No less than ten persons performed on the triple (or Welsh) harp for the prize, five of whom were very respectable players, viz. Richard Roberts, Benjamin Connah, Henry Humphreys, William Hughes, and Owen Davies. The contest, however, ran between Roberts and Connah. It was very evident, that the former was considered, by the company, to be the better performer; but the umpire, Mr. E. Jones, was loath to decide, because he considered Connah to be the more scientific player, and that he also produced the best tone of the whole number. The consequence was, that both were called upon to play three times, before it was declared in favour of Roberts.

I beg to observe, that Roberts and Connah had thus a better opportunity of displaying their abilities than the others had, who, under an impression that they were to be called upon more than once, performed merely simple airs. Humphreys and Hughes are very young men, and with, at least, twenty years' less experience and practice; yet they executed Pen Rhaw with variations. in a very masterly manner, and, if they continue to study, they will shortly be among the first performers on the Welsh harp. Owen Davies, who belongs to the Denbigh militia, is a very good harper, but he, (expecting that he should play more than once,) selected a very indifferent air, which made no impression on the company.

My object, in noticing this circumstance, is to suggest, that the harpers at an Eisteddfod ought to be divided into classes, according to their age and experience. A man, who has had the advantage of a musical education, ought not to be placed in competition with a poor blind mountain minstrel, who, in ten instances out of twelve, is taught the harp by another blind person, totally unacquainted with even the rudiments of music.

I would allow those harpers only to perform, who are in the habit of playing the Welsh airs, as they are sung by the Dadgeiniaid, or singers. The umpire ought to hear the whole, previous to the exhibition, and, according to the number and value of the prizes, place those, whom he might deem nearly equal in point of talent, in the same class, reserving the best for the last, as is the case in regard to the poetical compositions.

I cannot quit this subject without recommending to the Cambrian Societies, which have lately been formed with a view of promoting Welsh Literature, History, Poetry, and Music, that, when a promising young man, possessing talents, and what is

termed a genius for music, is discovered, struggling amid many privations, and perhaps, deep distress, to become a distinguished lyrist, they will lend him a fostering hand, and procure for him a few lessons from a good master, in the theory of music. Many may say, that they prefer the unpolished wild style to the finished and scientific. But I beg to ask,-will a classical scholar prefer an oration, delivered with energy-yet ungrammatically,-to one spoken correctly, and with feeling and elegance*?

Most of the Welsh melodies are so beautiful, that very few embellishments are necessary;-the variations too are so well calculated for the triple harp, that they cannot fail to please, if they are but tolerably executed. But, when they are performed by a musician, they are exquisite. Whoever has had the good fortune to hear T. Jones, esq. of Nottingham Place, London, strike the harp of Cymru―will readily agree with me in the justice of this remark. The style of singing with the harp, as practised by the ancient Britons, is a very peculiar one, as I have observed in one of my former letters on Welsh music, and the task is a more difficult one, than is imagined by those unacquainted with it.

I am truly happy to inform you, that a society (branching from the Cymmrodorion,) has been established in London, for cultivating the singing of Pennillion with the harpt.-It is called the "CANORION," (literally "the Singers :") the first meeting was held at the Freemasons' Tavern on the 7th instant, which was most numerously and respectably attended. The few strangers, who were admitted as visitors, were highly delighted, and the Cymry were truly happy; for, to revive, and if possible to per

* This question, as far as it has reference to a "classical scholar," should, certainly, be answered in the negative. But it is after all a matter of doubt, whether the refinements of education are not often calculated to introduce a false taste in this respect, by repressing our admiration of the wild, yet natural flights of uncultivated genius. And it may be, that even genius itself purchases its refinements at the expence of its original energy. Dr. Johnson, in his remarks on Shakespear's writings, has a very happy illustration of this point, when comparing the bard of Avon with the celebrated French tragedian, Corneille. The latter he assimilates to a fine hedge, trimmed with the greatest order and beauty, and the former to the oak of the forest, sublimely towering in all the rudeness of its native majesty. Yet this illustration may not have the same force, when applied to music.-ED.

+ Great praise is due to the Gwyneddigion Society, for having done its utmost, for the last fifty years, towards promoting the same object.-J. P.

petuate, the customs and manners of their forefathers must be gratifying to all those, who love the land that gave them birth. I remain your's, respectfully,

Newman Street, Oct. 11, 1820.

JOHN PARRY.

GWYNEDDIGION SOCIETY.-The Eisteddfod of this society, which was to have been held at St. Asaph on the 21st of September, did not take place, owing to an unlucky accident in the transmission of the poems from London. Yet, several persons attended; and Sir E. P. Lloyd, Bart., who had kindly promised to take the chair on the occasion, was also there. Since that time the society has announced by public advertisement, that the prize for the best poem has been adjudged to the Rev. Edw. Hughes, of Bodfary, the same gentleman, who was the successful candidate last year*. In consequence of this second triumph, a silver chain, in addition to the society's medal, has been voted to Mr. Hughes on the present occasion. In order to avoid a recurrence of the disappointment, experienced at St. Asaph, and likewise to ensure a respectable attendance, it has been resolved, that the Gwyneddigion medal shall, in future, be awarded on the second day of the Eisteddfod for Powys or Gwynedd. The decicision of the prize for 1821 will, accordingly, be made next year at Caernarvon.

LITERATURE.

BIOGRAPHY.-Among the deficiencies, of which there is so much ground of complaint in the literature of Wales, next to a national history, a national biographical work is, unquestionably, the most important. The only publication of this kind, that has hitherto appeared, is the Cambrian Biography, by Mr. Owen Pughe, a book undoubtedly of considerable merit and utility, but necessarily confined, in most instances, from the nature of its plan, to mere outlines of the lives, which it records. It has, in consequence, been imagined, that a selection, upon a more enlarged scale, of the lives of those distinguished Welshmen, who have, at various periods, conferred any celebrity on the Principality, would prove a desirable and interesting accession to the literature of the country. In furtherance of this suggestion, it is now proposed to publish a work of this description, under the title of the CAMBRIAN PLUTARCH, to embrace only the lives of the most eminent individuals. With this view the following

* Sce CAMBRO-BRITON, vol. i, pp. 115 and 153.

names have been selected, although it is probable, that, upon a more mature reflection, some changes may, hereafter, be made. The list, however, in an alphabetical order, stands, at present, as follows:

Aneurin.

Arthur.

Aserius Menevensis.

Giraldus Cambrensis. Owain Gwynedd.
Goronw Owen.

Gruffydd ab Cynan.

Caradog of Llancar- Hywel Dda.

van.

St. David (Dewi.)

Dr. John Davies.

Owen Tudor.

Thomas Pennant, esq.

Dr. J. Davydd Rhys.

Robert Lloyd, of Fron, Rev. Peter Roberts.
(the English poet.) Rev. Henry Rowland.
Rev. Edward Llwyd. Taliesin.

Humphrey Llwyd.

Llywarch Hen.

Davydd ab Gwilym.
Rev. Evan Evans.
Sir David Gam.
Geoffrey of Monmouth-Owain Glyndwr.

Sir Rhys ab Thomas.

Robert Vaughan, esq.

Llywelyn ab Gruffydd.Sir John Wynn, of
Gwydir.

It will readily occur to those, who are at all conversant with literary undertakings, that in the one, here contemplated, a considerable portion of labour and time must be required for its completion. Much, however, in this respect, will depend on the assistance the projector may receive in the progress of his work; and, as the task he proposes is so peculiarly national, he hopes he may rely upon a national co-operation towards its accomplishment. He, therefore, humbly, but earnestly requests, that such individuals, as may have it in their power to promote the plan, by any information respecting the celebrated characters above named, would have the kindness to favour him with their communications, addressed, for the present, to the Editor of the CAMBRO-BRITON, " for the Cambrian Plutarch."

SCARCE BOOKS.-It is somewhat surprising, considering the literary spirit, by which the Principality appears to be animated, that more exertions are not made towards a republication of those old works, which are generally admitted to be amongst the most valuable in Welsh literature, and the scarcity of which is as generally regretted. One or two private undertakings of this nature have indeed been announced*; but it does not appear, whether they have experienced adequate encouragement or not, -and, without a proper indemnity in this respect, it cannot be supposed, that private individuals would incur so serious a risk.

This has allusion to projected republication of Dr. J. D. Rhys's Grammar and Dr. Davies's Dictionary, as noticed in the former volume of the CAMBROBRITON.

The task, in truth, belongs more properly to those public societies, which have been established professedly for this, amongst other national objects. And it cannot be denied, that by a republication of our most scarce and most valuable works, and by a publication of some of our ancient MSS., they would confer a far more essential benefit on the cause of Welsh learning, than if they were to hold an Eisteddfod every month in the year. Such meetings, no doubt, have their utility; but it is trifling and evanescent, in comparison with that, which must result from a judicious promulgation of those literary stores of past times, which may otherwise be lost for ever. Yet, although so many months have elapsed since the formation of the first literary institution in Wales, nothing whatever has yet been achieved in this way, and, what is worse, nothing appears to be contemplated. Now, would it not be highly advisable, with reference to this subject, that the superfluous subscriptions (if there be any) of the several societies should be united in one fund for the purpose alluded to? And, perhaps, if this fund were deposited with the Cambrian Institution in London, it would be the most effectual method of accomplishing the proposed object. But, be this as it may, something ought speedily to be done in this respect, if it were only to rescue the Welsh societies from the disgrace of being considered merely as so many assemblies of sinecurists, whose patriotism was to end with their professions.

OLD MANUSCRIPTS.-It would materially serve the cause of our national literature, if individuals in possession of any ancient and curious MSS. would make them known to the world. And, if no better medium should present itself, the CAMbro-Briton would always be open to their communications. It is also to be hoped, that, among the other embryon projects of our literary institutions, that of searching foreign libraries for the ancient remains of Welsh genius and learning will not be forgotten.

ERRORS CORRECTED.

P. 55, 1. 26, for "charity," read chastity.-1. 32, for " is," read was.

P. 56,1 23, for "parablan," read parablau.

P. 58, 1. 18, for " these," read those.

P. 61, 1. 2, for "Neinio," read Ninio.-1. 28, for "Gadern,” read Gadarn; after "Arch. of Wales," in the notes, insert Vol. ii.

P. 74, 1. 6, for "hen," read ben.-1. 19, for "refais," read cefais; 1 20,

for "gobm," read golyn.

P. 87, 1. 3, of the Poetry, for " patients," read patriots.