Welsh Journals

Book Notes. Controversial Pamphlets. Among the bye-paths of the Welsh book collector, there is none more entertaining than those which lead him to track the forgotten pamphlets and brochures relating to some of the heated controversies which illuminated the Welsh firmanent at various times. Many of these disputes were purely theological, others were political or sectarian and a few related to social questions. The various phases of the temperance movement have afforded a lively field of battle. Such for instance, was the bardic duel between Trebor Mai, Dewi Havhesp, Gwilym Gwenog and other bards in the early seventies. An earlier encounter between the advocates of Teetotalism and the Moderate Drinkers was a much more serious affair. It started in the North Wales Chronicle in October, 1836, when a person writing under the signature Peter Pindar made an attack upon the propagandists of Teetotalism. A newspaper corres- pondence ensued, but the battle was soon transferred to the more enduring form of pamphlets. The following is a list of some of the tracts published, but it is probably not complete. 1. Cymedroldeb a Llwyrymataliad. Sylwadau ar y Ddwy Egwyddor gan W. Williams (Caledfryn). [First edition, 1836]. 2. Cyfieithiad o Lythyrau Peter Pindar ar Ddirwest a gyhoedd- wyd yn y North Wales Chronicle ac Attebiad iddynt yn nghyda Sylwadau ar Lythyr Mr. William Williams. Llan- rwst: Argraffwyd gan John Jones. 12 pp. [December, 1836.] 3. Cymedroldeb a Llwyrymataliad, etc. 2nd edition of No. 1. Dated at end, Caerynarfon, Rhag. 1, 1836. 8 pp. Printed by H. Hughes, Carnarvon. 4. Epistol at y Llwyr ymattalwyr, yn cynnwys adolygiad ar Draethawd y Parch. W. Williams, Caernarfon, gan Joseph Davies, Dinbych. 8 pp Printed by T. Gee, Denbigh. 5. Traethawd ar Lwyrymwrthodiad: yn cynwys Adolygiad ar Draethawd y Parch. W. Williams, Caerynarfon, ar Gymed- roldeb a Llwyrymataliad; ynghyd a Dyben, Egwyddorion, a rheolau Llwyrymwrthodiad, Anogaethau i Lwyrymwrth- odwyr. A Rhesymau yrawdwr dros fod yn Llwyrymwrthodwr. Gan M. Hughes, Felinheli. Y Gwir yn erbyn y Byd." [Here follows a long quotation from the Book of Proverbs] Albion Wasg: Caerynarfon, Argraffwyd gan P. Evans, dros yr Awdwr. Pris Pedair Ceiniog. 40 pp.