264 TI-IE MANNERS AND CUSTOM.^ 



Ti-iE Manners of the modern Welsh, 



From ancient I now defcend to modern time." \ 

 and from defcribing that hardy race of warlike cha- 

 rafters which were wita fo much difficidtv fubdued 

 by the Engiifli monarchs, I proceed to make fome 

 remarks on their prefent ftate, in which this people 

 enjoy a degree of happinefs and tranquillity that in 

 feudal times the country never experienced. 



Wliile quarrels rage did nomifli ruiricR; wrack, 

 And Oiven Glyndore fet bloodie broyles abroach ; 

 Full many a towne was fpoyl'd and put to fack, 

 And clean'; co!ifn:r.''d, tq countvieo foale reproach. 

 Great calUes rais'dy fayre buildings burnt to dui\, 

 Sufjh revel reigned, that men did"live by lull: — 

 But fince they came, and yieluid uiuo lawe, 

 Moft meeke as iambe, witaiii one yoke they drawe. 



In thofe mountainous and fecluded parts of Wales, 

 as fome of the interior of Caernarvonfhire, Merio- 

 nethfhire, and Denbighfliire, that are yet fcarcely 

 known to the Englifh touriit, the manaers of the 

 inhabitants diifer very eflentially from what V\ ill be 

 obferved near any frequented road. The people 

 feem there to have an innocence and fmiplicity of 

 character, unknown in the populous parts of our 

 own country. Among thefe it is that we are to 

 fearch for thofe original traits, and that native hof- 

 pitality, fo much the boafl of the "WeKh v/riters. 

 Wherever the Englilh have had uninterrupted com- 

 munication, the money of which they have been fo 



lavifh 



