Welsh Journals

Search over 450 titles and 1.2 million pages

Hilda Vaughan: Here are Lovers (Heinemann, 7/6 net). James Hilton: The Meadows of the Moon (Butterworth, 7/6 net). Gertrude Dunn: Unholy Depths (Butterworth, 7/6 net). JOURNALS, MAGAZINES, &c. The Quarterly Review, October. As usual we are given a wide and varied range of articles. Classical studies are represented by an article by Sir William Ramsay, on Homer and the Troad." There is an excellent essay on St. Francis," by Martin Welsh. An anonymous article on Manners and Traditions of Parlia- ment," is full of interest. Israel Zangwill is commemorated in an illuminating article by S. L. Bensusan. An anonymous article seems to give an authoritative account of The Riddle of Trade Union Funds." Other good things are- Class Teaching in Schools," by Edward Lyttle- ton; "British-American Diplomacy," by Prof. McElroy; and "The Political Situation," by Noel Skelton. In addition there are a good many reviews. International Labour Review. This excellent monthly (not to be connected in any way with Labour Parties at home or abroad) is always in- teresting. It is the official organ of the Inter- national Labour Bureau, which is located at Geneva, and its object is to give an account of the world's most interesting labour problems. This number (September) discusses: — "Em- ployers' Organisations in Germany," Trade Union Reform in Italy," The Trade Union movement in the Balkan States," Labour in Tanganyika," and Industrial Diseases." Hibbert Journal, October. Principal Jacks never fails to impart some of his own abounding vitality to the journal which he so admirably edits. As usual, this number of the Hibbert is brimful of interest. Its various aspects-reli- gion, theology, philosophy, and sociology-are well represented. Some of the most interesting articles are: — "The Theological Dilemma in America," by Richard Roberts (a Welshman from Festiniog) Intellectual Reaction in France," bv Mansell Jones; "International Unity," by J. S. Mackenzie; and The Artist's Impulse," by L. Oppenheimer. Professor Dawes Hicks contributes a Survey of recent philoso- phical literature, and there are numerous reviews. Lltteris. Vol. III. No. 2. September. 1926 (Milford. 3s. 6d.) contains several reviews of books which will interest the general reader. The first of these is "The Evolution of Romance from the beginnings down to the year 1300," by the late J. D. Bruce. This work is indispensable to the student of the Arthurian legend, and Prof. Singer's review is a use- ful contribution also. Though George Meredith is for the moment somewhat out of favour in this country, he still awakens interest in France, as may be seen by R. Galland's study of his work. Prof. Saurat, in his review, gives it as his own opinion that the present cult of Hardy is somewhat overdone, that Meredith is really the greater writer of the two, and that ultimately Meredith's true position will be recognised. Another work which must not be over- looked is the "Greek History" of the German scholar, Ulrich Wilcken. He is famous as an authority on Greek papyri, and has here attempted a survey of Greek culture from prehistoric Crete to the battle of Actium. Sir Frederick Kenyon, in his discriminating review recommends the book as use- ful to the student and as bringing something really new. In this number of LITTERIS politics are repre- sented by a work on the decadence of Austria, and by an edition of political classics, among whom we note Cobden, side by side with Machiavelli, Jeffer- son, and Sir Thomas More. The edition is published in Germany and is significant of the interest taken in politics there since the war. Other works re- viewed here are of a more specialised character, but they deserve brief mention. In philology we have Cohen's study of the Semitic verbal system, Hell- quist's Swedish Etymological Dictionary, Hofmann's investigation of colloquial Latin, and Richard Jor- dan Handbook of Middle English Grammar, which, though only published last year has already won a recognised position as a standard work. Lastly we may refer to Folkierski on eighteenth century ffistheticians, and Rudberg on Plato. H.W. Caniadau. Gan T. Gwynn Jones. Gregynog Press, 15s. It is a pleasure to note the continued activity of the Gregynog Press. The aims and ideals of the Press are by now well-known in Wales. The present volume, however, whilst maintaining the high stan- dard of quality associated with the Gregynog Press differs considerably in its get-up from the volumes previously issued. A soft-toned Dutch paper has been used in place of the white hand-made paper, and for binding strong buckram takes the place of boards. And though the present volume contains about double the number of pages in the Vaughan and the Ceiriog volumes, it is issued at a lower price. The printer's work has been executed with great care, and the pages have been well set out. Mr. Maynard and Mr. Bray have again contributed woodcut decorations. The Gregynog Press is decidedly catholic in its publications. After issuing a selection of the poems of Ceiriog, the greatest lyrist of Wales, it follows on with a volume of poems by the leading exponent of the 'cynghanedd gaeth.' No greater contrast could be found. Ceiriog's poems are simplicity and naturalness itself; they can be read and enjoyed by any Welshman who knows enough of his language to read his Welsh Bible. Most of Gwynn Jones's poems on the other hand are highly elaborate and artificial in form, and thoroughly to understand his language the reader must have constantly at his elbow a good Welsh dictionary—unless, indeed, he happened to be very conversant with Welsh poetic diction from Dafydd ap Gwilym to Goronwy Owen. For, unlike Ceiriog. who wrote for the common people, our poet-professor writes for the initiated. In his interesting introduction to his selection the poet turns critic, and expounds some of the funda- mental principles of 'cynghanedd.' These principles may be commended to the notice of all practicers of the art. The writer emphasises the importance of stress in alliteration, pointing out how the neglect of stress in recent Welsh poetry has been detrimental to the progress of Welsh versification. He himself has been consistent in the observance of this prin- ciple; and this is one reason why he has attained his pre-eminent position among the 'cynganeddwyr.' Some of the poems in the volume are written ac- cording to the established rules of the 'cynghanedd