The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-07-30
THE EUsrEDDvoD.
BY TYPO.

DEAR PEEss We can consider the
Ensteddvod national institution, be.
longing in a direct manner to the
Welsh nation. For, if we mark the
manner in which they are conducted
and the chief object of their founda-
ton we see at once they have 10 do
only with Welsh matter. They pos
sess national popularity which diff.
fers them from similar meetings oi
other nations. True, we can find sim.
liar meetings among other nations
but the manner in which they are con-
! Quoted is different. In the Olympic
contests with the Greeks of old,
purses were given for compositions in
prose aud poetry as well as many
games. And it is said to US that
Herodotus, father of history, read his
best productions at one of these gath
erings, and were so well received that
the books containing his history were
named after the nine godesses of poe
try. We also learn that poetry Owe
much rather use theWelsh word, Bard
doniath, as it containes more than
poetry,) received great attention
among the Welsh nation since the
early ages. There was a close con-
cection between the Beiadd and the
Derwyddon among the old Brittons
when the Romans first came to that
island.
Yet, we cannot learn that the Eus-
teddvod was held before the days of
..Grufydd at Cymon" that being some
time in cthe twelfth century. The
Eusteddvod, therefore, is not novel,
butfhas stood as the stately oak against
the storms of centuries.
Though old, it has greatly changed
IFS BaodGs OpeFdhdG, as well as its OBJ
ject. If an old Welsh bard would
chance to wander into the Eusteddvod
of to-day he would ask, much astound-
ed; sfIs this the Eusteddvod 2"
ANCIENT OBJECT OF THE EUsTEDDvoD,
During the reign of the Princeses
of Wales, the Bards received from the
government title, or license perhaps,
to go from one gentry's house to an
ether to entertain the family and Wis
iting friends, which was known as
"clera," and to prevent fraud in the
profession, there were certain rules to
be kept and q certain standard to be
arrived at. For this purpose a society
was formed by the Bards and musi-
clans and they would prove their
powers and abilities in the Eusteddvod
and receive their title and power, for
according to title did they receive
Fr,,, fso1r, TN 4
these titles in Sion, DaOfydd, Rhy's
passed away with the ways of the
world, with but little lost. 1t is said
of the immortal Homer, ne went
singing his productions. Like did
the Bards of CvRIru and Bards of
every other nation while yet in a
state of half-ciyilizatiOn.
There is period in Welsh history
where the EusteddVod is nearly, if
not altogether lost; being soon after
their subjugation, as history teaches
MS, they were compelled to flee to the
mountains of Wales for safety. Then
was the Eusteddvod, with many other
good old institutions, retarded is pro-
gress, and many sank never to rise.
0OOEhH Ot1J OF EDNODs
Since the renewal of the Eustedd-
vod in Carfyrddin, Wales, i'll 1919, it
has taken more literary cast. Its
object, first, is to protect and main
tain the Welsh language. Inasmuch
as the Welsh have lost their country,
''Hen walua wen" they as a nation
have lost their power, and, like all
other Empowered nations, are scatter
ing to the four winds of heaven and
are mingIing and intermingling with
other nations, and the language there
by neglected, and some fears are en-
tertained that our language will soon
be registered among the dead ones,
and will be entirely lost, as it is feared
there are not sufficient treasures in it,
like the Greek, Latin and Hebrew, to
live while yet dead. The second OBJ
ject is to raise the standard of Welsh
literature and music. | see my article
is getting lengthy, and will conclude
in my next.