HISTORY OF THE CYMMRODORION. (Continued.) THE Society, in its progress, acquired a high reputation, and flourished for years. It was the centre around which Welshmen of character and position gathered for recreation and refreshment. It commemorated the past and discussed the topics of the day, giving an impetus to everything that was national and patriotic. It offered prizes for poetry and other literature. It was under its auspices that Goronwy Owen addressed the Prince of Wales in an ode of great beauty; and, on another occasion, translated the Latin poem of Christopher Smart, a member of the University of Cambridge, into Welsh. This latter poem, in conjunction with the original, was presented to Frederick in the year 1752, and will be found in the first volume of the bard's works, published in London in 1876. The Society, for the purpose of carrying out its programme, entered upon the task of publishing some important works. It undertook to bear the expense of printing Thomas Pennant's celebrated British Zoology. The effort, however, was too Herculean. It broke down under the work, as is always the case when either societies or individuals travel out of their groove. When the pressure came, members absented themselves; the Society, hitherto so flourishing, fell to pieces, and the century closed without an attempt at its revival. 1 Pennant's British Zoology was published in imperial folio. It had nine coloured plates of quadrupeds, and ninety-eight of birds. The first edition was followed by several others. Strangely enough, it is said on the title-page to be "Published under the inspection of the Cymmrodorion". An interval of half a century, or nearly so, elapsed before a new Society was established. But in 1820 the Cymric mind in London became anxious to found a new Cymmrodorion Society. Scotland had its gathering there, and Ireland was already represented by the flourishing society of St. Patrick. It was not to be endured, they felt, that Wales, with its rich fund of literature; its celebrated bardic poems; its mineral wealth; and, more than all, its people, descended from the original inhabitants of Britain, should be unrepresented in the Metropolis. Under the presidency of Sir W. W. Wynn' of Wynnstay, and through the energetic labours of the late Dr. Owen Pughe, John Humphreys Parry, Thomas Jones, and John Parry (the editor of two volumes of Welsh music), the new Society was ushered in. The following is a verbatim copy of its original programme : CYMMRODORION: METROPOLITAN OR CAMBRIAN INSTITUTION, ESTABLISHED UNDER THE ROYAL PATRONAGE, JUNE 24TH, 1820. Cerid doeth yr Encilion. PRESENT MEMBERS. Sir W. W. WYNN, Marquis of Anglesey. Lord Viscount Bulkeley. Lord Viscount Clive. Lord Dynevor. Lord Kenyon. Lord Bishop of St. David's. Bart., M.P., President. Lord Bishop of St. Asaph. From the earliest days of the Society the names of the successive Sir W. W. Wynns have been intimately blended with that of the Cymmrodorion, as indeed they have been with every good work connected with the Principality. Rev. Morgan Hughes. Mr. Evan Rees. Mr. Meredith Jones. Mr. Edw. Jones. Mr. H. Jones. Presidents and Vice-Presidents of the Pro vincial Societies. At the FIRST MEETING, holden at the FREEMASON'S TAVERN, June 24th, 1820, IT WAS, amongst other things, RESOLVED, That it shall be the paramount aim of this Institution to preserve and illustrate the ancient Remains of Welsh Literature, and to promote its cultivation in the present day by all the means in their power. That this end be particularly secured— First. By collecting ancient Welsh MSS. or copies thereof, or, where that is impracticable, by procuring accurate Catalogues of all such as are now known to Secondly. By collecting printed Books in the Welsh or Fourthly. By the publication of such Ancient MSS. and Original Compositions, as may be deemed worthy thereof, and also by the republication of scarce works likely to assist the objects of this Institution. Fifthly. By promoting and encouraging such modern works of merit as may tend to disseminate a knowledge of the History and Literature of the Principality. Sixthly. By corresponding with the Provincial Societies on these subjects, and by such other communications with individuals of learning and talent, as may conduce to the attainment of the ends contemplated by this Institution, That the Nobility and Gentry, and other respectable persons connected with Wales, be earnestly invited to co-operate in this patriotic design. And further That a Subscription be immediately entered into for accomplishing the objects of the Institution, and that all Subscribers of ONE GUINEA or more annually, or of TEN GUINEAS or more at one time, become Subscribing Members of this Institution. At the SECOND GENERAL MEETING, holden at the FREEMASON'S TAVERN, July 18th, 1820, Sir W. W. WYNN, Bart., PRESIDENT, in the Chair, I. That the ordinary Meetings of the Institution take place monthly, viz., on the first Saturday in every month, at the FREEMASON'S TAVERN, until the Institution be enabled to provide an appropriate room for the purpose. II. That when an Extraordinary Meeting shall be deemed necessary, due notice thereof be given by the Secretary, both by private communication and public advertisement. III. That an Annual Meeting, in celebration of the establishment of the Institution, take place at the Freemason's Tavern on the 22nd day of May in every year, unless when it shall happen to be Sunday, and then on the 23rd of the same month. IV. That the Right Hon. LORD DYNEVOR, C. W. W. WYNN, Esq., M.P., J. W. HANMER, ESQ., the Rev. WILLIAM JONES, Rev. MORGAN HUGHES, Rev. DAVID LEWIS, Rev. PETER FELIX, Rev. DAVID MORGAN, Messrs. JAMES EVANS, JOHN PARRY, DAVID JONES, DANIEL MORGAN, THOMAS PARRY, EVAN WILLIAMS, EDWARD JONES, JOHN PROPERT, EDWARD JONES, JAMES DAVIES, and MEREDITH JONES, together with the President, Vice Presidents, Librarians, Secretary, and Treasurer, be nominated to form a Council for the ensuing year, with power to add to their number, for transacting the business of the Institution, any Five of such number to form a Quorum. V. That the Council do meet every Saturday at Twelve o'clock, at the Freemason's Tavern. VI. That the Council shall have the power of purchasing Books and MSS., and also of taking Periodical Works and |