Cylchgronau Cymru

Chwiliwch trwy dros 450 o deitlau a 1.2 miliwn o dudalennau

Reviews. The Legend of Baldwyn's Dyke. By John Willwyn. (The Library Printing Works, Oswestry, Is., net). This poem is an improvement on Tales of the Welsh Border," and the author has entered reverently and sympathetically into the spirit and atmosphere of a by-gone age and couched his narra- tive in picturesque and .romantic phraseology. One regrets, however, to note the brazen interpolation of such every-day terms as bagman," danger zone," held a brief," and "jovial row." Never- theless, taken as a whole, the poem is soothing and satisfying. The craftsmanship of the publishers is. as usual, faultless. J.T.L. Litteris, Vol. IV, No. 2, September, 1927 (Milford, 3s. 6d.), contains a devastating review of The Cambridge Ancient History," which, among other things, reveals the weaknesses inherent in the collaboration of a variety of authors. Another re- view which challenges attention is that by Professor Nilsson of Cumont's account of the excavations at Doura-Europos, now known as Salihiyeh. As a result of an accidental discovery made during the British occupation in 1921 this work was undertaken and led to discoveries of great importance for our knowledge of the Greek Orient and late Roman/ times. Among other things a contract was found dating back to the beginning of the second century B.C., written on vellum, this being the oldest piece of vellum that has been preserved. Cumont's re- searches are an exceedingly valuable contribution. H.W. Adar Diarth. Stori gan M. S. Roberts. Wrecsam: Hughes a'i Fab, Cyhoeddwyr. 2s. 6d. This is an interesting tale, but it shows no originality either in plot or in treatment. The in- cidents cover a period of twelve months, and they centre round the chapel life of a country parish. There are two themes which are not well related- the amorous entanglements of a young minister, and the malign influence of the Black Lion family (the adar diarth of the title) on the life of the parish. The descriptions show keen observation*, but at the end we cannot help wondering why the tale should have been written. T.H.J. Llawlyfr Dysgu Cymraeg: Yr Ail Lyfr. Gan William Rowland, M.A. Wrecsam: Hughes a'i Fab, Cyhoeddwyr. 2s. 6d. This textbook, as the title implies, is a continu- ation of another textbook published three years ago. Its object, according to the author, is to lead Welsh children to speak, .read, and write correct Welsh; and it is chiefly designed for secondary schools, evening schools, and tutorial classes. Teachers in these departments will find the book of the greatest assistance, and we heartily recommend it for their consideration. A pleasing feature is the well-chosen extracts-in prose and in verse-from Welsh authors: unless we are mistaken many pupils will want to read these in their original settings, and that is all to the good. The aim and the method deserve every praise. T.H.J. Souvenir of the Wil Hopcyn Memorial, 1927. Edited by the Rev. vWilliam Edwards, M.A., F.R.A.S. Published by the Wil Hopcyn Memorial Committee, Maesteg. The twofold object of this souvenir is to celebrate the bi-centenary of the death of the Maid of Cefn Ydfa and to help the .fund for the purpose of erecting a memorial stone over the grave of Wil Hopcyn. The great love story is here retold by many writers, and sketches are given of the chief men of Tir Iarll. It is a store-house of information, and it will be welcomed by all who have an interest in the story of Cefn Ydfa or the story of the district. T.H.J. Borrow House Museum, by G. A. Stephen (Norwich, 1927, 6d.), contains a brief account of George Borrow and his home in Norwich, which is now used as a museum of objects connected with Borrow. It also gives a bibliography of Sorrow's works, and of critical writings upon them. There is much in this pamphlet to interest Borrovians, and Welsh readers will note that in the museum are preserved a num* of exhibits connected with Burrow's visit~ to Garonwy Owen's house in Anglesey and Goronwy's descendant, Ellen Jones. The pamphlet contains some interesting illustrations. (H.W. The Hibbert Journal. October. Constable, 5s. With the appearance of this issue, the Hibbert celebrates its 25th year. It contains several articles provocative of thought on matters historical, philosophical and educational. The last-named section includes two timely contributions from authors who expose the chaotic conditions which now obtain. In the first of these the writer's esti- mate that about 60 percent of the people receive their only formal education via the elementary school, savours of caution. The nomenclature we employ in defining our schools--elementary, secon- dary, public, technical, etc., etc.is an index to that confusion which has obscured the true aims of education. In spite of countless "nours spent in discussing matters educational, the general attitude towards education itself is one of apathy. The second article, Impressions on the Hadow Report on the Education of the Adolescent," is comple- mentary, and confirms the necessity for overhauling our existent defective and overlapping organisations. Mr. Frank Ballard, in his article on hymnology, makes out a strong—if extreme­case for revision. Some denominations are already launching new hymnaries with obsolescent hymns deleted'. The, writer's valuation of chants and anthems will be vigorously confuted in most quarters. Of real literary value is Prof. C. H. Herford's article on the poems of William Blake, whose centenary fell in July last. This issue is a notable one-even for the Hibbert. D.J. The Quarterly Review. October, 1927. John Murray, 7s 6d. One is again impressed by the catholicity of this periodical. It is comprehensive and discriminating in its range of topics, lucid and impressive in its treatment of them. There is considerable diver- sity of view point but never to the extent of strained relations within the family circle. Mr. Justice Marshall solves the Egyptian Problem im- perially and seemingly would apply the same solu- tion to the majority of the world's ills. Mr. Stanley Rice, dealing with the Indian Princes and Indian Reforms, offers us the wisdom of statesmanship with less of its vigour, while a.n article on the I.L.O., by Mr. G. A. Johnston, certainly invites us to sip of the milk of internationalism. There are concerns for our Empire in the review of Lord Sydenham's life an a penetrating interest for at least one part of Europe in the article on the July Revolt in Austria. He who abhors our fleeting current affairs may find solace either in a comparison of the personal characters of Napoleon and Wellington, or in the prospect of a militant future as revealed in The Mystery of Strategy," while food for that detached and cultured being remains in Music and the Plain Man (he will have ceased to be plain when Mr. Sampson will have done with him); in a striking review of the achievements and limitations of Greek Civilisation by E. M. Sargeaunt, and finally a really good smashing onslaught on our imaginative" anthropologists. Agriculture in 1927 tells us the old old story with variations, the principal being a New Sugar-beet theme. We should after all come down to earth, B.B.T.