Latin, yet he could hardly have spoken so correctly and elegantly as is represented by Tacitus.  The Language, doubtless, was Tacitus’s, but the Sentiments were those of Caractacus.  The stile, indeed, is that of Tacitus.  Rapin’s History of England.  Vol.  I. p. 44. 8vo.  Edit.  Giraldus Descriptio Cambriae, Chap.  XII. and note, and Rowland’s Mona antiqua restaurata, passim.]

We have also in Caesar several passages favourable to British Learning:  I see no reason, therefore, why British Writers should be treated with contempt.

The Scotch writers, especially of late years, have strained every nerve to establish the reputation of their ancient Authors.  Oman and Fingal are ostentatiously held out, as instances of superior merit and excellence; but the poor Britons are treated with disdain, as having no merit for imagination, or original Composition.

Taliessyn, a Welsh Bard, who, as already observed, flourished about the middle of the 6th Century, and who by way of eminence was called Pen Beirdd y Gorllewin, “Head of the Western Bards;” some of whose works are come down to us; particularly, an Ode, in Welsh, translated into Latin sapphic Verre, by David Jones, Vicar of Llanfair Duffryn Clwyd, Denbighshire, in 1580.[bbb] Owen Cyfeiliog, and Gwalchmai, in the 12th Century; and many others, at different periods, of distinguished merit, have appeared in Wales.  Some of whom have plainly alluded to Madog’s Adventures.  For the Names, Times, and the Works of these Bards, I refer to Mr. Evans’s Specimens of the ancient Welsh Bards, 1764.  To Sir Thomas Herbert’s Travels and to Mr. Warrington’s History of Wales, p. 307.  Edit. 1788.

[Footnote bbb:  Owen’s Remains, ubi supra, p. i23, &c.—­A Gentleman, well versed in British Antiquities, and Welsh Poetry, to whom these papers were communicated, says, that there are 30 or 40 pieces of Talessyn’s now in being, but is doubtful whether the above Ode be Taliessyn’s or not.]

I would observe here that though our Northern Country-men affect, in some degree, to despise the Welsh, as having produced no Man of Genius, Science, or Renown, which is by no means the Truth, as appears from what hath been above said; yet it is well known, that the Stuart, their favourite Family, by the Mother side, is descended from the ancient Britons.

Fleance, the Son of Banquo, who was murdered by the order of the Usurper Macbeth, to avoid the like Fate, fled to North Wales, where he was kindly and hospitably entertained by Prince Gryffydd ab Llewelyn ab Sitsyllt.[ccc]

[Footnote ccc:  Cecil, the Family name of the Marquis of Salisbury, and of the Earl of Exeter seems to be derived from this ancient British name, anglicized.]

Ungenerously he debauched his Daughter, Nest, by whom he had a Son, called Walter.  This Son, being upbraided with his illegitimate Birth, by one of his Companions, slew him, and fled to Scotland, where in time he became Lord Steward of that Kingdom; and all the Families of that name in that Country, are descended from that Bastard.[ddd]