Fourth Period (1760 to present time).—Various causes co-operated to give a new impetus to Welsh literature after the accession of George III. Among these. the most powerful were the establishment of periodical publications, the institution of and the spread of Methodism. The first important production of this period is entitled Some Specimens of the Poetry of the Ancient Welsh, Bards translated English (Lond. 1764), by Mr. Evans, curate of Iltinvair Talyhaern, in Denbighshire. The next name deserving of mention is that of Owen Jones (1741-1814), who, though engaged in mercantile occupations all his life, managed, by his enthusiasm and liberality, to quicken and extend the pulilic interest in Welsh literature. In 177111e founded the Oacyneddiglon (society of the " men of Gwynedd "), which gave prizes for the best performances on the Welsh harp, and the best Si elsh poems. In 1801-1807, he caused to be published at his own expense, the editorship of Owen Pughe and Edward Williams. three volumes of the Archaeology, so called in honor of himself, who had assumed the bardie name of Myvyr, from his native vale in Denbigh. Owen Jones was, however, rather a Welsh Maecenas than a Welsh litterateur. The next names of importance are those of the editors just mentioned—Owen Pughe and Edward Williams. The former (17i,9- 1835), according to Southey, was a " muddy-minded man ;" nor is the fact that he *as a follower of Joanna Southcott, and one of her twenty-four elders, adverse to this description of his intellect. Be this as it may, Owen Pughe is the great Welsh lexicog replier; his dictionary of Welsh (1793-1803) contains 100,000 words,'illustrated by 12,000. quotations. Ile also translated Paradise Lost into Welsh, in which work he threw off the chains of Welsh alliteration, an innovation generally acknowledged to be an improve ment. Edward Williams (1745-1826). better known as Iolo Morganwg, is probably the finest Welsh genius of the fourth period. Southey knew him, and liked him greatly. His. principal productions are Salmau yr Eglwysyn yr A nialtech (Psalms of the Church in the Desert); but an Ode on the Mythology of the Ancient British Bards in the _Manner of Taliesin (179:2), accompanied by notes and specimens of "triads," containing the metaphysical and religious doctrines of the old Druidical bards, provoked a long-protraeted controversy. Moraanwg said that he had copied them from a MS. collection of a Welsh poet, sane 1560, which was in his possession, and affirmed that the collection was of very great antiquity. He was often asked to produce it, but always declined; and Welsh critics of the stricter sort have now ceased to believe in its existence. The three associates in the publication of the Mytyrian Archwology had each one son, and all of these have become eminent in connection with the literature of their native country. Taliesin Williams (1787-1847), son of Edward Williams, wrote poetry both in Welsh and English; Aneurin Owen (1792-1851), son of Owen Pugh% among other works, published an important col lection of the Laws of Wales; while Owen Jones, sou of Owen Jones, the Welsh Mtecenas (died 1874), had a high reputation as on architect, the Alhambra at Sydenhani being a favorable specimen of his professional talents. The fourth period of Welsh literature is naturally richer in critical than in creative works. Among Welsh antiquaries may be mentioned the rev. Edward Davies (1756-1831), author of Celtic Researches (1804) and Mythology of the Druids (1809): the rev. Thomas Price (1787-1848), author of the Hanes Cymru a Chenedl y Cyntry (1836-1842), a history of Wales and of the Welsh nation from the earliest times to the death of Llewellyn; an admirable work, comprehensive, critical, and literary (Price was an ardent and voluminous writer, contributing to no fewer than 15 periodicals at the same time); and the rev. John 'Williams ab libel, rector of Llany mowddwy in Merioneth, and editor of the Cambrian Journal. In 1856 lie edited, for the Welsh MS. society, the Grammar of Edeyrn, the Golden-tongued, said to be composed about 1270; in 1860 the Brut y Tywyrogion, or chronicle of the princes: and in 1861 (et seg.), The Traditionary Annals of the Oymry, reprinted from the Cambrian Journal. Williams is a rather credulous and uncritical writer, but a scholar of undoubted merit. Probably the ablest recent Welsh scholar was the late Mr. Thomas Stephens of Merthyr
Tvdvil, a man at once patriotic and honest, enthusiastic and critical. To him, above all others, Englishmen desirous of obtainingsome clear and credible knowledge of Welsh literature, ought to apply. His principal works are Studies on British Biography, and Literature of the Ovary in the Twelfth and following Centuries. The enlightened views of Stephens have met with great acceptance among such English scholars as have paid. attention to the subject of Welsh history and literature.
The poetry of the fourth period is not remarkable. The principal names are—David Richards of Dolgelly (1751-1827), author of a sort of epic on the Trinity—a very unsuit able snbject for an epic—and a paraphrase of the history of Joseph: David Thomas of Caernarvon (1769-1822), who was very successful at the Eisteddfods: David Owen of Givion (1784-1841), whose poems were collected and published under the title of%Blodan A rfo n (Flowers of Arvon): the rev. Daniel Evans, a collection of whose pieces was pub lished nt Llandovery in 1831, under the title of Gwinllan y Bardd (The Poet's Vineyard): the rev. Walter Davies (1761-1849), also great at Eisteddfods: the rev. James Hughes (1779-1846): the rev. "William Rees of Liverpool, author of a spirited paraphrase of the Book of Job, etc.: and the rev. William Williams of Caernarvon, author of Grawn Amen (The Treasure of the Muse), etc.
A good deal of indifferent Welsh prose has been written during this period on relig ious subjects, owing to the spread of Methodism among the Welsh. but it may profit ably be overlooked by a foreigner; and with a glance at the history of 1Velsh periodicals and societies, we close our 'brief survey of the subject. The first Welsh periodical, edited by the rev. P. Williams and Evan Thomas, appeared about 1770, and was enti tled Yr Eurgrawn Cymraeg (The 'Welsh Treasure), but the first that attained 'any meas ure of success was the Seren Gomer (Star of Gomer), which was published at Swansea (1814). In 1831 Y .Drysorfa (The Treasury) was commenced, under Calvinistic auspices; in 1836 Y Diteygitcr (The Reformer), and Y Dysgedydd (The Teacher); 1833-41), Y Gwbulgarter (The Patriot), more a literary than a theological magazine, and tolerably clever; Yr Irani (The Sun), a journal advocating the interests of the established church; and Y Trottlsodydd (The Essayist), commenced at Denbigh (1845), distinctly the best lit in Wales. In 1879 above GO daily or weekly newspapers appeared in the principality; of these about a dozen were published in Welsh. There are also about the same number of monthly or weekly magazines or periodicals, helping to keep alive the ancient speech; and two quarterlies in the Welsh language, but on general subjects. There are besides Welsh magazines conducted in English. The Cambrian Register, the Cambro-Briton, the Cumbrian Quarterly Magazine, and the Cambrian Journal, each of which appeared for a series of years, dealt almost exclusively with Welsh subjects. A Welsh Encycloptedia (Eneycloptedia Cambrensis— Y Gwyddontad' Cymreig) was begun under the editorship of the rev. John Parry of Bala, in 1856. The Archtzlogia Cambren +is, the journal of the Cambrian archieological association, began to appear in 1846. Tin, En,wogion Cymru (1862) of the rev. Robert Williams is a useful biographical dictionary of ancient Welshmen.
The leading Welsh societies, literary and antiquarian, that have existed, or still exist, are the Cymmrodorion, established in London in 1751, which lived for 30 years; the Gwyneddigion, also established in London in 1771, but extinct some 20 years ago; a sec and Cymmrodorion (1820-43); the society for the publication of ancient Welsh MSS. (founded at Abergavenny, 1837); and the Cambrian institute, founded in 1853. The Eisteddfod, the annual national " sitting" for the encouragement of bardism, music, and genera] literature, dates from the end of the 4th century. The meeting lasts three or four days, a president and conductor are appointed for each day, and it is attended by thousands of persons of all classes. Prizes and medals are given for the best poetical, musical, and prose compositions, for the best choral and solo singing, and singing with the harp. On the last day, the great event of "chairing" the fortunate bard takes place.