Arthur presided, being himself an irregular bard, and admitted, on this public occasion, to all the efficient honours of a Bard of Presi

dency.

To preside in the Bardic Congress was long a peculiar privilege of the kings of Britain. It was exercised in the seventh century by King Cadwallader. King Arthur was assisted by twelve umpires, chosen by the bards, and confirmed by the king.

The Court, of course, occupied the stations of honour, and every other part of the theatre was crowded with a candid and liberal audience.

The bards sate in a circle on that part of the theatre corresponding with the portion which we call the stage.

Silence was proclaimed by the herald; and, after a grand symphony, which was led off in fine style by the king's harper, Geraint,

Prince Cei came forward, and made a brief oration, to the effect that any of the profane, who should be irregular and tumultuous, would be forcibly removed from the theatre, to be dealt with at the discretion of the officer of the guard. Silence was then a second time proclaimed by the herald.

Each bard, as he stood forward, was subjected to a number of interrogatories, metrical and mystical, which need not be here reported. Many bards sang many songs. Amongst them, Prince Llywarch sang

GORWYNION Y GAUAV.

THE BRILLIANCIES OF WINTER.

Last of flowers, in tufts around

Shines the gorse's golden bloom :
Milkwhite lichens clothe the ground

Mid the flowerless heath and broom:

Bright are holly-berries, seen

Red, through leaves of glossy green.

Brightly, as on rocks they leap,

Shine the sea-waves, white with spray;

Brightly, in the dingles deep,

Gleams the river's foaming way;

Brightly through the distance show

Mountain-summits clothed in snow.

Brightly, where the torrents bound,
Shines the frozen colonnade,

Which the black rocks, dripping round,

And the flying spray have made :

Bright the icedrops on the ash

Leaning o'er the cataract's dash.

Bright the hearth, where feast and song

Crown the warrior's hour of peace,

While the snow-storm drives along,

Bidding war's worse tempest cease;

Bright the hearthflame, flashing clear
On the up-hung shield and spear.

Bright the torchlight of the hall
When the wintry night-winds blow;
Brightest when its splendors fall
On the mead-cup's sparkling flow:
While the maiden's smile of light
Makes the brightness trebly bright.

Close the portals; pile the hearth;
Strike the harp; the feast pursue;
Brim the horns: fire, music, mirth,

Mead and love, are winter's due.

Spring to purple conflict calls

Swords that shine on winter's walls.

Llywarch's song was applauded, as present

ing a series of images with which all present

were familiar, and which were all of them

agreeable.

Merlin sang some verses of the poem,

which is called

AVALLENAU MYRDDIN.

MERLIN'S APPLE-TREES.

Fair the gift to Merlin given,
Apple-trees seven score and seven;
Equal all in age and size;

On a green hill-slope, that lies

Basking in the southern sun,

Where bright waters murmuring run.

Just beneath the pure stream flows;
High above the forest grows;