The Sun.
London, England, 1822-05-23 00:00:00

WELSH BARDS.

A most interesting and novel meeting was held
yesterday at the Freemasons' Tavern, under the'
patronage of the Royal Cambrian Institution ; it
was denominated au EJSTEDDVOD, or Congress of
Welsh Bards. These Druidical Institutions oil=
ginated in Britain, according to Jumus CESAR,
the ancient writers, and the traditions `still re-
tained by the Bards, and there are still descend-
ants in an uninterrupted succession from the
primitive Bards and Druids. Formerly the
meetings used to be held in the open air, " In
the face of the sun, in the eye of light." This is
the expression used by the ancient Bards in their
proclamation of their GORSEDDAU, or Sessions,
when the various degrees used to be conferred
on candidates. There is a deal of very interest-
ing matter in the 14Tclsh Triads, and the follow-
ing-description of a Bard is truly sublime. He
must possess, besides poetic genius, " An eye
that can see nature, a heart that can feel nature,
and a resolution that dares follow nature." We
are indebted to the Bards for all the information
we are in possession of‘ relative to the early his-
tory of the Ancient Britons, and the objects of
this Institution are " to promote" Welsh Litera-
ture, Poetry, and Music, to collect scarce and
valuable MSS., and publish such as may tend to
throw light on the customs and manners of our
forefathe'rs.

- .
President, Sir W. W. WYNN, opened the business of
the dy. J. 11. Parry, Esq. explained the nature of 'an Eist-
eddvorX, and then recited_ •some beautiful lines written on the
occasion by Mrs. Hemans: Then followed Part the First of
the Concert, con4sting of Welsh Melodies arranged for voices,
and accompaniMents -for the Harifs and Pianoforte. Nothing
could be more interesting; to name the favourite pieces, were
to emnnerate the whole. Miss Williams sung " Poor Ellen"
in a very expressive manner. Mr. Collyer and Mr. J. Smith
acquitted themselves exceedingly well, also Mr. Tinsley,. in a
Druidical song, had an opportunity of displaying his fine bass ,
voice ; Master Smith sang the Cambrian !Minstrel Boy,"
most delightfully; and a duett with Master Parry, which quite
enchanted the company.
. • An air, with variations for the pianoforte, harp, and Bain..
bridge's Double Flute and Quadrille Flageolet, was exceed-
ingly well performed by Mr. Parry, Miss Morgan, and Mas-
ter Parry.
• A duett on the Cambrian Pedal Harps, by Messrs. Boufand
Myles, drew down thunders of applause ; the glees and cho-
russes were exceedingly effective, but the great novelty of the
day was the Pennillion in Welsh, sung after the spanner of the
Ancient Britons, accompanied on the Welsh Harps. It was

such a novel mode of singing that it quite -deariged the audi.
ence. Mr. Parry sung four stanzas in English, in imitation of
the Welsh, which were uncommonly well received. .
Between the first and second Parts the names of the success-
ful Candidates for the Society's Medal, &c. were announced.—
Seven Poems had been received, two of which were far supe-
rior to the rest, and so nearly equal in point of merit that the
Judges were at a loss to which to give the Medal—when Mr.
Thomas Jones, Bard, who gained the Prize last year, de-
clared himself the Author of one, and he very handsomely
withdrew it in favour of the one signed Awen Ab Gwyddon—
who is supposed to be the Rev. E. Hughes, of Bodfray, near
Denbigh. There were three Essays of great merit, but the
Judges awarded the Prize to J. H. Parry, Esq. Editor of
the Cambro-Briton, expressing at the same time their high
opinion of the others. There were between 4 and 500 persons
present, many of the most respectable families connected with
the Principality, who retired highly delighted with the enter-''
tainment provided for them.
At six o'clock, about 100 Noblemen and Gen-
tlemen of Wales, connected with the Principality,
sat down to an excellent dinner. Lord DYNE-
volt in the Chair, supported by Lord Bulkeley,
Sir W. W. Wynn, Sir E. P. Lloyd, &c.
When the .cloth was removed, "Non Nobis" was finely
sung by the professional Gentlemen ; also " God save the
liing,"—the second stanza in Welsh. Many loyal and pa-,
triotic toasts were given; followed by appropriate songs, duetts,
glees, &c. ; relieved by exquisite performances on the Welch
and Pedal Harps. Master Smith sung " We're a' noddin ;"
and Master Parry, the " Peasant Boy" in a very. delightful
manner. Mr. Parry performed an air, with variations, on the
double flageolet, accompanied by Mr. J. Jones, Mus. Bac.
OxOn, on the pianoforte. The favourite and national Pen-
nillion singing was several times introduced in the course of
the evening, and the conviviality and patriotic feeling of the
worthy Cambrians rendered the festival a most interesting one.
Lord Dynevor has been elected President for the present year.
The Officers were requested to remain in office. Mr. Parry
was elected Registrar of Music to this laudable and national
Institution. A duet on the Cambrian Pedal Harps, by Messrs.
Bour and Davies, was finely performed. The manufacturers
of these fine instruments are Messrs. Schwiseso and Crosjean,
of Soho-square ; and the Cambrians are so pleased with them,
that they are determined to recommend them to their fair coun-
trywomen.
Thus-ended a most interesting and National
Meeting of the descendants of the Ancient Britons.