p Nicholas and
Harry Morgan, the Highlands have had Rob Roy and that strange fellow
Donald Macleod, the man of the broadsword, the leader of the Freacadan
Dhu, who at Fontenoy caused, the Lord only knows, how many Frenchmen's
heads to fly off their shoulders, who lived to the age of one hundred and
seven, and at seventy-one performed gallant service on the Heights of
Abraham: wrapped in whose plaid the dying Wolfe was carried from the hill
of victory.--If Wales has been a land of song, have not the Highlands
also?--If Wales can boast of Ab Gwilym and Gronwy, the Highlands can
boast of Ossian and MacIntyre. In many respects the two regions are
equals or nearly so;--In one respect, however, a matter of the present
day, and a very important matter too, they are anything but equals: Wales
has a population--but where is that of the Highlands?--Plenty of noble
scene; Plenty of delightful associations, historical, poetical, and
romantic--but, but, where is the population?

The population of Wales has not departed across the Atlantic, like that
of the Highlands; it remains at home, and a remarkable population it
is--very different from the present inhabitants of several beautiful
lands of olden fame, who have strangely degenerated from their
forefathers. Wales has not only a population, but a highly interesting
one--hardy and frugal, yet kind and hospitable--a bit crazed, it is true,
on the subject of religion, but still retaining plenty of old Celtic
peculiarities, and still speaking Diolch i Duw!--the language of
Glendower and the Bards.

The present is a book about Wales and Welsh matters. He who does me the
honour of perusing it will be conducted to many a spot not only
remarkable for picturesqueness, but for having been the scene of some
extraordinary event, or the birth-place or residence of a hero or a man
of genius; he will likewise be not unfrequently introduced to the genuine
Welsh, and made acquainted with what they have to say about Cumro and
Saxon, buying and selling, fattening hogs and poultry, Methodism and
baptism, and the poor, persecuted Church of England.

An account of the language of Wales will be found in the last chapter.
It has many features and words in common with the Sanscrit, and many
which seem peculiar to itself, or rather to the family of languages,
generally called the Celtic, to which it belongs. Though not an original
tongue, for indeed no original tongue, or anything approximating to one