Year. 1031. Hiraethwy. Machwy. the Wye? The Gwentian Chronicle has Traethwy. 1037. Rhyd y grog, or Rhyd y groes, on the Severn. 1066. Mechen. 1075. Bron yr erw. rioneth. 1076. Gwennottyll. Most probably in Caernarvonshire or Mei 1094. Coed yspwys. According to the context in Gwynedd. 1094. Celli darvawc, or Gelli carnawc. The Normans there defeated, either in Gwent or Morganwg. 1255. Bryn Derwin. Where Llewelyn took his brothers, Owain and Davydd, prisoners. 1257. Coed Lathen. Near Dinevwr, where the English were defeated by Meredudd ab Rhys and Meredudd ab Owain. The castles in Wales, according to Mr. Jones, in his History of Brecknockshire, amount to 143; my list embraces about the same number. Subjoined are the names of those with whose sites I am unacquainted. 1107. Aberrheidiol. May be the same as Aberystwyth. 1108. Kenarth vechan. The account states that Gerald rebuilt the castle of Pembroke at a place called Cenarth vechan. 1109. Aberteivi at Dingereint. Supposed by some to be Cilgeran, by others, Hengastell, below Cardigan. 1144. Mab Udrud. Built by Gilbert, earl of Clare; probably situate in the Comot of Mab Udrud, in the western part of Caermarthenshire. 1151. Ystrad Cyngen. Taken in that year by Rhys ab Grufudd. 1155. Aber Dyvi. Built by the Lord Rhys. 1157. Ial. Taken by Iorwerth Goch. 1174. Gwent is coed. 1194. Y Cantrev bychan. 1216. Ystum Llwynarth. Query, if Oystermouth Castle? 1216. Nant yr Ariant. diganshire. Somewhere in the lower part of Car 1236. Morgan ap Hywel ym Machein. 1245. Garthgrugyn. Fortified by Maelgwn Vychan; situated in Cardiganshire. 1257. Bydydon or Bodedon. Destroyed by Llywelyn, during an incursion into Powys. 1257. Llan Geneu, Llangymwch, Powel. 1266. Celli Wrda. Query, if the Hay? Yours, "DISSENT IN THE CHURCH IN WALES-CONDITION OF THE WELSH PEASANT." THIS is the title of an article which appeared in a monthly publication for September (Frazer's Magazine); and in replying to the misstatements it contains, we must be understood to entertain no feelings of personal hostility to the conductors of the magazine, for we are well aware that the editor has been cajoled that his pages have been rendered a vehicle for misrepresentation: unfortunately for himself, for us, and the cause of truth, he had not used, in the instance before us, that caution which must ever be essential in the conduct of a book professing independence, nay, professing common disinterestedness, and common integrity. There have been occasions when we were compelled to justify the people and institutions of Wales, the editors of other periodicals having intentionally misrepresented their condition and character; the present one does not require such a procedure: we shall merely disprove assertion: nor shall our contradictions rest entirely upon our own remarks, they shall often be sustained by other authority. The introductory portion of the paper objected to, consists of legendary scraps, selected from former numbers of the Cambrian Quarterly, and elsewhere interspersed with original matter; and it is possible that this contrivance of the writer operated as a clap-trap on the attention of the editor, leading him but to a superficial examination of its merits, and thereby preventing his understanding the real tendency of subsequent assertions, utterly destitute of a single particle of truth. To begin then with our quotations: : "In all matters of literature and science, the Welsh are worse than careless-they are culpably and obstinately neglectful." P. 172. In reply to this, we have to state, that there are seventeen periodicals published in the old British language, mainly supported by the peasantry. We consider that this fact alone is a sufficient reply to the assertion, which no doubt has been made in ignorance. We proceed to another extract. "There is no concealing the fact, that the Welsh are not a literary or an enlightened people; the genius of their bards expired with its nobleminded possessors; and even the mantle of the order has not descended in any of its pristine freshness and purity to the modern inhabitants of the Principality."* P. 172. • The late Edward Williams, of Glamorgan, we conceive to be unimpeachable authority on this point. In pages 8 and 9, vol. 2, of his Lyric and Pastoral Poems, will be found the following passage: "The Bardic, or, which is the same thing, the Druidic, institution, originated in Britain, according to Julius Cæsar, the ancient Welsh writers, and the traditions retained still by the Bards; it is not yet extinct, for we have in Wales a small number still remaining, in an uninterrupted succession from the ancient British Bards and Druids. A Welsh Bard of the present age retains the ancient title of Bardd wrth Fraint a Defod Beirdd Ynys Prydain; in English, Bard according to the Rights and Institutes of the Bards of the Island of Britain. The Druidic theology also The history of Wales will readily account for this inevitable change in the general tastes and habits of the people: the natural genius of the country has developed itself in many modern instances of literary and military achievement,-we need scarcely cite individual examples; for it has long since been acknowledged, that the Principality has afforded her full quota to the talent of Great Britain; but we know not what this has to do with dissent in Wales, or the condition of its peasantry; and, as to the Welsh being "not a literary or enlightened people," we have only again to advert to the existing literature of our small territory, a like comparison with which cannot be made, according to its geographical extent, in any other portion of Britain. Remarking on the constituency of the Gwyneddigion Society in London, the writer favors us with the following: "We have looked in vain for the names of the Wynns, the Vaughans, the Mostyns, the Morgans, the Trevors, or, in truth, of any of the magnates of Wales, attached to it as actual members." P. 173. Although, the parties mentioned here have not intermixed with the members of the society, it is a fact well known that they have upon many occasions liberally contributed to the relief of their countrymen, who have been recommended by one or other members of the society as proper objects of their charity; and for proof of this fact, we refer our readers to the Gwyneddigion Society itself; and, assuredly, we have not a less exalted opinion of the philanthropy of the individuals mentioned in this extract, because their "names" are not advertised to the public among the list of other benefactors to the unfortunate and necessitous of their countrymen. The estimate of the good effected by the society, as stated by the following passages, ["The only good which has accrued from it, as far as we know, is the publication of the Myvyrian Archaiology. With the publication of the Archaiology we must, we fear, close our account of the real benefits which the Gwyneddigion society has conferred upon literature." P. 173.] displays either so much intentional misstatement, or otherwise unpardonable ignorance, that we can barely suppose the "critic" has inquired in any way into the objects of its foundation: a stimulus for literary exertion is annually afforded by the distribution of its medals and pecuniary rewards; and the author of any work of Welsh literary merit is well aware, that their liberality has invariably been unimpeachable. We pass unregarded the passages respecting the conviviality. and "uproarious orgies" of the meetings as trash, unworthy any notice, save this, that it is ridiculous to imagine that the ebullition of warm-heartedness at all interferes with the objects of the institution, or is in any degree a reflection upon the members who compose it. still remains in Wales, where it was never entirely abolished: yet Druidism has been sought for every where but in Wales, and the Welsh language, where it is only to be found." We beg to assure the Gwyneddigion Society, that we have the greatest confidence in their prosperity, and that we shall ever be happy to afford them our zealous co-operation in forwarding their wishes, while they continue to evince their present honest and patriotic principles of action. The burlesque style which has been adopted to throw an air of ridicule over the formation of the Cymmrod rion Society, is wellworthy of the Pindaric school; but we refer our readers to the paragraph itself, to determine whether the desire of the writer to display his wit upon such an occasion has not the effect of producing a reflection on the judgment of one who could pen statements so absurd, and in some instances unfair and untrue. One of the latter we insert; it is this, that "every individual who could boast of a long pedigree, or of a few hundred acres of bog or mountain, appeared in the list of vice-presidents." In reply, we beg to say, that this assertion is a conviction to our minds, and, no doubt, to those of our readers, that it has been made by one of the many who legislate for the world from the attics of Grubstreet or the purlieus of St. Giles's: he has wished to depict the poverty of the country in the illustration, but the attempt reminds us how exceedingly threadbare must have been the information which he himself possessed on the subject; a reference to the programmes of the London Eisteddvod, in which a list of vice-presidents appears, will corroborate our remarks; we are fond of third authorities. The common insignia of office is attempted to be made the subject of farce, and we feel that, while we notice the insipid remarks which the "author" has made, we are conferring a much greater honour than such a composition can possibly deserve; but we wish to do every justice to the ungallant individual, whoever he may be who has paid so poor a compliment on the fair sex as to suppose that they would allow themselves to be "dragged to this strange scene by their ill-judging papas." But we now proceed to the "graver" subjects of difference, and "to the fact of its utter apathy of the most essential purposes of its foundation." "What good, let us ask, has it done to any thing connected with the literature, the history, or the poetry of Wales? Has it published any thing worth reading or worth even the paper and print that have been wasted on its "Transactions?" We answer, No! Has it rescued from obscurity any literary treasure, or elucidated any of the perplexities of our early national history? No! Has it, after the manner of the Thames Street furrier, afforded assistance-nay even encouragement-to one single son of Cambria? No! Has it, during any period of its ten years' existence, done one single thing in strict accordance with the avowed purposes of its foundation? It has not; and we will briefly tell our readers why. "The acting members of the Cymmrodorion, in other words, the council, consist of the least influential-we had nearly said, least respectable-individuals of the society. Acting under the apparent responsibility of the other and more eminent officers, they proceed entirely according to their own selfish caprices. If they meant well, and were disappointed in the result of their NO. XVI. Mm measures as many greater councils have been before them--we should pity, and not condemn them: but this is not the case. They act wilfully, and with their eyes open, to the great injury of the society, and to the infinite disgust of all rational people. We do not say this out of pique or ill-will to any single member of the Cymmrodorion, or of its council; indeed, as far as we are individually concerned we have no cause for complaint; but having been honoured by the distinction of one of the society's prizes, we naturally feel a little interest in its welfare and respectability. Besides, being very nearly a thorough-bred Cambro-Briton, and dating our pedigree considerably beyond the deluge, the amor patriæ is strong within us; and, notwithstanding the evil days upon which our poor country has fallen, and the busy part which some of her magnantes have taken in the propagation of this evil, we love her still. We love her blue hills and her secluded lakes; we love her glens, her woods, her rocks, her streams, her cataracts, for she is our "father land;" -we were cradled amidst her, mountains, and may we finally repose in their calm and quiet bosom ! * "But, it will be said, this society must be of some advantage by the distribution of its prizes, and by the good fellowship which it must naturally promote amongst the natives of the Principality, as well as by enabling the rich and generous to subscribe their money towards the laudable object of its institution. As far as the prizes are concerned, the plan and purpose are beneficial, we will readily allow; but the mode in which they are awarded is not impartial. The council, of course, constitute the tribunal, to whose judgment the productions are submitted; and we have reason to know, that, with very few exceptions indeed, the writers are sufficiently well known before hand. Hence impartiality is impossible; and hence it is that certain individuals, whom we could mention, have nearly monopolised the whole series of prizes. In addition to this, the council fix upon the subjects: and we know of no regulation which prevents any one of them from entering the lists as a candidate." (Pp. 174, 175.) Now the grounds of interference on the part of our contemporary are so rational and meritorious, that we should feel a pleasure in taking part with him in an honest cause: he has depicted in the most glowing of imagery his fondness for that in which our own hearts are essentially connected; he has related his family tie, and founded upon all this the grounds of those charges which we have detailed, and to each of which we purpose to reply, being influenced as well as himself by that "amor patria" which he has made the signal for the onset, and the inspiring principle of his zeal. The Transactions" are the first results of this institution, and contain the writings and researches of the greater portion of our present Cambro-British talent, as well as selections from valuable unique мss. The antiquarian discoveries have afforded much useful and historical information, they are replete with early accounts of our country, and throw considerable additional light on the laws and institutions of Great Britain; they have rescued from oblivion some of the compositions of the early bards, and have been useful as books of reference, in the compilation of a recent work by one of the first of our modern historical writers.* • Sir James Macintosh's History of England, and acknowledged by him to the proprietor of our work to have afforded the information required. |