it is just the means of that steady continuous labour in higher education in which Wales is entirely wanting. Now I confess that I rose fully prepared to pass from the subject of Eisteddfodau into the subject of national education in Wales; but I did not intend to divert your attention so long from the proper objects of the Eisteddfod, in which amusement is joined with instruction, to these more serious subjects. The reason why, after the long interval of twenty years, I have consented once more to preside at an Eisteddfod, was my sentiment of gratitude to the people of Wales for the feeling they have shown at recent Eisteddfodau towards this effort we are making to improve education in Wales. (Hear, hear.) The Carnarvon Eisteddfod forwarded to us a sum of no less than £600. (Applause.) At other great Eisteddfodau-I forget at this moment the names-similar sympathy and liberality has been shown. I say nothing about the present Eisteddfod. Let those who conduct it act as they think right. I hope it will be a profitable one. I have no doubt that the money, whichever way it is employed, will be useful for the benefit of the people of Wales; but, having seen at these Eisteddfodau marks of sympathy with a true liberal education in Wales, I could not, when my friend Mr. Robert Jones and other gentlemen asked me to preside at this Eisteddfod, refuse to show my respect for an institution to which I am so much beholden. (Loud applause.)

Reviews of Books.

LECTURES ON WELSH PHILOLOGY. By PROFESSOR RHYS. 2nd Edition. London: Trübner & Co. 1878.

ITs great publishing houses are some of the marvels of London. The intelligence they bring to bear on the conduct of their business is such as the outer world has little conception of. Experience, it is true, aids them in avoiding rocks and shoals; but without a keen insight into the future, its tastes and requirements, they would but ill discharge their duty to themselves or to the innumerable readers of their publications. Through their extraordinary acumen certain houses have acquired the confidence of the public; and the value of a book is enhanced or depreciated by the name of the firm on its title-page. In the first half of the present century, the name of Pickering stamped a book with high value, and it still continues to do so. Auctioneers of literary property and second-hand booksellers record it in their catalogues almost as they do that of Elzivir or Aldus. In the present day the names of publishers such as the Longmans and John Murray, not only give an additional value to a publication, but greatly increase its circulation.

We doubt, however, that among them all there can be found a more enterprising publisher than Mr. Trübner. While the larger houses consult the prevailing taste, and sail down with the popular current, responding to the exigencies of the million, Mr. Trübner, as though he looked with indifference on both profit and popularity, confines his energies to the exigencies of science, literature, and language. Would the philologist, ethnologist, antiquary, or scientific scholar find the works essential to his craft, he wends his

way to Mr. Trübner, almost without fear of disappointment. As a proof of our statement, we have now on our table three works of high character, but which must necessarily be confined in their circulation to the class for whom they are specially intended-Mr. Rhys's Lectures, Letters and Papers on Philology by Lord Strangford, and a Dictionary of English Etymology by Mr. Hensleigh Wedgwood.

Of Mr. Rhys's Lectures we have already spoken when his first edition appeared. It would be impossible to exaggerate the importance of this work to every Cymric student. Like a subtle key, despite innumerable and intricate wards through which it turns, it unlocks the mysteries of Celtic philology and reveals the rich treasures of etymology hidden in our grand old tongue. But we must refrain, that we may notice some of the peculiarities and additions contained in this new edition.

The larger extracts from Latin, without expunging the original text, are translated into English.

Mr. Rhys had been challenged by M. d'Arbois de Jubainville on the subject of ancient British numismatics, on the supposition that they made against his theory of the classification of the Celts; but, as far at least as the coins are concerned, Mr. Rhŷs has turned the tables on his opponent, following very much in the direction of Dr. John Evans's book on the coins of the Ancient Britons.

But as we begin to enumerate the changes and improvements in the present edition, we find we are overwhelmed with their number. They occur on almost every page. Though in themselves small and sometimes of a trifling character, they form a whole of considerable importance. Most advance has perhaps been made in the early Brythonic inscriptions. The number of epitaphs has been increased --several of them are quite new-while the readings of others have been completed. Mr. Rhys seems to have been very anxious to render the minutiae of his book as perfect as

its more important parts. These, while costing perhaps an infinity of trouble, will be appreciated only by the exact philological student. We trust that many an edition will be called for, when this second one shall have been exhausted.

A DICTIONARY OF ENGLISH ETYMOLOGY. By HENSLEIGH WEDGWOOD, with an Introduction on the Origin of Language. 3rd Edition. London: Trübner & Co. 1878. THIS is an excellent edition of a very valuable book, which has been carefully revised and enlarged. We notice it, however, for its Celtic, and more especially for its Cymric etymologies. Mr. Wedgwood has made considerable advance in this particular field of enquiry; though, in common with all English etymologists, he has still much fallow ground to break up. The want of a more thorough knowledge of the Celtic family of languages keeps our lexicographers in continual thraldom. They search for roots anywhere rather than where they would be patent to them. Space precludes us from giving instances; but we must mention one as a testimony of our indictment. We turn, in Mr. Wedgwood's Dictionary, to Bastard, of which he speaks as follows: "Apparently of Celtic origin from Gael-baos, lust, fornication." But there he stops. Of the latter syllable, tard, he gives no explanation; but a mere tyro in Celtic etymology would see at once that it is nothing else than an Anglified form of the Cymric bas, base, and tarddu, to spring from. Bastard being simply base-born.

ORIGINAL LETTERS AND PAPERS OF THE LATE VISCOUNT STRANGFORD UPON PHILOLOGICAL AND KINDRED SUBJECTS. Edited by VISCOUNTESS STRANGFORD. London: Trübner and Co.

1878.

THESE papers are very interesting; and in some parts touch. upon Cymric philology and phonology. In a letter addressed

to Mr. Freeman, which will be found at page 160, Lord Strangford makes some original remarks on the terms Cymric, Gwyddyl, Gael, etc. We can only call our readers' attention to the book itself, which, like everything else that comes from the pen of Lord Strangford, is worthy of a careful study.

THE ANCIENT BRITISH CHURCH: A HISTORICAL ESSAY. BY JOHN PRYCE, M.A., Vicar of Bangor. London: Longmans, Green, & Co. 1878.

THIS is an excellent History of the Early Church in Britain, and written in a broad loving spirit. We congratulate Mr. Pryce, not only on the lucid, masterly style in which his history is couched, but on the admirable arrangement of his facts and dates. He has been not only industrious, but painstaking in dealing with the subject, and we trust his reward will be a very numerous class of readers. The notes, which are as extensive as the text, are very interesting, and will repay a careful perusal.

But what strikes us as most admirable in the book is the care with which the author refers almost every incident he relates to the source whence he has derived it. He leaves nothing unproved. And what a host of witnesses has he summoned to bear testimony to his narrative. They are almost a legion. We trust to recur to this book again.

JEREMIAH: AN ORATORIO. BY JOHN OWEN (OWAIN ALAW). London: C. Jefferys, Berners Street.

THIS work is interesting as a duoglott; the words are in both Welsh and English. The oratorio-and some of the melodies are very beautiful-testifies to the hand of a master. The rhapsodies of the old Hebrew prophet are excellently expounded by the music of Mr. Owen.