Cymro a'r Celt Llundain

LITERARY AND OTHER NOTES The works of Omar Khayam have received considerable attention from Welsh scholars during recent years, and several attempts have been made to reproduce the thoughts and sayings of this celebrated Persian astronomer-poet in classical Welsh. The finest attempt undoubtedly is that contained in Professor J. Morris Jones's Caniadau," but it is doubtful whether these verses will ever occupy the high position in Welsh literature as is accorded in English literature to the magnificent translation of Edward Fitzgerald. This week was the centenary of the birth of Edward Fitzgerald. He was the son of Irish parents, and was born at Woodbridge, in Suffolk. It was at the Bodleian Library, in Oxford, that he discovered the old Persian manuscript of Omar, and being interested in Oriental literature, he determined to turn it into English. Thin was in 1856, and at that time Omar was but vaguely known. A French translation was issued in 1857 by M. Nicholas, and it soon reached considerable fame. But it is to Fitzgerald that we owe the rare gift of having produced a classic through the art of the translator, for such is the acknowledged verdict on his English version of Omar Khayam. Literary circles have been greatly dis- turbed th's week by the sudden disappear- ance of Mr. John Davidson, the famous modern poet. Mr. Davidson was always a very reserved person, and he lived a very quiet life with his wife and family on the Cornish coast. A kindly Government had granted him an annuity in order that he might cultivate the muse at his ease, and free from all financial worries and care, but it is possible that such a highly strung tempera- ment may have lost all power of memory, and it is to be hoped that he will be found after a few days' rest. The last work of Mr. Davidson was the posting of a patriotic song to his London publisher. This song is eminently timely, and would pass muster as the wildest product of Rudyard Kipling himself. With the pre- sent navy scare we can imagine the Navy League writing music—thoroughly patriotic and rollicking music-that would frighten every elector to vote straight for the Tory candidate. Here is the sentiment expressed in the last verse:- Our wars are waged for peace We stand in arms for liberty Till bonds and bondage cease. Sea-room, land-room, ours, appointed ours, Conscious of our calling and the first among the Powers Our boasted Ocean Sovereignty, again and yet again Our Counsel, and our Conduct, and our Armaments and Men Everyman's Library," which is beillg issued under the able editorship of Mr. Ernest Rhys, has had another fifty volumes added to the series. Mr. Rhys has been assisted by many eminent writers who have contributed learned introductions to many of the vols. Among these may be mentioned an excellent preface by Dr. Hartwell Jones to the two vols. of Milman's "History of the Jews," and Mr. W. Llewelyn Williams's appreciative article on Froude as a historian, which introduces the three vols. of the His- tory of Henry VII L This is a truly wonderful series, and contains many works that should be on every Welsh student's bookshelf.

ago. When Tacitus visited these islands, Welsh was spoken where St. Paul's now stood, and on his journey from Dover to Holyhead he was struck by two remarkable facts. One was that women were admitted to all the councils of the people, whether of war or other matters. THE Rev. Simon Jones, the well-known Unitarian minister of Swansea, in a recent sermon, made strong references to the Free Church Council. He said The Inquisi- tion was not dead, it only slept. There was still a star chamber, not in the Parliament of the land, but in the parliament of the churches. It appears that Unitarians are not admitted to the Free Church Council.