THE MABINOGION, VOL. II.
The Mabinogion, Vol. H. Translated by Lady Charlotte Guest. "Welsh Library," edited by Owen Edwards. (T. Fisher trnwin. 1s.)—It is needless at this date to praise Lady Charlotte Guest's translation of the Mabinogion. It is probably better known among English readers than any other translation from the Celtic languages, and has possibly exercised a greater influence on English literature, unless we are to except Maepherson's "trans- lation" of Ossian. The present volume contains three tales, " Geraint the Son of Erbin," " Kilhwch and Olwen," and "The Dream of Maxen Wledig," the last a strange legend of Roman days, with more than a touch of savagery at its close. The reader who knows his Gibbon may be warned that the Maxen of the legend has nothing in common with the sensual and tyrannous Maxentius of history. The story of "Kilhwch and Olwen" is perhaps the most interesting of the whole series. Even the long catalogues of names, the curse of Irish and Welsh literature, are relieved by delightful pieces of individual description. Thus, on p. '72, after a list of no more literary value than Virgirs " Gyas, fortisque Cloanthus," we light upon this little picture of Morvran, son of Tegid :—" No one struck-him in the battle of Camlan by reason of his ugliness : all thought him an auyiliary devil. Hair had he upon him like the hair of a stag." We have only one criticism to make,—namely, that for the benefit of English readers hints as to the meaning and pronunciation of Welsh names might be added in the next edition. " Gwaatawd Ieithoedd " and "Llwch Llawwynyawg" are likely to be more terrible to English readers than they were to the foes of Arthur.
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