OF THE WELSH. JlSj 



iflue legitimate, in order to fecure their reputation, 

 and with it a mode of obtaining a HveHhood. 



Their weddings are ufually attended by all the 

 neighbours, fometimes to the number of thirty or 

 upwards. After the ceremony, the day is dedicated 

 to feflivity, and is chiefly fpent in drinking and fmg- 

 ing. At a wedding in the little village of Llanberis, 

 I obferved in the church as many as twenty or hve- 

 and-twenty attendants. A coUeftion is made on 

 their return to the houfe to defray the expences of 

 the occafion, to which of courfe every one con- 

 tributes. A good idea of the reft of the bufinels 

 may be collected from a pleafant account of a wed- 

 ding-feaft in Cwm y Clo, near Llanberis : 



A fire of fquare peat, and fufficienlly dried, 

 Was fpread on the hearth, and at leaft four feet wide ; 

 Over which took their ftation fix kettles or more. 

 Which promifed a feaft, when they opened their llore ; 

 And round this flat furnace, to keep them quite hot, 

 Were plac'd twelve more veffcls, which held — God knows vAx^U 

 Fourn;ooks, in rtiort bed-gowns, attend by defire. 

 Like the witches in Macbeth, to ttir up the fire. 



Forty trenchers, with dull knives, and forks made no brighter. 

 Were fpread on fome napkins, which once had been whiter. 

 Supported by planks, forty feet long, or more. 

 Completely were rais'd on the grafs out of door. 

 But here we are bound the word table to offer. 

 That our verfes* great dignity never may fuffer. 

 The table prepar'd, and the cooking completed, 

 *Twas perfectly needful the guefts fhould be feated. 

 Loofe boards were erefted on ftones with great art; 

 But proving too hard for a certain broad part, 



A num« 



