WELSH BARDS AND MUSIC. 3^7 



eirteddfod affembled at Caerwys, in May 1798, 

 there were prefent twenty bards, eighteen vocal 

 performers, and twelve harpers. 



In the early periods of the Britiih hiilor)^, the 

 bards were confidered as the national hillorians. 

 During their triennial perambulation they collefted 

 and recorded all the memorable tranfaclions refpe<St- 

 ing the country that came to their knowledge. They 

 were allowed for this labour a regular ftipend, and 

 the bardic laws rendered them liable to imprifon- 

 ment, lofs of place, and great difgrace, if they either 

 fet down folfities, or wiFfally mifreprefented fa6ls. 

 No man was allowed to defcribe a battle, unlefs he 

 had himfelf been on the fcene of action. Some of 

 the chifef bards were the marfhals : they fat in coun- 

 cil in the field, and were the informers of the prince 

 or generals of the flate of the combat. Thofe men 

 could not 'be ignorant of any circumftances of im- 

 portance that were there tranfacled. 



The Welsh Musical Instruments. 



The mufical inflruments known to the ancient 

 Welfh were only three in number, namely, the 

 harp, the crwth^ and the pibcorn, or, as it is foine- 

 times called, hornpipe. 



The harp was in- fuch eflimation In Wales, that 

 to play upon it with fome degree of fkill, was, in 

 the early centuries, confidered an accomplifhment 

 indifpenfibly requifite for every gentleman. It was 



Y 4 alfo 



