PREFACE TO THE FIRST TRANSLATED EDITION. IN presenting to the public an English edition of the Ancient History of WALES, translated from the work of a popular Welsh author, the publishers are of opinion that they are thereby rendering an important service, not only to the natives of that country who are now resident in the UNITED STATES, but to those also who are of Welsh extraction, and, indeed, to all who are desirous of becoming inti. mately acquainted with the early history of the ANCIENT BRITONS. As a people, unsubdued by foreign power, when the rest of Britain fell into the hands of the invader-unshackled by the galling chains of tyrannous misrule, whilst their nearest neighbors were writhing beneath their oppressive weightthe ancient Welsh were silent but not unconcerned spectators of the deadly feuds which were continually agitating their sister kingdoms. Buried in the deep recesses of their own mountains, where no sound was heard that did not breathe of Liberty, they pursued "the even tenor of their way"-profiting by the fate of those who were compelled to bow in abject submission to the yoke of ROME, the proud and haughty mistress of the then known world. Hitherto, it is believed, no correct history of WALES has been published in the English language. It is true that several attempts have been made in England, by men of learn. ing and intelligence, to elucidate certain insulated points in A* the annals of Ancient Britain; but, as yet, nothing like a connected, impartial, and complete history has been given to the world. It is, indeed, surprising to witness the almost total indifference which late writers have manifested concerning the origin, civilization, manners, customs, and religion of a country, which, although it may not, in modern days, have given birth to many celebrated men-though it may not, within our recollection, have been famous fer the literary enterprise of its people, or have sent forth to "glorious war". the "choicest spirits of the age"-was, in former times, ere EDWARD waved his blood-stained banner over its happy homes, distinguished for the bravery of its population, and the invincible love of Liberty by which they were actuated. To the descendants of the ancient worthies of WALES, it must be peculiarly gratifying to peruse the records of their lives and actions, which are now extant; for they abound in narrations of the most spirit-stirring character. They tell of a race of people, whom dangers could not appal-whom superior forces could not vanquish: of a people, who, by dint of persevering and untiring industry, caused the uncultivated and barren mountains to become fruitful, and, amidst innumerable hardships, laid the foundations of their country's prosperity. To these, especially, who, spurning the oppressive hand which controlled them as with a rod of iron-bursting asunder the bonds which a partial and unequal government had imposed upon them-left the dwellings of their fathers, and sought an asylum in THIS LAND OF EQUAL RIGHTS, a history of their great progenitors must certainly bo "worthy of all acceptation." They will there discover numerous incentives to their own zealous exertions in the cause of moral and intellectual freedom; and, following the examples therein recordedtreading in the footsteps of those eminent men to whom they are indebted for their existence as a people, they cannot fail to reap the high reward which is ever the desert of virtuous deeds. In the translation of this work, great care has been taken to preserve, as nearly as possible, the spirit of the original. The style is necessarily somewhat altered: several antiquated expressions, which, had they been translated literally, would have been scarcely intelligible, have received a polish befitting the literature of the age and it is hoped (every proper allowance being made for the difficulty of the undertaking) that the translation will be found as correct as could be expected. For the opinions of the author, some of which may perhaps seem unreasonable, the publishers, of course, disclaim all responsibility. They publish the work as they find it, with an assurance from individuals who have read it in the original, and upon whose judgment they can rely with confidence, that it stands high in their estimation, as a faithful and impartial history of events, which have hitherto been little understood by the world at large. The Poetry interspersed through this volume, by way of illustration, or as authority for the expressed opinions of the author, is unavoidably defective, owing to the difficulty of finding words to convey the true sense of the original. It is believed, however, that, defective as it is, it will answer the purposes intended. It is not introduced as a specimen of genuine poetry, for to that appellation it certainly has no claim; but, as the work would have been incomplete without it, it was thought advisable to attempt the versification. CRITICS, therefore, (should any such peruse the following pages,), will be but poorly rewarded for any pains they may take to mark its defects, or point out its inelegancies. The writer has no pretensions to the reputation of a POET: the few attempts he has made at rhyming have been rather the trifling amusement of leisure moments, than the studied employment of weeks or months; and, if he has succeeded in pleasing HIMSELF, and oliciting the approbation of a FEW FRIENDS, he has attained the only objects to which his ambition prompted him. He stands far aloof from the spiteful snarlings of the petty critic, as well as from the more elaborate brow-beating of the professed reviewer. Alike unknown to the world and to them, he asks not their countenance, and he fears not their contempt. At some distant day, probably, he may appear before them in a more enlarged capacity : then there shall be no occasion to apply to him the oft-quoted motto, "STAT NOMINIS UMBRA.' This work is divided into two parts. The first part describes the origin of the Welsh nation, traces their genealogy, narrates the circumstances attending their first settlement in Britain, and gives a full description of the wars in which they were engaged, at various periods, with the Romans, the Picts, and the Saxons. On the subject of the first settlement of Wales, various opinions are entertained by historians; and, as there is but little positive evidence on that point, we have heretofore relied chiefly on tradition for the knowledge we have obtained in relation thereto. The author of this work, however, has endeavored to clear away the obscurity; and no person, who reads his history carefully and impartially, can fail to commend the deep research he has evinced in collecting and compiling the various authorities he has quoted to substantiate his opinions. He appears to have been well qualified for the task he undertook, sparing neither labor nor pains to search out the truth, to remove doubts, to reconcile the apparently conflicting testimony of the old historians, and to render his work an unexceptionable reference on all disputed points. It contains an ac The second part is equally interesting. count of the introduction of the Christian Religion into the Island of Britain, and the success which attended its first preaching; together with a sketch of the doctrines of the Primitive Church, and the morals of the Primitive Christians. Upon the whole, the publishers publishers cannot refrain from commending this History to the attention of the community at large, being fully persuaded that its perusal will afford much pleasure as well as information. They could easily extend this preface, in pointing out the interest and utility of the work; but they forbear-being willing that it shall stand or fall on its own intrinsic merit. GRIFFITH H. ROWLAND, EBENSBURG, Pa., July, 1834. |