LAS HORN.]

The engraving represents an elegant complimentary piece of plate,
presented by the Committee for managing the Eisteddvod, held at Denbigh,
September, 1828, to Dr. Jones, their Honorary Secretary, for his valuable
services on that occasion.

Mr. Ellis, of John-street, Oxford-street, Medalist to the Royal Cambrian
institution, was requested to execute (for this purpose) after his own
design, a drinking goblet of an ancient form. Mr. E. thought of the
_Hirlas Horn_, and he has completed a beautiful and unique piece of
workmanship. It is an elegantly carved horn, about eighteen inches long,
brilliantly polished, and richly mounted, the cover highly ornamented
with chased oak leaves, and the tip adorned with an acorn; the horn
resting on luxuriant branches of an oaken tree, exquisitely finished in
chased silver. Around the cover is engraved the following
inscription:--"_Presented by the Cymmrodorion in Gwynedd, to_ RICHARD
PHILLIPS JONES, M.D. _for his unwearied exertions in promoting the Royal
Eisteddvod, held at Denbigh_, 1828." The horn (the inside of which is
lined with silver,) will contain about three half pints; and we doubt not
that it will be often passed around, filled with _Cwrw da_, in
remembrance of the interesting event which it is intended to
commemorate--

"And former times renew in converse sweet."

The origin of the _Hirlas Horn_ is as follows:--

About 1160, Owain Cyveiliog, one of the most distinguished Princes of
Powis, flourished; he was a great warrior and an eminent poet; several
specimens of his writings are given in the _Archaiology of Wales_,
published by the late patriotic Owain Jones Myfyr. His poem called the
_Hirlas Horn_ (the long blue horn,) is a masterpiece. It used to be the
custom with the prince, when he had gained a battle, to call for the
horn, filled with metheglin, or mead, and drink the contents at one
draught, then sound it to show that there was no deception; each of his
officers following his example. Mrs. Hemans has given a beautiful song,
in Parry's second volume of _Welsh Melodies_, on the subject, concluding
thus:--

"Fill higher the HIRLAS' forgetting not those
Who shar'd its bright draught in the days which are fled!
Tho' cold on their mountains the valiant repose,
Their lot shall be lovely--renown to the dead!
While harps in the hall of the feast shall be strung,
While regal ERYRI[3] with snow shall be crown'd--
So long by the