in the fifteenth century; and, from the manner in which Dante introduces the name of Lancelot, it is evident that the Arthurian Romances had found their way into Italy long before. Indeed, there can be no doubt that they were known there as early as the twelfth century, for Alain del'Isle, a writer of that period, speaking of King Arthur, says, "Cantat gesta ejus domina civitatum Roma." As to the influence of the Welsh legends on the literature of Spain, we need only refer to Don Quixotte, in which Merlin acts so conspicuous a part; and the reviewers of Don Quixotte's Library will testify to their influence in Portugal, when in opening the Romance of Palmerin of England,* one of them observes that "it is said to have been composed by an ingenious king of Portugal." It is almost a certainty that the Arthurian Romances penetrated even to Arabia; at least we have satisfactory evidence of their being current in Greece, from a Poem of the twelfth century in the Greek language being still extant, of which the heroes are the Knights of the Round Table. This early impression, made by the Welsh legends, was never obliterated, but on the contrary may be traced through each successive generation down to the present day. Shakspeare founded several of his plays on Welsh legends. Milton intended making Arthur the hero of his Epic, and one of the most perfect Poems produced within our own time, "The Bridal of Triermain," proves how deeply the mind of Scott was imbued with Arthurian Romance.

This Palmerin of England is probably Paulmerion, the ancient British king, and one of the ancestors of Vortigern, whose son Glouida founded the city of Gloucester. "Glouida filius Paulmerion, ipse autem Glouida ædificavit, urbem magnam super ripam fluminis Sabrina. quæ vocatur Brytannice sermone Cair Gloui."-Nennius.

The Welsh names undergo some curious distortions in this Poem. Arthur is called Aprovos, and Gwenhwyfar, N-Leveßpa, and Gwalchmai, or Walganus, is called Γαουλβανος. Lancelot of the Lake is εκ λιμνης Λανσέλωτος, and the Round Table Knights are called Τραπέζης της σρογγύλης. The following lines

are from the Poem:

Ο δε πρεσβύτης είρηκεν, χαίρε μοι Γαουλβανε
Ο του ρηγος αδελφίδους Αραούζου Βρετανίαι.

and also the following line,

Την κλησιν επιφεροντι, Ουτερωπαντραγόρου.

These names appear to have been received through the medium of the Italian. NT is intended to represent Italian G in Genevra, and Taovλßavos is Galvani, the Italian form of Gwalchmai.

In addition to the above causes, we may find another, in the superior imaginative power of the Celtic mind. There can be no doubt that the Franks brought with them their national legends into Gaul, but they had not vitality enough to continue in existence. It is equally unquestionable, that the Normans transplanted into Neustria their native traditions; the demonology of Thor and Odin, together with the legends of the ancient Scandinavian Sagas, but they did not take root there, they rotted in the soil. And in a few generations the Normans had forgotten their national heroes, and were celebrating the praises of Arthur and his Celtic associates. Of late, within a few years, the praiseworthy patriotism of the Germans has impelled them into an attempt to force into notice the ancient Teutonic legends of the Nieblungen, but without effect, as far as the rest of Europe is concerned; they are destitute of the qualities, whatever those may be, which are necessary to interest the mind.

IRISH AND GAELIC REMAINS.

As in the twelfth century the Welsh Legends were productive of a new creation of thought, in the sentiment contained in the Romances of Chivalry, and which may be designated as the Arthurian; so in the eighteenth century, the Gwyddelian Poems gave existence to another creation, equally distinct in character, and which is the Ossianic. The powerful nature of this sentiment is evidenced in the rapidity with which it extended itself over the civilized world, the electric effect it produced wherever it made its appearance, and the influence it exercised on literature, and probably still continues to exercise on the literate mind. And although the Ossianic Poetry has not been so extensively influential as the Arthurian Romances, yet it is quite as distinct in character, and its peculiar style of sentiment has, within the limits of its operation, produced as deep an impression on the mind.

We shall now proceed to form a Scale of Merits of the literature of the several languages, in order that their respective claims may be brought under one view.

Scale of Merits.

In the following Scale, superiority of quality is denoted by an asterisk. The Irish and Gaelic Poems being claimed by each country, their merits are here stated according to the interpretation given to them by each: the Scotch interpreting them in the Ossianic style, and the Irish in the Ballad style.