ch that is valuable and curious on
historical, biographical, romantic and moral subjects. The most ancient
Welsh prose may probably be found in certain brief compositions, called
Triads, which are said to be of Druidic origin. The Triad was used for
the commemoration of historical facts or the inculcation of moral duties.
It has its name because in it three events are commemorated, or three
persons mentioned, if it be historical; three things or three actions
recommended or denounced, if it be moral. To give the reader at once a
tolerable conception of what the Triad is, we subjoin two or three
specimens of this kind of composition. We commence with the historical
Triad:--

'These are the three pillars of the race of the isle of Britain:
First, Hu the Mighty, who conducted the nation of the Cumry from the
summer country to the island of Britain (bringing them from the
continent) across the hazy sea (German Ocean). Second, Prydain, son
of Aedd Mawr, the founder of government and rule in the isle of
Britain, before whose time there was no such thing as justice except
what was obtained by courtesy, nor any law save that of the
strongest. Third, Dyfnwal Moelmud, who first reduced to a system the
laws, customs, and privileges of his country and nation.

'The three intruding tribes into the island of Britain are the
following: First, the Corranians, who came from the country of Pwyl.
Second, the Gwyddelian (silvan, Irish) Fichti (Picts), who came to
Alban across the sea of Lochlin (Northern Ocean), and who still exist
in Alban by the shore of the sea of Lochlin (from Inverness to
Thursoe). Third, the Saxons . . . '

So much for the historical Triad: now for the moral. The following are
selected from a curious collection of admonitory sayings, called the
'Triads of the Cumro, or Welshman:'--

'Three things should a Cumro always bear in mind lest he dishonour
them: his father, his country, and his name of Cumro.

'There are three things for which a Cumro should be willing to die:
his country, his good name, and the truth wherever it be.

'Three things are highly disgraceful to a Cumro: to look with one
eye, to listen with one ear, and to defend with one hand.

'Three things it especially behoves a Cumro to choose from his own
country: his king, his wife, and his friend.'

After the Triads, the following are the principal