THE ART JOURNAL for January 1856, June 1856, January 1864, January 1867, and January 1870.

In a work like the Cymmrodor, dedicated to Art as well as to Literature, it would be unpardonable not to give prominence to the many high-class works of art that have sprung into life under the chisel of our national artist-Joseph Edwards. And yet we feel that we are treading on delicate if not dangerous ground,—such is our love for the man, for his high character and noble, loving heart, and more especially for his selfsacrifice in the cause of some whom he deems it a sacred duty to assist, though not bound by either ties of relationship or gratitude.

Our review must necessarily be of a retrospective character; but it is with no little pride that we draw attention to three or four beautiful examples that have been fitly represented by exquisite engravings in the Art Journal. Two of these appeared in the year 1856-" Religion Consoling Justice", and "The Last Dream". These pictures are full of pathos, which is again enhanced by the delicacy wherewith they have been worked out. A delightful tenderness floats about them. His "Vision", which appeared in the same journal in 1864, is remarkable for the grace of its figures and their artistic grouping. The "Angel of Light"-January 1870-is, however, our ideal of the genius of the sculptor.

We are afraid, we repeat, of being deemed too eulogistic of a national artist. Let the Art Journal, then, speak for us. The following paragraph, to which our attention has been called just as we were going to press, appeared but a few weeks ago, and will be found at page 174:

"A Bust by Joseph Edwards, although a work of considerable merit, will be little noticed among the crowd in the sculpture passages at the Royal Academy. It will not be so when it reaches its destination in South Wales. It is the

bust of an eminent and largely-gifted Welsh scholar, Thomas Stephens, and is produced as a compliment from his countrymen, admirers as well as friends of the author of The Literature of the Cymry. The Welsh are proverbially clan-ishwe cannot say what word they would use to denote the resolution with which they help one another-and that is surely not a fault. They may well be proud of their countryman, Joseph Edwards. There are artists who will make as good busts, but there is no living sculptor who can produce monumental work so pure, so refined, so essentially holy. There seems to be in his mind and soul a natural piety that manifests itself in his work; an out-pouring of a lofty religious sentiment; a true conception of what is just and right. There is no one to whom we would so instantly assign the task of perpetuating in marble what is lovely and of good report; he gives a sweet repose to death, and makes the change a sure indication of happiness. Perhaps that is the highest, as it is certainly the holiest achievement of the sculptor's art. If we desired evidence to confirm our opinion as to the genius of Mr. Edwards in this especial and most important branch of art, we should refer to several engravings given in the Art Journal during years past. The artist is in the prime of life. Yes; Wales may well be proud of the Welshman, Joseph Edwards."

Notice of forthcoming Book.

It is with no little pleasure that we announce a new work by our talented countryman, Mr. Lewis Morris. What gives us peculiar satisfaction is, that it will be a Drama on a Welsh subject. Its title is GWEN, and it will be dedicated to the Right Honourable John Bright, M.P. If we mistake not, our readers will find that Mr. Morris has, in this new poem, excelled all his previous achievements.

Report

OF THE

COUNCIL OF THE HONOURABLE SOCIETY OF CYMMRODORION,

For the Year ending the 9th of November, 1878.

DURING the year ten new members have been admitted.

By the lamented death of Mr. John Griffith (Gohebydd), the Society has suffered a loss they can hardly hope to repair. The proposal to revive the Society in 1873 was made by him. He also rendered valuable assistance in organising the revived Society; and ever maintained a deep interest in its welfare and progress.

Reference was made in our last Annual Report to a decision to obtain a Medal for the Society, which might be awarded for the encouragement of certain objects coming within the scope of the Society's aim. The Council have the gratification of announcing that one of their Members, Mr. Joseph Edwards, has designed a Medal of singular merit and appropriateness, which the Council have unanimously adopted. A full description of this design will, in due time, be communicated to the Members.

Four Papers, of great interest, were read before the Society during the past year, namely ::

1. By Professor McKenny Hughes, M.A., "On the Prehistoric Races of Britain." Chairman, J. Ignatius Williams, Esq.

2. By Professor Rudler, F.G.S., "On the Mineral

VOL. II.

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