choicest description to set forth the Most High
and his wonderful works. No translation can convey to the English reader
the interest and effect which this class of poetry has and produces upon
the Welsh mind, simply because their trains of thought are so entirely
different. The power and expressiveness of the Welsh language, which
cannot be transferred into any English words, also add materially to the
effect of this class of poetry upon the native mind. The Cymric is
unquestionably an original language, and possesses a force and expression
entirely unknown to any of the derivative tongues. The finer parts of
scripture, as the Book of Job and the Psalms, are immeasurably more
impressive in the Welsh than English language. The native of the
Principality, who from a long residence in the metropolis or other parts
of England, and extensive acquaintance with its people, followed often by
mercantile success, so as almost to become Anglicised, no sooner returns
to his native hills, either for a visit or residence, and upon the
Sabbath morn enters the old parish church or chapel to hear the bible
read in the native tongue, than he feels a transport of delight and joy,
to which his heart has been foreign since he crossed the border, mayhap
in youth. Much of this may be owing to a cause similar to that which
fires the Swiss soldier on foreign service when he hears the chant of his
own mountain "_Rans des vaches_." Something may doubtless be laid to the
account of early association; but, we think, more is justly due to the
great impressiveness and power of his native tongue. The poems, original
and translated, contained in the first part of the ensuing collection,
may convey to the English reader some idea of this class of Welsh poetry.

The love of the beautiful is natural to man, but of all nations the
Greeks entertained the best ideals and cultivated the faculty to the
highest perfection. Their temples have formed models of architectural
beauty for all nations, and the grace and elegance of their statuary have
found students among every people. Much of this taste for the beautiful
mingled with their poetry, which is kin sister to the imitative arts. In
recent times the Italians have inherited the faculty of beauty, and
introduced it into their fine cathedrals and capitols, as well as their
statuary. The French also have displayed the highest ideals of beauty in
their manufactures and fine arts. The Spaniards have