OUT OM In speaking of the periodicals wo have anticipated some of our infor mation with regard to societies. The literary associations of Wales, though not very successful at first, have been in the long run most effectual in reviving the taste for its literature. The earliest of them seems to have been the Cymmrodorion (Associates) or Metropolitan Cam brian I nstitution, which was originally established in London iu 1751. Its immediate purpose was to cultivate the language and literature of Wales, and its members were also to " contribute their endeavours towards the instruction of the ignorant and the relief of the distressed part of their countrymen." It collected some scarce books and manuscripts relating to Wales, which were afterwards deposited in the library of the Welsh school in Gray's lun Lane, but did little else in a literary point 'of view, and after an existence of thirty years appears to have gradually expired of inaction. Its place was more vigorously occupied by the Gwyneddigion, or Society of the Men of Owynedtl, or North Wales, which was established in London in 1771, by that indefatigable patriot Owen Jones of 3Iyvyr. This association at different times patronised various literary works connected with the principality, but its chief aim was to keep alive the attachment to the national music and poetry. With this view it revived the ancient congresses of the bards, and distributed medals among the beat performers on the national instrument, the harp, and the writers of the best Welsh poems on subjects selected annually for the occasion. In 1798 an " Eisteddvod" was held under the auspices of Owen Jones, at Caerwys, in Flintehire, which prepared the way for the " Eisteddsaxis " of more recent times. The London Cymreigyddion Society, founded in 1795, was intended to place the natives of Wales on something of an equality with the natives of Great Britain, in respect of the oppor tunities of acquiring useful knowledge ; and for this purpose its meetings once a month were to be devoted to the delivery of lectures in the Welsh language on scientific and useful subjects, many of which were printed and published. This society now appears to be extinct, and one of its last public acts was to reward in 1810, the Rev. J. Bray for his Essay -on the Means of Promoting the Literature of Wales,' in which ho recommended the systematic discouragement of the Welsh language. The second " Cyunnrodorion" Society was formed in 1820, at a meeting held at the Freemasons Tavern, and has similar objects with the first. It commenced tile publication
of its 'Transactions' in 1822, and completed a second volume in 1843, after which it appears to have come to a stand-still. The "Society for the Publication of Ancient Welsh Manuscripts," was founded at Abcrgavenny in 1837, and was announced in its prospectus to be acting in conjuuetion with the "Cymmrodorion Society, founded at London in 1750," by which the second Cymmrodorion Society was probably meant, though the date given is anterior even to the for mation of the first. The Manuscript Society after issuing the Liber Landave'nsis; or the Ancient Register of the Cathedral Church of Llandaff,' in Latin and English, under the editorship of the Rev. W. J. Rees, the Heraldic Visitation of Wales; the ' Lives of the Welsh Saints,' and other valuable publications, the kb, Manuscripts, and the 'Grammar of Edeyrn,' appears to have fallen into a state of languor. It was recently announced, however, as already stated, that measures are about to be taken for restoring its vigour.
The Cambrian Institute, founded in 1853, has held a few occasional meetings in London, and has a number of sectional committees and local secretaries, but its activity is chiefly displayed in the publication of the ' Cambrian Journal,' which is circulated among its subscribers. It is remarkable that one of its earliest patrons and its present presi dent is l'rince Louis Lucien Bonaparte, nephew of Napoleon and cousin of the present Emperor of the French, who has in many ways distinguished himself as a cultivator and student of the Celtic lan guages as well as of others of the less known tongues of Europe. The Prince was born in England, and on the Welsh border, at the time that his father. Lucien Bonaparte, was resident in this country, during the reign of the first Napoleon. Another distinguished name in the list of the Institute is that of the poet-laureate, Alfred Tennyson—a peculiarly appropriate one, not only because Tennyson has given fresh brilliancy in our time to the legends of King Arthur, but because the office he holds is one peculiarly in keeping with Cambrian notions of privileged bards and poets named by authority. The first poet-laureate of the English court was appointed in the reign of Edward IV., who is said in acme Welsh Guide-Books to have been born in Wales.