the whole of which has been written expressly for the occasion, -will be introduced into the CAMBRO-BRITON; and in the mean time it may be stated with full confidence, that, whether in a poetical or musical point of view, this forth-coming volume will be found to possess superior claims on the public attention, and particularly on the attention of those, who know how to estimate the characteristic beauties of our national melodies. CELTO-BRETONNE DICTIONARY.-M. Lagonidec, author of the Celto-Bretonne Grammar, is now preparing for the press a Dictionary of the same language, and of which report speaks highly. This work will, necessarily, prove a valuable accession to the stores of Cimbric literature; though, were the learned author as well versed in the language of the British Cymry as he appears to be in the Cymraeg of Brittanny, his work would, naturally, be rendered considerably more valuable. But even on its present plan it cannot fail to ensure a hearty welcome from the lovers of Celtic lore. It is satisfactory to be able to add to this notice, that this branch of learning, which, during the war, had fallen into great neglect in France, is now likely to be again cultivated with some spirit, and to which the recent establishment of the Welsh Societies in this country seems, in no small degree, to have contributed. MEMOIRS OF OWAIN GLYNDWR.-A Prospectus has just been circulated of a projected publication under this title, which is also to embrace "the history of the Ancient Britons * from the conquest of Wales by Edward I to the present time." The gentleman, who undertakes this national work, is the Rev. T. Thomas, Rector of Aberporth, who is likewise known as the author of the Prize Essay on the Hebrew language, in the Diocese of St. David's, in 1810; and he comes forward on this occasion under the particular patronage of the venerable Archdeacon of Cardigan. It cannot be necessary to dwell on the value of such a work as this, if executed with competent means and ability; for, as has been remarked on former occasions in the CAMBRO-BRITON, Wales is extremely deficient in works of merit both in history and biography, those branches of literature, which are, of all perhaps, the most captivating. The life of Glyndwr, besides, presents, in particular, matter of paramount interest to the na * Is there not something objectionable in the appellation of “Ancient Britons," with reference to the particular period, to which it is here applied? -ED. tives of Wales; and to enter with minuteness into all the historical events, connected with it, would of itself occupy, perhaps, a larger volume than Mr. Thomas appears to contemplate for the accomplishment of a much more extensive design*. However, it is not meant to insinuate, that all the important events, “from the conquest of Wales to the present time," may not be compressed within the proposed limits, so as still to preserve all that is essential to the interest of the narrative. This may, possibly, be effected, and, at all events, the praise-worthy enterprise merits a general encouragement. The following extract from the Prospectus explains more particularly the aim of the writer. "The history of the Ancient Britons is divided into two periods, that of the Aborigines to the time of Cadwaladr, when they possessed the sovereignty of the whole island, and that containing the transactions of the Princes of Wales to their conquest by Edward I. A supplement to the history of these periods is a desideratum in the annals of Wales, which urged the author to investigate every document affecting the Welsh, collectively as a nation, record every insurrection and material incident, subsequent to their subjugation to the crown of England, and arrange into a memoir, accessible to common readers, military operations, hitherto iuterspersed through voluminous and rare publications, ancient and modern. The Insurrection of Glyndwr forms the most prominent part of the collection now submitted to public view." CAMBRIAN PLUTARCH-The few observations, which appeared under this head in the last Number, have had the effect of producing two letters, to which insertion is here given, not with any hope, that they may lead to the result, the writers so kindly anticipate, but merely because they afford a proof of two patriotic exceptions to that indifference, with which the announcement of the CAMBRIAN PLUTARCH was received-an indifference, so completely at variance with the spirit now so generally professed in the Principality, that it is not to be explained on any rational grounds. To the EDITOR of the CAMBRO-BRITON. SIR,-As a Cymro, I feel the full weight of your reproof, respecting the hint, thrown out in the 15th number of the CAMBRO-BRITON, relative to a projected work on the plan of Plutarch's Lives. There is an old adage, which may be here ap-. The proposed size of the work is one octavo volume.-ED. plied with great propriety-"What is every body's work, is nobody's." I therefore strongly recommend, that a Prospectus be immediately issued, detailing the object of the undertaking, and the vast advantages that would accrue from it, not only to the Welsh literati, but to Great Britain at large. Let the work be published by subscription, and in numbers or parts, if you please; then the patriotic and enterprizing author would be secured in some measure. Surely, Sir, the Cymmrodorion and other societies, connected with the Principality, would be strenuous in their endeavours to encourage a publication of such importance. Happy am I to say, that the noblemen, gentry, clergy, &c. &c. of Wales appear to be alive to the interests and honour of their mother country, and I have no doubt but the plan, I here recommend, would meet with a most flattering reception. With a hope of seeing a long list of subscribers on the 22nd of May next, the Anniversary of the Royal Cambrian Institution, I remain, Sir, Near Cader Idris, March 10, 1821. Your humble servant, OFYDD. To the EDITOR of the CAMBRO-BRITON. SIR,-I am sorry to find, that the design of the CAMBRIAN PLUTARCH is abandoned for want of proper encouragement; for 'I am well aware, that the annals of Cambria contain "Many a flower, that's born to blush unseen, And waste its sweetness in the desert air," and which, I had flattered myself, would have been brought to view through the medium of the above work,-a work, which, if published, would have been purchased by many, though very few might have been able to aid the author in his undertaking; as it can be but few, who could gain access to those documents, from which I should suppose the author of the CAMBRIAN PLUTARGH would have derived a great part of his information. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, A CAMBRO-BRITON. HISTORY OF WALES.-About two years have elapsed since Mr. Edward Williams published his "Prospectus of Collections for a new History of Wales;" and it was generally supposed at the time, that a part, at least, of the projected work would soon appear under the sanction of the CAMBRIAN SOCIETY in Dyved. This hope, however, has not been realized; but the establishment of three other national institutions since that period gives us a plausible ground for presuming, that this really valuably accession to the stores of Welsh literature will not be lost for want of adequate encouragement. Carpe diem ought to be the rule of the Societies on this occasion. REPORT OF THE WREXHAM EISTEDDFOD.-This Report, which has been prepared under the able superintendence of the Rev. W. J. Rees, of Cascob, will, in all probability, be ready for publication, early this month. And, as considerable pains have been taken to render it an accurate record of all the late proceedings at Wrexham, it cannot fail to be perused with an interest proportionate with that, which was excited by the Eisteddfod itself.. INSTANCES OF LONGEVITY. There is now living in the parish of Llanberis, Carnarvonshire, an ancient couple, whose united ages amount to 182 years: the husband, Morris Davies, being 89 and his wife 93. They have been united in the bands of Hymen 64 years, and have 132 descendants now living, of whom 10 are their own children, 66 grand-children, and 56 great-grand-children. The old man is sufficiently well to attend Church every Sunday; but his more aged partner has been, for some time, bed-ridden. They are so poor, as to receive parochial relief. In the same neighbourhood lives also Ellen Owen, at the advanced age of 95. She goes regularly to the mountain to collect turf and heath, and can walk to Carnarvon, a distance of nine miles, and back in the same day. To these living examples may be subjoined the two following of persons recently deceased. Mr. John James, Plas-Merchant, Pembrokeshire, aged.. 87 Rees Lewis, Esq., Cromcloch, Carmarthenshire ...... 91 Total number of years 178 Average to each individual 89 years. 78. ERRORS CORRECTED. No. 19. P. 289. 1. 11. after "son" insert of.-In the Notes for "84" read P. 313. 1. 27. for "Myddavi" read Myddvai. P. 327. 1. 7. for "Fford" read Ffordd. P. 328. for "PENNILION” read PENNILLION. THE CAMBRO-BRITON. MAY, 1821. NULLI QUIDEM MIHI SATIS ERUDITI VIDENTUR, QUIBUS NOSTRA IGNOTA SUNT. THE TRIADS. No. XIX. TRIADS OF THE ISLE OF BRITAIN *. LXXXIII. THREE things that were the cause of the subduing of Lloegr [England] and wresting it from the Cymry: the harbouring of strangers; the liberating of prisoners; and the present of the bald man. [Triad LXXIX of the first series agrees with the above, which, however, is not in the second series.-The first circumstance, mentioned here, must have been the invitation of the Saxons; but it does not appear, from any memorials now extant, what liberation of prisoners could have been of so momentous a result. The present of the bald man was, most probably, the encouragement given by the Pope, when St. Austin led the Saxons agains the Welsh, and instigated the massacre of the monks of Bangor Iscoed, in Flintshire, of which a notice appears in the 17th Number of the CAMBRO-BRITON, p. 218.] LXXXIV. The three men, who escaped from the battle of Camlan: Morvran ab Tegid, in consequence of being so ugly, that every body, thinking him to be a demon out of hell, fled froms him; Sandde Bryd Angel [Angel-Aspect], in consequence of being so fine of form, so beautiful and fair, that no one raised a hand against him, as he was thought to be an angel from heaven; and Glewlwyd Gavaelvawr [Great-grasp], from his size and strength, so that none stood in his way, and every body fled before him that is, excepting those three men, none escaped from Camlan. [Triad LXXXV of the first series agrees with this, but without the concluding assertion, of none escaping besides those three. It is not in the second series. Sandde, here mentioned, was a VOL. II. Arch. of Wales, vol. ii. p. 70. Tr. 82-95. 3 D |