关于威尔士的描述__CAMBRENSIS,GERALDUS.pdf

英文名著3000 本 The Description of Wales by Geraldus Cambrensis 1 英文名著3000 本 FIRST PREFACE to Stephen Langton, Archbishop of Canterbury I, who, at the expense of three years labour, arranged, a short time ago, in three parts, the Topography of Ireland, with a description of its natural curiosities, and who afterwards, by two years study, completed in two parts the Vaticinal History of its Conquest; and who, by publishing the Itinerary of the Holy Man (Baldwin) through Cambria, prevented his laborious mission from perishing in obscurity, do now propose, in the present little work,to give some account of this my native country, and to describe the genius of its inhabitants, so entirely distinct from that of other nations. And this production of my industry I have determined to dedicate to you, illustrious Stephen, archbishop of Canterbury, as I before ascribed to you my Itinerary; considering you as a man no less distinguished by your piety, than conspicuous for your learning; though so humble an offering may possibly 2 英文名著3000 本 be unworthy the acceptance of a personage who, from his eminence, deserves to be presented with works of the greatest merit. Some, indeed, object to this my undertaking, and, apparently from motives of affection, compare me to a painter, who, rich in colours, and like another Zeuxis, eminent in his art, is endeavouring with all his skill and industry to give celebrity to a cottage, or to some other c