The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1822-10-04 00:00:00

BRECON EISTEDDFOD.

On Wednesday, the Eisteddfod, or Association
of Cambrian Literary and Musical Talent at Bre-
con, commenced with all the spirit which attends
Meetings iu the Principality when convened on mos
tional occasions. The Committee having made the
mostjudicious arratigsmetio, every thing proceeded
in the most regular counter according to the form
that had been previously published. The more
immediate business of the Eisteddfod commenced
with an eloquent 114/11 appropriste address from the
worthy and highly respected President, Sir Charles
Morgan, Bart. wherein he stated that the object of
the Meeting was more particularly for affording
men of genius and learning au opportunity of dis-
playing their powers, and receiving premiums ac-
cording to merit. He also slated that he had re-
ceireda communication from Colonel %Vood, wherein
he mentioned that it was his intention to be present
on the interesting occasion, and that he much re-
gretted that circumstances happened to prevent his
attendance. A letter from S. Humphreys Parry,
Esq. was next read, wherein he thanked the Society
fur electing him an honorary member, and, in ap-
propriate terms, expressed the interest he took in its
success. The several resolutions of the Com Millie
which they had passed since the meeting of the So-
ciety at its commencement were then adverted to,
when it was resolved, that they met with the appro-
bation of the Society, and that it confirmed them.
A resolution was next passed, wherein she Com-
mittee were thanked fur their z-alous and judicious
exertions in promoting the ohjrcts of the Society,
and were requested to continue in office. When
the President, according so the order prescribed,
inquired if there were any gentlemen present dis-
posed to deliver their sentinonts on the subject
coonrcted with the objects of the Eisteddfod,
after • short pause the Rev. Thomas Price, of
Llangeney, came forward, and *puke much in praise
of the ancient British Port, ~iris, and stated it
to be his opium'', that Several of the poems which
were usually attributed to Taliesin were the pro-
ductions of that Bard. He also observed, in very
interesting language., that the literary works called
Romancer, which had been so celebrated on the
Continent, had their origin in this district, when
the celebrated Arthur held his court, and instituted
the Order of the Round Table. His address seemed
to make a great impression on the andteuce, and
several expressed a wish that it should be printed.
On the Bards being called upou to recite the
verses which they had composed on the occasion of
the Meeting. the first delivered was a beautiful ode
written by Thomas Jones. Esq. of London Bardd
Cie), Treasurer of the Royal Cambrian Metropo-
litan 'agitation. As Mr. Jones was. to his great
regret, prevented from being present by imperious
and unatoidsble circumstances, the ode was recited

with great effect by the Rev. Daniel Evans (Daniel
Dclu I, who also delivered a copy of Welsh verses
r ee
by the lime highly table writer, which accorn-
!wiled it. A best . I copyshoerses, written for
the occasion, by M . envy PkWiis, of Throgmor-
tonsstreet, London; do next delivered in a very
emphatic and appropriate manner by the Rev. John
Oughts, of Brecon, and was received with much
applause. Mr. Thomas Williams (Gtrelyst Alor-
'<meg) theti came forward and recited a set of
Eng/psion or Welsh verses, 'trifle') by himself; as
also did Mr. Even Evan., of Berriew, Montgotnes
ryshire, and Mi.ses Evuos. of Llanfrynach, Brecon.
shire, all of which were received with applause ac-
cording to their merits. Those persons uho were
provided with similar .prodections were then re-
quested to defer the recitation until the following
morning.
According to the ptescribe.d order, the judgment
respecting the prize compositions was to be next
delivered, and Mr. Thomas Jones, of Liverpool,
read the report respecting the Lag/yo on the Rain-
bow, in Welsh, which had been drawn up by the
Rev. Welter Davies, one of the. appointed Judges
for the occasion. but who was prevented attending;
and a similar report in English us. read by the
Rev. John Hughes, one of the other Judges, where.
in it war stated that the compositions were 69 in
somber, and that The one to which the Judges as-
signed the premium was subscribed kiliedydd. On
the name being announced, and she person who bud
assumed it being called on to declare himself. no
one answered ; and accordingly the seal was broke,
and when the paper which covered the real name
was removed, it was discovered that the author was
Mr. William Williams, of Denbigh. As he was
not present, Mr. Robert Davies (Roble Dche ) was
requested to recite the Engf.yri in his stead. and was
also invested by Miss Morgan with the Medal hav-
ing a representation of the subject on which it was
written—" The Rainbow."

The judgment given respecting the eywyddaw, or
Poem., on the Overthrow of the Egyptians in the
Red Sea, was next given ; that iii Welsh, written
by the Rev. Walter D.,vies, was delivered by Mr.
Thomas Jones; and the English by Mr. Hughes
as before, when it was reported that there were 15
pieces lent in, of various merit, and that the cam.
position to which they adjudged the premium was
subscribed Menem. On the person being called
for who had assumed tins name, no one answered,
and, on breaking open the seal, the author was found
to be Mr. Peter Junes, of Liverpool. As the author
was not present, the composition was recited by his
friend and acqoaiiitance, Mr. Thomas Jones, who
wus invested in his room by Miss Morgan, after
having been presented to I.er on tie ocearkiii by
three Bards ; Mr. Edward Williams, Mr: Robert
Davies, and Mr. Evans Evans.

Respecting the Awdlow. or Odes, on
.the period
of the Regency, the judgment of the Rev. Walter
Davies, in Welsh, and his own report in English,
were delivered by the Rev. J. Hughes, when it was
observed, that there were five candidates, all of
whom had great merit in their way. Of each of
these compositions a particular judgment was given;
that signed Casnodyn, was written in the stele and
language of the 11th and Utli centurim, and
spewed great ability its the writer. but was not of
that kind to come in competition with those written
in the language of later eras. This piece has been
attributed to Aneurin Owen Pugh. E.g. son of
Dr. Owen Pugh. the celebrated Welsh Lexictor
grapher. The Ode subscribed Hamesydd was de-
clared to have very Welt merit, and to be perfect in
its composition, and had it possessed more poetic
fire. the author would have strong claim to be seated
in the Bardic Chair; this excellent piece is attri-
buted to Mr. John Howell., of Llandovery. The
Ode subscribed Gwiow Back was stated to have
great merit, but hail evident marks of haste in the
composition ; this piece has been attributed so Mr.
Thomas Joules, of Liverpool. Cylfelia was the
assumed same subscribed to the fourth-mentioned,
in favour of which MO wua said, but it was ob-
served that although great justice was paid therein
to the achievements 01 the British arms at IVisterloo.
nothing was mentioned respecting the glory they
gained iii she Peninsula. Leyr, or the Eagle, was
the name assumed by the author of the fifth or
lust composition which was to he noticed; when it
was observed ttuit he took a daring flight in his
progress, and although perfi ction did not mark his
way, yet his strong proton and grasping talons bore
away the premium, and entitled him to be placed
in the Chair of Honour.

On E.ryr being announced, and the person who
adopted the de►tguution requested to declare him-
self, if present, Mr. William Jones, of DalgsHeys
came forward, stud said lie had assumed it. Being
a young man, his !Living written an ode of so much
►merit so curly in life excited great interest in the
company, and repeated bursts of applause followed.
After having recited part of his composition, he was
invested with the Chair Medal by Miss Morgan, and
being led by three bards, Mr. Edward Williams,
Mr. Robert Davits, and Mr. Even Evans, was
placed by them in the Birdie Chair, having been
declared on account of his production to be worthy
of sitting therein.
With respect to the Prize Essays in the English
language, the Rev. W. J. Rees, Rector of Casco!).
was requested to deliver the judgment of the Rev.
Cation Payne and the Rev. Thomas Williams.
which was, that the composition on the ancient and
present state of the Welsh Language. signed
Cadoe op Groyollrto, was by far the best, and was
fully entitled, ou uccouut of its merit. to the So-
ciety's premium. On the person being called for
who had adopted the name. int Rev. John Hughes,
author of " flora Brieitmoica," claimed it, who
being a native stud resident of Brectn . great and
jest applause was elicited from his fellow-towns.
met►, and the various persons acquainted with bis
merit. Mr. Hughes was then invested with the
Prize Medal, and proceeded to read extracts from
the Essay which proved his intimate acquaintance
with the subject, sod •hewed the op iokia of the
judges to be well founded. When Mr. Hughes

concluded. the Rev. Archdeacon Davies signified
Lis intention Or having the Essay printed et his
sole expense, ail the hest compliment he could pry
to its merit.. Respecting the Essay on the " Cre.
dibility of the illiaracre at Shutehowl and the
identity and real (*borderer of the British Leader
Ambrosias," it was shoed that the judgment would
he delivered on the following day. The subject for
the WO :01 Verses on a theatre which was to be given
out for the Society's premium nn the first day of
the Eisteddlud, and the companion to he delivered
in on the morning. of the second day, was stated to
" The munificent patronage conferred on the
Bards, and their descendants, partierlarly those of
the House of Tredegar:" to which was •dtleil smo-
other subject for a similar purpose—" To the
Memory of the late 7lteophilus Jones, Esq.. ft-
/mimic particularly to his seal it promoting Welsh
Literature, and inseeeigethog the antivtities of his
nutlet couolry."
Mr. Edward Williams, the bard,eshen came fur.
ward, end lietitiotied in behalf of William Harry.
of Penderin, who bad brought up ten children.
and in the midst of poverty had, notwithstanding,
paid conaiderable attention to the literature of Isis
country, amid whom he.recommeuded to the Society
as a proper person to receive ous of its gratuities.
After hearing the particulars they were referred to
the consideration of the Committee.

_ .
The thanks of the Society were then proposed by
the President to the Rev, the Archdeacon uf Bre-
con, for his zeal and exertions in contributing to
the success of the Eisteddfod; after which. the
meeting separated, highly delighted with the various
proceedings that had taken plater. The company
assembled were about 360 in panther.
The concert, principally of Welsh music. com-
menced at seven o'clock, when the various per.
formers exerted themselves with great effect. Mr.
Parry sang, " 0! let the kind miastrel," with the
great sweetnesa which the words and music require,
end all the national feeling of a Cambrian for his
native country, anal received thunders of applause.
Miss Williams and Master Smith sang " itly pret-
ty Page," in the most delightful manner, and were
much applauded. Airs with variations were next
performed on two Welsh harps, by Mr. Henry
Humphreys and Mr. William Hughes. which
aliened the sweet and fine harmony the instrument
is capable of. Miss Williams sung "Poor Ellen"
in a delightful manner. " The Heroes ofeambria"
was sung with great effect by Mr. J. Smith.
• ttf noble race was Sheokiii," was given by Mr.
Parry and Mr. Tinney in a manner which proved
the noble effect of the nationil music when well
performed. Master Smith was peculiarly sweet in
94 in infancy ear hopes." and afforded 110 small
pleasure to the oudienice. The compeer/ were nest
much amused with the singing of the " PenaillioN"
with the %Vesh harp, after the manner of the
Ancient Britons, and Mr. Parry introduced four
stanzas in English,which were written and intended,
among • variety of other haulm entertainments,
to have been sung before his Majesty at Wynostay
last year. Mr. J. Smith was most sweet in
" Believe me if all those ;" and " Hob y deri
de:filo," by Mr. Parry and bliss Williams, afforded
the utmost gratification. A Welsh air. with va-
riations, by Mr. Davies, on the newly-invented
Cambrian pedal harp, was performed with great
brilliancy ; and the Chapati of the Bards was sung
with noble effect by all the performers. " The
living Eeho," by Master Smith, quite enraptured
the audience ; anal Mr. Parry displayed astonishing
execution on Bainbridge's double flageolet. accom-
parried by Mr. Hayter on the piane-forte. Mr.
Collyer sung "Bring me the Moe" very sweetly,
and the concert closed with our national anthem.
"Cod save the King," in alternate English and
Wel.h verges. The audience were about four hun-
dred, said beparuted much pleased with the enter-
tainment they had received. After the concert
there was a ball at the Lion luii, which was well
attended.

The proceedings on Thursday morning com-
menced with the recitations of the Welsh 'tette...
written on account of the Eisteddfod, which bed
been deferred from the preceding day, when Bry-
chan Brychan Brycheittirog. Mr. David Saunders,
Mr. Robert Davies, Mr. William Edwards, Mr.
Thomas Jones, such Mr. William Jones, recited in
succession their respective compositions. A copy
of English verses on Cambrian Mtludy, written for
the occasion. by Mr. Den 7 Davies, of Throgrnor-
ton-street, London, were delivered in a very ani-
mated manlier, and with great effect, by the Rev.
W. J. Rees. The Report of the Judges respecting
the English Essay. on the massacre at Stonehenge,
was next read 11 the worthy ['maiden', which stated
that the compositioa, signed Ithaindr Gwy, was the
best, bat es the author had adopted a theory which
was not supported by historical evidence, it was not
deemed worthy of the premium ; and accordingly
the subject was declared to be still open, and the
premium should be awarded et the next Esteddfod
at Carmarthen, or wherever it should be held. The
adjudication of the medal proposed by the Gwy-
sseddigion in London not having arrived as was ex-
pected, the conferring of it was postponed. The
medal of the Cyramrudorian Society, to Gwynedd.
fur the best Ode on "His Majesty visiting Wales,"
which lied been awarded to Mr. William Edwards,
was preseuted to him with the usual ceremony of
investiture and recitation. When he had finished,
Culouel Parry addressed the audience, and stated,
that the successful competitor who had been just
invested wish the medal, was may • poor miser,
and was working with his hands among the rocks,
while he was with his mind paying court to the
Mum Mr. Williams, of Liverpool, next de•
livered an Address on the subject of the Elated&
fod, in the Welsh language, which much gratified
the Cambrian part of the audience.
The competition for the Silver Harp then began,
when it was announced that there were only two
competitors, Mr. Win. Williams sod Mr. Henry
H•nsphreys. The Judges appointed to decide on
the merits of the performers were. Mr. Parry, Mr.
Hsyter, sod Mr. Owen Jones. Haring drawn lots

for order of playing, Mr. Williams hail the prece-
dence, and the competitors having began, no small
interest was excited in the audience ; each mope*
titor was allowed to play two airs of his own chow.
ing, and Mr. Williams commenced with " (If noble
race scot Sheithin." with variations, which le.,
played very correctly, and in a manner which did
him great credit ; this performance took up pewit
minutes. Mr. Humphreys then came forward. aml
Itleyed " Limy* ths," with variations, which took
up five toinuier, and in hi• performance displayed
great skill and execution. Williams otit chose the
air stoeei Richard," to display his powers. end
took six minutes in the performance. In playing
this piece heehawed the same correctsess and abi-
lity as in the former instance. Humphreys nest
chose " Ar hyd b No.r," in the perfurnsance of
which he displayed great taste, science, and execu-
tion, which delighted all who heard him. On the
Judges being called upon to deliver their judg-
ment, they awarded the silver harp to Humplireri,
and the second meld to Williams, respeciiip,
whom it was announced that only continued prac-
tice was wanting to render him a first-rate per-
former.

The singing of Pennillion, or %elsh stanzas,
for the premium which the Society had proposed
to be given to the best performer, next took place,
and Mr. Caldecot, Mr. Parry, and Mr. Robert
Davies were chosen judges to decide on the merit.:
of the competitors, who were Mr. Hugh Roberts.
Evan Jones, and Richert' Williams. the latter of
whom wrs blind, and apparently very poor. In
the competition much entertainment was atlo►dedt
to such of the audience as under,tood the language
and the merits of the performers; ■nd the appear-
ance and manner of the blind bard excited such a
disposition for charity in the ladies who were near,
that a subscription for him was immediately let on
foot, and upward* of six pounds collected. A collec-
tion was also made to defray the expenses of the
other singera olio had come from a great distance in
North Wales to exhibit their powers. The last air
which Humphreys had played previous to the Sil-
ver Harp was again performed by him at the re-
qnest of the company.
The Rev. Jona WILLIAIIS, of Lampeter, ad-
dressed the audience on the subject of the Society
at considerable length, and with great ability.
The worthy PRESIDENT also addressed the coot-
pony, and thanked them for honouring the meet-
ing with their presence; lie then recommended the
next Eisteddfod to he held in the district of Dyfed,
where he had DO doubt bat the proceedings would
be carried on with great spirit as on a former occa-
sion.

The lion. Mr. RICE, M.P. then spoke.
said, that the Cambrian Society would hold
Eisteddfod at Carmarthen. and it was the flan in-
tention of his father, Lord Dynevor. the Preri.
dent. to attend, which was atacb his wish when it
was last held there.

The Rev. Daniel Evans addressed the meet-
ing on the subject of the Society with great fluency
and elegance in tile Welsh language; as also did
Archdeacon Davie■. the Rev. Thomas Price. red
Colonel Parry, in English, and highly delighted
all preaeut with the neatness of their remarks, the
soundness of their arguments, and the eloquence of
their diction. The genius of Cambria seemed
awakened frum a lethargy, and displayed her powers
in strains of oratory which delighted the company.
When these Gentlemen had concluded, the meet-
ing separated, pleased with the spirit with which
the proceedings were conducted. The number as-
sembled on this occasion was about 600, the Halt
being completely crowded.

At the commencement of the concert in the even.
jug, the Rev. John Hughes declared that the Rev.
David Richard., Mr. Edward Williams, Mr. John
Howell., and Mr. R. Davie., had been appointed to
examine the merits of the Englrtius, on the subject
proposed on the preceding day ; and that the suc-
cessful candidates on " The munificent patronage
afforded to the Bards by Ivor Hoel and his descend -
ants of the House of Tredegar," was the Rev. Da -
niel Evans, who came forward and recited them :
the writer of the second best copy was also declared
to be Mr. Thos. Jones, of Liverpool, who also re.
cited his. The author of the best Englisa to " The
memory of Theophilus Jones," was declared to be
Mr. E. Evans, who came forward and recited his
composition.

When these proceedings were gone through, the
concert commenced, when the performers exerted
themselves with similar science and effect to that
they displayed the preceding evening. Mr; Tinoey
sang " %he Wolf" with very great effect, and wale
much applauded. " New Year's eve" was given
by Master Smith and Miss Williams in a style
sweetly elegant. Mr. Smith sang " The Death of
Lkwelyn" in so excellent a manner that lie was
encored, and received great applause. Mr. 0. Da-
vies performed " Ye Banks and Braes," with varia-
tions, on the pedal harp, with peculiar excellence.
Mr. Coliver sang " Ellen dear" very sweetly ; and
Master Smith so pleased the audience in
the " Cambrian Minstrel Boy," as to receive lend
and continued applause ; he was also encored, but
on its bring represented that he had several songs
yet to sing, the company requested he would
not repeat it. Mr. and Master Smith were
much applauded in singing the beautiful duet of
/toy's Wife." In Jul Margine Mons Rio, wide
verminous. and s Polueca fur the flageolet mid
piano forte, performed by Mr. Parry and Mr. Hay.
ter, the execution much pleased the audience, sod
great applause followed. In singing the Penn&
hots or Stanzas alternately in Welsh and English.
the effect was very pleasing. aud the last Stang e
repeated, hortonnixed for six voices, was truly turtle.
Messrs. Collyer sod Tinney pleased the audience
iu " Tell we where is Fancy bred ?" as also did
Mr. J. Smith is Doke Vansnas, iu which he dis-
played great powers and gained hind applause. 1:1
" We're a' NO11111111," Master Smith delighted the
company, and the greatest applause followed. The
Concert concluded with "God Save the King" in
English and Welsh, as on the preceding evening.