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Davies, Walter, 1761-1849 Welsh poetry -- To 1100
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Letters, vol. I,

A volume made up of correspondence, poetry, printed items, etc. The letters, about one hundred and six in number, 1786-1806, are addressed (except where otherwise stated) to William Owen [-Pughe], and the correspondents, in alphabetical order, are the following: p. 505, Mary Belk, French Gate, Doncaster, 1805 (1, to Mrs. Owen) (mention of visions of Mrs. Southcott, etc.); p. 443, Edward Charles ['Siamas Wynedd'], London, n.d. (1) (he wishes to subscribe to the dictionary, a series of twelve 'englynion' ('Molawd y llyfr')); p. 471, Wm. Cunnington, Heytesbury, 1806 ( 1) (an account of Marden or Merden between Devizes and Everly [sic]); p. 278, J[ohn] Daniel, [Carmarthen, 1793] (1) (a note re copies ordered of the dictionary); pp. 239, 241, 245, Edwd. Davies, Sodbury, 1792 (2, and 'Scheme of an Essay on the History of the Bards') (sending a paraphrase of Taliesin's elegy on the death of Owain son of Urien prince of Reged); p. 470, Hugh Davies, Beaumares, 1806 (1) (mention of the abridgement of the addressee's great work, he has nearly completed the trifle containing the account of the British names of plants, a gout prescription); pp. 219, 273, 291, 501, Walter Davies, 'Gwallter Mechain', All Souls Col[lege], Oxford, and Myfod,1793-1805 and undated (4, one to Owen Jones) (the addressee's dictionary, the Cylchgrawn, re the return of Owen Jones's books, the writer's work in connection with the S.P.C.K. Welsh Bible, he is setting off for South Wales owing to Iolo [Morganwg]'s strange conduct); p. 163, G[eorge] Ellis, London, [1803] (1) (mention of Walter Scott, the Mabinogion, Leyden's opinion); p. 155, W[illiam] Gunn, Irstead, Norwich, 1803 (1) (the illness of his eldest daughter, requesting further assistance in identifying the British cities of Nennius, the 'Vindication of the Celts' by the addressee's friend); pp. 483, 488, 491, Richd. Hoare, [1805] (2, and a list of persons and places mentioned in the Hirlas poem) (various queries re Giraldus); pp. 281, 379, John Jones, curate of Llangadfan, Llangadfan, 1790 and [1793] (2) (the specimen of the addressee's dictionary, a request concerning a near relation (a girl) who is anxious to come to London); pp. 255, 263, 288 ('englynion'), 381, 439, Thomas Jones, Colommendy, Corwen, Llanrhaiadr in Mochant [sic], and Excise Office, Bristol, 1789-1795 (4, two to Edward Jones ['Bardd y Brenin']) (sending 'penillion' (enclosure wanting), the Bala Eisteddfod (1789), the St. Asaph Eisteddfod (1790), the addressee's proposed dictionary, chance and not choice has brought him to Bristol for two years, mention of John Evans, the Penmorfa Eisteddfod (1795), a young Quaker in Bristol (unnamed), the writer's health); pp. 267, 282, 289, 301, 303, 311, 339, 343, 367, 371, 373, 377, (?)387, 415, Will[iam] Jones, 'Cadfan' or 'Gwilym Cadfan', Llangadfan, 1789-1794 (13 and an address) (words for the dictionary, emigration, autobiographical details, an address 'To all indigenous Cam- brobritons', mention of Ezeckiel Hughes, etc.); p. 345, John Lloyd [Holywell postmark, 1790] (1) (hints concerning the specimen of the addressee's dictionary, subscribers' names); pp. 495, 497, Tho[mas] Lloyd, North Walsham, 1805 (2) (requesting translations of passages (specified) in the 'Wisdom of the Cymri [sic]', Iolo Morgannwg [sic] and the History of the Bards, the Welsh Archaiology); p. 385, Thomas Owans, New Inn, Llanrwst, 1791 (1, to Owen Jones) (a letter to the Gwyneddigion in London mentioning the Llanrwst Eisteddfod and hoping they will be no less assiduous in caring for the work of the old poets, reference to the manuscripts of Dafydd Sion, 'Dewi Fardd', at Trefriw, and to a manuscript of Welsh poetry belonging to Thomas Holland of Manchester, son of John Holland of Te[i]rdan in the parish of Llan-Elian yn rhos, co. Denbigh, his own circumstances); p. 159, Jane Owen, Nassau, New Providence, 1801 (1) ( her plight following the death of John Owen, with a cutting headed 'The Bahama Gazette', 16 Oct. 1801); pp. 285, 295, Richard Powel, 'Y Bardd Glas o'r Gader', Yspytty Ifan, 1793-1794 (2, one to [Thomas Jones, Llanrhaiadr y Mochnant]) (he has not yet received the medal, items of poetry addressed to Thomas Jones, William Owen [-Pughe], and [David Thomas] 'D. Ddu o Eryri '); pp. 277, 307, Morg[a]n J[ohn] Rhees, Carmarthen and Philadelphia, 1793 and 1796 (2 and a printed prospectus of the Cambrian Company); (continued)

pp. 349, 353, 403, 461, W[illiam] Richards, Lynn, 1790-1803 (4) (the addressee's proposed dictionary, the Welsh Indians, how he relinquished his design of compiling a small Welsh dictionary for the use of Gwŷr Dyfed chiefly, mention of three bungling Welsh dictionaries now set on foot); p. 271, Evan Richardson [i.e. Evan Pritchard], 'Ieuan ab Risiart alias Ieuan Llyn', Bryncroes, [17]93 (1) (wishing to know the price of the addressee's dictionary, whether to come to London); pp. 465, 467, 479, Griffith Roberts Senior, Surgeon &c., Dolgelley, 1804 (3) (intelligence that his son Jhon [sic] Roberts is dead, the writer's MSS); pp. 447, 449, D[avid] Samwell, 'D. Feddyg Du', [1797] (2) (the printed proclamation [of the (1798) Caerwys Eisteddfod]); pp. 249, 275, 313, 318, 319, 321, 325, 329, 333, 335, 357, 389, 393, 397, 419, 423, 427, 431, 435, 455, 457, David ( Dafydd) Thomas, 'Dafydd Ddu Eryri', writing from Waunfawr, Llanddeiniolen, Bettws Garmon, Caernarfon, Llanystumdwy, Plas Gwyn, Llanfair Bettws Geraint, and Amlwch, 1786-1798 (21) (literary matters, etc., including the intention of the writer and others to form a society called 'Eryron' (Snowdonians), Barddoniaeth Dafydd ab Guilym, draft proposals for printing 'A Guide to the British Language' by H. & D. Thomas, a draft title-page, etc., for 'Awdlau ar destynau Cymdeithas y Gwyneddigion i'r Eisteddfodau B. A. 1789, 1790, 1791 . . . gan Dafydd Ddu o'r Eryri', and items of poetry); p. 509, G[eorge] Thomson, Edinburgh, 1805 (1) (to Thomas Johnes, see NLW MS 13223C, p. 257) (a request for original Welsh airs, to be harmonized by Haydn); p. 399, John Walters, Cowbridge, 1790 (1) (re the specimen of the addressee's dictionary); and pp. 11, 25, 29, 33, 37, 41, 49, 53, 55, 59, 63, 67, 71, 75, 79, 83, 87, 91, 95, 99, 103, 107, 111, 115, 119, 123, 127, 131, 135, 139, 143, 147, 151, Edward Williams, 'Iolo Morganwg', writing mainly from Flimston but also from London, Llanrwst, Hafod Uchtryd, Cowbridge, and Gileston, 1788-1806 (33) (literary and personal matters). Some items of poetry are to be found in the letters (see under the names Edward Charles, Edward Davies, William Jones, Richard Powel, and David Thomas). At the beginning of the volume, pp. 3-10, 15-24, are a number of 'cywyddau' attributed to Dafydd ap Gwilym, with notes. These are in the autograph of Edward Williams, 'Iolo Morganwg', and they include the poems now known as 'Cywyddau'r Ychwanegiad'. Also in the volume are poetical compositions, some holograph, by Goronwy Owen (pp. 199-218, 451-3), and Lewis Morris, 'Llewelyn Ddu' (pp. 221-33), and instances of the work of the following poets: Edward Williams, 'Iolo Morganwg' (pp. 43-5, ?523-4, holograph), William Philyp [sic] (pp. 170-1), William Wynn, Person Llan- Gynhafal (pp. 189-96), Edm[un]d Price, Archiagon Meirionydd (pp. 197-8), Ieuan ap Hywel Swrdwal or Ieuan ap Rhydderch ap Ieuan Llwyd (pp. 235-7), [David Thomas], 'D[afydd] Dd[u] Er[yri]' (pp. 253-4, holograph), D. Pugh (pp. 529- 30), Robert Davies, Nantglyn (pp. 535-8), Jo. Davies ['Siôn Dafydd Las'] (p. 548), and 'Owen ap loan', Caer-gybi (pp. 553-6) with anonymous pieces on pp. 517-8 and 561-8. Miscellaneous items include the following: pp. 173-84, a transcript in the autograph of Evan Evans, 'Ieuan Fardd' or 'Ieuan Brydydd Hir', of the 'Mirabilia' associated with the 'Historia Brittonum' and of c. 57-66 of the Historia (cf. NLW MS 7011D, pp. 202-12, and NLW MS 1982 (Panton 13), ff. 42 verso-58 recto); pp. 259-62, extracts from certain Wynn of Gwydir papers headed 'Instances of the custom of making presents to the Judges' (? in the autograph of Paul Panton, senior); pp. 407-14, a list, under headings, of Welsh physical and geographical features (? in the autograph of David Thomas, 'Dafydd Ddu Eryri'); pp. 475-6, a list of diocesan registrars, etc.; p. 520, a note concerning the medals to be awarded at the Gwyneddigion eisteddfod of 1790 with mention of those for 1791; pp. 545-6, notes concerning Dr. John Davies of Mallwyd; and pp. 549-50, a list of 'British names of Shells & Crustaceous fish' and 'Prif gaerae ynys Brydain gynt'. The printed items comprise: p. 1, 'Trial by Jury' . . . A Song, sung . . . Feb. 4, 1795 in celebration of the . . . trials . . . and . . . acquittals of Thomas Hardy, John Horne Tooke, and John Thelwall . . .' by Edward Williams ['Iolo Morganwg']; pp. 166-7, 514-5, 540-1, a broadsheet containing 'Dull ac amcanion Cymdeithas y Cymreigyddion' by E[dward] Charles, 1796, and 'Cerdd y Cymreigyddion' by J[ohn] Jones, Glan y Gors (three copies, the first endorsed 'Mr. Owen from T. Roberts'); pp. 361- 3, 'Ode for the New Year', 1790, attributed elsewhere to David Samwell; pp. 365, 519, an announcement concerning the Gwyneddigion eisteddfod to be held at Bala the following Michaelmas [1789] and the subjects for the ensuing year (two copies); p. 521, 'Plan of the Triangles made use of for obtaining the Geometrical Distance and Altitude of Snowdon and Moel Eilio with respect to the Sea at Carnarvon. Augt. 1775' extracted from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London, Vol. LXVII, Tab. XVIII, p. 788; pp. 525-8, 'The Arabic Alphabet' with notes (two copies); and p. 533, an announcement of the forthcoming publication of Heroic Odes and Elegies of Llywarch Hen, with translation by William Owen. There are also a few loose papers.

Letters, vol. IV,

A volume made up of about one hundred and forty items of correspondence, etc. 1791-1806 and undated, addressed (except where otherwise stated) to William Owen [-Pughe]. The correspondents are the following: p. 83, Joseph Allen, Teacher of Mathematics, &c., Pembroke, 1792 (1) (queries); p. 453, Joseph Belk [London], 1806 (1) (requesting a favour); pp. 477, 481, 485, M. Belk, Doncaster, 1805 (3, two to Mrs. Owen) (personal matters, account of a dream); p. 469, Wm. Belk [? Doncaster], n.d. (1) (mention of Joanna [? Southcott], enclosing a copy of a letter, 1805, from James Brown, Newcastle upon Tyne, to Mr. Garratt, minister of Sions Chaple [sic], Lant Street, London, his son's behaviour); pp. 333, 369, 443, J. Britton, Bath, Chippenham, and [], 1800-1801 and 1804 (3) (mention of excursions, a request for reviews); pp. 383, 391, 415, 461, Thos Charles, Bala, [1800], 1806, and undated (4) (a query, an edition of the Welsh Bible); pp. 201, 225, 233, 301, 337, 359, 365, W[illiam] Coxe, Bemerton, etc., 1800-1803 and undated (7 (mention of proofs, the Vindication, etc.); p. 389, Rob. Davyz (Dafydd) [i.e. Robert Davies, 'Bardd Nantglyn'], Coviadur [Cymdeithas y Gwyneddigion], n.d. (1) (draft in the autograph of William Owen [-Pughe] of an address to Sharon Turner, 1803); pp. 91, 169, Edward Davies, Sodbury, 1793 and 1798 (2) ([The Heroic Elegies of] Llywarch Hen, apprehension lest a manuscript he sent should have been lost); pp. 179, 183, 297, 309, Hugh Davies (Rector of Aber), Beaumares [sic] and London, 1802-1803 (4) (the addressee's dictionary, Llyfyr y Resolution, etc.); pp. 79, 119, 124, 149, 153, 157, 173, 373, Walter Davies, 'Gwallter Mechain', Llanymynech and Myvod, etc., 1791-1799 and undated (8, one to Owen Jones) (mention of an essay for publication, the statistical account of Llanymyneich for the Cambrian Register, Whitaker's etymologies, the addressee's dictionary, the Report of North Wales, etc.); p. 447, T[homas] E[dwards] nant [i.e. 'Twm o'r Nant'], Dinbych, 1806 (1) (various anecdotes and tales); p. 127, Revd. Jn. Evans, Caira near Newport, 1794 (1, to E. and T. Williams, Booksellers, Strand, London) (an omission in the first part of Mr. Owen's dictionary); pp. 308, 317, Geo. Hardinge, n.d. (2) ([Edward] Davies and Mr. Henley, mention of the addressee's hints re the Celtic symbols); p. 107, M[aurice] Hughes, [printer], 1793 (1) (the controversy aroused by the addressee's plan to reform the Welsh language); p. 187, [Edward Jones, 'Bardd y Brenin', London], [1803] (1) (his recent severe illness, an invitation); p. 267, J[ohn] Jones, Ramoth near Tan-y-bwlch Inn, Merionethshire, 1803 (1) (enquiring about the dictionary); p. 421, O[wen] Jones, 1806 (1) (re the extracts from T. Wms.); pp. 195, 457, 507, 511, 515, The[ophilu]s Jones, Brecon, 1801-1806 and undated (5, three to William Owen and one each to Mr. Williams, Bookseller, Strand, and Owen Jones) (literary matters, etc.); p. 303, Thos. Jones, ['Y Bardd Cloff', London], 1802 (1) (sending an ode for the addressee's inspection (enclosure wanting)); p. 109, [William Jones] 'Cadfan', Llangadfan, 1793 (1) (concern for the fate of the addressee's dictionary, (?) reference to contemporary events, etc.); p. 113, Mr. LaTrobe [London], n.d. (1, to Mr. Samwell) (sending an extract from a letter concerning the Welsh Indians (enclosure wanting, but cf. I. A. Williams Collection, Letters to Iolo Morganwg, No. 320)); pp. 213, 385, 406, 423, Rich[ar]d Llwyd, Beaumaris, 1802-1806 and undated (4) (mention of old books [? manuscripts] at Brynddu near Amlwch, manuscripts at Hengwrt, etc.); p. 282, Messrs. Longman & Rees, [London], n.d. (1) (circular); pp. 427, 433, 494, 497, 501, 503, Robert Macfarlan, Hammersmith, 1804 (6 (observations for the addressee's opinion, requesting assistance in various matters); p. 425, Benj. He[ath] Malkin, n.d. (1) (an invitation to dinner, in a week's time he sets out for Glamorganshire); p. 361, William Moorcroft, [London], 1801 (1) (various queries); p. 165, bill from J. Newo [? Owen], (?)1797 (stationery, elegies); p. 259, Wm. [Owen, London], n.d. ( 1) to [ ] (a query concerning the Wendish language); p. 55, Th[omas] Pennant, Downing, 1789 (1) (he will be glad to receive the sequel of the addressee's enquiries, asking him to call on Mr. Sherwin, engraver, for a print of Mr. Pitt); p. 253, R. Phillips, [London, 1801] (1) (he has Mrs. Smith's permission to show him the MS); p. 135, Richard Powel, Yspytty, 1795 (1) (acknowledging a gift of the first part of the addressee's dictionary, opposition in various parts of North Wales to an Act to raise men for the Navy, various questions, the first part of a 'cywydd' entitled 'Cwymp Dyn a'i Adferiad' by 'Y Bardd Glâs o'r Gadair'); (continued)

p. 59, Siôn Wiliam [Prisiart], Plas-y-Brain, 1790 (1) (mention of a storm, the Dictionary, and D[afydd] Ddu, etc.); p. 203, E[dward] Pugh, [London], n.d. (1) (re sittings [? for a portrait]); W. O. Pughe, see under Owen, Wm.; p. 275, A[braham?] Raimbach, [London], 1803 (1) (Mr. Landseer and he will take tea with the addressee the following Tuesday evening); p. 431, O[wen] Rees, [London], n.d. (1) (introducing Mr. Malkin); p. 131, M. J. Rhees, Ponty Pool, 1794 (1) (he is obliged to give up the Welsh Magazine, subscribers to the addressee's dictionary, his intention to be at Carmarthen to print a collection of hymns for public worship, mention of the affair of Madam Bevan, re sailing to America); pp. 375, 379, W[illiam] Richards [of Lynn], Menaian Vawr, near Cardigan, and Lincoln, 1800 and 1804 (2) (an extract from a letter from Dr. Jones of Lower Dublin in Pensylvania [sic] referring to the death of John Evans, mention of his own little dictionary and of writing Welsh essays under different names such as 'Papuryn Achlysurol', etc., reference to a pirated edition (of a dictionary) now printed at Caermarthen); pp. 177, 199, 212, 218, 222, 230, 237, 244, 248, 292, 323, 328, 332, 340, 407, 438, 490, Gr[iffith] Roberts, senior, Dolgelley, surgeon, 1802-1804 (17, one undated) (his MSS, his son, John Roberts, a request for ear syringes, mention of old people dying of a kind of strange fever); pp. 343, 355, J[ohn] Roberts, Stadhampton near Dorchester, 1800-1801 (2) (mention of an edition of the Welsh Bible, a point relative to the late editions of the Common Prayer Book, he has taken the necessary steps to procure the loan of the Llyfr Coch); p. 191, 'Coffhâd am y Parchedig Goronwy Owain y Bardd', [poetry] by [John Roberts] 'S[iôn] Lleyn', beginning 'Eheded Awenydd hoywdeg-rheded . . . '; p. 441, Thos. Roberts, Llwynrhudol, [London], 1805 (1) (an invitation); p. 271, S. Rousseau, n.d. (1) (the addressee's pamphlet); p. 279, C. Smith, Strand, 1803 (1) (requesting him to look over a map); p. 463, C. Taylor, ?1805 (1, to the Revd. Mr. [Thomas] Charles) (re a map of the world); pp. 43, 51, 67, 71, 75, 87, 95, 143, D[avid] or Dafydd Thomas, 'D[afydd] Ddu [Eryri]', writing from Llanddeniolen, Bettws St. Garmon, Waunfawr, Llanystumdwy, and Amlwch, 1788-1795 (8, one to Owen Jones) (Y Sillafydd, mention of Capt. Harri Williams of Dolgelley, the dictionary, Tomas o'r Nant, 'eisteddfodau', Mr. D. Ellis, the school at Llanystumdwy, the death at Plas hen of Ifan Llwyd Fychan, esq., (Corsygedol), 'Ymddiddan Bleddyn fin Pladur a Thudur Glustfain', etc.); p. 145, J. Thomas, Welsh School, 1795 (1) (a request for a catalogue of the Welsh books and manuscripts belonging to the Charity); p. 351, D. Thurson, Oldcastle, Lampeter, 1801 (1) (requesting help for Mr. Moorcroft in connection with his researches); p. 283, Col. Toone [Epsom, Surrey], n.d. (1) (a request concerning the education of the writer's eldest son); p. 249, Joshua Toulmin, Taunton, [? 1800] (I, to R. Phillips, Bookseller, No. 71 St. Paul's Church Yard [London]) (an extract from a letter of the Revd. Harry Toulmin of Kentucky concerning the Welch [ sic] Indians for the Monthly Magazine); p. 231, Sh[aro]n Turner, [? London ], n.d. (1) (sending the Vindication); p. 319, T. R. Underwood, n.d. (1) (re tickets, (?) an invitation from Mr. Tobin to the addressee and Bard Williams to tea and to meet Mr. Southey); p. 47, Wm. Warrington, Shenley near Barnet, 1788 (1) (re maps); pp. 1, 5, 7, 11, 15, 19, 23, 27, 31, 35, 39, Edwd. Williams, 'Iolo Morganwg', Bath, Flimston, and St. Mary Hill, 1791-1806 (11) (information for Dr. [John] Williams, his intended expedition to America, various requests, mention of a manuscript of Brut y Brenhinoedd, a projected work, answering a letter in which it was suggested that he 'took away the books in a fit of passion', a copy of a letter from Owen Jones, etc.); p. 347, Hen: Williams (Crickhowell) writing from London, 1801 (1) (he is unable to call, will subscribe to the addressee's next Welsh productions); p. 63, J[ohn] Williams, Sydenham, 1791 (1) (re arrangements to meet Mr. Drummond and the addressee); p. 115, John Williams, Llanrwst, 1793 (1) (the dictionary, hoping he has not adopted a new orthography, mention of the 'infamous translation' of the Prayer for the late Fast); pp. 207, 289, Margaret Williams, Flimston, 1802 (2) (requesting information concerning [her husband] Edwd. Williams ['Iolo Morganwg'], her daughter's health); p. 161, Rev. Rob[ert] Williams, Llandudno near Conway, 1796 (1) (mention of his degree and ordination to a curacy and of plans to go to Oxford and [London], 'a vessel sails from Carnarvon to America, this month with about 300 Emigrants all Inhabitants of Carnarvonshire Anglesey or Denbighshire'); pp. 263, 411, Robert Williams or Robert ap Gwilim, Southwark, 1803-1804 (2) (his safe arrival in London from Riga in Russia, wishing to visit the addressee, an invitation); p. 419, Wm. Williams [? London], 1806 (I, (? requesting payment of an account); p. 313, C. H. Wilson, n.d. (1) (his inability to accept the kind invitation); p.295, C. Wood, [London], 1802 (1) (requesting the address of Mr. E. Williams ['Iolo Morganwg']); and p. 99, Y Colegwyr, Coleg y Rhacgaer, 1793 (1, to [Edward Williams] 'Iorwerth ab Gwilim') (refuting the addressee's claim and vowing that the language of the Welsh Bible is the best Welsh and that they will compose poetry according to the rules of the book of Sion Dafydd Rhys). Other items consist of: p. 123, printed proposals, 2 September 1793, for printing the Celtic Remains; p. 257, notes [by William Owen-Pughe] on 'Ross', 'Rhos', and 'Rhys'; and p. 261, particulars of the 'Madogeion Society'. One or two of the signatures to the letters have been cut away.