[402] As the umbrella is rather a hackneyed subject two or three things will of course be found in the above eulogium on an umbrella which have been said by other folks on that subject; the writer, however, flatters himself that in his eulogium on an umbrella two or three things will also be found which have never been said by any one else about an umbrella.
[506] Bitter root.
[524] Amongst others a kind of novel called The Adventures of Twm Shon Catty, a Wild Wag of Wales. It possesses considerable literary merit, the language being pure, and many of the descriptions graphic. By far the greater part of it, however, would serve for the life of any young Welsh peasant, quite as well as for that of Twm Shone Catti. Its grand fault is endeavouring to invest Twm Shone with a character of honesty, and to make his exploits appear rather those of a wild young waggish fellow than of a robber. This was committing a great mistake. When people take up the lives of bad characters the more rogueries and villanies they find, the better are they pleased, and they are very much disappointed and consider themselves defrauded by any attempt to apologise for the actions of the heroes. If the thieves should chance to have reformed, the respectable readers wish to hear nothing of their reformation till just at the close of the book, when they are very happy to have done with them for ever.
[527] Skazka O Klimkie. Moscow, 1829.
[529] Hanes Crefydd Yn Nghymru.
[538] The good gentlewoman was probably thinking of the celebrated king Brian Boromhe slain at the battle of Clontarf.
[570] Fox’s Court—perhaps London.
[579] Drych y Prif Oesoedd, p. 100.
[583] Y Greal, p. 279.
[587] Hanes Crefydd Yn NGhymru.