Welsh Journals

it was immediately noticed that their binding bore a resemblance to that of other books already in the Library which had been purchased many years previously from a bookseller in Machynlleth who was obviously not the original owner of the books. It is considered possible that the books formed part of the material collected either by Wliliam Rowlands' Gwilym Lleyn' or Canon D. Silvan Evans, the author and editor, respectively, of Llyfryddiaeth y Cymry j Cambrian Bibliography (Llanidloes, 1869), because some of the volumes, which are unique, are evidently the actual copies seen and used whilst that work was being compiled and edited. Wm. Williams. WELSH HISTORICAL SCULPTURE. After the completion of the City Hall at Cardiff there were pedestals and niches near the main staircase which invited some form of statuary, and it became the firm resolve of Mr. J. L. Wheatley, then Town Clerk of Cardiff, that these empty places should be filled. He was led to consult Mr. D. A. Thomas (later Viscount Rhondda) about this project, and with characteristic munificence Lord Rhondda consented to defray the cost of obtaining the necessary statues. It was agreed that they should be of ten prominent figures in Welsh history down to the beginning of the Victorian era. Selection of these ten was difficult, but eventually, after a public competition, the following were chosen: Dewi Sant, Hywel Dda, Llewelyn the last Prince, Henry VII, Bishop Morgan, Williams Pantycelyn, Dafydd ap Gwilym, Giraldus Cambrensis, Owen Glyndwr, and Sir Thomas Picton later, room was found for another feature-a statue group of Boadicea. Each statue was to be designed by a different sculptor, and, after due consideration of sketch-models by a competent committee, the final representations were decided upon. Eventually, on 27 October, 1916, the finished statues were placed in position and were unveiled by Mr. Lloyd George. The final sketch-models, however, became the property of Lord Rhondda, and until recently, they remained at his residence, Llanwern, Monmouth- shire. Now, through the generosity of Lord Rhondda's daughter, The Viscountess Rhondda, they have found a permanent home in the National Library of Wales. H. N. Jerman. DRAWINGS BY LADY LEIGHTON. Before photography became cheap and simple, the ability to sketch was considered a popular accomplishment. This ability is well illustrated by the work of certain members of the Parker family of Sweeney Hall, near Oswestry. Much of it has been pre- served, and a very large collection of drawings by John Parker has been deposited in the Library through the courtesy of Major B. E. Parker Leighton, M.P., and Miss Rachel Leighton. A further, and rather unusual, example of the work of one member of the family- Mary (1799-1864), who married Sir Baldwin Leighton, 7th Baronet, of Loton, Salop-has come to the Library from another source. It is a volume of engraved music with five drawings interleaved into it. Four of them are initialled M.L., i.e. Mary Leighton, and she appears to have been responsible, also, for the decorative title-page which runs The Hanes of/Dafydd dda of Mynydd/[Vignette of Conway Castle]/The words and music by/ Townshend Mainwaring1 Esqre/the illustrations by/Lady Leighton.' 1 Townshend Mainwaring (1807-1883), the second son of the Reverend Charles Main- waring of Oteley Park, Salop, lived at Galltfaenan, Denbighshire.