The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-28
va


Since the invasion OF Britannica by the
Roman general, Agricola, in the century
preceding the Christian era. the history Of
Britain under the rule OF its various con-
querors and during the many bloody wars
which devastated il from north to south
has been written by many chroniclers. The
annals OF the Cymri. the nation inhabiting
Cambria (now Wales), a mountainous and
picturesque region in the southwest Of
Britain. have not been preserved except in
legends and in the songs and poems of it's
numerous and highly gifted bards.
The author of "Owen Glyndwr." Arthur
Granville Bradley, writes thus in the
preface: "Glyndwr pronounced Glindure)
Is. without doubt. the national hero Of
the majority OF Welshmen. Precisely
why he takes precedence OF warrior
princes who, before his day, struggled
so bravely with the Anglo-Norman power,
and often with more permanent success, is
not now to the point. There has
not hitherto been any attempt to collect
In book form all that is known of this eel
sbrated Welshman and the movement he
headed 1 have, therefore. good reason to
believe that the mere collection and ar
rangement Of this in one accessible and
nanny volume viii not 10 unNttCOlhc, "
Welsh readers especially"
The first chapter. containing eighty-one
pages, is entitled. introductory Sketch Of
Welsh History from the Saxon Conquest
OF England to the Rising of Glyndwr-4O0
10 lao" The beginning Of the chapter is
here quoted: The main subject of this
book is the man whose memory. above that
OF all other men. the Welsh, as a people.
I-fs-L. a. - - 49, - - NTroV-L
history which he made so stormy and so
memorable. But having what there is
some reason to regard as a we'll
founded opinion that (to the vast ma
jority Of English readers) the story of
Wales is practically a blank, it seems to
me desirable to prepare the way. in some
sort. for the advent of my hero upon this,
the closing scene of Cambrian glory. L
shall. therefore. begin with a rapid sketch
of those nine centuries which. ending with
G%lyndwr's rising, constitute roughly. in a
political and military sense, the era of
Welsh nationality"
The author. who. by the way. has already
published an interesting book, Highways
and Byways I'm North Wales has evident
~ devoted conscientious and careful at
tention to his present work. and gives evil
dence also OF a sincere interest IN the IOT-
tunes of HIS hero and of the people who
so long and so bravely, and at so great
odds struggled to preserve their freedom
and to regain it when lost. His style is
clear and concise. and shows how history
may be made TO glow and TO inspire 10 high
and noble deeds. The book will recon-
mend itself to every lover Of history. The
final chapter ends thus: Had the Ireland
of tina day, with its larger fighting
strength and sea-girt territory, possessed
the national spirit and tenacious courage
of Wales, who knows but that she might
have vindicated her right to a separate
nationality by the only test admissible in
medieval ethics-that Of arms. Geography,
at any rate, in her case was no barrier to
an Independent existence. . But ge-
ography irrevocably settled the destiny of
Wales. as it did eventually that of Scot
land. Yet. with all these centuries
of close affinity to England. the Welsh, in
many respects-I had almost said in most
have preserved their nationality more sue
cessfully than the Celts Of either ireland
or the north, and in so doing have lost Moth
ing Of such benefits as modern civilization
brings" An appendix Is devoted to the
bards. who were an important and power
full element in the molding and developing
of the Welsh nation. New York: G. p.
Putnam's Sons.