The statements made, and the facts recorded in the Essay, are almost entirely the result of my individual observation ; therefore when persons are mentioned by name,

with commendation, it is not to be inferred that they are the only useful individuals in their respective neighbourhoods, but not being sufficiently acquainted with the merits of others, I could not venture to characterize them. I very much wished to insert a sketch of the late H. Griffith, Esq., of Gareg Lwyd, in this county, but not being in possession of the materials necessary to do justice to so excellent a man I was unable to gratify my inclination.

The Welsh part is not a literal rendering of the English. In some places the translation is rather close; but it has been my endeavour to vary it as much as was compatible with propriety, so that those courteous readers, who may honour both the English and the Welsh with a perusal, may find some things in the latter to interest them, which are not inserted in the former; at the same time I must say that the composition, in its essential features, is the same in both languages.

This Essay is published in three forms :

In the English and Welsh languages. Also in English only.

And lastly in the Welsh language alone.

CONTENTS.

INTRODUCTION. The subject proposed - the principles which ought to guide

in its discussion--the natural scenery illustrative of the moral state of

Wales. .

Page 1.

A division of the nation into classes. The nobility and great landed pro-

prietors-their general character-in what respect they have neglected

their duty to their country.—The advantages of Scotland considered in

comparison with those of Wales. St. David's College-an improvement

in the College recommended, &c. The Gentry of less property. The

large farmers and tradesmen of capital — the small farmers and tradesmen

- the labourers and artisans—the pauper population.

p. 4.

The inhabitants of North and South Wales considered relatively. The

places where the Welsh language is spoken in its greatest purity pointed

out. The progress of the English language in Wales—a classification of

the inhabitants attempted according to their knowledge of the English and

Welsh languages. •

p. 19.

The ancient and modern character of the nation rapidly connected - the

modern accounted for. The Established Church-its statistics, &c. The

Wesleyan Methodists. The Calvinistic Methodists-Charles of Bala-

Ebenezer Morris-Simon Lloyd-John Elias, &c. The Baptists. Christ-

mas Evans-Joseph Harris-John Jones-J. P. Davies. The Inde-

pendents. George Lewis, D.D.-David Peters-Williams of Wern.

The Calvinism of the three last denominations commented upon. An-

tinomianism. The meetings and services of the Dissenters described. The

Unitarians. Roman Catholics. Quakers. A Table of Statistics. p. 25.

The religious and moral character of the Welsh nation described and illus.

trated.

p. 53.

THE LITERARY CHARACTER OF THE NATION. Eisteddvodau. T. Price.

Professor Rees. Poetry. The poets of the present age—those who have
of late years died. Dr. Pughe. Edward Williams. Blackwell. John
Howells. R. Davies. Thomas Lloyd Jones. D. Thomas. Rhys Jones.

Davies, Castle Hywel. Jones of Denbigh. Thomas Jones. Gwilym

Morganwg. David Richards. The living poets. Walter Davies. R.

Williams. David Owen. Peter Jones. Edward Hughes. Daniel Evans.

Owen Williams. W. E. Jones. John Jones. Evan Evans. W. Wil-

liams.

Ebenezer Thomas. D. James. W. Rees. Richard Jones. D.

Griffith. Taliesin Willianıs. W. Edwards. G. W. Edwards. J. Wil-

liams. Morris Williams. John Williams, &c. &c. Sacred Poetry.

General literature. Eliezer Williams. Joseph Davies.

p. 71.

Griffiths of

The learned professions. Preachers. W. Grey Hughes.

Nevern. The medical profession. The legal profession...

p. 108.

Some singularities of character exhibited. A commercial man and a shop-

keeper. The leniency of some Welsh people to depraved characters.

A Schoolmaster--another functionary. .

p. 116.

THE DEFECTS OF THE WELSH CHARACTER. A want of enterprising

spirit—in many a want of adherence to truth-slander-the immoral

manner of buying and selling—a want of punctuality-intemperance, and

total abstinence societies —superstition - the manner of conducting the

intercourse previous to matrimony-statistics of bastardy-prejudice-

political strife.

p. 120.

THE CAUSES OF THE DEFECTS. Original perversity-defective education

-a want of fixed and active principles—parental discipline in an imperfect

state-illustrations—the imperfect state of female education. .

p. 134.

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THE MEANS WHICH WOULD IMPROVE THE WELSH CHARACTER. An

efficient ministration of truth. A closer union of religious parties.

A better system of education recommended. The question whether the

Welsh language should be perpetuated or suffered to expire, considered.

Instrumental music. Establishments for the training of servants. Friendly

Societies. A Reform Asylum. Greater attention on the part of the higher

gentry to the morals, &c, of the people.

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p. 141.

na

MANKIND are in every point of view, an interesting subject of investigation, and philosophers have, in all ages, devoted their powers to study their nature and properties. Our business at present is of a humbler kind. It is not to inquire what faculties man, in the abstract, does possess, but to investigate and describe those traits of character which distinguish, in some measure, one particular nation from the rest of the world. The subject is not without its difficulties. A nation being composed of individuals, each individual has a peculiarity of character which does not enter into that of the nation. Again there are some features common to whole classes, which nevertheless can hardly be considered as national. The same exception must be made in regard to many of the prevailing customs and habits of a people. It is to such as assume a more general aspect that we propose to direct attention in the ensuing pages.

The Society in proposing this subject for discussion, cannot possibly have expected that the competitors would write elaborate essays merely in praise of the inhabitants of Wales, It may be that the love of country has misled various authors, poets as well as writers in prose, to dwell in fulsome strains

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