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MDCCCLXX. &3WHOT, avAH H'JiiivT gsiaUAO airr TTiTHISSICE jJAKOITIGQA liTlW : THOU KG J Betaeanoa vlJaj3)i>j;IoT I tsyiiia O-B HMSX; vtioi fr/ode vroxi BI J T9la B " ' taoHeoxo 'aa lo teeapai ineg-uj oili .aJraadoiS awnoiIT Lndievefl: tJi ul eift ^ tiesi .v^^r^/^.^O^^c oiJi LsaiUioiig'Hj: <>4 7/ ' 941^^^ -^ 'Y/' '"^ QiiHBiBJio. laleW na For a long tinfe.I have open ur^e^ntly jpressed by my neighbour, ]tfi\^yse r , j! :B6btfsellei > , of Oamoloes, to permit h'im, tp republish ^ < ''' '' volu < tQ^:''''lSithert6 I'haii' refused my consent from a reluctance to risk a i-6p'0titi6n bf tlie i 'controversies in which I was involved by its first, appearance ;and by a regard to other calls on my 'ti&'e^wfech' in 1 'themselves, overtax sucK energies as I still possess. OircumstancBS have, : however, 'induced me now to grant hisi-eq6Sit.i"- r l ! thiiik4t an' ao4bfjHis^ice'tb announce, that he has UuderjKak^itihej/puMilcatioca ~&i -liisjpvra ri&fe^;' ! a'nd l 'I 1 trust that he will receive from the > -P,ublic that .supj>art jvhicj^,'lie- anticipates and merits. Vm&tftM^Sii^ ^L?<^p8xt,i^ tWfest ^py in niy possession was a fV months since, presented- by m'e' to the Prime Minister, Mr. Grlfldsinne^ by .whom its ; receipt was, aefcriowledged in the subjoined totter, Jan d who ,ha& since aelected an eminent Welsh clergyman tpr-.J&ll^h^e . x |isjiu)pric ^..S^o^saph,. ja^i appointment, which will be gr,a^efu|)y received. ,botb.r by. \[C^urj}hi{Bje5\ t :aiiid J .Disse.nter8 in the ^bpica benajrigiiao JJUB ja^/non i the systematic exclusion of AVelshmen from the Welsh Sees, an abuse introduce^ by the, corrupt Crovernments, pf the last century, and a fertile source in the affairs, of the Church in Wales, of jobbing a"iiy's -JR-story -j/^Jfyiglfwid', with reference to th i jPWP^ 8U 9 c ^^45 l !Sc^ ie J^^P^a ; ;Cpnque8t)>r In all ages ^f l^.w.ojld, , the 9p;gresor ; has 4JQa:viably cait oil a misgovern* ed race the, respousibilit^ fo^-.th^'cojci^equence&.of , injoivies inflicted by himself. Thus tyranny and injustice, kftfcei always obtaine.d a-plau- sible excuse in the eyes of the ignorant and superficial, that tends to pftpeliu&ttBH! e%" "'^hiiTis 1 irite 1 ^ AetwfiffiS ttiat the Celtic populaiibite Wthis l k'irig^d^m JI have' eiperienbe^'at "the 1 hands of ^ cirfel O an3 iB^terSit 'than those iu S { 'existete6 9 ^atii d ?jfe^OT*^^tl last century, ^l^Sf^X^^SiM^^eKK^y^ repeal i edf' r|UL 'Tle >1 ^Ifeo^yf'i? ^HgS9rt^aBfra^p^S^eeTv r e8^oT)e ctighifiei with thV name yfe^tf 4iBc*f fentradidtioii 'loathe ^ro^'o^e^gi&S^claracier" es^ or*^ rfecen^ Ji e^^npie I* may ^efer^ tfe the'-ittBfis lliM^!Kfe%$llkjp&^ the genius fifapojfc$BQti& mtfeid;-' : whieli :V Kia r ef6'r f been' displaj the Celtic nationg'.ftfi&e^hfe Bibs4 iinflvottrable -tftrcTficmSta^ces,' and" 1 during the darkest ages. ;ii oo^Iq B" 1 ' ai oJjBm oouo sfiw *jsdi is-u'.m0i ^dooiioost iieTT u AVitiiin a few miles from this place, the J??jnC-ipalityceases,.an.d 1 tiiD[ English border land begins. It forms no distant part of the land- jt>'ikMLc*eaaoJ: .nui-uoJ jaoiUtW pu&vJ ^ ^r^-^Kv^ 1, meets my eye. It is a region which unites the v - beauties of England and Wales, verdant pastures with picturesque mountains, enchanting valleys and rich wood- land scenery. The inhabitants of this district (West Shrop- shire), speak tho English language exclusively. None of the faults, which have been ascribed to their neighbours in the Prin- cipality, have ever been imputed to them. And it cannot be. denied that for intelligence and good conduct they stand high in the scale among the people of the English counties, But there is every reason to believe that they are by blood and descent Cambro- uilUIirOU YX7.I of'JlJhJ^^ii- SW .. *->^ *- I ;iaj> t aa country farther east), he finds intelligence and courtesy in the adults, and ability and vivacity in the children. These Celtic traits are thus alluded to in a very . interesting volume,* .^ 1;o ^ Kq ,, ^'.otpM t ^ 7Al*V.^J --> i~* j. n,';All the Highlanders are so amusing and really pleasant and ; - instructive to talk to women as well as men and the latter so gen- tlemanlike." Page 118. Again at page 132^ the following note occurs: "We were always in the habit of conversing with the Highlanders with whom one comes so much in contact in the - Highlands. The Prince highly appreciated the good-breedinjr, d&Sl StFrcr imfioqpja or.ru \jyS ' ** Leaves from our Journal of Life in the Highlands ; London : Smith, Elder & Co. This volume has been admirably translated by Idri/syn, the Rev. J. Jones, Vicar of Llandysilio, and published in the Welsh language ; Caermartheii : Morgan & iJavies. Though it relates chiefly to the Scottish Highlands, it presents glimpses of all the Celtic provinces in the British dominions, Ireland, Cornwall, Wales, and the Isle of Man. VI. simplicity, and intelligence, which make it so pleasant and even instructive to talk to them." See also p. 42. The Highlanders of Scotland have been especial objects of attack by those shallow pretenders to philosophy, who have maintained that the Celt is in- capable of civilization, and naturally inferior to the followers of the founders of the Anglo-Saxon dominion, Hongist and Horsa. They have had their share of persecution, of which the massacre of Glencoe is an example that will never be effaced from the pages of History. As many, perhaps most, of my readers may be uninformed on the subject, it may be expedient forme to state, that the common origin of the Irish, Welsh, Highland Scotch, and of the inhabi- tants of the Isle of Man, of Cornwall, and of Brittany or Arrnorica, can be demonstrated clearly by the evidence of language. The dialeets of the Highlanders and the Irish differ very slightly, and the affinity of both to the "Welsh is plain and manifest. The language of the Isle of Man is an abbreviated Gaelic, bearing to that dialect a re- lation similar to that which the French does to the Latin. The Cornish, which though extinct as a living langxiage, has been pre- served in literary remains, differs little from the "Welsh, and the Armorican is much more nearly related to the Welsh and Cornish than it is to the Gaelic." 4 During the time of the long war with Napoleon a party of French prisoners were stationed at Montgomery, about 3 miles from this place. Their intelligence and their pleasing and amiable manners made them general favourites, and they were hospitably received in the houses of the neighbouring gentry. They employed themselves commonly in teaching music, dancing, &c. Among them were some Bretons. The author of these pages at g other works see Lhvyd's Archceloyia that appeared in the last century ; and a Cornish Dictionary published a few years ago by the Rev. Mr. Williams, Rbyd y Croesau, near Oswestry; Llaiidovery : Roderic ; London: Triibner & Co. ; also a work by the Author of this Essay, entitled Philological Proofs of the Oriijinal Unity of the Human Race ; London : John Russell Smith : in which evidence is adduced that the differences between the various Celtic dialects are the results of time and of causes now in operation. vn. that time in his childhood, has been told by his mother (the wife of the late Dr. Johnes, of Garthmyl, a Physician), that she could under- stand them when speaking in the Breton language. Doubtless, however, it would not have been possible for her to carry on con- versation with them, and she must have been influenced by the re- semblance to the Welsh of individual Breton words. My late friend, the Rev. Thomas Price, in his valuable Tour in Brittany, states that the Welsh and Bretons can not discourse together. Compara- tively slight differences in grammar and in accent suffice to make kindred nations unintelligible to each other ; but the words in the Welsh and Breton vocabularies are obviously the same, and the acquisition of a knowledge of the Welsh Language would be an easy task to a Breton, and vice versa. A. celebrated writer, distinguished both by scientific attainments and by learning, has shown that at the dawn of history the Celtic Race occupied a vast section of Europe, including the British Islands, France, the Rhine, the whole of Switzerland,* a portion of South Western Germany, and the North of Italy. The researches of Wilhelm Humboldt, followed by the investigations of the writer just alluded to, have also proved that Spain at the same period was divided between tribes of Celts and of Iberians or Basques, intermingled through that Peninsula. It may be inferred that the French nation is descended from Celtic ancestors, as the old Gaulish was spoken long after the establish- ment of the Franks in that country, viz., down to the eighth century, nearly until the time of Charlemagne, f The character of the Gauls as described by the Roman writers, bears a marked resemblance to that of the modern French, who possess so high a rank in the scale of civilization. The same character is observable in the Celts of the British Isles, especially in the Irish, who have retained the * Dr. Prichard on the Eastern Origin of the Celtic Nations. t Kerdanet's History of the Language of the Gauls and Armoricans, translated by David Lewis, Esq., in the Cambrian Quarterly Magazine. Oatli: f FjU^t^,, shire, th^ representative of one ,o^ tl^e chie^^miJies^q^al^ t j&r 'if-. The subject of the Prize abovealluded to was suggested by 'the' MtHor of ' : this volume. Several years elapsed before a decision was pronounced, as on two occasions the Prize was not awarded to either of the competitors. On the third occasion it was given to Dr. Beddoe, Secretary of the Anthropological Society. On the first occasion the judges were Prince Lucieu Buonaparte, a highly distinguished Celtic Scholar, the Rev. Basil Joriesi a gentleman of great literary attainments, and the Author of this volume, who unfeignedly a^ran^iftoTO the duty. On the second and third occasions the ' late : -Lord Svrangford, whose wonderful accomplishments are well Jmown, kindly- cctn* seated to act alone as judge. IX. may add that the Prime Minister himself commonly spends his vacations in that country, which has afforded him an opportunity of receiving the representations of its inhabitants in favour of the appointment of a Welsh Bishop to the vacant See of St. Asaph, representations to which he has given a most patient and respectful hearing, and with which he has lately complied. AETHUE JAMES JOHNE8. [COPY.] 10, Downing Street, Whitehall, Jan. 1, 1870. Sir, Mr. Gladstone desires me to return his sincere thanks for your kindness in sending him your " Essay on the Causes of Dissent in Wales," which he will peruse with much interest. I am, Sir, Yr. Obdt. Servant, W. B. GUEDON. A. J. Johnes, Esq. AN ESS:A:Y ON THE CAUSES WHICH HAVE PRODUCED DISSENT FROM THE ESTABLISHED CHUKCH, IN THE of ARTHUR JAMES JOHNES, OF GAETHMYL, ESQ., One of Her Majesty's Judges of the County Courts of Record; TO WHOM THE ROYAL MEDAL WAS AWARDED AT AN EISTEDDVOD OF THE LONDON CAMBRIAN INSTITUTION, HELD IN MAY, 1831. REPRINTED FROM THE LAST EDITION. " For honourable priesthood is like -a shower from Heaven, it causes blessings every where; but a pitiful, a disheartened, a discouraged clergy, waters the ground with a water pot here and there, a little good, and for a little while, but every evil man can destroy all that work whenever he pleases." Bishop Jeremy Taylor. LL ANIDLOE S: PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY JOHN PRTSE. 1870. TO THE COUNCIL OF THE ROYAL CAMBRIAN INSTITUTION. GENTLEMEN, Permit me to thank you for the honour you have conferred upon me. I now hasten to lay before you the Second Edition of my "Essay on the Causes of Dissent," enlarged with such historical facts as seem calculated to place its positions in a more unequivocal light. It may naturally suggest itself to many of my readers, that the subject of the following Essay might have been more satisfactorily discussed by a member of another profession. I am of that opinion myself; and it was only when I found that those gentlemen who were best qualified to do it justice were restrained by motives of delicacy from interfering, that, I became a Candidate for the Prize you have awarded me; no one would have rejoiced more than myself had that Prize fallen into other hands. For myself I can claim no other qualifications for the task, than an anxiety to detect, and impartially to point out the sources of the present unpopularity of the Church in "Wales ; the humble claim to impartiality I may fairly assert for labours on which you have set the seal of yowc approbation. I remain, GENTLEMEN, Your humble servant, ARTHUR JAMES JOHNES. Garthmyl, Montgomeryshire, May, 1832. PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. THE only object of the Author of this little volume is to exhibit a faithful delineation of those abuses which have alienated so large a mass of the people of Wales from the communion of the Church of England. In undertaking this task, he was actuated by no other feeh'ngs than those of regard to the interests of the country to which he belongs, and of the church of which he is a member. Encouraged by the reception experienced by his first edition, by the kind and indulgent attention extended to him by those who must have the security of our national Church most peculiarly at heart, he was led to renew his investigations, under the assurance that his humble labours would be received in the spirit by which they were directed, and that in denouncing the profanation of the temple, he should run no risk of being suspected of any want of reverence for the sacred edifice itself. Convinced that her privileges are for the benefit of the com- munity, he is no advocate for throwing the Establishment on the suffrages and contributions of the people. From the days of the sophists of Athens, down to those of the Mendicant orders in the Romish Church, experience is but little in favour of ethical teachers, dependent on the breath of popular favour. Instructors thus circumstanced, have generally been found prone to sacrifice truth to novelty to modify the severe doctrines of morality to the varying passions, the prejudices, or the morbid ingenuity of their audience. 11. The operation of a similar influence is but too strongly apparent in the religious economy of the Dissenters of our own times ; ethical novelty was never more industriously pursued in the schools of ancient Athens, than it is in our days in the chapels of our modern separatists. It is too often assumed, that a dependence on his flock is a security for the zeal and efficiency of the minister ; but I need only refer to the account given in the opening pages of this work, of the feeble condition to which the primitive Welsh Dissenters had been reduced just before the breaking out of Methodism, for a proof, that . occasional lethargy is no peculiarity of endowed Churches. From all that I can learn of the state of Dissenting congregations at that time, I have been led to believe, that the dependence of their ministers on voluntary contribution had an effect precisely the reverse of that which is sometimes ascribed to it ; for, instead of making them anxious for the instruction of the people generally, it made them indifferent to all except a few opulent adherents, by whom they were maintained. But evils of a darker cast may easily be traced to the same influence; the abject dependence of the minister on his flock engenders habits of temporizing and insincerity in the former, which extend themselves, by the force of example, to the latter; and the rancorous divisions to which their system of popular suffrage continually gives rise, have often the effect of leading men far more widely astray from a Christian spirit than the indolence or even immorality of individual ministers of the Church of England. Abstractedly speaking, the system of voluntary contribution has a A ! semblance of justice, which fixed endowments do not possess ; yet, I am fully convinced, that it is more oppressive in practice, as it transfers the burden from the rich to the poor, and imposes a peculiar weight on the best disposed members of the community. The statutes of mortmain are a standing proof, that even a Popish nation deemed it against public policy, to leave the pious generosity of individuals uncontrolled ; and abundant instances may be pointed out in our times, of individuals who have been reduced by this feeling to a state of pauperism or bankruptcy. It is also well worthy of remark, that the system to which I have alluded does not, in the end, secure even the popularity of the clergy ; long before the re- formation, the Mendicant orders had become far more odious than the regular clergy, and we shall find from Chaucer, that their exactions on the charity of the people were regarded with an aversion far deeper than that which has ever been expressed towards the fixed possessions of their wealthier brethren. In point of fact, the whole argument in favour of voluntary contributions will be found to owe its force to the confusion of two distinct questions, that of ^ contribution and that of patronage, the sources of Church revenues, and the influence by which they are controlled. Whether the income of the clergy be derived from the bounty of the people, or from landed endowments, if the appropriation of the fund be con- fided to improper trustees, the same grievances must arise ; if, on the other hand, the present fixed endowments of the Church were placed under a proper system of patronage, we should have exactly the same security for their proper appropriation, that we can possess in the case of any other species of property whatever. Convinced, then, that a reform of administration is the real desideratum, and not a wild spoliation of the endowments of the Establishment, the author entered upon the following investigation, an investigation that has involved but little either of pleasure or of profit ; its fruits, indeed, are at length condensed into a small space, but the same, alas ! cannot be afiirmed of the hours which have been devoted to its fulfilment. Nevertheless, should the following pages contribute, in any degree, to ensure to his native country those advantages literary and religious which she is so fully en- IV. titled to enjoy, it will leave him without any just grounds of regret. With the Principality of Wales he is connected by no other ties than those of birth and affection ; in her future prospects he has no wordly interest, and it will, in all probability, be his fate to spend the remainder of his days far remote from her mountains. In enter- ing an indignant protest against that sordid system of which her noblest interests have, for centuries, been the sport, he is conscious of no other motives than those sentiments of love and respect which he has ever entertained and which he shall never cease to cherish, towards her kind-hearted, intelligent, and virtuous people. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Brief History of the Origin of Dissent in Wales. Independents. Methodists. The Methodism of "Wales of earlier date than the commencement of Dissent in England under Whitefield and Wesley. Vicar Pritchard. Griffith Jones. Howel Harris. Daniel Rowland. The Williamses. Thomas Charles. Page 7 49. CHAPTER II. CAUSES OF DISSENT IK WALES. The unpopularity of the Episcopal Clergy ascribable to two causes : 1. Their want of sympathy with the feelings and tastes of the people. 2. Their neglect of the Language of the people. Both those causes themselves the effects of an English Hierarchy. Page 50 93. CHAPTER III. THE TWO ERAS. The influence of the native Welsh Bishops com- pared with that of their English successors : 1. On Church Patronage. 2. On religious and general education. Page 94110. CHAPTER IV. Primary and derivative causes of Dissent in Wales distinguished. Ecclesiastical misgovernment the sole" cause of its predominance. Page 111140. CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION. Progressive Spoliation by the English Government, of the literary and religious endowments of Wales. Page 141 158. APPENDIX I. Number of Churches. Progressive increase of the number of Dis- senting Chapels. Peculiarities of the different Sects in Wales. Page 159162. APPENDIX II. The state of the Church and Church Revenues of South Wales. Page 163-^179. A statement of the value of the Benefices and Dignities in North Wales. Page 180212. Summary of the state of Patronage in South Wales. Page 213. The amount of Church property (in North Wales) belonging to Sinecurists, Absentees, Clergymen ignorant of the Welsh lan- guage, Bishops and their Relatives compared with the amount enjoyed by the general body of the Clergy. Page 217. INDEX TO SEVERAL SUBJECTS DISCUSSED IN THE FOLLOWING PAGES. PAGE. Absenteeism. Its effects 66,151 Bishoprics (Welsh). Their immense possessions' accu- mulated within the last two centuries and from what sources 217 Cathedrals. Their immense wealth, an innovation ... 120, 123 The Clergy unpopular in districts appropriated to Cathedrals, Colleges, &c 68, 69 Clergy. Their want of zeal and seriousness considered the leading cause of Dissent by Griffith Jones. Bishop Burnett's opinion on the subject 59, 71 Commendam. A power generally abused 131 Curates (Stipendiary). A system prohibited in Popish times 130 Inefficiency of recent legislative measures in removing its evils 125 Education (History of in Wales). G. Jones's schools ... 18 31 Thomas Charles's exertions in the diffusion of education 44 4-7 English schools their bad effects on children ignorant of the English language 62, 90 Scriptures (Welsh versions of) 100 Welsh Magazines their number 63,102 Leases (Ecclesiastical) . Their evils 123,129 Queen Anne's Bounty (History of) The origin of the fund its diminution the gross abuses in its application 190, 1 85,19 1 Sinecures. Their origin imaginary benefits effects ... 199 Vicars (Origin of). Their residence held indispensible in Romish times 130 Welsh Language. Its probable duration, a question irrelevant to the present enquiry VALUATION OF THE BENIFICES OF NORTH WALES. EXTBACTED FBOM The Report of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners appointed by His Majesty, dated the \6th June, 1835. IN prefixing these Eeturns to the following pages, I have not been actuated by any wish to vindicate my own character (which I am content to leave in abler hands), but by the anxiety that the state of the "Welsh Church should be judged of by a more authoritative test than the assertions of an individual. The desired criterion is now before the public ; and, after a careful examination, I feel no hesitation in stating, that the Eeturns made to the Commissioners present as unfavourable a picture of the abuses of the Welsh Church as the representations originally published in this volume ! I do not mean to affirm that there is a perfect coincidence between my estimates and the Eeturns no one acquainted with the fluctuat- ing value of tithes can expect such a result but, in the great majority of cases the approximation is as close as the nature of this kind of property admits ; and, in those few instances in which dis- crepancies of some magnitude occur, it will be found that the valuations contained in the Eeport are quite as favourable to my general conclusions as the estimates on which those conclusions were originally founded.* It will clearly appear that I have neither exaggerated the wealth of the Church, nor the proportion * It is to be regretted that the Commissioners have thought proper to sanction the glaring abuse of filling the Welsh Sees with persons ignorant of the Welsh language, by proposing to unite the Diocese of Llandaff, a purely Welsh district, with the English See of Bristol ! of its revenues enjoyed by "the higher orders of the Clergy ! If these results are capable of proof, the details are unimportant. To prevent misconstruction, I feel it necessary to add a few remarks. In stating that the Report confirms the valuations in this volume, I beg to confine that observation to the livings of the parochial clergy ; for, with regard to the benefices of the Dignified Clergy, the Commissioners have not yet given to the public that in- formation on which alone a fair comparison can be formed ! The amount of their annual incomes are indeed stated, and the names of the parishes from which they issue ; but this is no criterion what- ever of the benefit they actually reap from these sources, as it often, nay, commonly, happens that the tithes are leased, when the annual rent is a mere trifle, though the fines paid for a renewal invariably prove a source of considerable emolument ! Many of these leases have been granted under circumstances which consti- tute something very like a direct fraud on the Church. To enable the public to form a judgment on this subject, it is essential that the following details should be obtained: 1. The actual value of all tithes and other property attached to Bishoprics, Prebends, &c. 2. The annual rent reserved, and the fines which have been paid, as far back as can be ascertained, and the dates of the leases. This information, it is to be hoped, will be procured by the future re- searches of the Commission ! I take this opportunity of congratulating my countrymen on the success that has hitherto attended the able and generous efforts that have been made in Parliament to obtain a reform in the Welsh Bishoprics. It is hardly to be believed that any Government will much longer venture to uphold, against the united voice of the press* and the public, the scandalous practice of filling the Welsh Sees with Prelates ignorant of the language of their flocks ! * The Chronicle, the Times, and the Herald, the three leading daily journals, which are at once both the guides and indicators of national opinion, hare repeatedly denounced this corruption. The Author begs to express his gratitude to the first journal for courtesy to himself personally on many trying occasions. ANGLESEA. Gross mount D'-duc- ion.* ; A LIN A R\ OX- -continued u 6rox* [moui't. Deduct lion*. Aberffraw 967 79 ?odfaen ... 223 25 Amlwch Bodedern Bodewryd 222 104 70 Jryncroes Japel curig Jeidio 107 89 85 Bodwrogt Heneglwya 105 448 65 Jlynnog ... Jon way ... ... ... 179 181 21 60 Holyhead 167 Jriciaeth ... ... 379 30 Llanbadric Llanbeulan Llanddona 191 921 87 22 128 _>olwyddelan )wygyfylchi ... 2dern 156 126 386 86 Llandegfan 336 jryffin 115 Llanddeusant ... ... 679 64 lilanaelhaiarn ... 245 20 . Llauddyfnan ... "i i^ j O(*K 7fi f Llandyfrydog 526 69 jlanbedr -jlanberis olio 189 to Llaneilian Llaneugrad Llanfachreth Llanfaethle Llanfair-pwllgwyngill . . 400 170 610 685 243 35 53 70 20 Janbeblig jlanbedrog jlandegai jlandeiniolen ... .... jlandudno ... * 375 500 114 344 98 45 115 39 JLlanf echell Llanfihangel ysceifiog . . . Llangadwaladar 400 97 282 100 37 jlandwrog jlanengan ... jlanfairfechan ... ... 400 427 333 86 ' 29 28 Llangef ni Llangeinwen Llangristiolus ... Llangoed Llangwillog ... ".'.. Llanidan Llanrhyddlad ... / Llansadwrn Llantrisant 525 801 125 104 90 340 600 415 1016 79 137 48 70 34 101 jlanfihangel y pennant. . jlangelynin . . . -^ . LJaugian . . t 160 241 33 29 Jangybl jlangwnadle jlaniestyn ... jlanllechid jlanllyfni jlannor ... ... .... 500 50 671 542 268 151 50 76 71 28 Llanvaes Newborough Penmynydd Pcnrhos Rhoscolyn Talvllyn 180 240 86 75 330 65 26 70 .Janrug ... Janwynda -ilanystumdwy ... Vlellteym ^efyn Peumacnno ... ... 191 280 550 200 89 09 25 10 22 Trefdraeth 558 93 Penmorfa \ 300 Rhiw 100 Ann's St 222 CARNARVON. Trefriw ... ... ... Tydweiliog 180 80 12 Bangor Diocese. St. Asaph Diocese. Aber Aberdaron Abererch 412 82 96 30 Eglwysrhos ... ,1, Llysvaen 81 250 Bangor ... 1006 128 Beddgelert 90 Bettws y coed ... Bettws garmon ... 101 93 DENBIGHSHIRE. Bangor Diocese. * These are certain deductions which occu regularly. Clocaenog 348 56 T I take this opportunity of correcting an erroi Derwen ... 420 in my Tables at the end, in which Mr. P. B Williams is stated to be the incumbent of Bod- wrog. This benefice is not held by him, but bj Mr. H. Griffith. Ef enechtyd ... .. Jesus Chapel Llanbedr dySryn clwyd 200 63 426 86 DENBIGHSHIRE Or oss Deduc- DENBIGHSHIRE Gross continued. Amount. tion!. continued. Amount. Llandyrnog Llanelidan 300 48 Chester Diocese. Llanfair dyffryn clwyd.. 357 96 Holt 101 Llanf wrog 526 97 Iscoed Llatngwyf an 288 32 Llanfirynhafal 4 HO KQ Llanrydd and Ruthin ... TLVH/ 509 tK> 246 Llanrhaiadrynkimmerch 752 143 FLINTSHIRE. Llanychan Llanynynys 200 475 30 100 St. Asaph Diocese. St. Asaph Diocese. Bodfari ... Caerwys ... 326 361 Abergele... 400 Cilcain, orKilken, (vicar) i24 Bryneglwys 90 Sinecure Rector 253 Bettws ... 395 62 Cwm 251 Cerrig y druidion 492 32 Dyserth ... 113 Chirk 570 104 Eastyn, alias Hope (vicar) 215 Denbigh... 445 Sinecure Hector 215 Erbistock 271 31 Flint 225 Eglwysf ach 260 40 Gwaunysgor 193 Poelas 200 Halkin ... 318 Gresford... 715 Holywell 290 Gwytherin 133 Llanasa ... 300 Henllan ... 165 Meliden ..* 90 Kegidock, or St. George's 160 24 Mold 361 Llanarmon dyffryn ceiriog. 157 24 Nannerch 299 Llanarmon mynydd mawr. 67 Nercwis ... 92 Llanarmon yn Yale (vicar) 332 50 Newmarket ... ... 90 Sinecure Rector 435 90 Northop ... 413 Llanddoget 212 25 Rhuddlan 266 Llanddulas 110 St. Asaph 183 Llandegla 115 20 Tremeirchion ... 240 Llandisilio 112 Tryddyn, in Mold 78 Llandrillo yn rhos 347 Whitford 417 Llanelian 249 Ysceifiog 655 Llanfairtalhaiarn Llanferes 84 319 Chester Diocese. Llanfihangel 188 43 Bangor Monachorum ) 1 200 Uangadwaladar 55 with Over ton ) 1 , " ' LJanyblodwel ... 284 Hanmer ... 428 Llangedwin Llangerniew 90 310 35 Hawarden, with Buck- ) ley Broughton ) 3,286 Llangollen 381 31 Threapwood 87 Llangwm 177 34 Worthenbury ... 395 Llanrhaiadr yn mochnant. 612 92 QPI1 O01 J jiailr \\ S u ... ... Llansannan /t>j. 191 ZiOl 28 l.lausaintffraid glyn ceiriog 190 66 MERIONETHSHIRE. Llansantffraid ... Llansilin... 240 307 St. Asaph Diocese. Marchwiail 765 57 Bettws gwerfyl goch ... 125 Nantglyn 245 23 Corwen ... 376 Ruabon ... 638 50 Gwyddelwern ... 138 St. German's 110 Llandderfel 305 Trevor Chapel, Llangollen. 87 Llandrillo 215 Wrexham 749 Llanfawr 304 Yapytty 122 Llangar ... 179 MERIONETHSHIRE - Gross Deduc- MONTGOMERY. Orost Deduc- continued. Amount. tions. SHI RE continued. Amount. tiont. Llansantffraid 98 Llanf yllin 588 100 Llanuwchllyn ... 113 Llangadfan 349 50 Llanycil ... ... .^ 256 Llangyniew 400 64 Mallwyd... ... '. 325 70 Llangynog 143 17 Bangor Diocese. Llanllugan Llanllwchaiarn ... 49 404 49 Dolgellau 505 65 Llanmerewig 155 12 Festiniog, with M'twrog 284 30 Llansaintffraid (vicar) ... 198 Llanaber, with B'mouth 256 43 Sinecure Rector * Llandanwg, with Ll'bedr 203 9 Llanwrin 340 "68 Llanegryn 82 Llanwyddelan ... .. 240 64 Llanelltyd 62 Llanwddyn 100 Llanf achreth 100 8 Machynlleth ... ; ji 320 90 Llanfair ... 195 30 Manafon 286 59 Llanfihangel y pennant . 46 Meifod ... ...,.' 654 66 Llanfihangel y traethau . 107 Newtown 510 104 Llanfrothen 81 Penegoes 300 Llangelynin 398 53 Pennant ... ... At. 200 15 Talyllyn 84 Tregynon 87 Towyn ... 242 18 Trinity Ch'l, in Ll'drinio 56 Trawsfynydd ... ... 180 Welshpool 319 46 Bangor Diocese. MONTGOMERY- QTTT"D~G* Carno ... ... {;,' Llandinam ... i 100 290 20 bJalKJi. Llangurig 241 29 St. Asaph Diocese. Llanidloea 180 29 Aberhafesp Berriew ... , Bettws 304 450 454 59 94 43 Llanwnog ... ... Penystrowed Trefeglwys 100 120 143 53 25 40 Castle caereinion Cemmaes 672 350 97 62 St. David's Diocese. Darowen... 131 52 Kerry ... 300 Garthbeibio 94 8 Mochtre ... 86 Guilsfield 417 57 Hirnant ... 160 25 Hereford Diocese. Llanbrynmair ... Llandrinio 425 213 95 11 Buttington 107 Llandysilio 133 Churchstoke ... 151 Llandyssil 440 67 Crigion ... 108 Llanerful 367 59 Forden ... 119 Llanfair caereinion 380 42 Hyssington 173 12 Llanf echan 600 70 Montgomery 393 46 Llanfihangel ynngwynfa 370 36 Snead ... 90 BISHOPEICS OF WALES. ...12,4901 | 1,008 j 693 84 St. Asaph ...... |7,408t| l,107||St. David'sJ . Bangor ......... |6, 580 | 2,116 |[Llandaff The amount is not given in the Returns. t In this volume s-et down at 9,026. The difference arises from the advantageous leases granted by former Bishops. It is stated that the revenues of St. Asaph and Bangor have de- clined since this estimate was taken. t The same remark applies. The only mode in which the property of these Sees can be cleared oi their incumbrances, is by rendering it imperative on each new Bishop, at the time of his promotion, to abstain from renewing existing leases. Such a condition would be no injustice, if imposed previously to the promotion. 2 The revenues of the Cathedrals and Collegiate Churches, Pre- bendaries, Sinecurists, &c., appear to correspond pretty generally with the statements of this volume. It will be borne in mind, that this work relates chiefly to North "Wales. I must protest, however, against the inference, that the administration of the Church is purer in South Wales. I appeal to the Returns for a direct proof of the contrary ; pluralities and absenteeism appear to prevail there, even to a greater extent ; and these abuses are the more inexcusable, as the extreme poverty of the Church renders it the bounden duty of its patrons to exercise strict economy in the application of its revenues. The scandalous system of leases also prevails there to a grievous extent ! It is dis- creditable to Bishop Burgess (a prelate otherwise estimable), that lie should have granted a variety of leases on the very eve of his translation from St. David's to Salisbury! In one case (stated in this work) he appears to have resorted to an expedient but little consistent with the dignity of his station I allude to the circum- stance of his having, when Bishop of St. David's leased the tithes of a Welsh parish to a friend, by whom he caused the lease to be afterwards assigned to himself, when Bishop of Salisbury! This lease he still retains ! ! The state of patronage in South Wales may form a subject of future inquiry. CHAPTER i. iBRIEF HISTORY OP THE ORIGIN OP DISSENT IN WALES. -INDEPENDENTS. METHODISTS. THE METHODISM OP WALES OP EARLIER DATE THAN THE COMMENCEMENT OP DISSENT IN ENGLAND UNDER WHITEFIELD AND WESLEY. VICAR PRITCHARD. GRIFFITH JONES. HOWEL HARRIS. DANIEL ROWLAND. THE WILLIAMSES. THOMAS CHARLES. " To confess the truth, he expects that the fate of this little work will be similar to that of the Roman army which first landed in Britain, and were forced to complain to their friends abroad ' The Britons drive us to tho sea, and the sea drives us back to the Britons.' So will it fare with this little pamphlet. * * * * If it meet with any favourable reception from either party, it will be upon this ground, that it has given the other party its portion with impartiality, and has spoken the plain truth to both parties without any ill will to either of them. May peace and piety be the portion of all parties." The Welsh Looking Glass, or Thoughts on the State of Religion in North Wales, published in 1812. To the Members of the Royal Cambrian Institution. GENTLEMEN, THE present state of religious opinion in the Principality may not be without its interest even to a superficial enquirer ; but to those who unite a patriotic love of Wales with a deep reverence for the benevolent precepts of Christianity, her religious divisions must be a subject of frequent and painful meditation. The Welsh have long been proverbial for their attachment to ancient usages, and for habits of cheerful respect towards their superiors. The general disposition of the people is evidently that of obedience to existing authorities. Whence, then, it will be asked, their present alienation from that most sacred of ancient usages 8 the religion of their forefathers ? Whence this general spirit of de- fection from the ecclesiastical rulers of the land ? How has it come to pass that in almost every district of the Principality the Dissent- ing Chapels are in a treble proportion to the Churches of the Establishment? Whence is it that even in this Metropolis, the Welsh language has been preached for years in no fewer than six Dissenting* places of worship ; whilst as yet not even a prospect has been afforded of a similar institution on the principles of the Church of England ? The facts which constitute the history of Dissentf in Wales, are so little known, that before entering into an abstract disser- tation on its causes, I feel it necessary to give a brief narrative of its rise and progress : many of the causes will thus naturally develope themselves; others will form the subject of the next Chapter. The following singular account is preserved of the commence- ment of Dissent in Wales. J In the reign of James I. a clergy- man of the name of Wroth was Vicar of Llanvaches, in Monmouth- shire. Being of a joyous temper, and, like most of his countrymen, passionately fond of music, he was sometimes carried beyond the bounds of propriety by this enthusiasm. On one occasion, a gentleman with whom he was on terms of intimacy, having present- ed him with a new harp, fixed a day on which, in company with some friends, he would visit him and hear him perform upon it. The day appointed came, and Wroth was anxiously ex- pecting his visitor, when a messenger appeared to inform him that his friend was no more ! This incident affected him so deeply, that, repenting the levity of his youth, from a gay clerical Troubadour he * In London there are six Welsh Dissenting Chapels, viz. three belonging to the Calvinistic Methodists, one to the Independents, one to the Wesleyans, and one to the Baptists. t In the following pages, the term Dissent is used in the enlarged sense of a separation on any ground from the Establishment. t Trysorva, p. 155. 9 became all at once a sad but zealous divine. With these impres- sions, he determined to commence preaching to his congregation, a practice then almost unknown in the Churches of the Principality., As a preacher, he soon distinguished himself so much, that the Welsh peasantry flocked from all the neighbouring counties to hear him. His audience, being frequently too numerous for his church to contain on such occasions he was in the habit of addressing them in the church-yard. It is said that Sir Lewis Mansel of Margam, a man illustrious for his exalted religious and patriotic zeal, was often one of his congregation. The irregularity alluded to at last exposed him to the censure of his Diocesan, who, on one occasion, asked him in anger, how he could vindicate his infringement of the rules of the Church ? To this reprimand, Wroth replied by appealing, with tears in his eyes, to the religious ignorance which prevailed throughout the country, and to the necessity of employing every means to dissipate it : by which answer, the Bishop is said to have been deeply affected. Even- tually, however, by refusing to read the " Book of Sports," and by the general tenor of his conduct, he rendered himself so obnoxious to the dignitaries of the Church, that he was deprived of his benefice. After his expulsion, he continued to preach in secret to his old followers, and at last he formed from amongst them a regular Dis- . senting congregation, on the Independent model. From Llanvaches, the opinions of its pastor soon spread themselves into the remotest corners of Wales : during his life, this village was regarded as the rallying point of the Welsh Nonconformists. Wroth, nevertheless, seems to have cherished to the last some feeling of affection towards the Church, of which he had once been a minister ; for, on his death, which occurred in 1640, he was buried, at his own request, under the threshold of the Church of Llanvaches. During the civil wars, which broke out soon [afterwards, the Independents were not only tolerated, but predominant. In Cromwell's time, an attempt was made to get rid of every thing like an Establishment, and to substitute a few itinerant ministers 10 in its place. The modicum of preachers proposed to be given by this plan*of economical piety was six to a county ; it was lost in the House of Commons by a majority of two roices. It was felt, how- ever, that the bright thought was too precious to be discarded without an experiment ; and, accordingly, it was partly carried into effect in Wales under Hugh Peters and Vavasor Powel,* and a confiscation, of Church property in that country ensued, to an en ormous amount ; for, unhappily, under all the various forms of civil and ecclesiastical polity which have prevailed in England, the Welsh Church has been treated as a fair field for experiments, no less injurious to the general cause of religion than to Wales. In the times of the Stewarts, Dissent from the Episcopal Church became once more an object of persecution ; but the Ministers of the Welsh Nonconformists still continued to traverse the wild hills of the Principality, braving all dangers for the sake of their few and scattered followers. Their congregations still occasionally met, but it was in fear and trembling, generally at midnight, or in woods and caverns, amid the gloomy recesses of the mountains. At'the revolution, these Dissenters exhausted their strength by controversies amongst themselves on the rite of baptism ; on which subject a difference of opinion had long existed amongst them, though persecution had prevented them from making it a ground of disunion. Till the breaking out of Methodism, their cause con- tinued to decline. In'the'year 1736, there were only six Dissenting Chapels in all North Wales. In this year an incident occurred which forms an interesting link between the history of the early Welsh Dissenters (the followers of Wroth) and that of the Methodists, connecting together the darkening prospects of the former and the first symptoms of that more powerful impulse which was communicated by the latter. One Sunday, Mr. Lewis Rees, a Dissenting Minister from South Wales, and father of the celebrated author of the Cyclopaedia, visited Pwllheli, a town in the promontory of Lleyn, in Caernarvonshire, and one of the few places in which the Independents still possessed * Southey's Life of Wesley, uote at the end of first volume. 11 a chapel. After the service, the congregation, collecting around him, complained bitterly, that their numbers were rapidly diminish- ing, that the few who yet remained were for the most part poor, and that every thing looked gloomy to their cause. To which the Minister replied, " The dawn of true religion is again breaking in ' South Wales, a great man named Howel Harris has recently risen up, who goes about instructing the people in the truths of the Gospel." Nor was he mistaken, either in his anticipation that Dissent was on the eve of bursting forth with tenfold vigour in Wales, nor in the man from whom he expected this result ; the first elements of Methodism were already at work ; Howel Harris was ita - founder, and one of its most distinguished champions. Properly speaking, the history of Methodism is the history o- Dissent in Wales ; before entering, however, upon this interesting subject, it will be necessary to give a cursory view of the state of the Church in Wales at the time of its origin, as hardly a doubt can be enter- tained that the predisposing causes to Methodism were to be found in the inefficiency of the Establishment. The following is a translation of an Account of the State of Religion in Wales about the middle of the Eighteenth Century. It was taken from the mouth of a very old Welsh Methodist, and published in 1799, in the Trysorva, a Welsh Periodical, edited by the Rev. Thomas Charles, of Bala ; and I have high authority for asserting that the descriptions it affords are in no respect exagger- ated. "In those days," says the narrator, " the land was dark indeed! " Hardly any of the lower ranks could read at all. The morals of " the country were very corrupt ; and in this respect there was no " difference between gentle and simple, layman and clergyman. " Gluttony, drunkenness, and licentiousness prevailed through the "whole country. Nor were the operations of the Church at all " calculated to repress these evils. From the pulpit the name of the " Redeemer was hardly ever heard ; nor was much mention made of " the natural sinfulness of man, nor of the influence of the Spirit. " On Sunday mornings, the poor were more constant in their attend- " ance at church than the gentry ; but the Sunday evenings were 12 / " spent by all in idle amusements. Every Sabbath, there was what " was called 'A chwareu-gamp,' a sort of sport in which all the young " men of the neighbourhood had a trial of strength, and the people " assembled from the surrounding country to see their feats. On " Saturday night, particularly in the summer, the young men and t( maids held what they called ' Singing eves ' (nosweithiau canu) j " that is, they met together and diverted themselves by singing in " turns to the harp, till the dawn of the Sabbath. In this town " they used to employ the Sundays in dancing and singing to the " harp, and in playing tennis against the town-hall. In every corner " of the town some sport or other went on, till the light of the " Sabbath-day had faded away. In the summer ' Interludes ' (a kind " of rustic drama), were performed, gentlemen and peasants sharing " the diversion together. A set of vagabonds called the ' Bobl "gerdded' (walking people), used to traverse the country, begging " with impunity j to the disgrace of the law of the land." Such, then, was the state of Welsh society and the Welsh Church in the middle of the last century ; and it is a singular instance of the impression left by the vice and levity of this period, that the sounds of our national instrument are still associated, in the minds of many, with the extravagances of which it was formerly an accompaniment, though, apart from adventitious associations, its simple and pensive tones are certainly far more con- genial with devotional feeling, than with levity or with joy. I have frequently heard, that the late Mr. Charles, of Bala, was so much under the sway of these recollections, that it was quite painful to him to remain in a room in which any one was playing upon the harp.* At first sight nothing would appear more improbable than that Methodism should find proselytes among a people so gay and thoughtless as the Welsh of that period ; or that the joyous group which assembled at Bala on a Sunday evening, should become, as was shortly afterwards the case, a leading congregation of modern Puritans. But the religion of the Welsh and their fondness for * See a View of the State of Religion in the Diocese of St. David's, by v Erasmus Sanders, D.D. London, 1721. See also the Works of Dr. Clarke (the Traveller), for an Account of the Clergy he met with in Wales. 13 national music arose from the same cause, an earnest and imagina- tive frame of mind. A disposition to melancholy, disguised by external gaiety of manner, is characteristic of all Celtic nations. " As a beam o'er the face of the waters may glow, Tho' the stream runs in darkness and coldness below." With all their social sprightliness, the "Welsh -were then a super- stitious and consequently a gloomy race. The influence of the Church had confessedly done little to civilize the people ; they still retained many habits apparently derived from Paganism, and not a few of the practices of Popery. Their funerals, like those of the Irish, were scenes of riot and wassail. When the Methodists first came into North Wales, the peasantry expressed their horror of them and their opinions by the truly Popish gesture of crossing their foreheads; they also paid great veneration to a tale called " Breuddwyd Mair " (Mary's dream), obviously a Popish legend.* Children were taught, even within my recollection, to repeat a rhyme like the following, as soon as they had been put into bed at night : " There ar four corners to my bed, And four Angela there are spread ; Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John ; God bleaa the bed that I lie on." Some of their customs and notions were extremely fanciful. On the Sunday after a funeral each relative of the deceased knelt on his grave, exclaiming " Nevoedd iddo " (literally, Heaven to him) ; that is, "may he soon reach Heaven." This is plainly a relict of the Popish custom of praying the soul out of purgatory. If children died before their parents, the parents regarded them as so many candles to light them to Paradise. When Wesley came into Wales, , he found the ignorance of the people so great, that he pronounced them "as little versed in the principles of Christianity as a Creek or Cherokee Indian." To this declaration he adds the striking ex- * Trysorva, vol. ii. p. 516. Drych yr Amseroedd. See also the late learned and excellent Peter Roberta's Cambrian Superstitions. 14 pression that, notwithstanding their superstition and ignorance, the people "were ripe for the Gospel," and most enthusiastically anxious to avail themselves of every opportunity of instruction, an inter- esting proof, that the necessary tendency of the corruptions of the Welsh Church to produce the consequences which have since ensued, was sufficiently obvious even to the cursory view of a stranger. It is quite clear, then, to those who lived whilst Methodism was yet in its infancy in Wales, that the country was about to become the scene of a great religious change. There was evidently a movement in the minds of the people a longing for the extension of their spiritual advantages, which would ultimately lead them out from the Establishment, ^unless provided with food from within. In such a state of popular feeling towards existing institutions, whether civil or ecclesiastical, it often happens that the most trivial deviation from ordinary routine, becomes the basis of a series of inno- vations, and serves to impart an impetus and a direction to the dormant elements of disunion. It is only by keeping these consi- derations steadily in view, that we can clearly comprehend the early history of Methodism in Wales, and avoid the confused ideas that are sometimes entertained as to the conduct of those with whom it commenced, and the exact date of its commencement. The real truth is, that the separation of the Welsh Methodists from the Church took place by insensible degrees. The first symptom was an unusual and somewhat irregular zeal in a certain body of Clergy in the Church itself; and these first faint traces of irregularity, (which, probably, at the time excited little notice), gradually, and in the course of generations, widened into a broad line of demarca- tion. It was in this manner that the breaking out of Methodism was undoubtedly hastened by the exertions of two eminent divines, whose only intention was to infuse new vigour into the Established Church, I mean the Rev. Bhees Pritchard and the Rev. Griffith Jones. The former, who is familiarly known to his countrymen under the 'name of "Vicar Pritchard," was vicar of the parish of Llan- ddyvri, in Caermarthenshire, in the time of James the First and 15 Charles the First. Of the particulars of his life, little is known, except that whilst he stood high in the estimation of his country- men as a preacher he was at the same time an object of peculiar favour with the ruling powers of the day, honours which his countrymen in recent times have rarely seen enjoyed by the same individual. Though, like Wroth, he is said to have attracted nu- merous congregations, and to have occasionally preached in his church-yard, still he had the good fortune to be made Chaplain to the Earl of Essex, received from James I. the living of Llanedi, and eventually became Chancellor of the Diocese of St. David's. As a proof of his charitable disposition, and of his anxiety to en- lighten his countrymen, we are informed that he gave a donation of twenty pounds a year, charged upon land, to establish a School in his parish of Llanddyvri, and also a house for the Schoolmaster. This endowment (no insignificant one in those days), went on prosperously for some time, but on the death of the founder's son, Thomas Manwaring, son of Dr. Man waring, Bishop' of St. David's, who had married "the Vicar's" granddaughter, took possession of the land belonging to the school, undertaking to pay the Schoolmaster himself; which he did for a year or two, and then withheld from it all support. His biographer adds, that in 1682, the land was still in the possession of the Manwaring family, and that the School-house had been swept away by an inundation 'of the river Tywi ! But, the veneration still felt in Wales for the memory of "Vicar Pritohard" is mainly attributable to a small volume of Poems, which are not a little remarkable, as a summary of Christian doctrine and duty, at once simple, poetical, and concise. No book, except the Bible, has been there so much and so en- thusiastically studied ; its author may justly be styled the Watts of his native country ; and, notwithstanding the unhappy divisions- that have since his day distracted her, the undiminished popularity of his little book proves that there is even yet no schism in the Principality as far as the " Divine Poems " of " Vicar Pritchard " are concerned. I can hardly hope, that the following imperfect translations will 16 mvey any thing like a just conception of his bardic merits, though they may perhaps afford some slight idea of the peculiarities of his style : GWEDDI VOREUOL. MORNING PRAYER. At dawn when first thy slumber flies, Raise to the Lord of Hosts thine eyes ; To him who watched, and gave, and blest, Thy hours of helplessness and rest. Oh ! give the first fruits of thy heart, The first fruits of thy mind and tongue j For, second thoughts are not the part Of Him to whom all hearts belong ! The red-breast, ere his little bill He moistens in the morning dow, Carols to Him who saved from ill His tiny couch the darkness through. Alaa ! that man should wake, more dead To all the blessings God has shed, Than the wild birds which morn and eve His gifts with hymns of praise receive ! CYNGHOR I'R MILWR. COUNSEL TO A SOLDIER. Before thou wendest to the fray, ( For king and country) Soldier ! pray The Lord of Hosts to give thee heart, And strength to act a warrior's part. In danger, prayer shall more avail To him who shares the deadly strife, Than mail to guard when foes assail, Or brand to take the foeman's life. His hands when Moses heavenward spread, More of the Gentile warriors fell, Than by the sword of Joshua bled, And all the bands of Israel. Then let thy hand be in the fray, But with thy heart, Soldier, pray : Pray, and thou yet shalt find in fight, That prayer is more than mortal might ! 17 After the poet's death, his works were collected and published by Steven Hughes, a worthy Nonconformist, who zealously dis- seminated them through Caermarthenshire and the adjacent parts of South "Wales. In almost every cottage where the Scriptures were to be found, the Vicar's little volume occupied a place beside them : it became a class-book in every school, and its most striking passages passed into proverbs among the peasantry. Hence, at the beginning of the last century, a spirit had sprung up in certain districts of South Wales, that formed a strong contrast to the general ignorance which at that time pervaded the Princi- pality. The effect of poetry on minds left unoccupied by other reading, has in all ages been remarked : thus, we are told that the great Bishop Bull, when Bishop of St. David's, was so much struck with the impression made on the minds of the people by the writings of "Yicar Pritchard," that he expressed a wish to be buried in the same grave with him ! Griffith Jones was born at Kilrhedin, also in the county of Caermarthen.* Even in his boyhood, he evinced a strong sense of religion, which has sometimes, though erroneously, been thought incompatible with the unformed views and elastic spirits of our earlier years. Like Bishop Heber, he might justly be termed a "religious child:" whilst yet a boy at Caermarthen School, he was in the habit of retiring from the pastimes of his playfellows for the purpose of secret prayer. In the year 1709, he was or- dained by Bishop Bull ; on which occasion he experienced marks of peculiar kindness and approbation from that illustrious prelate, the recollection of which continued ever after a source of gratitude and delight to him. In 1711, he was presented to the living of Llan- deilo Abercowyn, and in 1716, Llanddowror was added to it by the patron, Sir John Phillips of Picton Castle, in Pembrokeshire, with whom he was connected by marriage. His constitution was naturally delicate, and he describes him- self as having been in early youth so much afflicted with asthma, that he could not walk across a room without pain and difficulty ; but his was a mind which seemed capable of imparting a portion * Trysorva, vol. ii. p. 1. + Trysorva, vol. ii. p. 9. 18 of its own energy, even to his debilitated frame ; as he advanced in life, this infirmity, in a great measure, forsook him ; and of this we have ample proof in the various labours he accomplished. The fame of Griffith Jones chiefly rests on an institution he devised for the diffusion of education in Wales, still known under the name of the " Welsh Circulating Schools."* The main feature of this plan is the instruction of the people by means of itinerant schoolmasters ; it was first suggested to him by the following train of circumstances : On the Saturday previous to Sacrament Sunday, it was his practice to assemble his flock together, and read to them, the service of the Church. At the conclusion of the second lesson, he would ask, in a mild and familiar tone, if any one present wished an explanation of any part of the chapter they had just heard ; and on a difficult verse being mentioned, he would expound it in plain and simple language, adapted to the capacities of his hearers. On the day following, before admitting communicants to the Sacrament, he used to examine them on their ideas of Christian doctrines and as to their general moral conduct. On these occasions, his church was generally crowded; numbers came from the neighbouring districts, and it frequently happened that twenty or thirty persons were publicly examined by him before receiving the communion. But he found that those who were likely to derive most benefit from this plan of instruction men who had grown up in ignorance were deterred from attending by a consciousness of their inability to answer the questions that might be put to them. To remedy this, he made a practice of fixing the Saturday before the Sacra- ment Sunday, for the distribution among the poor of the bread purchased by the money collected at the previous Sacrament. Having by this means brought them together, he arranged them in * Minute as the following detail may appear, no part of it can be omitted in justice to the main object of this Essay, for every one of the rules established by Griffith Jones for the management of his parish, have been adopted (with some slight modifications) by the Methodists as a body; even the Welsh Catechism written and employed by him is a favourite class-book with them. 19 a class, and proceeded to ask them a few easy questions, with an affability and kindness of manner that immediately removed all embarrassment and reserve ; and pursuant to an arrangement he had previously made, these questions were answered by some of the more advanced scholars. In a little time the humbler classes became willing and constant attendants at the altar. And for the purpose of still further grounding his flock in religious knowledge, he was in the habit of requesting them to commit to memory every month a certain portion of the Bible. Thus it became a regular custom among his poor parishoners, to repeat each a verse of Scripture on receiving the bread purchased with the Sacrament money. This system of examination had the effect of affording him a very clear insight into the notions and attainments of the peasantry, the result of which was an opinion that preaching was calculated to convey only vague and imperfect views to the minds of the poorer clas- ses, unless combined with catechising and other methods of instruction. Following up these impressions, he was led to consider the incalcu- lable benefit that would result, were a well-organized system of schools extended over the whole surface of his native country. These were the steps by which he arrived at the first conception of that noble machinery which he soon afterwards set in motion. At first, it would seem, that he looked upon his plan rather in the light of a favourite day-dream, than as a project which had the slightest chance of success. Nevertheless, he had too much " moral chivalry" to despair, too much of that imaginative love of enter- prise, without which no great impression has ever been made on the people with whom he had to deal. Accordingly, a beginning was made. In the year 1730, the first school was founded, with the Sacrament money of the parish of Llanddowror ; and it answer- ed so well, that a second was established shortly afterwards ; and this again was attended with such admirable effects, that several benevolent individuals, both in "Wales and England, were induced to support the scheme with a liberality that enabled their founder to realize his fondest anticipations. The Society for promoting Christian Knowledge voted him a very generous donation of Bibles 20 and other boots. Thus supported, the schools continued rapidly to increase ; from an account published in August, 1741, that is, about ten years after their commencement, it appears, that the number o f schools in existence during the past year had amounted to 128, and the number of persons instructed in them to 7595. The plan on which Griffith Jones proceeded was simply this ; he first engaged a body of schoolmasters, and then distributed them in different directions over the country. The duty of these men was to teach the people to read the Scriptures in the Welsh language, to catechise them, to instruct them in psalmody, and to promote their religious'advancement by every means in their power. They were sent, in the first instance, to the nearest town or village where their assistance had been requested ; and then, having taught all who were desirous of instruction, they were to pass on to the next district where a similar feeling had been manifested. In the course of time, they were to revisit the localities whence they had at first started, and resume the work of education anew on the youth who had sprung up in their absence; and thus making a continual circuit of the whole country, to present to every generation as it arose the means of knowledge, and the incentives to virtuous principle. Originality of design was very judiciously made to harmonize with the discipline of the Church. The schoolmasters were not allowed to interfere with the authority of the clergy ; nor, in fact, were they sent to any parish without either the request or approba- tion of the resident minister ; nor allowed to instruct in another parish without having previously obtained a testimonial of good conduct from the clergyman of that which they had last left. A more vivid idea may be formed of the effects of these schools, by the following extracts ; for the length of which I need hardly apologize, considering the light which they will be found to throw on the subject under investigation the circumstances which gave rise to Dissent in the Principality. It will appear from the following extracts, that the schoolmasters were in the habit of spending their evenings in instructing, at their 21 homes, those families who could not come to them in tho day-time : Letters to Griffith Jones, on the subject of the Schools, illustrating, ' 1. THE EFFECT OF THE SCHOOLS IN REVIVING RELIGION IN THE CHURCH. Extract of a letter from the Rev. P. Thomas, Curate of Gelligaer, Glamorganshire. " 1. Our churches in general in this neighbourhood are now near as full again of auditors, as they used to be before those Welsh Charity Schools circulated about the country. Their ministers en- deavoured before, both by fair and rough means, to bring the people under the droppings of the sanctuary, but all in vain ; yet now (blessed be God) our solemn assemblies are thronged : and what is more to be taken notice of, there is a visible change for the better in the lives and behaviour of the people ; which induces me to hope, that God pours down his blessing in great abundance upon this new way (if I may so call it) of reviving religion among us. As by learning to read they are taught to see their master's will with their own eyes, as well as to hear it with the ear, it is hoped that the advantage they receive by both senses, will doubly encrease their love and affections to God and his holy ways. " 2. We have now a monthly communion about us here in several parish churches, where within very few years past, it could hardly be administered so often as thrice a year, for want of persons to receive it : but (thanks be to God) I hear there are near six score monthly communicants in one of these parishes at present, viz. Eglwys Helen ; where not long since they wanted a convenient number to minister the blessed sacrament on one of the three solemn feasts in the year. I am also informed that the communicants increase monthly at Bedwas, Mynydd-yslwyn, and Bedwelltey, in Monmouthshire, and in several other parishes distant from me, where the schools have been for one or two quarters : and if you had been able to afford them the continuance of the schools for a longer time, it 3 22 is thought that by the blessing of God the effect" would have been proportionable ; as we find it has been in other places, where they have been for three or four quarters. " 3. It was difficult for the poor to find fit persons, according to the excellent institution of our church, to stand godfathers and god- mothers to their children when they brought them to be baptized ; as few made conscience of receiving the Lord's Supper, indeed very few could give a tolerable account of it, nor of the creed and ten commandments, nor of the very plainest principles of Christian religion. " 4. The Welsh schools have been means, under God, to reform the profanation of the Sabbath-day ; which the generality of the common people formally spent in tippling, gaming, &c., notwith- standing all the good laws in force against it. Many of them at pre- sent are as fervent for the sanctification of it, as before they were in profaning it ; for as then they assembled together for their plays and diversions without much interruption, neighbours associate now on the Lord's-day evening to read their Bibles or other good books, and to repeat what they remember of the instructions given them from the pulpit in the morning ; singing psalms and praying with their families, which before they were taught to read they neither did nor could do. They gratefully own the light and reformation they are now blessed with, to be owing (next under God) to the charitable supporters of these schools ; which they acknowledge to be the most beneficial charity that ever could be offered towards promoting' religion amng the poor and ignorant, praying God to continue and prosper, and abundantly to reward the authors of it." Extract of a Letter from the Rev. Jenlcin Jones, Curate of Llanbadock, Monmouthshire. "It is with a great deal of pleasure I acquaint you that I find much benefit by your charity in my neighbourhood already. Instead of five or six communicants generally in Llanbadock twice or thrice in a year, I have now thirty monthly, and expect daily increase. May the Almighty reward you plentifully, and shower down his blessing in a manifold manner upon you and your ad- 23 herents, for your good wishes to our country. Such an universal charity, I am confident, must originally proceed from the great and good God of the universe." The following opens upon us a beautiful glimpse of one of those scenes of simple piety, which marked the progress of these schools throughout the country : Extract of a Letter from the Rev. John Kenrick, Minister of Llangernyw, in Denbighshire. " When I wrote my last to you, I was not aware of your receiving, much less of your publishing the several certificates, in relation to the circulating Welsh Charity Schools, or I would have put mine in the same form : I am now therefore to assure you (and I do it with great truth), that the said school, removed by your indulgence from this village, on May last, to the upper end of the parish, was extremely agreeable, so beyond expression accept- able to the poor inhabitants in that part of the parish, which we call the Blanau of Llangernyw, as that they immediately flocked to him in numbers ; had during the summer quarter about forty boys and girls. Some of whom I have heard read the Bible perfectly well ; and to my very great satisfaction have five or six young lads, that seldom fail attending morning and evening service on Sundays ; and make all the responses audibly and distinctly : and so diligent, yea so indefatigable is the old man, the teacher amongst them, that I never once surprised him as doing nothing, or absent from his charge and employment, and the poor innocents all around him give the mind a very pleasing sensation : one time, of many, I came upon them at prayers, in the litany ; which all from the biggest to the least, answered devoutly ; and was, methought, a lovely scene or sight." 2. THE EFFECTS OF THE SCHOOLS IN SUPPLYING THK DEFICIENCIES OP THE CHTJECH The following exhibits a picture, for which an original may be found in most counties of Wales : 24 Vindication of a Schoolmaster, in "a- Letter from the Parishioners of Llanvihangel-rhos-y Corn, Caermarthenshire. "We whose names are hereunto subscribed, being the inhab'i- V- *'-. tants of the parish of Llanvihangel-rhos-y-Corn, and other adjacent neighbours, do hereby humbly acknowledge ourselves very imich indebted and obliged to our benefactors, for the much esteemed favour and loving-kindness of bestowing on us and many others (though unworthy) a Welsh Charity School, to teach our poor children and other ignorant people to read the word of God in their native language; for which your great charity and mercy towards us, we return our most humble and hearty thanks, -and ' pray Clod to bless and reward you, which we hope he will do, out of that abundant mercy which inclined you to be merciful to our poor ignorant country. And we beg leave to certify, that the master has been very painful and diligent in teaching his scholars not only to read, but likewise to instruct them in the Church Catechism, explainig and confirming the doctrines of it by Scripture proofs, by the help of such authors as have wrote upon the Catechism ; that his scholars might understand, the first rudiments of the Christian religion, and learn to .practise their duty towards God and man. And whereas we are informed, that his diligence has been represented by some (who care not for these things) as if he had taken more upon him than became a schoolmaster, we think it our duty to certify that there was no cause or foundation for it but what we shall freely testify, viz. That the master, when invited to lodge over night with some or other of his scholars in their houses, did use to examine them in the Church Catechism, by the help of his book, in the long winter nights, and sometimes read a chapter, or part of a chapter, in the Bible, bidding them to mind and take notice of the plainest and most observable things and the practical duties contained therein; concluding with singing of a psalm and prayer, and that only in a private house, at the request of ; the householder and his family, and not otherwise; which all hereabout, as well as we, know to ttfe'tyery necessary for us of this neighbourhood: our lately deceased VjJSJSfc- (we are sorry to say it) talcing little care of us, having neithtft sermon 'nor service for several ' Sundays together, in the winter time / he living remotely from u-^ and having three chqrclies to serve, besides a fourth he employed a curate in. And therefore* jfhe master of the Welsh Charity ' School has been, very useful, aftd 56. 27 Scholars who had been educated in them amounted to 158,237. This was certainly a degree of success which the most sanguine friends of the institution could hardly hare anticipated ; we can only justly appreciate its real extent, when we recollect that the population of Wales during this period continued on an average between 4 and 500,000. It should also be kept in mind, that the number of scholars just given applies merely to those who frequented the schools in the day time ; Griffith Jones informs us, that those who received tuition by the night visits of the school- masters were twice as numerous* a class as the regular day-scholars. Nor are these details in any respect a matter of vague conjecture, as one of the duties of the schoolmasters was to keepf a minute account of the names, dispositions, and progress of their pupils. Two- thirds of the regular day-scholars were adults ; and many instances are recorded of old men who " for age were obliged to wear spectacles," coming to the schools for the purpose of learning to read; and this interesting feature of humble literary zeal is well known to have presented itself frequently in more recent times, when schools of a similar character were founded in North Wales, by Mr. Charles, of Bala, and his coadjutors. Many old persons came, and bursting into tears, lamented " that they had not had an opportunity of learning forty of fifty years sooner ;"|| and several blind persons constantly attended during the hours, of tuition, and by dint of attention to what was going on, learned by heart several chapters of the Bible, Servants were in the habit of hiring labourers " to serve in their room," to enable them to frequent the schools, and afterwards of spending the lng winter- nights in imparting their little stock of lore to their fellow-servants ; in one word, every incident in the history of these schools contributes to prove that th ignorance of the Welsh of that time was ascribable to a total want of the means of knowledge, And not to any indisposition in the people to employ them when offered. * Welsh Piety, first number, p. 65. t Griffith Jones's Letter, in Welsh Piety, first number, p. 3. J Ditto, p. 65. Ditto, p. 26. || Ditto, p. 5, 6. 28 It may now be asked with what degree of propriety the rise of Dissent in Wales can be connected with the name of Griffith Jones a man whose whole life was spent in exertions to render the Establishment impregnable against Dissent on the one hand, and the more fearful encroachments of sin, ignorance, and superstition, on the other ? One answer only can be given ; it is a melancholy truth a truth, nevertheless, but too well sanctioned by experience, that a few pious ministers are the weakness, and not the strength of an Establishment, when the majority of its ministers are sunk in indifference to their sacred duties ! The zeal of the few only serves to cast into darker shade the apathy of the many ; and, by raising the moral sentiment of the people, to make them more sensitively intolerant of the abuses that surround them. It is upon this principle only, that we can explain whence it was, that Methodism broke out first, and most extensively, in that division of Wales where tlie Poems of Rhees Pritchard and the schools of Griffith Jones had exerted the most powerful influence. And hence it was, that so many of those clergymen who had been connected with the latter became eventually the missionaries of Methodism ;* and it may also be remarked, that the irregularities of the Methodist clergy, which led in the end to systematic itinerancy, appear to have begun by the practice of preaching from church to church, which they seem to have adopted in imitation of Griffith Jones's " Easter and Whits an " circuits. In tracing the effects of Griffith Jones's schools, in the plain and unsophisticated narratives of the clergymen who corresponded with him, we are irresistibly led to three conclusions : 1st. That before the rise of Methodism in Wales, the churches were as little attended by the great mass of the people as now. 2nd. That indifference to all religion prevailed as widely then as Dissent in the present day. * Daniel Rowland first imbibed serious views of religion from Griffith Jones : see Life uf Rowland, in the Golewid Cymru, for 13-6. Howel Davies, another Methodist clergyman, was his pupil : see Griffith Jones's Life^ in the Tryaorva. 29 3rd. That if the influential members of the Church had evinced the same zeal for the religions education of the people as was shewn by Griffith Jones and his coadjutors, the Welsh peasantry would have continued to look to the Church for instruction, instead of seeking it from the Methodists. Now, notwithstanding the zealous support afforded to him by a large portion of the clergy, there can be no difficulty in affirming that he must have met with quite as much opposition from another portion of his brethren ; in those days many of the higher classes were systematically opposed to the education of the poor; a few of the Welsh clergy (though, I trust, but a few), are so, even yet. He un- equivocally intimates, in one of his letters, that the Bishops of Wales had not even countenanced* his measures. Alluding to the various discouragements and vexatious calumnies to which he had been exposed, he adds, with much feeling and eloquence, " The temple- work, it seems, must be carried on still with a weapon of defence in one hand, as well as with a building instrument in the other!" The more attentively we consider the plan of the " Circulating Schools," the more strongly shall we feel inclined to admire it. Had the scanty funds by which they were propelled been ex- pended in a given number of local endowments, it needs hardly be remarked, how insignificant in comparison would have been the effects produced ! Nor was economy the only excellence of the machinery of the system ; it was eminently efficient and elastic. Continual change of place and scene preserved the activity and zeal of the schoolmaster, and increased at once his professional tact and his general intelligence; whilst the necessity of maintaining a character for diligence and piety, in .a succession of strange neigh- bourhoods, formed a stimulus and a discipline very unlike that to which his stationary village brethren are generally subjected. It * Welsh Piety, for 1741, p. 29. This neglect will appear the more extraor- dinary, when we consider, that the " Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge," a society conducted under the auspices of the rulers of the Church of England, had given the schools their sanction and support. 30 also be remarked, that the influence of one of these wandering preceptors must have been greatly augmented by the same circum* stances which imposed on him a higher degree of energy and self- restraint ; a strange face would naturally have its attractions in the schoolroom just as it now has in the pulpit> and the consciousness that his was but a mere " angel visit " that school and school- master would pass away with the long social nights of winter,* furnished his pupils with a powerful motive to a close and speedy attention to study. And when, after the lapse of years, the school- master returned to the scene of his early labours, he would be wel- comed back with all the fondness felt for an honoured guest an old long-absent friend! No one who is familiar with the habits of the Welsh peasantry can fail to perceive how nicely all these arrangements were calculated to make the engine of education float as it were with the tide of their every-day manners and fancies. Accordingly, its salutary tendency became every day more visible throughout the country ; the brutal "fights which at one time disgraced it, gave way to scenes of moral beauty and religious tenderness, very like those which travellers have witnessed amongst the romantic mountains of the Protestant Yau- dois, children employed in the work of mutual religious instruction, a spirit of decency and devotion extending itself amongst people of all ages and ranks ; in one word, the course of each of these little Nomade Gymnasia was traceable through the sequestered glens it had visited, by the softened manners and the improved feelings which it had left behind on the whole population. It is truly painful to reflect, that this noble moral revolution ; should have tended at last to a schism from a Church which, in its * Welsh Piety, first number, p. 5. "The inconveniency of the days being shorter than in summer is no disadvantage to the design ; for they (i. e. ser- vants and labourers) commonly use to be together for four or five hours in the night ; and several labourers, whom the pressing necessities of their poor families will not admit to attend the schools by day, do, in some places, constantly restart to them at night." 31 general spirit and ordinary administration, may justly be held tlid purest and most tolerant in the world ! Yet, such was the result. After Mr. Jones's death, the schools were superintended and chiefly supported by a Mrs. Bevan, of Laugharne, in Caermarthenshire, who left a legacy of 10,000 to them. But, unhappily, on the death df this benevolent lady, about the year 1 780, her will was litigated, and her bounty remained hung up in the Court of Chancery bill 1811 ; in that year the legacy, with an immense arrear, of interest, was awarded to the schools, which have since continued their operations. But, in the mean time, the means of knowledge had been withdrawn ; that splendid instrument of education, which had risen like a dream like a dream had passed away ; there was a void an d the Methodists supplied it ! Schools on a similar model, as we shaF lereafter prove, were established in the interval, by Mr. Charles, of Bala : and before the year 1811, the whole country had learnt to regard the Metho- dists and Dissenters as the instructors of the people. This brief memoir of Griffith Jones may be concluded with his wkrning to his brethren on this very subject. It is a striking instance of foresight and sagacity, and an interesting specimen of his peculiar style : "The poor have now in many places a stirring among them, they thirst for knowledge, and if they have it not in the Church, they wilt turn about and apply to some other. To refuse the necessary means of instruction, would tempt them to look upon it as a step towards reducing them again under the yoke of bondage, which their fore- fathers have been some time subject to in former days, or as this foreboding of threatening Popish darkness."* We are now arrived at the period when Methodism began to as- sume a positive and tangible shape in the Principality. Before enter- ing at large into its history, it is necessary to observe, that the Welsh Methodists are a body distinct, both in origin and doctrine, from thd Wesleyans, the sect to whom that appellation is generally applied in England. The latter, it is well known, are Arminians ; but the for- * Welsh Piety for 1740 and 1741, p. 34. 32 mer profess Calvinistic opinions. It is, indeed, usually supposed, that the Methodism of Wales was merely a result of that general religious impulse first communicated by Wesley and Whitefield ; and that its first propagators were followers and disciples of those two celebrated men. We are, however, in possession of the clearest evidence, that this is an erroneous opinion. It is true, indeed, that both Wesley and Whitefield did occasionally visit the Principality, and that a good deal of friendly intercourse was carried on between them and the patriarchs of Welsh Methodism : but it is an interes- ting fact, that religious societies had been formed in Wales, by Howel Harris, some time before the fame of either of the two Eng- lish Preachers had extended itself very widely ; indeed, before White- field had even received deacon's orders. Yet, separated as the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists are, by language, doctrine, and origin, from the first followers of Wesley, both were originally regular members of the Establishment ; and there is a striking analogy between the phases through which both parties arrived at the point of an unequivocal secession from it. The follow- ing brief summary of the stages by which this result was attained is equally applicable to both denominations : The first step was the adoption of the practice of preaching in the open air, and other irregularities. The second was lay preaching. The third, the formation of religious societies amongst those who were in the habit of listening to itinerant preachers. As each society grew numerous, the necessity was felt for some place of assembly larger than an ordinary dwelling-house: this led to the fourth stage, the erection of chapels. The fifth was the admission of laymen to the functions of the ministry, by which the schism from the Church was com- pleted. Any one who has read Mr. Southey's Life of Wesley will perceive directly that there is a strict analogy between the steps by which Wesley and his followers became Dissenters and the different phases of Welsh Methodism. The Wesleyans, however, passed through these stages with much greater rapidity; for though Wesley did not begin to preach in the open air till long after the 33 first Welsh. Methodists, his followers became decided schismatics in his life time, and by his own consent and instrumentality; whereas the Welsh Methodists clung enthusiastically to the Church till the year 1810, at which period the original founders of their body were in the grave. The following comparison of dates may serve to put the subject in a clearer point of view : WELSH METHODISTS. ENGLISH METHODISTS. 1735* Field preaching by Howel 1739. First field preaching in Eng- Harris. land by Whitefield. Southey's Life of Wesley, vol. i. p. .230. 1736. -Formation, by Howel Harris, 1739. Formation of classes or of religious societies, which societies by John Wesley. afterwards seceded from the Idem, vol. i. p. 391. Church 1810. Ordination of laymen, by 1784. Wesley ordained Dr. Coke. Welsh Methodist clergymen. When we consider the deep ignorance of the plainest doctrines of Christianity, and the general laxity of morals which prevailed in the middle of the last century, throughout the Principality, it may naturally suggest itself, that a man of unusual ardent religious feelines could have looked abroad without sensations similar to those O of a missionary in a heathen land ! Such was the origin of the preaching of Howel Harris, which was, undoubtedly, the commence- ment of Methodism in Wales. Howel Harris was born in the year 1714, at Trevecca, in the parish of Talgarth, in Brecknockshire, f Being connected with * Whitefield was not in deacon's orders till the year 1736. t Since the publication of the first edition of this Essay, I have met with a curious little tract, which is my principal authority for the following life of Howel Harris. It is entitled, "Hanes Ferr o Fywyd Howel Harris, Yscwier, a dunwyd allan o'i Ysgrifeniadau ef ei hun, Trevecea, 1792:" i.e. "A History of the Life of Howel Harris, Esquire, extracted from his own Manu- scripts." There can be little doubt, considering the date and the place of publication, that this little compilation was the work of one of the inmates of of the Monastery of Trevecca, done by authority of the Fraternity. 34 the patrors of some benefices in his neighbourhood, he was destined by his friends for the Church. He describes himself as having continued till his 21st year, without any very serious views on the subject of his intended profession, though his mind was occasionally visited with strong misgivings. At this period, a circumstance occurred, to which he ascribes the whole tenor of his subsequent life. One Sunday in the year 1735, he went to Talgarth Church; the subject of the sermon was the responsibility incurred by those who neglected a regular attendance at the Sacrament. In noticing the popular objections raised to the performance of this religious duty, the minister proceeded to advert to those who excuse them- selves from coming to the communion on the ground of their un- worthiness to partake of it. "If," he exclaimed, " you are unfit to visit the table of the Lord, you are unfit to visit the church, you are unfit to live, and unfit to die ! " Harris, who, it should seem, had not been very constant in his attendance at the communion, was forcibly conscience-struck by these expressions ; his feeble and half-stifled compunctions burst out into a deep sense of remorse ; he determined to relinquish the trifling habits which he had contracted, and to make the service of God from that time forward the key-stone of his conduct. He lost no time in evincing the force of his new resolutions ; on his way from church, that very Sunday, meeting with a neighbour with whom he had been at variance, he confessed that he had been in error, and entreated his forgiveness.* He remained for some time in a state of great mental anguish ; at last his spirit revived, and he immedi- ately commenced the practice of going about, f exhorting and in- structing the poor at their own houses, which formed, for a long time afterwards, the sole occupation of his life. In November, 1735, he went up to Oxford to finish his studies, preparatory to taking orders, but was so much offended at the immorality which prevailed there, that, after keeping one term, he determined to return to his native country. On arriving at home, he resumed his former * Confirmed in Whitefield'a Journal, p. 163. t Ditto, p. 164. 35 practice of exhorting and preaching. His discourses were generally delivered " in a field ; but at other times in a house, from a wall, a table, or anything else."* About the end of the year 1 786, he established religious societies ; the following is his own account of this measure : " By this time many had become imbued with serious impres- sions ; and I began to establish religious societies. In the formation of these associations, I followed the rules given by Dr. "Woodward, in a work written by him on the subject. Previously to this period, no societies of the kind had been founded either in Wales or England. The English Methodists had not become famous as yet, although, as I afterwards learnt, several of them in Oxford were at that time under strong religious influences. "f The date alleged by Harris for the commencement of his societies is confirmed by Whitefield, who, in his Journal for 1739, which year he visited the Principality, affirms that Harris had by that time established thirty of them in South Wales-t Though at the time he began to organise these societies, Howel Harris had abandoned all thoughts of entering into the Church, there is not the slightest reason to suppose, that he foresaw, that each of these confederacies would become the nucleus of a Dissenting- congregation. Indeed, the members of these societies were at first exclusively Churchmen ; and the revival of the real spirit of Christi- anity within the Establishment was his professed object through life, an object, which he certainly pursued with single-mindedness, good faith, and courage, though not always with discretion. There is an interesting passage in Bishop Burnett's History of his Own Times, which places his conduct on this occasion in a very different light from that in which it has generally been viewed, inasmuch as it renders it probable, that the formation of these societies was rather an imitation of measures which had already met with considerable countenance in the Church, than the introduction of a novelty entirely of his own invention. J * Whitefield's Journal, p. 164. t Ditto. J A.D. 1702 Vol. iii. 349. 36 " Sticli an evil spirit as is now spread among the clergy would be a sad speculation at any time ; but in our present circumstances, when we are near so great a crisis, it is a dreadful thing : but a little to balance this, I shall give an account of more promising beginnings and appearances, which, though they are of an elder date, yet of late they have been brought into a more regulated form. In King James's reign, the fear of Popery was so strong as well as just, that many in and about London began to meet often together, both for devotion and for their further instruction ; things of that kind had formerly been practised only among the Puritans and the Dissenters ; but these were of the Church, and came to their ministers to be assisted with forms of prayer and other directions : they were chiefly conducted by Dr. Beveridge and Dr. Horneck. Some disliked this, and were afraid it might be the original of new factions and parties ; but wiser and better men thought it was not fit nor decent to check a spirit of devotion at such a time: it might have given scandal, and it seemed a discouraging of piety, and might be a mean to drive well-meaning persons over to the Dissenters. After the revolution, these societies grew more numerous ; and for a greater encouragement to devotion, they got such collections to be made as maintained many clergymen to read prayers in so many places, and at so many different hours, that devout persons might have that comfort at every hour of the day; there were constant sacraments every Lord's day in many churches: there were both great numbers and greater appearance of devotion at prayers and sacraments, than had been observed in the memory of man."* In 1732, "W"hitefi eld and Howel Harris met for the first time at Cardiff; similarity of character and doctrinal opinion ensured a cordial meeting. The former, in his Journal, points out symptoms in the state of Wales, from which he very justly augurs the subse- * Howel Harris affirms that the effect of his preaching and other measures, was to make each denomination more attentive to their religious duties according to their own peculiar views, to send the Churchman to the Church, and the Dissenter to the Dissenting ChapeL 37 quern*, result. To quote his own language, "People make nothing of coming twenty miles to hear a sermon, and great numbers there are who are not only hearers but doers also of the Word; so that there is a most comfortable prospect of the spreading of the Gospel in Wales. I really believe there are some now living which shall not taste of death till they see the kingdom of God come with power."* About the same time, Harris had an interview with John Wesley at Bristol; and, although prepossessed against him, his feelings were entirely changed, after he had heard him preach on the leading doctrines of Christianity; and he acknowledges, with much simplicity, the impression made upon liim, when, before they retired to rest, Wesley prayed with much fervour and eloquence, "for Griffith Jones, for myself, and for Wales. "f In the year 1736, Daniel Rowland, Curate of Llangeitho, in Cardiganshire, associated himself with Howel Harris. Before this time, he had been very indifferent to his professional duties; the remarkable change that took place in him was begun by the friendly advice and remonstrances of a pious minister of the Inde- pendent persuasion, who had a congregation in his parish, and con- summated by one of Griffith Jones's sermons. J The former, whose name was Hugh Pugh, was long known in the tradition of the country, by the quaint but expressive title of "Hugh Pugh dinod," or the faultless: it is recorded, that when Rowland's popularity began to increase; and to attract away some part of the congrega- tion of his early Mentor, instead of repining, this excellent old man expressed himself in terms of unfeigned joy, that his advice had prevailed even to the detriment of his own worldly interests. Both Harris and Rowland occasionally extended their preaching into North Wales at that time a land of no slight peril to any kind of itinerant preacher ; and both of them, on many occasions, ran no small risk of their lives from the fury of the mob. Harris was once nearly stoned to death near Bala. But the kind of persecu > * Whitefield's Journal, p. 166. t Hanes Ferr. J Goleuad Cymru for 1826. 4 38 tion to which the Methodist Preachers were most frequently expo- sed, consisted of attempts to stifle their voices with drums, speaking trumpets, &c. There is no doubt, that these annoyances were in many instances nothing more than a retaliation for an ill-timed interruption of amusements, perfectly harmles-i in themselves, and reprehensible only when carried to excess. At the" same time, there is no doubt, that the magistrates of the country were frequently betrayed by their prejudices, into acts of oppression. Several of Harris's lay preachers were pressed during the war ; and, though they were ultimately released, it was clear that this was merely for the purpose of petty persecution. These unjust measures were not only reprehensible, but unwise ; since they tended very much to the progress of those opinions which they were intended to stifle. To answer its end at all persecution must be carried to its height ; by sweeping away every living professor of a creed, its progress may be arrested for ever ; and hence the suppression of the Refor- mation in Italy and in Spain. But all inferior grades of intolerance serve only to give to the persecuted a hold upon the pity and affec- tions of the multitude, more particularly amongst a people by nature open to such impressions. In these violent proceedings, the clergy were sometimes implicated ; but they seem on the whole, to have been much more temperate in their conduct than the lay magistrates. In the year 1743, the Methodists had made great progress in South Wales ; they had at this time ten clergymen belonging to them, forty lay preachers, or "advisers," (cynghorwyr,) and one hundred and forty societies. Rowland had three thousand commu- nicants in Cardiganshire, and Howel Davies two thousand in Pembrokeshire . * The rapidity with which Methodism overran South Wales has been well described by a term frequently used by the old Welsh bards, to indicate the career of a conflagration, over the withered underwood of the mountains (" goddaith ").f In 1752, however, its advance was for some time impeded by a breach between Harris and * Hanes y Methodistiaid, p. 21. f Ditto. 39 Bowland, which led to the abandonment, by the former, of the active life he had previously led. Endowed with a constitution of such iron hardihood, as to keep pace even with his own ardent and restless spirit, he had been enabled to go through a life of amazing exertion, having, for many years past, travelled about twenty miles, and preached three or four times every day. His journeys generally lay through the rugged mountains of Wales ; but he had also iti- nerated through the English counties of Kent, Essex, Bucking- ham, Wilts, Somerset, Gloucester, Oxford, Warwick, and Here- ford.* After his variance with Rowland, he adopted the singular resolution of founding a monastic institution on Protestant prin- ciples ; and accordingly, retiring to his own estate at Trevecca, he erected there an edifice for the reception of such persons as might choose to pass the remainder of their days in such a place of seclusion from the busy scenes of this world ! In the year 1754, about one hundred pilgrims had arrived at Trevecca, from different parts of Wales. The course of life pursued by these recluses was yery analagous to that of some of the Popish Orders of Monks ; they assembled for divine service three times in the course of the twenty- four hours ; and their first summons to prayer was before dawn. This last feature of the institution is thus alluded to in a Welsh poem, written by a Methodist bard, to express his regret that Harris had retired from the labours of a public preacher : With him, within Trevecca'a walla, Prayer long before the dawn> is found ; Whilst yet the reign of slumber falls, In listless dreams, on all around. Y mae gweddi cyn y wawr-ddydd, Yn Nhrevecca ganddo fe ; 'K amser bo trwm-gwsg freuddwydlyd Yn teyrnasu yn llawer lle.t * Hants Ferr, p. 68. t Trysorva, vol. ii. 40 In the year 1759, a circumstance occurred, which again opened a new career to this singular man, who seemed destined to exhibit in himself the extremes of energy and repose. A dread of a French invasion being at that time prevalent, the Lord Lieutenant of the county of Brecon applied to him to accept a commission in the Militia ; after some consultation with his Fraternity, he consented to take an Ensigncy, on condition, however, that he should be at liberty to preach to the Militia and to the people of those towns in which they might be stationed on duty. These terms were readily conceded ; and accordingly, he joined the regiment, with twenty- four of the inmates of his Monastery, twelve of whom he supported through the campaign at his own expense. After having been for some time an Ensign, he was promoted to a Captaincy, and enjoyed what to him must have been a much higher gratifica- tion, an opportunity of preaching at will through the remotest districts of England, with the bold yeomanry of his native county for his body guard. This was a proud change indeed, from the time when he could hai-dly venture to preach a few miles from his own home, without exposing himself to danger ! In this kind of life, he continued three years; and on peace being proclaimed at the end of that period, he and his twenty-four Knights Templars, after having given full proof of their loyalty and patriotism, returned once more to the solitude of Trevecca, from whence he rarely afterwards absented himself. Harris was always anxious to be considered a firm friend to the Church, as an institution, and used to bring forward man}' arguments to defend himself from the charge of having encroached on the functions of the clergy. Every Sunday, he attended, with all his brethren, at Tal garth Church, where they were accommodated with a separate gallery, and where the Vicar of the parish was in the habit of administering the Sacrament to them once a month, apart from the rest of the congregation. In 1 768, at the request and expense of Lady Huntingdon, he changed his paternal mansion at Trevecca into a College, for the education of lay preachers, to officiate in her chapels. The tenets 41 of the ministers of Lady Huntingdon's Connection are precisely the same as those of the Welsh Calvinistic Methodists ; both pro- fess to regard themselves rather as auxiliaries than rivals of the Establishment. The former, however, read the Church Service in their chapels, and in this 'respect approximate still nearer to the Church than the latter, who have no set form of prayer. Ic was Harris's practice to attend at the College once every day, to exhort, and converse with the students ; and, with the exception of a few occasional excursions, to preach in the neighbouring counties, this continued to be his only avocation till his decease, which occurred in July 1773. On his death-bed, he repeated the expressions of attachment to the Church of England which he had so often em- ployed ; and directed, that his ashes should be entombed under- neath the altar of Talgarth Church, the spot where he was first struck with a sense of sin, and of the necessity of a Saviour. About twenty years ago, an excellent North Welsh clergyman stiJl living, was led, in the course of an excursion through South Wales, to visit the neighbourhood of Trevecca. Ho found the monastery still in existence under a new President, who pressed him with much warmth to remain and dine with him and his Fraternity. On this invitation being accepted, his host seemed highly pleased, and the whole household evinced an evident grati- fication at having a clergyman of the Church of England for their guest. In the course of the evening, the conversation naturally turned on the days of Howel Harris and Daniel Rowland, when the hospitable successor of the former remarked, "The revival of religion began in the Church in those days, and I think it is begin- ning in the Church now." The breach between Rowland and Harris was for some time a considerable impediment to the progress of Methodism ; neverthe- less, it still continued to gain ground as rapidly as ever in Cardi- ganshire and Caerrnarthenshire, two counties in which the eloquence of the former was incessantly exerted. Towards the latter end of the last century, Rowland was expelled from his curacy, after having held it for about forty years ; during the rest of K* life, he preached chiofly at a chapel that had been built 42 for him in the village of Llangeitho. After his expulsion from the Church, this little place came to be looked upon as the very Jerusalem of Methodism. Two thousand communicants were often seen waiting to receive the Sacrament from his hands: individuals of the lower and middle ranks would often walk fifty or even eighty miles to hear him ; and the peasantry have been sometime known to embark by sea from the distant coast of Caer- narvonshire, for the purpose of attending on his ministry.* On one occasion, a meeting was held at Llangeitho, under his auspices, at which twenty clergymen and sixty- eight lay preachers were present. f I have frequently heard the early Welsh Methodists described as proverbial for simplicity, humility, and benevolence : since their separation from the Church of England a far lower tone of morality has prevailed amongst this body, which is in some measure ascribable to the inferior grade of preachers entailed upon them by that event. The clergy connected with them were probably the most powerful and efficient preachers at that time belonging to the Welsh Church. One of them, Peter Williams, is illustrious as having published no fewer than three editions of the Bible, with annotations, and in the last instance with a very considerable pecuniary loss to himself. Another Methodist clergyman, William Williams of Pant-y-Celyn, is highly esteemed as a religious poet ; and it is an interesting instance of the high veneration still entertained by the Welsh for the bardic character and bardic lore, that the Methodists date the revival of their cause from the day on which William Williams came with a volume of Hymns to Llangeitho. In fact, the great strength of their preaching lay in its harmony with the feelings of the people ; the sermons of Rowland were Christian lessons taught in that metaphorical style in which all Celtic nations delight. A gentleman who had frequently heard Wesley and Whitefield and other great preachers, was in the habit of saying that Eowland far surpassed them all. "His oratory," he would say, "bears most resemblance to that of * Dri/ch yr Amseroedd. f Morgan'i Life v 43 "Whitefield ; but thea there is this striking distinction, that when "Whitefield rose in eloquence, he appeared to fail in matter, whereas Rowland seemed to rise because he was overwhelmed with matter." The following specimen of the peculiar depth and beauty of metaphor which he mingled in his sermons, may not be without its interest ; but I should premise, that lie rarely preached without walking about for some time alone in silent meditation : on one of these occasions, as he was wandering near a river which ran by his house, it was observed that he frequently stopped, plunged his staff into the stream, and gazed at it with eccentric earnestness, an action which at that time appeared strange and unmeaning. Yet how beautifully was it explained, when on the next sabbath, while preaching on the afflictions of Christians, he burst forth into the following wild but splendid passage : "In this world the cross of Christ seems crooked, though in reality it is straight, as the staff seems bent when immersed in the waters. Oh ! the waters of affliction have passed over my soul, and the billows of death surround me ! It is the waters of affliction the afflictions of this life, that obscure to us the ways of Provi- dence ; but hereafter what is dark shall be enlightened and what is crooked made straight." Rowland died in the year 1790; on his death-bed he declared himself firmly attached to the Church of England, adding with enthusiasm, "True religion has begun in the Church, and into the Church it will ere long return !" His death occurred on Satur- day evening, and when the melancholy tidings were communi- cated on the morrow to the congregation that had assembled to hear him, they could not be prevailed upon to attend during that day upon the preaching of another minister, but dispersed themselves to their respective homes, with the strongest expres- sions of grief and dismay.* I have heard it observed, by a gentleman who resided in a neighbouring district of South Wales, that he has the most vivid recollection of the death of * Gokuad for 1825. 44 Daniel Rowland, though at that time in his childhood ; it seemed to agitate the whole country, and the people evidently regarded it in the light of a great public calamity. Though Methodism was at first extremely unpopi^ar in North Wales, towards the end of the last century, a missionary sprung up, who was destined to carry it into the the wildest recesses of Snowdon. This was the Kev. Thomas Charles : he was a native of Caermarthenshire, but had served a curacy in North Wales. Hereafter, few names will excite such mingled emotions of pride and regret iu the hearts of his countrymen. To him we owe much of the very civilization of our land. It was he who, in exchange for the Popish ignorance of the last century, diffused among the North Wales peasantry, those deep, moral, and religious feelings, and that thirst for information which at present characterise them : nor was his influence confined to his own country ; he was the founder of institutions which extend over the whole Christian world. "The Bible Society" commenced with him, and two of his countrymen ; and, according to Dr. Pole, he is to be considered as the originator of the " Adult schools." It is melancholy to thick, that such a man should have been led to secede from the Church of England, much more so, that he should have been the instrument of wider separation from her. With such a leader, we need not be surprised that the progress of Methodism in North Wales was one of the most rapid of religious changes. When he first joined them, they were a small and persecuted body ; at his death, their chapels were to be found in almost every parish in that division of the Principality. In North Wales, the Methodist clergy were looked upon with great jealousy; and in the year 1783, Charles became so unpo- pular with a portion of his parishoners, that he chose to resign his curacy; he found it impossible to gain any employment afterwards in the Church in North Wales. This involuntary idleness was a source of great anguish to a conscience like his, morbidly sensitive. Though an admirer, and in some respects, 45 a follower of Rowland, he had scruples against preaching in the Methodist chapels ; at the same time, he was distracted by the idea of remaining ic^e ; and this at length drove him to forsake the Chr-ch altogether, and to become ;i preacher in the Methodist Connection. He found them hardly recovered from the effects of the division between Rowland and Harris. He, however, soon infused new life into their cause, by the well-regulated system of co-operation which he established amongst the preachers of the body. He was himself indefatigable, travelling during the most inclement seasons over wild and dreary mountains, and often preaching two or three times in the course of the day. In the midst of these toils, he began to form circulating schools on the model of those of Griffith Jones. This he accomplished partly through the assistance of English friends and partly by hia stipend as a minister, which he devoted entirely to this purpose, relying for his own support on the industry of his wife ; he taught most of the first masters of these schools himself. Nor were the people less zealous than their preceptor ; the same avidity for in- struction which Wesley had remarked in South Wales soon be- came apparent in the North ; and the schools after a time acquired fresh support daily. The cause of the Methodists was mud: advanced by their habits of meeting in largo bodii s for religious purposes. Nothing can be more imposing than such an assemblage in a mountainous region, as is well known to those who may have seen a " sacra- mental occasion" in the Highlands of Scotland;* to the feelings of the Welsh, it was peculiarly suited, and the effect of such meetings may be judged of from the following anecdotes. Charles having heard that a kind of rural festivity called by the country people " Wakes," was about to take place in h^s neighbourhood, had a party of children drawn up before the inn, near the scene where the merry making was to be held, where he catechised them en Scriptve precepts that seemed directed against such rejoicing; * See Letters in the Nev) Monthly Magazine, 46 and strange to say, the revel was actually broken up !* At another time he had a similar examination before the principal inn of a town in North Wales, long known as "An immoral and a perse- cuting place." The result was shortly afterwards the establish- ment of a school there, containing one hundred children ! The success of these bold experiments can only be ascribed to the peculiar character of the Welsh people. On several occasions, Charles assembled together in the open air, and in a central district, all the children who had been taught in the schools of North Wales, and they amounted to several thousands. The number of readers had so far increased, that in 1799, he established a Welsh religious periodical. In 1803, he established a press at Bala, in order to print books for his schools. He also printed an elaborate work, called " The Welsh Scriptural Dictionary," and a " Scriptural Catechism." The first has gone through two editions, and the latter no less than fifteen. Some time after this, Charles and some Welsh clergymen founded a society for supplying Wales with Bibles. The plan of this after- wards was enlarged into that of the "British and Foreign Bible Society." The prominent part he had taken in the institution of this society was testified in a manner that must have been highly gratifying to him ; he was appointed honorary governor for life, at a time when it had obtainedjmuch of its present power and popularity. A very interesting part of Charles's life is an excursion which he made into Ireland, in company with two other genllemen, at the request of the Hibernian Society, for the purpose of ascer- taining the religious state of the country and the best means of instructing the people, whether through the medium of the English * One of Griffith Jones's Schoolmasters succeeded by means somewhat similar in reforming a place so notorious for swearing, that even the chil- dren were guilty of it. Both Charles and Griffith Jones seem often to have infused a new spirit into the adult population, by the affecting exhibition of the amendment they had produced in the simple mind of infancy. Whole districts thus often learnt wisdom put of the mouths of " babes and sucklings." 47 or Irish language.* He decided in favour of the latter, and his opinion has since been acted upon on a very large scale. He found in the state of the Irish Church, defects analagous to those which paralyze the Church in his native country ; the Irish lan- guage was cultivated only by the Romish Priests. " Popery," he says, " and the Irish language always go together: when the one is spoken the other prevails." After delivering his opinion as to the necessity of making Irish the medium of instruction, he adds the following interesting remarks : " "We have not met with any one who could read Irish. There are no elementary books in their language. Circulating Charity Schools might do wonders, Many parts of Wales in Griffith Jones's time were as dark as Ireland." A short time after his excursion to Ireland, he had the honour of being consulted by a society formed for the diffusion of education in the Highlands of Scotland, as to the best means of promoting this object. He found that in that country also nothing was taught in the schools but English ; the result of his advice was the estab- lishment of Gaelic Schools. "We are now arrived at the period when the Methodists became entirely detached from the Establishment, in consequence of Mr. Charles and other Methodist Clergymen consenting to ordain some of the Lay Preachers. The following is an extract from Charles's Life by a clergyman of the Church of England :f ." There was one subject which had for years been mooted by some members of the connection, and which had occasionally been pressed on the attention of Mr. Charles. The Methodists had hitherto been considered a part of the Established Church. None but episcopally ordained ministers administered the Lord's Supper among them ; and their children were baptized by the minister of the parish in which they lived. But not a few among them were desirous of introducing a different order of things, that is, of having some of the most approved of the lay-preachers ordained after the manner of the Dissenters, or of the English Methodists. Mr. Charles, and, we believe, all the clergy connected with them, * Morgan's Ltfe of Charles, p. 30& t Ditto* 48 resisted this proposal for a long time very strongly, and had it not been for some unhappy circumstances, would probably have wholly prevented its filial adoption. The most powerful plea which the advocates of this opinion had to urge, was the inadequacy of the small number of clergy among them to supply the demands of the connection. The policy pursued by the bishopa tended to increase this difficulty. There were many pious clergy, besides those in actual connection with the Methodists, who accasionally laboured among them and assisted them. And those clergy were on the increase. But the bishops became stricter, and insisted on uniform regularity. This gave great advantage to those who were for introducing a new order of things ; and threw Mr. Charles and many others into great embarrassments. Would it not have been wiser in our spiritual rulers to pursue measures calculated to bring back those who have a little deviated from the road, than such as must of necessity have driven them still further? Too much strict- ness in some things produces often greater evils than too much laxity. It is better to loosen a tight cord than to break it by rendering it tighter. The effect, however, in the present instance, has been to separate from the Church a large and by far the most religious part of the community. It was in 1810 and 1811 that the new system was introduced." It is well known that Charles and his clerical brethren were urged into this indefensible measure, by the continual importunity of some of the lay preachers, who were ambitious to participate in the privileges of that profession of which they already shared both the popularity and the toil. There is reason to believe, that he afterwards felt cause to regret the step he had thus taken, and that this feeling, operating on a mind naturally sensitive, combined with his incessant labours and reckless exposure to the inclement skies of the bleak hills of Q-wynedd, contributed to hasten his decease, which occurred in 1814, while he was yet in the prime of life. Just before his death, no fewer than fourteen thousand Methodists met at the general "association at Bala.* Of Thomas * Morgan's Life of Charles. 49 Charles, of Bala, in his life, different opinions were held, according- ly as men dreaded the evils of schism on one hand, or felt scandal- ized at the apathy of the Church on the other. Thus, while some looked upon him as guilty of the sin of Jeroboam, others revered him as the good Samaritan, who gave the word of life to his countrymen, while their clergy, like the Jewish priest of old, passed haughtily by on the other side. Yet, amongst those who knew him best, there was but one impression as to the goodness of his general intentions ; and perhaps, as men feel more warmly towards Wales, they will think less of his faults, and more of his temptations. Seldom has any country given birth to a man who so eminently combined the talents that guide and enlighten with a guilelessness and a childlike sensibility that seem hardly of this world. Whilst it must be allowed that no necessity of circumstances could justify his assumption to himself of an authority which, as a clergyman of the Church, he had recognized as belonging exclusively to his spiritual superiors, still, it is more important to reflect, whether a system which provoked such a step from such a man can be altogether blameless, or well adapted to ihe religious wants o. his country. It must be remembered, that the causes of Dissent, and not its evils, are the subject of this Essay ; and I may take this opportunity of remarking, that it is for this reason, that the biography of Harris, of Rowland, and of Charles, have occupied so large a portion of the preceding pages, to the exclusion of men who laboured quite as earnestly, in a less conspicuous sphere, and in stricter conformity to the discipline of the Establishment. At the same time, I confess I should consider it rather an unsatisfactory mode of investigating this subject, were I to stop short at mere secondary causes, without enquiring whether there was not some- thing in the administration of the Church itself, which tended to generate these divisions. The real question is, why has the whole country joined the Methodists and Dissenters? The fiist blast of the Alpine horn will bring down the avalanche, but it is from mountains that are covered with the snows of an eternal winter ! CHAPTER II. CAUSES OF DISSENT IN WALES, THE UNPOPULARITY OF THE EPISCOPAL CLERGY ASCBIBABLE TO TWO CAUSES: 1. THEIR WANT OF SYMPATHY WITH THE FEELINGS AND TASTES OF THE PEOPLE. 2. THEIR NEGLECT OF THE LANGUAGE OF THE PEOPLE. BOTH THESE CAUSES THEMSELVES THE EFFECTS OF AN ENGLISH HIERARCHY. " Onr Orators are observed to make use of less gesture or action than these of other countries. Ou* preachers stand stock still in the pulpit, and will not BO much as move a finger, to set off the best sermons in the world I have heard it observed more than once, by those who have seen Italy, that an untravelled Englishman cannot relish all the beauties of Italian pictures, because the postures which are expressed in them are often such as are peculiar to that country. One who has not seen an Italian in the pulpit, will not know what to make of that noble gesture in Raphael's picture of St. Paul preaching at Athens, where the Apostle is represented &n lifting up both his arms, and pouring out the thunder of his rhetoric amidst an audience of Pagan Philosophers." Addison. Spectator, No. 405. " We cannot help thinking, that English Sermons to Welsh Congregations are neither less absurd, nor more edifying, than Welsh Preaching would be in the centre of England, or Latin Service in the Church of Home. In some respect, a greater severity this than is imposed by the Romish Antichrist, who, notwithstanding his robes are red with the blood of the saints, yet ordains that preaching be in the known tongue, through all his provinces." ' Griffith Jones, of Llanddowror. Welsh Piety /or 1739. THE unpopularity of the Church in Wales has a deeper cause than is generally imagined. There are certain differences in the characters of nations that resist all attempts at perfect assimilation ; these peculiarities probably arose in the first instance from the combined influence of climate and social institutions. However this may be, there is irresistible evidence, that the character of the first inhabitants of a country generally commu- nicates itself to each new succession of colonists, and often survives every possible change of laws, language, and civilization. The similarity of disposition between the modern Frenchmen and the primitive Gaul has frequently been noticed; and the Anglo-Irish, 51 descendants of English emigrants were early remarked as the most Hibernian of Hibernians. The same principle applies to the present population of Wales ; the Welsh of the existing era being very much the same people as they were in the time of Giraldus, with the exception of a few favourable traits which are the result of Protestantism and a more tranquil state of society. No one who is tolerably acquainted with both, can help remarking how different, nay, in some points of view, how completely opposite are the Welsh and English character. The Englishman is grave, averse to all superfluity of words and gesture, and so constitutionally jealous of ostentatious virtue, that he is even apt to censure an involuntary burst of real feeling ; whilst the Welshman is imaginative, prone to metaphor and action, and fond of excitement of every kind. Abstractedly speaking, there is perhaps no superiority of moral excellence in either character over the other ; the Englishman's virtues and vices spring from his reason, those of the Cambrian from his feelings ; each temperament has its advantages, and each requires a different kind of moral and religious cultivation. The admirable adaptation of the precepts of Christianity to all ages and countries, can hardly be doubted ; yet it may be said, consistently with this admission, that religion itself cannot be impressively taught, and brought home to the heart, without the aid of that indefinable community of feeling which generally exists between men of the same race, unless the preacher has the instinctive power, as it were, of applying Christian truths, so as best to foster the peculiar virtues of his hearers. Now, it is in this very point, that the Established Church, as at present regu- lated, is ill suited to the Welsh people : the clergy are all edu- cated in England, controlled by English Bishops, and their style of preaching is therefore formed on an English fashion. Thus they insensibly loose the key to the feelings of their coun- trymen. English preachers, in accordance with the taste of their nation, are more staid and formal than those of any people in Europe : they are obviously, therefore, the worst possible models for the young Welsh clergy. The Englishman would regard the eloquence of the Irish bar as flowery nonsense and affectation ; at 52 the same time, to the Welsh mountaineer, a sermon delivered in calm and unimpassioned English, style, appears unnatural and even hypocritical. At the present moment, the exciting discourses of the Welsh Dissenters are popular, not because the people would, in ordinary circumstances, run into excesses, but from the revulsion of a feeling that should have been wisely directed and not thwarted. The impulse to Dissent is not given by the noise and vociferation too often employed by the Dissenting Minister, but by the want amongst the clergy of even that degree of animation which is a part of the natural habits, a part, I had almost said, of the language of the country. In accounting for the spread of Dissent in Wales, in my humble opinion, too much stress has generally been laid on the neglect of the Welsh language, and too little on the peculiarities of the Welsh character. I cannot help thinking, that if the Carnbro-British dialect could be annihilated in a day, the want of s}*mpathy between the clergy and their flocks would still continue to alienate the hearts of the people from the Establishment. Many great and good men* have been advocates for that under- current oi national "eeling that at present prevails in Wales, as in Scotland and Ireland, and many of the greatest English writers of the present day have sanctioned it. It is certainly unwise to wage war with those distinctions which only serve to promote a friendly and genial emulation. The strength of the British empire will be found to depend not on intellectual monotony, but on the varied endowments of the great Celtic and Teutonic families. An ancient language or usage ought never ^o stand in the way of civilizatior ; yet the civilization of a people should as far as possible be built on, and blended with, its hereditary and generous associations. I" there be one thing more than another for which Wales is indebted to the manly and dignified liberality * Dr. Johnson was even an advocate for the preservation of the Welsh language, and "proposed a scheme'' for effecting that purpose during his ex- cursion in Wales. See Johnson's Tour in Wales. 53 of Englishmen, it is for having in her case kept these principles fairly in view ; we should be ungrateful did we forget what our Llwyd* owed to Sir Isaac Newton, and how much Welsh literature is indebted to South ey, to Mackintosh, to Sharon Turner, and to Heber. It is with the greatest reluctance, then, that I feel myself bound to state a conviction that may at first sight seem to savour of an ungracious national jealousy ; yet, after the most anxious and careful consideration of the subject, I feel that I owe it to truth, to state my persuasion that the crying abuse of the Church in Wales, and the fundamental cause of all the defects peculiar to the Cliurch in that country, is the system of conferring her Bishoprics on Englishmen. For the last century not one individual has ruled a Welsh diocese who possessed the faintest knowledge of the language of the people ! No one would protest more strongly than I should against a puerile clamour at an Englishman holding a high office in Wales, merely because he was an Englishman; my objection is founded purely on the broad Protestant principles of the Church of England, on the Protestant principles of all her pious members ; thus far would I go and no farther. Novel and even fantastic as the pro- position may at first sight appear, I am compelled to say, that if the principle of the Reformation were emancipation from a slavery to mere superstitious sounds, and its object to give religion once more to the hearts and language of the people, I cannot perceive any real distinction between the present Ecclesiastical government of Wales and a recurrence to the worst practices of Popery! A consideration of the duties attached to the dignity of a Prelate of the English Church, will, I trust, prove that this is no exaggerated view of the subject. They may be divided into two classes: First, his duty as a Minister; secondly, his duty as an Ecclesiastical Ruler. And, first, of his responsibility as a Minister and an Evangelist. To the great bulk of the people of Wales, the language of her Bishops is as unintelligible as the Breviary ; from the pulpit, therefore, they can do nothing to augment her religious privileges, * Cambrian Biography. 5 54 or allay her sestarian differences ; whatever may be the depth Cf their erudition, or the splendour of their eloquence, from the moment they have reconciled themselves to take the charge of a nation of whose language they are entirely ignorant those high endowments become as the " talent " which was " burie;l in the earth." It has, indeed, been said that religious instruction is no part of the episcopal functions, that "it is not in the bond,"- and therefore the people of Wales have no reason to complain ! But it needs hardly be remarked, that there never was a period in which the Bishops of England neglected the practice of preaching to the people, and there never was a time in which the salutary in- fluence of this practice on the clergy and the community was denied. Those who have frequently had opportunities of listening to the present eminent Bishop of London will not readily allow that it is no injury to a people to be deprived of the ministerial labours of their Diocesan. Accordingly, when that prelate was Bishop of Chester, a forcible parallel was drawn between the state of his diocese and that of an adjoining one, in which the Bishop could not even repeat the Lord's prayer in the language of his people ! But, giving this palliation of abuses its fall weight allowing that it is wise and prudent in itself, when the Church is beset on all sides respectful to the feelings of seven hundred thou- sand people to weigh their religious claims in the discrimi- nating scales of the usurer, and to circumscribe the spirit of an awful responsibility, by the dry letter of the law allowing all this as far as the preceding topic is concerned, yet, what are we to say of the mode in which the rite of Confirmation is administered in Wales ? It cannot, in this case, be said, that the responsibility rests with the parochial clergy, and attaches but in a slight degree to the Bishop ; for, in this instance, a duty arises, attaching primarily, solely, and exclusively, to the Bishop a duty which cannot be performed in any other language than that of the nation to whom it is administered, without a complete mockery of the very nature of the ordinance, and of every principle of the Church of England. Yet, it is thus administered ! 55 It is quite chimerical to expect that the Church of England will ever be respected by the Welsh, whilst such abuses as these are continually before their eyes ; they are enough to give offence to a peasantry little versed in scriptural knowledge but to a people with whom Dissent is popular and religious con- troversy familiar, they will ever remain a source of irritation and disgust. The duties of a Bishop are not like those of a Judge ; he is not the mere enforcer of certain rigid technicalities ; if his office has no hold on the affections of the people if they do not, in fact, love as well as bend to his authority, its Christian utility is at an end. But, what has the visitation of an English Bishop in Wales in it, or associated with it, to influence the affections ? As for the clergy, they attend indeed but not to seek advice as from a father and a friend ; but with cold formality, as at the levee of some temporal lord, with whom they are bound to hold for a few brief moments an interview of heartless ceremonial! As for the people, they crowd the church it is true Dissenter and Churchman ; but it is in the spirit in which Englishmen abroad go to see a Popish pro- cession ; they hardly understand one word that is said ; their Bishop's dress, his words, all that he does are a mere topic for idle gossip and guess work often of sectarian ridicule ! Secondly, of English Bishops, as the Ecclesiastical Rulers of the Dioceses of Wales: Undoubtedly, this is a consideration of far more importance than even the last. On the conduct, character, views, and attainments of the Bishop, the general spirit of the whole Establishment will depend. If he be a man of piety and patriotism, men of religious and patriotic spirit will be placed in the commanding situations of the Church, and be encouraged to make the Church their profession. If, on the contrary, he be a man of low religious feeling, strict in exacting the mint and cummin of canonical obedience, but slow in rewarding a life of protracted self-denial and holiness, then will the Church be thronged with men who make a merit of shunning the hypocrisy of the Pharisee by verging upon the vices of the Publican and its best benefices will become a premium upon a mere cold negative profession of religion. These principles are so obvious, and, indeed, so generally admitted. 56 that I should hardly have deemed it necessary to repeat them here were it not for their application, by analogy, to the present state of the Church in Wales. On the same ground, that the moral character of its rulers is found to influence the whole Church as an institution, the ignorance of the Bishops of Wales of the language and feelings of the people, will necessarily tend to fill the Welsh Church with men but little versed in that language and those feelings. It is, of course, not too much to say, that these are qualifications without which no man ought to be allowed to enter into the Welsh Church, or remain in it, that in proportion as they are possessed in combination with piety, ought to be the station of the individual possessing them, and, consequently, that the first and chief essential to the right exercise of the episcopal sway, is the power of judging of them. Now, on this subject, the English Bishops of Wales can exercise no judgment ; they must depend, and invariably do depend, on the opinions of others ; in other words, they do not, in fact, perform the first of those duties which nominally devolve upon them ! If the object of episcopacy be to preserve Christian unity, and to secure a wise distribution of patronage, then it is quite impossible to look on the present state of the Welsh Church as sound or defensible. An English Bishop, in discharging the duties of a Welsh see, labours under every possible embarrassment. To distribute patronage so as best to provide for the religious wants of the community requires a knowledge of the peculiar talents of the clergy, and of the various local exigencies of a diocese. Now, an English Bishop in Wales has in this respect everything to learn ; from his ignorance of the language, he must judge of circumstances at second hand ; from his want of sympathy with the temperament of the people, he cannot rightly appreciate even the information he may receive ; he never can attain that nice discrimination of their views, feelings, and peculiar sectarianism, which exists almost intuitively in the breast of one of their own countrymen. Hence, the Bishops in Wales generally abandon after a time that line of policy which at first appeared indispensable; and thus it is, that, often with the best possible intentions on their 57 part, their conduct is a series of vacillations ; they differ from them- selves and from each other ; and the parochial clergy, disgusted at being tossed about by discordant doctrines, and at finding their own local knowledge neutralized, sink into apathy, and content them- selves by timidly adhering to mere formalities. Onr first civilization was from Rome, and we still regard her modes of thought with too slavish a veneration. A liberal share of classical learning enlarges the mind, and that a few should make it an exclusive pursuit must be beneficial to the general tone of public sentiment. But when the most awful office in the Church of Christ, when the spiritual interests of a people ara rendered secondary to the rewarding of mere classical acquirement, it must be admitted, that the veneration for heathen antiquities is carried to a startling extent. Amongst the English Bishops of Wales have been many men eminent for their scholastic and theological erudition ; and some individuals, in many respects, an. honour to their age and country; yet, it is but too plain, that these endowments have proved but a bitter and illusory boon to Wales, unaccompanied (as they have been) by that knowledge of localities and individuals, which is the growth only of time and experience without which, great endow- ments will be of little avail, and with which, mere plain common sense and integrity may suffice to give to an Establishment all the efficiency of which it is capable. It is sometimes alleged, that none but a stranger can sustain the dignity of the Episcopacy ; but, on this subject, we may learn a lesson from our courts of justice, where, it is well known, that an advocate, who is raised to the judicial office to-day, never fails, if possessed of judicial knowledge, to maintain his ascendancy over the minds of those who were but yesterday his friends and associates. Of all the writers, of past or present times, there is, perhaps, not one to whose opinions so much weight is due, as Griffith Joues of Llanddowror ; independently of his other qualifications, he lived when the elements of Dissent were beginning to work, and had an opportunity of forming, from personal experience, a knowledge of its causes which must, to a writer of the present day, b-3 com- paratively a matter of speculation. Nothing can bs more explicit 58 than the terms in which he ascribes the weakness of the Church, and the growth of sectarianism in Wales, to the inefficiency of her episcopal discipline. The following picture which he has left us could not have been more applicable to the Welsh Church in his days than it is in our own :* " To trace the footsteps which lead to Dissention a little higher. Sinse it is vain to conceal what none are ignorant of, except those who have it in their power to reform it. I cannot but lament an im- position of the worst consequence in the world, which our learned and worthy diocesans in this country are liable to, by the misrepre- sentation that is often laid before them of several things, especially in matters of ordination. Their dioceses being large, and lying remote from the scene of important affairs, which require their attendance for a considerable part of the year, and the common people being of a different language, and unable to make known their grievances, their lordships are therefore obliged to credit the testimonies, and to see ivitli the eyes of others. But, alas ! treacherous eyes that wretchedly betray their head ! As many report of others, and likewise recom- mend candidates for the ministry, by no other rule but according as they are affected, or agree together in politics, and other opinions or morals several well disposed and laborious men in the ministry very loyal and well affected to the present government in Church and State, have suffered not a little in this way. The minds of their superiors being thus rendered unfavourably disposed towards them, some very hopeful persons have met with great difficulties, if not rejection, when they offered themselves for holy orders, and others observing these discouragements have bee/i driven to seek imposi- tion of hands in another community, whereby Dissenters have gained some popular and useful ministers, and the people have followed them ; whilst too many others, unworthy the sacred function, get admittance into it, by the interest and recommendations of those, who care not what indignity they reflect thereby upon venerable char- acters." "Among other necessary qualifications in a steward of the * 1711. Welsh Piety, vol. i. 59 mysteries of God and holy things, no doubt but the grace of God and a holy disposition are the chief, and should therefore most carefully be enquired into ; for if an unfit pilot bz appointed to conduct a ship, wlio will lie charged with th* damage it sustains by his dis- qualification ? It is well known that ministers thus unqualified, whatever other accomplishments they may have, will neither labour heartily themselves in a cause they don't love, nor forbear looking with an evil eye on their fellow servants, whose diligence is their reproach. If they have art and interest enough to engross and abuse the ear of a superior order, such as endeavour to be more industrious, in order to save both themselves and those that hear them, must expect no better treatment, than they would certainly deserve, if they lived the idle and corrupt lives of their accusers. As the work of the ministry, almost all of it, in this country de- volves generally on the lowest class of the clergy, curates and meanly beneficed ministers, many of them (I bear them witness), would bestir themselves to labour more abundantly in the ministry if they durst; but a zeal (however right and regular), which yet exposes them to ill-natured reflections and resentments, is too frightful a thing to venture up an. For nothing would be more heinously provoking than this to some patrons, and others who love to live undisturbed, and at their ease, which tends not a little to the decay of religion in general, and of the interest of the Church of England in particular. It is no secret, several profane profligates have con- fessed their infidelity and sensual liberties, to be owing to the very bad opinion they took up of some clergymen, who they concluded had no more of the Christian faith in reality than they ; otherwise they would have preached and practised in a much better manner. The inferior and better disposed people make no such ill use of a corrupt ministry.- They only turn to those who will condescend to ex- plain sacred things to their capacities, and with becoming zeal and earnestness to apply them to their consciences. Many of the poor laity, because they are wont to employ the trustiest people in all their temporal concerns, can no more commit their souls to the care of a manifestly weak and wicked minister, than they would b3 clients Q" an unskilful and unfaithful lawyer j or than they would in. 60 a dangerous fever, trust their lives in the hands of a foolish, faithless physician. These sincere souls, rather than part with the Estab- lished Church, desire to receive the blessed sacrament (at least sometimes) in another parish. The Dissenters may well be angry with this ; for if it was not complied with in very many places, Meeting-houses would have been much fuller in Wales. Many Dissenters have been made by scrupling this indulgence. A. few months would produce thousands more, if strictness of conformity in this respect should be pushed on, to the length some desire."* He then proceeds to say .that the Dissenting spirit then growing up was in some measure ascribable to the mode in which it was treated by some of the clergy. " When they happen to come to their Churches and see them empty, they will not fail to rail and declaim most terribly against those whom they force to Dissent from them, till they^oj their aversion and increase their number. For when they pour out dreadful anathemas, moderate people are frightened away, and are sometimes heard to whisper, ' We will not hear this man again; 1 whilst many profane aud immoral persons are suffered to sooth themselves with false hopes under the specious pretence of being good Churchmen. This is not surmising what may be, but is matter of fact." When the main-spring is not right, the whole machinery must necessarily go wrong. I do not, of course, mean to affirm, that the English spirit of the Welsh Bishops operates as a positive discouragement to preaching and instruction in the Welsh language ; but it withdraws from these practices that encouragement which it is the object of their office to afford. Even, should they feel desirous of rewarding merit of this kind, they cannot do it satisfac- torily, as they cannot detect or appreciate it ; much less can they prevent the more worldly and narrow-minded part of the inferior clergy from entertaining the notion, that a neglect of their native * This is an allusion to the Methodists, and shows clearly that if they had not occupied the ground, the Independents and other Dissenters would have done so. 61 language is likely to recommend them to tlie favour of their English Diocesan ! Selfish and mercenary men there will be in all Establishments ; but the evil is, that selfishness, in this case, in- variably takes a peculiarly pernicious turn. Such men will reflect, that however impressive a sermon in their native tongue may be to a native congregation, the understanding and the feelings of their English Bishop are alike unconscious of its merits, and they preach English as often as they can. I quote the sentiments of the Rev. W. Jenkin Rces, the patriotic rector of Cascob, on this point.* "The use of two languages, instead of one, is stated to be productive, in a religious point of view, of no inconsiderable evil to the country, as in consequence of both being used in some places of divine service, those who do not understand the English are in- duced to leave the church and become frequenters of the meeting- houses. The evil here adverted to certainly exists, but does not arise from the cause alleged by the objector ; and is owing rather to the English part of the congregation not understanding Welsh, than the Welsh not understanding the English. In the parish adverted to, the majority of the inhabitants for the most part scarcely under- stand anything but Welsh ; yet, the minister frequently, out of courtesy and compliance to a few English families of consideration who are resident, gives part of the service in the language they understand, hoping to induce them thereby to become a part of his congregation. The ultimate consequence, however, in many in- stances, is, that the poorer people hearing in church what they do not comprehend, several betake themselves to other places of worship, where the service is altogether in their own tongue, and some by degrees think in their simplicity, that the church is intend- ed rather for the gentry than for themselves, and that they do nothing wrong in attending where they hear what is most suitable to their understandings. ' ' The same spirit which served prematurely to Anglify the * An Address delivered at a Meeting at Brecon, Dec. 5th, 1821, by the Hev. W. J. Rees, M.A., on the Formation of the Cambrian Society in Gwent. 62 language of the pulpit, extended itself to the system of education, and served in precisely the same manner to alienate the people from the Church, and to attach them to the Dissenters. In the days of Griffith Jones, the schools connected with the Church were very few, and those few, for the most part, framed on the principle of teaching reading and the English language at one and the same time. That the Welsh peasant should learn English is certainly very desirable ; he should not, however, be taught to consider his ancient dialect as a disgrace, but rather to regard the acquisition of another as a means of more effectually serving his country ; never- theless, this was certainly not the spirit of the schools attached to the Church, and it is the well known character of the Welshman, that though he will yield all to kindness, he will adhere doggedly even to an absurdity, when combated by arguments which are an insxilt to his patriotic feelings. To offer him the opportunity of mastering a language which is the key to a new field of enterprize and industry, is one thing ; to refuse him instruction in his own, is another. This last course is at once tyrannical and contumelious, and a sacrifice of the means to the end ; for the English language can possess no peculiar value to him over that of his native moun- tains, except as the organ of superior intelligence. Now, it requires but little reflection to discover, that to attempt to teach a child a foreign language, and to read at the same time, is imposing on him a complication of difficulties, which, though easily overcome when taken singly, are almost insuperable when united ; the effects of this plan was not to teach the children English, but to disgust them with every sort of instruction. One of Griffith Jones's correspondents thus expresses himself : " I can say, from my own experience, that several being super- ficially taught to read English in their youth, have, for want of un- derstanding the language in which they read, taken such an aversion to it ever after, that they in time forgot their very alphabet." Both Griffith Jones and Charles, of Bala, pursued a wiser system; they first taught the children to read in Welsh, and then relied on the taste for knowledge acquired by means of that language as an induce- 63 ment to learn English ; and the latter has stated, that, so successful was this plan, that twenty persons had learned English through the impulse given at his schools, for one who was acquainted with it before their establishment. Hence, it has come to pass, that the Welsh peasantry, although in the last century completely immersed in ignorance, are at present possessed of advantages enjoyed by few parts of England. As before observed, Griffith Jones's schools were allowed to fall into disuse after his death, and their place was sup- plied by the Methodists and Dissenters. Some individual clergymen have very generously established schools at their own expense ; but the clergy, as a body, are far less industrious than the Dissenters, in educating the people. The Bishops have done very little towards this object, and are liable in this, as in other instances, to be misled by their anxiety to abolish the Welsh dialect. In this respect, their conduct stands contrasted with that of the native Welsh Bishops, who, living before the Revolution, and in a time of comparative darkness, were generally the founders of some endow- ment for the education of their countrymen, the translators of the Scriptures, and, in fact, prepared the way for all the religious light which the Principality at present enjoys.* Since the time of Charles, the press has been a powerful engine in the hands of the Dissenters. Charles's Magazine in the Welsh language was the means of exciting the emulation of the different Dissenting denominations in Wales, and thus gave rise to no less than eight others, which still circulate amongst the peasantry of Wales. They belong to different sects, and defend sectarian opinions ; some of them have been the means of spreading a good deal of valuable miscellaneous knowledge ; and a singular proof that all attempts to destroy the Welsh language by arbitrary means have only tended to perpetuate it, may be found in the fact that the Welsh of these magazines is less mixed with English than that which appears in books written a century ago. Words have actually been coined from Welsh roots to express the modern sciences, such as geography, &c. The influence of sectarian periodicals has been * Peter's Hants, 64 increased by another circumstance ; those learned men whose culti- vation of our ancient literature has gained so much honour for the Principality, not only in England, but on the continent, and in America, were so much neglected by the gentry of Wales, as to call down severe censures from an able writer in the Quarterly Eeview. This, of oourse, gave them a leaning to the side of democracy and Dissent ; many of them contributed very able antiquarian disserta- tions to these periodicals, and thus gave an additional attraction to the opinions of which they are the organs. In more recent times, a magazine has been established on a similar plan by some clergymen of the Chui-ch : it is written in a good spirit, and has been the means of propagating much useful knowledge. It is not, however, supported by the Bishops or the influential members of the Church. The Welsh are social and fond of music ; and in the last century their great delight was to meet for the purpose of gratifying these dispositions. Since they have become a more reading and a more religious people, "the singing eves" the habit of dancing all night to the harp has been superceded by frequent religious meet- ings, and by the cultivation of psalmody ; and it may be added that sacred music now forms a part of the contents of their various peri- odicals. In most of the Churches of Wales, the musical arrange- ments are very bad ; the instruments in use are generally of no very harmonious description ; and in this respect, the Dissenters possess a manifest superiority, for though they discard instrumental music altogether, their singing is generally sweet and impressive. Hitherto I have adverted only to the bad effects of the present system on the clergy generally ; I now come to a more serious evil, -the temptation it affords to the appointment of men entirely unfit for the duty of a Welsh parish. So long as Englishmen have been in possession of the episcopal patronage in Wales, has this evil uniformly prevailed ; it may, to all intents and purposes, be con- sidered a regular part, a uniform consequence of the system ! Should an English Bishop be guilty of nepotism in England, 65 the duty may still be efficiently performed ; but in Wales, every relation of a Bishop is iri language a foreigner ; and his uncouth attempts to officiate in his church in a tongue unintelligible to himself, can be felt by his congregation as nothing better than a profanation of the worship of God. Now, were I to affirm that the -English Bishops of Wales have been more fastidious in the distribution of their patronage, than their brethren of England, I should contradict the indignant assertions of almost every intelligent writer on AVelsh subjects. No where has the Church of England been more disgraced by a selfish disposition of patronage. On putting to a gentleman, upon whose accuracy I can rely, the following question, " What proportion of the collective income of the Welsh Church is held by Englishmen ?" I received the following answer: "Four bishoprics, a great portion of the deaneries, prebends, and sinecure rectories, and many if not most of the canonries." During the reign of the houses of Tudor and Stewart, several Welshmen were mitred ; but not one since the accession of the house of Brunswick. The consequence was, that the prelates brought into their respective dioceses, their sons, nephews, and cousins to the ninth degree of consanguinity ; the next consequence was a change of service (on the borders) from Welsh to English ; and a third and important consequence was, the desertion of the Church. Dissenting places of worship were erected in every direction. I have lately, in a journey of thirty miles, passed by ten churches and double that number of chapels, most of them bearing Scripture names, such as Beulah, Rehoboth, Horeb, Hermon, Salem, Ebenezer, &c. Not only on the borders, but also in the centre, and at the western extremities of Wales, have Englishmen been collated to benefices, whose services, if served at all, should be entirely in Welsh. The strangers, as a make shift, underwent a lecture or two in the Welsh language, in order to bs able to read in. But the voice of the strangers, instead of collecting a flock, scattered the sheep ; and now, in many places, were Paul himself to preach in any of those churches, he would have a congregation for the first Sunday, afterwards they would bid him adieu !" 66 Perhaps the worst effect of time-honoured abuse is its tendency to perpetuate and extend itself over the minds even of the best of men ; good and wise men will try to reconcile themselves to think lightly of evils which they have no hope to see removed, and thus the moral sentiment of man becomes degraded by a familiarity with corruption as the eye becomes habituated to darkness. It may, however, without difficulty, be affirmed, that, were the present state of the episcopal office in "Wales a thing of im- agination, and not of fact and of history it would excite but one feeling amongst all who respect the principles of Christianity, and the rights of a free people. The system was in some degree introduced during the profligate reign of Charles the Second ; but it was mainly consummated by King William. Thus, the revolution, which brought liberty and toleration to other portions of the kingdom, was to "Wales, on the contrary, a source of religious degradation. The mischief has not been so conspicuous in the individual abuses themselves, as in its effect on her whole ecclesiastical establishment. Since all the higher emoluments have been bestowed on strangers, Welsh- men of high endowments have naturally considered it humiliating to enter into the Church ; the working clergy, therefore, are, for the most part, an inferior "caste." The Bishop of Ferns defends inequalities in Church preferment, as the means of securing a higher class of men than would enter the profession, were there nothing to excite emulation : this is very just, but these means are not employed in Wales in exciting emulation amongst the clergy generally, as the best preferments are uniformly given to strangers. As before observed, appointments of this kind have at all times been common since the introduction of English Episco- pacy ; the grievance was, however, carried to its height just at the time when Methodism was making its appearance; and it is not too much to affirm, that the corruptions of the Church have progressed rather than diminished, with the progressive advance of Dissent. Of the pertinacity with which the abuse alluded to has been practised and defended, a striking instance will be found in the records of this society (the Cymmrodorion), 67 I allude to the case of Dr. Bowles, who was expelled from the living of Trevdraeth, by the spirited exertions of our predecessors in this institution : "In the year 1766, Dr. Bowles, an Englishman, unacquainted with Welsh, was presented by the Bishop of Bangor to the living of Trevdraeth, in Anglesey. In 1773, the churchwardens, aided by the Cymmrodorion Society, brought an action in the Court of Arches, to deprive him of it, on the ground of his incapacity to do the duty in Welsh, &o. In the arguments in this cause, alter the advocates of the churchwardens had proved that by the canon, the statute law, &c., he ought to be deprived, the advocates of the defendant, Dr. Bowles, expressed themselves thus : ' Though the doctor does not understand the language, he is in possession, and cannot be turned out. Wales is a conquered country ; it is proper to introduce the English language, and it is the duty of the Bishops to endeavour to promote Englishmen, in order to introduce the language. It has always been the policy of the legislature to introduce the English language into Wales.' Vide the depositions, argument?, and judgment in this cause, p. 59. The Judge of the Court 'It is proper that the Bishops in Wales should take such order for the euro of souls as to appoint pastors that are acquainted with the language of the country. It is the primitive law of the Church, and is the law at this time. I am of opinion that a want of knowledge of the Welsh language is a good cause of refusal in the Bishop, and that he ought to refuse him if he be incompefcoat. The inhabitants of Wales have great reason to complain of such presentations.' "* What this exemplary man and his learned advocate may mean by denominating the Welsh emphatically "A conquered people,'' I cannot divine ; unless it be that they remained unconquered by the Normans after the latter had triumphed in every other British district, viz., in England, Scotland, f and Irelarxl, or, that * See a pamphlet entitled "Considerations on the Illegality of preferring to Welsh Benefices, Clergymen ignorant of Welsh," by J. Jones, A.M., Fellow of Queen's College, Oxon. t See Chalmer's Caledonia. 68 the people of Wales never submitted peaceably to the English yoke, until they gained at Bosworth, the liberties of Englishmen and the Crown of England for a descendant of their ancient kings. These abstruse points I leave to the learned ; my objection to the appointment of Dr. Bowles does not rest on his historical blunders ; and Ifgrieve to say, that instances of the kind are as common now as in his time. I am myself acquainted with the case of a divine, who, at the mature age of 50, was advanced to a Welsh living, without knowing a syllable of the language : he accomplished the duty by receiving a Saturday night's lesson from his clerk, on the Sunday's service ! Would an actor venture upon a stage thus prepared for his part ? How disgusting, then, this trifling with sacred things! It operates upon the people as a perfect excom- munication ; they are virtually deprived of the benefit of an Established Church. To incumbents placed in circumstances such as these, every act of professional duty must suggest reflections not easily combated or suppressed ! Hence it is, that the English incumbents of benefices in Wales, are often absentees from that country. This is a source of various evils to the Establishment. A clergyman who lives on his benifice has the strongest interest in the good opinion of his flock ; upon their good feeling will depend many of the every- day comforts of life, and the degree of respect and kindness ex- tended to him by the society of his neighbourhood, will generally be a mere echo of their report. On the other hand, an absentee, living, as we may suppose, in some of the midland counties of England, can be little affected, in any way, by the ill-feeling of his Welsh parishoners, or the bad opinion of a few Welsh squires ; though looked upon as an oppressor in Wales, in the neighbour- hood in which he is resident, he may bask in the broad sunshine of popularity. A resident clergyman may regulate the exaction of tithes, according to the claims of charity and right feeling ; an absentee must leave the care of his revenues to a kind of middle- man, who cannot, if he would, act in a similar spirit. Indepen- dently of the evil of absenteeism strangers 'to a country are generally less considerate in their conduct, less moderate in their demands, and it is a remark, I have often had an opportunity of making, that those clergymen who are natives of the country are almost always beloved, as kind-hearted and benevolent country gentlemen, even when, from want of professional zeal, they are not much looked up to as clergymen. Nor does the evil rest here; the ignorance of the language, and the rapacity of the higher orders of the Church, entail un- merited odium on the native clergy. The funds of Dissenting bodies are perhaps as frequently the subject of litigation as tho tithes of the Church. Yet, with the former, each individual bears the odium of his own wrong ; while the working clergy, who are often worse paid than Dissenting ministers (from the Church being regarded as a sort of unity,) are looked upon and treated as parties to the oppressive acts of their superiors, over which they have no control, and by which they are often, in fact, sufferers. The evil is thus simply stated by one who no doubt has most undeservedly felt its effects. "Lay patronage and lay impropriations have done great injury to the Church. The patrons have ties of kindred and bonds of friendship more in view than the interests of religion, in the disposal of preferments ; and impropriators in general are more strict in the valuation and letting of their tithes, ao as to bring an odium not only upon themselves and their agents, but also upon the clergy as a body, though many of them let their tithes at half, or less than that of the value of titheable articles. Dissent- ing ministers have greatly the advantage in this respect over the clergy of the Establishment ; the former being paid by volun- tary contributions, the latter, by what is considered by the majority of their parishoners an extortion. This is one of th causes that have had a fatal effect in dissolving the_bonds of Church unity, not only in Wales, but also in England, though perhaps in a less degree in tho latter than the former. Many of the best livings in "Wales are either lay impropriations, or the per- quisites of dignitaries in the several cathedrals. The vicarial tithes only are enjoyed by the operative resident clergy; and the full exaction of tithes, in such parishes, by such unpropri- ators or the lessees of such dignitaries who are non-resident, 'has the effect of creating a coolness between the parishioners of such places and their resident vicars, who have little or nothing to do with the tithe grievances complained of. These coolnesses between parishioners and their pasto:s have been the causes of Dissent in thousands of instances, where opportunities of Dissent were at hand." It is very common to affirm, that the great cause of Dissent in "Wales, is the distance of some places from any parish church. Unfortunately, however, for this apology (for, such, in fact, it is), the chapels always abound most in the villages and towns, and in the immediate vicinity of the churches. If this were the cause of Dissent, it is rather a singular anomaly, that the chapels should be most numerous, in proportion to the population, in the vicinity of the episcopal residence, that there should be seven of them, in the parish of St. Asaph, and nine in the adjoining parish ofHenllau. These facts point, in a manner not to be mistaken, at its real source, an Establishment fast losing all public confidence and respect. But, granting that the want of churches, in certain districts, has given rise to the erection of chapels, whence is it that churches have not been built and endowed ? Have the superfluous revenues of the Establishment been applied to that purpose in any one instance ? So far is this from being the case, that every one of the many sinecure rectories in the diocese oi St. Asaph, are at this moment divided between three classes of persons: 1. In- dividuals resident in remote parts of England. 2. Clergymen resident in Wales, but performing no kind of clerical duty. 3. Persons indebted to their connection with the Bishops of Wales for a most unconscionable and unjust share of her Church revenues! There can be no doubt that the population has outstripped the Church ; but this is ascribable, not to the scantiness of her revenues, but to the misapplication of them. Nothing can be more revolting than the mode in which deaneries, prebends, and sinecure rectories, are given to absentees, when, from increased population, every economy should be practised in the Church revenues. The Rev. W. J. Eees has declared that our poorer countrymen look upon the Church "as never intended for them, but meant only for 71 the rich : it would be strange indeed, if they thought otherwise, for the churches in Wales will seldom hold half the population ; all the pews are generally engrossed by the gentry and rich farmers, and the only chance for the poor is to be elbowed about in the aisles. In the town and parish of Newtown, in Montgomeryshire, the population is 6,000 ; the church will hold only 600, and there are no free seats. Strange to say, I have heard the Welsh gentry censured for this state of things ; they, it is said, ought to build chapels of ease. My own opinion is, that if the Church did her duty, they would do theirs. Were the gentry of Wales deficient in attachment to the National Church, no men would deserve less blame for it: in England, the very highest aristocracy are con- nected by ties of kindred with her ministers, and their religious feelings are bound up with all the charities of life ; but in Wales, the clergy are, for the most part, strangers, or men in a humble rank of life ; and when the gentry of the Principality have dedicat- ed their children to the Church, it has been to see them placed in galling subordination to adventurers ! The English character is, on the whole, a noble one ; but it has its defects, and those are coldness of manner and a want of affability to the humbler ranks of society. Of course, the clergy must, in some degree, partake of the foibles of their nation ; and though true it is, abstractedly speaking, that these faults are of little weight in the moral balance, when combined with sterling integrity and worth, yet, it must be remembered, that earnestness of devotion and an amiable sympathy with the feelings of the poor, are of the very essence of the Clerical profession. Bishop Burnet often adverts to this defect in the character of the English clergy, with much bitter regret and with many a prophetic anticipation of evil. "Nor were the clergy," he says, in his History of His own Times, " more diligent in their labours among the people, in which respect, it must be confessed, the English clergy are the most remiss of any. The curates in Popery, besides their saying mass every day, their exactness to the Breviary, their attending on confession, and the multiplicity* of offices to which they are 72 obliged, do so labour in instructing the youth, and visiting the sick, that in all places in which I could observe them, it seemed to bo the constant employment of their lives. And in the foreign (Pro- testant) Churches, though the labours of the ministers may seem mean, yet they are perpetually in them." That Prelate's general opinions of the Clergy are thus expressed by Mr. South ey : " It was not that their lives were scandalous ; he entirely acquitted them of any such imputation ; but they were not exemplary as it became them to be ; and in the sincerity and grief of a pious and reflecting mind, ho pronounced that they would never regain the influence which they had lost, till they lived better and laboured more.' ; Southey's Life of Wesley, vol. i. p. 325. If fastidious lukewarmness, then, had relaxed the influence of the English clergy over the minds even of their own countrymen, it might reasonably have been expected, that it would prove still more subversive of it, amongst a people of more ardent feeling and im- agination. The tone of society in Wales has always been less reserved and aristocratic than in England ; the peasantry are habituated to a more familiar intercourse with their superiors. Hence, the mere manner of the English clergymen who are from time to time introduced into the country, by the influence alluded to, inevitably becomes a source of offence, and serves even in those districts in which the Welsh language is extinct, to repel the people from the Church. Thus, has the whole frame of the ecclesi- astical institutions of Wales been debilitated, by the unpatriotic character of its system of polity. The object has boon to " assimi- late " the people to their fellow- subjects of England. But it is with nations as with individuals ; their sympathies are not to be won by compulsion, or their feelings to be circumscribed within the scholastic narrowness of a metaphysical rule. " Hamlet. "Will you play upon this pipe ? " Q-uildenstern. I know no touch of if, my lord. "Hamlet. Why, look you, how unworthy a thing you would "make of me? You would play upon me; you would seem to "know my stops; you would pluck out the heart of my mystery,; 78 " you would sound rue from my lowest note to the top of my "compass; and tliero is much music, excellent voice in this little "organ; yet cannot you make it speak. Do you tliink I am "easier to bo played upon than a pipe? Call me what instrument " you will, though you may Iret ma, you cannot play upon mo." Slavery is a thing of degrees, as the human race has its varieties of shade, from the s\varthy tint of the Southern European, down to the midnight hue of the race who endure the last extreme of tyranny. To be bound with material fetters, to be made the mere cipher of another's will, to be constrained to build up the castles of a conqueror, these are the dregs of the cup of bitterness, and it was of yore the lot of our forefathers to drink them ; these times are past, but a more refined age may have its thraldom in the heart and spirit of a people ! To bond down the elastic feelings of youth to the austere pursuits of manhood, is a violence ajainst nature ; nor is it a much more judicious or philosophical experiment, to attempt to recast the mental physiognomy of an imaginative and sensitive race, in the mould and model of a grave, sedate, and un- iinpassioned one to arrest their religious education to keep their intellectual instruction in abe} r ance, till the butterfly has been fairly broken on the \vheel ! It may bo glossed over with showy phrases ; but it is neither a measure of justice, nor is it in the spirit of Christianity. The question lies in one word ; are an im- aginative taste and warm feelings a sin against the Christian code, and are the people of Wales more remote from its spirit because they happen to possess them ? If they are, then were the first teachers of the religion of Christ the nations to whom that religion was first taught, the most insensible of all others to the real nature of its doctrines. If I apprehend the Gospel Reve- lation aright, its main features are hostility to all that is sin- ful, and sanction of all that is innocent ; its object is ,not to change the tastes and intellectual dispositions of men, but to cleanse the moral depravity of the heart; like the living waters from the fountain, to which it is so often compared, which may at one moment hang in sublime cataracts from the mountain's side, and, 74 the next shed softness and verdure through, the tranquil valleys, without loosing, at either time, anything of its vivid light or its unsullied puiity ! The moral and religious character of a people may be changed in a generation, but their tastes and intellectual dispositions are almost unalterable : the Welsh of Queen Elizabeth's time were as peaceful and humane, as their ancestors, described by Sir John Wynn, of Gvrydir, were warlike and ferocious ; in their love for poetry and music, both were alike : the "Welsh of the last century were as irreligious and ignorant, as the Welsh of the present are pious and well instructed ; yet the love of sacred music and poetry, and of religious eloquence, evinces that their mental peculiarities have only migrated, as it were, into minds disciplined into a purer moral sentiment. And herein lies the fundamental error ; under the name of civilization, an attempt has been made to stifle those traits of national character, in which they are, perhaps, superior to their neighbours, and war has been waged against those nobler susceptibilities, which even under the guidance of an irregular zeal, have become the basis of a religious and intellectual civilization, perhaps unparalleled amongst a people similarly circumstanced. Nothing can more energetically express the effect which the pre- sent administration of the Church in Wales has produced on her people, than the words of Shakespeare, "You may fret me, but you cannot play upon me." Instead of " assimilating " them to their English neighbours, it has divided them from each other, and split them into a variety of rival sects and parties. The consequence of a species of tuition unsuited to their temperament, has been (as it always must be with nations as with individuals) to pervert, not to foster, their better dispositions, and to draw from their very capa- city for certain virtues, vices which bear a species of analogy to them ; hence their strong religious feelings are soured with un chari- tableness, and their fervent and warm-hearted enthusiasm is alloyed with party spirit and fanaticism. A profound writer* has remarked, * Dugald Stewart. 75 that the follies into which men are sometimes betrayed by the name of religion, is not a just ground of indifference, but, on the contrary, affords a strong proof that a .sentiment which thus at times dominates even over reason itself, must be founded on an in- tuitive principle of human nature ; and this opinion has been pur- sued by other writers with a closeness of reasoning that amounts to absolute demonstration.* Bat, still there are seasons when that divine light, which in its natural influences, is a source of nothing but tenderness and moral beauty, is cast into dim eclipse by the clouds of human pride and passion. Such is human nature reli- gion, patriotism, every good principle, are at times associated with its weakness and its vices. It is not unusual, in the present day, to look upon schism amongst Christians, as neither an evil nor a sin ; this question is best tried by the effects we soe around us.f [fc is idle to say, that men may differ in opinion, and still continue uaifced in heart ; such is what I may term the natural intolerenca of human nature, that trifling divisions, on whatever subject, will alienata men from each other; and to these unhappy distractions Wales is peculiarly a prey. There are also evils of a different kind, resulting from the depend once of the Dissenting clergy on the bounty of their flocks, a system which leads to extremes, bacauso by extremes, is popu- lar favour to be won and sustained. Its evils prevail most amongst the Welsh Methodists, owing to their frequent change of preachers. The first Welsh Methodists were Calvinists, yet not intolerant or disposed to violate the unity of the Church ; probably, a venerable * See Kant's Heine Wernunft. Bisliop Butler's Miscellaneous Works. It is not a little remarkable, that Burns should have expressed this sentiment, with almost as much accuracy as his philosophical countryman. See Burns' Letters. It is still more singular that a late noble Poet should have intro- duced a similar sentiment, in a passage which concludes with the opinion, that if the Church of England should ever fall, it would not be by the power of the enemies to religion generally, but by the zeal of "the Sectaries." Lord Byron's Miscellaneous Works. t See the Welsh Looking Glass. 76 clergyman who had intimately known the body, has expressed their feelings. " Pious Calvinists and Arminians ought to co-operate, so long as both admit that salvation is of grace. "* But no sooner did they separate from the Church, than they adopted an exclusively Calvinistic creed. The same is the case with the doctrine of the atonement. Perhaps the great difficulty of ethical instruction is not to make men understand their duty, but to create a sense of the obligation to amendment. In this respect, the doctrine of an atonement, wrought by the Divine Being himself, has been found a practical doctrine, as it gives a more affecting view of his benevo- lence, than is furnished by natural theology. The divines of the last century have been accused of making morality independent of Christian motives,! of never adverting to the atonement but as a subject of dry metaphysical reasoning. But the first Methodists appealed to the heart and the affections ; they blended practical precepts with Christian doctrine ; their manner was an imitation of the apostolic style of preaching. If we may judge of the tree by its fruits, of the preaching of the first Methodists by the lives of their disciples, there was nothing in it that was likely to bring dis- honour on the Church of England. But their followers, for the reasons before mentioned, are too apt to carry to an extreme the principles of their predecessors. Their sermons are too frequently mere declamation on the grand leading doctrines of the gospel, often to the neglect of the practical application of theological truth, Thus, a doctrine of all others calculated to humble the pride of the human heart, becomes a source of intolerance and not meekness ; indulgence of the imagination is mistaken for amendment of the heart ; and humility to God and charity to man are exchanged for a religion which is little better than a strange and impassioned dream. It has frequently been remarked, that those who are most strongly affected by this visionary faith, are often deficient in feeling in tho ordinary relations of life. This has been to hastily ascribed to hypocrisy ; it is oftener in the nature of that morbid insensibility * The Welsh Looking Glass. t By Bishop Horseley, 77 to real suffering which is known to arise from indulging to excess in tales of fictitious sorrow. There is, in fact, a very striking ana- logy between the effect sometimes produced by the preaching of the Welsh Dissenters, and that resulting from the pomp and phan- tasmagoria of Popish worship; there is the same plausible but transient emotion, the same momentary enthusiasm, followed by a relapse of moral and religious energies.* To these sad self-deceptions all mankind are, in some degree, liable ; but there is much in the situation of the Welsh mountaineer that peculiarly exposes him to them. This is more especially the case in the Snowdonian districts, where Methodism has at times taken its extravagant shape. No one who has ever visited that wild and romantic district, can forget the fantastic, and if I may use the term, the visionary air of the whole scenery. All is splen- did melancholy, yet all is shadowy and fitful; every cloud as it passes brings some new object into light, or envelopes some scenery in obscurity ; every mountain shower gives, as it were, a new voice to the torrents that pour down in a hundred directions from the mountains. The whole district seems a link between the world iu which we live and the fairy land in which Cambrian superstition has placed her patriot King Arthur ! It may now be asked how far Dissent has progressed in Wales ? It may be answered, that it has gone as far as the means of her population will enable them to carry it. It may be replied that there are as many Dissenting Chapels in the remote parishes in Wales as there are in many flourishing English towns. f * There are some able remarks on this subject in the Natural History of Enthusiasm. I beg it may be understood, that I am far from intending this as a picture of the state of feeling amongst Dissenters generally. Both parties have their Extremes ; the Church is too often lukewarm and inert ; the Dis- senters attach too much importance to incessant preaching and excitement, (as if the people had yet to be taught the elements of Christianity) ; and both parties think too lightly of that every-day pastoral intercourse, which is the most powerful means of identifying the whole life and softening every feeling with religious principle. t In Chester there are eight chapels, (two of which are Welsh) ; in the parish of Llaufair, in Montgomeryshire, Iz I 78 On this stale of things, I may at least be permitted to say, that it is a melancholy one ; but with a man of candour and of religious feeling, I would confidently appeal to it as a proof that there is something fundamentally wrong in the administration of the Church in Wales. There are men, I know men, too, whom I can esteem and love, who find a justification for the present system in a supposed intellectual barrenness in our land : Wales, we are told, cannot furnish clergymen fit for her four episcopal dignities ! Did not this sometimes come from those who have the good of our country really at heart, we might treat it as an insult, added to an injury, and be silent. But we may still remark that when those times are recollected which saw Archbishop Williams on one side and John Owen on the other, that when the origin of that great man is remembered, who first taught religious toleration as a prin- ciple,* of him who stood up alone in defence of it in a British House of Commons,! when it is remembered, how much England owes her constitution, the Church of England her Protestant freedom, to the firmness of a Welsh Judge, J and that one of the last Welsh Bishops who presided over a Welsh see was amongst her seven Bishops, it will perhaps still be thought that Welshmen may be found fit to guide the Christian principles of their own mountain land ! I will not, at present, stop to enquire whether tho majority of our prelates, for tho last century have been men of such lofty endowments such active benevolence such exalted piety, as to reconcile us to a difference of language to make us forget even a breach of the articles of our Church to place them in the gratitude of our people above the best of the native clergy, such * Dr. John Owen. See Orme's Life. Mr. Orme has proved this in the opinion of an Edinburgh Reviewer. t Chief Justice Vaughan, in the case of the Nonconformists, after tha Restoration. J Judge Powel, at the trial of the seven bishops. It is an interesting circumstance, that Bishop Jeremy Taylor found an asylum in Wales during the civil wars, and composed his great Defence of Religious Liberty in the house of a gentleman in that country. Judge Powel was his pupil. See Bishop Heber's Life of Jeremy Taylor, prefixed to his Works. 79 men as the Pastor of Llanddowror, who were the light of the age in which they lived, and whose goodness will leave its stamp on the whole Welsh nation for centuries yet to come : upon this question I will, at present, say nothing ; suffice it to remark, that to prognosticate the destruction of the Welsh Church from the sway of Welshmen, at a moment when the Dissenters, under Welsh rulers, have gained the whole country and the Establishment, under English rulers, has most signally lost it, is rather an eccentric species both of logical inference and nervous sensibility ! But who is there that does not discern that the cause, the very essence of the grievance, is mistaken for a justification of it? When all the wealth of the land is engrossed by strangers ; and all the toil, drudgery, and odium, left to the native clergy, how can it be expected that great divines should be found amongst them ? Wales has sent forth Missionaries to foreign lands, and ardent spirits to become the champions of Dissent : but her own Church repels her children from her bosom. Amongst the Eissent- ers in the last century, were Pr. Rees, the Cyclopradist, Dr. Price, and Dr. Williams ; than whom few men were more instrumental in organizing that combined opposition which a certain class of Dissenters now offer to the Church of England : and amongst the followers of Wesley, the most eminent was Dr. Coke, the founder of Wesley anism in America and the West Indies, who was a native of Wales. The Church in Wales had also her ministers, whose genius and piety would have done honour to any station ; but too many of them were driven to become wanderers over fell and nioxmtain ! But the simple tiuih is, that Wales does not require Marshes or Blomfields for her Bishops ; she has few Papists to refute, or sceptics to convince ; her Dissenters require conciliation, and not argument. Her prelates had far better be men of respectable erudition ; men like our own native Welsh Bishops, uniting the ordinary attainments of a gentleman with sincere piet} T , good sense, and above all things, a knowledge of the language and regard for the feelings of their countrymen. Such men have at all times amply sustained the dignity of their office. Such men. 80 are many of the most estimable of the present English. Bishops ; such men may be found amongst the parochial clergy of every district in the kingdom. In favour of the present system, what one argument can be advanced, but theories refuted by a ride of half a mile, from almost any spot in the Principality? "What is the object of episcopacy ? To preserve Christian feelings and Christian unity ? Are these objects attained in "Wales? Never was any country so completely rent with bitter and complicated schisms ! In the last century the people were unenlightened, and the episcopal authority did nothing to improve their religious condition ; and now that they are educated, it has turned even gospel light into a firebrand of division, parcelled out the whole country into a multitude of sects and parties, robbed the Church of all hold whatever on the humbler ranks, nearly deprived her of all sub- stantial all vital influence on the principles of the higher classes. And yet no change must take place! To touch the system of abuse and corruption (so we are told) would be a dangerous in- novation calamities without end would result from restoring Wales to her just rights the Church of England to a conformity Avith her own Articles ! As if it were possible, even by the wildest exercise of the imagination, to conceive more forcible more complete proofs, indeed, I may say, any other proofs of the utter inefficiency of the system on which the Church of Eagland is now administered in Wales, than those evils to which I have just adverted evils which are not a matter of imagination, but of experience and enduranoo ; I say it is impossible to conceive a more complete demonstration of an unsound system of administration, than Dissent thus nearly universal, from a Church, to the purity of whose doctrines even Dissenters themselves are, for the most part, ready to bear testimony ! And what is the defence of the present system ? An argument which is ia effect a mere taunt against the people whom it professes to evangelize ! I have }~et to learn that Christianity is less a religion of affection than of reason. I have yet to learn 81 that it is a slight grievance when Christian institutions are turned against one of the best feelings of our nature a feeling sanctioned by the Divine Author of our faith, when he wept over the sins and sorrows of Jerusalem. Christianity is not a religion of Stoical abstractions ; it should live in the hearts and feelings of men ; it delights to draw to itself even the generous weaknesses of man- kind ! The present system of the Church in Wales is cold, is re- pulsive, it is not in the true spirit of Christianity. The Scottish Church is generally spoken of as highly popular and efficient ; but how long would it continue so, were Dr. Chalmers all, at once plucked from his professor's chair, to make room for a stranger, and all the more estimable part of the Scottish clergy degraded into mere drudges to some fine " Southron" gentlemen, who would appear in the country but once in a year, and then abuse Scotch air, Scotch morals, and everything Scotch, with all the extravagant virulence of a Johnson ! The following illustrious Catalogue will amply prove, tliat in arguing for the restoration of a better system, " we have the dead with us, and only the living against us ! " M ^~- A ed S ^ fM O S O PH w H O w w QQ PI _^^ H ^ s 5 <=?S ^< :o j W r^ ,_) , S Q |ffl g . . JK .5n . -^ c c c Wr ^ oo "^ s'S b ^ o g C x E 8 ^? . S P oS og S Pembrokesh Denbighshir - S fcOrfl C " 00 2= i ~ r ^ ;^ MTJ . . . s s ! :fc-3 o fl -S *O ^ CM fl pQ : ^2 CL^ *o I ^ t*_| 1-H.. . w Pis-ag'bl' i^dfi^ir^i'gn ^o^aj^ojag P 5J?5 B #5 S^ ^ o S sifl^JiBaJla " ja|M5|g rH O ^ 2 -g a a^-s Illliill ri^i^i-a'iisi IJS|i| UiiHUJlH TJ *; -a a-2 -U ^ S *> IfJ - >>a ^ss, a s s Send g ft 'a o ^ H ^ o & 03 o-- 1 - 2 b -8 O2 Q 'ft-2 3 = 1^1 1 ^ * 'rt S p4 ci 4 o a p^ = = w to CQ OQ O a ~ to GQ ^ 2s BD 05 ^ a ad =3 da O Jz; to o fc 3 .rt ^ "o tji I 1 CD ,03 fi "- 1 T30 a .2 ^ r s -S* o r ** ^-t GQ co C*3 M tr^ ' +? o ^ >> -3-g OS r-l O to H g CO CO O) O CD FH CD CD CD CO CD to i 1 i < I 1 i 1 i-H iH ECTED WITH WALES BY EELATIONSHIP op of Rochester, and Archbishop of York : Nephew of Arch- of the Family of the Dolbens, of Denbighshire, but born at lamptonshire, where his Father was Rector Bishop of St. David's and Worcester ; born at Bristol, but of imily, and educated at Caermarthen. He kept a School at 1 the great Rebellion, & was the Rector of Penbryn, Cardigan, ipp of St. Asaph ; born at Pentre-pant, in the parish of Selatyn, rish, being descended from a branch of the Flintshire Hanmers op of St. Asaph ; born at Burton Latimer, Northampton- father was Rector, but descended from the Family of the n, Caernarvonshire. He probably was partly educated in well skilled in the Welsh language Bishop of Bangor ; He was previously Archdeacon of as a Benefactor to the Cathedral, and founded a Scholarship }, Cambridge, for the Diocese of Bangor. I know nothing r connections mop of St. Asaph, Liehfield and Coventry, and Worcester, Berkshire, where his Father was Vicar. He was descend- ls of Henblas, Anglesey. He was a very learned man ishop of Llandaff, Peterborough, and Norwich, was con- le last : I know nothing of him. The two namesakes are at William Lloyd of St. Asaph, was one of the seven bishops by James the Second 85 Thus, we have fifty Bishops natives of Wales, or connected with it by origin, in the course of one hundred and fifty-six years ; forty- three of the former, and seven of the latter, giving us the average of about a Bishop every three years, an allowance which we should have no objection to see restored to us. But there is another circumstance much more gratifying than numbers, the eminence of many of these Prelates ; it appears that Dr. John Philipps, the Bishop of Man, was the translator of the Scriptures into Manx, and taking him, together with our countryman Tindal, and Bishop Morgan, we may form a triad of the three translators of the Scrip- tures into three out of four of the languages of the British Isles.* Amongst Englishmen, and those who value the principles of the Church of England, I can hardly believe there will be much difference of opinion on the subject. It cannot be that a nation which has sent missionaries to teach the remotest nations in their own tongues, will long submit to see the principles of the reforma- tion trampled upon in the land of their fellow-subjects and friends. Never, till of late, did this system exist, in its full extent, even in Wales, though no country has endured more oppression : she was comparatively free from it even during the midnight darkness of Popery : it did not form a part even of the first insolence of con- quest, f Alas ! that an event which gave religious freedom to all besides, an event to which her children had so much contributed, should have made Christianity itself a source of degradation to her.J But, no! there is one period which affords a parallel; it is furnished not by the conduct of those who had conquered our country, but of those who were aiming at conquest. At a time when all the weapons of priestly craft and secular violence were combined to enslave her, then was a petition framed, which de- scribes the Welsh Church as it is in the nineteenth century ! In * English, Welsh, and Manx. t After the conquest by Edward the First, though some Englishmen were mitred, there was no systematic exclusion of Welshmen. J The revolution, from which period Welshmen have been almost sys tematically excluded from Welsh bishoprics, 7 86 the time of Henry III. Giraldus Cambrensis presented a petition to the Pope from the Princes of Wales. Leaving the present good Archbishop of Canterbury out of the question, this petition may furnish an appropriate conclusion to this chapter. "Petition of the Welsh Princes to the Pope.* To the Eight Reverend Father and Lbrd, Innocent, by the grace of God, Pope, Llywelyn, Prince of Gwynedd ; Gwenwynwyn and Madoc, Princes of Powys ; Gruffydd, Maelgwn, Rhys, and Meredith, sons of Rhys, Prince of South Wales, send health and true obedience in all things. Be it known to your fatherly goodness the great suffer- ings and the danger of loosing souls that have fallen upon the Church of Wales, since, by kingly oppression, and not by the autho- rity of the Bishop of Rome, she became subjected to the authority of England and the Archbishop of Canterbury. " At first, the Archbishop of Canterbury, as a matter of course, sends us English Bishops, ignorant of the manners and language of our land, who cannot preach the word of God to the people, nor receive their confessions but through interpreters. " And besides, these Bishops that they send us from England, as they neither love us nor our land, bat rather persecute and oppress us with an innate and deep-rooted hatred, seek not the welfare of souls ; their ambition is to rule over us, and not to benefit us ; and on this account, they do not but very rarely fulfil the duties of their pastoral office among us. And whatever they can lay their hands upon, or get from us, whether by right or wrong, they carry into England, and waste and consume the whole of. the profits obtained from us in abbeys and lands given to them by the Bang of England. And like the Parthians, who shoot backwards from afar as they retreat, so do they from England excommunicate us as often as they are ordered so to do. " The lands which were bestowed by the devout bounty of our forefathers of old, upon the cathedrals of Wales, (as they do not love our country,) they sell, give away, and alienate to the clergy and others who may happen to covet them. And because the lands * See Mr. Theopliilus Jones's valuable History of Brecknockshire. 87 belonging to the churches are liable to be taken from them, -we ourselves have taken part of them into our own hands, and they are in our possession at the present time. From these causes, the Cathedral Churches of "Wales have been reduced to the greatest poverty ; but if they were blessed with good and godly Bishops, they would soon again be rich and nourishing. "Besides these things, when the Saxons (English) rush into Wales, the Archbishop of Canterbury puts the whole land under an interdict; and because we and our people defend our country against the Saxons and other enemies, he places us and our people under judgment of excommunication, and causes those Bishops whom he sent amongst us, to proclaim this judgment, which they are ready to do on all occasions. The consequence is, that every one of our people who falls on the field of blood, in defence of the liberty of his country, dies under the curse of excommunication. We, therefore, with sighs and tears, beseech your Holiness, to whom belongs the government of the Universal Church, to give us effectual relief from these grievances, and others which will be communicated to you by the month of the Canons of St. David's, and Giraldus, their Bishop elect, who is a discreet and reverend man. And with one voice, we implore you to liberate your children from the oppression they have endured from the three last Bishops that have been placed at St. David's, in consequence of the subjection of that see to the Arch- bishop of Canterbury. For, before the time of the three last Bishops, St. David's was the seat of an Archbishop of all Wales, who, as Archbishop, was subject to none except to the Mother Church of Rome. " If thou wilt deign to look upon us with eyes of pity, whatever service is in our power, we will willingly do to the holy apostle Peter : therefore, our dear father, farewell in the Lord." Thus far the Princes of our land and the heroic Giraldus, in language as eloquent and pathetic as it is applicable to our own time. But even in this case the parallel is incomplete ; the Romish Church was bound to an unintelligible ritual ; the Church of Eng- land is built on a protestation against it. Hitherto, I have spoken only of the effects of English episcopacy ; I must now advert to its principle ; to those who consider this question apart from the un- christian apology of expediency, it will certainly suggest many melancholy reflections ! Whilst it is granted that many of the Eng- lish Bishops of Wales, were in many respects an honour to their Church, it is impossible to reconcile their l>ars acceptance of their dignities with those thirty-nine Articles to which they were pledged as the very passport to their profession, and which form a confession of faith, which it is the very object of the episcopal office to preserve inviolate. The 24th Article is fearfully explicit. " The 24th Art. Of speaking in the congregation in such a tongue as the people understandeth. It is a thing plainly repugnant to the ivord of God and to the custom of the Primitive Church, to have public prayer in the Churcli, or to minister the sacraments, in a tongue not understanded of the people ! " * * "It is extraordinary, that such a dignity should be either granted or accepted ! " Five Letters on the state of Religion in Wales. Chester, 1826. 80 As the only apology that has ever I, ecu offered for the practice of thrusting Englishmen into every valuable piece of Church Preferment in Wales, is the supposed advantages of abolishing the "Welsh language, I trust I shall be excused for the length of the following extracts, which serve to elucidate two propositions : First, That such measures tend to counteract the very object they seek to attain. Secondly, That if they were calculated to ensure it, they are most unjustifiable. ENGLISH SCHOOLS FOE WELSH CHILDREN. Griffith Jones, whose experience and discrimination make his opinions on this subject of peculiar value, has, left us some admirable remarks upon it. "To be able to read one Language does not increase the difficulty of learning another, but always renders it easier : It is common for all nations to learn their own Language first ; and it is the most natural method to begin with ths easiest, and then proceed to the hardest things. "The English Charity Schools, which have been tried, produced no better effect in country places ; all that the children could do in three, or four, or five years (though but few of the poor could stay so long in them) amounted commonly to no more than to learn very imperfectly to read some easy parts of the Bible, without knowing the Welsh of it, nor the meaning of what they said when they repeated their catechism ; nor should this be thought strange, considering they were learning to read an unknown language, and had none to speak it to them but the Master, and he too obliged to talk to them often in Welsh : Insomuch that those who have been so long in the English Schools could not edify themselves by Eeading, till many of them lately learned to read their own language in the Welsh Charity Schools. Should these te turned into English Charity Schools, to propagate the language ? " Sure I am the Welsh Charity Schools do no way hinder to learn English but do very much contribute towards it : and perhaps you will allow, Sir, that learning our own language first is the most expeditious way to come at the knowledge of another ; else why are not your youths in England, designed for scholars, set to learn Latin and Greek, before they are taught English?" lie argues that the Welsh language has its advantages, and those very great cues, to all who make moral sentiment the first consideration. " But with respect to a more important concern, our spiritual and highest interest of all, there are some advantages peculiar to the Welsh tongue favourable to religion, as being perhaps the chastest in all Europe. Ite books 90 and writings are free from the infection and deadly venom of Atheism, Deism, Infidelity, Arianism, Popery, Lewd Plays, Immodest Romances, and Love Intrigues ; which poison the mind, captivate all the senses, and prejudice so many (conversant with them) against their duty to God, and due care of their own souls ; and which, by too many books in English and some other languages, are this day grievously propagated." He shows the impossibility of a rapid abolition without the sacrifice of what is far more valuable. He then decides that the question ought to be left to the free choice of the people themselves, a conclusion at once consonant with sound policy, and with sound feeling. " She has not lost her charms nor chasteness, remains unalterably the same, is now perhaps the same she was four thousand years ago ; still retains the beauties of her youth, grown old in years, but not decayed. I pray that due regard may be had to her great age, her intrinsic usefulness ; and that her long standing repute may not be stained by wrong imputations. Let it suffice, that so great a part of her dominions have been usurped from her ; but let no violence be offered to her life. " Of the scandalous practice before alluded to, of imposing English clergymen on Welsh parishes, he expresses himself in a spirit of manly indignation, and uncompromising independence, worthy of Giraldus Cambrensis himself. "It is not my present business to enquire, who this is owing to; but le they who they wilt, and how little soever they lay it to heart for the present, they will hereafter find themselves answerable to a grievous charge. This has, in too many places, reduced the country into heathenish darkness and irreligion, and (what some are apt to declaim against as more damnable, ) into different communities and separations from the Established Church. By means of these clergymen officiating in English to Welsh congregations, we may say, a trial has been made, in some sort, whether the people would learn their language, and forget their own, till they have almost forgot the name of Christ. The sheep could not know their shepherd's voice from first to last ; and must therefore perish, or go astray, for want of pasture. If pastors will continue to have no more compassion for the people in this world, what sort of greeting will pass between them about it when they meet in the next, is not hard to guess. We cannot help thinking, that English sermons to Welsh congregations are neither less absurd, nor more edifying, than Welsh preaching would be in the centre of England, or Latin service in the Church of Eome. In some respect, a greater severity this than is imposed by the Romish Antichrist ; who, notwithstanding his robes are red with the blood of the saints, yet ordains that preaching be in the known tongue through all his provinces. This grievance of some people here is too insufferable not to 01 be loudly complained of. Wherein have our forefathers been more barbarously used by their adversaries in the worst of servitudes ?" See Welsh Piety, vol. i. pages 33, 36, 37, 38, 51. LLYWELYN'S HISTORICAL SKKTCH OF THE VERSIONS OF THE WELSH BIBLE. HIS VIEWS AS TO THE MEANS WHICH HAVE BEEN ADOPTED TO ABOLISH THE WELSH LANGUAGE. " Here again, I own it seems to me of very little moment ; I mean to those who are residents, or stay at home ; who in every country must be by far the majority. The general, the commoi business and concerns of civil, of religious, and social life, may be transacted, I suppose, as well in Welsh as in English. A Cambro-Briton may mind his farm and his merchandise, if he has any ; ho may sow his corn and bring home his harvest ; he may live as long, and do as much good, with only his own mother tongue, as if he had twenty tongues besides. But as to those who are non-residents, who leave their native country and corns over to England ; as to those who cross the Severn, the Wye, or the Bee ; those who come up to London and have a mind to dis- tinguish themselves in the metropolis ; to them the Welsh, or another language ia not indifferent. The English is of advantage, is necessary, and it is their personal concern to learn and attain it. "This matter in this way of considering it, cannot appear of any great consequence. It is a mere affair of convenience, of convenience comparatively to few, to one in a hundred, to three thousand, may be out of three hundred thousand inhabitants ; to whom in general it is of little importance. It might be convenient, if all the world was now, as it was in the days of Noah, of one speech and of one language. This might faciliate travelling : it might pro- mote trade and correspondence among the different countries and nations of the earth ; but for all that, I never heard of any law made, nor of any bill brought into any Senate, for extirpating tongues in general, and establishing some one common and universal language. If a formal decree may have been proper for the purpose of extirpating the Welsh tongue, why not another equally formal and weighty to abolish all dialects of the English but one ? To put an end to Irish inaccuracies and blunders? And to give a pure pro- nunciation, and a sweet accent to the inhabitants of Edinburgh, of North- umberland, or Devonshire ? Again, "If we grant the end here to be worthy and of greater importance than it seems to be ; the methods made use of to accomplish this end will yet remain very improper and disproportioned. To bring about an uniformitj of language between two neighbouring nations, subjects of the same sovereign, in a stato of perfect harmony and peace : what must ba done ? Why, the Holy Bible must be withheld from one of them ; the word of Ood must be withdrawn from 92 a people, till they can all understand it, in another tongue : that is, it must be for ever withheld from thousands who never can, nor will learn any other. To describe here, is to expose. The very naming of these means must surely be sufficient to show them to be, to the last degree, improper and preposterous. They affect the religion of a people ; they infringe the rights of conscience ; they interfere with their duty to God, the care of their souls, and their eternal salvation : with which no schemes of human policy should interfere, on any account, much less on account of a mere trifling con- venience. " Here lies the great, the unanswerable objection to these measures for a change of language. They affect, they deprive a man of, what he considers as essential to his most important interests for a trifle, for nothing to him ! He is born in a certain country, he learns the language of his parents, and of his country, as naturally and as innocently, as he sucks his mother's breasts, or breathes the common air. He has neither opportunity nor ability to learn any other tongue. And what is the consequence ? He must never hear of a Saviour or salvation : not because the gospel was never heard in the land : nor because he is under an Antichristian government ! No. His superiors are Christians, are Protestants : the gospel is in his neighbourhood ; and may be preached in his language as well as in any other ! But it must not be read nor preached in it ; because, should it be, it will obstruct the spread and />ra- gress of another language. Thus disproportioned are the means to the end. They appear highly absurd and preposterous, when considered only in their aspect or relation one to another. They appear still worse, if considered as coming from a Christian magistracy or government. They are diametrically opposite to the genius and spirit of Christianity. "After all, these disproportioned and preposterous, these wiprotestant and unchristian methods, though pursued with rigour and severity, will not insure the end proposed. Suppose neither the name nor the religion of Christ to be known or heard of, in the Principality of Wales ; yet the language of it might subsist, in spite of every effort of this nature to destroy it. Violent measures hardly ever answer the expectation. In general they soon spend themselves and end in nothing. They may do mischief ; they may distress a person or a party ; they may show the disposition and temper of the times ; or they may gratify the rage of a persecuting tyrant : and but very little more." In accounting for the Cornish dialect having become obsolete, he ascribes it to the superior justice with which the people have been treated. ' ' No Offa's dyke in that part of Britain. They have never been cooped in by hedges and ditches, or other barriers, less rustic indeed, but more disagreeable and hostile. They were never slaughtered by multitudes for a Bong. They were never punished for being Cornish : never excluded the protection of government : never denied legal redress on complaints of injustice or oppression : nor even disqualified as a people, by Acts of 93 Parliament, from holding places of honour or of profit in any part of the kingdom." The sum of his reasoning is, that the abolition of the Welsh language ought to be the result of education, and not the basis of it. There can be no doubt that if the people are well instructed in their own language, they will be ready enough to discern the advantage of acquiring another, so well calculated to advance their wordly interests. ' ' Upon the whole, in whatever view I consider this design of discontinuing the language of Wales, and of establishing the English in its stead : I cannot think it any way so important as is pretended. It seems to me to be very immaterial, especially to England ; and I should therefore be a good deal unconcerned about it. But when I consider the measures proposed to accom- plish this end, I can no longer be indifferent. I feel, I avow, a warmth and emotion ; and I think it becomes me. Were I an Englishman or a Scotchman, my feelings here, I apprehend, would be the same. And I should look upon it as a duty, to the utmost of my power, to bear a public testimony against measures so preposterous and ineffectual ; against measures of such pernicious and destructive consequences ; against measures tending, not to answer the end proposed, or to make the people of Wales cease to be Welsh, and become English but tending to make them cease to be Protestants to make them cease to be Christians cease to be loyal subjects and good men." See Dr. Ltywelyn's Historical Account of the Welsh Versions and Editions of the Bible, pages 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 79, 80, 82, 83, 89, 90. In January last, a Memorial* was addressed by a Welsh Antiquarian Society in London, to the present Bishops of Wales, on the subject of the orthography of the Welsh Bible. It concludes with the following intimation : " At the same time, however, your Committee musb not close this address Without throwing out a hint, that in future it will be more consistent to address the Bible Societies on this subject, than again to acknowledge the authority of men in whom we cannot confide, on account of their being un- acquainted with the Welsh language. And they would respectfully submit the suggestion to the attention of their brethren in Wales, who have proposed to act in reference to the orthography in question. " To this Address an Answer has recently issued from the pen of the Eev. John Jones, Archdeacon of Merioneth. It is written in a mild and gentle- manlike spirit ; but leaves untouched the main subject of the Memorial the competence of the present Bishops of Wales for the ordinary duties of their office. * Memorial o" the Ci'mreigyclcion-to tl>e Welsh Bi'hops. CHAPTER III. THE TWO ERAS. THE INFLUENCE OF THE NATIVE WELSH BISHOPS COMPARED WITH THAT OP THEIR ENGLISH SUCCESSORS : 1. ON CHURCH PATRONAGE. 2. ON RELIGIOUS AND GENERAL EDUCATION. " Look here upon this picture, and on this !" Hamlet. "Quanto praestantius esset Numen aquas, viridi si margine clauderet undas Herba nee ingenuum violarent marmora tophum." Juvenal. 1 ' How had the sacred stream more sweetly rolled, Still edg'd with rural verdure as of old, If still in nature's modest charms it shone, And marble ne'er defiled its genuine stone. " Owen's Translation. EXPEDIENCY, as opposed to simplicity of purpose and integrity, is sufficiently revolting, when made a rule of conduct in matters of mere civil policy ; but, when the doctrine, that evil may be done for the sake of the good it may produce, is admitted into religious institutions, we cannot expect for them the blessing of Providence ; a temporizing and crooked policy will always appear a most un- natural vehicle for the Christian injunctions to guilelessness and purity ! The doctrine, that the Welsh Church may be best govern- ed by natives of England, has many zealous friends, and for very obvious reasons ; and yet I never have heard one of them reconcile this practice with the Article of our Church, or those Gospel prin- ciples which it so forcibly expresses. The only vindication is, that it has been found salutary in practice ! Now, though this defence of English Episcopacy savours as strongly of one peculiarity of Popery, as the system itself of another, I am perfectly willing, for the sake of argument, to descend from the vantage-ground of pi inciple, and to try, by the fair test of historical ex^eiieijce, hew far Wales and the cause of religion 95 generally, have been benefitted by the policy that has long been pursued towards her. I am willing, in the outset, to admit, that during the times %vhen Wales was governed by "Welsh Bishops, instances may be found of great favouritism and corruption, and itjyill not be denied, on the other hand, that similar examples may be found amongst the English Bishops of Wales examples, it is to bejfeared, of a far more corrupt feeling, when we consider the additional check that is imposed in our days, by the vigilance of public opinion. But/ in comparing the merits of conflicting theories, it will always be the aim of candid men to avoid extreme cases on both sides, and to search out for some test by which they may judge of the even tenor of the ordinary workings of their respective systems. Happily, we possess a criterion on this subject, which is, in every respect, free from objection. From the year 1601 to 1640, the diocese of St. Asaph was governed exclusively by Welsh Bishops ; from 1761 to 1800 is a space of time of exactly equal length, during which its prelates were exclusively Englishmen. During both these periods, there was a tolerably rapid change of Bishops ; and it is singular, that in both cases, they were exactly four in number. It is difficult to conceive a state of circumstances more favourable to a fair comparison. I have selected the diocese of St. Asaph, because it is, in many respects, the most important in Wales, and because a publication relating to it has furnished us with the means of following up the investigation with peculiar minuteness (Brown Willis's St. Asaph). To inquire into the appropriation of all the benefices in the diocese would, of course, be alike tedious and un- profitable ; I propose, therefore, to confine^the inquiry to the higher branches of Church Patronage, which will be sufficient for all useful purposes. DQ H W H UI W O O p a - * OQ A, ^'Vl s 4 s *s | ^^ t? ^^> P^J 50 -9 ^ I -x- a ^ J W "e Pj .a ^ S *SL o .o 5?" -S r S r< fc ^ &, *tr i^^ '. & 2 o |2 PJ o 1-1 <5 fa J _ "S > i I-H 02 % f^ ^"^ ^^ 2 * r^ p_4 . H S I^-I rr\ ^ hJ 2 o S Ti 1 o -S""" 5T rt "^ Ja -"S w " P g l " H -S o fcOco"^ 03 -S^ >> ^S*O P S PM 'S 1 PH ^ f^ jfj -S^ - a S S 1 -| "f rf 8 3 1 1 | g'l (3 ^ yi*'*^ d"l^ -"S 1 S "" * Sr""! ?\"* -^ ^ '**"* rt O C3 HHH-P ^QHCQpH ^H SH (D h-4 ^ ^ rT * 1 3 '. i I'll - E s.b8 (SorfMB^Sif.Sgs^.fl W O VT tO K E -^ .ii \J > ^rfi ^ jS3~ )'S o S 5 S^ >^a p 98 The result of this comparison is very strongly indeed in favour of the native dynasty. FIRST. As regards fitness for the duties of their office. Three out of the four Welsh Bishops (viz., Morgan, Parry, and Owen), were, as we have seen, men distinguished by piety and a high degree of talent, applied entirely to professional objects ; and the fourth (Bishop Hanmer) seems to have been a man of worth and competent endowments. On the other hand, three out of the four English Bishops (Newcome, Shipley, and Bagot), were certainly not remarkable for great professional attainments, though one of them (Shipley) was distinguished as a parliamentary debater. The fourth (Bishop Halifax) had great professional claims ; but was Bishop of St. Asaph only during a short period. All the Welsh Bishops understood the language* of Wales ; three of them were distinguished by the peculiar depth of their knowledge on this subject, and were preferred on that very ground. The English prelates were all utterly ignorant of the Cambro-British tongue. SECONDLY. As regards the comparative disinterestedness with which the episcopal influencef was employed in each era, the con- trast between the number of " additional preferments," in the two periods, speaks volumes. The total number of " additional prefer- ments " enjoyed by the Welsh Bishops is FIVE, whilst those possessed by their English successors is SEVENTEEN ! But, upon this subject, we possess much more decisive evidence in the minute account preserved by Brown Willis and his editor, of the mode in which sinecure rectories and other high preferments were appropriated during the two periods. The reader will find, at the end of the Chapter, details which sufficiently establish the following conclusions : "We are apt to think," says a French writer, "that yesterday * Bishop Hanmer was born at Selatyn, Shropshire. In his time, the Welsh language was spoken in this parish, and we may presume he under- stood it. t Commendams are, it is true, the gift of the Crown ; but the royal bounty ia abused when they are enjoyed to excess. 99 never existed because we were born, but to-day ;" and thus it is with Wales, the pure flame of patriotism has been so long smothered by the strong arm of an unrighteous policy, that we are Apt to regard the sickly and unnatural light which has supplanted it, as the only security against total darkness. The more, however, we in- vestigate the subject, the more clearly shall we perceive, that the intellectual backwardness of the Welsh Church is the effect of a system of intellectual proscription, and therefore no vindication of it. During the Welsh period, we shall find, that though the higher preferments were almost exclusively confined to men whose names imply their Welsh origin, there were amongst them, perhaps, as many persons of eminence as amongst those who were promoted under the English regimen.* During the English period, the best benefices were generally bestowed on gentlemen conspicuous only for their connection with the prelates or their patrons even when given to men celebrated for their theological acquirements, it will appear, that those individuals were possessed elsewhere of professional emolu- ments, which surpassed, even their high professional attainments, that they were constant absentees from Wales, and that neither reason nor justice required that the Principality should be drained to reward them. On the other hand, though pluralties existed in the Welsh era, it was to a much less extent, and on principles much less injuries to the rights and interests of Wales, as those who were benefitted by them were almost uniformly natives of the country generally residents in some part or other of the diocese, and not like most of the present modern English sinecure pluralists of St. Asaph, stationed on another cluster of pluralities in the re- motest counties of England. I shall now proceed to a brief review of the progress of religious and general education in Wales, beginning with A HISTORY OP THE WELSH BIBLE AND ITS EDITIONS. From the Reformation to the time of Elizabeth was a period of English Bishops. The consequences of the system were similar * See Table at the end of this Chapter. 100 to what they now are; the people were, during the whole of that period, without a translation of the Scriptures. "For upwards of seventy years, from the Reformatian to the reign of Queen Elizabeth ; for nearly one hundred years, from the separation from the Church of Borne there were no Bibles in Wales, but only in the cathedrals or in the parish churches and chapels. There was no provision made for the country, or for the people in general ; as if they had nothing to do with the word of God, at least no farther than they might hear it in their attendance upon public worship, once in the week. This is astonishing ! " Llywelyn, p. 36. No sooner did that wise and patriotic Princess ascend the throne than she filled the Welsh bishoprics with native Welshmen men to whom Wales, in fact, owes all the religious light she at present enjoys, and but for whom it is more than probable she would have been, at this moment, a Popish Country, exposed to the super- stitions and miseries of a neighbouring and a kindred people.* * Bishop Richard Davies's Preface to his Edition of the New Testament. 101 WELSH BIBLE. Editions of 1st, folio... 2nd, folio.. When Published. 3rd, STO.... 4th, Svo.... 5th, 8vo.... 6th, 8vo.... 7th, folio... 8th, 8vo.... 9th, 8vo.... 10th, 8vo.. llth, 8vo.. 12th, Svo. . 13th, 8vo.. 14th ) 15th f folio 16th 17th 18th .. 19th 1588 1620 1630 1654 1678 1690 1690 1718 1727 1746 1752 1770 1789 At the end of this century. By whose Instrumentality. Bishop Morgan of St. Asaph. He undertook and accomplished the translation of the Scriptures solely from patriotic and religious principle. Llywelyn' s History of the Welsh Bible p. 17. Bishop Parry, of St. Asaph, aided by Dr. John Davies, of Mallwyd. ' ' Parry was entirely a volunteer in this affair, in- duced to undertake it merely from a consideration of the absolute wants and necessities of hia country. Many, if not most of the churches were without Bibles, and we may rest assured there were none elsewhere ; yet no provisions was made, or likely to be made, but for the voluntary, but for the spontaneous undertaking of this truly Pro- testant, and very venerable Bishop.'* Llywelyn. Rowland Heylin and Sir Thomas Middleton, two patriotic Welshmen, [n the times of the Commonwealth. Supposed by Dr. Llywelyn to have originated with Cromwell, who was of Welsh origin. 000 copies. Thomas Gouge, a pious and charitable Non-confor- mist, of London. 8000 copies. Stephen Hughes, a Dissenting Minister, patronized by Lord Wharton. Jishop Lloyd, of St Asaph (one of the 7 Bishops). Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. )itto. At the instigation of Griffith Jones, and in Ditto. consequence of the demand created by his Ditto. Schools. See Welsh Piety, vol. i. p. 20, 25. In all 30,000 copies. Ditto. At the instigation of Dr. Llywelyn, a Dissenting Minister. Ditto. By the Rev. H. Parry and Mr. John Themas. The Rev. Peter Williams, a Methodist Clergyman, with Notes. In the whole, about 20,000 copies. Charles, a Methodist Clergyman. The Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. At the instigation of a Welsh Clergyman, the Rev. T. Jones, Curate of Creaton, Northamptonshire. The Bible Society, which was formed in consequence of Mr. Jones failing to procure an additional supply from the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. 102 Since the commencement of the Bible Society, the number of Welsh Bibles sent by it into Wales, are as four to one, compared to those issued by any other institution. From the foregoing sketch, the reader may draw the following inferences : 1st. That when Wales was blessed with native prelates, they led the van in the progress of religious knowledge. 2ndly. That since she has been ruled by English Bishops, all her great religious benefits have been traceable either to the influence of Dissenters, or of a class of Clergymen such as Griffith Jones, who experienced few marks of episcopal favour. OTHER RELIGIOUS WRITINGS. An immense number of tracts, pamphlets, periodicals, &c., good, bad, and indifferent, have been published in the Welsh language by Dissenters. They issue about 4,000 copies of magazines every month. The clergy have written very few religious books of any description. Those who have written, have belonged to a class by no means in favour with their rulers; and the monthly magazine, called the GWYLIEDYDD, the only publication of the kind connected with the Church, is supported almost exclusively by Curates, and the poorer part of the beneficed clergy, and a smaller number of it are sold than of any other Welsh periodical. SCHOOLS. Many were endowed in the times of the Tudors and Stewarts, the .funds of which are now most grossly abused. About the time of the Revolution, Gouge, a clergyman, but a Non- conformist, established three or four hundred Schools in Wales, by aid of Subsciiptions. (See Archbishop Tillotson's Sermon on his death). Of Griffith Jones's and Mrs. Sevan's Schools, which spread over the whole country, an account has already been given. 30,000, the accumulation of the legacy left by that lady's will, are still em- ployed in a similar way. But the chief instructors of the people are the Dissenters. 103 Statement of the number of Schools Established by Griffith Jones and Mrs. Sevan, and the number of Scholars instructed in them from the commencement in 1737 till the death of that lady in 1777, a period of Forty Tears. Schools. Scholars. Schools . Scholars. In the year 1737 37 2400 In the year 1759 206 8539 1738 71 3981 1760 215 8687 1739 71 3989 1761 210 8023 1740 150 8767 1762 225 9616 1741 128 7995 1763 279 11770 1742 89 5123 1764 195 9453 1743 75 4881 1765 189 9029 1744 74 4253 1766 219 10986 1745 120 5843 1767 190 8422 1746 116 5635 1768 148 7149 1747 110 5633 1769 173 8637 1748 136 6223 1770 159 9042 1749 142 6543 1771 181 9844 1750 130 6244 1772 219 12044 1751 129 5669 1773 242 13205 1752 130 5724 1774 211 11685 1753 134 5118 1775 148 9002 1754 149 6018 1776 118 7354 1755 163 7015 1777 144 9576 1756 172 7064. J. / U\J 1757 iff 4H 220 I \J\JrK 9037 Total 6465 314051 1758 218 9834 In one word, both religious education and general education has sprung from the efforts of Dissenters and the most discouraged part of the clergy. What can be expected from such a state of things but Dissent deep-rooted Dissent ? The influence of the English Bishops on all these good works, has been like that of the stream which flows through Bala lake but, as it is thought, without mingling with the waters ! 104 SUMMARY OF THE COMPARISON. WELSH PRELATES, 1601. ENGLISH PRELATES, I7ol. They found a people immersed in They found a nation of Church- Popery; they left a nation of Pro- men; they left a nation of Dis- testants. Dr. Davies's Address to Ms senters. Countrymen, Prefixed to his tiansla- tlon of the New Testament. In the present century, in most districts of Wales, there is hardly In the last century, there was not one Welshman acquainted only with the Welsh language, who professed one Welshman acquainted only with the Roman Catholic religion. Welsh the Welsh language, who does not frequent the Dissenting Chapel oftener than the Church. Piety, by Griffith Jones. The period of Welsh Bishops ter- The period of English Bishops ends minates with the civil wars, (1641,) in 1700, with the general predo- during which North Wales was more minance of Dissent, which has con- faithful than any other part of the tinued to progress ever since, and is kingdom to the Crown and the still progressing. Church. Walter Davies's Life of Hugh Morris, the Bard. *< 5 a c .-S 8* - PQ Bishop Ship Asaph. g2 ! 02 O P h II a a H A K ^ > J ^^3 HA 'TS.S 1* F 111 . exl^a | ~7 ~ S W K s i 1 "fe 5 trj I-}' S 1-5' W $ Connections. flR i*| IN 3 H jB >> the Bishop || 1 1" 3 d 1 o 2 81 g^ 'C S T3 ^5 g^ s )chester if 5 -! Bp. Newcome Distinction The Prett distingui number ferments Brother of "1 g 2 ^ J3 h^ o rQ S QJ w *^ S rtf'S -gj e^ |S & ^ 2 ^^ g^S P5^ V| ^^ Sg PPQ -g -^ g 2 . 1 O LJ w oo JS 1 1 a ^ ^C as | 11 73 ."5 PH 3 s^ S 4 +-> a 03 .H o e S I Hi 1^8 . L <*H *y **-* ill <4H o o - - 1 g JO ^Ti il O H c g ^ a> .2 PPQ P^ 333 PH g I ti af J" ?1 'ncumbent*' Na Corwen. orge Prettyn Prettyman, Sneyd, E. .s a ^ ll i -SI ^ ^.ii 1 sW| ill t<^^ it "i O d S a) 'o *S H ^ IT) PQ 2 _g _J A fl -, > CO 3 K rt -*3 'o O -rH H 3 S a-S 7: b b PH > | ^ c8 r o o> IS f o i g A * s ^3 3 J i -1 o S* > 8 2 ^ O c3 !> i ^ 00 HI 1 CO rf S3 i H 'ia j VI k W -| fl . | 1 a | | 111 III $ ^ PQ "gPHflH fe|, 1 1i -a IS 1 ll d M^ jjl (t rt- a 3. ^2 S .3 MS"" ^ W ^ a g<5 o ;2 ? i! a, -a S ? OS 1 1 6 1 *x s * w i s *O *g CO COP s 1- t- ** S 13 O -*- r ' ,. . l rt o >> ' 5 "Sf O O g IfifJ S| "* p*^ w ' ! -s'S 1 Q g o 9 8_3 Q ^ ^ ~ . A O JH . S 3 1 Jo v "-< 2 02 ^ SrQ iQ >^ S>, t" -g , ~ v 1 fe- ) M S^ S < g S *= K 1: " J J3 s 02 3'f;^ bj >> J o jj 5 g 3 -i 2 o . rM '? 1 fi - f > DO i a ^4S S ^i-q H See of St. Asaph Llandrinio Lland; Northop Rect. ofKipley, Yc W c p4 H . ^ ^ ^ s a 7> * J^> EtJ fi boS P< o a *a t*5 Q4 ? Jd ^ C/2 M 03 ff 1 K ^ O ^ ~^ O ifl 1 ^3i^ jUJ 1 Llansannan. Brakenbridge, E . . . . Bishop Newcome, E C. Sampson, E ">>o 5)1 ! > h ^^ 'S fc i -4J a g.2 i I r oo < t* o iSl I Q !~S OJ ^60 1 w O co + o_ -g c j "! v^ fc S bof i SH "S g .& a s i Q o < ;g i - >. HrQ 1 S "o TO rj a o .2 '$ la .1 4 E"*- go 'u Cs = - ? rt 4-l S a O nd O t+A ^ , s3 eS 00 fj ~~* ~ $. . -. a ^ o fe: ! a" "^ rt r ^ a tfe 0^ R a ^^ ^ a" if if ij t5 C _-'s! ^ a^ e ^3 >>^ 1 IB l S ni OPn ' ^^ a , J ^ |" o, J'JjgV eg ^ r s : ?S II ** I! I s Pi W<^ HHj 1^'^ ;^ 1 .g sw ~ O 1 I b &'M 11 -I of i? ^u J3 o"& m rt g5fi "w o j oj 2 S^ O iJ & i-q PH P3 . to " 4 cm Ocq o o ga ? I 3 y Ow O4-|O o - a> ..H ~ ricf o rtf" I I if a" s rS-^ 11 C3 Q H -' H -g~ * . p, ^ ^' H , ^ Lil ll^i **& ^Irtf 2^^ 3S^|g Sx.a * . 5 S P ft fl t> r T fi .! ^ ^ H ^ K-J ^H >O * Melidcn. Libert Bouchr d ^" r-l tJ3 O S PM SH 02 & d s o 11 ^ g| | p S 0 d-d II Llan St. Ffraid- Mechain. Herbert Thelwall, G. Powell, W. ^ BP l. Sfl i2 a2 I PQ O ** H cS i Pn d - o 3 1 EH - g-S " w in r Crtf5 r j3'TN-^=iC55^ -2 45 2 S ^J^P S O I P W CHAPTER IV. PRIMARY AND DERIVATIVE CAUSES OP DISSENT IN WALES DISTINGUISHED. ECCLESIASTICAL MISGOVERNMENT THE SOLE CAUSE OF ITS PREDO- MINANCE. "It was merely the crisis to which things had been tending for some centuries; and if the fire did at last run over the country with wonderful rapidity, it was because the trees were all dry." Blunf s History of the Reformation. NOTHING is more common than to hear the wide-spread secta- rianism of Wales referred to a variety of causes ; causes (as it is generally assumed) of a totally distinct and independent origin. Now, that the moral impulses to Dissent are various, is a proposition which taken in a certain narrow sense it is impossible to deny ; but the question is, whether these various impulses were not at first communicated from one single source, whether they are not them- selves mere effects of one simple solitary cause. Nothing, for in- stance, can be more unsatisfactory than to rank ignorance and indi- vidual eccentricity, as in themselves, causes of Dissent in "Wales ; these are mere common infirmities and foibles of the human race, and not more predominant in the heart of her mountains, than in many lands in which separation from the established religion is almost unknown ; besides, Dissent has advanced with knowledge, and not with ignorance, and individual eccentricity will not ex- plain the sectarianism of a whole nation. Nor is it more philoso- phical to ascribe the strength of Dissent to the influence which views of worldly advantage may sometimes possess, in swelling its numbers ; mercenary views may, indeed, make converts to a cause already prosperous, but can rarely contribute to raise it into pros- perity. 112 A good deal of weight is sometimes attached (and with more reason,) to the continual change of preachers, and other attractions employed by Dissenters, more particularly the Welsh Methodists ; but here, again, we must remember that a numerous clergy implies a sect already numerous, and cannot therefore be reckoned amongst the original causes of its establishment, though it may afterwards serve still further to secure its predominance. " There is nothing new under the sun," says the proverb; there is very little in the expedients of modern Dissenters, which would not readily occur to men having similar views. Many of my readers will feel no difficulty in pointing out the antitype of the following picture : "They" (the Mendicant Friars) "practised all the stratagems of itinerancy, preaching in public streets, and administering the communion on a portable alter. Thirty years after their institution, an historian complains that the parish churches were deserted, that none confessed except to these friars ; in short that the regular disci- pline was subverted.* He" (the Mendicant Friar) " could preach where he would ; if he could not lawfully take possession of the church of the minister, he could erect his ambulatory pulpit at any cross in any parish, and rail (as he generally did) at the supine- ness and ignorance of the resident pastor. * * He would confess whosoever might come to him. It was to no pwyose that the parish priest refused absolution to any black sheep of his flock ; away he went to a Franciscan, and absolution was given him at once." BlunVs History of the Reformation, p. 37. " Indeed, the frailty of human nature soon found out the weak places of the Mendicant system. Soon had the primitive zeal of its founders burnt itself out, and then its censer was no longer lighted with fire from the altar : a living was to be made ; the populace were to be alarmed, or caressed, or cajoled out of a sub- sistence. However humiliating may be the truth, experience has sanctioned it as a truth, that an indigent church makes a corrupt clergy." Idem, p. 42. * Hallam's Middle Ages t vol. ii. p. 291, 113 The reader of Chaucer will also be struck by observing, that his Mendicant Friar is distinguished from the secular priest, by his gloomy views of religion ; whilst in his beautiful character of the latter he says, "but chiefly on the joys of heaven he loved to dwell;" and this disposition to dwell on judgments, rather than on mercies, is the peculiarity which, more than any positive difference of doc- trine, distinguishes the Methodist minister of the present day from the clergy of the Church of England. It is, in fact, the natural tone of thought with those who secede on the ground, that the Establishment is in a state of great moral corruption. Again, the result is sometimes referred to causes of a very differ- ent character, the zeal and industry of Dissenters on the one hand, and the apathy both of the clergy and lay members of the Estab- lishment on the other. 1. Of the zeal of Dissenters, it is enough to remark, that it can be attractive only in proportion as it stands contrasted with the inactivity of the clergy. 2. As to the apathy of the Welsh clergy, it may reasonably be asked, whence is it that they a^e open to this imputation ? Is religious indifference a feature of the community from which they are taken ? Undoubtedly not ; the virtues and vices of the Principality are both of a very different complexion. It is enough, then, to remark, that the dissimilarity in character between the Welsh clergy and the Welsh people cannot be explained in any other way than by the system of Church patronage, which attracts indolence into the Church, and repels excellence from it, which holds out a kind of bounty to mere negative characters, and looks coldly on patriotism and piety, and those attainments on which the usefulness of a parish priest in Wales will mainly depend. 3. The lay members of the Church, it is said, are extremely indifferent to her interests. Whilst Dissenters are in the habit of subscribing thousands to establish schools, and build chapels, the laity of the Establishment are by no means anxious for the extension of her influence. Hence, instead of chapels of ease con- nected with the Church b:ing erected to accommodate our increas- 114 ing population, the ground is left vacant for Dissenters who never fail to occupy it. Upon this subject also, it may be asked, is indifference to the interests of religion characteristic of the Welsh as a nation ? To this question, their liberality to the Dissenting clergy of the present day, the generous endowments granted by our forefathers in Roman Catholic times are a suffi- cient answer. Whence then the present indifference of the lay members of the Church in Wales to the extension of her commun- ion? Without approving of that indifference, I cannot help observing, that its causes are perfectly obvious. They will do nothing for the Church because she will do nothing for herself; it is sufficiently plain that if one half of that preferment which is engrossed by absentees and strangers, had been employed in extending the religious privileges of the people, there would have been but little need of voluntary contributions. It is no answer to tell us, that the prelates of Wales have no power so to apply those revenues; if such had been their disposition they might have obtained power from the legislature. Upon this subject, I may advert to the case of the new College of St. David's, at Lampeter, an institution, which, with all its abuses of administration, has been of no small benefit to the Church in Wales. Before its establishment, the young clergy of the Principality were of necessity educated either in acade- mies in Wales, where the education was of an inferior stamp, or at an English University, where they generally lost the free use their native dialect, and were apt to contract habits of expense and ambitious views,* which unfitted them for the pastoral duties * It has been before observed, that the clergy of Wales are, for the most part men of a humbler rank than those of England. Hence it is, that their brief residence in an English University tends so often to dazzle and unsettle their minds, and produces in too many instances, a most unfavourable change on the character and disposition. Placed in the vicinity, as it were, of young men more blessed by fortune than themselves, yet jealously excluded from familiar intercourse, they may witness and imbibe the follies and affectation of those above them, but they have no means of profiting by their superior intelligence. The inferior rank of the Welsh clergy arises in South Wales from the poverty of the Church ; but in North Wales, (where this difference does not, however, exist to the same extent, ) solely from the way in which all the higher emoluments are engrossed by strangers, which induces a kind of artificial poverty. 115 in. the seclusion of their native country. The object of St. David's College was to avoid the evils of both these courses of education, and combine all that was good in both ; its site being in the Principality, it was free from the evils attendant on an English University; on the other hand, it might reasonably be presumed, that it would be the means of affording, in a much more economi- cal way, that limited degree of erudition to which its students would have been restricted by their scanty resources, even at an University which flung wide the portals of learning to those Avho were in possession of the golden key. In support of this excellent institution, many of the Welsh gentry and clergy, and, indeed, some distinguished Englishmen, contributed most generously.* If, then, there ever was a time when disinterestedness was called for on the part of the rulers of the Welsh Church, it was then. But, how did they emulate the good example that had been thus set them? Did they sacrifice a sinecure rectory, a prebend, or any of those superfluous revenues which are professedly intended to provide learning, though, in reality, they are generally far otherwise employed? Alas, no! The College was endowed with a cluster of poor livings in the county of Cardigan, which were in some instances so completely stripped of their scanty revenues, that the parishoners were left without funds to support a resident minister ! Poor as the parochial clergy are in Cardiganshire, that county abounds in sinecures. The only apology that is found in the present day for the continuance of this species of Church patronage is its alleged tendency to promote learning; and it is still more worthy of remark, that the support of institutions similar to that of St. * Amongst the benefactions of this institution, the generous donation of Archdeacon Beynon is particularly worthy of remembrance. In addition to his subscription, this patriotic Welsh clergyman bestowed on the new insti- tion a fine of 742, accruing from his prebend of Penboyr. The Principality will also remember, with gratitude, a donation of 100, from Mr. Justice Bur- ton, -who, though an Englishman, evinced in thia instance the affectionate munificence of a eon. 116 David's College, was the very object for which they were preserved at the Reformation. "Although bishops, priests, and deacons, are the only sacred orders known to the Church of England, there are certain eccle- siastical offices and distinctions peculiar to her system, which require to be noticed. Such are deaneries, prebends, canonries, and similar situations connected with our cathedrals. Burnet, in his History of the Reformation, observes, that the design of these institutions was to form nurseries for the sees in which they were respectively situated; and that it was an object with the vene- rable Cranmer, (whose interest at court was unfortunately too low to effect it,) to restore them to their proper use, by 'set- ting up readers of the learned tongues and of divinity in them, that so a considerable number of young clerks might be trained up, under the bishop's eye, both in their studies and in a course of devotion, to be by him put afterwards in livings, according to their merit and improvements.' If the revenues belonging to the cathedrals were appropriated to such uses, they might be highly conducive to the general advantage and credit of the Establish- ment. The purposes to which they are applied are, however, purely political; and the general consequence is precisely what might be anticipated; not to raise modest merit out of obscurity not to mitigate the infirmities of the superannuated labourer not to train up a fresh generation of able theologians; but, proh pudor! to aggrandize the pride, and pamper the luxury of the richest and best provided members of the profession." Solemn Appeal on behalf of the Church of England, by the Rev. Daniel Mhil, perpetual Curate of Forden, in Montgomeryshire. The question, in what way the patronage of the Welsh Church has of late been applied, is, however, one of too grave a character to be considered, except through the medium of an enlarged view of facts ; to facts, therefore, I shall appeal. The following pages present a sketch of the state of Church property in two counties, which being in the centre of Wales, and at the junction of several dioceses, may be assumed to furnish a fair specimen of the state of patronage throughout the Principality. 117 SOUTH WALES. RADNORSHIRE Contains 42 parishes (exclusive of chapels of ease). Of these, 21 (one half) are in the hands of non-residents; 16 of whom are absen- tees even from the county ! Of the 16 livings enjoyed by absentees from the county, six are in the hands of clergymen residing severally in London, at Ports- mouth, at HarroAV, in Lancashire, and other parts of England; the remaining ten are shared between individuals living respectively in Brecknockshire, Pembrokeshire, and Glamorganshire. The incum- bent of St. Harmon's, not very long since, received both that benefice and Llanwrthwl, in Brecknockshire, in both of which the Welsh language prevails ; in St. Harmon's it is more generally spoken than in any other parish in Radnorshire. Yet, he is unacquainted with it ! Since the publication of the first edition of this Essay, a letter has appeared in the St. James's Chronicle, defending the union of parishes in Radnorshire, on the ground of their extreme poverty and the scantiness of their population. Now, I may take this op- portunity of observing, that I am fully sensible that some of the livings in Radnorshire are too poor to afford a decent maintenance to their ministers, much less an adequate recompense for a long life of piety and usefulness. But, still, I may be permitted to en- quire, what defence is this of the sixteen instances of incumbents who are absentees from the county altogether ? If the resources of the Church in this district are naturally scanty too scanty to do justice to the people too scanty to do justice to the deserving clergy, does not this place in a tenfold more odious light, those abuses which impoverish it still further, by handing over the revenues of its secluded Churches to gentlemen living in Hampshire, Lancashire, and the Metropolis ! ! But unhappily, if we look closely into the real facts of the case, we shall find, that the poverty of some of the benefices in this county will afford anything but an exculpatory comment on existing 118 abuses ; for, how stands the fact? Are unions confined to tJie poorer parishes?* So far is this from being the case, that of all the bene- fices in the district, which are too rich to receive augmentation from Queen Anne's bounty two-thirds are enjoyed by absentees from their parishes, one-half by absentees from the county !f NORTH WALES. MONTGOMERYSHIRE. In North "Wales, the Church is peculiarly opulent, but as little of the spirit of justice is discernible in the distribution of its Church patronage as in South Wales. In discussing this subject, I shall, in the first place, adopt two plain criteria, which will at once serve to place the truth of this proposition in an unequivocal light, and relievo me from entering into an invidioiis comparison of the individual merits of the clergy. I shall consider the parishes in this county in reference, first, to their value ; secondly, their population. And first, with reference to their value. One-half J of the livings above the annual value of 300 are appropriated as follows : m, r f ,1 ( Llanvechain, Newtown, Three to absentees from the county | and LUn fa ^^ Two to connections of the Bishops \ of Wales, but resident on their > Kerry and Llanllwchaearn. benefices / Two to gentlemen connected with the Bishops of Wales, absentees from the county, and possessed of Castell Caereinion and Berriew. other benefices of equal value Two to gentlemen ignorant of the | Llanrhaiadr and Machyn- Welsh language j lleth. * I might venture, with much humility, to suggest, that the only satisfac- tory restraint on pluralities, would be a specific rule for each individual parish, according to its circumstances. At present, two evils arise, the incumbent of two poor benefices is exposed to unjust odium, and the incumbent of wealthy "unions," is sheltered from his due share of censure. f See table of Radnorshire in the appendix. On this subject see also Carlisle's Topographical Dictionary of Wales, a useful and elaborate work. J More than one-half, if we exclude from this computation two livinga bestowed by the Crown, viz. Montgomery and Llandysil. 119 Secondly, I shall take the test of population. It is almost needless to remark, that it will always be an object with a con- scientious distributor of patronage, to render the Church most efficient in those places where her energies are most extensively demanded. Keeping this principle in view, we may now take a survey of the state of the Church in the four largest towns in Montgomeryshire. NEWTOWN, 400. The largest is held by a clergyman residing in Gloucestershire. A great part of the population of this place are but very imperfectly acquainted with English ; yet, the officia- ting minister has for many years, uniformly been a person ignorant of the Welsh language. MACHYNLLAETH, 400 is held by a clergyman ignorant of the language of the inhabitants. There is no town in the county in which English is less understood. WELSH POOL Christ Church, Oxford, 900, Vicar 300 is held by a clergyman who devotes himself to the duties of his parish with exemplary assiduity ; and, much to his credit, maintains a curate out of its revenues, which are by no means ample when we consider the expenses incident to a populous parish. The merits of the individual are, however, a stigma, and not an eulogium on the system of patronage, which, instead of employing the sinecure rectories in this county in augmenting the religious funds of its more populous parishes, has conferred them on individuals living in remote counties of England, possessing no peculiar claim on the Church in Wales, or the Church generally. These observations are, however, much more forcibly applicable to the next instance, where merit is not combined with youth and fortune. LLANIDLOES Dean and Chapter of Bangor, 180, Vicar 180. The incumbent is upwards of seventy years of age ; forty-four years of his life has he spent as its officiating minister, (fourteen as its curate and thirty as its incumbent.) His clear income as vicar has rarely exceeded 100 per annum ; and, till about a year ago, he had no prospect of such an increase of his resources as might enable him to obtain the assistance of a curate, in the performance of those duties for which his growing infirmities must shortly have 120 incapacitated liim. At length, however, in the 70th year of his age, his income was augmented ; but, by what means ? By a pre- bend or a sinecure ? By preferring him to a parish at once more opulent and less laborious ? No ! but, by adding another small benefice to that of which he was already in possession thus de- priving another parish of a resident incumbent throwing upon him the odium of a pluralist, without conferring upon him, even for the few brief years, which he might yet expect to live, an in- come equal to that of any one of those benefices in this county, which are accumulated into pluralities for men in the extreme of youth unconnected with Wales connected only with the dispensers of its Church patronage ! I have dwelt at length upon this case, because it is a specimen of the system. The best livings are squandered in pluralities, from mere nepotism ; and thus it comes to pass, that plurality in the small livings is the only expedient left for securing any thing like a decent maintenance for the meritorious part of the clergy ! ABSENTEEISM. Putting sinecure rectors out of the question, ten of the parishes in Montgomeryshire are held by gentlemen who are absentees from the county altogether. Besides the benefices already enumerated as belonging to this class, are the following : GAKTHBEIBIO, held by a gentleman resident in Caermarthenshire. LLAN ST. FFEAID. The rector and vicar are both absentees, resident in remote districts in England ! Of this more by and by. LLANWYDDELAN, held by a gentleman residing on the borders of Denbighshire and Caernarvonshire, CABNO, LLANWYNOG, AND TBEVEGLWYS. These three, together with Llanidloes and Llandinam, constitute what is termed the comportion of Llandinam. In the reign of James the Second, more than two-thirds of the ecclesiastical tithes of this district were vested in the Dean and Chapter of Bangor, as trustees, for the following purposes: one-third for the support of the vicars of these parishes, and the remaining two-thirds, first, for 121 the repair of the cathedral secondly, for the maintenance of the choir. In the year 1812, the tithes thus vested in the Dean and Chapter had so much improved in value, that they came to a resolution of applying for an Act of Parliament, to enable them to borrow a sum of 5,000, on the security of the tithes, to be employed first, in erecting a "Welsh church in Bangor; secondly, enlarging the cathedral ; thirdly, augmenting the salaries of the vicars of that town, and in building dwelling-houses for the accommodation of those gentlemen. This project was thwarted by Dr. Pring, the organist of the cathedral, and other members of the choir, who presented a petition to the Court of Chancery, praying that the tithes might be applied in strict conformity to the Act of James, viz., first, to the support of the Montgomeryshire vicars; secondly, the repair of the cathedral ; and thirdly, the maintenance of the choir; insisting that the whole of the surplus remaining after the accomplishment of the first two objects, ought, according to the Act, to be divided amongst the members of the choir. The Court decided in favour of this application ; one of the results of its decision was to give To the organist, 138, double his original salary. To the vicars of Bangor,* 249. To each singing man, 40, four times his original salary! To each singing boy, 20, being about eight times his original salary ! Though the Dean and Chapter of Bangor thus failed in changing the law as it stands under the Act of James, their attempt to do * Before the decision in this case, it was never supposed that the vicars of Bangor (as members of the choir) had any claim to a portion of the fund ; nor is it easy to reconcile such a claim (by whatever authority it may be support- ed) with the letter or spirit of the Act of James. That statute is framed for the relief of the choir, expressly on the ground, that it had at that time "no income or allowance ;" now, the vicars of Bangor had then, and have now, the tithes of the parish of Bangor: it is impossible, then, to suppose that they were intended to be included in the Act, under the term " Choir." See Dr, Pring' 9 Account of the Suit in Chancery, page 218. 122 BO relieves me from any difficulty which. I might otherwise have felt, in contending, that, that act ought to be repealed ; for, that, it ought to be repealed, is a principle which they themselves the trustees under it have thus irrevocably sanctioned. The only question is, to what purpose the tithes should be appropriated which are now fettered by its provisions ? Which possesses the better claim the town of Bangor, or the parishes on which they are levied, and from which they were taken by that act ? On this subject, as a mere matter of justice, there can hardly be much difference of opinion ; but, when we recur to the present state of patronage in this part of Montgomeryshire, we shall find other grounds for arriving at a decided conclusion. Of the five parishes in the comportion of Llandinarn, the vicars of four are non-residents three absentees from the county ; in short, in the five parishes, there is only one resident incumbent the vicar of Llanidloes! Two of the benefices, Llanwynog and Carno, have only one officiating minister between them, a man whose kindness of disposition and exemplary life might, one would think, have exempted him from the fate of being, at an advanced age, the curate to two absentees in the charge of two extensive parishes with a salary from both, not amounting to 100 a-year! These five benefices, together with that of Llangurig, constitute the hundred of Llanidloes, the population of- which hundred, in the returns of the present year, amounts to 12,159 The population of the whole hundred of Is Gwyrfai, in which Bangor is situated, is scarcely more numerous . . 12,844 Yet, the tithes enjoyed by the resident clergy of the hundred of Is Gwyrfai are at least treble the amount of those in the hands of the clergy of the hundred of Llanidloes. Nay, what will be thought when it is added, that the two vicars of Bangor alone are possessed of emoluments which far exceed in amount the whole tithes set apart for the vicars of all these parishes put together ! Still more singular is it, that in addition to the immense funds drawn from this district by the Cathedral, the scanty residue left 123 for its religious wants should Ibe squandered on absentees! !* I shall now proceed to comment a little more at length on the state of some of the parishes just enumerated. LLANVECHAIX, 750 is the richest living in the county; and, perhaps, of all its parishes, practically enjoys the smallest portion of it own endowments. KERRY Bishop 660, Yicar 330. It is certainly a little hard upon this parish, the remotest in the whole diocese of St. David's from the episcopal residence, that, whilst one part of its tithes belongs to the Bishop, his connections should enjoy the remainder! The Bishop's tithes are on lease to his predecessor, Dr. Burgess, now Bishop o Salisbury, who when Bishop of this diocese, granted to a person connected with him, a lease, to commence after the ex- piration of an existing lease to a family in the neighbourhood ; on his translation to another diocese, this new lease was assigned to him, and thus, his lordship (the Bishop of Salisbury) is now lessee of the tithes of Kerry ! It is but justice to Dr. Burgess to add, that the revenues of the see of St. David's were, on the whole, augmented considerably by his disinterested refusal to renew leases of this kind.f Nor do I think that his conduct, in this instance, is deserving of any great censure ; as he merely left the rights of the see, in this parish, in the same condition in which he had found them. It is, however, worthy of consideration, how far the power of granting concurrent leases at present possessed by our Bishops, is consistent with justice to their successors and the com- munity. This grievance, of anticipating the income of the Church, by granting beneficial leases, is of great antiquity as far as this parish is concerned. "Upon July the 9th, anno 1637, the King (Charles I.) commanded him (the then Bishop of St. David's) that neither he nor his successors should renew the leases of the * Before the Act of James, the Cathedral was repaired at the expense of the Bishop and Chapter (B. Willis's Bangor, p. 44) ; and, as stated in the Act, the annual income of the bishopric was not then more than 200. Since that time, an immense number of sinecure rectories have been annexed to the see. t Dr. Burgess's general conduct, when Bishop of St. David's, entitled him to the gratitude of the Principality. 124 rectories of Kerry and Glascwm, then ready to expire, but hold them in demesne." Manbi/s St. David's, p. 160. The present vicar was intruded on the parishioners against their expressed wishes and feelings ; and it may safely be affirmed, without any disparagement of his general merits, that his previous habits neither qualify him, in any peculiar degree, for the duties of a se- questered parish in "Wales, nor to exhibit, in a very favourable light, the motives of those to whom he is thus indebted. The curate of the late vicar, in whose favour the parishioners petitioned, has remained since the death of the late vicar, not only without preferment, but without employment in the Church ! CASTELL CAEREINION, 600 has been held for two-thirds of a century without intermission, by the relatives of the prelates of Wales ; and during the whole of this time, the rich living of Gres- ford, in Denbighshire, at the other extremity of the diocese, has been enjoyed with it ! (See Brown Willis's Castell Caereinion and Gres/ord.} The present incumbent, the Rev. Heneage Horsley, is resident in Edinburgh ! His curate, who is upwards of seventy years of age, and at least twenty years older than his rector, is a man, whose pious attention to the duties of his profession is de- serving of a far better fate. I have heard it alledged, indeed, that some apology is to be found for the mode in which he has been treated, in the circumstance, that he derives about 20 a year from a living in a neighbouring county, in which he has never resided. And, undoubtedly, this is a very good reason to those who choose to make it a reason ; beyond question, there are laws in our day like those of classical fame, which, like cobwebs, may serve to strangle small flies, though large ones may easily break through them. This will be exemplified by the next instance. .BEKIUEW, 450. If non-residence be so peculiarly odious to the dispensers of patronage in Wales, it is rather singular, that they should have embarrassed the incumbent of this living, on his first entry into his profession, with two parishes at once, to one of which he must of necessity be a non-resident. Yet, this was literally the case ; he received from his uncle, Bishop Luxnaoore, 125 two benefices, each, worth 4-50 a-year at the same time, and i the 24th year of his age, the earliest period at which any prefer- ment could be either bestowed or accepted ! The curate of Berriew is 73, more than double the age of his vicar. No one who con- siders the rights of the inhabitants of this extensive parish to such an appropriation of their religious funds as may ensure them the services of a youthful officiating minister, as may relieve them from the repulsive spectacle of age burdened with labours fit only for youth, and youth enjoying emoluments that could not, with any degree of justice to the parishioners, have been awarded even to a g e> w ill envy the feelings of those who are content to profit by such an arrangement.* LLANRHAIADR. The rectorial tithes, 1,000, were appropriated by an Act passed in 1680, to the repair of the Cathedral of St. Asaph, and the maintenance of the c aoir. The vicar's share, 450. He is unacquainted with the Welsh language. It is stated by Brown Willis, that before the passing of the Act of 1680, "the four singing men, choristers, and organists, and the reparation of the fabric, were maintained chiefly by subscriptions of the Church members, who, if they had not been gentlemen of generosity and zeal for the place, which may be attributed to their having been most of them natives of the diocese, the Church must have lain in ruins, and the inferior members could not have subsisted." Hence, * Population of Berriew in 1815, 2,334. Under a recent statute, passed for the purpose of ensuring to stipendiary curates a salary proportioned to the population of parishes, the curate in this case was entitled to a salary of 150 from the present vicar ; and yet, till Dr. Carey became Bishop of St. Asaph, he never received more than 100. This is a strong practical instance of the impossibility of regulating the income of curates by legislative com- pulsion. However clearly his liabilities may be defined, an avaricious incum- bent will always have it in his power to find an individual, willing, either from local attachments or other motives, to accept a curacy on the terms of a compromise of his just legal claims. The Romish Church wisely provided for the working clergy, by giving them a share of the tithes, and by trans- ferring the right of appointment from the rector to the bishop. The curates were thus really safe from the encroachments of the rectors. 126 it appears, that there was a time when the Welsh people were as liberal to the Church as they now are to the Dissenting Chapel. This Act, which originated with Bishop Lloyd, was, no doubt, well meant, as is proved by a provision it contains, by which seven other sinecure rectories were merged in the vicarages, a measure, the disinterestedness of which will be duly appreciated by all who are familiar with the selfishness which is generally so conspicuous in the distribution of sinecure rectories. In the present day, how- ever, it is well worth consideration, whether it is altogether just, that the immense sum of 1,000 should be annually drawn from this single parish, to be plunged into a sort of quicksand, in the shape of the Cathedral of St. Asaph ! Were the edifice one of the noblest monuments of ancient architecture, we might well question the propriety of devoting to its support a fund sufficient to establish parochial schools through the whole county from which it is ex- acted ;* and, we believe that those who can best appreciate the sublimity of art, would be the first to deem its very choicest relique an insignificant object compared to the general intelligence of a peo- ple. Nothing, then, ought to reconcile us to such a sacrifice, for the sake of a Cathedral, in a very common style of architecture. Eich as she is in the unfading magnificence of Nature, Wales would do well to leave to more favoured realms the inferior ornaments of art. The beauties of nature, an educated and religious people, these are the true glories, and should be the only pride of the humble land of rock and mountain. But, to return : if there ever was a case in which the feelings of a people ought to have been peculiarly consulted, it was in the application of the tithes still left to the vicar of this benefice. What, then, are we to think, when we find, that even the vicarial tithes belong to a gentleman unacquainted with their language If The Act of 1680 begins by reciting, that " The Cathedral Church * This is not literally correct, as some part of this parish is in Denbigh- shire ; this, however, does not affect the principle of my remarks. t My remark is directed against the appointment, not against the individual. 127 of St. Asaph, by reason of the high and bleak situation thereof, near the sea, is much exposed to storms, and requireth great and frequent repairs." Those who look abroad, through the diocese of St. Asaph, will suspect that cathedrals may flourish at the self- same time that the living members of the church are fast fading away, and that it is high time for the friends of the Church of England to fortify her by nobler bulwarks than those which are proof only against "seas and storms!" GUILSFIELD. Christ Church, Oxford, 900, Vicar 300. Is in the possession of a gentleman of the name of Luxmore; neither of the clergymen of that name before alluded to. At least one- half of this parish is inhabited by people who do not understand the English language, and he is ignorant of Welsh, nor is "Welsh service ever celebrated in the Church. At the same time, I feel it a duty to bear testimony to the pastoral assiduity of the reverend gentleman. When we consider the extent of his parish, and that ho has been in the habit of maintaining a curate, it must be apparent, that his real emoluments are but trivial. He is worthy of a better system than that with which he has chosen to identify himself, and under a better system, would have been deserving of a higher reward. POOL, GUILSFIELD, MEIVOD, BUTTIXGTON, 2,500 the greatest portion of the tithes of these four parishes were conferred on Christ Church, Oxford, in the time of Henry the Eighth; they originally belonged to the monastery of Strata Marcella, in this county. Without disputing, that the advantage of individual districts must, sometime?, and in some slight degree, be sacrificed to wide national improvements, it is impossible not to feel, that the Principality has a stricter claim upon this fund, than is realized by its present application ; particularly, when we remember, that in no part of the kingdom has the cause of education* been so much neglected by the government. That a direction of these revenues to some purpose more exclusively connected with her intellectual * I may remark (and, I trust, without any feeling of intolerance), that Wales possessed at least as strong claims on the British Government, as the Catholic College of Mayuooth. 128 privileges 'would not be injurious, but conducive to the general interests of learning is a proposition supported by a writer, whose experience, piety, eloquence, and philosophical acumen, have given to his opinions on the subject of endowments an almost despotic authority. "There can be no doubt, that it would serve to multiply and diffuse the higher scholarship through England, were the Colleges of Oxford and Cambridge more dispersed than they now are over the face of the country. The distance of these great seminaries, or rather of these mighty aggregates of seminaries, is a barrier in the way of many families. Let these aggregates be, in some degree at least, broken up by detaching so many of the separate institutions, and transferring them, with all their endow- ments, to other parts of the land ; and we feel confident, that the whole amount of the nation's literature would be greatly increased. Each vicinity so blessed would brighten into a more highly lettered region than before, and we should there behold a more refined and accomplished society. The juxtaposition of a college would tell on the general habit of education in every town and neighbourhood wherein it should happen to be situated." Dr. Chalmers on Endow- ments, p. 167. PREBEND MOCHDKE. Jackson, Cambridge, 200, Vicar 100. The tithes belonging to the Prebend are let on a lease for lives, and the Prebendary receives but a small sum from the lessee. This, however, does not improve the case, as far as the community are concerned ; the only effect of leases of this description is to benefit one ecclesiastic at the expense of his successor ;* the tithes are equally lost to the parishioners and the diocese, whether they * The following is a description of the effects of the system of leases in question, which is as gross an injustice to the Church and the commu- nity, as if those who granted the first lease had attempted to sell nine-tenths of the tithes. The tithes of Mochdre belong to the prebendal stall at Brecon ; but they are held on a lease for lives by a family in Brecknockshire. This sort of tenure is very common in regard to lands and tithes belonging to stalls in Cathedral and Collegiate Churches, and forms, in fact, a considerable part of the income of great and even noble families in England. A small reserved rent is annually pail to the Prebendary, and a fine of about two years' net 129 are enjoyed by a Prebendary at Cambridge, or (as is the case in this instance) by a lessee in Brecknockshire. Prebends were origin- ally stipends for certain duties connected with the Cathedrals ; at present, they are mere sinecures. In taking leave of this branch of Church preferment, I cannot help remarking that if it ever is applied in the promotion of learning, this certainly is not the case in this county. The only one of its resident clergy who has contri- buted to English theological literature is, at the age of forty, a curate, with a salary of 100 a-year, and he owes even this curacy to a lay corporation.* But, as this is an instance which belongs rather to England than to Wales, I will choose one which does indeed belong to the Principality. The name of Walter Davies is well known to all who are informed upon any one subject in which his country is peculiarly interested; independently of his merits as a pious and exemplary pastor, he has contributed to almost every work calculated to promote the honour and welfare of Wales : in addition to his researches into her past history, his works on those arts which most conduce to her advancement in wealth and civilization, are acknowledged to be the very best that have been written on those subjects. Is it possible to conceive higher claims at least as far as this county is concerned ? And what is his reward at that age when the strength of ordinary men is but labour and weakness ? Neither prebend nor sinecure but a mere third-rate benefice ! SINECURE UECTOBIES. Originally, every rector was bound to income is paid for the insertion of every new life in the lease. This, in common cases, occurs seldom, because the lessee always nominates a young and good life ; and few incumbents, at the age when they usually are pro- moted to stalls, will have the temerity to run their lives against two others. Therefore, the lessee has always an advantage in negociating for the insertion of a third life ; and, in fact, this sort of property is far more valuable to him than to his ecclesiastical principal. Mr. Jenkins, the late Prebend, received from his stall nothing but the Reserved rent. One, indeed, of the lives " dropped," but the fine offered for a renewal was so trifling, that he declined taking it ! * The Rev. Daniel Nihil, Curate of Forden. 130 reside ; gradually, however, they contrived to devolve the whole duty on their vicars, who, like our modern curates, were paid by an arbitrary stipend. In the time of Henry the Third, an Act was passed, conferring on the vicars a portion of the tithes ; generally, it is supposed, about one-half. (Burn's Ecclesiastical Law.) This Act was not meant to sanction the non-residence of rectors, but merely to improve the condition of vicars ; and according to Dr. Burn, the non-residence of what are called sinecure rectors, is even yet nothing better than a venerable abuse ratified by no express statute or decision. LLAN ST. FFRAID. Sinecure Eector 500, Yicar 250. Both 'absentees in remote districts of England! Curate's salary 90. This is a singular case indeed ! The rector is an absentee, and takes with him two-thirds of the tithes ; thus far we have merely an imitation, though certainly a very zealous one, of the worst abuses of Popery ; but this is not all ; with us, even the vicar also is allowed to play the non-resident, the vicar, whose very duty, even in Popish times, it was to atone for the absence of another ; the vicar (himself a curate in the middle ages) is permitted in these days of light, to revive, in his own favour, the system of stipendiary curates,* that very grievance, the removal of which was the only object of his endowments !f LLANBRYN MAIE. Sinecure Eector, ~W. Gibson, 300. Ab- sent in a remote part of England. Yicar 300. This sinecure has been held by gentlemen of the name of Gibson since the year 1775. DAROWAIN. Sinecure Eector, C. S. Luxmoore, Dean of St. Asaph, 120. Eosident in Herefordshire. Yicar 120. The Yicar is in his 77th year double the age of the rector. "Without adverting to the claims of the Yicar, it is impossible not to feel * The curate is an amiable and worthy man, which may, in some measure, enable the parishioners to endure the injustice that is accumulated upon them. t "When a vicar is instituted, he (besides the usual forms) takes, if required by the Bishop, an oath of perpetual residence ; for the maxim of law is ricarius non habet vicarium." filackstone's Commentaries, yol. i. page 389. 131 the strongest indignation at an arrangement thus unjust to the parishioners which leaves the duty of their parish to the oldest clergyman in the county, and confers half its scanty revenues upon an individual, who, though an absentee from the county and the diocese, enjoys a larger share of the income of the Church in Wales than any other clergyman whatever ! BISHOPS' LIVINGS. Llandrinio } ^ , ,, Q , A oWI ( 550 Curate 120 Llandysilio Bishop of StAsaph ^ Pennant m commendam. 300 1300 The two first of these parishes were added to the bishopric since the restoration, the third within the last twenty years ! Thus, in the course of a century and a half, has the immense sum of 1,300 been added to the see of St. Asaph from this single county. Most of my readers are probably aware, that the term " commendam" signifies, in this case, a power vested in the Crown, of enabling a Bishop to hold other preferments in addition to his regular revenues. The alleged object of this power is the augmentation of poor bishoprics; and if the possessors of power were free from human infirmities, this would be a good defence of the system of commendams. Unhappily, however, the three parishes in question afford us abundant proof, that "the augmentation of poor bishoprics," is not the purpose to which it has generally been applied ; as we have seen the two first of these livings were annexed to the see at the restoration, a period when, according to Burnett, the Church was profusely rich, owing to the funds which had accumulated during the civil wars ; ( 'History of his own Times J and the third benefice was added at a time of growing agricultural prosperity ! Next to the practice of trans- lations, nothing tends so much to infuse into the Church a spirit * 120 is the proper income of the vicar. The present Bishop, Dr. Carey, has augmented the vicarage by the addition of 80 of the rectorial tithes ; he has evinced similar liberality in other instances. In treating of the principle of this case, I have adhered to the usual division. 132 of political subserviency as that of commendams ; and I cannot help expressing my regret, that the present estimable head of the Church of England should have defended the latter, at the same time that he admitted the impropriety of the former. The argu- ment advanced by his lordship in favour of commendams, viz. that they are a part of the prerogative of the Crown, is equally applica- ble to translations, which are also a prerogative of the Crown. The prerogatives of the Crown may be limited by Parliament, when clearly at variance with religion and liberty ; nay, our Pro- testant Church is secured by such restrictions restrictions of a far more extensive character than that now contended for and wrung from Monarchs who set a far higher value upon corrupt influence than our present excellent sovereign.* A considerable portion of the tithes of this county are in lay hands : of individual lay tithe owners, no peculiar remarks suggest themselves ; one parish, however, which is in the hands of a Lay Corporation, cannot be passed by without some observations. CHURCHSTOKE, 900. Its tithes belong to "the Warden and poor men of Clun Hospital," an Institution which strongly demands Parliamentary enquiry. In addition to Churchstoke, and other property, the tithes of Knighton, in Radnorshire, belong to it. When we consider the amount of these funds, and when it is added that the sums paid by the Hospital, to the late curate of Church- stoke, at the age of seventy, did not exceed 60, we may conjec- ture, that a smaller portion of the tithes of this parish were * The sees of St. Asaph and Bangor were both, in the time of Elizabeth, rather poor ; but now, owing to the continual additions that have been made to them out of the Church property of the dioceses, they are two of the wealthiest in the kingdom. St. Asaph is double the value of Oxford, Bristol, and several other bishoprics, the duties of which are of a far more arduous character than those of the Welsh dioceses. It is, perhaps, needless to remark, that the efficiency of our Bishops has not increased with increased wealth, which has only served as a new temptation to the Ministers of the day, to employ our sees for political purposes, in contempt of the religious wants of the country. 133 expended on him, than on any one of the paupers, maintained in idleness by the Hospital ! I am fully aware, that his income was, in some degree, augmented by Queen Anne's bounty; but this circumstance can only make us regret, that the pious benevolence of that Princess, which was intended for the benefit of the poorer clergy, should, in so many instances, only serve to swell the mass of existing abuses, by exonerating the lay tithe owners and the more opulent clergy, from those burdens, which in all reason, they ought exclusively to bear.* Curate's income, 20P, of this, 60 comes from Queen Anne's bounty. From the foregoing detail, it will appear, that at least one-half of the parishes of this county, are scenes of abuses, which, it is equally impossible to justify and to deny abuses which, he that runs may read ! I shall now compare the amount of Church property, in the hands of absentees from the county, clergymen ignorant of the Welsh language, &c., &c., with the aggregate revenues of the clergy generally. TITHES HELD BY ABSENTEES PROM THE COUNTY. Berriew, 450. Castell Caereinion, 600. Q-arthbeibio, 100. Carno, 100. Llan St. Ffraid, 250. Llanwyddelan, 300. New- town, 400. Llanwynog, 205. Treveglwys, 110. Llanvechain, 750 3265 BISHOPS.J Llandrinio, 550. Uandysilio, 450. Pen- nant, 300. Kerry, 660 1960 PREBEND. Mochdre 200 SINECURES. Darowain, 120. Llanbryn Mair, 300. Llan St. Ffraid, 500 920 CATHEDRALS. Llandinam, 560. Llanwynog, 410. Carno, 90. Llanidloes, 180. Treveglwys, 65 Llanrhaiadr, 1000 , 2305 * I have good authority for stating that so far back as 1809, there was an accumulation of money belonging to the Hospital, of upwards of 12,000 ; since which period, the tithes in this parish have nearly tripled in annual amount. t The rectoral tithes of all those parishes marked thus have been added to the Cathedrals and the bishoprics within the last two centuries, The. collective. value of those tithea ia 3,605 ! 10 134 CHRIST CHURCH, OXFORD. Guilsfield, 900. W. Pool, 900. Meivod, 500. Buttington, 200 2500 CLTTN HOSPITAL 906 INCUMBENTS IGNORANT OF THE WELSH LANGUAGE. Llanrhai- adr, 450. Machynllaeth, 300* 850 RELATIVES OF THE BISHOPS. Guilsfield, 300. Kerry, 330. Llan-llwchhaearn, 400f 1030 Sum Total, held as above 13,930 FROM THE ABOVE, IS TO BE DEDUCTED, THE SALARIES OF THE CURATES, OF BISHOPS AND ABSENTEES, VIZ : Llandrinio, 120. Llandysilio, 120. Berriew, 150. Castell Caereinion, 70. Treveglwys, 70. Carno, 40, Llanwynog, 55. Llan St. Ffraid, 90. Llanwyddelan, 70. Llanvechain, 70. Garthbeibio, 60. Newtown, 100. Churchstoke,*from Clun Hospital, 100 1115 Sura Total, enjoyed as above 12,815 GENERAL BODY OF RESIDENT INCUMBENTS. Aberhafesp, 250. Buttington, 100. Bettws, 250. Cemaes, 350. Churchstoke, j 100. Darowain, 120. Forden, 100. Hirnant, 180. Hissington, 160. Llanbryn Mair, 300. Llandinam, 290. Llangurig, 200. Llanidloes, 180. Deuddwr, 100. Llanerfyl, 300. Llanvair, 4CO. Llan Vihangel, 350. Llan- vyllin, 500. Llangadvan, 300. Llangynyw, 350. Llangynog, 120. Llanllugan, 50. Llanmerewig,lOO. Llanwyddyn, 100. Llanwrin, 400. Llandysil, 450. Manavon, 300. Mochdre, 100. Meivod, 500. Montgomery, 400. Welsh Pool, 300. Pennant, Vic. 102 (and 80 added by Bishop Carey). Penegoes, 300. Penystrowed, 140. Snead, 90. Tregynon, 81. Tolal, enjoyed as above 8511 * Besides these, the Prebendary, the three Sinecurists, and four of the absentees, are ignorant of the Welsh language. t Berriew and Castell Caereinion, are held by Bishops' relatives, who are classed. amongst the "Absentees.-" J Queen Anne's Bounty house and garden, 100. 135 Great as are the abuses, which form the subject of the foregoing remarks, they are, after all, a mere index to the general spirit in which the patronage of the whole Church is administered. I do not mean, of course, to affirm that worth and piety are uniformly in poverty, or that the emoluments of the Church always fall to the share of the profligate priest ; but I leave it to the experience of a certain class of my readers, whether the estimable clergy are not depressed quite as often as the undeserving. But it is not so much by neglect of the broad distinctions between the extremes of vice and virtue, that an unjust spirit is manifested, as by a disregard to degrees of merit by the manner in which the best preferments are generally conferred on mere negative characters, whilst men of first-rate professional claims are past over altogether, or receive only mere second-rate rewards. In short, the best that can be said of the system of patronage is, that it apportions its boons like the lottery wheel, if not in hostility to merit without any respect to it. And here I may take the opportunity of declaring, that nothing is farther from my intention than to cast an indiscriminating stigma upon the resident clergy of the county of Montgomery ; and I may appeal to those who possess opportunities of forming a judg- ment on such a subject, whether I have not, throughout the whole of the preceding remarks, evinced the utmost anxiety to do justice to individuals, without reference to the passions or the parties of the day. This humble claim will, I feel confident, be admitted ; and I cannot help believing, that should any trivial error of judgment or of fact have occurred in the previous observations, candid men of all parties will feel inclined to ascribe it to the infirmity of human judgment and the intricacy and delicacy of some topics, ratner than to a spirit of factious and wilful misrepresentation. Of a very large portion of the clergy of this county, I might truly say, that they are amiable, pious and charitable ; of a large majority, that their lives are in strong contrast with those of their predecessors of the last century, who spent six days out of the seven 136 in tippling in ale houses, or in the rude sports of the demoralized squirarchy of thair day. My remarks, I repeat it, are not directed against the clergy as a body, but against that base system of eccle- siastical mal-administration, which is no less unjust to them than to their country. Yet, notwithstanding the reform that has to a great extent taken place in the lives of the clergy, it is a fact too well known to be questioned, that Dissent has of late years progressed with an increased momentum ; and this is perfectly consistent with an opinion previously expressed,* that the virtues of individual ministers always operate against a Church, which, as a whole, is in a corrupt state of administration. Nothing, then, but a funda- mental reform of her system can save the Church in Wales. In that part of Montgomeryshire which lies in the Welsh dioceses, the Dissenting Chapels are in more than a treble proportion to the Churches of the Establishment, f Churches and Chapels of Ease belonging to the Established Church 49 Dissenting Chapels 154 More than one-half of these Dissenting Chapels have arisen within the last twenty-two years ; the number ascribed to this county for the year 1810, in Peter's Hanes Crevydd, is 74. Strong as are the expressions contained in this chapter, the reader will find terms still more unqualified employed, in an able article, published since the first edition of this Essay, in the British Critic and Theological Quarterly, a publication which cannot be suspected of any other feelings bat those of attachment to the true interests of the Church. " With the House of Hanover and Sir R. Walpole came parlia- mentary management and corruption j and that abominable exercise of a most important function of the Crown, which has prevailed, with little intermission, to the present day. Without having * See account of Griffith Jones's Schools in the first Chapter. + To those parishes in Montgomeryshire which are situated in the diocese of Hereford, the principles evolved in this Essay do not apply, the people have but little of the Welsh character, and their language is English. There is but one Chapel in the whole district, 137 resourse to exaggeration, we may safely say, that not one Bishop in five was appointed from prop3r motives, during the long period which elapsed between the administration of Walpole and of Liverpool." p. 224 "Such as are the Bishops which the Crown is pleased to place over it, such, in point of efficiency, order, and strength, must be the Established Church; and what probability is there, in the nature of things, or from the results of experience, that the Crown will generally and wisely consult the interests of religion. Looking to the almost universal practice of mankind, we see that patronage of every description is used more as an instru- ment of the gratification of power, than under any sense of duty. And looking to the manner in which the Church patronage has been exercised, from the Revolution to the present day, what hope can we entertain of seeing it made effectual for the promotion of religion?" * * * "And we implore the reader to reflect, for a moment, upon the consequ3nce3 of such a system. In the first place, most men raised to the bench by the abuse of patronage are found to show respect to their patrons, by faithfully imitating their example. When a Bishop owes his consecration to a job, he will, in nine cases out of ten, be a jobber himself. Ministers make a Bishop from private and unworthy motives, and then wonder that he should be guilty of nepotism!" * * * "If all clergymen holding public preferment were meritorious persons, not only would they stimulate the rest of their brethren to become so likewise, but lay patrons would feel that their sons and brothers must be disgraced, if they did not acquit themselves respectably in the performance of their sacred duties. Whereas, while the Minister of the Crown creates inefficient prelates, and such prelates prefer their inefficient sons, nephews, and cousins, to the fourth and fifth generation, what can be expected of a private gentleman possessing an advowson? Why should he be required to have a greater regard for the Church than the head of the Church!" * * "In the matter of patronage, therefore, that poison which is thrown into the spring at its source, may be detected in every drop which is drawn from the stream as it flows, in every ripple which creeps along the bank, and in every billo-.v which rolls in darkness to the sea. M * * * "Sucb are a few of the evils arising from a bad, 188 appointment of Bishops; it leads to other and more numerous abuses it gives a sanction to every species of ecclesiastical irregu- larity it checks and stints the education of youth it fills the Church and country with inefficient ministers of the Word of God." p. 227. As is stated by the reviewer, the decay of the Church of England, as an institution, may be dated from the administration of Walpole. But the unhallowed policy of that minister brought a double blight upon the religious institutions of the Principality. The Welsh were attached to the cause of the unfortunate House of Stewart; and hence, in his conduct towards that people, it was natural for the minister of the House of Hanover, to be guided no less by political resentment, than by his habitual disregard to things sacred. The practice of introducing Englishmen into the Welsh bishoprics had been frequently adopted since the Restoration; and, we know that the seeds of Dissent had already been widely sown, even by this occasional deviation from principle. But from the days of Walpole, the Welsh sees have uniformly been filled with Engh'shmen; and it is highly important to observe, that the establishment of the system of perfect exclusion was accompanied by a coincidence too strong to have been merely accidental for, it was coeval with the commence- ment of Methodism in the Principality ! The extent to which Welshmen have, since that time, been excluded from the higher dignities of their Church, may be judged of, by comparing, in this respect, two periods of eighty-five years each; the first beginning at the Restoration in 1660, and ending in 1745, (the date of the great rebellion,) the second era beginning in 1745, and ending in 1830. 139 ST. ASAPH DIOCESE. Number of Englishmen and Welshmen, in possession of higher Preferments, compared, I. FROM 1660 TO 1745. ENGLISHMEN. 9 BISHOPRIC. Glemham,* Barrow, Hooper, Beveridge, Fleetwood, Hare, Tanner, Maddox, Lisle. 3 DEANERY. Stratford, Bright, Stanley. SINECURE RECTORIES. 2 Cwm. Rogers, Babington. 1 Corwen. Wells. 1 Darowain. Mardaveil. East Hope. 1 Kilcaln. Clopton. 4 Llanarmon-yn-Ial. Backhouse, Hare, Tanner, Maddox, Lisle. 2 Llanbryn Mair. Lloyd, Ward. 3 Llandrillo-yn-Edeyrnion. Clutter- buck, Carter, Tanner. 1 Llangwm. Weston. 2 Llan St. Ffraid. Nicholson, Stratford. 5 Llansannan, 1st portion. Herault, Ford, Montford, Ilolborn, Hare. 4 2nd portion. Barker, Todd, Fleefc- wood, Horsley. 3 Pennant. Hitchcock, Ashton, Dubois. 1 Whitford. Swan. CHANCELLORSHIP. 43 Total Englishmen. WELSHMEN. 4 Griffith, Lloyd, (born in Eng- land, of Welsh origin,) Jones, Wynne. 4 D. Lloyd, H. Lloyd, Price, Powell. 5 Foulkes, Davies, Williams, Jones, Morris. 2 Eyton, Wynne. 7 Hughes, Lloyd, Jones, Owen, Rowland, Jones, Parry. 6 J. Parry, B. Parry (doubtful), Edwards, Lloyd, Wynne, Jones, Powel. 2 Lloyd, Davies. 5 Lloyd, Eyton, Maurice, Davies, Wynne. 2 Foulkes, Vaughan. 2 Davies, Powel. 4 Lloyd, Price, Edwards, Wynne. 6 J. Lloyd, D. Lloyd, E. Lloyd, Richards, Wynne, Owen. 1 Ellis. 1 Richards. 3. Lloyd, J. Mostyn, R. Mostyn. 6 Jones, Powel, Edwards, H. Wynn, R. Wynn, Salisbury. 60 Total Welshmen. * My evidence of national origin, in most of tho following cases, are NAMES, which, although not a perfectly accurate criterion, are sufficiently so for tho purpose of this comparison ; an Englishman may sometimes have a Welsh name, and vice versa ; but the errors will balance each other. HO II.-FBOM 1745 TO 1830. ENGLISHMEN. WELSHMEN. 7 BISHOPEIC. Drunimond, Newcome, Shipley, Bagot, Horsley, Cleaver, Luxmoore. 3 DEANERY. Herring, Shipley, Luxmoore SINECURE RECTORIES. 5 Cwm. Hay, Batley, Adams, Halifax, Finch. 1 Morgan. 7 Corwen. Lisle, Palmer, Shipley, Geo. Prettynaan, J. Prettyman, Sneyd, Cleaver. 7 Darowain. Murray, Burleigh, New- 1 Worthington. come, Randolph, Huddersford, Barnard, C. S. Luxmoore. 3 East Hope. Hay, Shipley, Thurlow. 1 Worthington. 6 Kilcain. Wells, Allen, Newcome, Poyntz, Delap, Corrie. 3 Llanarmon-yn-Ial. Lushington, Ship- ley, J. M. Luxmoore. 2 Llnnbryn Malr. R. Gibson, W. Gibson. 3 Llandrillo-yn-Edcyrnion. Upton, Ber- 2 Holland, Price. tie, Thurlow. 4. Llangwm. Shipley, Watson, Everard, 1 Holland. Bagot. 3 Llan St. Ffraid. Bouchery, Beauclerk, Thorton. 7 Llansannan, 1st portion. J. Johnson, 1 Strong. Palmer, Drummond, Brakenbridge, Newcome, Smith, Sampson. 3 2nd portion. Shipley, Poynts, 2 Worthington, Clough. W. Cleaver. 6 Pennant. Shipley, Poyntz, Murray, Sturges, Bp. Cleaver, Bp. Luxmoore. 2 Whltford. Gouch, J. M. Luxmoore. 1 Jeffreys. 2 CHANCELLORSHIP. Shipley, C. S. Luxmoore. 73 Total Englishmen. 10 Total Welshmen ! \ CHAPTER V. CONCLUSION. PROGRESSIVE SPOLIATION, BY THE ENGLISH GOVERNMENT, OF THE RELIGIOUS AND LITERARY ENDOWMENTS OF WALES. THE SYSTEM ON WHICH THE CHURCH IS AT PRESENT ADMINISTERED NO LESS INJURIOUS TO HER INTELLECTUAL ADVANCEMENT AND TEMPORAL PROSPERITY, THAN TO HER RELIGIOUS INTERESTS. "The funds that were absorbed during the period of that unprincipled scram- ble, would not only have sustained a sufficient number of functionaries, for the purposes both of literary and Christian education ; but there would have been enough, and to spare, for the decent and respectable maintenance of them all This also has gone to wreck along with the other noble interests which perished in the wildness of that revolutionary storm ; and in this little age of calculators and economists, there are patriots who can rejoice in such a consummation. The age of moral chivalry is gone !" Dr. Chalmers on Endowments. "The like or greater difficulties have the poor Welsh people often and of old laboured under, to rekindle the Lamp of God in their Sanctuary." Griffith Jones, of Llanddowror. THE history of the Cambro-British Church is the record of one unremitting wrong. Planted in primitive, if not in apostolic times,* she was the last among the western nations to bend to the usurpa- tions of the Romish hierarchy; and it is the opinion of the eloquent Monsieur Thierry, that her attachment to the cause of ancient religious liberty, made her ever afterwards an object of persecution to that fearful despotism. From the day that the Cambrian ecclesiastics renounced the claims of her emissary, the Monk Augustine, f every enemy of the Britons became the ally of Rome! * Bishop Burgess's Works. Hughes's Horx Britannicce. t The conference with Augustine (A. D. GC7) was attended by seven British Bishops and a great number of religious men, chiefly from the great monastery of Bangor on the Dee. "We will never acknowledge," said those among them who were appointed to speak, "we will never acknowledge the pre- tended rights of Roman ambition, any more than those of Saxon tyranny. " 142 She blessed the ferocities of the Saxon Pagans; she hallowed the aggressions of the Norman with her consecrated banner.* In later times she sanctioned the power assumed by the JSTorman Kings of England, of filling all the dignities of the Welsh Church with their creatures, that dreadful oppression so beautifully described in the petition of the Welsh Princes, which set the brand of sacrilege on the most exalted chivalry, and turned even the rites of religion against the expiring liberties of their land. These were dark days of open hostility; and we may pass on to the reign of Henry the Seventh, in whose person the Welsh once more vanquished their oppressors in a fair-fought field, recovered that freedom which they had lost, and realized the proudest aspirations of their nation, by restoring the throne of Britain to the descendants of their ancient Kings, f The accession of the House of Tudor might have been expected to open a new era in the history of the religious institutions of Wales; and, undoubtedly the general dispositions of Henry the Seventh and of several of his successors, toward that couatry, were eminently kind and paternal. But, unhappily, notwithstanding the patriotic views of individual Sovereigns, the most important measures adopted by the English Government towards her, since his time, were marked with such striking features of injustice, that the eloquent foreign writer alluded to an impartial authority, has declared, that even since the reign of that Monarch, almost equally as before, Wales has been treated in the contemptuous style used towards a conquered country, rather than in that spirit which is due to a faithful and free ally. The following is an extract from the French historian, whose pro- found research is surpassed only by his eloquence, and whose minute knowledge of Welsh history may put many of our country- We owe to the Pope of Rome, as to all Christians, the submission of fraternal charity ; but as for the submission of obedience, we owe it only to God, and after God, to our Venerable superior the Bishop of Ker-leon on the Usk.' M . Thierry's History of the Nonnan Conqttest, vol. i. page 68. * Thierry, t Two thirds of Henry the Seventh's army at Bopworth were Welshmen, 143 men to shame. It is impossible to read the following passage without feelings of the deepest humiliation, when we recollect, that it is a narrative of the first fruits experienced by Wales, of the reformation and the revival of learning in England ! " When the religious supremacy of the Pope had been abolished in England, the Welsh, to whom the Roman Church had never chosen to lend any aid for the maintenance of their independence, adopted, without reluctance, the changes decreed by the Govern- ment of England. But the Government, whilst it gave every en- couragement to the translation of the Bible into English, did not cause it to be translated into Welsh. On the contrary, some persons of that country, zealous for the new reforms, having under- taken at their own cost, the translation and publication of the Scriptures, so far from being praised for it, as had been the case in England, orders were given for the seizure and destruction af all copies, which were carried off from the Churches and publicly burnt. The English authorities attacked about the same time the manuscript and historical documents, more numerous at that time in Wales than in any other European country. Many families which had private archives were obliged to bury them in the earth, in order to secure them from the requisitions of the royal agents ! ! " Thierry's History of the Norman Conquest, vol. i. p. 376. Amongst the complaints urged by the Welsh Princes against the English Bishops of those days are the following. "And what- ever they can take from us, either by right or wrong, is carried away by them into England, and squandered in the abbeys that are given to them by the King of England." " Because they do not love our country, the lands which were given by our forefathers of old to the bishoprics, they transfer to priests and others who may happen to covet them." To understand the fall import of these expressions, requires a brief digression. Long before the conquest of North Wales by Edward the First, the most fertile and beautiful districts in South Wales had fallen 144 successively a prey to the incursions of the Norman knights and barons. In conformity to the religious views of their day, these adventurers generally devoted a portion of the spoil to the founda- tion of some religious house, which they filled with monks of their own nation ; at other times, they conferred a large share of the tithes of their new territory on English or even Norman monasteries. In addition to these extortions, Wales was at last exposed to the grievances which form the subject of the petition of the Welsh Princes ; a considerable time before the accession of Edward I., the Kings of England contrived, by the connivance of the Roman Pontiff, to render the Welsh Church subject to the Archbishopric of Canterbury, and thus to intrude their dependents on her sees in both divisions of the Principality. Thus, before the final subjuga- tion of Wales, a considerable portion of her Church revenues had passed into the hands of foreigners. It is a singular fact, that during the three first reigns after that event, the North Welsh had very few English prelates imposed upon them ;* it would seem, that in those days this measure was regarded as so far partaking of the character of sacrilege, that even her conquerors did not care to re- sort to it, after they had once completely achieved their favourite object of conquest. But in the time of Henry the Fourth, the insurrection of Glyndwr awakened a stern spirit of resentment in her English rulers, which made North Wales the scene of the most horrible calamities. Her ancient aristocracy were degraded by oppression into so many captains of banditti, who preserved their territories only by waging an incessant and ferocious warfare against the English authorities and each other. Welshmen were excluded from all offices of authority and trust in their own country, from that of " a judge, a viscount, or a chancellor," down to the humble rustic dignity of " a forester."f And, to return to my subject, the Welsh bishoprics were again transferred to English ecclesiastics, and the revenues of the Church in North Wales (as had previously been the case in the South), became the booty of monks of the English nation. * B. Willis's Bangor and St. Asapfc, t Thierry. 145 Such, then, was tbe condition to which the Welsh Church had been reduced shortly before the Reformation ; and at that bright era in the history of England of Christianity, and of mankind ; remembering that that great revolution was consummated under a dynasty indebted to the Welsh people for their throne, who is there that does not expect to learn that some important boon was conceded to the Principality ? Who is there that is not prepared, at least, to find that she was then relieved from those complicated burdens which ages of Popery and of bondage had accumulated ? To rescue her scanty Church revenues from the monks and sinecur- ists of England, this was nothing more than the rudest sense of justice might have dictated ; and had this been done, not only would a fund have been provided ample enough to maintain her ministers in decency, but colleges might have been endowed for the educa- tion of her higher classes, and parochial schools for the benefit of her peasantry. But, alas ! the measures of those days were any thing but those of justice or of conciliation ! Not only were no steps taken to restore to the Principality those revenues of which she had most unrighteously been deprived, but the robbery in times of peace proved worse than the spoliation of the times of war, and the rapacity of the Reformation was added to the rapacity of Popery ! In North Wales, the poor county of Merioneth was stripped for the erection of the new bishopric of Lichfield of tithes equal in amount to nearly one-half of the whole income of all her resident clergy put together ! Caernarvonshire was, in the like manner taxed for that of Chester;* and the new Bishops in other parts * This bishopric is by no means wealthy ; and, perhaps, there never was a time when it was less for the public interest that it should be poor. But, why should Wales be forced to contribute to the support of the religious Establish, ment of Eagland, as well as her own ? The revenues of the Bishops of St. Asaph and Bangor arise solely from their dioceses ; why should not this be tfce case in the more fertile provinces of England ? Every principle of justice demands that those funds which are exacted from the Principality, and which were, beyond a question, conferred on the Church solely with a view to her religious interests should be restored to her. Neither would national justice work injustice to individuals, as the life interests of individuals might be 146 of England were pensioned npon South Wales ! Whatever, in the present day, may be urged in defence of these abuses, they are still ' what they were at first mere remnants of servitude an unjust tribute^wrung from a poor country, to swell the wealth of one already immensely opulent, a tribute, not like that of "wolves' heads," which King Edgar is said to have exacted from our fore- fathers, but levied on the virtue, intelligence, and civilization of our land ! In other parts of North Wales, the richest parishes were made the perquisites of English Colleges, from which the Principality derives very little benefit indeed compared to the amount of her contributions. In South Wales, the pillage was more fearfully complete; the great tithes of almost every parish were conferred upon laymen the descendants of its Norman invaders, or on families which have now become estranged from it for many generations. Even what was preserved to the Church, was, to a great extent, lost to the Principality. As before stated, a perpetual tax was imposed on South Wales, for the support of several of the English bishoprics; and the patronage of most of the puny endowments still spared for the religious emergencies of the country, was parcelled out amongst lay tithe-owners the Crown the Bishops of English dioceses sinecurists in England,* and the sinecurists of the Welsh Cathedrals. From such a system of patronage nothing could be expected but a corrupt, an unpopular Church; lay patrons are rarely actuated by strong religious motives; the patronage of the Crown has almost uniformly been employed in converting the ministers of religion into the leaders of a petty local faction; and ecclesiastics resident in England must, of course, feel an inclination to favour their preserved ; nor would any injury be done to the Church, as an institution, by applying her revenues in stricter conformity to the purposes for which they were bestowed. * In the county of Glamorgan alone, no fewer than ten parishes, (including many populous towns,) are in the gift of the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester ! Nothing can be more unfair to Wales, than this privilege of introducing Englishmen into her benefices; (for such it is practically) nothing more injurious to the Church. 147 English friends, in preference to men conversant with the language and feelings of the country; and when it is remembered that the Bishops of Wales themselves have not set any very high example of self-denial, it was hardly to be expected that these distant ecclesias- tical bodies would evince any peculiar sense of their responsibility to the parishes at their disposal. The effects of the measures adopted by Henry the Eighth in South Wales have been already pretty fully described, in the extracts which I have from time to time made from the writings of Griffith Jones, of Llanddowror. From the Reformation to the end of the last century the clergy of that country, for the most part, consisted of men sunk in poverty, and little raised in intelligence above the populace. I may quote the words of a worthy friend, a native of that division of Wales. " The h'vings in South Wales are so poor, that very few gentlemen's sons are brought up to the Church; and in my recollection, the clergy in South Wales, (I mean many of them,) were so ignorant, that they could not write a common English letter correctly, and were also addicted to low company, and fond of tippling in taverns." It was this general ignorance and immorality of its ministers which prepared the minds of the people in South Wales for that sudden revolt from the .Church which has already been narrated. The Dissent of North Wales is of later date. In the present day, many of the clergy of South Wales are very pious and excellent men; and I believe, that the character drawn by my informant is not very applicable to any of them ; but, nevertheless, the Church, as an institution, is in a most melancholy condition! It is im- possible for the mind of man to conceive a more appalling picture of devastation, than is presented by a mere muster-roll of the names of the present possessors of Church property in many of the South Wales counties. Opposite to the most valuable part of the endowments of the most valuable benefices, we shall generally find the name of some English nobleman or gentleman, resident in London, in Devonshire, in the most distant parts of the kingdom ; and again, in juxtaposition with the paltry pittances left to the 148 clergy, we shall continually meet with the name of some reverend pluralist, living equally remote the incumbent, it may be, of a rich benefice in Northamptonshire or residing, free from all parochial duties, in London! "Would that this were an imaginary picture; but, alas! it is but a too literal description of the Church, as it exists in Radnorshire and Cardiganshire, the two poorest coun- ties in South Wales.* Thus, in our days, the miserable stipends which even the tender mercies of Henry the Eighth reserved for her pastors, have, in many instances, followed her nobler endow- ments and, like them, been scattered to the four winds of heaven! To the Church Establishment of South Wales, we may almost apply the sentence inscribed by a traveller, on the remains of Strata Florida (that venerable abbey, which was the depository of her history the asylum of her poets the sepulchre of her ancient kings,) "ipsee periere ruinse," even its ruins have perished! Of late years, invidious comparisons have occasionally been drawn between the mental claims of Wales and those of other parts of the kingdom, more particularly Scotland; as if the Welsh were themselves to blame for that Tartar spirit which has crushed the very elements of learning and of genius in their land! Would it not be more just to award them their meed of praise, for sustaining the character of an eminently moral, religious, and loyal people, even under an abused Church, and a Government anything but paternal? Adverting to the scantiness of her population, it can hardly be affirmed, after all, that Wales has been more barren of illustrious men, than her more highly favoured neighbours even in modern times; and down to the time of Chaucer, she was more fertile in works of imagination, the only literature of those days, than any part of the island, f The enthusiasm with which her peasantry * See table of Radnorshire. In Cardiganshire the most considerable tithe* owner is a gentleman of the name of Chichester, resident in Devonshire. f- See Sharon Turner's Defence of the Bards, and various parts of the periodi- cal called " The Cambrian Quarterly." 149 availed themselves of Griffith Jones's schools the advances which they have made since his time and without any intrinsic aid, amply demonstrate, that they are naturally fond of knowledge, and industrious in the pursuit of it. In his valuable work on Endowments, Dr. Chalmers ascribes the mental forwardness of Scotland to two causes ; the appropria- tion of her Church endowments to a clergy exclusively national, parochial schools extended through the whole country her three national colleges, which communicate a competent and diversified share of attainment to the many, and at the same time afford oppor- tunities of distinguished excellence to the few: by these means, every latent seed of genius has been, as it were, detected, economized, and matured; and the result has been a high degree of national great- ness. Wales, unhappily, has had no such schools or colleges; and when- ever a seminary has been founded by individuals, it has generally fallen into an abuse in less than a century. But to complete the parallel, or rather the contrast, would be to retrace the thorny path which I have already trodden.* One measure only was still needed to consummate the intel- lectual nakedness of the land and to lay the whole Principality open to the inroads of sectarianism or irreligion. Protected by their poverty, the benefices of North Wales had in a great measure escaped the rapacity of Henry the Eighth ; neverthe- * 1 may take this opportunity of stating a fact, probably little known to most of my readers, that a Society has recently been established, for the publication of Essays in the Welsh Language, in connection with the Society for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge. The Principality is chiefly indebted for this excellent project to the present Lord Chancellor and Mr. Bellenden Kerr. The former has presented the Rev. J. Blackwell, to whose able management it has been confided, and at whose suggestion it originated, with the living of Maenor Deifi, in Pembrokeshire. No doubt, this Society will itself be hailed with gratitude by all well-wishers to Wales, and by some it may perhaps be regarded as an augury of better times of a disposition to consult the feelings and existing circumstances of that country, in the policy that may hereafter be pursued towards her. 11 150 less, after the lapse of centuries, the locusts gleaned what the palmer- worm had left ! By a policy already detailed commenced at the Restoration continued at the Revolution and consummated under the House of Hanover, even these also became another tribute from Wales for the benefit of Englishmen ! Those revenues which had afforded literary leisure to the founders of the Pro- testant faith in the Principality,* were turned into pensions, for a class of men, from whom she experiences little other return than she did of yore from the Roman tax gatherer " The ivy which, has hid her princely trunk, And suck'd her verdure out on't !" "Well would it have been for Wales, if her people could have dealt with their endowments as with their ancient manuscripts buried them in the earth !f * It cannot be too often repeated, that the injustice thus done to Wales, does not depend on the difference of language ; for, surely, it is most unjust, that strangers should be thrust into all the best beneh'ces of any country, to the exclusion of men, equally, or, indeed, more meritorious, connected with that country ! No part of Wales has suffered so much, in this way, as those districts where English is understood, as this renders them more convenient for the English connections of our Bishops. It is almost literally true, that all the border parishes of North Wales (with the exception of a few, in the gift of laymen, ) are in the hands either of the Bishop of St. Asaph and the Cathedral dignitaries or of the relatives of the former, and of individuals introduced by them into the country, from well-known motives of self- interest. Starting from Kerry, on the borders of South Wales, which is divided between the Bishop of St. David's and his connections, and resting at Flint, in the northern extremity, we have an almost unbroken chain of- parishes, circumstanced as above mentioned viz., Newtown, Llanllwchhaearn, Berriew, Castell Caereinion, Guilsfield, Llandrinio, Llandysilio, Melverley, Llanymynach, Llan St. Ffraid, Llanyblodwel, Llansilin, Llanrhaiadr, Chirk, Erbistock, Rhiwabon, Marchwiail, Gresford, Hope, Northop, Flint ! This line is only once broken, viz., by Bettws, in Montgomeryshire, a benefice of small value ! ! + It has been before stated, that at the Reformation, many Welsh families were obliged to bury their manuscripts in the earth, to preserve them from the English agents. 151 Considered merely in a temporal point of view, a well-regulated national Church is one of the greatest blessings a country can enjoy ; if it were merely because, amongst all the fluctuations of property, it secures to each district one resident of competent fortune, and bound by peculiar ties, to works of benevolence. But it needs hardly be remarked that the effect of the Church in Wales is to draw wealth from its remoter districts ; and the immense sums that are enjoyed by the absentee clergy may be considered as a fertile source of pauperism. Pauperism is still further increased .by Dissent (which is the result of Church abuses) ; this can hardly admit of a doubt, when the immense expense of erecting chapels and of maintaining ministers is remembered a burden which falls mainly on the more indigent classes of society. A national Church, conducted on pure principles, would be an invaluable bulwark to the liberties of the people ; and I feel con- vinced, that in Wales, where large districts are often in the hands of one great proprietor, the Church is even now a check on local oppression. The mere presence of an educated body of men, in- dependent of the rich members of their flock, is a kind of channel, through which the force of public opinion is extended to the darkest corners of the land. But, at present, the spirit of the Church is not in unison with the affections of the people. How can it be, when the clergy owe their advancement, almost in every instance, either to their connection with strangers, or to the influence of their own absentee aristocracy? One would think that there is no insult which an English Bishop would repel with so much indignation as political dictation in the exercise of his most sacred functions ; yet nothing is more common than to hear clergymen avow their obliga- tions to a political patron for benefits which none but their Bishop could have bestowed ! An eminent prelate is reported to have advised his clergy " to keep aloof from scenes of popular excitement, if they wished to preserve their spiritual authority unimpaired." If the rulers of the Church had spurned the least attempt to make the clergy, through their means, the instruments of faction, 152 we never should Lave seen their spiritual authority so far impaired. Nbr are our present religious divisions favourable to the real end of Christianity ; schism is no imaginary evil ; it is perfectly appalling to see the whole face of a Christian land studded with hostile sectarian churches, each a kind of lowering conspiracy against the rest. One of the great principles of the Christian worship is thus abandoned ; the lessons of humility and of Christian equality can hardly be expressively taught when the peasant and his superior no longer meet together in the same temple. I cannot help thinking that the most intelligent Dissenters are more opposed to the abuses of the Church than to its principles ; that it requires but a little kindness and a little wisdom to make Wales once more a united country. The people have been scattered, not by the logic of controversy, but by the foreign accents of the hireling. Every one who feels strongly towards Wales, has a right to complain, not merely of the effect, but of the principle of the present absentee system. Tithes, we are told, are the property of the Church ; but why is it forgotten, that upon the same principle, and to the same extent, the tithes of each parish are the property of that parish; and, a fortiori, the tithes of a country belong to that country ! The object of these donations was the spiritual good of the districts to which they were given ; their donors had no view to the religious instruction of remote parts of England, nor to the personal advantage of the clergy, any further than as instruments of edification. But perhaps in no respect are the evils of the system more apparent than in their ill effect on the higher ranks in Wales ; the clergy ought to be, and generally are, the link of intelligence between the aristocracy and the lower and middle ranks ; but in Wales, the clergy being all either strangers or men of very humble rank, this link is broken, and what is the consequence ? Why, that the higher classes, though in other respects often highly gifted and well disposed, will frequently be found ignorant of all that is going on in their own country, 153 of the very rudiments of her literature, and even of her lan- guage ! It is deeply to be regretted, that the aristocracy of Wales should have allowed their Church thus to grow up into a prescriptive abuse ; it has been the means of weakening that attachment which the people once felt to them and their fathers. To see the peasantry of a country and their rulers ranged under conflicting religious teachers, is surely a sad, if not a fearful sight ! The traditions of Wales record a tale of a sluggard, who, by allowing a sea rampart to fall into decay, let the ocean in upon the loveliest valleys of our land. To our times this incident has but too obvious an application ; yet, I trust it is not even yet too late to restore the best bulwark of the social edifice, a Church built not merely in name, but in reality, on the principles of the Reformation a Church uniting within itself all classes of men. Of one thing I feel assured, that Wales is fast verging to a con- dition which none who love her as the land of their nativity, can regard without feelings of anxiety, if not of alarm. Who is there that does not behold in her present divisions the germ of those evils which afflict a neighbouring country ? Religious differences generally end sooner or later in civil commotions. The Welsh are still a loyal people, but it cannot be disguised, that their loyalty is on the wane, and all who are experienced in the character and history of Celtic nations will agree, that when once the tide of tlrjir affections is turned, the ebb is as rapid as the flow. When ruled with kindness, the gentlest the most affectionate of people under misrule, they become impatient of the very elementary bonds of society. As an instance, we may contrast Ireland as she is now Wales as she was before the time of Henry the Seventh with that same Wales -as described by an English poet, under the patri- otic, the chivalrous sway of Queen Elizabeth. " Yfhiles quarrels rage did nourish ruyuest wracke, And Owen Glendore set bloodie broyles abroach, Full many a towne was spoyld and put to sacke, And cleaue co&suin'd, to countries foule reproach 5 154 Great castles raste, fayre buildings burnt to dust, Such revell raingde, that men did live by lust : But since they came, and yeelded unto lawe, Most meeke as lambe, within one yoke they drawe. Like brethren now doe Welshmen still agree, In as much love as any men alive ; The friendship there, and concord that I see, I doe compare to bees in honey hive, Which keep in swanne, and hold together still, Yet gladly showe to stranger great good will ; A courteous kynd of love in every place, A man may finde, in simple people's face. Passe where you please, on plaine or mountain wilde, And beare yourself in sweete and civill sort, And you shall sure be haulst with man and childe, Who will salute, with gentle comely port, The passers by ; on braves they stand not so, Without good speech, to let a trav'ler go ; They think it dett and duetie franke and free, In towne or fielde, to yeeld you cap and knee. They will not strive to royst and take the way Of any man, that travailes through their land ; A greater thing of Wales now will I say, You may come there, beare purse of gold in hand, Or mightie bagges of silver stuffed throwe, And no one man dare touch your treasure now ; Which shewes some grace doth rule and guyde them there, That doth to God and man such conscience beare." Thomas's Churchyard's Worthies of Wales, p. 2, 3. The same natural sensibility may be traced in the character of the people for ages though it has at all times been but little cherished by their rulers. " These feeble remains of a great people '' (says M. Thierry),* "had the glory of keeping possession of their last corner of territory, against the efforts of an enemy immensely superior in numbers and resources ; often vanquished, but never subjugated, and bearing through the course of ages the unshaken conviction of a mysterious eternity reserved for their name and their lan- * History of the Norman Conquest, vol. i. English Translation. 155 guage. This eternity was foretold by the bards of the Welsh, from the first day of their defeat :* and whenever, in after times, a new invader crossed the mountains of Cambria, after the most complete victories his captives would repeat to him : ' 'Tis all in vain ; thou canst destroy neither our name nor our language.'* Fortune, bravery, and above all, the nature of the country, formed of rocks, lakes, and sands, justified these predictions, which, though rash ones, are a remarkable evidence of vigorous imagination in the little people who dared to make them their national creed." "It is hardly too much to say, that the ancient British /<^ on poeky ; for in their political axioms which have been handed down to us, the bard, at once poet and musician, is placed beside the labourer and the artisan, as one of the three pillars of social life.]: Their poets had one great and almost only theme their country's destinies, her misfortunes, and her hopes. The nation, poetical in its turn, extended the bounds of fiction by ascribing fantastic meanings to their simplest words. The wishes of their bards were received as promises, their expectations as prophecies ; even their silence was made expressive. If they sang not of Arthur's death, it was proof that Arthur yet lived ; if the harper undesignedly sounded some melancholy air, the minds of his hearers spontaneously linked with this vague melody the name of some spot rendered mournfully famous by the loss of a battle with the foreign conquerors This life of hopes and recollections gave charms, in the eyes of the latter Cambrians, to their country of rocks and morasses : though poor, they were gay and social, || bearing the burden of distress lightly as some passing inconvenience, looking forward with unabated confidence to a great political revolution, by * Taliesin. Archaeology of Wales, vol. i. p. 95. t See Book XI. of Thierry's History of the Conquest of England. J Trioedd Ynys Prydain, Sect. 21, No. 1. Morva Rliuddlan, Rhuddlan Marsh. See Book VI. of Thierrry's History of the Conquest of England. || Giraldi Cambrensis Itineraarium Walliae, passim, 156 which they should regain all that they had lost, and (as one of their bards expresses it) recover the crown of Britain."* If we remember the wrongs, by which the fertile plains of England were wresled from our forefathers, it is only as a theme for the moralist or the bard ; may every feeling of affection link their present possessors with the natives of " the country of rocks and morasses ! " But, we should be less than Christians less than men unworthy of an alliance with the great nations with whom we are united were we to contemplate with similar feelings, that crafty and encroaching policy, which, under the mask of free in- stitutions, has deprived us of the free enjoyment even of the humble territory that is left to us, consigned every noble, every civilizing institution to the mole and to the bat and doomed us to a worse evil than the splendid solitudes of rocks and mountains, an insufferable an ignominious intellectual wilderness ! The Re- formation the Revolution the accession of the House of Hanover every event, which has been as an era of light to the liberties and religion of England, has been the signal of some new injustice to Wales, as if the destinies of that country were like the lake described by the poet of Ireland, which is ever dark, even at noon- day: " The lake, whose gloomy shore Skylark never warbled o'er." Most of those who have visited our land have spoken of the "Welsh as a people deserving a better fate. No people of these islands have endured more for liberty, perhaps none more for conscience' sake ; to their fathers was the Gospel first preached in Britain, and a hatred to Popish despotism was a great source of all their national misfortunes. f Nor have they been wanting to themselves, or the great nation with whom they are united, in any of those great struggles which secured their constitutional liberties. In our own times, the soldier of the Principality has * Taliesin. Archaeology of Wales, vol. i. p. 95. Armes Prydain, Ibid. p. 156 159. Myrddin's Avallenau. Ibid. t Thierry. 157 fought side by side with the bravest of his English fellow-subjects. The philosophical English historian* has fairly and generously admitted, that Wales has contributed her full share to the intellectu- al wealth of the kingdom. Not even the contemptuous treatment that she has experienced for centuries, has extinguished those graceful feelings of chivalry, that love of poetry and song, which belonged in the very earliest ages to her children. f Not- withstanding her unhappy religious divisions, there is no part of the kingdom more united in a feeling of fervent and enthusiastic loyalty ; no country where the gentry are more courteous and hospitable to strangers; and of her peasantry, I need only use the words of an eloquent bard of our time. " With them, though justice has sometimes to adjust her balance, she has rarely to use her sword." Were the people of Wales fml>itious of temporal privileges, they might not sue in vain ; but when they only seek the ordinary means of religion and of virtue, of preserving those good dispositions which they have hitherto evinced, so beneficially to themselves and their fellow subjects, it is to bo hoped that they pursue no other boon than a patriot King will delight to bestow. " The darkest hour is nearest the dawn ;" the time may not be far distant when the peasantry of the Principality shall be gathered once more to the Church of their forefathers, and the children of her gentry shall cease to be the mere Ecclesiastical Helots of their own land. About 15 years ago, an eminent London divine was preaching at Bala ; amongst his audience appeared a venerable old man, the patriarch of the Welsh Methodists in that metropolis of Methodism. The next day the clergyman of Bala, with some friends, went to pay the old man a visit. The latter addressing Mr. , the * Sir J. Mackintosh. f- The Welsh, or rather British origin of the Stories of Chivalry have been proved by Mr. Ellis, in his Specimens of Ancient Romance. See also an eloquent article on Brittany in the Cambrian Quarterly Magazine, for January, 1331. 158 clergyman of Bala, in Welsh, and in that singular style of metaphor which these sectaries have always affected, began to enquire about the stranger. "Have you," said he, "many such men as I heard yesterday, to beat the pan?" Mr. replied, that " The Church of England could certainly boast of an increasing body of zealous and eloquent ministers." "Then," replied his interrogator, with animation, "the bees will all return to. the old hive again ! "* * " Bydd y gwenyn yn dychwelyd i'r hen gwch eto." Page 147. "Societies for the Promotion of Useful Knowledge, by the Publication of Essays in the Welsh Language. " The first idea of associations, on this plan, is ascribable to the late Mr. Richard Evans, of Llanbryn Mair, in the county of Montgomery, of whose sound and patriotic conceptions, the measures about to be pursued, under the superintendence of Mr. Blackwell, are merely the realization. The reader will find evidence of this in an article entitled "The Peasantry of Wales," published in the Cambrian Quarterly Magazine for July, 1830. This statement, I consider due to the memory of a respected friend and one of the most excellent of men ; a nobler tribute to his merits will be found in the adoption of his views, by the illustrious nobleman to whom I have alluded, and in the steps he has taken towards the general education of the Principality. Tt is a highly interesting circumstance, that a prospectus was issued about the same time, of a monthly periodical, for the diffusion of general knowledge, to be entitled Y Dynolydd, or The Philanthi opist : the author has since learned that its projectors were a few poor labouring men employed in the iron-works in South Wales. APPEfNDIX I. Number of Churches. Progressive increase of the number of Dissenting Chapels.- Peculiarities of the different Sects in Wales. Number of A.D. Dissenting Chapels. 1715 35. Presbyterians and Independents, 26. Baptists, 9. 1801 954. (" Peter's Hanes," i.e. Hist, of Dissenters in Wales, p. 616.) NORTH WALES. From Peter's Hanes, p. 700. COUNTIES. ^ M K> to ^1 Independents and or o co w o o| Presbyterians. 03 GO 43 & m Calvihistic or Welsh Methodists. Wesleyan Methodists. Total of Dissenting Places of Worship and Methodist Societies. > eo to a, o -i 1 Churches and os oo -a & w | Chapels of Ease Anglesey 11 13 12 1 13 9 33 41 l 33 31 15 17 24 18 24 19 69 91 66 44 86 74 Caernarvonshire Denbighshire ^lintshirfi , ,,,,.,, Merionethshi re Montgomeryshire 82 59 172 117 430 309 SOUTH WALES. Brecknockshire 15 26 56 45 30 4 14 11 35 28 19 5 23 42 43 32 20 7 16 14 22 15 2 59 95 148 127 84 11 63 62 82 128 136 53 Cardiganshire Caermarthenshire Glamorganshire Pembrokeshire Radnorshire 176 112 160 76 524 524 Total in North and South Wales. 25 171 332 193 954 829* 1832, 1428. Welsh Methodists 500 Independents, (260 in S. Wales and 180 in N. Wales) ... 440 Wesleyans 250 Baptists 200 Unitarians or Presbyterians 23 Quakers , 9 Roman Catholics 6 Total number of Dissenting Chapels in 1832 1428 Places of Worship belonging to the Church* 829 * The latter have been for a century past rather on the decrease; some new Chapels have been bui'.t, bat more have fallen into ruins; the feelings of the people hare grown cold towards the Church, 160 I aru indebted for the last list to the courtesy of a gentleman who has peculiar means of accurate information on the subject. In nine of the counties in "Wales, the Dissenting chapels are in about a treble proportion to the churches and chapels of the Establishment. Caerrnarthenshire, Pembrokeshire, and Glamorganshire, are ex- ceptions, because the churches are there unusually numerous; and in Radnorshire, "where little Welsh is spoken, and where it is said the people are of English race (Malkin's South Wales} there is very little Dissent, in spite of all the Church abuses in that county. DISSENTERS GENERALLY Punish flagrant offences, and frequent absence from divine service, with expulsion from their societies; inferior transgressions, by ex- clusion from the sacrament. These rules serve to check open vice ; but their abuse, like auricular confession in the Eomish Church, generates habits of slyness and deceit. WELSH METHODISTS. Their doctrine is that of the thirty-nine Articles, "taken in a Calviuistic sense," their discipline like that of the Scottish Church, i. e., they have a monthly synod for each county, and a "general assembly," which meets quarterly, and alternately in North and South Wales, to which the general business of the body is referred. Their preachers hardly ever preach in the same chapel two Sundays together. Hence, hearers are secured by novelty; but excitement and partial views of Christianity are also the consequence, and thus the means are sacrificed to the end. Their preachers, who are rarely educated men, generally depend on some trade for support. Besides their chapels in Wales, they have three in London, three in Liverpool, and one respectively in Chester, Shrewsbury, and Man- chester. The Welsh Methodists still profess attachment to the Church; and thoxigh a practice, which is too common amongst them, of building their chapels close to the churches, seems rather irreconcilable with this profession, still it would be more charitable to ascribe the blame to the spiritual factiousness of a few, than to duplicity in the whole body.* * This is the case, to my own knowledge, iu the following parishes in Mont- gomeryshire : Montgomery, Llangadvan, and Llanfyllin. It is also now a common practice with the Welsh Methodists to assemble in their chapels during the hours of service in the Church ; formerly, they acted more con- sistently with their professions. 161 INDEPENDENTS Descendants of the old Nonconformists. In 1740, they had only six places of worship in North "Wales. They began to re'vive at the first breaking out of Methodism, and we may gather from Griffith Jones's writings, that if the Methodists had not occupied the country, the Independents would hare done so. "It was not" (says that writer) "any scruple of conscience that gave occasion to scarce one in ten of the Dissenters (Inde- pendents) in this country, to separate from us at first, whatever objections they may afterwards imbibe against conforming. No, Sir, they generally dissent at first for no other reason than want of plain, practical, pressing, and zealous preaching, in a language and dialect they can understand, and freedom of friendly access to advice about their spiritual state."* They are a liberal body in their views of secular learning. In the last century, their ministers were all men of education; this is not generally the case now, though some of them are men of respectable erudition. WESLEYANS. Though Dr. Coke, the most celebrated of "Wes- ley's missionaries, was a native of "Wales, the Wesley ans had not one preacher in the Welsh language till the year 1800. ( 'Peter' 's ITanes, p. 674.) Their great success since that time, appears from the tables above; it arose, in some measure, from the attractive style of singing introduced by them, but where various classes of Dissenters succeed, there must be some general predisposing cause of Dissent. BAPTISTS. It has already been stated, that a schism on the rite of baptism divided the Welsh Independents in very early times. In the time of Howel Harris, the Baptists were very few in number; since then, they have rapidly increased. PRESBYTERIANS OR UNITARIANS. Many of the descendants of the old Nonconformists adopted Unitarian opinions in the beginning of the eighteenth century. The preaching of Griffith Jones, Harris, and Kowlaud, contributed to revive an orthodox style of preaching, both in the Church and out of it. * Welsh Piety for 1740-1. 162 QUAKERS. They seem to have been numerous in the time of the civil wars. ROMAN CATHOLICS. Notwithstanding their long struggle against the power of the Romish see, its influence was at last firmly estab- lished over the people of Wales;* but, owing to the piety and zeal of the early Welsh Reformers, this influence was most completely destroyed; and in the present day, there is no part of the kingdom, or indeed of Europe, in which Popery has been so signally annihilated. Griffith Jones says, that in his day, there was not a single Welshman acquainted tvith no other language than his mother tongue professing the Roman Catholic religion. The mere number of Dissenting chapels (enormous as it is), furnishes but an inadequate idea of the popular feeling towards the Establishment; in many districts the churches have hardly any congregations whatever. Many of tl i who frequent the, church go quite as constantly to chapel; and i. a very common remark, that when the clergyman is beloved, u is generally rather as a benevolent layman than as a clergyman ; and that even then the people chiefly confide in Dissenting ministers for religious guidance and consolation. * Several of the Welsh Bards levelled the shafts of their ridicule against the Romish priesthood ; and it is not improbable, that the minds of the people were, in this way, prepared for the Reformation, as those of the English nation were thus disposed by the writings of Chaucer. Davydd ap Gwylym, a Welsh Bard, who lived a short time before the great English Poet, attacks the monks and priesthood of his day with irresistible humour, and with great powers of imagination ; at one time, he calls a Grey Friar " Y dynllygliw,"the " Mouse- coloured man ;" at another, having stumbled over a heap of snow he compares it to a bear's head, and to a Friar of the same order. 163 APPENDIX II. THE STATE OF THE CHURCH AND CHURCH REVENUES OF SOUTH WALES. MY information respecting this division of the Principality is taken chiefly from Carlisle's Topographical Dictionary, which gives the value of the smaller livings from the diocesan returns of 1809.* Incomplete as that information is, it will enable the reader to form a tolerably clear view of the state of the Church in that district. The tithes of South Wales were almost completely taken from the Church by Henry VIII. and the clergy are consequently very meanly provided for indeed. Nevertheless, were due economy practised in what is left, and were the numerous sinecures abolish- ed, an income of from about 150 to 200 a-year might still be furnished to each of the working clergy ; except where the churches are unusually numerous, in proportion to the population and the extent of country, f This will appear more clearly from the follow- ing computations : In BRECKNOCKSHIRE, the united value of the smaller benefices is 3133 12 1 We may assume the largest benefices to average 250 each, which is perhaps a tolerably fair average. In this county, there are about 22 of these, which (at 260 each) would amount to 5500 Supposed value of Church property in Brecknock- This calculation, which, though, of course, very far from being perfectly accurate, is, perhaps, sufficiently so for the purpose of * The value of benefices has much improved since that time. t The recklessness of the patrons of the South Wales benefices, has already been exhibited in the case of Eadnorshire. Cardiganshire is still worse off ; for more than half of its parishes are held by absentees, many of whom reside in the remotest parts of England. 164 this comparison, would give a provision of 200 a-year to 43 incumbents. It will be remembered that the whole income at present enjoyed by the resident clergy of Montgomeryshire, where the Church is rich, does not much exceed this amount ; and the population of that county is about a third more than that of Breck- nockshire. Making the same computation for the remaining counties of South Wales, the result will be as follows : CAERMARTHENSHIRE. United value of smaller benefices 4561 9 5 14 larger benefices, at an average value of 250 each. . 3500 Total. . 8061 9 5 CARDIGANSHIRE. Smaller benefices 5973 17 3 1 1 larger ditto, at 250 each 2750 Total.. 8723 17 3 GLAMORGANSHIRE. Smaller benefices 7382 15 2 29 larger ditto, at 250 each... 7250 Total 14632 15 PEMBROKESHIRE. Smaller benefices 6678 7 11 28 larger ditto, at 250 each.. .. 7000 Total.. 13678 7 11 EADNORSHIRE. Smaller benefices 3085 10 4J 15 larger ditto, at 250 each 6250 Total 9335 10 The above remarks are thrown out rather as suggestions for farther inquiry, than as affording any thing like an authentic statement of the revenues of the Church in the counties alluded to ; at the same time, I cannot help inferring, from the details 165 furnished in Carlisle's Topographical Dictionary as to the extent and fertility of many of those parishes whei-e all the tithes still belong to the Church, that I have rather underrated the value of the higher livings, and, consequently, that the collective amount of the Church property will be found to be much greater than it is assumed to be in the above calculation. At any rate, I am fully persuaded, that the deficiencies of the South Welsh Church are ascribable much more to the mal-administration of its revenues, than to its intrinsic poverty. As before intimated, most of the Church patronage in South "Wales is shared between Laymen the Crown and Sinecurists in England and in Wales ; hence, under the influence of personal friendship or political connection, the parishes are filled with ministers unsuited to them. The Bishops usually take but very little pains to encourage deserving pastors, and often prefer English- men to Welsh benefices. Pluralities and absenteeism exist to a great extent. Thus a very small fund is left for the generality of the clergy, who are reduced to abject poverty. Many of them are obliged to keep farms, situated often in distinct parishes from those which they serve. A great many of them serve two or three places of worship every Sunday ; in many churches, service is performed only once a-day, and that at an inconvenient hour. These abuses exist to a less extent in the southern parts of South Wales ; but in Cardiganshire, Radnorshire, and Caermarthenshire, this is the general course of things. Of seventy-one parishes in Cardiganshire (including chapels of ease), not more than thirty are held by residents. At the same time, the revenues of the Church are squandered in sinecures, which, whatever may be their benefits (real or imaginary) in richer districts are very unjustifiable under the local circumstances just described. The following is a list of the Prebends which are attached to the Collegiate Church of Brecon only, taken from Mr. Theophilua Jones's History of JSrecknochhire. 12 PRK BENDS OT TH* COLLEGIATE CHURCH OF CHRIST, 1ST BRECKNOCK, THEIR RESERVED RENTS, ETC. From Mr. Theo. Jones's Hist. p. 834. PREBENDS. Reserved Rents. Lease. .Provisions to the Lecturer. Prorisions to the Schoolmaster. REMARKS. Llangatwg S. d. 20 Years S. d. s. d. 16 LI amide a sail t Ditto. Annexed to the Llangammar cli LJanbister 60 CO Ditto. Lives. 268 268 Deanery. Annexed to the Treasurership in lieu of Mor- tuaries. The Bp. is Trea- surer. Chancellorship. Llandysilio 26 Years. 140 t LJanoynllo 26 Lives 258 Llanvynydd . .. 22 Years 268 Precentorship. Trallwng 20 140 Llanartline 16 Years. 268 Clyro 15 6 8 Lives. 1 10 8 St. Harmon..... 14 Years. 1 10 8 Iilanwrthwl 13 6 8 Lives. 268 Llandygwydd Llandegle .......;.. 12 11 Ditto. Ditto. 1 13 4 268 Garthbrengy NantGynllo....... Llanddarog 10 10 10 Years. Lives. Ditto. 1 10 8 140 1 10 8 Llandeilo- Graban. Mochdre* 9 15 4 800 Ditto. Years. 1 10 8 1 118 Llanelwedd 7 13 4 Lives. 140 Lledrcd 6 13 4 Years. 140 Llan-y-Drindod. . . . Boughrood 1 Uanbedr , Pain's / Castle 1 6 00 200 Lives. Years. 1 10 8 090 ' -'- -- > Llan St. Ffraid ) , yn Elvael \ 168 Ditto. 1 4 -*.-. ...- 387 2 30 18 4 21 9 4 8t not be supposed, that the tithes attached to the Prebends are of little value, because the reserved rents are so insignificant. On referring to the remarks previously made on the parish -of Mochctre, {See p. 128) the reader vrill be enabled to conjecture, that the intrinsic value of these tithes, may bs very considerable indeed. The parish of Mochdre, here set down at 8, is worth 200 a- year ; so that if we take the reserved rents as a criterion, many of the Prebends must be of seven times greater value than this sum(200} -* SOUTH WALES. N.B. In the first columns of the following Tables, the letters R.V. P.O. C. and Ch. closely adjoining the names of the Benefices, signify respectively, Rectories, Vicarages, Perpetual Curacies, Curacies, Chapelries. The right hand column of letters indicates the Patronage to which the benefice is sub- ject : B. signifies that it is in the gift of the Bishop ; E. of some Ecclesias- tical body or person ; L. of a layman ; K. and Cr. of the Crown'; P.W. of the Prince of Wales ; Ld. Ch. of the Lord Chancellor. BRECKNOCKSHIRE. POPULATION IN 183147,763. [Parishe$, tf-c-l Value in King's Book. ' Parish Rate* in 1803. 'Modern Value. Aber Yscyr, V. . . . E. S. D. 363 . S. D. S. D. 83 10 2 at 6 S.' D. 113 14 10 Allt Vawr, P.C 2 17 10 14 13 6 4 55 11 6 Battle, P.C L 550 45 1 64 53 47 5 Brecknock. St. David's, V. St. John's, V. St. Mary's, Ch. Bryn Llys, V L. 5 15 7* 6 13 4 462 4 16 04 120 12 2 73 139 55 90 424 16 4J 12 66 8 94 60 374 1 54 7 6 100 10 9 43 135 5 104 11 6 Buallt, P.C L. 10 189 19 34 12 63 Cantrev, R. . . . . E. 9 10 74 58 7 6 Capel Coelbren, C. . . E. Cathedine, R E. 100 5 2 11 65 1 10 5 -57 9 105 11 Cell Wen, V 42 13 CrugCadarn, V. . . . E. Crug Hywel, V. . . . L. 14 3 17 84 182 6 8 6 139 82 30 79 6 6$ Deyynog, V B. 14 14 4| 502 8 Oi Dyffryn Honddu, C. . . E. Faenor, R King. 8 3 11* 122 8 8 69 60 7 123 15 8$ Garth Brengy, P.C. . . E. 10 81 16 8 71 34 10 Glasbury, V. . . . . B. 10 403 10 10 Glyn Collwyn, P.C. . . E. 64 4 Gwen Ddwr, C. . . . L. 600 192 8 9 56 65 5 Hay, V L. 705 476 13 74 30 112 Llan Avan Vawr, V. . B. Llan Avan Vechan, C. . B. Llanaml-llech, R. . . . L. Llan Bedr, R L. 989 13 618 16 17 6 330 11 24 60 7 268 1760 120 9 5* 3 103 12 1 20 5 5 Llanddetty, R.. . . . L. 7 10 74 109 9 l| 50 Llanddewi, P.C 600 121 14 5 6 42 50 Llanddewi AbGwesin, V. B. Llanddewi 'r Cwm, C. . L. LlandevaelogVach, R. P.W. Llandevaelog Tre'r Graig, Ch. . . . E. Llandevalle, V. . . . E. Llandeilo ar Van, P.C. . L. 18 500 13 1 7 34 500 900 463 776 10 91 12 2 69 62 16 8 60 276 3 1| 5 6 133 11 6 76 49 6 3 10 24 16 8 58 Very Valuable. 53 8 103 12 Llanelli, Ch L 259 26 70 Llanveugan, R. . . . L. 20 10 294 60 84 LI Vihangel AbGwesin, C.B. LI. V. Bryn Pab leuan, C.B. 16 63 12 62 110 2 6 28 18 10 34 2 6 168 BRECKNOCKSHIRE CONTINUED. Parishes, $-<. Valut in Kiny't Book. I'arish Ratci in 1303. Modern Value. LI. V. Cwm DM, R. & V. LI. V. Vechan, C. . . . LI. V. Nant Bran, P.O. . LI. V. Tal-y-Llyn, R. . Llanvilo R . . . . L. !L! .L. T, S. D. R. 19 15 24 V. 9 13 1J 4 12 3| 6 14 9| 4 10 7J 8 14 5 500 4 18 9 31 13 9 5 10 2 12 9 13 14 7 7 12 81 See Devynog. 300 2 13 4 647 5 17 Si 9 12 11" 14 7 10 7 7| 3 14 7 9 10 5 713 7 10 5 200 9 3 llf 200 200 2 12 4 12 1 10 2 10 22 9 10 7* S. d. S. D. 536 10 7 at 5 6 192 2 6 79 47 11 33 148 2 3 60 93 5 81 36 320 12 6 90 78 3 4| 60 64 7 7| 49 420 15 1 76 90 5 4 29 176 7 5 80 19 5 9 50 202 17 66 260 S 9| G See Devynog. 47 10 60 178 2 6 89 315 10i 185 9 10 84 122 3 11 96 43 7 3 40 72 6 5| 43 66 9 3 10 495 5 1 85 3 5 62 350 7 6i 7 li 60 13 2 3 3i 242 18 8 38 12 5i 40 834 9 3 28 10 7 76 100 8 11 54 See LI. V. Cwm Du. 177 15 4 55 194 15 9|. 70 S. D. 78 10 58 13 3 110 15 93 15 2 47 18 46 12 28 16 45 7 57 15 78 17 6 57 1 10 49 17 1 75 7 6 52 8 96 9 50 11 8 52 10 64 10 47 130 19 35 42 60 10 Llanvrynach, R . . . T, Llan Gammarch, V. . . . B. Llan Ganten, P. C. . . . L. Llan Gasty, Tal-y-Llyn, R.. E. Llan Gattwg R. . . . T, Llan Geneu, Ch. . . . T, Llan Gors, V . E. E Llan Gynydr, R. . . . Llan Igpn, V. ... P. Llan Ilid Ch . . ^ . L. Ch. Llan Illtid, P. C. . . . Llan Lleon Voel, P. C. . Llan St. Ffraid, R. . . Llan Yspyddad, V. , . Llan Wrthwl, V. ... . E. . L. . L. .L. B Llan Wrtyd, C. . . . Jjlan Ynya R . . B. B Llan y Wern, P, C. . . Llya Wen, R Llywel, V Maes Mynys, R. . . . . B. . L. . B. B Merthyr Cynog, V. . . Nant Ddu, C Partrishow, Ch, . . . Pen Daren, R Pen-y-Bont, Ch. . . . Rhyd-y-Briw Ch. . . . . E. . E. . L. . L. .L. Tav Vechan, C. . . . Tal-ach-Ddu, R. , . . Talgarth, V .E. .E. F, Tir-yr-Abad, P. C. . . Trallong, P. C. ... Tre'r Twr, P. C. . . . Ystrad Vellte, C. . . . Ystrad Gynlais, R. . , . L. . E. . L. . L. . L. 3133 12 1} 169 CARMARTHENSHIRE. POPULATION IN 1801100,655. I'arithrs, $~c. Va'ue in King't Book. Parish Kates in 1SC3. Modern Value, AberGorlech, P.C E. S. D. s. D. a. D. S. D. 47 Aber Gwili, V B. 368 450 6 Oat 7 9 110 17 10 AberNant, V L. 7 13 4 76 18 8 61 8 10 Bettws, P.C B. 600 107 9 1 16 46 4 Brechva, R L. 850 13 14 76 85 6 Caermartlieii, V King. 6 13 4 1008 16 104 11 8 Cappel Bettws, P.C B. 13 9 Cenarth, V B. 468 207 11 34 62 15 Cil Rheiddyn, R Ld. Ch. 8 12 84 190 15 74 Cily Cwm, V L. 500 284 9 114 9 54 Cil y Maenlhryd, R L. Ch. Clare, St., V E. 6 10 4 17 1 86 10 9i 202 14 10 4j 73 3 Cy dweli, V King. 7 10 395 2 2i 8 109 19 6 Cyffic, Ch . 40 13 6 Cynwyl, V L. 236 5 11 17 6 Cynwyl Gaeo, V King. 500 401 10 7 7 9 63 15 4 Eglwys Cymyn, R Ld. Ch. 800 40 2 8 20 94 Eglwys Vair Achyrig, Ch 32 15 4 15 Eglwys Glyn Tav, P.C L. Gwynve, P. C 29 18 56 Henllan Amgoed, R L. 6 10 5 70 10 U 80 6 Ishmael, St., V K. 700 273 5 &i 8 6 89 10 Llacliarn, V E. 600 431 13 6 Llan Arthne, V B. Llanbeudy, V L. 800 800 408 11 3 7 6 420 122 14 59 14 8 Llandeuddwr, R L. 600 116 3 94 Llandaug, R L. 7 10 360 32 Llanddarog, V B. 800 154 6 8 20 40 16 Llanddeusant, Donative B. Llandeilo, Ab Cywyn, P.C..B. Llandeilo Vawr, V B. 16 117 11 11 76 16 15 70 621 4 31 10 Llandingad, V B. 700 243 7 2J 91 5 8 Llanddyvri, (in Llandingad).... Llan Ddowror LlanDibie, V B. 400 194 17 80 93 8 Llandyvaelog, V L. 9 13 4 422 18 4 38 8 5 Llandy veisant, Don ative L. Llanclysilio, V B. 700 31 11 4 50 113 7 9 52 3 76 Llanedy, R K. 800 128 6 2 10 6 Llanegwad, V B. 8 13 4 396 3 4 12 Llanelli, V L. 668 688 17 10 71 11 10 Llan Vair ar y bryn, Ch 391 3 8 65 5 7 Llan Vallteg, R B. 400 43 1 4 82 4 LI. Vihangel A. Bythych, Ch. L Llan V. Aber Cywyn, Ch. ...B. LI. V. Aber Arth, V L. 15 668 152 3 1 51 211 12 8 246 5 10 4 69 12 4 90 10 LI. V. Cil Vargen, R L. 168 4 15 6 10 55 6 4 LI. V. Rhos y Corn, C B. 92 10 8 10 9 10 LI. V. Uwch y Gwili, Ch....E. Llanvynydd, V B. 6 13 4 240 10 4 39 44 19 95 15 6 Llangadoc" Vawr, V B. 900 495 7 13 6 Llan Gain, C.. . .L. 169 5 3 18 4 80 10 170 CAERMARTHENSHIRE CONTINUED. Parisliet,$c. Value in Kimj' s" t Book . Parish Ratei in 1803. Modern Value. Llan Gan, V B. S. I). 3 S. TX S. D. 179 12 3 at S. D. 50 XJangathan, V. Bp. of Llangeler, R. & V Chester B. 6 13 4 B 12 18 9 239 15 1 4 270 12 3 91 10 Llan Gennych, Ch L. v 6 13 4 6 13 4 97 1 11 60 14 4 Llan Gledwyn, R. , ...P.W. 2 13 4 41 18 4 18 3 56 7 6 Llangyndeyrn, Ch L. 6 13 4 687 2 2 63 1 5 Llan drynin, Ch L. 122 6 4 65 7 Llan Gynog.tC... K. 163 9 13 3 25 Llan Gynyr, V .. .B. 300 267 3 73 Llan Llawddog, Ch E. 500 85 12 5 3 67 LlanLlwch, P. C 10 See St. Peter. 65 5 Llan Llwny, V .. B. 500 115 12 9 9 89 10 LlanNon, Ch L. 6 13 4 172 11 4 86 39 13 Llan Sadwrn, V L. 6 10 167 10 54 7 6 60 10 Llan Sadwrnen, R 600 60 17 2 16 Llan Sawyl, Ch 137 5540 62 8, 9 Llan Stephan, V K. 8 13 4 443 15 3 24 Llan Winio, P. C L. 157 15 6 35 13 Llan Wrda, Ch L. 86 14 2 11 46 11 Llan y Byddar, V K. 287 11 10 3 92 16 'Llan y Crwys, P. C. . . . L. 35 8 74- 4 8 42 11 Llan y Pumsant, C E. 500 100 13 6 12 .0 41 Marros, Ch ''....:. 52 2 8 18 52 14 Merthyr, R . King 4 17 1 69 5 15 142 15 Myddvai, V B. 668 166 1 8 11 3 ( >0 Mydrim, V B. 7 10 293 10 5i 9 6 73 16 Nanty Bai, P. C 43-15 10 New Castle in Emlyn, New; Church, P.C Ch....B. L 600 In Parish of Cenarth 173 4 7 53 5 41 14 Penboyr, R. . . . L 994^ 178 60 PenBre, V. .L 668 314 14 1| 15 39 6 8 Pen Carreg, V . . L 400 115 10 6 73 18 10 PenDyn, R .. . L 17 16 2 20 48 Taliaris, P.C L 10 ?ee LI. Deilo Vawr. 47 11 Tre' Lech ar Bettws, "" f B 6 13 4 264 17 9 42 2 2 4561 9 5 171 CARDIGANSHIRE. POPULATION IN 113164,780 Parishes. Value in King's Hook* Parish Rates in 1803. Mod r.i Value. Aber Forth, R B. Aber Ystwyth, P.C E. Bettws Bleddrws, R B. Bettws leuan, Ch Bettws Lleuci, P. C Blaen Penial, P.C BlaenPorth, P.C L. BrynGwyn, Ch B. Cardigan, V Pr. W. Caron, V B. Cellan, R B. CilCennin, V B. Ciliau Aeron, R B. Dihewid, P. C ....L. Eglwys Vach, Ch Eglwys Newydd, P. C Ferwig, V Cr. Gartheli, P.C Gwnnws, C. L. Gwynvil, Ch Henvynwy, P.C E. Henllan, R B. Llanavan, P. C L. Llanarth, V B. Llanbadarn Vawr, V R. Llanbadarn Odwyn, Ch Llanbadarn Vach, V B. Llanbedr Pont Stephen, V...B. Llan Ddeiniol, P. C ..L. Llan Ddewi, A. Arth, P. C..E. Llan Ddewi Brevi, P. C L. Llan Dyvriog, V B.! Llandygwydd, P. C E.' Llandysil, R, &V B.i Llan Dysilio gogo, V B. ! Llanvair Clydogau, P. C L.' Llan Vair Oer llwyn, R B.i Llan Vair Tre Lygon, R B. ! LI. Vingl. Geneu'r Glyn, V. B.j LI. V. Llethyr Troed, P.C...E.I LI. V. y Creiddyn, V B.' LI. V. Ystrad, V B. Llan Geitho, R L.! Llan Goed mawr, R Ld.Ch. . Llan Granwg, V B.| Llan Gybi, P.C L.j Llan Gynvelyn, P.C L. 1 UanGynllo, R L. Llan liar, V BJ Llanlna, Ch JS. Llanll wchhaiarn, P.C L. j s. 5 13 4 7 13 13 5 9 15 8 5 7 5 5 4 500 10 13 4 13 4 500 13 4 368 4 18 1 20 500 600 6 13 4 600 600 600 800 700 12 16 8 10 3 18 1 400 4 13 4 12 400 800 4 18 1 600 12 18 6 200 6 13 4 6 13 4 6 13 4 Llanarth. . s. 37 6 329 3 35 69 3 134 19 46 129 7 76 18 368 2 481 1 47 12 99 13 50 6 93 10 D. s. r>. 6 at 7 730 050 12 5 049 11 4 15 8 6 17 8 3 1 350 6 12 5 10 9 14 224 11 5 50 14 31 2 3 6 '3 687 4 '5 120 13 9 311 9 2 317 4 5 75 18 233 5 11 96 11 8 24 3 128 13 114 14 11 169 5 43 10 10 185 6 6 7 129 4 1 11 123 8 7 See Llan Dswr, B. 86 6 10 16 9 17 7 8 56 6 9 366 16 8 15 6 959 9 9 . 52 8 50 138 12 217 5 10 37 11 53 94 12 7 9 5 287 19 3 143 6 8 207 1 7 11 604 17 2 15 15 6 1 '12 4 3 5 9 6 14 12 2 11 11 10 4 6 12 15 6 S. I>. 74 2 4 86 2 52 1 3 92 58 10 6 55 2 10 61 17 131 17 101 13 7 40 17 6 88 10 62 18 6 71 9 27 17 8 87 12 87 9 6 36 4 58 16 21 2 6 80 3 8 700 136 12 40 17 6 48 7 60 11 6 110 10 6 73 1 6 31 10 400 83 14 6 88 118 4 3 78 4 72 11 72 76 8 29 9 4 102 19 62 15 172 CARDIGANSHIRE CONTINUED. Parishes, S/-e. Valve in Kinij't Book. Parish Kates iti 1903. Ifodrrn Value. Llanllwchhaiarn, R B S. D. 678* S. D. S. D. 148 3 8i at 19 S. D. Llan Rhystyd, V.,. B 6 13 4 193 4 7i 10 133 3 4 Llan St. Ffraid, V B 6 13 4 153 60 96 94 15 10 Llan Wenog, V B 800 222 13 4J 10 97 13 6| Llan Wnen, V B 3 4 9A 54 17 6 76 60 3 8 Llan Ych Aeron, P. C T, 400 90 8 18 53 18 4 Llanwwyryddon, P. C T, 6 13 4 72 SO 45 1 4 Llech Rhyd, P. C 40 12 9 12 34 12 Mount, P. C F, 300 66 11 1| 16 54 14 Nant Cynllo, V B 3 13 4 61 7 9 6 10 71 19 8t Pen Bryn, V B 15 256 6 7 13 6 Rhos Ddu, R B 168 88 13 Silian, V B 38 5 2 70 15 6 Strata Florida, Ch T, 800 72 5 8 Trev Han, R B 500 96 15 6 12 107 10 Tre' Maen, P.C T, 10 46 5 10 10 6 21 Troed-yr-Aur, R Ld. Ch 13 229 10 2 17 6 Yspytty Cynvyn, P. C T, See LI. BadarnVawr 73 9 Yspytty Ystwyth, P.C... Ystrad Meirie. Ch. .. ...B. T, 44 13 11 70 83 18 5973 17 3 GLAMORGANSHIRE. POPULATION IN 1831126,612. Aber Avan V L. 949 14 13 1 500 15 9 7 26 37 968 692 9 16 5 536 5 11 10 521 3 10 7 13 14 6 4 5 10 973 468 21 1 8 16 19 10 436 12 7 273 19 8 125 17 1 121 19 2 47 9 10 180 19 10 102 18 9 67 14 72 1 4 352 11 Of 90 3 3| 72 12 2 1162 17 5 55 7 7J 46 6 4 784 6 7 331 17 5 26 7 4J 39 7 5 352 13 6 43 2 2 1 3 13 Hi 6 9 1 8 4 7 10 1 6 3 41 2 2 5 3 8 9 9 2 6 3 8 5 6 28 13 10 34 13 500 52 41 15 134 18 11 32 11 3 134 14 7 72 16 8 79 15 3 69 10 7 35 99 13 4 116 4 7 54 17 4 Aber Dar, V E. Andrew's, St. R ...King. Andrew's, Minor, C... L. Athan, St. R L. Baglan C . . L. Barry, R . . L. Bettws, C TheCrn. . . B. Bishopston, R. Bonvilston, C. . . . Bride St R. . . . Bride, St. Major, V. . Bride, St. Minor, R. . Briton Ferry, C. . . L. . . L. . . L. Cadoxton, V ... T, Cadoxton juxta Barry, R. . L. Caeraii, P. C. ~. . . - ."K. Cardiff, St. John's, V. St. Mary's V. Cheriton, R. . . . Cil Bebyll, R. . . . . .E. . .E. Ld. Ch. . .K. Coychurch, R. . . . L. Cosran. V. . L. t Two-thirds of the tithes belong to a Prebend in Brecon Church. 173 GLAMORGANSHIRE CONTINUED. Parishes, 4'c. Value in King's Booh. Parish Ratfs in 1803. Modern Value. Colwynston, V. . . . L. S. D. 668 21 12 34 4 8 114 3 14 44 15 0" 3 18 64 6 13 14 14 9 7 4 18 9 20 7 U 7 5 74 5 13 6* 10 0' 5 14 4* 968 500 17 10 3 4 839 334 4 14 7 884 4 18 9 7 4 4| 8 13 4 5 1 lli 12 16 9 14 9 10 5 16 8 19 5 5 12 8 7 15 7 14 13 9 10 900 10 2 3 12 13 4 12 7 15 7 S. D. 8. D. 101 6 10 at 1 6 209 15 9 5 6 304 lli 79 9 2 80 124 10 87 18 1 60 37 19 20 870 8 84 18 10 385 14 7 28 3 5 391 13 5 7 57 14 8 7 17 2 89 6 10 107 15 4 1 9 87 12 2 90 23 2 11 80 124 2 40 238 393 18 46 15 2 69 166 18 6 1 9 318 11 6 1 6 36 17 2 36 121 12 3 13 621 4 9 10 171 18 10 SO 67 7 7 86 44 14 2 15 14 2 155 9 56 271 9 7| 4 3 191 14 5 8 6 34 9 6 13 88 14 4 5 U 982 19 103 3 86 87 16 3 438 7 2 77 18 60 122 0167 66 17 8 40 61 3 362 17 5 2 269 1 11 21 12 4 22 84 19 9 16 848 3 10 525 2 3 63 5330 M S. D. Ill 18 67 99 15 3 73 16 4 1-20 40 400 86 11 3 250 105 17 63 15 2 59 8 4 37 14 105 10 27 32 74 10 3 55 5 51 10 61 16 8 39 6 8 V. Ch. 100. 136 8 3 63 72 11 3 29 13 60 16 8 149 13 11 94 19 92 17 8 46 124 4 6 305 12 40 82 10 6 Cowbridge, Ch. . . Coytv R . . . . . . E. . . L. Cviivij?. V. . .Cr. Donat's, St. V. . . . . L. Do Welsh, Ch. . . . . E. Eglwys Brewis, R. . . . E. Edwys Ilan V. . . . . B Ewenny, Donative. . . . L Fa^an St R . . . L . . L. Gelli Gaer, R: . . . . . L. George, St. R. . . . . . L. Gileston, R. ... Glyn Corwg, C. . . Hilary, St. V. . . Ilston, R . . E. . . L. TT! Ld.'ch! . . L. John's St. P.C. . . Knelstoii V. . . . . . E. Lalyston, C. . . . . . K. Lantwit Vaerdre, C. . Lautwit Lower, Ch. Llavernog R . . . L. . . L. Llanbleiddan, V, Llancarvan, V. . . Llanddewi V. . . . E. . . E. . . B. Llan Giwg, P.C. . . Llandaff, V. ... . . L. . . E. Llandeilo Tal y bont, Llan Doch, R. V. . L. . . L. Llan Doch, R. . . L. Llan Dwvr, R. . . . . E. Llaudyvodwg, V. . . L Llan Edeyrn, V. . . . E. Llan \ r abon, Ch. . LI. Vihangel Bont Vaen, R. L. Llan Ganna, R L. Llangevelach, V. Llan Geinwyr, P.C. . . B. . . L. Llangenydd, V. Llan Gynwyd Vawr, Llan llaran, C. . . E V. . L Llan Hary, R. . - Llan Hid, R. . . Llan Illtrwm, Ch. Llan Illtid Vawr, V. Llan Isan, P. C. L. . . L Ld.Ch . . L . . E . . L Llan Vadoc, R. . Llan Vaes, R. Llan Rhidian, V. . Llan Samled, C. . P.W . . . L . . . L . . . B Llaii Sannwr, R. . . . . L, 174 GLAMORGANSHIRE CONTINUED. Parishes, <$'c. Valve in King's Buck. Parish Katts in 1803. Modern Value. Llan Trisaiit V .... E M S. D. 24 14 2 8 13 4 9 10 5 10 473 613 9 10 10 40 5 11 3 568 4 17 3 13 6 8 20 5 7 4 10 7 868 15 16 2 3 773 11 992 10 4 17 11 3 16 8 8 13 4 4 15 2 4 10 8 13 4 500 8 3 1 71 2 8 7 8 1 9 5 10 5 11 15 968 700 11 9 9 7 14 4 13 7 1 14 X. S. D. S. D. 1268 16 9 at 65 13 8 3 362 9996 70 10 10 39 124 15- 4 55 5 6 86 83 1 3 54 8 15 3 7 780 19 9 10 53 6 10 50 (59 18 323 105 4 5| SO 11 37 1453 17 10 6 6 35 16 50 74 9 6 13 15 1 11 46 10 '73 919 15 1 5 6 249 18 7 171 12 8 10 6 140 77 17 15 4 5 40 18 7 3 46 132 13 10 5 6 41 13 7f 5 $9-13 5 9 221 5 5 50 89 4 3 46 779 309 15 3 2 11 63 7 4 5 6 324 17 6J 17 4 155 1 6i 2 1 25 6 2 08 42 19 3 10 6 126 7 11 76 39 3 3 12 135 2 4| 6 6 31 16 4i 2 11J 157 12 3 264 12 2 80 105 13 3 50 1630' 9 11 107 19 8i 178 10 11 1 10 370 10 6 13 4 67 18 6 222 19 1 49 3 1 26 S. D. 18 105 18 18 115 16 4 40 81 110 64 16 8 42 16 4 53 11 3 60 117 7 6 48 43 14 4 120 7 11 35 14 119 6 4 54 143 13 11 35 14 10 143 10 140 19 10 37 94 138 19 8 139 3 79 13 11 79 102 15 49 133 9 6 50 350 44 900 Llan Try dd yd R L. E. . ..L. Ld.Ch. L. Llys Vaen PC ....E. Lythian St V L. .. .B. C: Martin St Ch ....E. Mary, St. on the Hill, Mary St PC R...L ....L. L ..E. Merthyr Tudvyl R . . L. Michaelston, Le Pit, R Mich, super Avail, P.C Mich super Elay R L. L. ...L. Monk Nash C ....L. Neath R . . . . L. New Castle, V .Kin jr. Newton Nottage R. . . .. L. Nicholas St. R ....L. ....L. Oxwich R . . . . L. L Penarth V . . . . L. Penartb, V . ... E. Pen Deulwyn V. ....E. Pen Llyn V ....L. Ld.Ch. ... E. . ...L. Pen Marc, V Pen Rhys PC Pentyrch V .... E. i Porth Ceri R . L. P -tli F.inion, R Ld. Ch. Pvle Ch Cr. Reyuoldston R L. Rhaiadr V L. Rhos Sili R Ld.Ch. B. Rhudd. Dre Ch Ronth V . . . . L. Sully, R" L. Swansea, V . . . . L. Tvthegf^cn C .... . . Kin ". ]L Whitchurch Ch . E Wick, Cu Ystrad. Dyvodwg, P.C. YstradOwain. P.C. .. E. . E. 175 PEMBROKESHIRE. POPULATION IN 1331 1,424. Parish's, &c. Value in Kiny's Hook. Pariv/i fates in 1303. Hfndern Value. Ambleston, V ... Ld. Ch. L. S. 1). 3 19 4i 3 18 64 S. D. S. D. 1G4 8 9 at 112 5 Hi 7 6 S. D. 56 11 5 88 14 6 Angle, R.& V Ld. Ch. 14 9 2 123 19 4 48 15 Brvyvill, V Ld. Ch. 500 17 11 6 14 4J 13l> 14 6 Bu^eli, R Ld Mil ford 12 19 2 91 18 5 Bletherston, Ch 145 11 40 Bosheston R . . . L. 11 6 8 79 2 2 10 128 18 Boulston, C L. 42 16 2f Brawdy, V B. 3 18 9 123 3 5i 22 3 8 Briidell R L 900 54 17 8" mQ 3 Bride, St R L 15 12 11 111 01 20 Burton R L 15 12 11 85 4 30 . .. L. 61) 5 371 15 1 89 Carew V . . B 404 18 7 74 IK Q Castle Beith R .Ld Ch 600 69 17 9 1 98 1') 3 Castle Martin, V L. 7 17 6 233 11 2-' 53 14 8 Cil Oaran, R . King. 900 177 18 7' 140 Cil Gwyn, Ch. . . . See Clarbeston, P.C Nevern. 5 15 4D 10 12 29 10 Clydau, Preb. & V . B. 12 156 13 3 70 10 Coed Camlas, C 600 31 6 3| Colman, P.C. . . . . . .. . L. 35 3 7 32 2 6 Cosheston, R .... L. 11 12 11 111 17 6f 2 4 131 Crinow, R Ld. Ch. 12 8 2 20 46 14 3 Cronwear, R Do 6 16 IQi 6:) 13 5 12 110 Dale, P.C L. 600 175 17 7 39 59 18 David's, St. V E. 6'>7 13 11 59 11 6 Dinas, R. L. 800 76 11 11 60 l' ! l 6 Dogvael, St. V E. 4 16 04 106 4 4| 71 Dogmael, St. V Ld. Ch. 4 13 <<- 4'')(> 67 4 4 Edeyrn, St. P.C ... ... E. 4 o u 37 13 4 35 16 8 Eglwys Wrw, V E^remont Cu Ld.Ch. L 3 13 4 300 119 2 6 09 12 6 18 85 15 32 12 Elvis, St. R .Ld.Ch. 2 10 10 733 5') 18 6 Fisbguard, V Do. 405 287 72 61 1 Florence St R & V. .. . . E R 16 12 1 94 18 2 10 C;Q 14 o Ford, Ch E. v 4 18 4 2 (i QK A n Freystrop, R Ld.Ch. 5 13 9 94 9 9J B. 6 8 11} 52 7 2Q 18 7 . . . . L. 9 12 3 1 39 12 6 10 mA Haroldston, East, P.C Ditto West do L. E 500' 47 5 44 1 46 6 2 33 2 6 100 17 Haverf ordwest . St. Martin's, R St. Mary's V . L. L 404 97 56 559 6 11 66 47 101 IQ n St. Thomas's R K. 287 66 53 Hay's Castle V. . . B 62 4 7 on o Q Haysguard, R Henry's Moat, R . . . Herbrandston. R . . Ld.Ch L .Ld.Ch 18 G 6 568 68 7 1 28 93 18 6 132 13 91 3 R 115 6 3 66 2 6 176 PEMBROKESHIRE CONTINUED. Parities, tj-c. Value in King's Soak. Pariih Rat's in 1803. Modern Valve. L. S. D. 7 13 4 S. D. S. D. 27 17 3 at S. D. 100 13 10 . Ld Ch. 6 2 84 235 no 60 Ishmael St. V ... Do. 6 12 84 177 6 04 4 8 62 19 4| Issell's, St. V E. 3 17 6 274 14 114 91 1 E. 4 17 6 146 2 8 47 19 04 Johnston, R .Ld Ch 205 28 Jordanston, R L. 639 57 14 7 57 13 E. 500 53 12 108 9 Laurence, St. R . Ld.Ch. 3 18 9 31 15 8 111 Lamphey, V B. 5 8 ll^ 75 1 10 69 10 8 Letterston, R B. 12 11 04 47 12 Llanbedr Velvrey, R. . LI. Ddewi Velvrey, R. Llandeilo, V .Ld.Ch. &V.Do. L. 10 800 7 9 44 276 12 8 141 7 3 3 8 7 16 10 Llan Dylwyv, V . .. .E. 500 60 12 11 29 18 9 Llanvair Nant IGwyn, Llanvernach, R C....L. .Ld.Ch. 300 10 48 18 74 131 4 77 17 6 138 12 LI. Vihangel Penbedw Llan Golman, C , R..K. .... L. 600 61 2 4 41 12 104 70 10 Llan Gwm, R L. 7 12 11 184 3 44 no 11 14 B. 8 18 64 161 14 8 15* 128 12 8 Llan Hy wel, V . . 4') 8 3 26 18 7 47 12 7 53 6 3 Llan Rhiain, V ..B. 6 11 3 2-2 14 114 69 10 6 Llan Rhidian, P.O.. ..E. 68 15 48 4 Llan Stadwel, V ... ....L. 7 17 189 15 74 6 93 16 9 Llan Stinan, P.O. ... L. 400 89 5 3^ 56 11 LlanTyd, V Ld.Ch. 500 40 18 1 23 2 Llan Wnda, V E. 3 5 24 IV'S 18 104 71 10 Llany Cevn, P.O.. . L. 59 14 1 1 6^ 35 L. 368 23 1 5 57 1 Llan ych Llwydog, R Llaw Rynni, R . ... L. L. 800 13 46 1 8 36 164 11 4 75 5 Llys y Vran, R .... L 305 46 7 3.' 2 1J 102 5 6 L. 455 61 11 2 34 81 4 3 Ludchurch, R .Ld.Ch. 3 14 44 42 14 7 82 18 3 Maen Clochog, V .... L, 3 18 9 51 7 Klf 21 1 Manachlog Ddu, P.C ... .L. 500 65 8 11* 133 11 11 Maenor I3yrr V. ... E 800 273 13 2 10 31 4 11 Maenor Dewi, R 900 114 2 9i 18 04 200 Maenor Owain, C. . ... .E. 400 52 2 2f 44 2 6 Marloes, V ..Ld.Ch. 500 130 4 11 34 67 5 Marti etwy, V L 4 o o 149 2 7 1 61 4 L. 10 96 4 109 6 Merthvr, V . B 476 237 3 11 118 8 9 Miivwear, V L. 7 46 5 7 30 49 5 Uonitagton, V . Ld.Ch. 3 56 13 9 12 2 Morvi'C R L 200 17 15 6 Moufiton Cli ... E 11 2 1 1 74 Mor iTove, V .Ld.Ch 73 7 9 1 12 Narlsrth, R.. ..Kins 25 10 10 4U6 10 6A 177 PEMBROKESHIRE CONTINUED. Parishes, !fr. Value in Klniji Book. Parish Rates in 18f3. Modern Value. Nash, R E. S. D. 6 12 8i S. D. S, D. 27 6 4 at S. D. 78 15 3 Nevern V .... Ld Oh 800 373 6 2 Newcastle, (Little) P.O. .L. 500 247 39 9 8 68 112 4 54 2 1| 37 Newport, R L. 16 159 11 2 93 14 Newton North, P.C L. 22 15 3 57 7 Nicholas, St. V B. 59 6 11 17 5 74 Nolton, R Ld.Ch. Pembroke, Mary, St. V . . L. Michael, St. V..L. Nicholas, St ...L. Penal ey V B 4 2 11 400 62 16 4 512 12 6 6 215 10 7 329 7 OJ 6 110 60 10 95 6 6 81 10 5 Pen Rhydd, R Ld.Ch. 400 57 6 58 3 6 Petrox, R Do. 739 42 16 5 113 8 Pont Vaen R 368 16 8 04 Pendregast, R Ld.Ch. 9 14 9 2<2 11 5 89 100 6 568 38 11 110 9 Pwll-y-Crochan R Ld Ch 9 12 11 94 2 7 115 1 4 Redbert Ch B 250 13 2 9 40 27 9 Reynoldston, Donative L. Rhos Gylyddwr, R Ld.Ch. Rhos Market V L. 15 12 11 400 35 6 7 94 19 H 123 9 2| 3 39 1 77 14 Robeston, \Vathan Ch 82 18 5 20 Robeaton, West, R Ld.Ch. Roch V Do. 668 4 13 9 78 6 06 122 12 104 19 11 84 3 9 15 4 2 198 1 8 Slebech PC L 500 199 2 11 55 15 Spittal C L. 5 10 56 13 7 61 44 8 Stackpool R. & V L. R 15 12 11 97 5 6 63 13 8 Stainton V Ld Ch V 3 18 4 9 17 31 426 3646 9 12 6 57 7 3 26 Tal-y-llechau P.C E 800 168 3 9 56 54 4 Tenby, R. & V King. R 26 10 10 371 5 4 Trev Gam, R E v 13 6 8 14 25 16 4 20 47 13 Twynell's St V E 80 6 82 3 6 Usmaston PC E. 5 10 116 13 6 35 Walton East C L 10 56 18 9 50 2 6 Walton West R L 6 13 4 62 14 10 141 15 6 Walwyn's Castle, R.. Ld.Ch. Warren V B. 7 13 4 481^ 129 15 10 72 12 3 49 12 11 Whitchurch, or Eglwys Wen, R....L. Whitchurch, or Tre'r Croes, V E. Williamston Ch 600 5 15 7$ 66 4 9 169 14 5 60 11 5 79 7 9 Wiston C L 900 320 14 7 131 15 Yerbeston. R . . . . . L 539 46 19 7 100 9 2 6678 7 11 13 9 05 hH CH rM H * I P. it g^w p, bo fi TP U5 O O s e Bliltil S , ; ' r o 2 fl W g - o> m T* .T* -t^ m 00 OOOOOWOW-0 OO t r-l O Ui OrHOOOMOdrHO O O i-l 05 o toc5>ooioc^tofooow5 r-l *J i-t O5 O r-l i I 1 1 1 1 ft^2 ' O 4i fi r=! O? -S' ^3 rJ 4 > ^15 S ^ $ | I "g I ^ ^ ji . I j| H :S .! 1 1 i I l :q : fM : PH ;r>PM ;> t;^, IJIlfSllallallls^ 1 1 vw ^ ;^ tn TO r^ >^ fr Jz; PH pu K rt rt p^ g >" 53 5 I Si > o s 11^ *2 a x C - 1 4) O 0> _, >1 a -*S i iii in r5 hn w A o _. ,q a) | i o g Ilia Ecclesiasti Impropria cd | a ^ r^ .3 tao >> g oo -4 S B E s <5 g 11 .ss-s ;/jPQ _o o o o o co o r-i co n 8 8 g "1 F-< U5 1 *3 rt 5 S"S 11 HS' PH' W oq .s PQ g Dig S" 99JJ V 1 1 u C3 _, o o ^pfl ja Ja a a) "^3 13 M w H " X' M as 5 M a ;* 8 c 1 w f Sis sag -S B a cj J i . 5 J 5 PH S3 ^ 1*2 ^ M t- *- H , c8 to rt 3,2 3 M ?n is a 11 I* WO w g P-i h-3 P-iffl g.2^ gill ". 3 * rl o o 1^10 ,,-u'c3 -S o> 05 <3 P-l " ^ ! a *! % .2-15 feo^idl ^1 i;m_sif|--fi ^^S g,S |>|1 2| z | ^0 ^S- 5 ^^- 3 2 1 - 5 &H 184 SUMMARY. ABSENTEEISM. Anglesey contains 75 parishes, (chapelries included) ; 02 j of these are in the hands of non-resident incumbents ; 55 have no resident minister whatever. Total number of incumbents, 40 ; non-residents, 22. Benefices without either incumbent or curate, 19. CURATES. 19 parishes are served by six ministers. The curate of Llan- rhuddiad and three other parishes travels 14 miles every Sunday. The Curate of Ceirchiog and of two others has to travel 10 miles along a wretched road. The Curate of Llanvachreth and of two others has to travel eight miles. OPULENT CLERGY. The following incumbents have two or more parishes, and reside on neither : H. W. Jones has six parishes (two benefices), 1200 ; W. Roberts, six parishes (one benefice), 7 eo t* eo e e s -i 1-4 e | 11 I ^'" If 1 3 111 |>1 ' 1 '" ft o s Z r-H j~^ pj fl s- ri EH * r* er? W "*9 2 fe c3 O ^ c3 ^ ~*~ rr-3 *5 I O PH Jj O JOCC PQ H P S|J8 O * W5 lO U3 O O SO O O O O OO1>>O O O T}!sj Tin SO " r- C? V pC o S 1 |l|i 1 * ^ M ^Pn |1 s -s "e j- "o tf ^ o - 3g r~\ ^3 -il s || 'grcl'o d ta s" tS^ I t~D rt .3 H -J V CC 8| o oooco oo o cj W3 XQOC^IC 1OO W CO CO -H rj( . . &*> I 1 1 J 1 ^ * i, O ** O 3 ^ H hH E rQ g* i^ ^O * * O E. P ^4 4 &> 1 I * 1 1 II | fi "2 -2 & C ^8 -2 lJ CO 1-5 3 1 |g 3 aT Patron. to .; ^ > * >> >> . W ^S* g 1 fi ^ 13 i g . g> W fl J *|i 'S-sli f I i i 1 lij . . ^ . 1 v . ri?l2 & -S ^g-l- |^ d ^ d ^ S^ai i * 1 li? -g ^-s^-s i i aa_JH_JB__si S_JrtS w !PQJPQ S3 ^ : . r l OcS9 : cf :O O PMPMPM : : a i ! : : ' -^ O : d i *H : I " -- . - 1 f^jr d Pn' /.jv i^l k : * ig i rt ^7 go .^3>d ^tf E ^CP^ -"5" -^"d cj' -S>" g,g-5^rf5>^^ i-9.Cfiii2>-^5i^li1 J,!^^^ g^^ ^p-g^ bS^ s^-l^g-c 2 r o^'3 <)-^ g J a" . d 'M N II ^2 Ills "^^^ i 1 ;C rg o^S 1 s Si* o o o o o o ej ^lO (MO OOO GSO 04 i^ ^t^ ^ O4 M t- O SO i-H C4 (M c Incumb g S 8 rd 2 rt ^ t^UJ W > OH ^ W M w ^ V 1 2s 1 V3 53 ^ ' !< jjg o ^c- f^E iq m sl O C^ rH 3 e a C ! o .2 s? 'C rj K^ ^ t 1 p> i 1 oTj.- E c 3 p 02 to ^^^yi 4 dl CB ^ . 8 3*1 s| > ^43 (J 13 1 ^J O L fl r ^ 4 ^ 0) ^i '"j o odd d t> p: j3 i-, j_, .+j ^j ^ > o5 ,-g .-g ,-g .-g L f P'|t ^ co _ Pn co ^i H bbb b dj Q Cl5 p3 jo - pj I i /^^ I O : : : & - :C> : : -O >> ! -*' e : o jjV; c "-j ^ Cu ? OH ^ ^ - g K* flj S "'bb " c C.2~ >>5^ S fcP^*f W'd'S "S^ |.| > llJJ'i J 3 333^| W || ^"1^ ^|| g^g ^U .a Pi . O o co _-g fl 4) WH 2 o o J 45 45 is'ls .~s wbb 189 ABSENTEEISM. Exclusive of chapels of ease, this county contains 48 bene- fices, the incumbents of 28 of which are non-resident. Most of the absentees live in an adjoining parish ; but the incumbents of six live, severally, 15 miles, off, 50 miles, 40 miles, 37 miles, 30 miles, and 17 miles. One of them is master of Bangor school ; two others vicars choral of Bangor. CATHEDRAL OF BANGOR. The Rev. James Cotton, one of the vicars, is a pluralist ; he enjoys one-half of the tithes of Bangor, 235 ; also Llanllechid, 450 ; also a considerable sum from the parishes of Lladdinam comportion, in Montgomeryshire. When preferred to Bangor, he was unacquainted with the Welsh language, and he owes all his preferments to his connection with the late Dr. Majendie, Bishop of Bangor. At the same time, it must be added, that great praise is due to the Reverend gentleman for his zeal in establishing Sunday Schools, and in other good works ; a short time since, he sustained a very considerable pecuniary loss, in consequence of a failure of a savings' bank, at Bangor, for the solvency of which he had pledged himself. On the whole, he is entitled to the gratitude of the people. The Rev. J. Hamer, the other vicar of Bangor, is also a pluralist, and enjoys the two parishes of Llanbedr and Caerhun, 500 ; but he keeps a ciirate in each of them, which reduces his clear emoluments from all his preferments to a sum not exceeding those of one good benefice. This, however, cannot and ought not to be deemed any defence of abuses of this description, though it may remove all odium from the indivi- dual. The Church is for the people, and not the people for the Church ; and the claims of her ministers are not to be made paramount to the interests and rights of individual parishes. It has been before stated, that the aggregate amount of the income enjoyed by the resident clergy of a whole Hundred in Montgomeryshire falls short of the emoluments of these two vicars choral. Resident clergy of Llanidloes Hundred 835. Two vicars of Bangor (exclusive of curates' salaries) . . . 880. The ill-fated Hundred alluded to is bound to contribute annually the immense sum of 1305 for the benefit of this single parish, for the support of its Cathe- dral, which, judging from the immense sums annually required for its repair, must be as unstable in its foundations, as the stone of Sisyphus, whose ill fate bears but too strong a resemblance to that of the ill-starred inhabitants of the hundred of Llanidloes ! 190 QUEEN ANNE'S BOUNTY. But the most flagrant abuses in this county arise from a misapplication of Queen Anne's Bounty. To enable the general reader fully to understand the nature of those abuses, a brief history of the origin of that fund may be necessary.* Before the Eeformation, the Pope y/as entitled to the full first year's revenues of every spiritual preferment in England, and to a clear tenth of the revenues of each ensuing year. These charges, which were called the " First fruits " and " Tenths," were annexed to the Crown by an Act passed in the reign of Henry the Eighth. By this statute, it was ex- pressly provided, that the payments due from the Church on account of "First fruits " and " Tenths," should be raised in proportion to the improved value of Church property, and the Sovereign wns enabled to issue a commission from time to time, for the purpose of ascertaining the rate of such improvement. One of these commissions was issued in the time of Elizabeth, and a valuation taken under it, which is believed to have been an accurate one for the time. But, from a variety of causes, no further enquiry was instituted down to the rei o o a o ^ a > f 11 i 1 N I O 2 S r5 i*^ S III in .|| -ab .5 3 g aj 5 'S 2 r S) 1 ji*P^ JJ 3 ^ Jg N SO W M H ,oo^pW^K*q WI^H^ p4o ds 1 f^' ^ d S5 1-5' i_5'H g-5 d ^ .2< 00 O O ^w S 2" co ^^^^ 1 s' ''8.2 S S^ 2" *-3lsJg II *ll|.l SI d - Nl ^^ rg PP4 rfl | g fc . | ^H o CJ P "^ "^3 * ^O f? " S o S *-. || lii^ag^I 1 ^l ' ft .Wo f j r o'oid^ '5 J W d "^ _ CQ k-^ PQ Q Q O ^S co ,g i 2 ' r o . 'C o fc ^M *3 1_ ifl ri Q> f | <^ ^. 1 H VH rt co H< &( ft c^^; *"C3 Oj oo do dd 2 f-^J -*-* ^^ -t 3 "^ 3 r^-3 ** ddoddp^oPg odd P PP PP S P PPPPPP^WH MPP ^ . %> : : : g : : g~ ; ^ ;!> '3 iS ' ftj -J c5 ' '3 t *' 3 P^f ^> ^0 < 11 Is ,^^p4_r P ->w W'?43 r"v^3 ^CQ^aO ^-Oc3 a e ^ ^ -2 ^ s' H 3 ? 14 11 11 1 J^ J J J J J J J J J ^ P M M ^5 ^ JI^ ^ H? Hi H? h^ hn h^ h^l ^ ^ ^ ^ H o o w oo rf . & jj s 1 ^ ^ a-i-a fcfC o5 P ea O 00 M ^ (0 fcQ ^H "S ra -^ <1 -B S m js 49 ft I OP SSS S I C o >o O O O O O CO ) O O O I?) O (M c^ ^ X"^ t-H co t-* o ooo ooo o oooo CO t-^t C-J OOO O OOOr-* (N C-l-Ht- CN(NI> -< csSS^t 2 00 e ^ P ' j ^ . . . rf y ji 3 ,<^ oj tO 0" ri S. . : co o ^ i-j o o- o 8 o * r- rH EC at "5* . J<3 o i cy ?ll ^ ^ 8 p: ^ S a ^ a a- a a fl g 1 s* n - g^^ J ft* H^ g a * ' ^_ ^B ^^ Is s| H^K-J r^ "^ ^ ^| Pi 3 2 o o o o -( ,C] -u 4^ ^o +a _2_3 3 33^ t^ S rt r 3 S XP 5 S S S S P QP P PPP O' K H M i3>t-5 :, . : '^ : i H i 'T^ J * ^ Llangedwyn, P.C Llangernyw, V... Llangollen, V ov _ r> ri ; . .QJ> C : j -f^ /S 3 5 : - ^ > ^^116 sf If 15^ s| ^sl^^ H S is S rt . p pppp ^ > ' : : s t> -c3 - : 'T r* : 8 o r i* 1^ L ^-( L . ^J ^^ T*-V rslrtSh iU J!'! a c 0=5 c *sM i to TO .G s 1 | 8 N 1 b H PH EH i ? o -~. 7i BJg C5 O rH B "5 fe "ft Ecclesiastic Impropriati ean and Cha Winchester. 9 || 'S '1 o C i, 3 Patron. n and Chapter : Winchester. O , ^in. >~-* ^--* 6 1 PH' 43" 1 1 o rS o S .2 S "^ Cv S rt rd <{J .5 >c e d r^ *^ t4_ *?S >;: CO ^ J 1.1 O W O 00 C> 1 ' (U rH ^j cS ^ "oT C rH ft ft "** (H f-| tO -ta g^ 5 - c ^.2 .3 o 5 Qi ^ 'co te ^ rd ~5- ** i^ d ra e3 g rQ O d c3 I d' _o rir2 T OJ .a; rrt 02 rl '-+3 OJ rQ C3 .* S d E ft 1 M ssj i g-s O O . - ffl PH m w do D O d "o Church property in thesi las been added since the ;o a prelate of that name. , Warden of Rhuthin, pc a of the excellent Ward clergy of this district ar ityd, were presented SOB ^onal merits. are generally natives ncation at the English IJ] and it is a singular fact, <<~j HH "^"^ m O 0} ri CO rH --3 The total amount o \ 1 1 i ^ t*- 1 O J J The whole of which n owes to his affinity I o 1 S PH \0 ^ rH all P o o X > I S - 1 'B 1 'a i V sS ^-^HJ "3 la fe l|l a (fa B H rd rd ri -^ o 1 d S j'S H ft r3 8 ' ^.s^i _r fl --H rM ^ towards building a parsonage-house, there not being one at that time fit for the residence of the clergyman. SINECURE APPROPRIATIONS. What is technically termed " Appropri- ation," that is, the system of taking the tithes of a parish from the officiating clergymen and other parochial purposes, and making them a perquisite of some sinecure office a system to which the county of Denbigh is most signally a prey was one of the bitter fruits of the Norman Conquest. Its origin is thus narrated by Dr. Burn, (Ecclesiastical Law, p. 64, vol I.) : "The way of strictly appropriating parish churches to religious houses or giving them in full right to the monks' absolute property and use, was an engine of oppression which came in with the Norman Conquest ; when the greater prelates being Normans, did trample upon the inferior clergy, who were gener- ally English ; increased the pensions which the clergy were to pay them, or else withdrew their stipends ; and yet loaded them with new services, and in every way oppressed them without mercy. And to complete the servile dependence, an artifice was contrived, to obtain indulgence from the Pope, that v'.^ver churches they held in advowson, they should commit them to be stiYid by clerks, who, as to the cure of souls, should be responsible to the Bishop, but as to the profits, should be accountable to the abbot or prior and his brethren. "And this was, indeed, effectual appropriation; a badge of slavery unknown to the Saxon Churches, brought over by t'ae Norman lords, and imperiously put upon the English clergy by the authority of the ,Pope. And this practice, which crept in with William the Conquerer, in a few reigns, became the cus- tom of the land ; and the infection spread until within the space of 300 years, above a third part, and those generally the richest benefices in England, be- came appropriated. ' ' The next injury to parochial churches came from the surrendering of their right of patronage to collegiate bodies. " From corporations aggregate of many, this example went on to single persons; not only to deans, chaunters, treasurers, chancellors, and separate officers, but at last to the parish priests themselves, who, in populous or rich places, ob- 200 tained a vicar to be endowed, and casting upon him the cure of souls, they had the rectory appropriated to them and their successors as a sinecure for ever." Such is the origin of the system of appropriations, a system of which the general effects have for ages continued well worthy of the tyranny in which it arose. Of late years, indeed, it has been discovered, that her sinecures have been the very cradle of all that is good and great in the Church of England ; though it is, at the same time, admitted, that learning and piety have declined since that period at which it can be proved, that these abuses were far less prevalent ! Undoubtedly, the sinecures of the Church, like every other absurd and anomalous institution, have occasionally furnished a reward to merit, and literary repose to piety and learning ; but it is equally certain, that their general application has been far more in accordance with the usual frailty of human nature, than with the romantic speculations of their advocates, whose confidence in human nature is so chivalrous and unbounded, as far as the possessors of irresponsible power are concerned, yet so restricted as far as regards those who are exposed to its exercise.* How far the Principality of Wales has been benefitted by the system of appropriations we have a singular example in this county. EGI.WYS VACH. The rectorial tithes, 650, were given by Sir John Wynne, of Gwydyr, to support a school and alms' house at Llanrwst. Their present application can hardly be said to realize the aspirations of the donor. LLAVAIH-TAL-HAIARN, 950 Is shared between three sinecurists ; the Rer. C. S. Luxmoore, son of Bishop Luxinoore ; the Eev. H. Horaeley, son of Bishop Horseley ; and the Rev. G. Robson, a gentleman connected with the last men- tioned prelate by circumstances which it is unnecessary to detail. In 1809, when the two latter gentlemen were already in possession, the curate's salary was 34 only, though it now amounts to 115. GRESFORD Is thus divided Dean and Chapter of Winchester, 2400, the Itev. H. Horseley, 450. Of all the evils to which a country can be exposed, exactions such as those to which this district is subjected, for the benefit of the Dean and Chapter of Winchester, are the most degrading and oppressive. It would be assuredly most unjust to throw upon the remote glens of the Principality the support even of those institutions which are the very key- stone of English greatness of institutious of which the beuefit is equally diffused through every province of the British empire ; but that such a dis- Tkeiilngitnl Quurtri-ly Rcvitu:, for J .nuary, 1S32, which contains some excellent remarks on thi* l-ranch of Church patronage. The Author of this Essay does not mean to enter into the qu btioo, whether the revenues RUtched to sinecures might not be beneficially emp'ojed in th support of certain ecclesiastical offoes, involving positive and arduous dutiei. 2>Jl trict as this should be made an appendage to the sinecures of a single and most remote English Cathedral, is a species of injustice, which to name is to expose ! t cannot be too often rememl>ered, that appropriations of this kind are the very bane of the Principality ; they are more permanently injurious than the savage wars to which she was, in ancient times, a prey ; the calamities of war arrest, indeed, the progress of society for a time ; but grievances of this kind grow with the growth and strengthen with the strength of a country ; only drain its resources more deeply as it advances in wealth and prosperity ! The vicar, the Rev. H. Horseley, resides in Edinburgh was promoted to this benefice in extreme youth has enjoyed it nearly 30 years, during the whole of which time, the care of this extensive parish, containing 3000 souls, has devolved upon a curate whose salary has not amounted till very lately to more than 30 (!) a year, and who is now so far advanced in life, that he is obliged, by his growing infirmities, to expend his scanty stipend in obtaining the aid of another curate ! ERBISTOCK, 350. Belongs to the Eev. G. fiobson, the other compor- tionist of Llauvair-Tal-Haiarn, together with CHIRK, 600. Population, 1500. Curate's salary, 65. HOLT AND ISCOED Like Gresford, are in the hands of the Dean and Chapter of Winchester, who derive from them 900 per annum. Not only are these two parishes lavished on the sinecurists of one of the most distant provinces of England but here also abuse is added to abuse and their emoluments are eked out by liberal grants from Queen Anne's Bounty ! The Curate of Holt has an income of 120 of which only 20 is paid by the Dean and Chapter* the rest is from the bounty fund ! The Curate of Tscoed has an income of 120 of which no part whatever is paid by the Dean and Chapter it consists en- tirely of bounty money ! ! In point of fact it will be found, that the most liberal yranfs of Queen Anne's Bounty are those which have been made to jmrisft- es in the Jiands of Bishops and sinecurist^ .' But to conclude. Strange as it may appear, it is, nevertheless, a most literal truth, that the abuses of Church patronage in this county far surpass even those which have just been described as a result of the Conquest of England by the Normans ; appropriations are earned to as great an extent and in favour of persons possessing no better claims on Wales than those of her Norman oppressors on the soil of England and to the evil of appropriations, are added abuses of a different description. Denbighshire contains 55 parishes (exclusive of 10 small livings, which con- sist chiefly of Queen Anne's Bounty, or private donations, and which are all either chapels of ease, or in the gift of laymen.) Of these 55, no fewer than 31 belong, in whole or in part 1st. To the Bishop of Bangor, 2550 and the 202 Bishop of St. Asaph 2600. 2nd. To their relatives* G330 (including Llan- silin parish, which belongs to the Chapter, which consists chiefly of the re- latives of Bishops). 3rd. To the Dean and Chapter cf Winchester, 3300. 4th. To pluralists possessed of other high Church preferment and sinecurists and absentees resident at more than seven miles' distance from their benefices, 2070. 5th. To schools at Llanrwst, not properly applied, 650. 6th. Cathedral of St. Asaph, 40. Total held as above, deducting 1?>20 for salaries of curates of absentees, &c 15,780 Total enjoyed by the general body of the clergy, including 400 belong ' " to Rhuthin School, (and properly applied,) and curates' sala.ies, 1320 but exclusive of Queen Anne's Bounty and Fees, 1500 13,849 Lay Imprcpriators 4300 Alms' House...:... 160 * Besides the preferments already enumerated as enjoyed by relatives and conceot'ons of the Bishops of Wales, who are nos-resideuts, the followine benefices belong to clergymen of the tame c'ass, who are, however, resideiit upon them : -Erbistock. Maivhwiail fchiwabon. It is not my intention to contend that every appointment of this description is, in itself reprehen- sible ; it is only when regarded in the mass, that they eviEce that shameful abuse of Episcopal patronage, w! ich is the very bane of the Principality. * * The Author has found, on farther inquiry, that the following is a more accurate representation of the condition of certain parishes in this county, than that which is contained in the foregoing table : Llan Nevydd, C. S. Lux- moore, Chancellor, 300 R, Chambers, 300. Llanvair Talhaiarnj C. S. Lux- moore, Dean, 220 the two Prebendaries, 440 equally divided. The curate is paid in part by Queen Anne's Bounty. The Bishop has a manor at Llandegle, value 80 per annum. These_alterations slightly increase the proportion en- enjoyed by absentees, &c. * O i & O =-i S PS H HJ o o o -4-> 2 j( JS -fl *-> -r- -J +> -+j+= ^j^j^i-+j -j ,~s T! 5 SS SSSS 5 SS j fl j& P3P5 1 ! ^ ft rf >' , 11 c ( a o: ||i i E g 3 ^ s 1 ii s m 1 1 58 a *> O O O O 00 $~i ss co 'eS c "8 ? 1 * e IfS i TO S 05- S 1 II *l o o c-i o ic o o >o o i i to co o (N oo c co cc o < W "2 ^ r- O O5 ^H i-3 fl BW di . . 8 PL, p,4J += c3 t~t Q^ o c o ^ o ^ O fi 2 r^l ^ 05 -ta -^> ^ 05 00 . W P) ^0 pq C P Q g pq ^ d "C > tc c c5 5 g Pw oT * on ' fe -2 <^! rz! tto H a |^ & fcj i i p^ gl J a ; o OH " cj . ,j t*W c S H 0) p^ 02 (13 > i ^ a o H o h-( w o PH f=f t.> p a n S3 C F a ^5 r *^j od < ^ 2 QQ p^ *s -^ ^ ^ ,T) QQ ,5 ~ '-^' : j O Pnd S" Jl^ f |2 Haward Brought TViio/klpv ' ^" * 53 3 I fi S cC " PQ a Worthei * T y 205 SUMMARY. ST. ASAPH DIOCESE. Leases enjoyed by the" Dean 'of St. Ataph. The emoluments he derives from leases granted to him by his father, the late Bishop Luxmoore, are immense. Llanasaph. From this he gains about 400 and pays the Bishop about 100. As to the extent to M'hich the system of appropriation is carried, I need o ily refer the reader to the table ; all the benefices in the district, except seven, belong, either in whole or in part, to the Bishop of St. Asaph, or to sinecurists. Nor is even the portion left to the vicars reserved for the oificiating clergy. For instance in the parish of Cwm, the sinecure rectory falls to the lot of an Englishman, the Rev. D. Finch, M'ho never officiated in this diocese, and the vicarage belongs to the vicar of Holywell. The income of the latter, deducting curates' salaries, does not amount, after all, to more than i 280 anything but a liberal revenue for a minister of a populous town : nor do I think any stigma attaches to him ; the blame rests with those who bestow the sinecure rectories on persons who have no claim on the diocese, and, thus, having deprived themselves of the legitimate fund for augmenting the income of ministers of populous parishes attempt to cxire one injustice by another and squander the vicarial tithes also on non-residents ! GWAUNY.SGOR Belongs to the minister of the Welsh Church in Liverpool, a deserving man, and to whose support a sinecure might, without impropriety, have been applied ; but for sinecures, as has before been observed, a different application has been found. NEWMARKET Belongs to the Bishop, who does not keep a resident curate, but employs the curate of the last mentioned parish to do the duty. NoRTHor, 850 Belongs to the bishopric. This immense parish was added to the see in 1G87, in lieu of mortuaries, a kind of tax due to the Bishops of St. Asaph on the decease of every clergyman. Of the value of these mortuaries, thus generally relinquished for a living of 850 a year, some idea may be formed from the following specimen. " His" (i.e. the clergyman's) "best cloak item, his best coat, jerkin, doublet, and breeches item, his hose or nether stockings, shoes, and garters item, his hat ^and cap item, his falchion ! ! &c., &c. B. Willis, vol. II. p. 161. ST. ASAPH CATHEDRAL. Of the immense sums expended in its repair, something has already been said ; its congregation generally consists of about thirty individuals ! The revenues of the Church in the parish of St. Asaph amount to nearly 3000 ; 1000 more are annually levied on a single parish of Montgomeryshire, for the use of its Cathedral ; 280 more are taken from a poor parish in Merionethshire, for the benefit of its Vicars ; and there is 206. only one resident Minister in the parish, the Rev. W. Owen, who derives from St. Asaph tithes 50 per annum. MELIDEN Belongs to a gentleman resident in Yorkshire. The curate is paid chiefly out of Queen Anne's Bounty. Amount belonging to the bishopric of St Asaph, 4202. To the Bishop of Bangor, A'5. The Rev. C S. Luxmoore, as Dean and Chancellor, 466 an absentee from the county. To other sinecurists, absentees from the county, 2565. Sinecurists resi- dent in the county, 866. Absentees from the county, 180. St. John's Hospital, Chester, 375. Total as above, deducting salaries of curates of Bishops and absentees, 330 8329 Total enjoyed by the general body of the clergy, including i : 330 the salaries of curates of Bishops and absentees, and exclusive of Queen Anne's Bounty and fees, 330 5320 Lay Tmpropriators 3825 HA WARDEN. Is a Peculiar, exempt from episcopal jurisdiction. The 'itev'st cf *tie inhabitants obviously requires, that this immense district 6>.o. be divided into several benefices. .HESTER DiocrsE. BAILOR. The same remark may be extended to this parish ; but as the three benefices in this diocese are in lay patronage, and separate-' .from the other districts of Wales, they can hardly be said to come within t_ . ocof e of this Eesay. -JUT * J IT* ^p 1 I 2 g< 3 9 *. ^ a c S ^ 3 | g V u S "^ LI O ^ pE I 1 CO S i* i I 3 UJ 1 g 5 . 5 J9 <; rt rt *"3 ^J N o 3 w 1 3 03 a-*,; So o o o o o o O* '' CO ^5 t 1 * **J o co o c; c O t~>-0 00 CO ^S*] !f CH C^ rl -* W frl rl C1 CO a *w 's rt * . 00 S S 2 oj * % 'Z m >-> A jfj oc c i 13 * go p!l^ *n r-J J3 O *7^ ^ C. 1 ^s jVI i^ I gj p *ll I-H o C5 O 0^ 2 if -3 * 1 <- a. t-> r^ |PB^ " s "o H' m 4 ^1 ' o oo 5 l 1 ^ ! Ifl f i >r>E-< ^ 6 [^ ^^ S . ''S FH *i ci a ^' c _o .; r "* fa "o 9> t-> W^M 03 -: 13 .13 I iJ^ 1 Iff d | 3 as. ^| . 1 i (5 2 X r^ X *^ * X . 1~> 2 ^o ^ o aifi 1 " 5 do ,u^ r g^3 ^^Oj;^ -5j| _o _o^ o-g S a f- i: >3pC : Z "J -- - ^ *5 ^" r CQ o : : ^^ : : : ^ : : r -O Parish. : : (^ : : Q : : : - ' ' i :#=>. : o^S .& >' sJCiS ! 5OfM tf B : ~ w^Jtrt tgc-a . .fe-S s mjrP1l|l^i ^SCSrQtScS^^H SO'" cj c3 4>-^3ScST3rf>> ^ S > T3 tJOM^afl-^asflfa-^rtc O^J 1 *^^ e8> 1 t*j3 rf 4i eS (8 ppq 33 3333 33 LI. V. y traethau Ijlanvrothen, R.. Llanuwcllllyn, P. i Tywyn, V Pennal. IJan Vihangel- V- Pennant. Ta'l-y-llyn. Trawsvynydd, R. Llangclynin, C 4! -s at 05 O A . A 8*" S* M 5 <^ r-5 >*tb M ^g! CD <-> O o 44 (0 -y So 5 5^2 55 oooo J5 QftQ QQ PQQ5 4) ::!;; > a w si ' I - ^ i s 3 E 1 -3^ ;W -I ^iU G t's G'rv wen, 1 >> > drill on, dder - 209 SUMMARY. BISHOPRIC OF LICHFIELD. The prominent abuse of this county is the sacrifice of four of its parishes (1100) to the support of the see of Lichfield ! The origin of this appropriation deserves to be borne in inind. Prior to the Reformation, it belonged to an English Nunnery in Essex, to which it had been given by the pious rapacity of the Anglo-Norman oppressors of North Wales. At the Reformation, it was taken away from the English Nunnery, with much virtuous indignation, and given to an English bishopric !! To restore it to the people from whom it had been taken, on whom it is still and ever must be a most imjust a most ignominious burden, was a plain and obvious measure of equity a common place axiom of justice, for which the speculations of English Church Reformers, from that time to the present, have soared far too high ! Yet, it is not too much to affirm, that a Protestant Church is not very likely to become popular in a country by a mere renunciation of those super- stitions, of which she copies the spirit and preserves the fruits ; that it is not enough for the Church of England to renounce the Popish dogma, that the sins of the oppressor may be effaced by the spoils of the oppressed she must re- linquish th_pse spoils, if she would possess the hearts of a free people. If there be one species of public trust, which ought, above all others, to be regulated with an anxious regard to justice, with a nice, a delicate, nay even a fastid- ious respect to the feelings of the people, assuredly, it is that trust which ex- ists only for the maintenance of religion and charity and peace among men. Is it wise, then, to base the religious institutions of England on a galling sys- tem of absenteeism, to associate her noble hierarchy with an impoverishing tax on the very poorest county in North Wales an exaction which is literally a record and a repetition of the wrongs of other days, and which must ever be as repugnant to every patriotic and generous feeling, as the toll of the curfew bell? In this county, also, the Bishop's curate's are paid chiefly out of Queen Anne's Bounty. The Rev. Thomas Evans, curate of Tal-y-llyn and Llanvi- hangel, 100, of which 40 only is paid by the Bishop. Mr. Evans is seventy years of age. Curate of Penal, 80, of which 40 is from the bounty fund. Nonresidence is not so common in this county as in some others ; but the sums drawn out of it, by the Bishop of Lichfield and sinecurists, are exorbitant indeed. Amount enjoyed by the Bishop of Litchfield, 1100 vicars choral, 280 treasurer of Bangor, 100 sinecure rectors, 990 incumbent of Llangelynin, resident forty miles from his benefice, I' 380. Total as above, deducting salaries of curates of Bishops and absentees, 140 2?10 Total enjoyed by resident clergy, including 140 the salaries of curates of Bishops, absentees, &c., and deducting 300 for Queen Anne's Bounty and fees 4860 Lay Impropriators, about 600 J; ,/ i rji rt< *j s * wos (NF-,"*.O :hf^ hsd3 2-S o c- o .j. O ' tS OO (O H L w - ' 1 ^J "" * 1 02 1 A. n I 6 *! v u II eS O ^ _0 cc JJ o i DQQ S3 B v - o c O O CO ""S '< g CQ-^-^-iJ -*J-^>-t3-*3 ^> -v> * S 5 5 S S ^ Q> oaScS ftPPQ pp p sT : : L> : >-' ; i> : ! ;>' rf ^ 5 : : : : : . 'S : : I : i:S p"-T (^ 3J 5 - af ^> : ^ H - sT K. J* * - . -i K J| W I-SH .a" -T i.'!!3 ? "3 OJ o ^ *~r - c - > g C C C S > fesTf ,a o Q HI <; w^^ *" j * I. m m 1 PH ef H 5 a . ^ -1 !> o" n s H fe o K co W O O I 5 g M B g o o g w W | M O S s/.fyi') 1 \. ^ II u 1 b s a Bi & sjM ^P o p o o Incumbent. |J B J 1 I,!;! rf PSH si 11 1! $1 88 1 >O t- v! o .2 ."tn 1 . i O If 5 O IS a >> Patron. d B ^"2 S " fc 1 OWOfW .2 s C3 PM ** ^> 1 1 ^S .3 ^ns" 6 llll a 3 B "*F 8 CO O O5 C-) o rj 95 a co i("i r r- 3 PH Jl r- C O D ,d o o i PQ : " cS ^_ri o Pl"> ^l B -+^ -+J S - "rf E a? & O . o C" 1 pj rt g tiO^-i o O > .5 ^ 43 a 2 ^s "** "t^ ^j 9 O 3 3 ^ a"a5 "o >> J fe A a S S^ rt "rt .2 O 1 o OQ "So Me ~S oo it 1 -s f tt> H g Jjl i o ' CO 1 ^ . M 'C *^ to +* oo c3 El Gi d r2 a :shops, 1960. Prebendary, 20 imbents ignorant of the Welsh la I as above, deducting curates' sal 1 enjoyed by the general body of : sentees, &c. , and exclusive of Qu Tirmrrmria.t.ors \ ^ 1 c Number of Churches belong!: Number of Dissenting Chape e number of Dissenting Chapels i d population in many, more so. marks on this county, see pages PQ| +1 '% >0 41 ^' ^>i-t HH ^O .2-g (-C 9) o , ha ont in s 13 S- SOUTH CQ fe o i i 5 P3 PM i H SI adnorlhire. * 1 I o ^ i 1 1 3 o 1 $ i I ^s PH t> e O Cs W 1 g i i OQ ft V ^ .Ij l< 1 PRICS b O B E 03 O M 5s 5 1 3 I $ ' ll m M ^ *0 o fa I 5. 1 ..3 5 o .2 43 I* O !*tf Sjo 3 r*~. -p d 2 7 E Sd^I 1 .Pn g as - c c3 eS e rt cS / W LJ iflli rS -5 _S S 1 ^ 11 1 ! li t B ^d >>-5 1? o ^j wn Mfl g 5 oo i>^ -e^d OJ O irlj tll^ der the ces sho o tensive a tes have voc they orking cl >^*3 ^ ,|,2 rt ft t. ri o & B -9 ells s^& .3 a D W M B sjs Iflfff the ngel whi d oTd 2^! P v . . l II i gentleman nieny at PH* g sil M 1 3 m ^ H -53 d j 9* Besi 216 and Tremaen, to the Rev. T. James resident in England. It redounds but little to the credit of the Bishops of St. David's, that every one of the above are benefices in their gift ; instead, therefore, of having set a good example to the lay patrons,* they have shown even less regard than that body to the interests of the Church and the country ! Nothing could have been more unjustifiable than the annexation of the livings just enumerated to the College of Lampeter ; for in this very county, there are no fewer than nine sinecures, most of them above the annual value of 200, and which might have been thus applied, without depriving whole districts bf a resident ministry. As for the remainder of the parishes in Cardiganshire, none are above the annual value of 150 two-thirds are below that of 90. Never was the system of appropriation carried to so fearful an extent in so short a time, even in the very darkest ages of Popery. In this county, Methodism first gained a firm footing, and it is still the stronghold of Dissent. It would be a measure both of justice and sound policy to apply some of these sinecures to the religious and general education of the Welsh people, more particularly those endowments which are attached to the bishoprics and sinecures of England, and which are not only a gangrene on our Church, but a most incessant drain on the scanty capital of our country. Hitherto, Wales has received but few benefits of this description, and, undoubtedly, she has suffered much in consequence. Yet, notwithstanding her disadvantages, she has not been so 'entirely destitute of illustrious individuals as is sometimes imagined. A few names may be enumerated. Inigo Jones, the Architect ; Dr. Donne, Poet and Divine ; Sir Hugh Middleton, who supplied London with water, by the formation of "the new river;" Archbishop Williams; Sir William Jones, Justice Powel, and Baron Price, three Judges celebrated for their great patriotism and inflexible integrity ; Dr. Rees, the Encyclopae- dist ; Sir William Jones oriental and general scholar, and a man of extraordi- nary general attainments ; Wilson, the Painter ; in our own times, Dr. W. Owen Pughe, Philologist and Celtic Scholar ; Dr. Meyrick, Author of the Essay on Ancient Armour ; the Rev. Walter Da vies, Celtic Scholar ; the Rev. John Williams, Author of the Life of Alexander the Great ; Mrs. Hemans. I have reason to believe that an Essay will shortly be published on this subject, by Williams, Esq. , to whom the prize of the Cymmrodorion was awarded in 1831, for a Biographical Sketch of the eminent Men Wales had producent Welsh affairs which were rather plentiful in the stormy 17th century. The re begins, however, in the early part of the Iflth century, when the first book prii.vou in Welsh made its appearance. Many other interesting facts might be cited, but we need add no more to justify our remark that the " Cambrian Bibliography " is a work full of curious matter, altogether unique, and well deserving of a place in the library of every gentleman connected with Wales, or interested with Welsh history or literature. From The Hereford Times. From The Academy, written by H. GAIDOZ, editor of the Revue Cellique. Although the present work is written in Welsh, we consider it worth bringing under the notice of our readers. To a few who are engaged in bibliographical re- icarches, it may prove useful as a book of refeier.ce; and to others it is an elo- quent demonstration that Welsh literature does exist. It was originally compiled by the Rev. William Rowlands, and occupied 40 years of his life. Portions of it were published during his lifetime in a Welsh magazine, Y Traethodydd. After the author's death one of the best authors of the Principality, the Rev. D. Silvan Evans was entrusted with the MS. Mr. Evans revised and greatly en- larged the work. As it is presented to us, it contains the title and the full bibliogra- phical description of every work written in Welsh, or relating to Wales, pub- lished from the year 1546 to the year 1800, and besides, carefully written notices of the authors (ordinal writers or translators), printers, and publishers. The English works of the chief Welsh writers have also being added. We have here, in a fragmentary form a complete history of Welsh literature during the last three centuries. The task of compiling such a work was all the more difficult from the fact that Welsh having been neglected for a long time many books had become very scarce. On the other hand there are very few public or private col- lections of Welsh books. Even the collection in the British Museum is very scanty. Nevertheless such has been the industry of the two compilers, that we may say with .full confidence that very few works have escaped their attention. We dare not blame the authors for publishing this book in Welsh. When the Times, and the more prosaic pait of the English public are scorning Eisteddfodnu and every expression of Welsh nationality, it is not the moment for Welsh scholars to desert their language, and to betray the causs of their country. OPINIONS AND NOTICES. CONTINUED. O'r Traeihodydd. Prif orchestwaith llenyddol ocs ein hen gyfaill Gwilym Lleyn yi'oecld ei LVFR- YDDIAETH. Yr ydoedd erioed yn llyfrwr mawr ; ac }r oedd ei hoffiler aJ her> lyfrau Cymracg yn nwyd angerddol yn el natur. Bu yn chwilio, yn gohebu, yn yniholi, ac yn trefnu defnyddiau y gwaith mawr hwn ar hyd ei oes. Nid gwaith yw hwn ag y gallai gyfansoddi rhag ei flaen yn ei fyfyrgell; ond gwaith ag oedd yn gof'yu llat'ur dyhryd am fiynyddoedd lawer, i chwilio llyfrgelloedd, gohetiu a henanaeth- wyr a llenorion, argraffwyr, awdwyr, cyhoedduyr, Uyfrwerthwyr, &c. Yn mharatoa'l defnyddiau y Llyt'ryddiaeth teithiodd gannoedd, os nad miloodd o filldiroeild, yn benaf ar ei draed, ddyd.l a nos, haf a gauaf, am lawer o llyn- yddau. Ysgrifenodd gannoedd o lythyrau, a gwariodd lawer o'i arian yn gystal a'i amser. Mae o'n blaen gofnodiad yn ei lawysgrifen ei him o'i goslau gyda'r gwaith diflas o geisio casglu enwau tanysgrifwyr at ei waith hyd Melufin 28ain, 1859. Yr oedd costau llythyrau ac argratfu, hyd yr amser hwnw yn 7p. 2-). 4c. ; ac mae yn debyg iddo wario llawer mwy na hyny cyn ei farwolaeth, yn 1865. Ymysg items traul y gohebu, yr ydym yn cael un ft I hyn, Llythyrau at Weinidogion Wesleyaidd yn Lloegr yn deall Cymraeg, 2p. Vr ydym yn nodiyr item hon f'el engraifft.hefyd o'i aflwyddiant wrth bysgota am danynt ymysg y Cyraru yn Lloegr. Ond ni ddigalonid ef gan unrhyw siomedigaeth. Llwyddodd gyda'r gorchwyl o sicrhau tanysgrifwyr mor bell ag a gallcsid dys^wyl at lyfr o gymeriad a phris y Llyfryddiaeth. Llawer o chwys a dagrau a gostiodd y Llyfryddiaelh iddo; a bu farw cyn gweled ei laf'ur wedi ei goroni a llwydd- iant llawn. Pe cawsai ond golwg cyn marw ar y gyfrol hardd ag y loae Mr. Pryse, o Lanidloes newydd ei dsvyn allan, dLu y buasai ei lawenydd yn ddi- ' fesur. Mawr fyddai ei bleser pan, ymysg pentwr llechlyd o lyfrau yn y bwthyn pell, y deuai o hyd i hen lyfr pwdr, -hen almanac, fe allai, ag yr oedd mewn ymchwil am dano. Byddai yn cael mwynhad dirf'awr ar y fath achlysur, fel un wedi cael ysglyfaeth lawer. A beth a fuasai y boddlonrwydd teimlad a gawsai ef wrth weled y gyfrol brydferth hon, ag yr aberthodd ei esrawythyd, ei gysuron, ei iechyd, os nad ei fywyd, i gasglu a threfnu ei defnyddiau, ac i wneyd i fyny restr ei tbanysgrifwyr ? Heblaw y desgrifiad a rydd o wahanol lyfrau, mae y cofnodau bywgraffyddol am eu hawduron, cyfieithwyr, cyhoeddwyr, ac argraffyddion ; yr hanesynau a'r nodiadau eglurliaol, yn peri fod y tudalenau yn ddifyrus ac addysgiadol i'r darllenydd. Nid llecnres sychllyd a llom, fel rhestr rhyw lyfrwerthwr yn Paternoster Sow, Ave Maria Lane, neu Amen Corner, Llundain, yw LLYFR- YDDIAETH Y CYMKY, ond hanes llenyddiaeth ein gwlad, am yr yspaid a nodwyd, yn dangos yn flfyddlawn ei gwerth a'i rhagoriaeth, ar un Haw, a pha beth sydd yn wael a diffygiol ynddi, ar y llaw arall. Nis gall neb, er craffed a synwyr- oled y byddo, feddu syniad cywir am ansawdd a helaethder ein llenyddiaeth, ac am y llafur a gymerwyd, dan anfanteision a gwrthwynebiadau dirfawr, i daenu goleuni gwybodaeth yn mysg ein henafiaid, yn yr unfed ganrif ar bym- theg, yr eilfed ar bymtheg, a'r ddeunawfed, a bod yn ddyeithr i gynnwysiad y gyfrol werthfawr hon. Mae yn ddiau yn rhoddi achos diolch i bob Cymro ystyriol a gwladgarol wrth weled y cynydd a wnaed, a chynnyrch toreithiog y llafur a gymerwyd ; er hyny, dylem gofio yn ostyngedig ein bod ni, erbyn hyn, ar lawer ystyr, "yn medi yr hyn ni lafuriasom ; ereill a lafuriasant, a ninau a aethom i mewn i'w llafur hwynt." Byddai yn beth anesgusodol ynom beidio hysbysu fod y "Chwanegion a'r Cyweiriadau " gan y golygydd yn ychwanegiad mawr at werth y gyfrol. ym- gymerodd Mr. Silvan Evans a'r gorchwyl ar ddymuniad neillduol yr awdwr yn ei fywyd, ac oddiar awydd i weled y gwaith yn argraffedig. Nis gallasai yr olygiaeth ddisgyn i ddwylaw neb mwy cymhwys, o ran dysg a gwybodaeth, i wneyd cyfiawnder a'r gwaith, gan ei fod hefyd, er pan yn ieuanc, wedi gwneyd llenyddiaeth Gymreig yn un gangen arbenig o'i efrydiaeth ; ac nid ces ond ychydig, yn maes ei lafurwaith ef, wedi gwneuthur cymaint erddi. Mae yn gweddi i ni gydnabod y gwasanaeth a wnaeth i'w genedl trwy y gofal mawr a gymerodd i ddwyn allan waith yr awdwr mor rydd oddiwrth gamsyniadau ag ydoedd uiodd, trwy ddefnyddio pob mantais o fewn ei gyraedd, ac nid OPINIONS AND NOTICES. CONTINUED. llafur bychan, yn ddiau, ydoedd hyny. A pha ddiffygion neu wallau bynag a ddichon fod eto yn aros yn y gwaith, y mae yn addaw gwneyd hyd ei allu tuag at eu cyflawni a'u diwygio. Gwnaeth yr argraffydd, yr hwn hefyd y w y cyhoeddwr, ei ran yntau yn hardd a destlus iawn. Mae y gwaith wedi ei gyhoeddi mewn un gyfrol wythplyg, yn cynnwys 784 o dudalenau, o argraffwaith glan, ar bapyr da, mewn rhwymiad prydferth a chryf, gydag yniylau cochion. Nid yn fynych y mae gwell gwaith yn cael ei droi allan o un argraffdy na swyddfa yn ein gwlad, er y canfyddir ynddi rai gwallau wedi dianc heb eu cy wiro. Mae anturiaeth y cyhoeddwr yn fawr a chostus, ac yn teilyngu cefnogaeth arbenig dysgedigion a llenorion Cymru ; ac yr ydym yn gobeithio na fydd neb o honynt, na chamaint ag un Cymro gwladgarol yn unlle, a fyddo mewn modd i dalu am dano, heb roddi derbyniad parod a chalonog iddo. Ai tybed y rhaid i'r cyhoeddwr, wedi y cwbl, fod yn golledwr? A raid i ni gredu fod rhai o'r tanysgrifwyr yn gwrthod derbyn y gyfrol, gan ei dychwelyd yn ol heb gymaint a'i hagor, ac yn eu plith rai boneddigion a chlerigwyr, mewn sefyllfaoedd da a bywiolaethau breiaion ? Oa gwir hyn, fel yr ydym yn of ni, mae y cyfry w yn gwaradwyddo eu hunan yn fawr, er mwyn arbed ychydig arian ! Yn wyneb hyn, yr ydym yn galw ar lanciau y gweithydd mawrion, yn y D6 a'r Gogledd, i ddyfod allan i roddi ymwared. Ymunent yn gyfeillachau lliosog, a thrwy ragdaliadau wyth- nosol, ysgeifn, gallai pob aelod roi heibio yn fuan ddigon i dalu am y llyfr, a'i gael yn feddiant iddo ei hun. Ychydig ymarbediad oddiwrth gwrw, tybaco, a phethau diles o'r fath, a'u galluogai i wneyd i fyny 500, neu fwy, o danys- grif wyr newyddion, ffyddlawn, nif er digonol i gadw y cyhoeddwr yn ddigolled ac i gywilyddio pob tanysgrifiwr anffyddlawn, fel na feiddio mwy ddangos ei wyneb. Lanciau Cymru, meddyliwch am hyn ! Mae y gyfrol yn gyflwynedig gan y cyhoeddwr i nawdd llenorion Cymru yn benodol, i ba rai y bydd yn dra dyddorol, ac o wasaiiaeth mawr. A oes rhai yn eu mysg yn caru chwilio i henafiaethau eu gwlad a'u cenedl ? Cant yma nysbysrwydd am bob Ib 7 *- argraffedig sydd yn dwyn perthynas i'r gangen hon o wybodaeth, a chyfarw> .. yd hylaw at yr awdwyr sydd wedi ysgrifenu ar hanes gwlad eu genedigaet! ., yn wladol ac eglwysig. Preparing for Publication, in one handsome demy 8vo. volume, elegantly bound in cloth, Price 6s. 6d., THE WELSHMAN'S CANDLE, By VICAE PBJTCHABD, of Llaadovery, Translated from the Welsh by the REV. W. EVANS, with an Intro- ductory Essay by the REV. J. R. KILSBY JONES. John Pryse, Printer and Publisher, Llanidloes, will feel much obliged if intending purchasers will kindly forward him their orders per post. This volume will form one of the most interesting and attractive table books published in Wales during the present century. CONTAINING AN EASY TO THE WELSH LANGUAGE ; COPIOUS LISTS OF WORDS AND PHRASES IN COMMON USE ; FAMILIES DIALOGUES ; PAKABLK8, PKOVERBS, AND POETRY ; USEFUL RECIPES; TABLES OF DISTANCES FOB T1LB USB OF TRAVELLERS IN NOUTH AND SOUTH WALES. JLtSO AIT S68AT 03T literature of &c., Sic., (fee. " Fu Ner a fo'ant ; en hiaith a gad want; ei tir a golhrat oud gwy lit Wa!i" Their god ihey'l adore; tbeir language they'll keep; their country they'll lose except wUd Wlia. Taliesin. PRINPSD AND PUBLISHED BY JOHN PRY8E, AT THE "TBLB GHAPH" AND "OBSERVER" OFFICE; AND SOLD BY ALL BOOKHELLER8 IN THE PRINCIPALLY. iaiCE 91. IN PAPEE COVSaS; 'T CLOTH, ia. THE LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA Santa Barbara THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW. Series 9482 1 mm