Cylchgronau Cymru

Tudur Aled, Gruffydd Hiraethog, and Wiliam Llyn. The selection is well made, and gives the reader a good idea of the poetry written by the masters of Welsh poetic art from the 14th to 16th century. In the introductory note the editor reviews in a terse form the poetry of that period, and he has also added a most helpful vocabulary at the end. W.R. A GRAMMAR OF THE ARTS By Sir Charles Holmes G. Bell & Sons. ios. 6d. This new book by Sir Charles Holmes, with its unassuming-and possibly to some persons, un- alluring-title was written "with the object of helping those whose knowledge is limited to understand some of the aspects of beauty in Art, whether in a great painting or a porcelain jug, a carpet or a cathedral." To those readers who are acquainted with the author's brilliant gifts of interpretation, as revealed in his volumes on the great paintings of the National Gallery, it will be unnecessary to say that the present volume is something very different from what is usually associated with the title of "Grammar." It is not a formulation of rules or a compendium of facts, but an illuminating essay on the "guiding principles" which govern all forms of the visual arts, and the application of these principles to the various forms discussed. Teachers who desire to create in their pupils an intelligent inter- est in art, whether in the appreciation of pictures or architecture, or in some form of craft-work, will find this book indispensable. It can also be heartily commended to every person who would wish to make his visit to an Art Gallery or a Museum richer in aesthetic enjoyment. E.D.J. Y LLYFR PLYGAIN. 1612 Caerdydd Gwasg Prifysgol Cymru. 1931 Pp.258. 7s. 6d. This is a reprint of a 16th century Welsh prayer book, now published at the Welsh University Press. It seems that the earliest reference to the printing of the book is found in 1599; but, though there were probably three editions be- fore that date, there is no extant copy earlier than the fourth edition of 1612. This volume is a reproduction of that edition, from the only known copy which is in the Henry E. Hunting- ton Library, San Marino, California. In a bibliographical note at the end, Sir John Ballinger states that at least twenty-one editions of the book appeared up to 1791, and that the first of the three earlier editions may well have appeared between 1567 and 1599. There was evidently a great demand for the book during these three centuries, and the text was extended or modified by various publishers such as Thomas Jones of Shrewsbury and others who acquired the rights of publishing the book. According to the dedicatory epistle, the 1612 edition was edited by Daniel Powell, son and heir of Dr. David Powell, vicar of Ruabon, who assisted Dr. William Morgan with the trans- lation of the Bible in 1588. The Llyfr Ply gain apparently served the same purpose in Wales as the English Prymer did in England and was used by laymen as a private book of devotion and not as a church prayer book. The first book printed in Welsh, Yn y lhyvyr hwn (1546) by John Price was a similar book. All editions of the Welsh Llyfrau Plygain, according to Chancellor Fisher, cor- respond to the English Prymer which was first issued in 1535. In addition to the prayers, the seven penitential psalms, and a short catechism, it contains amongst other (things a calendar, almanac, list of Welsh fairs, and a list of Eng- lish kings from William the Conqueror to James I. A comparative table of the contents of the 1612-1791 Editions is given at the end. The book is well produced and the print (partly in black letter) is beautifully clear throughout. A note (on its origin and contents) is appended at the end, written by the late Chan- cellor John Fisher whose edition of Kynniver Llith a Ban was published last year by the Press Board the two books are valuable for those who wish to study the history of Welsh liturgiology. W.R. CHRISTIANITY By 8dwin Bevan THE SPANISH INQUISITION By A. S. Turberville Home University Library T. Butterworth, Ltd. 2s. 6d. each. (i) In this little volume of 250 pages, Dr. Bevan has succeeded in presenting a most readable account of the development of Christianity in Europe from its origins to the present day. Though the author traces the chequered history of the Christian Church during a period of two thousand years, he has produced a book which is something very different from a skeleton outline. It is rather a general survey of the growth and progress of the movement in its essential features -a life history of an organism rather than an analysis of its constituents. The result is a volume which has not a single dull page even the author's account of some of the great con- troversies which distracted the Church, and which now seem so futile, cannot fail to interest the reader, though it may sadden him. Dr. Bevan has approached his task with the honesty and fairness of the historian, and in dealing with controversial questions he has endeavoured to