Imágenes de páginas
PDF
EPUB

coed, in the parish of Llanrug; with the king's head, and the arms of England on one side, and the following inscriptionEDWARD DEI GREX ANGLE DVX AQVITEN: reverse, two arrows crossing each other; and the following Latin words from the psalms-DOMINE NE ARGVAS ME IN FVRORE. And two gold coins, one of Edward I. and another of Richard I. were discovered in the parish of Llanfair Isgaer in the year 1827, with the following-EDWARD DEI GRA REX ANGLIЄ Dñs HIB ZAQVIT DVX: reverse, nic AVTEM TRANSIENS PER MEDIVM ILLORVM IBAT.

The following inscription was copied from a stone, discovered at Ty Coch, near Bangor, in the month of May, 1827.

N VMO NC

IMP. CAESAR.M:

AVREL ANTONINVS

PIVS II IX AVCARAB

IX

The stone is about a yard in length, but unfortunately it broke in the middle, in taking it up.

A small copper coin was also discovered by the above John Gibson, in his garden near Carnarvon, in 1824; with the emperor's head, and ALEXANDRO on one side and on the reverse, a female holding a spear, and an altar, with the word CONSECRATIO.

In the year 1796, a stone, about a yard in length, and one foot wide, and six inches thick, was discovered near Llys, in the parish of Llan Ddeiniolen; it is at present in the lawn at Pantavon Llanrûg, with the following inscription-IMPTRODECIO.

PERIS.

To the Editors.

AMONG the many curious and interesting remarks in the review of Southey's work on the Growth of Wool, in your last number, the English word cur is derived from the Welsh corgi; and the latter from cor, a dwarf; and ci, a dog; quasi, the dwarf dog. Now, I am not disposed to doubt the derivation of this word from the Welsh, but would wish to signify my opinion that the above is not the true etymology. For, on reading this article, it occurred to my recollection that Lhuyd had given another derivation, i. e. cor, a sheep; and that he referred to the Irish as having preserved this term, which is now obsolete in the Welsh. And, not having Lhuyd at hand, I beg to refer to the Irish dic

tionary for a confirmation of my opinion, as on such reference we shall find the words caor, a sheep; caor-lan, a sheepfold, &c.; and why not Wallice cor-gi, a sheep dog? as we know that the Welsh and Irish have mutually lost and preserved many words of common Celtic origin. As to the word corr, a dwarf, I think it is of the same root with the Latin curtus, short or small; and that the word coryn, a spider, is cognate with the Greek κορις, a bug, or small wood-worm; but whether cor, a sheep, has any connexion with wc, a sheep's fleece, I will not undertake to say.

C.

BIRTH-PLACE OF LORD COMBERMERE.

[IN consequence of a difference of opinion existing regarding the birth-place of Lord Combermere, (as brave a general as ever graced the British army,) he was written to on the subject, and we are enabled to give his lordship's answer in the Welsh language, together with a subjoined translation.]

"SYR,

"YR wyf yr falch iawn dywedyd, mai Lleweni lle fy hen dadau Salisburi, swydd Ddinbych, oedd lle fy ngenedigaeth i.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

"Combermere Abbey ; y 15 Fed. o'r Mis Rhagfyr, 1831.

"Mr. HUGH DAVIES, Holywell."

Translation.

"SIR,

"I AM very proud to say that Lleweni, the residence of my forefathers, the Salisbury's, in Denbighshire, was my birth-place.

"I am, Sir,

"Your obedient servant,

"Combermere Abbey; Dec. 15, 1831. "Mr. HUGH DAVIES, Holywell."

"COMBERMERE."

REVIEW OF NEW BOOKS.

Jones's Views in Wales. Nos. 24-26.

(Continued from page 413.)

We cannot think that our repeated notices of this elegant addition to the arts can be considered uninteresting or unimportant; certain are we, and it is merely a repetition of our former sentiments, that, for beauty, general propriety, and more especially for cheapness, this work has eclipsed all preceding illustrations of Cambrian scenery; but it must have been remarked, that during our reviews of each succeeding specimen, we had not passed our opinion upon the letter-press description of the plates. Now, as Mr. H. Gastineau and his brothers in art have completed their labours, so far as respects the north, and having already introduced ten or twelve views in the south (of which we shall speak presently), it behoves us to bring up from arrear our critical analysis of the historical accompaniments to the engravings; indeed, independently of other minor considerations, as supporters of Welsh literature, we cannot excuse ourselves from so necessary, and we may also add so important, an examination. We have been told that this History of Cambria was written expressly for the work, by a gentleman of considerable literary eminence, one for whom we entertain the highest respect; now, our motto is "truth against the world," and the absurdities, great and glaring as they are in this same history, be they written by whom they may, cannot, must not, escape our double-edged cautery of literary censorship.

or

We complain not of those generally well-understood points of history, too glaring for the chronologist to err upon, mistakes which every little lisping historian, with seven eight years to back him in his "travail," would point out to his governess; but there are matters of minor import, of posterior date to the subjugation of Wales or the building of Castell Arvon, which so abound and disfigure this history that we lament their occurrence, for they are an utterly unworthy accompaniment to the engravings of Mr. Gastineau's fine drawings: we allude to different extracts from writers totally inapplicable as a description of places as they are, though possibly correct enough as to what they were. Other, many other, portions of this history are in every point of view creditably written. It would be too much generally to exemplify these repeated instances of neglect, one will be sufficient, and we select it purely because we are well acquainted with the noble residence so absurdly dealt with,-we mean Powis Castle. Nor can we afford to extract this obsolete description of Powis Castle; the writer is evidently totally un

acquainted with the place, and, in order to say something, he has introduced mere nonsense, there is nearly a page of errors; and among other things, he tells us, "the edifice is kept up as a habitable mansion, though rarely visited by its noble owner." Our writer has merely skipped over a generation, that is all; besides the account is most unfairly put forth, without any reference to the authority from whence it is taken. Thirty years ago the description was accurate, but for years past Powis Castle, instead of "being rarely visited by its noble owner," has been the constant country residence of the present Lord Clive, the noble park has been restocked with deer, a great eastern tower has been added to the pile, and many other alterations have been made since our author's adopted account was written; in fact, his lordship, instead of absenting himself from Powis Castle, is perfectly identified with the place, and his taste is creditable, for there are few castles even in Wales more beautifully situated, or more associated with historic recollection, than "the old Red Castle." We have only to observe, that, if the public are to be favoured with descriptions, let them have those which will afford correct information: for it were infinitely more desirable to have none at all, than to be presented with stuff irreconcilable with truth. Besides, the Messrs. Jones are incurring a heavy responsibility in permitting the frequent recurrence of what is nothing more or less than a shameless imposture upon public gullibility.

In No. 24 the views are— -Kilgeran Castle, remains of St. Dogmail's Priory, Fall of the Teivy, and Kenerth Bridge. Kilgeran Castle, is exceedingly beautiful, and fully justified. Sir R. Colt Hore's remark, that it "stands unequalled in South Wales," the limpid Teivy, fringed with stunted trees,-on the right, the old Castle frowning on its lofty height, and the rocks overhanging the road, together with the figures and the softened distance, are splendidly done. St. Dogmael or Dogvael's Priory has nothing about it strikingly fine, yet the coup de grace is good: the ivy creeping up the ruin, the sheep in the fore-ground, the lights and shadows, the distant water, and hills, are, as well as . Kilgeran, exceedingly good specimens of Mr. C. Varral's power as an engraver.

The Fall of the Teivy, and of Kenerth Bridge, are fine; the dashing of the water over the rocks in the former forms a pleasing contrast to the smooth meandering of the other; indeed, Gastineau's water always makes one think of naïads and water nymphs; the just interspersion of wood, rock, and water, contributes to make these two views on the Teivy very sweet engravings: Mr. S. Fisher is the artist.

No. 25 consists of Ostermouth Castle, ruins of Neath Abbey, Glamorganshire, and the towns of Aberystwith, and Cardigan. This print of Ostermouth or Oystermouth Castle cannot be looked upon without exciting admiration.

The sullen, gloomy, ivy-mantled fortress, just emblem of Warwick's power, produces a mournful impression on the mind; but the beautiful pure atmosphere, with the sun's rays curvetting and glittering over the ocean, the little white vessels, the sheep, the teem, and the village, are objects all calculated to cheer the imagination. The entire plate is very grand.

Remains of Neath Abbey.

We cannot look upon Neath Abbey, even in its desolation, without a feeling of reverence, recollecting that it once sheltered, for a time, from the pursuit of blood-hounds, the homeless and forsaken second Edward. An historical recollection of this kind must ever give an additional interest to that which is already attractive, namely, a beautiful ruin,--and Neath Abbey is beautiful in the extreme. Mr. T. Baker is the engraver.

Cardigan Town has not much to recommend it as regards its pictorial effect; but it is very well engraved. Aberystwith looks like any thing but a Welsh town; but the comfort and beauty, we had almost said magnificence, of the place, is exceedingly well depicted in this plate. Nor is the old castle towering above his modern companions, the various new buildings which surround it, the least interesting feature of the view. Mr. W. Wallis has engraved Cardigan and Aberystwith.

No. 26 presents us with views of Llanbadarn Vawr; Vale of the Teivy, near Newcastle; and two other views of Neath Abbey. Llanbadarn Vawr.

Mr. Gastineau has here shown much discretion in his point of view; the winding river on the left, the little vale, the sloping hills, the distant sea, and Aberystwith castle, the venerable tower of Llanbadarn church, and, lastly, though not the least beautiful, are the peasants in the foreground, with their loaded cart of hay. All these objects harmonize with each other, and the result is a very good engraving of a pretty landscape. But the Vale of the Teivy is the gem of this number; and the little cottage, close under us, conveys to one's sense all that constitutes rustic happiness and beauty; and beyond flows. the clear Teivy, smooth as a mirror, and then the dark shadowing of the willows on its surface, the little white skiff, and, as usual, the sheep all are true to the life. And Mr. Gastineau evinces his skill and knowledge of his art fully as much in minute delineation and truth, as by the more imposing components of a drawing. The view is backed by fine sloping hills, and the setting sun forms a glorious termination to the picture. We are indebted to Mr. H. Lacey for the two plates.

Of the two other views of Neath Abbey, the first is rather uninteresting. Its distant walls on the left, with their ivied arches are pretty; but the Elizabethian architecture on the right destroys any idea approaching to antiquarian veneration. The

NO. XVI.

N n

« AnteriorContinuar »