The Longing of a Welshman for his Country in a Foreign

Land).

4. A premium of ten guineas, or a medal, was also proposed

for the best Essay in the English Language, on The several

Notices of Britain in ancient Authors, containing Extracts

from the Originals, with English Translations and a Com

mentary thereon.

5. A premium, or medal, of the same value for an English

Essay, on The History and Character of the real Arthur, King

of Britain, and the fabulous Character of that name, whether

of Romance or Mythology.

. 6. A Miniature Silver Harp of the value offive guineas,

with a gratuity for travelling expenccs at the discretion of the

Committee, was also proposed to the best Competitor on the

Triple Harp.

The Eisteddfod, for the recitation of the j>rize compositions

and the performance of the musical competitors, was appointed

to take place at Wrexham on Wednesday and Thursday, the

2d and 3d of August, 1820; and it was resolved, that gratuitief,

at the discretion of the committee, should be given to bards and


musicians of merit attending the Eisteddfod, who were not in

affluent circumstances, towards defraying their expences. It was

also resolved, that the Rev. Walter Davies, the Rev. W. J. Rees,

W. O. Pughe, Esq., J. Parry, Est!. (Author of the Welsh Melodies,)

Mr. Edward Williams, Mr. Richard Llwyd, and Mr. Edward

Jones, (Bard to the Prince Regent,) should be honorary members

of the Society, on account of their services in the cause of Welsh

literature. And the following works, connected with the object of

the Society, published or about to be published, were recommended

to the notice of the Members, viz. Collections for a new History of

Wales, by Mr. Edward Williams - a Poem called the Dilite, by

Mr. David Richards,—Dr. John David Rhys's Latin-Welsh

Grammar, Edited by the Rev. D. L. Jones,—Hugh Morris's poet

ical works in Welsh, Edited by the Rev. Walter Davies, and the

new Monthly Publication called the Cambro-Briton.

Mr. R. H. Jones, of Ruthin, acted as secretary during the

meeting, and displayed great readiness and ability in executing

the office. The Chairman of the Committee also deserved great

commendation for his patriotic zeal and judicious conduct in

managing the business. The subscription was opened by Sir

W. W. Wynn, with a donation of twenty guineas, and an annual

subscription of five guineas ; and the names of Sir C. P. Lloyd

and Sir Thomas Mostyn had each affixed to them a. donation of

ten guineas, and an annual subscription of five guineas.

The formation of this Society cannot but be hailed as an

auspicious era to Cambrian literature, and a prognostic, that the

flame, which has been kindled in the Southern part of the Princi

pality, will blaze with undiminished splendour in the North, and

ultimately throw a light on subjects hitherto involved in the

deepest obscurity. That so much excellence, as seems to be con

tained within the borders of Wales, should be so long in a man

ner buried and unknown may justly cause surprise ; but it is

now hoped that the exertions of this, and the other Societies, con

nected with it, will prove not only to England but to Europe,

that the efforts of genius, both with respect to the dead and the

living, in this interesting part of the British empire, how circum

scribed soever in its limits, and deprived of independence as a

state, are such as will justly entitle it to no small respect among

the nations. . ' R.

GWYNEDDIGION EISTEDDFOD AT DENBIGH.—On

Wednesday, Oct. 6, the annual Eisteddfod of the Gwyneddigion

Society was held at Denbigh, for the purpose of deciding on the

U6 THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

merits of the several Welsh Compositions written for the premium

proposed by the Society in London for the best Awdl (Ode) on

the subject, Elusengarwch (Charity). John Wynn Griffith,

Esq. M. P. presided on the occasion. The meeting was nu

merously and respectably attended by the gentlemen, and lovers

of poetry and music ©f the town and neighbourhood, all of whom

seemed highly gratified with the proceedings of the day. Owing

to an unavoidable circumstance, which prevented the previous

necessary arrangements from being made, the expected decision

did not take place. However, no less than fifteen compositions

were received, and the Rev. David Richards, rector of Llansilin,

Aneurin Owen, Esq., and Mr. Robert Davies were appointed

judges to decide on their merits, and the 25th inst, was fixed on

to make their report.

Although the regular business of the day was not in every re*

spect accomplished, yet, in unison with the design of the meeting,

in encouraging and promoting a knowlege of Welsh poetry

and music, several vocal performers accompanied the harps, in

reciting Pennillion, after the ancient manner of the country ; and,

according to usual custom, two subjects, viz. Cariad gwladol

(Patriotism), and Dynoliaeth (Humanity), were proposed by

the Chairman, for verses to be delivered within a given time at

the meeting. On this occasion six compositions were produced,

all of which had considerable merit, and particularly so for the

short space, viz. half an hour, in which they were to be written *.

R.

CAMBRIAN SOCIETY IN DYFED —The following sub

jects have been proposed by the Committee of the Cambrian

Society, within the division of Dyfed, for the Prize Compositions

for the ensuing year; and a premium of Ten Pounds is to be

awarded to each of the successful candidates.

1 . A Glossary to the poems of the Cyvfeirdd, or most an

cient bards of Britain, who lived prior to the end of the eighth

century, preceded by an Essay on the authenticity of the said

poems, on the true orthography of their language, and on the

characteristics of their fictions.

2. An Essay on the origin, credibility, and authentic evidences

of the traditions respecting the Ctiair of Glamorgan, and the

political and religious principles of Bardism.

* The Editor is indebted fur this account of the Eisteddfod at Denbigh

to the same gentleman, that furnished the precediug Report. He regrets,

that want of room prevents him from giving a specimen cf the effusions al

luded to in the last paragraph.


3. An Essay on the evidences and latest remain* of Druid*

ism and Paganism, in the poems of the ancient Welsh Bards.

CAMBRIAN SOCIETY IN GWYNEDD.—A meeting wag

holden at Caernarvon on Thursday, the 16th of September, to

establish a branch of the Cambrian Society for the counties of

Anglesey, Caernarvon, and Merioneth, when the President and

other officers for the division of Gwynedd were chosen. Lord

Viscount Bulkely presided on the occasion,

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.—On the 5th of Oc

tober the District Committee of the Society for Promoting Chris

tian Knowlege, for that part of the diocese of Llandaff, which if

in the county of Glamorgan, had their anniversary meeting at

Cowbridge, when the Right Honourable Sir John Nicholl was in

the chair. It appeared, on this occasion, from the Committee's

Report, that the number of religious publications, including Bibles

and Prayer Books, disposed of by them since their establishment

in 1814, amounted to 12,111. Of this number 4251 had been

sold and given at Bridgend, Cardiff, and Cowbridge alone, during

the last year,

On Sunday, the 10th of October, the Bishop of St. David's

held an Ordination at the Palace at Aberywilly, when nine gen

tlemen were admitted to the order of Deacons, The premiums,

usually adjudged to the most meritorious candidates, were

awarded to Mr. John Thomas and Mr. David Davies, of the

Carmarthen school.

On the same day the Bishop of Bangor held an Ordination in

the Cathedral, when three gentlemen were ordained Priests, and

lour Deacons.

The Clerical Meeting for relieving Clerg3-men's widows and

orphans in the Diocese of St. David's, and the Carmarthen Archi-

diaconical Meeting took place at Carmarthen on the 12th of

October, when, after a sermon from the Rev. T. Lewis, vicar of

Llanstephan, a considerable collection was made for tlie humane

purposes of the first-mentioned Society.

On the 2d of October the Glamorganshire Agricultural Society

met at Cardiff, the Hon. W. B. Grey in the chair. Among other

Resolutions, adopted on the occasion, it was declared, that, " The

depressed state of agriculture demands the immediate and earnest

attention not only of the country, but of Parliament, and that

the causes of such depression originate mainly from the operation

of the Corn Laws, and partly from the pressure of Parliamentary

118 THE CAMBR0-BR1T0N.

and parochial taxes." The following remedies were then sug

gested for this evil :—

1 . The opening of the ports for the importation of grain.

2. The reduction of various taxes, pressing upon the lower

classes, and substituting a well-digested income tax in their

stead.

3. A General Inclosure Bill.

Petitions, drawn in conformity with these Resolutions, were

unanimously adopted, and ordered to be presented to both Houses

of Parliament.

A meeting of the principal land proprietors of the County of

Monmouth was holden at Abergavenny on the 19th of last month,

for the purpose of determining the best mode of introducing the

Winchester measure, when, upon the proposition of Mr. Mog-

gridge, a series of Resolutions were adopted, with the view of

establishing a Society for the Encouragement and Protection of

Agriculture in the county of Monmouth.

A similar Society has recently been instituted in the county of

Flint, and was to hold its first annual meeting at Mold on Monday,

the 25th ult.

On Wednesday, the 20th of October, there was a meeting of

the Mayor, Common Councilmen, and Burgesses of the Borough

of Carmarthen, for the purpose of proposing an Address to his

Royal Highness the Prince Regent on the present important

crisis. There was a respectable attendance of the Corporation on

this occasion, and an Address was voted declaratory of their loyal

attachment to the throne and constitution of these realms, as also

of their abhorrence of the traitorous designs, now at work to sub

vert both. Carmarthen has thus the honour of being the first

place in Wales to come forward, at this critical period, with a

public avowal of those constitutional sentiments, which, however,

it may be hoped, are not the less felt in every other quarter of the

Principality. *#*

LITERATURE.—The following works relating to Wales

have recently been published.

Coll Gwynfa, Cyfieithiad gan W. Owen Pughe, A. C. H. 8vo. 8*.

Cylchgrawn Cymru : a Quarterly Magazine, partly in Welsh

and partly in English, conducted by Members of the Esta

blished Church. 8vo. Is.

[The aim of this work, which was commenced about six years

•go, is to dilfuse religious instruction on the principles of the


Church of England. Several individuals of literary reputation

are engaged in its execution, which seems to be well adapted to

the laudable object they have in view.]

A Topographical and Historical Description of North Wales,

with 33 plates and a map, by the Rev. J. Evans. 8vo. 1/. 4*.

A similar Description of South Wales, embellished in the same

manner, by the Rev. T. Rees. 8vo. 1/. 4.«.

A similar Description of Monmouthshire, with 1 1 plates and a

map, by the Rev. J. Evans and Mr. IDritton. 8vo. fts.

Topographical and Statistical Description of the Principality

of Wales, with a map, by G. A. Cooke, Esq. l2mo. As. The

Description of each division of the Principality may likewise be

had separately.

[The execution of this little work is very creditable to the con

ductor. Publications of this sort, that issue from the English

press, are, for the most part, so inaccurate, that it becomes a

gratifying duty to notice any exception to this general reproach.]

The History of North Wales, by W. Cathrall, assisted by seve

ral Gentlemen of Literary Distinction. 4to. 3s. each part.

[This work will be embellished by numerous engravings of the

scenery and architecture of North Wales, and will be published

in parts, every six weeks ; the whole to be completed in twenty-

one parts. The First Part was published on the 29th ofOctober.

It may be proper to add, that the undertaking has already received

the sanction of a long and highly respectable list of Subscribers.]

There have recently been circulated in Wales the following

Prospectuses and Proposals, which owe their birth, we may pre

sume, to that spirit of patriotism, which, bursting forth originally

in South Wales, has at length penetrated every part of the Prin

cipality. It is delightful to contemplate the benefits it is thiss

early conferring on the cause of Welsh Literature.

Prospectus of Collections for a Aew History of Wales, in six

vols. 8vo. translated from ancient Historical Documents in the

Welsh Language, by Edward Williams.

[This Prospectus has come forth under the auspices of

the Cambrian Society : a circumstance which, with the cele

brity of the proposed Editor, is sufficient to ensure it a general

respect. Mr. Williams has entered rather copiously into the

explanation of his projected work, which, whenever published, can

not fail to prove a valuable accession to our national literature.


His present arrangement might, perhaps, be improved ; but his

countrymen will, no doubt, be too glad to hail Mr. Williams's

appearance as an author on this occasion, to quarrel with him

about a luc'idus ordo. However, he must pardon the sugges

tion, that a little more liberality of expression, when speaking of

other writers, would not be unbecoming an Historian of Wales.

This hint is justified by more than one passage of his Prospectus ;

and that, in which he alludes to the Myvyrian Archaiology (see p.

6), is objectionable on another account. For, even admitting its

correctness, it must be allowed to be rather injudicious. And,

when Mr. Williams so boldly arraigned the Editors of the Ar-

chaiology, he perhaps forgot, that his own name appears as one of

that patriotic triumvirate.]

Proposals to republish Dr. J. D. Rhys's " Linguce Cyntraecce

Institutiones Accuratae" by the Rev. D. L. Jones. 4to. 1/. 5*.

[Every friend to Welsh literature must rejoice in this projected

republication of one of its most distinguished works It is im

possible that it should fail to meet with general patronage. It is

to be published by subscription ; and no more copies will be

printed than what may be required for the Subscribers.]

Proposals for publishing, by subscription, the remaining part of

the Cambro-British Melodies, by Edward Jones, author of the-

" Musical and Poetical Relics of the Welsh Bards." Folio.

Subscribers 1/. Is. Non-subscribers 1/. 5*.

[This proposed volume completes Mr. Jones's work on our Na

tional Airs, and will be considered as a necessary companion

to the two former. It is intended to adorn it with an elegant

frontispiece ; and it will be published in two numbers.]

Prospectus of a General History of the County of Radnor, by

the Rev. Jonathan Williams, A. M.

[Mr. Williams appears, in his projected plan, to have embraced

every inquiry of importance relating to the ancient or modern his

tory of Radnorshire. And, in order to avoid the usual tiresome insi

pidity of county histories, he promises, that the " bulk of his work

will never be swelled by prolix and insignificant narrative, and

that none but subjects, which derive an importance from their an

tiquity, their picturesque beauty, or their connexion with histori

cal facts, will be treated in detail." The work is designed to be

printed in quarto, and the price, Mr. Williams conjectures, will be

31. 3s. to Subscribers.] *#*

THE

CAMBRO-EHITON,

DECEMBER, 1819.

NULM QUIDEM MIHI SATIS EJRUDITI VIDENTUR, QllBtS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicbro de Lfgibus-

THE TRIADS.—No. IV.

The Triads, which are selected for this Number, are of a

more miscellaneous description than those, that have preceded

them. The first, that follows, may be styled a Constitutional

Triad, while the five others seem to unite a mixture of history

and mythology. And of these the last two contain, as will be

seen, that traditionary reference to the Deluge, which is undoubt

edly the most extraordinary of all the ancient memorials, pre

served by the Cymry. An allusion to this remarkable tradition

was made in the First Number ; and its very interesting character

requires here a few preliminary observations of a more general

nature than those, which may be submitted in the sequel, to ex

plain its peculiar connection with this country.

In the whole history of the world the most momentous event is

unquestionably the Deluge. Nor is there any other, that can

bear the most distant comparison with this in the tremendous im*

pression it must have left on the memory of mankind for many

subsequent ages. Hence we find the early annals of all ancient

countries more or less impregnated with the recollections of this

dreadful calamity. In some the account preserved corresponds,

in a singular manner, with that of the sacred volume * : in

Some again fable has evidently been engrafted upon the original

history; while in others the genuine substance is scarcely discern-

* This is particularly the case with the history of this event as given

by Lucian, {De Dea Syria, vol. ii. p. 882), wherein Noah is described as

Ducalion, and the scene of the Deluge laid at Hierapolis, in Syria. Dio-

dorus Siculus likewise observes, {Lib. i. p. 10), that " in the Deluge,

which happened in the time of Deucalion, almost all flesh died," which ao-

eords exactly with the expression used, on the same occasion, in Genesis,

c. vii.

Vol. I.


ible through the cloud of mythological attributes, with which it

has been invested. Yet all have retained one common and

remarkable characteristic, in appropriating this great event, as

they do, to those particular nations, in which this tradition has

been found to exist. Thus we have the inundation of Attica, in

the reign of Ogyges,—that of Samothrace, before the age of the

Argonauts*,—and that of Egypt, during the Trojan war:

while the people of Thessaly, Phocis, Syria, Epirus, and Sicily

have alike laid claim to the great flood of Deucalion, the Noah

of the Pagan world, and have, each of them, localised the

occurrence to some spot in their respective countries f. The

Hindus too have preserved, in their singular mythology, a simi

lar vestige of this general tradition, " which," to borrow the

language of the late Mr. Roberts X, " every nation, that has

** ancient records, has retained and applied to its earliest abode

" after Wie dispersion, when the memorial of that event was

" confounded with other emigrations."

ft can not therefore be considered extraordinary, that the

Cymry, a people confessedly of the most ancient origin, should

likewise have treasured some account of that grand catastrophe,

or that, following the example of other nations, they should have

confined its operation to that spot, where, after their departure

from the East, they made flieir first settled abode. Accordingly

we have the " bursting of the lake of floods " numbered as one

of the " three awful events of the Isle of Britain," and the

" ship of Nevydd NaV Neivion," which conveyed the male and

female of all animals upon that disastrous occasion, reckoned as

one of its three greatest achievements. And the very oxen of

Hu the Mighty, and the other animals, introduced into the

narrative, accord, in so curious a manner, with the fabulous cir

cumstances appropriated to the 'Deluge in other countries, that

they tend strongly to confirm the claim of the Triads, in this

* This deluge is said to have been occasioned by the overflow of the

Euxine, which the ancients considered merely as a large lake. Samo

thrace was an island in the Mgean Sea, the inhabitants of which were par

ticularly superstitious, and supposed all mysteries to take their origin

there.

•)- Xenophon enumerates five inundations in different countries, all ap

parently so many variations of the genuine account. And Strabo notices

the tradition of such an event having caused the first emigration from

Tauric Chersonese.

% Early History of the Cymry, p. 41.

TOE CAMBRO-BRITOBf. 133

instance, to the genuineness and antiquity of their memorials.

" These," Mr. Davies very justly observes with reference to

this subject *, " are evident traditions of the Deluge ; and their

" locality, as well as other peculiarities, furnishes sufficient proof,

" that they must have been ancient national traditions. Such

" memorials as these can not be supposed to have originated in a

" perversion of the sacred records during any age subsequent to

" the introduction of Christianity. The contrary appears from

" their whimsical discrepancy with historical fact." And " this

" account," he adds with the same judgment, " has no appear-

" ance of being drawn from the record of Moses : it is a mere

" mutilated tradition, such as was common to most heathen

" nations." »

In contemplating this interesting relic of the primitive lore of

the Cymry, we are naturally led to regard it as adding one more

to the numerous testimonies, previously furnished, to the truth

of the Mosaic History. But indeed, with respect to the im

portant fact of the Deluge, it must be the very infatuation of

scepticism to question the miracle, when not only the history and

mythology of the Pagans, but the very phenomena of the earth,

as they exist at this day, concur in its vindication. However,

it can not but be a gratifying proof of the authenticity of the

Welsh records, as well as of the antiquity of their origin, to

find them confirmed in this singular instance, as they are in so

jnany others, by those concurrent testimonies, which the world

has ever considered as unimpeachable. And it may be hoped,

that the time will yet arrive, when the antiquary or historian,

•of whatever country, in his search after truth through the, dark

ness of past ages, shall not consider his task complete until

he has fully explored the venerable remains of our national

literature.

* •

TRIADS OF THE ISLE OF BRITAIN 1.

xiv. The three Pillars of the Commonwealth of the Isle of

Britain. The jury of a country, the kingly office, and the func

tion of a judge.

[A singular coincidence with some of the fundamental princi-

* Mythology and Rites of the Druids, p. 95—6.

f The originals of these Triads may be found as follows :—the first,

Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 57. Tr. 3; the next/our, lb. p. 59. Tr. 10 to

13 inclusive; the last, lb. p. 11. Tr. 97.


pies of the English Constitution is observable in this Triad,

And, it is not too much to presume, that, as Alfred, in laying

the ground-work of that great political edifice, employed,

amongst his counsellors, one or two learned Welshmen, and

particularly the celebrated Aserius Menevensis, he may have

borrowed many valuable suggestions from the ancient institutions

of the Cymry.—Rhaith Gwldd, translated above " the jury of

" the country," is explained in the laws of Hywel Dda to mean

the oath of fifty men from amongst those who hold land under

" the king."]

xv. The three Losses, by Disappearance, of the Isle of Britain.

Gavran, son of Aeddan, with his men, who went to sea in search

of the Green Islands of the Floods, and nothing more was heard

of them. Second, Merddin, the Bard of Ambrosius, with his

nine scientific Bards, who went to sea in the house of glass, and

there have been no tidings whither they went. Third, Madawg,

eon of Owain Gwynedd, who, accompanied by three hundred

men, went to sea in ten ships, and it is not known to what place

they went.

[Gavran, here mentioned, was a distinguished chieftain dur

ing the close of the fifteenth century. He is described in an

other Triad as one of the three faithful tribes of Britain. The

Green Islands of the Floods, in the original Gwerddonau Llion,

have been supposed to mean the Canaries, or the Cape Verd

Islands.—Merddin was a cotemporary of Gavran : he is farther

commemorated in the Triads as one of the three Christian Bards

of the Isle of Britain. In what this singular account of his

" disappearance " took its rise it would be difficult now to dis

cover. But similar legends are common to other countries.

Nennius, in his " Historia Brittonum," makes mention of a

Tower of Glass, which appeared, in the middle of the sea, to some

Spanish soldiers. And in a Spanish Romance of " Alexander,"

•written in the thirteenth century, is a long account of the hero's

descent into the sea in a House of Glass. The same story is also

to be found in a German Romance about the year 1 100. And in

the continuation of the " Orlando Furioso," some of the spirits,

summoned to Demagorgon's Council, are described as sailing

through the air in Ships of Glass, " gran' navi di vetro." All

these extraordinary fictions were, most probably, founded in

one common tradition, of which the reason is now lost. Both

Mr. Roberts and Mr. Davies conceive Merddin's House of

Glass to signify a sacred vessel emblematic of the Ark ; and the


bitter farther considers it to be only a symbol of initiation into

the Druidical Mysteries *.—With respect to Madawg's emigra

tion, the principal authorities, that confirm this account, were

noticed in the Second Number of the Cambro-Briton. He was

a younger son of Owain Gwynedd, Prince of North Wales, and

left his country in consequence of the contest for the succession,

which took place amongst his brothers upon Owain's death. Hi*

first emigration is said to have taken place in 1170, and his final

departure or " disappearance," as it is above called, about two

years afterwards. There are strong grounds for believing, that

the descendants of this prince and his followers are at this day

in existence in the remote wilds of the North American Conti

nent. And it may be interesting to add, that a young man, a

native of Wales, is at present endeavouring to explore the pre^

sumed settlement of this colour, with every reasonable prospect

of succeeding in the object of his spirited enterprise, so as, in

one way or other, to set this long controverted question at rest.]

xvI. The three Oppressions that foil on the Isle of Britain,

and came afterwards to an end. First, the oppression of the

Horse of Malaen, which is called the oppression of May-day;

and the oppression of the Dragon of Britain ; and the oppres

sion of the Half-apparent Man. That is, the first was trans

marine; the second from the frenzy of a country and nation

under the pressure of the violence and lawlessness of princes,

and which Dyvnwal Moelmud extinguished, by forming an equit

able system of mutual obligation between society and society,

between prince and prince, and between country and country.

The third was in the time of Beli, the son of Manogan, and

which was a treasonable conspiracy, and he extinguished it.

[The circumstances, recorded in this Triad, are so enveloped

in mystery, as scarcely to afford a chance of any rational inter

pretation. The original names are March Malaen, Draig Pry-

dain, and Gwr Lledrithiawg. With respect to the first it may

be noticed, that it is still a proverbial expression, in reference

to what has been squandered or thrown away, to say, " it has

" gone on the horse of Malaen." Yet, if this personage be the

same with Melen, or Malen, recorded in another Triad f as one

of the three recognised daemons of the Isle of Britain, it may

* See Mr. Roberts's " Cambrian Popular Antiquities," p, 7S ; and

Mr. Davies's " Mytb.ok.gy ami Kites of the Druids," pp. 211, 270, 277,

and 522.

f Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. pp. lfi, 17, and 71.


correspond with the Bellona of the ancient Mythology, with

which the name seems to bear some affinity.—Draig Prydain

may also be rendered the Prince or Generalissimo of Britain.—

Lledrithiawg, translated " Half-apparent Man," implies strictly

one, who has the power to appear or disappear at will. The

Triads commemorate three persons, as having been possessed of

this illusive faculty.]

XVII. The three Dreadful Pestilences of the Isle of Britain.

First, the pestilence from the carcases of the Gwyddelians, who

were slain in Manuba, after they had oppressed the country of

Gwynedd for twenty-nine years. Second, the pestilence of the

Yellow Plague of Rhos, and which originated from the carcases

of the slain ; and whoever went within reach of the effluvia fell

dead immediately. And the third was the pestilence of the

Bloody Sweat, in consequence of the corn having been injured

by wet weather, in the time of the oppression of the Normans,

under William the Bastard.

[The Gwyddelian or Irish Invasion, here alluded to, is re

corded in Triad x, translated in the Second Number of the

Cambro-Briton.—The Yellow Plague of Rhos, which the old

poets personify as a yellow serpent, happened during the reign

of Maelgwn Gwynedd, about the middle of the sixth century,

in the district, which occupies the sea-coast between Conwy and

the Vale of Clwyd.—The event, last recorded, requires no ex

planation.]

xvm. The three Awful Events of the Isle of Britain. First,

the rupture of the Lake of Floods, and the going of an inunda

tion over the face of all the lands, so that all the people were

drowned, except Dwyvan and Dwyvach, who escaped in a bare

ship, and from them the Isle of Britain was repeopled. The

second was the trembling of the Torrent Fire, when the earth

was rent unto the abyss, and the greatest part of all life was

destroyed. The third was the Hot Summer, when the trees and

plants took fire with the yehemency of the heat of the sun, so

that many men and animals, and species of birds, and vermin,

and plants were irretrievably lost.

[On account of the very interesting nature of this and the fol

lowing Triad, the strictest regard has been observed, in the trans

lation, to the peculiar phraseology of the originals. The tradi

tionary record, which they contain, possesses intrinsic evidence of

its high antiquity ; and a part of it furnishes, as has be?n pre

mised, an unquestionable memorial of the Deluge, and tha,t so

THE CAMBRO-BRITON, 127

■ingularly dissimilar from the scriptural history, as wholly to pre

clude all. suspicion of being founded upon it.—Llyn Llion, trans

lated the Lake of Floods, means, in its more extensive sense, an

inexhaustible aggregate of waters : and the old poets have ac

cordingly applied it to the Deluge.—Dwyvan and Dwyvuch, the

names of the two persons, who survived this catastrophe, signify

literally the divine male agent, and the divine female agent,

iepithets that must be allowed to be singularly applicable to the

renovators of the human species, to those, whose important

function it was

populos reparare paternis

Artibus, atque animas formate infundere terra *.

t>wyvaYi may also be synonymous with the Welsh names Dylan

and Dyglan, which strongly resemble Deucalion.—With respect

to the two calamities by fire here recorded, they must have hap

pened in very early ages; the former apparently owing to a

Volcanic ernption, and the other to the prteternatural heat of the

sun. The well-known fable of Phaeton had probably a meta

phorical allusion to the latter of these occurrences : and Hesiod's

sublime description of the conflagration of the earth may likewise

have owed its birth to some such catastrophe f.]

iifft. The three Primary Great Achievements of the Isle of

Britain. The ship of Nevydd Nav Neivion, which carried in it

the male and female of all living, when the Lake of Floods was

broken : the prominent oxen of Hu the Mighty drawing the cro

codile of the lake to land, and the lake broke out no more ; and

the stones of Gwyddon Ganhebon, whereon might be read all the •

arts and sciences of the world.

[The names, that occur in this Triad, are very remarkable.

Tfevydd Nav Neivioii plainly designates Noah. The words, taken

abstractedly, imply Floater Float of Floats, which is synonymous

with Neptune Lord of Lords. Sir William Jones, in his Hymn

to Nariana, has the same idea. Nav is still a common word for

Lord, in which sense it occurs in the metrical Psalms : and Nei

vion, its regular plural, is. also employed in ancient compositions

to denote the Creator, although it occasionally seems to apply to

Neptune. Thus an old poet has the following couplet :

" Y nofiad a wnaeth Neifion

" O Droia fawr draw i F6n."

* Ovid. Metam. Lib. i. 1. 563.

f See bis Theogonia, 1. 689 to 70-i.


The swimming, that Neivion performed

From great Troy yonder to Mona.

The similarity between the names of Nav and Noah, and more

particularly Naus, one of the Patriarch's appellations in the East,

deserves also to be here noticed. The Ship of Nevydd Nav

Neivion, therefore, can only mean the ark, which is accordingly-

numbered as one of the three chief works of the Isle of Britain,

upon the same principle that the Deluge is described as one of

its three awful events.—The drawing of the crocodile, or what

ever be the animal, which the Triad calls avanc *, out of the lake

has, of course, a reference to the preceding achievement. A simi

lar exploit is recorded in the Hindu Mythology, in which Vishnou

is celebrated for destroying the monster, that had occasioned the

Deluge, and recovering the earth and the veds. It is a singular

fact too, that the hippopotamus and crocodile were equally sym

bols of the Deluge amongst the Egyptians, and were both em

ployed, in common with the wolf, as emblems of Typhon, whom

they regarded as the cause of every evil, and consequently of

the general inundation f. Some of our ancient bards, among

whom are Gwynvardd Brycheiniog and Iolo Goch, make allusion

to Hu and his oxen : and the tradition is still prevalent in many

parts of Wales, the drawing of the avanc out of the water being

appropriated to different lakes. Amongst these are one in Caer

narvonshire, and another on the Hiraethog Mountain, near Den

bigh, called Llyn dait Ychaiti, or the Pool of the two Oxen. At

Han Detvi Brevi, or St. David's of the Lowing, in Cardigan

shire, they formerly shewed, as a relic, a large horn, which, they

pretended, belonged to one of Hu's oxen ; and there is still ex

tant a piece of music, imitating the lowing of oxen and the rat

tling of their chains in drawing the avanc put of the water. In

the Mabinogion, or Romantic Tales, one of the achievements of

Paredur is the slaying of the addane y llyn, or crocodile of the

lake, at the Hill of Lamentation. And a poet of the fifteenth

century, in soliciting a suit of armour from his patron, compares

the workmanship to the " wonderful scales on the fore legs " of

the avanc. Many other particulars might be enumerated, all

* According to the Welsh Laws this animal was at one time common in

Wales; and Giraldus Cambrensis speaks of it as being found in his time

in the river Teifi. It has also been called addanc and llostlydan, which

latter seems to mean the beaver, an animal, that is said to have been seen

- in Nant Ffrancon, in Caernarvonshire, at no very remote period. Addanc

is merely avanc, written according to the Dimetian dialect.

f Sae Plutarch's " Inrit and Osiris," and Diodorus Siculus, Lib. i.


tending to confirm the' extraordinary tradition preserved in the

Triad, the precise reason of which, however, must still he consi

dered inexplicable. It is somewhat remarkable, that the Arkite

Divinity, Dionusus, another name for Noah, was represented by

some of his votaries in the shape of a bull : and in the Orphic

Hymns he is called raupoyevijf and r'xupop.;rwtfor. Ifis insepa

rable companions too, the Centauri, are described as horned ;

and certain ships of old were called fiHxivravpoi, whence the

Venetians took the name of their Bucentaur. The Egyptians too,

it may be added, thought the horns of a young ox or bull bore

a resemblance with a lin ette, which was, with them, an emblem

of the ark. From all this it may reasonably be inferred, that

bulls or oxen had, in most ancient countries, some share in the

fabulous circumstances ascribed to the Deluge *. The names,

given to the oxen of Hu, are Ninis and Peibio.—With respect

to Hu himself, it would be impossible here to do adequate justice

to the various particulars recorded of him. Bttt an opportunity

will soon be selected for entering into a separate and full investi

gation of this remarkable character.—The stones or tablets of

Gwyddon Ganhebon seem to correspond with the inscribed pillars

of Seth or Hermes ; or they may have a reference to the hiero-

glyphical or Runic inscriptions, which have been found in various

countries, both on artificial obelisks and natural rocks. But,

whether historical or fabulous, the tradition, here preserved, is

well worthy of a more minute examination. Gwyddon Ganhebon

is also commemorated in the Triads as having been " the first

" man in the world who composed poetry."]

THE WISDOM OP CATWG.

APHORISMSf.

The strength of an infant is his innocence :

The strength of a boy is his learning :

The strength of a girl is her beauty :

The strength of the prudent is his silence :

The strength of the wise is his reason :

The strength of a teacher is his method :

* Many interesting particulars, relating to this inquiry, may be found

in the 2d volume of Bryant's learned '* Analysis of Ancient Mythology."

f Arch. of Walts, vol, iii. p. 12—13.

Vol. I. *

ISO THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

The strength of a poet is his genius :

The strength of a leader is his sciences :

The strength of a scholar is his penetration :

The strength of an artisan is his hand :

The strength of the brave is in his heart :

The strength of the orator is confidence :

The strength of the artist is his design :

The strength of the virtuous is his patience :

The strength of the godly is his belief and faith :

The strength of faith is to be on the truth :

The strength of the lover of truth is his conscience ;

The strength of conscience is to see what is just :

The strength of the just is his God.

Catwg thk Wi»K.

CIRCLE OF THE MORAL WORLD*.

Poverty causes exertion;

Exertion causes prosperity;

Prosperity causes wealth;

Wealth causes pride;

Pride causes contention ;

Contention causes war;

War causes poverty; 1

Poverty causes peace;

The peace of poverty causes exertion.

Exertion turns round the same circle as before.

Catwg thb Wisb.

WELSH PROVERBS.

Plant gairionedd yw hen diarebionf.—DlAtl*.

Among the literary stores, so various and interesting, in which

the Welsh language abounds, it cannot be deemed surprising,

that it should contain a valuable collection of Proverbs. This is

• species of learning, which must have taken early root in most

countries ; and it may be considered as embodying the most ap

proved and current wisdom of the various nations, where it is

found to prevail. Its concise and sententious method of convey*

* Arch, of Wales, vol. iii. p. 40.

t " Old Proverbs are th« children of Truth."—Adaoi;


iag instruction was also peculiarly adapted to that channel of

oral tradition, by which it was anciently retained. And, as no

people, perhaps, ever carried the exercise of the memory in this

respect to an equal extent with the Cymry, under the influence

af the Bardic Institution, the claim of their moral adages to an

equal antiquity with those of other countries cannot reasonably

be questioned.

The Welsh Archaiology has preserved a large body of Apho

risms under the title of " The Wisdom of the Cymry," appro

priating most of them to particular authors. Some few of these,

ascribed to Catwg, have already appeared in the Cambro-

Briton. But the Proverbs, to which allusion has now been

made, do not form a part, properly speaking, of these apho

risms, but, without being distinctly appropriated, are classed '

under the general appellation of Diarebion, a word, that im

plies literally truths not to be disputed. It will form a part of

the plan of this work occasionally to submit translations from

these, selecting, in general, such as may be deemed to be most

purely Welsh.

By way of introducing the subject, the following extract, trans

lated from a Latin Epistle, written by the celebrated Dr. John

Davies to Sir Simokds D'Ewes, may not be considered unin

teresting. Although it does not enter into a particular history

or explanation of the Diarebion, its remarks upon proverbs in

general must have been deemed sufficiently judicious to entitle

them to insertion, even had they emanated from a character of

less note than the distinguished writer. The letter, from which

this extract is made, is dated Mallwvd, Feb. 2d, 1640.

*

" When your letter arrived I had no translation of British

Proverbs, which you desire to have. As soon as I received it, I

immediately set about an interpretation of them ; and I send

you, with this, a few sheets, and will, with the blessing of God,

transmit you the rest in a short time. I know, excellent Sir,

that you will receive them with pleasure ; and if, amongst our

adages, some should appear rather cold and inelegant, you can

not be ignorant that it proceeds from this cause,—that the writ

ings of no language, (especially proverbs, rendered, as they gene

rally are, word for word,) can be transfused into another tongue

without losing much of the grace and beauty, which they possess

ia the original. And there are in all languages many ambigu


ous words, which can not always be rendered ambiguously in

another language. And many proverbs take their rise from an :

ambiguity of expression. Most proverbs, says Erasmus, have

this peculiarity, that they require to be pronounced in that

tongue, which gave them birth ; like some wines that will not •

bear exportation, but only retain their natural flavour on the

particular spot where they ore produced. And Scaliger ob

serves, in his Treatise de Subt'ditate, addressed to Carda.nus,

that there are some maxims, cherished in all languages, which,

being sustained, as it were, by certain props in their own tongue,

upon being transplanted, as one may say, to a strange colony,

no longer preserve their original reputation.

" You will pardon me, excellent Sir, if I should riot (as ought

to be done with respect to proverbs) explain the various mean

ings of each, and its customary acceptation amongst us ; its par

ticular use, and the reason of such use. Nor must you consider

all the proverbs, which come under that title, as not to be found

in the adages of other countries. For amongst them many are

sententious sayings (•yvcuju.su), aphorisms (chrice), apologues,

and similitudes ; many are apothegms; some are pious, learned,

and witty sayings ;—others again admonitions, instructions, and

counsels. All of these are of the meaning, that is embraced in

the Hebrew word mashal, whence the Proverbs of Solo

mon are called i^ftJEJ mishlci ; and the Arabic word is muthsala,

wherefore adages in that language are called amthsalo. All this

Solomon clearly shews in the title of his Proverbs, wherein he

says " The Proverbs of Solomon, to know wisdom and instruc-

" tion, to perceive the words of understanding ; to receive the

" instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment and equity."

Finally, you must not accuse our proverbs, or my attempts to

explain them, as mere verbose trifles (tpXvccpicti). An inclina

tion to comply with your request will not be wanting; but

whether with any success must be left to your judgment. It will

be your part to throw in a black or a white ball. For myself,

1 will use my best endeavours, that neither you shall repent of

the request, nor I of the performance *."

* The r1st of the Epistle, from which this passage is extracted, is not of

a very interesting nature. It relates principally to the learned Doctor's

opini n with respect to the T-rojan descent of the Britons, as it appears in

the Preface to his Dictionary. The Latin translations of the Proverbs, to

which he refers above, are preserved in the British Museum, and form a

large collection.—Ed.


ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER V.

Dr. Percy, late Bishop of Dromore, to the Rev. Evan Evans*;

dated Easton Maudit, July 21, 1761 f.

Sir,—By my friend Mr. Williams, rector of Weston, Staf

fordshire, 1 have been informed of the great attention you have

bestowed on British Literature, and the pains you have taken to

rescue the productions of your ancient Bards from oblivion.

Though I have not the happiness to understand, yet I have a

great veneration for, the ancient language of this Island, and have

always had a great desire to see some of the most early and most

original productions in it. I could never yet obtain a proper

gratification of this desire ; for, to their shame be it spoken, most

of your countrymen, instead of vindicating their ancient and

truly venerable mother tongue from that contempt, which is only

the result of ignorance, rather encourage it by endeavouring to

forget it themselves. Besides my friend Mr. Williams, whose

constant residence in England has deprived him of the means of

cultivating his native language so much as he would have done,

I never met with one native of Wales, who could give me any

satisfactory account, of the literary productions of his own coun

try, or seemed to have bestowed any attention on its language

and antiquities. Not so the Scots :—-they are every where recom

mending the antiquity of their own country to public notice,

vindicating its history, and setting off its poetry, and, by dint

* The Rev. Evan Evans was born at Cynhawdref, in Cardiganshire,

about the year 1730. He was educated at. Jesus College, Oxford, where

he entered in 1751. He officiated as Curate at different places for many

years, but never obtained any preferment ; and died at the place of his

nativity in the year 1790. The chief work, by which Mr. Evans is known,

is the Specimens of Welsh Poetry with his Dissertalio de Bardis subjoined,

published in 1764. He is also the author of some other works in Welsh

and English. He employed much of his time in transcribing ancient

Welsh MS8. and left about a hundred volumes of various sizes, which are

now the property of Mr. Panton, of Plas Gwyn, in Anglesey.—Es.

f The sentiments, expressed in this letter, will be found to be particu

larly congenial with the principles, on which the Cambro-Briton has been

undertaken. And the distinguished Writer deserves to live in the grateful

remembrance of Wales, for having thus evinced so honourable an exception

to that apathy, with which the remains of her ancient literature are too ge

nerally regarded by Englishmen.—Ed.

1 •

18* THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

ctf constant attention to their grand national concern, have pre -

Tailed so far, as to have the broken jargon they speak to be consi

dered as the most proper language for our pastoral poetry. Our

most polite ladies affect to lisp out Scottish airs ; and in the

Senate itself whatever relates to the Scottish Nation is always

mentioned with peculiar respect. Far from blaming this atten

tion in the Scotch, I think it much to their credit, and am sorry,

that a large class of our fellow-subjects, with whom we were

united in the most intimate union for many ages, before Scot

land ceased to be our most inveterate enemy, have not shewn

the same respect to the peculiarities of their own country. But,

by their supineness and neglect, have suffered a foolish and in-

yeterate prejudice to root itself in the minds of their compatriots,

the English,—a prejudice which might have been in a good mea

sure prevented, had the Welsh gentlemen occasionally given

them specimens of the treasures contained in their native lan

guage, which may even yet be in part removed by the same

means.

You have translated, I am informed, some of the Odes of

your ancient Bards. I wish you would proceed and make a select

collection of the best of them, and so give thein to the world.

You have probably heard what a favourable reception the public

has given to an English version of some Erse Fragments im

ported from the Highlands of Scotland, and, if you have never

seen them, I will send them to you. I am verily persuaded, an

elegant translation of some curious pieces of ancient British

Poetry would be as well received, if executed in the same man<-

ner. I may modestly pretend to have some credit with the book

sellers, and with Mr. Dodsley in particular, who is my intimate

friend. I shall be very happy to do you any good office with

him, and shall be glad to make such an attempt kas profitable to

you as, I am persuaded, it will be reputable both to you and your

country. ,

I have prevailed on a friend to attempt a Translation of some

ancient Runic Odes, composed among the snows of Norway,

which will make their appearance at Mr. Dodsley's shop next

winter. My very learned friend and neighbour, the Rev. Mr.

Lye, editor of Junius's Etymologicon, and of Ulphila's Gothic

Gospels, (whose skill in the northern languages has rendered him

famous all over Europe) is now rescuing some valuable remains

of Saxon Poetry from oblivion, and I can perhaps obtain leave

ef him to let you see one of these odes by way of specimen, at-'

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 1M

companied with his version. I have not been altogether idW

myself; but my attention has been chiefly bestowed on the lan

guages spoken in the southern parts of Europe. I have collected

some curious pieces of ancient Spanish Poetry, and when I have

translated a select collection of them, may perhaps, give them

to the public. Amidst the general attention of ancient and

foreign poetry it would be a pity to leave that of the Ancient

Britons forgotten and neglected, and therefore, when I heard

that a person so capable was employed in collecting and trans

lating those valuable remains, it gave me a very sensible plea

sure, and I could not help expressing, in a volunteer letter to

you, the sense I entertain of the obligation, which you will un

doubtedly confer on all real lovers of literature and the produc

tions of antiquity.

If you will favour me with a line containing a more particular

account of what has been the object of your labours, I shall be

able to form a more exact idea of the success, that may be expected

from them than I can at present. I will also communicate them

to several eminent Literati of my acquaintance, and to mention

one in particular, Mr. Johnson, the author of the Dictionary,

Rambler, &c. who will, I am sure, be glad to recommend your

work, and to give you any advice for the most advantageous dis

posal of it. If you take these voluntary offers of service in good

part, you will please to favour me with a line, and I would wish

also a specimen of your labours, together with a full direction

where to write to you. I am a Clergyman, and shall receive any

favour of this kind, that is enclosed under a cover to the Right

Honourable Henry Earl of Sussex, at Easton Maudit Castle, by

the Ashby Bag, Northamptonshire. I am, Sir, though unknown,

your very faithful obedient servant, Thomas Percv.

P. S. I am told you are acquainted with Mr. Gray, the poet.

Pray has he any foundation for what he has asserted in his Ode

on the British Bards, viz. that there is a tradition among the in

habitants of Wales, that our Edward the First destroyed all the

British Bards that fell into his hands ? The existence of such a

tradition has been doubted *.

* This sanguinary deed is, certainly, not attested by any historian of

credit. And it deserves to be also noticed, tbat none of the numerous

bardic productions since the time of Edward make the slightest allusion to

the massacre ; an omission which could not have happened, if there had

been any foundation for the report. It is not improbable, therefore, that,

wherever originating, it has been indebted principally for its currency to

Groy'i celebrated Ode above noticed.—Ed,


TOPOGRAPHICAL NOTICES.

PARISH OF MOLD, FLINTSHIRE.

Name, Extent, and Situation.—The parish of Mold, or, as

it was formerly written, Mould, lies in the hundred of the same

name, in the county of Flint, bounded on the west by Denbigh*

shire, and approaching, in an opposite direction, to within eight

miles of the city of Chester. Anciently this parish formed the

Cwmwd or Comot of Ystrad Alyn, in the Cantrev of Rhiw,

within the territory of the Princes of Powys. Amongst the

Saxons and Normans, or more particularly the latter, k obtained

the names of Mons Altus and Monthault, both of them obviously

borrowed from the original Welsh appellation of Wyddgrug, still

in use, and which signifies a conspicuous barrow or mound *. The

modern name of Mold, or Mould, is most probably, as Mr. Ed

ward Llwyd has observed f, an abbreviation of Monthault. In

the time of Henry the Eighth this, district bore the name of

Molesdale, which we find preserved in several old writings after

that period.—The parish comprises at present the thirteen town

ships of Arddynwent, Argoed, Bistree, Broncoed, Gwernaffyllt,

Gwysaney, Hartsheath, Hendrebiffa, Leeswood, Llwynegrin, Mold,

Nerquis, and Treuddyn. In length it reaches about seven miles,

and its extreme breadth exceeds five, being thus one of the most

extensive parishes in the county.—In situation too, as well as in

size, it may vie with any other. Placed in a fertile valley, almost

co-extensive with itself, this parish possesses a pleasing diversity

of scenery, and especially in the lower part of it. The town of

Mold is seated in the centre of the valley, of which it affords,

from its sylvan fortress, the Bailey Hill, a full and agreeable pros

pect. The scene embraces, for the most part, a mixture of gentle

eminences and sloping woods, interspersed with a considerable

number of country seats, and altogether forming a landscape not

easily to be excelled within the same space. If it wants the sub

lime features, which in general distinguish North Wales, it pos

sesses other charms, which are not commonly assembled elsewhere.

* The word Givydd is not uncommon in ancient names, although it is

not now used in the same sense. The Welsh name of Snowdon, Y Wyddfa,

may furnish an example, amongst others, of what is here meant.

f See his " Additions to Flintshire," in Camden's Britannia, Gibtot't

Edith?, p. 692. . „

137

And it has been well observed by a celebrated and ingenious

writer*, that Wales appears here to assume a softened and less

majestic air, in order to render her union with England the less

violent and unnatural.

General History.—In former times, as has been already no

ticed, Mold was included within the dominions of Powys, and in

- that portion of it, which was called Powys Vadog. But, lying, as

it did, on the confines of that division of North Wales, it became

necessarily exposed to those struggles for the possession, to which

all border countries were, in that unsettled period, peculiarly liable.

On this account it must have been the scene of many fierce con

tests between the Welsh and their Saxon and Norman neigh

bours. Accordingly we find it to have been amongst the first part

of the frontier territory, which fell under their sway. And, as the

Dyke, formed by Offa, King of Mercia, in the eighth century, as

a boundary between his subjects and the Welsh, terminates in the

township of Treuddyn in this parish, it is probable, that the Saxon

power had encroached, even at that early period, upon this part

of Powys, And that it was subject also to the Normans is ap

parent from the homage, paid by Eustace Omer to William Rufus

for Mold and Hopedale about the close of the eleventh century.

In the year 1145 the Castle of Mold was, after many assaults and

a most gallant resistance, taken and destroyed by Owain Gwy-

nedd, Prince of North Wales, who is represented to have been

so elated by the achievement as to have lost in his triumph the

sorrow, with which the death of a favourite son had previously

overwhelmed him. However the English could not have been

long in repairing this disaster, as we find, from the Red Book of

Hergest in Jesus College, Oxford, that the castle was again wrested

from them by Llewelyn ab Iorwerth about the year 1201. Yet

it must have again reverted to the dominion of the Lords March

ers ; for, about one hundred and sixty years after the capture

by Llewelyn, it was taken, and entirely demolished by Gruffydd

ab Gwenwynwyn, Prince of Powys. It was, however, once more

rebuilt by its former masters, who seem to have remained in

the unmolested possession of it until the revolt of Sir Gruffydd

Llwyd in the fourteenth century, when, about the year 1322, he

seized this castle, with most of the other fortresses in the Marches,

* The writer, here alluded to, is Mr. Pennant, to whose interesting notices

respecting the Parish of Mold, in his " Tour in Wales," this imperfect

Sketch is considerably indebted.

Vol. I. T


as well as in North Wales, but over which, from the unfavourable

issue of his insurrection, he could have exercised but a transient

controul *. From this period the castle must have continued to

be peaceably possessed by the English until its final destruction,

at whatever period that happened. Not a vestige of this ancient

border fortress is now to be discovered : the site alone is distin

guishable, though the name of Bailey, evidently a corruption of

Ballium, which is still given to a small mount near the town, and

from which the latter has derived its name.—It has already been

observed, that this part of Powys must have been attached, at an

early period, to the territories of the Saxon and Norman conque

rors. Accordingly we find it, in the eleventh century,

session of the Barons of Monthault, who held it as

under the Earls of Chester, and resided, for the most part, at the

Castle of Hawarden -f. The first baron, of whom any notice re

mains, is Eustace Omer, above mentioned. And to him perhaps

succeeded, at no very distant period, Robert de Monte Alto, who

was Seneschal of Chester, about the year 1130. It seems to have

continued in his family until the year 1302, when one of his de

scendants did homage for it at Chester to Edward, Prince of

Wales. In 1827 it was conveyed to Isabella, Queen of Ed

ward II , for life, and afterwards to John, his younger brother,

upon whose death it vested in the Crown. Henry IV. made a

grant of this barony, together with Hopedale, to the Stanley

famil3r, by whom it was possessed until the attainder of James

Earl of Derby. Upon this it was sold to several persons,

and became ultimately the property of Lady Vincent |. Sir

* Sir Grnffydd Llwyd was a native of Caernarvonshire. He was knighted

by Edward I., upon having brought him the earliest intelligence of bU

queen's safe delivery at Caernarvon Castle His revolt took place in the

following reign, and was attended by a splendid but Meeting success. After

having seized all the fortresses in Gwynedd, and become master of the

country, he was overpowed by the English, taken prisoner, confined for

some time in Rhuddlan Castle, and eventually, as it is thought, executed.

Gwilym Ddu o Arfon, in a poem addressed to him during his captivity,

praises, in lavish terms, the hospitable and liberal disposition of this un

fortunate chieftain.

•f The Irish peer, Viscount Hawarden, whose second title is Baron Mont-

alt, in all probability derives his honours from this ancient barony.

J Powell, in his History of Wales, gives an account of the descent of

this district, apparently at variance with that adopted above. According to

this. Molesdale, with Hopedale and Maelor Saesneg, was, in the reign of

Edward the First, vested in Gruffydd ab Madog, Lord of Dinas Bran, to

whom

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. . 139

Thomas Mostyn, Bart., is the present Lord of the Manor, which

he acquired by purchase from T. S. Champneys, Esq., about

fifteen years ago *.

Particular Events.—What has been above related has re

ference only to the main history of this parish. With respect to

any particular incidents connected with it, the first, that presents

itself, is the celebrated victory, called the Victoria Alleluiatica,

said to have been gained, on a spot near the town, in the begin

ning of the' fifth century, by the Britons, under their two bishops

Garmon and Bleiddan, otherwise called Germanus and Lupus,

against a combined force of Saxons and Picts. On the pre

sumed field of battle, which to this day retains the name of

Maes Garmon, or Germanus's Field, stands an obelisk, which was

erected in the year 1736 by Nehemiah Griffith, Esq. of lihual,

who placed upon it a Latin inscription, of which the following is

a translation. It will be found to convey a concise account of

this remarkable event.—" In the year 420 the Saxons and Picts,

" having joined their forces, made war upon the Britons, and en-

" gaged them on this plain, which bears to this day the name of

" Maes Garmon. As the British leaders, Germanus and Lupus,

" were about to commence the battle, Christ himself fought in

" the camp. Thrice the British army exclaim ' Alleluia !'. The

" hostile troops are confounded with dismay, and the Britons

whom it had descended in a direct line from Rhodri Mawr, sovereign of all

Wales in S43. Upon GrufTydd's marriage with Emma, daughter of James

Lord Audley, he settled all the above mentioned territory on her as her

jointure, and at his death bequeathed the reversion to his eldest son Ma-

dog. After GrufTydd's decease, Edward I. is represented to have treated

his children with great cruelty, two of whom indeed are even said to have

been privately murdered. Upon this Emma, GrufTydd's widow, fearing

that her only surviving son might share the same fate if she settled her join

ture on him, conveyed it to her own family the Audleys, from whom it

cameto the house of Derby, and at length, by purchase, to Serjeant Glynne,

afterwards Sir John Glynne. See Wynnt's Edition of Powell's History,

p. ISO—1. In order to reconcile the apparent contradiction in these two

accounts, it may be presumed, that the domain of the Saxon and Norman

proprietors embraced only such part of this territory, as was under the im

mediate command of the Castles of Mold and Hawarden. The rest of what

was called Molesdale may therefore have descended in the manner men

tioned iu this note. It was the Manor of Hawarden only, which was pur

chased by Serjeant Glynne, whose family is still in possession of it.

* On the first regulation of the Welsh counties by Henry VIII. Mold

was united with Denbighshire : it was attached to Flintshire in the 33d year

of the same reign.

140

" triumph over their enemy without bloodshed. Thus it was

'.' faith, and not force, that obtained the victory. In memory of

" the Victoria Alleluiatica Nehemiah Griffith has erected this

" monument, A. D. 1736." To this it may be added, that a well

on the spot, still called Ffynnon Gwaed or the Bloody Well,

seems also to have derived its name from this battle *.—Another

feature, worthy of record in the former history of this parish, is

the extraordinary contest maintained by Reinallt ab Gruffydd, of

Tower, with the inhabitants of Chester, who were often made to

feel the sanguinary effects of his hostility. Reinallt lived during

the middle of the fifteenth century, and was one of the six chief

tains, who defended Harlech Castle for Henry VI. He after

wards inhabited a house in the parish of Mold, now called Tower,

and which was originally denominated, from him, the Tower of

Reinallt, an.appellation, which owed its birth, we may presume,

to that jealous spirit, which, in feudal times, converted every

chieftain's mansion into a fortress. And that Reinallt made this

use of his may be safely inferred from the unwearied feud, which

he kept up, as already mentioned, with the citizens of Chester.

Such was the animosity, with which he carried on this semi-bar

barous warfare, that on one occasion, said to be in 1465, when a

considerable number of the people of Chester were in attendance

at Mold fair, he assailed them, and, after a bloody conflict, took

prisoner Robert Brigne, who had been Mayor of Chester a few

years before, and, carrying him to Tower, hanged him there,

without farther ceremony. The very staple, which was instru

mental in inflicting this summary vengeance, is still shewn as a

memorial of Reinallt's barbarity. It is farther related, that two

hundred men came soon afterwards from Chester to avenge this

outrage. But the wily chief, being apprised of their design, con

fined them by a stratagem within his house, to which he then set

fire, and such, as escaped the conflagration, survived only to pe

rish by the sword of their persecutor. Yet even this act of fero

city obtained a pardon from Thomas Lord Stanley, at that time

Lord of the Council of Wales, to which Edward IV. afterwards

gave his sanction. Lewis Glyn Cothi, a poet of that period, has

celebrated the praises of this redoubtable champion.—In conclu-

* If it be objected to this account, that the Saxons, under HeDgist and

Horsa, did not arrive in this country until the year 447, it may be an

swered, that before that period, as we learn from Ammianus Marcellinus

and other writers, they ncre in the habit of making frequent inroads into the

island.


«ion of this head it may be recorded, that, a short time before

the subjection of Wales by Edward I., the principal land-proprie

tors of Ystrad Alyn were amongst the foremost to claim compen

sation for the injuries they had sustained from Roger de Clifford,

at that time Justiciary of Chester, and his deputy Roger Scrochil.

Church Concerns.—The Church of Mold, of which there is

an account as early as the time of Henry VII., is dedicated to St.

Mary. Before the Reformation it belonged to the Abbey of Bus-

tlesham, or Bysham, in Berkshire. It is a vicarage, and is valued

in the King's books at 19'- The living is in the Diocese of St.

Asaph, and in the patronage of the Bishop of that See. Two

lay Rectors divide with the Vicar an average income of nearly

2400/., of which the impropriated tythes produce about 2000/.

The present incumbent is the Rev. Hope Wynne Eyton, who re

sides at Leeswood in this parish. There are also two Chapelries

in the parish, those of Nerquis and Treuddyn, which are united

in one Perpetual Curacy, of the average value of 220/., and of

which the Rev. H. W. O. Jones is now in possession.—Mold

Church, which stands on a small eminence, is a very neat building

of the Gothic architecture of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries.

It is ornamented, both within and without, by the carvings of

sundry animals, for some of which it would, perhaps, be rather

difficult to find prototypes in the pages of Buffon or Linnaeus.

Above the pillars in the interior, which are remarkably light, are

represented, between the arches, several curious figures, intended

for cherubim, bearing shields with arms on them, probably those

of the ancient benefactors of this church. Among these, as

well as in other parts of the building, the arms of the Stanley fa

mily hold a conspicuous place. The dimensions of the church,

which consists of three aisles, or two aisles and a nave, are in

length 124 feet, 61 in breadth, and in height 24. It contains

above 130 pews, disposed with much uniformity. The North and

middle aisles were built about the close of the fifteenth or the

commencement of the following century ; and the South aisle in

1597, if the following inscription, discovered upon the opening

of a vault under it in 1783, refers, as is supposed, to that event.

But Mr. Pennant seems to have thought, that the whole cnurch

was erected at one time.

" Fundamentum

Ecclesiee Christi,

1597 W. A. Eps."*

* This was William Hughe*, who died iu 1600.

142 THE CAMBRO-BRITON'.

Of late vears a considerable improvement has been made in

the internal arrangement by the addition of a good organ, and by

the embellishment of the western end of the building, the whole of

which may now, for elegance and commodiousness, vie with any

other in the Principality. Among the monuments, which it con

tains, the most remarkable is a statue, in Roman drapery, of

Robert Davies, Esq. of Llanerch, who died May 22d, 176s. This

stands at the eastern extremity of the South aisle, where also is a

mural monument of Robert Parfew, Bishop of St. Asaph in 1536 *.

An inscription on a tablet in the middle aisle, to the memory of

Dr. Wynne of Tower, deserves also to be noticed. It was written

by himself, and the marble erected in his life time. The follow

ing passage in it has often been cited with reference to the un

wholesome practice of burying in churches :—" In conformity to

" ancient usage, from a proper regard to decency, and a con-

" cern for the health of his fellow-creatures, he was moved to give

" particular directions for being buried in the adjoining churcb-

" yard, and not in the church "f. Not far from this monument

are two neat tablets erected to the memory of two sons of the lata

Thomas Griffith, Esq. of Rhual, who died in their country's bat

tles, one in India, and the other in the memorable conflict of Wa

terloo. They were both of the rank of Major. It may also be

interesting to mention, that Wilson, the celebrated landscape

painter, who died in the adjoining parish of Llanferres, was buried

in this church-yard. A flat stone covers his grave, the superscrip

tion of which is almost defaced.—The present steeple is a hand

some modern structure, of a corresponding architecture with the

rest of the building, but not perhaps of an adequate height. It

was erected in 1773 at an expence of nearly 2000/. In taking

down the old tower in 1768 a curious image was discovered near

the foundation, in all probability a relic of the Catholic super

stition of the former inhabitants. But the worthy Vicar, Mr.

Lewis, from an excess of piety or from some other unexplained

motive, gave orders for its immediate demolition ; and the marble

Saint was accordingly doomed to a second martyrdom.—" The

* He was removed to the See of Hertford in 1554, and died there in

1557. The monument, above noticed, was erected to his memory, as one

of the principal benefactors of Mold Church, by John ab Rhys. Bishop

Parfew was buried at Hereford.

f There is a similar inscription on the tomb of Dr. Verheyen, who was

Professor of Anatomy at Louvain, where he died in 1710. His words are,

" Philippus Verheyen, Medicinai Doctor et Professor, partem sui mate-

" rialem hie in cemeterio coniii voluit, ne templum dehonestaret aut nocivil

" balitibus inficeret. Requiescat in pace." He also wrote his owu epitaph.


chapel at Nerquis," to adopt Mr. Pennant's description, " is a

neat building, with a pretty spire steeple. Within is a large

niche elegantly carved. It once held the image of the Virgin,

and is called (as all similar niches in Wales are) Cadair Vair, or

the Seat of Mary." Since Mr. Pennant's time the interior of this

chapel has undergone much improvement ; and it is now surpassed

by none perhaps in Wales in the simple elegance of its general

appearance.

%* [To be continued].

SKETCHES OP SOCIETY.

RESEMBLANCE BETWEEN SCOTTISH AND WELSH

MANNERS.

The great similarity between the manners and customs of the

Highland Scotch and those of the inhabitants of North Wales

must be obvious to every person, acquainted with these two dis

tricts of Great Britain. The same steady courage, high spirit,

and energetic animation are apparent in both. The Rev. R.

Warner, in his very amusing " Walk through Wales," remarks,

that " in the more remote regions of North Wales the manners

of the natives, and the scenery are perfectly Highlandish."

In every general point, indeed, the similitude is striking, and,

perhaps, the more minute particulars are not less evident. I

shall content myself on the present occasion with instancing

one example of this resemblance, reserving for a future oppor

tunity others that I have noticed*. The trait, I am about to

mention, will most probably recal to the reader the animated and

inimitable description of the feast of a Highland Chieftain, so

powerfully delineated by the author of Waverley,. in his descrip

tion of the reception of Waverley by the gallant but unfortu

nate Vich Ian Vohr.

Pennant, in his " History of Whiteford and Holywell," gives

a detailed account of Mostyn Hall, in Flintshire, and of the

respectable family, from which it derives its name. It appears,

that the late worthy head of this family, Sir Roger Mostyn, re

tained, during Pennant's life-time, a partiality for the peculiar

* Some affinity may unquestionably be traced between the manners of

the Scotch Highlanders and the inhabitants of the Welsh mountains. But

it may well be doubted, whether the system of clanship, by which the former

were so distinguished, ever prevailed in Wales to the same extent or even

upon a similarprinciple. Ed.

THE CAMBR0-I3RIT0N.

customs of his ancestors, among which was the one of dining in

the same apartment, and at the same time, with his servants and

tenants, the ancient vassals of a chieftain's domain. Mr. Pen

nant, in describing the house, introduces the " great gloomy-

hall," as he terms it, the scene of so much mirth and festivity.

I will give the description in our author's own words, " The

" great gloomy hall," he writes, " is furnished with a dais, or

" elevated upper end, with a long table for the lord and his

"jovial companions, and another on one side, the seat of the

" inferior partakers of the good cheer. To this day the simili-

" tude of old times is kept up, when the family is at home. The

" head servants take their dinner at the dais, and the numerous

" inferior servants fill the long side-table. The roof is lofty,

" crossed with long beams. The nenbren, or top beam, was in

" all times a frequent toast, when the master of the house's health

" was drank, and iechyd y nenbren y ty was the cordial phrase.

" The chimney-piece is magnificently plain, unless where the

" arms of the house and its alliances are cut on the stone and

" properly emblazoned." The " cordial phrase " here mentioned

means literally, " health to the upper beam of the house,"

figuratively, " to the support or head of the family." The

phrase, now generally used, is " Y gwr a biau 'r nenbren,"

which has the same signification, and is a toast still given at con

vivial meetings in North Wales. Whether the " similitude of

old times" is still kept up at Mostyn Hall I have no opportunity

of ascertaining. It is probable, that the present worthy nenbren,

Sir Thomas Mostyn, is laudably attached to a custom certainly

harmless, and perhaps useful, when practised amidst a respectful

and devoted clan*

London, Oct. 16, 1819. T. R.

[The Editor regrets, that he is under the necessity ofpostponing the re

mainder of T. R.'s interesting communication. But the length of the first

article and of that immediately preceding this has unexpectedly prevented

its insertion this month. However, what appears above is complete in it

self, and the part omitted will find a place in the next Number. ]

* T. R.'s patriotic supposition is entirely groundless. And, perhaps, in

the present refined and comparatively artificial state of society it would

hardly be possible to preserve a respect for such customs as that above no

ticed, and which, having their origin in the familiar and salutary connection,

thatonce existed between the great land-proprietor and his dependants, have

necessarily vanished with the foundation, on which they rested. And it

may be observed, that luxury, in her revolutionary career, has in no in

stance produced a more deplorable effect than in the extinction of that

lordly spirit of hospitality, which was once so remarkably the boast of our

native hills, as well as of other parts of the kingdom.—Kd.


THE MISCELLANIST.—No. II.

-^0990—

There are few readers of English ballads, to whom the fol

lowing is not known : and, perhaps, there are many, who will

agree with Chwiledydd in considering it entitled to the praise,

he bestows on it, of possessing some humour. Yet no Welsh^

man can help observing, how remarkably the poet has failed

in hitting off the peculiar traits of our national character.—

But, indeed, in this respect, what English writer has ever suc

ceeded ? From the days of Shakespear himself, incomparable,

as he was, in his general delineations of human nature, down to

the present, an unaccountable misconception has prevailed on this

point. For even Smollett, however masterly his pictures from

life in every other respect, has given to his Welsh portraits a

coarse and unnatural colouring. Yet this prominent fault of

English authors would have been less inexcusable, if its manifest

aim were not to render the Welsh character an object of ridicule

rather than of interest. And, had not this tendency proceeded,

as it does, from the grossest ignorance of the manners of our

country, the contempt, to which it is so justly exposed, must have

been long ago turned into indignation. But, as the latent ener

gies of our native land are at length awakened, some one may

arise to vindicate the distinguishing simplicity and unsophisticated

morality of the Welsh character. Some one, glowing with the

ambition of a Fielding or a Scott, and animated by a kindred

genius, may yet pourtray it as it is, and as it ought to be. For

thus only can we hope, that the barbarous and unfounded preju

dices, excited by English writers, can be effectually consigned to

the oblivion they so well deserve. However, the following ballad,

even with this deduction from its merit, may be called humorous,

or, at least, ludicrous; and the translations will serve to esta

blish a comparison in no respect to the disadvantage of trie

Welsh language. ^

Chwiledydd's hint with respecx to the Pexnillion is, undoubt

edly, just, and entitled to every attention. But the conductor of

this work has no wish, for the present at least, to publish any of

those effusions, that are not purely and originally Welsh. As far,

therefore," as his own judgment may guide him, his intention is

to avoid the introduction of such as are translations from other

languages. And, if he should unconsciously commit an error in

this view, correction would always be deemed a favour. Per-

vol. 1, U


haps one or two of the Pennillion in the first Number may fall

under the suspicion of not being, strictly speaking, indigenous.

# **


Sir,—Having never seen your Prospectus, I was somewhat

surprised the other day, when the two first Numbers of the

Cambro-Briton were put into my hands, but was very well

pleased when I had read them. The plan appears judicious, and

the execution of it sensible and neat. There is not too much,

and at the same time there is sufficient variety. I am particularly

pleased with -your admitting some choice Pennillion of our

countrymen, which are certainly superior to any epigrams we

meet with in any Greek or Latin anthology. Might not their

subjects be classed, and more methodically arranged ? And, if

any should be translations or imitations, as I know some are,

would it not be right to insert the originals ?

As the beautiful air, " Of noble Race was Shenkin," has been

twice mentioned with praise in the Cambro-Briton (p. 13 and

p. 45), you will perhaps excuse me for transcribing Dryden's

satirical, but humorous ballad, with a translation in Greek, Latin,

and Welsh; and, if it accords with your plan, I should like to

see them inserted in a future Number. They may amuse one

reader and admonish another ; and I have no doubt but your

laudable aim is to obtain success lectorem delectando pariterque

monendo. Wishing you all success,

I am, Sir, your obedient humble servant,

October 13, 1819. Chwiledydd.

SHENKIN.

Of noble race was Shenkin,

Of the line of Owen Tudor ;

But hur renown was fled and gone,

Since cruel Love pursued hur.

Fair Winny's eyes bright shining,

And lily-breasts alluring,

With fatal dart smote Shenkin's heart,

And wounded past all curing.

Hur was the prettiest fellow

At foot-ball or at cricket ;

At prison base and hunting chase,

Cotsplut how hur would nick it !


But now all joys defying,

All pale and wan hur cheeks too ;

Hur heart so aches, hur quite forsakes

Hur herrings and hur leeks too.

No more must dear Metheglin

Be toped at dear Montgomery ;

And if Love soro smart one week more,

Adieu, cream-cheese and flumry !

GREEK.

a

Tlspvx.Xv?o; \x,ev Tisyxsy,

QeoStvgtfy; ysyo;'

OS" vv Epuiro;, SeiXo; €poro;,

Ou V8V, i%st pEVO;.

KaAXiri;? Ovvup otfy;

T« xpxSirjV uiTa^eTrjv

flteiki) ctvijiurw,

r

UxXuiv psv sy aywvi

Ylayt aflXij AaS' ev Sixy

Tui, rps^ovn, ij tnWoyrt,

Af£( tOLprp 1) VlKTj.

Ntiv £ avm ev vetpetcu; ,

l$u o ui%po; tuiSs

KapJia, xai rvpov fum'

Kai xpoivj hk tvtoSrj.

ft

TfyopeXe Se gy.eri

MsSurci ev Moyfetiepi'

Et h 'f,Ao?J SsH/rj s£ r/fiepa; ftttyyj,

Ts Xdits, Xcupe, $Xstiepi !

LATIN.

Praeclarus ortu Shenkin

E stirpe Theodori ;

Sed cessit ah me ! splendor famae

Cupidinis furori.


Splendentes Winifredae

Ocelli perculere

Cor, heu ! crudeli ictu teli :

Desperat ars mederi.

Tarn doctus erat nemo

Vel pila, vel bacillo :

Cursu campestri, vel pedestri,

An compar ullus illi ?

At gaudia heec fugerunt ;

Emaciuntur genae :

Pectus nae dolet ! nec, ut solet,

Jam cepe olet bene.

Sed nunc non delectandum

Metheglin de Montgomery :

Si desit quies plus sex dies,

iEternum valeat flumry !

WELSH.

[The following version is by the Rev. Wm. Morgan, re^j.or of

Llanfair yng Nghornwy, in Anglesey.]

'R oedd Siencyn o hil hynod

O ach hen Dudur eurglod ;

Ond f'aeth ei fri o isel ri',

Er pan roes Cupid ddyrnod.

O gonglau llygaid Gwenffryd,

A'i gwynion fronau hyfryd,

Y laeth y saeth i'w galon gaeth,

A'i rhoes mewn alaeth benyd.

Fe oedd yr impyn hardda'

Uwch ben y bel mewn tyrfa ;

Am chwareu cath nid oedd mo'i fath,

Am redeg, gwych y piccia.

Yn awr fe ddarfu 'n erwin,

Mae'i ruddiau 'n gulion gethin ;

A'i friw njor gas, nad oes mor bias

Ar benwaig, nac ar gennin.

Ni phrofir Medd ond hynny,

Yn anwyl Sir Montgomery ;

Os pair y clwy' ond wythnos hwy,

Ffarwel, Gaws gwyn a Llymry !


AWEN CYMRU.

A'ti rodd yzo athrwydd Avsen. Edm. Prvs.

PENNILLION.

XXIII.

Gwedwch, fawrion, o wybodaeth,

0 ba beth y gwnaethbwyd hiraeth ;

A pha ddefnydd a roed ynddo,

Nas darfyddai wrth ei wisgo.

XXIV.

Tebyg yw dy lais yn canu

1 gog mown craig yn dechreu erygii,

Dechreu can heb ddiwedd arni :

Harddach fyddai iti dewi.

XXV.

Nid oes rhyngof ag ef heno

Onid pridd, ac arch, ac amddo ;

Mi fum lawer gwaith ymhellach

Ond nid erioed a chalon drymach.

XXVI.

Hiraeth mawr, a hiraeth creulon,

Hiraeth sydd yn torri 'm calon ;

Pan fwyf dryma 'r n&s yn cysgu,

Fe ddaw hiraeth ac a 'm deffry.

XXVII.

Brith yw ser ar noswaith olau,

Brith yw meillion Mai a blodau ;

Brith yw dillad y merchedau,

A brith gywir ydynt hwythau.

XXVIII.

Rhois fy mryd ar garu glanddyn,

Fe roes hwn ei serch ar rywun,

Hono rhoes ei serch ar arall ;

Dyna dri yn cam 'n anghall.

XXIX.

Yn Hafod Elwy 'r g6g ni chan,

Ond llais y fran sydd amla' ;

Pan fo hi decaf ym mhob tir,

Mae hi yno 'n wir yn eira.


XXX.

Darfu 'r gauaf, darfu 'r oerfel,

Darfu 'r gwlaw a 'r gwyntoedd uchel ;

Daeth y gwanwyn glas eginog,

Dail i 'r llwyn a dol feillionog.

XXXI.

Nid af ddim i 'r gwely heno,

Nid yw 'r un wy 'n gam ynddo ;

Mi orweddaf ar y gareg :

Tor, os torri, 'nghalon fwyndeg.

[The following piece, by Taliesin, is copied from the Llyvyr Taliesin, in

the Hengwrt Collection, and is here inserted, because it was accidentally

omitted in the Welsh Archaiology. The orthography, punctuation, and

other particulars are preserved as in the original.—Ed.]

MARWNAD DYLAN AIL TON.

An duw uchaf dewin doethaf mwyhaf aned

pydelismaes pwy ae swynas yn llaw trahael.

neu gynt noc ef. pwy uu tagnef arredyf gefel.

Gorthrif gwastrawt gwenwyn awnaeth gweith

gwythloned. Gwanu dylan. adwythic lan.

treis ynhytyrver. Ton iwerd. . athon vanaw.

Athon ogled. Athon prydein torvoed virein

yn petweired. Gwolychafi tat duw dovydat

gwlat heb omed. Creawdyr celi an cynnwys ni

yn trugared.

ENGLISH POETRY.


XXIII.

Of what thing, say, is longing made,

Ye men of knowfege, pray, declare it ;

What stout materials in it laid,

That thus it wastes riot as you wear it.

XXIV.

Thy singing with the cuckoo's vies,

When, on a rock grown hoarse, he tries

Some endless ditty to commence ;

Thy silence best would shew thy sense.

THE CAMBRO-BRJTON. 151

Betwixt us nought this night is seen

Save earth, a coffin and a shroud :

Much farther from him oft I've been,

Yet ne'er before with heart so cow'd.

XXVI.

Longing's deep and cruel smart,

Longing 'tis, that breaks my heart :

When heaviest sleep at night o'ertakes me,

Longing * comes, alas, and wakes me.

xxyn.

Varied the stars, when nights are clear,

Varied are the flowers of May,

Varied th' attire, that women wear,

Truly varied too are they.

XXVIII.

A comely youth I once caress'd,

Another fair his heart possess'd,

But her's, already given, he lost :

Were ever three so sadly cross'd ?

XXIX.

No cuckoo Havod Elwy hears

But oftentimes the crow :

When all around fair weather cheers,

'Tis there quite sure to snow.

* **

xxx.

The winter's angry blast is o'er,

The roaring winds contend no more ;

The spring is come with moistening dews

And clothes the mead with verdant hues. D. B.

XXXI.

To bed to-night I'll not repair,

The one I love reclines not there :

I'll lay me on the stone apart,

If break thou wilt, then break my heart. D. E.

* The word, here translated Longing, is Kiracth, fer which there is no

corresponding term in the English langr.age. The Latin word Desiilerhim

is of a similar import.—Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

WALES.

CYMREIGYDDION SOCIETY.—Among the laudable insti

tutions now in existence for promoting the interests of Wales, and

especially lor preserving her ancient tongue in its native purity,

the Society of Cymreigyddion, established in the metropolis,

deserves a particular notice. It was in the year 1 792 that this

institution was founded. And the main object of its establish

ment, to which it has since adhered with a praise-worthy fidelity,

was, as above intimated, the maintenance of our excellent lan

guage in that vigour and beauty, which so eminently distinguish

it. For this purpose, controversial discussion in the Welsh

tongue has been adopted as one of the means best calculated to

promote this end. Accordingly, at each meeting a debate takes

place on a subject previously selected, and the ability, often

evinced on the occasion, affords ample proof of the utility of the

design. It deserves also to be mentioned, that, in order to en

sure that harmony so essential to the welfare of the Society, all

topics of a religious and political nature are scrupulously avoided.

In addition to the patriotic object above noticed, it must not

be forgotten, that charity also forms a prominent feature in this

institution. With a view to the furtherance of this amiable de

sign, a board, having the word Elusengarwch (charity) in

scribed on it, presents itself in a conspicuous manner to every

person entering the room, where the Society meets. The heart

of benevolence is thus perpetually kept in mind of its favourite

pursuit, and the fur.d, collected in consequence, is devoted by

the Society to the charitable purpose of relieving their country

men in certain distressed situations.

The Cymreigyddion originally consisted of inhabitants of

North Wales only : but they have since embraced the other divi

sion of the Principality. As a qualification for admission into the

Society, it is indispensibly necessary, that the candidate should

understand and speak the Welsh language, and that he be

recommended by two members as a person of irreproachable cha

racter. The election is by ballot, and, where the number of

. votes happens to be equal, the candidate is rejected. The officers

of the Society are a President, Vice President, Treasurer and

Secretary : and the business is conducted by a Committee of five

members. The meetings take place every Thursday evening, for

the purpose already mentioned : when the procoedings are al


ways characterised by that " union and brotherly love," which

form a favourite sentiment of the Society. This brief account of

the Cymreigyddion cannot conclude better than by a repetition

of that wish, which, when assembled, they never fail to express,

" Oes y byd tr Iaith Gymraeg"* *#*

• •

GWYNEDDIGION SOCIETY.—In the last Number an ac

count was given of the Eisteddfod, which this Society held on the

6th of October at Denbigh, for the purpose of deciding on the

merits of the Welsh Poems on Elusengarwch (Charity), which

had been proposed as the subject for the Society's Prize Awdl for

the present year. The decision, which, owing to some unavoid

able accident, was not then made, has since taken place, and re

ceived the confirmation ofa Committee of the Society in London.

The Rev. Edward Hughes, Rector of Bodfary, in Flintshire, is

the successful candidate; and it is not more than justice to add,

that the Awen, evinced in his composition, does him great

credit. *#*

CAMBRIAN SOCIETY IN DYFED.—The subjects, pro

posed by this Society for the Prize Compositions for the ensuing

year, were noticed last month. It was on the ICth of August,

that a Committee of the Society met for this purpose at Carmar

then, when several Resolutions were passed, of which the following

seem to merit publicity :—

That each District provide for its own Eisteddfod, and take

charge of its own expences and subscriptions, appoint its own

prize-subjects, and decide by its own local judges upon its respec

tive premiums. ,

That each District be at liberty to propose annually its own

subjects for Premiums, but that the successful compositions of

that District only, in which the Eisteddfod shall be holden, will be

publicly recited at the Eisteddfod, unless the Committee of the

acting District should request it.

That there be an Annual Meeting of the Cambrian Society held

on the second Monday in May in London.

That it be recommended to the Society, when its funds are

competent, to appropriate a special fund for the encouragement

of poetical and literary merit in persons in confined circumstances,

and that Dafy dd Ddu, of Carnarvon, have the sum of ten pounds

allowed hiin as a gratuity for the present year.

* " The age of the world to the Welsh language."

Vol. I. X


That the Committee take upon them to recommend and pro

mote subscriptions to Mr. Edward Jones's third volume of Bardic

Remains.

LOYAL MEETINGS IN WALES.—Since the publication

of the last Number there have been five Public Meetings in the

Principality for the purpose of expressing, at this critical period,

a loyal attachment to the throne and constitution of these realms.

The first was that of Cardiganshire, which was holden at Aberay-

ron on the 4th oflast month. It was numerously attended, and an

Address was voted to his Royal Highness the Prince Regent, de

claratory of the object for which the Meeting v as convoked.—

The next was that of Carmarthenshire, which took place atLlan-

dilo on the 5th ult., when a similar Address was proposed and

unanimously adopted. This Meeting was likewise very nume

rous, and most respectable. Among the distinguished individuals

present were Lord Dynevor, Lord Cawdor, Lord Robert Sey

mour, and Mr. Allen, M. P.—The third was a Meeting of the

Corporation and the Inhabitants of the Town of Cardigan, who

assembled on the 9th ult., for the same patriotic purpose.—On the

same day also there was a Meeting of the Lieutenancy and Ma

gistracy of the County of Denbigh, convened by the Lord Lieu

tenant Sir W. W. Wynn, for the purpose of encreasing the armed

force of the County. About 1,100/. were immediately subscribed

towards the advancement of this judicious object. This Meeting

was attended by most of the individuals of rank and consequence

in the County.—On the 20th ult. there was also a Meeting

of the Nobility, Gentry, and other inhabitants of the County

of Carnarvon, for the purpose of offering a loyal Address to

the Throne.—In addition to the above it should be noticed,

that a Requisition, with a long list ofhighly respectable signatures,

was presented to the High Sheriff of Flintshire, to convene a

County Meeting for the purpose of addressing the Throne on the

present state of affairs ; in consequence of which the Sheriff ap

pointed Tuesday the 30th ult. for that purpose.—It is gratifying to

contemplate in the proceedings, above noticed, a continuance of

the same loyal and constitutional spirit, by which Wales has ever

been distinguished. And it may be hoped, that the examples,

thus set, will be universally followed throughout the Principality.

It has been ignorantly demanded by some, wherefore, when the

loyalty of any particular place is not questioned, it should be re

quired publicly to proclaim it. The obvious and decisive reply to


this is, that it becomes necessary as an antidote to the avowal, to

openly and insultiugly made, of seditious and revolutionary de

signs. It is not merely to express the undoubted loyalty of one

portion of the community, that these patriotic Addresses are offered

at the foot of the Throne,— it is more particularly to thwart the

plans of the disaffected, and to overawe the traitor in his rebellious

career. When such benefits as these may be produced by an open

and fearless declaration of loyalty, neutrality becomes suspected,

and apathy criminal.

MISCELLANEOUS LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.-A Society

•of a very interesting and patriotic nature has recently been

established at Carnarvon. The first Meeting, which was very

respectably attended, took place at the Guildhall in that town on

the 12th of October, when it was declared to be " highly expe-

" dient that a Society should be constituted there for the purpose

" of imparting to the poor a religious, moral, and suitable edu-

" cation." Accordingly it was agreed, that, with such view, a

Society should be then formed under the title of " The Carnar-

" von Society for the Education of the Poor on the Principles of

the Established Church." In furtherance of this object it

was also resolved, that a daily school should be established for

girls and another for boys, to be conducted according to the

mode of education, adopted and recommended by the National

Society in London ; and that the children should be regularly

instructed in the Liturgy and Catechism of the Established

Church. Among many other laudable Resolutions, it was farther

agreed, that the Marquis of Anglesey should be requested to be

come Patron of the Society, and tbat Lord Viscount Bulkeley,

the Bishop of Bangor, Sir Robert Williams, Bart. M. P., and the

Hon. Capt. Paget, M. P., should be requested to accept the

office of Vice-Presidents. Contributions amounting nearly to

300/., besides several annual subscrptions, have since been made

towards the purposes of this very praise-worthy Institution.—Of

a similar design with the preceding Society is the National Fe

male School at Carmarthen, which is likely to prosper under the

patronage of several enlightened and benevolent individuals.

Among this number Lord Robert Seymour and the Hon. Mr.

Rice have recently been engaged, together with the Committee of

Ladies, in raising a subscription towards erecting a school-room

for the children of this Establishment ; and a very favourable

result has attended their charitable exertions.—The Annual

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Meeting of the Proclamation Society for the Diocese of St.

David's was holden at Carmarthen on the 25th of October. The

Bishop of St. David's presided ; and the premiums, usually given

by the Society, were awarded on the occasion.—On the 25th of

October there was a General Meeting of the Governors of the

Carnarvonshire and Anglesey Dispensary, under the auspices of

the Lord Bishop of Bangor. It appeared from the Report, made

on this occasion, that, since the former meeting in October 1818,

2135 patients, besides 180 on the books at the time, had received

the benefit of this excellent Institution. Of this number 516 were

cases of vaccination. The funds of this Society appear, unfortu

nately, from the same Report not to have been quite adequate

to all the demands. But there can be little doubt that this defi

ciency will soon be supplied by the benevolence of the subscribers.

—Meetings of the Bible Societies have been holden since this

subject was last noticed, at the under-mentioned places :—on the

19th of October at Cardigan— on the 3d ult. at Llanidloes, in

Montgomeryshire—and on the Sth ult. at Carmarthen. The same

zeal continues to influence the supporters of these Institutions, and

the Reports, which they publish, lose nothing of the interesting

character attached to the preceding documents of the same de

scription. According to that of the Llanidloes Society, which

embraces six adjoining parishes, it appears that, since its esta

blishment in 1813, 2019 copies of the Scriptures have been dis

tributed, of which 339 were given in the last year. These insti

tutions appear to receive a very general and active support from

the Clergy.—The first Anniversary Meeting of the Flintshire

Agricultural Society took place, as announced in the last Number,

at Mold, on the 25th of October. It would be difficult to do jus

tice to the zeal and exertion, which already distinguish this infant

establishment, and promise to raise it to a degree of importance

equal with that ofany other of a similar nature. And it is here proper

to add, that its present prosperity is, in an eminent degree,

owing to the active and well-directed services of Mr. Boydell,

Secretary to the Society. The meeting, on this occasion, was

numerously and respectably attended, and the Rev. W. Whitehall

Davies, in the absence of Sir Thomas Mostyn, Bart., presided on

the occasion. Several gentlemen of distinction in the county were

also present, and among them Sir E. P. Lloyd, Bart., who acted

as Vice-President. The limits, that must necessarily be prescribed

to this notice, make it impossible to particularise all the prizes, that

were distributed at this meeting. But it deserves to be mentioned.


that two of these, including the highest prize, fell to the share of

Mr. Boydell, who has thus the additional merit of enforcing by his

example the efforts he has so laudably made for the benefit

of the Institution. — The proposition for a similar Society

in the county of Monmouth, noticed last month, meets with

a very general encouragement. Sir Charles Morgan, Bart, with

his usual liberality, has already made extensive arrangements

near the town of Newport, for an annual show of cattle.—The

Pembroke Farmer's Club have lately published a list of their Pre

miums for the year 1819, which appear to have a very beneficial

tendency, and especially in the encouragement they hold out to

small farmers, and to labourers in husbandry of every description.

One of the Resolutions of this Society is, " that no member will

" iiji future be entitled to any pecuniary premium, who possesses a

" property in freehold lands of 200/. a-year and upwards, stock

** excepted." The Club is under the immediate patronage of the

Hon. John Frederick Campbell, M. P.—Lord Cawdor, Sir John

Owen, Bart., and Sir Henry Mathias, are also members.—A re

spectable meeting of the Magistracy of the County of Pembroke

was holden at Haverfordwest on the 3d of last month, " for the

purpose of taking into consideration the propriety of diminishing

the expences of prosecuting, and defending suits in the County

Court," when it was resolved, amongst other things, that appli

cation should be made to the professional gentlemen ofthe County,

not to allow their names to be used, in applying for small debts,

by any person not legally authorised to sue for the same, and that

a table of fees should be forthwith prepared for the guidance of

practitioners and suitors in the County Court, and that the Sheriff

be requested to take care, that such fees only be received. A

meeting of the like nature took place in Carmarthenshire on the

18th ult., when similar resolutions were adopted. Lord Cawdor,

with other noblemen and gentlemen of both Counties, attended

these Meetings, the object of which cannot be too highly applauded.

* *•

LITERATURE.—It would be difficult to select any former

period in the history of Wales, wherein a spirit of literary enter

prise was so prevalent as at present. This argues well for the

re-establishment of that fame, to which her language and ancient

remains so justly entitle her. To the works noticed in the last

Number, as either published or contemplated, the following are

pow to be added :—

158 THE CAIklBRO-BRITON.

—*•

Llyfr Gweddi Gyffrcdin, &c. Llundain, 1819. 8vo. 3*. 6d.

[This Welsh Edition of the Common Prayer Book is published

by the " Prayer Book and Homily Society," and reflects much

credit on the care and ability, which have been employed in

bringing it forth. The neatness of the form, the clearness and

beauty of the typography, and, above all, the accuracy of the

text entitle it to considerable praise. Mr. Thomas Roberts, of

Llwymimdol, Carnarvonshire, a gentleman distinguished for his

critical knowlege of his native tongue, has superintended this

publication, and has evinced great judgment in correcting some

inaccuracies, that had crept into the former editions. In the last

Report of the proceedings of the Prayer Book and Homily So

ciety this edition is stated to have been undertaken upon the

recommendation of that patriotic Prelate the Bishop of St. Da

vid's. It is then added, that " to obtain the correctest copy, to

" print the book in the most eligible form, and so as to sell it on

" the very lowest terms, that circumstances will permit, have

" been, with the Society, objects of their strictest attention." The

present . impression consists of 4000 copiesi—The same So

ciety has also published Welsh translations of tJtree of the " Ho-,

milies of the Church of England," in a separate and cheap form,

calculated for general distribution*. The marginal heads are, for

the first time, translated into Welsh in this edition, which also has

had the benefit of Mr. Roberts's superintendence.]

The History of North Wales, by W. Cathrall, assisted by several

Gentlemen of Literary Distinction, Part I. 4to, 3*. Large

Paper, 4s. 6rf. Chester, 1819.

[This Part (the publication of which in the country was no

ticed in the third Number) has made its appearance in London

in the course of the last month. It is occupied by an examination

of the Ancient History of Britain ; and much important and cu

rious information, from sources not generally consulted, has been

collected upon the subject. Mr. Cathrall deserves much credit

for this, as well as for the arrangement of his plan, which appears

judicious. A neat and accurate engraving of Flint Castle accom

panies this Part; and the typographical execution of the work

merits a very favourable notice.]

* it should be mentioned, that these Translations are copied from the

Collection published about ten years ago by the R£v. John Robcits, uf

Tieineirchiou, in Flintshire.— Ed.


...

Horee Britannicce, or Studies of Ancient British History, contain

ing various Disquisitions on National and Religious Subjects of

Great Britain, by J. Hughes, 2 vols. 8va 18*.

[As it is intended shortly to enter into a general and critical

examination of this work, any notice of its merits here would ne

cessarily be premature.]

Proposals for publishing a new Edition of Dr. Davies's Dic-

lionarium Duplex, or Welsh-Latin and Latin-Welsh Diction-

, ary, to which will be prefixed his Linguce Cymraecce Rudi-

menta, or Rudiments of the Welsh Language.

[As the value of this work is generally acknowleged, and as the

scarcity of the old copies is become evident, the admirers of Welsh

Literature cannot fail to profit by its intended republication. This

Edition is proposed to be published in parts, every three months,

at the price of six shillings each to Subscribers ; the whole to be

completed in four parts, making one handsome volume in folio.

The work, which is to be printed at Bala, will be put to press as

soon as a subscription has been obtained for 500 copies.]

Proposals for publishing a new Metrical Version of the Psalms-,

under the title of Telyn Dafydd, sef Cyfansoddiad o Lyfr y.

Salmau ar amrwyiol a gicahanol fesurau.

[This Version is ready for publication : and, as it consists of

twenty different metres, it possesses a greater variety than most

former collections. Report speaks in high terms of the per

formance, both with respect to the fidelity of the translation*

and its poetical merit.—The author is Thomas Williams, of

Llanfihangel Gwynt, Montgomeryshire, and, as he is unable to

undertake the expence of publication, the Rev. Mr. Hamer, vicar

of that parish, has kindly offered to receive communications from

those, who may be disposed to afford him their patronage.]

The Mabinogion.—All admirers of the Literature of Wales

will hear, with delight, that Mr. W. O. Pughe is translating, with a

view to publication, these ancient tales, which form so original

and curious a feature in the interesting remains of the Cymry.

Their appearance in English, accompanied by his illustrations,

cannot fail to prove a valuable accession to the literature of this

country. Mr. Pughe would indeed be performing a national

service, by this publication.

The Gonomv.—Mr. Probert, a native of Wales, residing

at Alnwick in Northumberland, is preparing for the press a

Translation of this celebrated Poem, with copious notes. It will

also be accompanied by a biographical memoir of Aneurin. The

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

work will be published by subscription, and the Author has al

ready experienced a considerable share of patronage. ***

OBITUARY.

September.—Near Exeter, William Hughes, Esq. Capt. R.N.

youngest son of the late James Hughes, Esq. of Carmarthen. He

had proved himself on many occasions a gallant and able officer ;

and a warm heart, and engaging manners had much ingratiated

him with a large circle of friends.—12th. At Coedygawen, near

Ruthin, aged 83, Mrs. Jones, widow of the late Rev. William

Jones, rector of Penmorfa, Caernarvonshire, a lady highly

esteemed and respected.—24th. Gabriel Jeffreys, Esq. Port,

reeve of Swansea, aged 77, who had filled that office four times

with great credit. His funeral took place on the day when his offi

cial duties were to cease.—27th. Mrs. Goodman, ofPorth-hamel, in

Anglesey.—28th. At Talybont, near Narberth, Rev. John Evans,

Curate ofNewton and Llansyvran, for many years a Missionary at

St. John's Newfoundland.—October 4th. At Peckham, Surry,

Rev. Thomas Jones, aged 60, formerly ofMaes, Carmarthenshire, a

gentleman generally distinguished and esteemed for many excellent

qualities, both private and professional. He was the author of

several single Sermons, and also of some Welsh Elegies.—At

Llanbedr, Carnarvonshire, Mr. Owen Shone, aged 97, many

years tenant to Sir John Wynne, grandfather of the present Lord

Newborough. Through the whole of his long life he was remark

able for temperance in his diet.—13th. At Conway, after an illness

of 20 years, William Ellis, Esq. aged 56, Collector of the Customs

at that Port, and brother to the late David Ellis Nanney, Esq, At

torney-General on the North Wales Circuit.—17th. The Rev.

Robert Evans, of Pendre in Bangor, Rector of Llangelynin, Per

petual Curate of Nevin, and a Magistrate of the County of Car

narvon.—20th. At Marazion, in Cornwall, the Rev. Dr. John

Cole, Rector of Exeter College, Oxford, eldest brother of Sir

Christopher Cole, of Penrice Castle, Glamorganshire.—21 st. Row

land Williams, Esq. aged 73, of Hendredenny, near Cardiff, for

many years an upright and active Magistrate of the County

of Glamorgan.—At Bangor, the Rev. Richard Davies, Rector of

Llantrisaint, Anglesey. His very friendly and hospitable qualities

had endeared him to a numerous circle in private life ; and his

extensive knowlege ofthe language and literature ofWales, united

with his acquirements as a general scholar, will long cause his

death to be felt as a public loss. *#*

THE

CAMBBO-BRITON.«

JANUARY, 1820.

^ -

NUIXI QUIDEM MIHI SATIS ERUDITI VIDENTUR, QTJIBUS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicero de Legibus.

WELSH LANGUAGE.

ELEMENTARY ANALYSIS.

It now becomes necessary to enter upon that analytical illus*

tration of the Welsh language, to which allusion was made at

the close of the last Essay *. And, in undertaking this task,

novel as it is in its nature, it is impossible for the writer not to

be aware of the disadvantages, to which he is exposed on the one

hand, and of the danger, which may beset him upon the other.

The disadvantages, which await him, arise from the general

ignorance of the peculiar character of the Welsh tongue. Even

of those, who are most conversant with it, but a very few enter

tain any accurate notion of its elemeritary principles. And,

with respect to all those (and how vast is the number), to whom

our language is wholly unknown, it is hardly possible for them to

conceive any just idea of those characteristics, which no other

modern tongue possesses in any material degree. It is to be

feared, therefore, that prejudice will generally, with these, supply

the place of information, and thus deter them from the examina

tion of those principles, of which they cannot previously have

formed any accurate notion. While the writer has thus to con

tend against undue prepossessions from without, it must not be

disguised, that he has also some danger to apprehend from His

own predilections.

* Cambro-Briton, No. 3. p?85. To justify the importance of this in

quiry it may be allowed again to have recourse to the authority of M. De

Gebelin, who, in his work before cited, observes, that " it is the analysis

of languages, and its relation to nature, that can alone inform us of the

ties, by which they are connected, whether the first language still exists in

them or not, and nhether-they are or are not descended from it."

vol. i. y


To observations, which ourselves do make,

, We grow more partial for th' observer's sake.

Thus it is, that there is always something seductive in a favourite

theory, however rational and well founded. We are exposed

perpetually to the risk of deserting the substance for the shadow,

of forsaking the solid ground of reasoning and argument to

wander in the regions 9f hypothesis and conjecture.

The candid admission, which has just been made, will, per

haps, be received as an earnest of the writer's endeavour to

avoid the danger, to which he has here alluded. If he should be

so fortunate as to escape the Charybdis on the one side, he will

use his best exertion to evade the perilous allurements of the

Scylla upon the other. With this view, in the following attempt

to elucidate, by way of analysis, the elementary character of

the Welsh language, care will be taken not to offer too violent

a shock to the prejudices, which have been above noticed. Yet

at the same time a sufficient number of examples will be selected

to justify, it is hoped, that general view of our native tongue,

wHich was taken in the last Essay with respect to its elementary

principles *.

The very vowels, it has already been observed, possess in the

Welsh language certain appropriate significations, which they not

only evince in their individual and independent character, but

retain on various occasions, to a greater or less degree, when asso

ciated with other powers either as prefixes or affixes. Thus a

implies abstractedly action, motion, or continuity ; and whatever

functions it performs in speech, whether separately or in its most

simple combinations, have had their origin in this primary idea.

Hence it is employed to represent those various particles, either

conjunctions, prepositions, or pronouns, which denote the pre

sence or accompaniment of an object ; and it is also frequently

used as an augmentative prefix. On the same principle it sig

nifies the verb to go in one of its tenses, as e a, he is going

or will go f, and in which its abstract signification is unequivo-

* On this subject, Humphrey Prichard, in his excellent Preface to Dr. J.

D. Rhys's Grammar, has the following observation :—" Hxc nostra Cam-

brobrytannica adeo est (ut dicam) aboiiginata, vtt nulla alia lingua primi-

tiva tanquam sibi fundamento et parente uti videatur."

f It may be proper to remark here, although the subject will come under

regular discussion hereafter, that one of the points of resemblance between

the Welsh and Hebrew is the defectiveness of the present tense, except in

the case of two or three irregular verbs. The future tense is therefore used

for the present, at in the instance above given.

.


cally retained. In many other instances, which cannot here

conveniently be particularized, it preserves the same idea of

motion or action. And a similar power, it may be remarked,

seems to have belonged to this letter in the Greek tongue, as in

the words a—u always, continually, a.—w to breathe forth, and

in several other words of action or continuity, wherein the predo

minant agency of the letter a may be clearly distinguished *.

A, in Welsh, it may be farther observed, is likewise the com

mon agent of interrogation, as in the following instances, q ei di,

wilt thou go? literally, going, goest thou? pwy a aeth yno? who

went there ? and a wyt ti yma ? art thou here ? A, joined to t, is

also used as a discriminating interrogative, as ai ti a wclais ? was

it thou, that I saw ?

All the other vowels, used in the Welsh language, which are

e, i, o, m, w, y, are capable of a similar illustration. For in

stance, e and o have relation to the past, and i to the future :

while the remaining three are either derivatives or inflexions of

those preceding, the two latter of o, with which they have an

analogy of meaning in denoting motion past, or distant as to

time. W, o, and y are likewise the distinguishing marks of the

three genders, masculine, feminine, and neuter. To illustrate

what has been just said with respect to the peculiar agency of

the vowel w, in representing what is past, the two examples fol

lowing may be adduced. Gwedd means order or match;

gweddw one that is past the state of being matched, or that is

widowed. Gwel is sight ; gwelw a state past vision, or pale.

There are numerous other words, wherein w, by being used as

an affix, has a similar effect on the sense. The three letters e, i,

and o are also used as pronouns, and discharge some other sepa

rate functions : i is a sign of the infinitive mood, and o repre

sents those prepositions, which denote a tendency to proceed

from or out of an object. Y is an article corresponding with the

* Mr. Davies, in his Celtic Researches, p. 546, has the following judicious

observations on the natural affinity between most ancient languages in this

particular, t* The Hebiews and Greeks, the old inhabitants of Italy, and

the Celtic nations were peculiarly careful to distinguish each of their ele

mentary sounds by a descriptive name, or to represent it by some natural

and characteristic object; and names and symbols of each individual power

evidently pointed at the same images in all these languages. From hence

1 infer, that an age, however distant from ours, once existed, in which the

ancestors of these nations had a distinct perception of the force denoted by

each of their primitive sounds, and when they regarded that import as

marked by nature itself."


in English. A few examples, which will be given in the sequel,

will illustrate more clearly the important functions performed by

the vowels in the Welsh tongue. And it may be proper here to

repeat, that their remarkable discrimination of time, action, and

position pervades all their combinations with other elementary

sounds. And, although this quality may be too subtile for com

mon perception in the more complex words, it is plainly discern-,

ible in the simple union of two or three primary articulations.

Thus, to give one example, out of many, of what is here meant,

a, as already observed, denotes, abstractedly, action or continuity,

ta, one of its most simple combinations, the faculty of expanding

or continuing, and tart, composed of ta and an, is the Welsh

word for fire, the most powerful expanding agent in nature.

Such is the principle,—and it may be extended through many

combinations,—upon which the Welsh language is generally con

structed. And it ma.y, perhaps, be safely concluded, that it was

also the manner, in which man originally adapted the elementary

sounds, with which nature had supplied him, to the progressive

increase of his ideas *.

What has just been submitted with respect to the particular,

force of the vowels in the Welsh tongue, as expressive of simple

ideas, may appear to many, for reasons already stated, fanciful

and unsatisfactory. But enough, it is hoped, has been said to

produce a general conviction, that the feature, thus claimed for

the language of Wales, is unknown, in the same degree, to all

others in Europe. In these latter, unquestionably, the vowels

have important parts to perform ; but in none do they retain so

obviously that distinct and individual character, which they pos

sess in the Welsh tongue, and which must have been singularly

observable in the original speech of mankind. Yet, as these

vowel sounds form the most natural and consequently the most

subtile elements of human articulation, we cannot wonder to find,

* In a recent Publication, entitled Obscervations introductory to a Work on

English Etymology, there are, amongst some matter of an exceptionable

character, a few very appropriate remarks on radical or elementary sounds.

The following, in particular, deserves to be here quoted :—" Radical words,

like all primitive faculties, aie few in number, and simple; but, commen-

surately with the piogress of human attainments, their combinations admit

of unlimited extension. It is thus in some degree with the modulations of

music. The gamut contains only seven fundamental notes ; and yet on

this confined scale depend the whole powers o1 melody and harmony." P. 37.

This very just remark corresponds with one of M. De Gebtliu, given in the

Third Number.


that they have been more exposed than others to the innovating

corruptions of time. Accordingly we perceive this, as already

observed, to be the case even in the language of the Cymry,

although what it still preserves of their primitive functions bears

abundant testimony to the antiquity of its structure *.

From vowels the natural transition is to their most simple

combinations, either as dipthongs or when united to a consonant.

And these form the great mass of those elementary articula

tions, of which a general view was taken in the former Essay.

These sounds, undoubtedly, appertain, in a greater or less pro

portion, to all modern languages ; but in the Welsh alone, or, at

most, in those dialects, which are called Celtic, do they seem to

retain, in any considerable degree, their original properties f.

Thus such simple combinations, as aw, ew, ia, ivy, yw, en, el, yd,

bu, cm, hi, pi, ty are in most tongues wholly insignificant,

while in the Welsh they have not only a precise meaning, when

used independently, but preserve it, for the most part, in the nu

merous words, in which they are incorporated. For instance,

aw, which denotes, abstractedly, what is endued with motion or

fluidity, is accordingly the name for water, the primary repre

sentative of such a principle. And hence it enters into the com

position of many terms, that are physically or morally indicative

of the same quality. Such are, amongst others, awdl, a flowing

of the imagination, or an ode ; aicel, a gale, or current of air ;

awen, poetical genius ; awon, a flowing of waters ; awyr, the

air; alaw\, instrumental music ; anaw, vocal music; cawad, a

* The author of the work, cited in the last note, thus expresses himself

with reference to the primitive functions of vowels :—" The vowels, being

the most simple sounds, were probably first employed in speech, as expres

sive of some disposition, tendency, or procedure, wbich the consonants

served afterwards to accelerate, modify, or arrest." P. 39. —This is pre

cisely the manner, in which they still operate on the general mechanism of

, tie Welsh tongue.

f According to an interesting Comparative Scale, made by Mr. W. O.

Pughe, of the elementary sounds to be found in ancient and modern lan

guages, the English retains only 3S, the German 31, and the French 39.

The Latin he estimates at 45, the Hebrew at 65, the Persian at 122, and

the Arabic at 148 : the Welsh, as before stated, he estimates at 213. But,

with respect to the Hebrew, it should not be forgotten, that its imperfect

remains preclude a satisfactory view of its elementary character. Of the

65 elements, still preserved in it, about 30 have an identity of functions and

signification with those in Welsh. The Arabic has 63, and the Persian 61,

agreeing in the same manner.

% Alaw is also the name of sevcjal rivers in Wales.


shower ; gwlaw, rain ; and iawd, a season. It may likewise be

mentioned, that awg was the ancient, and is still the proper, ter

mination to adjectives denoting the abundance of any particular

quality. Upon the same invariable principle ia, which, in its

abstract sense, is expressive of any thing slippery or apt to

glide, is also the term for ice. lack, by the same rule, is a stem

and a pedigree ; idd, the side of the face ; iden, a sheet of ice ;

and id/, clear, open, and fair. Thus wy implies abstractedly

what is produced, and is likewise the common denomination for an

egg. Hence a variety of words, representative of this general

idea, introduce this sound into their composition, examples of

which may be seen in ivyI, a gushing out or wailing ; wyr, a

grandchild ; i, wy, a stream ; gwydd, young trees or shrubs ; and

rhwy, an excess.

It would be impossible, within the limits, to which this Essay

must be confined, to enumerate all the instances, that may be

adduced of this prominent faculty of the Welsh tongue. Such,

as have been above noticed, may serve to point out the general

rule, which, however, is capable of a very copious and satisfac

tory illustration. For the present it must suffice to remark, that

this characteristic feature forms the basis of that system, upon

which the Welsh tongue is constructed. The combination of its

elements, in so many various ways and to a boundless extent,

becomes an inexhaustible source of energy, copiousness, and

poetical flexibility. Hence too the certainty, with which etymo

logical researches are attended in this language more particularly

than in any other. An accurate knowlege of the principles of

its formation enables us at once to trace its various analogies,

and to detect its most hidden meanings. Thus awen, poetical

genius, u found to signify, literally, a flowing essence, as its

two elements indicate ; and enaid, the soul, is, by the same rule,

discovered to be the essence of life. Nor would it be easy

to find names more philosophically descriptive of their peculiar

qualities. Indeed to the prevalence of this feature, of a nature

so simple, it must be ascribed, that the language is more remark

able for its philosophical accuracy than for any boldness of me

taphorical expression.

It may now be proper to offer some illustration of the functions

performed by the elementary sounds, as was promised in the

earlier part of these observations. In the former Essay on this

subject it was stated, that nearly eighty primary articulations pos

sessed in Welsh an individual and defined sense, independently


of their abstract meaning when employed in composition. The

few examples, that follow, will exemplify that remark, as well at

those others, that have been here offered, and may also supply

no faint notion of the primitive simplicity of the language, to

which they belong.

E a o ei le. He goes out of his plnce.

A ei di i V ty ? Wilt thou go to the house ?

I ba le yr ei de ? To what place wilt thou go ?

Af i do y ty. I will go to the roof of the house.

Ai da i ti, a fo da i mi ? Is it good for thee, that may be

good for me ?

Ti a ei er dij Iw. Thou wilt go for the sake of thy oath.

Cu yw hi i mi ac i ti. Dear is she to me and to thee.

The preceding sounds, it will be acknowleged, are some of the

most simple, that the human voice is capable of pronouncing, and

are, as these instances prove, of daily use in the Welsh tongue, in

which alone perhaps the greatest proportion of them are thus ap

propriated to any distinct ideas. The following passage from

Coll GwTNFa, taken almost at random, will still farther illustrate

the frequent occurrence, in an individual capacity, of such ele

mentary symbols as the foregoing :

" Py waeth pa le, os yr

Un fath wyf fi, ac iawn fy mod, ac oil

Ond llai nag efe taranau a wnaent mwy * ?"

In this extract there are but four and twenty words, and of these

one half are mere elementary sounds, and almost all the re

mainder consist of the simplest and most natural combinations.

Numberless instances might be selected from Coll Gwynfa of

this singular property of the Welsh language.

From what has been now hazarded, however inadequate to the

interesting nature of the subject, it cannot but be apparent, that

there exists in the mechanism of the Welsh tongue much matter

for curious and learned speculation. The remarkable phenomena,

which it displays in its structure, and especially in the foundation,

on which it essentially rests, are of a character to fix the atten-

* Coll Gwynfa, p. 10, 1. 273. The corresponding passage in Eng

lish is,

" What matter where, if I be still the same,

And what I should be, all but less than he,

Whom thunder hath made greater ?"

Paradise Lost, B. i. 1. 258.


tion, and to stimulate the inquiry of the philologist. By a candid

examination of these characteristics he would be led to confess,

that they form a peculiar and prominent feature in the ancient

language of Wales, and one, which no other European tongue,

that does not form a part of the Celtic family, evinces in any

perceptible degree. And, if he should also be of opinion, with

the writer of this essay, that the simple elements, of which he has

spoken, belonged to the original speech of the world, he would

concede to that of the Cymry, as a necessary conclusion, the pu

rity and antiquity, for which its advocates have ever contended.

At least he would not, as some have done, impute its high claims

in this respect either to the reveries of a visionary, or to the illu

sions of an enthusiast.

y

THE TRIADS.—No. V.


xx. The three Primary Tribes of the nation of the Cymry :

the Gwentians, or the men of Essyllwg ; the Gwyndydians, or

the men of Gwynedd and Powys ; and the tribe of Pendaran

Dyved, which comprehend the men of Dyved, and Gwyr, and

Caredigion. • And to each of them belongs a peculiar dialect of

the Welsh.

[Gwent, in its strict application, was the present county of

Monmouth, divided into Uwchgoed and Isgoed, or above the

wood and below the wood, having Caerwent, or Venta Silurum,

for its capital. Essyllwg or Essyllwyr was a more general ap

pellation, and was the Siluria of the Romans —Gwyndyd is ano

ther name for Gwynedd, only varied in the termination, and

used in a more extensive sense, like Venedotia. The Romans

comprehended the Gwyndydians in the more general name of

Ordovices.—Dyved, Gwyr, and Caredigion are Dimetia Proper,

or Pembrokeshire, Gower, and Cardiganshire. Pendaran was a

peculiar title of the Prince of Dyved, and is so used in the

Mabinogion.]

xxI. The three Sovereigns by vote of the Isle of Britain : first,

Caswallawn, the son of Lludd, son of Beli, son of Mynogan.

* Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 61. Tr. 16—SO.


Second, Caradawg, the son of Bran, son of Llyr Llediaith.

Third, Owain, the son of Macsen Wledig : that is, sovereignty-

was assigned to them by the voice of the country and people,

when at the time they were not elders.

[We have the testimony of Caesar, that Cassivellaunus or

Caswallawn was thus elected. See Bell. G.all. l. 5, c. 9.—

Caradawg, here mentioned, was the celebrated Caractacus, who

so gallantly opposed the Roman power in the time of the

Emperor Claudius. Tacitus describes him as one, " quern multa

" ambigua, multa prospera extulerant, ut caeteros Britannorum

" imperatores praemineret."—Annal. 1. 12, c. 33. He is farther

noticed in the Triads as one of the " three good persecutors of

the Isle of Britain," on account of his long and successful annoy

ance of the Romans.—Llediaith, applied in this Triad to Llyr,

implies one of imperfect or barbarous speech, which was proba

bly some peculiarity caused by his intercourse with the Romans.

There may be some doubt, whether Macsen Wledig was Maxi-

mus or Maxentius. His son Owain had a dignified rank in the

British History, but he is not to be found in the Roman.]

xxn. The three Holy Families of the Isle of Britain : the

family of Bran the Blessed, the son of Llyr Llediaith, who was

that Bran, who brought the faith in Christ first into this island

from Rome, where he was in prison, through the treachery of

Aregwedd Voeddawg, the daughter of Avarwy, the son of

Lludd. Second, the family of Cunedda Wledig, which first

granted land and privilege to God and the saints in the Isle of

Britain. The third was Brychan Brycheiniawg, who educated

his children and grand-children in learning and generosity, so as

to enable them to show the faith in Christ to the nation of the

Cymry, where they were without faith.

[Bran was the father of Caradawg or Caractacus, mentioned

in the preceding Triad, and, upon the defeat of his son by the

Roman General Ostorius, he and his family accompanied him as

hostages to Rome. It is not improbable, therefore, that, upon

his return to Britain, he may have had the glory of first intro- >

ducing Christianity into this island. Aregwedd Voeddawg was

the Boadicia of the Romans. She has also been thought to be the

same with Caitismandua, mentioned by Tacitus, as queen of

the Brigantes; but there appears no affinity between the names.

Cunedda was a chieftain of the North Britons, probably during

the fifth century, when he is said to have retired to Wales with

his children, in consequence of the incursions of the Saxons.—

Vol. I. Z


Brychan also lived during the fifth century, and was one of the

supreme sovereigns of Ireland. He came with his family to Wales,

and settled in Garth Madryn, which from him was afterwards

called Brycheiniawg, whence the name of the present Brecnock-

shire. His children are said to have been four-and-twenty in

number: he died about A. D. 450.]

xxih. The three Guests of Benign Presence of the Isle of Bri

tain : Dewi, Padarn, and Teilaw. They were so called, because

they went as guests into the houses of the noble, the yeoman, the

native and the stranger, without accepting either gift, or reward,

or victuals, or drink ; but what they did was the teaching of the

faith in Christ to every one, without pay or thanks ; besides, to

the poor and the needy they gave gifts of their gold and their

silver, their raiment and their provisions.

[Dewi, mentioned in this Triad, is the same personage with the

celebrated St. David, though many particulars are introduced into

the popular account of the Saint, which do not belong to the ge

nuine history. From this, as we find it in the Cambrian Biogra

phy, it appears, that St David, who lived in the fifth century,

was a native of Pembrokeshire, and the son of Sandde ab Cedig

ab Caredig, son of Cunedda Wledig, ofwhom some account has

just been given. St. David was originally Bishop of Caerlleon in

Gwent or Monmouthshire, at that time the metropolitan church of

Wales, a distinction, which, from his interest with Arthur, Sove

reign ofBritain, he procured to be transferred to Mynyw, since

called, from him, Ty Dewi, and, in English, St. David's, to which

place he accordingly removed. St. David is celebrated for having,

about the year 522, in a full Synod, held at Llan Dewi Brevi, in

Cardiganshire, confuted the Pelagian Heresy, at that time pre

valent in the country *, He is said to have died at a patriarchal

age about the year 542, after having exercised his spiritual func

tions for 65 years. And he is described as having united to ex

traordinary knowlege a great share ofpersonal accomplishments f.

He was the founder of several churches in South Wales; where

there ar» nineteen, that were originally dedicated to this Saint,

besides those, that have, in later times, adopted his name. St.

David is farther recorded in the Triads as Primate of the Welsh

Church during the sovereignty of Arthur, and also as one of the

* See Camden's Britannia, Gibson's Edition, p. 641—643.

f See the " History of Pembrokeshire," in the Cambrian Register,

vol. ii. p. 203.


three canonized Saints of Britain.—Padarn and Teilaw were also

Bishops and cotemporaries of St. David, and, with him, have ever

been considered as among the most distinguished Saints of Wales.

There are several churches in South Wales dedicated to both of

them. Padarn, who came over from Llydaw (Armorica) with

Cadvan, first instituted the collegiate church of Llanbadarn Vawr ;

and Teilaw was the founder of the college of Llandav, afterwards

converted into a Bishoprick, and which the Welsh still call

" Esgobaeth Teilo."]

xxrv. The three Treacherous Meetings of the Isle of Britain.

The meeting of Avarwy, the son of Lludd, with the disloyal

men, who gave space for landing to the men of Rome in the

Narrow Green Point, and not more, and the consequence of which

was the gaining of the Isle of Britain by the men of Rome. Se

cond, the meeting of the principal men of the Cymry and the

Saxon claimants on the mountain of Caer Caradawg, where the

Plot of the Long Knives took place, through the treachery of

Gwrtheyrn Gwrthenau ; that is, through his counsel, in league

with the Saxons, the nobility of the Cymry were nearly all slain

there. Third, the meeting of Medrawd and Iddawg Corn Pryd-

ain with their men in Nanhwynain, where they plotted treachery

against Arthur, and consequently strength to the Saxons in the

Isle of Britain.

[The first event, recorded in this Triad, is confirmed in a sin

gular manner by Caesar, in the account he gives of his second

landing on this island. The Narrow Green Point, here mentioned,

was in the Isle of Thanet. Caesar indeed attributes the want of

opposition, which he experienced on this occasion, to the fear ex

cited by the multitude of his vessels and the formidable character

of his armament * ; but it is quite as probable, that it was owing to

such a cause, as is commemorated in this Triad. Avarwy, or

Avarddwy Bras, as he was also called, was, no doubt, thatMandti-

bratius, a chief of the Trinobantes, whom Caesar expressly notices

as having deseued the Britons and come over to him in Gaul

some time before his second invasion, a circumstance that well

accords with the narration here given of his treacherous conduct.

The cause, assigned by the Roman historian for this act of Man-

dubratius, is the murder of his father by Caswallawn or Cassivel-

launus f. Avarwy is also recorded in the Triads as one of the

three disgraceful men of Britain.—The Plot of the Long Knives,

* Pell. Ga!l. 1. 5. c. 8. f W. ibid.


or Ttcyll y Cyllyll Hirion, to which allusion is here made, is suf

ficiently known from other sources. It took place about the year

472, when Hengist, having invited the British chiefs to a confe

rence on Salisbury Plain, caused them all to be treacherously as

sassinated. This sanguinary deed is generally supposed to have

been perpetrated within or near the celebrated structure of Stone-

henge. Cuhelyn, a bard of the sixth century, is said to have writ

ten a poem expressly on Hengist's Massacre : and Taliesin has

been thought to allude to it in his Song on the Sons of Llyr *. A

custom is still retained in Wales of kindling fires ( Coelcerthi) on

November eve as a traditional memorial of this plot, though the

practice is of older date, and had reference originally to the Albert

Elved, or New Year. And it may have been at the celebration

of this festival, or of some similar one, that Hengist's treacherous

assembly was holden f.—Medrawd, who lived in the sixth cen

tury, is recorded in several Triads for this act of baseness. It

was his usurpation of the sovereign power in the time of Arthur,

and his confederacy with the Saxons, that occasioned the battle

of Camlan, in 542. Iddawg Corn Prydain, who conspired with

Medrawd in this treacherous action, afterwards embraced a reli

gious life ; and his name is to be seen in the Catalogue of thtt

Welsh Saints t.]

TRIADS OF WISDOM || .

xxxi- Three things which contribute to form a right judgment

and a just judge : study, forbearance, and comprehension of

what is under investigation.

xxxiI. The three characteristics of wisdom : prudence, equity,

and tranquillity derived from amenity.

xxxm. The three primary qualities of goodness : to speak the

truth, in spite of every thing, to love every good, and to suffer

with fortitude for all truth and all good.

xxxiv. Three things, for which there needs be no concern

that they shall not be obtained by loving what is right in every

thing and by doing it : love, fame, and wealth.

xxxv. From three things proceeds art: understanding, me

mory, and practice.

* Arch, of Wales, vol. i. p. 66.

.). In the Chronicle of Tysilio the Conference is said to have taken place

on May-Day, which was the time of the great Druidical Meeting.

J See Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 45, where he is called lddew.

|| Arch, of Wales, vol. iii. p. SOS. •


xxxvI. Three things which express better than the tongue

what is in a man : his hand, his eye, and his anxiety.

-xxxviI. Three things very proper to be possessed of before

the uttering of what may be false : a strong faculty of sense to

invent, good memory to guard against the contradicting of what

has been said beforehand, and a simpleton to listen to what may

be uttered.

xxxvhI. There are three awkward things, which, when seen,

render every thing else awkward in body and mind : the foot,

the hand, and the tongue.

xxxix. Three things which accompany every good, that shall

be done : worldly emolument, respect and honour from the wise,

and joy of conscience.

xl. The three branches of the duty of man : devotion towards

God, benevolence to his fellow-creature, and the improvement

of sciences.

WELSH MUSIC—No. 1Y.


Sir,—I come now to one of the most popular airs in Wales,

namely, " Codiad yr Hedydd," or The Rising of the Lark.—

This is the melody, which the great Haydn admired so much.

More stanzas have been written to this tune, perhaps, than to

any other. Some, in praise of the fair maids of Merionethshire,

are exceedingly beautiful, many of which may be found in

Jones's Relics of the Bards. The mode of singing them with the

harp is peculiar :—the minstrel plays two bars, or measures of

the airs, when the singer takes the subject up and sings two

lines ;—the first strain is repeated, and two lines more are sung,

then the whole of the second part is sung, which takes up six

lines.—The following imitation of Welsh rhythm will give the

English reader an idea of the style of these stanzas :—

" Fair Cambria mourns the happy days *,

When bardic lays inspired,

When minstrels struck the trembling strings,

And noble kings admired ;

* The laudable exertions of the Noblemen and Gentlemen of the Prin

cipality, iu forming Societies for the promotion of Welsh Literature, will

jaaake Cambria smile again.

174 THE CAMBRO-BRITOtf.

And heroes bold, of ancient blood,

For Cambria's good expired I"

The melody, next in rotation, is one of the most plaintive

strains, that was ever composed, " Dafydd y Gareg Wen," or

David of the White Stone House.—This air is in a minor key,

and the tradition is, that a Bard of this name, being on his death

bed, called for his harp and composed it, and he desired it might

be performed at his funeral. The words in the selection before

me commence thus :—

" Sweet solace of my dying hour,

• ' Ere yet my arm forget its pow'r,

Give to my fault'-ring hand my shell,

One strain to bid the world farewel."

A languid variation in common time follows the melody (which

is in J time,) with the most beautiful effect, and which no lover

of national simplicity can hear without being affected.

" Blodau'r Griig," The Flowers of the Heath, is a very lively

tune, with a great deal of character about it ; yet it is but rarely

sung in Wales, owing, I imagine, to the measure not being well

adapted to the Pennillion. The melody however is very pretty,

and calculated to please the general hearer.

" Rhyfelgyrch Cadpen Morgan," Captain Morgan's March. •

This is a fine bold air, and greatly admired, both in England

and Wales. The following lines, with a little alteration as to

name, &c. may be applied with great propriety to the founders

of the Cambrian Society.

" But now a Prince ascends the throne,

Who makes the Bardic cause his own ;

A thousand harps in concert rise,

And Tudor's name salutes the skies."

Fide Welsh Melodies, p. 24.

A song, to this air, written in Welsh by the author of this

article, in praise of the Welsh Charity School, was sung at the

festivals on St. David's Day, 1803 and 1804, accompanied by

the Band of the Royal Denbighshire Militia.

" Y Stwffwl," The Door Clapper. I am sorry, that such a

sweet air, as this is, should have such an unmusical name. It is

called in many parts of Wales The withered Leaf. The words

in this selection commence thus :

" Sure form of frail beauty that bloom'd for a while,

And bade for a season the green forest smile :


Ah ! well may'st thou shrink from the pitiless blast,

And pine for the days that forever are past."

I reman your humble servant,

Dec. 8, 1819. John Parry.

P. S. I take this opportunity to observe, that the original

Welsh name of the popular air, called " Of noble Race was

Shenkin," is " Y Gadlys," or The Camp Palace.

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER VI.

Bishop Percy to the Rev. Evan Evans ; dated Easton Maudit,

October 15, 1761.

Rev. Sir,—That I have so long defer'd answering your very

obliging letter has been altogether owing to the following cause.

I proposed sending you a Saxon ode, accompanied with a Latin

literal and an English free version ; the former done by my very

learned friend Mr. Lye, from out of whose curious collections I

transcribed both it and the original. But, having left it with him

to give it a revise, he has unfortunately mislaid both the original

and copy, so that, although he has for this month past occasionally

endeavour'd to recover them, he has not been able to succeed.

As soon as they emerge from the immense ocean of his papers,

you may depend upon receiving this curious specimen of Saxon

poetry. In the mean time I would not defer any longer returning

you thanks for the curious and valuable contents of your letter. I

admire your Welsh ode very much ; it contains a large portion of

the sublime. The images are very bold and animated, and poured

forth with such rapidity, as argues an uncommon warmth of ima

gination in the bard, whose mind seems to have been so filled with

his subject, and the several scenes of the war appear to have

so crowded in upon him, that he has not leisure to mark the tran

sitions with that cool accuracy, which a feebler genius would have

been careful to have done. It is one continued fiery torrent of

poetic flame, which, like the eruptions of .ffitna, bears down all

opposition *.

* This Ode is one of those addressed by Gwalchmai to Owain Gwynedd,

and is more remarkable for the character beie given it, than any other

perhaps to be found in any language. It is printed in the Arch, of Wales,

vol. i. p. 167.—Ed.


You must pardon me if I think your critical friend quite mis

taken in his remarks on this ode. He confounds two species of

poetry as distinct and different as black and white. Epic poetry

delights in circumstance, and it is only in proportion as it is cir

cumstantial that it has merit ; the very essence of it (as its name

implies) is narration. So a narrative, devoid of all circumstances,

must be very jejune, confused, and unsatisfactory. But here lies

the great art of the epic poet,—that he can be minute and cir

cumstantial without descending from the sublime, or exciting other,

than grand and noble ideas. Thus, when Homer describes the

stone, which Diomede threw at jEneas, had he only told us in ge

neral terms, that it was a large stone,

———— O Ss %£pfJ.OL$lOV Ast?£ Xe'Pl

i '"' TvSnSrjc, p-eya spyov,

had he stopped here, as many an inferior poet would have done,

should we have had so great an idea of the hero's strength or vi

gour, as when he adds the following particular and striking cir

cumstances ?

O ov Suoj y avSpe Qspoiev,

Oioi yvv Pporot ettr. o Ss jxiv psa rfixXXs xcct owe

Iliad E. l. 304.

On the other hand, it is the essence of ode to neglect circum

stance, being more confin'd in its plan, and having the sublime

equally for its object. In order to attain this, it is obliged to deal

in general terms, to give only such hints as will forcibly strike the

imagination, from which we may infer the particulars ourselves. It

is no demerit or disparagement in your bard to have neglected the

minute circumstances of the battle, because it would have been

impossible for him to have described them within the narrow limits

of his ode. Here lies his great merit, that the hints, he drops, and

the images, he throws out, supply the absence of a more minute

detail, and excite as grand ideas as the best description could have

done. And so fer I agree with your critical friend, that no poet

ever hit upon a grander image than that of " A Menai heb drai o

drallamc," &c., nor could take a nobler method to excite our

admiration at the prodigious cause of so amazing an effect. So

much for criticism.

Soon after I received your letter I was down at Cambridge,

where I had the good fortune to meet with Mr. Gray, the poet,

and spent an afternoon with him at his chambers. Our discourse

turned on you and the Welsh poetry : I shewed him your letter,


and he desired leave to transcribe the passage relating to King

Edward's massacre of the Welsh bards. All the authority he had

before, it seems, was only a short hint in Carte's history : he

seemed very glad of this authentic extract *. We both join'd in

wishing a speedy conclusion to your historical labours, that you

might be at leisure to enter upon this far more noble field of an

cient British poetry. Excuse me if I think the recovery of par

ticular facts from oblivion, any further than as they contribute to

throw light upon compositions, not half of so much consequence to

the world, as to recover the compositions themselves.

Your nation and ours are now happily consolidated in one firm

indissoluble mass, and it is of very little importance, whether

Llewelyn or Edward had the advantage in such a particular

encounter. At least very few (even learned and inquisitive

readers) will interest themselves in such an enquiry,—whereas

the productions of genius, let them come from what quarter they

will, are sure to attract the attention of all. Every reader of

taste, of whatever country or faction, listens with pleasure, and

forms a higher or meaner opinion of any people, in proportion

as they are affected by this exertion of their intellectual powers.

To give an instance, that is parallel to your own case, the Danes

and Swedes have, for this century past, been rescuing their ancient

writings from oblivion ; they have printed off their Icelandic His

tories, and collected what they could of their ancient Runic

Poems f. The latter have attracted the attention of all Europe ;

while the former are no otherwise regarded, than as they contri

bute to throw light on the latter. A very celebrated Frenchman

has lately translated some curious specimens of them into his own

language ; and Mr. Dodsley will soon print a curious Spicilegium

of the same kind in English, of which I will procure a copy and

send you when printed off. But who will be at the pains (except

a few northern antiquaries) to give a careful perusal to the other ?

I have this moment a voluminous corpus of them (lately borrowed)

before me. Even curious and inquisitive, as you are yourself,

into historical facts, let me ask you if you would be willing to

read 800 pages folio, in a barbarous literal Latin version, con-

the exploits of King Haquin Sarli ; the mighty achieve-

'"ihoi-finne Harlecefni, and of twenty other valiant bar-

# See note on p. 135 of the list Number of the Cambro-Britox.—TCd.

•f- The Icelandic Language, i e. the language, preserved still in Iceland,

is the mother of the Swedish and Danish tongue, just as the Saxon is of

the English. The Icelandic Poems are called Runic, from the particular

metre and characters in which they were written.

Vol, I, 2 A


barians ? Yet, when you come to read the native undenied poetic

descriptions of the ancient Runic Bards, their forcible images,

their strong paintings, their curious display of ancient manners,

I defy the most torpid reader not to be animated and affected ;

and then we are content to make some enquiry after the history

of these savage heroes, that we may understand the songs, of

which they are the subjects. In like manner, with regard to

your own Owain Gwynedd, without intending the least disre

spect to so valiant a prince, I believe few readers will desire to

know any further of his histdry, than as it will serve for a com

ment to Gwalchmai's very sublime and animated Ode *. After all,

I would not have any historical monuments perish, or be totally

neglected. They may come into use upon a thousand occasions,

that we can not at present foresee, and therefore I am glad, that

the northern nations have been careful to secure even the above

(to us uninteresting) narratives from destruction. And I should

be very glad to have the same care taken of those of the ancient

Britons. But I think the first care is due to these noble remains

of ancient genius, which are in so much greater danger of perish

ing, because so much harder to be understood.

How strongly is our curiosity excited by the mention you make

(in your letter to Mr. Williams,) of the Epic Poem, written in

A.D. 578 f, and the other works of Aneurin Gwawdrydd. What

a noble field for literary application to rescue such a fine monu

ment of antiquity from oblivion; to which every revolving year

of delay will most certainly consign it, till it is lost for ever !

Htc Labor, hoc opus. I hope, Dear Sir, you will take in good

part the freedom, with which I have ventured to advise you on a

subject, of which you are so much a better judge than myself;

but my zeal, though it may be blind, is well meant. I would

fain excite you to direct that application, which you so laudably

bestow on your ancient language, in such a manner as may be

most profitable to yourself, and most reputable to your country.

Macpherson goes on furiously in picking up subscriptions for

his proposed Translation of the ancient Epic Poem in the Erse

Language; though hardly one reader in ten believes the speci

mens produced to be genuine. Much greater attention would be

due to an editor, who rescues the original itself from oblivion,

and fixes its meaning by an accurate version. I entirely agree

with you, that a Latin version, as literal as possible, should aceona-

i * Thi« remark cannot be supposed to apply to Welshmen, who take any

interest in the past fame of their country.—Vo.

f See Camsro-Biutom, Ko. 3, p. 93.—Ed.

i


pany such ancient pieces, but then I would also have you subjoin

at the same time a liberal 'English translation. By this means your

book will take in all readers, both the learned and the superficial.

This method of publication has been attended with great success

among the northern nations, where all their Runic Pieces have

been confronted both with a literal version in Latin, and a more

spirited one in the modern languages either of Sweden or Den

mark. Were you to endeavour to collect into a corpus all the

remains of your ancient poetry, and print it by subscription

begun among your own countrymen, and warmly recommended

by them to us,, it would certainly pay well, and be a very valu

able present to the public ; but then you ought to send forth a

few select pieces into the world, previous to such an undertaking,

to bespeak the good opinion of mankind, and this, whenever

you please to execute it, shall be attended with my warmest

services. In the mean time I hope you will continue to favour

me with specimens of your ancient poetry as often as your

leisure will permit ; and, if any thing else that is curious should

occur in the course of your studies, you will confer a great plea

sure by imparting it to,

Dear Sir, your very faithful and obedient servant,

Thomas Percy.

N. B. I shall defer sending a specimen of Runic Poetry till I

send you the whole collection printed, which you may depend

on. May I hope to see your Latin Essay on British Poetry ?


—»e*—


[Continued from the last Number.']

Population and Parochial Concerns.—There are few

parts of North Wales more populous than the parish of Mold.

Abounding, as it does, in mineral works, and containing besides

several manufactories, it necessarily provides considerable em

ployment for the labouring classes. According to the estimate,

made under the Population Act in 1811, the number of houses

in this parish, including the chapel ries of Nerquis andTreuddyn,

amounted to 1209, and the population to G059. And since

that period, it is probable, a considerable increase has taken

place. The following is a comparative scale of the number of

births and deaths in the parish during the three under-mentioned


years, and by which it will be seen, that the former have ex

ceeded the latter by an average of more more than one hundred

in every year :—

1816. 1817. 1818. Total

Births . . . 228 215 227 670

Deaths . . . 132 92 139 363

96 123 88 307*

The superintendence of the poor in the eleven townhips, that

constitute the parish independently of Nerquis and Treuddyn, is

committed to a General Overseer, whose weekly list at this time

contains about 210 paupers, besides those occasionally relieved,

to the average of 200 more. In Nerquis, which is also under the

management of a General Overseer, the regular list is about 25,

and the occasional poor about 18 : in Treuddyn the correspond

ing numbers are 32 and 20. Thus all the paupers, regularly and

occasionally relieved within the parish, are about five hundred. To

support these the annual rates, now levied upon the respective por

tions of the parish, are as underneath: Mold about £2,600,

Nerquis ,£375, and Treuddyn '£447, making an aggregate of

more than three thousand four hundred pounds. In 1803 the

poor-rates of this parish did not amount to two thousand pounds,

which shews an increase of fifteen hundred pounds in somewhat

more than fifteen years. This augmentation may be ascribed, in

part, to the general distress of the period, to which it refers, and m

part, perhaps, to tlie decrease of employment for the poor during

the latter portion of that period, and especially in the mineral

works.—There are two endowed schools in this parish, one in the

town of Mold, and the other in Nerquis. The Rev. Evan Jones,

officiating Curate ofTreuddyn, is at present Master of the former,

the endowment of which is c£19 7*. 6d. The Bishop of St. Asaph

and the Vicar of Mold are the Trustees. The annuai salary, at

tached to the school at Nerquis, is '£25 ; and Sir W. W. Wynn

and the Rev. H. W. Eyton are Trustees.

Natural History.—The climate of this parish may be con

sidered in general salubrious, if any inference can be drawn on

the subject from the disproportion between the births and burials

* From 16 IS to 1622 inclusive, a space of five years, the average annual

excess of the births over the burials in this parish was qnly 16. From 1718

to 1727, a period of tea years, the same excess was no more than one. But,

from 17S7 to 1796, also ten years, this disproportion had increased to 57.

During this latter period the population Of this' parish was about 3650.

THE CA.UBRO-BRITON. 181

above noticed. And some farther proof of this fact may be de

duced from several instances of longevity, to be found in the Re

gisters*. However, the air is, for the most part, cold and keen,

and especially towards the north and west, which may be owing

to the more bleak and exposed situation, particularly from a defi

ciency of woodland, of those sides of the parish when compared

with the other parts of it.—In the Natural History of this parish its

mineral features occupy a prominent place. The surface is, in a

great degree, calcareous, a limestone range running through the

whole of the western part of the parish. The mineral products, in

which it chiefly abounds, are lead and coal, of which a more parti

cular account will be given in speaking of the mines now worked.

It may suffice to say here, in general terms, that the western and

northern districts appear to be strongly impregnated with lead

ore, imbedded, for the .most part, in limestone or chert. A north

vein ofgalcena, or potters' ore, as it is usually called, runs through

this parish, the nature of which is to break through every other

vein in its course, without being itself deranged by any. On this

account miners have given it the familiar and characteristic ap

pellation of gallop-hell vein. Coal is found in great abundance

in the eastern and southern parts of the parish, and in the latter

that description of it, which is called cannel. Mr. Edward Llwyd,

in his " Additions to Flintshire" in Camden's Britannia f, give*

an account of some curious fossil plants or mineral leaves, that

were discovered about a century ago, in digging a coal pit in the

township of Leeswood. They were found in the black slate or

slag, which immediately covers the coal ; and Mr. Llwyd observes,

that, " when such mock plants were found, miners were apt to

conclude the coal not far off." The same learned naturalist and

antiquary, in a letter addressed to Dr. R. Richardson, dated

Denbigh, July 3, 1699, communicates some interesting particu

lars of a bed of muscles discovered in this parish. The following

is the account in the writer's own words :—" Nothing has of late

occurred to us equal to those notable observations in yours.

At Holywell they assured me, that about twenty years since

some miners had found a living toad in a solid lump of ore ;

and a few miles further a Derbyshire man, who knew nothing

* From the 9th Jannar}' 1736 to the 15th February following ten personi

were buried, whose ages, united, amounted to 75.5, an average of seventy-

five years and a half.

f Gibson's Edition, p. 692,


of this, gave me the like relation of one found in his country.

There was a small cavity of water in that in Flintshire, and

it lived bat a very short time after it came to the air. But I

have one relation of the like nature to communicate, which

is, for aught I know, unparalleled in history. Some workmen,

on the 2?th of May last, digging the foundation of a building, at

two feet deep met with some muscles, which were not only exactly

agreeable 'to those of the sea, as to colour, &c. but being opened,

they found them full of liquor, and the animals alive and fresh in

them. The place, where they were found, was an ordinary dry

gravel near Mold in Flintshire, a small town, distant from the sea

about six miles. Having heard of it, I made what speed I could

to the place, and dug about a foot deeper, but could discover no

snch thing, so, that all, I could do, was only to get the three

workmen present to attest the relation by subscribing their marks,

&c., and they are all very willing to make their oath of it if re

quired *."—Mr. Llwyd proceeds afterwards to defend the pro

bability of this occurrence, and contends, that the muscles might

have been bred in this gravel in the same manner as at sea.—

The only considerable river in this parish is the Alyn, which

takes its rise in Llanarmon, in Denbighshire, about six miles from

the town of Mold, waters the parish on the west, north, and

east, and, after dividing the counties of Flint and Denbigh,

discharges itself into the Dee not far from Marford. A singular

phenomenon, relating to this river, is its disappearance under

ground on the confines of the parish for the distance of about a

mile and a half. In one third of its hidden course it divides the

parish from Llanferres, and, in the remainder, from Cilcen. This

subterraneous stream is supposed to have had a very injurious

effect on the working of some mines in the neighbourhood f.—

The Terrig, which runs through the lower part of this parish, is

remarkable for the rapidity, with which it overflows its banks when

swollen by any sudden accession of rain or snow water. Although

ordinarily no more than a brook, it assumes, on such occasions, the

* The original letter, from which this passage is extracted, is preserved in

the British Museum.

f There are two or three rivers in Wales, that take the name of Tvirch or

Mole probably from some such circumstance, as that above related of

the Alyn. The classical reader will also he reminded of the Arethusa,

which, disappearing in Ells, rose again, according to the mythological ac

count, in the Island of Ortygia, in the Bay of Syracuse. See (htul, 4Ue/.

L 5, fab. 10.


appearance of a large river, inundating, in its course, all the mea

dows in its vicinity, and proving, in harvest time, too often ruinous

to the hopes of the farmer. From the violence of its current it

has obtained the name of Terrig.—In conclusion of this head it

may be mentioned, that within the township of Nerquis there is a

chalybeate spring, which is possessed of very strong mineral pro

perties.

Agriculture and Planting.—It would be difficult to assign

any general character to the agricultural features of this parish.

Tillage in this as in other mining districts has, perhaps, expe

rienced some neglect, although the observation is, by no means, to

be taken in an universal sense. In some parts of the parish, and

particularly in the immediate neighbourhood of the town, the more

favourable nature of the soil has occasioned several exceptions

to this general remark. Experimental farming has been adopted

to a partial extent, both with respect to tillage and breeding, and,

no doubt, with as much success as it commonly produces. Pas

turage may, perhaps, be considered as a prevailing characteristic

of this parish. There are several large farms,—and Gwysaney

may particularly be mentioned,—where cheese is made in great

quantities for the Chester and Liverpool markets. Yet it may

reasonably be doubted whether the quality of the soil and grass is,

in all cases, propitious to the practice. But, be the present state

of agriculture what it may, there can be little doubt of its

receiving a new and beneficial impulse from the Agricultural

Society recently established in the county, provided indeed that

its members do not afford that encouragement to the forcing sys

tem, both with respect to land and cattle, which has, in many

instances, made the utility of such Societies extremely proble

matical.—In the year 1792 an Act was passed for enclosing four

thousand acres of common land in this parish, the allotments of

which were sold at from five to eight pounds per acre. The

greatest part of this waste has since been brought into cultivation,

or converted to the purposes of planting. In the year 1796 the

crops were sold on some of these allotments at a price, per acre,

of from ten to eleven guineas.—When Mr. Champneys disposed

of his estate in this parish, about fifteen years ago, it was gene

rally sold in small lots, whereby a considerable number of mode

rate freeholds were created, and the convenience and prosperity of

their new owners, no doubt, very materially consulted.—Since the

inclosure of the waste lands considerable attention has been paid

here to planting by one or two spirited individuals. The exten


sive plantations of Dr. Thackeray, of Chester, deserve particular

notice. He has devoted, in this parish alone, to the planting of

forest trees 159 a. 2 r. 28 p., for which, in conjunction with si

milar patriotic exertions in the counties of Merioneth and Den

bigh, he l as received, at different times, three gold medals from

the London Society " for the encouragement of Arts, Manufac

tures, and Commerce." There is something in the liberal exam

ple, here set to the land-proprietors of Wales, that, while it invites

imitation from the usefulness of its object, acquires an additional

value from the rarity of its occurrence*.

*#* [7o be continued.]

SKETCHES OF SOCIETY.

GWYLLIAID COCHION MAWDDWY ; or THE RED

HEADED BANDITTI OF MAWDDWY.

In the neighbourhood of Dinas Mawddwy, in Merionethshire,

there existed, about the middle of the sixteenth century, a nu

merous horde of robbers, known by the names of " The Red

headed Banditti of Mawddwy," and " The Banditti of the Black

Wood." This horde consisted of a great number of rogues and

profligates from all parts of the kingdom; and so formidable

were they considered, that their depredations were scarcely re-

sistedi and the neighbourhood of their residence was deserted by

all its former inhabitants f.

It would seem, from the stories related of these desperadoes,

that they were an organized body, subordinate to a chief or

leader, and that they acted in every respect in concert with each

other. Not contented with the robbery of the passing traveller,

they levied contributions on the estates of the gentlemen around

them, and drove away whole herds of cattle at noon-day to their

haunts in the woods and mountains above Dinas Mawddwy. Like

the Italian banditti of the present day, a person once in their pos-

* Dr. Thackeray purchased last year in the neighbouring parish of Llan-

armon between 200 and 300 acres of connnou land, which he designs im

mediately to appropriate to the same laudable use.

f Such was the dread the inhabitants experienced of these marauders,

that they actually fixed scythes and other instruments in their chimneys

(some of which art still to be seen), to prevent the descent of these daring

ruffians.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. - 185

session was not liberated without an exorbitant ransom. The

circumstance, which led to their total subversion, displays their

boldness and cruelty in a strong light.

It appears, that the enormities of the Gwylliaid Cochion

Mawddwy had arrived at such a pitch, as to render necessary the

interposition of the most rigorous measures. For this purpose a

commission was granted to John Wynn ab Meredydd, of Gwydir,

and Lewis Owen, Vice-chamberlain of North Wales and one of

the Welsh Exchequer Barons. These two gentlemen raised a

company of men, and on Christmas eve, 1554, succeeded in se

curing, after considerable resistance, nearly a hundred of the rob

bers, on whom they inflicted summary vengeance, hanging them

on the spot, and, as their commission authorised, without any pre

vious trial *.

But there still remained a great body of these outlaws un

broken ; and they resolved to revenge the death of so many of

their gallant comrades. An opportunity soon occurred for the

execution of their plan. They learnt, that Baron Owen would

pass through a wood near their haunts, on his way to the Mont

gomeryshire Assizes ; and they determined to lie in wait for him.

They had previously ascertained the strength of his Lordship's

train, whieh consisted of his kinsman, John Lloyd, and six or se

ven attendants. To render their vengeance still more secure, the

robbers had cut down several trees, and placed them in the road,

so as to block up the passage f. As soon, therefore, as the Baron

came in sight of this fortification, his attendants rode forward, for

the purpose of removing it ; but they were received with a shower

of arrows t, which obliged them to desist, and they immediately

fled, " tarrying no further parlance " with an enemy so terrible.

The banditti now rushed from their hiding places, and attacked

the Baron and his relation on every side. They defended them

selves to the last, and their bodies were found in the road, pierced

with numerous wounds. An act so flagrant called loudly for re-

* There i« a tradition extant, which relates, that the mother of a young

man, who was executed on this occasion, earnestly besought the Baron to

spare his life j but her supplications were refused.—" Then," exclaimed

the enraged mother baring her bosom, " these breasts have nourished

those, who will revenge my sen and wash their hands in the blood of their

kinsman's murderers !"

f This part of the wood is still known by the name of " Llidiart y Barton,"

or the Barou's Gate.

{ The arms of these banditti seem to have been swords, bows and arrow t,

and daggers.

VOL. I. 2 B


taliation. The most rigorous justice ensued ; and the horde of des

peradoes, who had kept this part of the country so long under con

tribution, were radically extirpated. Many were taken, and suf

fered the penalty of their crimes by the hands of the executioner ;

and others fled the country, and were seen no more.

MARGARET VERCH EVAN.

Of all the females, modern Wales has produced, of a surety

Margaret Verch Evan, who flourished about eight-and-twenty

years ago, near Llanberis, in Caernarvonshire, is the most extra

ordinary. In point of accomplishments, and their practical utility,

few, if any, of the fair sex have excelled this celebrated Cambrian

damsel.

Passionately fond of the joys of the chace, in her cottage were

to be found at all times a selection of the best thorough-bred dogs

in the Principality ; and her selection was not limited to one spe

cies. Greyhounds, beagles, foxhounds, terriers, and even curs of

low degree were to be seen frisking about the cottage, which Mar

garet occupied ; and the gossips of Llanberis affirm to this day,

that she made a more desperate havoc among the hares and foxes

than all the confederate hunts did together. Nor were Megan's

qualifications confined to her dexterity and hardihood as a hunt

ress. She managed a boat with admirable facility ; she could play

on the harp and on the fiddle ; she made shoes, built and repair

ed boats, shod horses, and, at the age of seventy, was the best

wrestler in the county. What will my fair countrywomen say to

this ?

This amazon died, about eight-and-twenty years ago, at the

advanced age of ninety-two, a wonderful example of native

ingenuity, persevering industry, and contented penury.

London, Oct. 20, 1819. T. R.

WELSH TRANSLATIONS.

It has already been mentioned in this work, as a matter of re

gret, that there are but few translations of any note in the Welsh

language. The English abounds in productions, both in verse

and prose, of acknowleged celebrity, and which are not to be

excelled by the works of any other country. And yet, with the

exception of Paradise Lost, hardly one can be named, that has


been naturalised in our tongue. It may be hoped, however, that

the patriotic example, thus offered by Mr. Pughe, will not be

without its proper effect, unless indeed the despair of rivalling

his success should operate as a discouragement. But in the field

of literature, which is one of generous competition, this ought not

to be the case. In no instance is Emulation more truly the parent

of great deeds ; and she should not be deterred from her object

by any success, however brilliant and apparently matchless. And

let it besides be remembered, that

Non, si priores Maeonius tenet

Sedes Homerus, Pindaricae latent

Ceiaeque et Alcaei minacea,

Stesichorique graves Camoenoe.

These few observations have been suggested by the following

letter, which contains, it will be seen, much judicious remark on

the particular branch of Welsh literature, to which it refers.

There has been, it may be admitted, in the translations, of which

the writer speaks, too great a disregard of the elegance and

even of the idiomatic character of our language, united perhaps

with other inaccuracies of a still more exceptionable nature.

Time seems, however, in these cases, to have given a sanction

even to error; and hence, the faults of the versions, noticed

in the following letter, may have been considered, however

unadvisedly, as beyond the pale of correction. For this reason,—

it is but fair to observe,—the last Editor of the Homilies, who

probably designed no more than a republication, may not strictly

be chargeable with the original sin of the first translator.

With respect to the observation, in the latter part of this let

ter, as to the faults, that are apt to result from an acquaintance

with the literature of past times, it seems to admit of some quali

fication. For there may be a judicious, as well as an affected

imitation of ancient lore. And, while the latter degenerates into

unprofitable pedantry, the former cannot be too highly com

mended, as aiming to enrich the language of the present day from

the fruitful stores of antiquity. And this is a remark, which may

be applied with peculiar force to the Welsh tongue.

* *


Sir,—In your last Number you mentioned the laudable exer

tions of the " Prayer Book and Homily Society," in behalf of

my countrymen. But I am net a little concerned, that they are

not supplied with a better translation of the Homilies. The last


Edition, published by the Rev. J, Roberts, is only arepublication

of the first, with scarcely any improvements. The Homilies

were first translated, as it appears, in the year 1606, by a person,

of whom we know nothing now but his name. Whether he

acted under the sanction of authority or not is what, I have not

been able to ascertain ; the probability is, that , he did not. The

last Editor, to my great surprise, passes a very high eulogium on

this translation, praising it much for its elegance and correctness,

in neither of which, according to my opinion, it by any means

excels, but is in both respects excessively deficient. I have read

it with attention, and it appeared to me not only faulty with re

gard to purity of language and choice of expressions, but at times

so complicated and obscure, as to be altogether unintelligible.

I fear no contradiction when I say, that common readers can no

more understand many, great many, parts of it, than if they were

written in Arabic. And, with respect to correctness, I have

found, upon a comparison with the English, that there are hot a

few both of additions and omissions, which are, it is true, in most

instances not very material, but which still ought not to exist

in a translation of an authorised book like that of the Homilies.

A new translation of the Homilies in my view would be very

desirable. It would be well, if the Welsh Bishops were to fix on

some of the best Welsh scholars for the purpose. This would be

a work of no small benefit to the Principality. A suggestion of

the kind, I. know, would be sufficient for that great promoter of

every thing that is good, the Bishop of St. David's.

But great care should be taken to preserve in the translation an

easy, plain, and forcible style and purely Welsh, otherwise it

would never become popular and extensively useful. There are

two faults, into which few of my countrymen have not fallen in

their writings. Some, versed in the ancient records of our lan-,

guage, have revived too many of its old terms, which common

readers do not understand. Others, not much acquainted with

their mother tongue nor with its peculiar idioms, have adulterated

it with the introduction of foreign words and imitated the con

struction of the English. The last is much the case in the trans-,

lation of the Common Prayer Book : it contains many terms that

are not Welsh ; and in many instances the idiom is purely Eng- .

lish. I might produce many examples in proof of this remark ;

but I must defer doing so for the present.

I shall be obliged to you for giving publicity to the foregoing

observations, Your's,

Carwr iaith ex Fam.

AWEN CYMRU.

A'tk rodd yw athrwydd 4wen. Edm. Pryj.

PENNILLION.

XXXII.

Son y maent ar hyd y dyffi-yn,

Mai fi yw Neb, a chwi yw Rhywun ;

Os ceiff Neb chwi, gwenlliw blodau,

Bydd gwir Rhywun fy nghael innau.

xxxm.

Daccw 'r llong, a 'r hwyliau gwynion,

Ar y mor yn myn'd i 'r Iwerddon :

Duw o 'r nef rho llwydiant iddi,

Ev mwyn fy nghariad i sydd ynddi.

XXXIV.

Geiriau mwyn gan fab a gerais,

Geiriau mwyn gan fab a glywais,

Geiriau mwyn ynt dda tros amser,

On'd y fath a siommodd lawer.

xxxv.

F'anwylyd oedd dy ddau lygedyn ;

Gwn mai arian byw sydd ynddyn' ;

Yn dy ben y maent yn chwareu,

Fal y s6r ar noswaith oleu.

XXXVI.

Serchog iawn yw blodau 'r meusydd,

Serclwg hefyd can a chywydd ;

On'd y serch, sy 'n dwyn rhagoriaelh,

Yw serchogrwydd mewn cym'dogaeth.

xxxvu.

Awel iachus sy 'n mhen Berwyn,

Lie i weled lawer dyfTryn ;

Ac, oni bae y 'Rennig ddiffaith,

Gwelwn wlad fy ngenedigaeth.

xxxvilI.

Mwyn, mwyn, a mwyn yw merch,

A mwyn iawn lle rhoddo ei serch ;

Lie rho merch ei serch yn gynta',

Pyna gariad byth ni oera.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

ENGLYN

On Pwll Ceris, the Vortex in the Menai *.

Pwll Ceris, pwll dyrys dryd—pwll yw hwn,

Sy 'n gofyn cyfnvyddid,

Pwll anfwyn yw'r pwll ynfyd,

Pella o'i gof o'r pylla i gyd.

Cyfarch i Gyhoeddwr y " Cambro-Briton."

Canlyned llwydd dy lafur,

A llifed llad o'th lyfyr ;

Trosglwydded addysgiadau dawn,

Syniadau llawn o synwyr.

Gafaela a gwirionedd,

A gochel ddeniad tuedd ;

Llochesed cariad yn dy fron ;

A doed o hon heb lygredd.

Amlyga i bob parthau,

Yn gywir ac yn olau,

Ragoriant ein henefiol iaith,

A doniol waith ein teidiau.

Cynhyrfa feibion Cymru,

I gadw 'r iaith a'i charu ;

Cur allan o'u calonau gyd,

Y serch at fyd a phechu +.

IfJAN O GARED1GION.

* Mr. Llwyd, author of " Beaumaris Bay," has had the kindness to trans

mit this Engljrn to the Editor, accompanied by the following observations,

*• This Englyn is most certainly worth preserving. Many have played va

riations on the word Ceris, the best of which, I think, is Is-cerig from the un-

eveness of the bottom. This has been compressed into Skerries, and applied

to this vortex, anoth.es: on the northern extremity of Anglesey, and a third

on the north-east of Scotland."—The Editor profits by this opportunity to

mention, that the Poem, addressed by Gwilym Ddu o Arfon to Sir Grufl'ydd

Llwyd, which was noticed in the last Number of the Cambro-Briton, p.

138, has been rendered into English by Mr. Llwyd, and may be found in

his " Translations from the British," published some years ago.—Eo.

f An English translation of these lines would be deemed a favour,—En,

191

ENGLISH POETRY.


XXXII.

Lo ! all the vale, both here and there,

Proclaims me No-one, Some-one thee ;

If No-one gains thee, blossom fair,

Then, truly, Some-one will have me.

XXXIII. . .

Yon vessel see, with sails so gay,

Steering to Erin's isle her way ;

Grant her success, ye Powers above,

For with her sails my own true love *.

XXXIV.

Fair words have often met my ear,-

Fair words from him I loved 'fore any ;

Fair words do wond'rous well appear,

But such, alas, have cheated many.

XXXV.

How dear to me thy sparkling eyes !

Quick-silver in them surely lies ;

Within thy head they play, I ween,

Like twinkling stars in nights serene.

XXXVI.

The meadow's flow'rs, how lovely they !

Lovely too the charms of song ;

But that, which bears the prize away,

Is loveliness our neighbours 'mong.

* Horace expresses a similar wish in his Ode to the Ship, which was about

to carry Virgil to Athens. His lines, for the sake of the comparison, are

here quoted :—

Sic te diva potens Cypri,

Sic fratres Helena?, lucida sirlera,

Ventorumque regat pater,

Obstrictis aliis, praeter lapyga :

, " Navis, qua? tibi creditum

Debes Virgilium, finibus Atticis

Reddas ineolumem, precor,

Et serves aniroae dimidium meae. Lib. i. Od. 3.

The idea in Horace is only more extended than in the Pennill ; and in

both cases it is sufficiently natural, to preclude all suspicion of the Welsh

lines being in any degree borrowed.—I' d,


XXXVII.

Whence Berwyn yields her healthful gale,

One may behold full many a vale ;

And, but for foul Arenig's * height,

My native plains would be in sight.

XXXVIII.

Gentle, gentle, gentle woman !

Where she loveth gentle ever !

Where her. heart first turneth to man,

There her fondness cooleth never.

AN EPITAPH

In St. John's Church Yard, Swansea, upon the Tomb of ths

Author's beloved Parents.

In contemplation o'er the bed of death

I swell each passing breeze with a deep sigh,

And, to bedew this consecrated stone,

A big tear flows and trembles in the eye.

But on a beam of pure celestial light

Angels descend, and to their kindred dust

They lend a tongue, which in parental love

Invites me to the mansions of the just.

Yes, blessed saints ! inspired by heavenly hope,

Through the rich mercies of a Saviour's grace,

My spirit prunes its wings for that great flight

Which shall restore me to your fond embrace \.

Bath.

* Arenig is a mountain of Merionethshire in the parish of Llanycil, where

there are two of the name. The word is a diminutive of Aren.—Ed.

f The Editor would feel obliged by a Welsh translation of this Epitaph,

appropriating an englynto each English stanza.—Eo.

J. B.


WALES.

WELSH CHURCH IN THE METROPOLIS.—An attempt

was made, in the second Number of the Cambro-Briton, to call the

attention of its readers to the want of a Welsh Church in London.

The subject is certainly one of considerable importance, and

can not be too strongly impressed on the minds of those, who may

have it in their power to remedy the evil. For this reason the

following letter merits their attentive perusal. The writer has

treated the subject with much force and clearness, and has left

nothing, for the present at least, to be added to his judicious

remarks. %*


Sir,,—The consideration of a plan for the formation of a Welsh

Church in the metropolis of Great Britain can not but be matter

of much interest to those of Cambrian descent, who can properly

estimate the value of religious education. They must hail, with

exultation, the dawn of approaching deliverance, for a portion of

their fellow-countrymen, from the misguiding influence of super

stition, which the doctrines of Dissenters from our national form

of religion too often substitute for true devotion in the minds of

the ignorant. It may, however, be allowable to hope, without

incurring the imputation of undue enthusiasm, that the approba

tion, which the arguments, already advanced in favour of the pro

position, must undoubtedly obtain, will not be confined to the

natives of Wales ; but that strangers to that part of the kingdom

will also exert themselves in the behalf of the projected measure.

Its vast importance will be evident, if we reflect for an in

stant upon the description of places at present resorted to for

the purposes of divine worship by the Welsh in London and its

yicinity, who, by means of such an establishment as the one

now meditated, would be taught Christianity in their vernacular

tongue, according to the well-digested principles of our Ecclesias

tical Institution, and by men properly qualified for the sacred

office of promoting religious edification. It is not impossible that

the measure in view might operate as an example, and eventually

cause the desertion of at least several of the numerous meeting

houses now commonly crowded.

The characters and talents of our regular clergy must inspire

confidence not easily to be shaken ; and we must rejoice in the

continuance of the ascendancy of our national church, upheld by

rot. I. 2 c

194 THE CAMBRO-BRlTON.

the ablest vindicators in times past and present, in spite of all

opposition. Yet, late events seem to render it incumbent on

every well-wisher of society to use his utmost power in obstruct

ing the progress of those, who would destroy the basis of social

connection. To the machinations of such what surer means are

there of presenting resistance than the encouragement of morality

among the lower orders of the community ? This being the

case, under no circumstances is it probable, that greater benefit

will be derived from the application of such means, than when

they shall be directed to a set of people distinguished, as the

Welsh are allowed to be, for attention and zeal in the perform

ance of their religious duty. In their behaviour it is plainly

shewn, that religion is the groundwork of good order in society,

and is productive of industrious propensities and general pro

priety of conduct among the labouring classes.

Let those, who dispute the justness of this encomium, refer to

the Report of a Committee of the House of Commons, formed

not long ago, for enquiring into the state of mendicity, and they will

be informed of a fact, at which they will perhaps be astonished,

but which can not be too widely circulated, viz. that out of at least

15,000 beggars, infesting daily the streets of London, no Welsh

man was to be met with. This truth will surely justify the

opinion, that the Welsh are disposed to industry, and it can not

be unreasonable to trace the origin of this inclination to devout

habits.

In 1803 it was stated, that there had been nineteen editions of

the Welsh Bible since the year 1588, when it was first printed,

and that the number of impressions, taken of it, were estimated at

about one hundred and thirty thousand. Since the period, at

which the above calculation was made, the number of Bibles and

Prayer Books, as well as other books conducive to morality, dis

tributed throughout the Principality, tend to prove, that the zeal,

so characteristic of the Welsh, has not decayed ; nor is there any

probability of its diminution, so long as the practice of issuing

compositions for the praiseworthy purpose of propagating reli

gious instruction, and an exemplary solicitude in the business of

their profession shall continue to reflect honour upon the Welsh

Clergy.

That an habitual and reverential attention to moral and reli

gious observances will naturally create good subjects may also

be inferred : for, while the disaffected have laid their snares to

delude the credulous in several parts of the United Kingdom, the

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

flame of discontent has not been kindled in the Principality,

where loyalty still rears her standard, and where the love of

their country has ever been a prominent feature in the character

of the natives. If this amor patrice of the Welsh be worthy to be

cherished, what can better ensure its duration than the advance

ment of the Established Religion of the country in their native

language, one which it is their pride to preserve as that of their

forefathers, the Ancient Britons,—a language, which, it now seems,

is not likely to be lost to the admirers of national and Celtic

literature,

, Quam non imber edax—

Possit diruere, aut innumerabilis

Annorum series, et fuga temporum.

Upon a view therefore of this subject, as to its moral tendency,

the expectation may be indulged, that the rich and powerftj,

who have frequently assisted a good cause, will not refuse their

aid in a matter of such momentous concern as the design now in

contemplation, and that an immediate subscription will be set on

foot, in order to contribute to the means necessary for carrying

into effect this desirable object.

In conclusion it may be necessary to add, that, upon a perusal

of the article in the Second Number of the Cambro-Briton,

recommending this undertaking, the certainty, that invaluable

advantages would spring from it, was so fully impressed upon

my mind, as to persuade me, that the question, once agitated,

would not be suffered to rest, and that the following Number

would contain some notice or suggestion as to the furtherance of

the scheme. Disappointed in this respect, I have ventured to

offer the foregoing observations ; and, if this attempt to second

the proposal shall induce others, more able, to come forward in its

support, whose exertions may lead to its accomplishment, the end,

intended by these remarks, will be fully attained.

I am, Sir, your very humble servant,

London, Nov. 20, 1819. Prydeiniab.

GWYNEDDIGION SOCIETY.—The members of this pa

triotic association held their annual festival on Monday the 13th

of December at the Woolpack Tavern in Cornhill. The day

was spent with the same hilarity and national feeling, that have

always marked this truly social meeting, cheered, as it was, in so

pleasing a manner, by the ancient custom of singing Pennuxion

19G . THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

with the harp. There is something, in this " concord of sweet

sounds," that affects a native of Wales most powerfully. It not.

only, like the national air of the Swiss,

binds him to his native mountains more,

but embodies in the present hour those interesting recollections,

which spring from the history of other times. " Like the music of

" Caryl, it is at once pleasing and mournful to the soul."—On

the 20th ult. the Society met for the purpose of electing their

Officers for the ensuing year, when the following was the.

result.

President (Llywydd) Mr. W. O. Pughe.

Vice President (Rhaglazv) Mr? Thomas Edwards,

Bard (Bardd) Rev. Edward Hughes.

Treasurer (Trysorydd) Mr. Thomas Edwards.

Secretary (Cofiadur) Mr. Thomas Roberts. *#*

PUBLIC MEETINGS.—On the 10th of November the New

castle Branch Society, in connection with the Cardigan Auxiliary

Bible Society, held a Meeting at Newcastle. The Report, which

was read on the occasion, was of a very gratifying nature, and

several able speeches were delivered with respect to the objects of

the Society On the 30fh of the same month the Machynlleth

Bible Society held their Anniversary Meeting. The Report,

here read, was also of a very favourable nature, and spoke in

high terms of the increased liberality, evinced in the conduct of

the institution. Among the speeches, delivered on the occasion,

that of the Rev. David Hughes, Rector of Llanfyllin, Montgo

meryshire, deserves to be noticed, as describing in forcible lan

guage the beneficial principles and tendency of the Association.

—On the same day the proposed Loyal Meeting of the County

of Flint, noticed in the last Number, took place at Mold. The

attendance was numerous and highly respectable. Upon the

motion "of the Rev. W. W. Davies several Resolutions were

passed conformable with the purpose of the Meeting, and a De

claration, founded upon them, was agreed to be forwarded to the

Secretary of State for the Home Department. Amotion for an

• Address to H. R. H. the Prince Regent was negatived, it being

considered unnecessary.—On the 2d of December there was a

Meeting of the inhabitants of the borough of Crlccieth, Carnar

vonshire, for the pnrpose of establishing a School for the religious

education of the poor on the principles of the Church of Engr


land. The proceedings on this truly praiseworthy occasion were

under the direction of the Rev. Owen Jones, Rector of Criccieth.

.—On the 3d ult. the West Monmouth Bible Society met at New

port, and received a very flattering statement of the affairs of

the Society, and of its increasing utility.—On the Gth an Angle

sey County Meeting was held at Beaumaris, for the purpose of

addressing the throne on the present critical posture of our af

fairs. An Address, framed agreeably with this object, was moved

by Paul Panton, Esq. and unanimously adopted.—On the 10th

the Radnorshire Agricultural Society met for the purpose of

considering of the propriety of adopting the Winchester Bushel,

when a Resolution to that effect was carried without opposition.

—A Meeting of the Glamorganshire General Agricultural Society

took place at Cowbridge on the 14th ult. " to take into consider

ation the expediency of availing themselves of the encourage

ment, held out by the Board of Agriculture, in the offer of a gold

medal or a piece of plate for the best cultivated farm, and a pre

mium for the best bull in counties where there are Agricultural

Societies established." It was resolved on this occasion, that Can

didates for the best "farm do give in their applications to the Se

cretary of the Society on or before the 1st of March 1820; and

that a Meeting be held at Cowbridge on the 7th of March

for the purpose of appointing inspectors to view the farms

of the claimants. And it was also resolved, that the Pre

mium for the best bulls (which is fixed by the Board at ten

Guineas) should be claimed by the Society for the next show of

cattle in 1820. The Hon. W. B. Grey presided on this occasion.

—A numerous Meeting of the Agriculturists of the County of

Monmouth took place at Abergavenny on the 21st ult., on

which occasion the Agricultural Society, recently proposed in

this County, was completely and satisfactorily established. Above

100 Guineas were subscribed in the room for the promotion of

that object.—On the same day that truly patriotic individual

Sir Charles Morgan had a cattle show at Tredegar, which was

very numerously attended. %*

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.—The British and

Foreign Bible Society, on a representation being made to them

of the great want of Bibles among the poor in the northern divi

sion of the County of Radnor, have lately entrusted to the Rev.

W. J. Rees, Rector of Cascob an additional allowance of 200

copies, to be distributed gratuitously in S2 parishes and chapel

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

ries by their respective Ministers.—A rich vein of copper ore has

recently been discovered in a rocky part of the sea coast at

Garth Point near Bangor, Carnarvonshire, and collateral veins,

in breadth about five feet, have been traced in various direc

tions.—In the early part of last month a considerable sensation

was excited by the report of disturbances amongst the collier*

in the vicinity of Holywell, Flintshire, Application was made,

on the occasion, by the Magistrates for military assistance, in

consequence of which a Company of the 7i$t Regiment of Foot,

stationed at Chester, and the Mold and Hawarden Yeomanry

Cavalry marched into Holywell. It appears, however, from an

authentic account, published by Mr. Sankey of that town, that

the commotion was merely pf a local nature, and was excited

amongst the colliers, employed at the Dee Bank Colliery near

Bagillt, on account of the introduction amongst them of a party

of men from the Brymbo Works near Wrexham. At all events

there was nothing political in the affair. Yet the employment of

the military gave it a momentary importance, to which it was,

in no way, entitled. And it deserves to be here mentioned, in

order to remove any erroneous impression, which this trivial

alarm may have created, that there is no body of men, that

has endured the privations and hardships, necessarily resulting

from the distress of the times, with more firmness and less apr

pearance of discontent than the miners and colliers of the County

of Flint.—There is new lying for signature in the County of

Glamorgan a Petition to the Legislature " to take into const!

deration the mistaken policy of sending annually out of the

kingdom such large sums to purchase foreign corn and wool."

The Petition has already been sanctioned by the names of nearly

$00 respectable individuals. At Caerphilly, in Glamorganshire,

are now living Mary Lewis and her four daughters, whose united

ages amount to 340 years. Of the same family there are alsq

ine xistence 15 grand-children, 10 great grand-children, and one

in a degree still farther removed, thus constituting thirty lineal

descendants, all in sound health. This fact is here recorded as

one proof, amongst many others, of the salubrity of our native

air.—A recent Number of " the St. Louis Gazette," a paper

published at St. Louis on the Mississippi in the United States of

America, makes mention of an Expedition that is now on foot

for exploring the presumed settlement of the Madogwys (de7

scendants of Madog and his followers) on the higher branches of

the Missouri. The names of the individuals, engaged in the

The cambro-briton. 199

undertaking, are Parry and Roberts, natives respectively of each

division «f the Principality. They are described as men of per

severance, and as being resolved not to abandon their enter

prise as long as there exists any chance of success. A paper,

published lately in British America, has the following paragraph.

" A very handsome subscription, amounting to nearly 2591.

currency, has been raised at Fredericton, New Brunswick,

for the purpose of assisting a number of Welsh Families in form

ing a settlement between the Madame Keswick and the Nash-

wack, to be called the Cardigan Settlement. A person ac

quainted with the construction of the log-houses has been em

ployed to assist them : a quantity of bark has been procured,

and other preparations made to commence building imme

diately." ^

OBITUARY.

October 23d. Mrs. Pugh, relict of the late David Pugh, Esq.

of Llanerchydol in the county of Montgomery.—26th. Mrs.

Mytton, wife of John Mytton, Esq. of Pen-y-lan in the same

county.—At Bangor, Carnarvonshire, Mrs. Hughes, relict of the

late Rev. David Hughes, Rector ofLlangynhaval Dyffryn Clwyd,

in the county ofDenbigh.—November 4th. Thomas Whittingham)

Esq. of Llandaff, aged 61.—5th. Thomas Lewis, Esq. aged 79,

of Glascombe in the county of Radnor, a gentleman much re

spected and esteemed by his neighbours and tenantry.—7th. Mrs.

Parry, widow of the late David Parry, Esq. of Terracoed in the

county of Carmarthen.—12th. At Holywell, Samuel Mostyn,Esq.

aged 64, of Calcot, Flintshire, many years an active Magistrate

in that county.—George Green, Esq. of Knighton in the county

of Radnor.—15th. Robert Roberts, Esq. aged 76, of Pentre

Mawr, near Llanrwst, Denbighshire.—18th. Mrs. Magdalene Jen

kins, widow, of Aberystwith.—lb. Mr. John Arthur, aged 96, of

Llandissil, Montgomeryshire, leaving behind above 40 grand

children.—20th. Miss Mary Rees, aged 38, daughter of Mr. Rice

Rees, of Llandovery, Carmarthenshire ; whose uniform conduct

through life, and active zeal in the cause of religion had secured

to her the respect of a numerous circle of relatives and friends, to

whom her loss is a subject of deep regret *.—lb. Miss M. A.

* The following Englyn was composed extempore, on the occasion of this

lady's death, by a person who attended herfuneral, Nov. 22, 1819.

Aeth merch, fu lonferch, o flinfyd—a chadd

Ei chuddio tan weryd ;

Yr unwedd i'r bedd o'r byd

Yr a innau, ryw enuyd. John Howbli."


1

Jenkins, aged 48, daughter of the late EHas Jenkins, Esq.

of Newcastle House, in the county of Glamorgan. 21st.

At Paris, aged 75, John Hanbury Williams, Esq. of Cole-

brook Park, near Abergavenny, in the county of Monmouth.—

At Cwmdwyfran, near Carmarthen, Mr. David Morgan, at the

age of 93, universally respected.—25th. Thomas Parry, Esq. aged

75, of Llidiarde, near Aberystwith.—28th. Mr. Robert Phillips,

Surgeon, of Ruthin, Denbighshire ; a young man much esteemed

and respected.—December 7th. At Cowbridge Frances, wife of

William Nichol, Esq.—10th. Colonel Williams, aged 67, of

Henllys, Carmarthenshire, for many years an upright and useful

Magistrate of that county ; he died lamented by a numerous circle

of friends, as well as by his immediate dependents and the general

poor of the neighbourhood, to whom his loss is irreparable.—lb.

Mrs. Williams, relict of the late Thomas Williams, Esq. of Llan-

ybre, in the county of Carmarthen.—10th. At Bath J.Richards,

Esq. late of Llandaff Castle, Glamorganshire. — 11th. Pryce

Jones, Esq. of the Rock, near Newtown, Montgomeryshire.—12th.

Mrs. Price, widow of the late J. Price, Esq. of Llandough Castle,

Glamorganshire.—13th. Mrs. Prytherch, relict of the late Daniel

Prytherch, Esq. ofAbergoley, in the county of Glamorgan, a lady

of engaging manners, and of an amiable and charitable disposi

tion.— 16th. At Llanerchydol Cottage, near Welshpool, Captain

G. D. Harrison, of the Royal Marines, a gentleman greatly and

deservedly respected for his private and professional character.—

I9th. At Llangennech Park, Carmarthenshire, aged 71, Mrs.

Elizabeth Morris.—lb. Mrs. Anne Pearce, aged 94, of Rallt, near

Bangor.—2lst. At Carmarthen the lady of Captain Henry

Vaughan, of the Royal Navy, greatly lamented.

ERRORS CORRECTED.

No. 4, P. 124, 1. 21, for " fifteenth century" read '• fifth century."

— 128, 1. 32. for " addane y llyn" read " addanc y llyx."— 129, I. 15,' for " Ninis" read '• Ninio."

— 142, Note 1, 1. 3, for " dy" read " by."

The following inaccuracies were expunged from one half of the impression.

No. 4. P. 149, Pennill 23, 1. 4, for " wysgo," read " wis';o."

25, 1. 3, for " hid" read " nid."

—— 26, 1. 1, for " Mawr" read " mawr."

28, I. 3, for " roes" read " rhoes."

—— ib. I. 4, for " garu" read " cam."

THE

CAMBRO-BRITON.

FEBRUARY, 1820.

NU1LI QUIDEM MIHI SATIS ERUDITI VIDENTUR, QUIBUS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicero de LegUut.

THE TRIADS.—No. VI.

TRIADS OF THE ISLE OF BRITAIN ♦.

xxv.

THE three Arrant Traitors of the Isle of Britain: Avarwy,

the son of Lludd, the son of Beli the Great, who invited Iwl Cai-

sar and the men of Rome into this island, and caused the oppres

sion of the Romans ; that is, he and his men gave themselves as

conductors to the men of Rome, receiving treasure of gold and

silver from them every year. And in consequence it became a

compulsion on the men of this island to pay three thousand of

silver yearly as a tribute to the men of Rome, until the time of

Owain, the son of Macsen Wledig, when he refused that tribute;

and, under pretence of being contented therewith, the men of

Rome drew the best men of the Isle of Britain, capable of being

made men of war, to the country of Aravia, and other far coun

tries, and they returned not back. And the men of Rome, that

were in the Isle of Britain, went into Italy ,'so that there were of

them only women and little children left behind ; and in that way

the Britons were weakened, so that they were unable to resist

oppression and conquest, for want of men and strength. The se

cond was Gwrtheyrn Gwrthenau, who, after killing Constantine

the Blessed, and seizing the crown of the island, through treason

and lawlessness, first invited the Saxens into this island, as his

defenders, and married Alis Ronwen, the daughter of Hengist,

and gave the crown of the island to the son he had by her, whose

name was Gotta, and on that account it is that the kings of Lon

don are called children of Alis. Thus by the conduct of Gwrtheyrn

* Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 62, Tr. 21—28."

vot. I. 2d


the Cymry lost their lands and their privilege and their crown in

Lloegr. The third was Medrawd, the son of Llew, the son of-

Cynvarch ; for, when Arthur left the crown of the Isle of Britain

in his custody, whilst he went against the Emperor in Rome, then

Medrawd took the crown from Arthur through treason and seduc

tion ; and, so that he might preserve it, he confederated with the

Saxons, and by reason thereof the Cymry lost the crown of

Lloegr, and the sovereignty of the Isle of Britain.

[The events, of which this Triad treats, are so fully detailed,

as to require but little illustration. And this becomes the less ne

cessary as the same occurrences were noticed, though not with the

same minuteness, in the last Number of the Cambro-Briton *.

An additional opportunity, however, presents itself here to refer

to the confirmation, which these memorials receive from the an

cient Classical and other writers. The tribute, above mentioned to

have been paid by the Britons, is expressly noticed by Caesar,

who, in speaking of his departure from the island after his second

invasion, has the following passage :—" Obsides imperat, et quid

" in annos singulos vectigalis populo Romano Britannia pende-

" ret constituit ; interdicit atque imperat Cassivellauno, he Man-

" dubratio neu Trinobantibus bellum faciat t" This extract

furnishes also another proof of the treacherous conduct of Avar-

wy, or Mandubratius, as imputed to him in the Triads.—A short

notice respecting Gwrtheyrn, or Vortigern, was given in a former

Number J ; and, with respect to the action here related of him,

although passed in silence by some ancient authors §, it is parti

cularly detailed by Nennius, who describes Hengist as having

inveigled Vortigern into this marrifige while under the influence of

intoxication, and as having obtained from him in consideration of

it the Province of Kent.—Constantine the Blessed, in Welsh

Cystennyn, appears in the British Chronicle as the 80th King of

* Seep. 171, Triad xxiv. and the Annotations,

f Bell. Gall. lib. v. c22.

t No. 2, p. 51.

| Among those, who ascribe the conquest of the Britons to force and not

artifice, are Gildas, Bede, and the writer of the Saxon Chronicle, who make

no mention whatever of Alis Ronwen, called by the Saxons Rowena. On

the other hand, the account, as transmitted by the Triad and Nennius, is

also detailed by William of Malmesbury and Caradog of Llancarfan. And

they have been followed by Humphrey Llwyd, Camden, and Verstegao.

Thus, the balance of authorities seems to be in favour of the tradition above

recorded.


Britain about the year 390, when the Roman dominion in this

country was fast approaching to its close. There is a church in

Arvon, dedicated to Cystennyn.—It may be proper to mention

here; that two other copies of this Triad are preserved in the

Archaiology *, one much more diffuse than this, and differing from

it in some particulars, and the other considerably shorter than

either.]

xxvI. The three Secret Treasons of the Isle of Britain : first,

the betraying of Caradawg, the son of Bran, by Aregwedd

Voedawg, the daughter of Avarwy, the son of Lludd, and deli

vering him a captive to the Romans ; the betraying of Arthur by

Iddawg Corn Prydain, who divulged his plan ; and the betray

ing of the Prince Gruffydd, the son of Llewelyn, by Madawg

Min. And from these three treasons there followed complete

subjection of the nation of the Cymry : and nothing but treachery

could have subdued them.

[An allusion was made in Triad xxn. in the last Number to the

" Secret Treason," here ascribed to Aregwedd Voeddawg :

and we find the same account given by Tacitus, if indeed

Aregwedd and Cartismandua be the same person f. The

historian, in describing the conduct of Caradawg or Carac-

tacus after his defeat by Ostorius, says, " Cum fidem Car-

" tismandua?, reginae Brigantum, petivisset vinctus ac vic-

" toribus traditus est nono post anno qu;im bcllum in Bri-

" tannia cceptum \ ."—The treachery of Iddawg Corn Pry

dain was noticed in the last Number.—Madawg Min, here men

tioned, was Bishop of Bangor in the beginning of the eleventh

century. The treasonable action, recorded of him in this Triad,

is not the only one, with which his memor}' has been charged : he

is also accused of having, by his treacherous artifices, occasioned

the death of Llewelyn ab Sitsyllt, father of Gruffydd.]

xxvu. The three Brave Sovereigns of the Isle of Britain :

Cynvelyn Wledig ; Caradawg, the son of Bran ; and Arthur.

That is, they vanquished their enemies, so that, except through

treachery and plotting, they could not be overcome.

* Vol. ii. p. 4, and J 9.

f It has been before remarked (No. 5, p. 169), that there is no resem

blance between the names of Aregwedd Voeddawg and Cartismandua,

while there is a strong affinity between the former and Boadicea. How

ever, the cireumstanepi, related of Cartismandua by Tacitus, leem to ac

cord exactly with those ascribed by the Triads to Aregwedd.

\ Annal, Lib. xii. c. 36,

[Cynvelyn Wledig, mentioned in the British Chronicle as the

68ih King of Britain, is the Cunobelinus of the. Roman writers.

He most probably succeeded Mundtibratius as Chief of the

Trinobantes, and he also governed the Novantes and Cassii. Tha

conquests, made by this Prince, rendered him the most powerful

in the southern part of Britain, and well entitle him to the epithet

bestowed upon him by this Triad. He died about A. D. 40,

leaving, according to Suetonius, three sons, but, according to the

British History, two only, Gwydyr and Gweirydd. It was the re

fusal by the former of these to pay the customary tribute to the

Romans, that is said to have occasioned the invasion of this island

by Claudius. It had been punctually discharged by Cynvelyn.—

There are few, to whom the name of Arthur is not familiar. But

the Arthur, commemorated above, is a very different character

from the hero of Romance of the same name, and who performs

so important a part in the Mabinogion, although they are gene

rally confounded together in the popular account. The Arthur

of history, who perhaps took his appellation from the other, was

the son ofMeirig, a Prince of Glamorgan, in the beginning of the

sixth century. About the year 517 he was called by the States

of Britain to the supreme command, for the purpose of opposing

the Saxons, whom, according to Nennius, he defeated in twelve

battles. His successful career, however, was at length brought

to a close by the treachery of Medrawd, already recorded, which

produced, in 542, the battle of Camlan, so fatal to the Britons,

and which terminated at once the life and the glory of Arthur.

This chieftain is celebrated by Talicsin, Meiddin, and Llywarch,

who were his cotemporaries.]

xxvin. The three primary Battle Princes of the Isle of Britain :

Casswallawn, the son of Beli; Gweirydd, the son of Cynvelyn

Wledig ; and Caradawg, the son of Bran, the son of Llyr of

Barbarous Speech.

[An account has already been given, in the course of these il

lustrations, of the chieftains, who form the subject of this Triad.]

xxix. The three Fair Princes of the Isle of Britain: Rhun,

the son of Maelgwn, Owain, the son of Urien, and Rhuvon

Bevr, the son of Dewrarth Wledig.

[Riiun succeeded his father Maelgwn as nominal Sovereign of

the Britons, and reigned over Gwynedd from 560 to 586 : he

will be fcund described in another Triad as one of the Golden-

banded Sovereigns of Britain.—Owain was cotemporary with

Rhun, and is commemorated elsewhere as owner of one of

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.' 205

the three steeds of desperation.—Rhuvon Bevr was likewise of

the same period. In another Triad* he is called Rhuawn Bevr, the

son of Dorarth Wledig. He fell in battle, and his body is said

to have been purchased by its weight in gold, for which reason

he is also recorded as one of the three golden corpses. Hywel,

son of Owain Gwynedd, has the following lines on this Prince :—

Ton wen orowyn a orwlych bedd ;

Gwyddva Rhuvon Bevr, ben teyrnedd f.]

xxx. The three Plebeian Princes of the Isle of Britain :

Gwriad, the son of Gwrien, in the North ; Cadavael, the son of

Cynvedw, in Gwynedd; and Hyvaidd Hir, the son of Saint

Bleiddan, in Morganwg. That is, sovereignty was given them

for their renowned exploits and virtuous qualities.

[These three Princes lived also during the sixth century, a

period which appears to have been pregnant with men of renown,

whether as Princes or Poets. Gwriad bore a part in the famous

battle of Cattraeth, which forms the subject of the Gododin.—

Cadavael, who had the surname of Wyllt or Wild, is consigned

to disgrace by another Triad, as having inflicted one of the

. ** three heinous hatchet blows," whereby he caused the death

of Iago ab Beli, Sovereign of Gwynedd. In other copies of

this triad Gwriad and Hyvaidd are described somewhat dif

ferently f . But this is a circumstance in no way affecting the

general authenticity of these ancient documents. On the

contrary, the trivial variations, which they occasionally ex

hibit, remove all suspicion as to any forgery or contrivance in

their compilation. There arc three copies of the Historical Triads

preserved in the Archaiology.]

THE WISDOM OP CATWG.

—«Q«—

APHORISMS§.

Nothing is godliness, but compassion towards all life and being :

Nothing is wisdom, but a refraining from worldliness :

..Nothing is a blessing, but reason and health :

Nothing is love, but equity ;

* Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 6.

f " A white wave, mantled with foam, sprays over a grave,

The tomb of Rhuvon the Fair, chief of princes."

J Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 17 and £2,

. § Id. vol. iii. p. 17.


Nothing is equity, but what may be willed to be had by

another :

Nothing is a truth, but what is known without hearing it from

another :

Nothing is a falsehood, but what one's self knows it cannot be

true:

Nothing is a folly, but the believing and disbelieving implicitly

of what another may say :

Nothing is a delight, but a conscience void of guilt:

No one is prudent, but he who knows how to support himself

from himself:

Nothing is generosity, but the enduring ©f every hardship for

the good of another :

Nothing is happiness, but rationality :

Nothing is rationality, but godliness :

Nothing is godliness, but compassion towards all life and being,

INTERDICTIONS f.

Seek not Heaven through thy perjury.

Seek nothing where thou oughtest not.

Seek not confidence from pride.

Seek not to become highly exalted lest thou come lower,

Seek not to attain above self-attainment.

Seek not to repeat a request to the obdurate.

Seek no secresy about what many know.

Seek no benefit from vain boasting.

Seek not to throw credit on thy falsehood.

Seek not warmth under ice.

Seek not to contravene thy equal.

Seek not to contend with thy better.

Seek not to confide in him, that shall threaten thee.

Seek not welcome under a frown.

Seek not gladness without a smile.

Seek not to play with the infirm and old.

Seek no benefit from idleness.

Seek not wealth from inattention.

Seek not to jest with thy foe.

Abuse no one, of whom thou art in fear.

Cast blame on no one for the fault, that may belong to thyself,

Fight not with the silly.

Spend not the penny until thou gettest it.

+ Arcb. of Wales, vol. iii. p. 52.


Sell not heaven for earth.

Stand not on cruelty.

Seek not to consult but with the wise.

Sojourn but with the fortunate.

METAPHYSICS*,

fn every person there is a soul :

In every soul there is intelligence :

In every intelligence there is thought :

In every thought there is either good or evil :

In every evil there is death :

In every good there is life :

In every life there is God.

WELSH PROVERBS.

Plant gaiirlonedd yu> hen diareiion.—DlArilt.

To pawn a piece of flesh with a cat.

To be silent is to confess.

Death is the ripeness of age.

The propensity of the stag is towards the water.

The outlaw's wish is a long night.

Let him, that bears the bag, support himself out of it.

That man marches boldly to battle, who has God for his pro

tector.

He, that goes to the games, should leave his skin at home.

A hearth will invite.

Polluted are the lips of the perjured.

He, that has bread in abundance, will go merrily to beg milk.

What is pleasing to God is certain.

He that is the head, let him become the bridge f.

* Arch, of Wales, -vol. iii. p. 48.

•f- This proverb must appear obscure without some explanation. It owes

its birth to the following event, related in the Mabinogion. Bran, a cele

brated chief of the Britons, commanding an army of his countrymen in

Ireland, arrived upon one occasion at a river, which they were unable to ford.

And, as they had no means at hand of forming a bridge, the generous leader

threw himself across the stream, thus enabling his army to male a bridge of

his body.


To reject (a proffered gift) is waste.

What has been at the top of the sack w ill go to the bottom *.

He, that was once a man, has become no man f<

Who covets honour should be powerful.

He, that desires praise, let him die.

He, that desires a pressing offer, let him appear sick.

Who covets health should be cheerful.

What has been got on the horse of Malen will be spent under

his belly t.

He, that hoards, shall have when he wants.

What the old crow croaks the young one will echo.

The man, that complains too much, does not complain at all.

Even the morsel of a stag is charity §.

Patience is the limit of knowlege.

Before we act, we should propose.

The solicitude of a dog for a bag of salt.

Crows are more numerous than hawks.

Where there is no love, there will be abundance of censure.

* *

BARDIC NOTICES.


Sir,—.One of our desiderata in Welsh Literature is a short

Biographical History of our Bards, for want of which many parts

of their works are scarcely intelligible. Mr. William Owen

Pughe has done something in this way in his Cambrian Bio-

* The Arabic proverb on the contrary says, " What was a hip has become

an arm.'*

f This is the literal translation of adyn, which, however, implies also a

miserable being, a wretch.

X The liberal signification of this proverb is, that what has been acquired

by violence or rapine soon perishes. Hence perhaps the English adage,

«' What is got on the Devil's back," &c. ;—and to the same effect is the

maxim of Plautus, " Male partum male disperit." Some account of Malen,

probably synonymous with Bellona, was given in the 4th Number of the

Cambro-Britom, p. 125.

§ This has reference to the following ancient custom. When a stag was

killed it was divided, according to the laws of hunting, amongst all persons

present. And every one, that might accidentally arrive before the deer was

skinned, was entitled to a share. For stag-hunting was one of the three

common games.


graphy ; but I was greatly disappointed, on consulting his work,

in not finding the name of our celebrated bard Tudur Aled *. As

a commencement of such an undertaking, and in order to induce

some others of your correspondents to contribute any information

on this subject, of which they may be possessed, I have trans

cribed the following short notices out of my own collection. I

am yours, &c. P. B. W.

Rhys Goch o Eryri was a man of good family, and lived at

Hafodgaregog, near Pont Aberglaslyn, in the county of Merio

neth. He flourished about 1400. There is a quillet on Grosor

Farm, in Nanmor, called Llys Dafydd Rhys ; this Dafydd was

father of Rhys Goch o Eryri, as it is generally supposed.

Iolo Goch flourished in the times of Edward III. Richard II.

and Henry IV. He was a great favourite with Owain Glyndwr,

and wrote many panegyrics on him when in power. Iolo was

Bachelor of both Laws, and was Lord of Llechryd, and lived at

Coed Pantwn, in the county of Denbigh. He was ancestor of

Paul Panton, Esq. of Plas Gwyn, in the county of Anglesey.

Guto 'r Glyn was an excellent heroic poet, and flourishfed about

the year 1450. He was a native of the beautiful vale of Llan

gollen, in Denbighshire, and was domestic bard to the Abbot of

VaJIe Crucis or Glyn Egwestl (or Eglwyseg) Abbey, 'near that

town f. He celebrates the munificence and hospitality of the

Abbot in several of his poetical compositions, and laments, that

he was so unwell one Christmas, that he could not partake of the

festivities in the hall or of the dainties on the Abbot's table. He

was well known to the Herberts of Rhaglan in Glamorganshire,

as it was the practice of the Bards in the days of Popery to make a

poetical tour or circuit through all Wales every third year, in or

der to contend with each other in extemporaneous poetical effu

sions, and partake of the good cheer at the gentlemen's seats

during the Christmas holidays J.

* It maybe proper to mention, that the Cambrian Biocraphy, here al

luded to, is not dedicated exclusively lo an account of the Bards, but em

braces short biographical notices of all, or almost all, Welshmen of any

celebrity. And the author is entitled to the merit of having been the first, and

as yet the only one, to attempt any work of this nature in relation to Wales.

The interesting Notices, here furnished by P. B. W., are, for the most part,

in addition to those published of the same individuals in Mr. Pughe's

work.—Ed.

f See Cambro-Briton, No. 2. p. 55.—"Rr.

| This custom was, at one lime, common in Wales. It was called Clera

or Cylch Ciera, and signified a circuit, which was made by pints and inu.si-

Vol. I. 2 E

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Meredydd ab Rhys was a clergyman, and lived atRhiwabon in

Denbighshire, and flourished about 1 440. He was Dafydd ab Ed

mund's tutor.

Lewis Glyn Cothi was most probably a native of the banks of the

river Cothi in Carmarthenshire. He was an eminent bard, and an

officer under Jasper Earl of Pembroke, in whose praise he com

posed many poems. He flourished about the year 1450.

Llawdden resided at Machynlleth, and is supposed to have been

curate of that place. He flourished about the year 1450. It is

conjectured, that he was a native of Llychwr or Cas Lwchwr near

Swansea in Glamorganshire, and there is reason to suppose,

from some of his poems, that he resided occasionally in Rad

norshire.

Dafydd ab Edmund was the proprietor of Hanmor or Han-

mere, and lived at Pwll Gwepre, in the county of Flint, but his

son sold the estate. At an Eisteddfod, or Congress ofBards, held

at Carmarthen, where Griffith ab Nicholas (the valiant Sir Rhys

ab Thomas's grandfather) was umpire, he won the poetical prize.

The Eisteddfod lasted fifteen days. To the prolific brain and fer

tile imagination of this renowned son of genius we are indebted

for the invention of several Welsh metres now in use. He flou

rished A.D. 1450.

leuan Deulwyn lived at Pen Deulwyn, near Kidwelly, in Car

marthenshire, about 1460.

Gutyn Owain was a learned bard and herald, and lived near

Oswestry ; he wrote the best copy of the British History, and left

behind him several books of Pedigrees, &c. He flourished about

the year 1480.

Dafydd Llwyd ab Llewelyn ab GrufTydd, Esq. lived at Ma-

thafarn, near Machynlleth, in the county of Montgomery. He

was a partisan and a great favourite of Jasper, Earl of Pembroke,

and did all in his power to promote the views of that party against

Richard III., A. D. 1480. He afterwards exercised his poetical

clans once in three years, upon which occasion they not only experienced the

hospitality of the persons, to whose houses they resorted, but likewise re

ceived a certain fee, which, in the case of the Disciples in Music, was fixed

by the Laws of Gruffydd ab Cynau, in the twelfth century, at twelve pence.

That this practice was of very ancient date appears from some of the Triads,

ascribed to Dyvuwal Moelmud, printed in the Archaiology under the title

of " Triodd y Cludao," or Convention-Triads, and wherein one of the three

" Conventions of Aid" was that administered to Bards " yn eu cykh clera," in

their circuits of instruction. As to the time, in vhich Pyvnwal Moelmud is

supposed to have flourished, see the Cambbo-BriTon, No. 2, p. 47.—Ed.'


talents in favour of Henry VII. All his pretended prophecies

and prognostications tended to that end.

Tudur Aled, a most excellent Bard, was so called on account

of his residence being on the banks of the river Aled, in the county

of Denbigh. He lived at Garth Geri Chwibryn, in the parish of

Llansannan, and flourished about the year 1490. He was a friar

of the Order of St. Francis, and wrote a poetical account of the

miracles reported to have been performed at St. Winifred's Well,

in the town of Holywell, as well as the fabulous history of that

supposed holy virgin. He was also one of the followers of Sir

Rhys ab Thomas* ofDinevor in Carmarthenshire, and greatly at

tached to him ; and wrote several poems in praise of his great

achievements. Tudur Aled was a nephew and a pupil of Davydd

ab Edmund.

Gruffydd Hiraethog was a pupil of Tudur Aled, and lived

near the mountain of Hiraethog in Denbighshire. He was buried

in the chancel of Llangollen Church. William Lleyn, Simwnt

Fychan, William Cynwal, and Sion Tudur, all poets, were his

pupils, or rather were instructed by him in the rules of Welsh

prosody. He flourished about the year 1540.

William Lleyn was a very celebrated Welsh bard, and flou

rished in the reign of Queen Elizabeth. He was a native of Llan

Gian in Lleyn in Carnarvonshire ; and tradition says he was an

illegitimate son of one of the Griffiths of Cefn Amwlch, by whom

he was brought up to the Church. He excelled all the other bards

of his time in sublimity of thought and poetic fire, and was much

admired for the sprightliness of his wit. His compositions are also

remarkable for grave sentences and maxims of policy and wis

dom. He had a poetical contest with Owain Gwynedd, a co-

temporary bard, which is still extant, and in my possession, be

sides 30 or 40 other poetical pieces, which have never been pub

lished. He was patronised by the families of Cefn Amwlch and

Bodwrda in Lleyn, and also by that of Caer Gai in Merioneth

shire. He was instructed in the rules of prosody by Griffith Hir

raethog; and the learned Archdeacon of Merioneth (Edmund

Prys) received some assistance and advice from him in his Welsh

poetical compositions. He died at Oswestry, where it is supposed

* A long and very interesting Memoir of Sir Rhys ab Thomas is printed

in the first volume of the Cambrian Register. It was written in the reign of

J»m«s L by a person, who claims, relationship with Sir Rhys. This chieftain

was born i» 1451, and died. in \b'll i he was principally instrumental in

placing Heury Vll. on the ICngish throne,—-Ed.


he was curate, and was buried there. Rhys Cain wrote a poetical

elegy on his death, which is still extant.

Sion Brwynog, alias Sion ab Hywel ab Hugh, of Brwynog in

Anglesey, was a good Welsh bard. He was proprietor of Brwy

nog, and flourished about the year 1550.

Edmund Prys, D. D., Archdeacon of Merioneth, was born at

Gerddi Bluog, in the parish of Maentwrog, in that county. He

was a student of St. John's college, Cambridge. He lived at

Tyddyn Du, in the above parish of Maentwrog, of which he was

Rector, and was buried in that Church. Dr. John Davies, the

author of the Latin and Welsh Dictionary, dedicated his Latin-.

Welsh Grammar to him, in the preface to which he pays him

many high compliments on his learning and knowlege of his

native language. He had several poetical contests with William

Cynwal and Hugh Machno, one of whom is said to have fretted

and died of a broken heart, on account of the severity and poig-.

nancy of the Archdeacon's satire. As to the uncouthness of his

version of the Psalms into Welsh metres, it must be attributed to

the novelty of that kind of verse in our language, he being the

first, as it is generally supposed, who introduced these new rnea-'

sures or versions, and for which he gave his reasons in a short

preface. The same msfy be said of his cotemporary Rhys Prich-

ard, Vicar of Llanymddyfri in Carmarthenshire, in his attempts at

writing carols. All the old compositions of that kind are very

lame both in North and South Wales, though since they are be

come very smooth and harmonious. The same remark will hold

good, respecting the old English metres, compared with those of

the present day.

Foulk Prys, Vicar of Clynnog, in the county ofCarnarvon, was,

as it is conjectured, the son of the Archdeacon, and flourished

about the year 1680. ,

Huw Machno, alias Hugh or Huw Owen, lived at Penmachno

about the year 1590, and had the temerity to contend in a poetical

controversy with the Archdeacon. He was buried in Penmachno

Church-yard, as appears by his tomb-stone, on which is still le

gible : "H. M. obiit 1637."

Twm Sion Cati, alias Thomas Jones, Esq., was a native of

Tregaron in Cardiganshire. In his youth he was'a notorious free-

booteK and highwayman, but soon reformed, married a rich heiress,

became a Justice of the Peace for the county of Brecknock, and

resided in the town ofBrecknock, otherwise Aber Hodni, or Aber

Hoenddu. He lived about the year 1620

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 213 n

,

MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.

On an ancient Tablet over the Pew of the Dvffrin Family in

Cadoxton Church.

Hie, in cancellis sancti Cadoci, et prope ipsum imaginem

Sane : Codoci, prout ille testamento ultimo decreverat, et anno

Xti 1507, jacet corpus Leolini filii Johannis, fil : Leolini, fil :

Gwillim, als William, fil : Ievani, fi : Morgani, fi : Morgani,

fi: Audoeni, fi: Rheci, fi: Iestini, ultimi principis etdomini Gla-

morgani, Gwent et Morganwg, originis Trojani ceu sanguinis

Britannici ; qui fraude et dolo Normanorum, quos mercede et

stipendio retinuit ad bellum gerendum contra vicinos, occisus

fuit posterique ejus fortunis omnibus, scilicet castro de Cardiff

principale ejus palatio cum omnibus dependentibus et aliis paternis

dominionibus terris et ditionibus, ejiciebantur, regnante Gulielmo

Rufo tunc temporis Angliae Rege.

Arms*— Gules, three Chevrons argent. (Those of Iestyn ab»

Gwgant* borne by Williams of DyiFrin.)

Motto.— Vincil qui patitur.

* Iestyn ab Gwrgant was, as stated in this Epitaph, a Prince of Glamor

gan. He succeeded to this title on the death of his uncle Hywe), in 1043.

It was in his contest with Rhys ab Tewdwr, Prince of Deheubarth, about the

year 1088, that he procured the assistance of the Normans, to which allu

sion is above made. On this occasion, according to Caradog's History,

Robert Fitzhamon and twelve other knights landed in Glamorganshire,

with a strong force, and proceeded, at the instigation of Iestyn, to lay waste

the territories of Rhys, and unmercifully to destroy all who fell in their

way. Prince Rhys, at that time nearly a hundred years of age, gave them

battle near Brecknoc, when, after great carnage on both sides, the Welsh

Chieftain was unhappily slain, and his dominions divided amongst the con

querors. Soon afterwards Iestyn's treacherous conduct towards Einion ab

Collwyn, who had joined him in this enterprize, brought upon him the ven

geance of these same Normans, who, being mere soldiers of fortune, made

no scruple to turn their ai ms against their former ally, whom, as he was

unprepared for the attack, they soon despoiled of his territory. The con

sequence of this double success rm the part of the Normans was the distribu

tion of the conquered lands amongst Robert Fitzhamon and his compa

nions, reserving a small portion for Einion, and the sons of Iestyn. Rhys ab

Iestyn, mentioned in this Epitaph, had, for his share, the loidsbip of Sov-

len between Nedd and Tawy.—Ed.


ANOTHER MONUMENT OVER THE SAME PEW.

Mrs. Rose Williams*, died 24th March, 1680.

R oses the most gay, that Flora's wreath beset,

0 ft, while they bud, are nipp'd by frost, but yet

S he proved a lasting rose full blown, yet she

E xceeded most in good longevity.

W ither for want of sap she did, when past

J oys of an earthly bliss, the fatal blast

L evell'd the rest, the rose yet stood

L ong unblasted for her neighbour's good.

1 nstead of winter she enjoys by fate

A lasting spring of an eternal date

M ost strange, yet she at her Redeemer's day

S hould sap recover and appear more gay.

Arms.—(Those of Iestyn ab Gwrgant as before.)

Motto.—Lie Cymerofft.

Lee, Kent, Dec. 4, 1819. W.

WELSH POETRY.

ITS GENERAL CHARACTER.

It necessarily forms one of the principal objects of this work

to make its readers in some degree acquainted with such remains,

as still survive to us, of the bardic productions of past times. Per

haps there was no people of antiquity, not excepting the Greeks

themselves, who cultivated poetical genius to an equal extent

with the Cymry. It may not, therefore, be uninteresting to

offer some general remarks on their character in this point of

view.

Poetry, it has been well observed, formed in the primitive his

tory of all nations the common vehicle, whereby they expressed

all those sentiments and recorded those actions, that did not come

* This Rose was the widow of Philip Williams of Dyffrin, great grandson

of Llewelyn, and daughter of Morgan Cradoc, of Cheriton.—W.

f I should feel obliged to any of your Correspondents, who would furnish

me with an apt translation of thn, molto.—W.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Within the sphere of ordinary conversation. Hence the passionate

transports of the lover and the warrior's heroic achievements

never failed to become, in the first rude state of society, the na

tural themes of the Muse. And long it was before the grave dis

sertations of the philosopher, and the studied reflections of the

historian's pen succeeded to the wild, yet expressive, strains of the

savage.

The feature, just alluded to, was common to all nations on

their first establishment. And it was not until communities had

made considerable advances in civilization that poetry, assuming

a more chastened form, came to be regarded as an art capable of

cultivation and ornament. And then it was, as the development

of the human intellect occasioned the improvement of language,

that the unadorned song of the minstrel of nature yielded to the

studied sounds and harmonious cadences of the poet of education.

Polished periods succeeded to the irregular ebullitions of raptur

ous feeling : and the gradual march of refinement served, al

though slowly, to extinguish those wild sparks, which had so

luxuriantly glowed in the imagination of the untutored bard.

Hence poetry became more and more subservient to the joint em

pire of taste and learning, until it finally settled in that artificial

perfection, which is commonly allowed to have distinguished the

best ages of Athens and Rome.

Such has been, in general, the progress of poesy amongst

those nations, which are admitted to have reached the highest

point in the scale of civilization. But the poetical Tharacter of

the Cymry must be judged by a standard essentially different.

Their first rude and spontaneous effusions, indeed, in a primaeval

state, of society, must have been of a corresponding nature wi'fi

those of other countries, alike simple in their themes and equally

unconstrained in their flight. But there is the strongest ground

for believing, from several testimonies, foreign as well as native*,

that the Institution of Bardism had, in very early times, an im

portant influence on the poetry of this people. Governed by the

rules of that singular system, and impregnated with its mystical

doctrines, the ancient strains of the Cymry, as may be proved by

* Among the Classical authorities on this point we find the names of Dio-

dorus, Ammianus, Athcnaens, Strabo, Csesar, Pliny, and I.ucan: and of

the native testimonies, which are numerous, the most important are thr In

stitutional and Poetical Triads. Mr. Edward Williams has translated a few

of these in the second volume of his Lyrical Poems: and some others may

be.seen in the Preface to Mr. W. O. Pughc's Edition of Llyvareb Heu's

Poems.

216 THE CAMBRO-BRITOX.

some still extant, must have exhibited an extraordinary variance

from those of most other nations*. Historical, institutional, or

aphoristical lore became the general themes of the bard : and in

his treatment of these he was bound to remember, that he be

longed to an order, to whose regulations the effusions of his

muse, as well as the actions of his life, were accountable. But

what gave to the bardic lays their most prominent, as well as

their most honourable, distinction was that adherence to truth, by

which, as a vital principle of the bardic institution, they were in

variably guidedf. Hence it is, that in matters of history the

Welsh bards have ever been consulted as the faithful chroniclers

of their times : while, by a singular contrast, the oldest prose-

compositions of the country are, for the most part, the mere

vehicles of romance and of fiction. This inversion of the general

order of writing is perhaps peculiar to Wales.

But, if the ancient poetry of the Welsh was remarkable for

the peculiarity of its principles, it was not less distinguished- by

the singular features of its construction. And the primary cause

of this was necessarily the independent and original character of

the Welsh language itself. This subject has already been par

tially noticed in the course of this work : and it will hereafter un

dergo a more particular illustration. For the present purpose, it

may be sufficient to observe generally, that the Oriental descent

of the Welsh tongue has given to its poetry the first and most re

markable distinction from that of other European languages. The

copious significance of its simple terms, and the facilities, presented

in the combination of these, have still enhanced that distinction by

the various and novel sources of rhythmical harmony, which they

have opened. And the bards, considering poetry, as they did,

to form a part of their privileged system, are known to have ex

erted all the faculties of their genius in the cultivation of these

means. Hence it has happened, that their poetry possesses a

* Of the ancient Bardic Poems of Wales those of Taliesin are undoubt

edly the most genuine. Many even of our early poets were not bards in the

strict sense of the word. This may be said of Aneurin and Llywarcb Hen,

whose warlike employments were directly at variance with one of the funda

mental maxims of Bardism. It would be a nice inquiry to distinguish be

tween our old bards and such as were merely poets. The terms bard aud

bardic, used in this Essay, it may he proper to add, are not in every case

to be taken in their original acceptation.

f " Y Gwir yn erbyn y Byd," or The Truth against the World, was the

motto of the old Bardic or Druidical Order. And " pure truth " is reckon

ed in the Poetical Triads as one of the " three indispensible purities of

poetry."


richer store of metres than was, perhaps,ever known to any other,

ancient or modem : and> depending as these all do on the prin

ciple of cynghanedd, or literal consonancy, confined to Welsh

prosody, they naturally give a strange and singular air to the strains

which they regulate. Add to all this, that the grammatical struc

ture of the language admits of a brevity and terseness of ex

pression, which can hardly be conceived from any examples to bo

drawn from other sources, at least in the present day. From this

union of causes it has resulted, that the poetry of Wales, and more

especially that of ancient times, conveys to the ear of j, person, not

thoroughly informed of its characteristics, something unintelli

gible and obscure. And all attempts to explain it through the

vehicle of a literal translation must necessarily prove unsatis

factory, as wanting those aids, which give to the original the

greatest portion of its beauty and energy. Nor is it possible,

even in a poetical version, to preserve all the sententious bre

vity, with the sudden transitions, and occasional boldness of

figurative expression, peculiar to the muse of the Cymry.

This originality in the foundation and superstructure of Welsh

poetry, while it ought to animate the curiosity of the learned,

naturally augments the difficulty of its gratification. Several

translations, both in prose and verse, have, at different times, been

presented to the World ; but it may well be^doubted, whether any,

even those of Gray himself, have given a faithful delineation of

the originals*. It is not meant to insinuate, however, that, in

order to do this, the metrical characteristics of Welsh poetry

should be engrafted upon the English version. Such an idea is

too preposterous to be for a moment indulged. Nor could it be

expected, that the conciseness and abruptness of the originals

should, in all cases, be retained in the translations. This again

would be impracticable. It would be sufficient for all purposes,

that the peculiarities of the Welsh muse should be represented by

such correspondent characteristics of English poetry, as might

seem of a most congenial nature, all the essential attributes, whe-

* This observation has reference principally to the versions of our more

ancient poems, particularly those of the sixth and twelfth centuries, when

the Genius of Wales burst forth, perhaps, in her greatest splendour. Some

productions of later times have appeared to no small advantage in English:

and amongst these may be mentioned tfce " Translations from the British,"

published by Mr. K. Llwyd, in 1804. The poetical versions of Gray, alluded

to in the text, are founded upon the translations given in Mr. Evans's

" Specimens of Ancient Welsh Poetry," and which, it may be remarked,

are not t»o much distinguished by their fidelity to the originals.

VOL. 1. 2 F


ther of passion or sentiment, being of course retained in the

version. But, after all, there are two requisites, without which

no successful translation of Welsh poetry, no more than of any

other, can be expected : one is, that the translator should per

fectly understand the original, and the other, that he should him

self be a poet.

It may appear, after what has been now said, something like

arrogance to offer here any of our old bardic productions in an

English dress. But it forms a particular object of this publica

tion, as expressed at the commencement of the present Essay, to

enable English readers to form an accurate estimate of the value of

Our bardic remains. Consequently, the author of the translation,

which will be found in a subsequent page, is willing to incur the

imputation alluded to, if he should thereby be the means of stimu

lating others to achieve with greater success what he has at

tempted. Yet the attempt here made, however inferior in poetical

merit to Gray's version of the same ode, will, it is hoped, be

found to represent, with more fidelity, the sense and spirit of the

original.

NOTICES OF OLD BOOKS.

The History of the Gwedir * Family, by Sir John Wynne f,

o/Gwedir, Knt. and Bart.

This little work having now become exceedingly rarej, it is

presumed that a brief notice of it will prove no unacceptable

present to the readers of the Cambro Briton.

* The true oithography is Gwydir. But the mode of spelling, used in

the work, is retained in this and in some other instances —Ed.

+ Sir John Wynne was born of a noble and very ancient family in Caer

narvonshire, in the year 1553 : be was married to Sidney, daughter of

Sir Win. Gerrard, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, by whom he had nine sons

and two daughters, a tolerably numerous progeny; but happy, says the

Psalmist, is the man that hath his quiver full of them ! He was created a Ba

ronet in 1611, and died in 1626, in the 73d year of his age. The Baronetcy is

now extinct, his male posterity havim; failed in the person of his grandson,

Sir John Wynne ; but some of the first families in the Principality claim alli

ance with, or descent from, him through female branches ; as the Burrelt*)

Lords Gwydir, (who are also representatives of the extinct Dukedom of An-

caster), the House of Wynstay, the Mostyns of Mostyn.—Yorke's " Royal

Tribes of Wales," contains much carious information on this subject.

% " The History of the Gwedir Family" was first published in a small

8vu. volume, of somewhat less than 100 pages, by the Hon. Daiues Barring -


The intention of our author, in the compilation of this " His

tory" of his Family, was to deduce his pedigree from Owain

Gwynedd, who succeded his father Gruffydd ab Cynan, to the

throne of North Wales, about the middle of the 12th century,

and in the prosecution of his design he seems to have spared

neither labour, nor expence. So long, therefore, as his ancestors

continued Rcguli of that country* (and " they were mighty men in

their generations)," this tract, imperfect as it is, throws much

valuable light upon its history ; and that the information itself is

authentic has, I believe, never been disputed. He had access

to authorities consulted by no former historian of Wales f. In

addition to Dr. Powell, he refers the reader, in his second page,

to " the Welsh Chronicle" (which we are told in another place,

was in the possession of Sir Thomas Williams of Trefriw), vari

ous Welsh Pedigrees, the records preserved in Caernarvon Castle,

those contained in the tower (which latter, it seems, were copied

for him by " Richard Broughton, Esq. Justice of North Wales,

the chiefs antiquary of England," p. 365), beside the Latine

book quoted in p. 368, and the traditions of the country.

But it is not as a document of public history only that this

work is to be consulted ; its most interesting feature, and that

which constitutes its chief excellence, is the lively picture, which

it furnishes of the manners of our ancestors during the period im

mediately following the subjugation of their country by the English

Edward J. Sir John Wynne wrote his history about the latter

ton (London, 1773) : bat this edition was speedily bought up, and, the work

continuing to be in considerable request, it was reprinted in Mr. Barring-

ton's "Miscellanies," (4to. London, 17B1). The writer of this article some

time since endeavoured to procure a copy of this work; and, after some

month's unwearied search, at length found one, consisting merely of the

" proof sheets" of the original edition, with all the errata, corrections of the

press, &c. &c. The price of this book, or rather (such was its condition) of

these leaves was fifteen shillings, and, the purchase having been deferred

but one day, it found a purchaser at this exorbitant price ! The references,

therefore, of this article are made to the last Edition in Mr. Harrington's

Miscellanies.

* " God hath shewed such mercy to our kind," says Sir John, (p. 396,)

" that ever since the time of Roderirke, the somie of Owen Gwynedd, Lord

of Anglesey, there lived in the Commonwealth, in eminent sorte, one or

other of our name, and many together at times." .

f Mr. Warrington wrote his excellent History of Wales long after the

publicaticn of this work, which he (as do Hume and Carte) frequently

quotes. He is, I believe, still living.

X " Divina Providentia," says Edward, " terram Wallie cum incolis suis,

prius nobis jure feodali subjectam, jam, sui gratia, in proprietatis nostre

dominium totaliter & cum integritate convertit, & corone regni (Angliae)

predicti, tanquam pars corporis ejusdem, annexutt et univit."^(Stat. Wall,

xij Ed. !.) Had the Kings of England any feudal superiority over Wales ;


end of the sixteenth century, at a period when his countrymen

were already beginning to experience the benefits of their union

with England *, and when they had already in some degree lost

that antipathy to the customs of their more polished neighbours,

which had thrown them so far back in the scale of refinement.

Llewelyn ab Gruffydd, havingtaken part with Simon de Montford

and the disaffected nobility of England against Henry III. though

included in the general accommodation made with the vanquished

after the battle of Evesham, was naturally anxious for his future

safety; and, when required to do homage to the new King,

scrupled to put himself into the hands of his enemy, and de

manded a safe conduct from the King and other terms : all of

which, except the safe conduct, Edward thought proper to refuse,

but, having obtained a fifteenth from the Parliament, marched

against Llewelyn, who had taken refuge amongst the lofty hills of

Snowdon, and there, blockading all the mountain passes, com

pelled the Prince to surrender at discretion. The tertns imposed

appear to have been religiously observed by the Welsh, until un

able longer to support the insolent oppression of the English, they

flew to arms, and thus gave Edward, what he so much desired, a

plausible excuse for their entire subjection. Assembling, there

fore, his military tenants, he marched into Wales, where

Llewelyn being surprised and defeated by Mortimer, was slain

with two thousand of his subjects : and Prince David, his Brother,

after wandering about in various disguises for nearby two years,

was at last betrayed into the hands of the English, sent in chains

tQ Shrewsbury, and, having been tried by all the Peers of Eng

land, suffered death as a traitor, for defending by arms, the liber

ties of his country, together with his own hereditary authorityf.

The union, however, of the two kingdoms was yet incomplete ;

and, to say the truth (observes Sir Edw. Coke \), this nation was

never in quiet until King Henry VII., their own countryman, ob

tained the Crown. But it was reserved for his successor,

Henry VIII. thoroughly to incorporate this brave people with the

English by the statutes of the xxviith. xxxivth, and xxxvth years

of his Reign, whereby considerable alterations are made in their

internal polity, and the inhabitants put upon the same footing, and

made fellow-citizens, with their conquerors : a generous mode of

triumph (says Sir W.§ Blackstone), which the Republic of Rome

or was the feudal system ever known in that country f Mr. Barrington, (in

his observations\on Stat. Walliae,) thinks not.

* This was effected by Stat. 27 Henry VIII.

f Hume. - i Inn. 4. 239. § Vol. 1, p. 94. . .


practised with great success, till she reduced all Italy to her

obedience by admitting the vanquished states to partake of the

Roman privileges.

The interval, which elapsed between these important events,

was a period of gloom and anarchy, and a period, which our re

gard for the memory of our ancestors would willingly consign to

oblivion, but which our respect for historical truth compels us to

pronounce most barbarous and disgraceful. " Soe bloody and

ireful were quarrels in those days and the revenge of the sword

at such libertie, that almost nothing was punished by law what

ever happened*." Of this the fate of the llawrudds, mentioned

in a subsequent extract, is one of the many examples ; and even

our author's own uncle (such was then the state of the country)

" durst not go to church on a Sunday from his house of Penanmen,

but he must leave the same guarded with men, and leave the

doors sure barred and boultcd, and a watchman to stand at the

Garreg during divine service, being a rock whence he might see

the church and the house and raise the crie if the house was as

saulted. He durst net, although he were guarded with twenty

tall archers, make known when he went to church or elsewhere,

or goe or come the same way through the woodes and narrowe

places, lest he should be layed for ; this was in the beginning of

his time f."

In the course of his narrative the author relates more than

one of those unhappy feuds, which so frequently agitated the

country. I regret, that the limits of the Cambro-Brjton will al

low room for but -one, but that a very remarkable instance.

" The beginning of the quarrel and unkindness between Ievan

ap Robert and Howell ap Rys ap Howell Vaughan," says Sir

John, p. 403 et seq. " grew in this sort. Ievan ap Robert, after

his sister's death, upon some mislike, left the company of Howel

ap Rys, and accompanied John ap Meredith, his nephew, and

his children, who were at continual hate with Howel ap Rys.

Howel ap Rys ap Howel sent a brother of his to lodge over night

at Keselgyfarch, to understand which way Ievan ap Robert ap

Meredith meant to go the next day, who was determined to shoot

a match with John ap Meredith's children at Llanviangel y Pen

nant (near Beddcelert), not far from John ap Meredith's house.

This being understood, the spie, Howel ap Rys his brother,

slips away in the night, and lets his brother know where he should

* P. 395. f Probab'y in the reign of Henry VIII— P. 427.


lay (wait) for him. Now had Howel ap Rys provided a butcher

for the purpose that should have murthered him ; for he had di

rection by Howel to keepe himselfe free, not to undertake any

of the company until he saw them to a medley, and every man

fighting. Then was his charge to come behind the tallest man ia

the company (for otherwise he knew him not, being a stranger),

and to knocke him down. For Howel ap Rys said ; ' thou shalfc

* soon discerne him from the rest by his stature ; and he will

* make way before him. There is a foster brother of his, one Ro-

* bin ap Inco, a little fellow, that useth to match him behind,

* take heed of him ; for be the encountre never soe hot, his eye is

' ever on his foster brother.' Ievan ap Robert, according as be

was appointed, went that morning with his ordinary company to-,

wards Llanvihangel to meet John ap Meredith. You are to un

derstand, that in those dayes and in that wide worlde every man

stood upon his guard, and went not abroad but in sort, and soe

armed as if he was in the field to encountre with his enemies ....

Howel ap Rys and company, within a while, overtooke Ievan ap

Robert and his followers, who turned head upon them, though

greatlie overmatched. The bickering grew very hott, and many

were knocked downe of either side. In the end, when that should

be performed, which they came for, the murthering butcher have-

ing not strucke one stroake all day, but watching of opportunity,

and, finding the company more scattered than at first from Ievan

ap Robert, thrust himself among Ievan ap Robert's people be-

hinde, and, making a blow at him, was prevented by Robin ap

Inco, his foster brother, and knocked down, God bringing upon

his own head the destruction that he meant for another; which

Howel ap Rys perceiving, cried to his people, ' Let us away and

begone, for I had given chardge that Robin ap Inko should have

been better looked to."

" It fortuned anon after, that the Parson of Llanvrothen took a

child of Ievan ap Robert's to foster, which sore grieved Howel

Vaughan's wife, her husband haveing then more land in that pa-s

rish than Ievan ap Robert had ; in revenge whereof she plotted

the death of the said Parson in this manner. She sent a woman

to aske lodgeing of the Parson, who used not to deny any. The

woman being in bed after midnight began to strike and to rave ;

whereupon the Parson, thinking that she had been distracted,

awakeing out of his sleepe, and, wondering at so suddaine a crie

in the night, made towards her, and his household also; then

•he said, that he would have ravished her, and threatned


revenge to the Parson. This woman had her brethren, three

notable rogues of the crew, fit for any mischiefe, being followers

of Howel ap Rys. In a morning these brethren watched the Par

son, as he went to look to his cattle in a place in that parish called

Gogo yr Llechwin, and there murthered him ; and two of them

fled into Chirckeland in Denbighshire to some of the Trevors, who

were friends or of a kinne to Howel ap Rys or his wyfe. It was

the manner in those days, that the murtherer onely and he that gave

the deathe's wound should flie, which was called in Welsh llaw-

rudd, which is a red hand, because he had blooded his hand. The

accessaries and abetters of the murtherers were never hearkened

after. . . ." " Ievan ap Robert, going to his friends the Kyffins of

Chirckeland, caught the two llawrudds, but the latter advisod

him not to convey them out of the country, as he wished, by rea

son that the faction of the Trevors would lay the way and narrow

passages of the country ; and, if they were brought to Chirke

castle gate, to receive the tryall of the country lawes, it was law

ful for the offender's friends, whosoever they were, to bring 5l. for

every man for a line to the Lord to acquit him *, so it were not in

cases of treason. Thereupon Ievan ap Robert ap Meredith com

manded one of his men to strike off their heads, which the fellow

doing faintly, the offender told him, that, if he laid his neck under

his sworde, he would make his sword take a better edge than he

did ; whereupon Ievan ap Robert, in a rage, stepping to them,

struck off their heads." P. 408.

To conclude : the quaint style of our author, his religious ve

neration for every circumstance connected with his ancestors, and

his excessive patriotism render this curious work highly enter

taining. And I think I may safely venture to recommend it to.

the attention, not only of the professed antiquary, but of every

Welshman, who takes any interest in the manners of his fore

fathers f.

London, Jan. \, 1820. OTTIX.

* According to the Laws of Hywel Dda, the compensations for murder

varied, with the degrees of relationship, from one pound to seven pence

halfpenny, that is from the first to the sixth degree. And their compensa

tions were to be paid within a fortnight from the time of the murder, if the

murderer remained jn the country.—Ed.

f The learned Dr. Percy (afterwards Bp. of Dromore), perused this work

with great attention, and added, (besides several valuable notes), four gene

alogical tables illustrative of this history, all of which, together with several

notes by Mr. Barrington, and Mr. Evan Evans, are published in the Edition

printed in Mr. Barrington's Miscellanies.

'2U THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

THE MISCELLANIST.—No. III.

To those natives of Wales, who feel a proper regard for the

literary remains of their country, it must always be a source of

gratification to find their genuineness vindicated by such cor

respondent features in the literature of other nations, as seem to

owe their birth to the same common origin. For this reason the

following letter cannot fail to be read with considerable interest,

proving, as it does in so clear a manner, that our celebrated

Triads are founded in principles characteristic of other ancient

productions, and which are, in a word, the principles of nature

herself. This was partially noticed in the first Number, of the

Cambro-Briton ; and the writer of this letter has very satis

factorily supplied what was then omitted with reference to the

general subject.


Sir,—When reflecting, the other day, upon the Triads of the

Cymry, I was led to consider the prevalence of the triad, not

merely as a vehicle of information and as a help to the memory,

but as in a strange manner pervading nature as well as art. In

the productions of poetry, as is suggested in the first Number

of the Cambro-Briton, it is continually to be met with. But

it is by no means confined to works of fiction. Some of the gravest

philosophical treatises abotind in triads. I was particularly

struck with this, on calling to my mind a celebrated work of one

of the first, if not the first, of heathen moralists. I allude to

Aristotle's treatise on morals, generally known under the title of

'* The Nicomachaean Ethics." I have selected a few of the

Stagirite's Triads (perhaps all of any consequence to be met with

in his Ethics), and, as they seem so forcibly to point out the foun

dation which the favourite form of the British apopthegms has in

the nature of things, you may possibly think them not undeserv

ing of admission into the Cambro-Briton. I shall introduce

them with the title usual among the Cymry.

TRIADS OF WISDOM*.

I. The three pre-eminent kinds of life, in which mankind de-

* See the Ethic, ad Nieom. lib. i. capp. 5, 3, (for the 2d and 3d Triads,)

and 13—lib. 2. capp. b and 8—lib. 6. cap. 2—lib. 7. cap. 1—lib. 8.

capp. 3 and 10.


light ; the life of sensual enjoyment, the life of public business,

and the life of contemplation.

ii. The three divisions of good : external, bodily, and mental.

in. The three excellencies of happiness : it is the most ad

vantageous, the noblest, and most pleasurable of all objects.

iv. The three parts of the soul : that which is totally destitute

of reason, that, which being under the sway of reason, has thence

a derived rationality, and that which is intrinsically rational ; ot

the animal, the moral, and the intellectual.

v. The three things observable in the soul : its capacities, its

affections, and its habits.

vI. The .three modes of moral disposition : the defect in any

affection, the mean, and the excess.

viI. The three things in the soul which have the management of

action and truth : perfection, intelligence, and aim.

vm. The three things to be shunned in the moral character :

infirmity, vice, and brutality. Their three opposites, self-

mastery, virtue, and heroism.

IX. The three kinds of friendship : the first proceeding upon a

principle of virtue, the second of pleasure, the third of interest.

x. The three forms of government : regal rule, aristocracy,

and timocracy (or a republic) ; with their three deteriorated forms,

despotism, oligarchy, and democracy.

Independently of the chief end, intended to be answered by the

above selections from Aristotle, in illustrating how strangely the

form of the triad coincides so often with philosophical truth, they

may also serve to shew, that, if sometimes such brief apopthegms

are either in themselves obscure, or cannot be done justice to

in a translation, they are not therefore to be rejected as untrue

or devoid of point. The above quotations from the Stagirite are

indeed most of them such as will be readily admitted to be true :

but some are of a diffenent character. They become however

quite clear and forcible upon a reference to the original context.

On the same principle I argue, that many of the Triads, which

appear at first sight not to be " Triads of Wisdom," would be

found such with a little explanation.

It cannot be necessary to remind any of your readers th»t

Aristotle does not write in triads ; nor was he, that I am aware,

one who aimed at producing them. Those, which I have selected,

occur in the natural course of his work, and as such are more va

luable evidence in favour of the Druidical method of teaching. I

vol. I. . ' 2 G


am, Sir, a cordial well-wisher to the cause of Welsh literature,

and your obedient humble servant.

Oxford, Jan. 18, 1820. S. Y.

The two following communications will, no doubt, share the

interest, that has already been attached to the former contribu

tions of the same writers. And it will not be forgotten, with re

ference to their particular subjects, that a union of the utile duki

will ever form a principal object of this publication.

* *

CEUBREN YR ELLYLL*.

In the park of Nannau, in Merionethshire, the seat of Sir

Robert W. Vaughan, Bart., there stood, till within these few

years, a hollow, large, and blasted oak, whose blanched and

withered branches presented in spring and summer a striking

contrast to the verdure of the surrounding woods. It was a noted

tree, and the peasant, as he passed it in the gloom of evening,

would quicken his pace, and, perhaps, murmur a prayer for the

preservation of his person from the crafts and assaults of the evil

one.

" E'en to this day, the peasant still

With cautious fear treads o'er the ground ;

In each wild bush a spectre sees,

And trembles at each rising sound."

A long succession of ages has rolled on since the event trans

pired, which conferred on this tree an influence so appalling.

During the wars of Glyndwr, in the former part of the fifteenth

century, a cousin of that hero resided at Nannau; his name

Howel Sele. It appears, that Howel had refused to espouse hi*

kinsman's and his country's cause, thereby rendering himself par

ticularly obnoxious to the choleric Glyndwr ; and an enmity was

thus engendered between the two chieftains, which was fostered

on both sides with savage and revengeful malignity. During a

cessation of arms Owen, so intimates tradition, sought amuse

ment and exercise in the pleasures of the chase, and he deter

mined, like Earl Percy of old, to " force the red deer from the

forest brake " in the domains of his unbending kinsman. Thi

ther he repaired, therefore, with a bosom friend, named Madog,

and a small hunting train. As was to be expected, he encoun

tered Howel alone, but armed, who demanded with what right

* In Eugiish, " The Hobgoblin's hollow Tree."—Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRITQN. 227

he, a rebel to his king, thus intruded upon his solitude ? Reply

succeeded reply, till they resolved to decide the question by force

of arms. They consequently fought, and Howel fell a victim to

the superior prowess of his kinsman. Near the place, •where they

contended, was a large oak, the trunk of which was hollow : into

this cavity the body of the brave but headstrong lord of Nannau

was cast, and Owen and his train hastened home to Glyndwr-

dwy. The disappearance of their lord caused the greatest alarm

and consternation at the castle ; all possible search was made, but

without effect, and his sorrowing lady secluded herself from the

world in the solitude of her lonely and now gloomy residence.

Year succeeded year, and still no tidings were received of the

absent Howel. At length, one tempestuous evening in Novem

ber, an armed horseman was descried urging his flagging steed

up the hill, which leads to Nannau from the neighbouring town of

Dolgellau. He passed quickly on his way, and arriving at the

castle, demanded an audience of its sad and solitary mistress. It

was Madog, who, his friend Glyndwr being dead, had hastened to

clear up the mystery, in which the disappearance of Howel Sele

was involved, He told his tale, and led the astonished and trem

bling domestics to the sepulchre, which enclosed the bones of their

Lord. It was opened, and the skeleton of Howel was discovered

grasping with his right hand the sword he was .accustomed usually

to wear. His remains were interred in the neighbouring monas

tery of Cymmer with all the pomp and ceremony of Catholic su

perstition, and masses were performed for the repose of his incensed

and troubled spirit *,

The oak, in which Howel's body was deposited, is the same, to

which I have alluded in the opening of this sketch ; and it was

standing about seven or eight years ego. A violent storm, how

ever, cast to the earth this venerable !' monarch of the forest

and the worthy Baronet, in whose domains it was situated, caused

its wood to be manufactured into a variety of utensils, the same to

be distributed among his friends. A short time before it was

blown down an eminent amateur artist made a sketch of it,

from which engravings have since been taken, and there is scarcely

a house in Dolgelley, but what contains one at least of these en

gravings, framed in the very wood (which is of a beautifully

dark colour approaching to ebony) of the Ceubren yr Ellyll. At

* Pennant has differently related this event. See his Sketch of th*

Life of Glyndwr in the Appendix to his '* Tours in Wale*."


Nannau there are several relics of this majestic tree. Amongst

others, I must not omit to mention, is a frame, containing an en

graved full-length portrait of the memorable Pilt. The frame is

unadorned by the gilder, but it presents an appearance, to use the

phrase of a celebrated Welsh writer, of magnificent simplicity.

Under the portrait is the following motto, particularly happy in

its allusion to the " pilot who weathered the storm."

YGwr,

fal y dderwen,

a wynebodd

y dymestl, *

T. R.

« OF NOBLE RACE WAS SHENKIN."

J. Parry presents his compliments to the Editor of the Cam-

bro-Briton, and begs to observe, that there is a peculiarity at

tached to the mode of singing the song, to the tune " Of noble

Race was Shenkin," inserted in No. 4, page 146, which, he flat

ters himself, it would not be uninteresting to have explained.

The first line, " Of noble Race was Shenkin," is sung to the

two first bars (or measure) of the air ; the 3d and 4th bars are

played on the harp or pianoforte in the bass as a symphony. —

The second line, " Of the line of Owen Tudor," goes to the 5th

and 6th bars ; then follow the 7th and 8th bars, played as before.

The third line, " But hur renown was fled and gone," takes the

two first bars of the second part of the air, the Sd and 4th being

played as symphony ; then the third line is repeated, and the

fourth follows without an intervening symphony, and completes

the air.

When this song is performed without an accompaniment, the

singer imitates the symphony, and fills the measure by a bur

lesque " thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum," &c. &c. e. g.

" Of noble race was Shenkin,

Thrum, thrum, thrum, thrum, &c.

Of the line of Owen Tudor,

Thrum, &c.


Thrum, &c.


Since cruel Love pursued hur."

* " The man, like the oak, faced the tempest."—Ed.


AWEN CYMRU.

A'th rodd yw athrwydd Awcn. Edm. Phys.

-*>cg>e>*>-

GWALCHMAI A'l CANT I OWAIN GWYNEDD*.

Arddwyreaf hael o hil Rodri,

Ardwyad gorwlad gwerlin teithi,

Teithiawg Prydain,

Twyth afyrdwyth Owain,

Teyrnain ni grain,

Ni grawn rei.

Tair lleng y daethant, liant lestri,

Tair praff priff llynges, wy bres brofi ;

Un o Iwerddon,

Arall arfogion

O'r Llychlynigion,

Llwrw hirion lli.

A'r drydedd dros for o Norddmandi,

Ar drafferth anferth anfad iddi.

A draig Mon, mor drud ei eissilludd yn aer,

Y bu terfysg taer i haer holi,

A ragddaw rhewys dwys dyfysgi,

A rhewin, a thrin, a thranc cymri ;

Ar gad gad greudde,

Ar gryd gryd graiendde,

Ac am dal Moelfre

Mil fanieri.

* This Ode of Gwalchmai, which is copied from the Archaiology, the

orthography merely being adapted to the present day, is the same,

of which Dr. Percy speaks in such high and merited terms of praise in the

letter inserted in the last Number of the CambeO-BritoN. And yet he

could only have formed his opinion of its merit through the disadvantage

ous medium of a literal English version, and that not strictly true to the

original, if it was the same as that afterwards published by Mr. Evans in

his " Specimens of Ancient Welsh Poetry." On the same version also Gray

founded his Ode called the " Triumphs of Owen." The most remarkable cha

racteristics of the original are the rapid succession of circumstances, which it

details,—the impetuous fire, infused by the poet into his verse,—and, above

all, that condensed and nervous expression, peculiar to ancient Welsh

poetry, of which no English translation can furnish any adequate no

tion. All these features unite in rendering this production one of the

most remarkable of an age distinguished by the cultivation of poetical ta

lent. Gwalchmai lived in the twelfth century.—Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Ar ladd ladd llaihar, ar bar beri,

Ar ffwyr ffwyr ffyrsgawd, ar fawdd foddi ;

A Menai heb drai o drallanw gwaedryar,

A lliw gwyar gwyr yn heli,

A llurygawr glas a gloes trychni,

A thrycbion yn dudd rhag rheiddrudd ri.

O ddygyfor Lloegr, a dygyfrang a hi,

Ac eu dygyfwrw yn astrusi,

Y dygyfod clod cleddyf difri ;

Yn saith ugain iaith wy faith foli.

PENNILLION.

XXXIX.

Da ydyw*r gwaith, rhaid d'we'yd y gwir,

Ar fryniau Sir Meirionydd ;

Golwg oer o'r gwaela gawn,

Mae hi etta yn llawn llawenydd :

Pwy ddysgwyliai canai'r gog

Mewn mawnog yn y mynydd ?

> xl,.

Y sawl, a feio arnaf, bered,

Heb fai arno nac arbeded :

Y sawl ynt dan eu beiau beunydd,

Fe eill y rheini fod yn llonydd.

XLI.

Tro dy wyneb attai 'n union,

Gyd a 'r wyneb trody galon,

Gyd a 'r galon tro d'ewyllys,

Ystyria beth wrth garwr clwyfus.

XLII.

Lawer gwaith a bu fy mwriad

Gael telynor immi'n gariad,

Gan felysed swn y tannau

Gyd a 'r hwyr a chyd a 'r borau.

ENGLYNION.

I GaerGai a losgid gan wyr Cromwell.

Caer Gai nid difai fu gwaith tan arnad,

Oernych wyd yr awrhon ;

Caer aethost i' m car weithian ; '

Caer Gai lle bu cywir gan.


I Gaer Gai

Wedi ei hail adeiliadu.

Llawer Caer, yn daer, i'w dydd a losgwyd,

"Lesg-waith wyr di-grefydd ;

Y gaer hon i gywir hydd

Caer gain yw Caer Gai newydd.

P. B. W. Rowland Fvchan * a' i cant.

ENGLISH POETRY.

TRANSLATION OF GWALCHMAI'S ODE TO OWAIN

GWYNEDD f.

The generous chief I sing of Rhodri's line,

With princely gifts endowed, whose hand

Hath often curbed the border-land,

Owain, great heir of Britain's (krone,

Whom fair Ambition marks her own,

Who ne'er to yield to man was known ;

Nor heaps he stores at Avarice's shrine.

* Rowland Fychan lived during the latter part of the 17th century, and

distinguished himself as a Welsh writer, and particularly by the translation

of one or two English works. He lived at Caer Gai in Merionethshire, the

place here mentioned to have been burnt in the time of Cromwell. So much

of the merit of these Englynion depends upon the turn of expression in the

original, that they could not be advantageously rendered into English.— Eo.

.f- It is not very easy to trace in the Welsh Histories the event, to which

this Poem relates. But, as Gwalchmai lived at the period of its occurrence,

it is not too much to conclude, that the particular action, here detailed,

may have escaped the more general researches of later historians. Hum

phrey Llwyd, in his " Historie of Cambria," notices two battles fought near

the Menai, during the reign of Owain Gwynedd: one in 1142, " when a

great number of Irishmen and Scots landed at Abennenay," upon whieh oc

casion Owain fell upon them with such slaughter, that but few escaped alive.

The other happened in 1157, in which year Henry 2d sent a fleet to Angle

sey uaVler the command of Madog ab Meredydd, Prince of Powys, part of

whose force made a descent on the island, and, after ravaging the country

and plundering two churches, were all cut off by the inhabitants in their

attempt to regain their vessels. Moses Williams was of opinion, that Gwalch-

mai's Ode had reference to this action ; but neither this nor the former

seems of sufficient importance to justify the high strains of the poet. We

must therefore infer, either that no memorial of this particular battle has

been preserved by the ordinary historians, or else that Gwalchmai alludes

to a series of victories obtained by Owain over Henry 2d, in 1157, com

mencing with the successful ambuscade of Owain's two sous at Ceed Eulo,


Three mighty legions o'er the sea-flood came,

Three fleets intent on sudden 'fray,

One from Erin's verdant coast,

One with Lochlin's armed host,

Long burthens of the billowy way :

The third, from far, bore them of Norman name,

To fruitless labour doom'd and barren fame.

'Gainst Mona's gallant Lord*, where lo! he stands,

His warlike sons rang'd at his side f,

Rushes the dark tumultuous tide,

Th' insulting tempest of the hostile bands.

Bojdly he turns the furious storm, •

Before him wild Confusion flies,

While Havoc rears her hideous form,

And prostrate Rank expiring lies :

Conflict upon conflict growing,

Gore on gore in torrents flowing,

Shrieks answering shrieks, and Slaughter raving,

And high o'er Moelfre's front a thousand banners waving {•

Now thickens still the frantic war,

The flashing death-strokes gleam afar,

Spear rings on spear, flight urges flight,

And drowning victims plunge to night ;

in Flintshire, and terminating with the defeat of Madog ab Meredydd in

Anglesey, as above mentioned. The intermediate Successes were obtained

near Flint and Rhnddlan : and on the former occasion several Englishmen of

distinction were slain. It may add to the authenticity of the account given

in this Ode to mention, that Gwalchmai was himself a warrior.—Ed.

* The original words, here translated " Mona's gallant Lord" are " draig

Mon," literally the dragon or chief of Mona; for draig has both significa

tions. Gwalchmai elswhere uses " draig Prydain," for " Sovereign of Bri

tain."—Gray was wrong in supposing the word had any reference to Owain's

cresti—Owain is here called Chief of Mona, in all probability, because the

general residence of the Princes of Gwynedd was at Abertfraw in that island.

—Ed.

f According to Humphrey Llwyd's History, Owain Gwynedd had as many

as seventeen sons, and most of them remarkable for their valorous con

duct.—Ed.

, % The-bill, here called Moel/re, is perhaps in that part of Anglesey, near

the Menai, now called TalyVocl. The original name, however, is now

lost.—It may be proper to apprise the English reader, that the word is pro

nounced Meelvray.—Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Till Menai's overburthened tide,

Wide-blushing with the streaming gore,

And choked with carnage, ebbs no more ;

While mail-clad warriors, on her side,

In anguish drag their deep-gash'd wounds along,

And 'fore the red-stained Chiefare heaped themangledthrong.

Thus Loegria's onset, Loegria's flight,

The struggle, doom'd her power to tame,

Shall, with her routed sons, unite

To raise great Owain's sword to fame :

While seven score tongues of his exploits shall tell,

And all their high renown through future ages swell.

* *


XXXIX.

On Meirion's hills (the truth to speak)

Delight is often found ;

For though the scene be bare and bleak,

Yet mirth and joy abound :

Who would expect the cuckoo's song

To hear the mountain bogs among ?

XL.

Who is himself quite free from blame,

Let him alone my faults proclaim ;

But those, whose faults we daily see,

May spare their pains to censure me.

XLI.

Turn, quickly turn thy face, I pray,

And with thy face turn here thy heart,

Oh, let thy will too turn this way ;

Think something of thy lover's smart.

XLII.

Oft has it been my wish to gain

A lover in a minstrel-swain,

Who, with his harp's melodious pow'r,

Might soothe the morn and evening hour.

* *#

TOL. I. 2 H


WALES.

OLD CYMMRODORION SOCIETY.—The recent forma

tion of so many praiseworthy associations in Wales for advancing

a knowlege of the language and literature of the country may

render it interesting to have some account of the first Institution of

this nature ever established. By this is meant the original Cym-

mrodorion Society, founded in London in the month of September,

1751, under the patronage of his Royal Highness the Prince of

Wales. From an Introductory Address prefixed to the " Consti

tutions of this Honourable Society," printed in 1778, it appears,

that the main object of the Institution was the cultivation of the

Welsh language, on the excellence and utility of which are given

some very judicious remarks. " To this end," the Introduction

proceeds, " a considerable number of persons, natives of the

Principality of Wales, residing in and about London, inspired

with the love of their common country, and excited by their reve

rence for the name of Britons, established a Society in the year

1751, distinguished by the stile and title of Cymmrodorion *.

And, although the cultivation of the British language, and a search

into antiquities were the principal end of their meeting together,

it was not however by any means intended to make those enqui

ries and speculations the sole objects of their attention. They like

wise proposed to render this Society as useful in general as the

nature of it would admit ; to facilitate which laudable design, and,

to make its influences as extensive as they appeared beneficial, it

was agreed, not only to establish a general acquaintance amongst

the natives of the Principality ofWales, but also a friendly inter

course and correspondence with all candid enquirers into truth.

"And, as we glory in being the offspring ofthe ancient Britons,

it will be our endeavour to prove ourselves worthy of that ho

nourable appellation, by imitating those social and generous vir

tues, for which our ancestors are sojustly renowned : more parti

cularly, we shall be attentive to the true interest of our native

country, and seek to procure its welfare and prosperity; and,

that we may not be wanting in the noblest and most Christian vir

tue, we shall contribute our endeavours towards the instruction of

. the ignorant, and the relief of the distressed part of our coun

trymen.

" With regard to ourselves, as members of this Society, it will

* Or, Aborigines.


be our constant care strictly to observe a just order and decorum

at our several meetings ; to conduct ourselves unblameably and

inoffensively ; to discourage all vice and immorality ; to promote

every private and public virtue ; to testify our firm attachment to

his Majesty King George, and his mild and auspicious govern

ment ; to cultivate a good understanding amongst ourselves, and

to extend our charity and benevolence towards all mankind."

The " Constitutions," that follow, eighteen in number, toge

ther with the "General Heads of subjects to be occasionally consi

dered and treated of in the correspondence of the Society of

Cymmrodorion," are too long to be inserted in the present

Number. But their interesting character, as well as their close

alliance with the principles, on which other Societies, of the same

description, have tsince been established, will, no doubt, be acr

cepted as a sufficient reason for introducing them hereafter into the

Cambro-Briton. On the present occasion it only remains to

add, that the publication, from which the preceding extracts are

made, contains the names of more than 350 members, including

those that were only " corresponding members." And in this list

are to be found the names of most natives of the Principality,

eminent, at the time, for their talents or station. ***

CHURCH UNION SOCIETY IN THE DIOCESE OF

ST. DAVID'S.—The following are the premiums proposed by

this laudable institution for the present year. The decision will

take place in July :—

A premium of Fifty Pounds (by benefaction) for the best Essay

on the necessity of a Church Establishment in a Christian Country,

for the preservation of Christianity among the people of all

ranks and denominations; and on the means of exciting and

maintaining amongst its own members a spirit of devotion, toge

ther with zeal for the honour, stability, and influence of the esta

blished Church.

A Premium of Five and Twenty Pounds for the best Essay in

Latin,—De Britanniae meritis erga religionem propagatam, sta-

bilitam, reformatam, ope Pauli Apostoli praedicantis, Constan-

tini * stabilientis, Henrici restituentis, prteeuntibus Edwardorum

Regum legibus, et Wickliffi. aliorumque vindiciis Christianas veri-

tatis.

* Constantinnm magnum non tantum in Britannia Caesarem, primura

dictum esse, sed e Britannia orinndum fuisse, adeo certum jndicat Ba-

ro«ius, et non nisi extrema? dementis homines illi sentential repugnare

dicat. (Strauchii Breviarium Chronolog, p. 849.)


EDUCATION.—This very important subject was noticed in

the Second Number of the Cambro-Briton : and its intimate con

nection with the welfare of the country cannot be too frequently

urged upon the public attention. When the deficiency of public

schools was mentioned on the former occasion as an evil, pecu

liarly affecting the Principality, an exception ought to have been

made in favour of South Wales, where a spirit of liberality seems

to prevail in this respect truly worthy of general imitation. This

observation is applicable, in a particular manner, to the Carmarthen

Grammar School, whose public recitations on the 22d and 23d of

December last seem to have indicated a degree of general im

provement, as well as of individual talent, highly creditable both

to the conductors and pupils of that respectable Seminary. And

it deserves to be mentioned, that the cultivation of the Welsh

tongue forms a prominent feature in the system of education pur

sued at this school ; a characteristic, that, while it confers so much

honour on this particular establishment, reflects a proportionate

disgrace on most others in Wales. Several Welsh productions

were very ably recited on the occasion above-mentioned, as well

as many in Hebrew, Greek, Latin, and English.—On the 23d of

December the dramatic performances of the students of the Car

digan Grammar School, which had been suspended in conse

quence of an accident in the Town-hall on the 17th of that month,

were resumed with great success. The ability, with which the

characters were supported, drew forth the applause ofa numerous

and respectable audience. The performance on this occasion was

Mrs. Hasnah Moore's Sacred Drama of David and Goliah.—On

the 4th of January the public examination of the children of the

British School, at Newport in Monmouthshire, took place in the

presence of Sir C. Morgan, the Patron, and other distinguished

individuals. Sir C. Morgan's liberal patronage of this very

laudable institution is only one amongst many of the public

spirited acts, which ought to seeure the gratitude of his country.

*

CHARITABLE DONATIONS —The inclemency of the late

season, unequalled for many years, has not failed to have its na

tural effect on the characteristic benevolence of this country. The

misery, necessarily occasioned by the severity of the weather, has

in consequence experienced very general relief throughout the

kingdom. .And the inhabitants of Wales have had their

share in this beneficent work. The following instances de

serve to be here recorded.—On the 23d of December the Rev.


Mr. Picton, of Iscoed, gave his annual donation of mutton

to the poor of St. Bride's Major and Wick, Glamorganshire.—

In the same month D. H. Fugh, Esq., High Sheriff of Carmarthen

shire, distributed five guineas amongst the prisoners in the gaol of

that county : and on Christmas day W. H. Scourfield, Esq. M. P.

for Haverfordwest, gave a bountiful donation of beef, potatoes,

&c. to the prisoners in the gaol of the county ofPembroke.—About

the same period Panton Corbett, Esq. of Leighton-hall, near

Welshpool, distributed 90 tons of coal amongst the poor cot

tagers in his neighbourhood, being his third annual donation of

the same sort.—A waggon load of coals was also supplied, in the

beginning of the year, by Lord Cawdor to the prisoners in the

borough gaol of Carmarthen : and a similar donation by Mr.

Timmins to the inhabitants of the county prison.—On the 8th of

January Lord Clive's annual donation of beef and bread was dis

tributed amongst upwards of 500 poor families in the vicinity of

Powys Castle : and on the same day a donation of the same

description was dispensed by his Lordship amongst the poor of

the town and neighbourhood of Montgomery.—In the first week

in January Pryse Pryse, Esq., M, P. for Cardigan, distributed

15 guineas worth of culm amongst the poor of that town.—The

Bishop of St, David's also supplied eight and twenty poor fami

lies with coal in the neighbourhood of Abergwilly.—The Hon.

J. F. Campbell, M. P. presented a donation of ten guineas to the

poor debtors confined in the borough gaol of Carmarthen*—Early

in January John Owen, Esq. of Penrhos, Montgomeryshire,

ordered, the sum of 30l. to be distributed amongst the poor in his

neighbourhood.—Mrs. Myddleton Biddulph transmitted to the

Warden of Ruthin the sum of 201. for the relief of the poor of

that town, together with a donation for the poor prisoners in

the county gaol.—On the 18th of last month a public meeting

of the inhabitants of Carmarthen was holden for the pur

pose of adopting means for the relief of the distressed and indus

trious poor of that town ; and soon afterwards a considerable sub

scription was raised for the promotion of this benevolent object.

—A liberal donation was distributed by Lord Robert Seymour

amongst the poor of the town and neighbourhood of Llandilo.—

Lord Dynevor has given a plentiful supply of soup to the poor

in the neighbourhood of Dynevor Castle ; his Lordship has also

made a donation of 5/. to the debtors in the county gaol of Car

marthen.—And Lord Cawdor, Sir Wm. Paxton, George Meares,


Esq. and Thomas Taylor, Esq. have likewise made liberal dona

tions in money, provisions, and coals to the general inmates of

the same prison. *»*

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.—The shipwrecks,that

took place during the month of December on the coasts of Wales,

form a melancholy feature under this head. Five vessels appear

to have been lost during that month, four on the coast of South

Wales, and the other between Barnsley Island and Pencilian,

Carnarvonshire. And in the latter instance six out of seven per

sons, the whole number of the crew, unhappily perished in their

attempt to gain shore in the boat after the vessel had been driven

amongst some rocks in the neighbourhood.—On the 19th of De

cember the Bishop of Bangor held a public Ordination, when Da

vid Williams, A.B., John Jones, A.B., and Thomas Jones,

clerk, were ordained priests, and Edward Williams, A. B., John

Prichard, A. B., and Thomas Stacey were ordained deacons—

The Montgomeryshire Yeomanry Cavalry, commanded by C.W.

W. Wynn, Esq., M. P. has recently received an accession of two

new troops, whereby the whole force of this respectable corps

now consists of six troops.—The Royal Maelor Regiment of Flint

shire Yeomanry has also been augmented by the addition of two

troops, which have chiefly been raised by the active exertions of

Lord Kenyon, whose loyal zeal in the cause of his "country, upon

all occasions that call for it, cannot be' too highly applauded.—

Lord Milford has made an offer to his Royal Highness the Prince

Regent to add a third troop of Yeomanry Cavalry to those al

ready under his Lordship's command in the county of Pembroke.

—The Denbighshire Subscription, for encreasing the yeomanry

force of the county, established in consequence of a meeting no

ticed in the last Number of the Cambro-Briton, amounts to about

1300/.—On the 9th of January the Bishop of St. Asaph held a

public Ordination, when Thomas Lewis Hughes, A. M., George

CunluTe, A.B., and George Redavay Matthews were admitted

into the holy order of Priests.—A Cymerigyddion Society has

lately been instituted at Liverpool, to co-operate with the other

Societies so laudably established for the preservation and promo

tion of the Welsh language and literature. The Society had their

anniversary dinner on the 3d ult., when James Butler Clough,

Esq. as Honorary President, was in. the chair. *tt*

LITERATURE.—The following works, in addition to those

THE CA1NTBR0-BRIT0N. 239

noticed in the preceding Numbers, are now in the course of pub

lication or contemplated.

The Rev. Walter Davies, of Manafon, Montgomeryshire, has

recently prspared for the press the first complete edition of the

Poems of Hi/w Morus, which will speedily be published at

Wrexham.

[The merited estimation, in which the productions of this poet

have ever been holden, together with the Editor's acknowleged

ability for the undertaking, cannot fail to ensure to this work an

ample share of patronage among the lovers ofWelsh poetry. Ai

a song-writer Huw Morus has generally been considered un

rivalled.]

A Welsh Translation of the Works of Josephus, which has

been published in Numbers at Dolgellau, will soon be completed.

A new Quarto Edition of the Bible, in WELSH,with the Annota

tions of the late Rev. Peter Williams, is in the course of publica

tion at Carmarthen.

Proposals are now in circulation for publishing by subscription

Y Diliw, being a Welsh Epic Poem on the Deluge, by Mr.

David Richards (Dafydd Ionaxur), the price of each copy to

be,4s. and the work to be put to press as soon as subscriptions

have been secured for 200 copies.

[As the merits of this author have, for a long time, been well

known to the public, it is confidently hoped, that he will meet

with such patronage, as will not only enable him to defray the

expences of publication, but also be a just remuneration for de

voting a long life and eminent talents to the cause of Welsh

literature.]

Can any of the readers of the Cambro-Briton inform the

Editor, whether a Welsh MS. Translation of Aristotle's Meta

physics, by the celebrated Dr. John David Rhys, is any where in

existence ? The learned Doctor certainly contemplated such a

work with a view to establish the capacity of the Welsh tongue

for expressing the most subtile operations of the mind : and

Wood, in his Athena: Oxonienscs, mentions, that the translation

was; actually deposited amongst the MSS. in Jesus College Library

at Oxford. V

OBITUARY.

December 23.—John Martin, Esq. of Withybush, Pembroke

shire, much respected and regretted.—After a long illness, John

Philips Langhorne, Esq. of Orlandon, Pembrokeshire, deeply


and deservedly lamented by a numerous circle of friends.—

25th. At Bodynlliw, Merionethshire, Thomas Davies, Esq. aged

63, of Bryn Cynfrig.—At Moser House, Suffolk, aged 64, the

Right Hon. Emily, wife of Lord Henniker, the only surviving

daughter of Robert Jones, Esq. formerly of Dyffryn, in the

county of Glamorgan.—31st. Mrs. Jones, aged 72, wife of Mr.

O. Jones of Llysfaen, near Abergele.— January 2d. Charlotte

Maria, third daughter of the late Rev. Dr. Myddleton, of Gwayn-

ynog, Denbighshire.—At Brinsop Court, Herefordshire, aged 79,

Mrs. Davies, of Burver, Radnorshire ; a lady whose habits of be

nevolence and Christian piety had rendered her an example wor

thy of general emulation.—8th. After a short but severe illness, in

the spring of life, Mr. George Jones, surgeon, of Ruthin, Den

bighshire, whose private worth has rendered his death a source of

the most lively regret to his friends and connections.—9th. Mr.

Evan Price, watchmaker, of Llanfyllin, Montgomeryshire, aged

104 years and ten months. Until two years previous to his death

he was able to attend to his trade ; and to the last his sight was

sufficiently strong to enable him to read a newspaper without the

aid of glasses. He died generally respected.—12th: Mrs. Parry,

widow of the late Mr. Robt. Parry, surgeon, of Mold, in the

county of Flint : a lady deeply lamented by those relatives and

friends, to whom her private qualities had endeared her, and de

servedly regretted by all her acquaintance.—16th.. Rev. R. Ro

berts, Rector ofGwaenyscor, in the county of Flint, a gentleman

distinguished as a worthy man and a good Christian.—17th. At the

Parsonage-house, Llansaintffraid, Montgomeryshire, the Rev. Mor

gan Pryse, aged 60, a Deputy Lieutenant for the county of Mont

gomery, and a Justice of the Peace for the county of Denbigh.

Esteemed and respected, as he was through life, for his social

worth, he will long be an object of the most sincere grief to his

numerous friends.—lb. Col. Lloyd, of Dole Castle, near Milford,

a Gentleman, whose valuable services as an active, intelligent,

and humane magistrate will cause his death to be felt as a serious

public loss.—lb. Miss Bowen, sister of the late Jas. Bowen, Esq.

of Pantyderry.—18th. At Northop, Flintshire, Henry Parry, Esq.

lateofMontego Bay, Jamaica.—19th. George Roch, Esq. ofCIer-

eston, Pembrokeshire.—23d. Lawton Parry, Esq. of Glanrafon,

in the county of Denbigh,

ERRORS CORRECTED.

No. 5. Pa. 187, L IS, for " Camenae" rtad " Camoenae."

Pa. 190, 1. 10, of the " Cyfarch," for « yu,' read - ya,

COELBREN Y BEIRDD, or BARDIC ALPHABET*.

Rad. Der. JJarf. Der. Accented Letters.

A A A k

si E u 6

1I

0 0 6 w w y

1/B f m u

r P b ph mh***

it Ff

U M f *l

<CK K C g ch ngh c66

cC $ ft G — ng

l

>> 14

D dd n

t-> 11"ft T d th nh

MN

IM K

LI 1

r r Rh r i

rS

uH

* The first column in this Cut represents the Old Bardic Letters, both

Radical and Derivative, the second gives their corresponding Letters, as far

as they can be adapted to them, in the Roman Alphabet, and the last column

contains the accented Roman Letters, employed in the Archaiology of Wales

to represent the Mutations of the Welsh Consonants, as noticed in the

Essay on Initial Mutations in the Eleventh Number of this Work.—Ed.

[«f To face Page 241.]

THE

MARCH, 1820.

NUIXI QUIDEM MIHI SATIS ERUDITI VIDENTTJR, QUIBUS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicero de Legibus.

WELSH LANGUAGE.

THE BARDIC LETTERS.

From the elementary analysis of the Welsh Language, to

which the last Essay under this head was devoted, a transition to

those symbols, which are employed to represent its articulations

to the eye, seems easy and natural. " Words," says Aristotle,

" are the marks of thoughts, and letters of words:" and St. Au-

gustin, pursuing the same idea, observes, " verba sunt signa au-

" dibilia, signa verba visibilia." And nothing can be more certain

than that this was the natural progress of language : the oral or

audible first, and then that, which was written or visible. The

elementary sounds, of which some account has already been given,

were supplied by Nature herself as the representatives of ideas in

a primitive state of society ; but, had human intercourse pro

ceeded no farther than this, it must of necessity have remained

extremely rude and imperfect. The same impulse, • therefore,

that taught man to convey his thoughts to the ear, instructed him

also to embody the representations of those thoughts to the eye *.

And this he did by resolving his oral language into its original

principles, and by assigning to those principles such distinctive

characters, whether imitative or symbolical, as natural attributes

or arbitrary accidents presented for his adoption f. " The ana

lysis of language into its elementary sounds," says Mr. Astle in

* M. De Gebelin has upon this subject the following very accurate re

mark : " L'iovention de l'ecriture, ainsi que cclle de tous les arts, fut de la

" plus grande simplicite. On vouloit peindre une idee; mais cette idee

" peignoit un objet. Un n'eut done qu'a peindre cetobjet, qy•a en tracer

" la figure, et l'idee fut peinte : air.si on ecrivoit par la mfime moyen qu'on

" parloit. La nature en fit tons lea frais."—Monde Primitif; torn, iii;

p. 3p.

f See Harris's Hermes, p. 331.

VOL. U 2 I


his " Origin and Progress of Writing*,"—" seems first to have

led to the invention of symbols, or marks for mental conceptions.

This invention must have taken place much about the time that

men began to reform the barbarous jargon they first spoke and

form a language, for which purpose the knowlege of elemental

sounds and their powers was absolutely necessary."

The first mode of writing, therefore, must have been of a very

simple character, the letters as well as the thoughts of the primi

tive race of mankind being purely elementary. Indeed, k is

hardly to be doubted, that the first attempt, made by man in this

way, was a representation by natural signs of the ideas, which he

wished to convey. And it is a remarkabfe corroboration of this

opinion, that the practice of emblematical writing has been found

to prevail amongst nations, between whom there never was known

to have been any intercourse. The Mexicans, the Chinese, the

Scythians and the Egyptians, occupying the most remote extremi

ties of the four quarters of the globe, adopted, and still in a great

measure retain, this method of communica'ting their sentiments

to the eye f. But this figurative language, called hieroglyphic

and picture-writing, and which may properly be styled imitative,

however expressive of those ideas, which had their prototypes in

visible objects, must have proved wholly inadequate, in its infant

state, to the designation of the abstract conceptions of the mind.

The next stage of writing, therefore, was the conversion of these

imitative figures into arbitrary symbols by an extension of their

representative powers to those distinguishing properties, which be

longed to their natural prototypes. Hence a tree may have been

employed to denote vegetation or fecundity,—a horse swiftness

or strength,—and the sun light, glory, and pre-eminence. And it

forms a singular illustration of this hypothesis, that the Hebrew

letters have been regarded by many learned writers not merely as

arbitrary characters, but as representatives of natural or artificial

images. For instance M aleph has been considered to signify an

ox, a beth a house, i gimel a camel, and 1 daletk a leaf +, of

t * P. 18.

f The learned author of the " Divine Legation of Moses," p. 91, ob-

seives, with reference to this extraordinary coincidence, that " all barba-

" rous nations, before the invention of letters, made use of hieroglyphics or

" signs to record their meaning," and, in addition to the instances recorded

above, he mentions the Indians, Phoenicians, Etruscans, and Ethiopians.

% It deserves to be here noticed, that dalen is in Welsh the word for a leaf.

The Hebrew duleth signifies also a doer or table, or, abstractedly, a flat

surface.

i


T i

which objects, as well as of others, the Hebrew letters are thought

to have been, originally actual delineations *. Another remark

able elucidation of this theory may be found in the old names of

the Irish letters, which, in number eighteen, are, with the excep

tion of two or three only, also the appellations of different trees

distinguished by various properties. And it is certain, that most

ancient languages present an extraordinary connection between

trees and letters, and such, as could never have been the result of

mere accident f. ,

From the imitative and symbolical styles of writing the next

transition was to arbitrary characters of the most simple description.

Or, to speak more accurately, the symbols, which had been bor

rowed from the images of nature or art, were gradually simplified

until they preserved at last nothing more than the mere outlines of

their original forms. This, as already observed, is presumed to

have been the case with the Hebrew letters ; and if, as some have

imagined, the delineations of trees were ever used to constitute

an alphabet, their transformation into characters of the simplest

nature would, upon the same principle, have been a work of no

difficulty.

But, whatever was the origin of the arbitrary signs, now used in

writing, it is to be ascertained from a variety of evidence, that

the first alphabets, known to Europeans, presented, for fhe most

part, an apparently inartificial series of lines and angles. Such

* See some ingenious observations on this subject in Mr. DavLes's " Celtic

Researches," p. 332 et sej.

f Mr. Davies in his work, cited in the last note, enumerates many exam

ples of this strange coincidence. Among these are the words Gwydd and

Feadha in Welsh and Irish, and several words in Hebrew and other lan

guages, indicating? the correspondence alluded to between letters and trees.

Yet some of Mr. Davies's remarks on the ancient Bruidical Tokens, and

particularly on the old Bardic poems with reference to this subject must be

acknowleged to be too hypothetical.—In addition to what he has advanced

on this curious point it may be noted generally, that preternatural qualities

were ascribed to several trees from the earliest times. Thus we have the

Tree of Knowlege in Scriptural History, and the celebrated Grove of Do -

dona in the Heathen world, the trees of which were presumed to be endowed

with prophetic powers, and thence called rtpocrrf/opon yixi [UaLyriKOil Spvs;-

The celebrated laurel of Apollo is also styled (AavTixov furov, and by

Claudian venturiprccscia laurus. And ^Eschylus in his Agamemnon makes

Cassandra describe her laurel garland as one of her " prognosticating sym

bols." All these instances and many others, that might be selected, unite

in proving the remarkable agency of trees, in one way or other, in the first

diffusion of knowlege amongst mankind..

4


were, generally speaking, tire Runic characters and the Pelasgic

or Etruscan, which latter are considered by many writers tfD have

been the primitive letters of Europe*. At least they are known

to have been in use among the Greeks in very early ages. And,

if any may dispute the palm of antiquity with them, it must be

those, of which it now becomes the business of this Essay to give

some account.

It has often been made a subject of controversy, whether the

ancient inhabitants of this island were acquainted with letters be

fore their intercourse with the Romans. And, if the question

have reference to the people generally, it ought perhaps to be de

cided in the negative. But we have the authority of Caesar him

self for saying, that letters were known in his time to the Druids

and other members of their Institution. His words on this sub

ject are, " Magnum ibi numerum versuum ediscere dicuntur. Ita-

" que annos nonnulli vicenos in disciplina permanent ; neque fas

" esse existimant ea Uteris mandare, quum in reliquis fere rebus,

" publicis privatisque rationibus, Graecis utantur Uteris f." From

this passage it is evident, that a knowlege of letters was common

to the members, even the pupils, of the Bardic Institution : other

wise, the prohibition, implied in the expression of nequefas esse

existimant ea Uteris mandare, would be wholly without a mean

ing \. But so far is this from being the case, that Caesar expressly

informs us, that the Druids, on ordinary occasions, actually made

use of a character, which he calls Greek. And the restraint, im

posed on the Bardic pupils or awenyddion in this respect, he as

cribes, with his usual sagacity, to the proper cause, a desire, in the

first place, to prevent the regulations of the order from being di

vulged, and, in the next, to promote that exercise of the memory,

inseparable, as before observed in the course of this work, from

the principles of the Druidical system.

Caesar's testimony, then, is decisive as to the use of letters

amongst the Druids even before his acquaintance with them. And,

* See Mr. Astle's " Treatise on the Radical Letters of the Pelasgians."

These be computes at 12, and the whole alphabet at 16.

f Bell. GalL lib. vi. c. 14. Although Caesar is here speaking of the

Druids of Gaul, his observations apply with still greater furce to this coun

try, where, he says on another occasion, the Druidical system had its origin.

X Mr. Davies has well observed on this passage, that " Caesar's probable

" reasons foramarked prohibition of letters in a certain case forcibly argae,

" that our Druid was a^master of their import : and this prohibition, being

" an institute or fundamental part of his law, evinces that such knowlege

«' was npt recent." Celt. Res. p. 239.


when he called those letters Greek, there are reasons for believ

ing, that he did so merely from having observed a certain resem

blance between the two alphabets. For the researches of some

Welsh antiquaries of the present day have succeeded in restoring

to light the characters originally used by the Bards. And it is

singular, that they comprise, with four or five exceptions, all the

old Etruscan or Pelasgic letters, which were, probably, but little

different from the Greek characters used in the time of Caesar, a

fact, which may serve at once to confirm his account and to vindi

cate the genuineness of these Bardic remains.

This curious Alphabet is called, in the language of Wales, Coel-

brcn y lieivdd, words, which imply literally the Token-Stick of the

Bards, a term derived from the ancient practice of cutting these let

ters across the surface of small pieces of wood, prepared for the

purpose. A similar custom was common, in early times, to other

countries ; and an allusion appears to be made to it on one occa

sion by the Prophet Ezekiel*. The letters constituting this Al

phabet, according to the delineation given of them in the Grammar

prefixed to Mr. Owen Pughe's Dictionary, were in number forty-

three. Of these sixteen were radical letters, and the remainder

derivations from them, capable altogether of describing aH the

simple articulate sounds in the language. And for six of these

letters there are no equivalent representatives in the modern or

thography of the Welsh tongue f.

The most prominent feature of this original alphabet (for such

it may justly be termed) is its simplicity, consisting, as it does, of

mere lineal and angular characters. And this was, no doubt, ow

ing to the custom of the Bards, already alluded to, of inscribing

the letters upon their sticks or coelbreni, which made it difficult to

represent curves or any other than the most simple marks. But,

in their use of these they appear to have arrived at an extraordi

nary perfection. For, not only had they distinct symbols for

* See Ch. 27, v. 16 and 17. The sticks, used on this occasion by the

Bards, were either square or trilateral : the former being adapted to general

subjects and poetical stanzas of four lines, and the other to triads or triplets.

These sticks were afterwards joined in a frame, which was called Peithynen

or the Elucidator, an engraved specimen of which may be seen in Fry's

Pantographia, p. 306., accompanied by explanatory remarks from the pen

of Mr. W. O. Pughe.

f Besides the representation of the Bardic Tokens, given in Mr. Owen

Fughe's Grammar, copies of them are also preserved in Fry's Pantographia

and in the Celtic Researches. In the latter work may likewise be seen a

curious comparative table of the Bardic, Etruscan, and other old letters.

24G THE CAMBR0-BR1T0N.

those sounds, which are now conveyed to us by double and even

treble letters, but their characters for the same letter varied ac-.

cording as it was used to denote a radical word or a mutation *.

And from this it has proceeded, that our present orthography is

inadequate, as above mentioned, to the representation, in some

instances, of these ancient signs.

It would be impossible perhaps to determine at what precise

period the Bardic letters grew into disuse. But it may rationally

be conjectured, that an intercourse of more than four centuries

with the Romans must have occasioned a considerable innovation

in their general system. And therefore it is probable, that gra

dual changes were introduced into the original alphabet, until it

finally settled in that form, which was in use on the arrival of the

Saxons, and from which the old Saxon characters are considered

by many authors of repute to have been bdrrowed f. The Welsh

letters, as now established, were adopted for the most part on the

invention of printing; but since that period variations have been

made in the representation of two or three of them, which will be

explained hereafter. It only remains on the present occasion to

remark generally, that the modern Roman alphabet is totally ina

dequate to the delineation of all the letter-sounds in the Welsh

language. In order to supply this defect two or three sounds are,

in several cases, appropriated to the same character ; and the as

pirated and guttural enunciations, with some others, for which the

Coelbren y Beirdd had independent signs, are now described by

two and even three letters, and, in some instances, very imper

fectly. This may be partially conceived even by those, who are

unacquainted with the subject, when it is known, that no more than

twenty of the Roman characters are now employed to distinguish

the three and forty symbols used by the Bards, and of which the

original articulations are still retained in the language. It is im

possible that the old alphabet, so nice in its individual discrimi

nations and so complete in its general arrangement, should meet

with adequate justice in such a representation \.

# '•

* The Mutations of the Initial Letters, which form so singular and so

systematic a characteristic of the Welsh tongue, will be the subject of a fu

ture Essay.

f See Cambro-BmtoN, No. I, p. 15, and the 1st volume of the Cambrian

Register, p. 365.

J The Editor has it in contemplation to furnish a fac simile of the Bardic

Alphabet with one of the future Numbers, in time to be bound up with the

present Volume.


THE TRIADS—No. VII.


xxxI. The three Banded Tribes of the Isle of Britain : the tribe

of Caswallon Law Hir; the tribe of Rliiwallon, the son of Urien;

and the tribe of Belyn of Lleyn. That is, they were so named,

because there was neither head nor sovereign over them, bo far

as the privilege of their families and territory extended, if they

were questioned within such limits, but the voice of country and

people prevailed.

[Caswallawn Law Hir, or Caswallawn with the Long Hand,

was Sovereign of North Wales from 443 to 517, when he died

after a reign of 74 years.—Rhiwallon lived also in the early part

of the sixth century ; and Belyn about a century later.—Other

copies of this Triad f relate the circumstances thus. " The three

Banded Tribes of the Isle of Britain : the tribe of Caswallon Law

Hir, who put the fetters of their horses on their feet by two and

two in fighting with Serigi Wyddel (Serigi the Irishman) at Ce-

rig y Gwyddyl (the Stones of the Irishmen) in Mon ; and the tribe

of Rhiwallon, the son of Urien, in fighting with the Saxons ; and

the tribe of Belyn of Lleyn in fighting with Edwin at Bryn

Ceneu (Bryn Edwin) in Rhos."—The privilege, thus acquired by

the three chiefs here named, secured their exemption from all su

perior jurisdiction save that of the jury of the country or national

inquisition J.]

xxxn. The three Golden-banded Ones of the Isle of Britain :

Rhiwallon Wallt Banadlen; Rhun, the son of Maelgwn; and

Cadwaladr the Blessed. That is, it was given them to wear bands

of gold about their arms, and about their necks, and about their

knees ; and thereto was attached the privilege of royalty in

every country and territory of the Isle of Britain.

[Rhiwallon Wallt Banadlen, or Rhiwallon with the Broom Hair,

lived about the middle of the sixth century, and is celebrated in

another Triad as one of the " three men most distinguished for

their knowlege of natural history."—Rhun succeeded his father

Maelgwn in the Sovereignty ofNorth Wales about 560 and reign

ed till 586 : he is also called one of the " three immaculate

* Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 62—3. Tr. 27—33.

f Id. ib. p. 12 and 16.

X The words iu the oiigiual are " rhaitli gwlad," which were explained

m No. i, p. 124.

24S THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Princes of Britain."—Cadwaladr was the lest nominal King of the

Britons. He abdicated the throne in 686 and retired to Brittany,

from whence he went ultimately to Rome, where he died in 703.

It was, in all probability, his dedication to a religious life at the

latter place, that gave him the epithet of " blessed," appropriated

to him in this Triad. There are two churches consecrated to

Cadwaladr, one in Denbighshire and the other in Anglesey.—The

following explanation of the names, here applied to these chief

tains, occurs in the two other copies of this Triad *. " Those men

were so called gold-banded ones, for that no horses could be ob

tained suitable for them on account of their size, so that golden

bands were put round their ankles over the haunches oftheir horses

behind them with two pans of gold under their knees ; and hence

the knee-pan was so named."—From this explanation it does not

appear, that the " golden bands," mentioned in this Triad, were

of the same nature with the torch or torques, so generally worn

by the ancient Britons as a mark of distinction. Indeed the ex

pression in the original is hualogion, which means strictly " golden

fettered ;" whereas aurdorehogion would have been used to de

signate the wearers of golden chains. This, therefore, is not the

proper opportunity for offering any remarks on that ancient

custom.]

xxxiiI. The three Cavaliers of Battle of the Isle of Britain:

Caradawg with the Brawny Arm, and Llyr the Armipotent, and

Mael ab Menwed of Arllechwedd. And Arthur sang to them the

following englyn :—

Sef ynt fy nhri Chadfarchawg,

Mael Hir a Llyr Lluyddawg,

A cholofn Cymry Caradawg +.

That is to say, they were the best of all battle-horsemen : and

therefore dominion and power were given them as they chose.

And it was their disposition to do nothing but what was discreet

and just, to whatever country or power they came.

[Caradawg, here mentioned, was a Prince of the Cornish Bri

tons during the sixth century, of which period were alsoLlyi and

Mael. They were all three likewise contemporaries of Arthur,

and fought in his battles, as may be inferred from the englyn here

• Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 5 and 17.

f These are my three Cavaliers of Battle,

Mael the Tall and Llyr the Armipotent,

And that Pillar of the Cymry Caradawg,


quoted, and which, in all probability, was added by some ancient

annotator.]

xxxiv. The three Generous Princes of the Isle of Britain:

Rhydderch the Generous, the son of Tudwal Tudelud ; and Mor-

dav the Generous, the son of Servan ; and Nudd the Generous,

the son of Senyllt. Their principles were, that they failed not

as to any thing in the world whatsoever to such as besought it,

whilst they possessed it, or could obtain it by gift or loan, or pre

sent ; whether sought by friend or foe, relative or stranger^ -

[Rhydderch, who is frequently celebrated by the old poets for

the quality here ascribed to him, was a Prince of the Stradclyde

Britons during the early part of the sixth century. He signalised

himself as a warrior on several occasions. —Mordav and Nudd

were contemporary with Rhydderch ; the latter was descended in

a direct line from Maxen Wledig, the Emperor Maximus or Max-

entius, according to the Chronicle the 79th King of Britain at the

close of the fourth century.]

xxxv. The three Crimson Spotted Ones of the Isle of Britain i

Arthur, Morgan the Courteous, and Rhun the son of Beli. When

they went to war, no one would remam at home, so greatly were

they beloved ; and there was neither war nor conflict, but they

were victorious in it, where there was neither treachery nor am

bush, and therefore came the proverb, " The three men, who made

men wherever they « ent, were Arthur, Morgan the Courteous,

and Rhun the son of Beli : the three people, who made men

wherever they came, were the men of Arthur, the men of Mor*

gan the Courteous, and the men of Rhun the son of Beli/'

[According to Caradog's History Morgan, here mentioned, was

a Prince of Glamorgan during the ninth century. And he is

stated to have died in 1001 at the advanced age of 129 years, hav

ing lived to see the dominions, which he had abdicated, enjoyed

both by his children and grandchildren.—Some account of Arthur

was given in the last Number *.—The chieftain, here called Rhun,

if he be not the same that is mentioned in the last Triad bnt

one, was the great-grandson of Maelgwn, Prince of Gwynedd,

and mu9t have lived in the beginning of the seventh century.—In

the other copies of this Triad Llew Llawgyfes, who lived in the

fifth century, supplies the place of Arthur, who is, however, made

supreme over the other three for the distinction conferred on the

chieftains here mentioned.—The epithet " crimson-spotted," here

* P. 204.

Vol. I. 2 K


used, if, we may suppose, synonymous with " blood-stained." The

word in the original is rhuddfanogion."]

xxxvI. The three Hostile Ovates of the Isle of Britain : Greid-

iawl the Hostile Ovate, and Envael the son of Adran, and Trystan

the son of Tallwch. And they had the priv ilege that none could

oppose them, wheresoever they wished to go in the Isle of Bri

tain, so that they did not go unlawfully.

[It is difficult to say precisely what is meant by the term, her»

rendered " hostile ovate." The Welsh word is galofydd, which

wijl also bear the interpretation of " regulator of hostility."—Gal

means literally a stranger or enemy (for the terms w ere anciently

synonymous) ; and o/ydd was the appellation given to one of the

orders of Bardism *. Galofydd may, therefore, imply one of

those privileged heralds, belonging to a strange tribe or nation,

who, as we find from the Convention-Triads of Dyvnwal Moel-

jnud, alluded to in the last Number f, had, under the civil consti

tutions of the Cymry, a right of unobstructed progression through

the cotmtry, exactly as stated in this Triad.—The three persons,

here named, all lived about the sixth century.—Trystan, who is

commemorated in several other Triads, is the same personage with

Sir Tristram, hero of the Romance of that name written by Tho.

ofErcildum J.—In the two other copies of this Triad Gwgon Gwron<

also a chief of the sixth century, b substituted for Envael and with

the greater appearance of being correct.]

xxxvu. The three Obstructors of Slaughter of the Isle of Bri

tain : Grudncu, Henben, and Aedenawg ; and their qualities

were, that they went not out of battle and war but on their biers,

when they were not able to move either finger or tongue.

[It appears, from all that can now be learnt of these warriors,

that they were sons of Gloisiar, a chieftain of the Northern Britons

about the close of the fifth century, a period, which called forth

the martial energies of that people in a peculiar manner, from the

* The O/ydd or Ovale was emphatically the Poet of the Bardic System.

The Institutional Triads describe his peculiar function to he the exercise af

poetical genius. Strabo and Ammianus Mareellinus make particular men

tion of the Ovate as one of the three Druidtcal orders : and hence, most

probably, was derived the Vales of the Romans. The olliee of herald was

expressly assigned to the Ofyddion during their three years' probation pre

vious to their admission into the higher orders of Bardism.

f P. 210, in the Note.

X Mr. Walter Scott has recently published a new Edition of this old

Romance. •


frequent contests, to which they were exposed with the Saxons and

Picts.—The other copies of this Triad give them the designation

of the " three brave ones," an expression perfectly consistent with

the more remarkable one here adopted.]

TRIADS OF WISDOM*

xlI. The three objects of intellect : the right, the beautiful, and

the beneficial.

xliI. Three things, which are to be found in every country :

.agriculture, law, and religion, that is, worship.

xijii- Three things which demoralize a man : fear, cupidity,

and ignorance.

xliv. Three things difficult to be overcome: courage, love,

and conscience,

xlv. Three things not much thought of until it becomes too

late ; the counsel of a friend., the warning of age, and the dictate

of conscience.

xLVi. Three things which, though they receive daily without

intermission, yejt seek for more: the sea, the thought, and the

miser.

xLvii. Tiiree things, which ought ever (to he kept open: the

ear, the eye, and the understanding.

xlvhI. Three things best to be kept closed, unless there shall

foe just cause : the hand, the lips, and the thought.

XLix, Three things which make a man worse than a beast : the

loving of his belly, the loving of riches, and the loving of the praise

of men more than the favour of God.

L. Three things, which make a man equal with an angel : the

love of every good, the love of charity, and tlte love of pleasing

God.


MORAL APHORISMS*,

Thy word by keeping thon wilt keep thy face ,

Keep good thy memory wisdom will thee grace :

By checking of thy hand thy good is sure ;

Keep fame by peace, which doth thy fame procure :


f- Ibid. vol. iii. pp. 6, 13 apd 14,


Thy learning kept will bring thy grace to light ;

Thy conscience'being kept, thou keepest all aright.

The strength of the sensible is his patience :

The strength of the contemplative is quietness of body and

mind : \

The strength of a country are its sciences :

The strength of sciences is peace :

The strength of a nation is its law :

The strength of law is in its dispensation ;

The strength of a judge is his equity :

The strength of a king is his mercy :

The strength of man is his understanding :

The strength of the understanding is exertion :

The strength of exertion is the being on the right in all things.

Nothing is so near as that which cannot be reached, that is, self.

Nothing is abundant but that which is seen in no place, that is,

truth.

Nothing is so great as what cannot be seen in the world, frohJ

its being so little, that is, justice.

Nothing is so clamorous, as that, whose voice no one hears,

that is, conscience.

Nothing is so right as what is found on the wrong with every

one, that is, knowlege.

Nothing is within the attainment of every one, but that after

which there is no one enquiring, that is, wisdom.

Nothing is so light as what is seen to be dark in every one, that

is, understanding.

Nothing is in every place, but that which only a few see any

where, that is, God.

WELSH MUSIC—No. V.

To the Editor of tht Cambro-Briton.

Sir—" Nos Galan,'* or New Year's Eve, is an air very well

known in most parts of Wales, and is also very popular in Eng

land, having been introduced in several dramatic pieces, under

the title of " Fal lal !a." The celebrated March in Blue Beard

was borrowed from this tune. The stanzas/generally sung to " Nos

Galan," are of a lively turn, and are performed after the manner


of those to " Ar hyd y nos,"—the words being sdng by one per

son, and the burden by another, e. g.

" Toil and trouble lie behind us,

(Borden) Fal lal la, &c.

Think no more of chances dreary,

Fal lal la, &c.

While the well-known strains remind us,

Fal lal la.

'Tis the Eve of New Year merry *,

Fal lal la, &c.

" Codiad yr Haul," or the Risi?ig Sun, is a very majestic,

sublime composition. Handel introduced it in one of his Operas.

It was also performed as a grand chorus at Drury-lane Theatre,

about five years ago, in a Piece called " Pitcairn Island." It is

particularly effective on the Welsh harp, and possesses much of

the characteristic beauties of " the Noble Race of Shenkin."

" Merch Megen," or Margaret's Dattghter, is a truly elegant

melody, and a very pleasing effect is produced, when the voice

sings the air, and the harp performs variations on it,

" Hob y Deri Dando," Away my herd to the oaken grove, is

a remarkably cheerful tune* with much nationality and quaint-

ness (if I may use the expression) about it. Braham (undoubt

edly the first male singer of the age) was particularly struck with

it, and wished it might be introduced at one of the Winter Thea

tres',—as it is arranged in this selection, viz.

duett f.

She.—" Men are false, and oft ungrateful,

Deny derry dando.

He. — Maids are coy, and oft deceitful,

Derry derry dando.

She. — Few there are who love sincerely,

Down a derry derry down.

He, — Say not so—I love thee dearly,

Derry derry down, \ ." &c,

" Maldod Arglwyddes Owen," Lady Owen's delight, is a

very pathetic graceful melody, not surpassed by any Italian air,

that was ever composed. This, some may think, is an extrava

gant praise, but it is no more than the truth.

* See " Welsh Melodies," page 31,

f See " Welsh Melodies," p. 40.

X Had not the universally known English ditty of " Derry down " its ori

gin from this air ?


" Dowch i'r Frwydr," Come to Battle, consists of a few mar

tial notes, rendered most effective when sung in chorus.

" Twll yn ei boch," The Dimpled Cheek, is a simple melody in

the style of Lady Owea's delight. Peter Pindai- wrote some beau

tiful words to this air. Those in the selection before me com

mence thus:—

" Thy dimpled cheek and sweet lorely mien

Fill with delight each youth on the green ;

Roses and lilies have lent their soft shade,

To make thee more fair than any fair maid."

" Cynghan Sail Cymru," The Welsh Ground. This charac

teristic jaaelody has been erroneously attributed to Purcell, and is

well known to most pianoforte players, as " Purcell's Ground

.with Variations." The notes are few, and in fact compose the

descending scale, but the harmony produced, when sung as a

Round by three voices, is very good : one voice sings the melody

as a solo, another takes it up, whilst the first takes a third higher,

&c. &c—(See Welsh Melodies, p. 50.)

I shall here step out of my way, in the hope of serving the

widow and fatherless, by introducing a beautiful Welsh air (not

published in the selection before me) performed with variations at

the Eisteddfod at Carmarthen by H. Humphreys, jun. It is call

ed " Holl Ieuengctyd Cymru," or All ye Cambrian Youth, and

is very much like a celebrated Spanish air, called " Folia d'Es-

pagna." The late H, Humphreys, whose performance on the

Trumpet gave such delight, having died, leaving a widow aDd

eight children in indigent circumstances, the worthy Rector of

Kerry in Montgomeryshire (the Rev, J. Jenkins) has transmitted

this air with the variations, performed by H. H- at Carmarthen,

to London for publication; and to render it more valuable, the

Rev. Walter Davies has written a Monody on the Death of Sir

Thomas Picton, which will be also printed, adapted to the same

melody. It will be published (free of expence) by subscription,

for the benefit of Mrs. Humphreys and her helpless family j and

I doubt not, but every lover of national nielody will be highly

pleased with it, as it is arranged either for the harp or pianoforte,

And the variations, while they retain the air, are at the same

time very brilliant.

" Gan felysed swn y tannau,

Gyd a'r hwyr, a chyd a'r borau."

Feb. i, 1820. " John Parry,

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER VII.

Mr. Thomas Salusburye to Sir John Wynne of Gwydir,

Knight; dated London, June 22*.

Right Worshipful, my humble duty remembered, &c.—I am

glad to hear of your late recovery and present health, which I

beseech the Lord still to continue to his glory and the good of our

country. It rejoiced me not a little when I understood, that your

Worship was inquisitive whether the Psalms are translated into

our vulgar tongue or not. I sent you by your man a copy of

them that are printed. He had finished some fifty of them before

he died this time seven years. In the time of the great sickness

he departed this world. In his custody, when I came into the

country, I left your proverbs, the psalms and many good trea

tises of Mr. Perkynne's, with other good things in the British

tongue, which were all gone and lost by his untimely death. I

could never hear nor learn where any of them were bestowed ; I

<}ften enquired, but could not learn of any how and by whose

means they were convey'd away. I hear not of any that are

about the PSulms, save only Archdeacon Price, who promised

them long ago, but as yet has not accomplish'd his promise, nor

the expectation of many. Having not any new books worthy

your reading, I presumed to present your Worship with a small

Treatise written by a great statesman, some time secretary to the

late Philip of Spain. Mr. Camden's Britannia (the last Edition),

wfth the Maps of all the Shires, is lately printed and bound in

folio~ Thus humbly taking leave, desiring the Lord to guide and

protect your Worship, your virtuous lady, and all your religious

and well-nurtured issue with all blessings external in this present

life, and in the other to come with all blessings spiritual.

From my house in Cloth Fair in London, June the 22d.

Your Worship's in all service ready,

Thos. SaI.usbtjrye.

Pray my lady to bestow reading of my little book.

To the Right Worshipful Sir John Wynne, Knight,

at his house in Gwydir, these deliver.

*i No year is mentioned ; but, as the letter is stated to be written seven

yeaFS after that of the great sickness, which happened in 1004, it fixes the

fiate at 1611. Mr. Thomas Salusburye was Editor of Capt. William Middle-

ton's Metrical Version' of the Psalms, 'printed in 1603, and alluded to ia


LETTER VIII.

Bishop Percy to the Rev. Evan Evans ; dated Easton Maudit,

November 22, 1761.

Dear Sir,—I know not whether the favour, you have done

me in having wrote to me once or twice, entitles me to address

you with the familiarity of a near acquaintance ; but I have ven

tured to trouble you with a voluntary letter. I presume you

have received a very long one from me through the medium of

Mr. Williams. -In that I requested to know if you had any

good old popular ballads in the Welsh language on historical

and romantic subjects. This was not a random question. I

have in my possession a very ancient MS. collection of such

pieces in our own language, some of which will throw great

light on our old poets. I have selected two for your inspection,

which, when perused, do me the favour to return and inform

me whether you can remember any on the same subjects in the

Cambrian tongue. I have reason to believe both the inclosed

pieces are of great antiquity. The fragment is certainly more,

ancient than the time of Chaucer, who took his Old Wife of

Bath's tale from it, as any one upon perusal will be convinced,

and consequently that the song was not taken from Chaucer. I

can not help thinking many of these pieces, about King Arthur,

translations from the ancient British tongue ; and it is in order to

receive information on this subject, that I now apply to you.

I am going to print a select collection of these old pieces, not

only on account of the merit of the poetry which they contain,

(and even these display proofs of great invention), but also as

conducing to illustrate our best old poets, who frequently allude

to these compositions. As the press waits, I would intreat the

favour of a speedy answer. I shall soon be able to send you a

specimen of some Runic poetry; which, you will find, bears a

surprizing similitude to your own Welsh songs, more specimens

of which at your leisure will oblige,

Dear Sir, your most faithful servant,

Thos. Percy.

this letter. This work, it deserves to be mentioned, was written at sea, in the

West Indies, where, as appears from a Note by the Author, it was finished

on the auh of January, 1595.—Sir John Wynne was the same personage^

whose History of his Family is noticed in the last Number. He died in 1626^

aged 78.—Ed,.




[ Continued from No. 5 ]

Mines and Manufactures.—The lead and coal mines form a

remarkable feature in any account of this parish : but at present

they are far from being of the importance, that belonged to them

some years ago, when they furnished employment to several hun

dreds of the labouring poor. At the period alluded to the lead

mines of Llynypandy and Penyfron, on the northern part of the

Parish, were worked upon a very extensive scale ; and for some

time those at the latter place were not exceeded in their pro

ductiveness by any in the kingdom. The former were the pro

perty of that celebrated iron-master John Wilkinson, Esq. of

Brymbo, who, after having erected six steam engines, was unable

to overcome the immense torrent of water, which broke in upon

the mines, and which, as already mentioned, is supposed to have

been the subterraneous stream of the Alyn*. In consequence of

this untoward circumstance neither Mr. Wilkinson nor those, who

succeeded him in the proprietorship of this work, were ever able

to derive much profit from their exertions, notwithstanding the

abundance of ore, that was said to exist there. In 1801 the ton

nage of ore raised was about 300.—Mr. Ingleby, the owner of

the adjacent mines at Penyfron, was, for some time, more success

ful in his enterprise. About the year 1 797 he was in the habit

of raising, without having recourse to steam engines, from 30 to

50, and sometimes as many as 100 tons weekly: and the whole

expence ofraising, washing, and preparing the latter quantity for

the furnace was no more than 50/. And, as the average price of

ore was at that time 9/., the profit to the proprietor must have

been very considerable. However, the subterraneous water found

its way afterwards into this mine also, and reduced the produce to

one fourth of its former quantity, and finally put an entire stop

to the work. Hence, neither the mines at this place nor at Llyn

ypandy have, owing to the same obstruction, been worked for the

last four years, although it has been ascertained that they contain

a great body of ore.—There are a few other mines now worked in

the parish, of which that alone at Cefn-bychan yields any consi-

VOX.. I.

* See No. 5, p. 182.

3l


derable profit*. A few discoveries, however, have of late year*

been made by some labouring miners, which have been produc

tive ofno small advantage to the parties concerned. In one in

stance about 20 tons of ore per week are still raised near the sur

face at an expence comparatively trilling, and which is the only

case, that continues to be at all profitable.—There are not more

than eight collieries at present at work in the parish, in two of

which they raise cannel coal. The seams of coal found here, as

in other parts of the county, are in general remarkable for their

thickness. The produce, independent of what is appropriated

to the consumption of the neighbourhood, finds a ready sale in

the Chester market and in the bordering parts of Denbighshire.—

There are three lime-works in the parish, which employ altoge

ther about fifty men f.—The principal manufactories of this pa

rish are those of fire-brick, tiles, and earthen ware on Buckley

Mountain, the works for smelting lead ore are at the same place,

and the manufactory of cotton-twist near the town.—The fire

brick and tiles, here made, are composed of chinch, a bluish clay,

accompanying strata of coal, which, since the discovery of its

utility in this way, has proved extremely profitable in many part*

of the kingdom The Cotton Twist Company (Messrs. Knight

of Manchester) employ about 300 hands. Their manufactory,

which was erected about twenty-eight years ago, is a handsome

building of the sort, and forms a conspicuous object in the vale,

although the admirers of rural scenery may not be disposed to

consider it as any accession to its beauty.—Such are the most pro

minent features of the mines and manufactures of this parish. In

other respects, the ready intercourse with Chester and Liverpool

prevents it from becoming a place of general trade to any con

siderable extent. The prosperity of this parish, therefore, must

always rest in a main degree upon the flourishing state of its mines,

which, of late years, have been much on the decline.

The Town.— We have no certain information respecting the

Town of Mold before the time of Leland, who wrote his Itinerary

* According to an account, given by Mr. Edward Llwyd, the celebrated

antiquary, ore was raised both at Cefu-mawr and Cefn-bychau in the 17tll

century.

f The Writer regrets, that he is not able to give a fuller account of the

present state of the mineral works in this parish. But two applications,

which have been publicly made for information on this subject, have not had

the desired result, and he has accordingly been confined to his own means,

which, however imperfect, are, he believes, as far as they extend, sufficiently

accurate.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

in the reign of Henry VIII. But it must have been of a much

earlier date, since it was at a fair holden at this town in 1465 that

Reinallt ab Gruffydd committed the outrage upon the citizens of

Chester noticed in a preceding part of this account *. However,

it could not have been in that age a place of any great impor

tance ; for Leland gives the following account of this town in hii

time f. " In Molesdale is but one great paroche caullid Ploughe

" (paroche) Wriothegrig, of sum communely Molesdale. There

" longe three chapelles onto it. Sum say, that Molesdale was ons

" a market toune. It hath yet the name of a maire %, and a greate

" numbre of houses be without token almost destroyed, and there

" hath been two streates, as Streate Byle [BaileyJ and Streate

" Dadlede [Dadlen] in Walsch, in English the Court House

" Streate, besyde other little lanes. Now in al be scant 40 houses.

" At the north end of Byle Streate appere diches and hills yn

" tokyn of an ancient castel or buildinge there. It is now caulled

" Mont Brenebyly, and on the side of it is a fayre springe.

" Alun River commith within a bou shot of Molesdale Chirche."

—In 1699, we find from Edward Llwyd's Itinerary, the number

of houses had increased to 120.—According to the Parliamentary

estimate made in 181 1, the population of the town was 2150, which,

at the rate of five to a house, would make the number of houses at

that time 430 : and the last nine years have made no great addi

tion.—Besides the church, ofwhich a description has already been

given § , the town possesses no public buildings worthy of notice.

The Court House, which is also the County Hall, is a mean pile,

wholly unworthy of the purposes, to which it is dedicated. And it

reflects no small reproach on the inhabitants' of Flintshire, that

Justice has not yet found amongst them an abode more suitable to

her dignity. The spirited example of a neighbouring county in

this respect might he followed both with advantage and honour.

—Of the general appearance of the town it may be sufficient to

say, that it consists principally of one spacious street, nearly a

quarter of a mile in length, well paved, and presenting altogether

» No. 4, p. 40.

f Itinerary, Heame's Edition, vol. v. p. SO.

J This name is still retained amongst the common people : and a bur

lesque elestion of the Mayor and otner officers was customary a few years

ago, if it be not still, daring the wake week in the month of September. The

office of a Recorder is also nominally preserved. From all this it may be

concluded, that Mold was anciently a corporate town.

| No. 4, p. 141.


a handsome appearance. But the houses are generally low, and

their arrangement deficient in that regularity, which distinguishes

the towns in England as well as some in other parts of the Princi

pality.—At the upper or north end of the town, as mentioned by

Leland, stands the Bailey Hill, previously noticed, of which Mr.

Pennant gives the following account*. " At the north end of the

" town stands the Mount, to which it owes the British and Latin

" names Yr Wyddgrug and Mons Altvs, the lofty and conspi-

" cuous Mount. This is partly natural, partly artificial. Our

" British ancestors, and afterwards the Saxons and Normans,

" taking advantage of so defensible an eminence, cut it into form,

" 'and placed on it a castle. It is possible, that the Romans might

" also have had some concern in it ; for a beautiful gold coin of

" Vespasian was found there. But, this being the only proof of

" its having been possessed by them, I shall not insist on it any

" farther than to urge the probability, Mold being in the neigh-

" bourhood of many of their mines, and of places where much of

" their money has been found. The Mount is now called the

" Bailey Hill, from the word ballium, or castle-yard. It ap-

" pears to have been strongly fortified by great ditches, not-

" withstanding its arduous ascent. It is divided into three parts,

" the lower ballium or yard, the upper, and the keep or donjon.

" The tops of the two first are levelled by art ; and all are sepa-

" rated by deep fosses. The keep was on a part greatly and ar-

" tificially elevated : and round its edges are a few stones, the

" only relics of the fortress f. On one side of the upper yard are

" found vast quantities of bones, some human, others of animals,

" mostly domestic, such as oxen, sheep, horses, and hogs, and

" a few remnants of horns of stags and roebucks." This Mount

and the Church, which stands, as before mentioned, on a gentle

eminence, form conspicuous objects on the approach to the town,

of which they are, in every respect, the most striking ornaments.

—There are five fairs here annually, and two weekly markets, on

Wednesday and Saturday.—Mold, it may also be mentioned,

has been, for many years, from its central situation, the town,

where the Assizes are holden, and all other county business, ex

cept the election of Knights ofthe Shire, regularly transacted.

Family Seats.—The ancient houses in this parish are ex

tremely numerous, and to enter into a minute detail of their

♦^Tour in Wales, vol. i. p. 423.

f Tbere is now but one of these stcnes remaining.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 2GI

history would far exceed the bounds, that must be prescribed to

this article. A few brief notices, therefore, of the most remark

able must suffice.—Leland, in his Itinerary *, has left a memorial

of three only of the principal houses in his day. The following

are his words. " Robert Edwards, a gentylman, dwelleth at

" [Rhual] on the side of Alen yn Molesdale, having

" plenty of wood and goodly medow by Alenside."—" Ithel

" Griffith dwelleth on the north-side scant a quarter of a mile

" from Molesdale Toune, at a place caullid Lloen Egrine. John

" Wynne ap Robert dwellid at a stone tower, caullid Broncoit,

" alias Regnaulte's Towre, three-quarters of a mile from Moles-

" dale Toune."—Neither of the mansions, here enumerated, is

now occupied by the descendants of the former possessors : and

Tower alone retains any vestige of the building that existed in

Leland's time. The origin of the name of Tower, which was

originally called Broncoed, as well as some curious particulars,

connected with its ancient history, when in the occupation of

Reinallt ab Gruffydd, have already been noticed. Subsequently

to the age of that chieftain this house was the seat of the

Wynnes, descended from one of the royal tribes of Wales,

through Cynrig Efell, son of Meredydd, Prince of Powys.

After the death of Dr. Wynne, a part of whose singular epitaph

was inserted in a former Number, it went to his brother Roger,

who, dying without issue, left the estate to his niece, the lady of

the Rev H. W. Eyton, the present respected proprietor. The

house at this time is tenanted by a farmer.—Rhual, as it stood

when Leland wrote, has long disappeared. The present house

was built in the year 1634, by Evan Edwards, Esq.f, a de

scendant of the Robert Edwards mentioned above. Upon the

marriage of his grand-daughter Mary with Walter Gruffydd,

Esq. of Llanfyllin, in Montgomeryshire J, the estate passed

into that family. The last gentleman of the name, who had

undivided possession of the property, was the late Thomas

Griffith, Esq. whose urbanity of disposition and polished ac

quirements will long cause his memory to be cherished with

unfeigned respect. He died in 1811, on the 18th of June, a

day, that afterwards, by a singular and fatal coincidence, took

* Hearne's Edition, vol. v. p. 30.

f He was Secretary, says Pennant, to Richard, Earl of Dorset, and was

Member for Camelford in the Parliament of 1628.

X There is still a family at Llanfyllin of tbis name, or rather of the

name of Griffithes, a corruption of the old Welsh appellation.


away two other members of the family, after a lapse of two

years successively. Mrs. Griffith, his widow, died on the 18th

of June, 1813; and his only surviving son, Major Griffith, fell

on the field of Waterloo, on the memorable 18th of June, 1815.

This estate was sold about five years ago to one of the gentle

men of the Mold Cotton-Twist Company, and is now the pro

perty of his son, James Knight, Esq. by whom the house has

been greatly improved. The situation of Rhual is one of the

most agreeable in the whole vale.—At no great distance from

Rhual, to the north of the town, is Gwysaney, or, as it has been

written, Gwasanau, a house of equal note, perhaps, in ancient

times, with any other in the parish. The name has been thought

to be a corruption of Hosannah, in allusion to the Victoria

Allcluiatica fought in the neighbourhood * ; but this etymology

must be considered as rather fanciful. This old mansion was

garrisoned in the civil wars by the royalists, from whom it was

taken by Sir William Brereton, the Parliamentary General.

The family of Davies, of Llanerch, was originally in possession

of this property. It now belongs to Bryan Cooke, Esq. of

Yorkshire,—On the opposite, or southern, side of the vale, below

the town, and not far from Tower, stand the two Leeswoods,

now the property of the Rev. H. W. Eyton, Vicar of this Parish,

he having some years ago purchased that, which formerly be

longed to Sir George Wynne, the great mine-proprietor. Mr.

Pennant calls this a palace-like mansion, and in his time it had

much of that appearance ; but, in the alterations it has of late years

undergone, under the direction of its present occupier J. W.

Eyton, Esq., much of its pristine stateliness has been exchanged

* See Cambro-Britom, No. i, p. 139.—But, in addition to the parti

culars there inserted, it should have been mentioned, that the Alleluian

Victory is also recorded by Nennius, and by Constantius in his Life of

Germanus or Garmon. The last-mentioned author relates, that it hap

pened at the festival of Easter as the Britons were assembled to receive

baptism from Germanus in the river Alyn, when one of those predatory

bands of Saxons, who had long infested the coasts of this island, suddenly

landed, and prepared, in league with the Picts, to attack the defenceless

multitude. The enthusiastic exclamation of Alleluia, however, which was

raised by the followers of Germanus, bad the immediate, though unpreme

ditated, effect of confounding the designs of the assailants, who, with awe

struck precipitation, abandoned then- enterprise. And Nennius adds in his

account, that they were pursued by the Kiitons and diiven into the sea.

With respect to the cry of Alleluia, it seems to have been a spiritual exul

tation, usual amongst religious assemblies in the early ages oi Christianity.


for the more tasteful characteristics of modern embellishment.

The splendid gates, in front of the house, have frequently been

objects of admiration.—Mr. Yorke in his " Royal Tribes of

Wales" gives the following account of the respectable family, to

whom these two estates now belong. " The Eytons of Coed Llai

" or Leeswood have their source from Cynrig. They are repre-

" sented in the Rev. H. W. Eyton, Vicar ofMold. His ancestor,

" Grunydd ab Nicholas ab Decius, married Margaret, the daugh-

" ter of the old Bosworth soldier John ab Ellis Eyton, who lie*

" buried at Rhiwabon ; and, although her husband was descended

" from Bleddyn ab Cynfyn, and the father from Tudur Trevor,

" she called all her children after the name of Eyton and all her

" sons John in affection to him also."—Nerquis Hall, seated a little

farther down the vale, the property and residence of Miss Gif-

fard, was built in 1638 by John Wynne, Esq., of the line of Ed

win, Lord of Tegengl. The property was, for a short time, in

the family of Sir Paul Pindar by the marriage of the heiress of

this house with that gentleman's father. Upon Sir Paul's death

without issue, it reverted to the original line in the person of Paul

Williams, Esq. of Pont y Gwyddel. It afterwards settled in Ro

bert Hyde, Esq. in right of his wife, whose daughter, the heiress

of the property, was married to the father of the lady now in pos

session. Miss Giffard has recently done a great deal to improve

this truly respectable mansion.—Hartsheath, or Hersedd, lying on

the confines of the vale of Mold towards Hope, is favoured in a

high degree both in its own immediate situation and in the beauty

of the surrounding scenery. The present building is quite mo

dern, and the writer of these notices is not aware, that it was ever

inhabited, or indeed that it was ever in a habitable condition.

The estate belongs toG. LI. Wardle, Esq. a gentleman, who dis

tinguished himself some years ago, in a remarkable manner, as a

candidate for popular fame. This family also claims descent,

through the female line, from the stock of Edwin, whose race

appears to have been pretty numerous in this part of the coun

try.—The only other house, of which any extended notice can

here be taken, is Fron, situate to the west of the town and com

manding a fine prospect not only of the adjacent country, but

of the plains of Cheshire as far as the Mersey. When last occu

pied, this house was the seat of the Rev. Richard Williams, who

was the representative of an ancient family, descended, with the

Wynnes of Tower, and the Eytons of Coed Llai, from Cynrig

Efell, already mentioned. But this gentleman deserves to b«

S64 THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

remembered for something more than his mere genus et proavos.

He was also a poet : and, if he was not destined to astonish bj

his sublimity, he seldom failed to please by his vivacity. He

wrote much and often ; and scarcely a topic of the day passed

unsung by his muse. Several translations of his from the Welsh

may be seen in Mr. Pennant's Works, and in Mr. Jones's Relics

of the Bards. But his master-piece in this way seems to have

been his translation of the Medea of Seneca. He also turned

into Latin verse some of Gray's Odes, and the first two books

of the Iliad ; but these versions never appeared in print, although

highly creditable to the writer's ability *. And, perhaps, he ex

celled more in his Latin than in his English productions. Mr.

Williams was Rector successively of Machynlleth and Llanferres,

and died suddenly on the 4th of June 1811, upon which event

the Fron estate passed into Mrs. Williams's family, who reside in

Cheshire.—Among other old houses in the parish, formerly, it is

probable, of considerable note, though for some time past te

nanted by farmers, are Argoed, Plas Major, Plas ym Mhywys,

Rhyd y Cleifion, Tre 'r Beirdd, and Tyddyn.— Plas-issa, at pre

sent the residence of Miss Greene, and Pentrehobin, an ancient

mansion built in 1540, in the occupation of Thomas Trevor Ma

ther, Esq. may also be enumerated among the family seats, which

abound in the Vale of Mold.

[7b be concluded in the next Number.]


THE LLEDWIGAN THRESHER,


Sir,—The following remarkable inscription is copied from a

Tomb-stone in the Church of Cerigceinwen, in the Island of An

glesey. It is the humble record of a man, whose heroic bravery

excited very considerable admiration in a former age, and will

probably be deemed not uninteresting at the present period. He

was contemporary with the unhappy dissensions between Charles I.

and the Parliament, and resided at Lledwigan, a well-known

* It would be desirable to know whether the original MSS. are st.il I in

existence. The writer of this Note saw them in Mr. Williams's possession

a short time before his death. They were certainly worthy of preservation.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 2G3

farm near Llangefni. He is hence known to posterity under the

designation of the Lledwigan Thresher. It is understood, that

upon the decline of the royal cause great disorder and misrule

occurred in this part of the kingdom. Many of the parliamen

tary soldiers, who had been exclaiming against the oppression of

the Throne, became themselves the worst of tyrants, and tra

versed the country in powerful bands, levying contributions upon

the property, and exercising great cruelties upon the persons, of

the more opulent, and particularly their loyal and defenceless

neighbours. A party of this description, traditionally reported to

have been about thirty in number, arrived at Lledwigan, and re

quired the occupier, Morys Lloyd, who was then threshing in his

barn, to surrender to them a large sum of money, or his life. He

instantly replied, that he would not yield the one without the

other, and, having partially closed the door of his barn, attacked

them with his flail, as they successively attempted to enter.

Eight or ten of them fell in this contest, which would have been

probably maintained for a much longer time, if the thongs, which

connected together the two parts of the flail, had not been broken

by accident or cut asunder by the swords of the assailants. Then

indeed the superiority of numbers and of offensive arms quickly

acquired their natural ascendant, and it is unnecessary to relate

the sequel.

The tombstone, with its simple and affecting inscription, be

longs, we may fairly conclude, to an era posterior to the Resto

ration. Its subsequent history affords a striking instance of a

sacrilegious disregard for the monuments of our forefathers,—a

disgraceful proof of that cold-hearted insensibility, which can not

appreciate what is venerable for antiquity, edifying in example,

or pious in design. The memory of Morys Lloyd seems in that

neighbourhood to have been held in great regard for many gene

rations ; but in our times a new generation succeeded with very

different feelings and ideas. Some repairs had become necessary

in the church, and, a flag-stone being wanted in some part of it,

the tombstone, which covered the remains of the Lledwigan

Thresher and his wife, was,with due economy, appropriated for the

purpose. The lower part of the stone was moreover turned upper

most, apparently with the prudent view of burying the ancient

history of Morys Lloyd and the modern parsimony of the war

dens in the same oblivion. From this disgraceful situation it has

been lately rescued by, I believe, Mr. John Williams, the pre

sent respectable tenant of Lledwigan, and placed erect in some

vol. i. 2 m


part of the church. But, as its present situation is, I understand,

not attended with security, I trust there still exists, among the

modern inhabitants of Cerigceinwen, sufficient public spirit to

save this venerable relic from the wanton assaults of unthinking

levity, as well as the barbarous parsimony of their future church

wardens. The following is the inscription, which was copied lite

ratim from the tombstone many years ago ; but it is now hardly

legible. I should have sent you a translation, if I had not found

the elegance of our word " cywely" absolutely untranslate-

able *. X. Y. Z.

" Dyma yr lie y dayarwyd Morys Lloyd ytrydydd dydd o Hy-

dref 1647. Hwn a ymdrechodd ymdrech d&g dros y Frenhin a'i

wlad. Wrth i ystlys i claddwyd i assen, Jane Rees Owen, yn

gywely iddo y 4 o Daehwedd 1653."

GWYLLIAID COCHION MAWDDWY.


Sir,—In your account of the Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy

(No. 5.) you have omitted one remarkable part of their history,

which, as a trait of the ferocious spirit of the people and of the

age, deserves to be mentioned. When the bloody deed had

been perpetrated, the murderers went about a quarter of a mile

from the spot, and then it occurred to one of them, that they had

not complied with the wishes or executed the threats of their mo

ther, and they accordingly, with due filial affection, return

ed, and, plunging their swords into the body, literally washed their

hands in the heart's blood of the baron.

There were scythes fixed in the chimnies at Dugoed Mawr,

the scene of the murder, about thirty years ago, but they are now

removed. The common tradition of the neighbourhood does not

state the murder of Lloyd the Baron's kinsman ; but on the con

trary it states, that, when the Baron was killed, they said to th«

other (John Lloyd of Ceiswyn in the parish of Tal-y-llyn) " Cerdd

di i ffordd, Llwyd fain."

* The following is a literal translation of this Epitaph. There may be

some nicety in the exact meaning of " cywely," as mentioned by X. Y. Z. j

but the English word "bedfellow," which it implies, will make it sufficiently

intelligible for the present purpose.—Ed.

" This is the spot, in which Morys Lloyd was interred on the third day

of October 1647, after having fought a good fight for his king and his

country. By his side was buried his rib Jaue Rees Owen, as a bedfellow

for him, the fourth of November 1653."


It was said, that one of these Gwylliaid was of extraordinary

swiftness, and that this Lloyd had previously taken him under his

protection through various parts of .he country, and exhibited him

as a champion in running. This explains their mercy towards

him. The first Gwylliaid, or their Captains, are said to have been

persons of property, masters, it is said, of" eighty hearths," and

rendered desperate by some act of oppression. The site of their

chief mansion is still shewn on the upper part of the farm of Du-

goed Mawr. These, having become outlaws, rallied about them

all the turbulent spirits of the neighbourhood. The whole pro

perty, belonging to the several branches of the family, was for

feited, excepting one farm, Dugoed Issa, the owner of which,

though a relation, was endowed with more prudence or honesty.

This farm was sold to the late Sir W. W. Wynn about sixty

years ago. I am a native ofthe same parish, and was accustomed

formely to take much delight in collecting information about these

ancient banditti.

X. Y. Z.

THE MISCELLANIST.—No. IV.

WELSH LANGUAGE.—TRANSLATIONS.


Sir,—In regarding the literature of this country, our atten

tion is naturally drawn to the language spoken by the Aborigines

of the Island ; and we cannot withhold our admiration of the

laudable and hitherto successful exertions, which have been

disseminated throughout the Principality of Wales, for reviv

ing the ancient Eisteddfodau, or, as they have been deno

minated, the British Olympics, in order to rouse the genius of

Cambria, and elicit those treasures, which have not been suffi

ciently valued beyond the mountainous regions where they have

originated.—Those efforts, as well as others which have been

lately made, for the purpose of dispelling the cloud of obscurity,

which had begun to overshadow the relics of ancient British

literature, call for every encouragement.—No history can be

more interesting to us, than that which treats of the primitive

state of our own nation ; and in this point of view the Welsh

language affords to the British antiquary an ample field for

research. The cause of this language has been too often and


too ably advocated, to require any panegyric now to substan

tiate its excellence. Its power, like that of the German tongue,

which is considered by some as being harsh, is imperceptible to

those only, who do not understand it.

The observations, which appeared in a late Number of the

Quarterly Review*, touching Welsh literature, and the apathy,

which for a time prevailed concerning it, are worthy of notice, and

are here quoted :

" The Welsh have their Mabinogion, or Juvenile Amuse

ments, of undoubted authenticity and antiquity ; some of them

are extant in manuscript, others live only in the tradition of the

common people. A translation of the former was prepared for

the press by Mr. Wm. Owen, to whom Cymric literature is so

greatly indebted; but the manuscript was unfortunately lost

before publication f. These tales possess extraordinary singularity

and interest, and a complete collection of them in the original

language is, as Mr. Southey remarks, a desideratum in British

literature. The Cymry, however, seem to have little feeling for

the productions of their ancestors; and the praiseworthy and

patriotic exertions of individuals may cause the Welsh nation at

large to blush. When a foreigner asks us the names of the

Nobility and Gentry of the Principality, who published the My-

fyrian Archaiology at their own expence, we must answer, that it

was none of them, but Owen Jones, the Thames-street Furrier."

The compositions of our ancient bards are deserving of pre

servation ; and the spirit of emulation, which has recently been

re-kindled in the Principality, offers every prospect that its inha

bitants will obtain their share of literary honours. To those,

who are unacquainted with Welsh learning, it may be necessary

to observe, that the books, still extant in the ancient British lan

guage, are more numerous than they are generally supposed to

be ; and, as a proof that classical knowlege bears no mean cha

racter in Wales, it is reported, as a remark of the late Dean of

Christchurch (Dr. Jackson), that of the Students of Oxford

none were found to surpass those, who had been educated at the

schools among the Welsh mountains, as Greek scholars J.

* No. 40. p. 94.—Ed.

f This is fortunately a mistake. See Cambro-BritoN, No. 4. p. 159.—Ed.

X This observation applies with particularlar force to the pronunciation

of the G reck letters. To adduce one instance, English scholars invari

ably confound the sounds of % and x, which they pronounce alike, whereas

the Welsh retain the primitive sound of the former letter in their own lan

guage, as we learn from the manner, in which it is still pronounced by the

modern Greeks.— Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

The following translation, by the celebrated Goronwy Owain,

of the Second Ode of Anacreon is here offered with a view of

shewing the close connexion between the two languages, although

not new probably to most ofthe Literati of Wales. It may serve

as one instance, out of many which might be produced, of the

easy capability of the Welsh tongue for liberal and effective

translation from the Greek.

Natur a wnaeth iawn y tyw,

Ei rhan i 'r bob anian byw ;

I'r cadfarch, dihafarchwych,

Carnau a roes ; cyrn i 'r ych ;

Mythder i 'r ceinych mwythdew ;

Daint hirion llymion i 'r llew ;

Rhoes i bysg nawf yn mysg myr ;

I ddrywod dreiddio 'r awyr ;

I 'r gwyr rhoes bwyll rhagorol.

Ond plaid benywiaid bu 'n ol ;

Pa radau gant ? Pryd a gwedd,

Digon i fenyw degwedd,

Rhag cledd llachar, a tharian,

Dor yw na thyrr dwr na than ;

Nid yw tan a 'i wyllt waneg,

Fwy na dim wrth fenyw d6g.

The Welsh translation of the Lord's Prayer is a beautiful

composition, simple in its style, and remarkable for a strict ad

herence to the Greek original, particularly with regard to

the expression " erti rrj( yijj," literally translated " ar y

ddaear," on the earth : we might with more propriety say,

on earth than in earth. Indeed, the study of the Welsh lan

guage seems to deserve more encouragement than it has usually

met with from Englishmen, who should be desirous of preserv

ing the ancient literature of their nation ; and there remains not

a doubt, that the gratification, which they would derive from

devoting a small portion of time to this purpose, would amply

repay them for their trouble. The languages of foreign nations are

studied with assiduity, not always for utility, but often for

fashion's sake ; while that of our ancestors, still preserved in its

ancient purity, and abounding in classical embellishments, has

been too much neglected by the learned. I am, Sir,

Your very humble servant,

London, January 10, 1820. Prydeimad.


PWLL CERIS—SION TUDUR—THOMAS PRYS.


Sir,—In your Cambro-Briton, No. 5. p. 190, is an Englyn

on Pwll Cerys, the Vortex in the Menai. In the note beneath

Mr. Llwyd says, the Englyn is certainly worth preserving ; but

scarcely so, I presume, in the state in which it is printed. It

appears, that it never was correct. In the Greal, No. VII.,

p. 30, you will find five Englynion upon the same subject by

Sir Huw Robert,—three by Gruffydd Hiraethog,—three by

Sion Tudur,—and two by Wiliam ab Hywel. In the first En

glyn, however, which is Proest *, the 5th and 6th lines are

supernumerary, and do not belong either to the metre or the

rhythm. The bards, above-named, vary in the orthography of

the name of the Vortex. The 1st has it Cerys ; the 2d, Cerys

and Ceris ; the 3d and 4th, Ceris. I shall copy one out of the

thirteen : it is by Gruffydd Hiraethog.

Cerys bwll megys am eigion—y trai

Troad chwrli-gwgon ;

Crwydrad dwr, yn cor-droi ton,

Ceulwnc i ofni calon.

None of the bards of that age, or perhaps of any other, wrote

in such a style of exquisite humour as Sion Tudur. Here are

four Englynion of his, as specimens of his talent in ludicrous

satire : the subject—a gentleman, who had built a stately man

sion,with nine chimnies, and only one of them smoking.

Di bleser yw dy balasau—corniawg,

Carnedd fo dy furiau ;

Ai un tan coeg bentan cau,

Sy' am naw o simneiau ?

Cyrn hirion, gwynion, di gynnes—gegin,

Cyrn gwagedd a rhodres ;

Cyrn bost—heb rost—ac heb wres,

Carwn dori cyrn diwres !

Ffei o gyrn cedyrn, cauadwaith—heb ras,

Ac heb wres na' i obaith ;

Ffagla wellt—was lfugiawl waith,

Gnaf gwan ! a gwna fwg unwaith !

• A term io Welsh Prosody, signifying a sequel in contradistinction to a

flrstpart, also a counterebange or contrast of vowels.—Ed.


Gwnaeth grin-was Bias, a bulu—i'w edrych

Ai wydraw o'i ddeutu

Ni rydd geiniog, daiog du,

A gwenwyn ganddo ganu.

Thomas Prys, of Plas Iolyn, in Yspytty Ieuan, was a poet of

talent, and like Sion Tudur excelled in satire and humour. He

had a happy knack at what may be termed in versification laconic

alternation such as in the Cywydd i oganu eiddig, ac i ganmol

ei wraig—" Siwgr yw Gwen, a soeg yw'r gwr"—&c. The fol

lowing lines were writtten by him to the memory of Richard

Middleton, Esq. Governor of Denbigh Castle, under tlye Earl of

Leicester, and Jane his wife, the daughter of Hugh Dryhurst, of

Denbigh ; in which lines the laconic alternation is exemplified.

" Hir, alar gwasgar a gaf,

Hwn oedd wr—hon oedd araf ;

Hwn oedd lew—hon oedd lawen,

Hwn oedd wych—hon oedd wen ;

Hynod fu'r ammod yma,

Hwn oedd ddoeth, a hon oedd dda ;

Hwn oedd hael—hon oedd helaeth,

Hwn i nef—hon yno aeth."

A biographical sketch of the author would be interesting to

your readers. It is said, that a whim took him to fix his resi

dence in Bardsey, and that he fitted out a privateer at his own

charge, to cruize against the Spaniards. He was a descendant

of Rhys ab Meredydd, called Rhys Vawr o'r Yspytty, who dis

tinguished himself in Bosworth field. -

Curig.

TRAETH Y LAFAN.

A Correspondent at Welsh Pool, who writes under the signa

ture of Ymofynydd, wishes to know, whether any correct ac

count can now be given of this place, which he calls Traeth

Llefain, previous to its overflow, and at what period that event

is supposed to have taken place. If any of the readers of the

Cambro-Briton should be able to satisfy Ymofynydd on this

point, their communications would be gladly inserted. A col

lection of the popular traditions in the neighbourhood would,

perhaps, be the most satisfactory answer to the inquiry, which

has reference not merely to Traeth y Lafan, but to the whole

line of coast from Arfon to Cardigan Bay.—Ed.


AWEN CYMRU.

A'th rodd ya> atkrwydd Avcen. Edh. Pars.

—

PENNILLION.

zun.

Hardd ar ferch yw llygad du,

Hardd ar fab yw bod yn hy ;

Hardd ar farch yw pedrain lydan,

Hardd ar filgi yw myn'd yn fuan.

XLIV.

Derfydd aur, a derfydd arian,

Derfydd melfed, derfydd sidan ;

Derfydd pob dilledyn helaeth :

Etto er hyn ni dderfydd hiraeth.

XLV.

Llun y delyn, llun y tannau,

Llun cyweirgon aur yn droiau :

Tan ei fysedd O ! na fuasai

Llun fy nghalon union innau.

XLVI.

Car y cybydd gwd ac arian :

A phwy sydd na char ei hunan f

Myfi sy'n cam merch yn anghall,

Ac yn bychanu pob peth arall.

A STANZA

From the Pastorals of Edward Richards, on a Bachelor's

Prospect of Dissolution.

Fy nydd sydd yn nyddu yn fanol i fyny,

Ar nos sydd yn nesu roi'n isel fy mhen ;

Ac un nid oes genny', er wylo ar oer wely,

Pan bo i mi glafychu, glyw fochain.


ENGLISH POETRY.


XLIii.

Black eyes become the maiden fair,

And courage is the young man's share,

Strength is the glory of the steed,

The greyhound's pride is in his speed.

XLIV.

Gold and silver pass away,

Richest garments perish fast,

Silks and satins, all decay ;

Yet is longing found to last.

XLV.

Fair is yon harp and sweet the song,

That strays its tuneful strings along ;

And would not such a minstrel too

This heart to sweetest music woo ?

XLVI.

The miser loves his hoarded treasure,

And who loves not himself, decide.

'For me, I love, beyond all measure,

One fair, and scorn the world beside.

TRANSLATION OF THE STANZA IN P. 272.

My day of life, so Heaven decreed,

Is winding up with ceaseless speed,

The night approaches when my head

Shall lie, full low, among the dead ; v

Disease will find its prey alone,

No one will listen to my moan,

I must, on the cold couch of death,

Unheeded yield my parting breath *. D. R.

ANOTHER TRANSLATION IN A DIFFERENT METRE.

My day is declining with diligent speed,

The night fast approaches, when low I shall lie ;

And, ah, I have no one my sick bed to heed,

*** To weep for my suffering, or catch my last sigh.

* It is s»id, that, when he died, there was no person in the bouse,

vet. I. 2 «


WALES.

tyte late ;#ta)estp.

Although in strictness it may not belong to the design of the

Cambro-Briton to dwell upon those public events, that only

affect Wales in union with the rest of the kingdom, yet there are

few, who will not regard the death of our late excellent monarch

as an exception to the general principle. Nor can it militate

against the more immediate aim of this Work to unite in the com

mon feeling on this interesting occasion. Wales, never last in

evincing a loyal attachment to the thrones of her kings, cannot

be deficient in a pious reverence for their tombs.

The death of a sovereign must, in all countries and under any

circumstances, be deemed an occurrence of no trivial importance.

It forms an epoch in the history of a nation, pregnant often with

consequences of the deepest interest to her peace and prosperity.

Even, where the character of the prince may be one of indifferenoe

in itself, the dignified responsibility of his station cannot fail, in

most cases, to render the close of his mortal career a matter of

eventful concern. And how greatly is this feeling enhanced,

where the private virtues of the monarch have communicated an

additional value to his public character.

In his late most gracions Majesty George III. we have this re

mark most clearly exemplified. The general and unaffected sor

row, occasioned by his decease, except where it might be overcome

by the remembrance of his long affliction, has borne the surest

testimony to his private worth. And the pen of the historian

will not fail to record it as. the proudest monument of his kingly

renown. To supply a "satisfactory delineation of the character

of our departed Sovereign would require far greater advantages

than the present opportunity offers. But, although the finishing

of the picture must be left to other hands, it may still be per

mitted to sketch the outline".

The most prominent feature in the character of our late King

was, perhaps, his remarkable union of the most admired qualities

of private life with the necessary dignity of his high rank. Whilst

on the throne, no one could fill it with more becoming majesty :

when he mingled, as he often delighted to do, in the ranks of his

subjects, the austerity and reserve of his exalted station were ex

changed for the graceful demeanour and open simplicity of an


English gentleman. Thus, when he laid aside the regal trap

pings, with which fortune had invested him, it was only to dis

play the more captivating, because less ostentatious, graces, which

he had acquired from nature and education. . By birth a king,

he proved himself worthy of his sceptre ; but he likewise shewed,

that he was not less gifted with all the appropriate accomplishments

of a humbler station.

Nor was it only in the exterior graces of private life, that

George III. shone conspicuous. Its more essential duties ever

found in his example their most powerful advocate. Frugal and

abstinent with respect to his own enjoyments, he evinced a

princely munificence in administering to the wants of others.

Exemplary in all his social relations, as husband—father—friend,

the throne became in his reign the brightest instance of domestic

virtue and private morality. And, above all, it should be re

membered, that he was, in a peculiar manner, entitled to the

epithet of a Christian King. He was a Christian from choice,

principle, and conviction : and all the habits of his virtuous life

tendad to confirm this glorious distinction.

If his late Majesty may have wanted those splendid talents,

which are capable of augmenting the lustre even of a diadem, he

possessed,—what was more honourable to himselfand is of far more

real importance in the ruler of a free country, —an elevated inte

grity and an unbending conscientiousness in the administration of

his kingly office. In this respect he was, emphatically, jnstus et

tenax propositi : and, where his conduct on some occasions has

been rashly imputed to obstinacy, it is well known to have been

the laudable result of a determination to maintain inviolate the

prerogatives of his Crown and the privileges of the people.

Even, if his high oath, which he so scrupulously observed, had

not enforced his attention to these great objects, they would yet

have found their security in his voluntary attachment to the purest

principles of the Constitution.

During the revolution of sixty years it is impossible, that many

important events should not happen. But the reign ofour late King

was marked by more than the ordinary vicissitudes ofsuch a period.

Assailed at various times by foreign wars and domestic rebellion,

he lived to triumph over their united machinations. He saw the

most daring conspiracies formed and crushed : and the proudest

fabric, that ever despotism had raised, humbled with the dust.

And, while he thus survived the most furious attacks of open hos

tility, he was not less favoured in his contest with more secret and


more dangerous enemies. He beheld the slander of the disaffected

follow his slanderers to the tomb : and the arm of the traitor,

though repeatedly raised against him, was ever foiled in its mur

derous aim. Thus happily protected from the violence and strata

gems of his foes, it was reserved for Heaven alone to chasten him

in the mystery of her dispensations, and to render him, we may

hope, by the affliction of his latter years, still more worthy of his

reward hereafter. *^*

JESUS COLLEGE ASSOCIATION.—The establishment of

this patriotic Society was announced in the first Number of this

Work ; and it cannot but be highly gratifying to the lovers of

Welsh Literature to find, that the Members have already re

deemed the pledge then given by offering the following premiums

for the present year, with a view to the accomplishment of their

truly laudable object. The competition will be confined to

Members of the College. * t*

1. For the best Welsh Essay on these words of Taliesin,

" Eu hiaith a gadwant," Twenty Pounds.

2. For the best Translation of Blair's Sermon " On the

Improvement of Time,"—Genesis ch. 47, v. 8,. ..Ten Pounds.

3. To the best Welsh Reader in Jesus College Chapel,.. .Six

Pounds.

4. To the second best,...Four Pounds.

5. For the best six Englynion, on the] following subject,

" Llwyddiant i goleg yr Iesu,"...Two Pounds.

The Essay and the Englynion, to which the prizes shall have

been adjudged, will be recited at the Annual Meeting of the

Members of Jesus College, to be held at Aberystwith in July

next.

CYMREIGYDDION SOCIETY IN LIVERPOOL.—Some

allusion was made in the last Number to the Annual Meeting of

this Society. It deserves, however, a most extended notice. On

the 3d of January, as before-mentioned, the Members had their

Anniversary Dinner at the Castle Inn, Liverpool, James Butler

Clough, Esq. Honorary President, being in the chair. To enu

merate all the traits of national feeling, that were evinced on'this

occasion, would exceed the limits of this article. It may be suf

ficient, therefore, to state generally, that the day was devoted, in

an especial manner, to the promotion of the patriotic object of

the Association, and particularly to the encouragement of our

native awen.


In addition to the popular custom of singing pennillion to

the harp, several extemporaneous effusions, very creditable to

their respective authors, were produced, and called forth, as

they merited, the applause of the Meeting. This may be ob

served in a peculiar manner of the verses recited by Mr. Thomas

Jones, Bard to the Society, upon the subject of the President's

re-election. The other Officers were then chosen for the present

year : and the Rev. John Richards, of Anglesey, was proposed

by the President as an honorary member and as Critic to the

Society, on which occasion an address from that Gentleman was

read and deservedly applauded for the critical ability which it

disclosed. *#*

LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.—The events, which occupy the

most important place under this head, are the Addresses and

Proclamations consequent on the death of his late Majesty. It

would consume too much space, and answer no useful purpose,

to enter into all the details, that might be given of these pro

ceedings, or even to particularise the places, which deserve no

tice on this interesting occasion. It" must suffice to state gene

rally, that the feeling of reverence for the memory of the late

King, and of loyal respect for his successor, has been almost

universal throughout Wales. Scarcely a county or borough has

omitted to join in the mingled expression of condol ence and con

gratulation natural to the occasion. It deserves aljso to be men

tioned, that the 16th of last month, the day appointed for the

funeral of his late Majesty, was observed generally in the Prin

cipality with all due solemnity and decorum. And in most of the

corporate towns, especially in South Wales, the public bodies at

tended divine worship, and appropriate sermons were preached

on the occasion.—Another consequence of the decease of our

" good old King" is the Dissolution of Parliament, which will,

no doubt, take place immediately. The only places likely to be

contested in Wales are the County of Glamorgan and the Bo

roughs of Carmarthen and Denbigh. It wan intended to con

tinue in the present Number the account of Charitable Dona

tions distributed in Wales during the late inclement season : but

so great is their number, that it becomes absolutely impossible,

without excluding other matter, that might be deemed of more

permanent interest. This is a circumstance, however, that can

not fail to be in the highest degree honeuratjle to a country, that


has never failed, at the cry of distress, to be among the foremost

in the ranks of humanity.—The following is a list of the Sheriffs

appointed for the different counties in Wales for the present

year :

Anglesey—Robert Lloyd, Esq. Tregaian.

Brecon—Thomas Price, Esq. Builth.

Cardigan—Henry Rogers, Esq. Gelly.

Carmarthen—R. Stephen Pemberton, Esq. Llanelly.

Carnarvon—W. Ormsby Gore, Esq. Clenneney.

Denbigh—J. LI. Salusbury, Esq. Galltvaynan.

Flint—James Knight, Esq. Rhual.

Glamorgan—Richard Blakemore, Esq. Velindra.

Merioneth Thomas Fitzhugh, Esq. Cwmheision.

Monmouth—Sir R. T. Allard Kemeys, Knt. Malpas.

Montgomery—J. B. Williames, Esq. Glanhafren.

Pembroke*—Nathaniel Philipps, Esq. Slebech.

Radnor—James Crummer, Esq. Howey.

The Right Rev. Bishop of St. David's has recently made the

following Presentations in his Diocese :—The Rev. Maurice Evans,

Vicar of Peubryn, to the Vicarage of Llangeler, in the county

ofCarmarthen, vacant by the death of the Rev. David Morgan.—

The Rev. David Rowland to the Vicarage of Tregaron, in the

county of Cardigan, vacant by the cession of the Rev. Maurice

Evans.—The Rev. Thomas Dalton, jun. Curate of Rosecrowther,

in the county of Pembroke, to the Vicarage of Warren, in the

same county, vacant by the death of the Rev, John Jones.—The

Rev. George Devonald, Curate of Manorbier, in the county of

of Pembroke, to the Vicarage of Llanllwyney Rhosycorn, in

Carmarthenshire, vacant by the cession of the Rev. Thomas

Dalton.——H. 1 1. H. the Duke of Clarence has been pleased to ap

point the Rev. Clriffitb.- Thomas, Curate of Hangoedmor, in the

county of Cardigan, to be one of his Royal Highness's Chap

lains. The fol lowing patriotic instance of extensive planting de

serves to be here recorded, and is worthy of general emulation —

The Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures,

and Commerce has voted the Gold Medal to Sir W. W. Wynn,

Bart, for planting 845,500 forest trees; the greater part on

mountainous land, in the vicinity of Llangollen, Denbighshire.

The trees thrive in a surprising manner, considering their elevated

situation, being fror.o 1200 to 1400 feet above the level of the sea.

They consist of oak, 80,000 ; Spanish chesnuts, 63,000 ; spruce


fir, 102,000; Scotch ditto, 110,000 larch ditto, 90,000; wych

elms, 30,000; mountain ditto, 35,000; ash, 80,000; sycamore,

40,000 ; total, 630,000.—The spirit of emigration does not ap

pear to be yet extinct in Wales, as the following instance will

testify :—" On the 12th of February sailed the Stentor, from Li

verpool, for the Cape of Good Hope, with the family of the late

Captain Griffith, of the Royal Marines, and formerly of Pen-

po'mpren, in Cardiganshire, on board, consisting of three enter

prising, intelligent young men, with their sisters, three fine

young woman. They left their native country in good health

and spirits, and with the anxious solicitude of their friends for

their happiness and prosperity. They have taken with them

several artificers and agriculturists from the neighbourhood of

Newtown, Montgomeryshire, as settlers."

LITERATURE.—The spirit of literary enterprise continnes

to animate the natives of Wales : and it may be hoped, that a

fresh energy will still be communicated to its exertions. Much

yet remains to be done.

Mr. Parry, the Editor of "Welsh Melodies," designs

speedily to publish a Second Volume of that Work, with cha

racteristic English words. Towards the accomplishment of this

undertaking he has been assisted by many valuable communica

tions from Gentlemen of literary celebrity in the Principality.

It may, therefore, be presumed, that the patronage, which was

extended to the former Volume, will not be refused to the one now

in contemplation.

A Publication is about to appear under the title of " Cam

brian Sretches," which will contain anecdotes and other matter

illustrative of the history, manners, and antiquities of Wales.

The Work will form one small Volume, and from the resources,

which the author is known to possess, it may be expected to abound

.in interest and entertainment.

Proposals for publishing another Volume of the Cambro*

British Melodies by Mr. Edward Jones, which were noticed

a few months ago in this work, appear on the wrapper of the

present Number ; and it is proper to add here, that report speaks

highly of the treat the admirers of our national airs are likely to

experience in this publication.

Part II. of the History of North Wales, by Mr.

Cathrall, will be published very shortly. %*

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

OBITUARY.

January 20.—At Lampeter, Cardiganshire, aged 67, deeply

lamented by a large circle of friends, and a disconsolate family,

the Rev. Eliezer Williams, M. A. Prebendary of ft. David's,

Vicar of Lampeter, and Master of the Grammar School, Vicar

of Caio and Llansawel in (he county of Carmarthen, and former

ly of Jesus College, Oxford. Possessing rare endowments and

eminent virtues, he lived respected as an historian, a scholar, a

poet and a divine. Unassuming and modest in his demeanour, he

was dignified without pride, and charitable without ostentation.

His time and thoughts were devoted to the general benefit of

mankind, and the advantages, which his pupils derived from him

in the capacity of teacher, will excite in them the most grateful

and lasting remembrance. His remains were consigned to the

earth in the presence of no less than nineteen clergymen, and

about forty of his pupils, and twenty of the gentlemen of the

neighbourhood* lb. John Jones, Esq. of Penybont, in the

county of Cardigan Miss Charlotte Denman, of Holywell, in

the county of Flint, greatly respected.—30th. Rev. David Mor

gan, aged 69, Vicar of Llangeler, and a Magistrate for the

county of Carmarthen. Exemplary as he was in all the social

relations of life, his death has been a source of general regret.

He possessed the vicarage of Llangeler for 35 years.—lb. Rev.

David Price, aged 75, of Bettws-y-coed, Carnarvonshire Rer.

John Jones, Vicar of Warren, Pembrokeshire, Prebebendary

of Llangan, and one of the Rural Deans of the Archdeaconry

of Llandaff._31st. Edward Jones, Esq. aged 64, of Plas yn

Bonwm, Merionethshire.

ERRORS CORRECTED.

[The Editor regrets most sincerely, that the errors in the last Number,

although not very important, were rather numerous. Yet, with the excep

tion of two or three, they were discovered in time to be removed from one

half the impression ]

No. 6. Pa. 201, in the Note, for " 28" read 26.

— 212, 1. 31, for " 1630" read 1630.

— Ib. 1. 42, for " Hoenddu ", read Honddu.

— 223, Insert an * before the first Note.

2d Note, 1. 4, after " Mr. Harrington " insert and.

— 230, 1. 2, for «' fawd fodi" read fawdd foddi.

— 234, Insert an * before the Note.

— 136, 1. 27, for " Goliah " read Goliath.

— 337, I. 5, to be altered thus—" that county: and on Christ

mas Day" &c.

— 23$, 1. 34, for " Cymerigyddion " read Cymreigyddion.'

— lb. I. 38, for " Henry " read James.

— 239, 1. 16, for " John" read Peter.

* The Editor is indebted to a friend for this notice of the late Mr. WU-

Jmudj. A more extended memoir would be acceptable.

THE

CAMBIO^BRITON.

APRIL, 1820.

NULLI QUIDEM MIHI SATIS ERUDITI VIDENTUR, QUIBUS

NOSTRA IONOTA SUNT. Cicero de Legibus.

THE TRIADS—No. VIII.


xxxviiI.

The three Conventional Monarchs of the Isle of Britain: first,

Prydain, the son of Aedd Mawr, when a systematical regality

was established over the Isle of Britain and the adjacent islands ;

second, Caradawg, the son of Bran, when there was conferred

upon him the war-supremacy over the whole of the Isle of Bri

tain, to resist the incursion of the Romans ; and Owain, the son

of Macsen Wledig, when the Cymry resumed the sovereignty,

agreeably to their natural rights, from the Roman Emperor. That

is, they were called the three Conventional Monarchs, from these

rights being conferred upon them by the convention of country

and border-country, within the whole limits of the nation of the

Cymry, by holding a convention in every territory, commote, and

cantrev in the Isle of Britain and its adjacent islands.

[According both to Caesar and Tacitus, and particularly the

latter, the inhabitants of this island, upon their discovery by tlie

Romans, consisted, like the Gauls and Germans, of several inde

pendent tribes governed by their own chiefs. Yet, when influenced

by the prospect of a general advantage or a common danger, these

separate states became united in one body. Upon these occa

sions a chieftain or monarch was chosen from amongst a conven

tion of the whole country as stated in this Triad \. It was thus,

* Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 63. Tr. 34—36.

•f One of the Institutional Triads of Dyvnwal Moelrnud (Arch, of Wales,

vol. iii. p. 290. Tr. 59) describes particularly how this convention was

holden, and in his Tr'toidtj Cludau, before noticed, it is reckoned as one of

the "three conventions by sound of tn;mpet." See Arch, of Wales,

vol. iii. p. 283.

2S2 THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

that Caswallawn was elected to the supreme command against

C«sar, Caradawg against the Romans in the time of Claudius *,

and Arthur against the Saxons. And we have here Prydain and

Owain recorded as two other conventional Monarchs of the Isle

of Britain.—The former of these is a very remarkable personage

in the annals of the Cymry : yet writers are not perfectly agreed,

whether to assign to him a real or a fabulous character. According

to the Triads, however, he was the son of Aedd Mawr or Aedd

the Great, one of the first colonists of this island : and he is re

corded in several of these ancient documents, one of which ha»

been already translated +, as among the chief of the ancient bene

factors and lawgivers of his country. From the same authority

we also learn, that the Isle of Britain derived its name from him.

Mr. Davies seems to consider Prydain to mean the Regulator of

the Seasons, and consequently as synonymous with Apollo, or,

at least, with the Sun +. But the Triads make no allusion to any

mythological attributes, but speak of him in every instance as

having had a real existence.—The dignity, here said to have been

conferred on Caradawg and Owain, has been before noticed |].

Owain lived at the close of the fourth century and is to be found

amongst the saints of the British Church.]

xxxix. The three Hallowed Princes of the Isle of Britain : Bran

the Blessed, the son of Llyr Llediaith, who first brought the faith

in Christ to the nation of the Cymry from Rome, where he hat!

been for seven years, as hostage for his son Caradawg, whom the

men of Rome carried into captiv ity, after being betrayed, through

the enticement, deception, and plotting of Aregwedd Voeddawg ;

second, Lleirwg, the son of Coel son of Cyllin the Saint, called

Lleuver Mawr [Great Splendour], who founded the first church in

Llandav, and which was the first in the Isle of Britain, and he be

stowed the privilege of country and nation, with civil and eccle

siastical jurisdiction, upon those who might be of the faith in

Christ; third, Cadwaladr the Blessed, who gave sanctuary within

all his lands and possessions to those who fled from the infidel and

lawless Saxons, who sought to destroy them.

[The circumstances, here related of Bran, have been already

detailed in a Triad previously translated §, in which his family is

styled one of the " three holy families of the Isle ofBritain." The

* See Cambro-Britor, No. 5, p. 11GS. fr. xxi.

f No. 2, p. 45. + Celt. Re». pp. 169 and 190.

|| No. 5, p. 16". i No. 5, p. 169.


Bonedd y Saint, or Genealogy of the Saints, also mentions Bran

as one of the first of the nation of the Cymry, that embraced the

Christian faith, and enumerates three persons, Hid, Cynvan, and

Arwystli Hen, as having accompanied him from Rome on his re

turn to this country : and there is still a church in Gwent dedicated

to the former of these three. The probability, therefore, of this

account is very great : and it is remarkable, that Bishop Stilling-

fleet, in his Origines Britannicce, conjectures, .without being

aware of the testimony of our ancient records, that some of the

British captives, carried to Rome with Caradawg, may have been

instrumental in planting Christianity in this island. The present

Bishop of St. David's too, in one of the many works, by which he

has promoted the cause of useful and religious learning *, is even

disposed to conclude, that St. Paul himself accompanied or imme

diately followed the family of Caradawg on their return to Bri

tain.. This event took place about the year 5S : and, with refe

rence to this date, it deserves to be mentioned, thatGildas fixes

the introduction of Christianity into Britain at a short period

before the defeat of Boadicea', which happened A. D. 61.—

Lleirwg, the son of Coel, -and, according to 'the Genealogy of

the Saints, the great grandson of the celebrated Caradawg, ap

pears in the Brut y Brenhinoedd or Chronicle of the Kings, under

the name of Lies, as the 73d King of Britain. Bede and other

"writers give him the appellation of Lucius, which is but a Latin

version of the epithet Lleuver, applied to him in this Triad. Be

fore he founded the Church of Llandaff, as here mentioned, he

is said to have made application to Rome for teachers to diffuse

the light of Christianity in his dominions, when two persons, called

in the Welsh records Dwyvan and Fagan, were dispatched to

Britain for the purpose, Nennius ascribes this event to the year

of Christ 167, when, he says, " King Lucius with all the chiefs of

the British people received baptism in consequence of a legation

sent by the Roman Emperors and Pope Euaristus f." Bede fixes

the date at A.D. 156, which, however, according to the Brut y

Benhinoedd, was the year of Lleirwg's death in the city of Glou

cester. There is a Church in Glamorgan dedicated to Lleirwg,

who, like others of his countrymen in ancient times, united the

<5haracters of a prince and a saint.—An opportunity occurred in

* ' ' Christ and not St. Peter the Rock of the Christian Church," p. 1 4» •

•f According to other accounts, the Pope, or rather Bishop of Rome, at

this time, was Eleutberius.


the last number * for giving a general, though brief, account of

Cadwaladr : and the particulars, here recorded of him, require no

farther explanation.]

XL. The three System-formers of Royalty of the Isle of Bri

tain: Prydain, the son of Aedd Mawr, Dyvnwal Moelmud, and

Bran, the son of Llyr Llediaith. That is, their systems were the

best systems of Royalty of the Isle of Britain, so that they were

judged superior over all other systems, that were made in the Isle

of Britain.

[This Triad requires but little elucidation. Enough has just

been said of Prydain and Bran : and a short notice of Dyvnwal

Moelmud appeared in a former Number f. The latter is to be

found in the Chronicle as the 21st King of Britain, more than

three centuries before the Christian aera. Of an age so remote

it cannot be expected that much certain intelligence should now

remain. However, it is pretty generally admitted, that this prince

was amongst the first to make any great improvement in legisla

tion, and that he made the first regular division of the kingdom

into hundreds and commotes, for which reason he is here styled one

of the " three system-formers" of Britain. His laws were extant

in the time of Gildas, who translated them into Latin. Hywel

Dda, as mentioned on the former occasion, availed himself largely

of them in the compilation of his famous code ; and they are also

presumed to have been of great service to Alfred the Great, to

whom they were communicated by Aser Menevensis. Some

Triads, including the Institutes, ascribed to Dyvnwal, are pre

served in the Archaiology of Wales, and contain much curious

matter with respect to the principles of government in an incipient

state of society.]

THE TRIADS OF WISDOM J.

LI. Three things, that make a man equal to an angel : the

love of every good, the love of exercising charity, and the love

of pleasing God.

HI. Three things, though obtaining the whole, that will never

see their satiety : the burying-place, and a lord.

Lin. Three things, that, from being despised, bring punish

ment : the counsel of a spectator, the judgment of the discreet,

and the complaint of the poor.

* P. 243. ,+ No. 2, p. 47.

J Arch, of Wales, vol. p. 209.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

uv. Three counsels, that ought chiefly to be listened to, since

they never have been otherwise than good: the counsel of the

season, the counsel of age, and the counsel of conscience.

lv. Three counsels, that are not often in the wrong : the

counsel of circumstance, the counsel of the virtuously wise, and

the counsel of a man who never listened to any counsel.

lvI. Three things, the removal whereof is a curse : the boun

dary of land, the course of water, and the direction of a road and

path.

LVii. The three primary ornaments of wisdom : love, truth,

and courage.

lviiI. Three things, that can never be seen in the full extent

of their magnitude : that is, good principles, bad principles, and

the principles of genius.

lix. By three things will all actions be, that a man shall per

form: by liberty, by punishment, and by reward; and there

cannot be otherwise of what shall be done by man.

lx. In three things will be seen the primary qualities of the

soul of man : in what he may fear, what he would conceal, and

what he would shew.


HIS EIGHTEEN VIRTUOUS EXCELLENCIES*.

1 . The best deportment, humility.

2. The'best practice, industry.

3. The best principle, truth.

4. The best genius, reason.

5. The best affection, compassion.

6. The best study, self-knowlege.

7. The best employment, peace-making.

8. The best care, to be just.

9. The best pursuit, knowlege.

10. The best disposition, generosity.

11. The best covetousness, to covet peace.

12. The best choice, the doing of good.

13. The best means of living, trade.

14. The best instruction, literature.

* Arch, of Wales, vol. Hi. p. W.


15. The best sorrow, the sorrow for sin.

16. The best comfort, gladness of conscience.

17. The best contention, who should lead the best life.

18. The best contemplation, concerning God.

THE EIGHTEEN VIRTUOUS EXCELLENCIES

OF YSTUDVACH THE BARD OF GWRTHEVYR. (vORTIMER) THK

BLESSED*.

1 . Fortitude in danger and affliction :

2. Patience in suffering :

3. That a man be strong in his resolution :

4. Wise in his disputation :

5. Void of arrogance in his fame and his prosperity :

6. Humble in his deportment :

7. His actions dignified :

8. Persevering in his employment and pursuit :

9. Having an avidity for knowlege :

10. Liberal in his word, deed, and thought:

1 1 . Conciliatory in disputes :

12. Courteous in his behaviour :

13. Hospitable in his house :

14. Peaceable in his neighbourhood :

15. Chaste of body and mind :

16. Correct in his word and deed :

17. Righteous in his life :

18. Compassionate to the poor and afflicted.

" Be thou satisfied," said Catwg ; M thou hast gained the supe

riority over me." * No," replied Ystudvach; " not so: I

sought for pre-eminence over thee, and thou hast shown humility ;

and therefore art thou the wisest, and to thee belongs the supe

riority." And thus went the judgment, that Catwg was the wisest

of the wise ; and Catwg desired to apply that saying to Yst

udvach

* Ystudvach was contemporary with Catwg, and is said to have been in

duced by the perusal of his Excellencies to compose those, that follow. He

is also called the Bard of Cystennyn, or Constantine, the son of Cynvdr,

and may have filled the same situation, at here mentioned, with Vortimer.

f A bard of the 14th century brings these eighteen Excellencies into the

following satirical lines:— .

" Deunau o gampau dawnus

A roed ar Wgawn ab Rhys ;

Ac un gamp ddrwg ar Wgawn

Yn diwynaw'r deunaw daw»."


BARDIC PORTRAITS.

LLYWARCH HEN.

The fifth and sixth centuries, it has before been intimated in

the progress of this work, were remarkably signalized by the

long and arduous struggle, which our ancestors maintained in the

defence of their liberties. The hostility of the Saxons, originat-

'ing in treachery, and continued in violence, was peculiarly qua

lified to call into action those powerful energies of the mind,

which were displayed during the period under consideration, and

which communicated their influence as well to the strains of the

poet as to the sword of the warrior. Even the names, that have

descended to our times, bear ample testimony to this fact. But

the remoteness of the age, and the desolating events, that must

since have occurred, fully justify the conclusion, that the chief

tains and bards of that aera, of whom we now retain any record,

must have borne but a small proportion to those whose history i*

entirely lost to us.

In no part of this island were the conflicts, consequent on the

incursion of the Saxons, more frequent or more severe than in

that portion of North Britain, which was anciently called Cum

bria*. And it has been observed on former occasions, that the

natives of this district shared a community of language, as well

as of descent, with the inhabitants of Wales f. They were alike

Cymry, and preserved in the name of their country the evidence

ef this identity. Exposed to the Saxons on one side, and to the

Picts on the other, the Cumbrians supported a long and unequal

" With eighteen virtuous excellencies was Gwgawn ab Rhys endowed -r

and there was one bad quality in Gwgawn disgracing the eighteen gifts.

This Gwgawn, there is reason to suppose, was the son of a Captain Rhys ,

Gwgawn, who fought in the battle of Cressy, whom Dafydd ab Gwilym con

signs to death there, far having married Morvudd, who was to the bard

what Laura was to Petrarch, being the subject of 147 of his poems.

* The district, called Cumbria, embraced a larger extent of territory than

the modern Cumberland : it comprised all the northern country anciently

occupied by the Cymry, reaching perhaps to the borders of Scotland. The

Cymry, upon the arrival of the Saxons, settled here, in Cornwall, and in

Wales, in which latter place alone their descendants are now to be found,

f What is stated in the preceding note would sufficiently justify our ap

propriation of Aneurin, Llywarch, and others of their countrymen, even

if it were not true, that the asylum, they found in Wales, proved at once

the nurse of their genius and the guardian of theii fame.


struggle with varying success, before they were compelled to

give way to the united and overwhelming force of their enemies.

It was the close of these eventful times, that produced those

celebrated characters, which still give a lustre to the literary

remains of Wales. Nor must it be forgotten, that we are in

debted to these sources alone for having preserved any authentic

memorials of an age so remote and so interesting. Without

them we might never have known, that Arthur fought, or that

Aneurin sang.

Among the Cumbrians of distinction, whether as warriors or

poets, who lived during this period, Llywarch Hen, or Llywarch

the Aged, fills an eminent place: eminent for his rank and

genius, and still more eminent for his'years and his misfortunes.

He was the son of Elidyr Lydanwyn, a prince of the Northern

Britons, who was fourth in descent from Coel, according to

the British Chronicle, the 75th King of Britain. His mother was

Gwawr, daughter of Brychan, an Irish chieftain, who settled

afterwards in South Wales *. The paternal dominion of Lly

warch was called Argoed, which has been reasonably conjec

tured to be a part of the present Cumberland, bordering on the

great forest of Celyddon or Caledonia f : and that he exercised

a sovereign power over this territory appears from the Triads,

in which he is denominated one of the " three disinterested

princes of Britain." From the same authority we learn, that

Llywarch spent a part of his early life with Arthur, at that time

raised by a general vote to the sovereignty of the States of

Britain In these ancient records he is distinguished as one of

the " three intelligent bards," one of the " three counselling

knights," and one of the " three free and discontented guests"

of the court of Arthur. In addition to this, it appears from oHe

of Llywarch's poems, entitled, An Elegy on Geraint ab Erbin,

that he fought with Arthur in one of his battles i ; and, as this

* For an account of Brychan, see No. 5, p. 170.

f This is the opinion of Mr. Owen Pughe in his *' Heroic Elegies and

other Poems of Llywarch Hen," a book, to which the writer of this me

moir is greatly indebted. And the bard himself, in his Elegy on Old Age,

seems to allude to his patrimonial territory, when he says, " the men of

Argoed have ever supported me." The Rev. Walter Davies, however, in

a " Statistical Account of Llanymynech," published in the Cambrian Re

gister, (vol. i. p. 276.) expresses an opinion, that the Argoed, here men

tioned, is situate near Overton, in Flintshire. The name is not uncommon

in Wales, and signifies a place " above a wood."

J This battle, Llywarch tells us, was fought at Llongborth, a sea-port

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 2S9

poem contains an eulogium of Arthur's prowess, it has been

presumed, that it was written during his residence with that

chieftain. And the bard farther informs us in his Ode to Maen-

wyn, that his youth was spent in warlike pursuits, for which he

must have found abundant opportunity, whether with Arthur or

in his native country. The passage, last alluded to, is in English

as follows.

Maenwyn, whilst I was fresh in youth,

In the pursuit of savage slaughter,

I performed the part of a man, though yet a boy *.

How long Llywarch contiriued at the Court of Arthur it cannot

be possible to determine ; but, since he is recorded as one of iU

*e three discontented guests," it may be inferred, that his stay

there was of no great duration. Probably the troubles of hi*

own country summoned him early away to join the ranks of her

'defenders. For in his Elegy on Urien Reged, a Cumbrian Prince,

he expressly alludes to his connection with that chieftain, whom

he calls his cousin, his lord, and his protector. Upon the death

of Urien, who became the victim of assassination f, the defence

of his dominions against the growing power ofthe Saxons devolv

ed on his sons. Llywarch with his numerous issue united their

force on this occasion ; but, after having witnessed the loss of his

patrimony and the fall of most of his sons in the unequal contest,

he was compelled, like ,the father of Aneurin, to fly from hi*

country with those that survived. And a kindred fate induced

him also to seek an asylum in Wales, where he found one with

in the west of England. The name implies a " haven of ships;" and Mr,

Pughe supposes it to mean Portsmouth. In the twelve battles of Arthur,

enumerated by Nennius, there is no such place mentioned, unless Caer

LI ion, which implies literally a Fortress on the Floods, may be thought to

bare an identity of signification with Llongborth : and commentators are

not agreed as to the situation of Caer Llion.—Geraint, who was slaiu in

this combat, was a chieftain of Dyvnaint, now Devonshire ; he is cele

brated in the Triads as a great naval commander.

* " Maenwyn, tra vum i evras,

O ddylin dywa] galauas ;

Gwnawn weithred gwr cyd byddwn gwas."

Canu Maenwyn.

f The perpetrator of this bloody deed was Llovan ; and Llywarch alludes

to it in his Elegy on Urien fn the following passage :—

There is a commotion throughout the country

In search of Llovan with the destroying hand.

And this is confirmed by the Triads, in which Llovan is styled one of the

" three detested assassins" of Britain.

VOL I. P

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Cynddylan, at that time Prince of a part of Powys. To this he

alludes in his Elegy on the Death of that chieftain in a passage, of

which the following is a translation.

Cynddylan, the purple of Powys was thine ;

The life of my lord was a refuge to strangers :

O son of Cyndrwyn, for thee is my moaning *.

And it appears from the following lines, with which the same

poem commences, that Cynddylan resided at that time at Peng-

wern, or Shrewsbury, the ancient seat of the Princes of Powyi

before the inroad of the Saxons had driven them to Mathraval.

Stand forth, ye virgins, and behold the habitation of Cynddylan,

The Palace of Pengwern, is it not in flames ? f

When Llywarch was received by Cynddylan, he found him

and his brother Elvan engaged in a severe contest with a people,

whom, in his Elegy last quoted, he calls Loegrians J. The exile

chief immediately took an active part with his protector in this

quarrel : and the battles, which ensued, proved fatal to the rest

of his sons, whose death Llywarch laments, with parental fond

ness, in his Elegy on his Old Age. And we find from his Poem

on Cynddylan, that the issue of this war proved not less disas

trous to that Prince and his brother, whose fate the bard deplores

in the following lines amongst many others.

The hall of Cynddylan is silent to-night,

After having lost its lord :—

Great God of Mercy, what shall I do ?

The hall of Cynddylan, how gloomy seems its roof !

' Since the Loegrians have destroyed

Cynddylan and Elvan of Powys §.

* " Cynddylan, Pywys borfor wych yt,

Cell esbyb bywyd ior:

Cenaut Cyndrwyn cwynitor."

Marwnab Cynddylan ab Cyndhwyn.

f " Sevwch allan vorwynion, a syllwch werydre Gynddylan;

Llys Pengwern neud tandde ?" Id.

% For an account of the first settlement of the Lloegrwys or Loegrians in

this country, see Triads vn. and ix. translated in the 2d Number. Origi

nally the'name was confined in its application ; but it afterwards became ge

neral in reference to such of the inhabitants of Britain, as were not Cymry,

and in which sense it appears to be here used by Llywarch.

§ " Ystavell Cynddylan ys arav heno,

Gwedy colli ei hynav——

Y mawr drugarawg Duw, pa wnav !

Ystavell Cynddylan, ys tywyll ei ncn,

Gwedy diva o Loegrwys,

Cynddylan, ac Elvan Pywys."

Ii>.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

It may farther be collected from this Poem, that Cynddylan

was buried at Bassa, probably the place now called Basschurch

near Oswestry. The following is the passage, which justifies this

conclusion.

The churches of Bassa are near to-night

To the heir of Cyndrwyn ;

The grave-house of fair Cynddylan *.

No clue is left us, whereby we can ascertain with precision the

abode of Llywarch after the death of his friend and protector. But

k appears probable, from some passages in his poems, that his

latter years, which formed a period of unmixed affliction, were

spent in Powys. One of his poems is addressed to the Cuckoo of

the Vale of Cuawg ; and, as strong allusions are made in it to

his distress, it is likely, that it was written during the latter period

of his life, when, therefore, he may have resided in this vale, which

has been conjectured to be in Montgomeryshire f. And from

his Elegy on his Old Age it may be inferred, that he afterwards

lived at Llanvor in the county of Merioneth. But, wherever the

evening of his 'days was consumed, it is certain, that it was preg

nant with sorrows, which he has bewailed in the most affecting

strains in his Elegy last mentioned, written after his connection

with Cynddylan had terminated, as is evident from the following

passage, and which also bears testimony to the infirmity, under

which he then laboured.

Before I went on crutches I was bold,

I was admitted into the Congress-House

Of Powys, the Paradise of the Cymry J.

According to this poem, he farther appears to have been borne

down at once by the accumulated infirmities of age, sickness, and

grief; while the recollection of his ruined prosperity, his blighted

happiness, his ungrateful friends, and, above all, the agonizing

* " Eglwysau Bassa ynt wng heno

1 etivedd Cyndrwyn :

Mablan Cynddylan wyn."

Marwsad Cynddylan.

f The Vale of Cuawg; is so called, most probably, from a river of that

name : and what strengthens the conjecture is, that Llywarch in the same

poem mentions Aber Cuawg, the Mouth or Confluence of the Cuawg, which

may have been the very spot, where he resided. There is still a place near

Machynlleth, in Montgomeryshire, called Dol Giog. May not this hav«

taken its name from a river or brook in that neighbourhood ?

% " Cyn bum cain vaglawg, bum hy,

A'm cynnwysid yn nghyvyrdy

Pywys, paradwys Cymry."

Cash i'w Henaint a'i Viibion.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

remembrance of all his sons fallen a prey to the fury of battle seem

to have completed a picture of misery almost without a parallel.

And it may be collected from the poem, which contains this record

of his complicated calamities, that the number of his sons was four,

and twenty, and that they were all chieftains.

Foui-and-twenty sons I have had

Wearing the golden chain, leaders of armies *.

Of these the greatest number fell, as already noticed, in the de

fence of their native land under Urien Reged and his sons ; but

Llywarch enumerates four, who were buried in North Wales, and

who, consequently^ must have found their fate in the wars of

Cynddylan f.

Of Llywarch himself it is related, that he ended his days at

Llanvor near Bala ; and the name of Pabell Llywarch Hen, or

the Cot of Old Llywarch, given to a retired spot, in this parish,

seems to confirm the tradition. And at the. close of his Elegy on

his Old Age the bard himself appears to allude, as before observed,

to his residence at this place, where he must, in all probability,

have lingered out a wretched existence. Dr. Davies affirms, that

in his lime an inscription was visible in the parish church of

Llanvor on a wall, under which Ll>warch was presumed to be.

buried ; but all traces of this have li ng disappeared. The bard is

supposed to have died about the miaille of the seventh century,

and, according to tradition, at the patriarchal age of one hundred

•nd fifty years, after having long outlived his children, his friends,

and his prosperity.

* " Pedwar meib ar ugaint a'm bu,

Eurdorcuawg, tywysawg Uu."

CANU l'w He>'A!NT.

The privilege of wearing the golden torch or tcrques, here alluded to,

proves, that the sons of Llywarch must have been distinguished by their

rank or their valour. The old bards make frequent allusion to this custom,

which was, no doubt, very ancient. Aneurin, in particular, describes in his

Gododin the march of three hundred and sixty-three warriors, thus deco

rated, to the battle ofCattraeth : am! we learn from Dio. Cassius, that such

an ornament was worn by Boadicea four centuries earlier. Nor was the prac

tice confined to the ancient inhabitants of this country : Propertius tells us,

that Britomartus, a chieftain of the Gauls, was thus distinguished. The cus

tom was also common to other nations : and we find from the Prophet Da

niel (Ch. v. ver. 7 and 29), that a chain of gold was :-i his time a mark of

hi-'h rank in Babylon. It is likewise alluded to in \iie Song of Solomon

(Ch. i. v. 10), though apparently not as a martial distinction. Oneof these

ancient insignia was found in 1692 at Harlech, in Merionethshire, and two

others have been discovered of late years, one at Dolau Cotbi, in Carmar

thenshire, and the other near Ca«rwys,in the county of Flint-

f These were Gwell, Sawyl, Llavyr and Llyngedwy, whose graves, the

poet tells us, were at Khiw Velen, Llangollen, Llorien and Ammarch.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

A few observations may now be necessary on the poems, still

extant, that are ascribed to this ancient chieftain. The number

of these, as they are preserved in the Archaiology, is twelve, of

which five bear the name of Elegies. Of the remaining seven,

two are lyrical, and the other five form the vehicles of proverbial

lore, to which Llywarch seems to have been particularly attached.

It is true, that some of these ancient remains have been denied to

be genuine; but, as the same characteris tics pervade all, a de

gree of internal evidence is thus produced in their favour, which

must make it extremely difficult, when the genuineness of any is

admitted, to prove the reverse of the position with respect to the

rest *. And that some are undoubtedly genuine appears from

the bard having introduced into them his own name and the cir

cumstances of his life, as well as from other concurrent testimony,

which can not reasonably be disputed, ft is not too great an as

sumption then to set down all the poems, now preserved under

the name of Llywarch, as his, distinguished, as they all are, by'

the same traits of simplicity, pathos, and sententious wisdom. An

other feature, likewise common to all, is the metre, in which they

are written. This is the Triban Milwr or Warrior's Triplet,

the most ancient perhaps of all the Welsh metres : and its artlesg.

character must be sufficiently obvious from the few examples alr

ready quoted f. .

Besides the characteristics, thus assigned to the poems of Llyw

arch, they may be farther described as being historical and mo

ral, and therefore abounding in valuable information with respect

to the age, in which they were written. Some of the historical no

tices have already been cited, and it may be sufficient to observe

generally here, that many of them are confirmed by the Triads and

other ancient memorials. The moral poems are remarkable for

the sound and elegant axioms, which they convey, though deli

vered in a form extremely inartificial, yet quite characteristic of

those early times. The following lines, selected from different

poems, afford examples of these proverbial triplets.

* Among those, who have somewhat rashly declared their scepticism on

this occasion, is Mr. Turner in his very able " Vindication of the Genuine

ness of the Ancient British Poems;" a work, which confers on a stranger

the honour of being the most successful advocate, that has yet appeared, of

our national poetry.

f It is not improbable, that the lines, which Cfesar mentions to have been

committed to memory by the Awenyddion, were written in this ancient

metre, which, being in the nature of a Triad, seems particularly well adapt

ed to that purpose.


Qn Ali Saint's Eve, a season of pleasant gossipping,

The e.ile and the storm go t»gether ;

It is the work of falsehood to keep a secret *.

Wealth will not he bestowed on the mischievous,

But sorrow and anxious care :

What God hath done he will not undof.

The leaf, that is scattered by the wind,

Alas, how perishable is it!

Already it is old,—this year it was born +.

Among the most interesting portions of Llywarch's productions

are his complaint of the miseries of his lot in his Elegy on his Old

Age §, his lamentation of the fate of his sons in the same poein,

and his pathetic description of the desolation, that reigned in the

mansions of Urien and Cynddylan, upon their death, in the re

spective Elegies on those chieftains. The Elegy on Geraint con

tains too some fine and animated passages descriptive of the hor

rors of a battle : and the stanza or triplet, with which the poem

commences, deserves to be quoted.

When Geraint was born, the portals of Heaven were open,

Christ then vouchsafed what was supplicated,

A countenance beaming with beauty, the glory of Britain ||.

Although Llywarch is here styled a bard, the word must not be

taken in its strict sense ; for, as before observed a warlike em

ployment was totally inconsistent with the first principles of the

* " Calangauav eain gyvrin,

Cyvred awel a drychin ;

Gwaith celwydd yw celu rhin."

f " Da i ddiriad ni ater,

Namyn tristyd a phryder;

Ni adwna Duw ar k wnel."

1'r Gog ys Asm Ciawg.

* " Y ddeilen a drevyd gwynt,

Gwae hi a'i thynged !

Hen hi,—eleni y ganed."

- TlilbANAV.

§ Consult the six triplets beginning

" Vy mhedwar priv-gas erymoed,

and terminating with

Hir gnif heb esgor lludded."

There is a remarkable affinity between this affecting complaint and many

passages in the Book of Job. Indeed the circumstances, under which the

two lamentations were made, are not very dissimilar. The loss of dominion,

fortune, and children is common to both.

|| Pan aned Geraint oedd agored pyrth nev,

Rhoddai Grist a arched,

Pryd mirain Piydain ogoned.

Marwmd Geraint as Ehbin.

% No. 6, p. 516, in the note.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Bardic Institution, founded, as it was, in universal peace and

good will. And that the life of this venerable chieftain was de

voted fo martial pursuits is evident from most of his poems : and

on two occasions he laments the infirmity of his latter years, which

prevented him from participating in the battles of his country.

If, however, Llywarch was not a legitimate bard, he was unde

niably a poet, and, whether as a poet or a warrior, one of the

most remarkable characters of a remarkable age.

# *

WELSH PROVERBS*.

Plant gatrionedd yw ken diareblon,—Diarfb.

He, that hath found the handle, hath found also the blade.

Every nurse f is merry.

He, that is intent upon going, will do no good before he

departs.

The young will laugh at the mischances of the old.

An angel on the road and a devil by his fire-side J.

Set on thy dog, but do not accompany him. •

He, that has patience, will conquer §.

He mows the meadow with shears.

Who will not endure a servant must be his own slave ||.

The sorrow, that continues, becomes itself a calamity.

The fence of a bad farmer is full of gaps.

He, that ascends slowly, will descend quickly.

Every one has his neighbour for a mirror «J.

* It ought to have been mentioned in the introductory account of th»

Welsh Proverbs in the 4th Number, that the collection, now extant, and

published in the Archaioloiry, was originally formed by old Cyris o lit

about the beginning of the twelfth century, and afterwards copied succ«s-

wvely by Gruffydd Hiraethog, the poet, about the year 1500, by the Rev.

Dr. J. Davies, in 1580, by Mr. W. Maurice, of Llansilin, in 1675, aud ulti

mately in 1775, by the Rev. Evan Evans. See Arch, of Wales, vol. iii. in

the Preface.

f The original word is mammaeth, which means prop«rly a foster-mothtr,

or, what the English call wet-nurse.

J For a similar sentiment, see Ecclus. ch. vi. v. 4. 30.

§ So the Arabic Proverb :—" I promise you victory after patience."

|| So in Arabic:—" He is a slave, who has na slave."

% Similar to this are the following Latin maxims :—

" Ex vitio alterius saepius emendat suum."

Mhnus Publutnnt.

" Optimum est aliena frui insanii."

FUnitH.

296 THE CAMBR0-I3RIT0N.

There is an omen-in a hundred birds.

Were the tongue to relate what the bosom knows, none would

be neighbours.

A man has a hundred friends and a hundred enemies..

Long will the horse live, that feeds on the grass of May *.

Necessity will make an old woman run.

Every inhuman map is obstinate.

Calumny comes from envy.

There is a time for meat and a time for prayer.

Who has done a benefit will deserve one f«

The water is shallowest where it bubbles.

A falsehood is the best traveller i.

The life of a man is not at the disposal of an enemy.

The best master is he, who has been a servant.

Every covetous man is illiberal.

Trouble springs from a small cause §.

Every bird loves its own voice.

Fame outlives riches.

Woe to the man that has brought sorrow on a hundred (.

A friend at court is better than gold on the finger.

He, that is unlucky at sea, will be unlucky on land f .

* *

MONUMENTAL INSCRIPTIONS.

PARISH CHURCH OF LLANBEBLIG, CAERNARVON

SHIRE.

In Llanbeblig Church, near Caernarvon, is the following In

scription on a very curiously and elegantly sculptured altar-

tomb or monument in the north chancel, with a male and female

recumbent figure, and on one side the husband is represented

kneeling with his sons behind him, and on the other the wife in a

similar attitude with her daughters.

* An Arabic proverb resembles this:—"The ass shall live while his food

" flourishes."

f So in Arabic :—" Do good, and good shall be done to thee,"

J " Fama, malum quo non aliud velocius ullum." Virc.

§ " Hae nugae seria ducunt in mala." Hon.

|] A hundred is of course here used for any great number. Hesiod ob

serves to the same effect^

IltXAajcj Km %u[j.Trov<ra. tfoXi; xolxou avtipo; eycuipti.

•1 " Caelum non animum mutant qui trans mare currunt." Hon.


" Here lyeth the body of William Griffith, Esq., the son of

Sir Wm. Griffith, Knight, who died Nov. 28th, 1587, and Mar

garet his wife, daughter of John Wynne ap Meredith, Esq., who

built this tomb 1593."

And in the late Rev. Mr. Foxwist's pew, on the left side of the

chancel, are the following Monkish Latin lines, engraved on a

brass plate in what is called black or double letter.

In quo prae multis scribendi gloria fulsit

Ricardus Foxwist, hie pede tritus adest :

Annus, Christe, tuus fuit M: D: luce patrici,

Dum tenet, expirans, vulnera quinque tua,

Corporis atque tui tandem pars additur altra,

Dum conjux uno clauditur in tumulo;

Haecque Johanna fuit, ac Spicer nata Johanne ;

Pauperibus larga, justa, pudica fuit.

The above seems to have been a scrivener, as there are an hour-

glass and a pen and ink represented on the plate. And Sir John

Wynne informs us, in his History of the Gwydir Family, that in his

time and previous to that period they were called the Lawyers of

Caernarvon, the Merchants of Beaumaris, and the Gentlemen

of Conway.

P. B. W.

INSCRIPTION IN MOLD CHURCH, FLINTSHIRE.

Here lyeth the body of Thomas Edwards sonne and heire of

Evan Edwards of Rhual, Esq.* who died the 3d of April 1664 at

the age of 39 yeares.

Non soli mihi natus eram, me Ecclesia luget,

Me patria ereptum, me genus omne gemit :

Caesar et officium, cives, comitesque piobarunt

Me fidum : hinc caelos involo, Terra vale !

Inveni tandem portum : cur fletis amici ?

Coelo demissus, redditus astra peto.

* Evan Edwards, Esq. is mentioned in the last Number, p. 161, in the

Account of the Parish of Mold. This Epitaph is printed from a trans

cript, preserved among the Harleian MSS. , made by the second Randle

Holme, who appears to have delighted much in these sepulchral gleanings.

Yet this is the only Inscription copied from Mold Church.—Ed.

VOL. I. 2 Q



—»egie—


' [GwtcJuArrf.]

Supplemental Notices.—It has happened, that a few notices,

of no great importance however, have been either accidentally

omitted in their proper places, or purposely reserved for the

present occasion, as noWstrictly belonging to any of the heads

already adopted. Such additional information, therefore, will

now be communicated in this supplementary article.—In the ac

count given of the destruction of Mold Castle by Llywelyn ab

Iorwerth in 1201 * it should have been noticed, that the event is

recorded by Llywarch Prydydd y Moch, a contemporary poet,

in an Ode addressed by him to that Prince. In this poem he makes

express mention, on three occasions, of the capture and destruc

tion of Wyddrugg. The following is a translation of one of the

passages, which also shews, that Mold was at that time held as a

feudatory appendage to Chester.

Caer Lleonf, the Ruler of Mona, the possession of PaboJ will capture

thee,

He will drive thee to an extremity :

Llywelyn! even he, hath already burnt thy country,

He hath slain thy men beyond the tide and beyond the strand,

He hath entirely captured YVyddgrng ; no feigned flight

Had the Loegrians with perturbed mind to contemplate.

A prince's splendid territory § hath been wofully devastated.

His cloisters have been destroyed, and his holy houses, are they not

ashes || ?

* No. 4, p. 137.

f Chester.

* Pabo was a Cumbrian chief of the fifth century. 'TJpon his country being

overrun by the Saxons and Picts he took refuge in-Wales, where he led a holy

life, and founded a church in Anglesey, still called Llan Babo. Hence, per

haps, his connection with Mona above alluded to.

§ This must have reference to the dominions of the Barons of Monthault

or Wyddrug, who held this place as a fief under the Earls of Chester, as be

fore stated. See No. 4, p. 1S8.

H The following is the original passage :

Caer Lleou, llyw Mon, mwyn Pabo, a'th dug

Ef a'th dwg ynghodo :

Llywelyn, ef llosges dy fro,

Lias dy wyr tra llyr, tra llwyfo,

IJwyr dug y Wyddrug, nid ffug flo

Lloegrwys i llugfryd i synnio ;

Lleudir teyrn lluddiwyd yn agro,

Lias ei glas, ei glwyulai, neud glo ?


In addition also to the three places, in which the destruction of

the Castle of Wyddrugg is expressly mentioned, the poet in two

other Instances alludes to a sanguinary battle fought between

Uywelyn and the English, or Normans, as they are called, on

the banks of the Alyn, and therefore, most probably, in the same

neighbourhood. On one occasion he speaks of " myriads " being

slain in the conflict, and in the other compares it with the cele

brated battle of Camlan, in which Arthur fell.—It should also be

noticed, that there is a place in the township of Treuddyn called

Tre Llywelyn, which may have derived its name from the same

chieftain. An old Welsh MS., however, written in 1534, entitled

the " Chronicle of Gwynedd," relates, that this place was so call

ed on account of a battle fought there between Llywelyn, the son

of David, Prince of Wales*, and some English, who occupied

a place called Ffrith in that neighbourhood. The stations, pos

sessed by the respective forces, are particularly described, and it

is added, that a great slaughter ensued, and that David, son of

Llywelyn, was among the number slain. A remarkable stone in

the' neighbourhood, supposed to have been anciently used for

sepulchral purposes, is also thought to have had some reference

to this battle. This stone, which is in length about two yards

nine inches, one yard and thirty-two inches in height, and in

breadth seventeen inches, is called Careg y Llech, and gives name

to the eminence, on which .it stands. There are likewise in the

names and other circumstances belonging to this part of the coun

try strong grounds for believing, that an important conflict took

place here at some distant period.—To the account, already given

by Mr. Edward Llwyd -f, of a bed of muscles discovered in the

year 1699 in this parish, the following certificate, to which the

learned writer refers in his letter, may now be added, and will

serve to confirm his statement.—" July 1st, 1699, We the persons

undernamed do certify, that on the 27th of May 1699, in sink

ing to lay the foundation of a building near the town of Mold

about three quarters of a yard deep in hard gravel, where no

* There does not appearto have been any Uywelyn, the son of David, pn

the throne of Norlh Wales: but Lly welyn ab lorwerth, who may be the

prince here meant, succeeded his uncle Davydd ab Owain Gwynedd in the

sovereign power. Yet, although he had a son named David, he could not

have been slain, at mentioned in the MS. above quoted, since he survived

his father, and reigned in Gwynedd from 1240 to 1246. The account, then-

fore, here given of the battle at Tre Uywelyn, is not without some ambi

guity.

+ No. «, p. 1SJ.


water came, were found four muscles, nothing differing (that we

could perceive) from those of the sea. having their fish in them

alive and fresh and full of liquor. Witness our hands the day and

year above written : Edward ab Rondle, David Howell, Peter

Williams."—Athough there are no hills in this parish remarkable

for their height, the following eminences should have been pre

viously noticed. The names, retained by most of them, seem to

indicate, that they were formerly connected with some interesting

events, of which the particulars are no longer known.—1. Bryn y

Bal. 2. Gwaun yr Wyddfid. 3. Moel y Windeg. 4. Rhos

Treuddyn. 5. Yr Orsedd Vawr *. 6. Rhos Ithel. 7. Caregy

Llech, before noticed,—It should likewise have been mentioned

under the head of Natural History, that there are three wells or

springs of ancient note in the parish, viz. Ffynnon Maes Garmon,

already alluded to, Ffynnon St. Catrin, and Ffynnon y Bedi.'—

It only remains to take a short notice of the Dissenting Chapels

in this parish, which are seven in number. Of these three belong

to the Calvinistic Methodists, two to those of the Wesleyan con

nection, and two to the seceders, known by the name of Inde

pendents. Three of these places of worship are in the town.

There is also a Roman Catholic Chapel, situate in Nerquis, for

the accommodation of a few persons in that part of the parish,

belonging, for the most part, to Miss Giffard's family, the remnant

of a small colony of papists introduced by the late Mr. Giffard,

who was of the same persuasion. And the present proprietor of

Nerquis Hall, although a protestant, continues, from motives at

once disinterested and laudable, to support the establishment.

PARISH OF LLAN-SILIN, IN THE COUNTY OF

DENBIGH.

INDEX OF SECTIONS.

§ 1. Name of the Parish— Patron Saint— Church— List of

Vicars.

2. Situation—Extent—Divisions.

3. Soil—Substrata—Minerals— Fossils.

4. Roads—Romans Roads—Mediolanum.

* This hill probably tcok its name from having been formerly a place,

where the bards held their meetings or gtrseddau. And the name of Gortedd

Vawr, or the Great Congress, seems to indicate, that it was a place of note

in this respect.


§ 5. Water—Rivers—Lake, &c.

6. Mountains—Altitudes—Views.

7. Ancient Monuments—Camps—Circles—Carneddau.

8. Ancient Houses—Men of Note—Native Authors—Itinerant

Bards—Pedigrees.

9. Sycharth, the seat of Owain Glyndwr—His Descent, and

Claim to the Principality—Desuiption of Sycharth from

a Poem by Iolo Goch.

10. Appendix.—Memoranda of the Civil War in North Wales

—Occupation of Llan-Silin Church by the Parliamentary

Forces. •

§ 1. Name.—A compound of Llan, a Church, a Church

Village, &c.—and Silin, the Saint to whom the Church ii «ip-

posed to have been dedicated at its foundation. It may now be

difficult, and not very useful, to account how this St. Silin, aliar

Sulien, came to occupy four several festivals in our old calen

dars.

1. May 13th is denominated the festival of Mael and Sulien,

two missionaries, who, in company with about a dozen more,

came into this island from Armorica, under the superintendence

of Cadvan, who became abbot of the monastery of Bardsey,

and is recorded to have been buried at Tywyn Meirionydd, in

the sixth century. The churches of Corwen in Edeyrnion, and

Cwm in Tegengl, were dedicated to the tutelary saints, Mael

and Sulien ; and the annual commemoration, or wake, in those

parishes, was customarily held on the Sunday next after the

13th of May, O. S.

2. September 1st is- noted as the festival of St. Silin. Dr.

Thomas Williams, in his copy of Bonedd y Saint, informs us,

that there was a Capel Silin at Wrexham ; and the editor of

Brown Willis's St. Asaph says, that Wrexham Church is dedi

cated to St. Giles, and the wake observed on the Sunday follow

ing the 1st of September. The correct Ecton, in his Thesaurus,

has " Llan-Silin—St. Giles, JWallice Silin." If Silin, or

Sulien, must be foreignized, it is more agreeable to the Welsh

idiom to have it converted into Julian than Giles. This latter

name, whatever is meant by it, has been applied in a Latin

dress to this parish of Llan-Silin, in a comment on an article in

Pope Nicholas's Taxation, (Brown Willis, by Edwards, vol. ii.

59.) " Ecclesia de Lanselyn, Decanat. de Kynleith (dicta

Ecclesia Sti Egidii, anno 1296.)" Thus we find Silin meta-

morphosed into Giles, and Giles into Egidius !


3. September 2d.—St. Sulien. These two festivals on two

successive day*, and with a trifling variation in the name of the

•airtt, may have originated in error.

4. October 1st.—Silin and Gannon. It was natural to unite

Sulien with Mael, on the 1 3th of May, as they were cotempo-

riry saints, fellow travellers from the continent, and* probably,

fellow labourers in preaching the Gospel to our ancestors ; but

here (Oct. 1st.) Silin is joined, in our calendar, to Garmon

(Germanus), who had ceased from his labours about a century

before. But they were of the same zealous family ; Silin, a

grandson to Emyr Llydaw, (Emyr, the Armorican,) and Gar

mon, a maternal uncle to the same personage.

The latter festival is that, which has generally obtained in the

parish. The benefice is a vicarage, in the patronage of the

Bishop of St. Asaph ; to whom and the Dean and Chapter of

that Cathedral the rectorial tithes belong.

The church is of superior appearance to country churches in

general ; consisting of a nave, and an aisle on the north side,

•et off with a lofty conical spire, furnished with three bells.

Only two mural monuments present themselves ; the first, that

of Sir William Williams, Bart. Speaker of the House of Com

mons, and Solicitor-General ; the second, that of David Mau

rice, Esq. and his son Edward Maurice, Esq. of Glan Cyn-

llaith ; both to be more particularly noticed in the sequel, when

I come to treat of their respective houses.

According to a MS. memorandum left by Mr. John Davies,

of Rhiwlas, the author of " Heraldry Displayed," published in

1716,—" the great window in the chancel of our Lady's Church

in Llan-Silin, was begun by Ieuan Vychan," (Davies's ances

tor in seven degrees,) " and finished by his widow, Gwenwyvar,

(daughter of Ieuan Vychan, of Moeliwrch *.) Their names were

artificially wrought in the painted glass, and seen in the memory

of this age; until the window was destroyed in the time of the

late unhappy wars between King Charles the First and his un

natural subjects."—J. D.

We are informed by a MS. left by Mr. William Maurice of

Llan-Silin, that the Church was converted into a barrack by a

detachment of the Parliamentarian army stationed at Montgo

mery f. This accounts for the destruction of the chancel window,

* Ieuan Vychan lived about the conclusion of the 14th century.

f A more detailed account of the occupation of Llan-Silin Cfcurch by the

Parhamentary forces wit! be gUcn in ihe Appendix A.


as well as for the disappearance of a statue of St. Silin, men

tioned in section 8 of this survey, as in being in the year 1534,

opposite to a seat or pew belonging to Thomas ab Llewelyn of

Cevn y Braich.

Vicars of Llan-Silin from the year 1537.

1. Thomas Kyffin, ab Meredydd—collated by Bishop

Warton ..... 1537

2. Davydd Moms, Schoolmaster of Oswestry, by R.

Davies - - . . . 158-1

3. Risiart ab Ieuan, by T. Davies - - 1562

4- Thomas Llwyd, by Hughes ... 1592

5. Simon Llwyd—Vicar Choral, by Parry - 1615

6. Richard Mucklestone, by the same - - 1615

7. J. Kyffin, by Hanmer - .. . 1625

8. Richard Jervase, by the King . - 1627

9. Edward Tanat, ejected by the Parliament from his

Vicarage of St. Michael in Blodvoel, collated to

Llan-Silin by Bishop Griffith - . 1661

10. J. Jones, by Glenham ... iqq-j

11. J. Wynn, by Beveridge ... 1706

12. J. Skye, by Drummond - - . 1755

13. T. Hughes, L.L.B. Schoolmaster at Ruthin, and

afterwards Rector of Llan Vwrog, by Newcome 1763

14. Richard Maurice, by Shipley - - 1776

15. Turner Edwards, by Bagot ... igQ2

16. Jones, Curate of Rhuddlan, by Horsley 1803

17. John Mason, Curate of Denbigh, by Cleaver 1809

18. John Jones, Curate of Wrexham, by the same 1811

19. David Richards, Curate, by Luxmoore - 1819

Besides this Llan of Silin, and the former Capel of Silin at

Wrexham, there are a Church and a Vicarage called Silin or

Sulien, in Cardiganshire, near Llan Bedr, on the Teivy, a man

sion in Caernarvonshire called Bod-Silin, and a place in Cornwall

called Tre' Silian, the supposed residence of the Sulien of our

Brut *, the Fulgenius of its Latin copies, who opposed the Roman

power under Severus, and, according to Dr. Stukely (Palceo-

logr.), Silvanus, the father of Carawn (Carausius) the Nelson of

the British seas, about the year 300. .

§ 2. Situation and Extent.—Llan-Silin lieth in the south,

eastern corner of Denbighshire, abutted by Shropshire on the east.

* Bruty Brenhinofxki—or History of the Kings of Britain.

304 THE CAMBRO-BRITAIN.

and by Montgomeryshire on the south. Its outline toucheth upon

ten parishes; three in Shropshire, six in Denbighshire, and one

in Montgomeryshire. The body of the parish constitutes a con

siderable plain, of a somewhat undulated surface, and tending to

an oval form, with two wings,—the southern consisting of the

township of Sycharth, extending to the river Tanat on the bor

der of Montgomeryshire,—and the northern, containing the town

ship of Rhiwlas, stretching beyond the Ceiriog, in the valley of

that name. Its dimension, in this north and south direction, may

be from seven to eight miles ; and in a transverse line, from west

to east, from four to five miles. Its townships (taking Rhiwlas

is-foel, and uwch-foel, as one) are ten in number, enumerated in

the, following alphabetical order. 1 . Bodlith, 2. Llan, 3. Lled-

rod, 4. Lloran, 5. Llys Dynwallawn, 6. Moelfre, 7. Pri'bwll,

8. Rhiwlas, 9. Sycharth, 10. Sychdin : the nine former in Den

bighshire, and the tenth in Shropshire. In Pope Nicholas's Tax

ation (1291) this parish, with its neighbour Llan Armon, consti

tuted the Deanry of Kynleith ; but both now form but a small

portion of the Deanry of Marchia, in the Diocese of St. Asaph.

According to the political divisions of those days, Llan Silin was

in the Cwmmwd of Cynllaith, a part of Cantrev y Rhaiadr, now

called the Hundred of Chirk. Nine of the townships are included

in the manor or lordship of C3rnllaith, once the entire patrimony

of its paramount lord, but in after times divided into two unequal

portions, as shall be shewn in a future section. The smaller por

tion, called Cynllaith Owain, now belongs to the Llan Gedwn

estate, the property of Sir W. W. Wynn ; and the larger, called

Cynllaith yr Iarll, is a part of the Chirk Castle estate. The

tenth township, Sychdin, is in the manor of Du-parts, which be

longs to the representative of the house of Powys. On the hill,

above Pyllau y Meirch, is a large cubic stone, about three feet to

a side, called Bwrddy tri Arglwydd, owing to the three lordships

meeting thereabout in a point ; and withal creating a supposition,

that the three lords once met, and dined upon the monument.

§ 3. Soil—Substrata—Minerals.—The soil is chiefly a

hazle mould, or ferny soil, on dry substrata; and clay, or peat,

in hollows, and elevated situations. The substrata of the west

ern, by far the greater, portion of the parish, are of the shale, or

brittle slate kind ; with occasional veins, or riders, of the more

indurated grey mountain rock, for building and other purposes.

That portion of Sycharth, lying east of the rivulet Cynllaith, hath

its roeks of a silicious quality—amorphous whin, some of a por


phyritic, and some of a chertzose appearance. These silicious

rocks lie between the shale of the western part and the limestone

of Sychdin, and, running northward, form very abrupt and pic

turesque precipices about Melin Deirw, in the valley of Ceiriog.

To the east of Nant Mawr the lime rocks appear regularly strati

fied, dipping eastwardly, under the sand-stone and local strata

of Tref-y-clawdd ; and forming generally an angle of about 30

degrees of the horizon. Many of the strata are of the species

called fiummery stone. One bed of this kind, of several feet

depth, was observed to contain nodules, of several feet dimen

sions, of a spherical form, of the common species of limestone,

imbedded in it. This latter stone exhibits occasionally marks of

marine exuviae, which are never found in the other.

The ore called sulphat of zinc, or black jack, has been found, in

small quantities, in the common', or splintery limestone of Sych

din ; and calamine, the carbonate of zinc, in large quantities, has

been procured for several years together, from the fiummery

limestone of the Moelydd rocks in the township ofTrev-y-clawdd,

in the adjoining parish of Oswestry,

Idris.

ITo bo continued."}

THE MISCELLANIST.—No. V.

There is something very lively in the following sketch of an

excursion to the celebrated Abbey of Cymmer near Dolgellau :

and the writer has contrived to give it some picturesque touches

well adapted to the occasion. But, if any should be of opinion,

that he has availed himself too largely of the privilege of a painter

in this respect, they should at the same time consider, that the

contemplation of ancient ruins', of a certain description, seldom

fails to produce, in a mind of sensibility, a peculiar cast of im

pressions, which communicate their tints to every surrounding

object. Upon the same principle it is, that many circumstances,

which ordinary minds regard with indifference, derive in others a

degree of importance from the particular medium, through which

they are viewed. It is this species of colouring, although in an

extreme degree, that has acquired the name of the romantic :

and, whatever may be its popular character, it is far more true

to nature than is generally imagined.

The Editor feels it a duty to add, that he is indebted to the

vol. I. 2 R


Writer of the " Cambrian Sketches," announced in the last

Number, for this interesting " Visit," and which, he under

stands, is destined to form a part of his projected work.

* * i*

A VISIT TO VANNER.

On the banks of the Mawddach, in Merionethshire, about a

mile before that river has its junction with the Wnion and be

comes navigable, are situated the monastic ruins of Cymmer, or,

as it is more usually called, Vanner Abbey. The spot is secluded

and beautiful ; bounded on all sides by high and chiefly well-

wooded hills, and concealed from the eye of man, until close to

it, by venerable and majestic forest trees—

" whose sober shade

Lets fall a serious gloom upon the mind,

Which checks, but not appals. Such are the haunts

Religion seeks—a meek and humble maid,

Whose tender eye bears not the blaze of day."

The ruins consist of what I should conceive to be the aisle of

the church, the walls of which, the only part now remaining, are

plenteously covered with ivy and other creeping plants. * The

refectory, I should however mention, is still standing, and is con

verted into a farm house ; but, as it is detached from the main

building, and has nothing very peculiar in its appearance, it can

scarcely be accounted part of the ruins.

Cymmer Abbey was founded at the close of the twelfth or be

ginning of the thirteenth century, by Meredudd and Gruffydd,

sons of Cynan ab Owain Gwynedd, Prince of North Wales, and

dedicated to the Mother of Jesus. Soon after its foundation it

became, by the powerful patronage of its royal founders, very

flourishing, and the monks obtained a charter, in 1209, from

Llewelyn ab Iorwerth, which invested them with great power in

those parts. Pennant and other writers on Welsh historical

subjects give a detailed account of this abbey, and to his " Tour

in North Wales'' I must refer the reader for such information as

he desires respecting it, merely observing, that, at the dissolu

tion of monasteries by Henry VIII. it was valued at between 50

and 60 pounds ; but the only charge on it, in 1553, was 6/. 13*. 4d.

paid to Lewis ab Thomas, supposed to have been the last abbot.

Elizabeth, however, five-and-twenty years afterwards, granted it

to her greedy and overbearing favourite, Robert Dudley, Earl o<"

Leicester. It is now the property of the Vaughans of Hengwrt.

The last time I was in Wales I had a great desire to visit these

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 30T

ruins, not from any particular beauty attached to them, as spe

cimens of architecture, but from a sensation of delight I always

experience in viewing any of the ruins of our ancient buildings,

to which historical record or tradition has imparted any interest.

The mind is always pleasingly, and perhaps usefully, employed

in contemplating fallen or decaying grandeur, and I must ac

knowledge, for my own part, that my visit to Vanner afforded

me a pleasure I have not yet forgotten, and never shall forget.

It was in autumn last that I spent a short time on a visit in the

neighbourhood of Dolgellau—" the modern capital of the wild

county of Merioneth;" and one Sunday evening it was proposed

to me by a very worthy young friend of mine, Mr. * * *, to

visit Vanner—I cheerfully acquiesced in the proposal, and after

tea we repaired thither—my friend, another young gentleman,

and myself. The day had been rather stormy, and the heavens

still looked grim and cloudy, although the rain had ceased. How

ever, as Vanner is but a short two miles from Dolgelley, we did

not heed the weather, and off we went. We took the nearer

path, to the right of the regular road, passing through the

woods of Hengwrt, the seat of Griffith Howel Vaughan, Esq.,

where, by the way, there is a valuable library of Welsh litera

ture, both in print and manuscript *. We stopped to look at

the house, which is an old square building, situated on rising

ground, a little above the Barmouth road, on the right, and sur

rounded by some very valuable timber. It is at present unin

habited, its worthy and wealthy proprietor, Sir Robert Vaughan's

brother, residing on his estate of Rug, near Corwen ; but it is in

admirable order; and I was informed, that the old walls of Hen

gwrt have echoed ere now to many a gleeful shout and merry

revel. By thi time we reached the abbey the summits of the

surrounding hills were wrapped in the gloom of twilight, and the

evening smoke of the neighbouring little hamlet of Llanelltyd

arose in spiry volumes to the clouds, the wind, which had been

high during the day, having totally subsided. We entered the

precincts of the once far-famed Vanner, and the gloomy silence

and solitude of the scene cast an awe over my mind, which I did

not attempt either to .repress or conceal. It was the Sabbath

evening, and the busy noise of labour, and indeed of nature

itself was hushed into tranquillity. At first not a sound was

# This library is now at Rug, another family estate, belonging to Mr.

Vaughan, in the same county,—E»-

308 % THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

audible to disturb the solemn stillness, which surrounded us, save

the gentle rippling of the river, as it made its way over its rocky

and uneven bed ; but ere long the wind began to rise, and mur

mured plaintively among the foliage of the trees : anon a bat

would whir by us and nestle in the ivy, which covers the ruins.

It was momentarily getting darker, and the ivied walls of the

abbey cast a deeper shade on the area between them. The wind,

too, increased, and at length howled mournfully around us ; a

drop or two of rain fell, and we had the comfortable prospect of

being caught in a tempest. We prepared, therefore, to bend our

course homewards, and' were just about to leave thfe abbey, when

the melancholy hooting of that most lugubrious of all birds, the

owl, apparently just above us, startled us all, and reminded m«

of a passage in Blair's " Grave," which, with a trifling altera

tion, will be found somewhat applicable to our situation at Vanner.

The wind is up ; hark ! how it howls ! Methinks,

Till now, I never heard a sound so dreary :—

night's foul bird,

Rook'd in the ruin, screams loud ; the gloomy aisles,

Black-plaster'd and hung round with wreaths of ivy,

——— send back the sounds,

Laden with heavier airs, from the low vaults—

The mansions of the dead.

Again the screech-owl shrieks ! ungracious sound !

I'll hear no more !—It makes one's blood run chill !

I may probably incur an imputation of cowardice from many

by the declaration I am about to make, but positively the " un

gracious sound" of " night's foul bird" caused my nerves to

thrill most fearfully, and inspired me with a hearty wish to be

gone. It seemed to me the scream of a demon, breaking loudly

and dissonantly on the sacred stillness which invested us, and

exulting in the departure of the intruders on its solitude. My

companions, however, thought otherwise, and seemed to hail the

sound as the greeting of old acquaintance, and one of them re

plied in a tone so similar to its own, that I absolutely started

back some paces, supposing the bird at my elbow. The owl

again hooted forth its to-whit-to-whoo, and a kind of conversa-,

tion (unintelligible, however, to both parties) was carried on

between it and my companions, which lasted till we gained the

extremity of Hengwrt wood, the bird following us the whole way,


and sometimes flying round our head, almost within reach of our

arms. If any of the simple natives heard the sounds we made,

they would undoubtedly have drawn some melancholy presage

from them. Soon after we left the woods the rain fell heavily,

and we ran for shelter into a hut on the road-side, the inmates of

which were engaged in the devotional exercises of the evening,

and listening attentively to an elderly man, who was reading

the Bible—

" The huge clasp'd Bible, which had been his father's."

There was a numerous congregation for so small a place, some

twelve or fourteen, men, women, and children. This was a

soothing and happy sight, and we remained till their vespers were

concluded, when, the rain having ceased, we resumed our walk.

As we entered the town, my friend offered to conduct me to the

Town Hall, where the children of the Sunday School* were

assembled to sing hymns, the usual, indeed the constant, mode of

closing the Sabbath at Dolgellau. I accepted the offer with great

pleasure, and we soon arrived at the Hall, where we found many

of the respectable inhabitants gathered together. The singing

had already commenced, and the singers were performing, with

much sweetness and simplicity, the evening hymn. They finished

this and several others, some in Welsh and some in English, and

then, with their auditors, departed to their rest. It is needless for

me to expatiate on this admirable and rational mode of termi

nating the duties of the Sabbath-day. Nothing, I should conceive,

can be more purely and completely gratifying than to contem

plate youthful piety in the act of lifting up its voice in adoration

and gratitude to its Creator. What a contrast this, to the sicken

ing depravity of the metropolis, and what a testimony of the

assiduity and careful love of the Pastor of Dolgellau ! Can any

thing speak more forcibly in praise of his attention towards his

flock—of his duty towards his God ? I never spent an evening

so happily and so worthily.

Mervinius.

In the sixth Number (p. 210) there appeared a short biogra

phical notice, by P. B. W., of Davydd Lhvyd ab Llewelyn. The

# The Sunday School was instituted some years ago by, I believe, the

present worthy and highly esteemed Rector, Mr. Hughes. At all events, I

am informed that he was chiefly instrumental in effecting its establishment;

The young ladies, his daughters, now employ much of their time in in

structing the poor children of the lower orders in the rutliments Of useful

knowlege. Is not this beucvoleDce—pure unadulterated benevolence ?—M.


following anecdote, illustrative of what was there stated, has been

communicated by a gentleman, to whom the readers of the

Cambro-Briton are already indebted for two or three interest

ing contributions.

DAVYDD LLWYD AB LLEWELYN.

The Earl of Richmond, in his March from Milford, is said to

have lodged one night with his friend Davydd Llwyd at Matha-

farn. In his anxiety for the issue of his hazardous enterprise he

privately requested the opinion of his host, who was esteemed by

his contemporaries a most distinguished prophet. The seer cau

tiously replied, that a question of such importance could not be

immediately answered, and that he would give his reply in the

morning. He was greatly perplexed by the question, and his

wife observed an unusual and inexplicable gravity in his manner

during the remainder of the evening. She enquired into the

cause, of which, when she was informed, she exclaimed with much

astonishment, " How can you possibly have any difficulty about

your answer? Tell him, that the issue of his enterprise will be

most successful and glorious. If your prediction is verified, you

will receive honours and rewards ; but, if it fails, depend upon

it, he will never come here to reproach you." Hence we have

the Welsh proverb,—Cynghor gwraig heb ei o/yn *.

X. Y. Z.

AN OLD PROPHECY.


Sir,—If you thiqk. proper, I would thank you to insert the

following lines, as some of your correspondents may be able to

unravel their meaning.

Pan fo Rhuddlan heb Gonwyaid,

Pan fo Llan Saint Sior heb Holandiaid,

Pan fo Abergele heb fiyn hirion,

Y bydd rhywbeth yn Rhiwabon

Now, the Conways of Bodryddan in Rhuddlan have been some

years extinct, so have the Hollands of Cinmel in Llan Saint Sior :

and the long poles, formerly in use in Abergele f, are no longer

necessary. I conclude, then, that the predicted event, whatever

it was, alluded to in the last of the foregoing lines, has already

come to pass. Perhaps some of your readers can furnish a clue

to the mystery. Ll.

* A wife's advice without asking it.

f Before a part of that parish was overflowed by the sea.— !5d.


AWEN CYMRU.

. A'th rodd yw athrwydd Awcn. Edm. Prys.

Y DEWIS:

Hywel ab Owain a'i cant.

Fy newisi riain firain faindeg,

Hirwen yn ei 'len, 'liw ehoeg;

Am dewis synwyr syniaw arwreigiaidd,

Ban dywed o frstidd weddaidd wofeg ;

Am dewis gydran gyhydreg 'L bun,

A bod yn gyfrin am rin, am reg.

Dewis yw genyfi hardd-liw gwaneg,

Y doeth i'th gyfoeth, dy goeth Gymraeg.

Dewis genyfi di :

Beth yw genyti fi ?

Pa beth ! a dewi di ?

D&g ei gosteg !

Dewiseisi fun, fal nad attreg genyf :

lawn yw dewisaw : dewis, dyn deg !

[The following Lines were addressed by the Rev. Walter Daties to that

patriotic prelate, the Bishop of St. David's, when he presided at the

Carmarthen Eisteddfod, in Jily—Ed.] ,

FR LLYWYDD.

Burgess, geir a lies gwir,a Had—i-'n hiaith

Ein hethol ddymuniad ;

Y mae'r gwr a mawr gariad,

A barn glyw, yn bur i'n gwlad.

Bor gwiwlwys o Abergwili—Esgob

A wisgwyd 4 daioni,

Gwr o fraint, goreu ei fri,

Bugail Duw a bagl Dewi.

Agwedd ei ysgolheigion—a gwnnai

I gynnol iaith Seion;

Odiaethol yw'r bendithion

O'i olud hael i'r wlad hon.

Hygar haeddiant y gwr addien—a gofir

Tra gwiwfeirdd Ogyrfen ;

Tra Thywi bydd traith Awen

I gyfarch o'm parch a'n pen.


ENGLISH POETRY.

TRANSLATION OF THE CHOICE.

BY HYWEL AB OWAIN GWYJiEDD*.

[Seepage 311.]

Yon lovely maid of form divine,

So slim, so fair, may she be mine,

Whose long white shape and graceful mien

Beneath her light blue veil are seen !

On woman, when her charms unite,

Supreme in female excellence,

To muse hath been my first delight ;

But most I prize her diffidence,

When on her lips, in concert sweet,

Her decent mind and language meet.

Hence would I choose with thee, my fair,

Our thoughts, our lives, our all to share.

Bright art thou as the hues that shine

Upon the sparkling summer tide,

While Cymru's purest speech is thine ;

Discreetest maid, be this thy pride.

Hence thou art mine, and shall I be

To thee as dear as thou to me ?

What, no reply ! ah, silent still !

Yet even thy silence raptures fill.

But I, who choose so rich a prize,

What pause should mar a choice like this ?

In choosing well the merit lies,

Then choose, my fair, and seal our bliss.

* **

*• Hywel ab Owain was one of the sons of Owain Gwynedd, Prince of

North Wales, who succeeded to the sovereignty in 1 1 37. Upon his death

in 1169 Hywel aspired to the throne, but, after a severe struggle, was de

feated by his brother Davydd, and two years afterwards died of his wounds

in Ireland. There are but eight of Hywel's productions preserved, which

are printed in the Archaiology ; but it sufficiently appears from these, that

he was a young man of talent as well as an elegant poet. The effusions of

his Muse appear, like this specimen, to have been dedicated to the fair sex;

at least such is the general character of those, that remain. But it may be

proper to add, that the translation, here offered, does not in every instance

retain the siuipljcity of the original. Perhaps, indeed, this would have bten

hardly practicable.— Ed.


TRANSLATION of SOME LINES

Written by a young Man to his Mistress, who was offended with

him for leaving Ids Country *.

Thou beauteous nymph, source of my pain,

Hear, O hear, thy love-sick swain ;

Caught by thy charms, I can't deny,

I toil in Cupid's chains—I die !

Pierc'd is my bosom with thy dart,

I feel, I feel it at my heart.

Alas ! I mourn the hour I knew

My angel of the brightest hue :

Thy heavenly form, thy lovely gait,

Thy temper sweet, have fixed my fate.

Weak wretch, I dreamt of bliss secure,

Of pleasure ever blooming, pure,

While timidly thy steps I sought ;

My heart with love's soft frenzy fraught.

What joy ! to tell the tender tale

To th' envied lily of the vale,

And sit the day in green alcove,

Thy taper form beside, my love ;

And press thy snowy hand in mine,

And round thy waist my arms entwine ;

And place my lips, rapture too much,

On thine, and sip the witching touch !

Than honey sweeter was the kiss,

Heaven, heaven alone surpass'd the bliss.

Oh ! what a wretched world of woe

Is this I find ; how fickle too !

Amid this exquisite delight

What sudden change ! Ah ! luckless wight !

CompelPd to say the word, farewell !

And go 'mid Saxons strange to dwell—

Far from my native home depart,

Far from the girl, that stole my heart.

* The Lines, of which these are a translation, were composed in London

by Mr. John Owen, a native of Cardiganshire, in 1158. The original may

be fuund in the Diddanwch Teuluaidd beginning

" Y cywrain ferch a gerais

Claf oil wyf, o clyw fy ilais."

Vol I. 2 a


Is it not cruel, sinful too,

To part us twain, that loved so true ?

Cruel, to send me from thy plains,

Sweet Teivy, and thy jocund swains ;

But crueller by far, I ween,

A frown on her I love is seen.

Hard is my fate ; there now remains,

Far from my Gem and pleasant plains,

To me, of all my paradise,

But briny tears and fruitless sighs.

My locks are gone—those curls of gold,

Whose beauty thousands oft have told :

My face is shrivelled, haggard, lean,

Where manly graces erst were seen :

Those brilliant eyes, you knew so bright,

Are leaden orbs, a ghastly sight :

Those cheeks, that vied the ruddy rose,

Death's horrid paleness now disclose :

My form's, heaven knows, so strange, my fair,

Your tender heart 'twould shock and scare ;

Your faded Swain none now would know,

Where Teivy's silver currents flow.

O pure, O lovely, lonely maid,

Let not thy frowns thy Swain upbraid

For ever; think, O think, I pray,

Of many a past and pleasant day ;

Of many a secret vow sincere

We pledg'd, when none beside was near.

Though from my native land I've stray'd

Frantic, and left my Cambrian maid,

Nor wife nor nymph of noble race,

Nor sickly hag with golden lace,

Nor Cyprian gay, tempting to view,

Nor riches, t'other evil too,

Shall e'er beguile my heart to slight

My first, my ever fond delight ;

Nor turn my mind—their arts are vain—

From seeking thee, fair maid, again.

Mem'ry's true compass ne'er will move

One moment from the girl I love.

Young is thy swain, and void of art,

He tells the language of his heart :


If you, fair maid, will still deny

The pledge of peace and amity ;

If you'll withhold those accents sweet,

And guard your thoughts in close retreat ;

If I'm refus'd my heart's delight,

Thyself, thou luminary bright !

Then to the world, fair maid, and you,

My parting breath will sigh adieu.

Huy, Feb. 26, 1820. G.G.

WALES.

OLD CYMMRODORION SOCIETY.—To the summary

view, already taken * of this primitive Institution, it may not be

uninteresting to add here some of the " general heads of sub

jects," which were proposed " to be occasionally considered and

treated in the Correspondence of the Cymmrodorion,"—as they

are to be found in the publication referred to on the former occa

sion. These " heads" are there arranged under the following

general titles : Antiquities—Welsh Poetry and Language—

Welsh Manners and Customs—Natural Philosophy—Manufac

tures—and Queries of the Invisible World. There is only room

now for those relating to Antiquities ; but the others are designed

to be inserted hereafter. And it can not be doubted, that some

useful hints may be derived from them towards promoting that

national cause, in which the inhabitants of Wales have at last

evinced so patriotic an unanimity.f %*

ANTIQUITIES.

1 . Of the Ancient Names of the Isle ofBritain.

2. Of the British Book of Triads and its authority.

3. Of the Book of Ancient British Proverbs and their autho

rity in history.

4. If the Ancient British Genealogies and their authority from

written and oral tradition, and of the use of that science.

* See No. 6, p. 234.

f The Editor takes the opportunity of observing also, that the pages of the

G'ambro-Bhiton would always be open to any information, that might be

suggested by these " heads," some of which embrace inquiries of a very

interesting nature, and tending, in a particular degree^ to the illustration

of our national literature.


5. Of old Inscriptions in Wales, British and Roman and An

cient Coins.

6. Of the Historical and Poetical British MSS. mentioned in

Mr. Llwyd's Archceologia Britannica, and several not seen by-

Mr. Llwyd, with an account in whose hands they are.

7. Of the British Character or Letter, and of the Saxon.

8. Of M. Pezron's Book (the Antiquity of Nations), its ex

cellencies and defects.

9. Of the uncertainty of Ancient History, Greek and Roman,

when treating of the affairs of Britain.

10. Of Gildas, Nennius, Asserius Menevensis, Giraldus Cam.

brensis, Galfridus Monemuthensis, Poriticus Virunnius, and other

ancient writers among the Britons, who wrote our history in the

Latin tongue.

11. Of Tysilia, the true author of the British History, trans

lated into Latin, by Galfrid, Bishop of St. Asaph, commonly

called Geoffrey of Monmouth, and of the Translation and the

several Editions of it : also of the original manuscript copies and

in whose hands they are.

12. Of Camden, Milton, and Lloyd, Bishop of St. Asaph,

and their opposition to Tysilio's British History.

13. Of their great Character given to Bede, the Saxon histo

rian, and a comparison between Bede and Tysilio.

14. Some Extracts out of Hywel Dda's Laws (or the Ancient

Laws of the Britons), particularly their method of exposing vice.

15. Of the Ancient Tenure of Lands in Wales.

16. Of the true Orthography of Ancient Names of Men and

Places, the best proof of them from the Poets, and of mistaken

translations of names, as Merlin for Merddin, &c. which have

occasioned the wild guesses of Etymologists.

17. Of the Names of Mountains, Lakes, Rivers, Promonto

ries, Towns, and Counties in Britain, being the most ancient

names, especially amongst unconquered nations. These will help

to explain Antoninus's Itinerary, i. c. the ancient Roman stations

in Britain.

18. Of Churches, Bridges, and other noted Buildings, and by

whom built or erected.

19. Of the Cam, Cromlech, Meini Gwyr, Bedd y Wrach,

Coeten Arthur, Rocking Stones, Barrows, Barclodiad y Wid-

don, Maen Tartv, Maen Arthur, Cadtr Arthur, Gorsedd,

Eistcddfa, Din, Dittos, Castcll, Caer, and other ancient fabrics

or erections of stones in Wales.


CYMMRODORION SOCIETY IN POWYS —A particular

account of the First Meeting of this Institution, which constitutes

a branch of the Cambrian Society, was given in a former Num

ber*, together with a detail of the subjects proposed for literary

competition at the Eisteddfod. A meeting of the Committee has

recently taken place, at which some alterations were made in this

respect, which it may be necessary to notice. The subjects and

premiums, originally designed for the Awdl and Cywydd, are

thus altered.

1 . A Premium of Twenty Guineas, or a Medal of the value

for the best AwDt., or Ode, on Marwolaeih ein diweddar Frenin

Sior III.

2. A Premium of Ten Guineas, or a Medal of the value for the

best Cvwvdd, or Poem, on Hiraeth Cymro am ei wlad mewn Bro

Estronawl.

The Rev. David Richards, of Llansilin, is appointed Secretary

te the Society : and the competitors for the prizes are to transmit

their compositions to him before the 15th day of July. The

Eisteddfod will be holden at Wresham on the 2d and 3d days of

August next; and it may be hoped, that it will be animated by

the same laudable spirit, that distinguished the one last year at

Carmarthen. The successful candidates in poetical composition

on that occasion, it may be proper to add, will not be entitled to

become competitors for the prizes in Powys. • *#*

WELSH CHARITY SCHOOL.—On the 1st of March,

which, from some uncertain cause, has acquired the name of St.

David's Day, the Governors and other supporters of this praise

worthy Institution, generally styled the " Society of Ancient

Britons," held their 106th Anniversary. After having heard

Divine Service, performed in Welsh, at the Church of St. Martin's

in the Fields, the Members of the Society proceeded to the

Freemasons' Tavern, where, according to custom, they dined

together and celebrated the day with the usual demonstrations of

patriotism and conviviality. The chair was filled by Lord Charles

Stuart, in the absence of the Marquis of Bute, the President for

the day. The only novelty on the present occasion was the

following letter, read by the Noble Chairman, communicating a

continuance by his Majesty of that patronage and support, which

he has so long extended to the Society, both as Prince of Wales

and Prince Regent.

* No. 3, p. 113.


" Sir Benjamin Bloomfield has it in command to signify to the

Honourable and Loyal Society of Ancient Britons, that the King,

maintaining the same protecting disposition towards that national

institution, which his Majesty entertained as Prince of Wales, is

graciously pleased to authorize, that the Society do continue to

preserve and bear the same insignia upon their banners and other

emblems, as have heretofore been borne. And his Majesty is

pleased to express his cordial wishes for the prosperity of so bene

ficent an institution, and has honoured Sir Benjamin with his

commands to transmit One Hundred Guineas in aid of the funds of

the establishment."

" Palace of Carlton House, Feb. 14, 1820."

The subscriptions at Church and after dinner, including the

royal donation, amounted to 1341/. 13*.; but this sum appears

to have been still farther encreased before the close of the day.

The number of children, now supported by this Charity, are 12T

of both sexes, all born, in or near London, ofWelsh parents having

no parochial settlement in the metropolis *.

THE GENERAL ELECTION.—The following is the result

of the General Election in the Principality. The names in Italics

are new Members, the * denotes that the place was contested,

and the names of the unsuccessful candidates will be found in the

last column. *#*

COUNTIES.

• Anglesey—Earl of Uxbridge .

Brecon—Thomas Wood, Esq.

Cardigan—W. E. Powell, Esq.

Carmarthen—Hon. George Rice.

Carnarvon—Sir Robt. Williams, Bart.

Denbigh—Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart.

Flint—Sir Tho. Mostyn, Bart.

•Glamorgan—Sir Christ. Cole, Bart. John Edwards. Esq.

Merioneth—Sir R. W. Vaughan, Bart.

f Lord Granville Somerset,Monmouth— <„,._,, , n

I Sir Charles Morgan, Bart.

Montgomery—C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. %

Pembroke—Sir John Owen, Bart.

Radnor—Walter Wilkins, Esq.

* As the Editor has not been favoured with any official report of the pro

ceedings on this occasion , he hopes to be excused for any inaccuracies, that

may appear in this brief account.


. fiOROUGHS.

Beaumaris—Tho. Frankland Lewis, Esq.

Brecon—Geo. G. Morgan, Esq.

*Cardiff—Wyndham Lewis, Esq. Eben. Ludlow, Esq.

Cardigan—Pryse Pryse, Esq.

Carmarthen—Hon. J. F. Campbell.

Carnarvon—Hon. C. Paget.

♦Denbigh—J. W. Griffith, Esq. F. R. West, Esq.

Flint—Sir E. P. Lloyd, Bart.

Haverfordwest—W. H. Scourfield, Esq.

Monmouth—Marquis of Worcester.

Montgomery—Hon. Henry Clive.

*New Radnor—Rich. Price, Esq. Percival Lewis, Esq.

Pembroke—J. H Allan, Esq.

LITERATURE.—Under this head the following Notices are-

all that occur.

The Gododin and Odes of the Months, translated from the

Welsh. London, 12mo. 4s.

[This Translation of Aneurin, which was announced in a former

Number as about to appear, is from the pen of Mr. Probert of

Alnwick. As it is in contemplation to offer some critical remarks

on it next month, any farther notice here would be premature.—

It may be mentioned, however, that a very respectable list of

subscribers accompanies the work.]

History of North Wales, by WVCathrall. Part II. 4to. 3s.

Large Paper 4s.

[This Part appears equally creditable to Mr. Cathrall's judg

ment as the one, that preceded it. Like that, it is devoted to the

Ancient History of Britain, with reference to which it has em

bodied many interesting particulars. The Plate, representing the

Town of Denbigh, which accompanies this Part, is executed with

great neatness and fidelity.]

Elusengarwch : sef, Awdl ar destyn Cymdeithas y Gwyri-

eddigion yn 1819; yr hon, a ennillodd yr Ariandlwys. Gan

y Parch: E. Hughes, A.M. 6d.

[This is the Gwyneddigion Prize Poem for the last year, which

was noticed in a former number. A few extracts will be selected

on a future occasion to justify the commendation, with which it

was then noticed.]

British Melodies, by J. F. M. Dovaston, Esq. A. M.—The

second Number of this collection is about to appear, arranged, as

in the former case, with symphonies and accompaniments by Mr.

320

Clifton. Some of the " Melodies'" were harmonized with great

effect at the Carmarthen Eisteddfod last year, and more recently

at the Bath Harmonic Society. The price will be 15s. ***

OBITUARY.

Feb. 15. J. Madocks, Esq. brother to W. A. Madocks, Esq.

M. P.—23. At Greenhill, nearLlandilo, David Heron Pugh, Esq.

one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace, and also High Sheriff-,

of the county of Carmarthen. He was an intelligent, upright,

and honourable man, and his loss is deeply and deservedly re

gretted.—24. At Llandovery, aged 72, deeply lamented by his

relatives and numerous friends and acquaintance, Edward Jones,

Esq. for many years a very eminent Attorney in that place, and,

latterly, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for the county

of Carmarthen. In the various situations of life, which it was his

lot to fill, he executed his duties with exemplsiry propriety : to his

more immediate relatives he was invariably kind and affectionate

—to his friends warm and sincere—and to all, with whom he had

intercourse, affable and courteous. The poor and distressed al

ways found him ready to attend to their complaints; and their

wants were generally relieved by his liberality. Loyal and con

scientious, he was a firm friend of his Sovereign, and warmly at

tached to our excellent Constitution in Church and State. As a

Magistrate, his legal knowlege and anxiety to do good dispensed

blessings to all around : the froward and vicious were repressed

bjr his frowns and reproofs ; while the innocent and unassuming

met with encouragement from his patronage and'eommendation. His

administration of justice was sweetly tempered with discretion, and

by his death a loss has been sustained,which will belong and severely

felt by the district,which had the happiness ofbeing favoured with his

useful exertions.—29. At the Vicarage House, Carmarthen, after

a long illness, borne with pious resignation, the Rev. Daniel Row

land, Vicar of Tregaron, Cardiganshire, and Secretary of the

Cambrian Society in Dyfed, late Curate of Carmarthen, and pre

viously a Missionary of St. John's, Newfoundland. He was a

man of the strictest probity, and of very respectable talents ; con

scientious and diligent in attending to his sacred profession, and

extremely anxious to perform all the duties connected with his

station in life *.

* Tlie Editor has to thank a friend for this and the preceding notice.

And ho has reason to hope, that he shall receive from the same source a

more detailed Memoir of the late Mr. Rowland, a gentleman, on every ac

count, generally and justly lamented.

THE

MAY, 1820.

NULLI QUIDKM MIHI SATIS ERUDITI VIDENTUR, QUIBUS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicero de Legibut.

WELSH LANGUAGE.

MODERN LETTERS AND THEIR MUTATIONS.

The last Essay under this head was devoted to some account

of the old Bardic Alphabet, which was considered necessary in

order to prepare the way for that examination of the modern

Welsh Letters, without which no satisfactory view can be taken

of the more general characteristics of the language. Indeed it

has been the principal aim of the writer to proceed, with a proper

regard to method, in this interesting investigation, analysing, as

it were, in his progress, the ingredients, of which our venerable

tongue is composed. And, if, in so doing, he may have incurred

the imputation of tediousness or insipidity, he hopes some atone

ment may be found in his anxious desire to impart a full and ac

curate knowlege of the basis, as well as the superstructure, of

the Welsh language. And this can only be done by commenc

ing, as has been attempted in these Essays, with an elementary

examination of its first principles ; for there is no royal road to

language any more than to mathematics. Yet it may be satis

factory to those, who are impatient to become acquainted with the

more interesting features of this subject, to be informed, that the

inquiry, begun in this Essay, will be the last of those, which may

be termed rudimental.

It can not now be accurately ascertained how soon the Roman

letters, in their modern form, were first adapted to the Welsh lan

guage ; but it appears indisputable, that they did not imme

diately succeed to the old Bardic symbols. For we find from

some of the most ancient MSS. now extant *, that the language

* Among: these is the Llandav Gospel, commonly calleJ St. Chad's

Gospel, preserved in the Cathedral at Litchfield, which contains some

TOl. I. 2 T


was at that time generally written in a character resembling the

Saxon, from which it has been very plausibly inferred, that the

Saxons, who confessedly brougiht no letters with them here,

adopted those, which they found in use on their arrival *. Apd

it is by no means improbable, that an intercourse of more than

four centuries with the Romans had served, if not to occasion a

total discontinuance of the Bardic Alphabet, at least to introduce

such innovations into it, as to render the letters used by the Bri

tons, at the close of their connection with that people, not very

dissimilar from those which we find in the early Saxon MSS.

From that period to the invention of printing various fluctuations

may be supposed to have taken place : and, indeed, it appears,

from some Welsh writings of the twelfth and thirteenth centu

ries f, that the character, erroneously called Saxon, was not at

that time in use in Wales. Yet, as before observed, we have not

now any means of discovering at what precise period this revolu

tion began ; although it may be presumed, that the invention of

printing mainly contributed to its establishment. And from that

marginal memorials of donations to the Church of Llandav, written

partly in Latin, and partly in Welsh, and in the Saxon character. Mr.

E. Llwyd, in his Archaeologia Britaunica (pp. 5 and 226), has given an

extract or two from these : and at the time he wrote (1707) he computed

the age of the MS. at eleven hundred years. He likewise enumerates

three or four other MSS, in which the Welsh language is written in the

same character, particularly the " Poem of Juveneus" at Cambridge,

which he considered to be a Pictish or Cumbrian MS- of the ninth cen

tury. Arch. Brit. p. 226.

* Most writers on this subject admit, that the Saxons hid no know-

lege of letters on their first invasion of this country ; but the question

at issue seems to be, whether they borrowed their alphabet from the na

tives at that time, or afterwards from the Continent. The former seem*

by much the most probable, allowing, as we must, that the use of letters

was, at the time, generally known to the Britons. Among other proofs

of thiB fact is the existence of some monumental inscriptions iu Wales,

written not very long after the Saxon conquest, in a mixed Roman and

British character.—One of the oldest MSS. written in the Saxon lan

guage and character, of which we have any account, is perhaps that, of

which Dr. Smith takes notice in his Edition of Bede, and which he sup

poses to have been as old as that writer, and consequently written about

three centuries after the settlement of the Saxons in Britain.

f The Llyvr Du o Gaervyrddin, or Black Book of Caermarthen, in

the Hengwrt Library, is one of the oldest Welsh MSS. extant in the mo

dern character. This Mr. Llwyd (Arch. Brit. p. 225) supposes to have

been written in the time of Cynddelw the Poet, who flourished about

1150. See also the Cambrian Register, Vol. 3, p. 288.

THE CAMBRO-nRITON. 32 :j

epoch to the present time some changes have .taken place in par

ticular letters, which will be noticed in the sequel. It now be

comes necessary to proceed to the particular objects of the present

inquiry, which are to examine in the first place the nature of the

modern letters with reference to their capacity for expressing

their assumed powers, and afterwards to endeavour to explain

those mutations of the initial consonants, which form so remark

able a feature of the Welsh tongue.

It has already been stated, that the Bardic Alphabet comprised

three and forty characters, each representing a distinct sound.

And, although all these sounds are still retained in the language,

the modern letters, employed to designate them, are but twenty-

eight ; a circumstance of itself sufficient to denote their inade

quacy to the proposed end. But even of this number a few have

no analogy with the articulations they were designed to convey,

the powers, which custom has appropriated to them, being en

tirely arbitrary. And it cannot be denied,' that a blind con

tinuance in this abuse has presented one of the main obstacles to

strangers in their study of the Welsh tongue, whilst it has also

been productive of another disadvantage, which will be parti

cularised hereafter *. To prove what has been now affirmed, a

list of the Welsh letters is here subjoined, together with an expla

nation of their respective sounds, both independently, and when

combined in the formation of words.

Letters. Independent Sound. Sound in Combination.

A — aa — as in man, or, when circumflexed, much broader.

B — eb — as in English.

C — ek — always as K in English.

Ch— ekh — an aspirated C, as the Greek X properly pro

nounced.

D — ed — as in English.

*Dd— edh — as Th in the and whether.

E — ay — as in bed, or, when circumflexed, as a in bade.

*F — ev — always as V in English.

* Mr. Owen Pughe, in his excellent Dictionary of the Welsh language,

made a laudable effort to remove a part of the inconvenience here alluded

to, but, unfortunately, without success. The alterations, proposed by

Mr. Pughe, and adopted throughout his work, are 9 for ch, z for dd, v

for /, and / for ff. Yet, although he has found no followers in print,

many, in writing, adopt the first of these emendations, and substitute

the Greek $ for the dd, whereby much trouble is saved without the risk

of creating any obscurity. _ v.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON".

Letters. Independent Sound. Sound in Combinat ion.

, -fFf— ef —- always as F in English.

G — eg — as in Go.

Ng— eng — as in long.

H — aitch— as in English.

I — ee — as in kid, or, when circumfiexed, as ee in heed.

L — el — as in English.

*LI — elh — an aspirated L, to which letter it bears the

same relation in sound, as Th to T.

M — em — as in English.

N — en — as in English.

O — o — as in don, or, when eircum flexed, as in tone.

P — ep — as in English.

•JPh— eph — an aspirated P, always as F or Ph in English.

R — ar — as in English.

Rh— arh — an aspirated R, as in Rheum.

S — ess — as in English.

T — et — as in English.

Th—r eth — an aspirated T, as in Thought.

U — iu — as i in withy, or, when circumfiexed, as ee in

ween, or more like the French U.

W— oo — as oo in good, or, when circumfiexed, as in boon.

Y — u — as in myrrh, also as in Scythia, or, when cir

cumfiexed, as the circumfiexed U.

The (*), prefixed to three of the preceding letters, is employed

to, mark their incompetency to express the sounds, for which

they are used, and the (f), which distinguishes two others, is

meant to denote that they are objectionable on another account.

With respect to the former, it must be obvious, that neither Dd,

F, nor LI, are properly indicative, even according to the genius

of the Roman letters, of the powers assumed. A duplication of

D or L can never naturally denote the aspiration of those letters,

but can only have the effect of doubling the original sound as in

the English words madder and mallard. Nor is this inconsistency

retained because the Roman letters present no alternative : on the

contrary the substitution of Dh and Lh, formerly used *, would

tend in a great measure to remove the difficulty. It must be ad-

* In the oldest Welsh MSS. no distinction is observed between these

letters and the common D and L; but it is left to the reader, from his

acquaintance with the language, to make the distinction in sound, where

necessary. About the year 1400, or earlier, the practice of doubling: the

letters, as now in use, was first adopted. But Dr. Grufifydd Roberts, in


luitted, however, that the pronunciation of the last of these let

ters can not be exactly described by any analogy in the English

or other languages *, and that it is only to be perfectly attained

by the ear ; but in the other instance the English tongue already

possesses the sound as above exemplified.

If in the two cases just mentioned there be an evident impro

priety in the manner, in which the Roman letters have been

adapted to Welsh pronunciation, the liberty, taken with the let

ter F, must appear still more unwarrantable. For in this instance

the Roman V, representative of the sound in all other languages,

becomes wholly useless : and we are, in consequence, driven to

the additional absurdity of employing the double F, while the

single letter is, in every respect, adequate to the purpose. And,

with reference to the Ph, as it certainly belonged to the old Bardic

Alphabet, it ought perhaps to be retained amongst the modern

letters, notwithstanding, that it has the same sound precisely as

the Ff, for which letter it is, therefore, on many occasions, impro

perly substituted. The only instances, indeed, in which Ph seems

admissible in Welsh orthography, are the mutations of the letter

P and such words, as are avowedly borrowed from the Greek, al

though this latter use of it may appear somewhat questionable f.

his Welsh Grammar (the first ever printed) published at Milan in 1567j

substituted for these double letters D and L with points underneath, in

which he was followed by Humphrey Llwyd, William Salesbury, and

Roger Smith. Dr. J. D. Rhys, however, in his celebrated Welsh Gram

mar, printed in 1592, rejected the points, and used Dh and Lh in their

stead, as Dr. Powel had also done in his " Historie of Cambria," pub

lished eight years before. Dr. Davies, in his Grammar printed in 1621,

and afterwards in his Dictionary, which appeared in 1632, made the next

alteration by abolishing the Dh and Lh, and restoring the old corruption

of the double letters, which, accordingly, continued in use until the

publication of the Arehaeologia Britannica by Mr. E. Llwyd in 1707,

when an effort was made to reinstate the letters adopted by Drs. Powcl

and J. D. Rhys. But, although Mr. Llwyd's example was partially fol

lowed, neither that nor the later exertions of Mr. Owen Pughe, alluded

to in the preceding note, have had the desired effect. The double

letters continue to maintain their ground : and the evil has, perhaps,

taken too deep a root to be now extirpated.

* The Spanish language has the double L in form, but not in sound.

The Spanish pronunciation, as nearly as can be described by any ana

logy in the English language, resembles that in the word billiard, al

though softer even than that. The sound of the Italian Gl approaches

much nearer.

f At least, it would be desirable to introduce as much uniformity as

possible in this respect. And, therefore, such words as corph, sarph,


In addition to the ambiguity, thus occasioned by the misapplica

tion of certain letters in the Welsh Alphabet and the consequent

impediment opposed to foreigners in their researches into the lan

guage, another disadvantage, previously adverted to, remains to

be noticed. For it is, unquestionably, to this abuse that we

must ascribe the popular error respecting the ruggedness of our

ancient tongue. Strangers, totally unacquainted with its princi

ples and characteristics, and deterred perhaps from investigating

them by the very cause here noticed, assume from this uncouth

appearance a conclusion quite unwarranted by the premises. But

the refutation of this idle notion, engendered in ignorance and fos

tered in obstinacy, must be reserved for a future occasion. At

present it must suffice to remark, that the Welsh tongue, which

yields not in copiousness to the Greek nor in energy to the Roman,

needs not fear a competition with the Italian in the melodious

variety of its sounds *.

In the alteration above suggested in two of the letters, by sub

stituting an h for the duplication now used, regard was had more

to the analogy of modern tongues than to the highest improve

ment, of which the case is susceptible. For, although A be in

effect no more than an aspiration of the letter, with which it is

joined, it helps, in general cases, to create those disadvantageous

conclusions, which, as recently mentioned, have been so unjus

tifiably drawh from the modern orthography of the Welsh lan

guage. It would, therefore, no doubt, be advisable that, as in

other European tongues, all the letter-sounds should be marked

by single and distinct symbols. But, from the incapacity of the

characters, commonly received in Europe, fully to represent the

old Bardic Alphabet, this desideratum could only be accom

plished by an arbitrary system of accentuation, or by a mode

of pointing similar to the Hebrew dagesh, both of them practices

too much at variance with modern notions to be proposed with

any chance of success. The only alternative, then, seems to be

the adoption of the letter h in the manner suggested, and which,

if it possesses no other merit, has at least that of consistency ; for

we may with as much propriety use Cc and Tt for Ch and Th as

&c. that do not come strictly within the exceptions above mentioned,

might be spelt with the ff.

* This feature of the language will, of course, be examined hereafter;

and anyone desirous in the mean time of seeing proofs of it, may con-

- suit an interesting Essay on the subject in the third Volume of the Cam

brian Register.


the duplication of D and L, now so preposterously employed.

The explanations, above offered, of the independent sounds of the

Welsh letters, (as far as they can be made intelligible loan Eng

lish reader) will sufficiently exemplify this.

The following alphabetical scheme is drawn in conformity with

the foregoing remarks, and contains not only the alterations, al

ready suggested, but also three letters, which, although not in

corporated in the modern alphabet, are on every account as much

entitled to a place there as some others, comprised in it, which are

only, like these three, aspirations of radical or elementary sounds.

These neic letters (if indeed their frequent occurrence in the lan

guage and their adoption in the Bardic Alphabet warrant that

term) are printed in Italics by way of distinction. And the writer

would add, that he is not conscious of having admitted any fan

ciful innovations in this scheme, the main object of which, on the

contrary, is to present to the English reader as accurate a notion

of all the letter sounds in the language as the nature of the Eng

lish tongue will supply without offering any violence to the pecu

liar characteristics of the Welsh.

A. B. K. Kh *. D. Dh. E. V. F. G. Ng. Ngh. H. I. L. Lh. M.

Mh. N. Nh. O. P. Ph. R. Rh. S. T. Th. U. W. Y.

Independently of the advantages, already proposed by this

scheme, it is hoped, that it may be also of service towards illus

trating those changes of the initial consonants, which it is intended

next to examine. This singular feature of the Welsh tongue is

one among the many proofs of its high antiquity : and, although

it has been treated grammatically in two or three instances f, it is

somewhat extraordinary, that it has not yet undergone a more

liberal investigation with reference to the analogies of other an-

* The propriety of this representation may, perhaps, be questioned ;

but, as the sound of the K is uniform in all languages, it has been se

lected as preferable to C, and especially in conveying an idea of the

pronunciation to an English reader, in whose language the last-mentioned

letter has two distinct sounds, whereas the Welsh C has always the

force of K. However Kh, although preferable to Ch,is far from expres

sing the full power of the Welsh letter, which it is meant to represent,

and which is the same with the X oi the Greeks, as still pronounced by

their descendants.

.f Among the few grammatical treatises on this subject, the only one,

that has done justice to it, is that in Mr. Owen Pughe's Grammar, pre

fixed to his Dictionary, in which the principle of these mutations is

clearly and methodically stated. But it did not enter into Mr. Pug-he's

plan to offer more than a grammatical illustration of the subject, which

is, thcrefore, still open to a more general discussion.


. cient languages and the interesting conclusions, which are to be

deduced from such an inquiry. To attempt, with whatever suc

cess, to supply this deficiency will be the particular purpose of the

next Essay.

* **

THE WISDOM OF CATWG*.

The Counsel given by Catwg the Wise to Taliesin,

Chief of Bards, when he was his Scholar.

Think before thou speakest :

First, what thou shalt speak ;

Second, why thou shouldest speak ;

Third, to whom thou mayest have to speak ;

Fourth, about whom thou art to speak ;

Fifth, what will come from what thou mayest speak ;

Sixth, what may be the benefit from what thou shalt speak ;

Seventh, who may be listening to what thou shalt speak :

Put thy word on thy fingers' ends before thou speakest it, and

turn it these seven ways before thou speakest it, and there will

never come any harm from what thou shalt say.

Catwg the Wise delivered this to Taliesin Chief of Bards, in

giving him his blessing.

There are four original vices : first, anger ; second, lust ; third,

laziness; fourth, fear.

Where one or the other of these may be, there will be found

every other evil to spring ; for out of them forcibly grow all

other evils in mind and action. Catwg the Wise.

THE NULLITIES OF CATWG.

Without a teacher, without instruction ;

Without instruction, without knowlege f ;

Without knowlege, without wisdom ;

Without wisdom, without piety ;

Without piety, without God ;

Without God, without every thing.

* Arch, of Walas, vol. iii. p. 49.

f The original word is, literally, " knowlegesj" but the idiom of the

EfnglUh language does not admit of such a translation.—Ed.


APHORISMS OF GERAINT.

The Seven Primary Materials of the World*.

1. Earth; and whence every body and density and every

substance and strength.

2. Water; and whence every liquid and moisture.

3. Air ; and whence every breath and motion.

4. Sun ; and whence all heat and light.

5. Empyreum ; and whence every sensation, appetite, and

affection.

6. Pure Spirit ; and whence every perception.

7. God ; and whence all life and power, and support unto

world of worlds.

And from these seven primary essences are all being and life :

and on the order of God may the whole rest. Amen saith the

Blue Bard of the Chair f.

ORIGINAL LETTERS.

LETTER IX.

Bishop Percy to the Rev. Evan Evans; (no date).

Dear Sir,—I received the favour of your obliging letter and

the valuable present of the two British Odes translated into Eng

lish. They have afforded me great pleasure, and they display a

rich vein of poetry. I think a select collection of such pieces,

thrown into a shilling pamphlet, would not fail to prove as accept

able to the public as the Erse Fragments, and would be far more

satisfactory, because you could remove all suspicions of their

genuineness, which, I am afraid, Mr. Macpherson is not able to

do. I observe with you a remarkable similarity between our Runic

and your British pieces. As our Runic Poetry will be fit for

* Arch, of Wales, vol. iii. p. 109. 4

f This was the common designation of the celebrated Aserins Meneven-

sis, whose proper cognomen was Geraint, or Geraint Vardd Glas, Geraint

the Blue Bard. He was a Monk of the Benedictine Order at St. David's,

and was afterwards, on account of his superior talents, made Bishop of

Sherbourne by Alfred, by whom he continued to be held in great repute.

Caradog records his death in the following words:—" Aserthe Wise, Arch

bishop of the Britons, died A. D. 906."

Vol. I. 2 u


publication towards Michaelmas, I wish you could get ready such

another Collection of British Poetry to follow it in due time, while

the curiosity of the public is fixed on these subjects. And, when

all these pamphlets have had their day, then throw them into a

volume under some such title as this, " Specimens of the Ancient

Poetry of different Nations." I have for some time had a project

of this kind, and, with a view to it, I am exciting several of my

friends to contribute their share. Such a work might fill up two

neat pocket volumes. Besides the Erse Poetry, the Runic

Poetry, and some Chinese Poetry, that was published last win

ter, at the end of a book called " Han Kirn Choaan," or the

Pleasing History, 4 vols.,—besides these, I have procured a MS.

translation of the " Tagrai Carmen,'' from the Arabic ;^and have

set a friend to translate Solomon's Song afresh from the He

brew, with a view to the Poetry. This also is printing off, and

will soon be published in a shilling pamphlet. Then I have my

self gleaned up specimens of East Indian Poetry, Peruvian

Poetry, Lapland Poetry, Greenland Poetry ; and inclosed I send

you one specimen of Saxon Poetry. The subject is a victory

gained by the Anglo-Saxon, Athelstan, over the Dane Anlafe

and his confederate Constantinus King of Scotland. If you com

pare it with the Runic Ode of Regner Lodbrog, you will see a

remarkable affinity between them, some of the phrases and

imagery being common to both, as the play ofarms, &c. &c. The

Latin version falls from the pen of my very learned friend Mr.

Lye, who has made many important emendations in the original.

The English was a slight attempt of my own, to see if one could

not throw a little spirit into a literal interlineary version, but I

have no reason to boast of my success. I believe, the best way

would be to publish the English by itself, like the Runic Odes,

and throw the two columns of Latin and Saxon to the end. Give

me your opinion of my proposal, with regard to the various spe

cimens mentioned above, and the share I would recommend to

yourself in particular. Be pleased also to return my Saxon Ode,

when perused, for I have kept no copy.

I suppose you have no British Poetry extant, that was written

before the conversion to Christianity, as we have of the Runic,

and as they affect to have of the Erse ; if not, then the most an

cient you have is to be chosen. Could not you give some of the

Poetry of Taliesin and Merddin? I must observe one. thing, that

your Odes will require a few explanatory Notes, chiefly with re

gard to the proper names ; and, if you would not think it too great


an innovation, I could wish you would accommodate some of

your ancient British names somewhat more to our English pro

nunciation. This is what the Erse translator has done, and, I

think, with great judgment. The word might be a little smoothed

and liquidated in the text, and the original spelling retained in

the margin. Thus Macpherson has converted Lambhdearg into

Lamderg, Geolchopack (a woman's name) into the soft word

Gealcossa, &c. This is a liberty assumed in all languages ; and

indeed, without it, it would not be possible for the inhabitants of

one nation to pronounce the proper names of another *.

You tell me you have read Bartholinus's book of Danish Anti

quities; it is a most excellent performance. There is a celebrated

Frenchman, the Chevalier Mallet, historiographer to the present »

King ofDenmark, who has lately published a work in French on

the same subject, at" the end of which he has given a French trans

lation of the famous Edda or Alcoran f (if you suffer me to use

the word) of the ancient Teutonic nations. If I have health and

leisure, I intend to translate this book into English, though it is a

formidable undertaking, being a quarto ofno small size. I have

got the book, which is a capital performance.

I should have one advantage over most others for such an at

tempt, which is, that my learned neighbour, Mr. Lye, has got

the Islandic original of the Edda, and would compare my version

with it. I have one. thing still to mention, and then I have done.

I have lately been employed in a small literary controversy with

a learned friend, about the original and antiquity of the popular

notion concerning Fairies and Goblins. My friend is for fetching

that whimsical opinion from the East, so late as the time of the

Crusades, and derives the words Elf and Goblin from the

Guelfe and Gibbeline factions in Italy. But I think it would be

impossible for notions so arbitrary to have obtained so universally,

so uniformly, and so early (see Chaucer's Wife of Bath's Tale),

if they had not got possession of the minds of men many ages be

fore. Nay, I make no doubt but Fairies are derived from the

Daergar or Dwarfs, whose existence was so generally believed

among all the northern nations. Can you, from any of your an

cient British writers, enable me to ascertain any of these disputed

* However proper it may be to take this liberty with some languages,

it is neither necessary nor justifiable with respect to old Welsh names, which

are very tar from being harsh or unmusical.— Ed.

f The learned writer should have said Koran. A! is the article, and there

fore " the Alcoran" is a tautology.— En.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

points, or any resemblance to the name of Fairy, Elf, Goblin, in

your language ? I should think, that these popular superstitions

are aboriginal in the island, and are remains of the ancient Pagan

creed *. Favour me with your opinion on this subject when you

write next, which, as your letters are so extremely curious and

fraught with entertainment, I beg may be soon. I remain, Sir,

your very faithful servant,

Thomas Percy.

WELSH MUSIC—No. VI.


Sir,—" Breuddwyd y Frenhines," or The Queen's Dream,

is not so well known as it ought to be ; the melody is very

smooth and elegant, with a mixture of ancient and modern com

position. The modulation at the 17th, and three following bars,

(or measures), is peculiar to the Welsh airs : the bass of these

four bars would answer for the commencement of At hyd y nos.

The words run thus :—

" I fondly in my bosom cherish'd

Thy vows, and thought they were sincere ;

But ah ! my dearest hopes have perish'd,

For thou art false, as thou art fair I"

" Suo Gin," or The Lullaby Song.—There are but four bars

in this air ;—but those are very plaintive and characteristic.

This appears to be the universal Hushaby of the Welsh nurses,

when they lull their infants to sleep ; and certainly nothing can

be more appropriate. It is very probable, that Storace took his

Lullaby, in the " Pirates,"' from this tune.

" Pen Rhaw," or (literally translated) The Spade Head,

is a beautiful air—and one of the tunes most adapted to the

Pennillion. The harper of the Gwyneddigion Society performs

variations on " Pen Rhaw" in a very masterly manner,- some

of which are peculiar to the Welsh harp, and consequently lose

their effect when attempted on the piano-forte or pedal harp.—

* The allusions to these imaginary beings are numerous both in the works

of ihe early bards and in other old writings, especially in the Mabinogion :

but the names have no resemblancs to fairies, or goblins. It is designed

to anter hereafter into the investigation of this curious subject ; in the mean

time a few particulars will be found in a subsequent page of the present

number.—Ed,


The subject is alternately played in the treble and bass } and the

unisons and responses are truly beautiful. The modulation of

the four first bars of the second part is the same as before noticed

in the Queen's Dream.—Nothing can be more pleasing than to

hear a good singer chaunt this melody, whilst the minstrel per

forms variations on it.

" Give me my harp, I ask no other boon,

Which I, in turn, to love and war attune ;

Oh ! may I never lose its soothing pow'r,

And be it near me in my dying hour*."

" Eryri Wen," or White Snowdon.—This air is in a minor

key, and not unlike The noble Race of She?ikin. It is to be

regretted, that this tune is not more generally known ; for the

Pennillion, that are sung to " Pen Rhaw," would answer to it,

and the singer would have an opportunity of displaying his in

genuity, by resting a few bars, and, at the change of modula

tion, bursting upon the hearer with energy and spirit, that could

not fail in producing considerable effect.

" Toriad y Dydd," The Dawn of Day, is one of the most

pathetic, yet energetic, of the Welsh airs. It commences in b

minor, and the second strain is in d, the relative major, for eight

bars ; then it returns, in a very scientific manner, to b minor.

No composer, that ever wrote, could have surpassed this tune,

which is an evident proof that our forefathers were well versed

in the rules of harmony. The initiation song of the Gwynedd-

igion is to this tune, which is always sung, verse and chorus,

Vhen new members are admitted. The metre is very long :—

the following is a specimen, written in 1809—

" Altho' the noise of battle is heard around our isle,

Yet do we, happy people, in peace and plenty smile ;

No ruffian bands assail us, no tyrants here bear sway,

But all, with pleasure, joy, and bliss, await the dawn of day."

In my next I shall notice the ancient notation, and give a

specimen of what was used in the eleventh century, with such

observations as may be deemed necessary.

March 13, 1820. John Parry.

* See Welsh Melodies, p. 56.—These lines bear some resemblance to the

following passage in Horace.—Kd.

i " Frui paratis et valido mihi

Latde dones, et precor integri

Cum mente, nee turpem senectam

Degere, nee cithari carentenj."—Lib. i. Od. 31.



THE LATE REV. DAVID ROWLAND,

SECRETARY TO THE CAMBRIAN SOCIETY IN DYFED*.

Mr. Rowland was the youngest of four children, his parents

having two sons and a daughter besides himself, and drew his

natal breath at Ffoesyffin, in the parish of Llenddewibrefi, Car

diganshire, in August, 1783. His father followed the trade of

a glover, which being an occupation of a humble kind in that

district, he was not in affluent circumstances ; his parents were

however highly respectable, and much esteemed by their neiglr-

bours for their virtues and superior information.

The subject of this memoir was, at the age of five years, sent

to a little school in the neighbourhood, where, in the space of

three months, he proceeded as far as the Latin Grammar, a pro

gress unusual at that place, and deemed very surprising. This

flattering circumstance gave his parents room to indulge the fond

hope of one day seeing their son become eminent as a scholar,

and the strong partiality, which he continued to manifest for his

books, served to increase this hope every day.

So ardent was his attachment to learning during his tender

years, that, when the young people of the neighbourhood were

in the habit of spending their long winter nights with his parents,

in their workshop, on account of their interesting conversation,

and agreeable society, with respect to himself, his books were

constantly in his hands ; and, so intense was his application, and

so abstracted bis mind, that, however amusing the tales related,

or interesting the subjects of conversation, they did not divert

his mind from his favourite pursuits. If asked, as he frequently

was, what matter had been discussed by the company, or what

incidents had occurred during the time they were together, he

could not give an answer, being as insensible of every thing said

or done, as if he had been in another apartment.

He continued thus to proceed with increasing ardour and dili

gence, until he arrived at the age of fourteen years, when, re-

* Such of the readers of the Cambro-Briton, as were acquainted with this

lamented individual, must necessarily feel indebted to the gentleman, by

vhom the Editor has been favoured with these interesting notices of bis life.,

and which, it maybe proper to mention, will be completed in three nun j-

bers. The Editor begs also thus publicly to express his oivn thanks for „ ihe

very acceptable contribution.—Ed.


fleeting on his father's pecuniary inability to afford him the edu

cation which he wished for, and to which he aspired, he deter

mined to lose no time in making some exertion himself towards

attaining it. And, as no employment appeared so likely to

afford him the double advantage of easing his parents of a por

tion of their burden, and also of gratifying his natural propen

sity for books as keeping a school, he resolved on undertaking

the office. In pursuance, therefore, of this laudable resolution,

he taught young persons, first at Tregaron, and afterwards at

Llangeitho, in his native county ; from whence he removed to

Llanliawddog, and lastly to Pencadair, in the county of Car

marthen, at each of which places he discharged the humble

function of a country schoolmaster with no small benefit to his

scholars, and with satisfaction to their parents.

Having at the last mentioned place become acquainted with

some families professing the religious tenets of the Independents,

they induced him to join their congregation in public worship,

and, admiring his talents and pious demeanour, advised him to

become a Minister of the Gospel among persons of their princi

ples, and recommended him to go to the Academy at Carmarthen

to obtain the necessary qualifications. When at this place, he

' gladly availed himself of the opportunities for improvement

which it afforded, and proceeded in his studies with great ardour

and diligence. One of the young students, however, having in

his hearing maintained doctrines contrary to those, which he pro

fessed to believe, and to what he deemed essential to Christi

anity, the circumstance in the first instance much shocked his

feelings, and ultimately caused him to leave the seminary.

Being returned home, and still desirous of becoming a minis

ter on the principles, which he professed, it was his intention to

wait until an opportunity should offer for his introduction to some

other, academy for completing his studies. His thirst for know-

lege however would not permit him to remain idle, witlwjut

availing himself of such means as Providence placed within his

reach ; and, accordingly, he went for improvement in classical

literature to Ystradmeiric Grammar School, which was but a

few miles distant from where he resided. At this period he was

about eighteen years of age, and such were his application and

the progress ht) made in his studies, that he became the delight

of his. master, and gained the esteem and regard of his school

fellows. During his first year at this seminary his religious sen

timents underwent a considerable change, and he became as


firmly attached to the doctrine and discipline of the Church of

England, as he had been heretofore to those of the Independent

persuasion. Accordingly he became desirous of being a minis

ter of our national church, and entered into a course of study

in order to be prepared for his examination previous to his ad

mission to the sacred office. In this preparation five years were

taken up, and at length, in the year 1806, he received Holy"

Orders, and succeeded to the curacy of Llanfihangel y Croyddin,

in Cardiganshire.

It should, however, be observed, that he had, during this ,

period, to encounter the same pecuniary difficulties as he had

heretofore. His relatives being unable to supply him with the

means necessary for his support, he was obliged to undertake

the education of young persons one part of the year, that he

might with the profits be enabled to attend school himself during

the remainder. But he not only attended to his classical and

theological studies at this time, but likewise paid such attention

to the Welsh language, as enabled him both to understand the

ancient poets and compose poetical pieces himself. Accordingly,

in the year 1807, when he was curate of Llanfihangel, above

mentioned, his late master, the Rev. Mr. Williams, of Ystrad-

meiric, having occasion to translate an ancient and obscure

Welsh poem into English, availed himself of Mr. Rowland's

assistance, for which he returned a public acknowlegement and

thanks *.

In the early part of the year 1808 Mr. Rowland removed from

Llanfihangel y Croyddin, and became curate of Carno and

Llanwnog in the county of Montgomery. An acquaintance of

his, in a letter of introduction to a friend residing in the neigh

bourhood of those places, recommends him to his notice as a

young man of sense, of professional talent, and true piety.

While officiating in these parishes, he evinced the same zeal for

the spiritual welfare of the inhabitants, and attention to his pro

fessional duties, as at the former, so as to gain the esteem and

respect of all around him.

A communication having been made to the Lord Bishop of St.

David's (Dr. Burgess) by " the Society for propagating the

Gospel in Foreign Parts," that a Missionary was wanted at St.

John's, Newfoundland, in the room of the Rev. Mr. Harries, de

ceased, and, an inquiry being in consequence made, Mr. Row-

* See Williams's Dissertation on the Pelagian Heresy, p. "5.


land was introduced to the Bishop's notice by the Rev. J. Jen

kins, Vicar of Kerry, as a proper person for the important situa

tion ; and he was so pleased with him on the first interview, and so

satisfied with the acconnt transmitte-d to him of his regular con

duct and professional ability, that he recommended him to the

confidence of the Society, and an appointment to the mission was

the consequence. On his attendance in London on the occasion,

so handsomely was he thought of, that the Lord Archbishop of

Canterbury (Dr. Sutton) graciously received him; and, in

order that he might procure proper comforts while at sea, and be

received with greater respect by the inhabitants of St. John's

from his arriving in the Governor's company, the Lord Bishop of

Exeter (Dr. Pelham) waited on Admiral Sir John Duckworth,

to request of him to, convey Mr. Rowland in his ship, the Ante

lope, which was about to sail, and gave so favourable an account

of him, that the Admiral was pleased not only to consent to take

him, but also to promise that he should act as his chaplain during

the passage.

The idea, however, of leaving his parishioners, his friends, ac

quaintance, and native country affected his spirits not a little

when the time of his departure arrived, and made a much deeper

impression on his mind than he had anticipated, so much so, that

he had even thoughts at one time of declining the acceptance of

the appointment, to which he had been recommended ; but, sum

moning additional resolution, and making a great eflbrt, he at

length set out, and, having performed* a journey of 400 miles, and

got on board the ship which was to convey him, he had the happi

ness of finding his health and spirits ^as good as ever, and of pos

sessing confident hopes, that his stresgth was proportioned to the

difficulties which he had to encounter.

On the 24th of June, 1810, the Antelope set sail, and reached

St. John's in the evening of the 20th of July, when Mr. Rowland,

in order to lose no time in undertaking the duties of his mission,

obtained leave from the Admiral to land on the following day.

His credentials having been perused by the churchwarden, and

principal inhabitants, a copy of his appointment was entered in

die church books, and he commenced his missionary labours by

performing divine service on the Sunday following, when a nu

merous and respectable congregation attended. During his pas

sage, the judicious manner, in which he conducted himself, and

the mental ability displayed by him were such, that he gained

the friendship of the Admiral, who behaved invariably kind to

vol. I. 2 x

33S THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

him, retained him as his chaplain after he got on shore, and of

fered him a magistrate's commission.

Having undertaken his duties at the place of his destination

with zeal and resolution, and attended to them with diligence and

perseverance, he had the heartfelt satisfaction of finding, that his

endeavours met with success, and," in a short time, of witnessing

the church becoming too small for the congregation. In the au

tumn of 1811 the edifice was considerably enlarged, in order to

make room for the poor, which, soon after his arrival, he had

pointed out to the Governor as necessary; and of its utility Go

vernment were, on a representation, so convinced, that they sup

plied 250/. for the purpose. When the improvements were com

pleted, which was in December 1812, the church had become a

spacious building, 90 feet long by 48 wide, with four rows of seats

below, and galleries all round, and in the body was a pew, with

rising seats, sufficiently largp to contain 60 persons, appropriated

to the use of the poor, who availed themselves of it the first Sun

day after it was opened, and it continued without being ever

empty afterwards during divine service. As a proof that the

church was not unnecessarily enlarged, nor Mr. Rowland unsuc

cessful in his labours, 23 new pews were sold in one day for up

wards of 38/. each pew, and the whole of them might have been

disposed of at the same rate, had not the remainder been reserv

ed, at his request, to be let for an annual rent to such families as

found it inconvenient to purchase, or were not likely to remain

any length of time at the place.

[To be continued.'] R.

S/f?



DENBIGH.

[Confirmed from the last Number.] ,

% 4. Roads.—The by-roads of this parish, of many miles ex

tent, as thoseof other parishes alike circumstanced, are extremely

inconvenient. Two turnpike roads, leading from Oswestry to the

village, are in moderate repair ; and from thence they unite, and

proceed to join, at Llan Gedwyn, the main road from Shrews

bury, through Knodkin and Llan Gynog, to Bala, Dolgellau, &c.


Thus far about Welsh roads : The Roman WatRng street,

leading from Rutunium* to Mons Eririf and Segontium J, ac

cording to modern writers, passed through the skirt of this pa

rish ; and the long-lost Mediolanum has been fixed within the

township of Sycharth. Sir Richard C. Hoare, Bart, in preparing

his splendid edition of Giraldus Cambrensis's Topography of

Wales—not satisfied with the conclusions and surmises of Leland,

Camden, Gale, Stukely, Horsley, &c. who had placed Medio

lanum according to their respective fancies, some at Meivod,

some at Llan Fyllin, some at Drayton, and others in a point

between the two former places, where, according to a mathema

tical hypothesis, the southern Watling street above mentioned,

and the Via Devana from Nidum § to Deva ||, necessarily crossed

each other, — became persuaded, upon well grounded reasons,

that the lost Roman station lay considerably more northward than

either Meivod or Llan Fyllin 5[ . Directed by this opinion, he

made throe successive journies from Stour-Head into the Vale of

the Tanat, which he explored attentively and anxiously, but with

out success. This brought Sir Richard to the dernier resort of

concluding, that the rapid Tana™ad, in the course of ages, de

stroyed every vestige of the station. The Editors of the " Beau

ties of England and Wales " could not be satisfied with such a

disappointment ; they therefore cut the Gordian knpt, which Sir

Richard had so anxiously, though unsuccessfully, endeavoured to

untie. They cry " Ecce Mediolanum .'" at Pen y Bont, the

extremity of the southern wing of this parish, upon the junction

of the Cynllaith with the Tanat. This is the spot fixed upon in

the body of the work, but in the map of the stations, &c. prefixed,

Mediolanum is not put down at Pen y Bont, but at Clawdd Coch,

several miles to the south-east, and in the Denbighshire part of

the parish ofLtenymyneish. The late learned Mr. Peter Roberts

had viewed this spot, and"would fain insist, in conversation, that

it was the identical spot where Mediolanum once quartered the

legions of ambitious Rome. I am not aware, that he ever com

mitted his opinion to paper ; however, the Editors of the Beauties

caught the flying repdTT I had myself, some years before, been

rather sanguine on the subject; and, in consequence of pre

conceived ideas, hastened to Clawdd Coeh full of expectations.

When I arrived, I found, fortunately, a team in the field plough-

* Rowtonnear Shrewsbury. f Tommen y Mur, near Tan y Bvrleh.

% Near Caernarvon. § Neath in Glamorganshire.-

y Chester, on the Dee. ^ See Cambrian Reg. vol. i. u. 126.—Ed.


ing; and the farmer declared, that he had seen the piece plough

ed and harrowed occasionally for upwards of forty years past, but

had never seen nor heard of any Roman relics, coins, brick, or

utensils, the indispensable accompaniments of Roman stations.

The site, it must be confessed, is very promising, when viewed

at a distance from some adjacent eminence ; - being such as might

be imagined to have caught the attention of a Roman engipeer,

as it is on the most eligible line of road from Rutunium to Mill-

dir-Geryg, Tram y Sarn, Bala, &c.—on a table land elevation,

and near the angle ofjunction of the Tanat and Vyrnwy. Some

Welsh chieftain had built a mansion on the spot, called Careg-

HwvaCastle, which was demolished about the beginning of the 13th

century ; and, being apparently built ofwood, though in the coun

try of stone and marble, not the least vestige of the building, not

a cinder, now remains ; a foss, to guard the rnosj accessible ap

proach on the east, being the only index left. From these data I

am led to conclude, that Mediolanum is still among the terras

incognitcE.

§. 5. Water.—The river Tanat bounds the southern, and

the mountain torrent, Ceiriog,' nishes through the northern wing

of the parish. The native streams are the Gwenlas *,Gwenffrwd,

Ogwy, and Nant-gwy; these, uniting, form the rivulet Cyn-

llaith, whic^ formerly gave name to the commote, the lordship,

and the deanry. This stream, taking its course southward, sbon

mingles its water with that of the Tanat, near tlie ancient man

sion of Glan Cyullaith (Pen y Bont) on the borders of the coun

ties of Montgomery and Salop. Llyn Moelfre is a lake of about

one mile in circumference, situate at the foot of the western es-

carpement of Gwrn Moelfre, a prominent feature of the parish,

to be noticed in the following section. The lake seems to have

been originally formed by an avalanche from the adjoining es-

carpement, which by its fall dammed the rivulet, and caused the

body of stagnant water now under consideration. It is stocked

with carp and pike, and is the property of the lord of the manor

of Cynllaith Owain.

§. 6. Mountains.—Gwrn Moelfre stands on the northern side

of the oval basin of Silin, on the verge of the parish of Llan

Gadwaladr. It is perfectly isolated, having no connection with

any other eminence ; which makes its pyramidal head conspicuous

* " Gwenlas, near Fhyd Lios,"—called Cennin in tbe £harter of Chirk.

Gwenlas also is the name of the Rhaiadr before it rushesdown the cataract

called Pistyll Rhaiadr.


to most places in Montgomeryshire. Its elevation, at its western

extremity, vwhere it seems to hang nearly in a precipice over

Moelfre lake, is 1714 feet. From this apex its outline forms a

regular inclined plane of about 7000 feet, in an eastern direction,

until it loses itself in the plain. The body of the mountain con

sists of a schistose shale, having some sand in its composition ;

with some masses of more indurated and amorphous grey moun

tain rock. The summit is covered with heath (erica) growing

upon an useless peat soil. The sides and lower parts afford ex

cellent summer pasture for sheep and store cattle. From its peak

may be enjoyed a most varied and extensive view. Among the

nearer objects, to the south-east, and south, appear the limestone

hills of Sychdin and Pentre' Gaer, and the silicious rocks of

Sycharth, exhibiting the peculiar boldness, which forms their

characteristic feature : to the south and west the uniformly

tame and grassy hills covering the shady strata : to the north the

dreary range of the Berwyn group. At some little distance appears

Cader Verwyn, its loftiest summit within the slate tract, which

by Furnival's map is of the height of . 2563 feet.

To the S. W. Pumlumon, .* . 2463

To the S. Cevn Digoll, . . . 1330

To the S. Rodney's Pillar *, . . 1199

To the S. E. the Shropshire. Wrekin . 1320

The Broxton Hills and Beeston Castle, in Cheshire, close the

scene to the east.

The vale of Silin is not to be viewed to advantage from the

summit ; but in descending, about half-way, it exhibits a scene

not frequently equalled. The accompaniments wanting, to ren

der it truly picturesque, are more wood and water : the lake of

Moelvre being behind the curtain.

§ 7. Of Ancient Monuments we have but few. On ascend

ing from Sycharth, the celebrated mansion of Owain Glyndwr,

to Mynydd y Bryn, we come to a part of it called Craig y Caws.

According to Camden, Michael's Mount in Cornwall was anciently

called by the inhabitants Careg Cowse ; which he interpreted

" hoary rock," but how justly, we must leave the critics in the

Cornish tongue to decide. Under Craig y Caws, to the south

east, are seven or eight carneddau, or heaps of loose stones ;

and at a little distance are as many more : and in the centre, be

tween them, is a perfect circle of loose stonei, about 40 paces in

* On the Br*-dJin.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

diameter ; the area perfectly level, without any traces of addi

tional stones within. On inquiry, we found, by one peasant, that

the name of the circle was Buarth y Geini ; and by another,

Buarth y Geivr; either of which may afford a precious " morsel

of criticism " for the ingenious mythologist. • These monuments

are in the siliceous tract ; and on an eminence above Pentre' y

Gaer we found Caer Rhuddwyn, an ancient camp, surrounded

with a rampart of loose limestone, inclosing several acres. Within

its area is a mound of earth, &c. called Bedd y Cawr (the Giant's

Grave). Its dimensions may be learned from the following odd

advertisement by Mr. " William Maurice Llansilinensis," in the

year 1678 :—" An unheard of morrice dance is to be celebrated

on the grave mount of Rhuddwyn Gawr Mawr, a Ify-merian giant,

of sixty feet in length, and nine in height above the ground, by

Marsli Hen, aged 140." Lryn Rhuddwyn is a lake of consider

able dimensions, close under the encampment. Still eastward

lieth Caer Myvyr, a similar rampart of loose sand-stone, inclosing

about three acres. There is nothing Druidic in the appearance

of these two monuments ; they are simply camps, and relics of

the rude mode of warfare used by the aborigines of the island.

Among the answers to Mr. Ed. Lluyd's parochial queries, in the

year 1699, there is a Welsh letter from the parish of Oswestry,

enumerating three of these camps-:—" Clawdd ceryg ym mhen

Caer Myvyr, un arall ym mhen Tre y Gaer, a'r trydydd yn y

Pant caregog yng Nghraig Vordav." In the fairy tales of yore

there is a triad of giants, who were brothers : 1. Cawr Myvyr—

2. Cawr Rhuddwyn—3. Cawr Be»\vyn. We have described the

camps of the two former personages, but, where the third pitched

his tent, we do not know.

In the township of Rhiwlas, there is a stone of considerable

magnitude, which was formerly stiled Maen Tysilio. It was used

to be the rallying point of the strong and the active from several

parts, in order to strive for superiority in their rural Olympics of

the Saith GwtoI Gamp. The times are changed ; and the name

of the spot has been converted into Pant Tysilio. In 1699 there

was a well in the parish of Oswestry, called Ffynnon Maen Ty

silio, where the inhabitants resorted, to celebrate their annual

wake.

§. 8. Ancient Houses—Men of Note, &c.—I now come to

the historical account of the mansion houses of thi3 parish, which

some centuries ago were the residences either of warlike chieftains,

or of the liberal patrons of the tuneful Bards. In an alphabetical

♦


order they may be arranged thus :— I. Glasgoed—2. Lloran—3.

Moelvre—4. Moel-iwrch—5. Plas-newydd, or Bodlith—and,

6. Sycharth. All these, excepting the latter, are still standing,

though not in their original state. In order to render this subject

more intelligible, jt may be proper to take, cursorily, a retro

spective view of former times, commencing with the occurrence*

o{ the eleventh century,—when

" Bleddyn ab Cynvyn, bob cwys,

Ei hun bioedd hen Bowys."

This Prince was slain in the year 11)73; and his son Meredydd

eventually took possession of the whole principality of Powys,

which he divided before his death, in 1132, into two moieties:—

Powys Vaelawr, or the eastern, north of the river Tanat, to his

son Madog ; and Powys Gyveiliog, or the western, south of the

Tanat, to his grandson Owain Cyveiliog According to the cus

tomary usage of gavel-kind, Madog again divided his moiety into

six parts, amongst as many sons. The lot of his son Einion, sur-

named Evell, or the twin, fell in Cynllaith, a lordship, of which

this parish of Silin formed the greater part. The residence of

Einion is said to have been at Llwyn-y-Maen in the adjoining pa

rish of Oswestry. He died in 1196, and was succeeded by his

son Rhun ; and he by his son Cuhelyn. We are informed by two

Terses, still extant, that in the year 1230 this Cuhelyn rebuilt the

mansion-house of Lloran Ucha in this parish. These verses are

attributed * to Einion ab Gwalehmai, a celebrated Bard of the isle

of Anglesey ; but he seems to be too early for the period in ques

tion, and especially for the construction of this species of verse f.

leva, the son of Cuhelyn, is represented as still residing at Llwyn

y Maen ; and before his death he gavelled his inheritance between

his two sons : Madog Goch had Lloran Ucha and its appendages;

and leva Vychan, the younger son, according to prescriptive

right, had the paternal mansion of Llwyn y Maen. The son of

Madog Goch of Lloran was another Madog, surnamed Kyffin,

by way of distinction, from a place of that name where he had

* Davics's Heraldry Displayed, 12mo. 1716, p. 36.

f Deuddeg rant rhuglant rhagflaen—a thri deg

Oedd oed y mab cywrain ;

Seiliodd Cuhelyn sylfaen,

%'cbel mawr, o galch a maen.

Cododd arlwyodd ar Ian—dwr Baroj

Dy a bery 'r byd allnn ;

Eurer glud ir eryr glan

Nu-'d lhvyr yn neuadd I.loran.


been nursed *. From him, in after times, numerous families of

his descendants assumed the name.f This first of the Kyffins

was succeeded by his son Ieuan, surnamed Gethin (terrible).—

Gethin had four sons, Ieuan Vychan, Morus, Iolyn, and Gruf-

jydd. Of these, and their descendants, I shall treat in the above

order of succession.

1. Ieuan Vychan, the eldest, took his residence at Moeliwrch,

a house loftily situated on the southern brow of Gwrn Moelvre,

within about a mile of the village of Silin ; where his descendants

continued for several generations, the dispensers of (unbounded

hospitality, and the liberal patrons of their cotemporary bards.

Hywel, the son of Ieuan Vychan, is the first that I find cele

brated in song. His principal bards were Guto y Glyn, and

Ieuan Gru. Llywelyn, who flourished from 1400 to 1460. The

former has a poem on the re-building of Moeliwrch house, of

which he says—

" Cymry a'i gwel fry, gwal fraith,

Caer ganllofft y carw o Gynllaith ;

Nef im' yw o Naf a main,

Neuadd fel seren Owain."

This must have been composed subsequently to the year 1402,

when the comet alluded to in this couplet appeared, which the

bards would have the people believe was a fore-runner of some

propitious revolution in the nation under the auspices of their

illustrious hero. In another poem the bard says, that he had

published the banns of friendship between himself and his hos

pitable patron at Moeliwrch in thirteen poems, composed, it

may be presumed, at thirteen different festivals ;—and that though

the Abbot David of Llan Egwest (Valle Crusis) had urgently

pressed the bard to spend the Christmas with him, yet neither

abbot, nor priest, nor bishop, nor pope, should be able to hasten

his departure from the hall of Moeliwrch :

" Duw Tad, wedi dau oed hydd,

A'th briodes a'th brydydd,

Riioi 'n dystion, rhan dwy osteg,

Ydd wyf dri chywydd arddeg ;

** Y mae deupen carennydd

Y rh'om, nad awn byth yn rhydd ;

* Kyffin, a township in the parish of Llan Gadvau, Montgomeryshire.

+ Richard Vaughan, son of Sir Richard Vaughan, of Gojden Grove, created

Earl of Carbery by Charles I., was liaeally descended from Mado„' Kyffin in

the eighth degree.


Er bod rh'of ar abad draw,

Ammodau i ymadaw ; .

Nid micar a'n hysgar ni,

Na brawd a wnae briodi ;

Nid esgob, enw dewisgair,

Nid Pab, onid Mab Mair."

Hywel's successor was his son Ieuan, whose bard, Hywe Kilan,

flourished from 1460 to 1490.

Ieuan's son was Llywelyn o Foeliwrch, more popular among

the Bards than any of his predecessors. Deio ab Ieuan Bwl ad

dresses a poem to him in behalf of a friend for a brace of grey

hounds, in which he is stiled,

" Llew o fewn maes, a'r llafn main,

A theyrn Cynllaith Owain."

Another of Llywelyn's domestic Bards was Ieuan ab Gruffydd

Leiav, who wrote from 1500 to 1530.

Llywelyn died about 1534; and, the act for the union of

England and Wales (26th Hen. 8th) passing about the same

time, a dispute arose between his sons as to the disposition of

their father's estate,—the eldest claiming, by the new law, the

right of primogeniture; and the youngest insisting upon the

gavel-kind division, as directed by the laws of Hywel Dda, and

sanctioned by immemorial usage. After much litigation, the case

was referred. I have a copy of the bond of arbitration, and the

sward thereupon, now before me. By the award, Moras Wynn,

the elder son, succeeded to maintain hospitality at the Plas ym

Moeliwrch : Tomas ab Llywelyn, his brother, was to have two

tenements in Llys Dynwallon, and at his own cost and charge

to divide all the rest of the possessions of their said father, in

Cynllaith Owain, Cynllaith yr Iarll, and Careg Hwva, in the

lordships of Chirk and Oswestry, or elsewhere, into two equal

parts ; and Morus Wynn to have his choice of the moieties.—

" Morus to have a seat in our Lady's chancel within the church of

." Llan-Silin, and Tomas to have a seat in the same church anynce

" St. Silin."

Among the bards, who wrote elegies to the memory ofLlywelyn,

were Morus ab Hywel ab Tudur, and Wiliam Alaw. The latter

*ays—

" Milwr a ehawr Moelyrch aeth—

* * * *

Llan a'i dug altan o'i dai,

Llywelyn—llu a wylai ;—***

Vol. I. 2 X

34« THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Mil a wyl am Lywelyn,

Mae ei ras i'w aer—Morus Wynn.

Yn ei ol ef, ni wyl iaith

Path ganllaw fylh i Gynllaith ;

* * # *

Caf sy' waeth—cefais ei win,

Cerais alarch cor Silin."

The bard mentions four sons, though the award notices only

two:—

" Pum mroder—pwy ym Mhrydain

Ym mraich rhiw, mor wych a rhain ?"

He then advises them to agree amicably for their father's posses

sions, and to abide by a reference to their friends and relations,

rather than having recourse to the " glorious uncertainty of the

law." Excellent advice !

" Rhoed y broder ar geraint,

At wyr eu bro, eu tir a'u braint."

Morus Wynn, having gained the paternal mansion, supported

the wonted hospitality without abatement. His bards were Huw

Ceiriog—Wiliam Cynwal—Huw Arwystl, and Gruflfydd Hirae-

thog,—who flourished from 1520 to 1580. The latter bard, in

going his rounds to Moeliwrch, said—

" Tynnu 'r wyf, tan araf-hynt,

Treiglo lle hu 'r Guto gynt. **•

Pawb yno—pob awenydd,

| Yno can bawb, canu bydd !

Yno gwau cerdd, nid gwiw eel,

Tewach na'r Guto i Hywel. (*) ***

Llew iawn yn cadw llawenydd

Llan Silyn, Morus Wynn sydd."

Of the hospitable mansion, and the multiplicity of its visitors,

Huw Ceiriog says—

" Ty mawl a gwin—ty ami gyrch,

Tair mil at dyrrau Moelyrch."

Great was the lamentation when this last of the patrons of the

Cambrian muse, at Moeliwrch, went to the " bourne from whence

no traveller returns."

" Duodd a rhewodd yr hin—ar Foeliwrch,

Marfolaeth brenhinllin ; v

Liu a, gwaedd lle y bu gwin,

Am Forus hael o fro Silin !

M. ab J. ab Dafydd.

(*) Guto y Glyn, about a century before, was the favourite bard of

Hywel, who'was great-giandfather to Morus Wynn.


Hiraeth trwm alaeth tramawr—y sydd

I'n synn hyd Faelawr,

Fyn'd Duw ei hun mewn unawr,

Ar llewyrch o Foelyrch fawr !"

Gr. ab Gr.

Moms Wynn, for his second wife, married his kinswoman and

neighbour, the heiress of the house of Bodlith. Richard, their

son, preferring the more sheltered situation of Bodlith, built a

new house there, and made it his residence ; which he called Plas

Newydd. His daughter and heiress Gwenwyvar, a favourite

family name, maried Foulk Middleton, the seventh son of Richard,

governor of Denbigh Castle.

Idris.

[To ^ continued. ]


There cannot be a doubt, that a minute investigation of the

ancient superstitions of Wales would" not only be productive of

considerable interest in itself, but would also tend to elucidate

many particulars respecting the early state of society in this

country. Something, indeed, has already been done in this way ;

but there still remains much to be effected towards a proper ' ac

complishment of the object. This notice of the subject has been

suggested by a perusal of the first of the articles, that follow

under this head, in which an allusion is made to the several ima

ginary beings, who formerly occupied a place m tlie popular

creed of our native hills. And, indeed, some remnant of this

belief may even now be found in those places, which have been

least accessible to the innovating approaches of civilization. Yet,

wherever this superstition now exists, it may be presumed to have

lest many of the interesting peculiarities characteristic of its

primitive state. Above all, the romantic simplicity, which dis

tinguished it when generally acknowleged, can no longer belong

to its partial and isolated dominion.

Of all the popular superstitions, formerly prevalent in Wales,

the belief in Fairies was perhaps the most singular: and some

few particulars, relating to this subject, may form no uninteresting

introduction to the following communication.

The modem name of Fairies in Wales is Tylwyth TSg or the

Fair Family, but who, it should be mentioned, are not generally

considered, according to the English notion, as beings of a dimi


y " " 5

nutive stature. Pembrokeshire, however, where this imaginary

tribe are called Dynon Bach Teg or the Fair Small People,

seems an exception to this remark. But the original names were

Gieyllion and Ellyllon,* plurals of Gwyll and Ellyll : the latter

of which appears to correspond with the English L.Ives, and is

still more closely allied with the Hebrew Elilim, with which it,

no doubt, had an identity of origin as well as of signification.—

Both Taliesin and Merddin make allusion to the Gieyllion : the

former fixing their abode in glades, the latter on mountains.—

And Davydd ab Gwilym, in a humourous description, which he

gives of his envelopement in a mountain mist, makes mention cf

the Ellyllon, where he says

" Yr ydoedd ym mhub gobsnt

Ellyllon mingeiniion gant."

There were in every hollow

A hundred wry-mouthed elves.

And it seems, that there was some reason to be apprehensive of

encountering these " fair people" in a mist ; for, although allowed .

not to be maliciously disposed, they had a very inconvenient prac

tice of seizing an unwary pilgrim and hurrying him through the

air, first giving him the choice, however, of travelling above-wind,

mid-wind, or below-wind. If he chose the former, he was borne

to an altitude somewhat equal with that of a balloon; if the

latter, he had the full benefit of all the brakes and briars in his

way, his contact with which seldom failed to terminate in his dis

comfiture. Experienced travellers, therefore, always kept in

mind the advice of Apollo to Phaeton, and selected the middle

course,f which ensured them a pleasant voyage at a moderate

elevation, equally removed from the brambles and the clouds.—

Such were some of the feats, performed by these preternatural

agents, who, although not addicted to any very vicious propensi

ties, were still fond of a little mischievous sport. Space will not

permit to dwell any longer on the subject on the present oc

casion. {

* Hence we have Boyd Ellyllun, Elves' Meat, »nd RTtnig Elhllcn,

Fox Glove.

+ In medio tutissimus ibis.—Ovid.

X Mr. Owen Pughe, to whom the writer is mainly indebted for the mate

rials of the preceding account, is of opinion, that this imaginary race were

anciently supposed to be the manes of those Druids, who were neither of

sufficient purity for u celestial abode, nor of sufficient depravity for the

society of infernals, on which account they remained on earth until the day

of final retribution, when they were, to he transferred to a superior state of

existence.


With respect to the Canicyllau Cyrph, or Corpse Candles,

noticed in the subsequent communication, it may be proper to

premise, that the superstitious notion is at present almost confined

to the Diocese of St. David's, where it is a popular belief, that,

a short time before the decease of a person, a light is seen issuing

from the sick bed, and taking its course to the church- yard along

the very track, which the funeral is afterwards to pursue.

* *

POPULAR SUPERSTITIONS OF THE WELSH.

The inhabitants of rude and mountainous countries are more

generally affected with superstition than those, who dwell in plains

and well-cultivated regions. That the scenery of a country has

a considerable degree of influence on the habits of the natives, is

indisputable. Hence the manners of mountaineers are more

hardy, robust, and impetuous, than those of lowlanders, and

their imaginations,

" Darken'd by their native scenes,

Create wild images and phantoms dire,

Strange as their hills, and gloomy as their storms."

This is exemplified in the mountain-inhabitants of Britain—the

Scottish highlander, and the Welsh mountaineer,—to both of

whom certain superstitious customs and opinions are peculiar,

although resembling each other considerably in their general

outline. It is to those of the latter that I wish now to fix my at

tention, and I leave the comparison to your readers. In a curious

little work, entitled " A Relation of Apparitions and Spirits, in

the County of Monmouth, and the Principality of Wales," by

t he Rev. Edmund Jones, we find all that can be said upon the

subject; and, although the ardent zeal of the author to maintain

the actual existence of ghosts, goblins, fairies, &c. &c. is absurd

and ridiculous, yet his book contains a tolerably distinct account

of the leading features of Welsh superstitions. By our author

all unbelievers in the appearance of spectres and spirits are

termed Sadducees, and their incredulity on this point is equiva

lent, with him, to a disbelief in a future state. Hearken how our

divine argueth in favour of his doctrine :—" They are chiefly

" women, and men of weak and womanish understandings, who

** speak against the accounts of spirits and apparitions. In some-

" women this comes from a certain proud fineness, excessive de-

" licacy, and a superfine disposition, which cannot bear to be

" disturbed with what is strange and disagreeable to a vain spirit.


" But why should the daughters of mother Eve be so averse to

" hear of their great adversary Satan, with whom she first con-

" versed, and whom she first believed, and was deceived by

'• him?" Why, indeed! This is a question I will not under

take to answer ; and I give the Reverend Mr. Edmund Jones

all the credit due to him for reasoning so subtle and unanswerable.

The superstitious creed of the Welsh comprises a staunch be

lief in the existence of witches, ghosts, goblins, and fairies, with

a due proportion of good and bad spirits. To these may be

added the creation of certain wild fantasies, peculiar, perhaps,

to themselves. These consist of—

1st,—Dogs of the Sky ( Cwn Wybir), or, as they are some

times denominated, Dogs of Hell ( Cwn Annwn). These terrific

animals are supposed to be devils under the semblance of hunting;

dogs (of what particular breed or species, deponent saith not),

and they are usually accompanied by fire, in some form or other.

Their appearance is supposed to indicate the death of some

friend or relative of the person, to whom they show themselves.

N. B. They have never been known to commit any mischief on

the persons of either man or woman, goat, sheep, or cow, &c.

2ndly,—Corpse Candle (Carney// Corpli). This apparition

(for apparition it is, and of a lighted tallow candle too, laugh

.who may!) is also the forerunner of death. Sometimes it ap

pears in the form of a stately flambeau, flaming bluely, and

' stalking about uninvited from place to place ; and sometimes it

appears in the hand of the spectre of the person, whose fate it

foretells.

3rdly,—Cyhiraeth—a doleful, foreboding noise before death,

heard by the nearest of kin to the person about to depart.

4thly,—The Knockers—a very good-natured, fortunate sort

of beings, whose business it is to point out, by a peculiar kind

of bumping, a rich vein of metal ore, or any other subterraneous

treasure. They are highly respected, and are deemed nearly

allied to the Fairies.

I have now enumerated the several kinds of superstitious

objects held in awe by our countrymen. At a future opportu

nity I propose making such extracts from Mr. Edmund Jones's

work, as will illustrate the actions of the several species of spirits.

For the present I must conclude, merely oberving that Mr.

Jones has treated of several minor spirits, of whom he has related

some very interesting and important facts. T. R.


The custom, of which some account is given in the following

article, is still retained in some parts of Wales, where the return

of All Saints' Eve continues to be marked by many rustic festi

vities. But much of the pristine humour of this ancient festival

is undoubtedly lost : and in many places all vestiges of the cere

monial have vanished. Some account of the custom of lighting

fires (coelcerthi) on November eve has already appeared in the

Cambro-Briton *.

*** ALL-SAINTS' EVE..

There is a custom peculiar to Wales,—and peculiar, I believe,

to Wales alone,—the origin of which I should imagine to be of

some antiquity. I allude to the observance of the eve of All-

Saints as a festival and holiday. The institution of the custom it

readily accounted for. In the earlier and darker, and more bar

barous ages, certain days were set apart for the performance of

. particular mythological ceremonies, and on " All-Saints' Eve1'

thanksgivings were offered up to the Deity for the fruits of

harvest. The predilection, the Welsh have ever retained for

many of the rude habits of their forefathers, has preserved,

amongst other customs, the festivities of All-Saints' Eve, and

the evening of this day is spent in mirth and gladness. Bonfires

are kindled, labour is suspended, the villagers assemble, and the

young and active dance to the music of the harp, or pass their

time in the exercise of athletic and rustic games. I well remember

with what eager joy I was wont, during my boyish days, to hail

the approach of this festival : I always spent it at " the Rector's ;"

and, although some yeara have elapsed since that joyous period,

the recollection of it is yet vivid in my memory, and will never

be forgotten. There is a pleasure in permitting the imagination

to dwell thus on the scenes of early life ; particularly if we have,

by the chances of fate, been separated from them, and from all

whom time and memory have endeared to us. ItAis an impulse,

with which Nature inspires us, and in an obedience to which the

mind is agreeably and not unworthily employed. My absence

from Wales has not afforded me an opportunity of witnessing

whether the ceremonies of All-Saints' Eve are observed with all

their pristine celebrity ; but, as far as report goes, I &m given to

understand that they are. And we can almost hope that luxury

and refinement will never penetrate into the mountain wilds of

Cambria, to deprive the honest inhabitants of their innocent and

favourite enjoyments. T. R.

* No. 5. p. 172. Sec sjso Cambrian Register^ vol. i. p. 321.


i

AWEN CYMRU.

A'lh roid yrv athrwydd Awen. Edm. Peys.

-capo*—

PENNILLION.

XLVII.

Rhaid i gybydd gadw ei gaban,

Rhaid i ieuenctid dori allan,'

Hyd fy modd mae'n rhaid i minnau

Ganlyn mwynion dynion dannau.

xLviir.

Robin_goch daeth at yr hiniog,

A'i ddwy aden yn anwydog ;

A dywedai mor ysmala,

" Mae hi'n oer, fe ddaw yn eira."

XLIX.

Lie bo cariad y canmolir

Y rhyw ddyn yn fwy na ddylir ;

On'd, lle byddo digder creulon,

Fe fydd beiau mwy na digon.

L.

Tros y mor mae'r adar duon,

Tros y mor mae'r dynion mwymon

Tros y mor mae pob rhinweddaii,

Tros y mor mae'm cariad innan

LI.

Melys iawn yw llais aderyn

Forau haf ar ben y brigyn ;

On'd melysach cael gan Gwenno

Eiriau hcddwcb wedi digio.

LII.

Gwedd holl anian a gyfnewid

Cyn y gwelwyf fy anwylyd,

Bydd y meillion ar y meusydd,

Can yr adar yn y coedydd ;

On'd un peth nid all gyfnewid,

Sef fy nghalon i, f anwylyd.


ENGLISH POETRY.


XLVII.

The miser must protect his home,

While youth abroad must ever roam :

For me, I must—such is my way—

Still follow where the minstrels play.

XLVIII.

Poor Robin to my threshold hies,

His wings all chill'd and drooping low,

In gentle careless note he cries,

" 'Tis very cold, it soon will snow."

XLIX.

Where there is love, praise will be found

Beyond all measure to abound;

But 'tis as true, where hatred dwells,

That censure more than meetly swells.

L.

Rare birds are found beyond the sea,

And there too people courteous, kind :

Beyond the seas all virtues be,

And there my own true love you'll find.'

* **

LI.

Sweet is the bird's melodious lay,

In summer morn, upon the spray ;

But from Amelia sweeter far

The notes of friendship after war.

D. E.

LII.

Another dress will nature wear

Before again I see my fair,

The smiling fields will daisies bring,

And on the trees the birds will sing ;

But one thing changed will never be,

That is, my heart, sweet girl, from thee,

D. E.


THE SONG OF THE SONS OF MADOG :

A CAMBRIAN MELODY*.

Think ye, because we are led captive, that our spirit is broken ?

The cloud, that hangs upon our name

Thus dark and heavily,

But shades a race, as free from shame

As thine, proud Lord, can be.

We never sold the land, that gave

Our fathers birth, but kept -

Their faith, and o'er their children's grave

The valiant eye hath wept.

Then tell us not of lowly state,

To which our race is driven :

What, though the tree be desolate,

Its stately branches riven,

Some stems remain, and they may grow

To give their land a shade,

When thou and thine, vain man, are low.

And those, who smite us, fade.

Not all the bearings on thy shield,

Like ours, are justly borne ;

The flower, thy pride to-day doth wield,

To-morrow may be shorn.

The gentle heart slight wrong may bear,

But goad it not too far ;

Remember what our fathers were,

And what their children are.

S. R. J.

* It does not clearly appear to what period of the Welsh history this

melody has reference ; unless it be to the time of Madog, son of the last

Llywelyn, who revolted against Edward I. and was taken prisoner in 1295,

when he was confined in London, where he remained for life. However, the

lines, independent of all historical allusion, will be found to possess no in

considerable portion of merit.—£d.

THE CAMRRO-BRITON. 355

WALES.

OLD CYMMRODORION SOCIETY.—The following form

a continuation of the " general heads of subjects" selected for

examination and discussion by the original Society of Cymmrodo-

rion : and to the investigation of which recent circumstances may

be supposed to have communicated, in the present 'day, an addi

tional interest. Many useful hints, as before mentioned, may

also be taken from them by the patriotic societies now established

in Wales. ***

POETRY AND THE WELSH LANGUAGE.

1 . Of the most ancient British poetical writers,—proof of the

genuineness of their works,—and of the antiquity of Poetry

among the Britons.

2. Of the Druids and Bards in Gaul and Britain.

3. Of the most ancient kind of heroic verse used by the Bri

tons, now called Englyn Mihcr, and of the lyric verse Triban,

being of the same original.

4. Of the present twenty-four measures in the Welsh poetry

and about what time they were instituted : and of the affinity be

tween them and the twenty-four measures in the ancient Welsh

music. -

5. Of the Congresses of the Bards.

6. Of the Secret \CyfrinacK\ of the Bards.

7. Of the Decline of Welsh Poetry on the death of Queen Eli

zabeth, not one poem having been well written since till the pre

sent age *,—with a guess at the reason of it.

8. Of a comparison between Dr. Davies and Mr. Edward

Llwyd as Dictionary and Grammar writers, and how each of them

excelled in his way,—with their characters.

9. Of the character of Humphrey Llwyd the Antiquary.

10. Of Robert Vaughan of Hengwrt the Antiquary, and of his

valuable Collection of Welsh MSS. in Poetry, History, Genea

logy, &c.

11. Of the valuable Welsh MSS. in Llanvorda, Llanerch, and

Mostyn Libraries ; also of those in the possession of the Duke of

Ancaster, Earl of' Macclesfield, Sir Thomas Sebright, Bart., or in

whatever other hands they may be.

* 1751.


12. Some old Welsh Pennillion set to the ancient Music, with

a prose translation in English, or a verse translation, if it can be

procured.

13. Of the similitude between the Welsh tongue and the

Eastern languages.

14. Of the softness of the Welsh tongue as well as its rough

ness, and of verses in this language composed of vowels only*.

15. Of Dean Swift's complaint, that the English is too full of

monosyllables, and of Erasmus's observation on the same head.

16. Of the excellent song-writer Huw Monist.

17. An enumeration of some of the most noted Welsh Poets,

Davydd ab Gwilym, Lewis Glyn Cothi, lolo Goch, &c. with

their characters, and some of their works occasionally printed

with notes and translations %•

18. Some Welsh Poems of the present age to be published

with notes.

19. Of the great affinity between the Welsh and Irish Lan

guages and between the customs of the two nations : and of some

strange language mixed with the Irish, and what it is §.

2d That the Irish are a colony from the first inhabitants of

Britain, proved from the names of mountains, lakes, and cytiau

Gwyddelod in Wales.

21. Of the Welsh words, Porthmon, Hicsmon, Allmon, &c.

had from the Teutons.

22. Of the Translation and different Impressions of the Welsh

Bible.

* These two "heads" will necessarily come under discussion in the In

quiry into the Welsh Language, which has been commenced in this Work.

Singular as the fact, alluded to at the close of the latter " head," may ap

pear, it is capable of being fully established. Indeed some instances of it

may be seen in tbc Essay on the Welsh Language, in the 3d volume of the

Cambrian Register, quoted in a preceding page ; and Mr. Jones in his

** Relics of the Bards" has inserted an Epigram on a Spider of four lines,

in which there is not one consonant. Ed.

f The Rev. Walter Davies is about to do ample justice to this subject.

See Cambbo-Britov, No. 6, p. 239. Ed.

% A complete Edition of the Poems of Davydd ab Gwilym has since been

published by the late Mr. Owen Jones, with an interesting English Preface

by Mr. W. O. Pughe. Ed.

% Col. Vallancey, in his " Essay on the Antiquity of the Irish Language,"

KOnceives this to be the Phoenician, and this again he affirms to be the same

with the ancient Punic, of which we have now scarcely a vestige. And the

Irish historians assert, that their language was anciently called Bearla Feni,

ur the Phanician Dialed.—Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON; 357

23. Of Welsh Grammars and Dictionaries.

24. Of Welsh printed books in general.

WELSH CUSTOMS AND MANNERS.

1. Of the similitude between the Welsh customs and the Gre

cian, and of the British Chariots of War mentioned by Caesar.

2. Of surnames in Wales, and of what standing; and of the

ancient method of Pedigrees like the Eastern nations.

3. Of the Fifteen Tribes of North Wales; and why the

Writers of Genealogies in later times thought it sufficient to de

rive any family from those Tribes*.

4. Of the particular method and custom of singing with the

harp, and of the Crwth, a Welsh musical instrument. -

5. Of the ferocity of the English formerly to strangers, and of

Mr. Lambard's observation, that seems to point out the cause

why the Welsh and English were not sooner incorporated.

6. Of the hot passions of the Welsh ; and whether there be

any foundation in nature for that common expression, " His

Welsh blood is up."

7. Of some remains of Druidical Customs, &c. among the

Welsh.

8. Of the Awen, and the fondness of the Welsh for Poetry

and Antiquities.

9. Of the long lives and most common diseases of the Welsh.

10. Of the present State of Religion in Wales, and of the cir

culating Welsh Charity Schoolsf.

GWYNEDDIGION SOCIETY.—This Society has, by pub

lic advertisement, appointed its Eisteddfod for the present year

to take place at St. Asaph, on Thursday the 21st of September

next. The subject, proposed for poetical competition on this

occasion, is the " Reign of George the Third" ( Teyrnasiad

Sior III.), and the writer of the best Awdl will be entitled to the

customary premium of a Silver Medal. The most successful

singer with the Welsh Harp will also receive a Silver Cup, as an

acknowlegement of his merit.—The following extract, for which

alone there is room, from the Gwyneddigion Prize-Poem for the

last year is here transcribed agreeably with the intention ex

pressed in the last Number, although it may not be the most fa-

* For an account of these Tribes see the Cambrian Register, vol. i.

p. 145.—E». .

f This seems to have reference to some custom no longer in existence. T.d.


vourable specimen of the production. The subject of the Ode

(Awdl), it may be proper to repeat, is Charity. The stanzas, here

selected, are those with which the poem commences. %*

Duw cariad ! y Tad wyt ti—ar Anian

A'r enwau sydd ynddi :

Dy rodd, yn deilliaw drwyddi,

Yw'n byd hwn oil, a'n bod ni.

Cynnal dy ddoeth amcanion—mawr Allu !

Mae'r holl Weledigion :

A lluoedd Nefoedd, ein Ion !

Gwn ydynt dy genadon.

Mai haul byw araul a beri—'r ddaiar

Roi'n ddios ei firwythi,

Goreu tes dy gariad ti

Ar fydoedd heb rifedi.

Dy gariad di agorodd—byrth y Nef,

Aberth gwnaed a wirfodd :

Gwynfyd i'r byd arbedodd,

Oen Duw Tad, yw dy rad rodd !

ASSIZE INTELLIGENCE.—The Mowing is a Report of

the number of Criminals tried in the several Counties in Wales

during the recent Great Sessions. Under the head of Acquittals

are comprised all those cases, in which the prisoner by any means

procured his liberation.

Convictions. Acquittals. Total.

Anglesey .... 2 1 - 3

Brecon ----- 11 - 3 - 14

Cardigan - - - • * * *

Carmarthen County

and Town - - - 8 - 5 - 13

Carnarvon - - - - « #

Denbigh - - - - 9 •- 2 - 11

Flint 4 - 2 - 6

Glamorgan - - - - 9 - 3 - 12

Merioneth - - - - 0 - 0 - None

Monmouth - - - - 7 - 4 - 11

Montgomery - - - 7 - 0 - 7

Pembroke - - - - * * *

Radnor* * *

57 20 77


The Editor has not been able to procure any report of those

eounties, to which stars are affixed. Of the crimes, comprised in '

the foregoing list, two only are of a very atrocious dye—a case of

murder in Denbighshire, and one of rape in the county of Mon

mouth. In both instances the convicts have suffered the awful

penalties, assigned by the law to their offences. %*

MISCELLANEOUS INTELLIGENCE.—The local occur-

rences of the last month do not present any matter of particular

importance. In addition to the public meetings, which have taken

place for the purpose of offering the united tribute of condolence

and congratulation to the throne, others have been holden with a

view to objects of a less general nature, but affecting the interests

of some parts of the Principality in a material degree. The

Counties of Carnarvon and Pembroke and the Town of Haver

fordwest have had meetings for the purpose of " taking into con

sideration proper measures for obtaining a farther exemption from

the duty on culm and coal carried coastwise, which by the present

Act will expire in August next." And, where the general

policy so obviously unites with the interest of individuals, there

can be little doubt that their exertions will be effectual.—

Meetings have likewise been holden in the counties ofMonmouth

and Pembroke for the purpose of " petitioning Parliament to

make such alterations in the Corn Laws, as shall appear best cal

culated to afford relief to the Agriculturists of the United King

dom."—On the 3d of April the " Corwen and Edeirnion Branch

Bible Society" held at Corwen their anniversary meeting, which

was very respectably attended. Several speeches were made on

the particular object of the Society both by Clergymen of the

Church of England and by Ministers of other persuasions.—A cu

rious discovery has recently taken place in forming the new line

of the Holyhead road between Lima and Cernioge. In cutting

through the corner of a field called Dol Trebeddw the workmen

discovered above forty graves, about two yards in length, most of

them cased with rough stones, and all lying in the compass of

twenty yards by ten. Bones were found in many of them, but

not the least vestige of any coffins. On the lower side of the stone,

which covered one of the most perfect of the graves, was the fol

lowing inscription in rude Roman capitals, the letters in several

places joined together :—

BRo Ho NASLI

IAT HIC JACET

ET UXOREM CAVNE.


This stone is preserved for the inspection of the curious, and may

be seen, together with some of the bones, at Pentrefoelas. It is

hardly necessary to add, that the oldest inhabitants have no re

collection of these graves, which must, therefore, have reference

to a remote period, when this place may have been the scene of

some of those contests, which preceded the subjugation of Wales.

And Dol Trebeddw, in all probability, derived its name from this

very circumstance *.—The sum, to be given by the Commissioners

of the Menai Bridge for the purchase of the Bangor Ferry,

was awarded by a Special Jury before the Under Sheriff of An

glesey at the late .Assizes. As the bridge is to be situated within

the limits of this Ferry, and, when opened to the public, will

entirely supersede the same, the Legislature had directed, that the

Commissioners should purchase it. Miss Williams of Conway,

however, to whom it belonged, being a minor, her trustees de

clined entering into any contract, and the matter was, accor

dingly, referred to a jury. It was proved, that the net receipts of

the Ferry, for the last eleven years, were from 850/. to 950/. per

annum, and were greatly increasing. The Jury, after hearing

Counsel, retired about half an hour, and awarded Miss Williams,

for the loss of the Ferry, the sum of 26,394/. 7s. 6d.—The last

Spring Ploughing Match of the Anglesey Agriculcural Society

was much more successful than any former one—it being the

unanimous opinion, that the worst ploughing on the late occasion

was superior to the best at some of the previous meetings, a proof,

that the institution of these matches has been productive of con

siderable benefit to the cause of practical agriculture. *„*

LITERATURE —W. S. Wickenden, author of a Novel, en

titled " Count Glarus of Switzerland," which was favourably re^

viewed in the Gentleman's Magazine for September 1819, is pre

paring for publication " Conan Blethyn," the first of a series

of Tales, designed to illustrate Cambrian peculiarities.

ERRORS CORRECTED.

No. 6. p. 225. L 1.5. for " perfection" tend perception.

No. 7. p. 259. First Note, for" 40" rend 140.

276. 1. 23. /or" Aberystwth " read Aberystwith.

No. 8. p. 311. 1 23. for '• haith" read hiaith.

319. 1, 4. for " — Ludlow, Esq." read Eben. Ludlow, Esq.

1. 27. for " Cuthrall" rend Catbrall.

* The Editor would feel obliged by a more particular detail of this inte

resting discovery, and especially of such of the inscriptions, as can bemade

out, if there be more than one. The account, he now .publishes, is the best

he could procure ; but he does not vouch for its accuracy.—Ed.

tltE

CAMBRO-BM1TON.

JtNE, 1820.

NUIXI QUtDEM MIHI SATIS ERUDITI VIDENTUR, QUIBUS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicero de Ltgibus.

THE TRIADS —No. IX.


XLi.

The three Arrant Drunkards of the Isle of Britain : Ceraint

the Drunkard, King of Essyllwg, who in his drunkenness burnt

all the corn far and near over the face of the country, so that

therefrom a famine came ; second, Gwrtheyrn Gwrthenau, who

gave the Isle of Daned [Thanet], in his drink, to Hors [Horsa],

for permission to commit adultery with Rhonwen his daughter,

when he gave claim also to the son, that thereby might be born,

upon the crown of Lloegr, and added to that treason and plot

ting against the nation of the Cymry ; third, Seithenyn the Drun

kard, the son of Seithyn Saidi, King of Dyved, who, in his

drink, let the sea over the Cantrev y Gwaelawd, so that there

were lost of houses and earth the whole that were there, where

formerly were found sixteen fortified towns, superior to all the

towns and cities of Wales, leaving as an exception Caer Llion

upon Wysg : and Cantrev y Gwaelawd was the dominion of

Gwyddnaw Garanhir, King of Ceredigion ; and that event was

in the time of Emrys Wledig ; and the men who escaped from

that inundation landed in Ardudwy, and the country of Arvon,

and the mountains of Eryri, and other places not before in

habited.

[We have no other memorials of this Ceraint. Essyllwg was,

as before mentioned, another name for Siluria.—The treach

erous conduct of Gwrtheyrn or Vortigern, above detailed, has

been already alluded to f.—In the Archaiology of Wales, vol. i.

* Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 6i. Tr. 37—44.

f See No, 6, p. 202.

rot., I. ,3a

362 THE CA.MBRO-BRITON.

p. 165, there are some verses on the inundation of Cantrev y

Gwaelawd, or the Lowland Hundred, composed by Gwyddnaw

above mentioned, who had a palace in this district. The remains

of three ancient stone embankments are still traceable, severally

called Sarn Cyuvehfn, Sam y Bweh, and Sam Padrig. The

latter is particularly conspicuous, being left dry at low water to

the extent of about nine miles; and the sailors of the neighbour

ing ports describe its whole length to be twenty-one miles, be

ginning near Harlech, and running out in a S.W. direction*.]

XLU. The three Humble Princes of the Tale of Britain : Man-

awydan, the son of Llyr Llediaiih,. after the carrying into capti

vity of the family of Bran ab Llyr, his brother; and Llywarch

Hen, the son of Elidir Llydanwyn ; and Gwgon Gm-on, the son

of Eleuver Gosgorddvawr. These three were bards ; and they

sought not for dominion and royalty, after they had attached

themselves to song, while they could not be debarred therefrom :

so it was on that account they are called the Three Hunibk-

Princes of the Isle of Britain.

[The wandering of Manawydan, who was a Prince of Siluria,

is the subject of one of the tales of the Mabinogion. He is de

scribed in another Triad as one of the " three chiefs, who had

golden cars,'' and as having gone in his car to settle the bounda

ries between his territory and Dyved.—Llywarch Hen has been

introduced to the reader's notice in the eighth Number.—Gwgon

Gwron is said to be the son of Peredur, the son of Eleuver

Gosgorddvawr, in the other two series ofTriads. Arch, of Wales,

vol. ii. p. 4 and 15.]

XUII. The three Monarchs of Deivr and Brynnich: Gall, the

• Mr. Davies, in Ins " Mythology and Rites of the Druids," (p. 240 et

seq.) discusses at some length the history of this event, as recorded in the

Triad ; and, with his usual happy talent of turning history into fable^ he

throws a veil of mythological obscurity over the whole account. In a word

he supposes it to be no more than a perverted memorial of the Deluge, and

says, that the " landing upon the mountains of Snowdon is like the landing

of Deucalion upon Mount Parnassus." But the Triad merely says, that

those, " who escaped the inundation, landed iu Ardudwy in the country of

Anon and the mountains of Snowdon," which, surely, can only mean the

ticmity of the mountains, and not on their summits. Allowing, therefore, all

due weight to the ingenuity of Mr. Davics's hypothesis, it is clearly at va

riance with the written documents on this subject, and, what is perhaps of

greater importance, with the tradition of the country. Some observations

on this occurrence may be seen in Mr. Edward Williams's " l.yric Foetns,"

vol. i. p. 78., and also in the Cambrian Register, vol. ii. p. 490.—Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON..•56:1

son of Dysgyvedawg ; and Difedel, the son of Dysgyvedawg;

and Ysgavnell, the son of Dysgyvedawg. These three were

bards; and, after they had attached themselves to song, they

had conferred upon them the monarchy of Deivr and Brynaich.

[In the first scries of Triads, p. 4, of the second volume of the

Archaiology, the father of these three Princes is called Dyssyrn-

dod; and in the second series, p. 13, he is named Disgyvndawd.

In another Triad the three brothers are recorded as having

achieved the " three praiseworthy slaughters of the Isle of

Britain."'—Deivr and Brynaich areDeira and Bernicia.]

XXIV. The three Rmldy-speared Bards of the Isle of Britain:

Tristvardd, the bard of Ui ion Rhegcd ; Dygynnelw, the bard of

Owain ab Urie:i ; and A van Verddig, the bard of Cadwallon ab

Cadvau. They were throe bards ; and they could not be sepa

rated.

[The second series of Triads, Arch, of Wales, vol. ii. p. 18,

has Arovan, the bard of Seleu ab Cynan, instead of Tristvardd,

the bard of Ui ien. The reason of these bards being thus distin

guished was, that, according to the bardic system, the members

were not allowed to bear arms.]

XLV. The three Supreme Servants of the Isle of Britain : Car-

adawg, the son ofBran ab Llyr Lediaith ; and Cawrdav, the son

of Caradawg Vreichvras ; and Owain, the son of Macsen Wle-

dig. That is, they were so called, for that of their free will all

the men of the Isle of Britain, from the prince to the slave, be->

came their followers, at the need of the country, against the pro

gress of the foe and devastation : and whenever these three men

went to war, there was not any one of the men of the Isle of

Britain but would go in their retinue, there being no desire of re

maining at home ; and these were three bards.

[The names only are given in the two other series of Triads,

without any explanation of the distinction here conferred on

them ; and in the second series, p. 12, the Triad runs thus—" The

three Supreme Servants of the Isle of Britain : Gwydar, the son

of Rhun ab Beli; and Owain ab Maxen Wledig; and Cawrdav,

the son of Caradawg."—Enough has already been said of Car

adawg son of Bran and of Owain in former Numbers. Cawrdav

was a warrior of distinction during the sixth century ; but the par

ticulars of his exploits are no longer known. There are two

churches dedicated to him, one in Arvon, and the other in

Gwent.]

xlvI. The three Fetter-wearing Kings of the Isle of Britain:


Morgan Mwynvawr, of Morganwg ; Elystan Glodrydd, between

Gwy and Havren ; and Gwaithvoed, King of Ceredigion. That

is, they were so called, because they wore fetters in the exercise

of all the functions of sovereignty of the Isle of Britain, and not

bandlets, or crowns.

[Morganwg is Glamorgan ; Gwy and Havren, the Wye and

Severn; and Ceredigion is Cardiganshire.—The custom of wear

ing golden fetters or bands was common to the ancient chieftains

of Britain, as we learn from another Triad before translated *.]

xlvh. The three Bandlet-wearing Kings of the Isle of Britain :

Cadell, King of Dinevwr; Anarawd, King of Aberfraw; and

Merwyn, King of Mathraval. They were also called the three

Bandlet-wearing Princes.

[Cadell, Anarawd, and Mervyn were sons of Rhodri Mawr,

or Roderic the Great, who succeeded to the sovereignty of Wales

in 843. On his death, in 877, he divided the Principality be

tween the three sons here named, giving to the first Deheubarth,

to the second Gwynedd, and to the last Powys. Dynevwr,

Aberfraw, and Mathraval were the royal palaces of these divi

sions respectively : but the first of these, the seat of Lord Dyn-

evor, is the only one that retains any vestige of its ancient

celebrity.]

xlviiI. The three Foreign Kings of the Isle of Britain : Gwrdd-

yled Gawr; and Morien Varvawg ; and Constantine the Blessed.

[We have no memorials as to the first two names, unless they

be the same as are mentioned in the Gododin. An account of

Constantine has already been given f.]

TRIADS OF WISDOM *.

lxI. Three things that discover the power of man : what he

cannot do without, what he cannot conceal, and what he can nei

ther love nor hate.

LXII. The three criterions for trying every man : his God, his

devil, and his indifference.

Lxm. The three concomitants ofknowlcge : genius, discretion,

and energy.

lxiv. Three things that shall be obtained together without ex

ception : exertion, affection, and fruition.

lxv. Three things that there will be no failure of obtaining :

some wealth through much industry ; some honour where it shall

, . * See Cambro-Briton, No. 1, p. 247, Triad xxxu.

T No. 6. p. 202. + Arch, of Wales, vol. iii. p. CIO.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 36.1

be merited ; and some knowlege where it shall be much sought

for.LxvI. The three acquisitions that strengthen exertion : the fa

vour of man, the favour of the conscience, and the favour of God.

lxviI. Three things that shall not lack their praise : generosity,

equity, and science.

LxvlII. Three things commendable in the young : taciturnity,

assiduity, and politeness.

lxix. Three things commendable in the old : the counselling

with urbanity, religious liberality, and disinterested wisdom.

lxx. Three things before which nothing will stand in opposi

tion : discretion, patience, and truth.

WELSH PROVERBS.

Plant gwiriotiedd yto hen diareb'ion.—DlAHI.

Frequent is the change to a lover's thought.

A bad disposition is the limit of wickedness.

Ale is more abundant while it distils.

A clear breast makes its possessor secure *,

A fair promise makes a fool merry.

Conspicuous is he that is hated, and he that is loved.

Contract destroys custom.

Inability is always unprepared f.

Every breach of custom is a violation of right.

Necessity buys and sells.

Without God, without every tiling, God and enough J.

The indiscreet, like the blind, may be deceived.

Every fool is unpolished.

He, that loves the young, must love also their sports.

It is hard for fair words to beguile more than once.

Unwise is he with a slippery tongue.

What God protects will be completely protected.

* So Horace:——" Hie mnrusaheneus esto,

Nil conscire sibi, nulla pallescere culpa."

And Shakespear :" Thrice is he arm'd, who hath his quarrel just."

f The Arabic Proverb is somewhat similar :

" Vain is the etfoi t of him wanting power."

% So in Arabic—" Trust in God, and he will suffice."


Vehement desire breaks its own neck *.

It is hard to marry and prosper in the same year.

Let him, that loves not his mother, love his stepmother.

A word is not returnable f.

Prudence is widowed without patience. '

What you have taught your son on Sunday he will remember

on Monday J .

The judgment ofevery rash man is unsteady.

An art is destitute without its gift §.

Augmented is the disgrace of a boaster.

There will be no judgment without its contradiction \\.

Every ill-mannered person has some blemish.

It is difficult to blow the fire with flour in one's mouth.

To drive a dog into an open chamber 51 •

A dead man is not heeded.

Spare the hand, but spare not the foot.

The laughing of water under snow **.

Good ale is the key of the heart f t-

* **

* The Arabic Proverb says, " The man, who- e conrupis'.cnie conquer*

his reason, is lost."

f So in Latin—" Nescit vox cmissa reverti."

J Horace has a similar sentiment—

" Quo ieincl est imhuta reeens servabit utlorem

Testa diu."

§ To the same effect Pope soys, that

" The worst avarice is that of sense."

And still nearer is the Arabic maxim—" The worst of all men is the learned

man, that profits not by bis learning." ,

|| The meaning of this Proverb appears to be, that no judicial opinion can

be pronounced without meeting somewhere with a contrary opinion ; and

every day's experience proves the truth of the maxim.

«[ This Proverb seems to apply to the performance of an unnecessary

action.

** Applicable to cold and insincere laughter.

ff Thus says the Latin maxim, " In vino Veritas."

And Horace observes to the same purpose,

" Faecundi calices quern non fecere disertum ?"

He also seems to attribute a similar influence to the libations of the elder

Cato, where he says of him ;

" Narratui et prisci Catonis

S:rpe mero caluisse virtus."

It may farther be observed from this I'rovcrb, that ale or rtrrra was an-

ciently, as still, a favourite liquor among the Cymry, and from it the Latin

term ccrvisia was most probably taken. Ancurin alludes to bragaxd, a

drink composed of ale and mead, as a common beverage in the sixth

century.


ETYMOLOGY.

" T.'art etymologiqneest I'art de debrcmiHer ce que degmse les'mots, de !es

depouiller de ee, qui, pour ainsi dire, lour est ('tiangrr, ft', par cc tnoyen,

tie les rammer a la simplicite, qu'ils ont tous dans leur oiigine." Mem,

tie PAcrid, iles Inzer. &c.

Among the various pursuits of the human mind none, perhaps,

has grown more into disrepute than Etymology ; and this as well

from the temerity of some of its advocates as from the ignorance

and inexperience of others. While on the one hand it has been

employed to promote the idle sallies of an untutored imagination,

it has, on the other, been converted into the means of supporting

the wildest and most unreasonable hypotheses. From this it has

resulted, that the crude and visionary speculations of many pre

tenders to this art have been assumed as an incontrovertible proof

of the fallacy of the art itself; and the inutility of etymological

researches has, in consequence,' almost passed into a proverb.

But, there is something extremely unfair, as well ss illogical, in

this mode of reasoning ; for, how much soever this art may have

been abused, it by no means follows, that the principles, on which

it is founded, are therefore to be impugned, or its legitimate ob

jects to be set down as of no real value. Etymology, in the lan

guage of the preceding motto, is the art of disengaging words from'

the adscititious incumbrances, which time or custom may have

produced, and of restoring them to that simplicity, which belong

ed to their original character. And, as long as a proper know-

lege of words shall be essential to our acquaintance with things,

this pursuit can not be regarded as unimportant.

It is somewhat singular, that the word Etymology itself fur

nishes an extraordinary instance of the advantages to be occa

sionally derived from a proper use of this science. The definition

of the term is thus given by a celebrated French writer. " In the

most ancient Oriental tongues," observes M. de Gebelin in his

Monde Primitif*, " there exists a word, written in Hebrew

CD1D, which we write and pronounce indiscriminately Tom,

Turn, Tym. It is a radical word signifying perfection in a proper

or physical sense, and, in a figurative or moral one, accomplish

ment, truth, justice. Amongst the Hebrews and Arabians it has

formed adjectives and verbs. This word, united by the Grreks

with the article E and adopting their termination o;, became the

* Torn. iii. p. 19.

THE CAMBftO-BRITON.

adjective irufiyo;, which signifies true or just, while they suffered'

it to lose all its other acceptations. The Greeks, again, uniting

with this word the term Xoyia., which implied with them discourse

cr knowlege, made of it the word Emp.oXoy<a, which we pro

nounce Etymology, and which, consequently, signifies a perfect

science, and they designed thereby the knowlege of the origin

and import of words." If this definition be correct, and there

seems no reason for questioning its propriety, it will appear, that

some acquaintance with the earliest languages of antiquity must,

on many occasions, be necessary to a successful cultivation of

etymological inquiries. And, indeed, the prevailing error of

etymologists, as well as the general cause of their failure, is the

imperfect notion they have formed, in this respect, of the princi

ples of their science. While some are satisfied with the first defi

nition, that presents itself even in a modern language, of a word,

that may be avowedly of ancient extraction, others consider their

work complete, if they can trace the object of their research to

the Latin or, Greek tongues, as though they contained the ele

ments of all human speech *. Some writers of great repute have

fallen into this last mentioned fault, which has occasioned the

adoption of many absurd conclusions. And, indeed, with refe

rence to the errors here noticed, it may justly be observed, in the

words of the French author already eked, that " etymologists

have in their hands a two-edged weapon, which has wounded

mo3t of those, who have endeavoured to use it."

Obvious as the truth of this observation must be, there is ne'

instance, in which it is more evident than in the attempts made by

some writers to define those words, ofwhich the true etymons are

only to be found in the Welsh language, or at least in that, of

which the Welsh retains the most perfect remains. Some in

stances of the blunders, committed in this respect, will be noticed

hereafter : and, in the mean time, a few preliminary remarks

on the aid to be derived in etymological researches from a know

lege of the Welsh tongue may not be deemed unnecessary or

uninteresting.

It will perhaps be admitted—for the subject has been very

ably investigated—that Europe was originally peopled by two

principal colonies, the earliest of whom arrived most probably at

* For some judicious observations respecting this common error the

reader is referred to the Archteologia Britannica, p. 36, where the learned au

thor has made a brief examination of the subject. A few instincts, illus-

tiative of it, may also be seen in the same work, p. 267.


no distant period after the great Dispersion at Babel. These,

according to Herodotus and other historians of credit, were called

Cimmerians or Cimbrians and Scythians, the first of the two hav

ing preceded the latter some ages, and having previously pene

trated to the more remote or Western parts of the country they

had possessed. Later writers indeed have confounded the Cim

brians with the Gauls, Celts, and other tribes, who were, how

ever, properly speaking, so many distinct branches of the ori

ginal stock, and derived their appellations from the several cha

racteristics, local or personal, by which they were distinguished*.

The original language of this Western portion of Europe was,

therefore, the Cimbric, and not, as it has generally been called,

the Celtic, which was no more than a dialect of that primitive

tongue. Notwithstanding that some authors of acknowleged cele

brity have adopted the error here noticed f, the fact of the Cim-

merii or Cimbri having first inhabited this part of the world jus

tifies the natural inference, that they communicated their name to

their language. Indeed we have the testimony of sohie ancient

writers that this was the case J.

Now, the Cimbric being acknowleged as the mother tongue of

a great portion of Europe, it will also be admitted, that it must

have been, to the same extent, directly or indirectly, the basis of

the various languages now spoken, as it was of those no longer in

use. Yet, from the many casualties, to which most of these dia-

* This irode of discrimination was very common among the parly in

habitants of this country, and particularly in the names, adopted after

wards by the Romans in their divisions of the island, and which are

clearly of Welsh extraction. It would far exceed the limits of a note to

particularise these here ; but a very full explanation of theirt may be

seen in the second volume of the Cambrian Register. The appellations,

by which the inhabitants of Ireland and Scotland were also known

to the ancient Britons [Gwyddelod and Ysgodogion], were of the same

description. The English terms Highlanders and Lowlanders, as well

as that of Backwoodsmen, used in America, are formed on the same

principle.

f Among- these must be mentioned Mr. Edw. Llwyd in his " Arch-

asologia," and Mr. Pavis in his "Celtic Researches," notwithstanding

the frequent allusions that appear in the latter work to the Cymry or

Cimbri as the original inhabitants of Europe.

J The elder Pliny, in particular, gives it this name, and quotes, out

of Philemon, a Cimbric word, which he calls SfOrimarusa, and considers

to be the: only word extant of that ancient tongue. Making due allow

ance for the Roman termination, Morimarusa is a Welsh word signifying

the Dead Sea, to which, indeed, Pliny applies it.

VOL. i, 3 k

370 THE CAMBUO-BRITON.

lects have, in the lapse of time, been exposed, the original ele

ments have, in some of them, been but faintfy preserved, while in

others they are almost entirely lost. It belongs, however, to a

more extended dissertation to examine the interesting particulars

connected with this inquiry,—the origin and progress ofthe several

languages under consideration, with the different revolutions they

have hitherto undergone. It will suffice for the present purpose

to know, that among the Western tongues of Europe the Welsh

is the only one, which can not be proved to have experienced

numerous innovations in its original structure *. If the reason of

this distinction in favour of the Welsh language be sought, it

may be found partly in the isolated situation, to which it has

been so long confined +, partly in the extraordinary cultivation

which it received under the Bardic institution, but, above all, in

that peculiar and innate energy of the language itself, which, by

confining it to its own resources, has secured it both from embel

lishment and corruption by any extraneous means J.

What has just been stated is capable of theoretical proof; but

it may also be ascertained, in a very material degree, from the

* This characteristic of the Welsh tongue will necessarily come under

discussion hereafter. With respect 1o the other languages of Europe,

they are all to he traced to their sources, as the members of particular

families. The Welsh stands alone ; and its fountain is bidden in the

venerable shade of antiquity. *"

f Mr. Edw. I.lwyd has on this point the following just observation.

" It must bo allowed, that the Celtic [Cimbric] has been best pre-

" served by such of its colonies, as, from the situation of their country,

" have been the least subject to foreign invasions, whence it proceeds,

" that we always find the ancient languages are best retained in moun-

' " tains and islands." Arch. Brit. p. 35. This remark is peculiarly ap

plicable to the language of Wales, which has not only been confined,

for numberless ages, to an island, but, for more than a thousand

years, to the most mountainous part of it.

X This remark must be taken to apply to the general character of the

language, and not to those verbal innovations, which were unavoidably

adopted, in the first place, from the Romans, to express the arts and

sciences, originally brought by them into this island, and, in the neit

place, upon the introduction of Christianity, when several terms of Di

vinity, before unknown, were necessarily incorporated in the language.

But all these are easily distinguishable as wanting the primitive charac

teristics of the genuine words. Several of these borrowed terms- are

enumerated in the Arch. Brit. p. 32. With respect to some other words,

that have an affinity with the Roman, they were undoubtedly, as Mr.

Llwyd property observes, brought here by the first inhabitants long be

fore the Romans became a separate people.


literary remains of past ages. From these it is abundantly evi

dent, that the Welsh language is precisely the same in this day

as it was in the twelfth century : and, if an intercourse of six

hundred years with the English has produced no change, it

may safely be concluded, that the preceding period, before such

intercourse happened, was still less likely to have such an effect.

And, indeed, from all the testimony, that remains to us, there is

no reason to doubt, that the modern Welsh tongue is in every

essential point the same as that in use in this country on its first

invasion by Caesar. The arguments, that may be employed in

support of this assumption are, in the highest degree, satisfac

tory ; but a better opportunity must be selected for their examin

ation *. In the mean time it will sufficiently answer the purposes

of this inquiry, if it should appear, from what is here adduced,

that of all the languages, derived from the Cimbric, the Welsh

retains, most purely, the character of its original. Its primitive

and independent qualities,—its elementary peculiarities,—its uni

form structure, and, particularly, the close affinity of the name,

by which it is known, with the Cimbric f, bear ample testimony

to the fact. And, indeed, so strong is the presumption in favour

of the language in this particular, that it would be hardly too

much to assert its actual identity with the ancient Cimbric in all

its important characteristics.

Enough, it is hoped, has now been said to point out the advan

tages to be derived in etymological inquiries from a competent

knowlege of the Welsh tongue. This, it is true, has already been

done by some authors of eminence, and particularly by Mr.

Llwyd in his celebrated Archceologiq Britannica ; but no writer

on the subject has fully investigated that remarkable faculty,

which pervades this language, of resolving all its words into their

elementary parts %. The phenomena, resulting from this prin-

* This will necessarily occur in the coarse of the Dissertation on the

Welsh Language already commenced in the Cambho-Briton.

.l- This name is Cymraeg, or the speech of the Cymry, the definition of

which latter word will be found in the sequel,

J An exception ought, perhaps, to be made in favour of Mr. Owen

Pughe's Dictionary, so often mentioned with approbation in the course

of this work, and in which the etymons of all the Welsh words are sup

plied with the usual accuracy of its author. But, as this is not, in

strictness, an etymological w ork, a liberal investigation of the subject is

still a desideratum. Had M. De Gebelin been versed in the Welsh

tongne, he would, most probably, have done what is now wanted in his.

admirable treatise on the " Origin and Progress of Language."

8T2 . THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

ciple, are truly extraordinary, since there is not a genuine Welsh

term, which may not thereby be defined with the nicest precision.

And, if it should be shewn, that many foreign words, inexplicable

in their own languages, may likewise be elucidated by a reference

to the component elements of the Welsh, it would go far to

establish the primitive character, which has already been claimed

for it. Now this is a fact, which may be satisfactorily illustrat

ed, and, no doubt, with some pains, to a very considerable ex

tent. A few examples will here be given, which will serve at the

same time to expose the fallacy, already noticed, of terminating

our etymological researches in the Latin or Greek, when even the

elements of those languages may be traced to one of still higher

antiquity.

Of all words the most ancient were, no doubt, the names of

countries, mountains, rivers, the sun, moon, sky, and all those

external objects of nature, the ideas of which must necessarily

have taken precedenoe, in the human mind, of its more ab

stract conceptions. Now it is certain, that there are many such

names, which are without a meaning in the languages, in which

they are used, and must therefore be considered either as wholly

insignificant or as having reference to some more ancient tongue

in which they originated. Yet it cannot be rationally presumed,

that names were at first adopted merely at random. Even the

most arbitrary were selected from some accidental circumstance

connected with the object they were employed to denote *. The

natural inference, therefore, is, that, where a word is indefinable

in the language, in which it is used, we must conclude it to have

been originally borrowed from some other. Numerous instances

will readily occur of terms thus employed in English, which are

to be traced to the French, German, and other continental

tongues, and in which alone their roots are to be found. If this

be true of words comparatively of modern origin, how much

stronger must be the position when it relates to the ancient names

of countries and of such natural objects, as must have received

their distinctive appellations in a primitive state of society. And

many of these, it may be proved, as we find them in the Latin

and Greek tongues, and which are without any rational meaning

in those languages, are still to be explained in Welsh on the prin

ciple already adverted to. A few instances will now be selected ;

* It would be easy to enumerate many words in English of this de

scription : such arc the popular terms Whig aud Tory, with many

modern denominations appropriated to recent discoveries.

THE CAMBRO-BRITQN. 373

but a satisfactory elucidation of the subject must be reserved for

another occasion.

Cimbri :—from Cj/n, first or primitive, and Bro a people,

adopted either on account of their priority of descent from the

Noachidae, or of their being the first race, that colonized Europe.

The Greek name Kii/^ujioj, as well as the Welsh one Cymry, or

Cymmry, have evidently the same derivation : the bro, in both in

stances, being converted into mro upon a principle of mutation, no

doubt, anciently common, and still retained in the Welsh language.

The Cimbri are also called by different authors Gomari, Gomeraei,

and Gomarit«, by the same rule, that Cymry is occasionally writ

ten Gymry according to the influence of the preceding word :

and hence some writers have erroneously imagined the Cimbri

or Cymry to be so called from Gomer *.

Celt* :—from Cel, a shelter or place of concealment, origi

nating in the circumstance of the Celts living in woods and eo-

verts, and of which both Caesar and Tacitus speak in allusion to

some of the ancient inhabitants of this island -\. Hence Ceiltwys

and Ceiltiaid imply in Welsh the people of the coverts. This

explanation is at once simple and rational : and it is somewhat

surprising, that it escaped the notice of the learned and inge

nious author ofthe " Celtic Researches," who, after attempting a

Hebrew etymology, conceives the word to be derived from Cilet,

signifying, he says, " extreme corners or retreats, and also north

ern regions," whence he concludes Celtae to mean " men of the

extremity j."

* Among others, that have fallen into this error, is Mr. Davies, in his

" Celtic Researches," p. 124, where he considers the " Cymry or Cim-

merii to be nothing more than Gomerii." But, although C becomes G by a

natural mutation, the last mentioned letter is never changed into the former.

Mr. Rdward Williams, in his " Lyric Poems," vol. it, p. 7, very properly

calls this " a wild conjecture and groundless etymology," as is that also,

which derives the word from Camber, one of the fabulous heroes of Geoffrey

of Monmouth. But English etymologists are still wider from the mark. One

lellsus, that the Cimbri were so called from theirwarlike habits, and another

th tthe word is derived from " kym, one of the most ancient Celtic words,

signifying a mountain." See " Lemon's English Etymology," under the

word " Kymbrq-Britons." The etymology, above offered, has already been

partially noticed in the Cambro-Bkiton, No. 2, p. 44, in the Note.

f See Cambho-Briton, No. 2, p. 48.

J See Celt. Res. p. 124. Any one, desirous of seeing to what extrava

gance conjectures may be carried on such an occasion, may consult " Le

mon's English Etymology," under the word " Celt," where a varisty of

wild etymologies are collected, which a proper knowlege of the Welsh

tongue would, most probably, have excluded.

374 THE CAMBRO.BRITOX.

Scythe :—from Cythu, to expel or disperse, with the prefix

Ys, so common in the Welsh language. The elision of the Y,

usual in numerous instances, would form the words Sgythi, Sgy-

thiuid, or Sgythwys, all implying the " expelled or dispersed

people," a designation particularly applicable to the Scythians,

who, as we learn from ancient writers, were actually dispersed

over various countries in the earliest ages *. Tribes of this name

existed in Syria, Egypt, Asia Minor, and the northern extremi

ties of Europe : and in some places they were also called Cuthites,

a word approaching still nearer to the presumed etymon.

Ecypt.—The name of this celebrated country, called by the

Greeks Aiyvvh;, and by the Romans .rEgyptus, has been adopt

ed from them with little variation in all modern languages. The

Welsh, however, have always given it an appellation of their

own, which is remarkably expressive of the natural characteristics

of Egypt. This name is Aiff't, and appears to be formed from

aiv the aggregate plural ofat) a flow or stream, which must be al

lowed to be particularly appropriate. And it tends to confirm the

primitiveness of this term, that Ait, as we learn from Bryant t>

was an ancient name of Egypt. The Greek word, from which the

Latin is evidently borrowed, may therefore be derived from the

Welsh roots Aig and Aiff't, which imply, conjunctively, a region

of prolific floods J.

Cjelum.—The etymology of this word has hitherto been sup

posed to be KoiAov, the Greek term for hollow. But may it not

have had its origin in the Welsh Celu, to conceal, of which Cel,

already noticed, is the root? This would apply very aptly to

Caelum or Heaven : and it is somewhat singular, that one of the

old Welsh terms for the Deity is CM or the Mysterious One,

which has the same derivation. The original meaning of Caelum

would, according to this explanation, be the place of mysterious

concealment : and what could be more appropriate ? §

* **

* Several interesting observations on this subject, by Mr. Owen Pughe,

may be seen in the first volume of the Cambrian Register, p. 12 el stq.

f " Analysis of Ancient Mythology," vol. i. p. 426.

X The common etymology, given of this name in the Dictionaries, is the

Greek word a<9u> to burn, " because," as we are told, " the natives are ge

nerally sun-burnt."

§ It may be here remarked, that a great deal might be done in etymology

by giving the letter C its proper and original sound, and which it retains in

Welsh. Thus Cerium would be Ktrlum, and not&e/um, as now pronounced,

and would be brought still nearer to the Welsh etymon, which would, on the

same priuciplt, be yet more conspicuous in the French del ani the Italian

Cielo,



THE LATE REV. DAVID ROWLAND.

[ Continued from the last Number. ]

In performing the duties of his mission, the labours of Mr.

Rowland seem to have been incessant, frequently preaching four

times, and occasionally six times a week : he also read prayers

at the Hospital twice a week, and some part of his time was oc

cupied weekly in superintending the Regimental School. The

success, which he met with, was accordingly not a little gratifying,

and encouraged him to proceed ; at one time he preached a cha

rity sermon for the benefit of the School of Industry, and 47/.

were collected in the church ; and at another, he preached with

such effect that a deputation from the inhabitants requested him

to deliver the same sermon on the following Sunday. Nor was

his popularity confined to the higher order of his parishioners ;

for, agreeably with the custom of the Roman Catholics in the

island to haul fire-wood, on a day appointed, for the use of their

priests, sufficient to last for the year, an example never before

imitated by the Protestants, a day was fixed on to haul fuel for

him in the year of his departure, when his rations were disconti

nued, and the emulation to serve him exceeded every thing of the

kind known at St. John's. ,

Anxious to promote the objects of his mission in every respect,

he took an active part in establishing a District Committee in

connection with the Society for Promoting Christian Knowlege

in London, to co-operate therewith in the attainment of its im

portant objects; which Committee was formed Oct. 16, 1814,

when Sir Richard Goodwin Keats, who had succeeded Sir John

Duckworth in being Governor of the island, was requested to

become Patron, and Mr. Rowland, on account of his zeal and

exertions on the occasion, was requested to accept the office of

President.

But, although assiduous in promoting the spiritual welfare and

improvement of all around him, so admirable was the dispo

sition of his time, that he contrived to add considerably to his

own mental acquirements, which his interrupted education pre

vented him from attaining at an earlier period. Writing to a

friend, he says, " With respect to my studies, besides my weekly

preparations, which take up much of my time, every Sunday

37« THE CAMBRO-BRfTOX.

evening I read Ecclesiastical History ; every Monday is devoted

to the study of a chapter of Van der Hooght's Hebrew Bible,

which I endeavour to analyse grammatically with the help of

Robertson's Clavis Pcnlateuchi and two Lexicons ; that chapter

I read once every day in the week till it becomes perfectly fami

liar to me. This, you will say, is slow work, but I presume it

is sure ; it is next to impossible not to learn something by such a

course of study. I have also read a great many books, some on

chemistry, and other sciences. In composing Sermons, of which

I have written a great many of all descriptions, I have of late

turned my attention mostly to the best models of composition, in

order to acquire, if possible, a tolerable style ; Porteus, Atter-

bury, Hunter, Blair, Logan, Gisborne, Robinson, and Scott,

are my favourite authors ; Usher, Tillotson, Barrow, &c. supply

an ample store of matter. I have attained so much of the French

language as to read an easy French author, and pronounce it

intelligibly, and anticipate the pleasure of reading the works of

Bourdaloue, Massillon, and Bossuet." In addition to these attain

ments, he also acquired some knowlege of the Italian language,

and continued likewise to pay attention to classical literature.

In the year 1813 he undertook to educate a young gentleman, a

native of St. John's, and prepare him for his entrance at college,

who, having been four years under his care, when he was matri

culated, and obtained a scholarship at King's College, Windsor,

Nova Scotia, was examined in the Greek Testament, and in the

works of Virgil, Horace, and Homer, and passed what was stated

to be " an excellent examination."

During the time Mr. Rowland was at St. John's, his health ex

perienced several interruptions. In December, 1812, he writes,

" I am just recovered from a short illness, which confined me for

twelve days ; the climate must be trying to an European constitu

tion, yet I have no reason to complain, but, on the contrary, to

be very thankful." The rigour of the- climate, and his very

great exertions, were, however, at length too much for him, and

considerably affected his health, and to such a degree, that he was•

occasionally so severely afflicted with rheumatism as to be de

prived of the use of his hands. Finding, that his continuance at

the place was likely to be attended with serious consequences, if

not with a total inability to perform the duties of his station, he

was induced, in January 1816, to offer his resignation to the So

ciety from whom he had received the appointment ; who not only

iu the most handsome manner acceded to his wishes in permitting.

THE tIAMBRO-BRITON. 377

him to revisit his native land, but expressed their approbation of

his services in the most flattering terms ; and, after his return,

presented him with a gratuity of 50/. Sir R. G. Keats, the Go

vernor, also testified his approbation of his conduct in the most

handsome manner.

Having purposed to travel over some part of the Continent in

his way to England, he took advantage of the opportunity of

reaching Europe by a ship bound to Oporto. When nearly ar

rived at this place, he had the misfortune of having a very bad

fall on ship-board, which dislocated his shoulder, and caused him

to feel very acute pain ; from the effects of which accident he con

sidered himself never to have thoroughly recovered. Having

travelled so much of Portugal, Spain, and France, as he thought

proper, he arrived in England in the latter end of 1817.

In the commencement of the following year, he waited on the

Bishop of. St. David's, who, as before mentioned, had recom

mended him to the notice of the Society, and lately, previously

to his recrossing the Atlantic, had been so kind as to promise

him his patronage after his arrival in this country. And, the cu

racy of the populous and respectable town of Carmarthen being

vacant, the Bishop gladly availed himself of one so competent

being disengaged, and immediately placed him in the situation.

Previously to his undertaking the care of the parish, he spent

some days at Kerry Vicarage, Montgomeryshire, with the worthy

incumbent the Rev. J. Jenkins, who had invited the Rev. Walter

Daries, Rector of Manafon, and other friends, to meet him. When

assembled, the company employed a portion of their time in writ

ing Welsh verses on the subject of their meeting, and Mr. Row

land contributed his share on the occasion. Being however after

wards doubtful of the correctness of his composition, he intimates -

his wishes in a letter from Carmarthen to his friend Mr. Jenkins,

dated April 18, 1818, that a plan would be formed to induce

some Bard to settle in South Wales to instruct young men in

Welsh Prosody; " Bardism," he says, " might be revived in

South Wales by thai means, and a new era formed ;" and in a

postscript of the same letter, he writes—" As you are the Ifor

Hael of the present day, will you revolve in your mind my pro

posal for the revival of Bardism, and your name shall be immor

talized." On a subsequent intimation of the matter to the Bishop

by Mr. Rowland, his Lordship, ever alive to the interests of the

Principality, paid great attention to what he Said on the subject,

and, afterwards deliberating thereon in his capacious and discern-

voi. t. 3 c

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

ing mind, improved very much on the original idea, and suggested

the revival ofthe ancient Welsh Eisteddfods, and the forming of

a Society, whose objects should not only embrace Mr. Rowland"*

wishes, but also other subjects connected with Welsh Literature

and Antiquities. Some communications took place in conse

quence between Mr. Rowland, Mr. Jenkins, and the Rev. Walter

Davies, and a meeting of friends to the project was held at

Kerry in the month of August following, when the Bishop was

present; and it was finally determined, that a public meeting

should be convened at Carmarthen on the ensuing 20th of Octo

ber, for forming a society for obtaining the objects in view, and

measures were immediately taken to arrange the subjects to be sub

mitted to its consideration. This meeting was accordingly held , and

most respectably attended, the proposed society funned, and Mr.

Rowland elected Secretary, as is already known to the public.

These particulars are the more minutely stated, as they contain

the primary ideas suggested, and the first steps taken, towards

forming the Cambrian Society.

R.

[To be concluded in ike next Numher."]


PARISH OF LLAN-S1LIN, IN THE COUNTY OF

DENBIGH.

[Continued from the lad Xumber."]

§ 8. Ancient Hoi-ses—Men of Note, &c.—" In the porch

of the Church of Whitchurch, near Denbigh (says Mr. Pennant),

is a brass plate, on which are engraven, kneeling, Richard Mid?

dleton, Governor of Denbigh Castle, and Jane his wife, daugh

ter of Hugh Dryburst of Denbigh. She died Dec. 3, 1565,

aged 40; he, Feb. 8, 1575, aged 67. Behind him are nine sons,

behind her seven daughters, all kneeling." Rhys Cain, in an

Elegy on the Governor and his Lady, mentions the number of

their offspring :—

Mac cedyrn am eu codi,

Ac o ryw hon, a'i gwr hi ;

Naw mab rhoed,ym mhob rhediad,

A saith loer—urddas wyth wlad.

T7TE OAMBRO-BRITON. 379

The third son in this numerous progeny was the celebrated

Captain William Middleton, the Gwilym Ganoldrev of Welsh

literature and prosody.

The fourth son was Sir Thomas Middleton, Lord Mayor of

London, and the purchaser of the Chirk Castle estate from a Lord

St. John of Bletso.'

The sixth in my M.S. (the fifth according to Mr. Pennant and

Mr. Yorke) was Sir Hugh, the great miner and engineer; whoj

though dying poor himself, enriched thousands, by bringing the

New River to London.

Foulk Middleton of Plas Newydd was succeeded by his son

Richard, who was followed by two more in succession of the same!

name. Hugh Morus, the bard of Ceiriog, whom Mr. Lewis

Morris stiles the " Comet of the 17th century," was a welcome

and frequent visitor with the Middletons of Plas Newydd. An

Ode to Richard Middleton, an Elegy on the death of his wife,

Barbara Wynn of Melai, and a beautiful New Year's Calenda-

rium, to Miss Ann Middleton, are among his manifold and ex

cellent productions. This branch of the Middletons ended in an

heiress, the sister of the last Richard, who married Thomas Me-

redi, Esq. of Pentre' Bychan, near Wrexham ; from whom this

ancient property was transferred to the Myddeltons of Chirk

Castle, where it continued until the late unfortunate division in

the family, when Moeliwrch and Plas Newydd came into the

possession of the present hospitable inhabitants.

Two of the Middletons of Plas Newydd were Sheriffs for the

county of Denbigh—Foulk Middleton in 1619, and Richard

Middleton in 1650. Huw Morus, in one of his poems, says, that

the latter had suffered much in the service of his Sovereign * ;—•

therefore his sheriffalty must be considered as an acknowlegement

of his services from the then ruling power—the Parliament.

Thomas ab Llywelyn, the younger son of Moeliwrch, on the

division of the estate, as before related, settled upon the portion

awarded to him in Llys Dynwallawn. The third in lineal descent

from him was William Maurice of Cefn y Braich, an able anti-i

quary, and the industrious collector of the library of manuscripts

now at Wynnstay. He was descended, maternally, from Lowri,

* " t chwi Risiart wych rasntfl,

Miltwn, daw miliwn a mawl ;

F.naid y Miityniaid da,

A'u cu flaenor cyflawna;

Da oedd ffydd, er diodde' ffin.

Gwaed eich brou gyda 'ch brenin."


sister of Owain Glyndwr ; and, what is singularly coincident, he

married Laetitia, a descendant of Glyndwr's successful opponent,

Henry Bolinbroke. She was a Kynaston of Morton, descended

from the Greys of Powys, and the Greys from Antigony, daugh

ter of Humphrey Duke of Gloucester, fourth son of Henry IV.

" Mae 'r achau gorau 'n grych—drwy 'gilydd

Iw gweled yn fynych ;

O adrodd a hir edrych,

Y gwael sydd deiryd i'r gwych."

Mr. William Maurice was so devoted to Welsh literature that

he erected, close to his house at Cefn y Braich, a lofty pile of

three stories high, for his library ; where he immured himself the

greater part of his time. It was called the " Study," but is now

in ruins.- From what I recollect of it, and of a print in an old

Oxford Almanack of" Friar Bacon's Study" in that University,

I judge the one to have been a fac simile of the other.

This assiduous antiquary died from about 1680 to 1690. His

daughter and heiress, Leetitia, married David Williams of Glan

Alaw, in the isle of Anglesey, Esq. Their grand-daughter mar

ried one of the Meyricks of Bodorgan, who sold both estates. That

inLlan-Silin is now the joint property of Mrs. Edwards and Mr.

Poole.

I am aware, that I have been rather tedious, and perhaps tire

some to my readers, in giving this historical sketch of the family

of Ieuan Vychan of Moeliwrcb, a family so little known in the an

nals of war and turbulent politics ; but, like the heroes of the

Iliad, their deeds are perpetuated only in verse: and I cannot

deny myself the pleasure of wishing, that I could have been pre

sent when Hywel or Llywelyn presided at a Bardic Congress in

the hall of Moeliwrch. One of the Bards *, in his poem, com

pares Hywel and his gifted associates with the far-famed Arthur

and his Knights, encircling the festive round table on the banks

of the river Usk. As the present worthy Vicar of Silin f has

access to most of the Moeliwrch poems, written in the 15th and

16th centuries, he would discharge a debt, due to the memory of

the worthies who were the subjects of them, were he to publish

the collection, illustrated with his notes, critical and historical.

I now proceed to other descendants of Ieuan Vychan, of Moel

iwrch. His son Gruffydd married the heiress of Aber Tanat.

* leu. Gruff. Llywelyn.

f The Rev. David Richards.—Ed,

THE CAMBRO^BRITON.

For three generations his descendants assumed the surname of

Llwyd *. The son of tire last Llwyd, Thomas, took the name of

Tanat, from the river flowing close below his house. From the

' Tanats the estate passed, by marriage, to the Godolphins, a

Cornish family ; and from them, by the will of Lord Godolphin,

to the noble family of Osborne.

A collateral branch of the Tonats settled at Blodvoel ; an

heiress married a Mathews of Court ; and the heiress of the Ma

thews a Bridgeman, ancestor of Lord Bradford, the present

owner. The Tanats of Trewylan and Broxton were of the same

stock. The family of Llan Gedwyn, whose last heiress, Cathe

rine, married Owain Vychan of Llwydiarth, the Powells of

Whittington, and the Mauriees of Trev Edryd were of the same

branch.

Other scions of the Moeliwrch stock took root at Llwyth Ter in

Llan Armon, and at Pant Glas Isav in the adjoining parish of

Llan Gadwaladr. Elizabeth, the daughter and heiress of Morus

Lewis of Pant Glas Isav, married Morus Jones of D61 in Edeyr-

nion, and were the ancestors of the Joneses afterwards of Rhagat

• and Cevn Coch irr the vale of Clwyd. The family of

Jones, Esq. of Bryn Eisteddvodd, near Conway, by his first mar

riage, are descendants of this branch. From a brother of Morns

Lewis, of Pant Glas, descended the Hugheses of Cevn Llyvnog,

now represented by Mrs. Pryse of Llan St. Ffraid, in Montgo

meryshire. Mary, daughter of another brother of Morus Lewis,

married E. Richards of Pentre' Heilyn Ucha'.

2. Morus, son of Ieuan Gethin :—His son Hywel married the

heiress of Glas-Goed, the fourth in descent from Einion Gethin o

Gynllaith, and he the fifth from Rhiwallon, brother of Bleddyn

ab Cynvyn, who fell in the battle of Mechain, in the year 1060.

John, the great grandson of Hywel, took the surname of Kyffin,

from his ancestor Madog Kyffin. His grandson, John Kyffln,

sold Glas-Goed to his father's brother, Gruffydd Kyffin, the father

of Watkin Kyffin, Esq., whose daughter Margaret married Sir

William Williams, Speaker of the House of Commons in the two

last Parliaments of Charles II., father of Sir William Williams,

( Bart, of Glan Vordav, the great grandfather of the present Ba-

* Af ddyw Svk, foddus aelwyi],

Af ddydd Llan at Ddafydd Llwyd ;

Af ddyw-Mawrth, fi odd'yma,

Af beunyd at Ddafydd dda.

GutO v Glyn.

3S2 THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

ronet. Sir W. \V. Wynn of Wynnstay. The first Sir William

served in Parliament for the City of Chester, and the Borough of

Beaumaris, successively *. He died in London on the 10th of

July 1700, aged 66, and was buried in the chancel of Llan-Silin,

where a noble monument has been erected to his memory, with a

Latin inscription, copied at length in the Appendix to Mr. Yorke's

Royal Tribes, No. XX. p. 175.

The bardic monuments, more durable than those either of

marble or bronze t, erected to the memory of individuals of this

family, are Verses addressed to Sir William, the Speaker, on

his abilities and success in his several legal avocaions, by Huw

Morns, and an Elegy on the death of his lady, the heiress of

Glas-Goed,in the year 1705, by Elis Roland.

*****

Duw cu !—ni flodeua coed

Na glwysgerdd yn y Glasgoed 1

Och ry gaeth ! yn iach roi gwln,

Llun na Sul yn Llan-Silin.

*****

Some MSS. inform us, that the stock of this branch, Morus ab

leuan Gethin, resided " in a stately mansion at Garth Eryr, in

Mochnant. His son William succeeded him at Garth Eryr; and,

owing to some act or intrigue of his in the cause of his country, it

is said that the Arglwi/ddi Gleision were sent by the King, with a

commission to arrest hiiu upon a plea of treason ; and, when they

failed of laying hands upon him, they set fire to his mansion,

which was never rebuilt."—Old MS.

Other descendants from Morus ab leuan Gethin are the Kyffins

of Maenan, and St. Martins ; and the Lloyds of Aston and

Maesbre.

The Lloyds of Bodlith have been already noticed as united to

the Wynns of Moeliwrch.

The Lloyds of Moelvre are still in possession of their ancient

inheritance.

The Lloyds of Lloran isa', in this parish, were also descended

from Morus. From the Lloyds the estate passed to the Griffiths.

The last heiress of that name married Powell, Esq. of Gun-

grog, near Welshpool, who left two daughters, co-heiresses; the

* Mr. Yorke (Royal Tri'jes, p. 114) adds, that he also represented the

County of Caernarvon ; but I have it from good authority that the Member

for Caernarvonshire at that time was another of the same name.

.f ——— monumenium aere perennius.—Hon.


youngest married Robert Lloyd, Esq. of Oswestry, and left no

issue ; and the latter married Jenkin Parry, Esq. of Main, near

Meivod, whose daughter, Mrs. Margaret Parry of Glan yr Avon,

near Oswestry, is, out of a numerous family, the only surviving

representative of the house of Lloran isa'.

The Lloyds of Talwrn, in Llan-Silin, were descendants of Mo-

rus. Talwrn is now the property of T. Longueville Jones, Esq.

of Oswestry.

Lloran Ganol estate, in this parish, was the property of John,

son of Morus Goch o Gynllaith. Ieuan his son, upon some of

fence given by him to Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, to whom

Queen Elizabeth had granted the Lordships of Denbigh, Chirk,

*nd Cynllaith*, had his estate taken from him, and granted

*' by charter" to John Chaliner, senior. Thomas Chaliner wa*

in possession thereof in the reign of Charles II. as there is one

of Huw Morus's poems addressed to him.

Sir Robert Cotton, in his speech before the Lords of the Trea

sury, in the year 1695, when the Lordships of Denbigh, Brom-

field, and Yale, were about to be made over by a grant from

King William to the Earl of Rutland, said, that " when the Earl

of Leicester had a grant of the Lordship of Denbigh, &c. he was

so oppressive to the gentry of the country, that he occasioned

them to take up arms, and to oppose him ; for which three or four

of Lady Cotton's relations, the Salisburys, were hanged." If so,

Ieuan of Lloran Ganol might have considered himself fortunate in

escaping with only the confiscation of his landed property. The

estate now belongs to Mrs. Davies, relict of the late Thomas Da-

vies, Esq. of Oswestry.

3. From Iolyn, son of Ieuan Gethin, are desended the Kyffins

of Bodvach. Davydd, the third in descent from Iolyn, married

the heiress of Bodvach, the seventh in descent from Celynin of

Llwydiarth, and he the sixth from Aleth vrenin Dyfed. The

heiress of the Kyffins married Adam Pryce, Esq. of Glan Miheli,

a branch of the Pryces of New Town, and of the Royal Tribe cf

Elystan Glodrydd. The heiress of the Pryces of Bodvach and

Glan Miheli was the mother of the present Sir Edward Pryce

Lloyd, Bart, of Pengwern.

The Williamses of Maes Mochnant are also descended from

Iolyn.

4. The youngest son of Ieuan Gethin was Gruffydd, who inhe-

* Dr. Powell's History of Wales, 1st Edit. p. 214.

384 - THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

rited the paternal mansion, and was the ancestor of the Mau

rices of Lloran Ucha' and Glan Gynllaith, both in this parish. By

a monument in the northern aisle of the church, to the memory of

David Maurice, Esq. of the latter house, we are informed that

Glan Cynllaith or Pen y Bont was the seat or share of the third

branch of the ancient house of Lloran Ucha, upon a division of

that estate amongst eight sons, about the vear 1560; being the

sixth division of the Lloran Ucha estate amongst sons from the

year 1200 to the year 1560. David Maurice died in 1719. The

Lloran Ucha estate fell by heirship to his son Edward, who died

without issue in 1732. His mother, Elizabeth, second daughter

of Robert Villiers, Lord Viscount Purbeck, and Baron of Stoke

in the county of Bucks, erected the monument to the grateful

memory of her husband and son. The united estates of Lloran

and Pen y Bont, or Glan Cyhlaith, then became the property of

the heir at law to both, Price Maurice, Esq. the father of the

present proprietor, Edward Corbet of Ynys-y-maen-gwyn, Esq.

We have here an instance, or case in point, that the effects of

the custom of gavel-kind are not, in all cases, so destructive to

the entirety of estates as we may be led to imagine by a slight

reflection. To the effects, to be apprehended, from such fre

quent divisions among brothers, Providence seems to have prin

ciples ofcounteraction in store, in failure of issue in some branches,

and in the re-union of estates by marriages of heiresses of the

same gn-ehelyth, or stock. The Lloran estate, when united to

that of Glan Cynllaith, in the beginning of the last century, after

such frequent divisions from the 13th century downwards, was

very ample in the counties of Denbigh and Montgomery ; which

tends to militate against the supposition, that any thing like the

Spencean system of minute division of landed property can ever

become permanent.

In closing the account of the KyflBns of Glasgoed in this pa

rish, I ought to have particularly noticed an ornament to his

family and his country. Morus Kyffin was the second son of

Richard Kyffin, Esq.: John, his elder1>rother, sold Glasgoed, as

before related, to his uncle Gruffydd, father of Watkin Kyffin,

Esq. Thomas Kyflin, A. M. younger brother of Morus, was Vicar

of Welshpool in 1000, and of Abor-Rhiw (Berriw), the neigh

bouring parish, in 1608. He built the vicarage-house at the

latter place, as appears by the initials of his name, T. K., and the

year ( 1616) over the hall-door. He died in 1622. Morus Kyf-

fin, the patriot, and linguist, in his younger years, translated Te


rence's Andria into English, and, afterwards, Bishop Jewell's

Apologia Ecclesice Anglicance into Welsh. He dedicated the

work to his friend and kinsman, William Meredydd, and dated

the Preface London, Oct. 1595. Two approved Welsh critics

have lately given their opinion of his performance. In the Cam

brian Biography Mr. O. W. Pughe stiles Morus Kyffin " The

elegant Translator," &c. ; and I am informed, that Mr. Edward

Williams (lolo Morganwg), on being asked, at the Eisteddvod

held at Caermarthen in July 1819, " What Welsh publication he

considered as the standard of the language ?" answered without

hesitation, " Morus Kyffin's translation of Bishop Jewell's Apo

logy." This excellent man, as we learn from his excellent Pre

face, intended a translation of the Psalms into Welsh verse, for

the use of Churches. He has left us samples of his proficiency

in versification, in Epigrams upon the Castle of Crug-caeth in

Caernarvonshire, and Nant yr Yygolion, an Avernian chasm in

Cyveiliog. The following englyn, to welcome the cuckoo in

spring, may serve for a specimen :—

Croesaw Gog odidog dy adail—coed,

Croesaw ceidwad glasddail,

Croesaw pencerdd bron werdd-ddail,

Croesaw Duw—cares y dail.

Kyffin's " Apology" underwent a new edition, in Oxford, in

1671, under the care, and at the expense, of another zealous

friend t© the Principality, and another native of this parish, viz.

Charles Edwards, of the family of Rhyd y Croesau, related to

the Edwardses of Great Ness, and Garth Eryr, He wag a theo

logical writer of respectability. His principal work was Hanes

y Ffydd, or a History of Christianity, which passed through se

veral editions. In an Appendix to one of them he has collected

extracts from the works of the ancient Welsh Bards, to shew that

their tenets were orthodox ; and that the primitive British Church

was independent of that of Rome. In his comparisons between

Hebrew and Welsh phrases it does not appear that he has been

more successful than others, who, upon such occasions, have given

too loose reins to their fancy.

Huw Morus, the poet, as he is emphatically called, because he

excelled all others in the smooth and flowing awen of song writ

ing, was also a native of this parish. He was born at Pont y

Meibion, in the valley of Ceiriog, in the year 1622. He died in

1709, as appears from his tomb-stone in the church-yard ; having

TOX. I. 3D

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

lived in six reigns, exclusive of the period of the Commonwealth.

His songs, carols, and other pieces, some hundreds in number,

and many of them adapted to the times, have been recently col

lected; and, as I am informed, will be speedily published *. To

these I add Roger Kyffin (o Lwydd y Waun) : Tomas Prys of

Plas Iolyn, the Lucretius of his day, and himself a gentleman,

enumerates this Kyffin as one out forty-four1 in a catalogue of

bards of respectability, in the reign of Elizabeth, who wrote for

the sake of the pleasures of the awen, and not for hire, like the

itinerant rhymers f.

John Davies, author of a small tract, published in the year

1716, called " Heraldry Displayed," was a native of Rhiwlas

in this parish. His sister married Jacob Reynolds of Chirk; whose

son, John Reynolds, of Oswestry, having possession of his uncle

John Davies's collection of MSS. published a 4to. Book of Pedi

grees in 1739.

These two works, with Mr. Yorke's Royal Tribes of Wales,

and the " Genealogy of King James the 1st,"' are the only pub

lications we have of the kind.

To the foregoing authors, natives of this parish, who have long

age rested from their labours, I am informed by a friend that I

may add a late writer of celebrity, descended from Gruffydd, son

ofleuan Gethin, of Lloran Ucha, in this parish—the Rev. Thomas

Maurice, formerly ofUniversity College, Oxford, the indefatigable

learned author of " Indian Antiquities," in seven volumes, 8vo.,

the " Ancient and Modern History of India," in several volumes,

4to., with other other productions in verse and prose.

Of the same house and name was the very Rev. Andrew Mau

rice, Dean of St. Asaph. Anthony a Wood and Brown Willis

say, that he was " a gentleman's son of Denbighshire, of Oriel

College, afterwards Chaplain of All Soul's College, Oxford,

instituted Dean oi'St. Asaph, Aug. 28, 1634,—on the nomination

of Sir Maurice Abbott, Knt. executor of Archbishop Abbott,

who took this deanry as his option,—by Bishop John Owen; He

had several other church preferments, but was ejected out of all in

the great rebellion, and, dying in 1653, was buried privately in

the Cathedral Church of St. Asaph, as Bishop Owen had been

in 1651."—To this account I may add, that Dean Maurice was

* See Cam3ro- Briton, No. 6, p. 230. Ed.

f See this Catalogue of authors within the four counties of Anglesey,

Caernarvon, Denbigh and Meiiiony dd in ibzGreal, No. 3, p. 105.


the third son of Morus ab Meredydd, of Lloran Ucha, in this jia-

rish, the eighth in lineal descent from leuan Gethin. The Dean

and his brothers were the first of the house that assumed Maurice

as a permanent family surname.

Idris.

- [To be continued.]

CRITICISM.

TheGoDODiN and the Odes of the Months, translated from the

Welsh, 12mo. pp. 113. 4s. 1820.

It has happened, very unfortunately for the literary fame of

Wales, that no popular translations, to any extent, have yet ap

peared of her ancient bardic remains. The Muse of Gray has,

indeed, communicated her wonted lustre to one or two specimens;

but what poetical merit these may have gained by this metamor

phosis has evidently been purchased at the expence offidelity. Yet,

as Gray's versions are known to have been founded in translations,

that were far from being perfectly accurate, his failure in this re

spect ought to be viewed with the most indulgent consideration.

Indeed his attempts are even entitled to our gratitude, as seeming

to prove what he would have achieved, had an acquaintance with

the original language enabled him to prosecute his enterprise with

a fairer chance of success. His genius was, in every way, adapt

ed to the interesting design, marked, as it was, by that energy of

thought and by those flashes of fancy, which are also characteristic

of the ancient strains of the Cymry. But Gray is no more : and,

indeed, were he now living, there is little probability, that he

would have survived the narrow prejudice of his countrymen with

respect to the Welsh language. And, without having done this,

however brilliant his genius, he must have wanted an essential

qualification as a translator of our ancient poetry.

This prejudice, entertained by the English with respect to our

national literature, has, no doubt, proved extremely unfavour

able to its interests : and it forms, at the same time, an unac

countable anomaly in the character of a people, by whom the

intellectual stores of other countries have, in general, been so

justly appreciated. With the exception of Wales, there is per

haps no nation, whose standard productions have not received

an English dress in most cases commensurate with their merit.

Even the ancient remains of the Erse, Icelandic, and Runic poe


try have been thus naturalized by writers of acknowleged cele

brity : and, whatever may be the fidelity of these translations,

they have avowedly served to augment the reputation of the ori

ginal works. Who will not admit, that Macpherson's Ossian,

with all its aberrations from its professed prototype, with all its

spurious embellishments, has conferred upon the Highland Muse

a fame, which she must have sought in vain, while secluded to

her native mountains and glens ? Europe would never have list

ened with rapture, as she does, to the strains of the Bard of

Cona, if his harp had not been restrung by the hands of an Eng

lish minstrel *.

But, while we condemn the prejudices of the English, we must

not forget the culpable apathy, that has distinguished our coun

trymen in the same respect. The plea of ignorance, which may

have some weight in the former instance, ought to be of no avail

in the latter. For, while encomiums of the works of Taliesin,

Aneurin, and Merddin have been bandied about for the last two

centuries from one writer to another, no one has yet possessed a

sufficient union of patriotism and talent to extend their fame, by

adequate metrical versions, beyond the mountains of Wales. A

few attempts in prose f have, indeed, been made to convince the

world, that all this boast was something more than a mere rho-

domontade : yet these have proved, hitherto, insufficient to dispel

the doubts of strangers, which have, in many instances, termi

nated in actual disbelief. And, had it not been for the able

advocation of an English writer, the very existence of our

ancient bards might, ere this, have been generally disputed J.

* No subject has excited more conflicting opinions than the poems

ascribed to Ossian ; one party resolutely contending for their unqualified

genuineness, and the other as boldly denouncing them as mere forgeries.

The truth, as in most cases, may be found between these two extremes, as

it is probable that the popular work of Macpherson bad iU origin in some

genuine effusions of no great importance, to which he has contrived to give

the appearance of regular poems ; and the ingenuity with which he has

done this will be generally admitted.

.f Among our prose Translations the Poems of Llywarcb Hen by Mr.

Owen Pughe must claim the first place. In their fidelity to the originals

they have no rivals;

% Mr. Sharon Turner is the writer here alluded to ; and whose " Vin

dication" of our ancient bards was noticed in a former Number. Mr.

Turner forms a truly honourable exception to the general indifference of his

countrymen in this particular, and merits the gratitude of the nation, whes*

uncient literature be has so successfully defended.


Of all the ancient Welsh poems, that have thus been extolled,

none has received a greater share of praise than the Gododin of

Aneurin. Yet, with all this, the real merits of this celebrated

production seem to have been greatly misunderstood : and many,

who have echoed the encomiums of others, have evidently taken

no pains to be convinced of their justice. In a word, of all the

poetical remains of the sixth century none has been more lauded

and less studied than this.

The Gododin must not be appreciated by the same standard,

that has established the fame of the classical effusions of Greece

and Rome : it must not be placed by the side of the celebrated

master-pieces of the Maeonian and Mantuan Bards. It was the

offspring of an age, which, in comparison with those that gave

birth to the Iliad and iEneid, can not but be deemed barbarous ;

and we must therefore expect to find it marked by the wildness

and irregularity characteristic of such a period. Whatever then

the Gododin may have been originally—for it has clearly de

scended to us in a mutilated state—it presents now merely a

series of elegiac and encomiastic strains on the warriors, who fell

in a certain battle, in which the poet was also engaged, and

these distinguished more by the strength of their feeling, and by

the glowing energy .of their expression, than by any studied

arrangement or artificial embellishment *. The Gododin is, in

short, the poetical record of a train of calamities, which the bard

may be presumed to have witnessed, and under the influence of

which he may even be said to have written. The vivid freshness

of his colouring, and the unaffected pathos, with which he has

lamented the fall of his friends, confirm this opinion, at the

same time that they communicate to the poem those purest of

all charms, the charms of truth and of nature.

The subject of the Gododin is the battle of Cattraeth, fought

between the Cumbrian Britons, on the one side, and the Saxons

and Picts on the other, and which, it appears, terminated in the

complete defeat of the Britons, owing to the disgraceful state of

inebriety in which they entered the field. To this circumstance,

as Mr. Turner very justly observes, the poet recurs through the

whole poem as the grand cause of their disasters. Upon this

* It was somewhat rashly observed in the account of Aneurin in the third

Number, that an " epic character" might be traced in the (Sadodin.

According to the critical meaning of the word *' epic" this was certainly

wrong : the poem is lather lyric than epic. It is never too late to retract

an erroneous opinion.

MO THE CAMBRO-BRITOtf.

simple basis, too, he has reared his whole superstructure : and it

can not fail to be remarked, that a subject, so reproachful, on

every account, to the Britons, is the very last that would have

been selected for the purposes of imposture. The genuineness

of the Gododin, as a work of the sixth century, may, accord

ingly, be left with security to rest on this ground alone.

Evan, therefore, as the production of an age so remote, and

of one, which, in the general history of Europe, forms a period

of darkness and anarchy, the Gododin possesses many claims on

our attention : and when to this is added the consideration of its

poetical merits, which are, in many respects, of the highest

order, it becomes a matter of surprise, that no popular metrical

version has yet appeared. However, the world is now in pos

session of two English translations in prose, that, of which the

title is prefixed to this article, and one by Mr. Davies, published

some years ago in his " Mythology and Rites of the Druids*."

And, certainly, if strangers are to form their judgment of Aneu-

rin's poem from a comparison of these two productions, it will

be no easy matter for them to arrive at any rational conclusion.

The translators, although professing to run over the same

ground, part company even at the starting post ; bat it is due to

the gentleman, who has just taken the field, to mention, that he

pursues the track, along which popular opinion has travelled be

fore him. Mr. Davies has struck into a new course, and in which

he will at least have the advantage of being without any fol

lowers to molest his career.

As the version by the last-mentioned writer may not be gene

rally known, and as the present translator seems to have been

even ignorant of its existence, a few observations respecting it

can not be out of place here. Mr. Davies, in his very learned,

and in many respects valuable, treatise on the " Mythology

and Rites of the Druids," necessarily institutes an inquiry con

cerning their temples : and, consequently, the celebrated re

mains, known by the name of Stonehenge, occupy a consider

able portion of his attention. This ancient structure he fixes

upon, and perhaps properly, as the scene of that disgraceful

massacre of the Britons by Hengist, which the Triads record

under the name of the " Plot of the Long Knives f." Now, this

* Page 330 el teq. Mr. Turner has also, in his '< Vindication," trans

lated a few detached passages, and in general with considerable success,

f Soe this Triad translated in No. 5 of the Cambro-Briton, p. 171.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. , 391

very massacre Mr. Davies pronounces to be the subject of the

Gododin; and it may be admitted, that he urges many specious

arguments in defence of his hypothesis, of which he candidly

observes, that he " must either establish it or expect some severe

chastisement from the modern critics of his country*." How

ever, specious as Mr. Davies's arguments are, their fallacy is

to be proved, not only by historical evidence, but by that of the

poem itself. One fact only needs to be mentioned as apparently

decisive of the question : and this is, that the Plot of the Long

Knives took place about the year 472, and Aneurin is generally

allowed to have died at the close of the sixth century, which

renders it almost impossible, that he should have been present at

the massacre, as he expressly states that he was at the battle,

which is commonly presumed to be the subject of the Gododin.

Were it not for the want of reom some of the perversions of

the original, to which Mr. Davies has been obliged to resort in

support of his position, would here be particularized. But there

may be occasion hereafter to recur to the subject. At present it

will satisfy the readers of the Gododin to know, that Mr. Davies

explains the name of the poem to imply an uncovered temple, and

Cattfaeth he considers to be a corruption of Cadeiriaith, which he

translates the " Language of the Chair of Presidency f," thus

making both etymologies subservient to his hypothesis, as it

relates to Stonehenge. And, so remarkable are the departures

from the original throughout the translation, and particularly in

overlooking all the numerous allusions to the battle, that Aneu-

rin's poem is not to be recognized in this novel attire. It may

be the Gododin ; but it is the Gododin of Mr. Davies.

The length, to which this article has already been extended,

makes it necessary to postpone to another Number the remarks

intended to be offered on the new translation recently published.

In the mean time it may be recommended to the perusal of those,

who wish to cultivate an acquaintance with the Gododin, as the

most faithful version, that has yet appeared, notwithstanding its

evident failure in many particular passages, and the inadequacy

of the whole to express that force and lire of the original, to

which a poetical version can alone do competent justice.

*#* [To be continued..\

* " Mythology and Rites," &c. p. 318.

f lb. p. 320—3. Mr. Davies's etymology of Gododin is Godo, a par

tial covering, and Din, a fence * outwork. With respect to Cadtiriaith,

above mentioned, it is rathei extraordinary, that this word oceers in the

Triads as the name of a chieftain contemporary with Arthur. See also tfce

" Cambrian Biegraphy."

392 THE CAMBRO-BRlTOX.

AWEN CYMRU.

A'th rodd ya athrxydd A-xen. Edm. Pryi.

PENNILLION.

LIii.

MaE gan amled yn y farchnad

Groen yr oen a chroen y ddafad,

A chan amled yn y llan

Gladdu 'r ferch a chladdu 'r fam.

LIV.

Rhaid i bawb newidio byd,

Fe <vyr pob ehud anghall ;

Pa waeth marw o gariad pur,

Na marw o ddolur arall.

LV.

Bum edifar, ftl o wcithiau,

O waith siarad gormod eiriau ;

Ni bu erioed mor fath beryglon,

O waith siarad llai na digon.

LVI.

Yma a thraw y maent yn son,

A minnau 'n cyson wrando,

Nas gwyr undyn yn y wlad,

Pwy ydyw 'm cariad eto ;

Ac nis gwn yn dda fy hun,

A'i imi un a'i peidio.

ENGLISH POETRY.


LIii.

At market full as oft is seen

The lamb's skin as the sheep's, I ween,

And in the churchyard (maidens, hear !)

The daughter's as the mother's bier.

^:From this world all in time must move, -

'Tis known to every simple swain ;

And 'twere as well to die of love

As any other mortal pain.


tv.

A thousand times I have repented

Of having more than needful vented ;

But ne'er of danger knew a tittle

To come from having said too little.

LVI*

'Tis noised abroad, where'er one goes,

And I am fain to hear,

That no one in the country knows

The girl to me most dear ;

And, 'tis so true, that scarce I wot,

If I love one at all or not.

DAVID GAM*.

My countryman of olden days,

Bold David Gam, demands my lays :

He, who on the Gallic plain

Rests among the valiant slain,—

He, who fills a Hero's grave,

Oh he—the bravest of the brave !

When Monmouth's Harry o'er the main

To battle France led forth his train,

Of bearing bright and gallant mien

The 'Squire bold David Gam was seen,

Proud Chivalry's undaunted son

As e'er the heart of Beauty won !

'Twas near the tow'rs of Agincourt,

Where mad Bellona rul'd the sport,

The Monarch sent his Herald out,

The foe to number, weak and stout ;

And he a tale of terror told,

It's breathing chill'd both faint and bold.

* Davydd Gam was a native of South Wales, and contemporary with the

celebrated Owain Glyndwr, to whom he proved a formidable opponent dur

ing the reign of the foorth Henry. The gallant part he acted under his

son in the famous battle of Agincourt is faithfully related in this well written

ballad, with ihe exception that he died in the defence of his Sovereign, while

his person was in great danger, and for which he received in his last moments,

as here noticed, the honour of knighthood.—Ed.

Vol. I. 3 E

39-1 THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

" The foes are like the stars of night !

" Their number such, their arms as bright.

" The foes are like the northern wind—

" Ofstrength too vast to be delin'd !

" Our doom is, if their rage we face,

" Despair, discomfiture, disgrace !"

Bold Gam, he told another tale :—

" I've mark'd the foe on hill and dale ;

" There is enough—and that is all ;

" Enough to fight, enough to fall,

" Enough to grace our triumph g&f,

" And full enough to run away !"

The Cambrian warrior's story brave

To cooling bosoms ardour gave—

On they rush'd and charg'd : how well

The fame of Agincourt can tell ;

Where bleeding on the field of fight

The dying Gam was dubb'd a Knight.

My countryman of olden days,

Bold David Gam, demands my lays;

He, who on the Gallic plain

Rests among the valiant slain ;

He, who fills a warrior's grave,

Oh he—the bravest of the brave !

Jeffrey Llewklyx.

IMPROMPTU

On the Birth of an Heir to the House of Wynnstay,

May 22, 1820.

Welcome, stranger, to our land,

Welcome to each hill and vale,

Where the sons of Cymru stand,

Eager thy approach to hail.

Joy and gladness for thee wait,

Honour too and love attend :

In return, be this thy fate,

Ever live old Cymru's friend.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 3!)5

WALES.

OLDCYMMRODORION SOCIETY.—The following "ge

neral heads," with those inserted in the two preceding Numbers, <

complete the series selected for discussion by the Cymmrodorion

Society, *w*

NATURAL PHILOSOPHY.

1. Of Plants found in some parts of Wales not hitherto de

scribed by any botanists, who travelled those parts, or of those,

that are rare.

2. Of Fossils found in Wales, either not hitherto known or not

described by any writer or very scarce.

3. Of Fish on the coasts of Wales or in lakes or rivers.

4. Of Birds, Beasts, and Insects in Wales.

5. Of Medicinal Waters.

MANUFACTURES, &C.

1. Of burning Tang for kelp, and the present practice.

2. Of burning Lime, and the present practice in different parts

of Wales, and of the different kinds pfLimestone, some for white

washing, some for manure, some for common mortar, some for

bridges or works under water.

3. Of burning Fern for the use of refiners, soap-makers, &c.

and the present methods in Wales.

4. Of Millstone and Slate Quarries.

5. Of the Lapis Asbestos and Salamander's Wool.

6. Of Marble.

7. Of Manuring of Ground with Marl, Sand, and Lime, asd,

method of Manuring.

8. Of the Lead, Copper, and Silver Mines,

9. Of the Collieries.

10. Of the Woollen Manufactures,

1 1. Of the Fishery dh the coast of Wales.

12. Of Improvements in Husbandry, Trade, and Navigation.

13. Of Charking Wood and Turf.

QUERIES OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD.

1. Apparitions and Dreams.

2. Haunted Houses, and Treasures discovered by that means.

3. Knockers in Mines, said to be a kind of beneficent Spirits.

4. Appearances in the day-time of Funerals, followed soon

S96 THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

after by real Funerals : the same, with psalm singing, heard in

the night.

5. Corpse Candles *.

WELSH JUDICATURE.—A very respectable meeting of

the inhabitants of the County of Carmarthen took place on the

10th of last month, to deliberate on the propriety of petitioning

Parliament for some amendment of the present system of Judi

cature in VVales, when the following alterations, submitted by

Mr. Jones of Ystrad, were unanimously adopted for suggestion

i with reference to this important object :

1. A process to compel the attendance of witnesses living

without the Jurisdiction of the Courts of Great Session.

2. A limitation of Writs of Certiorari obtained for purposes

of delay.

3. A process, by which Fines and Recoveries may be levied

and suffered four times in each year, and the King's Silver, pay

able thereon, reduced to the sums pyiid in the Court of Common

Pleas. •

4. A security for monies paid into Court.

5. An increase of the sum, for which actions between parties

residing in Wales may be sued in the English Courts, and in

which the judgment will ensure costs.

. 6. Pensions to the Welsh Judges, who retire according to his

Majesty's pleasure, in like manner as to English Judges.

It was then resolved, that Petitions, in conformity with these

proposed alterations, should be presented to both Houses of Par

liament, and that a report of the proceedings of the meeting

should be generally circulated throughout the Principality.—A

similar meeting was holden on the 26th ult. in the County of

Pembroke.

It is to be hoped, that the laudable example, set by these two

counties, will be generally followed, and that the inquiry, com

menced on this subject in the last Parliament, will, by this means,

be brought to a speedy and favourable termination. Some im

provements are undoubtedly demanded in the Judicature of

Wales, as well with reference to its principles as its administra

tion ; but some of the innovations, that were proposed to the

* Some account of the superstitious notions, alluded to in the third and

last of these " Queries of the Invisible World," was given in the last Num

ber, p. 350.—Ed.


Committee of the House of Commons, if adopted, could not fail

to prove injurious to the interests of the country. On the other

hand, the amendments, suggested by the Carmarthenshire Meet

ing, do not appear to go to the desired extent. There is, unques

tionably, much difficulty in adopting the right course, which, how

ever, we may hope, will be discovered by the wisdom of the

Legislature. There are two main objects, to which all alterations

ought obviously to tend, the acceleration ofjustice, and the dimi

nution of its expence. *#*

WELSH DISPENSARY IN LONDON.—A meeting of

this patriotic and benevolent Institution took place at the Free

masons' Tavern on Saturday the 20th ult. for the purpose of re

ceiving the Report of the Committee. Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart.,

was in the chair, and was attended by several respectable friends

of the Charity.—It appeared from the Report, produced on the

occasion, that " from the period of the last meeting in March

1819, to the 25th of March last, medical relief had been admi

nistered to 560 poor objects, natives of the Principality, suffering

under various painful and afflictive disorders, and many of them

under circumstances of peculiar distress and misery." And it de

serves to be mentioned, that out of this great number one case

only of death has occurred : a circumstance which can not fail to

be in the highest degree gratifying. Nor should the zealous and

indefatigable exertions of Mr. Morgan, Surgeon fo the Institu

tion, and to whose activity its foundation must principally be as

cribed, pass unnoticed on this occasion ; since it appears from

the Report, that he has undergone considerable personal sacrifices

in his laudable endeavours to promote the interests of the Charity.

At the present meeting a letter was read from Sir Benjamin

Bloomfield, signifying his Majesty's most gracious pleasure to

continue to the Institution that patronage, under which it had been

established. And it may be hoped, that this high example, united

with the recommendation of the worthy Chairman, who strongly

urged the necessity of procuring fresh subscribers, will be pro

ductive of the desired effect, in securing the interests of an Insti

tution, on every account so worthy of general support. The

amount of the subscriptions for the year, ending on the 25th of

last March, was but 119/.; "a sum," in the words of the Report,

" barely sufficient to cover the expence of drugs, printing, sta

tionery, advertisements,7' and other incidental charges. Surely

the wealthy natives of Wales, nevej inattentive to the call of


humanity, will not hear this, without coming forward to lend their

aid on so interesting an occasion, and especially when they reflect

on the good achieved, in alleviating the sufferings of so many of

their distressed countrymen—a good, as we are informed by the

Report, that might be considerably extended by an extension of

the contributions. In a cause, therefore, where our national

interests are so happily blended with those of humanity, success

can not be doubtful. %*

LITERATURE.—The celebrated author of Coll Gwynfa

has recently printed, for private distribution, a new version of the

19th chapter of the Revelations, for the purpose, more particu

larly, of shewing the capability of the Welsh tongue far express

ing lite various inflections of the Greek verbs, which are far from

being observed in the common translation. But it will also be

seen, that the present specimen is, in other respects, more faithful

to the original, as it certainly is more elegant. A few verses

are here transcribed, together with the correspondent part of the

old translation; and a comparison of these with the Greek will

convince the critical reader of the superiority above claimed for

the new version.

Old Translation.

1 Ac ar ol y pethau hyn mi

a glywais megis lief uchel gan

dyrfa fawr yn y nef, yn dyw-

edyd, Aleluia : Iachawdwriaeth,

a gogoniant, ac anrhydedd, a

gallu.i'r Arglwydd ein Duw ni :

2 O blegid cywir a chyfiawn

yw ei farnau ef : o blegid efe a

farnodd y buttain fawr, yr hon

a lygrodd y ddaer a'i phuttein-

drs. ac a ddialod waed ei wei-

sion ar ei llaw hi.

3 Ac eilwaith y dywedasant,

Aleluia. A'i rmvg hi a gododd

yn oes oesoedd.

4 A syrthiodd y pedwarhenu-

riad ar hugain, a'r pedwar ani-

lail i lawr, ac a ;iddulasant

* **

Mr. Plghe's Version.

1 A g\vedi y pethau hyn

clywwn fal lief mawr lluoedd

ami yn y naf, yn gwedyd, All-

elwia* : Iechineb, a gogoniant,

ac enrhydedd, a nerth idd yr

Arglwydd ein Duw ni.

2 Canys cywir a chyfiawn ei

farnau ef : canys barnai efe y

buten fawr, hon a lygrai y

ddaiar ag ei phuteindra, a dialai

efe waed ei weision ar ei llaw

hi.

3 Ac eilwaith hebynt, Allel-

wia. Ac ei mwg hi a godai yn

pes oesoedd.

4 A dygwyddynt y pedwar-

ar-ugain henuriaid ac y pedwar

unifel, ac addolynt Dduw a ei-

* Perhaps if this won! had been spelt Aleluia, it would have eame nearer

tc tilt sound of tht. original.— Ed.


Dduw, yr hwn oedd yn eistodd steddai ar yr orsedd, gan ddy-

ar yr orsedd-faingc ; gan ddy- wedyd, Amen ; Allclwia.

weflyd, Amen; Alcluia.

5 A lief a ddaeth allan o'r 5 A lief o yr or,*dd elai

orsedd-faingc, yn dywedyd, allan, yn dywedyd, Molwch ein

Molienriwch ein Duw ni, ei holl Duw ni, ei holl weision ef, acy

weision ef, a'r rhai ydych yn ei sawl ag ei hofnant ef, ai bychain

ofni ef, bychain a mawrlon be- ai mawrion.

fyd.

6 Ac mi a glywais megis lief 6 A chlywwn fal lief lluoedd

tyrfa fawr, ac megis lief dy- ami, ac fal lief dyfroedd ami,

froedd lawer, ac megis lief ta- ac fal lief taranau cryfion, yn

ranau cryfion, yn dywedyd, dywedyd, Allelwia : canys y

Alcluia : o blegid teyrnasodd teyrnasft yr Arglwydd Dduw

yr Arglwydd Dduw Holl-alluog. Ilollalluawg.

7 Llawenychwn, a gorfol- 7 Llawenychwn, ac ymor-

eddwn, a rhoddwn ogoniant iddo foleddom, a rhoddwn ogoniant

ef : o blegid daeth priodas yr iddo ef : canys daeth priodai

Oon a'i wraig ef a'i parottodd yr Oen, ac ei wraig ef a bard-

ei hun. toes ei bun.

8 A chaniattawyd iddi gael 8 A rhoddid iddi hi yna yr

ei gwisgo a lliain main glan a amduddid & lliain main, glan a

disglair : canys y Hiain main chanaid : am mai y Hiain main

ydwy cyfiawnder y saint. ydyw cyfiawnder y saint.

9 Ac efe a ddywedodd wrthyf, 9 A gweda-i wrthyf, Ysgri-

Ysgrifena, Bendigedig yw y fena, Gwynfydigion y rhai i

nhai a elwir i swpper neithior yr hwyrbryd priodas yr Oen &

Oen. Ac efe a ddywedodd alwer. A dywedai wrthyf,

wrthyf, Gwir eiriau Duw yw y Hwynthwy geiriau gwir Duw

rhai hyn. a ydynt.

10 Ac mi a syrthias wrth ei 10 A dygwyddwn with ei

draed ef, i'w addeli ef. Ac efe draed ef i addoli iddo. A dy-

a ddywedodd wrthyf, Gwel Ha wedaid wrthyf, Gwela na : cyd-

tvnelych hyn : cyd-was ydwyf, was wyf i ti, ac i dy frodyr a

i'ti, ac i'th frodyr y rhai sy gan- sy ganddynt dystiolaeth Iesu.

ddynt dystiolaeth Iesu. Addola Addola Dduw : am mai tystiol-

Dduw : canys tystiolaeth Iesu aeth Iesu ydyw ysbryd y broph-

ydyw yspryd y brophywydol- wydoliaeth.

iaeth. —

OBITUARY.

February.—Hugh Humphreys, Esq. of Pen-y-Pwlle, near

Holywell.—At Carmarthen, aged 26, Rees Price, Esq. Assistant


Surgeon, R. N., whoso amiable character rendered his prematura

death a source of severe affliction to his relations and friends.—

March 4. At Bridgend, the Lady of the Rev. Thomas Han-

corne, Rector of that parish, whose life was distinguished by a

long continuance of active benevolence and many Christian vir

tues.—At Hampton Court, aged 86, Mrs. Phillips, and, at the

same place, aged 83, Mrs. Joyce Phillips, the only surviving

sisters of Lord Milford.—The Rev. Anderson, Master of the

Free Grammar School, Swansea.—29th. Thomas Foulkes, Esq-

of Trelydan, Montgomeryshire.—April 4. At Carmarthen, aged

40, Thomas Jones, Esq. of Cwmgigfrane, Carmarthenshire.—6.

Mrs. Jackson, of Royden's Hall, near Wrexham, aged 81, a lady

generally esteemed and respected.—At Dolgellau, aged 93,

Howel Parry, Esq. Solicitor, of Caeceirth, Merionethshire, uncle

to the present Chief Baron. This gentleman was father of the

Profession on the North Wales Circuit, and was, through life,

highty respected for his unblemished integrity.—II. At Bangor

Rectory House, Cardiganshire, Mrs. Walters, Lady of the Rev.

Walters, Rector of that parish.—16. Mrs. Anne Davies, of

Aberystwith, aged 79.—23. In Portland-place, Bath, aged 77,

Thomas Mathews, Esq. a gentleman of an ancient family in the

county of Glamorgan, for nearly fifty years a resident at Bath,

where his society was cultivated and esteemed, during that long

period, by an extensive circle of friends.—26. Griffith Jones, Esq

of Wern, in the county of Carnarvon.—May 1. Thomas Morhall

Griffith, Esq. of Holt-street House, in the county of Denbigh,

much and generally respected.—2. The Lady of the Rev. Richard

Davies, Archdeacon of Brecon.—3. At Emral Lodge, Flintshire,

aged 22, Richard, eldest son of Mr. Crane, ofthat place, a young

man of a mild and amiable disposition.—7. At the Rectory House,

Oxwich, near Swansea, aged 46, the Rev. David Evans, A. M.

Rector of Llanfigan, and Prebendary of the Collegiate Church of

Brecon : he held, besides, two other clerical appointments, and

was a Justice of the Peace for the county of Brecon. His exem

plary conduct in all his social relations, united with the frankness

and affability of his manners, rendered his death a subject of

deep regret to the numerous friends, to whom he had been en

deared through life. — 12. At WVexham, the Rev. William

Browne, who, during a period of nearly forty years, had been an

active and pious Minister of the Presbyterian Congregation in

that town.—19. Aged 20, John, second son of John Lewis, Esq.

of Nantwilt, in the county of Radnor.

THE

CAMBRO-BRITON.

JULY, 1820.

NULLI QUtDEM MlMl SATIS . ERUDITI VIDENTUR, QUIBUS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicebo de Legibus.

WELSH LANGUAGE.

MUTATIONS OF INITIAL CONSONANTS.

T HE more minutely the Welsh language is examined, the

more remarkable the phenomena, which it will present to the cri

tical observer,.and the more convincing the proofs, which will be

discovered of its originality and its antiquity. Its elementary

properties,—the source of all its beauty, its energy and its har

mony,—have already undergone a partial discussion : and the

subject is one, which would well repay the candid inquirer for all

the pains of the most ample investigation. This principle, how

ever, belongs peculiarly to the vital character of the language : it

is the basis on which it rests,—it is the spirit, by which it breathes.

But it is now our business to examine another feature, which is

more particularly allied to the external attributes of the Welsh

tongue, and by which its grammatical construction is materially

affected. This is the mutation of its initial consonants, a charac

teristic, which possesses equal evidence, with any other, of a pri

mitive origin.

That certain articulations of the human voice have a natural

tendency to coalesce with others, coming in collision with them,

is a principle, of which the effect may be traced more or less in all

languages. Even in those of a more recent date this peculiarity

is, in "some degree, perceptible, as in those particular cases, where,

for the sake of euphony, elisions or prefixes are adopted. And

a variety even of literal mutations might be pointed out in the

English, Italian, and French languages, apparently the remains

of the same principle, which pervades the Welsh tongue, and m

which and its sister-dialects alone its systematic operation is new.

VOL. I. 3 F


to be found *. The ancient languages, indeed, have preserved

stronger vestiges of it than the modern ; but even in these it is

not to be distinguished as possessing the attributes common to

the Welsh system. In the Hebrew, for instance, there are six

letters, whose sound is attenuated or aspirated, according as they

are marked or not by the point called Dageih; and in the Greek

there are certain consonants, called Mutes, which vary their

sounds from hard to soft, and to aspirate, as might be illustrated

by many instances to be drawn from the Greek verbs f. Yet in

both these ancient tongues this quality is found to affect the com

position of words rather than their grammatical construction, and

has never been considered by grammarians to form any essential

part of their structure. And, least of all is it to be identified

with that, which pervades the Welsh language, however it may

retain, in its irregular operation, the evidence of a common origin.

The mutation of initial consonants in Welsh must, therefore,

be considered as a regular system, governed by fixed laws con

nected with the grammatical principles of the language %. Mr.

* It is, wc may presume, on this principle, that the C and G have in

English two sounds, and that the former letter becomes in some in

stances Ch, as Church from Kirk, and Chester from Ceaster. But other

iutances of this mutable quality will occur in the sequel ; and, in the

mean time, it is sufficient to observe, that, although these changes do

not preserve the character of a system in these modern tongues, they

bear strong testimony to the existence of such a system in those, from

which they are derived.

+ Such initial mutations, however, as are observable in the Greek a* a

system, depend rather on the variation of mood, tense, and dialect, thaa

on the influence of the preceding word. For, asto those words, that assnme,

by a crash, a distinct form, as Sxrepov for TO srepiv and 5oi/AaT»ov for T»

l/ASmov, they belong- to another principle. In a word the Greek mutations,

of the nature contemplated in this Essay, are referable more to words in

composition than otherwise, and are, even in this instance, often terminal

rather than initial, as efrTtoSiO-v for sv KoSlw,—cruXX«p,faval for <rv>

Aajtifayw.—Similar changes are also very common in Latin, as corripio for

con rapio, and illabor for in labor, all of them affecting only the terminal let

ters. Yet, both these languages retain some inipoilaut evidence of the an

tiquity of the system under consideration.

J It is somewhat extraordinary, that, with the exception of Mr. Owen

Pughe, none ot our grammar-writers have taken this view of the initial

mutations. Mr. Walters, in his " Dissertation," afterwards quoted, and

Mr. Gambold, in his " Grammar," consider them to be adopted merely

for the sake of euphony, and the latter has even the boldness to assert,

that " they are for no reason or view essential to grammar," notwith

standing that is toe course of his work he proves then to be founded im


Owen Pughe, in his Dictionary, so often quoted *, has on this

subject the following judicious remarks :—" The principle of

literal mutation, as a regular system, is peculiar to the Welsh,

though the effect of such an aptitude in some of the letters to

change their sounds is seen to pervade all languages. But it re

gulates some of the primary forms of construction in this tongue

as well with respect to syntax as to the composition of words.—

These modificications or changes have always appeared as great

obstacles to strangers. Such an appearance has been partly, if

not wholly, owing to two causes, neither of which is radical in the

system. One of them is, that the analogies of the modifications

has not been properly set forth and exemplified : the other is on

account of the language having been disguised in an orthography

foreign to its genius and inadequate to represent all its simple

articulations, without recourse to irrelevant characters, and, in

some instances, the double and treble letters for those of simple

forms in the original alphabet f."—The peculiarity under consi

deration is very clearly defined in the preceding passage and the

main cause of the difficulty, it presents to a stranger in his inves

tigation of the Welsh tongue, stated with great accuracy. And

Mr. Walters, in his " Dissertation on the Welsh language J," al

though he has not, in general, discussed the question in a satis

factory manner, very properly observes on this point, that " the

difficulty is only apparent and not real, arising from a distant

and superficial survey of the matter, and consequently will vanish

on a closer inspection."—The difficulty, although arising, for the

most part, from the particular causes noticed by Mr. Pughe, may

also be traced to a general ignorance or misapprehension of those

analogies of certain letters, in which this system of mutation ap

pears to have been founded. Hence it has been surmised by an

eminent and learned writer, that the practice was at one time

common to all languages, and that its discontinuance was a prin-

strict grammatical ruks. Our great Archaeologist, however, Mr. Edward

Llwyd, properly observes on this point, 1 bait " these mutations are not

more difficult or ungramviatical than the numerous declensions in Latin

and Greek." Arch. Brit. p. 19.

* Preface, p. 13. It may be proper here to observe, that this Dic

tionary is more generally known by the title of " Owen's Dictionary,"

the writer having taken the name of Pughe since its publication.

f This subject has been particularly illustrated in the Ninth Number

of the Cambro-Eiuton.

% Page 42 •


cipal cause of the variety of dialects, which, by farther alterations

and corruptions, became in time distinct languages*.

That the system was anciently general would appear very pro

bable, if it be not actually demonstrable, from many instances,

which might be adduced from various languages, and a few of

which will be noticed in the progress of this Essay. It may first,

however, be advisable to enumerate the particular consonants,

which are thus mutable in Welsh, as well as briefly to explain

the nature and principle of their changes, without descending to

all the niceties of a grammatical dissertation.

The mutable consonants in Welshj and most of which are

also mutable, though not to the same extent, in the Breton,

Cornish, and Irish languages f, are these nine :—B. C. D. G. L!.

M. P. Rh. T. The changes, they undergo, are of three kinds,—

the soft, the aspirate, and the light,—and mny be? more clearly

elucidated by the following scheme copied from Mr. Pughe'*

Dictionary, and by which it will appear, that three of the letters

partake of all the mutations, three others of two only, and that

the remaining three have no more than one %.

Mutable Letters. ! c PT I

B D G LI M Rh

Soft Mutations... b *!

V (Id — 1 V r

iLight J

ngh mh nh m n ng

ch f

* Edward Llwyd in his Archaologla TSrilanmcn, p. 10.

f The expression in the text ought to be somewhat qualified or ex

plained. Of the three kindred dialects, there mentioned, the Breton and

Cornish have the greatest affinity -with the Welsh, with which, indeed,,

they bear almost a complete identity in their grammatical structure.

The resemblance, borne by the Irish in this respect, is, comparatively,

distant,—a circumstance, which evinces a longer state of separation be

tween the people speaking it and the Welsh or Cymry than has taken

place between the' latter and the people of Cornwall anil Britanny, al

though the effect is also to be traced to other causes.—Ofthe mutable con

sonants, above mentioned, seven, viz. B. C D. G. M. P. and T. are mu

table in the three other dialects, but only in the Breton upon the same

principles as in Welsh. The Cornish and Irish adopt a mutation of F,

and the latter likewise of S ; but in the Welsh a'one are LI and Rh mu

table. The former leiter, indeed, is entirely lost in <he other three

dialects, neither of which, it may also be remarked, has preserved any

of the aspirate mutations contained in the subsequent scheme.

% It may be a matter of doubt with some, whether Soft, Aspirate, and

Light are rightly appropriated in this scheme. Other writers call the

mutations, in the order here placed, Soft, Liquid, and Aspirate. Bnt

Mr. Pughe's emendation appears the most natural. The terms soft and

light, however, are accidentally misplaced iu his Dictionary.


It will be observable from this scheme, that the changes are

always made between letters of the same organ of pronuncia

tion, a labial consonant never being converted into a dental,

nor a dental into a labial ;—a circumstance, which seems to in-

dicate the attention originally paid in this system, as already

surmised, to the natural correspondence of certain articulations.

The v and f, above used, are substituted for the f and IT, so ab

surdly retained in the Welsh language as noticed in a former

Number *. The soft mutation of the G, it may be proper to

mention, consists in the suppression of the letter, whereby the

sound of the one next in succession predominates in its stead.

The grammatical principle, on which these mutations take place,

can not, as above intimated, be fully illustrated here ; nor, indeed,

does such a discussion enter into the plan of this inquiry. It may

be observed generally, however, that, with two or three excep

tions, the initial consonant is affected only by certain small parti

cles preceding it, such as pronouns, conjunctions and prepositions.

The following Table will exemplify this, at the same time that it

will more fully explain the foregoing scheme of mutations, to

.which it is expressly adapted.

LETTERS MUTATIONS.

Used absolutely. Soft. Aspirate. Light.

C ci, a dog dy gi, thy dog vy nghi, my dog ei chi, her dog.

P pen, ahead. ..Ay ben, thy head vy mhen, my head...e\ phen, her head.

T tad, a father...dy dad, thy father. ..vy nh&tl,myfather. .ei thad, herfather.

B.. ,.bro,a country,dy vro, thy country..vy mro, my country.

T> ....dwrn, afist. ...Ay ddwrn, thyjist...vy nwm, myfUt.

G ....gall, might,.. .-.Ay all, thy might.. ...vy ngall, my might,

J.l....llam, a hap ..dy lam, thy leap.

M ...mab, a son dy rab, thy son.

Rh..rhan, a share..Ay ran, thy share.

Independently of the object, already proposed by this Table, it

will farther serve to illustrate the affinity in this particular be

tween the Welsh and the Breton or .Armoriean languages, for

which purpose such words have been selected, as are common to

both, as are most of them also to the Cornish and Irish f- But,

* Number 9, p. 325.

.)• The term Irish is adopted in this Essay to denote the language

spoken in Ireland and the Highlands of Scotland, which is one and the

same. Yet the Highlanders call theirs the Gaelic, and derive the name

from Gallic, whereas it is, in fact, but a corruption of Gwyddcleg, or the

Irish Language. It is strange, what confusion has been introduced into

40t> THE CASIBRO-BRITON.

here, what was stated in a preceding pa','e should be recollected,

that the aspirated mutation is not used in the Breton, which, how

ever, employs the other two upon the same principle as the

Welsh, and which is nearly the case also with the two other dia

lects above mentioned.

This agreement between the languages of Wales and Britanny

5s, of itself, a remarkable demonstration of the great antiquit3" of

this system, and, consequently, of the tongues, in which it is

found to prevail. For, more than fourteen centuries have elapsed

since the separation of the Bretons and Welsh *. The system,

under consideration, may, therefore, be traced with certainty to

the fourth century : and there are no grounds for presuming, that

it did not exist many ages antecedent to that time. On the con

trary, when the Welsh colonized Britanny, the system must have

been as perfect as it is now : and examples may be adduced, as

already remarked, to prove the probability of its origin in a pri

mitive state of society. The affinity, thus observable between the

languages of the Bretons and Welsh, is not to be traced, in the

same degree, in that of the Irish, which implies a more remote

period of separation with respect to that people. However, the

foregoing Table has reference, as to its principles, to the same

consonants in the Irish as in the other tongues.

It would go far beyond the limits of this inquiry to notice,

even in a cursory way, the various instances in which mutations

of letters have taken place in ancient languages in the body or

at the end of words. Terminal changes of this nature are, in

deed, so well known to form a principal feature in the gramma

tical construction of modern as well as ancient tongues, that it

must be needless to insist on the fact here. And with respect to

those mutations, that take place in the middle, they too are, for

the most part, really terminal, as belonging to the first member

of a compound word. Some instances of this, derived from the

Latin and Greek, have been adduced in a note on a preceding

page, and the subject has been satisfactorily exemplified in that

part of the Archceologia Brilannica, which has been already

Hub subject by a misapprehension and misuse of names. We often find

the Irish and Gaelic, and sometimes even the Irish, Gaelic and Erse em

ployed to represent different languages.

* This separation took place at the close of the fourth century, when

Cynau Meirladoj led to Armorica one of the " three combined expedi

tions of the Isle of Britain," according to the Triad Irausiaied hi the

Third Number, p. 87. See also page 88.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 40T

twice cited. But such changes are certainly of a more artificial

character than those, which form the subject of this Essay, and

owe their origin, perhaps, to the particular cultivation of the

languages, in which they are found most to prevail. The agent

in this case, as Mr. Walters has justly observed *, acts at some

distance, While in the Welsh language a word has an immediate

influence on the initial letter of that, which succeeds it. It is

not too much to assert, therefore, that this system bears stronger

marks of antiquity than the other. The one is the system of

nature, and the other of art.

Although the mutation of the initial consonant operates as a

regular grammatical principle only in the Welsh tongue and its

kindred dialects, traces of its more general existence are, as

already hinted, to be discovered elsewhere. Scarcely a lan

guage, indeed, can be named, which does not furnish -some

evidence of this remarkable fact. It will not be uninteresting,

nor unimportant to the subject, to collect a few of these scattered

remains ; and, that the present Essay may not be unreasonably

lengthened, the examples will be confined to such letters, as are

still mutable both in the Welsh and Breton, and which will be

arranged in alphabetical order.

B changed into V.

hovXrj<ri; (Greek), Will Voluntas (Latin).

Biou (Greek), To live Vivo (Latin) f.

Bombere (Sclavonic), A plough Vomer (Latin).

Bolar (Spanish), To fly Volo (Latin)—Voler (French).

B into M.

Badsar and Madsar (Arabic), To scatter.

Batr and Matr (Arabic)-, To cut.

Blith (Welsh), Milk Mlico (Bohemian and Danish).

Ball (Irish), A limb Mc'Aoj (Greek).

C or K into G +.

Kziir^o; (Greek), A camel Gamal (Hebrew).

Caer (Welsh), A city Gadher (Hebrew).

Cleddyf (Welsh), A sword Gladius (Latin).

» « Dissertation, &c." p. 44.

f The Greek word alone is here taken-, but the Welsh byw wonH

have equally exemplified the mutation. The Spanish is birir, and the

French virrc.I Instances of this mutation are so numerous, and tho mutation itsplf

so natural, that it is scarcely necessary to illustrate it. In the old Latin

Inscriptions G is frequently UBed where we now f„ud C : ond Plutarch

408 THE CA.UBRO-BRITON.

C or K into Ngh or Ng.

Kaju.ir7£iv {Greek), To grow crooked—Ngacam (Chaldee).

Cangen {Welsh), A branch Nganaph [Hebrew).

C into Ca.

Calut {Hebrew), Lame XcoAoj {Greek).

Cariad {Welsh), Love Xtcpi; (Gieek), Benevolence.

Calor {Latin), Heat Chaleur {French).

Ci {Welsh), A dog Chion (Frnic/i).

Claiar {Welsh), Warm - XXiapoy (G'reeA).

Claf {Welsh), Sick Chalah {Hebrew) To grow sick.

D into N *.

Divalo {Armoric), A rascal Nebulo {Latin).

G into a Vowel or the next Letter +.

Grtg {Wcbh), Heath Erica {Latin).

Gwlan {Welsh)t Wool Lana {Latin).

Geong (Sa.ro«) Young {Etiglish).

Vtrvo; (Greefe)j A mule Hinnus (La/in).

Gnatus and Natuss( Latin), A son.

Gwr {Welsh), A man Vir {Latin).

Gwag (Welsh), Empty Vacuus ( Latin.)

. G into Ng.

Gwasgu {Welsh), To press Ngasa {Hebrew), He pressed.

Geran {Welsh), To cry out Ngarag {Hebrew), He cried out.

tells us, that the ancient Komans did uot use G at all until it was intro

duced by Spurius Castius. But the following passage in Quintilian is

more to our present purpose. " Cum C et simpliciter T uou valuerunt,

in G ac D molliuntur." Lib. 1, c. Xt. And so Ausonius,—" prsvaluit

postquam gamma vice functa prius C."

* This mutation is not so obvious as some others ; and even the in

stance here given may appear questionable. But, although the change

does not present itself often in initials, it may be found in other parts of

a word, as, where the Latin perdice becomes in Italian peruice, and

tennitur is used for tenditur, as it is by Terence.—The mutation of D

into Dd or Dh, beiug so easy, must have been very common, although,

for want of a letter to distinguish the latter sound in almost all lan

guages, it is hardly possible now to trace it, unless it is to be identified,

in some instances, with Th, of which there are many inter-mutationswith

V, as ©£0f, Deus--GajXvOj', Dumus.

f This mutation, or suppression, of the G may be traced through all

languages. M. Pezrou, in his " Antiquite de la langue des Celtes," ad

duces several examples, and, among others, the Latin Venus, which he

derives from the Welsh. Gwener, of which Gucn, implying white or fair,

is the root. This is extremely probable. •


M into V.

Mx\\o; {Greek), A fleece Vellus (Latin).

Mimbre (Spanish), A rod Vimen (Latin).

Marchuia (Irish), To ride Varicare (Latin).

Mach ( Welsh), A surety Vas (Latin) *.

P into B.

rioXeoof (Greek), War Bellum (Latin).

Fruina (Latin), A frost Brina (//o/ian)—Brmae(French).

Pater ( Latin), A father Bader (Islamlic).

Pesgi (Welsh), To feed Bomu/ (Greek).

P into M or Maf.

Pastwn ( Welsh), A club Mazza (Italian).

Plumbus (Latin), Lead MoAufJo; (Greek).

P into Ph or F.

Piscis (Latin), A fish Fisch (German),

Pes (Latin), A foot Fus (German),

TLtn; (Greek), Faith Fides {Latin).

Peidio (Welsh), To desist *«(Jou,ai (Greek),

Pater (Latin), A father Fader( Germ.)-F&theT(English.)

T into D.

Tad (Welsh), A father Dod (Hebrew).

Tan (Chaldee), Good Da(WeM).

Tunah (Hebrew), To give, Aayoy (GreeA)—Dawn ( WefrA)

A gift..

T into Th.

Taenad ( Welsh), Dispersion Qava.ro; (Greek), Death,

Tasuuar (Chaldee), A treasure Qyectvpo; (Greek.)

Trwn (Welsh), A thrpne Thronus (Latin).

The foregoing list, which might be carried to an extent

scarcely credible, will, perhaps, prove sufficiently illustrative of

the general principle, which it was designed to support. It is

impossible, that the coincidence, discoverable in these examples

* It would not be difficult to multiply instances of this mutation, and

especially in the composition of words. Thus, the Romans used dimalgo

and divut(/o, promulgo and provulgo, amita and avita, in all which cases

the mutatiou takes place in. the initial of the second syllable.

f This change is very common in the Greek dialects, by one ofwhich,

for instance, lta.ru} becomes jaartu aud, by another, f3artu, which may

exemplify the preceding: mutation, us some others might be illustrated

from the same source.

vol. i. 3 a

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

with the faculty still retained in the Welsh language, can have

been the birth of mere accident. It can -only have resulted

from the natural tendency of certain letters to vary their sounds

into others of an analogous character; and, therefore, the in

stances, here collected, are no more than the scattered ruins of

that system, which once appertained to all ancient languages,

and still exists in its pristine vigour in the Welsh *. There are,

indeed, irregular mutations in all modern tongues, which are

purely accidental, or have originated in a vulgar or ignorant

use ; but those, now under consideration, are at once natural,"uni

form, and idiomatic. And, when their advantages are also con

sidered as they are to be demonstrated in the effusions of tie

Welsh Muse, it is not unreasonable to conclude, that the practice

was anciently general. And, if so, its exclusive retention by tlie

Welsh and its sister dialects, is among the strongest testimonies

to the antiquity of their descent.

It only remains to observe, that the present mode of desig

nating the initial mutations in Welsh, by a substitution of differ

ent characters, is far from being satisfactory, and tends to the

creation of some ambiguity. When the bardic letters were in

use, the various sounds, as stated on a former occasion, were

distinctly and clearly expressed by appropriate symbols. And,

perhaps, the only method, by which this desirable object could

now be attained, with respect to the case before us, would be an

adoption of the accents, that are used with vowels, namely, the

the ', and the to denote, respectively, the soft, lighf, and aspi

rate mutations. This plan has, indeed, been already pursued in

the third volume of the Welsh Archaeiology, where the Law* of

Hywel are printed with such accented characters ; but the want

of the necessary types precludes a specimen from being here

given. However, it must always be kept in mind, that the in

adequacy of the Roman letters to represent all the sounds in the

Welsh language occasions it to labour under several great dis

advantages.

• *#

* Mr. E. Llwyd in his Archaologia Britannica has some very jndi-

ciotu observations on the probable autiquity of this practice, and ex

presses an opinion, that a" diligent regard" to what he calls " idomatal

permutation" of consonants would be of great service in tracing the

origin of languages. With this view, he suggests a good collection of

examples on the subject, as a work that would prove " very acceptable

to the curious in languages and antiquity."

THE CAMBRO-BRITQN. 41 j.


THE ORIGIN OF WISDOM.

There is no wisdom but from genius f :

There is no genius but from practice :

There is no practice but from impulse :

There is no impulse but from love :

There is no love but from choice :

There is no choice but from discretion :

There is no discretion but from consideration :

There is no consideration but from goodness :

There is no goodness but from God.

Therefore there is no wisdom but from God.

THE ORIGIN OF GENIUS.

There is no genius but from wisdom :

There is no wisdom but from experience :

There is no experience but from exertion :

There is no exertion but from discretion :•

There is no discretion but from sense :

There is no sense but from thought :

There is no thought but from impulse :

There is no impulse but from affection :

There is no affection but from goodness :

There is no goodness but from God.

Therefore there is no genius but from God.

ORIGINAL LETTERS-

LETTER IX.

Meredith Lloyd, of Welsh Pool, to Robert VaughanJ, Esq

ofHengwrt; dated Welsh Pool, July 13, 1655.

Honoured Sir,—I have received the firkins ; the one safe and

whole, but the other had had a leake sprung in it, by reason

. » Arch, of Wales, vol. iii. p. 27.

f To follow the idiom ofthe original, these phrases must be rendered thus

—Mo wisdom but genius, &c,

\ Mr. Robert Vaughan was an eminent antiquary and genealogist, an1

the founder of the valuable collection of Welsh MSS. formerly at He gwu,


whereof much of the dissolved matter was lost. I opened this,

and found all that was left turned into water, save the central

part of one of the spermes, which nevertheless retained the ssmtj

* * * * though not the like proportion as it had on the * * *

f being adequately resolved from the circumference towards the

center, without any alteration of its original complexion or exter

nal colour. I give you and Mr. Howell Vaughan many thank*

for your care and pains taken in .sending me the same. I did

expect it would be dissolved ; however, I am fully satisfied, for

the matter is the very same I enquired for. You may confidently

believe, that an individual creature will not upon an instant, as it

were, dissolve into water. I sent the other firkin to my friend ;

though, I believe, it will not serve, when brought to London, for

any philosophical or physical use ; for, being out of a proper

matrix, it will suffer too much alteration, by unnatural putrefac

tion, in the long carriage. And, in my judgment, it cannot bo

carried above 60 miles without loss ; and such carriage ought to

be performed with all dispatch ; but of this, at our next meeting,

we may have a further discourse. My friend may furnish himself

out of Kent, if he please.

Your book " Prawf Ynad \ " I have ready for you, when

you please to command it. I had of late in my custody four books

and now at Rug, in Merionethshire, the seat of his descendant, Col.Vanghan.

While engaged in this patriotic enterprise, his exertions are described to

have been most active arid indefatigable : and which some letters of his, re

lating to this circumstance, published in the third volume of the Cambrian

Register, abundantly prove. He was also a man of considerable erudition,

and especially in the ancient hist ry of his native country, and was in cor

respondence with some of the mr>st celebrated literary characters of the day.

The only woik, which tie published, was a small tract, entitled " British

Antiquities Revived." In the fitst volume of the Cambrian Register, how

ever, may be seen a abort History of Merionethshire by him ; and in the

second volume are two letters to Archbishop Usher, besides those already

noticed in the third volume, and one of which is addressed to Mr. Meredith

Lloyd. This last mentioned volume also contains a catalogue of his fa

mous MSS.—Mr. Vaughan was descended, by his mother's side, from Ba

ron Owen, whose tragical end has been already noticed in the Cahi»o-

BaiTOK (No. 5, p. 135); arid from whose son Edward Heogwit came into

Mr. Vaughan's family. .Paternally he was of the stock of Bleddyn ab

Cynfyn, Prince of Powys. This distinguished antiquary died in the year

1667. Mr. Meredith l.loyd, the writer of this letter, appears to have been

nearly related to Mr. Vaughan.—Ed.

f This and the preceding blank are owing to a coiner of the original letter

being torn —Kb.

t This is the title of the Third Book of the Laws of Hywcl Dda.—E».

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 41.3

more, and every one of those books contained Tair Colqfn

.Cyfraith, and three of them mention the authors expressed in

your book, and give it the title of Pruwf Yneit, the other being

'my own, and the largest that I have seen, is silent in that parti

cular. I find three ways only to recover lands by the Laws of

Howell Dda (as will appear by the inclosed, which I took out of

my great book), which are these :—

1. Cyfreith Dadanudd.

2. Cyfreith Carriwrescyn.

3. Cyfreith Ach ac Edryd.

1. By Danadudd the children only recovered what their pa

rents died seised of.

2. By Camwrescyn a man might recover all such lands and he

reditaments * as were taken from him or his tenant's possession

• by force or disseisin, or any other oppression, against his will,

. without the judgment of law, &c.

3. By Ach ac Edryd all lands, taken 'from the -ancestors by

.disseisin, force, violence, or oppression whatsoever, were reco

vered, the son's land from his father, or any heirs from his coheirs.

And, as touching the Cross you mention, I conceive, when any

.of the three former actions were brought on the plaintiff's petition

<o the Lord, the Lord commanded to fix the same upon the land,

which Cross was to serve as a warrant to the plaintiff to enjoy the

aarne, and an injunction to the defendant to forbid him to occupy

the lands in question, till triall and judgment or licence obtained;

.from whence did arise two manner of actions, the one called

Cwyn torr Croes, i. e. torri nawdd yr Arglwydd, the other

called Cwyn Cam Groes, both which are but collateral to the real

actions. • •

Cwyn Torr Croes was brought by the plaintiff in the real ac

tion, when the defendant, contrary to the Cross, did occupy the

land, and thereby recovered damage, and the defendant was

fined for his contempt.

Cwyn Cam Groes was brought by the tenant against the plain

tiff in the real action, by which the tenant received his damage,

and the said plaintiff was fined for the Cam Groes. I believe,

these actions were seldom or never brought, till after the triall for

the lands. This Cross was used in personal actions also. I pray

you peruse the Declarations I sent you, and those you choose out

of Guttyn Owen ; and, for the person mentioned in your letter,

* The word in the original is obliterated j and" hcreiiilacueuu" supplied

u the in'.st proDable.—H.D.


whose ancestor was disseised with force and violence, there was

00 way for him to recover but by Ach ac Edryd, as I conceive.

This is only my opinion ; I dare not avow all I write for truth.

Wherefore, I pray you, conclude of nothing without serious con

sideration ; for I seldom look after these things but when you put

me in mind of them. There is no man in our country, that values

them, or those that look after them. .

As for that verse in Taliesin,

Cigleu gydarfod am gerddolion -

A Gwyddyl diefyl diferogion,

1 am no competent judge, because I am ignorant in the history :

but, to give you my sense, I think that am and gerddolion

should be in one word and written thus amgerddolion. The m

might easily be mistaken for n ; and, in my judgment, angerdd-

olion hath relation to his countrymen, who, in all probability, are

mentioned before in the Song. For diefyl, I do think it to be

from diafol. Observe, how in archoll the a and o turn to e and

y, viz. erchyll (in the plural), &c. I Ddiawl ac i Ddiefyl is too

common a phrase in our country. As to diferogion, I am of opi

nion that it is compounded of di or dy and berawg, the cumula

tive adjective from ber. You well know the signification of her *,

and that this word di or dy in composition is seldom or never a

privative, or privation ofthe sense of the word, compounded with

it, among the ancients, but rather a ratification or enhancing of

the former sense, as hidlo, dihidlo; gwadu, diwadu, &c. It

seems, the Irish, in those days, used some odd kind of spears,

differing from the fashion of our country, and that Griffith ap

Cynan learnt the use thereof in Ireland. Observe, that that epi

thet is not given to any of the rest of the Princes ; Gtcyddyl

gaflachaicg, Gwyddyl diferiawc, the one with his darts, the

other with his spears. I have translated the verses in the best

manner I could. I desire to know, whether I did understand them

aright.

In Ireland Bran Fab Llyr I serv'd in field,

Where Morddwyd Tyllon died, I saw him kill'd ;

The clashing strokes of war I heard between

Our fiery champions and the Irish keen.

As devils arm'd with spears, our Cambrians tall

From Wleth's Cape to Reon's Lough got all

*#***»),.*

* tier is a *pe«r.—Ep.


This is all I have to observe- at present, which I humbly

submit to your judgment and opinion ; and I do desire to hear

from you as often as you can on this or any other accompt, that

relates to you ; and, if I can do you noe furtherance in it, I shall

etpress my mind to the full. With tender of my best respects

to your'good Mrs. Vaughan and all yours, I rest,

Sir, your poor kinsman and servant to serve you,

Meredith Lloyd.

I never saw any precedent ofa Declaration upon a Dadanudd.

If you have seen any, I pray you let me know ; I do not well

understand the proceedings upon it ; I pray you inquire. I be

seech you, at your first leisure, send me copies of the pleadings,

which you had out of the Red Book (of Hergest, as I take it),

and send me the lone of " Hemes Griffith tip Cynan" in Welsh,

and " Mab seith (iudyn.'" if you have it, and the story of

•' Adar Lltech Gwin." There are many of the trades in the

law, &c. *

For the worthy Robert Vaughan, Esq. at Hengwrt.

WELSH MUSIC—No. VII.

To the Edito*' of the Cambro-Briton.

Sir,—" Erddigan Caer Waen," or The Minstrelsy of Chirk

Castle, is a remarkably simple melody, commencing in common

time, then changing to 6— 8, and concluding with the second

strain in common lime. The Dadgeiniaid, or singers with the

harp, are very fond of this tune, because it affords them an op

portunity of displaying their ingenuity, in adapting Pennillion,

of the same metre, to music of two measures.

" Mwynen Gwynedd,"' or The Melody ofNorth Wales. This

air appears to me to have been composed in imitation of our

national Melodies by some recent author; and, though it is ad

mired by strangers, yet it is never sung, except indeed as a song,

* A part of this letter, above supplied by asterisks, has been omitted,

as referring to some previous inquiries of Mr. Vaughan, without which the

passage omitted is hardly intelligible. Some other parts of the letter alio

require illustration, at least to an English reader: and it was intended to

add some notes for this purpose. But, after commencing the task, it was

found, that they would occupy too much space, at least asmere notes. Be

sides, as an account of the famous Laws of Hywel Dda necessarily comes

within the plan of the Cambro-Briton, the subject of such illustration, will

more properly come under discussion hereafter.—E».

*

THE CAMBRO-BRfTO^.

for it is by no means calculated for Penniltion, the rhythm being

remarkably unequal.

" Trichant o Bunnau," or Three Hundred Pounds. Your

readers must allow, that the name of this tune is a very pleasing

one, and those, who are acquainted with the melody, will ac-

knowlege, that it has many claims on their favour. It is very

lively, and truly Welsh in its. construction. The Dadgeiniaid

greatly admire it ; for, like the " Minstrelsy of Chirk Castle,"

it admits of much variety in singing, and the Harper may indulge

in fanciful flights, while the Vocalist adheres to the melody, both,

however, attending strictly to tune, and concluding precisely

together.

I have now noticed all the Airs in Volume I. of " A selection

of Welsh Melodies with appropriate English Words," many of

which it is intended to introduce at the Eisteddfod (or Congress

of Bards) at Wrexham in September next, when, I doubt not,

they will find admirers, not only among the natives of Cambria,

but among all lovers of national and characteristic harmony.

That Music was cultivated in Britain in very early times, we

learn from Julius Caesar, and also from Ammianus Marcellimis,

who flourished about 380 years before Christ, who says " The

" Bards sang, in well-made compositions, to the Lyra (com

monly translated ' a Harp'), the heroic acts of their great men."

What is meant by " well-made Compositions," I cannot learn ;

and, unless I were to see some examples of ancient counterpoint, I

cannot hazard an opinion on the subject. It is much to be lament

ed, that no specimens have yet been found, beyond the ancient

Notations in the Archaiology of Wales, which might throw a light

on this interesting subject. Let us hope, however, that the Cam

brian Literary Society, now forming in London, will be the means

of un-rol!ing many valuable MSS.

Mr. Shield, in his " Rudiments of Thorough Bass," in intro

ducing " Of a noble race was Sltenkin,, for three voices, says,

" Whether the laws of Counterpoint were known among the

ancient Hards is a very questionable point ; one of their histo

rians says, " the Welsh do not sing in unison, like other people,

but in many different parts, so that, when a crowd of singers

meet as usual in Wales, one hears as many different parts and

tones of voices as there are performers."

In a great measure this observation is correct, for the Welsh

in general possess what is called " an excellent ear for music."

—and I have often heard men, who were total strangers to the


science of Music, endeavouring' to vamp a bass or a counter-tenor

part in choruses. Hence the supposition, that our forefathers were

masters of Counterpoint.

Blegwryd, a King of Britain, about 190 years before Christ,

was a great master of In strumental Music, and on that account

called the " God of Harmony." That this Royal Minstrel was

considered a great master in those days is not to be wondered

at ; but it strikes me, that it was totally out of his power to mo-

dulate, beyond the Dominant and Sub-dominant, and not " so

far, without the assistance of a sharp 4th and a flat 7th*. And

how could these be produced on an instrument, consisting of only

a few strings turned on " Nature's scale?" To this day, in many

of the Scotch, and particularly the Irish Airs, a want of the sharp

4th is perceptible ; and the only way to account for it is, that the

Bagpipes were tuned according to a scale of the ancients, without

a leading note—i. e.—in G with the F natural instead of sharp.

Notwithstanding this violation of modern rules, there is something

exceedingly wild and pleasing in the sudden transition " without

preparation" from one key to another.

I shall now fulfil my promise by giving your readers a specimen

ofthe Notation used in the 1 1th century. There are not less than

175 pages of similar Notation in the 3d volume of the Archaio-

logy of Wales ; but hitherto very few have been deciphered.

" Can y Prophwyd Dafydd :" The Song of David the

Prophet.

Truble

e e e

c cic cic clddl

GDG|GDG|gDG|gG| Bass, &c. &c.

c

. e

CC

The above has been deciphered and inserted in page 62 of the

" Welsh Melodies." In the original the ancient characters were,

of course, used. It is a very simple melody, and confined to

very few notes, but these very regular, and the base appropriate.

I will trespass no longer on your pages now, but beg to say,

* In my first letter I promised to steer clear of technical phrases j but

here it could not be avoided. The Dominant is a 5th above the. tonic, or key

note ; the Sub-dominant a 5th below. A sharp 4th is necessary to morin

late to the former, and a flat 7th is required to pass to the latter.

Vol. I. 3 H

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

that in future Numbers, I shall (with your permission) enter into

the History of our Ancient Music, as well as notice the remaining-

Melodies, many of which would not discredit a Mozart or a

Handel. Mr. E. Jones has given the world a number of beautiful

Airs; but there are many, which have never been published,

which I intend to introduce in vol. 2 of" Welsh Melodies," with

English words adapted, after the manner of the Welsh, to give

strangers an idea of the mode of singing with the Harp, as prac

tised, from time immemorial, by the Ancient Britons.

I remain yours,

Jane 12, 1820. John Parry.


THE LATE REV. DAVID ROWLAND

[Concluded.]

Mr. Rowland, having become Curate of Carmarthen, dis-

< played the same anxiety and zeal for the spiritual concerns of his

parishioners, and the same assiduity and perseverance in supply

ing their wants, as he had heretofore done at Newfoundland, and

he had the happiness of observing, that his exertions were not

made in vain,—the church, which in general was very respectably

attended, having still larger congregations. But his strict and

constant attention to his more immediate pastoral duties was not

the only excellence to excite the admiration and regard ofall who

knew him. The Sunday Evening Lectures, established by him with

the sanction of his revered Diocesan, which were more particu-

cularly designed for the moral and religious improvement of those

who might not be able to attend at Morning Service, and which

have been so remarkably blessed in their spiritual benefit,—and

also the active part, which he took in the establishment of a Dis

trict Committee of the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge

in the town,—proclaim, in addition to his pastoral care and kind

ness, his unwearied and beneficial exertions for the temporal and

eternal welfare of those committed to his care.

In the month of June, 1818, he visited his quondam parishioners

at Llanwnog, where, being taken with a violent fit of coughing

at Tyddin, he burst a blood-vessel, which occasioned his spitting

great quantities of blood, and brought his life into such imminent

danger, that for some time he had scarce any hopes of recovery.

With the idea ofhis never being able to officiate again among his

THE CAMBRO-RRITON. . 419

parishioners, he wrote a letter to a friend, as soon as he could put

pen to paper, from which the following is an extract :—" Tell

the good people of Carmarthen, that I very much regret the

sudden rupture of the connection, that subsisted between us. May

they have a Pastor after God's own heart, and may they follow

the Lord fully. I am convinced, that there is a reality in religion.

When apparently in the jaws of death, although sorry that I had

not served the Lord with more fidelity, yet I experienced such

an overflowing of happiness, that I could scarcely contain

myself."

Although brought extremely low by this severe illness, yet,

through the skill and attention of his medical attendants, he soon

got much better ; and, before his return to Carmarthen, entered

into the matrimonial state with Miss Matthews, daughter of Ed

ward Matthews, Esq. of the Park, a young Lady, with whom he

became first acquainted when he was Minister of the parish.

When he returned, he found his health improving, and he resumed

the duties of his curacy. His recovery, however, was far from com

plete, and he occasionally gladly availed himself of the assistance

of his friends in performing Divine Service. When the following

winter arrived, he experienced great inconvenience from the

severity of the season, and was under the necessity of confining

himself for the greater part of it within doors. In the succeeding

spring, however, he grew considerably better, and, though in a

weakly state, was sufficiently well to be actively employed at the

FAsteddfod at Carmarthen in the beginning of July.

In the course of the following month he visited Llandrindod

mineral waters for the restoration of his health, but, notwith

standing, continued weakly ; and when winter came on, the un

usual inclemency of the season, which was so severely felt by all

invalids, made a deep impression on his delicate frame, and

caused him to be seriously indisposed. At this period the kind

ness of his friends was particularly conspicuous, and nothing was

left undone towards promoting his recovery. His attentive Dio

cesan gave him the benefice of Tregaron, which adjoined his na

tive parish of Llanddewibrefi *, in hopes, that a removal to the

* On this occasion a friend of his wrote the following appropriate

Englyn :—

Tlhaghiniaeth helaeth yw hon, —i Row land,

Areilio plwyfolion,

Tir ei geramt Tregaron, ,

Uantl'lewibrefi ger bion.


district, which gave him his birth, would operate to his recovery ;

and he was likewise so much interested for his welfare as kindly

to collate him in his own house, and, that he might not suffer

inconvenience from travelling in winter, urged him not to think

of a removal until the season of the year became more genial.

But. alas ! the care and attention of friends, however great and

persevering, availed not to avert the stroke of death ; Mr. Row

land became gradually weaker and weaker, and finally closed his

eyes on the 29th day of February, 1820, in his 37th year, leav

ing an amiable widow to lament his loss, and an infant son about

the age of eleven months, doomed not to bear any remembrance

of his father, nor to have any knowlege of his talents and virtues,

except what he might in future procure from the report of his

friends and acquaintance. During his lengthened and afflicting

illness Mr. Rowland exhibited an example of the meekness, the

resignation, and the spiritual and heavenly temper of the true

Christian,—an example, which produced the deepest impression

on those friends who visited him. He was interred in the chancel

of St. Peter's church on Monday, March 6, when his remains

were attended by several of his friends both of the clergy and

laity ; and the influence of emotions, excited by the melancholy

event, could not be repressed. Indeed, scarcely a dry eye could

be perceived among the numbers of rich and poor, who were as

sembled on the occasion.

With respect to general character, Mr. Rowland was a warm

and sincere friend, and particularly for favours conferred. In

discharging the duties of his various relations in life he was emi

nently conscientious; his whole life being directed by the strictest

rules of probity and justice. As a Christian Pastor, his earnest

ness for the welfare of his parishioners was always conspicuous,

being ever anxious to discharge the duties of the sacred office in

the most appropriate and edifying manner. As a Preacher—his

voice being clear, and his enunciation distinct,—his manner evinc

ing a deep sense of the importance of the subject, and, his sermon

plain, instructive, and abounding in scriptural truths, he was

heard with delight and edification. Having in early life noticed

the effect of mcmoritcr preaching in drawing together large con

gregations, he adopted the method, and was gratified in seeing

his audience more numerous ; but afterwards, reflecting seriously

on the several evils attending it, he discontinued the practice from

conscientious motives.

His compositions, as a Poet, both in Welsh and English, have


great neatness, and are occasionally distinguished by elegance ;

and, were a collection made, it is expected that it would be found

to possess considerable merit. It is not known, that he ever

appeared before the public as an author ; but had he survived,

and become settled in his benefice, he would, most probably,

have produced something with credit to himself, and advantage to

his readers. While at St. John's, he was particularly requested

to publish a sermon, which had given great satisfaction in the

delivery ; and he intended to comply with the request, but, it is

believed, that it never appeared in print. With respect to those

persons with whom Mr. Rowland had intercourse, he was respect

ful, affable, and courteous, according to their several stations, and

always anxious, by deeds of kindness, to do them all the good in

his power ; while, with respect to himself, it was his constant aim

either to improve his mind by the attainment of knowlege, or to

prepare himself by acts of piety and devotion for that invisible

elate, to which, in the prime of life, and the midst of his days, it

pleased Providence to call him.

R.


PARISH OF LLAN-S1LIN, IN THE COUNTY OF

DENBIGH.

[Continuedfrom the last Number.]

§. 9. Owain Glyndwr.—His Descent and Claim to the

Principality.—And, last of all, I trust I shall make it appear,

that our illustrious countryman, Owain Glyndwr, was an inha

bitant at least, if not a native, of this parish, Much obscurity

veils the history of our chieftain's ancestors, from the year 1270,

when Gruffydd, lord of Dinas Bran died, down to the year 1400,

when his descendant vigorously, though unsuccessfully, under

took to redress the galling grievances of his country. I shall,

therefore, endeavour to throw some light upon the gloomy pe

riod, before I attend lolo Goch, the bard of Llechryd, to the

halls of the lord of Cynllaith in this parish. The three points,

that I intend to discuss upon this occasion, are—

1st. The genealogy of Glyndwr;—in opposition to an erro

neous opinion entertained by Mr. William Maurice of Cevn y

Br&ich.


2nd. Glyndwr's natural right to the Principality of Wales, as

heir to Llywelyn, the last prince, slain in 1282, in opposition

to the assertions of the historians of Wales, Dr. Powell, Wynn,

and Warrington.

3rdly. The loco-position of the Sycharth of Glyndwr,—the

" Sycharth, buarth y beirdd," of Iolo Goch, and fully described

by him in his " Invitation poem,"' " Addewais it hin ddywy-

tvaith," &c. ;—in opposition to all, who have written upon the

subject ; the general opinion being, that Iolo Goch, in the above

mentioned poem, describes Glyndwr's seat in Glyndyfrdwy, three

miles below Corwen, on the Holyhead road. I shall proceed

with the points in order.

1. I shall subjoin two parallel sketches of the genealogy of

Glyndwr ; that marked A being the one commonly adopted, both

in manuscript books and printed history* ; the other, marked B,

is found in one MS. of the seventeenth century. Of this latter

Mr. William Maurice says, " Here is the true pedegree of Owain

Glyndwr, without including either Madog Gloff or Gruffydd

Varwn Gwyn, as they are in common books ; and this is grounded

upon the authority of Iolo Goch, in his Cywydd Achau O.

Glyndwr "

A. B.

Gruffydd Maelor, Gruffydd Maelor,

I I

Madog, Madog,

I I

Gruffydd, argl. Dinas Bran, Gruffydd, lord of Dinas Bran,

I I

Gruffydd Varwn Gwyn, Madog Vychan,

I I

Madog Gloff, Gruffydd o'r Rhuddallt,

I I

Madog Vychan, Gruffydd Vychan,

I I

Gruffydd Vychan, Owain Glyndwr.

Gruffydd Vychan,

I

Owain Glyndwr.

Unfortunately for Mr. W. Maurice, he produces his authority

by quoting the poem of Iolo Goch, which, contrary to his ;

* Excepting the Welsh account in the Grenl, No. I, which follows Mr.

William Maurice's opinion.


lion, confirms the line marked A, and is, of course, incompatible

with his substitute B. Iolo Goch's authority is this :

Owain Gruffydd, Nudd in 'yw,

1. Ab Gruffudd llafn-rudd y llall,

Gryfgorff gymmen ddigrifgall ;

2. Gorwyr Madog ior mudeingl

Vychan yn ymseingian seingl;

3. Gorysgynydd Ruffydd rwydd

Maelawr gywirglawr arglwydd.

Explanation.

1. Owain Glyndwr, son of Gruffydd Vychan.

2. Owain Glyndwr, great grandson of Madog Vychan.

3. Madog Vychan, the gorysgynydd, or fifth in descent, from

Omffydd Maelawr.

This explanation cannot with propriety be applied to the novel

scheme. There are, moreover, several other arguments, that

militate against the validity of the innovation :—

1st. The books of pedegrees—the discarded links, Gruffydd

Varwn Gwyn and Madog Gloff, are always inserted as parts of

the genealogical chain, with their respective marriages, &c., which

would never have been applied to non-entities. As for instance,

Madog Gloff married Margaret, daughter of Rhys Vychan, great

grandson of the lord Rhys of Dinevawr, grandson of Rhys ab

Tewdwr, prince of South Wales.

2dly. In the adopted sketch (A) Madog Vychan is the son of

Madog Gloff: in the substituted scheme (B) he is the son of

Gruffydd, &c., which is contrary to the analogy of the times, as

it is worthy of observation, that, in those days, Vychan (little or

petty) was not assumed as a surname, save in cases where the

son took it, in order that he might be distinguished from his fa

ther of the same name ; as Gruffyd Vychan, son of Gruffydd o'r

Rhuddallt and Madog Vychan, son of Madog Gloff. The analogy

is general ; though there may be, as usual, some few exceptions.

Accept of a few instances by way of illustration.

1 . Rhys Vychan, son of Rhys Mechell, of South Wajes.

2. leuan Vychan, son of Ieuan Gethin, of Moeliwrch.

3. Gronwy Vychan, son of Gronwy, son of Ednyved Vychan.

4. Ithel Vychan, son of Ithel Llwyd.

5. Llywarch Vychan, son of Llywarch Goch, son of Llywarch

Holbwrch, &c. &c. &c.

Vychan did not become a permanent surname until about the


time that the Mostyns, Tanats, Glyns, Llwyd, Wynn, &c, be

came also permanent surnames.

The only difficulty in admitting the line of descent marked A

to be genuine is the number of generations between the year

1270, the death of Gruffydd of Dinas Bran, and the year 1364,

the date of the birth of O. Glyndwr. This difficulty may be ob

viated in the sequel. When Gruffydd, the un-national lord of

Dinas Bran, died, he did not leave his four sons in the state of

infancy, as was formerly supposed ; two of whom, according to

tradition, were drowned in the river Dee, under Holt bridge, by

the lords Warren and Mortimer. Those barons have cruelty and

injustice enough imputed to them, to have their names held in

execration to eternity, without this aggravation. Mr. Pennant,

from the Sebright MSS., collected by our countryman Lhuyd,

assures us, that he saw the deeds executed by thefour sons, after

their father's death, confirming, and even augmenting their mo

ther (Emma Audley)'s dower. This could not have been the

act of infants. There is, moreover, a deed published by Brown

Willis, by which Gruffydd, the third son, grants land in Llan

Degla to Anian, bishop of St. Asaph, and his successors, dated

February 1278. In this grant Gruffydd stiles himself—" Griffi-

" nius Vychan, filius Griffini ab Madog, Dominius de Yal." That

this Gruffydd was the son of the lord of Dinas Bran may be pre

sumed flom an item in the grievances complained of by Llywelyn,

the last Prince, to Archbishop Peckham, in the year 1231 ; the

6th article of which complains, " that, in the peace concluded

between the said Prince and Henry III., in 1277, it was stipu

lated that Gruflydd Vychan should do homage to the King for

the land in Yal, and to the Prince for the land in Edeyrnion :

but, notwithstanding this, the King's justices brought the lady of

Maelor* into the said lands of Edeyrnion; the knowlege of

which cause appertained only to the Prince, and not to the said

justices. And yet, for peace sake, the Prince did tolerate all this,

being at all times ready to do justice to the said lady."

Gruffydd Vychan, it seems, was the' appellation assumed by

this lord himself; whilst at the same time, if not later, he was by

others designated by the title of Gruffydd y Barwn Gwyn, the

white or mild baron. And here I dare not venture to assert, that

• Lady Emma Audley's claim of dower.—Powell, p. 881. In the Latin

copy, in Wynne, 2d Edit. p. 36", the " lady of Maelor" is omitted.—

Why }


i - -

Cantrev y Barwn, consisting of the commots of Glyndyfrdwy,

Edeyrnion, and Dinmael, was not so called from him. The lord

ship of Yal, at that time, may not have been thought worth the

taking from Gruffydd Vychan either by the King or the Lords

Marchers: he was, however, in quiet possession of it in 1278,

when he made the grant to Bishop Anian. The lordship of

Glyndyfrdwy was added to his possessions by a grant from

Edward I., dated Rhuddlan, 12th of February, in the tenth year

of his reign ( 1282 *), It has already been shewn* that Gruffydd

was lord of Edeyrnion in 1277. But we hear nothing of the

lordships of his elder brother Madog-, nor of his marriage, nor of

his offspring. According to his father's will, he was to enjoy the

lordship of Bromfield Upper with the reversion of Moldsdale,

Hopedale, and Bromfield Lower, on his mother Emma's demise.

But all is silence about him ; which brings us again, though re

luctantly, to the suspicion of murder, the most base and ungrate

ful ; especially when we reflect that his possessions in Bromfield,

&c. were granted, by patent, to Earl Warren in the same year

( 10th of Edward I.) as the grant of Glyndyfrdwy had been made,

as a peace-offering to conscience, to Gruffydd Vychan f. It can

not be concealed, however, that opinions have been circulated,

that Gruffydd and Llywelyn, sons of this Madog, were the in

fants drowned under Holt bridge ^, and not their father and his

brother.

About the same time (ICth of Edward I.) as Glyndyfrdwy

was granted to Gruffydd Vychan, and almost the whole remain

ing- part of Powys Vaelawr to Earl Warren, it may be pre

sumed, that the lordship of Cynllaith was also given to the fourth

and youngest son of Gruffydd Dinas Bran. Earl Warren is

thought to have acted generously upon this occasion, as mediator

between Edward I. and Owain ; but, according to the proverb—

" Calon y Sais wrth Gymro §," the Earl first divided the lordship

of Cynllaith into moieties, the greater part whereof he retained

to his own use ; and it is still a separate manor, called Cynllaith

yr larll, and belonging to Chirk Castle : and the lesser portion he

permitted Owain to hold, which is likewise still a separate manor,

* Kotuli Walliae, 87.

+ See Camsro-Briton, No. 4, p. 139, in the Note.—Ed.

J See Memoirs of Owain Glyndwr, published by the Rev. J. Thomas, in

the year 1775, out of a MS. written by the Rev. Thomas Ellis, formerly

Rector of Dolgellau.

§ An Englishman's heart towards a Welshman.—E».

VOL. I. 3 I


attached to the Llan Gedwyn estate, and called Cynllaith Owain.

On the death of Owain, without issue, his portion of Cynllaith

devolved on his brother Gruffydd Vychan, in whose line it conti

nued until it was forfeited to the Crown by the insurrection of his

descendant Glyndwr.

We knowbut little more ofLlywelyn, the second son ofGruffydd

the Baron of Dinas Bran/ than we do of his elder brother Madog.

The Rev. Thomas Ellis, in his Memoirs before quoted, says,

* We read among the grievances of the Welsh, which were

delivered to Archbishop Peckham, how that Llywelyn ab Gruff

ydd ab Madog complaineth, that the King granted certain let.

ten .unto a bastard, called Gruffydd Vychan of Cynllaith, to law

with him for his whole Lordship and possessions.-'—" Qucere—

Whjether this Gruffydd Vychan were not son of Gruffydd Lord of

Dinas Bran, and half brother, by the father, unto the said Lly.

welyn V—I wish some Correspondent of the Cambro-Brito.n

would answer this question ; for my own part, I must confess,

that I am puzzled with it. By referring to the " Grievances" in

Powell's History, we are farther informed, that, " by the occa

sion of the King's letters above mentioned, Llywelyn was under

the necessity of spending 200 pounds sterling." Llywelyn far

ther complained, that three score of his men had been impri

soned, two of his Gentlemen hanged without trial, himself de

tained, his oxen stolen, and that a third part of the town called

Lledrod *, and his father's house, without any law, or right, or

custom of the country, had been taken from him, by the King's

Justices, and Roger Strange, Constable of Oswald's Cross,

&c. &c.

It is not improbable, that Earl Warren, when he got a portion

of Cynllaith granted to Owain, at the same time procured a

permission for his . brother Llywelyn to hold the other portion,

now called Cynllaith yr Iarll, for his life only, with reversion to

himself, the said Earl, and his heirs. This suggestion is some

what strengthened by the township of Lledrod (of which Llywelyn

complained that a third part had been taken from him) being at

this day included in the manor of Cynllaith yr Iarll, and no part

of it in that of Cynllaith Owain. The line of demarcation be

tween these two portions of Cynllaith is exceedingly arbitrary,

without having much attention paid to natural boundaries ; not

only townships, but farms, and even fields and roads being

* Lledrod, a township, in the parish of Llan-Silin.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

divided by it. How such a division could have taken place ori

ginally is a question of more curiosity than utility. The parish

of Silin is at present thus divided, in townships, and parts of

townships, between the two moieties of the original Lordship.

Cynllaith Owain : Cynllaith yr Iarll : .

1. Sycharth, L Lledrod,

2. Pri'bwll, 2» Bodlith.

3. Lloran.

Townships divided :

1. Rhiwlas,

2. Llys Dynwallawn,

3. Llan-Silin,

4. Moelfre ; with Tre' Llywarch, in

the parish of Llan Armon.

The chief-rent roll of Cynllaith yr Iarll, about the year 1690,

was as followeth :—

£. s. d. £. s. d.

In Llan Armon .19 0 Lledrod . . 4 10 9

—Tre Geiriog .2194 Rhiwlas . . 2 1 9J

Llys Dynwallawn omitted. Bodlith , . 2 18 7

Llan-Silin .422

Moelfre . . 0 10 4

[To be concluded in the next JVamiw.] IdKIS.

CRITICISM.

The Gododin and the Odes of the Months, translated from the

Welsh. 12mo. pp. 133. 4s. 1820.

[Concluded.]

When this new version of the Gododin was characterised in the

former Number as the most faithful, that had yet appeared of

that ancient poem, it was not meant to offer more than a quali

fied opinion of its merit, when placed in comparison with the

hypothetical paraphrase, that had preceded it. Yet, even with

the fullest allowance of its success in this particular, the transla

tion would still want the essential qualification of a popular

work, if it should fail to give some idea of the poetical spirit, that

breathes through the original. Surely, it is not enough merely

verbum reddere verbo in a case, where the excellence of the work

translated may depend on the pathos or sublimity, by which it is

animated, or where the poet's creative powers may have peopled

428 THE CAMBRO-BRJTON.

"i

his production with all the wild and fantastic forms of his enrap

tured imagination. It is not enough, that we are presented with;

the mere skeletons of these forms, uninspired and unanimated.

In works of history or philosophy, indeed, the translator ought

rigidly to discharge the duty of a Jidus interpret, by a close

and almost servile adherence to his original ; but poetry is a

sensitive plant, that shrinks from the rude touch, which would

thus, without any kindred feeling, attempt to approach it. To

be brief, the faithful translator of poetry is he, who gives us the

kindling expression, the glowing sentiment, and the towering

fancy of his prototype. He must translate his genius as well as

his words, he must seem to write as he wrote ; . in fine, he must

himself be a poet.

Yet, with reference to the work before us, it ought in fairness

to be admitted, that the writer himself appears to have been, in

some degree, aware of his failure. For, in some prefatory

observations he expresses his " regret, that he has not done his

author justice," and afterwards informs us, that in some cases

'• he has sacrificed the force and fire" of the original " to literal

accuracy, judging, that fidelity will be preferred by the anti

quarian, the historian, and the philosopher, though he is aware,

the poet will not be pleased."

We are not therefore, it seems, to estimate this as an attempt

to make us acquainted with the poetical beauties of the Gododin,

but merely as an effort to translate it for the benefit of " anti

quarians, historians, and philosophers." And, certainly, as the

Gododin is in one point of view an historical record, a success

ful accomplishment even of this design would be no mean praise;

although, for the reasons already submitted, it could have no

claim to the character of a legitimate version.

Want of room makes it necessary now to bring these intro

ductory remarks to a close, and to offer a few examples of the

success with which our translator has executed his task. The first

of those examples, in order to preclude all suspicion of unfair

ness in the selection, shall be the opening lines of the poem, and

which afford, in some respects, no unfavourable specimen of the

translator's manner. And, for the purpose of making a fair

comparison, the original passage will be opposed to the version;

though the practice can not in every case be adopted.

tf.-edw gwr oed gwas, Gredyv teas a manly youth,

• iwh vr yn dias : Daring in the tumult ;

Muiich ninth myngvras A swift thick-maned steed

Y tian mordhuyt mygyr was ; Carried the handsome youth :

RITON. 429

Ysguyt ysgafn llydan A shield light and broad

Ar bedrein mein buan ; Hurjg on the swift slender courser ;

Cledyvawr glas glan, His sword was blue and shining,

Ethy aur a phan. His spurs of gold and ermine adorned him.

Ny bi ev a vi It is not for me,

Cas y rhov a thi ; That I should envy thee;

Gwell gwneiv a thi More nobly I will act towards thee

Ar wawt dy voli. In the eulogy of thy praise.

Cynt i waet elawr Ah, sooner conies thy bloody bier

No gyt i neithiawr : Than thy nuptial feasting ;

Cynt y vwyd i vrein, Sooner will there be food for ravens

Hoc ar angynrein ; Than the pushing of the foremost spear

Cu cyveillt Euein, By the dear friend of Owain.

Cwl y vot y dan vrein: Perishing is the carcass (by ravaa)

March, ym pa vro Of the steed in the vale,

Ladd un mab Marco * ? Where the son ofMarcofell.

Arch, of Wales, P. 1, &c. P. 55— 6.

The critical reader will find two or three errors in the preced

ing passage, and particularly in those lines which are printed in

Italics. It is certainly rather unfortunate, that the translator

should have stumbled at the threshold, as he has done, in mis

taking the first word of the poem for a proper name. The line,

" Gredyv gwr oed gwas,"

implies merely—" In disposition a man, in age a youth;"—but

it appears probable, that the writer has, in this instance, adopted

Mr. Turner's version of the same line without sufficient inquiry

as to its accuracy. The youth, to whom the bard alludes, ap

pears to be Owain subsequently mentioned : at least there is no

other rational interpretation to be put on the passage. The

translator seems also to have misunderstood the last four lines,

as Mr. Turner had done before him. A metrical version of the

whole extract, in which the genuine meaning is attempted to be

given, will be found in a subsequent page.

The task of exposing errors is, by no means, an agreeable one ;

and the writer of this imperfect notice would gladly avoid it in

the present case, if he were not, by so doing, in some degree to

compromise the reputation of one of the most celebrated and ve

nerable relics of Welsh literature. For, it shou'id in justice bs

known, that, whatever the merits of this translation may be, it is

riot to be considered, according to the author's assumption, as

giving us the Gododin with " literal accuracy," even when de

prived of its " force and fire." It is right that this ancient poem

should be vindicated in this respect merely as an historical docu-

* The orthography of the original, as used in the Archaiolog-y, is here

strictly observed. The punctuation only :s added.—Rev,


ment. It becomes, therefore, necessary to adduce a few more'

instances of the author's failure in the only character, to which he

appears to have aspired.

Thus in the following passage,

" The warriors marched to Cattraeth, loquacious was the army ;

Pale mead had been their drink and became their poison :

Three hundred with arms came combating."

the word Trychant, in the last line, is mistaken for Trichcmt.

The original line is

" Trychant trwy beiriant yn catau."

They cut through embattled arms.

It is not to be supposed, that the warriors, who came to Cat

traeth, were only " three hundred." Indeed, the poet informs us

in the sequel, that the number amounted to several thousands.

And again, in page 63, the words gelorawr hir, which imply

literally " long biers," are, by a whimsical metamorphosis, con

verted into a hero. The passage is thus,—

" The sons of Godebog', perfectly common,

Made a rapid march to Gelorawr the Tall.

None of the words, printed in Italics, bear the sense of the origi

nal, which may be translated,

" And the sons of Godebog, a faithful band,

Are borne to the yawning grave on long biers."

Thus also in the enumeration of the forces, that went to

Cattraeth,

i " Tri llwry Novant,^

instead of being rendered the three " legions or bodies of the

Novantes," are translated

" Moving in three divisions."—P. 67.

And in the following passage we have

" Cynric and Cenon,

And Cynrain from Aeron,"

as the version of

" Cynric a Chenon

Cynrain o Aeron,"

properly

" Cynric and Ccnon,

Chief spearmen.from Aeron,"

which is justified indeed by a subsequent passage in the poem,

where the bard calls these two chieftains

" Dau gatci Aeron,"

which our translator has properly rendered

" The two dogs of war from Aeron."

All this is surely not being historically correct.

But a still more decided instance of misinterpretation will aji


pear in that part of the poem, 'where the bard celebrates the

fame of Cynon. The first four lines, with which the original

commences, viz

" Ni wnaethpwyd neuat mor diysig

Na Chynon lary vion, Glinion wledig,

Nid ev eisteddai yn tal Ueithig,

Y neb a wanai nid adweinid."

are thus rendered,—

" The hall was not made so lotting, ,

JVcr Cynon of gentle bosom, a magnificent prince,

He would not sit praying for a throne ;

Whoever he dismissed he recognized no more."—P. 79.

The following, however, is submitted as the true sense of the

passage :—

No one made the hall so exempt from caie

As Cynon of gentle bosom, sovereign of Clinion ;

He would not sit in the upper seat,

And nobady he had once noticed would he forget.

It is really surprising, that the translator should have so wo-

fully misunderstood these lines. The third, in his version, is

mere nonsense : and the last totally inconsistent with the second.

Several other instances might be selected to prove the justice

of a previous remark, that this translation is far from being " lite

rally accurate :" and one of the writer's faults in this respect

seems to be too strong a propensity to invent proper names,

where none exist in the poem, while, on the other hand, he has

also, in a few instances, deprived the genuine names of their

legitimate honours. Yet the principal cause of his failure lies

still deeper than this.

There are a few passages, however, in which the translator

seems to have caught the meaning of his author with some success;

though none can be selected, that are entirely exempt from

verbal inaccuracies. Some, perhaps, may be of opinion, that

there is no case, in which the critic ought to feel more disposed

to exclaim,—Non paucis off'endar maculis. For, undoubtedly,

the peculiar difficulty and obscurity of the Godociin require some

indulgence, and might, in the present instance, have been admit

ted as a plea fcr minor blemishes, if they should not be demanded

as an apology for transgressions of a more serious nature. They

cannot, however, excuse the perversion of historical facts, or the

suppression of poetical beauties.

The following passages may be noticed as amongst those, in

which the translator has been most successful. The first alludes

t& the cause of the disastrous issue of the Battle of Cattraeth.


" After carousing on sparkling mead before the combat,

No one regarded the feelings of his sire,

The warriors hastened, they were united in the charge,

Short their lives, drunk with the sweet mead distilled.

The host of Mynyddawg, abounding with gold in need,

The price of the carousal over mead was their lives :

Caradog and Madog, and Pyll, and Ievan,

Gwgawn and Gwiawn, Gwyn and Cynvawn*.

Peredur was armed with steel, gleaming the steel, and Aeddan

He saved in the front of battle : a hero of feeble shield

He preserved j—they were cut dowo, they were slaughtered,

None of them returned to their cultivated abodes."—P. 76.

" The warriors marched to Cattraeth, fighting in their might j

Strong were the steeds, the harness, and the shields,

Vigorous the pikes in the push, and keen the glancing lance,

And glittering the coats of mail and the sword.

He excelled, he pierced through the embattled army,

/ Five times five ranks fell before his blade,

Rhuvon the tall +! he gave gold to the altar,

And gifts and precious tokens to the minstrel."—P. 77.

The extract, that follows, which must be the last, gives an ac

count of the bard's liberation from captivity by Cenau, the son

of Llywarch Hen, who fought in this battle, as, it appears from

other parts of the poem, did also Gwen, Pyll and Madog, three

other sons of that venerable and unfortunate chieftain. Indeed

one would almost be justified, from a passage or two, in conclud

ing, that the aged warrior himself accompanied his sons on this

occasion. But this is not the place to institute the inquiry. These

are the lines alluded to :

" A brave man of the North effected it,

Of mild and generous bosom, unperceived.

He did not traverse the country, he did not abide with his mother X ,

Beautiful his features, strong his battling arms.

From the power of the sword, illustrious to defend,

From the cruel prison of earth he brought me,

From the place of death, from an unlovely region,

Cenau the son of Llywarch, magnanimous and bold."—P 83.

The " Odes of the Months," with which the volume concludes,

are rendered generally in an accurate and pleasing manner,

though partaking of the same unpoetical features as the transla

tion preceding them. These " Odes," as they are called, without

possessing the characteristics common to this species of poetry,

comprehend a series of natural sketches and moral sentiments

appropriated to each particular month, some of which, though de-

* Virgil has some lines like these two in his ^neid.—Rev.

f For a notice of Rhuvon, called also Rhuvon the Fair, sec the Triad

tra»slated in No. 6, of the Cambro- Briton, p. 205,—Rev,

I This line is not correct.—Re v.


livered with singular brevity, possess no inconsiderable merit for

their truth and originality. The following descriptions of the months

of January and February are given as specimens without any

particular selection :

" Month of January—smoky is the vale,

Weary the butler, strolling the minstrel,

Lean the cow *, seldom the hum of the bee,*

Empty the milking fold, void of heat the kiln, ,

Slender the horse, very silent the bird,

Long to the early dawn, short the afternoon ;

Justly spoke Cynfelyn,

' Prudence is the best guide for man.'

" Month of February—scarce are the dainties ;

Wakeful the adder to generate its poison ;

Habitual is reproach from frequent acknowledgment;

The hired ox has not skill to complain;

Three things produce dreadful evils,

A woman's counsel, murder, and way-laying.

Best is the dog upon a morning in spring;

Alas ! to him who murders his maid !"

To return for a moment' to the more important portion of this

publication, it may be remarked in conclusion, that the writer ap

pears to have entered upon this hazardous enterprize, this plenum

opus aleas, without having sufficiently studied the peculiar attri

butes of the early Welsh poetry. Above all, he seems not to

have been adequately prepared for that elliptical style of writing,

which throws such an air of obscurity over some of the more an

cient productions of tho Welsh Muse. His inattention to this

has given to many parts of his translation an unconnected and

disjointed appearance, which renders the passages, where it pre

vails, scarcely intelligible. We have the disjecti membra poetce

rather than the poet himself. This, indeed, is a fault, which ex

perience may remove; but there is, on the other hand, a quality,

which the translator of Aneurin ought to possess, and which, if he

have it not, no time can give. This is a poetical genius. Without

it, any attempt at a popular or faithful version were vain ; for the

spirit and manner of the bard should be conveyed to us, and not

his mere words. We can easily compromise with the translator

for them, if he will but give us, in their stead (to borrow the ap

propriate language of the writer before us), " the winged and

burning thoughts of the original f."

* *

* Ought not this to be " crow " ?—Rp.v.

f Sethis Observations on the " Peculiarities of the Poetry,'' f,r«nxctl to

the Transhticn,—P. H,—Rev.

TOL. I. 3 K


AWEN CYMRU.

A'lh rodd yw athrwydd Awen. Epit. Prys.

PENNILLION.

LVII.

Er melyned gwallt ei phen,

Gwybydded Gwen lliw'r ewyn,

Bod llawer gwreiddyn chwerw'n 'r ardd,

Ac arno hardd flodeuyn.

LVIII.

Ond ydyw hyn ryfeddod,

Bod dannedd merch yn darfod,

Ond, tra yn ei genau chwyth,

Nis derfydd byth ei thafod ?

LIX.

Pan fo haul yn t'wynu 'n wresog,

Y mae cyweirio gwair meillionog ;

Yn eich blodau, Gwen lliw 'r eira,

Y mae oren i chwitheu wra.

IX.

Main a chymhwys fal y fedwen,

Berth ei llun fal hardd feillionen,

Teg ei gwawr fal bore hafddydd ;

Hon yw nod holl glod y gwledydd.

CORONI SIOR IV. *

Duw cadwa erom ni,

Mewn fyniant, clod, a bri,

Ein Brenin Sior.

* It cannot fail to be observed in the following translation, or rather pa

raphrase, of God save the King, that, the writer has given a very happy

illustration of the capacity of the Welsh language for expressing the softest

tounds, as he has not made use of one double or harsh consonant through

the three stanzas. Indeed, his aim appears to have been to make his trans

lation such, as strangers to the language might read; and in this he has

succeeded, as well as in evincing the extraordinary qualities of the Welsh

tongue in this particular. Some readers, perhaps, when they have perused

this translation and the one that follows it from Don Juan, will be apt to

exclaim that this Idrison must be *' aut Erasmus, aut diabolus."—Eo.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON: 435

Hir yna o lesaad

Teyrnasa ar ei wlad,

Ein gobaith da, ein tad,

Ein haelav bor.

Ei syn elynion o

Bob man gan warth ar fo

Aent hwy i lawr ;

Dilea di mor iawn

Amcanion brad sy lawn,

Ac yna deua dawn

Daioni mawr

Mai haul o dirioii des

Tros BrydaiN taena les

Hir oes ein ior;

Ein breintiau, er ein ma el,

Areilied ev yn hael,

A delo mi gael

Oes hir i Sior !

Idrison.

THE MOON.

Translation from Don Juan.—Canto i.—cxm.

Machludai haul, a dwyrai hithai loer

Wenfelen : cartref diawl er drwg yw hon ;

Camenwid hi yn ddiwair, am mai oer

Ei gwedd ; can nad oes hafddydd hiraf llon

A wela hanner troiau mall a doer

Mewn awr neu ddwy gan wen y lleuad gron

J'lith daiarolion—eto hi mor wyl

Edrycha fal yn brysiaw ar ei hwyl.

Idris"ON.

ENGLISH POETKY.

Translation of the first Twenty Lines of the Gododin.

Lo ! the youth, in mind a man,

Daring in the battle's van :

See the splendid warrior's speed

On his fleet and thick-maned steedy

THE CAfcfBRO BRlTON.

At his buckler, beaming wide,

Decks the courser's slender side,

With his steel of spotless mould,

Ermined vest and spurs of gold '

Think not, youth, that e'er from me

Hate or spleen shall flow to thee ;

Nobler meed thy virtues claim,

Eulogy and tuneful fame.

Ah ! much sooner comes thy bier

Than thy nuptial feast, I fear ,

Ere thou mak'&t the foe to bleed,

Ravens on thy corse shall feed.

Owain, lov'd companion, friend,

To birds a prey—is this thy end '

Tell me, steed, on what sad plain

Thy ill-fated lord was slain.


LVH.

Let Gwen know this, though she be fair,

And boast her bright and flaxen hair,

That bitterest roots are often found

With fairest blossoms to abound.

inn.

Now is not this a wonder grown,

That women lose their teeth so fast ;

Yet, while a breath remains, 'tis know n.

Their tongues will never find their last 1

LIX.

When Phoebus darts his sultry ray

The mower cuts the flowering hay :

'Twere best then, snow-white Gwen, that you

Should marry when you blossom too.

LX.

Her shapely form what charms adorn,

As birch-tree slim, as flow'ret neat !

Her dawn of life, like summer's morn ;

'Tis she, whom all the country greet.


WALES.

METROPOLITAN CAMBRIAN INSTITUTION.—Th«

advantage of a Society in London for the purpose of co-operat

ing with those, so laudably formed in Wales for the cultivation

of our national literature, must be self-evident. Indeed, the

only matter of surprise is, that the plan was not immediately

adopted on the formation of the Cambrian Society at Carmar

then. For it is known, that the idea was then or soon afterwards

suggested and generally approved. However, be the accidents

what they may, that delayed the execution of this project, the

Principality may at length be congratulated upon its consumma

tion. . And, if it should fortunately experience the patronage it

so justly merits, there can be no doubt, that it will prove pro

ductive of all the benefits now contemplated. Butt it must not

be disguised, that, in order to ensure this desirable result, indi

viduals of rank and property in Wales should unite instantly

and heartily in the cause.

The following are all the material particulars connected with

the establishment of this Society.—On Saturday, the 24th of

June last, a meeting, which had been convened by public ad

vertisement, took place at the Freemasons' Tavern, in London,

for the purpose already noticed. Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart, was in-

the Chair : and Lord Dynevor and C. W. W. Wynn, Esq. M. P.

also attended. There was, besides, a numerous and respectable

assemblage of gentlemen, connected with Wales, resident in

London and its vicinity. The particular purpose of the meeting

having been explained by the worthy Chairman, the following

Resolutions were immediately adopted, as embracing the main

design of the projected Society.

" That the Welsh Language and Literature are eminently

worthy of cultivation, and that it is therefore highly desirable,

that a Literary Institution connected with this object be

established in London."

" That, accordingly, the Cymmrodorion Society, instituted

in 1751, be revived, and that the present Meeting do form itself

into such Society, under the designation of the' Cvmmrodorion;

or Metropolitan Cambrian Institution '."

" That this Institution be in connection with the Societies, a Iready

formed in the Provinces of Dyfed, Powys, Cwent, and Gwynedd,


having the same object in view, and that it be considered as form

ing a point of union between such Societies."

" That, for the furtherance of this object, it shall be the para

mount aim of this Institution to preserve and illustrate the ancient

remains of Welsh Literature, and to promote its cultivation in

the present day by every means in their power."

After resolving upon the particular means, whereby this object

was to be effected, the next proceeding was to appoint the Officers

of the Institution, upon which it was resolved, in the first place,

that an application should be made to his Majesty, to allow the

Institution to be established under his Royal Patronage.

' Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart, was then unanimously elected Presi

dent, on the motion of Lord Dynevor ; and the Presidents and

Vice Presidents of the Provincial Societies were declared to be

also Vice Presidents of the Cymmrodorion. Messrs. R. Edmunds

and W. O. Pughe were then appointed Librarians, and J. H.

Parry and Thos. Jones, Secretary, and Treasurer. A Committee

was afterwards selected with directions to proceed immediately in'

carrying into effect the objects of the Institution ; and their first

meeting was accordingly appointed to take place on Wednesday

the 28th ult. in St. James's-square, the President having obli

gingly offered the use of a room in his house for the occasion *.

Before the meeting separated annual sums, to the amount of 40/.

were subscribed ; and it may be hoped, that this is but an earnest

of the more liberal and extensive support, which the Institution is

destined to enjoy, and which is absolutely indispensable to its

prosperity.

It becomes now a duty in the writer of this account to observe,

that Wales is in a great degree indebted, for the formation of this

very praiseworthy Institution, to the zealous and indefatigable

exertions of a private individual during his late residence for a few

weeks in the metropolis. His unremitted endeavours, during that

period, to accomplish this purpose have at length, we may hope,

been crowned with success. The gentleman, alluded to, is the

Rev. W. J. Rees, of Cascob, near Presteign, whose very useful

services to the other Societies in Wales are too well known to be

here enumerated. He merits, on this account, the gratitude of his

country. *#*

* The late period of the month, when this Meeting was to take place, unfor

tunately precluded the possibility of giving any report of the proceedings in

the present Number. . :


WELSH JUDICATURE.—It was intimated in the last Num.

ber, that a Meeting took place in the county of Pembroke on

the 26th of May for the same purpose as that previously holden

in Carmarthenshire, in relation to the present system of adminis

tering justice in Wales. At this Meeting it was resolved to peti

tion the Legislature " either to abolish the Welsh Judicature al

together,'' or else to cause some legislative provision to be made

for its emendation. With this view, some suggestions were sub

mitted, of which the following are all, that differ from those before

proposed in the County of Carmarthen,

" To give us an efficient Court of Equity, so as to warrant the

confining of all Chancery business arising within the Principality

to that tribunal, and enable the Judges to change their circuits aa

they do in England.

" To recommend, that the source of the appointment of the

Judges shall originate with the Lord Chancellor, as is the case with

the English Judges, and not with the Treasury, as it is supposed

to be with respect to the Welsh Judges.

" To regulate the fees both in law and equity, or to vest a

power in the Judges of Wales of doing so.

" To remedy the evil and absurdity of moving for a new trial

before the same Judges a few hours after they have given the misr

direction to the Jury, upon which the application is founded.

" To remedy the inconveniencies arising from the Welsh As

sizes being held so late in Spring and Autumn as to interfere with

the seed time and harvest ; to remove the necessity of their conti

nuing for so long a period as six days, to the very serious injury

at those particular times to farmers, from which class the jurors are

generally selected, and also thereby to prevent as much as pos

sible their hearing the merits of any pending cause before they are

put into the jury-box."

It was then resolved, " That, if the Welsh Jurisdiction be con

tinued, terms and vacations be appointed in the Principality of

Wales, analogous to the present system in England for country

causes, during which pleadings shall be prepared and filed, and

causes put at issue and in perfect readiness for trial prior to the

Welsh circuits, in like manner as is done with respect to English

country causes prior to the trial thereof."

There is certainly much embarassment in this question ; and it

is not difficult to discern, that some of the propositions, already

suggested on the subject, are liable to considerable objection.

But there is no room for entering into the discussion here. All,

that can now be done, is to subjoin the names of the Members con


■tituting the Committee, which the House of Commons have ap

pointed to make the necessary investigation previous to some legis

lative enactment :—Hon. John Frederick Campbell, Lord "John

Russell, Sir J. Mackintosh, Mr. Allen, Mr. Chetwynd, SirW. W.

Wynn, Mr. Berkeley Paget, Sir T. Mostyn,Col. Wood, Mr. C.

W. Wynn, Mr. H. Clive, Mr. Wilkins, Chancellor of the Exche

quer, Attorney General, Sir J. Nicholl, Mr. Abercrombie, Mr. E.

Barham, Mr. Wrottesley, Sir J. Owen, Mr. Davenport, Mr. W.

Courteney, Mr. J. Macdonald, Mr. P. Pryse, Mr. P. Corbet. %*

LAMPETER SCHOOL.—The late Rev. Eliezer Williams

having greatly raised the reputation of this school, while under

his superintendence, by his eminent abilities, and zealous exer

tions,, his death occasioned a vacancy, which could not be easily

supplied. The Bishop of St. David's, however, anxious for the

interests of his diocese, and at all times attentive to supply its

wants, lost no time in taking proper steps to procure a person

competent to the duties of the situation, and made an offer of the

mastership of the seminary to the Rqv. John Williams, second

son of the late Rev. John Williams, the highly respected master

of Ystradmeiric School. His Lordship was more particularly in

duced to take this measure on account of Mr. Williams being one

of the first class when examined at Oxford, and his afterwards be

coming an under master at Winchester School, and also of the

very respectable character he had since acquired ; and the pro

posal was the more especially gratifying to Mr. Williams, as it

came from one who had himself been educated at Winchester

School, and had attained such eminence in classical literature, as

to render him in no small degree well qualified to judge of merit.

ISlr. Williams having accepted the appointment, some months

elapsed before he could effect his removal, and undertake the du

ties of the situation ; in the beginning of the month of May, how

ever, he commenced his labours, and from his judicious regula

tions, and close attention to the improvement of his pupils, the

school will doubtless soon become eminent among the many re

spectable seminaries in the Principality. The school-house being:

rather in a dilapidated state, Mr. Williams has obtained permis

sion to keep the school in the Town-hall, until a new one is built.

It is also in contemplation to erect a new house for the master in

the course ofthe summer, a gentleman in the neighbourhood hav

ing promised to build one at his own expence, and vest it in the

hwnds of trustees for the use of'the master for the time beinc

R

• THE

CAMBRO-BRITON.

AUGUST, 1820.

NULLI QUIDEM MIHI SATIS ERUDITI VIDENTUR, QUldUS

NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. Cicero de Lcgibtu.

THE TRIADS.—No. X,

TRIADS OF THE ISLE OF BRITAIN*

XLIX.

The three Arrant Traitors, who were the cause, by means

whereof the Saxons took the crown of the Isle of Britain from

the Cymry. One was Gwrgi Garwlwyd, who, after getting a

taste for the flesh of men in the court of Edelfled King of the

Saxons, liked it so much, that he would eat nothing but human

flesh ever after ; and, therefore, he and his men united themselves

with Edelfled King of the Saxons, so that he used to make secret

incursions upon the nation of the Cymry, and took male and

female of the young so many as he ate daily. And all the law

less men of the nation of the Cymry gathered to him and the

Saxons, where they might obtain their full of prey and spoil,

taken from the-natives of this Isle. The second was Medrawd,

who gave himself and his men to be one with the Saxons, for

securing to himself the kingdom against Arthur ; and by reason

of that treachery great multitudes of the Loegrians became as

Saxons. The third was Aeddan the Traitor, of the North, who

gave himself and his men, within the limits of his dominions, to

the Saxons, so as to be enabled to maintain themselves by confu

sion and anarchy, under the protection of the Saxons. And be

cause of those three Arrant Traitors the Cymry lost their land

and their crown in Loegria : and, if it had not been for such trea

sons, the Saxons could not have gained the Island from the

Cymry.

[This Triad, and the one, that' follows, contain the only notice,

* Arch, of Wale*, vol. H. p. 65. Tr. 45, 46.

"Vol. I. Si


that occurs in the perusal of British records, of cannibalism being-

known in the Island. The name of Gwrgi implies a cannibal ;

for Gvsrgi Garvilwyd is literally the rough brown dog-man.—

The reader is already acquainted with the history of Medrawd

from former Triads*.—Aeddan, here mentioned, is also re

corded in a Triad called the " three exterminating Slaughters,"

as having ravaged the territory of Rhydderch the Generous, the

chief of Alclwyd, the present Dunbarton. According to Merddin,

a battle was fought between Rhydderch and Aeddan at Arderydd

in Scotland, in ^which the former was victorious. This battle,

which has been fixed at A. D. 577, is called in the Triads one of

the " three frivolous battles," because it originated about a lark's

nest. The name of Aeddan occurs also in the Gododin.]

L. The three men, who were Bards, that achieved the three

good Assassinations of the Isle of Britain. The first was Gall,

the son of Dysgyvedawg, who killed the two brown birds of

Gwenddolau, the son of Ceidio, that had a yoke of gold about

them, and they devoured daily two bodies of the Cymry at their

dinner and two at their supper. The second was Ysgavnell, the

son of Dysgyvedawg, who killed Edelfled King of Loegria, who

required every night two noble maidens of the nation of the

Cymry, and violated them, and the following morning slew and

devoured them. The third was Difedel, the son of Dysgyve

dawg, who slew Gwrgi Garwlwyd, that was married to the sister

of Edelfled, and committed treason and murder conjointly with

Edelfled upon the nation of the Cymry ; and that Gwrgi killed a

male and female of the Cymry daily and devoured them ; and on

the Saturday he killed two, that he might not kill on the Sunday.

And these three men, who achieved the three good Assassina

tions, were Bards.

[Triad xlih, in No. 10, gives a farther account of these three

Bards. Triad xxvui of the second series in the Archaiology, page

13, says, that the birds of Gwenddofau guarded his treasures of

gold and silver, instead of the golden yoke. Gwenddolau is fre

quently mentioned by Merddin in his Afallannau, and appears

to have been the bard's patron. He fought on the side of Aeddaa

in the battle of Arderydd, above alluded to, and in which he was

slain.—There may be some improbability in the circumstances

detailed in this Triad ; but it does not therefore follow, that the

gross practice it records had no foundation in fact. The vices,

* No. 5, p. 171, and No. 6, p. 201.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON; 443

monstrous and barbarous as they seem, may have existed, though

the manner, in which they were displayed, has been exaggerated.]

TRIADS OF WISDOM*.

lxxI. Three things to which success cannot fail, where they

ihall justly be : discretion, exertion, and hope.

lxxiI. Three things that will be produced by merited and li

beral recommendation : the occupation easy, the intellect inven

tive, and the hope strong.

Lxxm. Three things very good to be possessed of: a house

of inheritance, a scientific trade, and privilege from native

ancestry.

lxxiv. Three things better than the foregoing : a healthy body,

praiseworthy acquirements and qualities, and liberty by claim.

lxxv. Three things better than all those : energetic reason,

patient courage, and a clear conscience.

lxxvI. The three demonstrations of the usefulness of knowlege :

wisdom, piety, and tranquillity.

lxxviI. Three persons whom it would not be discreet to believe

implicitly in what they might say : a man from a distance, a man

older than his neighbours, and a man that is volatile and su

perficial f.

lxxviiI. Three things that appertain to truth : that it signifies

, not what it may be that ought to be spoken ; that it signifies not

as to the time, place, or occasion, when it shall be spoken; and

that it signifies not what may follow from its being spoken.

Lxxix. Th8 three chief unconcealable traits of a person, and

by them he shall be known : the glance of his eye, the pronun

ciation of his speech, and the mode of his self-motion.

lxxx. Three things that shall not be obtained by loving and

coveting them overmuch : praise, easy life, and wealth.

TRIADS OF THE SOCIAL STATE +.

i. The three fundamental principles of a social state are pri

vilege, possession, and mutual compact.


f The original has this clothed in the proverbial phrase of " maen drot

iacn" or a stone over a sheet of ice.

\ These are the commencement of the. Institutional Tiiads of Dyvnwal

Moelmud, to which allusion was made in the Sth Number, p. 234. The

originals may be seen in the ArchaioVgy of Wales, vol. iii. p, 284, and «e

II. The three fundamental principles of a social compact are

protection, punishment, and pre-eminence, so far a* each is bene

ficial to country and clan.

iif. The three privileges and protections or asocial state : secu

rity of life and person; security of possession and dwelling ; se

curity of national right.

IV. Three things, that dissolve the social state : affection, fear,

and connections foreign to it.

v. Three things, that confirm the social state : effectual security

of property ; just punishment where it is due ; and mercy tem

pering justice where the occasion requires it in equity.

vI. Three things, that utterly destroy the social state : cruelty

instead of punishment ; mercy perverting justice through partia

lity ; and fraudulent judgment where a native or a stranger is

debarred of his right.

viI. The three pillars of a social state are sovereignty, the law

of the country, and distribution of justice.

vm. Three duties attached to each of these three pillars : justice

to all ; privilege and protection to all ; and competent regulations

for the benefit of the community as to instruction, information, and

record.

IX. The three elements of law are knowlege, national right, and

conscientiousness.

x. The three ornaments of a social state : the learned scho

lar, the ingenious artist, and the just judge.

XI. The three proofs of a judge: knowlege of the law; know

lege of the customs which the law does not supersede; and

knowlege of its times, and the business thereto belonging.

XII. Three things, which a judge ought always to study : equity

habitually ; mercy conscientiously ; and knowlege profoundly

and accurately.

in number 248. The translations, here given, »re a part of those left by

that distinguished scholar, the late Rev. Peter Roberts, of whom a Memoir

appeared in the Second Number of this work, and which he probably in

tended to produce at the Caermarthen Eistedvodd, if his life had been spar

ed so long. This collection will, perhaps, be published under the auspices

of the Institution receutly formed in London. The title, given them by Mr.

Roberts, was " Law Triads ;"—but the original name, Trkdd Gwladoldtb a

Chywladoldtb, means, in a liberal sense, Triads of the Social State. There

are other Triads of Dyvnwal, called Triodd y Cltalau, more curious, perhaps,

than these in their references to the ancient condition of society in this coun

try. These arc designed for insertion hereafter.—-Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.


—«ess,—

ORIGIN OF KNOWLEGE.

There is no knowlege but from art :

There is no art but from system :

There is no system but from understanding :

There is no understanding but from exertion :

There is no exertion but from inquiry :

There is no inquiry but from a cause :

There is no cause but from want :

There is no want but from necessity :

There is no necessity but from God :

Therefore there is no knowlege but from Go».

ORIGIN OF VIRTUE.

There is no virtue but from love :

There is no love but from affection :

There is no affection but from pleasure :

There is no pleasure but from sympathy :

There is no sympathy but from meetness :

There is no meetness but from kind :

There is no kind but from sense :

There is no sense but from motive :

There is no motive but from advantage :

There is no advantage but from goodness :

There is no goodness but from God :

Therefore there is no virtue but from Gop.

BARDISM.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF THE INSTITUTION.

No correct notion can possibly be formed of the early state of

society in this island without previously understanding the nature

of that singular institution, generally known under the appella

tion of Druidism, but on which that of Bardismf may more

accurately be bestowed. The members of this institution were

at once the conservators of the literature, the laws, and the reM-

* Arch, of Wales, vol. iii. 27, 28.

f The Welsh name is Bnrdias.

THE CAMBRO-BKiTON.

gion of the country : they were its poets, its philosophers, and

its priests. And we are, moreover, indebted to them for such

authentic memorials, as still remain to us, of the history of

those early ages, in which the system prevailed in its primitive

purity. On every account, then, an investigation of the princi

ples and regulations of the Bardic Institution, as they are to be

collected from the Triads, and the concurrent testimony of an

cient writers, cannot fail to be interesting, and is, besides, con

nected, in a peculiar manner, with the design of this work.

The subject has, indeed, already undergone a very satisfac

tory elucidation * ; yet the real nature of Bardism is still far from

being generally understood. For the most part a bard is consi

dered as being merely a poet, though, in fact, his ancient

office was, more properly, that of supreme instructor. Yet,

as his maxims, whether ethical or theological, w'ere generally

delivered through the medium of song, poetry became an indis

pensable qualification : and hence the terms, poet and bard, grew

in time to be synonymous However, there was, in reality, this

essential distinction between them, that while the former was, as

the etymology of the name indicates f, a mere inventor of

fiction,—truth, and truth only, was the constant guide of the

latter. Poets, again, in all countries, and in all times, have

been subject only, in their effusions, to their own arbitrary ca

price, bound by no laws and unconnected by any mutual ties;—

but the bards, from the remotest period, were governed by a

uniform system of rules and discipline, to which, not only in the

operations of their mind, but in all the actions of their lives,

they were obliged 'to conform, as will appear from the summary

view, intended to be here taken, of the general principles of

the institution.

Of the origin of this ancient system it is impossible to form

any decided opinion, so much is it concealed in the mysterious

darkness of antiquity. But in the absence of all positive testi

mony there has been no deficiency of conjecture. Some have

considered Bardism to be coeval with the Pythagorean Philoso

phy in Greece, and others have not hesitated to trace its founda-

* The best treatise, that has yet appeared on the subject, is that by Mr.

' W. O. Pughe, prefixed to his Translation of Llywaroh Hen. There are also

many valuable notices in Mr. E. Williams'* " Lyrical Poems," published in

1794. The Dissei tatio de Bardis, by the Rev. E. Evans, may hkewise be

consulted.

f From the Greek TfJis:;, to make.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 44T-

tiort to the Patriarchal ages *. And, while the doctrine of Me

tempsychosis, which formed an essential part of the old bardic

creed, seems to justify the first supposition, the primitive simpli

city of the system in general appears more particularly to favour

the last. And, if it be true, that the oak was ever an object of

veneration among the Druids f, the peculiar regard, in which the

same tree was holden by the Patriarchs, and especially in the

time of Abraham \, serves to point out a conformity of custom,

that can hardly be considered as accidental. However, without

presuming to determine this point, it is unquestionable, that the

egtablishment of Bardism amongst the ancestors of the Cymry

was of very high antiquity. Some of the Triads of Dyvnwal

Moelmud §, noticed in a preceding page, as well as the Bardic

Triads, comprehending the laws and principles of the institution,

collected from the most ancient traditions, are a sufficient proof

of this. And, when the authorities adduced by foreign writers

are also considered, there can be no doubt, that the foundation

of Bardism in Britain was long antecedent to these times, which

are commonly called historical.

Among the writers of Greece and Rome, who make any par

ticular mention of the Bardic or Druidical Institution, are Caesar,

Diodorus Siculus, Strabo, Pliny, and Ammianus Marcellinus :

and of these Caesar must be regarded as the most authentic, from

having had the advantage of some degree of personal observa

tion. Yet, even Caesar does not take that full and satisfactory

view of the Institution, which a more intimate acquaintance with

the languages spoken in Britain and Gaul might have enabled

* Amongst these is Mr. Davies, the author of the " Celtic Researches,"

vho has offered some very judicious remarks in support of the hypothesis.

f The sacred character of the oak amongst the Druids, is particularly no

ticed by the elder Pliny.—Lib. 16, c. 4. The misletoe is also mentioned bv

the same author to have been holden in veneration, because usually found

in oak groves. Ovid allu'les, likewise, to this in the following line.

" * Ad viscum Druidaj', Druidae clamare solebant."

% Allusion is here made to the oaks of Mamre and Beersheba.—See Gen.

eh. xiit. v. 18, and eh. xxi. v. 33. The English version, however, which give*

us "plain" in one of these instances, and "grove" in the other, is not

considered to be an exact translation of the Hebrew. Oaks were also

in particular veneration amongst the Heathens. Witness Jupiter's Grove of

Dodona, the oaks of which were called pXJfJWU $pve(, or prophetic oaks.

See No. 7, of the Cambro-Beiton, p. 243, in the Note.

§ For some account of this ancient legislator, see No. 8, p. 4", and

No. 8, p. 284. A specimen of the T»iads, ascribed to him, also appears in

the present number.


him to do. This is apparent from his entire silence with respect

to the Bards, whom he altogether confounds with the Druids,

who formed, however, only a component part of the same system.

Yet he evidently assigns to the latter some characteristics, whicb

particularly belonged to the former. In this respect Strabo an'

Ammianus appear to have had more accurate information, from

the distinction which they draw between the respective orders.

Yet Ceesar's account, whatever may be its defect in particulars,

is, undoubtely, the most valuable for its general correctness.

It now becomes necessary to give a summary account of the

main design and fundamental principles of this venerable system,

as they are to be collected from the Institutional Triads already

adverted to*. And whatever correspondence may present itself

between these and the classical writers will be noticed, as such

an agreement must, in a historical view, be considered pecu

liarly valuable. But it ought to be premised, that this Insti

tution, which, according to the ancient documents of the Cymry,

was of a nature extremely simple, has been so enveloped by au

thors, ancient and modern, in mythological obscurity, so con

fused and so mysticised,—that the genuine form is hardly to be

recognised through the extraneous drapery, with which it has been

encumbered. One object of the following brief sketch is to restore

the portrait to its original simplicity.

Bardism, according to the Triads, was composed of three or

ders, Bardd, Ovydd and Derwydd, or, as the words may be ren

dered in English, Bard, Ovate, and Druid f. To each of these

orders was assigned its peculiar province : to the Bard to super

intend and regulate, to the Ovate to act from the impulses of ge-

* These institutes have bet n preserved traditionally amongst the Bards

from time immemorial. They were first formed into one collection in the

16th century at several General Meetings or Congresses held for that pur

pose. But the final revisal did not take place till 1681, when, at a Congress

at Bewpyr, under the patronage of Sir Richard Bassett, the Collection, be

fore made, was declared to be a complete illustration of Bardism, as anci

ently established in Britain.

f Various etymologies of these words have been offered ; but none of

them have yet been received as indisputable. Mr. Owen Pnghe derives

Bardd from Bar signifying elevated or conspicuous : aud Derwydd he con

siders to be formed from Dar and Gnydd, meaning " before or in presence."

Hence tbe place of bardic assembly was, sometimes, called Gnyddfa, or

the Place of Presence. Gnydd is, probably too, the root of Ofydd, which

may be a corruption of Go and Gnydd.—The Bard, Ovate, and Druid wore,

respectively, blue, green, and white robes, which are said to have been,

severally, emblems of truth, nature, and purity. The Ovate was, particu

larly, the poet or sage of the institution.


nius, and to the Druid to instruct. The same orders are describ

ed by some ancient writers, both Greek and Latin, who use pre

cisely the same names*, although they do not exactly follow the

Welsh memorials, in the duties which they appropriate to them.

However, the mere conformity of the names is sufficient to vindi

cate the authority of the Triads ; and from which we farther learn,

that the Bards, by which general term all the members of the In

stitution are here implied, were entitled " Bards according to the

rights and institutes of the Isle of Britain f," first, because Bar-

dism originated in Britain, secondly, because it was never well

-understood elsewhere, and, thirdly, because it could only be pre

served by the particular customs and institutes adopted by the

Bards of the Isle of Britain. In conformity with this notion,

Caesar tells us, that Druidism had its foundation in this country,

from whence it was transported to Gaul J.

With respect to the great objects of this Institution we are in

formed, that " the three ultimate intentions of Bardism are to

reform morals and customs, to secure peace, and to praise all that is

good and excellent §," or, in other words, the general diffusion of

•benevolence and tranquillity. And, as a necessary consequence

.of those principles, it was incumbent on every member of the Insti

tution to possess, among other qualifications, irreproachable mo

rals, and also scrupulously to abstain from the use of arms unless

in cases of the most imperious necessity ||. To both these pecu

liarities Caesar bears witness ^J, where he says (to translate his

words), that " those, who are interdicted from the Institution, are

reckoned the most profligate of mankind, and whose company all

men avoid as if it were some contagious disorder ;" and shortly

* Strabo, Diodorus, and Pliny may be consulted on this point.

•)• There are not wanting instances in the present day of the assumption

of this ancient title. But, when the substance has so long disappeared, the

wisdom or propriety of thus attempting to retain the shadow may reason

ably be questioned. Genuine Bardism has been extinct for ages.

J Bell. Gall. Lib. 6, c. 13.

§ When no authority is mentioned for a quotation, it must be understood,

as in this instance, to be taken from the Triads.

|| This peculiarity of the Bardic Institution, united indeed with some

others, has occasioned a supposition, that the Society of Friends or Quakers,

might have originated with the Bards. And the circumstance of two Welsh

men being employed by George Fox, in the formation of his system, has

given a countenance to this conjecture, in addition to which it has even been

said, that a similar sect was previously known in South Wales under the

name of " Seekers."

f Bell. Gall. Lib. 6, c. 11 et 14.

VOL. f. 3 m

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

afterwards he observes, that " the Druids are exempt from all

military payments, and are excused from serving in wars." It

is clear, therefore, that the primitive design of Bardism was in the

highest degree praiseworthy. It was, indeed, the promotion of

charity and good will amongst men, for which reason it has been

very plausibly represented as an edifice reared on the basis of the

Patriarchal religion, " for the purpose of superseding the neces

sity of a recourse to arms, in the contentions of independent

states, and of restraining the excesses of individuals without the

aid of penal statutes*."

With a view to the attainment of these laudable ends of the

Institution there were certain principles, particularly cultivated

by its members, some of which deserve to be here noticed. The

most remarkable was a strict adherence to truth, which was so

zealously observed, and especially in their poetical character,

that even satire was prohibited, or accounted as one of their

" three necessary and reluctant duties" in cases of extreme ne

cessity. Hence " pure truth, pure language, and pure manners"

were regarded as the " three indispensable purities of poetry."

And, so paramount was this principle considered, that Y Gwir

yn erbyn y Byd, or Truth against the World, was the invariable

motto and rule of the Institution.

Next to this may be mentioned the free and full investigation

of all matters, relating to knowlege and wisdom, that fell beneath

their inquiry. With reference to this it was an unalterable

maxim amongst the Bards, coeliaio dim a clioeliaw pob peth,

literally, to believe nothing, and to believe every thing, but, in

a more ample sense, to believe nothing, that had not the support

of reason and truth, and to believe every thing, that had this test

in its favour. And such a maxim must be admitted to have been

particularly conducive to the establishment of useful knowlege on

a firm and durable basis.

The publicity oftheir actions, another principle adopted by the

members of this system, was also particularly regarded. Hence,

it became a rule, that their meetings were always to be holden in

the open air, in a conspicuous situation, and while the sun was

above the horizon, or, according to the Bardic maxim, yn wyneb

haul, a Uygad goleuni, in the face of the sun, and in the eye of

light. The place, usually selected for this purpose, was as central

at possible, a circumstance, to which Caesar also alludes in the

* Celtic Researches, p. 1T1.


following passage *, in reference to the Druidioal assemblies in

Gaul.—" At an appointed period in every year they have a ge

neral meeting in the territory of the Carnutes, which lies about the

middle of Gaul,, in a grove f consecrated for the occasion. To this

place all persons resort, who have any controversies to be deter- .

mined, and where they submit to the judgment, delivered by the

Druids."—At these public assemblies, called in Welsh Gorseddau,

it was always necessary that the Bardic traditions should be re

cited ; and, as this custom is supposed to have been regularly

continued until the extinction of Bardism, it accounts for the

veneration, in which the songs and aphorisms of the Bards have

ever been esteemed in Wales. It also stamps on, these produc

tions a character for authenticity, far superior to that of most

ancient compositions, and must have proved, moreover, an infal

lible security against their falsification, since they were always

published, according to the emphatical language of the Welsh

maxim, " in the face of the sun and in the eye of light J,"

Such were the most prominent features of this very singular esta

blishment. Originating, as it did, in a period of the most remote

antiquity, it appears to have been reared on a basis at once simple

and, in the last degree, durable. Its objects were of the purest,

indeed of the noblest, description,—the advancement of morality

and peace, and the celebration of excellence ; while, for the pro

motion of these great ends, the means employed were both natural

* Bell. Gall. Lib. 6, c. 13 et 14.

f It is questionable, perhaps, whether the word, in the original, ought in

this place to be luco or loco. The edition, from which this translation is

made, adopts the former, which is, accordingly, preserved in the English.

But the bardic traditions make no allusion to meetings in groves, but are,

on the contrary, as has just been seen, in direct variance with such a practice.

However, there is no doubV that groves were used by the Pagans, from the

earliest ages, as temples ; and, so general was the custom, that the words

became at length synonymous. Accordingly, Strabo tells us, that all sacred

places were called groves. AAoT] KaXovffi ra itpa, tfavra.—Geogr. Lib. 9.

In this sense too the word occurs sometimes in Scripture, as in 1st Kings,

ph. xv, v. 13. A vast fund of curious learning may be collected on this

subject.

J This practice of publicly reciting the bardic traditions may serve to ex

plain another passage in Caesar, more than once alluded to in the' progress

of this work, in which he speaks of the disciples of the Institution " not be

ing allowed to commit to writing what they were taught." This was, most

probably, in the first place, to maintain oral tradition in its original purity,

and,- as an object necessary to this, to encourage, according to Caesar's just

remark, a ret^ntiveness of memory, which the habit of tt listing to written

documents could not have failed to impair.


and peculiarly efficacious. Hence it was that wisdom and sound

knowlege were successfully cultivated amongst the ancient

Bards, and history, in a great measure, secured from those

forgeries and corruptions, which have, in the early career of other

nations, perverted its aim and made its utility problematical *.

But, after all, much caution is necessary in the examination of

this ancient system, so as, on the one hand, to divest it of the

mythological characteristics, which have been ignorantly assigned

to it by some, and to disentangle it, on the other, from the meta

physical perplexities, in which a few of its too zealous admirers

have involved it. Yet, notwithstanding the obvious hazard of

the task, an attempt will, hereafter, be made to investigate th6

religious and poetical nature of the Bardic Institution, as well as

to take an historical view of its establishment in this country ; and

to which the present account may be considered as introduc

tory.

• **


THE LATE REVEREND ELIEZER WILLIAMS.

The Rev. Eliezer Williams, A.M. Vicar of Lampeter, Car

diganshire, and Head Master of the Licensed Grammar School in

that town, was the eldest son of the late Rev. Peter Williams of

Carmarthen. lie was born in the parish of Llandevegley in that

county, about the year 1754, and after, having been well ground

ed in the rudiments of the Latin grammar under the late Rev. J.

Williams, at that time Curate of St. Ismael's, he was sent, when

about eleven or twelve years of age, to the Carmarthen Free

Grammar School, which was then ably conducted by that eminent

classic and excellent scholar the late Rev. W. H. Barker, A. M.

Vicar of Carmarthen. Here he soon made considerable progress

in his studies, and was noticed by his master as a boy of very

considerable parts and uncommon talents. He continued under

the care of this able instructor, beloved by him and caressed by

his schoolfellows, and frequently giving proofs of his future emi-.

* One of the most effectual means adopted, under the Bardic system, for

preserving history in its genuine purity was the form of the Triad, upon the

general advantages of which a few observations were offered in the first

Number ef this publication. See also No. 6, p. 424.

THE CAMBRO-BPJTON. 458

nence, until he was of age to be removed to the University, when

he became a member of Jesus College, in Oxford.

While he was at school he assisted his father in the publication

of his Annotations on the Welsh Bible, and of his Concordance,

which was the first ever published in that language ; and the He

brew words and explanatory notes on the proper names in the latter

were exclusively his own. These two books have since under

gone several editions, and have been of incalculable benefit to the

natives of the Principality. About the year 1770, that distin

guished Welsh scholar and bard, the late Rev. Evan Evans {alias

Prydydd Hir), author of " Specimens of Ancient Welsh Poetry"

and various other publications, was in the habit of making fre

quent visits to his father, during which time Mr. Eliezer Williams

contracted an intimate acquaintance with him, and in consequence

cultivated a particular knowlege of his native language, to which

he became greatly attached. About this time also his father pro

moted the publication of a Welsh Magazine, denominated

" Eurgrawn Cymraeg." This was the first periodical work that

ever appeared in that language ; it was chiefly conducted by him

and one Evan Thomas, a Welsh poet from Montgomeryshire, then

resident at Carmarthen. This Magazine contained, first, Brut y

Tywysogion, or History of the Welsh Princes ; 2dly, Disserta

tions and Remarks on various Subjects ; ' 3dly, Poetry ; 4thly,

News, foreign and domestic. The poetical department contained

some of the compositions of Ieuan Brydydd Hir, Hugh Hughes,

and Robert Hughes of Anglesey, John Thomas and his son

Evan Thomas, of Montgomeryshire, Iorwerth ab Gwilim alias

Iolo Morganwg, and many others. Here also some of our

young poet's first effusions made their appearance ; and it seems,

that he had acquired such a perfect knowlege of his native lan

guage at this time, and was so thoroughly grounded in its struc

ture and rudiments, that, although he never resided in Wales,

and indeed very seldom even visited the Principality from the

time he left Oxford until he was fifty years of age, he could both

speak and write it as correctly as when he first quitted his native

county.

Soon after he left Oxford, he became Assistant Master of the

Free School at Wellingford in Berkshire, under Mr. Burges, and

was Curate of Mongewell near that town, where the present

venerable and amiable Bishop of Durham (Dr. Barrington, then

Bishop of Salisbury) frequently resided, who attended his minis

try, and in a most friendly manner invited him frequently to his

4.14 THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

house, conversed with him most familiarly on various subjects,

and soon discovered, that he was a young man of great informa

tion and uncommon abilities. And, when his Lordship was exalt

ed to his present distinguished situation in the Church, he very

kindly proposed to take Mr. Williams along with him, and to

make him one of his Chaplains, a proposal which Mr. William*

ever afterwards regretted that he had not accepted. He had,

however, at this time other objects in view, having an inclina

tion, like most young men, to see a little of the world ; and, a

war with France having commenced, an offer was made him,

which just suited his wishes, viz. that of becoming Chaplain on

board the Cambridge man of war (Admiral Keith Stewart), and

of being tutor to the present Earl of Galloway, then Lord Garlies.

He accepted this appointment with pleasure, and continued some

years at sea, and was with Lord Howe at the relief of Gibraltar,

and on other occasions. At the request of the late Lord Galloway

he quitted that situation, and became tutor to his Lordship's chil

dren at Galloway House, where he resided upwards of eight years ;

during which time he was, through the interest of his Lordship,

presented by the Lord Chancellor Thurlow to the vicarage of

Caio in Llansawel, in the county of Carmarthen When he was

at Galloway House, he became acquainted with a French Refugee

Lady (Miss Anne Adelaide Grebert, a native of Nancy in Lor*

raine), whom he married in London about the year 1792. This

Lady died in the year 1796, and was buried, with a fine little

boy, in the Cannongate, Edinburgh, where Mr. Williams was

then resident, being employed by Lord Galloway to search for

papers, in order to make out some part of the Stewart pedigree;

and he was so far successful in these researches, that his Lordship

was soon afterwards, in consequence of his claim being made ap,

parent, created an English Peer.

In the course of a few years the subject of this brief memoir

went to London, and became Secretary and Chaplain to an

elderly gentleman of considerable property ; and it was here he

became acquainted with his second wife, Jane Amelia Nugent,

daughter of St. George Armstrong, Esq. of Drumsna, in Ireland,

then holding a commission in the Westmoreland Militia. Unfor

tunately for him, this Lady had been expensively brought up,

though without any independent fortune, and had been accus

tomed to indulge in fashionable gaiety and "dissipation ; in con

sequence of which she soon involved him and his family in such

difficulties and embarrassments, that, with all his prudence, inde-r

THE CAMBRO-BR1TON. 455

fatigable exertions, and application to the drudgery of a school,

he was never afterwards able to extricate himself. Soon after

his last marriage, he took lodgings in Rathbone-place, Oxford-

street, and served several Curacies in and about London. Here

Captain and Mrs. Armstrong not only visited him frequently,

but continued to live with him some time ; and, in order to gratify

their taste for amusements and dissipation, he was imprudently

prevailed upon to plunge into all the expense of such a mode of

life. Being at length, however, aware of his error, he retired to

Chadwell, near Grays, in Essex, which Curacy he served for

several years, and where two or three of his children were born.

Yet here he was not able to retrench, or to live more economi

cally, owing to the thoughtless extravagance already alluded to;

and, as he perceived that he was involving himself in fresh diffi

culties, he came to the resolution of going to reside upon his

small living of Caio, in Carmarthenshire, from which he had

never received more than 130/., after deducting his Curate's

salary and all other expenses.

About this time, 1805, the Vicarage of Lampeter, in Cardi

ganshire, became vacant, to which he was presented by the pre

sent worthy and excellent Bishop of St. David's, and here he

continued to reside until the time of his death ; and it would be

desirable, that some of his friends in that part of the Principality

would supply you with an account of this latter period of his life.

It is reported, that his pupils have it in contemplation to erect a

monument to his memory ; and it may be hoped, that this plan

will soon be carried into execution.—A very handsome subscrip

tion has already been commenced for the relief of his children,'

who have been left in very distressed circumstances. '

Maridunensis.



DENBIGH.

[Concluded.]

§. 9. Owain Glyndwr.—His Claim to the Principality.

—2. The second point to be discussed is the claim, that Owain

Glyndwr had to the Principality of Wales, as being descended

from its lawful and acknowleged Princes.


Dr. Powell says *, " By these pedigrees it is evident that the

title which Owain Glyndwr pretended to the Principality of

Wales was altogether frivolous ; for he was not descended of the

house of North Wales by his father, but of a younger brother of

the house of Powys." Again :—" I know none, which are law

fully descended from Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, but such as are

come out of the house of Mortimer ; in the which house, by or

der of descent, the right of the inheritance lieth."

From such assertions as these Dr. Powell appears to have been

a Vicar of Bray, as well as the Vicar of Rhiw-Vabon f. He

might have known, that some of the oldest and best genealogists

maintain, that Gruffydd, son of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, was not

base born, and that Davydd ab Llywelyn, his half brother, suc

ceeded his father in the Principality, to the exclusion of Gruffydd,

owing entirely to his superior interest with his uncle Henry III.,

king of England. Then, Gruffydd being legitimate, his son

Llywelyn must have a claim paramount to that of the Mortimers

descended from Gwladus, the sister of Gruffydd. Catherine,

daughter of the last Llywelyn, by Eleanor, daughter of Simon

de Montfort, married Philip ab Ivor, lord of Iscoed, in Cardigan

shire, and had issue Eleanor Goch, who married Tomas ab Lly

welyn, a lineal descendant of Rhys ab Tewdwr, Prince of South

Wales, and had issue Helen, who married Gruffydd Vychan,

lord of Glyndyfrdwy and Cynllaith, who had issue, among others,

Owain Glyndwr.

When Owain Tudur married Catherine, widow of Henry V.,

much declamation was used to vilify his descent. Even, in later

times, Rapin says—" It is pretended, that this gentleman was de

scended from the ancient kings of Wales ; but I do not know

whether his extraction be well made out." His translator,

Tindal, adds—" It is likewise said, that he was the son of a

brewer." To mend the matter a little, Tindal goes on—" but

the meanness of his extraction was made up by the delicacy of

his person, being reckoned the handsomest man of his time J."

It seems, that these historians knew nothing of the commission

issued by Henry VII., and directed to the Abbot of Llanegwest,

Dr. Owen Pool, Canon of Hereford, and others, to search dili-

* Hist, of Wales, let edition, p. 318.

f Commonly pronounced and spelt Ruabon.—En.

% Edit. 8vo. 1729, vol. v. p. 806.


gently the archives of Wales, that he might know who his grand

father was. The commissioners made a full return, which has been

published in an Appendix to Wynn's History of Wales : they

did not find, it is true, that Owain Tudur was descended from

the Great Mogul, or from the Khan of Tartary ; but they found

him of higher descent—from persons of the most exalted rank,

princes and kings of their own country. A higher descent than

this no son of Adam can boast.

What pedigrees were honourable to Owain Tudur were equally

so to Owain Glyndwr ; for they were near relations, as is appa

rent from the following sketches.

Edwin, the sixth among the fifteen tribes of Wales, was stiled

prince or king of Englefield. He was great grandson of Hywel

Dda, Prince of Wales, and had his residence at Llys Llan Eur-

gain *, about the year 1041. From him descended Ithel Vychan,

son of Ithel Llwyd.

Ithel Vychan.

3.

4.

2.

Tudur,

Gronwy,

Meredydd,

2. Gruffydd o'r Rhuddallt,

I

3. GrufTyyd Vychan,

4. Owain Glyndwr.

Owain Tudor.

'omas= Eleanor Goch, grand-daughter of Llywelyn,

Prince of Wales.

* Northop, in Flintshire.

VOi-. J. 3 N

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

111.

Three Royal Tribes centering in Owain Glyndwr.

t. 2. 3.

Bleddyn ah Cynvyn, Rhys ab Tewdwr, Gruffydd ab Cynan,

of Powys.

Meredyd,

I

Madog,

I

Gruffydd Maelor,

of S. Wales.

Gruffydd,

I

Arglwydd Rhys,

1

Rhys Gryg,

of N. Wales.

Owain Gwynedd,

I

lorwerth Drwyndwn,

I

Llywelyu,

i i i

Madog, Rhys Mechell, Gruffydd abLlywelyn

I 1 , I

Gruffydd, dinas Bran, Rhys Vychan, = Gwladus.

I

Gruffydd Vychan,

I

Madog Gloff, Margarpl

I

Madog Vychan,

I

Gruffydd o'r Rhuddalll,

I

Gruffydd Vychan,

I

Owain Glyndwr.

More might be added ; but these three are enow. Though

Glyndwr descended maternally from the Princes of North and

South Wales; yet, as the Salic law was never acknowleged in

Britain, his natural right to the Principality was valid, in default

of superior claims by collateral descendants in the male line.

3. We come now to the third point to be discussed, the loco-

position of the " Sycharth, buarth y Beirdd," of Iolo Goch ;

which undoubtedly was a mansion of Owain Glyndwr. Mr-

Pennant, in the Index to his Tour of Wales, has " Sycharth,

the seat of Owain Glyndwr ;" and, in following his reference to

the page, we find him describing it as situate in' the valley of

the Dee, three miles below Corwen ; and he makes no hesitation

in concluding, that there the spirited chieftain was visited by his

devoted bard.

In the year 1792 I had the curiosity to visit this spot in Glyn-

dyfrdwy, and also another place called, and universally known

by the name of, Sycharth, in this parish of Silin : and, when I

returned to Mr. Pennant's volume, I entered in the margin,

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

opposite the name Sycharth—" Sycharth, the seat of Owaiii

Glyndwr, described by Iolo Goch, in his Invitation Poem, is iri

the parish of Llan-Silin, about twelve miles to the south by east

of Glyndyfrdwy —and I am still more and more confirmed in

this opinion.

However, to bring this point to an issue, let us appeal to the

written testimony of the 14th century, which is to be found in

the poem by Iolo Goch. This visit by the bard was several

years before the insurrection of 1400, as Glyndwr's children are

described, in the Invitation Poem, as infants and half-grown,

introduced in pairs, by their mother, to the venerable stranger ;

•whereas, during the conflict, which commenced in 1400, some of

the daughters were married, and the sons were of age and cou

rage to take the field, and to fall, in their father's cause.

Let us examine the Invitation Poem, &c. part by part.—;

1. The name of the mansion :—In one poem the place is called

" Sycharth, buarth y beirdd."—i. e. " Sycharth, where bards

throng." In the poem in question occurs,—" Na syched fyth yri

Sycharth :"—i. e. " Thirst is a privatipn unknown in Sycharth."

. As Owain was baron of two lordships, no one will deny his hav

ing a seat in each ; one on the Dee in Glyndyfrdwy, the other

on the Cynllaith in this parish. The only question to be de

cided is—in which of the two mansions the chieftain resided,

when he was visited by the veteran bard, who wrote the poem,

so fully descriptive of the house and its appendages. The scite

of his seat in Llan-Silin has been called Sycharth time out of

mind, and is not now known by any other name. The whole

township is called Sycharth, in every court-leet, and in every

parochial document. The scite of his residence in Glyndyfrdwy,

or the moat surrounding it, is called Pwll Eingl *. Since the

publication of Mr. Pennant's Tour of Wales, arid the Poem by

Mr. Rhys Jones, both in the year 1773, the idea may have been

considerably circulated, that this spot at Pwll Eingl must have

been the Sycharth described by Iolo Goch ; as it was never sus

pected, not even by the eagle-eyed and correct Mr. Pennant,

that the illustrious chieftain had any other baronial mansion than

that in the valley, which gave him his surname of Glyndyfrdwy,

and contractedly Glyndwr.

2. " Ty pren glan, yn nhop bryn glas."

" A fair house of wood, on the summit of a green hillock."

• I am obliged to the Rev. Mr. Beans, who resides near the spot, for

much information on the subject under discussion,

460 THE CAMBRO-BtUTON.

. —j

At both places the scite is surrounded by a moat. On the

Dee the area, enclosed by it, is forty-six paces by twenty-six :

" it is not on a tumulus, but the ground is a little raised." At

Sycharth the scite is a circle of thirty paces diameter ; on the

summit of an artificial tumulus, which is surrounded by the

moat, six yards wide, and about the same in depth from the top

of the mound. To the west, bordering on the moat, is a pro-'

pugnaculum in the form of a lunette, about three hundred paces

from point to point, and about thirty over, for the purpose of

defending the bridge over the moat, when necessary: the

whole on the summit of a natural round hillock, shelving on all

sides. The bard has been very particular in describing the plan

of the house, and its outbuildings, chapel, dove-house, &c. A

person, well acquainted with the varieties of ancient architecture,-

might favour the. readers of the Cambro-Briton with an ichno-

graphy and elevation of the mansion, from the helps afforded'

by the bard in this poem.

3. " Gerllaw 'r llys

Pawr ceirw mewn pare arall."

" The deer graze in another park, adjoining the palace."

" On the Dee, adjoining the scite of the palace, are two in

cisures ; one is called Pare Isa, the other, Pare. The Pare Isa

is small, but the other Pare is from seventy to eighty acres."

In Cynllaith, the next house to Sycharth, on the south-east,,

is a place called Pare Sycharth, with a farm attached to it.

This is at the southern end of an extensive wood, which occupies

the escarpment of a rocky hill, also called Pare Sycharth, and

may have been the Pare Owning (the rabbit warren) of the

bard. At the northern end of the same wood are a few houses

called Pentre y Own, where the master of the buck, hounds to his

barony and his assistants resided.

4. " Melin deg, ar ddifreg ddwr."

" A fair mill on a perennial stream."

There are no vestiges of such an appendage oh the Dee. At

Sycharth there is, on the perennial rivulet Cynllaith, close at

the foot of the hillock, whereon the palace stood, a mill, formerly

called Melin Sycharth; but owing to the grist-mill being lately

converted into a fulling-mill, it is now called Pandy Sycharth.

5. " Pysgodlyn."

A fo rhaid i fwrw rhwydau."

" A fish-pond to cast nets into." a


" On the Dee, there are no traces of fish-ponds." At Sy

charth, between the palace and the wood (the " pare owning")

the ichnography of two fish-ponds, one above the other, is still

visible ; though now much filled with an accumulation, in a state

of transition from aquatic vegetables into an imperfect peat.

This matter is several feet deep on the original base of the

ponds. The water could not be very abundant; and what

formerly supplied the ponds has now been diverted into other

channels, by the operation of draining. The fish, which stocked

the ponds, the bard informs us, were pike and whiting ; each

species probably separate, the whiting, says Mr. Pennant,

from Bala Lake; •

6. u Dwyri blaenffrwyth cwrw Amwythig."

Among a variety of beverages enumerated by the bard,

" Shrewsbury Ale" is included. That town, in former times,

was much commended for its excellent mode of brewing. Even

now its malt is in request in distant parts—" o Lundain i Iyn

Cawellyn." Cwrw Amuythig could be conveyed with greater

facility to Sycharth than to Glyndyfrdwy. At the latter mansion

the bard would have had occasion, probably, to chaunt the enco

mium of Cwrw Caer Lleon *.

I trust, that it will now be conceded by our neighbours on the

banks of the Dee, that Owain Glyndwr was, at least, an inhabitant

of Cynllaith ; especially at the time he was visited by the cele

brated bard Iolo Goch, who in after times, by his war-songs,

roused the hero and his countrymen to arms.

A glossary on these war-songs, by Iolo and others, would be

curious and interesting ; and, for want of such a key, many pas

sages in them are dark and inexplicable.

How long his mansions stood, at Glyndyfrdwy and Cynnlaith,

after the fall of their owner, is not now known. As they were of

timber, and not inhabited, they must soon have fallen to decay.

There are now no vestiges at either place. The scite at Sycharth

has of late been ploughed many times, without having any relics

discovered. A few nails, and fragments of stones, bearing the

* But perhaps I may be mistaken on this point, as Chester Ale was not

famous in former days. Hear a good judge on the subject:— ' •

" Naws eidralf meddal, yn rneddwi—Saison

Naws eisin a bryntni;

Naws tair afon ts trefi,

Nawj cwrw Caer—ni's car ci !"

Sion Tudur, 1370.

f Ground-ivy.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

marks of ignition, are the only remains that I saw. It is not

probable, that the house was burned, as the ploughed soil contains

no fragments of charcoal.

Glyndwr's first act of open hostility was on the 20th of Sep

tember 1400, when he sacked and burned the town of Ruthin.

Henry IV., on the 8th of November following, escheated all his

estates in Wales, and made a grant of them to his own brother,

John, Earl of Somerset *. Glyndwr, at this time, thought such a

grant as preposterous as if his Majesty had granted his brother

an estate in the moon. However, the predictions of the bards

deceived, and fortune at length forsook, our hero. His posses

sions for a time continued in the hands of the Somersets. Thirty-

three years after the grant was made in their favour, in the 1 1th

of Henry VI., Sir John Scudamore, of Kent-Church, Knight, in

right of Alicia his wife, daughter and heir of Owain Glyndwr,

brought an action at law for the recovery of the manors of

Glyndyfrdwy and Cynllaith, which was opposed by the Earl of

Somerset, son of the grantee, then a prisoner in France*, and,

• Rymei's Fcedera, viii. 163.

* This Earl of Somerset had been taken prisoner by the Earl of Buchan

at the unfortunate action at Beauge, in Prance, 3d of April, 1421; and

was not released till the year 1433, when he was exchanged for the Earl

of Eu, of the house of Artois, who had been a prisoner in England since the

battleof Agincourt, in 1415. Among the slain at Bauge, on the side of the

English, were the Duke of Clarence, brother to Henry the 5th, the Earl of

Kent, the Lord Ross, and the Lord Grey of Powys. There is extant, in

MS., a well written Elegy, in Welsh, on the death of this Lord of Powys, by

an anonymous bard. The poem begins—

" Gwae wlad oer, gwilio derwen,

Darffo i wynt dori 'i phen !" &c.

I should be obliged to some brother correspondent for the name of the au

thor, who must have been either one of the cavalry at the battle of Bauge,

or present at the funeral of Lord Grey at Welshpool j for he says—

** Och ban fum uwch ben ei fedd,

Rhoi fy nhroed ar Panrhydedd ! "

As the Earl of Salisbury came up in time to rescue the body of the Duke of

Clarence from the Scots, which he sent to the King his brother in England,

it is possible that the body of the Lord Grey might have been sent at ths

same time, to be entombed at Welshpool ; and the bard seems to insinuate

as much, when he mentions his lady's distress upon the occasion, who was

Joan, daughter and co-heiress of the last of the Charltons of Powys.

Iarlles fro Went, ar llys fraith,

Ac mor wan—a'i marw unwaith ;

Arlloes floedd, a'rllais flwng,

Hyd trwy allor y Trallwng.

It seems by this, that the Lord Grey was buried in the chancel of Pool

Church.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

as might be expected, considering the quality and circumstances

of the respective parties, with success.

The Duke of Somerset was attainted the 1st of Edward IV., in

1461—pardoned in 1462—and, for joining Margaret the Queen

of Henry VI., beheaded in 1463. Edmund his brother, then

Duke of Somerset, fled beyond the seas. In the same year, Ed

ward IV., having in vain offered a pardon to all the friends of the

house of Lancaster, who would make their submission, and swear

allegiance' to him by a given time, confiscated their estates. It

was at this time, most probably, that the possessions of Owain

Glyndwr, hitherto in the hands of the Somersets, were alienated,

- —the Lordship of Cynllaith Owain, in this parish, to the owner

of the Llangedwyn estate, now the property of Sir W. W.

Wynn, Bart. ; and the Lordship of Glyndyfrdwy to Robert Sa

lisbury, Esq. of Rug,—and from him, and the succeeding Salis-

burys—the Pughes of Mathafarn in Montgomeryshire—the Pryces

of Gogerddan in Cardiganshire—to the present Lord of Glyn

dyfrdwy, Gruffydd Hywel Vychan, Esq. of Rug. Mr. Yorke, in

his Royal Tribes, p. 64, may have been mistaken in saying, that

these lordships were sold by Henry IV., as, for the reasons above

given, it is more apparent, that they were disposed of by Edward

JV. in the confiscation of the Somerset possessions in 1463.

. " • Omitting, for the present, any further anecdotes relative to

• pur parishioner Glyndwr—the modes of incitement made use of

by the bards to rouse their " Maby Darogan" to action—and to

prevail upon him to continue the struggle for national liberty,

even when but faint hopes of success remained—

" Na weinia gledd—Owain y Glyn," &c.

J shall conclude this account of him, and of the parish where he

occasionally resided, with only noticing the discrepancies of

writers respecting the time of his death, some dating it earlier,

pthers later. Rapin says, " It is certain that he lived till the year

1417." We must prefer Welsh authority upon this point ;

which is, that he sunk under a pressure of anxiety and disap

pointment at the house of one of his two daughters, Scudamore

or Monington, in Herefordshire, on the eve of St. Mathew, Sept.

20, 1415. A Welsh Englyn preserves the year of his rising, as

■well as the year of his death, without scarcely a possibility of

mistake, thus—

Mil, a phedwar-cant, nid mwy—cof ydyw

Cyfodiad Glyndyfrdwy ;

A phymtheg, prafF ei saflwy,

Bu Owain hen byw yn hwy.


APPENDIX A.

Some Memoranda of the Civil War in North Wales, written

at the time, by Mr. Win. Maurice, of Llan-Silin, extracted from

the Wynnstay Manuscripts.

1644.

Nov. 29. " The Parlm" burnt Mathavarn, in Mountg", and

made that part of the country conformable to the rest.

1645.

Aug. 2.—" The Montgomeryshire forces invaded Meirionydd-

shyre, and lay for a time at Dolgelle. The same day the

King's forces burnt Ynys y Maengwyn lest the Parlm"

should find any harbour there.

" The same clay E. V. fortified a new garrison * at

Aber Marchand.

Aug. 21. " The Montgom" forces invaded again Meirionydd-

shyre, and lay for a week at Bala, until they were driven

out of the country by Sir John Owen and the North

Wales men.

" In this voyage the Parlm" burnt Caer Gai f.

Sept. 21. " The King passed through Mountgomeryshyre, and

lay that night at Llan Fyllin. The next day, the 22d

Sept., the King marched from Llan Fyllin by Brithdir,

where he dined, and gave proclamation among his soul-

diers, that they should not plunder any thing in Denby-

shire, and thence through Mochnant toCevn hirFynydd,

and so along the tops of the mountains to Chirk Castle.

The rest of the forces marched to Llan-Silin. The next

day after, being Tuesday, the King advanced towards

- ' Chester.

Sept. 24. " Being Wednesday, the King's forces were routed

by the Parlm" army in a place called Rowton Moor.

" From Chester the King retreated to Denbigh Castle,

and, having layed there two or three nights, retourned

to Chirk Castle. The next morning, viz. 29 7bris, he

advanced from thence with his army through Llan-Silin,

and quartered that night in Halchdyn J, and so passed

through Mountgomeryshyre towards Ludlow.

* The house, then fortified, is still called by the name of Y Garr'u; it is

in the parish of Llanwdddyn, opposite Cynon isa.

.f Caer Gai, supposed to have been a Roman station, was at this time the

seat of Rowland Vychan, Esq. a staunch loyalist, who suffered much in the

royal cause.—See Cambro-Briton, No. 6, p. 231, Note.—En.

t Halchdyn is in Deuddwr, between the rivers Havren and Vyrnry, and

star Llandrinio. The name of the place has been anglicised into HaughtoB

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

1616

Feb. 23. " The Montgomeryshire forces began to fortifie Llan-

Silin Church for the straightninge and keepinge in of

Chirk Castle men, where Sir John Watts was Govnoure ;

who, shortly after, deserting the Castle, and marchinge

towards the King's army with all his garrision, were

taken by the men of Montgomery Castle after a hotte

bickeringe in Church Stoke Churche, the first day of

Marche, 1646."

Idris.

THE MISCELLANIST.—No. VI.

It may be proper to mention, that the following picturesque

description of the practice of burning the furze and heath on the

Welsh mountains forms part of a work, designed for publication,

as before noticed in the Cambro-Briton *, under the title of

" Cambrian Sretches," and to the writer of which the

" Sketches of Society " and the " Miscellanist " have been in

debted for many interesting contributions.

* *

FURZE-FIRING.

The fire, when kindled by our shepherds, moves

Through the dry heath, before the fanning wind.

Douglas.

It is customary in Merionethshire, as it is in other parts of

the kingdom, to remove, at a certain season of the year, the

furze and stunted heath, with which the hills are so plenteously

covered, in order to provide for the cattle a more salutary and

acceptable winter pasture. Their removal is effected by fire, and

in Wales the season for consuming them is generally about No

vember or December. It is by no means a custom of modern

date, nor is its use peculiar to our country ; for we find that

it is practised in Italy, and precisely under similar circumstances.

" They still use the method of burning the stubble" (we are in

formed), " especially in the more barren fields, in most parts of

Italy, and about Rome in particular, where there is so much bad

ground f." It is evident that the Italians inherit this custom from

their ancestors, the Romans ; and it is perhaps equally clear,

* No. 7. p. 279.

f Holdsnorth, Author of the Mustipula.

Vol. I. 3 0


that the Britons became acquainted with it by the same means.

Virgil, in his Georgics, has described the practice as it existed

among the Romans, and the following is the description alluded

to:—

Ssepe etiam steriles incendere profuit agros,

Atque levem stipulam crepitantibus urere flammis.

Sive inde occultos vires et pabula terrae

Pinguia concipiunt : sive illis omne per ignem

Excoquitur vitium, atque exudat inutilis humor :

Seu piures calor ille vias, et caeca relaxat

Spiramenta, novas veniat qua succus in herbas: . .

Seu durat inagis, et venas astringit hiantes :

Ne tenues pluvise ; rapidive potentia solis

Acrior, aut Bores penetrabile frigus adurat.

Gbohg. Lib. i. v. 84 et seq.

Long practice has a sure improvement found,

With kindled fires to burn the barren ground;

When the light stubble, to the flames resigned,

Is driven alpng, and crackles in the wind.

Whether from hence the hollow womb of earth

Is warmed with secret strength for better birth ;

Or, when the latent vice is cured by fire,

Redundant humours through the pores expire ;

Or that the warmth distends the chinks, and makes

New breathings, whence new nourishment she takes,

Or that the latent heat the gaping ground constrains, -

New knits the surface, and new strings the veins, ,

Lest soaking showers should pierce her secret seat,

Or freezing Boreas chill her genial heat,

Or scorching suns too violently beat.

Drvden's Translation.

Furze-firing, I well remember, was a favourite pursuit of mine,

when a boy, and roving amongst the wild hills in the south-western

part of Merionethshire. In the dark and gloomy winter nights

I was accustomed, with two or three of my young friends, and

under the care and guidance of an aged and experienced shep

herd, to sally forth for the purpose above specified. We had

generally the clearing of one particular hill in view, and, if the

wind was favourable, we accomplished our task without much toil

or difficulty. There is something extremely grand and beautiful

in a scene of Furze-firing. The flames at first scarcely rise


above the surrounding heath-bushes ; but, as they gather strength

and brilliancy from an augmentation of fuel, they burn brightly,

illuminating rock, mountain, and valley, with their red and glow

ing glare. Now the light diminishes to a small and scarcely

discernible speck; now it spreads before the wind with asto

nishing rapidity, brightning and enlarging in its progress, the

broad bickering flame rendering the adjoining objects distinctly

visible, till they are consigned to utter darkness by its complete

and final extinction.

Oh ! 'tis a scene sublime and dire,

> To see the billowy sea on fire,

Rolling its fierce and flaky flood

O'er mountains high and tangled wood !

Nor are the persons of the incendiaries without their share of inte

rest in the scene. To a distant spectator they seem like disem

bodied spirits, as their shifting figures slide along the ridges of the

mountains, now bronzed by the reflection of the flames—now en

veloped in smoke, or partially obscured by the surrounding dark

ness. Often have I assisted in a scene like this, and, although

then but a child, its wild and magnificent splendour made so

forcible an impression on my mind, that my memory still retains

the remembrance with fond, and, perhaps, lasting fidelity.

Mervinius.

The following curious Anecdote, with respect to the celebrated

Ceubren yr Ellyll, can not fail to be interesting ; and the Editor

feels much obliged to Sir Richard Hoare for the communication.

THE NANNAU OAK.


Sir,—Observing, at page 226 * of your work, an account of the

celebrated Nannau Oak, I beg leave to correct an error in your

description of its downfalf. During a visit to Sir Robert Vaughan,

in the summer of the year 1813, this aged tree, mentioned by

Mr. Pennant, attracted my notice ; and on the morning of the

13th of July I made a drawing of it, in one of the most sultry

days I ever felt. The succeeding night was equally hot, and on

that same night this venerable Oak fell to the ground.

* No. 6.—Ed.

f This is described, in the place alluded to, to have taken place during a

violent storm, which, however, it appeals fri>m this account by Sir Richard

Hoare, waj not correct.— Ed.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Wishing to perpetuate its memory, I put the drawing into the

hands of Mr. George Cuitt, at Chester, who has made a most

-spirited etching from it, which may be procured either from him,

at Chester, or from Mr. Colnaghi, printseller in London. By the

favour of Sir Robert Vaughan I have obtained a sufficient por

tion of the original wood to make an appropriate frame for ,the

drawing.—I am, Sir, yours, &c.

Stourhead. R. C. Hoare.

THE VIGNETTE ON THE TITLE-PAGE *.

The drawing, from which the wood-cut in the Title-page of this

work has been taken, represents the entrance of the Circle of

Abury, in Somersetshire, looking out of the Circle, having Til

bury in the distance by the right hand stone, and introducing

•also in the distance, between the two entrance stones, a view of

the eastern avenue leading to the Circle. As Abury was, un

doubtedly, in ancient times, the metropolitan place of meeting for

the Bards or Druids of Britain, and perhaps of Gaul, there will

necessarily be occasion to say a good deal about it in the progress

of this work. At present there is barely room to notice the great

error, that has been committed by antiquaries and tourists, in al

ways considering Stonehenge as the principal remains of this

nature, while the stupendous work of Abury, pure in its form

according to the Bardic or Druidical system, is scarcely ever

brought to our view. Yet it appears, from Stukeley's description

of it, that its diameter was above 1400 feet, while that of Stone

henge was but 99 feet. In the time of Stukeley the Circle of

Ahury was nearly entire, comprising an area of 22 acres, so that,

around the vallum isself, there was probably room for 200,000

spectators. Behind this, again, rises an amphitheatre of beautiful

hills, where millions might have stood to see the ceremonies per

formed in the Circle. There were also two avenues of stones,

each about half a mile, leading into it from opposite sides, which

Stukeley considered to be the head and tail of a serpent, and the

Circle its coil in the middle. Some of the stones were about a

hundred tons in weight, and the heaviest at Stonehenge is only

about thirty. The Gothic feelings of the Lord of the Manor,

who has suffered most of these to be demolished for building ma

terials, ought not to pass without notice.

* **

* The Editor is indebted to his friend Mr. Owen Pughe, to whom he al

ready owes so much, for this drawing, which Mr. P»she took on the spot be.

tween twenty and thirty years ago. . i


AWEN CYMRU.

A'ih rodd yw atkrwydd A-xen. Edm, Prys.

A W D L

A GANT

DAVYDD BENVRAS I LYWELYN AB IORWERTH *.

Gwr a wnaeth llewych o'r gorllewin,

Haul a lloer addoer, addef iessin,

A'm gwnel radd uchel rwyf cyfychwin

Cyflawn awen awydd Fyrddin,

I ganu moliant, mal Aneurin gynt,

Dydd y cant Ododin.

I foli Gwyndawd Gwyndyd werin,

Gwynedd bendefig, ffynedig ffin j

Gwanas deynas deg cywrenhin,

Gwraidd teyrnaidd, taer yn mwydrin ;

Orawl ei fflamdo am fro Freiddin.

Er pan oreu Duw dyn gysefin,

Ni wnaeth ei gystal, traws arial trin,

Gorug Llywelyn, orllin teyrnedd,

A'r y brenhinedd braw a gorddin,

Pan fu' n ym brofi a. brenhin Lloegr,

Yn llygru swydd Erbin,

Oedd breisg weisg ei fyddin,

Oedd brwysg wysg rhag y godorin,

Oedd balch gwalch golchiad ei lain,

Oedd beilch gweilch gweled ei werin,

Oedd clywed cleddyfau finfin,

Oedd clybod clwyf yn mhob elin,

Oedd briw rhiw yn nhrabludd oi drin,

, Oedd braw saw Saeson Clawdd y Cnwckin,

Oedd bwlch llafn yn llaw gynnefin,

Oedd gwaedlyd penau gwedy gwaedlin,

* Arch, of Wales, vol. i. p. 30S. Davydd Benvras was a poet of the

twelfth century. There are twelve of his poems preserved in the Archaio-

logy. Llywelyn ab Iorweth, to whom the Ode here extracted is addressed,

was Prince of North Wales from 1194 to 1240. He has been highly cele

brated by the bards of that period for his bravery aad many other good

qualities. A translation of this Ode will be found in the neKt page.—Eo.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

Rhyw-yn rhedeg am ddeulin ;

Llewelyn etn llyw cyffredin,

Llywiawdr berth hyd Borth Ysgewin ;

Ni ryfu gystal Gwstennyn ag ef

I gyfair pob gorllin,

Mi i'm byw be byddwn dewin

Yn marddair mawrddawn gysefin,

Adrawdd ei ddaed, aerdrin, ni allwn,

Ni allai Daliesin.

Cyn adaw a byd gyd gyfrin,

Gan hoedl hir ar dir daierin,

Cyn dyfnfedd ysgyrnwedd ysgrin,

Yn daiar dyfnlas ariesin :

Gwr a wnaeth o'r dwfr y gwin,

Gan fodd duw, a diwedd gwirin,

Nog a wnaethbwyd trais anwyd trin

Yn mhresent yn mhrysur orllin,

Ni warthaer hael am werthefin nos

A nawdd saint boed cyfrin.

ENGLISH POETRY.

TRANSLATION OF THE ODE BYDAVYDD BENVRAS *.

Creator of that glorious light,

Which sheds around his vivid rays,

And the pale moon, which rules the night,

O deign to animate my lays !

O may my verse like Merddin's flow L

And with poetic visions glow.

Great Aneurin, string my lyre,

Grant a portion of thy fire !

* This translation is the production of the late Mr. Maurice Roberts, son

of Mr. Thomas Roberts, of Llwynrhudol, who died some years ago at the

early age of twenty-one. It was written when he was about seventeen, and

it will be found to evince talents of an uncommon character, and which

might have made him an ornament to his country, if it had pleased H eaven

that they should come to maturity. Several other effusions of his Muse are

preserved, most of which, like this, are dedicated, with a patriotic ardour,

to the cause of our national literature. Some of these will be published

hereafter in the Cambf.o-Briton : aud it may be remarked of the specimen

now given, that it does not appear to have been designed fur a mere literal

version.—E». •

\ .

THE CAMBRO-BRITON. 4T1

That fire, which made thy verse record

Those Chiefs, who fell beneath the sword

On Cattraeth's bloody field ;

O ! may the Muse her vigour bring

While I Llywelyn's praises sing,

His country's strongest shield.

Ne'er was such a warrior seen,

With heart so brave, and gallant mien ;

From a regal race descended,

Bravely he the land defended :

Kings have learnt his pow'r to dread,

Kings have felt his arm and fled.

Loegria's King, with conquest flush'd,

Boldly to the battle rush'd ;

Then was heard the warlike shout,

(Signal of th' approaching rout) j

Great Llywelyn rag'd around,

Bravest Chieftains press'd the ground ;

None his valour could withstand,

None could stem his furious hand ;

Like a whirlwind on the deep,

See him through their squadrons sweep.

Then was seen the crimson flood,

Then was Ofla* bath'd in blood,

Then the Saxons fled with fright,

Then they felt the Monarch's might.

Far is heard Llywelyn's name,

Resounded by the trump of fame;

Oft the hero chas'd his foes

Where Sabrina smoothly flows.

Could I poetic heights attain,

Yet still unequal were my strain

. Thy wond'rous deeds to grace.

E'en Taliesin, Bardic King,

Unequal were thy praise to sing,

Thy glories to retrace.

Long and happy may he live !

And his hours to pleasure give,

Ere his earthly course is sped,

And he lies number'd with the dead ; -

* Offa's Dyke.—fd.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

And, ere upon his honour'd tomb

Herbs shall rise and flow'rs shall bloom,

May the Redeemer intercede,

And unto God for mercy plead !

And, when the judgment-day shall come,

When all attending wait their doom,

Then may Llywelyn, warrior brave,

In glory live beyond the grave.

O, may the hero's sins be then forgiv'n,

And may he gain a seat with blessed saints in Heav'n !

WALES.

METROPOLITAN CAMBRIAN INSTITUTION.—There

is every reasonable prospect, that this Society, the formation of

which was noticed in the last Number, will proceed with a spirit

worthy of the interesting objects, for which it was established.

Since the last account several Noblemen and Gentlemen, con

nected with the Principality, have added their names to the list

of its members, and have brought a consequent accession to the

funds of the Institution. In conformity with a Resolution,

adopted at the first meeting, application has been made for his

Majesty's patronage, which has been graciously granted, as will

appear by the following letter from Sir Benjamin Bloomfield to

the President :—

" My dear Sir,

" I have had the honour to submit your request to the King,

" and am commanded by his Majesty to express his disposition

" not only to give his Royal protection to the revival of any

" Society for the cultivation of the Welsh language and litera-

" ture, but to add, that whatever project may be calculated to

" give benefit to the Principality cannot fail to receive his

" Majesty's best support.

" I have the honour to be,

" My dear Sir,

" Your faithful and obedient Servant,

" B. Bloomfield."

" Sir W. W. Wvnn."

In addition to the Meetings of the temporary Committee, of

which there were three, a General Meeting of the Institution took

THE CAMBROlBRITON?

place on Tuesday, the 18th of July, at the Freemasons' Tavern,

when the President was in the Chair. Several Resolutions,

comprehending the principles and objects of the Society, were

then adopted, among which the most important were, that a

Council should be appointed for the purpose of carrying into"

effect the intentions of the Institution by the purchase of books,

MSS., and periodical publications, connected with Wales,—that a

Correspondence should be immediately opened not only with the

Provincial Societies, acting in concert with this, but also with the

Celtic, Highland, and Hibernian Societies, with reference to the

objects contemplated by the Cymmrodorion,—and also that Me

moirs of the Institution should be occasionally published, com

prising such Original Compositionsi as -might -be produced, as well

as a selection from the Correspondence already noticed. It was

also resolved, that the ordinary Meetings of the Institution should

take place on the first Saturday in every month; that there

should be an Anniversary on the 22d day of May ; and that the

Council should meet every Saturday. Accordingly, the first

meeting of the Council took place on the 22d ult., when several

measures were adopted, of a nature to expedite the laudable de

signs of this patriotic Society. And, as there can not possibly be

any diversity of sentiment on this subject, it may be confidently

hoped, that there will speedily be a general and effectual co

operation towards the promotion of a cause, already dear to

Wales, and which may be rendered interesting to the world.

***

WELSH CHURCH IN LONDON.—Two attempts have

already been made in this publication * to draw the attention of

the Gentry and others, connected with Wales, to the absolute

necessity of having a place of worship for such of their fellow-

countrymen, resident in the Metropolis, as may be of the Esta

blished Church, and may not be sufficiently versed in the English

language. There must, no doubt, from the constant influx of the

lower orders of Welsh into London, and especially from South

Wales for the purpose of working in the gardens, be many per

sons of this description, who have now no alternative between

the total relinquishment of their religious duties and an apostacy

from the Church. It is not the object of these remarks to'cast

any imputation on the numerous sects of Dissenters, who are to

* No. 2, p. 74v No. 5, p. 193.

Vol. I.

THE CAMBRO-BRITON.

be found in this great city,—but merely to place the lower classes

of Welshmen, living here, who may be of the Established Church,

on the same footing with their countrymen of any other per

suasion. Yet, every one must know, that this is by no means

the case at present : the consequence of which has been, that the

Church of England has lost many of its members, and a national

evil has grown out of a private grievance. The remedy, how

ever, if proper exertion be used, may yet be applied. The fol

lowing extract from the " Constitutions" of the old Cymmrodo-

rion Society will shew, that the sentiments, here expressed, were

anticipated seventy years ago. ***

. " As the Protestants of all nations in Europe (the Ancient

Britons excepted) have particular churches in this Metropolis for

the worship of God in their own language, the Society have also

an earnest desire to build, purchase, or hire a place of worship,

and to support an able Minister to perform divine service therein

weekly, according to the established usage of the Church of

England, in the ancient British language—a foundation greatly

wanted and wished for by a numerous body of industrious useful

people, of a truly religious disposition and firm attachment to his

Majesty and this Government in Church and State. The So

ciety have the greater reason to hope for assistance in this good

work, when they reflect on the noble and truly Christian Spirit

which is universally diffused through the nation,—on the extra

ordinary encouragement given to Public Charities, such as have

not been known in former ages*."

DIOCESE OF ST. DAVID'S.—On Monday, July 12, the

Committee of the Church Union Society, in this Diocese, con

sisting of the Rural Deans within the same Diocese, held a meet

ing at the Palace at Abergwilly ; upon which occasion seventeen

premiums were adjudged to scholars of the several licensed

grammar schools of Brecon, Cardigan, Carmarthen, and Ystrad-

meirig. On the following day the Members attended divine

service at St. Peter's Church, in Carmarthen, in order to cele

brate the Anniversary of the Society, when an appropriate sermon

was preached by the Rev. Mr. Morgan, Vicar of Lampeter-Velfroy .

The objects of this excellent Institution cannot be too extensively

known :—they consist, generally, in the establishment of Schools

for the use of the poor,—the distribution of Bibles, Prayer-books,

* Constitutions of the Cymmrodorimi, page 22.

THE CAMBRO-BRlTON. 47fr

and religious tracts,—the foundation of Libraries for the benefit of

the Clergy within the Diocese, and the general promotion of the

means of instruction for young men destined for Holy Orders.

The funds of the Society exceed 14,000/.—The Professional

Members of the Royal Bath Harmonic Society have been, for'

some time, engaged in the exercise of their talents in South Wales,

for the benefit of the superannuated Curates, and of the Widows

and Orphans of poor Clergymen in the Diocese of St. David's.

The Rev. John Bowen, President of the Harmonic Society, who

has evinced the most praiseworthy zeal on the interesting occa

sion, accompanies the party on this Tour of Charity : and it is

no more than common justice to add, that, in the application of

the profits of the various musical entertainments, which have

been attended with considerable success, the utmost disinterested

ness and liberality have been displayed. The first Concert took

place at Brecon on the first of last month, and the last will take

take place on the 4th inst. at Swansea.

V

CLERICAL PREFERMENTS.—The Lord Bishop of St.

David's has been pleased to institute the Rev. Wm. Morgan, Vicar

of Llanfynydd, Carmarthenshire, to the Consolidated Vicarage of

Cayo and Llansawel, on the presentation of the Lord Chancellor,

vacant by the death of the late Rev. Eliezer Williams :—also to

license the Rev. Daniel Rowlands, Perpetual Curate of Llanllwch,

in the borough of Carmarthen, to the Perpetual Curacy of Llany-

cefn, Pembrokeshire, on the presentation of the Right Hon. Lord

Milford :—also to collate the Rev. John Jenkins, B. A. Vicar of

Kerry, Montgomeryshire, and the Rev. W. J. Rees, M.A. Rector

of Cascob, Radnorshire, to Prebendal Stalls in the Collegiate

Church of Brecknock, and also the Rev. Daniel Bowen, of

Waun-lfor, Cardiganshire, to a Prebendal Stall in the Cathedral

Church of St. David's.—The Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells,

Vicar General of the Diocese of St. David's, has also been pleased

to appoint the Rev. W. J. Rees to the office of Surrogate within

the said Diocese of St. David's.—The Rev. James Evans, B.D.

Minister of Bonvillestone, and late Fellow of Jesus College,

Oxford, has been instituted to the Vicarage of Penarth, with

Lavernock annexed, near Cardiff, on the presentation of the

Right Hon. the Earl of Plymouth.—The Rev. B. Jones, of

Lanishen, has been inducted to the living of Lisvane and Lan-

ishen, on the presentation of Mrs. Tynte, of Cefnma'bly.


LITERATURE.—Anew edition is in preparation ofthe " Ana

lysis of the Medicinal Waters of Llandrindod, in Radnor

shire, with observations on the diseases, to which they are ap

plicable, and directions for their use, to which is prefixed a

Topographical Account of the Place, by Richard Williams,

Resident Surgeon at Aberystwith."

OBITUARY.

May.—At Haverfordwest, the Rev. Thomas Phillips, A. M.

rector of Haroldston and Lambston, Pembrokeshire, and chap-

Iain to the Lord Bishop of St. David's. He also held the Golden

Prebend in the cathedral church of St. David's. He was much

distinguished both as an able preacher and a classical scholar.—

15th. Rev.Ezekiel Hainer, Rector of Hirnant, Montgomeryshire,

father of 21 children.—24th. At Plas yn Llan, near Ruthin, aged

81, Mrs. Jones, relict of Edward Jones, Esq. of Llangynhafal,

Denbighshire.—30th. At . Neston, Cheshire, Elizabeth Agnes,

wife of C. B. Trevor Roper, Esq. of Plas-teg, in the county of

Flint.—'June 16th. At Denbigh, aged 64, the Rev. Thomas

Jones, many years a respectable Minister in the Calvinistic per

suasion of that town, and previously resident at Bala and Mold.

He was much esteemed for the mildness of his manners and the

benevolence of his disposition. He deserves also to bo mentioned

as the author of several works, particularly an English-Welsh

Dictionary, in his native tongue. He was likewise a good general

scholar.—20. Matthew Davies, Esq. ofCwmcynfelin, in the county

of Cardigan, aged 86, one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace

for the said county, and for many years senior chief burgess of

Westminster.

END OF vol. I.

ERRORS CORRECTED.

No. 11.—P. 402, (2d Note) I. 4, for " distinct" read different.

410, (Note) I. 3, for " idomatal" read idiomatal.

413, I. 11, for " Danadudd" read Dadanudd.

416, 1. 21, for '' before Christ" read after, &c.

43.5, I. 16, f,,r " Aereilied" read Areilied.

Ib. I. 3 of " The Moon," for " di" read hi.

LONDON: PRINTED BY RHYND AND MILLS.

INDEX.

A At PAGE

GRICULTURAL Societies — 79

All Saints' Eve — — 351

Aneurin, Memoir of — 91

Aregwedd Voeddawg — 169, 203

Argoed, Situation of (note) 288

"ArhydyNos" — 95

Arrant Drunkards, the Three 361

Arrant Traitors, the Three 201, 441

Arthur, Notices of — 204, 249

—, Englyn by — 248

Aserius Menevensis, Notices of, 284, and

(note) 329.

Assassinations, the Three good — 442

Assize Intelligence — 78, 358Avane, Tradition concerning the 128

Avarddwy Bras, Treachery of 171, 201

—the same as Mandubratius, — 171

Awful Events, the Three — 1*6

B.B, the Letter, Mutations of — 404

Banded Tribes, the Three — 247

Bandlet-wearing Kings, the Three 364

Bard, Etymology of the word (note) 448

Bardic Letters, Account of — 241

Representation of ib.

Bardic Notices — — 208

Bardic Poems described (note) — 216

Bardic Triads — — B0

Bardism, its Influence on Welsh

Poetry — — 215

, General Principles of 445-52

Battle Princes, the Three — 204

Baxter Mr. Notice of (note) — 57

Bible Associations — 80

" Blodau >r Grus " — 174

Bran, Notices of — 169, 282

- h, probable introduetion of Chris

tianity by — — 283

Brave Sovereigns, the Three 203

** Breuddwyd y Frenhines " — 332

Britain, Ancient names of — 8

, Primary divisions of ib.

, Primary islands of — 9

, Principal rivers of — ib.

, Privileged ports of — 8

Brychan ISrycheiniog, Notice of 170

Brython, Settlement of in Britain 47, Etymology of the name 48

MMCaradawg, Notices of 169, 203, 204

Caswallawn, Notices of — 87, 169

Catwg theWise, Notices of 11 & (npte) 5a

, his Wise Sayings, 52,90,

129, 205, 251, 285, 328, 411, 445.

Cavaliers of Battle, the Three 248

Celtae, Etymology of — 373

Celyddon, Etymology of — 48

Ceubren yr Ellyll — 226, 467

Charitable Donations — 23«

Church Union Society in St. David's 235

Cimbri, Etymology of — 373

, False etymologies of (note) ib.

Clerical Preferments — 475

" Codiad yr Haul " — 253

"CodiadyrHedydd" — 173Coelbren y Beirdd described 245

Coelcerthi — — 172

Coll Gwynfa, Criticism on 23, 97

, Meaning of the term

(note) — — mi

Colonization of Britain, Triads relat

ing to — —

Combined Expeditions, the Three

" Consolation of Elphin " —

Constantine the Blessed —

Conventional Monarchs, the Three

Coraniaid, Settlement of in Britain

" Coroni Sior IV." —

Cumbria described (note) —

Cwyn Cam Groes —

Cwyn Torr Croes —

Cwn Wybir, Account of —

" Cyfarch i Gyhoeddwr y ' Cambro-

Briton'. " — —

Cyhiraeth, Account of —

Cyjch Clera, Account of (note)

Cymmrodorion Society, the Old,

Establishment of

C, the Letter, Remarks on (note) 374

' , Mutations of — 404

Cadoxton Church, Inscriptions in 213—4

Cadvan, Monument of — 15

Cadwaladr, Notice of — 248

Cailum, Etymology of — 374

Carmarthen Eisteddfod — 35

Cambrian Society in Dyfed, Account of 7 1

——————Prize Compositions

for 1820 — 116

Resolutions of 153

Cambrian Society in Gwynedd 117

Cantrev y Gwaelod, Triad relating to 361■ , Observations on 362

< , Curious hypothesis

concerning (note) — 362

Canwyll Corph, Account of 350

" Can y Prophwyd Davydd " 417

41

86

30

201

281

49

434

287

413

ib.

350

190

350

209

234— General heads of, 315, 355, 395

Cymmrodorion Society in Powys,

Establishment of — 113

———— Resolutions of — ib.

Farther account of 31T

Cymreigyddion Society, Account of 152

Cymreigyddion Society in Liverpool 276

Cymry, Etymology of — 47

Cynan Meiriadog, Expedition of 87

" Cynghan Sail Cymru " — 254

Cynvelyn Wledig, Notice of — 204

D.D, the Letter, Mutations of — 404

" David Gam" — 393

Davies (Dr.) his Letter to Sir Siinonds

D'Ewes about Welsh Proverbs 131

Davies (Rev. Edw.) his Remarks oil

primitive Sounds (note) — 263

Davydd ab Edmwnd, Notice of 210

Davydd Benvras, Ode by — 469

, Translation of 470Davydd Llwyd ab Llewelyn, Notice

of — — 310, ib.

" Davydd y Gareg Wen " 53, 174

Deluge, Account of the Triads con-

cerningthe — 126-7

, Observations on this account 121

Derwydd, Etymology of (note) — 448

Dcwi (St.) Notice of — 170

INDEX.

PACKDiocese of St. David's — 474

Double Letters, Progressive use of

in Welsh (note) — 324

*' Dowch i'r Frwydr " — 254

Draig Prydain — — 126

Dreadful Pestilences, the Three ib.

Dwyvan and Dwyvach — 127

Dyvnwal Moelmud, Notices of 47, 284

Edmund Pry?, Notice of — 212

Education in Wales, Intelligence re

specting — — 236

- , Remarks on the system 76

Egypt, Etymology of — 374

Election (the General) Account of in

Wales in 1820 — 318

Elementary Sounds, Comparative Scale

of (note) — — 165

English, Prejudices of concerning

Welsh Literature — 388

" Eoglyn en Pwll Ceris " — 130

" on a Rock falling in the Vale

Neath" — — 110

———, English Paraphrase of 112

:' Englynion t Gaer Gai " — 231

" Epitaph In St. John's Church-yard,

Swansea" — — 192

* Erddigan Cacr Waen " 415

Errors corrected, 200, 240, 280, 360, 480

" Eryn Wen " — — 333

Etymology, Essay on — 367

, Use of theWelsh tongue in 368

Evans (Rev. Evan) Notice of (note) 133

F.

Fairies, the Welsh notion respecting 347

Fair Princes, the Three — 204

Fetter-wearing Kings, the Three 363

Foreign Kings, the Three — 364

Foulk Prys, Notice of — 212

Furze-tiring, Account of — 465

G, the Letter, Mutations of 404

Gafis, Remarks on its situation 47

Galofydd, Remarks on the word 250

Gavran ab Aeddan — 124

Gchelin (M. de) Remarks of, on t he pri

mitive Language (note), 81—un ele

mentary Articulation (note), 8o—on

primitive Words, 85—on the Analysis

of Languages (note), 161—on the In

vention of Writing (note), 241.

Generous Princes, the Three 2 la

Geramt, Aphorisms of — 329

" Glan Meddwdod Mwyn " 96

Gudodin, General characteristics of 94

, Character and subject of 389

, Criticism on a Translation

of — — 387, 427

, Mr. Davies'sTranslation of 390

, his Etymology of the ward

(note) — — 591

.— , MetricalTranslation of the

first 20 lines — 435

Golden-banded Ones, the Three 247

Greek Words, Remarks on thcir

Mutations (note) — 402

Groves. Sacred character of (note) 451

G ruttydd Hiraethog, Notice of 211

Gruffydd (Mr. R.) Original Letter of 17

Guests of Benign Presence,the Three 170

Guto y Glyn, Notice of — 209

G walchmal.Ode of to OwainGwynedd 229

, Observations upon (note) ib.

, Inquiry as to the subject (note) 231

, Dr. Percy's Remarks on 175

, English Translation of 231

Gwent — — 168

Gwriad, Notice of — 205

Gwr Lledrithiawg — 126

Gwrtheyrn Gwrthenau, Treachery

of- — — 171, 201

Gwyddelian Invasian — 50, 126

Gwyddon Ganhebon, Tablets of — 129

Gwydir Family, Sir John Wynne's

History of — — 318

——— Various Editions of (note) ib.

Gwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy 184, 26fi

Gwyndyd — — 168

Gwynedd, Etymology of — 17

Gwyneddigion Society, Account of 34

——, their Annual Festival 195

, their Eisteddfod for 1819 115

, same for 1820 — 357

H.

Hallowed Princes, the Three — 282

Harp, Ancient Welsh (note) — 54

Hebrew Language, Remarks on 42

— , when it ceased to

be a living tongue (note) — 82

" Hob y Deri Dando " — 253

Holy Families, the Three — 169

Homilies, Welsh Translation of 187

Hostile Ovates, the Three — 250

Hu Gadarn, Notice of — 46

, Remarks on his Oxen 128

Humble Princes, the Three — 362

Huw Machno, Notice of — 212

Hywel ab Owain, Biographical no

tice of (note) — 311

, His poem " Y Dewis " ib.

, English Translation of 312

I and J.

Iestyn ab Gwrgant, Notice of (note) 213

Jesus College Association 36, 276

leuan Deulwyn, Notice of — 210

" Impromptu on the Birth of au Heir

to the Houseof Wynnstay " 394

Introductory Address —. 1

Invading Tribes, the Three — 4», 69

lolo Goch, Notice of — 209

Jones (Dr.) Reply to respecting the

Madogwys — — 57

Jones (Mr. Owen) Memoir of — 19

K.King George III. Observations on his

Character and Urign — 274

Knockers, Account of — 360

Lampeter School — 410

Language, Remarks on the original 41

Ltttets, the modem Welsh 321-8

i

INDEX.

PACE

Lewis Glvn Cothi, Notice of 810

Literary Notices, 118, 157, 338, 279,

319, 360, 398, 470. .

Llanbeblig Church, Inscription in 206

Llandnv Gospel (note) — 321

Llansilin Parish—Name. Sec. 3nl—Situa

tion and Extent, 303—Soil, Sec. 304—

Roads, 338—Water, 340—Mountains,

ib.—Ancient Monuments, 341—Ancient

Houses, 343. 378—Owain Glyndwr, his

Descent and Claim, &c. 421, 455

Llawdden, Notice of — 210

Lledwigan Thresher — 204

Lleirwg, Notice of — 283

Llwyd (Rev. Edw.) Original Letters

Of — — 14, 55, 5fi

Llwyd, Sir Gruffydd, Notice of (note) 138

" Llwyn Onn " — — 96

Llywarch Hen, his Life and Writings 287

Llvwydd of the '* (Cambrian Society,"

Verses addressed to — 311

Local Miscellaneous Intelligence,

78, 117, 155, 197, 238, 277, 359.

Loegrians, Settlement of in Britain 47

— , Etymology of the name ib.

Losses by Disappearance, the Three 124

Loyal Meetings in Wales — 154

M.M, the Letter, Mutations of — 404

Madawg ab Owain Gwynedd — 125

Madawg Mill — — 203

Madogwys — — 57Maes y Groes, Inscription at 55

" Maldod Arglwddes Owen " 253

March Malen — — 185

Margaret Verch Evan — 186

" Marwnad Dylan Ail Ton " 150

Massacre of the Bards, Remarks upon

(note) — — 135

Mead and the Muses (note) — 33

Mediolanum, Remarks on its site 339

Medrawd, Treachery of 201, 171-2

Menai Bridge, Account of — 37

. i .' , Lines on — 39

" Merch Megen " — 253

Merddiu Emrys, Notice of — 124

Meredydd ab Rhys, Notice of 210

Meredith Lloyd, Letter of to Robert

Vaughan — — 411

Metropolitan Cambrian Institution,

Establishment of — 437, 472

Mill (Dr. John) Notice of (note) 55

Milton, Character of his Poetry ia

, Translators of — 24

Miscei.LANiST, 105, 145, 224, 267, 30S,

465.

Mold Church, Inscription in 297

Mold Parish—Name, Extent, and Situa

tion, 136—General History, 137—Par

ticular Events, 139—Church Concerns,

141—Population and Parochial Con

cerns, 179—Nattirai History, 180—

Agriculture and Planting, 183—Mines

and Manufactures, 257—the Town, 258

—Family Seats, 260—Supplemental

Notices, 298.

Monaichs of Deivr and Brvnnich,

the Three — —' 302

I PACK

" Moon," the, Translation from Don

Juan — — 435

" Morfa Rhuddlan" — 53,95

Morgan the Courteous — 349

Muscles, Account of a bed of them

discovered in Mold Parisk 181, 199

Music, Association of with the love

of Virtue (note) — 33

, Ancient, Remarks on — 416

Mutable Consonants in Welsh,

Scheme of — — 404also in Breton, Cornish,

and Irish (note) — ib.

Table of in Welsh 405

Mutations of Initial Consonants in

Welsh — — 401-10Examples of in various

languages — — 407-9

" Mynen Gwynedd " — 41S

N.

Nan nan Oak — — 467

National Pillars of Britain, the Three 45

Nevydd Nav Neivion — 127

" Nos Galan " — — 35*

Notation, Ancient Remarks on — 416, Specimen of — 417

O.

Oak, Sacred character of (note) 447

Oaks of Mamre, &c. (note) — ib.

Obituary, 80, 160, 199, 239, 280, 320,

399, 476.

Obstructors of Slaughter, the Three 250

Ode on the Death of Sir Thos. Picton 111

< Welsh Translation of 109

Odes of the Months, Translation of. 433

" Of noble Race was Shenkin " 53, 228

Ofydd, Account of (note) — 250, 448

Oppressions of Britain, the Three 125

Oricinal Letters, 14, 55, 133, 175, 2*5,

329, 411.

Ossian, Remarks on his Poems (note) 388

Ottadini, Notice of (note) — 91

Owain Glyndwr, Genealogy of 482-7

, Pedigree of — 457

Owain Tudur, Pedigree of — lb.

P.

P, the Letter, Mutations of — 404

Padarn (St.) Notice of — 171

Peithynen described (note) — 345

Pendaran — — 168

PeNNtLUON, 29, 68, 109, 149, 189, 330,

272, 352, 392, 434

, their origin and nature 70

, Translations of, 32, 70, 110,

150, 191, 233, 273, 353, 392, 436

"PenRhaw" — — 332

Percy (Dr.) Letters of 133, 175, 256, 329

Pillars oftheCommonwealth.tbeThree 123

Plebeian Princes, the Three — 30a

Plot of the Long Knives — 171-2

Poetry, Early Progress of — 314

, Distinction between epic and

lyric — — 176

-, Welsh, General character of, 86,

814-18.

INDEX

Prichard (Humphrey), his Remarks

i onWelsh elementary Sounds(note) 83,

169.PrimaryGreatAchievements,theThreel27

PrimaryTribrt ortheCymry,theThree 168

Prophecy, an Old — 310

Proverbs, Remarks on the Welsh MO

Prydain, Notice of — 282

Public Meetings — 196

Pughe (Mr. Owen), Arrangement of

lus Dictionary (note) — 86, his Comparative Scale of

elementary Sounds (note) — 165, his Estimate of the same in

Welsh (note) — 84

Pwll Ceris, Englynion on — 270

Q.Quakers, Presumed Origin of (note) 44»

PACE

Torques, Golden, Custom of wearing

(note) — — 292

Traeth y Lafan — — 271Treacherous Invasions, the Three 50

Treacherous Meetings, the Three 17 1

Trees, their connection witn Letters

in early times (note) — 243Triad, Prevalence of it in nature and

art — — 224—, Examples from Aristotle — il>.

Triads, Welsh, Origin and nature of 5

Triads op the Isle or Britain, 8, 45, 86,

128, 168, 201, 247, 281, 361, 441.

Triads of the Social State — 443

Triads op Wisdom, 9, 51, 89, 172, 251,

284. 364, 443.Tribes, Britain originally formed of

several — —

, Triads relating to

1 Trichant o Bunnau "

47-9,

Radical Words, Remarks on (note) 164

Ray (Mr.) Notice of (note) 57

Refuge-seeking Tribes, the Three 48

Revelations, New Welsh Version of a

Chapter in — — 398

Rhaith Qwlad — — 124

Rhuvon Bevr, Notice of — 205

" Rhyfelgyrch Cadpen Morgan " 174

" Rhyfelgyrch Harlech" — 95

Rhys Goch o Eryri, Notice of 209

Roberts (Rev. Peter), Memoir of 62

, Account of his Works 67

Rowland (Rev. David), Memoir of, 334,

37*, 418.

Rowland Vyehan, Notice of (note) 231

Ruddy-spearcd Bards, the Three 363

S.

Salusburye (Mr. Thomas), Letter of. Its

— Notice of (note) ib.

Saxons, their first use of Letters (note) 322

Scotish and Welsh Manners — 143 1

Scythae, Etymology of — 374

Secret Treasons, the Three — 203

" Shenkin," Dryden's Ballad of — 146

, Translations of in Greek,

Latin and Welsh — 147-8

Sion Brwynog, Notice of — 212

Sion Tudor, Englynion by — 270

Sretches op Society, 143, 184, 264, 347

Social Tribes, the Three — 47

" Soliloquv of a Bard on Snowdon" 31

" Song of the Sons of Madog" — 354

Sovereigns by Vote, the Three — 168

Stanza from E. Richards's Pastorals 272

Translation of — 273

"SuoGan" — — 332

Supertitions of the Welsh — 347-9

Supreme Servants, the Three — 363

System-formers, the Three 284

Tudnr Aled, Notice of

" Twll yn ei Boch "

Twm Sion Cati, notice of

2R1

1G3

416

'ill

25*

212

T.

T, the Letter, Mutations of —

Taliesin, Memoir of —

.Criticism on a passage of

Teilaw, Notice of —

Thomas Prys, his Poetry —

" Toriad y Dvdd " —

U and V.Urb Lluyddawg — 50, 86, 8S

Vaughan (Robt. Esq.) Noticeof (note) 4 1 1

Verheysen (Dr.) his Epitaph (note) 142

Victoria Alleluiatica, 139 and (note) 262

Vignette, Description of the — 468

Visit to Vanner — 306

Vortigern, Notice of — 51

W.

Welsh Character mistaken by Eng

lish writers — — 145

Welsh Charity School — 317

Welsh Church in London 473, 74, 193

Welsh Dispensary — 397

Welsh Judicature — 396, 439

Welsh Lasguace, Essays on, viz.

Preliminary Observations — 41

Elementary Character — 81

Elementary Analysis — 161

Bardic Letters — — 241

Modern Letters — 321

Mutation of Initial Consonants 401

Welsh Lines, Translation of some 313

Welsh Literature, Remarks on ' 207

Welsh Music, Letters on, 13, 52, 95,

173, 252, 332, 415.

Welsh Poetry, General Character of 214

Welsh Proverbs, 130, 207, 295. 305.

Welsh Translations, Remarks on 186, 269

William Lleyn, Notice of — 211

Williams (Rev, Eliezer), Memoir

of — — — 452Wisdom op Catwg, 52, 90, 129, 205, 251,

285, 328, 411, 445.

Words, the most ancient — 372

Writing, Origin of — 241

Emblematical styles of 242

Wynne (Dr.), his Epitaph — 142

404

10

414

171

171

333

-^Sigfs—

Wynne (Sir John), Noticeof (note) 218

Yellow Plague of Rhos

" Y Stwflwlt." —

126

174

JUN 22 1937

Cambro Briton Vol01

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