Welsh Journals

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Local History. By D. G. GRIFFITHS, County Librarian of Cardiganshire. WITHOUT a knowledge of local history it is impossible to appreciate the effects of general history. The more we know of our local history the more attached we become to the locality we are inter- ested in and in that way our knowledge helps to awaken in us a more refined and sympathetic interest in other localities. We gain a larger and broader outlook of human affairs generally and through our local patriotism we enjoy the genuine patriotism which embraces our country and all mankind. In a report by H.M. Inspector on a school in Cardiganshire it was stated- The Head Teacher has, for some time, been concerned with the problem of History teaching. Having realised that his pupils find it difficult to appreciate History based upon the history of England, he has drawn up an interesting and detailed scheme of study based upon the history of Wales. That is not to say that the History teaching is confined to the story of Wales, but rather that an attempt is being made to give the pupils an appreciation of History by basing the work upon the history of their own country." It might be suggested in addition that the history of Walea can be better appreciated if based on the history of a parish, or hamlet. A great deal of the charm and fascination of local history lies in the fact that it is unwritten in the form of traditional songs and folk-lore. Lord Macaulay says that all ancient legends contain some element of truth, though not all the truth, and he attributes their preservation to ballad-singing. The earliest Latin literature, he says, abounded with metrical romances such as are found in every country where there is curiosity and intelligence. A man who invented or embellished an interesting story and put it into a form easy to remember was always highly esteemed by a people eager for amusement and information but destitute of libraries. We know the way in which Welsh harpers in olden times preserved their historical legends. Sir Walter Scott, who united poetic genius to the diligence of an antiquary, was just in time to save the precious relics of Border Minstrelsy. But how many of these old songs and legends in all countries have vanished to oblivion