Part 16

The Barons, therefore, manifested the utmost dislike and hostility to the progress of manufactures and towns. Seldom could a fitting site for a village or manufactory be found except within the limits of a manor; and the lord, if he even conceded the liberty for the erection, never failed to burden the grant with exorbitant rents and exactions, and to fetter it with the most oppressive restrictions. These grants would never have been made, only for the temptation of gold. The feudal chiefs were, from their ostentatious power and display, mostly poor; and in exchange for a high rent or large purchase money, they were induced to grant tracts of land to the manufacturer and merchant, whose money capital was the only bait for the cupidity of the proprietor. Hence, from the reign of Edward the First onwards, the conflict of capital representing commerce, and territorial interest representing the lords of the soil. The former power, feeble at first, grew steadily under the more favorable reigns of succeeding monarchs, and in modern times has made such strides, as to equal, if not surpass, the ancient dominion of the fief.

Moreover, the excessive power of the Barons was full of danger to the peace and security of the realm. Where the dominion and government of the mass of the people were in so few hands, the peril of the nation was great from the discontent or ambition of one or more of the chiefs. A Mowbray, Bohun, Mortimer, or Clifford, could at the head of his clan disarrange the affairs of the entire kingdom, and plunge the nation into war. This danger was also increased from the turbulent disposition of the Barons. The feudal chiefs dwelt apart in the strongholds of their castles, and the solitude of their manors, and exercised unlimited dominion and sovereignty over the inhabitants of their domains. Their mode of life and irresponsible power generated an independence and insubordination which could ill brook restraint or abridgment even from the sovereign, setting aside from another chieftain, and which often broke out in open rebellion, defying even the power of the crown. Hence the insurrection of a Leicester, a Warwick, and a Northumberland, which required the utmost force of the sovereign and his confederate Barons to subdue. Hence also the intestine commotions and civil wars which were so prevalent in the feudal ages, and which from time to time paralysed the progress of the nation, and occasioned the sacrifice of innumerable lives.

The feudal dominion was, in the last place, very unfavorable to art, science, and discovery. Its chiefs had little leisure from foreign wars and domestic tumult for their prosecution, and had less inclination to encourage their promotion by others. Their attention was absorbed in schemes of territorial aggrandisement and political intrigue, as to devote little time to the improvement of the mind. The only learning which they patronised was the mummeries of monkish superstition and priestly adulation. True science was neglected, or even discouraged. We do not find one name throughout the dark and stormy reigns of the Plantagenets which may rank in the first class of scientific merit. We must descend to the Tudors before we meet with any light to dispel the Egyptian darkness which enveloped science. It was the reign of the virgin Queen Elizabeth which was embellished by that galaxy of illustrious stars in the firmament of discovery, which mapped out new and more useful paths for investigation, and will shed everlasting light upon science. It was in this epoch when the feudal dominion had been shorn of much or most of its pristine glory, and when commerce and manufactures were encouraged, and the liberty of the subject was more secure--that a Bacon, a Raleigh, a Camden and a Davis, arose to delight and bless mankind with their magnificent discoveries. The paths shadowed out by these great names were afterwards pursued under still more auspicious reigns, throughout which we find a joint alliance and equal progress between mercantile grandeur and civil freedom, and their hand-maiden science. In these latter times we meet with a Newton, a Davy, a Watt, and a Stephenson, whose discoveries and works have yoked matter to accomplish the purposes of man, and made the elements tributary to his designs. It is likewise more than probable that had the human mind in modern times not emancipated itself from feudal servility and thraldom, Britain and the world would have been deprived of these universal blessings, and our own glorious island would at present hold little or no higher rank in Europe than benighted Spain, or the Italian peninsula.

Now that the pomp, glory, and circumstance of the feudal state have passed away, we may leisurely look back on its history, contemplate its features, and observe its effects and tendencies. In this retrospect we are encouraged by the better condition of the age in which we live, and the brightening prospects of the future. But in all our inquiries and wanderings let us never forget that man has in all ages been inconstant, and human nature imperfect, and that the best of all institutions are probably those which approximate the laws that Solon gave to the Athenians; who said, "My laws are not the best ones possible, but they are the best which the Athenians can bear."

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_Will be Published as soon as Subscribers for_ 300 _copies are obtained_, _in one Volume Demy_ 8_vo_., Price 12_s_.,

THE WELSH WORKS OF IEUAN PRYDYDD HIR,

(Barddoniaeth, Pregethau, a Llythyrau).

The Volume will contain upwards of 500 pages of letter-press; and the Work will be Edited by ONE OF THE MOST EMINENT WELSH LITERATEURS.

Subscribers' names should be sent with as little delay as possible to _JOHN PRYSE_, _PUBLISHER_, _LLANIDLOES_.

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PRINTED BY OWEN MILLS, LLANIDLOES.

A LIST OF SUBSCRIBERS.

Printed in the order in which they were registered during the years 1860 and 1861.

Rev. David Evans, Penarth, Llanfair.

W. Llewelyn, Esq., F. G. S., Glanwern, Pontypool.

Miss Davies, 12, Harper Street, Bloomsbury, London.

Rev. James Rhys Kilsby Jones, 10, Priory Street, Camdentown, London.

Mr. R. Peregrine, Llanelly.

--Thomas Hamer, Llanidloes.

--T. G. Jones, Llansaintffraid, Oswestry.

--W. Jones, (a descendant of the author)

Yspytty Ystwith, Cardiganshire.

Andrew Jones Brereton, Esq., (_Andreas o Fon_,) Mold.

Rev. D. Rowlands, M.A., Llanidloes.

--J. Edwards, M.A., Rector of Newtown.

Bernard Quaritch, Esq., 15, Piccadilly, London, 12 copies.

R. Richardson, Esq., Maes Cottage, Rhayader.

T. Richardson, Esq., Dolgroes, Yspytty Ystwith, Cardiganshire.

Rev. J. B. Evans, B.D., Vicar of St. Harmon, Radnorshire.

Mr. James Evans, Postmaster, Lampeter.

T. T. Griffiths, Esq., Wrexham.

Messrs. R. Hughes, & Son, Wrexham.

Mr. John Mendus Jones, Llanidloes.

Rev. D. Davies, Incumbent of Dylife, Montgomeryshire.

N. Bennet, Esq., Glanyrafon, Trefeglwys.

Rev. Thomas Williams, (a descendant of the author) Curate of Llanwrin, Montgomeryshire.

Mr. David Williams, Dyfngwm Mines, Dylife.

John Jenkins, Esq., Llanidloes, 2 copies

Frederick J. Beeston, Esq., Glandwr, Llanidloes, and 16, St. George's Place, Hyde Park, London, 2 copies.

W. Chambers, Esq., Hafod, Cardiganshire.

Rev. W. Jones, Crescent Street, Newtown.

Rev. Owen Wynne Jones, (_Glasynys_,) Curate of Llangristiolus, Bangor.

Mr. W. Walter, Mount Pleasant, Trallwn, Pontypridd, Glamorganshire.

John Biddulph, Esq., Dderw, Swansea.

Mr. W. Lloyd, Warrington.

Arthur James Johnes, Esq., Garthmill, Welshpool, 3 copies.

Robert Edwards, Esq., Mayor of Aberystwith.

W. H. Thomas, Esq., South Place, Aberystwith.

Rev. C. D. Rees, M.A., Rhayader.

John Jones, Esq., (_Talhaiarn_,) Battlesden, Woburn Beds.

Mr. Robert Isaac Jones, Tremadoc.

--Wynne, Esq., Coed Coch, Abergele.

Mr. C. D. Bynner, Llangadvan.

Rev. T. James, (_Llallawg_,) Netherthong, Huddersfield.

Rev. John Mills, 40, Lonsdale Square, Islington, London.

John Jesse, Esq., F. R. S., Llanbedr Hall, Ruthin.

Rev. John Davies, Walsoken Rectory, Wisbeach.

The Right Honourable the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle, Welshpool.

The Right Honourable Lord Llanover, Llanover Park, Abergavenny, 2 copies.

George Hammond Whalley, Esq., M.P., Plas Madoc, Ruabon.

Mr. Thomas Benbow, New York.

John Maurice Davies, Esq., Barrister at Law, Crygie, Aberystwith.

Rev. Richard Jenkins, B.A., Abermagwr Cottage, Crosswood Park, Aberystwith.

W. P. R. Powell, Esq., M.P., Nanteos, Aberystwith, 3 Copies.

Rev. David Williams, Llanedwy Rectory, Llanelly, Carmarthenshire.

Lady Augusta E. Marshall, Ruabon, 2 copies

Rev. Charles Williams, D.D., Principal of Jesus College, Oxford.

Rev. D. Silvan Evans, Llangian, Pwllheli.

--J. Williams, (_Ab Ithel_,) Llanymowddwy Rectory.

--Lewis Evans, Head Master of Ystradmeirig School, Cardiganshire, 2 copies.

--Owen Jones, Vicar of Towyn.

Thomas Wright, Esq., F. R. S., 14, Sydney Street, Brompton, London.

William Jones, (_Gwrgant_,) 20, King's Arms Yard, London.

Rev. Robert Williams, M.A., Rhydycroesau, Oswestry.

George Osborne Morgan, Esq., 2, Stone Buildings, Lincoln's Inn, London.

J. W. Szlumper, Esq., C. E. Milford Haven.

James Davies, Esq., Rhosrhydgaled, Aberystwith.

John Jones, Esq., Dinorben, St George's, St Asaph.

Mr. W. W. Jones, (_Gwilym o Fon_,) Towyn.

--Owen Mills, Llanidloes.

--T. J. Lloyd, Machynlleth.

Rev. James Griffiths, Vicar of Llangynmor, Carmarthen.

John Scott, Esq., Corbet Arms Hotel, Aberdovey.

Rev. Thomas Jones Hughes, Vicar of Llanasa, Holywell.

John Dendy, Esq., B.A., 36, York Street, Manchester.

Rev. D. Parry, B.A., Darowen Rectory, Machynlleth.

William Price, Esq., Llanffwyst, Abergavenny.

John Jones, Esq., 26, North Parade, Aberystwith.

John Evan Thomas, Esq., F.S.A., 7, Lower Belgrave Square, London.

Rev. Henry J. Evans, Curate of Dowlais.

--David Lloyd James, Vicar of Pontrobert, Montgomeryshire.

Mr. Richard Mills, the Green, Llanidloes.

Miss Sarah Mills, Llanidloes.

Thomas Stephens, Esq., Merthyr Tydvil.

W. H. Reece, Esq., F.A.S., New Street, Birmingham.

James Rees, Esq., Carnarvon.

Ensign E. Powell, Trewythen, Llandinam.

Mr. Thomas Hughes, 10, Croston Street, Liverpool.

Mr. D. J. Roderic, Llandovery.

--Evan Jones, Machynlleth.

--John Beavan, Newtown.

CONTENTS.

_The first figures refer to the Translations_, _the second to the Originals_.

A Poem by Owain Cyfeiliog 9, 99 A Poem by Howel-ap-Einion Lygliw 15, 104 An Ode of David Benfras to Llewelyn the 18, 107 Great A Poem to Llewelyn the Great, by Einion 20, 109 the son of Gwgan A Panegyric upon Owain Gwynedd, by 25, 114 Gwalchmai the son of Meilir An Elegy to Nest, the daughter of Howel, 27, 115 by Einion ab Gwalchmai A Poem to Llewelyn the Great, by 29, 117 Llywarch Brydydd y Moch An Ode to Llewelyn the last Prince of 36, 124 Wales, by Llygal Gwr A Poem entitled The Ode of the months, 42, 129 by Gwilym Ddu o Arfon A short account of Taliesin and Elphin 50 his Patron At Rhisiart Morys, Ysw., a'i Frodyr 89 At y Cymry 91 A Method how to retrieve the Ancient 133 British Language, &c. A Curious Commission issued by Queen 138 Elizabeth A Biographical sketch of Ieuan Prydydd 141 Hir An Elegy on his death by the Rev. R. 142 Williams A Paraphrase of the 137th Psalm, by the 143 Rev. E. Evans, (_Ieuan Prydydd Hir_) An Elegy to the Memory of Lleucu Llwyd, 173, 176 the fair nymph of Pennal, by Llewelyn Goch ap Meirig Hen A List of Subscribers 213 Dedication to Sir Roger Mostyn 5 De Bardis Dissertatio 57 Preface 7 Taliesin's Poem 54, 131 The Penitent Shepherd, by the Rev. E. 149 Evans, (_Ieuan Prydydd Hir_) The Feudal System, by J. Jenkins Esq. 181 The Welsh Works of Ieuan Prydydd Hir, 213 proposal to print them by Subscription Verses on seeing the ruins of Ivor 148 Hael's Palace, by the Rev. E. Evans, (_Ieuan Prydydd Hir_) CORRESPONDENCE. A Letter from Mr. Thomas, Carte, to the 149 Rev. E. Evans A Letter from the Rev. W. Wynn to the 159 Rev. E. Evans Letters from Mr. Lewis Morris to the 150, 152, 153, 154, 155, Rev. E. Evans 156, 157, 158 Letters from Bishop Percy to the Rev. E. 160, 162, 164, 166, 167, Evans 168

THE END.

EVERY VISITOR TO MID-WALES SHOULD PROCURE A COPY OF PRYSE'S HANDBOOK TO THE BRECONSHIRE AND RADNORSHIRE Mineral Springs.

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Part I. (Breconshire) is from the pen of the Rev. James Rhys Jones (Kilsby.) Part II. (Radnorshire, &c.,) has been compiled by the Publisher. The two chapters on the Medicinal Properties of the Waters are from the pen of R. Richardson, Esq., L.F.P.S.G., Fellow of the Obstetrical Society of London, Surgeon, Rhayader.

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Opinions of the Press.

"This is a very interesting little book; in a very small compass, it contains a great deal of useful and interesting information relative to the Welsh mineral springs, coupled with a variety of legendary and antiquarian lore; descriptions of scenery, and the various other adjuncts necessary to make up a good guide book. Every one who purposes visiting the springs should procure a copy, and even those who do not intend visiting the localities described, will find a variety of entertaining matter in this very agreeable and pleasant little book. We ought to mention that a portion of the work has been compiled by the Rev J. R. Jones, (late of Kilsby,) and that it contains a valuable chapter on the medicinal properties of the various springs, from the pen of R. Richardson, Esq., _Surgeon_, of Rhayader."--_Shropshire Conservative_

"The caprice of fashion has rendered famous many old corners of the earth, while others more deserving the notice of the great world lie hidden in unmerited obscurity, or at the most have obtained but a mere local celebrity. The spas of Germany are frequented by quite as many of the votaries of dissipation, and _Rouge et Noir_, as of the seekers after the blessings of health; but there are secluded valleys in our own country which are to the full as deserving of the visits of the lover of the beautiful, and the tired out workman in the world's great treadmill, while to the invalid they offer medicaments of nature's own composition, and scenes untainted by the follies of the frivolous, or the vices of the designing, who throng the gilded saloons of Hamburg and Baden to prey upon the gay and gilded butterflies of fashion. To such the little book whose title we quote above will prove a faithful, and we believe a welcome guide--for its unpretending pages contain not merely a great amount of information, but also a considerable fund of recreative reading. Almost every line of the chapters comprising the first part betrays the writer's well-know hand. Unlike as Charles Lamb and Carlyle are to each other, and unlike as he is to either, there is much in his style that reminds us of both; there is much of the genial quaint humour of the one, and much, very much, of the eccentricity of the other. There is no mistaking the pen, whether it is employed in graphically sketching with a few rapid touches the picturesque scenery of woodland glen, or wide expanse of solitary moor, or glorious mountain side grand with precipice, and beautiful with heather bloom--or whether it is rendering homage to the memory of some worthy of other days, who first saw light among those hills--or whether it is with the frolic humour of a Cerfantes giving a vivid word-picture of an exploring expedition, mounted on a batch of Abergwessin ponies--it is still ORIGINAL, and will be recognised all over Wales as wielded by no other hand than that of "Kilsby," by which designation the Rev. James Rhys Jones is by common consent distinguished from the ten thousand and one of his compatriots who rejoice in the same surname. We can scarcely conceive the possibility of his doing anything and not doing it _earnestly_, but this has evidently been a labour of love, for is it not a description of that Valley of the Irvon which he thus apostrophises?--

"'Thou birth-place and resting place of my humble forefathers, wisely and not too well have I loved thee; when I sojourned in the land of the noble and generous Saxon thou wert my thought by day and my dream by night; it was my uppermost wish to close my life in thy bosom; I have loved thee with a love second only to that of woman, and a passion which sober men pronounce madness: it matters not, for I can pray with the Westmoreland Bard, "Thou valley embrace me, and ye mountains shut me in."'

"The remaining portion of the book is chiefly a compilation, but one that has been well and judiciously performed. Mr. Pryse has succeeded in getting from a variety of sources pretty nearly every thing that can possibly interest, inform, or amuse, in connection not only with the mineral springs, but also with the beautiful district in which they are situated. For the invalid he has brought together the various analyses of the waters, made from time to time, with the opinions of medical men as to the best rules for their administration; for the scientific he has produced the opinions of geologists as to the causes of the impregnation of the waters, with their health-giving constituents; for the antiquarian he has collected all that remains of the annals of the ruined abbeys and castles within a wide circuit, especially all that is known of the history of the last hours of the gallant Llewellyn, last native Prince of Wales, whose sad fate has given such melancholy interest to the vicinity of Builth; and for the poet and the lover of the marvellous he has recorded the wondrous legends, which in days gone by, were supposed to account for the healing powers of the springs without resorting to the philosophic theories of the Murchisons or Richardsons of those times. In short, he has produced a "Handbook," the possession of which will doubly enhance the pleasure of a summer ramble amid the scenes which it describes."--_The Monmouthshire Merlin_.

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This Handbook is got up in various styles, so as to suit the pockets of every visitor. In stiff paper covers the price is 1s. 6d.; bound in strong cloth boards the price is 2s.; bound in extra cloth, gilt edges, and lettered on the side, the price is 2s. 6d. All post free for value in stamps.

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PUBLISHED & SOLD BY JOHN PRYSE, BOOKSELLER, LLANIDLOES, MONTGOMERY.

A List of Books Published or Sold by John Pryse, Bookseller, &c., Llanidloes, Montgomery. All post free for their value in stamps; when not to be had from a Bookseller, please send to the Publisher.

THE CAMBRIAN MINSTREL, by John Thomas, (Ieuan Ddu.) Small 4to, (Merthyr Tydfil, 1845,) in 13 Parts, paper covers, price 6s. 6d. "The Work is equally interesting to Welsh readers, as nearly all the matter contained is inserted in both languages."

A Melody for Cristmas or New Year's Eve, by R. Lowe, Price 1.5d.

Williams's Epitaphs for Grave-stones. Price 9d.

The Inundation of Cardigan Bay, by the Rev. G. Edwards, M.A., Price 9d

Will be published as soon as Subscribers' names are received for 400 copies, price Half-a-crown.

THE HISTORY OF THE ANCIENT BRITONS,

by the late Rev. Theophilus Evans, sometime vicar of Llangammarch, and discoverer of the Llanwrtyd Mineral Waters, &c. Translated from the Welsh, with notes from the works of modern writers. The book will be printed on good paper, and stitched in paper covers,

Will be published as soon as Subscribers' names are received for 250 copies, price 5s.

THE HISTORY OF WALES,

by Caradoc of Llancarvan, translated from the Welsh. The publisher has long noticed the want of a reprint of this most interesting History; it having become very scarce, he ventures to hope to have at once sufficient Subscribers to enable him to issue the book forthwith

DRYCH Y PRIF OESOEDD,

yn ddwy ran, Rhan I, sy'n traethu am hen Ach y Cymry, o ba le y daethant allan; y Rhyfeloedd a fu rhyngddynt a'r Rhufeinwyr, y Brithwyr, a'r Saeson; a'u Moesau cyn troi yn Gristionogion. Rhan II, sy'n traethu am Bregethiad a Chynydd yr Efengyl yn Mhrydain, Athrawiaeth y Brif Eglwys, a Moesau y Prif Gristionogion, Gan y Parch, Theophilus Evans, gynt vicar Llangammarch, yn ngwlad Fuellt a Dewi, yn Mrycheiniog. Yn nghyda Rhagarweiniad a nodau eglurhaol, gan y Parch, Rhys Gwesyn Jones, un o awdwyr y "Gwyddoniadur Cymreig," &c. Adargraffiad o'r argraffiad a gyhoeddwyd gan yr awdwr yn 1740, Pris mewn papur (i Danysgrifwyr) 2s, Cloth Gilt, 3s

The Love Songs and War Songs of the Ancient Britons,

BREEZES FROM THE WELSH MOUNTAINS

A Scrap Book of Cambrian Prose and Poetry, compiled by John Pryse. The book contains translated specimens of the works of the most eminent Welsh Bards, Warriors, and Philosophers. Price 1s, 6d

Y Llyfr Rhataf yn Nghymru!! Newydd ei Gyhoeddi, Pris 6c, Y CYFAILL I BAWB, Yn cynwys yr "Almanac Tragwyddol," y dull newydd i olchi dillad, wrth yr hwn y gellir cwblhau golohiad chwech wythnos cyn boreufwyd, Hefyd, yn agos i 300 o gyfarwyddiadau ereill yn dangos y ffordd oreu i drin anifeiliaid, ac i wheyd llawer iawn o bethau gwerthadwy, yn nghyda _chatalogues_ am filoedd o lyfrau, a hysbysiadau am lawer iawn o bethau nas gellir eu henwi yma. Y ffordd i gael y llyfr--rhowch 6 o stamps llythyrau (yn nghydag enw eich trigfa) mewn llythyr, wedi ei gyfeirio at John Pryse, Bookseller, Llanidloes, Montgomery, a chyda throad y post fe anfonir y llyfr yn rhydd.

IF YOU WISH TO RESTORE YOUR HEALTH AND INVIGORATE YOUR SPIRITS, you cannot do better than take a trip to one or other of the Welsh Mineral Springs. Before you leave home, send for a copy of Pryse's Handbook to the Breconshire and Radnorshire Mineral Springs, which contains the History of _Llandrindod_, _Llandegley_, _Llanwrtyd_, _and Builth Wells_, with full directions for using the _waters_ by a thoroughly qualified medical Gentleman; topographical, antiquarian, and geological notes and exerpts from the writings of the most eminent authors; an Hotel and Lodging-house directory; and descriptive journeys from nearly all the principal towns within a circle of 50 miles. The reader will also find in its pages much amusing and interesting reading for odd leisure hours, all of which is calculated to add to the enjoyment and amusement of the visitor and tourist. The book is neatly bound in cloth, and although it contains above 200 pages, it is not too bulky for the Lady's reticule or the Gentleman's pocket. _How to obtain it_,--Send 24 penny stamps to JOHN PRYSE, BOOKSELLER, LLANIDLOES, MONTGOMERY, and it will be sent Post free to any address.

A Short Familiar Catechism, by the late Rev. T. Charles, of Bala. Price 2d. or thirteen for 2s

Everett's Catechism, translated into English by the Rev. R. Thomas. Price 1d, or one hundred for 6s

The Mother's Gift, (Welsh or English,) 1d, or one hundred for 6s

English and Welsh Letter Writer. Price 6d, and 9d, in cloth, 3d, extra