A TOUR ROUND NORTH WALES. 257 



amendment of their manners, and the 

 correction of their art and practice.* 



This reformation was effected by 

 dividing them into clafles, and affigning 

 to each clafs a diftinct profeffion and 

 employment. It was made their office, 

 to applaud the living and to record the 

 dead. They were required to pofiefs 

 learning and genius, a ikill in pedigrees, 

 an acquaintance with the laws and me- 

 tres of poetry, a knowledge of harmony, 

 a fine voice, and the command of an.in- 

 ftrument. They were dhtributed into 

 three grand orders, of poets, heralds, and 

 mtiiicians ; each of which again branch- 

 ed into fubordinate diilinctions. 



The firft clafs of the poets confifted of 

 Hiftorical or Antiquarian Bards, who at 

 times mixed prophecy with their infpi- 

 ration : they were alfo critics and teach- 

 ers, and to them belonged the praife of 

 virtue and the cenfure of vice. It was 

 their duty to celebrate the gifts of fancy 



* Towel's and Wynne's Hfflories of Wales. 



VOL. ii. T and 



