GWIR YN ERBYN Y BYD. THE CAMBRIAN JOURNAL; PUBLISHED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF THE CAMBRIAN INSTITUTE. CAS GWR NA CHARO VOL. II. LONDON: LONGMANS & Co., J. RUSSELL SMITH, AND J. PETHERAM. TENBY: R. MASON. 1855. Harding 1-28-52 PREFACE. Ir may not be altogether useless or uninteresting to take a retrospective view of the rise and progress of the CAMBRIAN INSTITUTE, which has now completed the second year of its existence. Its origin is due to the want, that was very generally felt in the Principality, of some machinery calculated to facilitate the publication of works bearing upon the history of Wales. It was felt that compositions of rare merit, which had been successful at Bardic Congresses, were frequently left to perish, owing to the pecuniary difficulties which the respective authors, very seldom in affluent circumstances, for the most part experienced in bringing them through the press. Hence was proposed, and partly organized, "The Historic Institute of Wales," but ere it was put in operation, it was deemed expedient to expand its object, with the view of embracing other branches of Welsh literature. To each additional section was attached, moreover, a committee of management, composed of such persons as were considered most conversant with the subject of which they were to take cognizance. Upon the enlargement of the Society's constitution, it became necessary that its nomenclature should undergo a corresponding change; and, instead of the "Historic Institute of Wales," the title of CAMBRIAN INSTITUTE was adopted. Its organization during the past year has been carried out very successfully. It will be seen that among our patrons ranks that royal supporter of learning, and distinguished Celtic scholar, Prince Louis-Lucien Bonaparte. This indeed must be a matter of great gratification to all our friends and well-wishers, and an augury of brighter days for Cymric literature. In the face of the growing appreciation, which foreigners feel and display, of the intrinsic value of that language, in which the Druids of old addressed the ONE GOD within the awful inclosure of Avebury,—that language which inspirited our forefathers to withstand the invasion of the great Latin captain, and the power of which snapped the bands and fetters of the renowned Caractacus, those false friends and traitors who are disposed to inquire, sneeringly, "Can any good come out of Wales?" will surely hide their diminished heads for shame. Another important event in the history of the INSTITUTE, during the period of this volume, is the formation of a London Committee, which, it is expected, will prove but the prelude of similar branches in Manchester, Liverpool, and other large towns on the English side of Offa's Dyke. By means of these establishments, the life-blood of the INSTITUTE will flow and ramify throughout the British kingdom. When the Society changed, or rather expanded, its original character, it began to work-silently and unostentatiously, it is true-but still effectually. All its operations have, hitherto, been carried on through the medium of its Journal, which has proved a central |