stronger hold upon ner.

Time passed swiftly with everybody but Magnus. The king's hall was never more full of guests, nor the guests more full of drink. Gryffydd was at his best, and so was Idwal, the family bard. The late incursion into England and the coming marriage of the princess furnished him with topics most agreeable to his awen (muse). He described advancing hosts and contending foes, the groans of the dying and the shout of victory. He sang of a royal warrior from across the seas with the heart of a lion and the arm of a giant; of a princess light as spring, beautiful as summer, bright as day; and of the marriage of two rivers, united never to part, one in purpose, one in love, ever murmuring in sweet content. His harp catching the inspiration of his heart vide with his voice, and Gryffydd declared that his bard had never acquitted himself so well. But at length both his voice and his hands grew weary, and he fell asleep while other bards displayed their skill. The day passed into night, and the night into day once more, and though Magnus was one of the last to fall asleep, he was among the first to waken. The harps were now silent, but a chorus of birds filled the air with music. Did Nest hear those delightful strains? Av, doubtless, for this was to be her wedding day. Like her Like her intended husband she, no doubt, had risen this morning before the Would that she could take a stroll with him just now through the

sun.

But that was not to be. He needed the morning air, however, therefore he would wander a short distance by himself. Leaving the hall he entered a field back of the castle where a vision of daisies, celandines, and dandelions met his gaze. The birds were still singing, and the morning breeze was laden with fragrance. The king of day now glanced at the King of Norway over the eastern hills, and bathed his red silk robe in rays of gold. Magnus returned the glance as he strolled along, thanking the sun in his heart for smiling so brightly on his wedding morn. After stopping a moment to admire the beauty of the famous Vale of Clwyd he slowly retraced his steps, casting an occasional glance at the fields where the army was encamped. On approaching the castle his eyes rested for a moment on the beautiful arches erected for the wedding, and his heart gave a bound of joy as he thought how soon the event was now to be. But why was there no more activity around the castle? Why did he not hear sounds of music? Why did the guards stare at him SO strangely as he entered the courtyard? Where were his own servants? All this was most bewildering to the king. He entered the hall. There were the wreaths and festoons beautiful as ever. There were the guests also, but no one lifted the drinking horn to his lips. The harpers were as silent as the grave. Everybody wore a strange look. What did it mean?

(To be continued.)

WELSHMEN AS FACTORS IN THE FORMATION OF THE REPUBLIC. Prize essay at the World's Fair Eisteddfod, 1893. By the Rev. E. Edwards, Minersville, Pa. T. J. Griffiths, Utica, N. Y.

I thoroughly agree with the learned adjudicators, that it is "a masterly piece of composition, a treasure of valuable information, and a real encyclopaedia of Welshmen who have been factors in the formation and development of this country." It is by far the most elaborate, thorough, and taken all in all, the most reliable work of the kind yet published. Doubtless it will be regarded as a standard book of reference on Welsh history.

The author reminds the reader of the "length and breadth of the field" to be surveyed. "This," as he says, "was difficult as it was desirable, and has demanded considerable time and labor." No one knows better than myself, his fellow-competitor, of the vast and indefatigable labor bestowed in the preparation of such prodigious work"sifting the dust of the remote past." None but a man of indomitable energy and perseverance would undertake such a herculean task. Mr. Edwards was awarded $600 for his Prize Essay, but that large sum was inadequate compensation for his labor.

Though the author has spared no pains to attain inerrancy, yet like all human production it is not infallible. An American critic said of my production "If there be a defect in the volume it is that pride of race lies near the author's heart, so near as to be prominent." The same thing, probably, can

justly be said of Mr. Edwards' valuable work. We believe the author, in common with other Welsh writers, at times. grounds his assertions on tradition rather than authentic history. I committed the same error, to some extent at least. If I were to write again on this subject, I would leave out reference to person of doubtful Welsh extraction, and even those possessing only small fraction of Welsh blood in their veins. For instance, take our ex-President B. Harrison. He avows that he is of Welsh origin, traceable to the times of Oliver Cromwell. The name, doubtless, is derived from Ap Harris. But it can not be proven that more than one sixty-fourth part of his blood is Welsh. On the same ground 63 other nationalities may, with equal right, claim him as their representative. In the Formation Period, we have Roger Williams, Pres. Davies, Lewis Morris, Robert Morris, Gen. Dan. Williams, and Mad Anthony, &c. The history of the deeds of these pure blooded Welshmen would fill volumes. In the list of half Welsh we have Judge Marshall, John Morton, Wm. Penn, and others of the formation period; and Daniel Webster, Seward, Lyman Beecher, and Gen. Thomas, and a host of others of the development period. I cannot find any support except tradition for the claim that Pres. Garfield was of Welsh origin. Mr. Edwards quotes approvingly the assertion of Dr. A. Jones that the Adamses were of Welsh extraction; but where is the proof except we accept as proof the broad assertion of Judge Powell in the "History of Ancient Britons," viz., "It is impossible to find an Englishman

who has not more or less Celtic blood in his veins."

There seems to be some important errors in dates in the valuable work of Mr. Edwards. A prominent Welshman in a letter to me has pointed out some, and it is to be regretted that such errors should have crept in. On page 202, reference is made to a large gathering at Youngstown in 1863, instead of 1893. Also on the same page he locates Radnor and Gomer in the Western Reserve. On page 293, it is stated that the Hon. Anthony Howells, was chosen State Treasurer in 1886, which should have been 1877. He was appointed Postmaster of Massillon in 1886, not in 1889, and State Senator in 1889. On page 341, it is stated that many tin plates were sent to the then Senator McKinley. Pres. McKinley never was Senator, either State or national.

But notwithstanding these and other errors, the book is the best, most thorough and elaborate yet written on the subject. We trust Welsh Americans, generally, will have the privilege and enjoy the pleasure of perusing this valuable addition to Welsh literature. -W. R. Evans, Gallia, Ohio.

In a short opening article in "Cymru" for November, the editor describes the meeting of Parliament. Eluned Morgan continues her story of the Andes; J. Ivano Jones gives an interesting

sketch of the life of Mrs. Anne Griffith Jones, Aberdare; then follows "Daniel Ddu o Geredigion," by J. M. Howell, Aberaeron; "Llangyfelach" by G. M. Thomas, Cwmbwrla; "The West Indies," by Dr. D. Arthur Hughes; "Vivisection" by Glan Menai; "Teulu Tan of Castell," by Ellis Williams, Dolyddelen; "A Trip to North Wales," by Jaffrenou; "Llanfaelog" by J. W. Huws, Aberystwyth; "Old Musicians," and Editorial Notes on books and authors. Among the poetical productions are Deio Carngarw's Hound and Songs by Alafon

Dewi Hefin, Rev. Morien Mon Hughes, Ph. D., Rome, N. Y., and others.

Mr. Jaffrenou's story of his visit to North Wales suggests that the Welsh language would be greatly benefited by foreigners mastering it. Mr. Jaffrenou writes interesting Welsh, better Welsh than many Kymry use, talking or writing. It somehow seems that foreigners have more respect for the old language than her own children.

"Trysorfa y Plant" for December gives a good portrait of the Rev. John Evans, Abermeurig, a prominent Welsh minister among the Calvinistic Methodists with a short sketch of his life. One extraordinary fact connected with his life is his ministry of 42 years in Abermeurig. Trysorfa'r circulation is over 40,000.

On the front page of "Cymru'r Plant" for December, we find Winnie Parry's face. We had desired for some time to see how Winnie looks, and we find she. looks very much like the author of "Y Ddau Hogyn Rheiny." Her face stands for an interesting personality. We would be sorry to miss her from the pages of "Cymru'r Plan.." Pembrokeshire is described in the present number. In many a sense, Pembrokeshire is a fine corner of Wales. It is west of Carmarthenshire somewhat cornered. Although it is called "Little England beyond, Wales," it may be appropriately named the "Transvaal of Wales," the people being largely Flemish. In the war with Cromwell thepeople showed they had considerable fight in them. We are glad to hear "Cymru'r Plant" is a success. It ought to enter every home in Wales.

"Cerddor" for December has several articles of interest on subjects pertaining to music. D. Emlyn Evans opens with a paper on "Musical Adjudications”

at the National Eisteddfodau; D. Jenkins discusses "Sacred Concerts"; the Very Rev. Dean Howell writes on "Welsh Hymnology;" Harry Evans on "Music in Wales". No. 44 in "The Gallery of Musical Celebrities" is W. L. Barrett. The musical number is "Clyw O Dduw, fy Llefain," anthem by Eos Llechid. "Notes" and "Varieties" are entertaining, as usual. In his observations on "Sacred Concerts" D. J. complains justly that these are not always genuinely "sacred." The quality "sacred," is very often infinitesimal. Very often they are sacred frauds; unmixed, secularity in sanctity's clothing. In the States may be found "sacred concerts" with the smallest percentage of sanctity possible.

The December number of the "Drysorfa" has the following articles: "Every Man to His House, but Jesus to the Mountain," by the Rev. James D. Symmons, Abergwaun; "Recollections of Old Ministers in South Wales," by the Rev. B. Hughes, St. Asaph; "The Late Rev. W. R. Jones (Goleufryn); "The Word" by the Rev. Lewis Morgan, Tonrefail; "Owen Owens, Cors of Wlad" by H. Hughes Brynker; "The Forward Movement" by the Rev. John Williams, Newport; Monthly Notes, &c.

In "Monthly Notes" the editor refers to the decession of preachers from the ranks of the Calvinistic denomination, not through death but through desertion. He complains that a good much of this moving happens in South Wales. During last year four have left the Calvinistic fold, viz one to the Church of England, one to Unitarianism, and two to the Baptist Communion. One was an exceptional case. He was dained to the Calvinistic ministry in August last, when he testified in the most solemn manner his loyalty to the Calvinistic creed and mode of church government; but in two months

or

he

was re-converted into the Baptist creed; stating at the immersion service that he had had misgivings regarding sprinkling for years. His conduct seemed so strange that his case is problematical. It is no discomfort or cause of great annoyance as none of the four was a success as a preacher. The editor thinks the desertion a gain since the denomination has more preachers than necessary. He seems also to disagree with the loose workings of the examining machine, which allows such backsliders to commence work in the Communion.

The machine should be more closely watched, so as to turn out only the thoroughly qualified and truly loyal.

Contents of the "Dysgedydd" for December as follows: "The Glorification of Jesus and the Holy Spirit" by the Rev. J. Charles, Denbigh; "The Welsh Congregationalists and the Foreign Mission" by the Rev. John Hughes, Tanygrisiau; "The Church and Culture," by the Rev. M. C. Morris, Ystrad; "The Revival of 1859" (xi), by W. J. Parry, Bethesda; Sunday School lesson, Denomination Reports, Obituaries, Poems.

In the first place we have shown in a former paper that the old Welsh system was founded upon an Oligarchy-a privileged caste to a certain degree similar to the state of affairs in the Dutch Republics of South Africa under the Kruger regime; for, as in the latter, we find three degrees of political privileges, namely, (1) the Boer oligarchy, (2) the Outlanders, and (3) the Kaffirs, so, in the former, we find a somewhat similar state, namely, (1) the Free Cymry, (2) the Alltudion, and (3) the Aborigines (taeogs and caeths). Ancient Wales, however, unlike the Transvaal, was not a single state, but a confederation of states, united, only by a common law and a lax acknowl

Among the articles in the November number of "Young Wales" are "The Development of the Agricultural Resources of Wales," a very readable and instructive discussion; "A Plea for Welsh Particularism," a smart paper full of interesting facts; and "The Development of Welsh Watering Places as Winter Resorts." Islwyn's "Nos," in English garb is beautiful, for he is one of our most contemplative poets. "Kipling-Mad" by Elphin, is a strong and strenuous poem. In the number there are also eight illustrationsPwllheli, Nevin and the Rivals, Lake Vyrnwy (two cuts), Old Bridge on the Dovey, Borth, Aberdovey and Devil's Bridge.

"Cwrs of Byd" opens the December number with a humorous application of the Five Points of Calvinism. It is amusing to think how our forefathers discussed, argued and quarreled over theological points which have never done a particle of good, and have only served to create dissension among the sons of men. There is nothing more ludicrous than Pascal's take off of the two kinds of grace, the sufficient and the efficient-in his "Provincial Letters." If the power (and breath even) wasted on these profitless discussions had been used on more beneficial lines, the world to-day would have been half a dozen ages in advance of what we find it today. Religious people hitherto have hated the practical. For those "Five Points of Theology," "Cwrs y Byd" recommends "Rent," "Profits," "Interest," "Wages," and "Swindling," as points to think over. It is doubtful whether the "Five Points of Calvinism" have benefited the people in a practical way. Political Economy and general education and an energetic struggle for

right, would work changes in the condition of the working classes. Who can help smiling when asked the question "What has unconditional election to do with rent?" The "original sin" of Wales is too much humility in the presence of its oppressors.

In "Yr Haul" for November, appears an address by the Very Rev. Shadrach Pryce, St. Asaph, "The Welsh Language in its Relation to Education in Wales." One of the difficulties encountered, he states, in teaching Welsh in schools is the corrupt manner in which the language is taught and spoken. The vocabulary also among the common people is so limited that the language must be learned anew and the construction re-mastered. There are two languages -the spoken and written Welsh; the first interfering seriously with the purity of the written. The English is so superior in this respect, and its use so simplified and facilitated that scholars prefer it to Welsh. He thinks the struggle of the Kymraeg against the inroads of the English hopeless, and its extinction only a matter of time. He seems also to believe that the continuance of the Welsh language among the people a hindrance rather than a benefit, as means of education and culture. A good number of the Welsh have a superstitious conception of the value of the vernacular.

Among the articles in the December number of the "Cronicl" are the following: Patagonia and the Relief Fund; Lord Roseberry and Cromwell; The Sunday School Corner; Events of the Month; War in South Africa, Poems, Obituaries, &c. The "Cronicl" will be enlarged and improved for the year 1900. It is intended to make it the organ of Welsh Congregationalists all over the world. Numbers of prominent Welsh representatives of Congregationalism in all parts who will contribute articles of interest and Congregational information.