[Illustration: THE HIRLAS HORN.]
The engraving represents an elegant complimentary piece of plate,
presented by the Committee for managing the Eisteddvod, held at Denbigh,
September, 1828, to Dr. Jones, their Honorary Secretary, for his valuable
services on that occasion.
Mr. Ellis, of John-street, Oxford-street, Medalist to the Royal Cambrian
institution, was requested to execute (for this purpose) after his own
design, a drinking goblet of an ancient form. Mr. E. thought of the
_Hirlas Horn_, and he has completed a beautiful and unique piece of
workmanship. It is an elegantly carved horn, about eighteen inches long,
brilliantly polished, and richly mounted, the cover highly ornamented
with chased oak leaves, and the tip adorned with an acorn; the horn
resting on luxuriant branches of an oaken tree, exquisitely finished in
chased silver. Around the cover is engraved the following
inscription:--"_Presented by the Cymmrodorion in Gwynedd, to_ RICHARD
PHILLIPS JONES, M.D. _for his unwearied exertions in promoting the Royal
Eisteddvod, held at Denbigh_, 1828." The horn (the inside of which is
lined with silver,) will contain about three half pints; and we doubt not
that it will be often passed around, filled with _Cwrw da_, in
remembrance of the interesting event which it is intended to
commemorate--
"And former times renew in converse sweet."