bund; but the Rev. Henry Richard was equal to the occasion. In a short time the attendance greatly increased, a considerable debt was paid off, schools were built, and a literary institute was established.
It was not long, however, before Mr. Richard found a wider field for his talent, and perhaps a truer vocation. In 1843 occurred in Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire what were known as the "Rebecca Riots." The Welsh roads were then encumbered with turnpike-gates to an unendurable extent; and some of the younger men among the tenant farmers, despairing of relief by more legitimate means, had recourse to nocturnal acts of demolition. The principality was overwhelmed with obloquy in consequence; and but for the courageous stand taken by Mr. Richard, who publicly explained the origin and narrow limits of the disturbances, there is no saying to what foolish acts of repression the Government of the day might not have been induced by the panic-stricken magistracy to have recourse. But the matter did not end with the Rebecca Riots. In 1846 a government commission was sent into Wales to inquire into the state of education in the principality. The commissioners' report duly appeared in three formidable volumes, formidable alike for their contents and size. The Welsh were deliberately described as the most debased, ignorant, lewd, and vicious people under the sun. The misrepresentation, it cannot be doubted, was most vile. Something like a wail of anguish broke from the heart of the ancient Cymric race. The commissioners had apparently listened to nothing but the calumnies poured into their ears by territorial justices of the peace and Anglican parsons with empty churches.
Again Mr. Richard came forward as the champion of
