The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-03-05 00:00:00

THE CAMBRIAN SOCIETY.

The day was also kept by the Cambrian Society, who
celebrated their thirty eighth anniversary by dining toge-
ther in the large room at the York Hotel, Williamson-
square. About one hundred persons sat down to a
sumptuous provision,__ which reflected the highest credit
on the worthy host, Mr. Hamer.

,
The chair was occupied by Mr. Thomas Owen, the
vice-chair by Mr. John Parry, and amongst the company
we noticed J. Evans, Esq., Rev. Benjamin Morgan, Rev.
John Hughes, Rev. Wm. Hughes, Rev. Robert Davies,
R. S. Marsh, Esq., Messrs. W. C. Davies, T. H. H.
Davies, J. Jones, W. Jones, Thomas Hughes, and W.
Duckworth.

After the cloth was removed, the PRESIDENT said the
first was the most important toast of the evening—a toast
which should always be drunk with the greatest enthu-
siasm ; lie would therefore give—" Her Majesty the Queen
—a happy and long reign to her." (Three times three.)
Anthem—" Gud save the Queen."

The PRESIDENT, having called for a bumper, said the
next toast was one peculiarly interesting to them as
Welshmen—it was "The Prince of Wales." (Cheers.)
Welshmen had been always loyal to their sovereign, but
when a Prince of Wales came amongst them they were
still loyal, but it made them think of their own homes and
their natives hills. (Cheers.) He would give them "The
Welshman's hope, the Prince of Wales." (Three times
three, and great enthusiasm.)
Miss Jones, a Welsh harpist, played a beautiful and
appropriate air on the harp.
The PRESIDENT said they had reason to be thankful to
Providence for having so excellent, so amiable, illustrious,
and talented a prince as husband to our beloved Queen.
(Cheers.) Prince Albert was the patron of the arts, and
the supporter of all that was good in the land. (Cheers.)
He proposed the healths of " Prince Albert and the rest
of the Royal Family." (Drunk with three times three.)
Mr. JON ES proposed " The health of the Bishop of the
Diocese and the Clergy."
The Rev. B. M ORGAN responded in Welsh. He said
he did not think it unbecoming to speak to the assembly
in the language of the Ancient Britons, for he was con-
vinced that every one present loved his own tongue.
(Cheers.) The bishop, he considered, was a godly and a
learned man, and the clergy, he trusted, deserved the
thanks of the community. (Cheers.) It was gratifying
to him to see so many Welshmen assembled to commemo-
rate the anniversary of St. David; indeed, all institutions
which had a good tendency were always pleasing to him,
and he was always glad to see them congregate together,
provided they obeyed the laws of Christ; but he particu-
larly approved of the Cambrian Society, because it had a
tendency to advance an object which was dear to the
heart of every \Velshman. (Hear.) de sanctioned such
societies because they were instrumental in upholding the
ancient British language, for a Welshman was always
warmed when he heard his own native tongue. (Applause.)
Many attempts had been made to put it down, but they
had hitherto proved useless. As had been said by the old
bard—

" Eu hiaith a gadwant,
Eu Ner a folant,
Ei tie a gollant,
Ondgwyllt Walia."
He further sanctioned such societies because they not
only supported their native language, but also the laws of
heaven. (Applause.) lie had been much pleased with
the sermon they had heard that morning. He had heard
many eloquent men—he had heard Mr. M`Neile, and
other remarkable preachers—but on no previous occasion
had his feelings been so warmed as by the sermon preached
that morning. (Cheers.) He trusted they would always
have the pleasure of glorifyino. God in their own language,
that would he the wish of his heart so long as he had
breath; and he trusted, notwithstanding all the efforts to
put it down, it would still be maintained. (Loud cheers.)
The reverend gentleman concluded by warmly thanking
the company for the compliment paid him.
The Rev. Mr. DA VIES also responded, and in doing
so strongly urged on the society the claims of the Welsh
The Rev. Was. HUGHES, Welsh lecturer at St. Paul's,
ewshui
bc
shc hr
iep
ttrustedtrustin
stuhpepyowr
to
oufl
.d use(
C h
eeevresr.y)
endeavour styol ur
ami
proposed " The prosperity of the Cambrian society.'
He said, that it would not be amiss to repeat in English
Taliasin's prophecy, which the Rev. Mr. Morgan had
given in
N Still Velsiscall they chant their Maker's praise,
Still heep their language and their lays;
But nought of all their old domain
Save Walia 's rude and mountain reign."
Some would suppress our language; once we lose our
language, our name as a people is gone. Why should we
give it up ? In its prose it is not inferior to the best
classic writings; in its poetry it is not surpassed by the
vivid expressions of Horace, the daring sublimity of Ho-
mer, or the rapid excursions of Pindar—a mere sentence
in that language from the pulpit, will do more to edify a
Welshman than a volume of sermons in any other; a
single word in that tongue which he lisped in infancy,
acts like a talisman to wake up the tenderest feelings of
his heart. From his (the speaker) frequent intercourse
with the Welsh in this town, he knew something of their
feelings towards their country and language ; he was sorry
to say there were some in Liverpool who seemed to be
ashamed of their native tongue. It was reported that the
Prince of Wales would be taught the Welsh language, if
this were true, what they lost by the defection of those to
whom he alluded, would be more than counterbalanced
by the accession of royalty; one thing be was certain of,
the learned Bishop of St. David's had successfully applied
his brilliant talents to the study of their language. From
circumstances that had lately transpired, they might augur
well for the church in the diocese of that excellent and
' conscientious prelate; good and judicious appointments
were made to the livings in his gift, and the bishop him-
self was able to speak, read, and preach to the people
in their own language. (Tremendous applause.) He
(the speaker) should be very glad if he could say any
thing to encourage them to go on as a society. He bad
the highest authority for saying, that it was a good and
a pleasant thing for brethren to dwell together in unity..
How well did a society like theirs tend to work out the
system of charity to their fellow-men,- though their indi-
vidual means would not allow them to relieve the dis-
tressed to a great extent; yet, by contributing their quota
to that society, effectual relief was afforded. A drop of
water would not form a stream, but many drops would.
The benevolent streams of their society had already
cheered the families of the sick, gladdened the hearts of
the poor, and raised the drooping spirits of widows.
Would Liverpool be what it was if it had not been for the
Mersey ? Would its merchants be princes as to wealth,
if it had not been for this celebrated river? How many
a forlorn bark would have been long ago stranded on the
shores of poverty and destitution,-if it had not been for
the Cambrian Society. May you go on flourishing and
to flourish, and may each member of your society be pos-
sessed of that charity which shines so pre-eminently in
the development of the Christian character, and which,
according to the words of the Apostle, is more durable
and lasting than the other graces. " And now abideth
faith, hope, and charity, these three, the greatest of these
(LoucdreatapPrlya, usrees)ponded
Mr. JONES, secrehtaryl,
to the toast. He
saids thatt
.th'e sum of £3,573 had been paid by the Cam-
brian
i cha charity."
Society ciety to the sick during the last twelve years, and
£1,462 towards the funeral, or the decent and respectable
interment of their brother countrymen. During the past
year £lO4 had been paid to the sick, and £B5 towards the
funerals of members and their wives; and during that
period 74 members, and 45 wives of members, hat died,
and 471 members had been relieved. He concluded by
saying, that if this society were better known, through
the medium of the press, it would be more generally sup.
ported.
Mr. Wm. JONES, of Duke-street, after passing a high
compliment on the abilities displayed by the preacher,
proposed his good health, with thanks to him for his
excellent sermon.
The Rev. Mr. fitIGI-lES, of Aberystwith, responded.
He expressed his gratification at being called upon to
visit Liverpool on such an interesting occasion. It had
been his wish for many years to see Liverpool, having
heard so much of its public buildings, and its docks that
presented the appearance of a forest; and now that he
had seen some parts of the town, he must say that the
half had not been told him. He was exceedingly ohliged
to those present for the kind reception which they had