A letter addressed to the Right Honourable Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P. / explanatory of the object and design of the Chester Cambrian Society

by active 1832 Evan Evans

In consequence of the foregoing resolutions, applications were made to your Lordship’s distinguished father, the Marquis of Westminster, and to Dr. Blomfield—who was at that time Bishop of this Diocese—both of whom, with a promptness and cordiality, which the Committee of the Cambrian Society are anxious to mark with expressions of the warmest gratitude, accepted the invitation, and cheerfully enrolled their names as annual subscribers. At the same time, Bishop Blomfield so far exerted himself, as to procure the use of St. Martin’s Church, for the performance of Welsh service on Sunday evenings; and the individual, who now addresses your Lordship, was appointed, by the same Right Reverend Prelate, to the important situation of Chaplain to the Cambrian Society.

Since the establishment of the Welsh Lectures, the Committee have great pleasure to record, in the list of Patrons and Subscribers, the names of several Noblemen and Gentlemen, who have rendered essential service to the cause, by their kind co-operation and liberal support. Amongst whom they have the honour to mention, the Lord Mostyn, the Bishops of Chester, Bangor, and St. Asaph, Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart. M.P. Sir S. R. Glynne, Bart. M.P. the Hon. E. M. Lloyd Mostyn, M.P. Sir Edward Mostyn, Bart. Owen Williams, Esq. M.P. F. R. Price, Esq. &c. &c. In Chester also, the undertaking was hailed with peculiar interest; and a number of the most respectable of its inhabitants have, from the commencement, displayed unabated zeal in forwarding the objects of the Society.

I cannot conclude this part of my subject, without observing, that our present worthy Diocesan, has more than once, expressed his conviction of the usefulness of the Cambrian Institution, and his readiness, on all occasions, to promote its welfare.

Having thus given your Lordship a brief sketch of the circumstances which led to the establishment of the Sunday Evening Welsh Lectures, at St. Martin’s Church, I shall now proceed to the discussion of the expediency of the measure; in answer to those who contend, that the acquirement of English, by the Welsh people who come to reside in the principal towns of England, would supersede the necessity of providing them with the means of religious instruction in their native language. But, before I enter upon the subject, I beg to observe, that though I may be, in some respects, better qualified than others, to prove the great usefulness of such an Institution; yet, my Lord, I labour under some disadvantages.—Being so closely connected with the Lectures, it would be unsuitable for me to enter into detail. I shall, therefore, endeavour to forget myself, and discuss the subject on principle. I am only the instrument, my Lord—a separable accident attached to the Institution—and my connexion with it partakes of that uncertainty, which characterizes all human engagements. But, the Institution itself, is of a permanent nature; and as long as the Institution shall continue, its capacity for doing good will remain; and the same results will be secured.

Now, my Lord, let us proceed to the examination of the method proposed—“Let the Welsh learn English, &c.” Viewing this abstractedly, candour compels me to admit, that it is an object highly desirable to be accomplished. However fondly attached I may feel to my native language, and however I may admire it; still, my Lord, impressed with the conviction that every language ought to be valued in proportion to the degree of knowledge, of which it is the medium; and deeply sensible of the almost infinite superiority of the English, in this respect, I am far from wishing to exclude my countrymen from the enjoyment of all its advantages. The liberal hand of patriotism, having unrolled before my eyes the ample page of English literature, I should consider myself unworthy of the privilege, were I not to feel desirous, that every Welshman should enjoy the same. I am fully aware of the immense benefit which an acquaintance with English would confer upon the inhabitants of Wales; and whenever it can be proved, that the purposes for which the Cambrian Society was established, may be as effectually accomplished through that medium, I hope I shall be found to possess sufficient candour to admit, that its continuance is no longer an object to be desired. But an experience of six years, in the discharge of the important duties connected with my present situation, has fully enabled me to state, that that period has not yet arrived.—However pleasing it may be, my Lord, to expatiate on this subject in the regions of theory, and to indulge in a prospective view of it, yet, when we come to reduce it to practice, we are presented with innumerable difficulties.

The Principality of Wales, at this moment, contains seven hundred thousand inhabitants; to the majority of whom the Welsh language is the only adequate medium of communication. This statement may appear exaggerated to those, who have derived their knowledge of the country, only from occasional excursions to the most frequented parts of it; and who seldom deviate from the route usually pursued by tourists. Here, it is true, the English traveller meets with but little inconvenience; his intercourse being chiefly confined to those, who have found it their interest to acquire the means of accommodating him. But, were the traveller to infer from this, that English is the language of the Welsh peasantry, he would be as much mistaken, as in concluding it to be that of the French, because he meets with no inconvenience in his route from Calais to Paris. My Lord, I am no stranger to my native country.—The greater part of my life was spent amongst its hills; studying its literature, and mingling familiarly with its inhabitants; and, I am persuaded, your Lordship will agree with me in thinking, that I am better qualified to form a correct opinion of the present state of the Principality, than those who acquire their knowledge, only from a late and partial residence in it; and who, from their ignorance of the language of the people, are but ill calculated to understand their national prejudices, and their distinguishing characteristics. I feel confident, my Lord, that all who gain their knowledge of Wales from the same source as myself, will be led to the same conclusion, viz. that to nine-tenths of its peasantry, the English language is, comparatively, unknown. Though a conviction of the great advantages to be derived, from an acquaintance with it, has created among the natives, a strong desire to acquire it, still, my Lord, the means adopted for that purpose are so limited, as to remove the prospect of its accomplishment, to the distance of ages. Judging of the future, from the past, we have reason to apprehend, that for generations yet to come, the ancient British language will be, throughout the Principality, the language of the domestic circle, of the public mart, of the Sunday school, and of the solemn Assembly.

Here, I might take the opportunity of pressing upon those, who would confine their exertions for the benefit of Wales, solely to the cultivation of the English language there, the question, What is to become of the intermediate generations?—Whilst the English Schoolmaster is making his important tour through the land, how are the affairs of the country to be conducted? Is all intercourse to be suspended, every communication to cease—are all the avenues of knowledge, through the medium of the vernacular tongue, to be locked up—the doors of their Sanctuaries to be secured—the pages of their Bibles sealed—and the lips of their Ministers closed? Is the morning incense no more to ascend from the domestic altar of the rustic cottage? Is the unanimous sound of praise to be hushed in their Temples?—But, my Lord, it is not necessary I should pursue the inquiry. I am satisfied, that, however desirable these gentlemen may consider the end, they are far from thinking it so desirable, as to justify such means of attaining it. There is, therefore, my Lord, only one conclusion at which we can possibly arrive, viz. that for ages yet to come, the Welsh will be the predominant language of the Principality. Hence, it is evident, that throughout this period, it must be, also, the language of such of its inhabitants, as may be induced to leave the country, to settle in any other place; and it is equally evident, that the contiguity of Chester to the Principality, and the constant intercourse between them, will not fail to draw, towards that City, a considerable proportion of those destined for our English towns.

Now, my Lord, the question very naturally presents itself—What is to become of such persons, with respect to religious instruction? By what means is their spiritual welfare to be promoted? As subjects capable of moral cultivation, how are they to be treated? As beings, who are qualified to enjoy the benefits of social worship, how are they to receive them? And when we consider the great difference between their present and their former situation, their case assumes a more than ordinary interest. Most of those, for whom the Welsh Lectures were especially intended, were brought up in a state of great seclusion; the inhabitants of a humble cottage, or a retired hamlet: without any further means of knowing the world and mankind, than what could be obtained within the limited circle of their rustic associates. The lessons they learnt were few and simple; and their views and habits corresponded with the rural simplicity of the scene around them.—These peaceful retreats they have now left behind, and are come to try their fortunes in a new and different sphere.

In a country like Wales, so formed by nature, that each dell may be considered as constituting a sort of separate community, the departure of a single individual, is a subject of general concern; and the result of his enterprize is watched with a degree of interest, proportionate to the novelty of the occurrence. In the domestic circle, the sensation excited is intense; and the event forms an important epoch in the family history.—If the adventurer is a member of a religious family, the anxiety is infinitely increased; as there, a concern will be felt, not only for his temporal, but for his eternal welfare. To his devout parents, nothing forms a source of such apprehension, as that the plant, which they have reared with so much solicitude, and cultivated with such tender care, should fade and wither, upon its being transplanted to a different clime. They have neither riches nor honours to bestow upon their child; but they furnish him with what they consider the best treasure—a Bible—they invoke a blessing upon his head—they resign him to the care of that Being who is the same every where—and will it be no relief to them, at such a trying season, to be able to add—Though you are going among strangers, whose language is unknown to you, yet, you will have the Gospel preached to you in your mother-tongue; and you will there find a Pastor from your own land, who, with the sympathy of a countryman, will be ready to assist you in all your difficulties, and to direct you in the right way?

We, my Lord, who are aware of the perils which await the stranger on his arrival at the place of his destination, cannot but feel particularly anxious for his safety. In the full fervour of youth, with ardent hopes and warm affections, and with all the credulity incident to inexperienced years, he comes to mingle in the bustling throng of a populous City. Into what a Panorama of bewildering novelties is the unsuspecting adventurer now introduced! How varied—how multiplied his temptations! His situation will appear still more dangerous, if we consider that he is no longer under the restraints of his former acquaintance; that he has lost the protection of a kind father, the watchful eye of a tender mother, and the timely advice of a faithful friend. And, if he is to be left without the guidance of an efficient Pastor, can we be surprised, if the first intelligence received of him, by the anxious inquirers of his native valley, should be, “He has forsaken the guide of his youth, and forgotten the covenant of his God.”—“He has left the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness.”