Welsh Journals

lrr|fnlnjia Cantoris. THIRD SERIES, No. IV.—OCTOBER, 1855. ON ANCIENT CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS IN WALES. A judicious selection and record of the many traditions and customs still to be found in the Principality, especially in the more retired districts, would neither be useless or uninteresting. While wisdom is not only lifting up her voice in the streets of cities, but her march is advancing with rapid strides into our most unsophisticated nooks and corners, much of what has been carefully handed down by former patriarchs, and is still treated with respect by the elders of the present generation, will probably, as the rising one (by the assistance of Her Majesty's Committee of Council) becomes learned in all the mystery of the " ologies," be treated with supreme contempt, and most sapiently consigned to an oblivion from which there is no recovery. It may be that the local traditions of our more primitive districts are not of any great historical value; but still some faint rays of light may be occasionally shed upon the manners and thoughts of former generations, (even if not those of pre-historic or allophylian dates,) from a well-authenticated and judicious collection of such stories. In such an undertaking, the general assistance of our parochial clergy, especially such as are well acquainted with our more mountainous parishes, would be invaluable, ARCH. CAMB., THIRD SERIES, VOL. I. 2 H