writing. We
shall furnish in the fourth part of this collection a few specimens from
the writings of some of the humorists of Wales.

Sentiment, which may be defined as the emotion of the human heart, mixes
freely in verse and sentimental poetry, forms a considerable portion of
the lays of every country. There is in this particular no distinction
between the early and modern history of nations, for sentiment enters the
metrical effusions of every period alike. Pathos and taste appear to be
the foster mothers of this quality, which is a distinguishing trait of
the poetry of Wales, as shown by the examples furnished in the fifth part
of this collection.

If any trait be more distinctive of the Welshman than another, it is his
love for his bible, his chapel and church, and this has furnished the
richest store of spiritual song. The hymnists of Wales are many; but
distinguished beyond and above every other, is the celebrated Williams of
Pantycelyn, whose hymns are sung in every chapel and cottage throughout
the Principality, and are now as refreshing to the religious tastes and
emotions of the people as at their first appearance; and, from their
intrinsic beauty and warmth, they are not likely to be lost so long as
the Welsh language remains a spoken or written tongue. The sixth part of
this collection will furnish the reader with an insight into the
transcendent merit and fervour of this prince of religious song.

PART I. THE SUBLIME.

SNOWDON.

King of the mighty hills! thy crown of snow
Thou rearest in the clouds, as if to mock
The littleness of human things below;
The tempest cannot harm thee, and the shock
Of the deep thunder falls upon thy head
As the light footfalls of an infant's tread.

The livid lightning's all destroying flame
Has flashed upon thee harmlessly, the rage
Of savage storms have left thee still the same;
Thou art imperishable! Age after age
Thou hast endured; aye, and for evermore
Thy form shall be as changeless as before.

The works of man shall perish and decay,
Cities shall crumble down to dust, and all
Their "gorgeous palaces" shall pass away;
Even their lofty monuments shall fall;
And a few scattered stones be all to tell
The place where once they stood,--where since they fell!

Yet, even time has not the power to shiver
One single fragment from thee; thou shalt be
A monument that shall exist for ever!
While the vast world endures in its i