Y Gwir yn erbyn y Byd.
"The Truth against the World."
Philadelphia:
J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.
1876.
Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1876, by
BENJAMIN F. BOWEN,
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington.
Some time since, J. Sabin, the well-known book antiquarian of New York,related a very amusing story to me of a clergyman from Rhode Islandcoming into his store and inquiring whether he wished to purchase anIndian Bible. At once Mr. Sabin replied that he did, and that he wouldpay him five hundred dollars for it. The clergyman was delighted,returned to his home in Rhode Island, and, fearing to intrust so costlya relic to the express, determined to carry it himself to the city. Withgreat eagerness he opened the book in Mr. Sabin's presence, when thelatter, equally surprised and amused, exclaimed,—
"Why, sir, that's not an Indian Bible!"
"Not an Indian Bible!"
"Why, no, sir!"
The clergyman at first thought the antiquarian was quizzing him, but,seeing him so serious, asked,—
"Well, Mr. Sabin, what makes you think so?"
"Because it is a Welsh Bible."
The clergyman hastily picked up the volume and disappeared.
The two languages bear a marked resemblance to each other. In theclassification of the letters, the consonants in particular, includingthe gutturals, palatals, dentals, and labials, with their forms andmutations, hold such an identity in sound that any person not familiarwith either language might take them to be the same, while he whounderstood both would as readily allow that in many respects they were akin.
The following pages are the result of an earnest desire to settle thequestion of, and, if possible, to fix the belief in, the voyages ofPrince Madoc and his followers in 1170 A.D., and to assign them theirrightful place in American history. Although this recognition has beenvery tardily given, by the almost utter silence of our historians, andthe apparent unconcern of those linked with the Prince by blood,language, and country, the honor will be none the less real if bestowednow. Indeed, in this age of claims, and when every scrap of our generaland local history is eagerly sought and read, it cannot be otherwisethan that[Pg 5] what is set forth in his favor will receive some share ofattention from an intelligent public. Besides, so much earnest study hasbeen given by those in other countries to the subject of the earlydiscoveries on the American Continent, that it is hoped thiscontribution to its literature will serve to foster still further thespirit of inquiry, and be at the same time an acknowledgment of our debtto those countries for what they have furnished us in brain, heart,muscle, and life.
At intervals extending through several years, when released from thepressure of my public work, I have been engaged in the collection of thematerials, both at home and abroad, from old manuscripts, books,pamphlets, magazines, and papers. The subject was not common, neitherwere the materials. What are the